Sex Differences in Intracranial Aneurysms: A Matched Cohort Study.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) predominantly affects women, accounting for 65% of cases. Women have a 1.3 times higher relative risk than men, with the incidence rising particularly in women aged 55-85 years.

Characterization of an At-Risk Population for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in a Primary Care Setting Along the U.S.-Mexico Border.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the burden of suspected nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in a predominantly Hispanic patient population and explore the utility of the American Gastroenterological Association's NAFLD Clinical Care Pathway (CCP).

Methodology: Electronic medical records ( = 223) were used to divide patients into risk groups based on the amount of metabolic risk factors they presented, diabetic status, or if they presented other liver diseases. Fribosis-4 (FIB-4) scores were used to determine the risk for advanced fibrosis.

Anterior interhemispheric vs. pterional approach in the microsurgical management of anterior communicating artery aneurysms: a comparative analysis employing a novel multidimensional matching-tool.

The surgical management of anterior communicating artery aneurysms (AcomA) is challenging due to their deep midline position and proximity to complex skull base anatomy. This study compares the pterional craniotomy with the interhemispheric approach based on the specific aneurysm angulation. A total of 129 AcomA cases were analyzed, with 50 undergoing microsurgical clipping via either the pterional or interhemispheric approach.

Transformers for colorectal cancer segmentation in CT imaging.

Purpose: Most recently transformer models became the state of the art in various medical image segmentation tasks and challenges, outperforming most of the conventional deep learning approaches. Picking up on that trend, this study aims at applying various transformer models to the highly challenging task of colorectal cancer (CRC) segmentation in CT imaging and assessing how they hold up to the current state-of-the-art convolutional neural network (CNN), the nnUnet. Furthermore, we wanted to investigate the impact of the network size on the resulting accuracies, since transformer models tend to be significantly larger than conventional network architectures.

Assessment of intracranial aneurysm neck deformation after contour deployment.

Purpose: The contour neurovascular system (CNS) is a novel device to treat intracranial wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms, with few studies assessing its long-term effects. Particularly its impact on aneurysm morphology has not been explored yet. We present a preliminary study to explore this impact for the first time, focusing on the neck curve and ostium of the aneurysm.

Unveiling rupture risk and clinical outcomes in midline aneurysms: A matched cohort analysis investigating the impact of localization within the anterior or posterior circulation.

Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) located in the anterior and posterior circulations of the Circle of Willis present differential rupture risks. This study aimed to compare the rupture risk and clinical outcomes of anterior communicating artery aneurysms (AcomA) and basilar tip aneurysms (BAs); two IA types located along the midline within the Circle of Willis. We retrospectively collected data from 1026 patients presenting with saccular IAs.

Design of a virtual data shelf to effectively explore a large database of 3D medical surface models in VR.

Purpose: Medical researchers deal with a large amount of patient data to improve future treatment decisions and come up with new hypotheses. To facilitate working with a large database containing many patients and parameters, we propose a virtual data shelf, displaying the 3D anatomical surface models in an immersive VR environment.

Methods: Thereby, different functionalities such as sorting, filtering and finding similar cases are included.

A hybrid hierarchical strategy for registration of 7T TOF-MRI to 7T PC-MRI intracranial vessel data.

Purpose: 7T time-of-flight (TOF) MRI provides high resolution for the evaluation of cerebrovascular vessels and pathologies. In combination with 4D flow fields acquired with phase-contrast (PC) MRI, hemodynamic information can be extracted to enhance the analysis by providing direct measurements in the larger arteries or patient-specific boundary conditions. Hence, a registration between both modalities is required.

Entropy-Assisted, Long-Period Stacking of Honeycomb Layers in an AlB-Type Silicide.

Configurational entropy can impact crystallization processes, tipping the scales between structures of nearly equal internal energy. Using alloyed single crystals of GdPdSi in the AlB-type structure, we explore the formation of complex layer sequences made from alternating, two-dimensional triangular and honeycomb slabs. A four-period and an eight-period stacking sequence are found to be very close in internal energy, the latter being favored by entropy associated with covering the full configuration space of interlayer bonds.

Optimized signal deduction procedure for the MIEZE spectroscopy technique.

A method is reported to determine the phase and amplitude of sinusoidally modulated event rates, binned into four bins per oscillation, based on data generated at the resonant neutron spin-echo spectrometer RESEDA at FRM-II. The presented algorithm relies on a reconstruction of the unknown parameters. It omits a calculation-intensive fitting procedure and avoids contrast reduction due to averaging effects.

Topological Nernst Effect of the Two-Dimensional Skyrmion Lattice.

The topological Hall effect (THE) and its thermoelectric counterpart, the topological Nernst effect (TNE), are hallmarks of the skyrmion lattice phase (SkL). We observed the giant TNE of the SkL in centrosymmetric Gd_{2}PdSi_{3}, comparable in magnitude to the largest anomalous Nernst signals in ferromagnets. Significant enhancement (suppression) of the THE occurs when doping electrons (holes) to Gd_{2}PdSi_{3}.

Combining visual analytics and case-based reasoning for rupture risk assessment of intracranial aneurysms.

Purpose: Medical case-based reasoning solves problems by applying experience gained from the outcome of previous treatments of the same kind. Particularly for complex treatment decisions, for example, incidentally found intracranial aneurysms (IAs), it can support the medical expert. IAs bear the risk of rupture and may lead to subarachnoidal hemorrhages.

Outcomes in adulthood of gastric transposition for complex and long gap esophageal atresia.

Background: Long term outcomes of gastric transposition (GT) for complex esophageal atresia (EA) are poorly reported. We aimed to perform comprehensive long term follow up of adults who had been treated with GT for EA as children.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent GT for EA in childhood aged >18 years old were identified alongside age matched patients who had primary repair (PR).

Oesophageal atresia is correctable and survivable in infants less than 1 kg.

Introduction: Management of oesophageal atresia (OA) and trachea-oesophageal fistula (TOF) in babies of low birth weight is challenging especially when associated with other anomalies. Birth weight of <1500 g has previously formed part of a classification system designed to predict outcome, alongside the cardiac status of the patient. Improvements in neonatal care have led to increasing numbers of premature low birth weight infants surviving.

Ethics in the management of conjoined twins.

In dealing with conjoined twins, we have adopted a pragmatic approach in balancing what is possible, parental wishes and the likely outcome for the children. We believe that separation where feasible should be undertaken but appreciate that a few parents may wish their children to remain joined. The advice that we give balances the very real risks of surgery against the type of life the twins will experience if they remain joined.

The separation procedure.

The various stages of the separation are carefully planned but despite this, variations which will change the schedule of the procedure may exist. In general the operation commences on the opposite side from the main procedure and then the twins are turned for the remainder of the operation. Each type of conjoined twin is different but basically thoracopagus involves the hearts, omphalopagus involves the liver and small intestine and ischiopagus involves the large intestine and genito-urinary system.

Theatre setup.

The theatre staff would have been made aware of the special requirements for the operation at the planning meetings. Two sets of scrubs nurses will be required but only one set will be needed for the actual separation. The second set of scrub nurses will be needed only when both twins have survived the separation and the second twin is moved to another operating room for closure of the wound.

Planning the operation.

The management of conjoined twins falls into three distinct groups-non-operative, emergency separation and elective separation. Planning meetings involving all the personnel who will be required during the operation are held. The radiological findings are presented and the anaesthetic, nursing and intensive care requirements are highlighted.

Classification and clinical evaluation.

Conjoined twins represent a great challenge for most pediatric specialists including pediatric surgeons, anesthetists, neonatologists, urologists, neurosurgeons, and orthopedic surgeons. This anomaly can be classified according to the type of twins׳ fusion. Various organs can be fused making the separation difficult.

Esophageal Atresia: Improved Outcome in High-Risk Groups Revisited.

Objectives Improved survival in infants with esophageal atresia (EA) with a birth weight < 1,500 g or a major cardiac anomaly has been reported when compared with the original Spitz classification proposed in 1994. Aim We reviewed outcome data for infants born over the last decade in our institution to update previously reported survival statistics. Materials and Methods The records of all neonates (n = 200) with a diagnosis of EA managed in a single institution between 2001 and 2011 were reviewed and compared with data from the original Spitz study and the subsequent reported cohort from the same institution.

Esophageal replacement: overcoming the need.

Three developments which have contributed to the declining necessity for esophageal replacement are improvement in the management of esophageal atresia, prevention of caustic injuries to the esophagus, and early antireflux surgery for intractable gastro-esophageal reflux. Despite these advances, replacement of the esophagus may still be necessary. The two most commonly used procedures for replacing the esophagus are colonic interposition and gastric transposition.

Duhamel pull-through for Hirschsprung disease: a comparison of open and laparoscopic techniques.

Purpose: Various pull-through techniques, both open and laparoscopic, have been performed for Hirschsprung disease. Our study compares open and laparoscopic Duhamel pull-through.

Methods: After ethical approval, we reviewed all children (n = 181) with Hirschsprung disease admitted to our institution between 1999 and 2009.