Tumor characteristics and surgical outcomes of intracranial subependymomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Barry Ting Sheen Kweh ◽  
Jeffrey Victor Rosenfeld ◽  
Martin Hunn ◽  
Jin Wee Tee

OBJECTIVE The tumor characteristics and surgical outcomes of intracranial subependymomas are poorly defined. In this study the authors aimed to provide a comprehensive review of all clinical, pathological, radiological, and surgical aspects of this important neoplasm to inform future management strategies. METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases adherent to PRISMA guidelines was conducted. RESULTS Of the 1145 articles initially retrieved, 24 studies encompassing 890 cases were included. The authors identified 3 retrospective cohort studies and 21 case series, but no controlled trials. Mean age at presentation was 46.7 ± 18.1 years with a male predominance (70.2%). Common sites of tumor origin were the lateral ventricle (44.5%) and fourth ventricle (43.1%). Cumulative postoperative mortality and morbidity rates were 3.4% and 24.3% respectively. Meta-analysis revealed that male sex (HR 3.15, 95% CI 1.39–7.14, p = 0.006) was associated with poorer 5-year overall mortality rates. All-cause mortality rates were similar when performing subgroup meta-analyses for age (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.03–7.36, p = 0.61), smaller subependymoma size (HR 1.51, 95% CI 0.78–2.92, p = 0.22), gross-total resection (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.35–1.23, p = 0.18), and receipt of postoperative radiation therapy (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.27–2.88, p = 0.84). Postoperative Karnofsky Performance Index scores improved by a mean difference of 1.62 ± 12.14 points (p = 0.42). The pooled overall 5-year survival rate was 89.2%, while the cumulative recurrence rate was 1.3% over a median follow-up ranging from 15.3 to 120.0 months. The pure subependymoma histopathological subtype was most prevalent (85.6%), followed by the mixed subependymoma-ependymoma tumor variant (13.7%). CONCLUSIONS Surgical extirpation without postoperative radiotherapy results in excellent postoperative survival and functional outcomes in the treatment of intracranial subependymomas. Aggressive tumor behavior should prompt histological reevaluation for a mixed subependymoma-ependymoma subtype. Further high-quality controlled trials are still required to investigate this rare tumor.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aidan M. Kirkham ◽  
Madeline Monaghan ◽  
Adrian J. M. Bailey ◽  
Risa Shorr ◽  
Manoj M. Lalu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have significant immunomodulatory and tissue repair capabilities, mediated partly by conditioned media or through secreted extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs). Infection with SARS-CoV-2 can cause mild to life-threatening illness due to activated immune responses that may be dampened by MSCs or their secretome. Many clinical studies of MSCs have been launched since the beginning of the global pandemic, however, few have been completed and most lack power to assess efficacy. Repeated systematic searches and meta-analyses are needed to understand, in real time, the extent of potential benefit in different patient populations as the evidence emerges. Methods This living systematic review will be maintained to provide up-to-date information as the pandemic evolves. A systematic literature search of Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases will be performed. All clinical studies (e.g., randomized, pseudorandomized and non-randomized controlled trials, uncontrolled trials, and case series) employing MSCs or their secretome as a therapeutic intervention for COVID-19 will be included. Patients must have confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Study screening and data extraction will be performed in duplicate. Information concerning interventions, patient populations, methods of MSC isolation and characterization, primary and secondary clinical and/or laboratory outcomes, and adverse events will be extracted. Key clinical outcomes will be pooled through random-effects meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of MSCs and their secreted products for COVID-19. Discussion Our systematic review and subsequent updates will inform the scientific, medical, and health policy communities as the pandemic evolves to guide decisions on the appropriate use of MSC-related products to treat COVID-19. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD 42021225431


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e042085
Author(s):  
Yunhui Chen ◽  
Qing Zhang ◽  
Wei Peng ◽  
Dan Liu ◽  
Yanyan You ◽  
...  

IntroductionTo date, no specific antivirus drugs or vaccines have been available to prevent or treat the COVID-19 pandemic. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy may be a promising therapeutic approach that reduces the high mortality in critical cases. This protocol is proposed for a systematic review and meta-analysis that aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MSC therapy on patients with COVID-19.Methods and analysisTen databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), Wanfang database, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) and Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed) will be searched from inception to 1 December 2020. All published randomised controlled trials, clinical controlled trials and case series that meet the prespecified eligibility criteria will be included. The primary outcomes include mortality, incidence and severity of adverse events, respiratory improvement, days from ventilator, duration of fever, progression rate from mild or moderate to severe, improvement of such serious symptoms as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, and loss of speech or movement, biomarkers of laboratory examination and changes in CT. The secondary outcomes include dexamethasone doses and quality of life. Two reviewers will independently perform study selection, data extraction and assessment of bias risk. Data synthesis will be conducted using RevMan software (V.5.3.5). If necessary, subgroup and sensitivity analysis will be performed. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system will be used to assess the strength of evidence.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not necessary since no individual patient or privacy data have been collected. The results of this review will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal or an academic conference presentation.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020190079.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 204062232199886
Author(s):  
Yi-Chih Lin ◽  
Tai-Shuan Lai ◽  
Shuei-Liong Lin ◽  
Yung-Ming Chen ◽  
Tzong-Shinn Chu ◽  
...  

Background: Information on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains limited. To understand the influence of COVID-19 infection in patients with pre-existing CKD, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate and compare the risks of all-cause mortality, hospitalization, and critical progression between patients with and without CKD. Methods: We selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective or retrospective observational, case-control, cross-sectional, and case-series studies analyzing outcomes of COVID-19 infection in patients with pre-existing CKD from the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases published on the Internet before 16 July 2020. Results: A total of 27 studies comprising 77,856 patients with COVID-19 infection was identified; 3922 patients with pre-existing CKD were assigned CKD group, and 73,934 patients were assigned to the non-CKD group. The pooled analysis showed that patients with CKD had a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality and hospitalization than those without CKD [odds ratio (OR) 2.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.91–2.66, p < 0.001; OR 4.29, 95% CI 2.93–6.28, p < 0.001; respectively]. Patients with CKD had a higher risk of critically ill conditions than those without CKD in the pooled analysis of studies with multivariable adjustment (adjusted OR 2.12, 95% CI 0.95–4.77, p = 0.07) and in the analysis of all included studies (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.71–2.26, p = 0.41), but both analyses did not attain statistical significance. Conclusion: COVID-19 infected patients with CKD had significantly increased risks of all-cause mortality and hospitalization compared with those without CKD.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 1305-1305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Paladini ◽  
Otavio Clark ◽  
Luciana Clark ◽  
Tobias Engel ◽  
Eneas Faleiros

Abstract Background: Anemia is a frequent condition in patients receiving chemotherapy. ESA are effective to control this condition, but a recently published meta-analysis and warnings from regulatory agencies have pointed to a possible increase in mortality in these patients. Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the safety of ESA when used according to label indications, that is, for patients with chemotherapy induced anemia (rather than cancer induced anemia) with Hb&lt;11g/dl. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials comparing the use of ESA versus placebo (or no treatment) in patients with chemotherapy induced anemia, for whom ESAs where indicated if Hb dropped below 11g/dl. The primary end-point was mortality. We searched several databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS and CENTRAL, among others. All suitable papers were retrived and data regarding the quality of the studies and mortality rates were extracted. Then, we performed a meta-analysis of these trials, using RevMan 5.0 software. Results: □There were 17 studies, with 3788 patients, meeting our inclusion criteria. There were 566 deaths among the 2208 patients that received ESA and 488 among the 1580 on control groups. The meta-analysis showed no increase in mortality rates associated with the use of ESA (Relative risk (RR) = 0.95; IC 95% 0.88 to 1.03; P=0.22). Also, there was no heterogeneity in the analysis (I2=0%), showing that the results were consistent among the studies. When we analised the Hb cut-off point in 10g/dl, the meta-analysis results were similar (RR=0.97; IC 95% 0.87 to 1.07; P 0.52; I2=0%). Conclusion: When used as indicated on label, that is, for patients with chemotherapy induced anemia with Hb&lt;11g/dl ESA are NOT associated with higher mortality rates and remain a safe option for these patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Honório ◽  
João Emílio Pinheiro Filho ◽  
Luca Tristão ◽  
Clara Santos ◽  
Letícia Datrino ◽  
...  

Abstract   The complications related to esophagojejunal anastomosis are among the leading issues in the postoperative period of total gastrectomy. This review aims to evaluate the surgical outcomes of hand-sewn esophageal anastomosis compared to mechanical anastomosis for the reconstruction of total gastrectomy. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies evaluating hand-sewn and stapled anastomosis was performed. Results A total of 12 studies were selected, comprising 1761 individuals. The operation time was higher in the hand-sewn anastomosis group (mean difference [MD] = 22.13 minutes; 95%CI: 3.97, 40.29). However, the risk for anastomotic fistula was not different between the groups (difference risk [DR] = 0.00; 95%CI: −0.03, 0.03). Also, the rate of intracavitary abscess (DR = -0.02; 95%CI: −0.07, 0.02); the reoperation rate (DR = -0.00; 95%CI: −0.01, 0.01); postoperative complications (DR = 0.12; 95%CI: −0.01, 0.25); postoperative mortality (DR = 0.02; 95%CI: −0.02, 0.06); anastomotic stenosis (DR = -0.01; 95%CI: −0.03, 0.00); and length of hospital stay (mean difference [MD] = 3.52 days; 95%CI: −0.49, 7.53) were no different between groups. Conclusion The results indicate that the hand-sewn and stapled esophageal anastomosis have similar surgical outcomes. Stapled anastomosis has a shorter operation time being.


Author(s):  
Marina Feliciano Orlandini ◽  
Maria Carolina Andrade Serafim ◽  
Letícia Nogueira Datrino ◽  
Guilherme Tavares ◽  
Luca Schiliró Tristão ◽  
...  

Summary Introduction: Achalasia may evolve to sigmoid megaesophagus in 10–15% of patients and is usually treated with esophagectomy, which has high morbi-mortality. Many surgeons debate the applicability of the Heller myotomy for treating sigmoid megaesophagus. This study intents to analyze the effectiveness of myotomy for treating patients with sigmoid megaesophagus. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, Lilacs and Embase alongside manual search of references. The inclusion criteria were clinical trials, cohort, case-series; patients with sigmoid megaesophagus and esophageal diameter ≥ 6 cm; and patients undergoing primary myotomy. The exclusion criteria were reviews, case reports, cross-sectional studies, editorials, letters, congress abstracts, full-text unavailability; previous surgical treatment for achalasia; and pediatric or animal model studies. No restrictions on language and date of publication, and no filters were applied. Subgroups analyses were performed to assess the laparoscopic myotomy perioperative outcomes. Besides, subgroup analyses were performed to assess the long-term outcomes of the studies with a follow-up time &gt; 24 months. To verify heterogeneity, the I2 test was used. The random effects were applied, and the fixed model was evaluated as sensitivity analysis. To assess risk of bias and certainty of evidence, the tools ROBINS-I and GRADE were used, respectively. Registration number: CRD42020199667. Results: Sixteen articles were selected, encompassing 350 patients. The mean age ranged from 36 to 61 years old, and the mean follow-up ranged from 16 to 109 months. Complications rate was 0.08 (CI: 0.040–0.153; P = 0.01). Need for retreatment rate was 0.128 (CI: 0.031–0.409; P = 0.01). The probability of good or excellent outcomes after myotomy was 0.762 (CI: 0.703–0.812; P &lt; 0.01). Postoperative mortality rate was 0.008 (CI: 0.004–0.015; P &lt; 0.01). Conclusion: Surgical myotomy is an option for avoiding esophagectomy in achalasia, with a low morbi-mortality rate and good results. It is effective for most patients and only a minority will demand retreatment.


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