A negative relationship between first-pass pulmonary vein isolation and body mass index in ablation index-guided pulmonary vein isolation.

Background: We previously reported the relationship between first-pass pulmonary vein isolation (FPI) and pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) durability in ablation index-guided atrial fibrillation ablation. Obesity is a worsening factor for atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) recurrence. However, the impact of obesity on FPI has been scarcely reported.

Unilateral Hemilaminectomy as Primary Treatment for Spinal Cord Tumors: Retrospective Cohort of 38 Cases with a Minimum Follow-Up of 24 Months.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of hemilaminectomy as an approach to intradural tumors and to assess the risk of postoperative spinal instability.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 38 patients who underwent surgical resection of intradural tumors between November 2014 and March 2019. Clinical and radiologic data were documented in medical records, from which we obtained clinical data including age, gender, tumor etiology, lesion level, type of resection, and postoperative instability during follow-up.

Predictors of pulmonary vein non-reconnection in the second procedure after ablation index-guided pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation and its impact on the outcome.

Introduction: Although first-pass isolation (FPI) of the pulmonary vein (PV) has been suggested as a marker for PV isolation (PVI) durability, it has not been confirmed. Non-PV atrial fibrillation (AF) triggers were the main target in patients without PV reconnection in the second ablation procedure, but the outcome was unclear. We aimed to validate FPI as a marker of PVI durability and evaluate the outcome after the second procedure in patients without PV reconnection by comparing it to those with reconnection.

Posterior wall thickness of the confluent inferior pulmonary veins measured by left atrial intracardiac echocardiography: implications for catheter ablation.

Background: Confluent inferior pulmonary veins (CIPV) is a rare anatomical variant. There is few evidence in the literature regarding anatomic landmarks consideration to guide radiofrequency application in avoiding complications in the esophagus in CIPV cases.

Methods: Of 986 consecutive patients undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation from July 2020 to June 2022, seven (0.

Arterialization of plantar venous system via vein graft: A novel technique for reconstruction of heel pad degloving injuries.

Background: Patients with heel pad degloving injury frequently develop ischemic necrosis of the area, necessitating soft-tissue reconstruction surgery. We have developed a technique for arterialization of the plantar venous system via vein graft (APV) as the primary revascularization treatment. The objective of this study was to clarify both the utility of APV for the preservation of degloved heel pads and the impact of this preservation on clinical outcomes.

Safety and efficacy of ablation index-guided atrial fibrillation ablation in octogenarians.

Background: Limited data on the efficacy and safety of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation using an ablation index (AI) for octogenarians is available. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of AI-guided AF ablation between AF patients aged ≥80 years (Group 1) and <80 (Group 2).

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that AI-guided AF ablation could complete the procedure with comparable efficiency and safety in patients aged ≥80 years and <80.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension: from cerebral venous thrombosis to neurosurgical treatment: a case series experience from a Brazilian tertiary health care center.

Background: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a secondary cause of headache and an underdiagnosed disease. The clinical presentation can be highly variable. It typically presents with isolated classic orthostatic headache complaints, but patients can develop significant complications such as cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT).

The Growth Factors of Subcutaneous Benign Lipoma: Consideration from Anatomical Position of Occurrence.

Unlabelled: Subcutaneous lipomas are the most common benign soft-tissue tumors. Theoretically, adipocyte sites could be the primary foci; however, lipomas are likely located in the occipital, neck, shoulder, torso, and thigh areas. To date, no study has reported the anatomical relationship between these subcutaneous structures and lipomas.

Animation Deformity: Evaluating the Role of Morphotopologic Features in Suggesting Preventive Surgical Procedures.

Background: Animation deformity is an undesirable complication after subpectoral implant reconstruction and is defined as skin distortion during activation of the pectoralis major muscle. However, detailed anatomical features of deformities have yet to be clarified. This study aimed to elucidate how (morphology) and where (topology) animation deformity occurs in reconstructed breasts, and to assess causes and prevention of animation deformity.

Association between smoking habits and dental care utilization and cost using administrative claims database and specific medical check-up data.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the association between smoking habits and dental care utilization and cost in individuals registered with the Japan Health Insurance Association, Osaka branch.

Methods: We used the administrative claims database and specific medical check-up data and included 226,359 participants, who visited dental institutions, underwent dental examinations, and underwent specific medical checkups, with smoking data from April 2016 to March 2017. We calculated propensity scores with age, gender, exercise, eating habits, alcohol intake, and sleep.

The impact of traumatic herniated discs in cervical facets dislocations treatments: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Traumatic facet dislocations in the subaxial cervical spine, also known as locked facets, are commonly associated with neurological deficits. The fear of the presence of an associated traumatic disc herniation and consequent neurological worsening usually causes a delay in the spinal realignment. This study's aim is an analysis of safety and efficacy when treating acute cervical traumatic facet dislocations using cranial-cervical traction or posterior open reduction and fixation in the presence of disc herniations.

The surgical treatment of subaxial acute cervical spine facet dislocations in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Adult cervical spine traumatic facet joint dislocations occur when excessive traumatic forces displace the vertebrae's facets, leading to loss of joint congruence. Reduction requires either cranial traction or open surgical procedures. This study aims to appraise the effects of different surgical techniques in the treatment of subaxial cervical spine acute traumatic facet blocks in adults.

Lower limb lymphedema staging based on magnetic resonance lymphangiography.

Objective: Dermal backflow (DBF) and reduced lymphatic visualization are common findings of lymphedema on various imaging modalities. However, there is a lack of knowledge about how these findings vary with the anatomic location and severity of lymphedema, and previous reports using indocyanine green lymphography or lymphoscintigraphy show variable results. Magnetic resonance lymphangiography (MRL) is expected to clarify this clinical question due to its superior ability for lymphatic visualization.

Review of best classification systems for diagnosing and treating thoracolumbar spine trauma.

Background: Improved thoracolumbar spine trauma classification (TLSTC) systems can better help diagnose and treat thoracolumbar spine trauma (TLT). Here, we identified the types of injury (rationale and description), instability criteria, and treatment guidelines of TLSTC.

Methods: We used the PubMed/MEDLINE database to assess TLSTC according to the following variables: injury morphology, injury mechanism, spinal instability criteria, neurological status, and treatment guidelines.

Spinal fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A case report and literature review.

Background: Severe ankylosing spondylitis (AS) affects the entire spine, increasing the risk of vertebral fractures. There are several fusion procedures used (e.g.

Pseudarthrosis in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with a self-locking, stand-alone cage filled with hydroxyapatite: a retrospective study with clinical and radiological outcomes of 98 levels with a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the incidence of pseudarthrosis after the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD) with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in which self-locking, stand-alone intervertebral cages filled with hydroxyapatite were used.

Methods: The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of 49 patients who underwent 1- to 3-level ACDF with self-locking, stand-alone intervertebral cages without plates, with a minimum 2 years of follow-up. The following data were extracted from radiological and clinical charts: age, sex, time and type of pre- and postoperative signs and symptoms, pain status (visual analog scale [VAS]), functional status (Neck Disability Index [NDI]), history of smoking, bone quality (bone densitometry), and complications.

Analysis of collateral lymphatic circulation in patients with lower limb lymphedema using magnetic resonance lymphangiography.

Objective: Although the development of lymphatic collaterals is expected following lymphedema, little is known about the anatomic details of such compensatory pathways or their association with symptoms. Magnetic resonance lymphangiography (MRL) has been shown to be superior to lymphoscintigraphy and indocyanine green lymphography in visualizing lymphatics. This study aimed to analyze MRL images of lower limbs to elucidate the patterns of lymphatic collateral formation and their association with the clinical stages of lymphedema.