Total Cases Research Articles

Cytological spectrum of malignant lesions of lymph node

Background: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a safe, simple, non-invasive and inexpensive procedure for diagnosing the lesions of lymph nodes. It helps in the diagnosis of benign, infectious lesions as well as malignant lesions. It not only confirms or excludes metastasis in a case of a known primary malignancy but, also, helps to detect occult primary malignancy. Aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of malignant lesions of lymph nodes in FNAC. Methods: Retrospective study included all cervical lymph node lesions reported on FNAC, in the department of pathology, NSCB Medical College, Jabalpur from January 2023 to June 2024 (18 months). Results: Total cases of 414 lymph node aspiration were done, of which 78 cases (18.84%) were positive for malignancy. Among malignant lesion metastasis was the predominant lesion. Majority of cases were seen in 51-60 years age group with male predominance and male: female ratio was 6.1:1. The most common metastasis was from squamous cell carcinoma which was reported in 65 cases (84%), followed by 4 cases of adenocarcinoma and malignancy of epithelial origin each. One case each of metastasis from papillary carcinoma thyroid, anaplastic carcinoma thyroid and malignant melanoma was reported. In two cases cytological diagnosis of lymphoma (NHL) was made. Conclusions: FNAC gives early and accurate results with minimal invasion and reduces the need for surgical biopsies, thus saves cost and time to reach the final diagnosis. It is concluded that FNAC is a useful tool in diagnosing malignant lesions of lymph nodes with a good certainty.

Global burden of thyroid cancer in 2022: Incidence and mortality estimates from GLOBOCAN.

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system. This study aimed to assess the global distribution of TC incidence and mortality in 2022, as well as to predict the burden for the year 2050. Data from the GLOBOCAN 2022database were used to analyze the age-standardized incidence and mortality rates of TC by sex, age group (<55 years and ≥55 years), country, world region, and level of Human Development Index (HDI) for 185 countries. The predicted incidence and mortality burden for 2050 was calculated based on demographic projections. In 2022, an estimated 821,214 new TC cases and 47,507 TC-related deaths occurred worldwide. The age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) and age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) were higher in women (ASIR: 13.60 per 100,000; ASMR: 0.53 per 100,000) than in men (ASIR: 4.60 per 100,000; ASMR: 0.35 per 100,000). The ASIR in high HDI countries was approximately ten times higher than that in low HDI countries for both sexes, with relatively similar ASMR across regions. Among 185 countries, China had the largest number of TC cases (accounting for 56.77% of total cases) and TC-related deaths (accounting for 24.35% of global TC-related deaths), with the highest ASIR in men (13.30 per 100,000). Worldwide, approximately 64.63% of TC cases occurred in populations under 55 years old, while nearly 82.99% of TC-related deaths occurred in populations aged 55 years and above. If the rates stay the same as in 2022, it is projected that approximately 1,100,000 new TC cases and 91,000 TC-related deaths will occur in 2050, indicating a 34.15% and 89.58% increase, respectively. TC is a highly frequent cancer worldwide with disparities across regions, genders, and age groups. Our results provide light on the worldwide TC disease burden and facilitate regionally customized prevention measures.

Colorectal Cancer and Asbestos Exposure: A Women's Health Perspective.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered a "man's disease". However, emerging data show that females may have a higher prevalence of certain risk factors. A potential causal role of asbestos in CRC carcinogenesis has been suggested. This relationship is controversial, and only a few studies have focused on exposed female populations. The aim of this study was to review the scientific literature related to asbestos-related CRC incidence and mortality rates in female populations to address gender bias in the existing research. A systematic review was performed following PRISMA statement. Fourteen studies reporting 92 cases in total were included. Most women were aged 50 years or older and were employed in occupational activities with high asbestos exposure (steel, textile, and asbestos-cement industry) for at least 10 years. In one single case, household asbestos exposure was reported. The colon was the primary location of the tumor in 47 out of 92 cases. Three women were also affected by synchronous or metachronous peritoneal mesotheliomas. This study revealed a general methodological "gender bias" in scientific research. A significantly higher representation of women in clinical studies is needed to clarify the link between asbestos exposure and the development of colorectal cancer.

Revealing the surprising: Computed tomography-guided exploration of paranasal sinuses incidental findings

BackgroundIncidental findings (IFs) are unintentional discoveries that are unrelated to the original imaging goal. Imaging exams of persons with suspected intracranial disorders may reveal IFs in the paranasal sinuses (PNS). The current investigation aims to determine the frequency and features of unexpected discoveries in the PNS in persons who have had brain computed tomography (CT) scans for suspected intracranial abnormalities. MethodsBetween December 2022 and February 2023, 100 patients who met the inclusion criteria for clinically suspected intracranial disorders had CT brain scans as part of this retrospective cross-sectional study. Two board-certified radiologists with at least three years of experience assessed the CT scans independently. The study investigated the incidence and proportion of paranasal sinuses incidental findings (PNS IFs) observed during brain CT scans to detect brain abnormalities. ResultsThe study discovered that 27% of patients had IFs, with the retired population (aged 61 and up) having the highest prevalence, particularly among men. Acute sinusitis was the most commonly diagnosed incidental finding (IF), accounting for 15% of total cases. In addition, we found polyps, retention cysts, chronic sinusitis, mucoceles, and fungal infections. Left-sided maxillary sinus abnormalities outnumbered right-sided ones. Bilateral involvement was unusual. ConclusionThese findings emphasize the importance of addressing IFs in the PNS when treating patients, as they may necessitate further inspection or intervention. These results have the potential to help establish strategies for treating patients with incidental paranasal sinus findings, ultimately improving patient care.

Assessment of hepcidin in Egyptian patients with rheumatoid arthritis and its relation to anemia: a single-center study

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune inflammatory disorder characterized by synovial inflammation that leads to joint damage, bony erosions, and related deformities. Between 30 and 70% of RA patients will experience anemia. Early detection of anemia is of great importance. This study aimed to evaluate the serum level of hepcidin (HEP) in RA patients and to assess its relation to disease activity and anemia. The current cross-sectional study included 44 cases with RA in addition to 44 healthy controls. The disease activity in the RA patient was assessed by using the disease activity score (DAS) 28 score-CRP. The serum levels of HEP and ferritin were assessed in both groups using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique.ResultsHepcidin level in the RA group was statistically significantly higher as compared to the control group (p = 0.001). The prevalence of Anemia of chronic disease (ACD) was 40.9%, and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was 27.3% which accounted for 68.2% of the total anemia cases. The HEP level was statistically significantly higher in the RA patients with ACD than those without anemia (P = 0.028), RA patients with IDA (P < 0.001), and control group (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between HEP level and serum ferritin level (p = 0.005). HEP level was significantly and inversely correlated with hemoglobin (Hb) in patients with ACD. Serum HEP level is higher in RA patients with high disease activity than those with moderate activity, low activity, and patients in remission (p = 0.380). However, the difference was not statistically significant. The best cutoff point of HEP level to identify RA patients from healthy controls was > 355.5 Pg/ml. This point showed moderate sensitivity (70.5%) with moderate specificity (63.6%) with a statistically significant value.ConclusionsWe found the anemia, and particularly ACD, is more common in RA patients. In RA patients with ACD, serum HEP levels were considerably higher. Although serum HEP showed no diagnostic significance when it came to evaluating disease activity, it could be a dependable non-invasive biomarker for the diagnosis of various forms of anemia in RA patients.

A Comparison of Automatic Bone Age Assessments between the Left and Right Hands: A Tool for Filtering Measurement Errors

This study aimed to investigate whether the left and right hands yield the same bone age using the automated bone age assessment (BAA) system and proposed the right-hand BAA as a tool for filtering out measurement errors. The Bland–Altman, Passing–Bablok, and Spearman correlation coefficients were analyzed to compare the automated BAA results for each hand. The absolute difference between each hand obtained by the model (ADBH model) was calculated. The mean absolute difference (MAD) was estimated between the automatic BAA results for each hand and the reference standard. The mean of the ADBH model was 0.23 ± 0.19 years; 92.2% of the participants showed an ADBH model result of &lt;0.5 years. The Passing–Bablok regression analysis revealed an excellent overall correlation between the BAAs of both hands. Of the total cases, 59 participants showed an ADBH model result &gt;0.5 years, with a MAD between the model and the reference standard of 0.409 years for the left hand and 0.424 years for the right hand; both MADs were higher than those of previous studies using the same model. Given the excellent overall correlation of the BAA between both hands using the model, the high ADBH model value may indicate BAA measurement errors and serve as a cue for manual supervision.

Genetic heterogeneity in the Salmonella Typhi Vi capsule locus: a population genomic study from Fiji.

Typhoid fever is endemic in many parts of the world and remains a major public health concern in tropical and sub-tropical developing nations, including Fiji. To address high rates of typhoid fever, the Northern Division of Fiji implemented a mass vaccination with typhoid conjugate vaccine (Vi-polysaccharide conjugated to tetanus toxoid) as a public health control measure in 2023. In this study we define the genomic epidemiology of Salmonella Typhi in the Northern Division prior to island-wide vaccination, sequencing 85% (n=419) of the total cases from the Northern and Central Divisions of Fiji that occurred in the period 2017-2019. We found elevated rates of nucleotide polymorphisms in the tviD and tviE genes (responsible for Vi-polysaccharide synthesis) relative to core genome levels within the Fiji endemic S. Typhi genotype 4.2. Expansion of these findings within a globally representative database of 12 382 S. Typhi (86 genotyphi clusters) showed evidence of convergent evolution of the same tviE mutations across the S. Typhi population, indicating that tvi selection has occurred both independently and globally. The functional impact of tvi mutations on the Vi-capsular structure and other phenotypic characteristics are not fully elucidated, yet commonly occurring tviE polymorphisms localize adjacent to predicted active site residues when overlayed against the predicted TviE protein structure. Given the central role of the Vi-polysaccharide in S. Typhi biology and vaccination, further integrated epidemiological, genomic and phenotypic surveillance is required to determine the spread and functional implications of these mutations.

Enhancing genetic association power in endometriosis through unsupervised clustering of clinical subtypes identified from electronic health records.

Endometriosis is a complex and heterogeneous condition affecting 10% of reproductive-age women, and yet, it often goes undiagnosed for several years. Limited observed heritability (7%) of large genetic association studies may be attributable to underlying heterogeneity of disease mechanisms. Therefore, we conducted this study to investigate genetic associations across sub-phenotypes of endometriosis. We performed unsupervised clustering of 4,078 women with endometriosis based on known endometriosis risk factors, symptoms, and concomitant conditions. The clusters were characterized by examining electronic health record (EHR) data and comprehensive chart reviews. We then performed genetic association for each cluster with 39 endometriosis-associated loci (Total Nendometriosis cases = 12,350). We identified five sub-phenotype clusters: (1) pain comorbidities, (2) uterine disorders, (3) pregnancy complications, (4) cardiometabolic comorbidities, and (5) HER-asymptomatic. Bonferroni significant loci included PDLIM5 for the cluster 1, GREB1 for cluster 2, WNT4 for cluster 3, RNLS for cluster 4, and ABO for cluster 5. The difference in associations between the groups suggests complex and varied genetic mechanisms of endometriosis and its symptoms. This study enhances our understanding of the clinical patterns of endometriosis sub-phenotypes, showcasing the innovative approach employed to investigate this complex disease.

WP7.16 - Usefulness of Cross-Sectional Imaging and Biochemical Markers in Diagnosing Necrotising Soft Tissue Infections

Abstract Introduction Diagnosis of Necrotising Soft Tissue Infections (NSTI) remains clinical, however pre-operative investigations and radiology may be useful for cases of diagnostic uncertainty or pre-operative planning. Aims To identify if cross-sectional imaging is useful in the diagnosis of NSTI's. To identify if Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotising Fasciitis (LRINEC) score supports the diagnosis of NSTI’s. Methods Retrospective data collection of all relevant clinical data for all histologically confirmed NSTI’s in a single centre from 2012 to 2022 inclusive. Results 73 total cases of NSTI were confirmed. 27 patients underwent CT imaging as a direct result of their presenting complaint. CT was performed for the following reasons,Patient NoReason for CT10Clinically confirmed - CT to assess extent of involvement4Clinically suspicious – CT to confirm diagnosis5No clinical diagnosis – CT features of NSTI8Incidental findings – CT for alternative diagnosis Only 3 patients had a prospective documented LRINEC score. As such retrospective LRINEC scores were calculated for each case in this cohort. Average scores were 7.71 (Range 4-13), which is above the reported threshold value of 6. Conclusion CT scans are useful in clinically confirmed or suspected NSTIs for further assessment, however with regards to diagnosing NSTIs, clinical diagnosis remains the preferred modality. There remains limited data to suggest that a CT scan should be gold standard in identifying and confirming NSTI’s. LRINEC scoring however should be utilized for all suspected NSTI’s, it remains poorly utilized but would provide significant value and diagnostic guidance when above threshold values.

Cancer incidence (2000–2020) among individuals under 35: an emerging sex disparity in oncology

BackgroundAggressive malignancies, such as pancreatic cancer, are increasingly impacting young, female populations. Our investigation centered on whether the observed trends in cancer incidence were unique to pancreatic cancer or indicative of a broader trend across various cancer types. To delve deeper into this phenomenon, we analyzed cancer incidence trends across different age and sex groups. Furthermore, we explored differences in cancer incidence within specific young subgroups aged 18 to 26 and 27 to 34, to better understand the emerging incidence trend among young individuals.MethodsThis study collected cancer incidence data from one of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry databases (SEER22), with 10,183,928 total cases from 2000 to 2020. Data were analyzed through Joinpoint trend analysis approach to evaluate sex- and age-specific trends in cancer incidence. Exposure rates were reported as Average Annual Percentage Changes (AAPCs).ResultsThe analysis revealed significant age and sex-specific disparities, particularly among individuals aged 18–26 and 27–34. Pancreatic cancer incidence rates increased more in females aged 18–26 (AAPC, 9.37% [95% CI, 7.36–11.41%]; p < .0001) than in males (4.43% [95% CI, 2.36–6.53%]; p < .0001). Notably, among gender, age, and other malignancies, young females had the highest AAPCs for pancreatic cancer. Additionally, the incidence of gastric cancer, myeloma, and colorectal malignancies also showed higher AAPCs in young females compared to males.ConclusionsRecognizing emerging risk populations for highly lethal malignancies is crucial for early detection and effective disease management.

Advanced Practice Providers in Pediatric Surgery: A 10-Year Analysis of Clinical Productivity

Introduction: Advanced practice providers (APPs) are integral to nonsurgical and surgical fields. In surgical settings, APPs work autonomously alongside surgeons to enhance continuity of care. While small-scale studies across various surgical specialties have explored APP utilization, literature specific to the pediatric population is limited. This study assesses the impact of increased APP utilization on productivity within one of the largest pediatric surgery departments in the United States. Methods: Data was sourced from the Surgery Department Executive Committee (SDEC) annual reports. Descriptive analyses were performed to delineate trends in clinical volumes, OR cases, gross charges, work relative value units (wRVUs), and provider full-time equivalents (FTEs) between October 2011 and September 2023. Secondary analyses were performed from 2016 to 2023, after APP roles were refined in each division. Results: Since 2012, an upward trend is observed in total clinic visits, total OR cases, and OR cases per MD. In 2016, APPs saw 1 clinic patient for every 2.2 seen by MDs, decreasing to a 1:1 ratio by 2023. The MD surgical conversion rate has increased by 20.5% since 2016, while the conversion rate per total clinic volume has decreased by 7.3% over the same period. Total wRVUs and gross charges increased across the department and per provider, despite fewer overall providers since 2021. Conclusion: Increased utilization of APPs within the department of surgery may enhance procedural productivity for surgeons while ensuring continued patient access to care. This study highlights the importance of developing care models that optimize the full skillset of APPs.

Screening for Janus kinase-2 exon 12 mutations among Janus kinase-2 V617F-negative polycythemia vera suspected Iraqi patients

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of myeloproliferative neoplasms including polycythemia vera (PV) has been greatly improved following the identification of driver mutations at exon 12 and exon 14 of the Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) gene. There are limited academic studies that report the frequency of the JAK2 exon 12 gene with limited number of patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of JAK2 exon 12 mutations among JAK2V617F-negative PV-suspected Iraqi patients. PATIENTS’, MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study conducted at the National Center of Hematology/Mustansiriyah University from December 2019 to January 2022; patients with suspicion of PV were enrolled in this study. Screening for JAK2 exon 14 (JAK2V617F) mutations was done for all 323 patients. Out of them, there were 102 patients with JAK2V617F-negative who retrospectively screened for JAK2 exon 12 mutations by direct sequencing (Sanger sequencing). RESULTS: Initial evaluation for the total 323 patients suspected with PV revealed that 84 cases were mutated for the JAK2V617F gene, and 239 were unmutated. The frequency of JAK2 exon 12 was about 1% among JAK2V17F-negative patients. The median age for all patients was 35 years. Among the total cases, 21 cases (20.59%) showed splenomegaly at the time of clinical onset sequencing of these cases revealed only one case mutated with JAK2 exon 12 (E543-D544del). CONCLUSION: The current study showed that the frequency of JAK2 exon 12 mutations in JAK2V617F-negative cases was very low. Despite PV patients with JAK2 exon 12 mutations represent a small proportion of total PV cases, JAK2 exon 12 mutations should be routinely screened in JAK2V617F-negative cases.

Differential Equations and Applications to COVID-19

This paper focuses on the application of the Verhulst logistic equation to model in retrospect the total COVID-19 cases in Senegal during the period from April 2022 to April 2023. Our predictions for April 2023 are compared with the real COVID-19 data for April 2023 to assess the accuracy of the model. The data analysis is conducted using Python programming language, which allows for efficient data processing and prediction generation.

Optimal treatment strategy for low-grade spinal cord astrocytoma: a retrospective, multicenter analysis by the Neurospinal Society of Japan

OBJECTIVE Primary spinal cord gliomas are rare, and among these astrocytomas (WHO grade II) are much rarer. The optimal treatment strategy thus remains unclear. The authors conducted a multicenter study led by the Neurospinal Society of Japan (NSJ) to analyze treatment policies and outcomes. The aim was to present optimal treatment methods for spinal cord astrocytoma and to identify predictors of better outcomes. METHODS Among 1033 consecutive cases of spinal cord intramedullary tumors treated surgically at 58 centers affiliated with the NSJ, 57 patients were diagnosed with diffuse astrocytoma (WHO grade II) and were enrolled in the present study. Among these 57 patients, treatment methods, outcomes, and tumor proliferation rate as evaluated by the MIB-1 staining index (SI) were analyzed, and the optimal treatment method for spinal cord astrocytomas (grade II) was determined. In addition, the authors searched for factors predicting better treatment outcomes. RESULTS Treatment for spinal cord astrocytoma comprised three methods: surgery alone in 30 patients, adjuvant radiation therapy in 13 patients, and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in 13 patients. One patient who did not undergo surgery was excluded from survival analysis. Treatment with surgery alone or surgery with radiotherapy was associated with significantly longer overall and progression-free survivals than that with adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Patients treated with radiation therapy had a higher MIB-1 SI than those treated with surgery alone. The extent of tumor resection tended to correlate with longer survival. In contrast, postoperative neurological worsening showed the inverse order. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy was associated with the shortest survival in both total cases and recurrent cases. The optimal cutoff value of MIB-1 SI for predicting longer survival by surgery alone was less than 4.0%. CONCLUSIONS The optimal treatment for spinal cord astrocytoma is maximal tumor resection without neurological impairment. When some tumor remains in patients with an MIB-1 SI less than 4.0%, a wait-and-see approach is optimal. If the MIB-1 SI is higher than 4.0%, local radiation therapy is recommended. Adjuvant chemotherapy is not recommended for the treatment of grade II spinal cord astrocytoma.

A Comparative Genomic Study of Conventional and Undifferentiated Melanoma

Undifferentiated melanoma, defined as melanoma that has lost all usual phenotypic and immunohistochemical characteristics of conventional melanoma, can pose significant diagnostic challenges. Molecular studies have advanced our understanding of undifferentiated melanoma by demonstrating that a subset of these tumors harbors known melanoma driver alterations in genes such as BRAF, NRAS, and NF1. However, there is a paucity of data describing genetic alterations that may distinguish undifferentiated melanoma from conventional melanoma. In this study, we directly compared the genomic profiles of undifferentiated melanoma to a cohort of conventional melanomas, including 14 undifferentiated melanoma cases (comprised of 2 primary cases, 2 cutaneous recurrences, and 10 metastases) and a cohort of 127 conventional melanomas including primary, recurrent, and metastatic cases. Targeted sequencing of 447 cancer-associated genes was performed, including identification of mutations and copy number alterations. NRAS was the most frequent melanoma driver in undifferentiated melanoma (8/14 cases, 57%), although notably, only 1 undifferentiated melanoma harbored an NRAS Q61R mutation. Compared with the conventional melanoma cohort, undifferentiated melanoma demonstrated statistically significant enrichment of pathogenic activating RAC1 mutations (6/14 total cases, 43%), including P29S (4/6 cases), P29L (1/6 cases), and D11E (1/6 cases). In addition to providing insight into the molecular pathogenesis of undifferentiated melanoma, these findings also suggest that RAS Q61R immunohistochemistry may have limited utility for its diagnosis. The presence of recurrent RAC1 mutations in undifferentiated melanoma is also to be noted as these alterations may contribute to mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway–targeted therapy resistance. Furthermore, the RAC1 alterations identified in this cohort have been shown to drive a melanocytic to mesenchymal switch in melanocytes, offering a possible explanation for the undifferentiated phenotype of these melanomas.

Low penetrance of frequent ATP7B mutations explains the low prevalence of Wilson disease. Lessons from real-life registries.

Background & AimsWilson disease (WD) is a copper metabolism disorder caused by mutations in ATP7B gene, with significant clinical variability. Several studies have analyzed the prevalence and penetrance of mutations. We evaluated both characteristics for our more frequent mutations. MethodsEvaluation of 260 patients from the National Registry: clinical, analytical and genetic data. Estimation of homozygotes and total cases according to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and comparison with Registry records. ResultsThe estimated number of homozygotes were higher than registered: p.Met645Arg (1949/6), p.His1069Gln (20/8), p.Leu708Pro (63/24) and p.Gly869Arg (147/0). p.Met645Arg homozygotes presented less cirrhosis at diagnosis, extrahepatic disease and Kayser-Fleischer ring (KFR) and more presymptomatic cases and diagnosis after 40 years of age than p.Leu708Pro and p.His1069Gln homozygotes. p.Met645Arg homozygotes presented more late diagnosis than p.Met645Arg compound heterozygotes. Compound heterozygotes carrying p.Met645Arg or p.Gly869Arg showed less cirrhosis at diagnosis, KFR and neurological symptoms and more hepatic and presymptomatic cases, despite clearly low ceruloplasmin levels. The estimated prevalence was 1:3.785, predicting more than 10.500 patients. ConclusionsThe widespread mutations p.Met645Arg and p.Gly869Arg show low penetrance. WD might be underdiagnosed in Spain due to less severe phenotype of the most frequent mutations, a crucial fact to avoid misdiagnosis and to offer early therapy.

See one, do one, teach one - Trends in resident autonomy and teaching assistant cases during general surgery residency in the United States: A nationwide retrospective analysis

IntroductionAutonomy during residency is crucial to the training and development of competent surgeons. An essential component of this process is the ‘teaching assistant (TA)’ case, an indispensable opportunity for residents to gain confidence and hone intraoperative skills. However, high-quality data on the volume and diversity of cases that graduates perform are scarce. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed from publicly collected data of operative case logs from general surgery residents graduating from ACGME-accredited programs from 2006 to 2023. Data on the median overall number of surgeon chief and TA cases were retrieved. Collected data were organized based on sub-specialties. The Mann-Kendall trend test was used to investigate trends in TA cases and surgeon chief operative volume. ResultsBetween 2007 and 2023, the surgeon chief cases gradually increased from 229 to 274 (19.6 ​% increase; τ ​= ​0.610, p ​= ​0.001). There was a concurrent 72.7 ​% increase in TA cases from a median of 22–38 (τ ​= ​0.574, p ​= ​0.001). Surgeon chief (283 per resident) and TA cases (43 per resident) peaked in 2018–2019 and 2016–2017.The uptrend in TA cases was associated with the significant increase in colorectal (τ ​= ​0.559, p ​= ​0.001), general surgery-other (τ ​= ​0.404, p ​= ​0.018), and hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) (τ ​= ​0.596, p ​= ​0.001) subspecialties. Trauma and vascular surgery did not change significantly. With respect to total chief cases, general surgery-other (τ ​= ​0.956, p=<0.001), HPB (τ ​= ​0.713, p=<0.001) and colorectal (τ ​= ​0.522, p ​= ​0.004) volume increased. There was no significant change in trauma and foregut volume, while the volume of endocrine (τ ​= ​−0.485, p ​= ​0.006) and vascular surgery (τ ​= ​0.603, p ​= ​0.001) dropped significantly.The procedural category with the highest chief and TA volume was ‘colorectal tract - large intestine.’ Most procedural categories (53.49 ​%) retained a median of 0 teaching cases. No chief cases were logged for the specialties generally not considered part of general surgery (genitourinary, nervous system, orthopedics, and gynecology), although a median of 1 surgeon chief genitourinary case was recorded from 2018 to 2023. ConclusionsOver the past seventeen years, there has been a gradual uptrend in the number of surgeon chief and TA cases. While this is a positive indicator of improved autonomy, further research must focus on strategies to improve resident autonomy to train well-rounded surgeons safely.

Transoral robotic thyroidectomy: Lessons learned from consecutive series of 1,000 patients

BackgroundTransoral robotic thyroidectomy has gained popularity as a promising approach for thyroid surgery owing to its improved cosmetic outcomes. The objective of this retrospective study was to describe the surgical and safety outcomes of 1,000 consecutive transoral robotic thyroidectomy cases. Methods1,000 consecutive patients who underwent transoral robotic thyroidectomy for thyroid disease were reviewed at a large metropolitan tertiary hospital (Seoul, Korea) between September 2012 and March 2022. ResultsThe study comprised 1,000 patients (815 women), with 891 cancer cases. Lobectomy was the most common procedure (89.4%), followed by total thyroidectomy (9.8%) and isthmusectomy (0.8%), and their respective mean total operative times were 173.8 ± 36.2, 236.8 ± 50.5, and 107.5 ± 19.8 minutes. An obvious learning curve was noted. The respective postoperative pain scores on postoperative days 0, 1, and 2 were 4.6 ± 1.3, 3.1 ± 0.8, and 2.5 ± 0.8. The mean postoperative hospital stay duration was 2.6 ± 0.9 days. Complications occurred in 3.6% of cases, including oral wound infection, skin flap burn, bleeding, chyle leakage, transient and permanent mental nerve injury, and transient and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Transient hypoparathyroidism occurred in 4.1% of total thyroidectomy cases. Thirty-seven patients (4.2%) underwent additional radioactive iodine therapy. The median follow-up period was 39 months, and there were no cases of recurrence. ConclusionsUnder the expertise of an experienced surgeon, transoral robotic thyroidectomy results in favorable cosmetic outcomes, tolerable postoperative pain, and acceptable complication rates in carefully selected patients.

The emergence of parvovirus B19 as a pathogen in acute encephalitis syndrome.

Despite scarcity of data, in recent years, human parvovirus B19 (PVB19) has been emerging as an important pathogen in acute encephalitis syndrome (AES). But, PVB19 virus is mostly looked for only after the exclusion of other common pathogens implicated in AES. Hence, this study was conducted to correlate clinical, radiological, and sequencing data to establish the crucial role of PVB19 in AES. Cerebrospinal fluid and/or serum samples were collected from AES patients as per WHO criteria and tested by ELISA, real-time PCR and bacterial culture sensitivity for various pathogens. PVB19 positive samples were subjected to sequencing. PVB19 attributed to 5% of total AES cases in the present study with fatalities in two of eight cases. Two isolates of PVB19 belonged to Genotype 1 A whereas one belonged to Genotype 3B. On multivariate analysis of predictive symptoms of PVB19 AES cases, blurring of vision (odds ratio [OR] 20.67; p = 0.001) was found to be significant independent predictor of PVB19 AES. Six of eight patients (two encephalitis specific and four nonspecific) had abnormal radiological findings. Hence, being an emerging viral pathogen, PVB19 should be included in the diagnostic algorithm of AES for prompt diagnosis and definitive management to prevent undesired neurological sequelae.

Epidemiology And Outcomes Of Community Acquired Acute Kidney Injury: A Prospective Single Center Study

Purposes Community Acquire AKI (CAAKI) develops outside the hospital settings and imposes significant burden on healthcare with its high mortality rate and long-term consequences in selected cases. Infective causes are commonly incriminated and thus CAAKI incidence can be curtailed with social and preventive aspect of modern medicine. We studied patients of CAAKI admitted at our institute with follow-up for 6 months. Methods All patients aged &gt;18yrs, with diagnosis of CAAKI admitted to our Institute, a tertiary care centre located in northern part of India, was included in the study for a period of 3 years (2019-2022). The etiological spectrum and renal and patient outcomes of CA-AKI at the index visit and at 1-month, 3-month and 6 month follow-ups were analyzed. Findings Sepsis (38.8%) was the most common cause of AKI followed by Acute Gastroenteritis. Drug induced AKI was the third most common cause with 9.4% of total cases. Mortality at the index admission was 8.5% and Complete recovery at discharge was observed in 14% of patients. Remaining patients (77.5%) had partial recovery on discharge. On follow Up at 6 Months, 13 patients (5.5%) had persistent renal dysfunction of which 2 (0.85%) were on Renal replacement therapy. Conclusion Infective causes remain the common culprits of CAAKI with large contribution from Drug induced AKI. Significant number of patients progress to CKD and/or ESRD. Improving Socio-economic status is likely to lower the incidence of CAAKI.