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Abstract: Dissolved oxygen has known paramagnetic effects in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim ofthis study was to compare the effects of normobaric oxygenation (NBO) and hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on hu-man brain MRI signal intensities.Patients and methods. Baseline brain MRI was performed in 17 healthy subjects (mean age 27.8 ± 3.2). MRI wasrepeated after exposure to the NBO and HBO at different time points (0 min, 25 min, 50 min). Signal intensities in T1-weighted, T2-weighted images and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) signal intensities of several intracranialstructures were compared between NBO and HBO.Results. Increased T1-weighted signal intensities were observed in white and deep grey brain matter, cerebrospinalfluid (CSF), venous blood and vitreous body after exposure to NBO as well as to HBO compared to baseline (Dunnett’stest, p < 0.05) without significant differences between both protocols. There was also no significant difference in T2-weighted signal intensities between NBO and HBO. FLAIR signal intensities were increased only in the vitreous bodyafter NBO and HBO and FLAIR signal of caudate nucleus was decreased after NBO (Dunnett’s test, p < 0.05). Thestatistically significant differences in FLAIR signal intensities were found between NBO and HBO (paired t-test, p < 0.05)in most observed brain structures (paired t-test, p < 0.05).Conclusions. Our results show that NBO and HBO alters signal intensities T1-weighted and FLAIR images of humanbrain. The differences between NBO and HBO are most pronounced in FLAIR imaging.
Keywords: hyperbaric oxygen, normobaric oxygen, magnetic resonance, human brain
Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 271; Downloads: 114
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Abstract: Background. The evidence shows that risk-based strategy could be implemented to avoid unnecessary harm in mammography screening for breast cancer (BC) using age-only criterium. Our study aimed at identifying the uptake of Slovenian women to the BC risk assessment invitation and assessing the number of screening mammographies in case of risk-based screening.Patients and methods. A cross-sectional population-based study enrolled 11,898 women at the age of 50, invited to BC screening. The data on BC risk factors, including breast density from the first 3,491 study responders was col-lected and BC risk was assessed using the Tyrer-Cuzick algorithm (version 8) to classify women into risk groups (low, population, moderately increased, and high risk group). The number of screening mammographies according to risk stratification was simulated. Results. 57% (6,785) of women returned BC risk questionnaires. When stratifying 3,491 women into risk groups, 34.0% were assessed with low, 62.2% with population, 3.4% with moderately increased, and 0.4% with high 10-year BC risk. In the case of potential personalised screening, the number of screening mammographies would drop by 38.6% com-pared to the current screening policy. Conclusions. The study uptake showed the feasibility of risk assessment when inviting women to regular BC screen-ing. 3.8% of Slovenian women were recognised with higher than population 10-year BC risk. According to Slovenian BC guidelines they may be screened more often. Overall, personalised screening would decrease the number of screening mammographies in Slovenia. This information is to be considered when planning the pilot and assessing the feasibility of implementing population risk-based screening.
Keywords: breast cancer screening, personalised screening, risk assessment, mammography
Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 276; Downloads: 235
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Abstract: Background. Awake craniotomy is a neurosurgical technique that allows neurophysiological testing with patient cooperation during the resection of brain tumour in regional anaesthesia. This allows identification of vital functional (i.e. eloquent) brain areas during surgery and avoidance of their injury. The aim of the study was to present clinical experience with awake craniotomy for the treatment of gliomas at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana from 2015 to 2019.Patients and methods. Awake craniotomy was considered in patients with a gliomas near or within the language brain areas, in all cases of insular lesions and selected patients with lesions near or within primary motor brain cortex. Each patient was assessed before and after surgery.Results. During the 5-year period, 24 awake craniotomies were performed (18 male and 6 female patients; average age 41). The patient’s cooperation, discomfort and perceived pain assessed during the awake craniotomy were in majority of the cases excellent, slight, and moderate, respectively. After surgery, mild neurological worsening was observed in 13% (3/24) of patients. Gross total resection, in cases of malignant gliomas, was feasible in 60% (6/10) and in cases of low-grade gliomas in 29% (4/14). The surgery did not have important negative impact on functional status or quality of life as assessed by Karnofsky score and Short-Form 36 health survey, respectively (p > 0.05). Conclusions. The results suggest that awake craniotomy for treatment of gliomas is feasible and safe neurosurgical technique. The proper selection of patients, preoperative preparation with planning, and cooperation of medical team members are necessary for best treatment outcome.
Keywords: awake craniotomy, surgery of gliomas, intraoperative neurophysiological testing, primary brain tumours, clinical experiences
Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 246; Downloads: 385
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Abstract: Background. A recent trend in postoperative analgesia for lung cancer surgery relies on regional nerve blocks with decreased opioid administration. Our study aims to critically assess the continuous ultrasound-guided erector spinaeplane block (ESPB) at our institution and compare it to a standard regional anesthetic technique, the intercostal nerve block (ICNB).Patients and methods. A prospective randomized-control study was performed to compare outcomes of pa-tients, scheduled for video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lung cancer resection, allocated to the ESPB or ICNB group. Primary outcomes were total opioid consumption and subjective pain scores at rest and cough each hour in 48 h after surgery. The secondary outcome was respiratory muscle strength, measured by maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP/MEP) after 24 h and 48 h.Results. 60 patients met the inclusion criteria, half ESPB. Total opioid consumption in the first 48 h was 21.64 ± 14.22 mg in the ESPB group and 38.34 ± 29.91 mg in the ICNB group (p = 0.035). The patients in the ESPB group had lower numerical rating scores at rest than in the ICNB group (1.19 ± 0.73 vs. 1.77 ± 1.01, p = 0.039). There were no significant differences in MIP/MEP decrease from baseline after 24 h (MIP p = 0.088, MEP p = 0.182) or 48 h (MIP p = 0.110, MEP p = 0.645), time to chest tube removal or hospital discharge between the two groups.Conclusions. In the first 48 h after surgery, patients with continuous ESPB required fewer opioids and reported less pain than patients with ICNB. There were no differences regarding respiratory muscle strength, postoperative compli-cations, and time to hospital discharge. In addition, continuous ESPB demanded more surveillance than ICNB.
Keywords: erector spinae plane block, intercostal nerve block, postoperative analgesia, video-assisted thoracic surgery, thoracic anesthesia
Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 265; Downloads: 253
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Abstract: The term genitourinary syndrome of menopause was first used in 2014 by the North American Menopause Society and the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health to describe conditions previously known as atrophic vaginitis, urogenital atrophy, or vulvovaginal atrophy. It is a complex, chronic, progressive condition characterized by a wide range of signs and symptoms affecting sexual function and the tissues of the urinary and genital tracts. The main cause of genitourinary syndrome of menopause is estrogen deficiency caused by ovarian removal or dysfunction. The most bothersome symptoms are vaginal dryness, decreased vaginal lubrication, and pain during penetration and intercourse. They all have a negative impact on the quality of life. Conclusions: The main goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms. Treatment modalities are pharmacological or non-pharmacological. The first-line treatment for mild to moderate symptoms is the use of personal lubricants and moisturizers, but the gold standard is estrogen replacement therapy. Hormone therapy may not be an option for women with hormone-dependent cancer.
Keywords: genitourinary syndrome, gynecological malignancies, therapy
Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 233; Downloads: 85
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