Citations

ABSTRACT Objective To identify and compare how patient perceptions contribute to Type 1 Delays, defined as delays in deciding to seek care, among individuals with head and neck cancer (HNC) in high‐income countries (HICs) and low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Methods We conducted a scoping review and systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus from inception through November 20, 2023. Eligible studies included patients with HNC in HICs or LMICs who reported patient perceptions contributing to Type 1 Delays. Data extraction was performed in duplicate, and barriers were categorized thematically. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the frequency of reported barriers between HIC and LMIC studies. Results Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria, of which 64.7% ( n = 11) were conducted in HICs and 35.3% ( n = 6) in LMICs, representing 9 countries and 1410 participants. The most frequently cited perceptions contributing to delay were symptom unawareness, misinterpretation, and minimization. Additional barriers included fear of diagnosis, stigma, alternative medicine use, financial challenges, and geographic barriers. Transport/geographic barriers showed a trend toward being more common in LMIC studies ( p = 0.05). Descriptive patterns suggested LMIC patients more often reported structural and sociocultural barriers, whereas HIC patients more commonly cited psychosocial or perceptual barriers. Conclusion Type 1 Delays in HNC are common across both HICs and LMICs, with overlapping and region‐specific contributors. Tailored interventions, such as patient education, stigma reduction, and improved access to diagnostic services, may promote earlier detection and improve global HNC outcomes. Level of Evidence 3.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Craniopharyngiomas are complex intracranial tumors that pose significant challenges in surgical management. We aimed to develop risk-stratified surgical outcome benchmarks for adult patients undergoing endoscopic craniopharyngioma resection by using the Registry of Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders database to facilitate comparisons across institutions and guide clinical decision-making. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of adult patients (18 years and older) with craniopharyngioma undergoing a first-time endoscopic transnasal surgery across 14 academic centers in the United States was analyzed using data collected from 2011 to 2024. Patients were stratified into low-risk and high-risk cohorts based on criteria including age, body mass index, selected tumor characteristics (size, infundibular relationship, intraventricular extension), and previous radiation. Surgical outcomes were analyzed, and benchmarking ranges were defined using the established methodology. RESULTS: The overall cohort included 318 patients with a mean age of 50 years. Upon benchmarking analysis (50th-75th percentile performance), low-risk patients (n = 136) had a median length of stay of 4.0 to 6.0 days, 90-day readmission rates of 15.5% to 22.2%, skilled nursing facility discharge rates of <1.0%, postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak incidence of <1.0% to 14.3%, gross total resection rates of 50.0% to 60.8%, new postoperative arginine vasopressin deficiency rates of 33.3% to 50.0%, and tumor progression/recurrence rates of <1.0% to 18.3% over a median follow-up period of 27.0 (IQR 10.5-56.5) months. Benchmarking ranges were proposed for each outcome to facilitate cross-institutional comparisons. CONCLUSION: Establishing surgical outcome benchmarks for adult patients undergoing craniopharyngioma resection using data from the Registry of Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders provides a framework for assessing surgical performance and guiding clinical decision-making. Benchmark ranges can inform institutional quality improvement efforts, perioperative risk stratification, and patient counseling regarding expected postoperative outcomes.

OBJECTIVE Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) is a rare type of brain tumor that affects a wide age range, from children to older adults. Due to the rarity of the disease, existing studies are predominantly limited to single-center or single-surgeon experiences, often lacking statistical power and generalizability. The aim of this study was to address this gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of ACP outcomes based on a large multicenter cohort from the Registry of Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders (RAPID). METHODS This multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted via the RAPID consortium and assessed patients with histologically confirmed ACP treated surgically between August 2000 and November 2024 at high-volume pituitary centers across the United States. RESULTS Among the 359 patients (206 male, median age at primary surgery of 47 years) included in the analysis, 76% underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery and 22% underwent craniotomy. Gross-total resection was achieved in 45% and subtotal resection in 47%. Notably, 120 of 311 patients (39%) presented with preoperative hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysfunction. Following all treatments, permanent hypothyroidism was reported in 40% of patients, adrenal insufficiency in 33%, and arginine vasopressin deficiency in 19%. Of 263 patients who underwent primary surgery, radiation therapy was administered in 84 (32%). Progression-free survival (PFS) declined from 66% at 1 year to 31% at 6 years. In the multivariable analysis, independent predictors of worse PFS included subtotal resection (HR 0.22, 95% CI 0.11–0.42; p = 0.001), partial resection (HR 0.11, 95% CI 0.04–0.28, p = 0.001), larger tumor size (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.64–0.94; p = 0.009), and tumor extension beyond the sella and suprasellar regions (HR 0.21, 95% CI 0.06–0.74; p = 0.016). Primary surgery and salvage surgery groups showed comparable PFS. CONCLUSIONS In this large multicenter cohort study, gross-total resection was achieved in fewer than half of patients and was independently associated with improved PFS. Approximately one-third of patients underwent radiation therapy after primary surgery. These findings provide robust evidence supporting the prognostic value of extent of resection and inform contemporary treatment algorithms for ACP. The high incidence of postoperative endocrinopathy underscores the need for individualized multidisciplinary long-term care. While the retrospective design is a limitation, the multicenter approach enhances the generalizability of these results.

OBJECTIVE Protocols for intraoperative mapping during awake craniotomy vary widely. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the number and type of intraoperative neuropsychological paradigms administered via NeuroMapper, a tablet-based platform, during awake glioma surgery affect positive mapping rates, return to work (RTW), and oncological outcomes. Factors associated with the operative duration and early postoperative neurological deficits were of additional interest. METHODS This single-center retrospective study included patients with diffuse low- and high-grade gliomas who underwent awake craniotomy with NeuroMapper-guided mapping between 2018 and 2024. Primary outcomes were RTW, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS); operative duration and early postoperative deficits were secondary outcomes. Covariate balancing propensity score (CBPS) analysis was used to address confounding by tumor grade, with all postweighting standardized mean differences < 0.10. A weighted logistic regression model assessed RTW, and CBPS-weighted Cox models assessed PFS and OS. Linear regression was used to analyze intraoperative variables, operative duration, and early postoperative deficits. RESULTS Of 189 patients included in the analysis, 65 had LGG (median age 39 years) and 124 had HGG (median age 56 years). Mapping complexity varied, with 1–6 tasks used (median 4). Weighted multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following independent predictors of RTW: preoperative Karnofsky Performance Status score ≥ 80 (OR 1.37, p = 0.039), absence of recurrent disease (OR 0.30, p < 0.001), use of 5–6 paradigms (OR 1.54, p = 0.047), positive mapping (OR 2.41, p = 0.017), and subtotal resection (OR 4.43, p = 0.002). Intraoperative seizure, early postoperative deficit, and the resection technique were not significant. IDH mutation status was associated with improved PFS (HR 0.15, p < 0.001), while subtotal resection was associated with worsened PFS (HR 3.00, p < 0.001). Positive mapping was associated with better OS (HR 0.57, p = 0.04). The operative duration was unaffected by mapping variables but was longer in patients with obesity (β = 0.28, p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS Positive NeuroMapper-guided mapping of more diverse linguistic functions was associated with RTW and longer OS. Additionally, mapping complexity did not prolong surgery times, supporting potential standardization.

Background COVID‐19 and other respiratory viral infections can cause cardiovascular complications. SARS‐CoV‐2 virions are found in the blood, and circulating viral RNA levels are associated with death. We hypothesized that viremia can induce thrombotic endotheliopathy that contributes to death and studied this relationship in patients hospitalized for COVID‐19 and enrolled in the ACTIV‐4a (Accelerating COVID‐19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines) randomized trial of antithrombotic therapy. Methods We quantified SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid RNA and protein in plasma and measured their associations with clinical outcomes and biomarkers of thromboinflammation and endotheliopathy. We used Cox regression and Fine–Gray competing risk models to analyze survival and thrombosis. We conducted causal mediation analysis to explore whether thrombotic endotheliopathy mediates the relationship between viral RNA and death. Results In 93 patients, SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA and N‐antigen were higher in nonsurvivors. Baseline viral RNA levels were associated with increased 90‐day death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.31 [95% CI, 1.17–1.46]) and thrombosis (HR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.24–1.47]). Viral RNA more effectively predicted survivorship than N‐antigen levels. Soluble thrombomodulin, a biomarker of thrombotic endotheliopathy, positively correlated with viral RNA levels. Mediation analysis revealed that soluble thrombomodulin accounts for 12.2% (95% CI, 0.1%–32.3%; P =0.048) after adjustment for age and sex of the relationship between viral RNA and the 90‐day mortality rate. Conclusions Elevated plasma SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA levels are associated with death in ACTIV‐4a, which is causally mediated in part by soluble thrombomodulin. We propose that lung–blood viral dissemination is a potential mechanism for cardiovascular complications of respiratory viruses. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique Identifier: NCT04505774.

OBJECTIVES: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) can cause severe hypoxemic respiratory failure in immunocompromised patients. Contemporary outcomes of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) support for PCP are poorly characterized, and existing reports are limited to small case series. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: International registry study using the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) registry. PATIENTS/SUBJECTS: Adults with PCP-associated hypoxemic respiratory failure supported with VV ECMO between 2011 and 2024. INTERVENTIONS: VV ECMO. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 209 patients with PCP-associated respiratory failure supported with VV ECMO were identified. The overall in-hospital mortality was 60.8%. Survivors were younger than nonsurvivors (median age 41.9 vs. 46.8 yr; p = 0.047). Duration of mechanical ventilation before VV ECMO was longer among nonsurvivors (median 4.7 vs. 1.6 d; p = 0.019). The proportion of patients with HIV infection was similar among survivors and nonsurvivors (19.5% vs. 22.1%; p = 0.73). Pre-ECMO vasopressor use, prone positioning, and renal replacement therapy were common and did not differ between groups. Clinical course was characterized by prolonged VV ECMO support (median 18.6 d) and frequent complications, including pneumothorax (21.1%), renal replacement therapy during VV ECMO (31.6%), intracranial hemorrhage or stroke (7.7%), and major pulmonary or gastrointestinal hemorrhage (16.8%). PCP accounted for a small proportion of VV ECMO runs reported to the ELSO registry throughout the study period at 0.36% of reported cases. No significant temporal trend in mortality was observed. CONCLUSIONS: PCP-associated respiratory failure supported with VV ECMO is associated with substantial mortality and prolonged VV ECMO support. These findings provide contemporary benchmarks that may inform VV ECMO candidacy discussions and expectations in this challenging patient population.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate intracochlear electrocochleography (ECochG) amplitude parameters during cochlear implantation (CI) using a novel multi‐frequency ECochG algorithm. Methods A multi‐institutional, prospective cohort study was performed at 18 high‐volume CI centers. The inclusion criteria were adults with sensorineural hearing loss and audiometric thresholds of ≤ 90 dB hearing level at 500 Hz undergoing CI with Advanced Bionics (Valencia, CA) Ultra 3D devices between 2024 and 2025. ECochG recordings were performed with simultaneous multi‐frequency stimulation of four frequencies between 125 and 4000 Hz during cochlear implant insertion. Concurrent multi‐frequency recording allowed extraction of amplitude and phase of each frequency individually. Post hoc analysis was performed to determine the difference in the number of drop alarms between single‐ and multi‐frequency ECochG. An ECochG amplitude drop of 6 dB was defined as a drop alarm. Insertion track patterns were compared between single‐ and multi‐frequency ECochG. Results One hundred ninety‐five ears were included. Mean number of drop alarms for the single‐frequency algorithm was 1.72 (95% CI: 1.52, 1.92; median 1) compared to 0.42 (95% CI: 0.31, 0.53; median 0) for multi‐frequency; p < 0.001. The number of Type C patterns (rise in amplitude during insertion followed by a drop) decreased with the multi‐frequency ECochG algorithm compared to the single‐frequency ECochG algorithm. The number of Type D patterns (no‐response) decreased, indicating that multi‐frequency ECochG generated more responses across the cochlea than single‐frequency ECochG. Conclusions A novel multi‐frequency ECochG algorithm during CI is associated with fewer drop alarms and altered insertion track patterns, which may provide a more accurate assessment of the cochlear microenvironment. Level of Evidence 3.

Abstract INTRODUCTION : Despite expanding use of plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD), minimal examination has been undertaken in early‐onset AD (EOAD). Prior analyses assessed criterion and convergent validity of common plasma biomarkers in a well‐characterized sample with sporadic EOAD. METHODS : Plasma amyloid beta (Aβ) 42/40, tau phosphorylated at threonine 231 (p‐tau231), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light change (NfL) levels were obtained for 189 EOAD, 52 early‐onset non‐AD (EOnonAD), and 83 cognitively normal (CN) participants. Diagnostic group differences, convergence with imaging biomarkers, and the capacity to predict specific cognitive domains were investigated. RESULTS : After controlling for cognitive status, EOAD participants exhibited more pathologic levels of Aβ42/40, p‐tau231, and GFAP relative to EOnonAD participants. However, NfL displayed the greatest sensitivity to non‐amnestic cognitive impairment across the sample. DISCUSSION : These results establish criterion and convergent validity of plasma biomarkers in sporadic EOAD and highlight complementary roles that AD‐specific and non‐specific plasma markers may play across the course of AD care.

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly referred to as 3D printing, has been broadly used in the field of medical imaging and radiotherapy. In medical imaging applications, patient‐specific anatomic models have been used to aid in preoperative planning, patient communication, imaging technique assessment and optimization, and medical education. Within the field of radiation therapy, 3D printing finds significance in fabricating patient‐specific immobilization devices, custom bolus devices, anthropomorphic phantoms, brachytherapy devices, and electron therapy devices. Consistent with standard medical physics practices there is a need to establish quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) protocols, tolerances, and testing frequencies. The diversity of 3D printing technologies and products poses challenges for medical adoption and thus requires guidelines in workflow standardization and establishment of testing procedures. This report is centered around providing comprehensive vendor‐neutral implementation guidelines and recommendations for QC and QA processes. The scope of this report encompasses diverse requirements within medical imaging and radiation therapy settings, serving both clinical and research purposes. Brief overview of 3D printing technology, common materials, and potential clinical applications is provided. QA team, infrastructure, measurement techniques and challenges are discussed. QA processes for each step in 3D printing are discussed in great detail and baseline and action limits are recommended. This report also touched on regulatory considerations. Key recommendations are summarized at the end of the report.