Surgical techniques in the management of intrinsic tumours

2019 ◽  
pp. 163-172
Author(s):  
Shawn Hervey-Jumper ◽  
Mitchel Berger
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Surgical Resection ◽  
Brain Tumours ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Extent Of Resection ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Tumour Resection ◽  
Direct Stimulation ◽  
Functional Neuronavigation

Surgical resection plays a central role in the management of intrinsic brain tumours, and there is a growing body of evidence concerning the value of extent of resection to improve patient outcome and quality of life. Maximal resection can be difficult to achieve due to tumour proximity to eloquent structures and uncertainty as to tumour margins. Direct stimulation mapping, functional neuronavigation, intraoperative MRI, and fluorescence-guided surgery are all useful tools to improve the extent of tumour resection while minimizing morbidity. Current evidence suggests that a more extensive surgical resection is associated with longer survival and improved quality of life for patients with either low- or high-grade gliomas. This chapter emphasizes the evidence supporting the role of surgery for intrinsic brain tumours, their surgical neuroanatomy, and techniques to maximize the extent of resection while minimizing morbidity.

scholarly journals Developing guidelines for the management of brain tumour related epilepsy

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv3-iv4
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Vacher ◽  
Miguel Rodriguez Ruiz ◽  
Jeremy Rees
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Brain Tumour ◽  
Brain Tumours ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Clinical Nurse Specialists ◽  
Primary Brain Tumours ◽  
Low Incidence

Abstract Aims Brain Tumour Related Epilepsy (BTRE) has a significant impact on Quality of Life with implications for driving, employment and social and domestic activities. Management of BTRE is complex due to the higher incidence of pharmacoresistance and the potential for interaction between anti-cancer therapy and anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Neurologists, oncologists, palliative care physicians and clinical nurse specialists treating these patients would benefit from up-to-date clinical guidelines. We aim to review the current evidence to adapt current NICE guidelines for Epilepsy and to outline specific recommendations for the optimal treatment of BTRE, encompassing both primary and metastatic brain tumours. Method A comprehensive search of the literature from the past 20 years on BTRE was carried out in three databases: Embase, Medline and EMCARE. A broad search strategy was used and the evidence was evaluated and graded based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence. Results All patients with BTRE should be treated with AEDs. There is no proven benefit for the use of prophylactic AEDs, although there are no randomised trials testing newer agents. Seizure frequency varies between 10-40% (Class 2a evidence) in patients with Brain Metastases (BM) and from 30% (high-grade gliomas) to 90% (low-grade gliomas) (Class 2a evidence) in patients with Primary Brain Tumours (PBT). In patients with BM, risk factors include number of BM and melanoma histology (Class 2b evidence). In patients with PBT, risk factors include frontal and temporal location, oligodendroglial histology, IDH mutation and cortical infiltration (Class 2b evidence). There is a low incidence of seizures (13%) after stereotactic radiosurgery for BM (Class 2b evidence). Non-enzyme inducing AEDs are recommended as first line treatment for BTRE, but up to 50% of patients with BTRE due to PBT remain resistant (Class 2b evidence). Conclusion The review has highlighted the relative dearth of high quality evidence for the management of BTRE, and provides a framework for further studies aiming to improve seizure control, quality of life, and indications for AEDs.

scholarly journals The Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Its Impact on Clinical Outcomes in Lumbar Degenerative Spine Disease—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 773
Author(s):  
Wei-Ting Wu ◽  
Tsung-Min Lee ◽  
Der-Sheng Han ◽  
Ke-Vin Chang
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Degenerative Spine ◽  
Degenerative Spine Disease ◽  
Spine Disease

The association of sarcopenia with poor clinical outcomes has been identified in various medical conditions, although there is a lack of quantitative analysis to validate the influence of sarcopenia on patients with lumbar degenerative spine disease (LDSD) from the available literature. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with LDSD and examine its impact on clinical outcomes. The electronic databases (PubMed and Embase) were systematically searched from inception through December 2020 for clinical studies investigating the association of sarcopenia with clinical outcomes in patients with LDSD. A random-effects model meta-analysis was carried out for data synthesis. This meta-analysis included 14 studies, comprising 1953 participants. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia among patients with LDSD was 24.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.3%–34.3%). The relative risk of sarcopenia was not significantly increased in patients with LDSD compared with controls (risk ratio, 1.605; 95% CI, 0.321–8.022). The patients with sarcopenia did not experience an increase in low back and leg pain. However, lower quality of life (SMD, −0.627; 95% CI, −0.844–−0.410) were identified postoperatively. Sarcopenia did not lead to an elevated rate of complications after lumbar surgeries. Sarcopenia accounts for approximately one-quarter of the population with LDSD. The clinical manifestations are less influenced by sarcopenia, whereas sarcopenia is associated with poorer quality of life after lumbar surgeries. The current evidence is still insufficient to support sarcopenia as a predictor of postoperative complications.

scholarly journals P121 The efficacy of treatment interventions on fatigue in adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a literature review

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Moshtael ◽  
Sonia Khanom ◽  
Janet E McDonagh
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis ◽  
Young People ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis

Abstract Background/Aims  Fatigue has been reported by young people and professionals alike as a major challenge for people living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) . It remains unclear as to how therapeutic interventions impacts on this major symptom. The aim of this review was to determine the current evidence for the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions, non- pharmacological and pharmacological, on improving fatigue in adolescents with JIA. Methods  Three electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO) were searched from 2000 to Feb 2020; in addition to manual searches. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they (i) were original research papers, (ii) had fatigue as a primary outcome measure (iii) included adolescents (10-25 years) and (iv) were available in the English language. Results  Of the 3,142 records identified, 31 underwent full text assessment and 4 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis including 2 from the Netherlands, 1 Germany, and 1 from Canada. The total number of participants across the 4 studies was 824. Three were randomised controlled trials of nonpharmacological interventions and one was a cohort study from a national drug registry including older adolescents JIA (mean: 19-years). Measurement tools included the Paediatric Quality of life multidimensional fatigue scale, (2 studies), the Checklist for Individual Strength CIS-20 (1 study), a numeric rating scale (1 study). In one study a visual analogue scale for energy level was also utilised. In 2 studies baseline prevalence of fatigue was reported as 60% and 76% respectively. Significant reduction in fatigue was observed in all three nonpharmacological studies. In the registry study, fatigue was noted to be prevalent in spite of the disease being in inactive or minimally active on biologic therapy. In 3 studies the relationship between health-related quality of life and fatigue was highlighted and showed a decreased quality of life in fatigued young people. Conclusion  Fatigue is a significant problem in JIA during adolescence and influences quality of life. Improvements in fatigue with non-pharmacological interventions have been reported. However, at present, data is insufficient to conclusively decide which treatment intervention is most efficacious in treating fatigue in young people with JIA. Fatigue should be considered as an important outcome measure for the management of JIA in future evaluations of interventions. Disclosure  S. Moshtael: None. S. Khanom: None. J.E. McDonagh: None.

scholarly journals Telerehabilitation Intervention in Patients with COVID-19 after Hospital Discharge to Improve Functional Capacity and Quality of Life. Study Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 2924
Author(s):  
José-Manuel Pastora-Bernal ◽  
María-José Estebanez-Pérez ◽  
Guadalupe Molina-Torres ◽  
Francisco-José García-López ◽  
Raquel Sobrino-Sánchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trial ◽  
Hospital Discharge ◽  
Study Protocol ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Current Standard

COVID-19 can cause important sequels in the respiratory system and frequently presents loss of strength, dyspnea, polyneuropathies and multi-organic affectation. Physiotherapy interventions acquire a fundamental role in the recovery of the functions and the quality of life. Regarding the recovery phases after hospital discharge, the current evidence available is very preliminary. Telerehabilitation is presented as a promising complementary treatment method to standard physiotherapy. The main objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized telerehabilitation intervention after discharge from hospital for the improvement of functional capacity and quality of life compared to a program of health education and/or care in a rehabilitation center. As secondary objectives, to identify the satisfaction and perception of patients with the telerehabilitation intervention and the presence of barriers to its implementation, as well as to evaluate the cost-effectiveness from the perspective of the health system. This study protocol will be carried out through a single blind multicenter randomized clinical trial in the south of Spain. We hypothesize that the implementation of a telerehabilitation program presents results not inferior to those obtained with the current standard intervention. If the hypothesis is confirmed, it would be an opportunity to define new policies and interventions to address this disease and its consequences. Trial registration NCT04742946.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Management of Functional Constipation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Lu Wang ◽  
Mingmin Xu ◽  
Qianhua Zheng ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Ying Li
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Safety Evaluation ◽  
Functional Constipation ◽  
Responder Rate ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
China National Knowledge Infrastructure ◽  
Increased Risk

Objective. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for functional constipation (FC). Methods. A rigorous literature search was performed in English (PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE) and Chinese (China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biological Medical (CBM), Wanfang database, and China Science and Technology Journal (VIP)) electronic databases from their inception to October 2019. Included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) compared acupuncture therapy with sham acupuncture or pharmacological therapies. The outcome measures were evaluated, including the primary outcome of complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM) and secondary outcomes of Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), constipation symptoms scores (CSS), responder rate, the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) questionnaire, and safety evaluation. Meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan5.3. Results. The merged data of 28 RCTs with 3525 participants indicated that acupuncture may be efficient for FC by increasing CSBMs (p<0.00001; MD = 0.84 [95% CI, 0.65 to 1.03]; I2 = 0%) and improving constipation symptoms (p=0.03; SMD = −0.4 [95% CI, −0.78 to −0.03]; I2 = 74%), stool formation (p<0.00001; MD = 0.24 [95% CI, 0.15 to 0.34]; I2 = 0%), quality of life (p<0.00001; N = 1, MD = −0.33 [95% CI, −0.45 to −0.21]), and responder rates (p=0.02; RR = 2.16; [95% CI, 1.1 to 4.24]; I2 = 69%) compared with the effects of sham treatment. No increased risk of adverse events was observed (p=0.44; RR = 1.18; [95% CI, 0.77 to 1.81]; I2 = 0%). With regard to medication comparisons, the pooled data indicated that acupuncture was more effective in increasing CSBMs (p=0.004; MD = 0.53 [95% CI, 0.17 to 0.88]; I2 = 88%) and improving patients’ quality of life (p<0.00001; SMD = −0.73 [95% CI, −1.02 to −0.44]; I2 = 64%), with high heterogeneity. However, there were no significant differences in responder rate (p=0.12; RR = 1.31; [95% CI, 0.94 to 1.82]; I2 = 53%), BSFS (p=0.5; MD = 0.17 [95% CI, −0.33 to 0.68]; I2 = 93%), or CSS (p=0.05; SMD = −0.62 [95% CI, −1.23 to −0.01]; I2 = 89%). Regarding safety evaluation, acupuncture was safer than medications (p<0.0001; RR = 0.3; [95% CI, 0.18 to 0.52]; I2 = 30%). Conclusions. Current evidence suggests that acupuncture is an efficient and safe treatment for FC. Acupuncture increased stool frequency, improved stool formation, alleviated constipation symptoms, and improved quality of life. However, the evidence quality was relatively low and the relationship between acupuncture and drugs is not clear. More high-quality trials are recommended in the future. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019143347.

Functional outcomes and quality of life in patients with brain tumours: a review of the literature

Brain Injury ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 843-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E. Huang ◽  
Jennifer Wartella ◽  
Jeffrey Kreutzer ◽  
William Broaddus ◽  
Laurie Lyckholm
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Brain Tumours ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Review Of The Literature

scholarly journals A prescribed walking regimen plus arginine supplementation improves function and quality of life for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: a pilot study

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 204589321774396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Beth Brown ◽  
Attie Kempf ◽  
Catherine M. Collins ◽  
Gary M. Long ◽  
Matthew Owens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Concept Study ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial ◽  
Arginine Supplementation

Current evidence suggests that exercise training is beneficial in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Unfortunately, the standard supervised, hospital-based programs limit patient accessibility to this important intervention. Our proof-of-concept study aimed to provide insight into the usefulness of a prescribed walking regimen along with arginine supplementation to improve outcomes for patients with PAH. Twelve PAH patients (all women) in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class (FC) II (n = 7) or III (n = 5) and in stable condition for ≥ 3 months were enrolled. Patients performed home- and fitness-center- based walking at 65–75% heart rate (HR) reserve for 45 min, six sessions/week for 12 weeks. Concomitant L-arginine supplementation (6000 mg/day) was provided to maximize beneficial endothelial training adaptations. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing, 6-min walk testing (6MWT), echocardiography, laboratory studies, and quality of life (QoL) survey (SF-36) were performed at baseline and 12 weeks. Eleven patients completed the study (72 session adherence rate = 96 ± 3%). Objective improvement was demonstrated by the 6MWT distance (increased by 40 ± 13 m, P = 0.01), VO2max (increased by 2 ± 0.7 mL/kg/min, P = 0.02), time-to-VO2max (increased by 2.5 ± 0.6 min, P = 0.001), VO2 at anaerobic threshold (increased by 1.3 ± 0.5 mL/kg/min, P = 0.04), HR recovery (reduced by 68 ± 23% in slope, P = 0.01), and SF-36 subscales of Physical Functioning and Energy/Fatigue (increased by 70 ± 34% and 74 ± 34%, respectively, P < 0.05). No adverse events occurred, and right ventricular function and brain natriuretic peptide levels remained stable, suggesting safety of the intervention. This proof-of-concept study indicates that a simple walking regimen with arginine supplementation is a safe and efficacious intervention for clinically stable PAH patients, with gains in objective function and QoL measures. Further investigation in a randomized controlled trial is warranted.

scholarly journals An Alternative Approach to the Terminal Management of Ogilvie Syndrome

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 352-358
Author(s):  
Daniel Galban ◽  
Joshua J. Baiel
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Surgical Resection ◽  
Medical Therapy ◽  
Subtotal Colectomy ◽  
Abdominal Discomfort ◽  
Conservative Approach ◽  
Replacement Surgery ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Ogilvie Syndrome

Ogilvie syndrome is defined as colonic pseudo-obstruction due to nonmechanical causes. Mortality of nearly 50% is associated with perforation of the distended, pseudo-obstructed colon. While conservative medical therapy has proven to be beneficial in a majority of cases, >3% of patients have significant distention or perforation of the colon that warrants surgical resection. The case of a 48-year-old male with progressive abdominal discomfort and distention 12 days following knee replacement surgery is presented. He was subsequently diagnosed with colonic pseudo-obstruction and definitively treated with subtotal colectomy and colostomy. We propose that a more conservative approach to treatment of colonic pseudo-obstruction may prevent the need for colostomy, significantly improving quality of life.

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