Outcomes following operative management of thoracic outlet syndrome in the pediatric patients.

Objectives Thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition commonly reported in adults, occurs infrequently in the pediatric population. The objective of this study was to assess the outcome of surgical interventions of thoracic outlet syndrome in pediatric patients. Methods Clinical records of all pediatric patients with thoracic outlet syndrome who underwent operative repair from 2002 to 2015 in a tertiary pediatric hospital were reviewed.

Thromboembolic Risk of Endovascular Intervention for Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis.

Background: This study evaluated the risk of thromboembolism during endovascular interventions in patients with symptomatic lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) METHODS: Clinical records of all patients who underwent endovascular interventions for symptomatic lower extremity DVT from 2001 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed using a prospectively maintained database. Only patients who received an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter were included in the analysis. Trapped intrafilter thrombus was assessed for procedure-related thromboembolism.

Long-term outcomes of staged basilic vein transposition for hemodialysis access in children.

Introduction: Children requiring long-term hemodialysis often face significant challenges due to their young age and small-vessel caliber for arteriovenous (AV) access creation. In this study, we report our experience of staged basilic vein transposition (BVT) in pediatric patients.

Methods: All patients undergoing staged BVT at a tertiary care pediatric hospital from 2003 to 2015 were reviewed.

Long-Term Outcomes of Single-Port Laparoscopic Placement of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter.

Introduction: Laparoscopic insertion of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter has become a preferred method compared to the traditional open technique for PD catheter insertion. We retrospectively report the outcome of 1-port laparoscopic placement PD catheters in our institution.

Methods: A total of 263 patients with end-stage renal disease who underwent single-trocar laparoscopic PD catheter insertion during a recent 6-year period were reviewed.

Treatment Outcomes and Lessons Learned From Transilluminated Powered Phlebectomy for Varicose Veins in 1034 Patients.

Introduction: Transilluminated powered phlebectomy (TIPP) is a minimally invasive technique of varicose vein removal, which combines irrigated illumination with tumescent anesthesia for ablation of superficial varicosities and endoscopic-powered venous resection. The objective of this study was to analyze treatment outcomes of this treatment modality.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation of prospectively collected data from all patients undergoing TIPP procedure for symptomatic varicose veins during a recent 12-year period was performed.

Targeted nuclear factor-kappaB suppression enhances gemcitabine response in human pancreatic tumor cell line murine xenografts.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an almost uniformly fatal malignancy characterized by resistance to chemotherapy. Currently, gemcitabine is the agent used most commonly but demonstrates only a partial response. The transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), known to be involved in the inflammatory response, is constitutively activated in PDAC and further activated by gemcitabine.

Endovascular repair as a bridge to surgical repair of an aortobronchial fistula complicating chronic residual aortic dissection.

Endovascular and open surgical repair have been used in patients with descending thoracic aortic dissection; however, the appropriate treatment is debated. We describe the case of a 60-year-old woman who had a symptomatic, chronic, residual, descending thoracic aortic dissection that was complicated by an aortobronchial fistula. She underwent emergent thoracic endovascular stent-grafting but remained symptomatic.

Validating common carotid stenosis by duplex ultrasound with carotid angiogram or computed tomography scan.

Background: No consensus exists for duplex ultrasound criteria in the diagnosis of significant common carotid artery (CCA) stenosis. In general, peak systolic velocity (PSV) >150 cm/s with poststenotic turbulence indicates a stenosis >50%. The purpose of our study is to correlate CCA duplex velocities with angiographic findings of significant stenosis >60%.

Evidence for nonoperative management of acute limb ischemia in infants.

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) in infants is a catastrophic event. We performed a query of our database to determine those with ALI. Twelve patients were identified.

Alcohol induces liver neoplasia in a novel alcohol-preferring rat model.

Background: Alcohol is a significant risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To date, no rodent model has demonstrated the formation of hepatic neoplasia in the setting of chronic alcohol consumption alone.

Methods: We investigated whether rats selectively bred for high alcohol preference (P rats), allowed free access to water, or water and 10% (v/v) alcohol, for 6, 12, or 18 months, develop hepatic neoplasia.

Pancreatic surgery: evolution at a high-volume center.

Background: Advances in imaging, minimally invasive techniques, and regionalization have changed pancreatic surgery. Therefore, the aims of this report are to determine whether the pancreatic operations or the spectrum of disease have evolved at a high-volume center.

Methods: From 1996 through 2009, 2,004 pancreatic operations were performed at Indiana University Hospital.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas: a multi-institutional study of 21 patients.

Background: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas (SPN) account for less than 1% of all pancreatic tumors. The goal of this study was to better understand the nature of these rare tumors through analysis of patients' clinical presentations and outcomes following surgical resection.

Methods: A multi-institutional retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent surgical resection from 1994 to 2008.

A pilot study of proteomic profiles of human hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States.

Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the commonest causes of mortality among solid organ malignancies. The incidence of HCC in the United States is rising. Few proteomic biomarker studies have been done in U.

Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma: a multi-institutional study.

Introduction: The presentation and outcome of patients with acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) of the pancreas compared to the more common ductal cell adenocarcinoma (DCA) may be distinct. This study combines the experience with ACC from multiple academic institutions to better understand its natural history and outcomes.

Methods: This study is a multi-institutional retrospective review of patients with ACC.

Adjuvant chemoradiation therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma: who really benefits?

Background: The role of adjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in pancreatic cancer remains controversial. The primary aim of this study was to determine if CRT improved survival in patients with resected pancreatic cancer in a large, multiinstitutional cohort of patients.

Study Design: Patients undergoing resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma from seven academic medical institutions were included.

Ethanol-TGFalpha-MEK signaling promotes growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Chronic ethanol intake is a significant risk factor for the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The effects of ethanol on extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation, transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), and HCC growth were examined in this study.

Methods: HepG2, SKHep, Hep3B human HCC cells, or normal human hepatocytes were treated with ethanol (0-100 mM), exogenous TGF-alpha, TGF-alpha neutralization antibody or the MEK inhibitor U0126.

Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas in the United States: prognostic factors and comparison to ductal adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumor with poorly defined prognosis.

Objective: Our objective was to compare a large population of patients with ACC to pancreatic ductal cell adenocarcinoma (DCC) in order to determine distinguishing characteristics and to assess survival.

Methods: Patients were identified from the National Cancer Database.

A pilot study of perillyl alcohol in pancreatic cancer.

Background: Chemotherapy has been largely unsuccessful in pancreatic cancer. Measurement of cell-specific biological endpoints may clarify the evaluation of a newer generation of compounds. Perillyl alcohol has shown chemotherapeutic activity in preclinical systems through enhancing apoptosis.

Pancreatic cancer cell genetics and signaling response to treatment correlate with efficacy of gemcitabine-based molecular targeting strategies.

Introduction: Pancreatic cancer is a deadly cancer with limited sensitivity to gemcitabine. Molecular targeting of critical signaling pathways [nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB), PI3K/AKT, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)] in combination with gemcitabine may improve sensitivity. We hypothesize that pancreatic cancer cell genetics and signaling response to treatment correlate with efficacy of gemcitabine-based molecular targeting strategies.