Background: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) profiling from peripheral blood allows relatively noninvasive monitoring of solid tumors; however, its utility post-surgery or chemotherapy in colorectal cancer remains underexplored. We evaluated the clinical implications of a ctDNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel post-surgery or chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: We collected samples from 23 patients with colorectal cancer (17 men, median age 65 yrs) at baseline and post-surgery or chemotherapy at the National Cancer Center, Korea, between January 2021 and September 2023. ctDNA was analyzed using an NGS panel including 46 genes, and variant allele frequencies (VAFs) were determined. Followup samples were analyzed using the NGS panel or droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) when probes were available. Clinical status was compared with ctDNA results, and survival was analyzed using a time-dependent Cox model. Results: Mutations were identified in 13 out of 14 patients (92.8%) with stage II/III cancer and in all nine patients (100%) with stage IV cancer. Mutations were detected in KRAS (N = 15, 65%), APC (N = 8, 35%), TP53 (N = 7, 30%), PIK3CA (N = 5, 22%), and RET (N = 4, 17%). A 1% increase in KRAS and TP53 VAFs was associated with 48% and 32% increased mortality risk, respectively. Changes in VAF correlated well with clinical findings. Conclusions The detection of and an increase in KRAS and TP53 VAFs were associated with poor prognosis. ddPCR-based ctDNA monitoring results were comparable to those obtained with the NGS panel. ctDNA monitoring during treatment is clinically informative in managing colorectal cancer.

An implant-supported hybrid prosthesis is a fixed restoration composed of a metal framework and acrylic resin, offering advantages such as aesthetics, function, phonetics, and lip support, while providing retention and support through the splinting of implants with the metal framework. However, poor oral hygiene can lead to peri-implantitis, and long-term use may result in wear or fracture of the artificial teeth, causing reduced masticatory function and loss of vertical dimension. Traditionally, a new metal framework is cast for remanufacturing, but if the existing framework is intact, it can be reused for a more rapid and simplified protocol. This case involves a 58-year-old male patient with peri-implantitis, where some implants were removed and treated, and the superstructure was remanufactured using the existing metal framework. By preserving the existing metal framework during the remanufacturing of the implant-supported hybrid prosthesis, the treatment time and number of visits were reduced, minimizing patient discomfort.

An implant-supported hybrid prosthesis is a fixed restoration composed of a metal framework and acrylic resin, offering advantages such as aesthetics, function, phonetics, and lip support, while providing retention and support through the splinting of implants with the metal framework. However, poor oral hygiene can lead to peri-implantitis, and long-term use may result in wear or fracture of the artificial teeth, causing reduced masticatory function and loss of vertical dimension. Traditionally, a new metal framework is cast for remanufacturing, but if the existing framework is intact, it can be reused for a more rapid and simplified protocol. This case involves a 58-year-old male patient with peri-implantitis, where some implants were removed and treated, and the superstructure was remanufactured using the existing metal framework. By preserving the existing metal framework during the remanufacturing of the implant-supported hybrid prosthesis, the treatment time and number of visits were reduced, minimizing patient discomfort.

An implant-supported hybrid prosthesis is a fixed restoration composed of a metal framework and acrylic resin, offering advantages such as aesthetics, function, phonetics, and lip support, while providing retention and support through the splinting of implants with the metal framework. However, poor oral hygiene can lead to peri-implantitis, and long-term use may result in wear or fracture of the artificial teeth, causing reduced masticatory function and loss of vertical dimension. Traditionally, a new metal framework is cast for remanufacturing, but if the existing framework is intact, it can be reused for a more rapid and simplified protocol. This case involves a 58-year-old male patient with peri-implantitis, where some implants were removed and treated, and the superstructure was remanufactured using the existing metal framework. By preserving the existing metal framework during the remanufacturing of the implant-supported hybrid prosthesis, the treatment time and number of visits were reduced, minimizing patient discomfort.

Purpose: This study evaluates the viability of a new method that employs transperineal targeted biopsy with frozen section analysis immediately followed by robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), bypassing the traditional systematic biopsy deemed essential by current guidelines. Materials and Methods: Patient selection was based on the following inclusion criteria: those who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-ultrasound fusion-targeted biopsy with frozen section analysis and concurrent RARP. Eligibility also required features indicative of Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 5 lesion on multiparametric MRI, along with one of these additional criteria: (1) MRI evidence suggesting extracapsular extension (ECE) with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level >10 ng/mL, or (2) a PSA level > 20 ng/mL. Results: Twelve patients were enrolled in this study according to inclusion criteria. The median age (interquartile range) was 73.5 (69.5–75.3) years and PSA was 22.9 (17.0–29.9) ng/mL. Three patients had PI-RADS 5 lesions, and 9 had PI-RADS 5 lesions with findings of ECE. In all cases, the diagnosis based on frozen sections confirmed adenocarcinoma. Following confirmation, each patient underwent immediate RARP. According to the final pathology report, 2 patients had International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade 2 disease, 7 patients had ISUP grade 3, 1 had ISUP grade 4, and 2 had ISUP grade 5 disease. Four patients had stage pT2 disease, 3 had stage pT3a, and 5 had stage pT3b. The median immediate reporting time of the target biopsy frozen section was 20 (19.3–24.5) minutes. No perioperative complications related to target biopsy were observed. Conclusion For patients with a strong suspicion of prostate cancer and a PI-RADS 5 lesion, integrating simultaneous prostate frozen target biopsy with radical prostatectomy may offer a feasible treatment alternative, obviating the necessity for a preoperative systematic biopsy.

Purpose: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is considered a microvascular disorder and serves as an indicator for the potential development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) reflects early myocardial damage caused by microvascular disorders, the association between ED and LVDD remains poorly elucidated. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 123 patients with ED. They underwent RigiScan, and conventional echocardiography, and attempted International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. ED severity was evaluated by measuring changes in the penile base circumference and duration of penile rigidity (≥70%) during erection. The early diastolic velocity of mitral inflow (E) and early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus (e′) were measured using echocardiography. The patients were grouped based on the presence of CVD. Results: Among 123 patients, 29 had CVD and 94 did not. Patients with CVD exhibited more pronounced ED and more severe LVDD. Associations between increased penile circumference with echocardiographic parameters were more prominent in patients with CVD than in those without CVD (ΔTtop and e′ wave, r=0.508 and r=0.282, respectively, p for interaction=0.033; ΔTbase and E/e′ ratio, r=-0.338 and r=-0.293, respectively, p for interaction <0.001). In the multivariate linear regression, the increase of penile base circumference was an independent risk factor for LVDD (e′, B=0.503; E/e′ ratio, B=-1.416, respectively, p<0.001). Conclusions ED severity correlated well with LV diastolic dysfunction, particularly in the presence of CVD. This study highlighted the potential role of ED assessment as early indicator of CVD development.

Purpose: This study evaluates the viability of a new method that employs transperineal targeted biopsy with frozen section analysis immediately followed by robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), bypassing the traditional systematic biopsy deemed essential by current guidelines. Materials and Methods: Patient selection was based on the following inclusion criteria: those who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-ultrasound fusion-targeted biopsy with frozen section analysis and concurrent RARP. Eligibility also required features indicative of Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 5 lesion on multiparametric MRI, along with one of these additional criteria: (1) MRI evidence suggesting extracapsular extension (ECE) with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level >10 ng/mL, or (2) a PSA level > 20 ng/mL. Results: Twelve patients were enrolled in this study according to inclusion criteria. The median age (interquartile range) was 73.5 (69.5–75.3) years and PSA was 22.9 (17.0–29.9) ng/mL. Three patients had PI-RADS 5 lesions, and 9 had PI-RADS 5 lesions with findings of ECE. In all cases, the diagnosis based on frozen sections confirmed adenocarcinoma. Following confirmation, each patient underwent immediate RARP. According to the final pathology report, 2 patients had International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade 2 disease, 7 patients had ISUP grade 3, 1 had ISUP grade 4, and 2 had ISUP grade 5 disease. Four patients had stage pT2 disease, 3 had stage pT3a, and 5 had stage pT3b. The median immediate reporting time of the target biopsy frozen section was 20 (19.3–24.5) minutes. No perioperative complications related to target biopsy were observed. Conclusion For patients with a strong suspicion of prostate cancer and a PI-RADS 5 lesion, integrating simultaneous prostate frozen target biopsy with radical prostatectomy may offer a feasible treatment alternative, obviating the necessity for a preoperative systematic biopsy.

An implant-supported hybrid prosthesis is a fixed restoration composed of a metal framework and acrylic resin, offering advantages such as aesthetics, function, phonetics, and lip support, while providing retention and support through the splinting of implants with the metal framework. However, poor oral hygiene can lead to peri-implantitis, and long-term use may result in wear or fracture of the artificial teeth, causing reduced masticatory function and loss of vertical dimension. Traditionally, a new metal framework is cast for remanufacturing, but if the existing framework is intact, it can be reused for a more rapid and simplified protocol. This case involves a 58-year-old male patient with peri-implantitis, where some implants were removed and treated, and the superstructure was remanufactured using the existing metal framework. By preserving the existing metal framework during the remanufacturing of the implant-supported hybrid prosthesis, the treatment time and number of visits were reduced, minimizing patient discomfort.

Purpose: This study evaluates the viability of a new method that employs transperineal targeted biopsy with frozen section analysis immediately followed by robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), bypassing the traditional systematic biopsy deemed essential by current guidelines. Materials and Methods: Patient selection was based on the following inclusion criteria: those who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-ultrasound fusion-targeted biopsy with frozen section analysis and concurrent RARP. Eligibility also required features indicative of Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 5 lesion on multiparametric MRI, along with one of these additional criteria: (1) MRI evidence suggesting extracapsular extension (ECE) with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level >10 ng/mL, or (2) a PSA level > 20 ng/mL. Results: Twelve patients were enrolled in this study according to inclusion criteria. The median age (interquartile range) was 73.5 (69.5–75.3) years and PSA was 22.9 (17.0–29.9) ng/mL. Three patients had PI-RADS 5 lesions, and 9 had PI-RADS 5 lesions with findings of ECE. In all cases, the diagnosis based on frozen sections confirmed adenocarcinoma. Following confirmation, each patient underwent immediate RARP. According to the final pathology report, 2 patients had International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade 2 disease, 7 patients had ISUP grade 3, 1 had ISUP grade 4, and 2 had ISUP grade 5 disease. Four patients had stage pT2 disease, 3 had stage pT3a, and 5 had stage pT3b. The median immediate reporting time of the target biopsy frozen section was 20 (19.3–24.5) minutes. No perioperative complications related to target biopsy were observed. Conclusion For patients with a strong suspicion of prostate cancer and a PI-RADS 5 lesion, integrating simultaneous prostate frozen target biopsy with radical prostatectomy may offer a feasible treatment alternative, obviating the necessity for a preoperative systematic biopsy.

An implant-supported hybrid prosthesis is a fixed restoration composed of a metal framework and acrylic resin, offering advantages such as aesthetics, function, phonetics, and lip support, while providing retention and support through the splinting of implants with the metal framework. However, poor oral hygiene can lead to peri-implantitis, and long-term use may result in wear or fracture of the artificial teeth, causing reduced masticatory function and loss of vertical dimension. Traditionally, a new metal framework is cast for remanufacturing, but if the existing framework is intact, it can be reused for a more rapid and simplified protocol. This case involves a 58-year-old male patient with peri-implantitis, where some implants were removed and treated, and the superstructure was remanufactured using the existing metal framework. By preserving the existing metal framework during the remanufacturing of the implant-supported hybrid prosthesis, the treatment time and number of visits were reduced, minimizing patient discomfort.