This retrospective case series evaluated the effectiveness of minimally invasive spine surgery-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) using the “trial-in-situ ” technique for reducing high-grade spondylolisthesis. The surgical management of grade ≥III spondylolisthesis has been controversial, with various methods documented in the literature, including in-situ fusion, in-situ trans-sacral delta fixation, distraction techniques, and external reduction techniques. Recently, MIS techniques have gained popularity. This study analyzed 18 cases of high-grade spondylolisthesis treated with MIS-TLIF using the “trial-in-situ ” technique. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the modified Oswestry Disability Index (mODI) scores. The spinopelvic parameters and sagittal balance were also analyzed. Preoperatively, the spinopelvic parameters were deranged, with a mean pelvic tilt of 28.31°, which improved to 13.91° postoperatively. Similarly, the sacral slope improved from 45.65° to 38.01°. VAS and mODI scores improved postoperatively, indicating the effectiveness of the “trial-in-situ ” technique in reducing high-grade spondylolisthesis and achieving a better sagittal profile and spinopelvic parameters. The findings indicate that MIS-TLIF using the “trial-in-situ ” technique is a viable and effective method for treating high-grade spondylolisthesis.

This retrospective case series evaluated the effectiveness of minimally invasive spine surgery-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) using the “trial-in-situ ” technique for reducing high-grade spondylolisthesis. The surgical management of grade ≥III spondylolisthesis has been controversial, with various methods documented in the literature, including in-situ fusion, in-situ trans-sacral delta fixation, distraction techniques, and external reduction techniques. Recently, MIS techniques have gained popularity. This study analyzed 18 cases of high-grade spondylolisthesis treated with MIS-TLIF using the “trial-in-situ ” technique. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the modified Oswestry Disability Index (mODI) scores. The spinopelvic parameters and sagittal balance were also analyzed. Preoperatively, the spinopelvic parameters were deranged, with a mean pelvic tilt of 28.31°, which improved to 13.91° postoperatively. Similarly, the sacral slope improved from 45.65° to 38.01°. VAS and mODI scores improved postoperatively, indicating the effectiveness of the “trial-in-situ ” technique in reducing high-grade spondylolisthesis and achieving a better sagittal profile and spinopelvic parameters. The findings indicate that MIS-TLIF using the “trial-in-situ ” technique is a viable and effective method for treating high-grade spondylolisthesis.

This retrospective case series evaluated the effectiveness of minimally invasive spine surgery-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) using the “trial-in-situ ” technique for reducing high-grade spondylolisthesis. The surgical management of grade ≥III spondylolisthesis has been controversial, with various methods documented in the literature, including in-situ fusion, in-situ trans-sacral delta fixation, distraction techniques, and external reduction techniques. Recently, MIS techniques have gained popularity. This study analyzed 18 cases of high-grade spondylolisthesis treated with MIS-TLIF using the “trial-in-situ ” technique. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the modified Oswestry Disability Index (mODI) scores. The spinopelvic parameters and sagittal balance were also analyzed. Preoperatively, the spinopelvic parameters were deranged, with a mean pelvic tilt of 28.31°, which improved to 13.91° postoperatively. Similarly, the sacral slope improved from 45.65° to 38.01°. VAS and mODI scores improved postoperatively, indicating the effectiveness of the “trial-in-situ ” technique in reducing high-grade spondylolisthesis and achieving a better sagittal profile and spinopelvic parameters. The findings indicate that MIS-TLIF using the “trial-in-situ ” technique is a viable and effective method for treating high-grade spondylolisthesis.

This retrospective case series evaluated the effectiveness of minimally invasive spine surgery-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) using the “trial-in-situ ” technique for reducing high-grade spondylolisthesis. The surgical management of grade ≥III spondylolisthesis has been controversial, with various methods documented in the literature, including in-situ fusion, in-situ trans-sacral delta fixation, distraction techniques, and external reduction techniques. Recently, MIS techniques have gained popularity. This study analyzed 18 cases of high-grade spondylolisthesis treated with MIS-TLIF using the “trial-in-situ ” technique. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the modified Oswestry Disability Index (mODI) scores. The spinopelvic parameters and sagittal balance were also analyzed. Preoperatively, the spinopelvic parameters were deranged, with a mean pelvic tilt of 28.31°, which improved to 13.91° postoperatively. Similarly, the sacral slope improved from 45.65° to 38.01°. VAS and mODI scores improved postoperatively, indicating the effectiveness of the “trial-in-situ ” technique in reducing high-grade spondylolisthesis and achieving a better sagittal profile and spinopelvic parameters. The findings indicate that MIS-TLIF using the “trial-in-situ ” technique is a viable and effective method for treating high-grade spondylolisthesis.

Background: A mutation/deletion involving donor or acceptor sites for exon 14 results in splicing out of exon 14 of the mesenchymal epithelial transition (MET) gene and is known as “MET exon 14 skipping” (ΔMET14). The two recent approvals with substantial objective responses and improved progression-free survival to MET inhibitors namely capmatinib and tepotinib necessitate the identification of this alteration upfront. We herein describe our experience of ΔMET14 detection by an mRNA-based assay using polymerase chain reaction followed by fragment sizing. Methods: This is a home brew assay which was developed with the concept that the transcripts from true ΔMET14 will be shorter by ~140 bases than their wild type counterparts. The cases which were called MET exon 14 skipping positive on next-generation sequencing (NGS) were subjected to this assay, along with 13 healthy controls in order to establish the validity for true negatives. Results: Thirteen cases of ΔMET14 mutation were detected on NGS using RNA-based sequencing. Considering NGS as a gold standard, the sizing assay using both gel and capillary electrophoresis that showed 100% specificity for both with concordance rates of 84.6% and 88.2% with NGS, respectively, were obtained. Conclusions Owing to the cost-effective nature and easy to use procedures, this assay will prove beneficial for small- and medium-sized laboratories where skilled technical personnel and NGS platforms are unavailable.

Background: A mutation/deletion involving donor or acceptor sites for exon 14 results in splicing out of exon 14 of the mesenchymal epithelial transition (MET) gene and is known as “MET exon 14 skipping” (ΔMET14). The two recent approvals with substantial objective responses and improved progression-free survival to MET inhibitors namely capmatinib and tepotinib necessitate the identification of this alteration upfront. We herein describe our experience of ΔMET14 detection by an mRNA-based assay using polymerase chain reaction followed by fragment sizing. Methods: This is a home brew assay which was developed with the concept that the transcripts from true ΔMET14 will be shorter by ~140 bases than their wild type counterparts. The cases which were called MET exon 14 skipping positive on next-generation sequencing (NGS) were subjected to this assay, along with 13 healthy controls in order to establish the validity for true negatives. Results: Thirteen cases of ΔMET14 mutation were detected on NGS using RNA-based sequencing. Considering NGS as a gold standard, the sizing assay using both gel and capillary electrophoresis that showed 100% specificity for both with concordance rates of 84.6% and 88.2% with NGS, respectively, were obtained. Conclusions Owing to the cost-effective nature and easy to use procedures, this assay will prove beneficial for small- and medium-sized laboratories where skilled technical personnel and NGS platforms are unavailable.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and therapeutic efficacy of lutetium 177 prostate-specific membrane antigen (Lu-177-PSMA) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients with low performance status.METHODS: Twenty-two patients already treated with anti-androgens and docetaxel were enrolled for one cycle of Lu-177-PSMA therapy. Haemoglobin, total leukocyte counts, platelets and serum creatinine for toxicity profile while prostate specific antigen (PSA), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, visual analogue scale (VAS) and analgesic quantification scale (AQS) for therapeutic efficacy were recorded pre and 8 weeks post therapy. Wilcoxon signed-rank and ANOVA tests were used for statistical analysis.RESULTS: Partial response (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD) for PSAwere seen in 5 (22.7%), 13 (59.1%) and 4 (18.2%) patients respectively treated with mean 6.88 GBq dose of Lu-177-PSMA. 8/22 (36.4%) patients showed ≥ 30% drop in PSA. Grade 3 haemoglobin toxicity was seen in 5/22 (22.7%) patients. No patient developed grade 4 haemoglobin toxicity. No patients had grade 3 or 4 leukocytopenia or thrombocytopenia. Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed statistical significant (P < 0.05) difference in pre and post treatment ECOG, VAS, and AQS scores. The ANOVA test showed statistically significant difference in mean doses of Lu-177-PSMA used in three PSA response groups while difference was non-significant for other variables.CONCLUSION: We concluded that Lu-177-PSMA therapy has adequate pain palliation in end-stage mCRPC patients with low performance status and it has a potential to become effective therapeutic option in properly selected patients.
Creatinine ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukopenia ; Lutetium ; Membranes ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Thrombocytopenia

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and therapeutic efficacy of lutetium 177 prostate-specific membrane antigen (Lu-177-PSMA) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients with low performance status. METHODS: Twenty-two patients already treated with anti-androgens and docetaxel were enrolled for one cycle of Lu-177-PSMA therapy. Haemoglobin, total leukocyte counts, platelets and serum creatinine for toxicity profile while prostate specific antigen (PSA), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, visual analogue scale (VAS) and analgesic quantification scale (AQS) for therapeutic efficacy were recorded pre and 8 weeks post therapy. Wilcoxon signed-rank and ANOVA tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Partial response (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD) for PSAwere seen in 5 (22.7%), 13 (59.1%) and 4 (18.2%) patients respectively treated with mean 6.88 GBq dose of Lu-177-PSMA. 8/22 (36.4%) patients showed ≥ 30% drop in PSA. Grade 3 haemoglobin toxicity was seen in 5/22 (22.7%) patients. No patient developed grade 4 haemoglobin toxicity. No patients had grade 3 or 4 leukocytopenia or thrombocytopenia. Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed statistical significant (P < 0.05) difference in pre and post treatment ECOG, VAS, and AQS scores. The ANOVA test showed statistically significant difference in mean doses of Lu-177-PSMA used in three PSA response groups while difference was non-significant for other variables. CONCLUSION We concluded that Lu-177-PSMA therapy has adequate pain palliation in end-stage mCRPC patients with low performance status and it has a potential to become effective therapeutic option in properly selected patients.