This report describes an approach to recover SARS-CoV-2 RNA from rapid antigen test kit (RTK-antigen) cassettes for whole-genome sequencing (WGS). RNA samples were recovered from 33 RTK-antigen cassettes for WGS, with 18 samples achieving more than 80% genome coverage. This work provides a proof-of-concept that positive RTK-antigen cassettes can be safely transported, stored and subjected to WGS, enabling swift identification of circulating variants.

Purpose: This study investigated demographics, clinical profiles, imaging results, and treatment outcomes in patients with carotid cavernous fistula (CCF). Methods: This retrospective analysis examined medical records of the patients with CCF from January 2016 to January 2022. The study included 51 cases: 34 traumatic and 17 spontaneous CCFs. Results: A total of 51 patients with CCFs was analyzed. Traumatic CCF (34 patients, 66.7%) was more common than spontaneous CCF (17 patients, 33.3%). Traumatic CCF predominantly affected male patients, while spontaneous CCF was more frequent in female patients (p = 0.005). Clinical signs including proptosis and lagophthalmos were more common in traumatic CCF, with significant differences in eye movement restriction (p = 0.006) and bruit (p = 0.008). According to the Barrow classification, all spontaneous CCF cases were categorized as types B, C, or D, whereas traumatic CCF was predominantly classified as type A (p < 0.001). Endovascular treatment was more effective than conservative treatment in reducing clinical signs of traumatic CCF (p < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed in outcomes for spontaneous CCF between the two approaches. Conclusions Spontaneous CCF is less common than traumatic CCF in this study cohort. Traumatic and spontaneous CCF may have different clinical characteristics. Eye movement restriction and bruit are more frequently observed in traumatic CCF. After treatment for traumatic CCF, the incidence of proptosis, conjunctival abnormalities, and bruit is significantly lower in patients who undergo endovascular treatment compared to those who receive conservative management.

Exposure to post-transplant liver biopsies varies among pathology residencies and largely depends on the institution's training program, particularly if the hospital has a liver transplant program. The interpretation of biopsies from transplanted livers presents its own set of challenges, even for those with a solid understanding of non-transplant medical liver biopsies. In this review, we aim to provide a succinct, step-by-step approach to help you interpret liver transplant biopsies. This article may be beneficial for residents interested in liver pathology, gastrointestinal and liver pathology fellows in the early stages of training, clinical gastroenterology and hepatology fellows, hepatologists and general pathologists who are curious about this niche.

Background: s/Aims: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) remains the most common therapeutic strategy used for cholecystocholedocholithiasis (CCL). Recently, single-stage ERCP + LC has gained popularity for treating CCL due to patient satisfaction and financial considerations. In this study, we aimed to compare the feasibility and efficacy of the two variants of single-stage ERCP + LC (starting with ERCP followed by LC versus starting with LC followed by ERCP) for treatment of CCL. Methods: A total of 115 patients who underwent single-stage ERCP + LC for CCL from January 2021 to December 2023 were enrolled in a retrospective comparative cohort study. These patients were divided into two groups: Group A (ERCP-first approach) and Group B (LC-first approach). Results: Patients in Group A had a common bile duct clearance rate of 88.2%, which was comparable to the 95.7% observed in Group B (p = 0.163). The mean duration of the ERCP procedure was comparable between the two groups (43.3 ± 11.8 vs 39.5 ± 13.5 minutes;p = 0.112). However, the mean duration of the LC procedure was significantly longer in Group A than in Group B (41.2 ± 8.98 vs 37.2 ± 12.2 minutes; p = 0.045). The mean total operative time for the combined ERCP + LC was significantly longer in Group A compared to Group B (81.9 ± 16.7 vs 75.1 ± 19.3 minutes; p = 0.046). Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in 4 patients in Group A and in 2 patients in Group B (p = 0.701). Conclusions Both LC-1st approach and ERCP-1st approach are feasible and highly effective for treating CCL through single-stage ERCP + LC. However, the LC-1st approach has the advantage of a shorter operative time.

Purpose: This study investigated demographics, clinical profiles, imaging results, and treatment outcomes in patients with carotid cavernous fistula (CCF). Methods: This retrospective analysis examined medical records of the patients with CCF from January 2016 to January 2022. The study included 51 cases: 34 traumatic and 17 spontaneous CCFs. Results: A total of 51 patients with CCFs was analyzed. Traumatic CCF (34 patients, 66.7%) was more common than spontaneous CCF (17 patients, 33.3%). Traumatic CCF predominantly affected male patients, while spontaneous CCF was more frequent in female patients (p = 0.005). Clinical signs including proptosis and lagophthalmos were more common in traumatic CCF, with significant differences in eye movement restriction (p = 0.006) and bruit (p = 0.008). According to the Barrow classification, all spontaneous CCF cases were categorized as types B, C, or D, whereas traumatic CCF was predominantly classified as type A (p < 0.001). Endovascular treatment was more effective than conservative treatment in reducing clinical signs of traumatic CCF (p < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed in outcomes for spontaneous CCF between the two approaches. Conclusions Spontaneous CCF is less common than traumatic CCF in this study cohort. Traumatic and spontaneous CCF may have different clinical characteristics. Eye movement restriction and bruit are more frequently observed in traumatic CCF. After treatment for traumatic CCF, the incidence of proptosis, conjunctival abnormalities, and bruit is significantly lower in patients who undergo endovascular treatment compared to those who receive conservative management.

Purpose: This study investigated demographics, clinical profiles, imaging results, and treatment outcomes in patients with carotid cavernous fistula (CCF). Methods: This retrospective analysis examined medical records of the patients with CCF from January 2016 to January 2022. The study included 51 cases: 34 traumatic and 17 spontaneous CCFs. Results: A total of 51 patients with CCFs was analyzed. Traumatic CCF (34 patients, 66.7%) was more common than spontaneous CCF (17 patients, 33.3%). Traumatic CCF predominantly affected male patients, while spontaneous CCF was more frequent in female patients (p = 0.005). Clinical signs including proptosis and lagophthalmos were more common in traumatic CCF, with significant differences in eye movement restriction (p = 0.006) and bruit (p = 0.008). According to the Barrow classification, all spontaneous CCF cases were categorized as types B, C, or D, whereas traumatic CCF was predominantly classified as type A (p < 0.001). Endovascular treatment was more effective than conservative treatment in reducing clinical signs of traumatic CCF (p < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed in outcomes for spontaneous CCF between the two approaches. Conclusions Spontaneous CCF is less common than traumatic CCF in this study cohort. Traumatic and spontaneous CCF may have different clinical characteristics. Eye movement restriction and bruit are more frequently observed in traumatic CCF. After treatment for traumatic CCF, the incidence of proptosis, conjunctival abnormalities, and bruit is significantly lower in patients who undergo endovascular treatment compared to those who receive conservative management.

Background: s/Aims: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) remains the most common therapeutic strategy used for cholecystocholedocholithiasis (CCL). Recently, single-stage ERCP + LC has gained popularity for treating CCL due to patient satisfaction and financial considerations. In this study, we aimed to compare the feasibility and efficacy of the two variants of single-stage ERCP + LC (starting with ERCP followed by LC versus starting with LC followed by ERCP) for treatment of CCL. Methods: A total of 115 patients who underwent single-stage ERCP + LC for CCL from January 2021 to December 2023 were enrolled in a retrospective comparative cohort study. These patients were divided into two groups: Group A (ERCP-first approach) and Group B (LC-first approach). Results: Patients in Group A had a common bile duct clearance rate of 88.2%, which was comparable to the 95.7% observed in Group B (p = 0.163). The mean duration of the ERCP procedure was comparable between the two groups (43.3 ± 11.8 vs 39.5 ± 13.5 minutes;p = 0.112). However, the mean duration of the LC procedure was significantly longer in Group A than in Group B (41.2 ± 8.98 vs 37.2 ± 12.2 minutes; p = 0.045). The mean total operative time for the combined ERCP + LC was significantly longer in Group A compared to Group B (81.9 ± 16.7 vs 75.1 ± 19.3 minutes; p = 0.046). Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in 4 patients in Group A and in 2 patients in Group B (p = 0.701). Conclusions Both LC-1st approach and ERCP-1st approach are feasible and highly effective for treating CCL through single-stage ERCP + LC. However, the LC-1st approach has the advantage of a shorter operative time.

Exposure to post-transplant liver biopsies varies among pathology residencies and largely depends on the institution's training program, particularly if the hospital has a liver transplant program. The interpretation of biopsies from transplanted livers presents its own set of challenges, even for those with a solid understanding of non-transplant medical liver biopsies. In this review, we aim to provide a succinct, step-by-step approach to help you interpret liver transplant biopsies. This article may be beneficial for residents interested in liver pathology, gastrointestinal and liver pathology fellows in the early stages of training, clinical gastroenterology and hepatology fellows, hepatologists and general pathologists who are curious about this niche.