Clinical presentation of young people (10–24 years old) with brain tumors: results from the international MOBI-Kids study

Journal of Neuro-Oncology - We used data from MOBI-Kids, a 14-country international collaborative case–control study of brain tumors (BTs), to study clinical characteristics of the tumors in...     

Incidence of major depression diagnoses in the Canadian Armed Forces: longitudinal analysis of clinical and health administrative data

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology - Major depression is a leading cause of morbidity in military populations. However, due to a lack of longitudinal data, little is known about the...     

The Effects of Lysine Analogs During Pelvic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Pelvic vasculature is complex and inconsistent while pelvic bones impede access to pelvic organs. These anatomical characteristics render pelvic surgery inherently difficult, and some of these procedures are frequently associated with blood loss that necessitates blood transfusion. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the use of lysine analogs to prevent bleeding and blood transfusion during pelvic surgery. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of lysine analogs during pelvic surgery. A systematic literature search was performed using Medline, Cochrane Register of Clinical Trials, Embase, and the reference lists of relevant articles. Randomized controlled trials or observational cohort studies comparing a lysine analog to placebo or standard care were included. Outcomes collected were blood transfusion, blood loss, thromboembolic adverse events (myocardial infarction, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism), nonthromboembolic adverse events, and death. There were no language limitations. Fifty-six articles reported on 68 comparisons between a lysine analog and an inactive comparator, involving a total of 7244 patients published between 1961 and 2013. Thirty-nine studies evaluated urologic procedures, and 21 evaluated gynecologic procedures. Thirty-six studies (60%) were published before 1980. Of the 43 randomized comparisons, only 30 (44%) had a score of 3 or higher on Jadad's 5-point scale of methodological quality. Among randomized trials, lysine analogs reduced the risk of blood transfusion (pooled odds ratio [OR], 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-0.64) and blood loss (pooled OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.18-0.27). There was a small statistically insignificant increased risk of thromboembolic events (pooled OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.72-1.59) and no-thrombotic serious adverse events (pooled OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.67-1.83). In the 17 randomized trials published since the year 2000, only 6 thrombotic events were reported, 4 of which occurred in the placebo arm. Lysine analogs did not increase risk of death (pooled OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.34-2.48). These results are significant as they indicate that lysine analogs significantly reduce blood loss and blood transfusion during pelvic surgery. Although there does not appear to be a large increase in the risk of thromboembolic and nonthrombotic adverse events, more data are required to definitively assess these outcomes. Based on this review, lysine analogs during pelvic surgery seem to reduce bleeding and blood transfusion requirements. Although there does not seem to be a significant risk of adverse effects, larger studies would help clarify risks, if any, associated with lysine analog use.     

Computed tomography angiography intraluminal filling defect is predictive of internal carotid artery free-floating thrombus

Introduction

Filling defects at the internal carotid artery (ICA) origin in the work-up of stroke or transient ischemic attack may be an ulcerated plaque or free-floating thrombus (FFT). This may be challenging to distinguish, as they can appear morphologically similar. This is an important distinction as FFT can potentially embolize distally, and its management differs. We describe a series of patients with suspected FFT and evaluate its imaging appearance, clinical features, and evolution with therapy.

Methods

Between 2008 and 2013, we prospectively collected consecutive patients with proximal ICA filling defects in the axial plane surrounded by contrast on CT/MR angiography. We defined FFT as a filling defect that resolved on follow-up imaging. We assessed the cranial–caudal dimension of the filling defect and receiver operating characteristics to identify clinical and radiological variables that distinguished FFT from complex ulcerated plaque.

Results

Intraluminal filling defects were identified in 32 patients. Filling defects and resolved or decreased in 25 patients (78 %) and felt to be FFT; there was no change in 7 (22 %). Resolved defects and those that decreased in size extended more cranially than those that remained unchanged: 7.3 mm (4.2–15.9) versus 3.1 mm (2.7–3.7; p?=?0.0038). Receiver operating characteristic analysis established a threshold of 3.8 mm (filling defect length), sensitivity of 88 %, specificity of 86 %, and area under the curve of 0.86 (p?<?0.0001) for distinguishing FFT from plaque.

Conclusion

Filling defects in the proximal ICA extending cranially >3.8 mm were more likely to be FFT than complex ulcerated plaque. Further studies evaluating filling defect length as a predictor for FFT are warranted.     

Interrater reliability of the modified Jadad quality scale for systematic reviews of Alzheimer's disease drug trials

Drug therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been evaluated in clinical trials over the past 2 decades. Systematic reviews of AD drug trials can shed more light on the efficacy of pharmaceutical interventions. The modified Jadad scale can be used to assess the quality of trial reports that are candidates for inclusion in these systematic reviews. The interrater reliability of the modified Jadad scale was examined during such a review. Three blinded reviewers rated the quality of 42 AD drug trial reports: the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.90. The modified Jadad scale appears to be a useful tool for AD research because of the very good interrater reliability. Also, it is composed of items that are well suited to the specific disease characteristics of AD. Further research should focus on the validity of this instrument.