Impact of Temporal Artery Biopsy on Clinical Management of Suspected Giant Cell Arteritis.

Background: Temporal arteritis (TA) is a systemic inflammatory vasculitis of unclear etiology that affects medium-sized vessels. The gold standard for diagnosis has traditionally been histological, by temporal artery biopsy. Improved imaging modalities have been increasingly used to aid diagnosis and are recommended in the newest 2018 European (EULAR) guidelines.

On-table modification of self-expanding covered stents for hybrid aortobifemoral revascularization.

Femoral endarterectomy with iliac stenting is a safe and effective minimally invasive alternative to aortobifemoral bypass. However, TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus D lesions with contiguous iliofemoral occlusion are challenging cases for hybrid repair. Herein, we present a unique approach for iliofemoral revascularization by on-table modification of self-expanding covered stents.

Bifurcated unibody aortic endografts can overcome unfavorable aortoiliac anatomy for deployment of bilateral iliac branch endoprostheses.

In conjunction with traditional modular bifurcated aortic endografts, bilateral iliac branch endoprostheses have been safely and effectively used for treatment of bilateral iliac artery aneurysms. However, anatomic constraints, such as inadequate renal artery to iliac bifurcation lengths and unfavorable aortic anatomy, can preclude deployment in certain configurations and limit use in many patients. We present an innovative technique to overcome such anatomic constraints and to extend the reach of iliac branch endoprosthesis technology in patients with iliac artery aneurysms.

Whole-Exome Sequencing Identifies Two Discrete Druggable Signaling Pathways in Follicular Thyroid Cancer.

Background: Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, with continuously increasing incidence. Follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) accounts for approximately 10% to 15% of these cases and is known to be associated with several gene mutations. The purpose of this study was to identify novel therapeutic targets in FTC using whole-exome sequencing (WES) and bioinformatics analysis.