Efficacy of Endoscopic Surgery Management of Craniopharyngiomas in Terms of Tumor Control and Postoperative Morbidity

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
KhaledM El bahy ◽  
Mohammed S Kabil ◽  
Abdelrahman H Elgayar ◽  
Shady K Beniamen

Abstract Background Craniopharyngiomas represent a surgical challenge with resection via either a transcranial or a transnasal approach using microscopy or endoscopy. The selection criteria of the classic transsphenoidal route for the management of craniopharyngiomas were postulated >30 years ago and still are valid today. Aim of the Work to systematically review the literature published discussing the endoscopic management of craniopharyngioma as regard tumor control, symptomatic relief and post-operative morbidity. Materials and Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in accordance to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-analyses Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) statements. PRISMA and MOOSE are reporting checklists for Authors, Editors, and Reviewers of Meta-analyses of interventional and observational studies. According to International committee of medical journal association (ICJME), reviewers must report their findings according to each of the items listed in those checklists. Results and Conclusion The extended EEA for suprasellarcraniopharyngiomas avoids brain retraction, permits early exposure of the lesion, provides good visualization of the pituitary gland and stalk and the main vascular structures, and minimizes manipulation of the optic apparatus. The endoscopic technique, both standard and extended approaches, can be considered as a possible surgical treatment for craniopharyngiomas in the modern neurosurgical techniques.

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amr Nabil Rabie ◽  
Mohammed Abdelaleem Mohammed ◽  
Amany Farid Saad Ibrahim

Abstract Background Adenoidectomy remains one of the surgical procedures most frequently performed by otolaryngologist. Adenoid hypertrophy causes nasal obstruction and airway problems such as snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, recurrent sinusitis, and/or Eustachian tube dysfunction. There is also reduced ability to smell and taste, hyponasal speech and craniofacial abnormalities. These complications frequently lead to a need for adenoidectomy. Aim of the Work Compare between endoscopic coblation versus cold curettage adenoidectomy as regard operative time, blood loss, post-operative pain and complications. Materials and Methods We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) statement. PRISMA and MOOSE are reporting checklists for Authors, Editors, and Reviewers of Meta-analyses of interventional and observational studies. According to International committee of medical journal association (ICJME), reviewers must report their findings according to each of the items listed in those checklists. Results We performed a comperehensive search of five electronic databases to comperehensively include all eligible studies. In addition, the risk of bias was low among the included studies. However, we acknowledge that the present study has some limitations. Some included studies were observational studies with inherent limitations of possible misclassification and ascertainment bias. In addition, most of the studies were a single-center experience and therefore the results cannot be generalized to the general population. Conclusion Endoscopic coblation technique is superior to cold curettage adenoidectomy in pediatric population. The present systematic review and meta-analysis showed that endoscopic coblation technique had better outcomes in terms of intraoperative blood loss and postoperative pain. However, special attention should be paid for operation time with endoscopic coblation. Nevertheless, further studies are still needed to confirm our findings and to identify patient factors that significantly increase the rate of recurrence in both techniques.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanyan Long ◽  
Yan Liang ◽  
Shujie Li ◽  
Jing Guo ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and purpose Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a promising ablative modality for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) especially for those with small-sized or early-stage tumors. This study aimed to synthesize available data to evaluate efficacy and explore related predictors of SBRT for small liver-confined HCC (≤ 3 lesions with longest diameter ≤ 6 cm). Materials and methods A systematic search were performed of the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and local control (LC) of small HCC treated with SBRT, meanwhile, to evaluate clinical parameters associated with treatment outcome by two methods including subgroup comparisons and pooled HR meta-analysis. The secondary endpoint was treatment toxicity. Results After a comprehensive database review, 14 observational studies with 1238 HCC patients received SBRT were included. Pooled 1-year and 3-year OS rates were 93.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 88.0–96.0%) and 72.0% (95% CI 62.0–79.0%), respectively. Pooled 1-year and 3-year LC rates were 96.0% (95% CI 91.0–98.0%) and 91.0% (95% CI 85.0–95.0%), respectively. Subgroup comparisons regarding Child–Pugh class (stratified by CP-A percentage 100%, 75–100%, 50–75%) showed there were statistically significant differences for both 1-year and 3-year OS rate (p < 0.01), while that regarding number of lesions, pretreatment situation, age (median/mean age of 65), macrovascular invasion, tumor size, and radiation dose (median BED10 of 100 Gy), there were no differences. In subgroup comparisons for LC rate, it showed number of lesions (1 lesion vs. 2–3 lesions) was significantly associated with 1-year LC rate (p = 0.04), though not associated with 3-year LC rate (p = 0.72). In subgroup comparisons categorized by other factors including pretreatment situation, age, CP-A percentage, macrovascular invasion, tumor size, and radiation dose, there were no significant differences for 1- or 3-year LC rate. To further explore the association between CP class and OS, the second method was applied by combining HR and 95% CIs. Results indicated CP-A was predictive of better OS (p = 0.001) with pooled HR 0.31 (95% CIs 0.11–0.88), which was consistent with subgroup comparison results. Concerning adverse effect of SBRT, pooled rates of grade ≥ 3 hepatic complications and RILD were 4.0% (95% CI 2.0–8.0%) and 14.7% (95% CI 7.4–24.7%), respectively. Conclusion The study showed that SBRT was a potent local treatment for small liver-confined HCC conferring excellent OS and LC persisting up to 3 years, even though parts of included patients were pretreated or with macrovascular invasion. CP-A class was a significant predictor of optimal OS, while number of lesions might affect short term tumor control (1-year LC). Tumor size and radiation dose were not vital factors impacting treatment outcome for such small-sized HCC patients. Because of the low quality of observational studies and heterogeneous groups of patients treated with SBRT, further clinical trials should be prospectively investigated in large sample sizes.


QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ossama Abdelraoof El Shazly ◽  
Mohamed Mokhtar Abdellah ◽  
Mostafa Abdelnabee Abouzaid

Abstract Background With continued loss of dorsiflexion of the 1st MTP, degenerative changes occur within the joint with severe restriction of movement and increase in pain, which leads to the condition known as hallux rigidus. The amount of dorsiflexion may be reduced to 0-10 degrees with pain on both active and passive motion. Objectives Systematically reviewing available evidence from published articles to assess the effectiveness of arthrodesis of first metatarsophalangeal joint by plate and screws in hallux rigidus. The assessment also would encompass safety, side effects, and complications of this mode of treatment. Materials and Methods We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) statement. PRISMA and MOOSE are reporting checklists for Authors, Editors, and Reviewers of Meta-analyses of interventional and observational studies. According to International committee of medical journal association (ICJME), reviewers must report their findings according to each of the items listed in those checklists. Results Previous results for arthrodesis have been favourable with a union rate of almost 96%. In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, the overall effect estimates showed that the union rates after plate and screw arthrodesis for 1st MTPJ was 96.2% (95% CI 94 – 98.4%). In addition, the overall effect estimates showed that the non-union rates after plate and screw arthrodesis for 1st MTPJ was 4.2% (95% CI 2.4 – 6.1%). Moreover, the overall effect estimates showed that the satisfaction rates after plate and screw arthrodesis for 1st MTPJ was 94.5% (95% CI 90 – 99%). In the present study, the overall effect estimates showed that the overall complications rate after plate and screw arthrodesis for 1st MTPJ was 7.2% (95% CI 2.5 – 12%). The overall effect estimates showed that the malunion rates after plate and screw arthrodesis for 1st MTPJ was 2.7% (95% CI 0 – 6.4%). Additionally, the overall effect estimates showed that the hardware removal and superficial infection rates after plate and screw arthrodesis for 1st MTPJ were 2% and 2.9%, respectively. Conclusion Our analysis showed that plate and screws fixation is effective techniques that can be used for first MTPJ arthrodesis in patients with hallux rigidus. We found that the screw and plate fixation has a significantly lower rate of nonunion compared with the screw alone, as reported by the literature. However, owing to the small group sizes and methodologic shortcomings, we were unable to identify the clinically superior fixation technique for first MTPJ arthrodesis arthrodesis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Ida ◽  
Ryutaro Kaneko ◽  
Kanako Imataka ◽  
Kazuya Murata

Previous studies involving patients with diabetes have indicated that sarcopenia is related to renal function. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between sarcopenia and urinary albumin level, urinary protein level, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with diabetes. A meta-analysis of observational studies was conducted. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Trials Registry, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Data were extracted from studies investigating the association between sarcopenia and urinary albumin level, urinary protein level, and eGFR and by calculating odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical analysis was performed using a random-effects model to calculate pooled OR and 95% CI. Six studies (2662 patients) that met the criteria were included in the meta-analysis. Sarcopenia was significantly associated with urinary albumin level with a pooled OR of 2.11 (95% CI, 1.55–2.88; P<0.001). The pooled ORs of the associations between sarcopenia and urinary protein level and decreased eGFR were 1.82 (95% CI, 1.13–2.92; P=0.01) and 3.75 (95% CI, 1.24–11.41), respectively. Sarcopenia was significantly associated with urinary albumin level, urinary protein level, and decreased eGFR. However, further investigations are needed, including meta-analyses with a larger number of studies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
pp. 474-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffery L Heileson

Abstract The American Heart Association (AHA) recently published a meta-analysis that confirmed their 60-year-old recommendation to limit saturated fat (SFA, saturated fatty acid) and replace it with polyunsaturated fat to reduce the risk of heart disease based on the strength of 4 Core Trials. To assess the evidence for this recommendation, meta-analyses on the effect of SFA consumption on heart disease outcomes were reviewed. Nineteen meta-analyses addressing this topic were identified: 9 observational studies and 10 randomized controlled trials. Meta-analyses of observational studies found no association between SFA intake and heart disease, while meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials were inconsistent but tended to show a lack of an association. The inconsistency seems to have been mediated by the differing clinical trials included. For example, the AHA meta-analysis only included 4 trials (the Core Trials), and those trials contained design and methodological flaws and did not meet all the predefined inclusion criteria. The AHA stance regarding the strength of the evidence for the recommendation to limit SFAs for heart disease prevention may be overstated and in need of reevaluation.


2020 ◽  
pp. e1-e17
Author(s):  
Richard J. Wang ◽  
Sudhamayi Bhadriraju ◽  
Stanton A. Glantz

Objectives. To determine the association between e-cigarette use and smoking cessation. Methods. We searched PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, and EMBASE and computed the association of e-cigarette use with quitting cigarettes using random effects meta-analyses. Results. We identified 64 papers (55 observational studies and 9 randomized clinical trials [RCTs]). In observational studies of all adult smokers (odds ratio [OR] = 0.947; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.772, 1.160) and smokers motivated to quit smoking (OR = 0.851; 95% CI = 0.684, 1.057), e-cigarette consumer product use was not associated with quitting. Daily e-cigarette use was associated with more quitting (OR = 1.529; 95% CI = 1.158, 2.019) and less-than-daily use was associated with less quitting (OR = 0.514; 95% CI = 0.402, 0.665). The RCTs that compared quitting among smokers who were provided e-cigarettes to smokers with conventional therapy found e-cigarette use was associated with more quitting (relative risk = 1.555; 95% CI = 1.173, 2.061). Conclusions. As consumer products, in observational studies, e-cigarettes were not associated with increased smoking cessation in the adult population. In RCTs, provision of free e-cigarettes as a therapeutic intervention was associated with increased smoking cessation. Public Health Implications. E-cigarettes should not be approved as consumer products but may warrant consideration as a prescription therapy. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print December 22, 2020: e1–e17. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305999 )


Author(s):  
Becky Tsang ◽  
Amy Cordero ◽  
Claire Marchetta ◽  
Joseph Mulinare ◽  
Patricia Mersereau ◽  
...  

Objectives: The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C->T polymorphism is a risk factor for neural tube birth defects (NTDs). The T allele produces an enzyme with reduced folate processing capacity, which has been shown to produce lower blood folate concentrations in some studies. Our objective was to assess the association between MTHFR C677T genotypes (CC, CT, TT) and blood folate concentrations among women aged 12-49 years. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of literature published between 1/1992-7/2013 to identify controlled trials and observational studies that reported serum, plasma, or red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations and MTHFR C677T genotype. We applied a Bayesian random-effects model to predict differences in blood folate concentrations between MTHFR C677T genotypes, stratified by folate assay. Results: Thirty-eight studies met criteria for inclusion. Serum/plasma folate concentrations showed a consistent genotype trend with the highest concentrations for CC (CC > CT > TT) regardless of assay type. RBC folate concentrations measured by microbiologic assay also demonstrated this trend; however, this trend was reversed (CC < CT < TT) in studies using protein-binding assays. Conclusions: Meta-analyses results showed blood folate concentrations differed by assay type and genotype. Previous evidence has shown that RBC folate concentrations measured with a radioimmunoassay requires adjustment for genotype-dependent folate recovery; our results suggest that other protein-binding assays could have similar limitations. Compared to CC individuals, TT individuals have lower blood folate concentrations, which may increase a woman's risk for an NTD-affected pregnancy.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanual Getnet Mersha ◽  
Tadesse Melaku Abegaz ◽  
Mohammed Assen Seid ◽  
Eyob Alemayehu Gebreyohannes ◽  
Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavath ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Global data on stroke mortality remained to be sparse. In light of this, we aimed to conduct a Meta-analysis and systematic review of observational studies to estimate the mortality of stroke and to identify risk factors that predispose patients for stroke-related death.Methods This study was conducted based on the Meta-Analyses of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Overall mortality, in-hospital and 30- day mortality due to stroke were the primary outcome measures of the study. The meta-analysis was performed using Stata (Version 14, Stata Corp, College Station, Texas). Random-effect models were used for estimating pooled effects.Findings Overall, thirty two studies assessed overall mortality due to stroke. A total number of 2,885, 126 patients were recruited for the study. Pooled estimate indicated that the overall mortality of stroke was reported to be 20% (19%-22%). Whereas, the 30-day and In-hospital mortality were found to be 18% (16%-20%) and 16% (16%-19%), respectively. A subgroup analysis revealed that Africa registered the highest stroke-related death 29% (23%-36%). Hypertension was found to be an important risk factor for mortality secondary to stroke 61.9% (52.8%-71.1%).Conclusion Overall mortality of stroke was estimated to be twenty percent. The burden of stroke mortality was prominent in Africa region. Hypertension remained to be an independent risk factor for stroke mortality. Mortality of stroke can be minimized by establishing stroke centers that promptly deliver emergency management of stroke event.


2008 ◽  
Vol 5;12 (5;9) ◽  
pp. 819-850
Author(s):  
Laxmaiah Manchikanti

Observational studies provide an important source of information when randomized controlled trials (RCTs) cannot or should not be undertaken, provided that the data are analyzed and interpreted with special attention to bias. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) stresses the examination of evidence from clinical research and describes it as a shift in medical paradigm, in contrast to intuition, unsystematic clinical experience, and pathophysiologic rationale. While the importance of randomized trials has been created by the concept of the hierarchy of evidence in guiding therapy, much of the medical research is observational. The reporting of observational research is often not detailed and clear enough with insufficient quality and poor reporting, which hampers the assessment of strengths and weaknesses of the study and the generalizability of the mixed results. Thus, in recent years, progress and innovations in health care are measured by systematic reviews and meta-analyses. A systematic review is defined as, “the application of scientific strategies that limit bias by the systematic assembly, clinical appraisal, and synthesis of all relevant studies on a specific topic.” Meta-analysis usually is the final step in a systematic review. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are labor intensive, requiring expertise in both the subject matter and review methodology, and also must follow the rules of EBM which suggests that a formal set of rules must complement medical training and common sense for clinicians to integrate the results of clinical research effectively. While expertise in the review methods is important, the expertise in the subject matter and technical components is also crucial. Even though, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, specifically of RCTs, have exploded, the quality of the systematic reviews is highly variable and consequently, the opinions reached of the same studies are quite divergent. Numerous deficiencies have been described in methodologic assessment of the quality of the individual articles. Consequently, observational studies can provide an important complementary source of information, provided that the data are analyzed and interpreted in the context of confounding bias to which they are prone. Appropriate systematic reviews of observational studies, in conjunction with RCTs, may provide the basis for elimination of a dangerous discrepancy between the experts and the evidence. Steps in conducting systematic reviews of observational studies include planning, conducting, reporting, and disseminating the results. MOOSE, or Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology, a proposal for reporting contains specifications including background, search strategy, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion. Use of the MOOSE checklist should improve the usefulness of meta-analysis for authors, reviewers, editors, readers, and decision-makers. This manuscript describes systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies. Authors frequently utilize RCTs and observational studies in one systematic review; thus, they should also follow the reporting standards of the Quality of Reporting of Meta-analysis (QUOROM) statement, which also provides a checklist. A combined approach of QUOROM and MOOSE will improve reporting of systematic reviews and lead to progress and innovations in health care. Key words: Observational studies, evidence-based medicine, systematic reviews, metaanalysis, randomized trials, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, confounding bias, QUOROM, MOOSE


Metabolites ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kian Boon Lee ◽  
Lina Ang ◽  
Wai-Ping Yau ◽  
Wei Jie Seow

Globally, lung cancer is the most prevalent cancer type. However, screening and early detection is challenging. Previous studies have identified metabolites as promising lung cancer biomarkers. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis aimed to identify metabolites associated with lung cancer risk in observational studies. The literature search was performed in PubMed and EMBASE databases, up to 31 December 2019, for observational studies on the association between metabolites and lung cancer risk. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic and Cochran’s Q test. Meta-analyses were performed using either a fixed-effects or random-effects model, depending on study heterogeneity. Fifty-three studies with 297 metabolites were included. Most identified metabolites (252 metabolites) were reported in individual studies. Meta-analyses were conducted on 45 metabolites. Five metabolites (cotinine, creatinine riboside, N-acetylneuraminic acid, proline and r-1,t-2,3,c-4-tetrahydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophenanthrene) and five metabolite groups (total 3-hydroxycotinine, total cotinine, total nicotine, total 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (sum of concentrations of the metabolite and its glucuronides), and total nicotine equivalent (sum of total 3-hydroxycotinine, total cotinine and total nicotine)) were associated with higher lung cancer risk, while three others (folate, methionine and tryptophan) were associated with lower lung cancer risk. Significant heterogeneity was detected across most studies. These significant metabolites should be further evaluated as potential biomarkers for lung cancer.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document