The PEARL Approach for CT-guided Lung Biopsy: Assessment of Complication Rate.

Background Percutaneous CT-guided biopsy of lung nodules is an established method with high diagnostic accuracy but a high rate of pneumothorax and chest tube insertion compared with endobronchial methods. Purpose To investigate the effect of a protocol combining patient positioning biopsy-side down, needle removal during expiration, autologous blood patch sealing, rapid rollover, and pleural patching (PEARL) on complication rate after percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy, especially chest tube insertion. Materials and Methods In a secondary analysis of both prospectively and retrospectively acquired data from December 2019 to November 2020, consecutive participants underwent biopsy with use of the PEARL protocol (prospective data) and were compared with patients who underwent biopsy at the same tertiary cancer center according to the standard method without any additional techniques (controls, retrospective data).

Combined local treatments for vertebral metastases with limited epidural extension.

Objectives: Vertebral metastases with limited epidural extension (VMLEE) are frequently encountered in cancer patients; they can cause severe and debilitating symptoms including pain and neurological impairment and are usually treated by radiotherapy. In this study, we mainly evaluated the safety of combined local treatments (CLT), associating radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with vertebroplasty and radiotherapy (RT) to treat VMLEE. Also, we aimed to evaluate the short-term efficacy of CLT on bone metastases palliation and long-term prevention of skeletal-related events.

Risk factors for local tumor progression after RFA of pulmonary metastases: a matched case-control study.

Objectives: Curative treatment of oligometastatic pulmonary disease aims at eradication of all metastases. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been shown to be an efficient method and the frequency of local tumor progression (LTP) should be minimized. The objective of this study was to determine the morphological and treatment-related risk factors for LTP after RFA of pulmonary metastases.

Prevalence of diabetes, management and outcomes among Covid-19 adult patients admitted in a specialized tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This retrospective study aimed to characterize comorbidities and associated with mortality among hospitalized adults with Covid-19 managed as perthe Saudi Ministry of Health protocol in a specialized tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Medical records of 300 adult patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection and admitted in King Salman Hospital (KSH) from May 1 to July 31, 2020 were included. Medical history, management and outcomes were noted.

Lung Ablation - How I Do It.

Interventional oncology and the value of thermal ablation of small tumors is increasingly recognized by the oncological community. Primary lung cancers and lung metastases have been one of the most researched applications of percutaneous ablation and as interventional oncologists gain more experience and confidence, it is becoming a more effective treatment with expanding indications. Importantly, the current literature does not demonstrate major differences in survival between ablation, sublobar resection, and stereotactic body radiation.

Electrochemical skin conductance to detect sudomotor dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy and the risk of foot ulceration among Saudi patients with diabetes mellitus.

Background: Sudomotor dysfunction is manifested clinically as abnormal sweating leading to dryness of feet skin and increased risk of foot ulceration. The aim of this study was to test the performance of foot electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) to detect diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the risk of foot ulceration against traditional methods in Saudi patients with diabetes mellitus.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 296 Saudi patients with diabetes mellitus.