Search

A search for the decay of the Higgs boson to a Z boson and a light, pseudoscalar particle, a, decaying respectively to two leptons and to two photons is reported. The search uses the full LHC Run 2 proton–proton collision data at s=13 TeV, corresponding to 139 fb−1 collected by the ATLAS detector. This is one of the first searches for this specific decay mode of the Higgs boson, and it probes unexplored parameter space in models with axion-like particles (ALPs) and extended scalar sectors. The mass of the a particle is assumed to be in the range 0.1–33 GeV. The data are analysed in two categories: a merged category where the photons from the a decay are reconstructed in the ATLAS calorimeter as a single cluster, and a resolved category in which two separate photons are detected. The main background processes are from Standard Model Z boson production in association with photons or jets. The data are in agreement with the background predictions, and upper limits on the branching ratio of the Higgs boson decay to Za times the branching ratio a→γγ are derived at the 95% confidence level and they range from 0.08% to 2% depending on the mass of the a particle. The results are also interpreted in the context of ALP models.

Background: Joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) are connective tissue disorders characterized by increased joint laxity, affecting musculoskeletal health and quality of life. In this study, we explored recent trends in surgical treatment of shoulder instability among patients with these disorders. Methods: We searched the PearlDiver Mariner database, which includes deidentified US all-payer claims data from 2010 to 2020. We used procedure and diagnostic codes for EDS and JHS to select patients. The primary outcome was the yearly trend in relative utilization of the following 4 shoulder instability procedures: arthroscopic stabilization, Latarjet coracoid transfer, open capsulolabral repair, and open capsulolabral shift. Results: Among 109,274 patients with EDS and 453,885 with JHS, 3.4% and 0.8% underwent shoulder instability procedures, respectively. Arthroscopic stabilization was the predominant treatment, with a mean utilization rate of 78% for EDS and 83% for JHS. Notably, the age at surgery increased for EDS patients but decreased for JHS patients. Female patients represented large proportions of those undergoing procedures in both the EDS group (83%) and the JHS group (77%). Conclusions: Our findings indicate a consistent preference for arthroscopic stabilization in treating shoulder instability in patients with EDS and JHS. The trends in age suggest shifts in treatment strategies, possibly influenced by advancements in nonoperative interventions or varying symptom severity. The higher proportion of female patients aligns with the known prevalence of connective tissue disorders in women. Future research should explore outcomes, complications, and specific EDS subtypes to guide optimal treatment strategies for these challenging connective tissue disorders.

Background: The role of social determinants of health (SDH) in patient outcomes, quality of life, and overall well-being has been well documented. However, the inclusion of these variables in randomized control trials (RCTs) remains limited; thus, the extent of generalizability from such trials is brought into question. The purpose of this study is to explore the rates of reporting SDH variables in RCTs focused on shoulder surgery from the past decade. Methods: The PubMed database was searched for RCTs with a focus on shoulder surgery from 2013 to 2023. Duplicates, responses to the editor, biomechanical studies, and nonshoulder studies were excluded. Each article was reviewed and data pertaining to patient demographics and socioeconomic covariates. Journal of publication was recorded, and studies from the 5 most common journals were analyzed. These journals were the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, the American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM), the Bone and Joint Journal, and the Journal of the American Medical Association. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the independent effect of study characteristics on the reporting rates of SDH. Results: A total of 255 articles were reviewed. Of these, 93.3% and 90.2% of articles reviewed reported age and sex, respectively. Employment status was reported in 11.8% of articles. Less than 10% reported race, ethnicity, income, insurance, and housing, with even less performing formal analyses on these variables. Studies that were conducted in the United States, multicenter, had a sample size of 251+, and had a combination of public and private funding which were significantly more likely to report on race and ethnicity. Reporting employment status was significantly associated with being European-based, multicenter, sample size 251+, double-blinded, and published in AJSM. Newer studies were significantly less likely to report education. Only publication in AJSM was significant for reporting income. Study intervention and topic were not significant for any SDH reporting. Discussion: These data reflect how small of a proportion of RCTs report and analyze on SDH variables. These findings reflect a need for future RCTs to accurately report SDH variables that influence outcomes, such as race, ethnicity, education, employment, income, housing status, and insurance. SDH are infrequently reported and analyzed in RCTs pertaining to shoulder surgery. Academic medical journals should incorporate guidelines to encourage studies to include such variables and enable the assessment of outcomes to apply to a broader population.

Background: Determining the presence of bacteria in the shoulder prior to shoulder arthroplasty can be challenging especially in the case of revision arthroplasty. An open biopsy provides an opportunity to obtain tissue samples with minimal patient morbidity. The purpose of this study was to characterize the diagnostic utility of an open shoulder biopsy. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed at an academic medical center. All patients that underwent an open shoulder biopsy using a small proximal deltopectoral incision between 2008 and 2021 were included. Demographics, surgical history, culture results, and development of subsequent infection were recorded. Subsequent infection was defined as the development of a sinus tract, purulent drainage, or revision surgery with greater than or equal to two tissues specimens with growth of the same bacterial species. Sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of an open biopsy were calculated based on the development of subsequent infection. As culture positive patients were treated for their infection, positive predictive value and specificity could not be determined. Results: We identified 55 patients that underwent 75 open biopsies. Most patients had a shoulder arthroplasty in place at the time of biopsy (69.1%), while 23.6% had an antibiotic spacer, and 7.3% had a native shoulder. Patients with a history of infection were more likely to have a spacer in place at the time of biopsy (65% vs. 0%; P

Background: Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is an effective surgical intervention that can be used in the treatment of elbow pathologies including osteoarthritis (OA), complex distal humerus fractures, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there is a paucity of literature assessing trends in the utilization of TEA. The purpose of this study was to identify trends in TEA utilization in the United States (U.S.) from 2010 to 2018. Methods: A query of the IBM Watson Health MarketScan Database was performed to identify patients that underwent TEA from 2010 to 2018 using Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Disease coding. Patients were stratified based on surgical indication into the following groups: distal humerus fracture/post-traumatic sequelae, RA, OA, and other. Population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau were used to estimate the annual incidence and procedural trends of primary TEA for each surgical indication. Further stratification evaluated TEA trends based on sex, age, and geographic region. Results: A total of 6522 primary TEAs were performed between 2010 and 2018. The total annual volume of TEAs performed from the start to the end of this time period decreased by 33%, from 694 to 466 cases. Overall, the majority (53.9%, n = 3514) of all TEAs from 2010 to 2018 were performed to treat distal humerus fractures/post-traumatic sequelae, while 22.3% (n = 1457) were performed for RA, 10.8% (n = 702) for OA, and 13.0% (n = 849) for other. Volume and incidence of TEA decreased over time from 2010 to 2018 regardless of surgical indication, sex, and age. The greatest decreases in volume and incidence in TEAs during the study period was observed for RA (58% and 60%, respectively). The smallest change in volume and incidence of TEA was observed for OA, with a 9% decrease in volume from 57 to 52 cases and 14% decrease in incidence from 0.19 to 0.16 per 1,000,000 people. Conclusions: The incidence and volume of primary TEAs in the U.S. decreased from 2010 to 2018, regardless of surgical indication, sex, and age. The most common indication for TEA is distal humerus fractures and traumatic sequelae, and RA is now a much less common indication than it was in the past. Understanding the national trends of TEA utilization allows us to visualize changes in practice over time to highlight preferences in the treatment of various elbow pathologies.

Background: This study aims to characterize the types of procedures performed on patients previously diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)/hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) and investigate rates of revision surgery following open, arthroscopic, or bony stabilization procedures in patients with and without a preoperative diagnosis of EDS/HSD. Methods: This is a retrospective comparative study utilizing a large nationwide claims database. Records were queried between January 2011 and December 2021 for patients undergoing surgical management for glenohumeral instability using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Patients with preoperative diagnoses of EDS/HSD were identified using International Classifications of Disease, ninth revision and tenth revision billing codes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the distribution of surgical techniques performed for patients with HSD and compare rates of revision operation following open, arthroscopic, and/or bony procedures. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals are reported for each comparison. A P value of .05 was used to signify statistical significance. Results: Patients with preoperative diagnoses of EDS/HSD were significantly more likely to undergo open posterior (aOR = 3.47, 95% CI [2.13, 5.31]), open capsulorrhaphy (aOR = 5.04, 95% CI [3.97, 6.32]), and Latarjet (aOR = 1.84, 95% CI [1.33, 2.48]) procedures than patients without EDS/HSD. In contrast, these patients were significantly less likely to undergo arthroscopic Bankart repair (aOR = 0.48, 95% CI [0.40, 0.58]). Preoperative EDS/HSD was also associated with increased rates of secondary shoulder surgery (aOR = 2.63, 95% CI [2.01, 3.39]), but not necessarily ipsilateral revision shoulder surgery (aOR = 1.64, 95% CI [0.89, 2.77], P = .87). Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that EDS/HSD results in greater likelihood of shoulder instability being surgically managed through open procedures as opposed to arthroscopic procedures, as well as greater likelihood of requiring subsequent surgical procedures. These findings provide critical insights to patients with EDS/HSD and their clinical providers for developing treatment plans for shoulder instability. Providers should educate patients with known hyperlaxity to make them aware of their increased odds of future reoperation. Surgeons should also prioritize assessment of ligamentous laxity in all patients and adjust individual treatment protocols accordingly.

Background: Suprascapular nerve decompression (SSND) remains a controversial procedure. In 2018, Momaya et al published the first systematic review of SSND noting satisfactory outcomes with low rates of complications; however, numerous studies published since have noted no benefit in routinely adding SSND to other arthroscopic surgeries, contributing to existing contention regarding the procedure. The purpose of this study is to provide an updated assessment of outcomes after SSND. Methods: To conduct this updated systematic review, a search of PubMed (MEDLINE) for relevant studies published prior to January 21, 2023 was conducted. Outcomes including patient-reported clinical outcomes, return to sport, preoperative and postoperative electrodiagnostic testing, and adverse events were collected and pooled for assessment. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they met Momaya et al’s inclusion criteria and/or reported outcomes following SSND at either the suprascapular notch or spinoglenoid notch. Results: In total, 730 patients from 33 studies were eligible for inclusion. All patient-reported outcome measure scores including American Shoulder Elbow Surgeon Standardized Shoulder Assessment; Constant-Murley score; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; Subjective Shoulder Value; University of California–Los Angeles shoulder; and visual analog scale pain scores improved significantly postoperatively, with improvements ranging from 53.5% to 102.6% of preoperative values. Ultimately, 98% (n = 90/92) of patients returned to sport or military duty and 96% of these patients returned at their previous level of activity (n = 48/50) without heterogeneity among rates between studies (P = .176, P = .238, respectively). Preoperative electrodiagnostic testing was conducted in 93% of patients, and 90% had associated abnormal findings. Continued symptoms were noted among 12% of patients (n = 39/322) with significantly different rates observed between studies. Complications from operative management not limited to SSND occurred in 11% of patients (n = 64/576) and reoperations occurred in 3.3% of patients (n = 15/455). Conclusion: Suprascapular neuropathy treated with SSND significantly improves patient-reported outcomes and is noninferior to similar procedures without SSND. Appropriate clinical diagnosis of suprascapular neuropathy is required as opposed to a routine adjunct procedure with other arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Ultimately, SSND is associated with high rates of return to sport and relatively low rates of adverse events; however, the risk of continued symptoms and electrodiagnostic test-related complications is an important point on preoperative counseling.

Hypothesis and Background: A potential complication of distal biceps repair is heterotopic ossification (HO), which impacts both limb function and overall patient outcomes. Common HO prophylaxis methods include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or localized radiation therapy. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine an effective means of providing HO prophylaxis following distal biceps repair. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The following databases were searched for studies published after 1998: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Studies were included if they compared patients who were placed on HO prophylaxis following distal biceps repair compared to those that were not placed on HO prophylaxis, were prospective randomized controlled trials or retrospective case-control studies, and evaluated HO prophylaxis regimens. Studies that were not written in English, analyzed animals or cadavers, and did not directly evaluate patients undergoing distal biceps repair, did not study HO rophylaxis, or had alternative study designs were excluded. Results: The initial search identified 134 studies, 4 of which met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Each of these 4 (100%) studies evaluated indomethacin, and 1 (25%) study evaluated both indomethacin and meloxicam. The included studies evaluated HO prophylaxis in the setting of both one- and two-incision distal biceps repairs. Overall, 2 of the 4 (50%) studies supported the use of indomethacin as HO prophylaxis, 1 of 4 (25%) did not support the use of indomethacin for HO prophylaxis, and 1 of 4 (25%) studies reported that indomethacin and meloxicam are similarly effective HO prophylaxis drugs. None of the studies meeting the inclusion criteria analyzed radiation therapy as a potential method for HO prophylaxis. Discussion and Conclusion: Indomethacin is commonly used as a prophylactic measure for HO following distal biceps repair; however, based on the results of this study, it is not necessary to use this routinely due to its limited efficacy in preventing HO and potential risks (eg, gastrointestinal upset, bleeding) associated with the medication. Future randomized studies should evaluate the use of other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, meloxicam) for HO prophylaxis in addition to not using any HO prophylaxis following either one- or two-incision distal biceps repairs.

Background: Distal triceps tendon ruptures are an uncommon injury with several reported repair techniques. Outcomes research between the repair techniques is complicated by the rarity of the injury as most published materials are based on small sample sizes and specific surgical techniques. This study compared surgical complications, reoperations, and range of motion between all suture transosseous tunnel only (TT), suture anchor only (SA), and transosseous tunnel plus suture anchor (TTSA) repair techniques. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients who underwent a distal triceps repair at our tertiary-care institution from 2011 to 2021. The electronic medical record was reviewed for patient demographics, triceps rupture characteristics, repair technique, and postoperative complications. Results: This study includes 199 patients who underwent a repair by TT (82), SA (69), or TTSA (48) techniques. No differences were identified between groups with regards to demographics and medical comorbidities. Patients treated by SA technique were more likely to have a loss of elbow extension (SA: 14 [26.4%], TT: 6 [8.57%], TTSA: 4 [10.0%], P = .014) postoperatively with an average loss of 9° for the patients in all groups. However, no differences were identified between the groups with regards to postoperative complications (TT: 15.9%, SA: 17.4%, TTSA: 18.8%, P = .911), including triceps rerupture (TT: 6.10%, SA: 4.35%, TTSA: 12.5%, P = .260), and reoperation (TT: 11.0%, SA: 11.6%, TTSA: 14.6%, P = .822) rates. Conclusion: Regardless of repair technique, distal triceps tendon repair surgery has a relatively high complication and reoperation rate. However, given the similarities between the various methods of repair, surgeons can be confident in repairing this type of injury by whichever modality they deem appropriate.

Background: Glenohumeral instability is a complex clinical problem with underlying pathology in the bony, labral, and capsular tissues. The rate of specific capsular injuries varies widely in the literature and the clinical importance of these specific injury patterns remains unclear. Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines, a systematic review was performed of multiple databases for all primary research articles between 2008 and 2023 which included advanced imaging and included rates of capsular injury in patients with glenohumeral instability. Results: Twelve studies met inclusion criteria. The most prevalent capsular injury seen was in the inferior glenohumeral ligament (34.1%) across all studies, followed by anterior labroligamentous periosteal sleeve avulsions with 24.9% prevalence. Humeral avulsions of the glenohumeral ligaments lesions were the least common (6.2%) of subjects, followed closely by capsular tears (8.3%) of subjects. Conclusion: Capsular injury is commonly seen in magnetic resonance imaging of patients with anterior shoulder instability. Significant heterogeneity in language and imaging techniques was found in the existing literature. Further research is needed to explore these specific capsular lesions’ clinical implications and rehabilitation strategies.

Background: The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is frequently injured in overhead throwing athletes, leading to elbow instability, pain and decreased performance, and requiring surgical intervention. Augmenting with suture tape provides a novel approach to UCL repair, offering stability while preserving native anatomy, proprioception, and minimizing bone loss, with the added benefit of an expected faster rehabilitation and return to sport (RTS) compared to traditional UCL reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to assess the variability of the current publicly available rehabilitation protocols for elbow UCL repair with suture tape augmentation. Methods: A systematic review of Google and PubMed was performed to find rehabilitation protocols for UCL repair with suture tape augmentation. Two hundred nine orthopedic surgery residency programs were identified using the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database Access. The programs were searched on Google, a broad nonspecific Google search, and a systematic literature search of journal databases for UCL repair with suture tape augmentation rehabilitation protocols was conducted. Results: Thirteen rehabilitation protocols met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Of these, 12 protocols outlined the use of an articulating brace at varying range of motion settings for the first 4-6 weeks following surgery. Return to throwing was included in all 13 protocols and began between 10 and 12 weeks following surgery. RTS was included in 11 protocols and expected athletes competing as early as 16 weeks with a mean recommended RTS at 21.5 weeks. Conclusion: Rehabilitation protocols for UCL repair with suture tape augmentation were often structured around a 5-phase program with RTS approaching 20 weeks. They utilized immobilization and range of motion restriction as well as strengthening and gradual RTS procedures. Overall, the included protocols had mild variability with initiation of throwing and RTS 12 to 24 weeks faster than traditional UCL reconstruction.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare vascular anomalies that present complex diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, particularly in uncommon locations such as the lower extremities. A 72-year-old female with chronic atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease presented with severe lower extremity edema due to multiple AVMs below the knee. This case underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary, individualized approach in managing complex AVMs and highlights the need for advanced imaging and diverse interventional techniques to ensure effective treatment and long-term outcomes.

Gorham-Stout disease is a rare condition characterized by the massive osteolysis replaced with vascular or lymphatic proliferation and fibrous tissue. We report the case of a 13-year-old boy complaining of occasional lower back pain. Spinal X-ray showed scoliosis and pelvic asymmetry, CT and MRI revealed multiple osteolysis replaced by soft tissue without osteogenesis in lumbar vertebrae, sacrum, iliac bone, ischium and acetabulum and horseshoe kidney. Laboratory and clinical findings excluded all other potential causes of osteolysis and the patient was diagnosed as Gorham-Stout disease, although no lymphangioma or hemangioma were found in the specimen of right iliac bone. The report shows an unusual, multifocal Gorham-Stout disease in a 13-year-old boy with horseshoe kidney, suggesting that the typical imaging findings and raising awareness of the disease can facilitate timely diagnosis for the disease.

Objectives: Our goal was to conduct a hemodynamic analysis of a novel animal model of Fontan physiology. Poor late-term outcomes in Fontan patients are believed to arise from Fontan-induced hemodynamics, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. Recent advances in surgical experimentation have resulted in the development of a chronic sheep model of Fontan physiology; however, detailed analysis of this model is lacking. Methods: We created a single-stage Fontan model in juvenile sheep with normal biventricular circulation. The superior vena cava was anastomosed to the main pulmonary artery, and the inferior vena cava was connected to the main pulmonary artery using an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene conduit. Longitudinal hemodynamics, including catheterization and magnetic resonance imaging were evaluated. Results: Four out of 12 animals survived, with the longest surviving animal living 3 years after single-stage Fontan. We showed a significant era effect regarding survival (1 out of 8 and subsequently 3 out of 4 animals surviving beyond 2 months) attributed in large part to the procedural learning curve. Key characteristics of Fontan hemodynamics, namely systemic venous hypertension and low normal cardiac output, were observed. However, recapitulation of passive human Fontan hemodynamics is affected by volume loading of the right ventricle given an anatomic difference in sheep azygous venous anatomy draining to the coronary sinus. Conclusions: A significant learning curve exists to ensure long-term survival and future surgical modifications, including banding of the main pulmonary artery and ligation of the azygous to coronary sinus connection are promising strategies to improve the fidelity of model hemodynamics.

Background: Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is associated with acute brain injury (ABI), including central nervous system (CNS) ischemia (defined as ischemic stroke or hypoxic-ischemic brain injury [HIBI]) and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Data on prediction models for neurologic outcomes in VV-ECMO are limited. Methods: We analyzed adult (age ≥18 years) VV-ECMO patients in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Registry (2009-2021) from 676 centers. ABI was defined as CNS ischemia, ICH, brain death, and seizures. Data on 67 variables were extracted, including clinical characteristics and pre-ECMO/on-ECMO variables. Random forest, CatBoost, LightGBM, and XGBoost machine learning (ML) algorithms (10-fold leave-one-out cross-validation) were used to predict ABI. Feature importance scores were used to pinpoint the most important variables for predicting ABI. Results: Of 37,473 VV-ECMO patients (median age, 48.1 years; 63% male), 2644 (7.1%) experienced ABI, including 610 (2%) with CNS ischemia and 1591 (4%) with ICH. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting ABI, CNS ischemia, and ICH were 0.70, 0.68, and 0.70, respectively. The accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for ABI were 85%, 19%, and 95%, respectively. ML identified higher center volume, pre-ECMO cardiac arrest, higher ECMO pump flow, and elevated on-ECMO serum lactate level as the most important risk factors for ABI and its subtypes. Conclusions: This is the largest study of VV-ECMO patients to use ML to predict ABI reported to date. Performance was suboptimal, likely due to lack of standardization of neuromonitoring/imaging protocols and data granularity in the ELSO Registry. Standardized neurologic monitoring and imaging are needed across ELSO centers to detect the true prevalence of ABI.

Background: Valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR) requires a unique skill set. This study aimed to examine the influence of surgeon's procedural volume on outcomes of VSRR. Methods: This retrospective study included 1697 patients from 2 large, high-volume aortic centers who underwent aortic root replacement (ARR) between 2004 and 2021 and were potentially eligible for VSRR. Surgeons were classified as performing

Background: Aortic dissection is the most common acute aortic syndrome in the United States. Type B aortic dissection (TBAD) can be managed medically, through open surgical repair, or with thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR). The present study sought to assess contemporary trends in the use and timing of TEVAR. Methods: Adult nonelective TBAD admissions were identified in the 2010 to 2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Patients were categorized as medical management (Medical Management), TEVAR at initial hospitalization (Early), or TEVAR during readmission (Delayed). Multivariable models were developed to assess associations with clinical outcomes and resource utilization. Results: Of 85,753 patients, 8.7% underwent TEVAR at index hospitalization (Early). From 2010 to 2020, the proportion undergoing TEVAR decreased significantly (from 11.3% to 9.6%; nptrend

Objective: A less-invasive left atrial assist device (LAADx) is a novel and implantable, extracardiac blood pump concept, intended for the treatment of diastolic heart failure, represented by heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Methods: A mixed-flow pump was used as the working LAADx model. Its performance was evaluated at 3 speeds, using an in vitro pulsatile mock circulatory loop, with a pneumatic pump that can simulate diastolic heart failure conditions by adjusting the diastolic drive pressure. The LAADx model was implanted in 4 healthy calves. The pump's inflow and outflow cannulas were inserted into the left atrium (LA) and left ventricle (LV), respectively, without cardiopulmonary bypass. The LAADx was operated at 3 speeds, and diastolic heart failure-like conditions were induced by inflating a balloon, inserted into the LV. Results: With the in vitro study, diastolic heart failure-like conditions were successfully induced, exhibiting decreased cardiac output and aortic pressure as well as increased mean LA pressure both mitigated with the LAADx support. With regard to the in vivo study, simulated diastolic heart failure conditions showed a decrease in aortic pressure and an increase in LA pressure and LV end-diastolic pressure, which were again mitigated by the LAADx. Echocardiography showed good positioning of the outflow cannula and neither cardiac dysfunction nor mitral interference was observed. Conclusions: Initial in vitro and in vivo results confirmed that the LAADx model, a device concept driven by creating an extracardiac route from the LA to LV, has the potential to mitigate high LA pressure and improve LV filling of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction pathology.

Metastasis to the clitoris is extremely rare. Here, we report a highly unusual case of high-grade squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix metastasizing to the clitoris a year following surgery and chemoradiotherapy. The patient presented with a painless clitoral mass identified through physical examination. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a diffusely enhancing clitoral mass with hyperintense signals on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and fluid-sensitive T2-weighted (T2W) sequences. This malignant tumor was detected by 18fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) due to its high FDG uptake. Pathological examination confirmed clitoral metastasis. Clitoral metastasis, although exceedingly rare, should be considered in cervical cancer patients presenting with clitoral masses on physical examination and imaging, particularly in those with advanced stages. Our case report is unique because it represents a recurrence in a patient initially diagnosed with early-stage cancer.

Objective: To determine whether COVID-19 causes an increase in spleen dimensions in individuals with a recent history of COVID-19 infection. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Radiology Department of the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital and Sehat Medical Complex, both in Lahore. The study sample comprised 384 individuals, selected using a convenience sampling technique. Participants included individuals of all age groups and both genders; however, those under 18 were excluded due to the potential for incomplete spleen maturation. Other exclusion criteria included a history of splenectomy, the presence of traumatic or non-traumatic splenic lesions, or any other splenic abnormalities. Data collection commenced after obtaining approval from the Research Ethics Committee at the University of Lahore. The Siemens Sonovista c3000 Grey Scale Ultrasound Machine was used, and the data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Results: In a study involving 384 participants, the mean age was 35.7 ± 6.14, ranging from 22 to 50 years. Of these, 296 (71.1%) were female, and 88 (22.9%) were male. Echogenicity varied, with 29 participants (7.6%) exhibiting heterogeneous echogenicity and 355 (92.4%) showing homogeneous echogenicity. Spleen margins were irregular in 67 participants (17.4%) and smooth in 317 participants (82.6%). Regarding the history of Covid-19, 188 participants (49%) tested negative, while 196 participants (51%) tested positive. Conclusion: Patients with a history of COVID-19 exhibited a significant increase in spleen length, volume, and thickness.

Purpose: A systematic review to identify treatment approaches for the management of pain following peripheral nerve injury. Methods: A published literature search was performed for the concepts of peripheral nerve injury and pain management with related synonyms. The strategies were created using a combination of controlled vocabulary terms and keywords and were executed in Embase.com, Ovid-Medline All, and Scopus from database inception. Database searches were completed on August 22, 2023. Results: The initial search resulted in a total of 1,793 citations. In total, 724 duplicates were removed, leaving 1,069 unique citations remaining for analysis. This review excluded all papers that were not specific to pain following peripheral nerve injury. Case and cohort studies (n < 5) were also excluded. Thirty-two articles on pain management strategies after peripheral nerve injury remained, with years of publication ranging from 1981 to 2023. An additional four articles were identified by manual search. Of the 36 articles reviewed, 15 articles reported on the approach to the treatment of pain after a peripheral nerve injury, and the other 22 articles consisted of cohort and case series studies. Conclusions: There is a lack of literature describing efficacy of various treatment strategies for pain following peripheral nerve injuries. Few studies provide clear, stepwise clinical guidance for practicing physicians and other health care providers on the treatment of these complicated patients.

Purpose: Preoperative expectations play a major role in determining patient satisfaction after surgery. The aim of this study was to characterize patient’s preoperative expectations and postoperative perceptions of nerve gap repair surgery. Methods: We conducted a search of Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for peer-reviewed articles that studied patient expectations, perceptions, and impressions of nerve gap repair in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies related to lumbar plexus radiculopathy, reimplantation, or patient satisfaction scores without patient testimony were excluded. Primary and secondary outcomes were patient’s preoperative expectations and postoperative perceptions of nerve gap repair surgery, respectively. Results: We included 11 studies evaluating a total of 462 patients. One study evaluated only patient expectations, six studies evaluated only patient perspectives, and four studies evaluated both. Patients were generally overly optimistic in their expectations of surgery. Postoperative satisfaction ranged from 82% to 86%, and 81% to 87% of patients would choose to undergo their surgery again knowing what they know now. Conclusions: Patient expectations in nerve gap repair are optimistic, and at times unrealistic. Patient satisfaction with nerve gap repair is high and subject to influence from preoperative education and postoperative outcomes of functional and sensory recovery. Clinical relevance: Surgeons should be aware that patient expectations of their postoperative outcomes can have substantial impacts on their perceived management and overall satisfaction. More emphasis should be placed on preoperative education and expectation management to optimize patient satisfaction.

Background: Access to surgical specialty care differs based on geographic location, insurance status, and subspecialty type. This study uses the Inland Empire as a model to determine the relationship between Social Vulnerability Indices (SVIs), surgeon sex, and surgical subspecialty distribution. Methods: 823 census tracts from the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) SVI 2018 database were compared against 992 surgeons within 30 distinct subspecialties. This data was retrieved from the American Medical Association's (AMA) 2018 Physician Masterfile. Spearman's bivariate and multiple regression were used to compare the relationship between SVI and number of surgical subspecialists within each census tract. Results: There were approximately 3.34 male and 0.35 female surgeons per census tract (t(267) = 7.74, p

Background: Online resources are becoming the primary educational resource for patients. Quality and reliability of websites about coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures are unknown. Methods: We queried 4 search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo!, and Dogpile) for the terms coronary artery bypass, coronary artery bypass graft, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and CABG. The top 30 websites from each were aggregated. After exclusions, 85 websites were graded with the DISCERN instrument, patient-focused criteria, and readability calculators by a 2-reviewer system. Results: Accessibility was low; 34.1% of websites disclosed authorship, and 23.5% were available in Spanish. Median total score was 55 of 95 (interquartile range [IQR], 44-68); this score varied by website type (P = .048). Professional medical society (median, 76; IQR, 76-76) and governmental agency (median, 69; IQR, 56.6-75.5) scored higher, whereas industry (median, 51.8; IQR, 47.1-56.4) and hospital/health care (median, 49; IQR, 40-61) scored lower. Readability was low, with median Flesch-Kincaid grade level score of 11.1 (IQR, 9.5-12.6) and 75.3% of websites written above eighth-grade reading level. Conclusions: Accessibility of online patient educational resources for CABG procedures is limited by language and reading level despite being widely available. Quality and reliability of the information offered varied between website types. Improving readability to ensure patients’ understanding and comprehensive decision-making should be prioritized.

Background: COVID-19 patients exhibit higher incidence of thrombosis in arteries and veins, including those in lungs. Vasa vasorum, which support large blood vessels, have shown involvement in these pathologic processes. Methods: To further explore the extent of microvascular damage caused by COVID-19 infection, we examined resected main, right, or left pulmonary artery specimens from patients undergoing bilateral lung transplantation for COVID-19– or non–COVID-19–induced pulmonary fibrosis compared with organ donors by histologic and immunohistologic analyses. Results: Vasa vasorum density was found to be higher in specimens procured from patients with COVID-19 and associated with pulmonary artery hypertension compared with lung transplant donors. In addition, we found immunothrombosis within vasa vasorum in specimens from COVID-19 patients with more immune infiltration, including CD15+, CD44+, and CD68+ cells. Conclusions: These findings reveal that COVID-19 affects the vasa vasorum of pulmonary arteries and suggest that infection may lead to large-vessel dysfunction and organ failure.

Background: As value-based care models continue to gain emphasis, along with the need for improved profiling across the continuum of lung cancer care, a better understanding of geographic variation in utilization of services surrounding episodes of care is needed. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing lung cancer resection from 2017 to 2019, we examined geographic variation in utilization of services surrounding episodes of lung cancer resection. We utilized hierarchical logistic regression models to determine risk-adjusted utilization of services. This study utilized inpatient and ambulatory databases across 4 states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Maryland. All patients undergoing lung cancer resection were included. The primary outcome was risk-adjusted utilization of services. Results: Mean risk-adjusted utilization of ambulatory procedures across all hospital referral regions (HRRs) was 34.1% (95% CI 30.7%-37.6%), while the individual HRR utilization varied from 10.9% to 54.9% (P < .01). Mean risk-adjusted utilization of inpatient admissions in the 6 months prior to surgery was 15.3% (95% CI 13.9%-16.7%), ranging from 7.4% to 24.7% (P = .07) across HRRs. Finally, mean risk-adjusted utilization of inpatient hospitalizations in the 6 months following surgery was 19.4% (95% CI 17.7-21.0%), ranging from 10.0% to 33.6% (P = .19) across HRRs. Conclusions: Overall, we observed that utilization of ambulatory services varied significantly across HRRs, while inpatient utilization did not demonstrate significant variation. Given these findings, there may be geographic drivers of variation in the utilization of services surrounding lung cancer resection.

Background: The real-world safety of robotic resections after neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy remains poorly defined in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Due to reported increased operative challenges after neoadjuvant immunotherapy, we aim to describe our early institutional experience and outcomes after robotic resection in this clinical context. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent a robotic lobectomy, comparing patients from June 1, 2022, through October 31, 2023, who were treated with neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy consistent with the Checkmate-816 protocol and a control group with upfront resection. Results: A total of 21 patients underwent neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy and robotic lobectomy in our cohort, and 64 patients were in the control group. Compared with control, the median tumor size was 3.2 cm vs 2.0 cm (P = .001). The most common clinical stage was IIIA (11 patients, 52%) in the neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy group and IA2 in the control group (26 patients, 45%) (P < .001). Operative time was greater in the neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy group (224 vs 177 minutes, P = .011). The median quantity of lymph nodes resected in the neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy group was greater (21 vs 16.5, P = .042). A R0 resection was achieved in all cases and no conversions to an open lobectomy occurred. Postoperative length of stay was 2 days in both groups (P = .92), and there were similar rates of postoperative air leak (33% vs 48%, P = .23) and acute post-hemorrhagic anemia (19% vs 14%, P = .58). Conclusions: In our cohort, robotic-assisted lobectomy was safe and of comparable quality in the setting of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy.

Background: Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common congenital chest wall defect and is characterized by the inward displacement of the sternum and costal cartilages. To date, there are limited data on adult patients undergoing the Nuss procedure for PE. This study aimed to assess the complication rate between the pediatric and adult populations and assess the trends in demographics. Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted using a global health care database, TriNetX. Current Procedural Terminology codes (21742, 21743) were used to identify all patients who underwent Nuss procedures in the years 2004 to 2023. The cohort was then subdivided on the basis of age and sex. These patients were assessed for 30-day and 90-day major and minor postoperative complications, as well as acute pain and chronic postoperative pain. Results: A total of 2843 patients who underwent Nuss repair were identified. Patients aged >18 years had increased hemorrhagic complications (3% vs 0.86% in patients aged 18 years vs 39.1% in patients aged

Bow Hunter's syndrome (BHS) is an uncommon condition characterized by impingement of one of the two vertebral arteries induced by cervical rotation, causing symptomatic vertebrobasilar insufficiency of the posterior cerebral circulation. We report a case of BHS in an 84-year-old male. Two months following a motor vehicle accident, the patient presented to an urgent care facility with subsequent transfer to the emergency department with complaints of lightheadedness upon right-lateral head movement. A cerebral angiogram demonstrated mild focal stenosis in the dominant left vertebral artery at the C2 level when in neutral position with significant worsening of the stenosis in the right-lateral head position with absent anterograde flow, consistent with BHS. Resultantly, the patient was referred for neurosurgery and successfully underwent placement of right-sided C2-C4 postero-lateral instrumentation and left-sided C2-C3 laminar screws projected towards the right side. This case highlights the importance of imaging in BHS diagnosis and guidance for treatment, as well as the need for a surgical standard of care for BHS patients.

Benign adrenal cysts are relatively uncommon variants of all adrenal incidentalomas. When identified, most benign adrenal cysts are asymptomatic, which differentiates them from other functional adrenal lesions. There are various types of adrenal cysts, although the most common being an endothelial cyst. Ultimately, evaluation and management approaches are aimed at ruling out a functional adrenal mass and management of symptoms if present. We present a unique presentation of an otherwise healthy male with a large incidental adrenal cyst, later identified as a benign endothelial cyst, who presented with classic symptoms of catecholamine excess. The patient had a negative hormonal evaluation, and his episodic symptoms were resolved with surgical removal of the adrenal mass. This case report and brief review provides valuable insight into the evaluation and management of a unique clinical scenario, where a benign cystic mass led to compression-related symptoms of catecholamine excess that were resolved after removal of the nonfunctional, cystic, mass.

Background: Chronic pruritus (CP) is a poorly characterized condition associated with intense pruritus without a primary skin eruption. This condition tends to emerge more commonly in older adults, and there is limited research on triggering factors. Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and pathophysiology of CP following exposure to an immune stimulus. Methods: Clinical characteristics and plasma samples were collected from 15 patients who developed CP following an immune stimulus such as checkpoint inhibitors or vaccination. A multiplex panel was used to analyze plasma cytokine concentrations within these patients. Results: Most immunotherapy-treated patients experienced CP during treatment or after 21 to 60 days of receiving treatment, while vaccine-stimulated patients developed pruritus within a week of vaccination. Plasma cytokine analysis revealed elevated levels of 12 cytokines in patients with immune-stimulated CP compared to healthy controls. Notably, T helper 2 (Th2) related cytokines interleukin (IL)-5 (fold change 2.65; q

Background: Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a contagious viral skin infection. Berdazimer gel, 10.3% (SB206 12%) is approved in the United States as the first topical, at-home MC prescription medication. Objective: To assess safety and tolerability of SB206 12% in Japanese patients with MC. Methods: SKN15B01 (JRCT2031230123) was a phase 2, multicenter, single-group, open-label study in Japanese patients ≥2 years old with 3-70 baseline MC lesions. Patients with only periocular MC and/or immunosuppression were excluded. SB206 12% was applied once daily to lesions for 12 weeks. Safety endpoints included adverse events and local skin reactions. Exploratory efficacy endpoints included percentage of patients with complete lesion clearance and lesion count percent change from baseline. Results: Twenty patients (12 males, 8 females) with mean (range) age of 5.2 (3-13) years and mean (range) baseline lesion counts of 22.5 (8-44). Complete clearance and percent change from baseline at week 12 were 60% and −89.2%, respectively. The most common treatment-related adverse events were application site-erythema (25%, n = 5), -pain (25%, n = 5), -pruritis (25%, n = 5), and -dermatitis (20%, n = 4), all mild/moderate in severity. Limitations: Single-group study; small sample size. Conclusion: Safety and efficacy of berdazimer gel, 10.3% in Japanese patients were favorable and consistent with previous studies.

This case report details a case of a 52-year-old female with a history of diplopia and an elevation deficit in her right eye. Initially misdiagnosed as an atavistic retractor bulbi muscle in 2005 via MRI, symptoms persisted despite surgical excision. Follow-up MRI in 2023 confirmed no changes, ruling out other causes like nerve palsy or schwannoma, and ultimately guiding diagnosis towards an accessory extraocular muscle. This case underscores the importance of imaging in diagnosing rare anatomical variations that may present with symptoms similar to more common conditions. Increased awareness of accessory extraocular muscles can enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.

Carcinoid tumors of the lung are an uncommon malignancy that can rarely lead to carcinoid syndrome. Carcinoid tumors represent less than 1% of all lung cancers. This case describes a rare presentation in which a previously asymptomatic woman began to experience tachycardia, shortness of breath, and anxiety after biopsy of a pulmonary carcinoid tumor. Chest CT, histology, and clinical course supported the diagnosis and the patient's symptoms quickly resolved with medication. Ultimately, surgical removal of the tumor led to complete resolution of symptoms.

Ipsilateral axillary adenopathy post-COVID mRNA vaccine has been widely reported and guidelines for management have been established. Isolated changes of axillary tail trabecular thickening without associated adenopathy in the breast present a diagnostic dilemma and no official guidelines have thus far been reported. This finding has been reported after COVID mRNA vaccine and has never been reported with any other vaccine. We report on a patient with such changes on screening mammography 1.5 months after the fifth dose of a COVID-mRNA vaccine and 1 week after RSV vaccine. This raises the possibility that such changes can be seen with vaccines other than the COVID mRNA series of vaccines. The main differential diagnosis includes mastitis and inflammatory breast cancer. The transient nature of this finding with spontaneous resolution at diagnostic mammography and the vaccination history helps to establish the diagnosis and exclude breast cancer.

Background: Impact of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) associated Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) has not been assessed in the Icelandic population, nor in a whole population elsewhere. Objectives: The primary objective was to assess trends in the incidence of MCC in Iceland and the association with MCPyV. Secondary objectives aimed to analyze MCC outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, patients diagnosed with MCC between 1981 and 2021 were identified from the Icelandic Cancer Registry. Patients were separated into 2 groups based on MCPyV immunochemistry staining. Age-standardized incidence was calculated and Joinpoint analysis was used to assess incidence trends. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess survival differences between the 2 groups. Results: Overall incidence of MCC increased from 0.015 to 0.26 per 100,000 persons, though the incidence of MCPyV positive cases recently decreased while negative cases increased. MCPyV negative tumors were associated with sun exposure (P

Solitary plasmacytoma of bone (SPB) is a rare plasma cell malignancy that most often presents with localized pain. This case describes a 70-year-old female with a pathologic humeral fracture due to a large, hypervascular SPB. The tumor was assumed to be a metastatic lesion, and preoperative embolization was performed to minimize intraoperative blood loss, followed by tumor debulking and total shoulder arthroplasty. The total estimated blood loss was limited to 100cc, and the patient was returned to baseline functional status with full shoulder range of motion at 6 months postop. Literature on embolization of appendicular plasmacytomas is sparse; however, this case supports its efficacy. We recommend considering preoperative embolization as an adjunctive therapy for all hypervascular bone tumors requiring surgical management, regardless of origin.

A 59-year-old immunocompetent male who initially presented with symptoms of stroke was found to have an incidental rim-enhancing lesion on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. This discovery led to a lumbar puncture to analyze the cerebrospinal fluid, resulting in the diagnosis of cryptococcoma. The patient was subsequently managed with liposomal amphotericin B, followed by consolidation and maintenance therapy with fluconazole. The patient achieved a positive outcome, demonstrating the effectiveness of early diagnosis and targeted treatment. The rarity of cryptococcoma in immunocompetent individuals makes this case particularly unusual and noteworthy. It underscores the need for more extensive research to enable prompt diagnosis and effective management.

Background: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the most common keratinocyte carcinoma in dark-skinned ethnic groups. Available studies are primarily focused on white populations, with fewer data available for black Africans, including Ethiopians. Therefore, less priority may be given to treatment and prevention in this population. Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of cSCC among patients presenting to All Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis, and Rehabilitation Training Center , Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A literature review was performed to determine existing knowledge. A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was then conducted based on stored data of confirmed cases of cSCC from 2011 to 2021 at ALERT. Demographics, other parameters related to cSCC (size, anatomic location, degree of differentiation, metastasis, and recurrence), and potential risk factors including scars, burns, HIV status, xeroderma pigmentosum, and leprosy were collected and entered on a prepared data extraction sheet and analyzed using SPSS version 25 manufactured by IBM. Results: Among 15,075 total pathologic samples reviewed, 3.8% (n = 570) were reported histopathologically as invasive cSCC (n = 437), keratoacanthoma, or (squamous cell carcinoma in-situ (Bowen disease). 50.3% (n = 287) occurred in female, and the mean age of affected patients was 50.1 years (SD 17.2). Nearly 70% were reported after >1 year of symptoms, including morphologic change, ulceration, and nonhealing wound. HIV status was not universally screened but was positive in 9.8% (46/437). Cases were commonly found to occur on the lower extremities (X2 = 2.7196, Pr = 0.099) and >4 cm in size (46.3%). Among 274 cases with adequate histologic description, 82.5% (n = 226) were well-differentiated. Loco-regional metastases comprised 6.0% (n = 34) and 46.7% (n = 266) had ulceration. Conclusion: The biologic significance of ulceration in this population is unclear. Ulceration may indicate chronic wounds or Marjolin’s ulcers. High rates of metastasis call for a better understanding of risk factors, preventive measures, and early diagnosis. This model of research may serve as a foundation for future nationwide investigations through the Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia’s Disease Prevention and Control Directorate.

Background: Despite recent improvements in melanoma survival rates, persistent inequalities pose barriers to care for some patients. Objective: To assess the influence of social determinants of health (SDoH) on melanoma treatment outcomes. Methods: A systematic review (Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42022346854) of manuscripts that examined the association between SDoH and melanoma treatment-related outcomes in the United States was conducted using 5 databases. Results: The analysis encompassed data from 12 retrospective manuscripts. The SDoH domains most frequently investigated were health care access and quality (n = 6 manuscripts, 50%) and economic stability (n = 7, 58.3%). Other domains included social and community context (n = 5, 41.7%) and education access (n = 3, 25%). These findings revealed significant correlations between poor melanoma survival and low levels of economic stability, limited education, government health insurance, and being uninsured and unmarried. Limitations: Many SDoH were not analyzed at the patient level. SDoH are vast categories, but manuscripts usually analyze one aspect of a particular category. Conclusions: These results highlight the need for physicians to recognize the substantial impact of SDoH on melanoma outcomes and to adopt more comprehensive strategies focused on patient-centered care. Integrating social support mechanisms into clinical practice emerges as a key mechanism to promote equitable and effective interventions.

Background: Vitiligo may impact psychosocial development, especially among African American pediatric patients, given heightened visibility and increasing rates of anxiety and depression in this subpopulation. Objective: Evaluate psychiatric comorbidities and treatment initiation in African American pediatric patients. Methods: A total of 327 African American pediatric patients with vitiligo were each matched to 3 patients without vitiligo by age, race, and sex in this case-control study. Prevalence of psychiatric conditions and subsequent initiation of pharmacotherapy and/or psychotherapy were analyzed. Results: Compared to controls, pediatric African American patients with vitiligo were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with depression (P

A 41-year-old male with a history of tobacco and alcohol use presented to our clinic for a follow up of an incidentally diagnosed splenic mass. The patient was sent for further diagnostic evaluation, and computed tomography showed a large splenic mass with heterogenous enhancement raising concern for neoplasm. Due to the uncertain nature of the splenic lesion and high complication rate of percutaneous splenic biopsy, a splenectomy was performed. The specimen was sent to pathology, and the report favored neoplasm but was inconclusive. The samples were sent to another institution for a consult, where the patient's spleen was determined to be the result of a previously suffered hemorrhagic infarct. This case demonstrates the difficulty of diagnosing splenic lesions using diagnostic imaging and the discrepancy that may occur between radiology and pathology assessments. In the setting of uncertain pathology, the removal of what might be a functional spleen is often preferred over a percutaneous biopsy due to concerns of intraabdominal bleeding and tumor dissemination.