Occult multifocal and incidental hepatocellular carcinoma: An analysis of long-term survival and risk factors at a single liver transplant center.

The clinical significance of occult HCC identified on explant pathology in liver transplantation (LT) remains unclear. Among recipients of LT, discordance between pre-LT radiographic assessment of HCC and explant tumor burden is common. Data regarding the association of incidental HCC (no pre-LT radiographic diagnosis) and occult multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma (omHCC, pre-LT radiology underestimates a number of explant tumors) with outcomes are scarce.

Clinical Outcomes and Costs of Robotic-assisted vs Conventional Mitral Valve Repair: A National Analysis.

Background: Robotic approaches have been increasingly utilized for cardiothoracic operations, though concerns regarding costs remain. We evaluated short-term outcomes and costs of robotic-assisted and conventional mitral valve repair (MV-repair), hypothesizing that cost differences would be mitigated at high-volume programs.

Methods: Adults undergoing elective MV-repair from 2016 to 2020 were identified in the Nationwide Readmissions Database.

JAK inhibition with tofacitinib rapidly increases contractile force in human skeletal muscle.

Reduction in muscle contractile force associated with many clinical conditions incurs serious morbidity and increased mortality. Here, we report the first evidence that JAK inhibition impacts contractile force in normal human muscle. Muscle biopsies were taken from patients who were randomized to receive tofacitinib (n = 16) or placebo (n = 17) for 48 h.

Center-level variation in hospitalization costs of pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer.

Background: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is a highly morbid operation with significant resource utilization. Using a national cohort, we examined the interhospital variation in pancreaticoduodenectomy hospitalization cost in the United States.

Methods: Adults undergoing elective pancreaticoduodenectomy in the setting of pancreatic cancer were tabulated from the 2016-2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database.

First in Human Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Stereotactic Irradiation to Achieve Lung Volume Reduction (SILVR) in Severe Emphysema.

Purpose: Only a subset of patients with severe emphysema qualify for lung volume reduction surgery or endobronchial valves. We previously demonstrated that stereotactic ablative radiation therapy of lung tumors reduces lung volume in treated lobes by creating localized lung fibrosis. We aimed to determine the safety and secondarily explore the efficacy of stereotactic irradiation for lung volume reduction (SILVR) over 18 months after intervention in patients with severe emphysema.

Hospital-level variation in hospitalization costs for spinal fusion in the United States.

Background: With a growing emphasis on value of care, understanding factors associated with rising healthcare costs is increasingly important. In this national study, we evaluated the degree of center-level variation in the cost of spinal fusion.

Methods: All adults undergoing elective spinal fusion were identified in the 2016 to 2020 National Inpatient Sample.

Surgical resection of mediastinal ectopic thyroid tissue: a case series.

Background: Ectopic thyroid tissue (ETT) is characterized by the presence of in any location other than its normal anatomic position. Mediastinal ectopic thyroid gland is a rare entity, accounting for 1% of all ETT cases. In this article, we present seven cases with mediastinal ETT over the last 26 years admitted to Stanford hospital.

Improving lung cancer screening rates among patients with head and neck cancer in a radiation oncology clinic.

Background: The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends lung cancer screening via annual low dose computed tomography (LDCT) for high risk patients. Despite the strong evidence of a mortality benefit from several randomized clinical trials, rates of lung cancer screening remain low. We plan to assess how screening guidelines are implemented in a radiation oncology clinic for patients with head and neck cancer.