Interest in Treatment with GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for the Management of Insufficient Weight Loss or Weight Regain After Bariatric Surgery.

Background: Bariatric surgery (BS) is the most effective treatment for severe obesity, but a significant proportion of patients experience insufficient weight loss (IWL) or weight regain. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (arGLP-1) have emerged as a promising adjunctive therapy for managing these suboptimal outcomes. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of arGLP-1 in patients with IWL or WR after BS.

Evaluating Myotomy Length in POEM for Achalasia: A Grade-Assessed Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a standard achalasia treatment, matching surgery in efficacy. However, myotomy length varies. Shorter myotomies are gaining attention for potential benefits.

Massively Enlarged Wandering Spleen With Torsion and Infarction in a 10-Year-Old: Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review.

Wandering spleen (WS) is a rare condition characterized by abnormal splenic mobility due to congenital absence or acquired laxity of its suspensory ligaments. It is more prevalent in children and women of childbearing age and may present asymptomatically or with acute abdominal symptoms due to splenic torsion, which can lead to infarction or rupture. We report a case of a 10-year-old female who presented with a 4-day history of persistent nonbilious vomiting, generalized abdominal pain, and fever.

Unmasking systemic mastocytosis: a case of gastrointestinal involvement misdiagnosed as achalasia.

Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a rare myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the clonal proliferation of mast cells in various organs, including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. GI manifestations of SM, often non-specific, can lead to misdiagnosis, with symptoms overlapping those of common disorders such as achalasia, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. This case report details the diagnosis and management of an 83-year-old female with progressive dysphagia and weight loss, initially suspected to have achalasia.

EXPRESS: Two Decades of Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Related Cardiovascular Mortality in the United States: Temporal Trends and Demographic Disparities from a National Death Registry.

Although the association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well established, long-term, population-level trends in cardiovascular mortality among individuals with IBD remain poorly characterized. This study provides a comprehensive, nationwide analysis of IBD-associated cardiovascular mortality in the United States over a two-decade period, emphasizing temporal patterns and sociodemographic disparities. We performed a retrospective analysis using the CDC WONDER database from 1999 to 2020, identifying decedents with CVD (ICD-10 I00-I99) as the underlying cause and IBD (ICD-10 K50/K51) as a contributing condition.

Comparative Effectiveness of Bariatric Surgery Versus GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Reducing the Risk of New-Onset of NASH: A Retrospective Multinational Cohort Study From North America and Europe.

Background: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Obesity is a major risk factor for NASH, and metabolic interventions such as bariatric surgery (BS) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have been explored for their impact on liver-related outcomes. This study evaluates the comparative effectiveness of BS and GLP-1 RAs in reducing the incidence of new-onset NASH and related hepatic complications.

Determinants of substance use among adolescents aged 10-19 years in Tanga Region, Eastern Tanzania: A cross-sectional analysis.

Background: Despite adolescents making up a significant part of the global population, they have high rates of substance use, linked to various health problems and risky behaviours and increased risk of negative social, cognitive, and physical consequences. Studies on substance use and related risk behaviours among adolescents in Tanzania are crucial for informing targeted interventions and policies to safeguard the health and development of this vulnerable population. We aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of substance use among adolescents in the Tanga region, eastern in Tanzania.

Radiogenomics and Radiomics of Skull Base Chordoma: Classification of Novel Radiomic Subgroups and Prediction of Genetic Signatures and Clinical Outcomes.

Background: Chordomas are rare, aggressive tumors of notochordal origin, commonly affecting the spine and skull base. Skull Base Chordomas (SBCs) comprise approximately 39% of cases, with an incidence of less than 1 per million annually in the U.S.

Factors Associated With a Higher 30-Day Hospitalization Period for Pituitary Adenoma Patients: Introducing a Novel Outcome Metric.

Background And Objectives: A novel metric that incorporates both length of stay (LOS) and readmission in 1 metric, the 30-day hospitalization ratio (HR) (total number of days of hospitalization/30 days) was applied to patients undergoing endonasal surgery for pituitary adenoma. The objectives of this study were to determine predictive factors associated with prolonged hospitalization and economic burden and to demonstrate the utility of 30-day HR as a novel outcome metric compared with LOS and readmission.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 492 patients who underwent an endoscopic endonasal approach for pituitary adenoma at a Pituitary Tumor Center of Excellence between January 2015 and September 2022.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor: Focus on Atrial Fibrillation.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is increasingly recognized as a multisystem disorder with significant cardiovascular implications, particularly in its association with atrial fibrillation (AF). As the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, AF contributes to substantial morbidity and mortality, making it essential to explore its links with MASLD. The relationship between these conditions is underpinned by shared pathophysiological mechanisms, including systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

A rare incidental finding of splenogonadal fusion in a trauma patient: A case report and review of the literature.

The unusual fusion of splenic tissue with gonadal or mesonephric tissue remains is the hallmark of a rare congenital condition known as splenogonadal fusion (SGF). It arises during embryological development due to the proximity between the splenic anlage and gonadal mesoderm, typically between the 5th and 8th weeks of gestation. Even though SGF is typically asymptomatic, it is most commonly discovered by accident during imaging, surgery, or autopsy.

Single-port sleeve gastrectomy: a comparison between transumbilical and left hypochondrium approaches.

Background: Left hypochondrium (LHC) approach has been routinely used in our department for performing single-port sleeve gastrectomy (SPSG). Starting from 2019, a transumbilical approach (TU) has been adopted in selected patients. The aim of this study was to report and compare our results of both approaches (LHC and TU) with special focus on incisional hernia (IH).

Sleep Disorders and Optic Neuritis Risk in Multiple Sclerosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

This retrospective cohort study investigates the relationship between sleep disorders and the risk of developing optic neuritis in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Utilizing data from the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network, we analyzed two matched cohorts as follows: MS patients with documented sleep disorders (n = 48,995) and those without (n = 48,995). Propensity score matching ensured balance in baseline characteristics, minimizing confounding factors.

Skull base chordomas presenting with abducens nerve deficits: clinical characteristics and predictive factors for deficit improvement or resolution.

Objective: Skull base chordomas (SBCs) often present with cranial nerve (CN) VI deficits. Studies have not assessed the prognosis and predictive factors for CN VI recovery among patients presenting with CN VI deficits.

Methods: The medical records of patients who underwent resection for primary chordoma from 2001 to 2020 were reviewed.

How has the diagnostic approach to parathyroid localization techniques evolved in the past decade? Insights from a single-center experience.

The standardization of preoperative imaging in primary hyperparathyroidism is one of the current challenges of endocrine surgery. A correct localization of the hypersecretory gland by neck ultrasound and 99mTc-sestamibi (MIBI) scintigraphy are not sufficiently sensitive in some cases. In recent years, CT-4D, 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT, and radio-guided parathyroidectomy have come into common use.

Impact of Frailty on Surgical Outcomes of Patients With Cushing Disease Using the Multicenter Registry of Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders Registry.

Background And Objectives: Despite growing interest in how patient frailty affects outcomes (eg, in neuro-oncology), its role after transsphenoidal surgery for Cushing disease (CD) remains unclear. We evaluated the effect of frailty on CD outcomes using the Registry of Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders (RAPID) data set from a collaboration of US academic pituitary centers.

Methods: Data on consecutive surgically treated patients with CD (2011-2023) were compiled using the 11-factor modified frailty index.

Multicenter Registry of Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders: Initial Description of Cushing Disease Cohort, Surgical Outcomes, and Surgeon Characteristics.

Background And Objectives: To address the lack of a multicenter pituitary surgery research consortium in the United States, we established the Registry of Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders (RAPID). The goals of RAPID are to examine surgical outcomes, improve patient care, disseminate best practices, and facilitate multicenter surgery research at scale. Our initial focus is Cushing disease (CD).

Endoscopic endonasal resection of Rathke cleft cysts: a single-institution analysis of 148 consecutive patients.

Objective: The traditional treatment of sellar Rathke cleft cysts (RCCs) generally involves transsellar drainage; however, suprasellar RCCs present unique challenges to appropriate management and technical complexity. Reports on overall outcomes for the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for this pathology are limited. The EEA for RCCs allows three surgical techniques: marsupialization, fenestration, and fenestration with cyst wall resection.

A multi-institutional machine learning algorithm for prognosticating facial nerve injury following microsurgical resection of vestibular schwannoma.

Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are the most common tumor of the skull base with available treatment options that carry a risk of iatrogenic injury to the facial nerve, which can significantly impact patients' quality of life. As facial nerve outcomes remain challenging to prognosticate, we endeavored to utilize machine learning to decipher predictive factors relevant to facial nerve outcomes following microsurgical resection of VS. A database of patient-, tumor- and surgery-specific features was constructed via retrospective chart review of 242 consecutive patients who underwent microsurgical resection of VS over a 7-year study period.

Outcomes of bariatric surgery in the setting of compensated advanced chronic liver disease associated with clinically significant portal hypertension: a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study on feasibility and safety.

Background: The obesity epidemic has led to an increase in the proportion of patients with chronic liver disease due to metabolic associated steatosic liver disease and in the prevalence of obesity in patients with cirrhosis. Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) has been proven to determine weight loss, obesity-related medical problems remission, and liver steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis improvement. However, cirrhosis and portal hypertension are well-known risk factors for increased morbidity and mortality after surgery.

Imaging of an exceptional urinoma complicating a cervical cancer and leading to death: A case report.

Spontaneous urinoma is a rare urological complication that can occur following acute urinary obstruction. It involves a collection of urine that typically forms around the kidney as a result of rupture of the fornix. There are several causes of acute urinary stasis, including lithiasis, tumors, prostatic hypertrophy, and others.

The utility of inflammatory biomarkers in predicting overall survival and recurrence in skull base chordoma.

Objective: Numerous studies have investigated the impact of inflammatory factors in cancer, yet few attempts have been made to investigate these markers in skull base chordoma (SBC). Inflammatory values including neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) can serve as prognostic markers in various cancers. This study aimed to determine whether these inflammatory factors influence overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with primary SBC.

The role of surgical management for prolactin-secreting tumors in the era of dopaminergic agonists: An international multicenter report.

Objective: First-line prolactin-secreting tumor (PST) management typically involves treatment with dopamine agonists and the role of surgery remains to be further explored. We examined the international experience of 12 neurosurgical centers to assess the patient characteristics, safety profile, and effectiveness of surgery for PST management.

Methods: Patients surgically treated for PST from January 2017 through December 2020 were evaluated for surgical characteristics, outcomes, and safety.

Custom Hyperspectral Imaging System Reveals Unique Spectral Signatures of Heart, Kidney, and Liver Tissues.

The rapid advancement of diagnostic and therapeutic optical techniques for oncology demands a good understanding of the optical properties of biological tissues. This study explores the capabilities of hyperspectral (HS) cameras as a non-invasive and non-contact optical imaging system to distinguish and highlight spectral differences inbiological soft tissuesof three structures (kidney, heart, and liver) for use inendoscopic interventionoropen surgery. The study presents an optical system consisting of two individual setups, the transmission setup, and the reflection setup, both incorporating anHS camerawith apolychromatic light sourcewithin the range of 380 to 1050 nm to measure tissue's light transmission (T) and diffuse light reflectance (R), respectively.