Detection of Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Bladder Cancer using Maximum Standardised Uptake Value and F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography: Results from a High-volume Centre Including Long-term Follow-up.

Background: Preoperative staging with F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computed tomography (CT) is used for the evaluation of metastatic disease in patients with invasive bladder cancer. The use of quantification with maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of regional lymph nodes (LNs) has been suggested to increase the diagnostic ability for detection of malignancy.

Objective: Assessment of the utility and clinical relevance of SUVmax in F-FDG PET in detecting regional nodal metastases in patients considered for radical cystectomy.

Surgical relocation of the papillary muscles in functional ischemic mitral regurgitation: what are the forces of the relocation stitches acting on the myocardium?

Background And Aim Of The Study: In patients with chronic functional ischemic mitral regurgitation (FIMR), papillary muscle relocation has the potential to induce reverse left ventricular remodeling. However, in order to optimize function and durability, the forces imposed on the left ventricular myocardium by papillary muscle relocation should be assessed.

Methods: Eight pigs with FIMR were subjected to down-sized ring annuloplasty in combination with relocation of the anterior (5 mm) and posterior (15 mm) papillary muscles towards the respective trigone.

Bone healing after median sternotomy: a comparison of two hemostatic devices.

Background: Bone wax is traditionally used as part of surgical procedures to prevent bleeding from exposed spongy bone. It is an effective hemostatic device which creates a physical barrier. Unfortunately it interferes with subsequent bone healing and increases the risk of infection in experimental studies.

Impact of papillary muscle relocation as adjunct procedure to mitral ring annuloplasty in functional ischemic mitral regurgitation.

Background: The optimal surgical treatment in functional ischemic mitral regurgitation (FIMR) remains controversial. Recently, a posterior papillary muscle relocation (PMR) technique as adjunct procedure to ring annuloplasty has been proposed to prevent recurrent FIMR. In the present study, we used 3D cardiac MRI to assess the impact of relocating both papillary muscles as adjunct procedure to downsized ring annuloplasty on mitral leaflet coaptation geometry in FIMR pigs.