Surgeon reported treatment choices for AO type B and C thoracolumbar fractures without neurological deficits: An expert survey.

Introduction: Less invasive spine surgery (LISS) has become well-established for thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurological deficits. However, notable controversy persists regarding the adequacy of LISS for more unstable AO type B and C injuries, as it does not allow for formal open fusion.

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional survey experienced spine surgeons of the Dutch Spine Society were invited to participate (56 participants).

The effect of (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy on long-term survival outcomes in patients with invasive lobular breast cancer treated with endocrine therapy: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Despite histological and molecular differences between invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and invasive carcinoma of no special type, according to national treatment guidelines no distinction is made regarding the use of (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy. Studies on the long-term outcome of chemotherapy in patients with ILC are scarce and show inconclusive results.

Methods: All patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative ILC with an indication for chemotherapy treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy were selected from the Erasmus Medical Center Breast Cancer database.

Association Between Geriatric Assessment and Post-Chemotherapy Functional Status in Older Patients with Cancer.

Background: Maintaining functional status is among the most important patient-centered outcomes for older adults with cancer. This study investigated the association between comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and progressive disease or decline of IADL-independence 1 year after chemotherapy, overall survival (OS), and premature termination of chemotherapy. CGA-based functional status and quality of life (QOL) 1 year after chemotherapy are also described.

The effect of trastuzumab on cardiac function in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and reduced baseline left ventricular ejection fraction.

We investigated the effect of trastuzumab on cardiac function in a real-world historic cohort of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) with reduced baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Thirty-seven patients with HER2-positive MBC and baseline LVEF of 40% to 49% were included. Median LVEF was 46% (interquartile range [IQR] 44%-48%) and median follow-up was 18 months (IQR 9-34 months).

Biomechanical Evaluation of Different Plate Configurations for Midshaft Clavicle Fracture Fixation: Single Plating Compared with Dual Mini-Fragment Plating.

Background: Dual-plate constructs have become an increasingly common fixation technique for midshaft clavicle fractures and typically involve the use of mini-fragment plates. The goal of this technique is to reduce plate prominence and implant irritation. However, limited biomechanical data exist for these lower-profile constructs.

2D-echocardiography vs cardiac MRI strain: a prospective cohort study in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer undergoing trastuzumab.

Background: We aimed to study the predictive value of early two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) speckle tracking (ST) for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) changes during trastuzumab treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer.

Methods: HER2-positive breast cancer patients receiving trastuzumab, with or without anthracycline, underwent 2DE-ST at baseline and after 3 and 6 months (m) trastuzumab. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging (with ST) was performed at baseline and 6 m.

Cardiotoxicity during long-term trastuzumab use in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: who needs cardiac monitoring?

Purpose: Patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) usually receive many years of trastuzumab treatment. It is unknown whether these patients require continuous left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) monitoring. We studied a real-world cohort to identify risk factors for cardiotoxicity to select patients in whom LVEF monitoring could be omitted.

Long-Term Residual-Mobility and Adjacent Segment Disease After Total Lumbar Disc Replacement.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Total disc replacement (TDR) has been introduced in order to preserve segmental motion and thus reduce adjacent segment disease (ASD) as seen after spinal fusion. However, it is uncertain whether these presumed beneficial effects remain.

Subsidence after total lumbar disc replacement is predictable and related to clinical outcome.

Purpose: As yet, there are no studies describing a relationship between radiographic subsidence after lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) and patient symptoms. To investigate if subsidence, in terms of penetrated bone volume or angular rotation over time (ΔPBV and ΔAR), is related to clinical outcome. To assess if subsidence can be predicted by position implant asymmetry (IA) or relative size of the TDR, areal undersizing index (AUI) on direct post-operative radiographs.

Cardiac monitoring in HER2-positive patients on trastuzumab treatment: A review and implications for clinical practice.

Trastuzumab prolongs progression-free and overall survival in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive breast cancer. However, trastuzumab treatment is hampered by cardiotoxicity, defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decline with a reported incidence ranging from 3 to 27% depending on variable factors. Early identification of patients at increased risk of trastuzumab-induced myocardial damage is of great importance to prevent deterioration to irreversible cardiotoxicity.

NT-proBNP correlates with LVEF decline in HER2-positive breast cancer patients treated with trastuzumab.

Background: Early identification of cardiac dysfunction by non-invasive imaging in HER2-positive breast cancer patients treated with trastuzumab is challenging. In particular multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan, which is most widely used, is unable to detect subclinical cardiac changes. The use of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), a serum biomarker of myocardial stress, might improve timely diagnosis.

Long-term clinical outcome of the Charité III total lumbar disc replacement.

Purpose: To compare the long-term clinical results and complications of two revision strategies for patients with failed total disc replacements (TDRs).

Methods: In 19 patients, the TDR was removed and the intervertebral defect was filled with a femoral head bone strut graft. In addition, instrumented posterolateral fusion was performed (removal group).

Long-term clinical outcome of two revision strategies for failed total disc replacements.

Purpose: To compare the long-term clinical results and complications of two revision strategies for patients with failed total disc replacements (TDRs).

Methods: In 19 patients, the TDR was removed and the intervertebral defect was filled with a femoral head bone strut graft. In addition, instrumented posterolateral fusion was performed (removal group).

Radiological complete remission in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients: what to do with trastuzumab?

Purpose: Patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treated with trastuzumab may experience durable tumor response for many years. It is unknown if patients with durable radiological complete remission (rCR) can discontinue trastuzumab. We analyzed clinical characteristics associated with rCR and overall survival (OS) in a historic cohort of patients with HER2-positive MBC and studied the effect of stopping trastuzumab in case of rCR.

e-Cigarettes for smoking cessation: Do they deliver?

What Is Known And Objective: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are battery-powered devices that allow nicotine and/or other substances to be inhaled in aerosolized form. e-Cigarettes (electronic cigarettes), the most commonly used ENDS, have been proposed to be smoking cessation aids. However, despite the rapid surge in their popularity, little is known about long-term health consequences of e-cigarette usage.

Two-Year Follow-Up of a Multi-centre Randomized Controlled Trial to Study Effectiveness of a Hospital-Based Work Support Intervention for Cancer Patients.

Purpose Purpose is to: (1) study effectiveness of the hospital-based work support intervention for cancer patients at two years of follow-up compared to usual care and (2) identify which early factors predict time to return-to-work (RTW). Methods In this multi-center randomised controlled trial (RCT), 106 (self-)employed cancer patients were randomized to an intervention group or control group and provided 2 years of follow-up data. The intervention group received patient education and work-related support at the hospital.

Sunscreen bans: Coral reefs and skin cancer.

What Is Known And Objective: Hawaii will ban two major ingredients of sunscreens. This article reviews the reasons and future directions. Hawaii recently enacted legislation that will ban the use of two major ingredients of the majority of commonly used sunscreens.

Ovarian Function Recovery During Anastrozole in Breast Cancer Patients With Chemotherapy-Induced Ovarian Function Failure.

Background: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are given as adjuvant therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, also to those with chemotherapy-induced ovarian function failure. The current analysis reports on endocrine data of patients with chemotherapy-induced ovarian function failure who were included in the phase III DATA study assessing different durations of adjuvant anastrozole after tamoxifen.

Methods: We identified all patients with chemotherapy-induced ovarian function failure.

Treatment of thoracic or lumbar burst fractures with Balloon Assisted Endplate Reduction using Tricalcium Phosphate cement: histological and radiological evaluation.

Background: Short-segment pedicle-screw instrumentation is frequently used to stabilize thoracolumbar burst fractures. A recognized disadvantage of this procedure is recurrent kyphosis from intervertebral disc creep into the fractured central endplate. Balloon Assisted Endplate Reduction (BAER) using Tricalcium Phosphate bone cement (TCP) enables elevation of the centrally depressed endplate.

Effectiveness of a hospital-based work support intervention for female cancer patients - a multi-centre randomised controlled trial.

Objective: One key aspect of cancer survivorship is return-to-work. Unfortunately, many cancer survivors face problems upon their return-to-work. For that reason, we developed a hospital-based work support intervention aimed at enhancing return-to-work.