Validity of estimates of spinal compression forces obtained from worksite measurements

Estimates of peak spinal compression in manual materials handling were compared between a state-of theart laboratory technique and a method applicable at the worksite. Nine experienced masons performed seven simulated tasks in a mock-up in the laboratory and nine matched masons were studied during actual performance of the same tasks at the worksite. From kinematic and kinetic data obtained in the laboratory, compression forces on the L5S1 joint were calculated. In addition, compression forces were estimated from the horizontal and vertical position of the blocks handled relative to the subject measured at the worksite. Comparison of group-averaged values showed that the worksite method underestimated peak compression by about 20%. Rank ordering of tasks for back load was, however, consistent between methods, supporting validity of the worksite method to compare different tasks or to determine the effects of ergonomic interventions with regard to mechanical back load. Statement of Relevance: This study validated a method that can be used by ergonomists to determine the effects of (characteristics of) manual materials handling tasks on back load at the worksite. © 2010 Taylor & Francis

Absence of tumor invasion into pelvic structures in locally recurrent rectal cancer: prediction with preoperative MR imaging

PURPOSE: To retrospectively assess the accuracy of preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for identification of tumor invasion into pelvic structures in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer scheduled to undergo curative resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board approved this study, and informed consent was waived because of the retrospective nature of the study. Preoperative MR images in 40 consecutive patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer scheduled to undergo curative treatment between October 2003 and November 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. Four observers with different levels of experience in reading pelvic MR images assessed tumor invasion into the following structures: bladder, uterus or seminal vesicles, vagina or prostate, left and right pelvic walls, and sacrum. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated, and a receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed. Surgical and/or histopathologic findings were used as the reference standard. Interobserver agreement was measured by using kappa statistics. RESULTS: Preoperative MR imaging was accurate for the prediction of tumor invasion into structures with negative predictive values of 93%-100% and areas under receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.79-1.00 for all structures and observers. Positive predictive values were 53%-100%. Disease was overstaged in 11 (observer 1), 22 (observer 2), 10 (observer 3), and nine (observer 4) structures and was understaged in nine (observer 3) and two (observer 4) structures. Assessment failures were mainly because of misinterpretation of diffuse fibrosis, especially at the pelvic side walls. Interobserver agreement ranged between 0.64 and 0.99 for experienced observers. CONCLUSION: Preoperative MR imaging is accurate for the prediction of absence of tumor invasion into pelvic structures. MR imaging may be useful as a preoperative road map for surgical procedure and may thus increase chances of complete resection. Interpretation of diffuse fibrosis remains difficult

Mesorectal fascia invasion after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer: accuracy of MR imaging for prediction

PURPOSE: To retrospectively assess sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging after chemotherapy and radiation therapy for predicting tumor invasion of the mesorectal fascia (MRF) in locally advanced primary rectal cancer, by using results of histologic examination and surgery as the reference standard, and to determine morphologic MR imaging criteria for MRF invasion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Ethical Committee of University Hospital Maastricht approved this study and waived informed consent. Two observers independently scored postchemoradiation MR images in 64 patients with rectal cancer (38 male [mean age, 60 years] and 26 female [mean age, 64 years] patients) for MRF tumor invasion with a confidence level scoring system defined by subjective criteria. In a subsequent consensus reading session, morphologic MR criteria for invasion were defined by comparing morphologic changes with histologic findings. These criteria were evaluated and compared with the subjective criteria by comparing areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs). RESULTS: AUCs of postchemoradiation MR imaging for predicting MRF tumor invasion were 0.81 and 0.82 for observers 1 and 2, respectively. The following four types of morphologic tissue patterns at MR imaging were associated with whether or not MRF invasion was present at histologic examination: (a) development of fat pad larger than 2 mm (seen in no quadrants with and in four quadrants without invasion), (b) development or persistence of spiculations (seen in no quadrants with and in 22 quadrants without invasion), (c) development of diffuse hypointense "fibrotic" tissue (seen in 21 quadrants with and in 32 quadrants without invasion), and (d) persistence of diffuse iso- or hyperintense tissue (seen in 19 quadrants with and in two quadrants without invasion). AUC of postchemoradiation MR imaging for predicting MRF invasion on the basis of morphologic criteria was 0.80. There was no significant difference between the performance of subjective and morphologic criteria (P = .73-.76). CONCLUSION: Postchemoradiation MR imaging findings have moderate accuracy for predicting tumor invasion of the MRF related to the limitation in differentiating between diffuse "fibrotic" tissue with and that without small tumor foci. Specific other types of morphologic patterns at MR imaging can highly predict a tumor-free or invaded MRF

Intra-Arterial Therapies for Liver Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose Performing a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the evidence of intra-arterial therapies in liver metastatic breast cancer (LMBC) patients. Methods A systemic literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS for studies regarding intra-arterial therapies in LMBC patients. Full text studies of LMBC patients (n >= 10) published between January 2010 and December 2020 were included when at least one outcome among response rate, adverse events or survival was available. Response rates were pooled using generalized linear mixed models. A weighted estimate of the population median overall survival (OS) was obtained under the assumption of exponentially distributed survival times. Results A total of 26 studies (1266 patients) were included. Eleven articles reported on transarterial radioembolization (TARE), ten on transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and four on chemo-infusion. One retrospective study compared TARE and TACE. Pooled response rates were 49% for TARE (95%CI 32-67%), 34% for TACE (95%CI 22-50%) and 19% for chemo-infusion (95%CI 14-25%). Pooled median survival was 9.2 months (range 6.1-35.4 months) for TARE, 17.8 months (range 4.6-47.0) for TACE and 7.9 months (range 7.0-14.2) for chemo-infusion. No comparison for OS was possible due to missing survival rates at specific time points (1 and 2 year OS) and the large heterogeneity. Conclusion Although results have to be interpreted with caution due to the large heterogeneity, the superior response rate of TARE and TACE compared to chemo-infusion suggests first choice of TARE or TACE in chemorefractory LMBC patients. Chemo-infusion could be considered in LMBC patients not suitable for TARE or TACE

Local recurrence in rectal cancer can be predicted by histopathological factors.

Contains fulltext : 79958.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)AIM: The main cause of local recurrence (LR) in rectal cancer is involvement of the circumferential resection margin (CRM). However, patients with a negative CRM can also develop LR, suggesting that additional factors are important for LR. The aim of this study was to identify histopathological factors predictive for the development of LR after primary rectal cancer treatment. METHODS: T x N x M0 patients treated for locally recurrent rectal cancer at the Catharina hospital from 1994 to 2006 (n=92) were matched with a control group of patients who did not develop LR after primary rectal cancer treatment for at least 2 years (n=185) based on the type of neoadjuvant treatment in a 1:2 ratio. The pathology of all primary rectal cancers was reviewed. Patient, treatment and histopathological characteristics were studied in relation to the development of LR with logistic regression. RESULTS: Logistic regression indicated the presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI, OR 4.66, P<0.001), extramural venous invasion (EMVI, OR 4.54, P<0.001), positive CRM (OR 2.56, P=0.032), serosal involvement (OR 6.74, P=0.035) and poor differentiation (OR 2.59, P=0.012) as factors with an increased risk to develop LR. Older age was a protective factor (OR 0.95, CI 0.93-0.98, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Apart from a positive CRM and serosal involvement, LVI, EMVI and poor differentiation are important independent predictive factors for the development of LR. Adjuvant therapy may be considered in the presence of these features in order to decrease the risk of a local recurrence