Results of a Prospective Randomized Multicenter Study Comparing Indocyanine Green (ICG) Fluorescence Combined with a Standard Tracer Versus ICG Alone for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Early Breast Cancer: The INFLUENCE Trial.

Background: For clinically node-negative early breast cancer patients, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) using dual localization with blue dye and radioisotope (RI) is currently standard of care. Documented disadvantages with these tracers have prompted exploration of alternative agents such as fluorescent indocyanine green (ICG), which demonstrates high detection rates combined with other tracers. Results of a randomized study evaluating ICG as a single tracer for SLN identification are presented.

Bilateral breast necrotizing leukocytoclastic vasculitis: First case report.

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a very rare immune complex-mediated condition affecting the small vessels walls. We present the case of a 48-year-old woman with necrotizing bilateral breast LCV on treatment with glatiramer acetate for multiple sclerosis. Bilateral mastectomies and debridement of the anterior abdominal wall were required due to the rapidly evolving necrotizing process.

Age and cancer treatment factors influence patient-reported outcomes following therapeutic mammoplasty and contralateral symmetrisation for the treatment of breast cancer.

Background: Oncoplastic surgery for breast cancer has increased in popularity over the last few years, with oncological safety confirmed in several studies. There are, however, limited published data on patient-reported outcomes from this surgical approach. This study assessed patient-reported outcomes of satisfaction following therapeutic mammoplasty and contralateral symmetrisation (TMCS) as part of breast cancer treatment in relation to other patient and treatment factors.

Ten tips for foundation doctors when making inpatient referrals to surgical specialties.

Making referrals to another specialty is an underemphasised skill in the undergraduate medical curriculum. As a result, many new foundation doctors find themselves ill-equipped to make effective referrals to other specialties as part of their day-to-day responsibilities. This can often be frustrating to the foundation doctor, the specialist and contribute to critical delays in patient care.

Mode of presentation and skin thickening on ultrasound may predict nodal burden in breast cancer patients with a positive axillary core biopsy.

Objective: A number of pre-operative factors predicting nodal burden in females with breast cancer have recently been identified. The aim of this study is to assess if these factors independently influence nodal burden in females with a positive axillary core biopsy.

Methods: All node positive patients detected on axillary core biopsy were identified in our cancer audit database.

Endovascular aneurysm repair: is imaging surveillance robust, and does it influence long-term mortality?

Purpose: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is the dominant treatment strategy for abdominal aortic aneurysms. However, as a result of uncertainty regarding long-term durability, an ongoing imaging surveillance program is required. The aim of the study was to assess EVAR surveillance in Scotland and its effect on all-cause and aneurysm-related mortality.

Real-time RT-PCR Ct values for blood GAPDH correlate with measures of vascular endothelial function in humans.

Purpose: To date, there is a wide range of methods in use to assess endothelial function, each with its own advantages and limitations. Here, we tested hypothesis that real-time RT-PCR threshold value (Ct), which is reflective of mRNA level, for Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) from whole blood is indicative of endothelial function in humans.

Materials And Methods: To assess vascular function, we measured baseline skin perfusion, postocclusion reactive hyperemia (PORH), and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and tested for a possible correlation between vascular responses and blood GAPDH real-time RT-PCR Ct value in 75 healthy volunteers.

Real-time RT-PCR threshold cycles value for Kir6.1 from the blood correlates with parameters of vascular function: a potential for the vascular function biomarker?

Abstract We examined the presence of KATP channel subunits, Kir6.1 and SUR2B, mRNAs in the blood and vascular function in healthy volunteers (41 males, 34 females). Real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR threshold cycles (Ct) was used as an indicator of mRNA levels.