Beaumont Health

About: Beaumont Health is a nonprofit organization based out in Royal Oak, Michigan, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Medicine & Population. The organization has 1483 authors who have published 1448 publications receiving 15407 citations. The organization is also known as: William Beaumont Health System & Beaumont Hospitals.

Quality of life outcomes for brain metastasis patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery: pre-procedural predictive factors from a prospective national registry

Abstract: Objective Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is increasingly used for the treatment of brain metastasis. To date, most studies have focused on survival, radiological response, or surrogate quality endpoints such as Karnofsky Performance Scale status or neurocognitive indices. The current study prospectively evaluated pre-procedural factors impacting quality of life in brain metastasis patients undergoing SRS. Methods Using a national, cloud-based platform, patients undergoing SRS for brain metastasis were accrued to the registry. Quality of life prior to SRS was assessed using the 5-level EQ-5D (EQ5D-L) validated tool; additionally, patient and treatment attributes were collected. Patient quality of life was assessed as part of routine follow-up after SRS. Factors predicting a difference in the aggregate EQ5D-L score or the subscores were evaluated. Pre-SRS covariates impacting changes in EQ5D-L were statistically evaluated. Statistical analyses were conducted using multivariate linear regression models. Results EQ5D-L results were available for 116 patients. EQ5D-L improvement (average of 0.387) was noted in patients treated with earlier SRS (p = 0.000175). Worsening overall EQ5D-L (average of 0.052 per lesion) was associated with an increased number of brain metastases at the time of initial presentation (p = 0.0399). Male sex predicted a risk of worsening (average of 0.347) of the pain and discomfort subscore at last follow-up (p = 0.004205). Baseline subscores of pain/discomfort were not correlated with pain/discomfort subscores at follow-up (p = 0.604), whereas baseline subscores of anxiety/depression were strongly positively correlated with the anxiety/depression follow-up subscores (p = 0.0039). Conclusions After SRS, quality of life was likely to improve in patients treated early with SRS and worsen in those with a greater number of brain metastases. Sex differences appear to exist regarding pain and discomfort worsening after SRS. Those with high levels of anxiety and depression at SRS may benefit from medical treatment as this particular quality of life factor generally remains unchanged after SRS.

Periprosthetic fractures about total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract: Periprosthetic fracture after total knee arthroplasty presents a difficult complication for many orthopaedic surgeons. These fractures occur most frequently around the distal femur followed by the patella and then tibia. These fractures are frequently complicated by poor bone quality or compromised bone due to the presence of the implants. Surgical treatment is typically necessary and requires varied techniques of open fixation, intramedullary fixation, or revision arthroplasty. Outcomes of these injuries vary widely. This review aims to describe the epidemiology, classification, treatment options and outcomes for periprosthetic fractures following total knee arthroplasty.

Double-blind placebo-controlled multicenter phase II trial to evaluate D-methionine in preventing/reducing oral mucositis induced by radiation and chemotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Abstract: Background The purpose of this study was to test if oral D-methionine (D-met) reduced mucositis during chemoradiotherapy. Methods We conducted a placebo-controlled double-blind randomized phase II trial of D-met (100 mg/kg p.o. b.i.d.) testing the rate of severe (grades 3-4) mucositis. Results Sixty patients were randomized. Grade 2 + oral pain was higher with placebo (79% vs 45%; P = .0165), whereas grade 2 + body odor was greater with D-met (3% vs 41%; P = .0015). Mucositis was decreased with D-met by the physician (World Health Organization [WHO], P = .007; Radiation Therapy Oncology Group [RTOG], P = .009) and patient functional scales (RTOG, P = .0023). The primary end point of grades 3 to 4 mucositis on the composite scale demonstrated a decrease with D-met (48% vs 24%; P = .058), which was borderline in significance. A planned secondary analysis of a semiquantitative scoring system noted decreased oral ulceration (2.2 vs 1.5; P = .023) and erythema (1.6 vs 1.1; P = .048) with D-met. Conclusion Although not meeting the primary end point, results of multiple assessments suggest that D-met decreased mucositis.

Incidence of Pocket Infection Postcardiac Device Implantation Using Antibiotic versus Saline Solution for Pocket Irrigation

Abstract: Background Preprocedure systemic antibiotic prophylaxis reduces infections in patients undergoing cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) implantations. Whether pocket irrigation with antibiotic solution offers any advantage over saline solution in CIED implantation is unknown. Methods Records from 327 consecutive patients who underwent CIED implantation by three operators from February 2011 to January 2014 were reviewed. From February 2011 to January 2012, the antibiotic solution was used for pocket irrigation; from February 2012 to January 2014, saline solution was used. All patients received preprocedural IV antibiotics. Baseline demographics, comorbidities, lab data, and occurrence of any pocket infection postimplant were collected. Results There were 118 and 209 patients in the antibiotic solution and saline solution group, respectively. A total of four (1.2%) patients had CIED infection: two in the antibiotic solution group and two in the saline solution group. Median time to infection from implant date was 81.5 ± 35 days. Two patients (50%) had infection after first device implantation. Of the four patients, one had positive blood culture, three had positive pocket cultures, one had lead vegetation, one underwent pocket exploration, and all of them had devices/leads extracted, with reimplantation on the contralateral side. No mortality was observed due to infectious complications. Conclusion When compared to pocket irrigation in the antibiotic solution group, the saline solution group was not associated with increased incidence of infectious complications after CIED implantation. The use of saline solution pocket irrigation alone may be used in CIED pocket irrigation periprocedurally. Further evaluation in larger randomized trials is needed.

Outcomes of stereotactic radiosurgery for foramen magnum meningiomas: an international multicenter study.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE Meningiomas are the most common benign extramedullary lesions of the foramen magnum; however, their optimal management remains undefined. Given their location, foramen magnum meningiomas (FMMs) can cause significant morbidity, and complete microsurgical removal can be challenging. Anterior and anterolateral FMMs carry greater risks with surgery, but they comprise the majority of these lesions. As an alternative to resection, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been used to treat FMMs in small case series. To more clearly define the outcomes of SRS and to delineate a rational management paradigm for these lesions, the authors analyzed the safety and efficacy of SRS for FMM in an international multicenter trial. METHODS Seven medical centers participating in the International Gamma Knife Research Foundation (IGKRF) provided data for this retrospective cohort study. Patients who were treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery and whose clinical and radiological follow-up was longer than 6 months were eligible for study inclusion. Data from pre- and post-SRS radiological and clinical evaluations were analyzed. Stereotactic radiosurgery treatment variables were recorded. RESULTS Fifty-seven patients (39 females and 18 males, with a median age of 64 years) met the study inclusion criteria. Thirty-two percent had undergone prior microsurgical resection. Patients most frequently presented with cranial neuropathy (39%), headache (35%), numbness (32%), and ataxia (30%). Median pre-SRS tumor volume was 2.9 cm3. Median SRS margin dose was 12.5 Gy (range 10-16 Gy). At the last follow-up after SRS, 49% of tumors were stable, 44% had regressed, and 7% had progressed. Progression-free survival rates at 5 and 10 years were each 92%. A greater margin dose was associated with a significantly increased likelihood of tumor regression, with 53% of tumors treated with > 12 Gy regressing. Fifty-two percent of symptomatic patients noted some clinical improvement. Adverse radiation effects were limited to hearing loss and numbness in 1 patient (2%). CONCLUSIONS Stereotactic radiosurgery for FMM frequently results in tumor control or tumor regression, as well as symptom improvement. Margin doses > 12 Gy were associated with increased rates of tumor regression. Stereotactic radiosurgery was generally safe and well tolerated. Given its risk-benefit profile, SRS may be particularly useful in the management of small- to moderate-volume anterior and anterolateral FMMs.