Effect of complement C1-esterase inhibitor on brain edema and inflammation after mild traumatic brain injury in an animal model.

Objective: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is characterized by damage to the blood-brain barrier, inflammation, and edema formation. In this pilot study, we aimed to investigate the effects of a complement inhibitor, C1-esterase inhibitor (C1 INH), on brain edema and inflammation in a rat model of mild TBI.

Methods: Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to control, TBI, or TBI plus C1 INH groups.

A Randomized Prospective Comparison of Patient-Assessed Satisfaction and Clinical Outcomes with Radioactive Seed Localization versus Wire Localization.

Radioactive seed localization (RSL) has emerged as an alternative to wire localization (WL) in patients with nonpalpable breast cancer. Few studies have prospectively evaluated patient satisfaction and outcomes with RSL. We report the results of a randomized trial comparing RSL to WL in our community hospital.

A comparison of complication rates in early-stage breast cancer patients treated with brachytherapy versus whole-breast irradiation.

Background: The adoption of breast brachytherapy into clinical practice for early-stage breast cancer has increased over the last several years. Studies evaluating complication rates following treatment with brachytherapy have shown conflicting results. We compared local toxicity in patients treated with brachytherapy with those treated with whole-breast irradiation (WBI).

Infrared imaging does not predict the presence of malignancy in patients with suspicious radiologic breast abnormalities.

The NoTouch BreastScan (NTBS) is a non-invasive infrared imaging device which measures thermal gradients in breasts using dual infrared cameras and computer analysis. We evaluated NTBS as a predictor of breast cancer in patients undergoing minimally invasive biopsy. In this IRB-approved prospective trial, 121 female patients underwent NTBS prior to scheduled tissue biopsy.

Effect of preoperative MRI on mastectomy and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy rates at a community hospital by a single surgeon.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) use in the preoperative evaluation of newly diagnosed breast cancer (BC) patients is rising. We evaluated MRI as a function of surgical year with respect to mastectomy and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) rates by a single surgeon. From January 2000 to December 2010, 1,279 patients with 1,296 breast cancers were identified.

Are the American Society for Radiation Oncology guidelines accurate predictors of recurrence in early stage breast cancer patients treated with balloon-based brachytherapy?

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) consensus statement (CS) provides guidelines for patient selection for accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) following breast conserving surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate recurrence rates based on ASTRO CS groupings. A single institution review of 238 early stage breast cancer patients treated with balloon-based APBI via balloon based brachytherapy demonstrated a 4-year actuarial ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) rate of 5.

The value of 6-month interval imaging after benign radiologic-pathologic concordant minimally invasive breast biopsy.

Background: Current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend repeat imaging 6-12 months after a benign radiologic-pathologic concordant image-guided breast biopsy. We hypothesized that interval imaging <12 months after benign concordant biopsy has a low cancer yield and increases health care costs.

Methods: An institutional review board-approved retrospective chart review identified 689 patients who underwent image-guided breast biopsy at Bryn Mawr Hospital between January and December 2010.

Breastfeeding rates and the relationship between breastfeeding and neonatal abstinence syndrome in women maintained on buprenorphine during pregnancy.

Introduction: Although a growing body of evidence suggests that buprenorphine is a safe alternative to methadone in the treatment of opioid-dependent pregnant women, little is known about breastfeeding in this population. The first objective of this study was to describe breastfeeding rates among opioid-dependent pregnant women maintained on buprenorphine in an integrated medical and behavioral health program. The second objective was to determine whether breastfeeding is related to the duration, severity, and frequency of pharmacologic treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).