Identifying Sociodemographic Characteristics Associated With Burden Among Caregivers of the Urban Homebound: The Importance of Racial and Relationship Differences.

Limited research has explored whether the burden associated with caring for homebound patients varies across racial groups or by relationship status. We examined these variations for this vulnerable population. Patients self-identified informal caregivers and caregiver burden/depression were assessed using the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale (CES-D).

Salvage Percutaneous Cryoablation for Locally Recurrent Renal-Cell Carcinoma After Primary Cryoablation.

Background: The management of locally recurrent renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) following cryoablation remains a clinical dilemma. There is limited data regarding the management of locally recurrent disease in the setting of patients who have failed initial percutaneous cryoablation (PCA). We evaluate and report our experience with salvage PCA for local recurrence following renal cryoablation failure.

Adolescent Experiences With Intrauterine Devices: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to improve understanding of adolescents' reasons for choosing an intrauterine device (IUD) and to explore experiences that led to continuation or discontinuation of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and the copper IUD (copper IUD).

Methods: We conducted focus groups (FGs) with adolescents and young women who were current or former IUD users stratified by IUD type and 12-month IUD continuation or discontinuation. All subjects were participants from the Contraceptive CHOICE Project.

Increasing quality through telemedicine in the intensive care unit.

This article explores the hypothesis that a telemedicine intensive care unit (Tele-ICU) platform is uniquely suited to facilitate quality performance improvement (PI). This article addresses some substantial hurdles to overcome that may limit the effectiveness of a Tele-ICU platform to achieve PI objectives. Lastly, this article describes the author's experience with a PI project to improve ventilator management conducted via a Tele-ICU hub interacting with 11 geographically dispersed ICUs.

Average values and racial differences of neutrophil lymphocyte ratio among a nationally representative sample of United States subjects.

Introduction: Several studies reported the negative impact of elevated neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on outcomes in many surgical and medical conditions. Previous studies used arbitrary NLR cut-off points according to the average of the populations under study. There is no data on the average NLR in the general population.

How I do it: combined direct (STA-MCA) and indirect (EDAS) EC-IC bypass.

Background: EC-IC bypass for the treatment of a hypoperfused hemisphere is currently the treatment of choice for symptomatic moyamoya patients. Use of the combination of direct (STA-MCA) and indirect (an STA branch lay-on bypass and flipped dural flaps; EDAS) EC-IC bypass is advocated as the optimal treatment option as it allows immediate augmentation of flow in the postoperative period while allowing the brain to acquire additional indirect flow in the long term.

Methods: We describe the technical nuances of a combined direct and indirect bypass in a 41-year-old woman with moyamoya syndrome diagnosed with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and cognitive decline.

Acute bladder and small bowel perforation as a complication of Foley catheterization.

The complications of chronic urethral catheterization are well documented in the medical published data. Chronic urethral catheterization has been demonstrated to cause inflammatory changes within the bladder wall, promoting perforation and small bowel fistualization. In this report, we document the clinical course of a patient who presented with acute perforation of the bladder and small bowel as a result of Foley catheterization.

Off-clamp laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for hilar tumors: oncologic and renal functional outcomes.

Objectives: To present our experience demonstrating the feasibility of off-clamp laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for hilar tumors and evaluate intermediate oncologic and renal functional outcomes.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective review of LPN cases in nine patients was performed. Hilar lesions were defined as renal cortical tumors in direct physical contact with the renal artery, vein, or both as identified on preoperative imaging and confirmed intraoperatively.

R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score accurately predicts complications following laparoscopic renal cryoablation.

Purpose: The R.E.N.