Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Portal Vein Embolization, Associated Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation, and Radiation Lobectomy Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients.

Purpose Of Review: To understand portal vein embolization (PVE), associated liver partition and portal vein ligation (ALPPS) and radiation lobectomy (RL) outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Systematic reviews of future liver remnant (FLR) percent hypertrophy, proportion undergoing hepatectomy and proportion with major complications following PVE, ALPPS, and RL were performed by searching Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Separate meta-analyses using random-effects models with assessment of study heterogeneity and publication bias were performed whenever allowable by available data.

Altered Tissue Composition, Microarchitecture, and Mechanical Performance in Cancellous Bone From Men With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

People with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have normal-to-high BMDs, but, counterintuitively, have greater fracture risks than people without T2DM, even after accounting for potential confounders like BMI and falls. Therefore, T2DM may alter aspects of bone quality, including material properties or microarchitecture, that increase fragility independently of bone mass. Our objective was to elucidate the factors that influence fragility in T2DM by comparing the material properties, microarchitecture, and mechanical performance of cancellous bone in a clinical population of men with and without T2DM.

An Alternative Macrophage Activation Pathway Regulator, CHIT1, May Provide a Serum and Synovial Fluid Biomarker of Periprosthetic Osteolysis.

Background: Periprosthetic osteolysis (PPO) is a frequent indication for total hip replacement (THR) failure. Currently, PPO diagnosis occurs in advanced stages that often necessitate complex revisions due to bone loss. PPO biomarkers could facilitate earlier diagnosis.

The role of antibiotics in preventing totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD) infections; is there a population that would benefit?

Purpose: To assess the role for prophylactic antibiotics in preventing totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD) infections and identify populations that may benefit from antibiotics.

Methods: 1284 patients undergoing TIVAD placement were retrospectively reviewed to determine association between infection rate, prophylactic antibiotics, and clinical data including white blood cell (WBC) count, platelets, and coagulation profile. Patients were further sub-categorized based on hospital admission status and leukopenia.

Evaluating the Diagnostic Yield of Computed Tomography-Guided Aspirations in Suspected Post-operative Spine Infections.

Background: Early detection of surgical site infection (SSI) following spinal surgery would allow for prompt treatment and would improve overall outcome, yet early diagnosis is a challenge. Computed tomography (CT) guided aspiration of fluid collections may aid in diagnosis, as its diagnostic utility has previously been demonstrated in the setting of hip SSI, knee SSI, and spontaneous diskitis. There is no literature on its use in post-operative spinal SSIs.