Citations

The aim of this work was to develop multimodal anthropomorphic breast phantoms suitable for evaluating the imaging performance of a recently-introduced Microwave Imaging (MWI) technique in comparison to the established diagnostic imaging modalities of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound (US), mammography and Computed Tomography (CT). MWI is an emerging technique with significant potential to supplement established imaging techniques to improve diagnostic confidence for breast cancer detection. To date, numerical simulations have been used to assess the different MWI scanning and image reconstruction algorithms in current use, while only a few clinical trials have been conducted. To bridge the gap between the numerical simulation environment and a more realistic diagnostic scenario, anthropomorphic phantoms which mimic breast tissues in terms of their heterogeneity, anatomy, morphology, and mechanical and dielectric characteristics, may be used. Key in this regard is achieving realism in the imaging appearance of the different healthy and pathologic tissue types for each of the modalities, taking into consideration the differing imaging and contrast mechanisms for each modality. Suitable phantoms can thus be used by radiologists to correlate image findings between the emerging MWI technique and the more familiar images generated by the conventional modalities. Two phantoms were developed in this study, representing difficult-to-image and easy-to-image patients: the former contained a complex boundary between the mammary fat and fibroglandular tissues, extracted from real patient MRI datasets, while the latter contained a simpler and less morphologically accurate interface. Both phantoms were otherwise identical, with tissue-mimicking materials (TMMs) developed to mimic skin, subcutaneous fat, fibroglandular tissue, tumor and pectoral muscle. The phantoms’ construction used non-toxic materials, and they were inexpensive and relatively easy to manufacture. Both phantoms were scanned using conventional modalities (MRI, US, mammography and CT) and a recently introduced MWI radar detection procedure called in-coherent Multiple Signal Classification (I-MUSIC). Clinically realistic artifact-free images of the anthropomorphic breast phantoms were obtained using the conventional imaging techniques as well as the emerging technique of MWI.

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesThe COVID‐19 pandemic has raised questions about the approach to management of systemic immunosuppressive therapies for dermatologic indications in children. Change to: Given the absence of data to address concerns related to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and systemic immunosuppressive therapies in an evidence‐based manner, a Pediatric Dermatology COVID‐19 Response Task Force (PDCRTF) was assembled to offer time‐sensitive guidance for clinicians.MethodsA survey was distributed to an expert panel of 37 pediatric dermatologists on the PDCRTF to assess expert opinion and current practice related to three primary domains of systemic therapy: initiation, continuation, and laboratory monitoring.ResultsNearly all respondents (97%) reported that the COVID‐19 pandemic had impacted their decision to initiate immunosuppressive medications. The majority of pediatric dermatologists (87%) reported that they were pausing or reducing the frequency of laboratory monitoring for certain immunosuppressive medications. In asymptomatic patients, continuing therapy was the most popular choice across all medications queried. The majority agreed that patients on immunosuppressive medications who have a household exposure to COVID‐19 or test positive for new infection should temporarily discontinue systemic and biologic medications, with the exception of systemic steroids, which may require tapering.ConclusionsThe ultimate decision regarding initiation, continuation, and laboratory monitoring of immunosuppressive therapy during the pandemic requires careful deliberation, consideration of the little evidence available, and discussion with families. Consideration of an individual's adherence to COVID‐19 preventive measures, risk of exposure, and the potential severity if infected must be weighed against the dermatological disease, medication, and risks to the patient of tapering or discontinuing therapies.

Abstract Background: Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a clonal stem cell disorder characterized by intravascular hemolysis, thrombosis, bone marrow failure and reduced survival. In this current single institution study of patients with PNH, we investigate the risk factors predictive of survival and thrombosis. Methods: Data were abstracted from medical records of a consecutive cohort of patients with PNH seen at the Mayo Clinic. Diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of intravascular Hemolysis and either a positive Ham’s test, and/or by the presence of a GPI-deficient hematopoietic clone. Follow-up data were obtained by contacting the patients and by reviewing the social security death index. Results: i. Patients and treatment: The study cohort included 68 patients with PNH (median age 32 years, range 10–77; 33 females) with a median follow up of 84.5 months (range, 1–538 months). Presenting features included infection (n=9), thrombosis (n=9), neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count (ANC) < 1000) (n=32) severe intravascular hemolysis (n=16) and splenomegaly (n=11). Prior to the diagnosis of PNH, 6 patients (8.8%) carried a diagnosis of aplastic anemia (AA) and 2 (2.9%) myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Complications documented after diagnosis included major thrombosis (n=11), major hemorrhage (n=4), and development of AA (n=7), MDS (n=4), and non-hematologic cancer (n=4) but none experienced leukemic transformation. Treatment included prednisone (n=30), other immunosuppressive agents (n=6), androgens (n=10), and bone marrow transplantation (n=4). Review of treatment with systemic anticoagulation disclosed only 2 patients that were receiving prophylactic warfarin therapy and both patients remain free of thrombosis after 1 and 2 years of therapy. ii. Thrombotic events and risk factors: Overall, 20 patients (29.4 %) experienced one or more episodes of major thrombosis. Among several clinical and laboratory parameters evaluated at presentation, only the detection of urine hemoglobin and infection were found to be significantly associated with the occurrence of thrombosis (p=0.05) iii. Risk factors for survival To date, 18 patients (27%) have died and median survival for the study cohort is projected at 21.1 years. Multivariate analysis identified thrombosis (p=0.003) and an ANC of > 1000 (p= 0.05) at presentation as independent risk factors for inferior survival. In addition, the occurrence of major hemorrhage was significantly associated with poor survival (p= 0.04). Conclusion The current study provides natural history information in a relatively large cohort of patients with PNH and identifies certain disease features that could be further explored for their potential as risk factors for both thrombosis and survival.

Background and Objectives: Teaching medical students patient-centered approaches to weight loss counseling occurs in myriad ways. We examined lectures and direct faculty observation to see which was associated with better patient-centered care in medical students, measured by both self-perception and independent observer evaluation. Methods: Third- and fourth-year students attending one medical school were surveyed regarding their education in (1) weight loss and health behavior counseling, (2) obesity stigma, and (3) whether they had experienced direct faculty observation of their weight loss counseling. Several weeks later, the students were observed during a standardized patient encounter for obesity and an obesity-relevant comorbidity. A postencounter survey assessed overall student satisfaction with the encounter and with the care they provided. Independent coders rated their patient-centered communication using a validated measure. Results: There was no consistent association between any dependent variable and student ratings of adequacy of instruction, nor with instructional content. Direct faculty observation was not associated with overall encounter satisfaction or their overall patient-centeredness. However, experiences with direct faculty observation were significantly and positively associated with students’ perceptions of patient engagement (b=0.1, P=.05), and with independent coders’ ratings of student friendliness (b=0.13, P=.01), responsiveness (b=0.113, P=.03), and lower student anxiety (b=-0.1, P=.01). Conclusions: Independent observation and self-report of instruction adequacy and content had no consistent association with care quality. However, direct faculty observation predicted improvement in both student self-reports and independent observer ratings of students’ interpersonal quality of care. Further work is needed to define optimal methods of imparting patient-centered care.

Study Design: Narrative review. Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have emerged as disruptive technologies with the potential to drastically affect clinical decision making in spine surgery. AI can enhance the delivery of spine care in several arenas: (1) preoperative patient workup, patient selection, and outcome prediction; (2) quality and reproducibility of spine research; (3) perioperative surgical assistance and data tracking optimization; and (4) intraoperative surgical performance. The purpose of this narrative review is to concisely assemble, analyze, and discuss current trends and applications of AI and ML in conventional and robotic-assisted spine surgery. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive PubMed search of peer-reviewed articles that were published between 2006 and 2019 examining AI, ML, and robotics in spine surgery. Key findings were then compiled and summarized in this review. Results: The majority of the published AI literature in spine surgery has focused on predictive analytics and supervised image recognition for radiographic diagnosis. Several investigators have studied the use of AI/ML in the perioperative setting in small patient cohorts; pivotal trials are still pending. Conclusions: Artificial intelligence has tremendous potential in revolutionizing comprehensive spine care. Evidence-based, predictive analytics can help surgeons improve preoperative patient selection, surgical indications, and individualized postoperative care. Robotic-assisted surgery, while still in early stages of development, has the potential to reduce surgeon fatigue and improve technical precision.

AbstractBackgroundPatients with concomitant cardiac arrest (CA) and shock are at increased risk of mortality, even when stratified according to shock severity. We sought to determine whether the presence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) modified the relationship between CA and mortality in cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) patients.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed unique Mayo Clinic CICU patients admitted between 2007 and 2015. Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention (SCAI) shock stages A through E were classified at admission. Hospital mortality in each SCAI shock stage was stratified by the presence of CA, VF CA, or non‐VF CA.ResultsWe included 9,898 patients with a mean age of 68 years (38% females). CA was present in 12%, including 53% with VF CA and 47% with non‐VF CA. Hospital mortality was higher in patients with CA compared to patients without CA (34% vs. 6%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 3.1, 95% CI [2.4, 4.0],p < .001), and patients with non‐VF CA had higher hospital mortality than patients with VF CA (44% vs. 25%; adjusted OR = 2.1, 95% CI [1.4, 3.0],p < .001). After adjustment, patients with any CA or non‐VF CA had higher hospital mortality at each SCAI stage, except stage E (all otherp < .05), whereas patients with VF CA did not (allp > .1).ConclusionsCA rhythm modifies the relationship between CA and mortality in CICU patients, when accounting for coma, shock, and organ failure. Outcome studies examining CA in patients with cardiogenic shock need to account for important differences such as CA rhythm.

8020 Background: BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen) is a TNF receptor family member found on normal and malignant B-cells, including multiple myeloma (MM). It plays a role in proliferation and antiapoptotic pathways. Levels of serum (s)BMCA are elevated in patients (pts) with plasma cell disorders (PCD) and increase with each stage of disease: healthy donor< MGUS<SMM< active untreated MM. The purpose of this study was to test whether sBCMA levels predict progression of MGUS or SMM to MM. Methods: There were 3 cohorts in this retrospective study: MGUS progressing to MM (n=42); MGUS not progressing to MM (n=49); SMM progressing to MM (n=32). sBCMA levels were measured using an ELISA-based assay with a polyclonal anti-BCMA antibody from R&D Systems (Minneapolis, MN). The Kruskal-Wallis analysis was used to assess differences. The relationships between sBCMA and both time to progression and overall survival were also assessed using Cox proportional hazard models. Results: The highest values of sBCMA were seen among pts with more advanced PCD (Table). The lowest baseline levels were seen in pts with MGUS who did not progress; the change of sBCMA over time was lowest in the MGUS non-progressors. ROC analysis identified a cutoff of 74.4 ng/mL to be predictive of progression at 5 years. This cut-point was associated with a risk ratio of progression of 5.8 (95%CI 3.2, 11.3) for all comers, a risk ratio of death for all comers of 2.5 (95%CI 1.5, 4.2), and a risk ratio of death for MGUS pts of 3.3 (95%CI 1.9, 5.7). Conclusions: Serum BCMA levels were predictive of diagnosis, progression and death among pts with MGUS or SMM. Limitations of the current study are that only a minority of pts had baseline bone marrow exams or serum FLCs to place sBCMA risk in the context of other previously described risk factors. Serum FLC is now being determined on all patients. [Table: see text]

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with or without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is associated with improved survival for patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases (CR-PM). However, the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) prior to CRS-HIPEC is poorly understood. A retrospective review of adult patients with CR-PM who underwent CRS+/-HIPEC from 2000–2017 was performed. Among 298 patients who underwent CRS+/-HIPEC, 196 (65.8%) received NAC while 102 (34.2%) underwent surgery first (SF). Patients who received NAC had lower peritoneal cancer index score (12.1 + 7.9 vs. 14.3 + 8.5, p = 0.034). There was no significant difference in grade III/IV complications (22.4% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.650), readmission (32.3% vs. 23.5%, p = 0.114), or 30-day mortality (1.5% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.411) between groups. NAC patients experienced longer overall survival (OS) (median 32.7 vs. 22.0 months, p = 0.044) but similar recurrence-free survival (RFS) (median 13.8 vs. 13.0 months, p = 0.456). After controlling for confounding factors, NAC was not independently associated with improved OS (OR 0.80) or RFS (OR 1.04). Among patients who underwent CRS+/-HIPEC for CR-PM, the use of NAC was associated with improved OS that did not persist on multivariable analysis. However, NAC prior to CRS+/-HIPEC was a safe and feasible strategy for CR-PM, which may aid in the appropriate selection of patients for aggressive cytoreductive surgery.

7524 Background: A multicenter study (Z4032) compared sublobar resection (SR) to sublobar resection with brachytherapy (SRB) for stage I NSCLC. Local recurrence (LR) and overall survival (OS) rates at 3-years (3-yr) were similar between arms (see abstract 113613). This analysis combines arms, and evaluates the effect of factors previously reported to impact oncological outcomes after SR. Methods: 213 patients (pts) were evaluable for analysis. LR was defined as recurrence at the staple line (local progression), same lobe away from the staple line, or within hilar nodes. Factors assessed for impact on 3-yr outcomes were: resection type (wedge/segmentectomy), margin size (<1cm /≥1cm), margin:tumor ratio (<1/ ≥1), tumor size (≤2cm/>2cm) and staple line cytology (+/-). Results: LR occurred in 27/213 (12.6%) pts and included local progression in 12/213 (5.6%). OS rate at 3-yr was 152/213 (71.4%). Trends favored the use of segmentectomy, margin:tumor ratio≥1, tumor size ≤2cm and negative staple line cytology; no factor reached statistical significance at 3-yr. The only factor significantly (p=0.02) associated with decreased 3-yr LR was margin size ≥1cm (8.3%) compared to margin<1cm (19.3%). Conclusions: SR is a good option for high-risk pts with NSCLC. The 3-yr OS rate of 71.4% and local progression rate of 5.6% are useful benchmarks to compare to other therapies. A resection margin of at least 1 cm is desirable. Clinical trial information: NCT00107172. [Table: see text]

5593 Background: We conducted an international survey to evaluate the differences in the systemic, radiotherapeutic and operative management of endometrial cancer (EC) in different regions of the world. Methods: In 2009 avalidated 15-item-questionnaire regarding surgical and adjuvant procedures of EC was sent to all German gynaecological clinics and in 2010 the English adapted questionnaire was set online as well as sent per post in most major gynaecological cancer societies. Results: 316 German institutions and 302 Institutions from 24 countries participated. We combined the different countries into regional groups: Central Europe (CE), southern Europe (SE), Asia and USA/UK. In Asian countries and in CE a lymph node dissection (LND) was performed routinely in 72.8% and in 55.6% of the cases, whereas in the USA/UK and in SE a LND was done mainly in selected cases when specific risk factors such as high-grade or non-endometrioid-histology applied (62.8% and 72.5%) than routinely (p < 0.001). A systematic pelvic and paraaortic LND was performed most frequently in CE 91.0%, in SE 76.9%, in Asia 70.9% and in USA/UK 68.6% (p < 0.001). A systematic LND with the intention of both adequate staging and for therapeutic value was performed in countries of central Europe to 74.6% and in Asia to 67.2%. In USA/UK the LND was seen merely as a staging instrument by 53.5% (p < 0.001). The LND was performed up to renal veins in CE in 86.8%, in Asia in 80.8%, in USA/UK in 51.2% and in SE in 45.1 %. A significant difference war found in the treatment for FIGO stage I (high risk factors (high grade, L1,V1)) and stage II disease between the countries: chemotherapy was applied in 84.8% of the participated centers in Asia,42.3% in SE, 21.2% in CE and only 13.6% in USK/UK (p<0.001).Vaginal brachytherapy was indicated as follows: USA/UK 84.1%, CE 78.8%, SE 78.8%, Asia 5.6% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: There is a large variety in the operative therapy and the clinical management of EC in different regions of the world. Future international prospective trials, will be necessary to improve and harmonize the evidence based treatment guidelines for EC- disease.