Concomitant diverticulosis among patients undergoing liver transplantation. Does it influence the length of hospitalization after the procedure?

Aim Of The Study: We tried to assess the influence of concomitant diverticulosis and other factors, e.g., Child-Pugh (C-P) and MELD scores, viral etiology, and presence of alcoholic disease, on short-term results of liver transplantation (LT) with an emphasis on duration of patient's hospitalization.

Quality of Life After Extended Pelvic Surgery with Neurovascular or Bony Resections in Gynecological Oncology: A Systematic Review.

Background: Extended pelvic surgery with neurovascular or bony resections in gynecological oncology has significant impact on quality of life (QoL) and high morbidity. The objective of this systematic review was to provide an overview of QoL, morbidity and mortality following these procedures.

Methods: The registered PROSPERO protocol included database-specific search strategies.

Women in leadership positions in European neurosurgery - Have we broken the glass ceiling?

Introduction: The proportion of male neurosurgeons has historically been higher than of women, although at least equal numbers of women have been entering European medical schools. The Diversity Committee (DC) of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) was founded recently to address this phenomenon.

Research Question: In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to characterize the status quo of female leadership by assessing the proportion of women heading European neurosurgical departments.

Is elevated ENA-78 serum level a link between obstructive sleep apnea and atherosclerosis?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and oxidative stress. This study compared serum levels of different factors in patients with carotid artery stenosis and with or without coexisting OSA. It also aimed to identify a molecule that may be crucial for the inflammatory process correlated with intermittent hypoxia.

Efficacy of oral amantadine among patients hospitalised with COVID-19: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study.

Background: Amantadine has been proposed as a treatment for COVID-19 because it shows anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in vitro. However, to date, no controlled study has assessed the safety and efficacy of amantadine in COVID-19.

Research Question: Whether amantadine is effective and safe among patients with different COVID-19 severity classifications.

Cardiac Arrest after Small Doses Ropivacaine: Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity in the Course of Continuous Femoral Nerve Blockade.

Background: The paper presents a case report of an episode of local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) with cardiac arrest after continuous femoral nerve blockade.

Case Report: A 74-year-old patient burdened with hypertension and osteoarthritis underwent elective total knee replacement surgery. After surgery, a continuous femoral nerve blockade was performed and an infusion of a local anesthetic (LA) was started using an elastomeric pump.

Well differentiated papillary mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis: case report.

Well differentiated papillary mesothelioma (WDPM) is a rare entity making up 0.3-5% of all mesothelioma cases, while manifestations of the tunica vaginalis are even more uncommon. Literature on WDPM is scarce and our understanding is rather limited.

Human kidney injury molecule-1 as a urine biomarker differentiating urothelial and renal cell carcinoma.

Introduction: Urine concentration of human kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) is suggested to be increased in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, it has never been tested in patients with urothelial tumors, while preoperative differentiation between RCC and upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) plays an essential role in therapeutic decisions.The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of urinary KIM-1 expression in preoperative differentiation between RCC and urothelial carcinoma (UC).

Subcortical Stimulation with Tip of Ultrasound Aspirator.

Background:  During resection of intrinsic brain tumors in eloquent areas, particularly under awake mapping, subcortical stimulation is mandatory to avoid irreversible deficits by damaging white fiber tracts. The current practice is to alternate between subcortical stimulation with an appropriate probe and resection of tumoral tissue with an ultrasound aspiration device. Switching between different devices induces supplementary movement and possible tissue trauma, loss of time, and inaccuracies in the localization of the involved area.

Interobserver variability in the assessment of stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (sTILs) in triple-negative invasive breast carcinoma influences the association with pathological complete response: the IVITA study.

High stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (sTILs) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are associated with pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Histopathological assessment of sTILs in TNBC biopsies is characterized by substantial interobserver variability, but it is unknown whether this affects its association with pCR. Here, we aimed to investigate the degree of interobserver variability in an international study, and its impact on the relationship between sTILs and pCR.

Gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention after bariatric surgery: data from a prospective cohort study.

Background: It is unknown whether international guidelines on gestational weight gain can be used in pregnancies after bariatric surgery.

Objectives: To investigate gestational weight gain, intrauterine growth, and postpartum weight retention in postbariatric women.

Setting: 8 Belgian hospitals.

First impressions: Use of the Azoth Systems O'Dive subclavian bubble monitor on a liveaboard dive vessel.

Introduction: The Azoth Systems O'Dive bubble monitor is marketed at recreational and professional divers as a tool to improve personal diving decompression safety. We report the use of this tool during a 12-day dive trip aboard a liveaboard vessel.

Methods: Six divers were consistently monitored according to the user manual of the O'Dive system.

Augmented reality for the virtual dissection of white matter pathways.

Background: The human white matter pathway network is complex and of critical importance for functionality. Thus, learning and understanding white matter tract anatomy is important for the training of neuroscientists and neurosurgeons. The study aims to test and evaluate a new method for fiber dissection using augmented reality (AR) in a group which is experienced in cadaver white matter dissection courses and in vivo tractography.

Recurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax six years after VATS pleurectomy: evidence for formation of neopleura.

Background: Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (PSP) is considered an absolute and definitive contraindication for scuba diving and professional flying, unless bilateral surgical pleurectomy is performed. Only then is there a sufficiently low risk of recurrence to allow a waiver for flying and/or diving.

Case Presentation: A young fit male patient who suffered a PSP 6 years ago, and underwent an uncomplicated videoscopic surgical pleurectomy, presented with a complete collapse of the lung on the initial PSP side.

Consensus of the Study Group for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in the intensive care management of COVID-19 patients.

Respiratory failure is a dominating medical issue in the severe course of COVID-19. Both at the stage of diagnostics prior to admission to the intensive care unit and during the monitoring of lesion evolution, diagnostic imaging techniques may significantly influence clinical decisions. Although computed tomography remains the gold standard for diagnosing lung diseases, its usefulness for infected, critically ill patients has been largely limited during the pandemic.

International consensus on the diagnosis and management of dumping syndrome.

Dumping syndrome is a common but underdiagnosed complication of gastric and oesophageal surgery. We initiated a Delphi consensus process with international multidisciplinary experts. We defined the scope, proposed statements and searched electronic databases to survey the literature.

Standardization of Somatic Variant Classifications in Solid and Haematological Tumours by a Two-Level Approach of Biological and Clinical Classes: An Initiative of the Belgian ComPerMed Expert Panel.

In most diagnostic laboratories, targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) is currently the default assay for the detection of somatic variants in solid as well as haematological tumours. Independent of the method, the final outcome is a list of variants that differ from the human genome reference sequence of which some may relate to the establishment of the tumour in the patient. A critical point towards a uniform patient management is the assignment of the biological contribution of each variant to the malignancy and its subsequent clinical impact in a specific malignancy.

Interobserver variability in upfront dichotomous histopathological assessment of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: the DCISion study.

Histopathological assessment of ductal carcinoma in situ, a nonobligate precursor of invasive breast cancer, is characterized by considerable interobserver variability. Previously, post hoc dichotomization of multicategorical variables was used to determine the "ideal" cutoffs for dichotomous assessment. The present international multicenter study evaluated interobserver variability among 39 pathologists who performed upfront dichotomous evaluation of 149 consecutive ductal carcinomas in situ.

Management of Pseudophakic Malignant Glaucoma in Sunset Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review.

To present an interesting case of pseudophakic malignant glaucoma in sunset syndrome, which potentially points to a correlation between a posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) subluxation and development of aqueous misdirection. Furthermore, we underlined the effectiveness of YAG-laser hyaloidotomy as a first line treatment for malignant glaucoma. This is a case report and literature review.

Surgical resection of cavernous angioma located within eloquent brain areas: International survey of the practical management among 19 specialized centers.

Purpose: The practical management of cavernous angioma located within eloquent brain area before, during and after surgical resection is poorly documented. We assessed the practical pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative management of cavernous angioma located within eloquent brain area.

Method: An online survey composed of 61 items was sent to 26 centers to establish a multicenter international retrospective cohort of adult patients who underwent a surgical resection as the first-line treatment of a supratentorial cavernous angioma located within or close to eloquent brain area.

Predictors of Epileptic Seizures and Ability to Work in Supratentorial Cavernous Angioma Located Within Eloquent Brain Areas.

Background: The postoperative outcomes and the predictors of seizure control are poorly studied for supratentorial cavernous angiomas (CA) within or close to the eloquent brain area.

Objective: To assess the predictors of preoperative seizure control, postoperative seizure control, and postoperative ability to work, and the safety of the surgery.

Methods: Multicenter international retrospective cohort analysis of adult patients benefitting from a functional-based surgical resection with intraoperative functional brain mapping for a supratentorial CA within or close to eloquent brain areas.

Stromal characteristics are adequate prognosticators for recurrence risk in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

Background: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast constitutes a heterogeneous group of non-obligate precursors for invasive breast cancer. To date, adequate risk stratification is lacking, which is presumed to result in overtreatment. We previously identified myxoid stromal architecture as a potential prognosticator for loco-regional recurrence.