Prediction of malignancy in cystic neoplasms of the pancreas: a population-based cohort study.

Objectives: Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) are being detected with increased frequency. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of malignancy and develop an imaging-based system for prediction of malignancy in PCN.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients ≥18 years of age with confirmed PCN from January 2005 to December 2010 in a community-based integrated care setting in Southern California.

Is transthoracic minimally invasive aortic valve replacement too time-consuming for the busy cardiac surgeon?

Objective: : Transthoracic minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (TMI-AVR) is gaining popularity despite criticism that time from incision to the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass (exposure time, ET), cardiopulmonary bypass time (CPBT), and cross-clamp time (XCT) is excessive. Database analysis was used to characterize these parameters and their associated learning curves.

Methods: : From 2004 to 2008, 101 patients underwent TMI-AVR at a single institution.