Purpose: To evaluate functional and anatomical outcomes, including vessel morphology parameters on swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA), in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) switched to brolucizumab. Methods: This retrospective study included 37 eyes with nAMD that were switched from other anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents to intravitreal brolucizumab. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), injection intervals, central subfield thickness (CST), pigment epithelial detachment (PED), and presence of retinal fluid were compared between baseline and 12 months after switch. SS-OCTA images were analyzed to quantify macular neovascularization (MNV) area, vessel density, fractal dimension (FD), and lacunarity. Results: Switching to brolucizumab significantly extended injection intervals and reduced CST, PED height and retinal fluid, while maintaining BCVA at 12 months. Quantitative OCTA analysis showed reductions in MNV area and FD following the switch. When compared with the preceding 12 months of other anti-VEGF therapy, FD still showed a significant reduction after brolucizumab treatment (p = 0.019). Intraocular inflammation occurred in one eye and resolved with topical corticosteroids. Conclusions Intravitreal brolucizumab demonstrated favorable anatomical improvements and maintained visual outcomes over 12 months. Quantitative OCTA biomarkers, particularly FD, may serve as imaging indicators of disease activity and treatment response in eyes with nAMD undergoing a therapy switch.

In human, ultrasonography is used to measure the pennation angle in various muscles to identify muscle functions such as force production, and to study alterations of the pennation angle during muscle contraction, hypertrophy, and atrophy. However, assessments of the pennation angle have not yet been conducted in dogs. This study aims to assess the normal pennation angle of the tibialis cranialis muscle in dogs using ultrasound and to detect changes in this angle in dogs with muscular atrophy. Sixty-eight healthy dogs were examined to establish normal values, while 12 ataxic and 12 lame dogs with suspected hindlimb muscle atrophy were also included. The pennation angle was measured using ultrasound at the midpoint between the proximal end of the tibia and the malleolus, measuring the angle between the muscle bundle and the deep aponeurosis. To confirm the significance between the 5 breeds and to identify a difference between normal and atrophied muscles, statistical analysis was conducted. The study found no significant difference in pennation angle between breeds, with mean values (± standard deviation) of 4.97° (± 1.88) in neutral, 7.25° (± 2.68) in flexion, and 3.31° (± 1.33) in extension positions. Decrease of the pennation angle was identified in muscle atrophy and the flexion position was determined to be the most appropriate for pennation angle measurement of tibialis cranialis muscle. We recommend considering the pennation angle as a valuable indicator of muscle health in dogs, as it demonstrates significant potential for diagnosing and monitoring muscular conditions.

The main aim of this video article is to demonstrate the combined use of O-arm navigation and unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) to manage far-out syndrome (FOS). In FOS there is entrapment and compression of the fifth lumbar nerve beyond the foramen and between L5 transverse process and the sacral ala at the lumbosacral junction. Conventional microscopic decompression using a paraspinal approach had been the gold standard for its management. However, the surgery is technically challenging due to the deep location of the pathology and intricate anatomy of extraforaminal space. There have been some published reports of unsatisfactory outcomes with microscopic decompression for FOS. We decided to integrate navigation with UBE to increase precision for the management of FOS. A 70-year-old female presented to us with chief complaint of left lower limb radiculopathy since 1 year. She also complained of numbness and paresthesias in her left leg and foot. She was unable to walk for more than 10 minutes due to pain. Her magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed compression of left L5 nerve root in the extraforaminal region. UBE decompression via paraspinal approach was performed for her under O-arm navigation. She experienced immediate relief of her symptoms in the postoperative period. O-arm-navigation-guided UBE is an effective and safer alternative to microsurgical decompression for the management of FOS. This video demonstrates the step-by-step implementation of O-arm navigation with endoscopy and its precise execution.

The main aim of this video article is to demonstrate the combined use of O-arm navigation and unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) to manage far-out syndrome (FOS). In FOS there is entrapment and compression of the fifth lumbar nerve beyond the foramen and between L5 transverse process and the sacral ala at the lumbosacral junction. Conventional microscopic decompression using a paraspinal approach had been the gold standard for its management. However, the surgery is technically challenging due to the deep location of the pathology and intricate anatomy of extraforaminal space. There have been some published reports of unsatisfactory outcomes with microscopic decompression for FOS. We decided to integrate navigation with UBE to increase precision for the management of FOS. A 70-year-old female presented to us with chief complaint of left lower limb radiculopathy since 1 year. She also complained of numbness and paresthesias in her left leg and foot. She was unable to walk for more than 10 minutes due to pain. Her magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed compression of left L5 nerve root in the extraforaminal region. UBE decompression via paraspinal approach was performed for her under O-arm navigation. She experienced immediate relief of her symptoms in the postoperative period. O-arm-navigation-guided UBE is an effective and safer alternative to microsurgical decompression for the management of FOS. This video demonstrates the step-by-step implementation of O-arm navigation with endoscopy and its precise execution.

The main aim of this video article is to demonstrate the combined use of O-arm navigation and unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) to manage far-out syndrome (FOS). In FOS there is entrapment and compression of the fifth lumbar nerve beyond the foramen and between L5 transverse process and the sacral ala at the lumbosacral junction. Conventional microscopic decompression using a paraspinal approach had been the gold standard for its management. However, the surgery is technically challenging due to the deep location of the pathology and intricate anatomy of extraforaminal space. There have been some published reports of unsatisfactory outcomes with microscopic decompression for FOS. We decided to integrate navigation with UBE to increase precision for the management of FOS. A 70-year-old female presented to us with chief complaint of left lower limb radiculopathy since 1 year. She also complained of numbness and paresthesias in her left leg and foot. She was unable to walk for more than 10 minutes due to pain. Her magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed compression of left L5 nerve root in the extraforaminal region. UBE decompression via paraspinal approach was performed for her under O-arm navigation. She experienced immediate relief of her symptoms in the postoperative period. O-arm-navigation-guided UBE is an effective and safer alternative to microsurgical decompression for the management of FOS. This video demonstrates the step-by-step implementation of O-arm navigation with endoscopy and its precise execution.

The main aim of this video article is to demonstrate the combined use of O-arm navigation and unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) to manage far-out syndrome (FOS). In FOS there is entrapment and compression of the fifth lumbar nerve beyond the foramen and between L5 transverse process and the sacral ala at the lumbosacral junction. Conventional microscopic decompression using a paraspinal approach had been the gold standard for its management. However, the surgery is technically challenging due to the deep location of the pathology and intricate anatomy of extraforaminal space. There have been some published reports of unsatisfactory outcomes with microscopic decompression for FOS. We decided to integrate navigation with UBE to increase precision for the management of FOS. A 70-year-old female presented to us with chief complaint of left lower limb radiculopathy since 1 year. She also complained of numbness and paresthesias in her left leg and foot. She was unable to walk for more than 10 minutes due to pain. Her magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed compression of left L5 nerve root in the extraforaminal region. UBE decompression via paraspinal approach was performed for her under O-arm navigation. She experienced immediate relief of her symptoms in the postoperative period. O-arm-navigation-guided UBE is an effective and safer alternative to microsurgical decompression for the management of FOS. This video demonstrates the step-by-step implementation of O-arm navigation with endoscopy and its precise execution.

The main aim of this video article is to demonstrate the combined use of O-arm navigation and unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) to manage far-out syndrome (FOS). In FOS there is entrapment and compression of the fifth lumbar nerve beyond the foramen and between L5 transverse process and the sacral ala at the lumbosacral junction. Conventional microscopic decompression using a paraspinal approach had been the gold standard for its management. However, the surgery is technically challenging due to the deep location of the pathology and intricate anatomy of extraforaminal space. There have been some published reports of unsatisfactory outcomes with microscopic decompression for FOS. We decided to integrate navigation with UBE to increase precision for the management of FOS. A 70-year-old female presented to us with chief complaint of left lower limb radiculopathy since 1 year. She also complained of numbness and paresthesias in her left leg and foot. She was unable to walk for more than 10 minutes due to pain. Her magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed compression of left L5 nerve root in the extraforaminal region. UBE decompression via paraspinal approach was performed for her under O-arm navigation. She experienced immediate relief of her symptoms in the postoperative period. O-arm-navigation-guided UBE is an effective and safer alternative to microsurgical decompression for the management of FOS. This video demonstrates the step-by-step implementation of O-arm navigation with endoscopy and its precise execution.

Objective: Endoscopic hemostasis is a key treatment for variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. However, the effects of early endoscopy in variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding have not been sufficiently studied. This study investigated the effects of the use of the critical pathway (CP) for upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Methods: The study was designed as a ‘before and after’ study. A group of patients diagnosed with variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2014, and CP activated patients from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2018, were reviewed retrospectively. The study endpoints included an analysis of the following in the two groups: time from emergency department (ED) arrival to endoscopy, number of blood transfusions, hospitalization period, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, 30-day mortality. Results: From January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2018, 207 patients were admitted with variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and 137 patients with a Blatchford score of 7 or higher were included in the study. Of these, 88 patients visited before the implementation of CP and 49 patients visited thereafter. The time from ED arrival to endoscopy was 218.1±201.7 minutes in the CP activated group, which was about 200 minutes shorter (P=0.046) than the non-CP group. There was no statistical difference in 30-day mortality, transfusion, emergency room hospitalization time, number of ICU admissions, and hospitalization days (P=0.348, P=0.394, P=0.651, P=0.164, and P=0.069). Conclusion After CP, the time to endoscopy was significantly shortened, but it did not reduce mortality.

The purpose of this study was to examine dental complications and to evaluate the effects of initial treatment age, treatment modalities, and treatment duration on the disorder after radiation and chemotherapy in pediatric cancer patients.For 93 children with clinical and radiographic data, the number of teeth, the morphology of teeth, the shape of the roots, and development status of the dentition were evaluated.Dental development disorders were found in 61.3% of the children. The mostly found abnormality was root deformity with the prevalence of 31.2%. In children submitted to the therapy before the age of 6, the number of missing teeth (p = 0.029) and microdontia (p = 0.003) were greater compared to the children who started to receive the treatment after the age of 6. The combination of radiation and chemotherapy showed significantly greater incidences of missing teeth (p = 0.030), microdontia (p = 0.046), and root deformity (p = 0.009) when compared with the sole application of chemotherapy. When the children were submitted to anticancer therapy for 18 months or longer duration, greater number of missing teeth (p = 0.032), microdontia (p = 0.011), root deformity (p = 0.025), and total number of teeth affected (p = 0.036) were observed compared with duration less than 18 months.The number of dental abnormalities increased when the children were treated at earlier ages, with combination of radiation and chemotherapy, and for longer period of time.
Child ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Dentition ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Prevalence ; Tooth

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to better understand the illness experiences and palliative care needs in community-dwelling persons with cardiometabolic diseases. METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 11 patients (and three family members) among 28 patients contacted. Interviews were led by the principal investigator in her office or at participants' home depending on their preference. All interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed by a research assistant. The interviews were analyzed by two independent researchers using a conventional method. RESULTS: Participants' ages ranged from 42 to 82 years (nine men and two women). Three themes were identified: (1) same disease, but different illness experiences; (2) I am in charge of my disease(s); (3) preparation for disease progression. Participants were informed of the name of their disease when they were diagnosed, but not provided with explanation of the diagnosis or meant or how to do self-care to delay the disease progression, which increased the feelings of uncertainty, hopelessness and anxiety. Taking medication was considered to be the primary treatment option and self-care a supplemental one. Advanced care plans were considered when they felt the progression of their disease(s) while refraining from sharing it with their family or health care professionals to save their concerns. All participants were willing to withhold life-sustaining treatment without making any preparation in writing. CONCLUSION: Education on self-care and advanced care planning should be provided to community-dwelling persons with cardiometabolic diseases. A patient-centered education program needs to be developed for this population.
Anxiety ; Chronic Disease ; Delivery of Health Care ; Diagnosis ; Disease Progression ; Education ; Humans ; Independent Living ; Male ; Methods ; Palliative Care ; Qualitative Research ; Research Personnel ; Self Care ; Uncertainty ; Writing