Tag: pubmed

J Neurosurg. 2025 Mar 7:1-15. doi: 10.3171/2024.11.JNS241990. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Essential tremor (ET) is a prevalent movement disorder that also includes nonmotor symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established treatment for ET, yet its impact on nonmotor symptoms remains unclear. This study aims to describe neuropsychological outcomes following ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) DBS in a large cohort of patients with ET and identify factors associated with changes in depression and cognitive function.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients who had undergone VIM DBS was performed. Inclusion criteria were ET diagnosis, surgery between October 2007 and March 2020, and available pre- and post-DBS neuropsychological testing results. Neuropsychological measures included the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and cognitive measures assessing attention, executive function, language, memory, and visuospatial function. Post-DBS tremor improvement was graded, and active electrode coordinates and stimulation parameters were identified. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, t-tests to compare pre- and postoperative scores at the group level, and one-way analysis of variance to compare variables among patients who improved, were stable, or worsened in psychiatric and cognitive characteristics after DBS.

RESULTS: One hundred thirty-nine patients met the study inclusion criteria. BDI-II scores significantly decreased postoperatively (9.82 ± 6.77 vs 8.29 ± 6.18, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.176), whereas BAI scores remained unchanged. Both language (p = 0.003, Cohen’s d = 0.259) and memory (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.336) domains showed statistically significant small-magnitude declines following surgery, whereas attention, executive function, and visuospatial function were unchanged. Patients with improved depression (14.3%) following VIM DBS had significantly higher BDI-II scores preoperatively (p < 0.001, ω2 = 0.226). Patients with worsened language (18.7%) had higher preoperative language scores (p < 0.001, ω2 = 0.058). Patients with worsened memory (15.1%) had higher BAI scores preoperatively (p = 0.002, ω2 = 0.079). Preoperative scores were similar between patients with improved and worsened overall cognition postsurgery. Patients with improved overall cognition had improvements in attention, language, and visuospatial function.

CONCLUSIONS: VIM DBS for ET did not result in large-magnitude neuropsychological changes. There were statistically significant, though likely not clinically meaningful, small-magnitude improvements in depression and worsening in language and memory scores. Associations were found between multiple preoperative mood and cognitive scores and post-DBS neuropsychological changes. These findings can help inform clinical decision-making and patient counseling for DBS.

PMID:40053934 | DOI:10.3171/2024.11.JNS241990

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2025 Mar 7. doi: 10.1002/ksa.12645. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Bereiter trochleoplasty (TP) is a well-described procedure to address trochlear dysplasia (TD). Post-operative joint stiffness with reduced range of motion (ROM) is a common complication usually requiring arthroscopically assisted manipulation (AAM) with the removal of adhesions and scar tissue. Inferior clinical outcomes after TP have been reported for patients with subsequent surgery. We hypothesised that a 2-year improvement in patient-reported outcomes would be lower in patients treated with AAM.

METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data comparing subgroups of patients with and without post-operative joint stiffness from a consecutive cohort of 374 knees with high-grade TD who underwent TP according to the Copenhagen patello-femoral instability (PFI) algorithm. All patients received supervised training exercises led by a physiotherapist. At 3-month follow-up, patients with an extension deficit >10° and/or flexion <120° were diagnosed with post-operative joint stiffness and treated with AAM. Outcomes were mean differences from baseline in Kujala, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Lysholm scores 1 and 2 years after surgery.

RESULTS: Forty-nine (38 females, 11 males) of the 374 knees (12%) had post-operative joint stiffness and underwent AAM. Nine patients underwent subsequent AAMs. Full extension and flexion >135° were achieved in 37 out of 49 cases (75%). In 11 cases, flexion remained reduced, while data on ROM could not be retrieved in one case. While both patients with and without AAM showed clinically relevant improvements in the Kujala, KOOS and Lysholm scores, no statistically significant between-group differences were seen in these improvements.

CONCLUSIONS: Post-operative joint stiffness was a common complication after Bereiter TP following the Copenhagen PFI algorithm. Twenty-five per cent of the AAM patients, or 3% of the study population, did not regain full ROM. We did not find that post-operative joint stiffness was associated with inferior improvements in patient-reported outcomes 1 and 2 years after surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, a retrospective cohort study.

PMID:40053930 | DOI:10.1002/ksa.12645

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2025 Mar 7. doi: 10.1002/ksa.12643. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Fixed flexion deformity (FFD) is traditionally addressed in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with extensive soft tissue release and distal femoral recut, which increases bone stock consumption and raises the knee joint line (JL). This study aimed to evaluate differences in the anatomical restoration of the JL and bone stock preservation between FFD knees and a control group during robotic-assisted (RA) TKA combined with functional alignment (FA).

METHODS: A retrospective comparative cohort study examined 120 knees undergoing RA TKA. The knees were categorised into two groups: the study group, with FFD > 5°, and the control group, without FFD. Further analysis stratified the study group based on the severity of the deformity: mild (5-9°), intermediate (10-14°) and advanced (>15°). The Mann-Whitney U test was utilised to investigate the differences between the control and study groups.

RESULTS: The study group comprised 64 knees, presenting an average flexion contracture and range of motion (ROM) of 11.3 ± 4.7° and 112.7 ± 11.6°, respectively. The control group comprised 56 knees, with an extension deficit and ROM of 1.6 ± 2.1° and 123.5 ± 8.3°, respectively. The JL was proximally displaced on average by 0.1 ± 1.2 mm in the study group and lowered by 0.7 ± 0.9 mm in the control group. Analysis of JL in the subgroups showed a lowering of 0.3 ± 1.2 mm in the mild deformity subgroup and a rise of 0.08 ± 1.3 mm and 0.8 ± 0.8 mm in the intermediate and advanced FFD subgroups, respectively, showing no statistical significance. The combined thickness of tibial proximal and femoral distal bone cuts measured 12.3 ± 1.6 mm in the study group and 11.4 ± 1.4 mm in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS: FA in RA-assisted TKA can correct FFD, minimising bone cuts while preserving anatomical JL level.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

PMID:40053918 | DOI:10.1002/ksa.12643

Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2025 Apr 1;50(7):493-499. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000005218. Epub 2024 Nov 18.

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort.

OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to establish the normal distribution of the vasculature surrounding the SI joint while also demonstrating associations between distribution and laterality, sex, and ethnicity.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion surgery has emerged as a viable treatment option for patients suffering from low back pain due to chronic SI joint dysfunction. Due to potential complications from iatrogenic injury to vasculature, it becomes critical to understand normal anatomy and locations with a high vasculature concentration surrounding the SI joint.

METHODS: The authors retrieved medical and radiographic records of patients who underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the pelvis. Anterior and posterior compartments of the SI joint were established on the transverse view by creating an even coronal division of the SI joint. The superior, middle, and inferior compartments were established on the coronal view as three equal transverse compartments. The compartments in which vasculature was visualized were recorded.

RESULTS: Distribution of vasculature around the right and left hemipelvis concentrated in the inferior compartments and decreased in concentration while moving superiorly. Anterior compartments contain a higher vascularity than posterior compartments. Vasculature was present in <3% of the posterior middle, and posterior superior compartments while present in >83% of the inferior compartments. There were no significant differences with respect to vascular distribution when comparing the laterality of the right versus left hemipelvis. There were statistically significant relationships between vascular distribution and sex (P<0.05), as well as across self-reported ethnicity (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: SI screw placement in the posterior superior has the lowest risk of iatrogenic vascular injury. Careful consideration should be taken during SI joint fusion surgery in the inferior compartments due to its high vasculature density.

PMID:40053916 | DOI:10.1097/BRS.0000000000005218

Int J Med Robot. 2025 Apr;21(2):e70057. doi: 10.1002/rcs.70057.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The advantages of robotic-assisted pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD) in comparison with open pancreatoduodenectomy (OPD) have not been well-established. We aimed to compare their short-term outcomes by inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis.

METHODS: Patients who underwent RPD/OPD at our hospital were recruited. Stabilised IPTW were performed to adjust observed covariates. Short-term outcomes were compared.

RESULTS: After IPTW, the effective sample comprised 807 patients (199 RPD, 608 OPD) with balanced clinicopathological characteristics. RPD had a longer operation time, fewer intraoperative blood loss (IBL), and lower blood transfusion rate than OPD. RPD was associated with a lower incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula and reoperation but did not reach statistical significance. In pancreatic adenocarcinoma, RPD had a significantly higher number of lymph nodes examined. There were no significant differences in postoperative morbidities and length-of-stay.

CONCLUSIONS: RPD was associated with fewer IBL and transfusion rates than OPD. RPD can be considered feasible and safe.

PMID:40053906 | DOI:10.1002/rcs.70057

JCO Glob Oncol. 2025 Mar;11:e2400337. doi: 10.1200/GO-24-00337. Epub 2025 Mar 7.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Low rates of germline genetic testing (GGT) for breast cancer (BC) have been reported globally, with limited data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this study, we used real-world data to assess the GGT rate for BC in an LMIC and identified barriers to its use.

METHODS: We analyzed 2,974 newly diagnosed patients with BC from the AMAZONA III study, the largest Brazilian multicenter, prospective BC cohort. GGT rates were determined for the entire cohort and the high-risk hereditary BC group (HR), defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria, between 2019 and 2020. Barriers to GGT performance associated with patient characteristics and health care systems were identified using multivariable Poisson regression model. Values of P < .05 were considered significant.

RESULTS: In the AMAZONA III cohort, 1,476 (49%) were classified as HR. Genetic counseling was recommended for 521 patients (35% of HR), and 282 (19%) underwent GGT. Notably, 97% of patients with HR treated within the public health care systems and 56% in the private system did not undergo GGT. Age, education, occupation, monthly income, availability of onsite genetic counseling, and treatment at a teaching center were factors associated with GGT uptake (P < .05). Of those tested, 50 (17%) harbored a germline pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant.

CONCLUSION: Only 9% of this robust Brazilian BC cohort underwent GGT, highlighting a considerable gap from the current recommendation to test all patients with BC under age 65 years. GGT is underused by patients with HR in both public and private health care systems, with those in the public system being more affected. The disparities and barriers identified emphasize the need for educational interventions and enhanced access to GGT. Prioritizing GGT is critical to improving BC outcomes in LMICs.

PMID:40053901 | DOI:10.1200/GO-24-00337

JCO Glob Oncol. 2025 Mar;11:e2400277. doi: 10.1200/GO-24-00277. Epub 2025 Mar 7.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the toxicity profile and efficacy of postoperative ultra-hypofractionated radiation therapy in elderly patients with breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a nonrandomized, single-center, prospective Phase II trial. Patients with breast cancer older than 65 years were treated with ultra-hypofractionated radiation therapy in 5 fractions of 5.7 Gy on alternate days in the breast or chest wall, or regional lymph nodes. The primary end point was acute toxicity.

RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were analyzed, with a median follow-up of 42.5 months (range, 13.8-66.2). Most patients presented pathologic stage I (56.6%, n = 34) or stage II (33.3%, n = 20) disease. Regional lymph node irradiation was performed in 22% (n = 13) of patients. During treatment, 51% (n = 31) of patients experienced grade 1 or 2 acute toxicity, with no cases of grade 3 acute toxicity reported. Late toxicity included 1.7% (n = 1) of patients developing grade 3 fibrosis and 1.7% (n = 1) developing grade 3 pneumonitis. Regional lymph node irradiation was not associated with a statistically significant increase in toxicity risk (P = .194). Cosmesis evaluations revealed no significant changes when comparing pretreatment assessments with evaluations at 10 weeks (P = .223) and 26 weeks (P = .615) post-treatment. Quality of life was not adversely affected, regardless of whether regional lymph nodes were irradiated. Recurrence rates included two patients with both locoregional and distant recurrence and five patients with distant recurrence. The 3-year disease-free survival probability was 81.7%, and the 3-year overall survival probability was 86.7%.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the safety of ultra-hypofractionated radiation therapy in terms of toxicity in patients with breast cancer. The findings for side effects, cosmesis, quality of life, and survival outcomes are consistent with those observed in moderately hypofractionated radiation therapy regimens, suggesting its use as a viable treatment option in this demographic.

PMID:40053900 | DOI:10.1200/GO-24-00277

J Clin Oncol. 2025 Mar 7:JCO2402850. doi: 10.1200/JCO-24-02850. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The European Paediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) RMS 2005 trial evaluated maintenance chemotherapy in high-risk rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Patients were randomly assigned to either discontinue treatment (standard arm) or receive six 28-day cycles of vinorelbine (25 mg/m²) once per day on days 1, 8, and 15, plus once daily low-dose cyclophosphamide (25 mg/m²; experimental arm). Initial results showed improved overall survival (OS), but disease-free survival (DFS) improvement was not statistically significant. This report presents mature survival outcomes after extended follow-up. Between April 2006 and December 2016, 186 patients were enrolled in the standard arm and 185 in the experimental arm. After a median follow-up of 122.1 months from diagnosis and 114 months from random assignment, recurrence, progression, or death occurred in 103 patients (61 standard arm, 42 experimental arm). The 10-year DFS was 66.5% (95% CI, 59 to 74) in the standard arm versus 77.1% (95% CI, 70.3 to 82.5) in the experimental arm (P = .025). Corresponding 10-year OS rates were 70.8% (95% CI, 63.3 to 77.0) and 82.9% (95% CI, 76.6 to 87.7; P = .0099). Long-term results of the RMS2005 trial confirm the survival benefit of maintenance chemotherapy with vinorelbine and low-dose cyclophosphamide for patients with high-risk RMS.

PMID:40053891 | DOI:10.1200/JCO-24-02850

Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2025 Mar 7:1-39. doi: 10.1044/2024_AJSLP-24-00350. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the published research on training approaches for preparing current and future speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to work effectively with people with aphasia (PWA). The review addresses key questions regarding the described training approaches, their key features, research quality, and efficacy.

METHOD: The review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and registered with International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42024453742). The literature search spanned nine databases. Eligibility criteria included peer-reviewed publications in English that reported on training programs involving current or future SLPs working with PWA. Studies were assessed for research quality using the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA’s) levels of evidence framework. Narrative synthesis was used to identify key features in the training programs.

RESULTS: A total of 920 citations were identified, with 50 studies meeting the inclusion criteria for analysis. Included studies represented a broad range of training approaches, research designs, and research quality. The 50 studies fell into ASHA levels of evidence Ib, IIa, IIb, III, and IV. Statistical meta-analysis was not possible because of variability in research design and outcome measures, but the studies revealed statistically significant findings relevant to the question of what makes training effective for preparing clinicians to work with people with aphasia.

CONCLUSIONS: The current literature related to training of clinicians to work with PWA is heterogeneous in approach, outcome metrics, and methodological quality. There is evidence supporting several recommendations for training clinicians including integrating direct interactions with PWA during training, combining didactic and experiential learning, and incorporating reflective practices. Overall, the review highlights the need for well-described evidence-based training standards for speech-language pathology students working with PWA. Future research should aim to develop and validate comprehensive training guidelines to improve care quality for individuals with aphasia.

PMID:40053876 | DOI:10.1044/2024_AJSLP-24-00350

Aging (Albany NY). 2025 Mar 6;17. doi: 10.18632/aging.206217. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the age-related decline of skeletal muscle mass, leading to sarcopenia in the elderly. The prevalence of sarcopenia notably increases among males aged ≥ 70. However, it remains unclear whether inflammatory indexes are associated with the reduction in skeletal muscle mass in the elderly population. Thirty-one males aged ≥ 70, without severe diseases or dementia, were enrolled in the study. They underwent muscle mass measurements, physical measurements, and hematological tests at the onset of the study and after a one-year follow-up. Twenty-eight participants were successfully followed for one year. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) decreased by 3.30 ± 2.41% in 14 participants and increased by 2.66 ± 1.61% in the other 14 participants compared to baseline levels. The baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was 2.14 ± 0.56 in the ASMI-decreased group and 1.66 ± 0.62 in the ASMI-increased group. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between baseline NLR and the change in ASMI in linear regression analyses. The area under the curve (AUC) of the baseline NLR for predicting ASMI decline was 0.724, with an optimal sensitivity of 64.3% and specificity of 78.6% at a cut-off value of 1.94. NLR emerged as a potential prognostic marker for ASMI reduction in elderly males. However, further studies are necessary to assess its clinical utility.

PMID:40053874 | DOI:10.18632/aging.206217