Echocardiographic findings in acromegaly: prevalence of concentric left ventricular remodeling in a large single-center cohort.

Purpose: Acromegaly is a rare disease and is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with uncontrolled disease. We aimed to analyze the prevalence and severity of cardiomyopathy and valvular heart disease in a large cohort of patients with a confirmed acromegaly diagnosis, at baseline and after treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed an institutional approved database; 190 patients with confirmed acromegaly and follow-up data available (years 2006-2018).

Anterior Cervical Arthrodesis With Polyetheretherketone Spacers: What is the Role of the Grafting Material?

Study Design: This was a retrospective study of 2 surgeons' use of a single polyetheretherketone (PEEK) device.

Objective: Our objective was to investigate the fusion adjunct placed within PEEK devices to examine the likelihood of an arthrodesis, regardless of the PEEK interbody device itself.

Summary Of Background Data: The effectiveness of PEEK interbody devices in anterior cervical arthrodesis has been questioned.

Increased Notching of the Corpus Callosum in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Callosal Misunderstanding?

Background And Purpose: In the medicolegal literature, notching of the corpus callosum has been reported to be associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Our purpose was to analyze the prevalence of notching of the corpus callosum in a fetal alcohol spectrum disorders group and a healthy population to determine whether notching occurs with increased frequency in the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders population.

Materials And Methods: We performed a multicenter search for cases of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and included all patients who had a sagittal T1-weighted brain MR imaging.

Hypercoagulability in Cushing Syndrome, Prevalence of Thrombotic Events: A Large, Single-Center, Retrospective Study.

Background: The risk of Cushing syndrome (CS) patients experiencing a thrombotic event (TE) is significantly higher (odds ratio; OR 18%) than that of the general population. However, there are currently no anticoagulation guidelines.

Methods: A retrospective, single-center, longitudinal study of patients undergoing all types of treatment-surgical (pituitary, unilateral, and bilateral adrenalectomy) and medical treatment-was undertaken.

Morphological changes of the dorsal contour of the corpus callosum during the first two years of life.

Background: In the medicolegal literature, focal concavities or notching of the corpus callosum has been thought to be associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Recent work suggests corpus callosum notching is a dynamic and normal anatomical feature, although it has not yet been defined in early life or infancy.

Objective: Our purpose was to characterize the dorsal contour of the corpus callosum during the first 2 years of life by defining the prevalence, onset and trajectory of notching on midsagittal T1-weighted images.

Minimally invasive cervical laminectomy for spondylotic myelopathy in medically fragile patients.

Background: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy often affects elderly and fragile patients who are not optimal candidates for major surgical procedures. Here, we report patients previously judged not suitable for cervical surgery, who were successfully treated with minimally invasive (MI) cervical decompressions without complications.

Methods: Retrospectively, we reviewed medically fragile patients (e.

Lipoprotein Apheresis Acutely Reverses Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Patients With Severe Hypercholesterolemia.

Objectives: This study evaluated whether lipoprotein apheresis produces immediate changes in resting perfusion in subjects with severe hypercholesterolemia, and whether there is a difference in the response between peripheral and coronary microcirculations.

Background: Lipoprotein apheresis is used in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia to reduce plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Methods: Quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound perfusion imaging of the myocardium at rest and skeletal muscle at rest and during calibrated contractile exercise was performed before and immediately after lipoprotein apheresis in 8 subjects with severe hypercholesterolemia, 7 of whom had a diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia.

Case comparison and literature review of glioblastoma: A tale of two tumors.

Background: Diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) includes a heterogeneous group of tumors. We describe two cases with histopathologically and molecularly similar tumors, but very different outcomes. We attempt to illustrate the need for improved prognostic markers for GBM.

Complications of minimally invasive, tubular access surgery for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar surgery.

The object of the study was to review the author's large series of minimally invasive spine surgeries for complication rates. The author reviewed a personal operative database for minimally access spine surgeries done through nonexpandable tubular retractors for extradural, nonfusion procedures. Consecutive cases (n = 1231) were reviewed for complications.

Classification of anatomic involvement of the iliocaval venous outflow tract and its relationship to outcomes after iliocaval venous stenting.

Objective: Iliocaval venous obstruction (ICVO) includes a wide spectrum of iliac vein and vena cava obstructive patterns but anatomic classification is lacking, making comparisons of treatment modalities difficult. The purpose of this study was to propose an anatomic classification for ICVO based on patterns of venous obstruction and to correlate severity to clinically relevant outcomes.

Methods: A multi-institutional retrospective evaluation of patients with ICVO who underwent venous stenting procedures was performed to identify anatomic patterns of iliocaval obstruction.

Time-expanded speech and speech recognition in older adults.

Speech understanding deficits are common in older adults. In addition to hearing sensitivity, changes in certain cognitive functions may affect speech recognition. One such change that may impact the ability to follow a rapidly changing speech signal is processing speed.

Review article: balancing the ideal versus the practical-considerations of colorectal cancer prevention and screening.

Colorectal cancer is responsible for over 500 000 deaths annually world-wide. Death from colorectal cancer is preventable, primarily through early diagnosis of disease that has not metastasized. The disease itself may be prevented by the detection and removal of colorectal adenomas, from which more than 95% of colorectal cancers arise.

Clinical results of axillobifemoral bypass using externally supported polytetrafluoroethylene.

Seventy-six axillobifemoral grafts with externally supported polytetrafluoroethylene prostheses were performed since 1983. The indications for operation were absolute (aortic sepsis) in 20 (26%) patients and relative (excessive operative risk or technical difficulty) in 56 (74%) patients. The life-table primary patency for these operations at 4 years follow-up (mean follow-up, 2 years, 4 months) was 85%.

Clinical aspects of pneumonia in the elderly veteran.

While atypical presentation of pneumonia in elderly patients is thought to be common, its incidence and factors predisposing to it are unknown. This study documents presenting symptoms of pneumonia in 48 patients, aged 65 or older, admitted to the medical service at a Veterans Administration Medical Center. Seventeen subjects (35%) had a classic constellation of symptoms which included both fever and cough.