Circulating hsa-miR-5096 predicts 18F-FDG PET/CT positivity and modulates somatostatin receptor 2 expression: a novel miR-based assay for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are rare diseases encompassing pancreatic (PanNETs) and ileal NETs (SINETs), characterized by heterogeneous somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) expression. Treatments for inoperable GEP-NETs are limited, and SSTR-targeted Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) achieves variable responses. Prognostic biomarkers for the management of GEP-NET patients are required. 18F-FDG uptake is a prognostic indicator of aggressiveness in GEP-NETs. This study aims to identify circulating and measurable prognostic miRNAs associated with 18FFDG- PET/CT status, higher risk and lower response to PRRT

Midface-lift patient satisfaction: A 5-year follow-up study

Context: Several studies showed, from the clinical point of view, the advantages of the various techniques and surgical approaches to obtain facial rejuvenation. A few studies have highlighted the satisfaction or not of patients who underwent a traditional facelift; however, a long-term follow-up study measuring patient satisfaction with midface-lift surgery has not been published yet. Aims: The aim of this study is to measure individual patient satisfaction with the midface lift, to find out from each patient his/her level of satisfaction 1 and 5 years after the operation and to compare the results to assess the benefits of the surgery. Background: Several studies showed, from a clinical point of view, the advantages of the various techniques and surgical approaches to obtain facial rejuvenation; however, a long-term follow-up study measuring patient satisfaction with midface-lift surgery has not been published yet. Materials and Methods: Between January 2005 and January 2010, 163 patients underwent a midface lift. All patients were asked to complete a standardised survey 1 and 5 years after surgery, in order to measure outcomes among facial aesthetic patients. Statistical Analysis Used: The paired t-test. Results: All patients reported an improvement as a result of the midface lift. Statistically significant differences in judgement criteria were found for malar eminence and nasojugal groove. Almost all of the patients turned out to be completely satisfied with their appearance with the new look. Conclusions: Patients were extremely satisfied with their decision to undergo a midface lift and with the outcomes and quality of life following the procedure

Comparison among three different fixation techniques in temporal brow lift surgery

Introduction: The eyebrow lifting with temporal approach is an increasing widespread technique. Many surgical procedures are described, but the long-term stability is dependent on the effectiveness in the fixation of elevated tissues. The authors compared 3 different fixation techniques in temporal brow lift. Methods: Forty-five consecutive patients aged between 33 and 70 underwent brow lift surgery with temporal approach. Patients were divided into 3 groups; in group 1, anchorage was performed with Endotine Ribbon, group 2 with a Mersilene mesh, and group 3 with a Prolene suture. The amount of brow elevation was assessed comparing the distance between interpupillar line and superior eyebrow hairline, measured at the midpupil and at the lateral and medial canthal angle. The follow-up was 1 year. Results: All patients had a pleasant improvement in brow shape. The average initial brow position was 19.84 mm near the head of the eyebrow area, 20.74 mm at the body, and 19.57 mm in the region of the tail. A progressive recovery and a partial relapse regarding the eyebrow body (23.88 mm at 6 months and 23.02 mm at 1 year) occurred, but overall for the lateral region, it passed from 27.53 mm at 6 months to 25.80 mm after a 12-month follow-up. Final brow position was dependent upon surgical technique used in fixation. Discussion: Different options in brow elevation and stabilization affect the final shape and position of the brows. From the statistical analysis, mesh suspension provided the best results in terms of long-lasting stability. Level of evidence: Therapeutic II

Brows Asymmetry Correction With the Direct Approach: Myth or Reality?

OBJECTIVES: The current article is aimed to test the effectiveness of direct and indirect brow lifting to correct brows asymmetry. METHODS: Fifty patients treated with direct brow lift between January of 2011 and January of 2013 were investigated. All patients were men and treated under local anesthesia. In all patients, the brow lifting was associated with an upper blepharoplasty. The amount of brow elevation produced was assessed by comparison of the preoperative and at 1-year postoperative vertical distances between the superior eyebrow hairline and the interpupillary line at midpupil and at lateral and medial canthus. Paired sample t-test was used to investigate brow lifting amelioration after 1 year. The differences in measurements between the 2 sides were plotted to evaluate the degree of symmetry between 2 sides. In addition, a comparison was performed; a series of 45 patients treated with temporal (ie, indirect) approach. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The paired sample test demonstrated that direct brow lifting is a proper surgical technique to correct brow asymmetry. Also temporal (ie, indirect) approach is able to ameliorate brow asymmetry but direct technique provide better results. The direct brow lifting is a reliable, reproducible and safe surgical procedure, provides excellent and long-lasting results, and is very efficacious in brows asymmetry correction

Our Experience with Brow Ptosis Correction

Background: Brow elevation is one of the goals of surgical rejuvenation procedures. In this article, the authors reviewed their experience with brow lift, and they compared 4 different techniques: direct brow lift, brow lift with endotine ribbon device, brow lift with temporoparietalis imbrication, and brow lift with Mersilene mesh to provide long-lasting results. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 80 patients (20 for each group), aged between 48 and 75 years undergoing brow lift surgery, between January 2011 and January 2013. In all cases, the brow lift was associated with an upper blepharoplasty. The amount of brow elevation reduced was assessed by comparison of the preoperative and postoperative vertical distances between the superior eyebrow hairline and the midpupil and lateral and medial canthal angle. The average follow-up period was 18 months. Results: No incidences of infection, alopecia, or excessive scarring were noticed. The main complication associated with direct brow lift was visibility of the scar in 2 patients. One patient treated with brow lift with suture had recurrent eyebrow ptosis. Transient frontal paresthesia was noticed in 1 case treated with endotine ribbon device and in 1 case treated with Mersilene mesh, but this sensation returned by 6–12 weeks. Conclusions: In our experience, there does not exist a technique better than the other, but the best procedure depends on eyebrow contour, sex and age of the patient, magnitude of desired correction, presence or absence of patient’s hair, and patient’s expectations

Our Experience with Brow Ptosis Correction: A Comparison of 4 Techniques

Background: Brow elevation is one of the goals of surgical rejuvenation procedures. In this article, the authors reviewed their experience with brow lift, and they compared 4 different techniques: direct brow lift, brow lift with endotine ribbon device, brow lift with temporoparietalis imbrication, and brow lift with Mersilene mesh to provide long-lasting results. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 80 patients (20 for each group), aged between 48 and 75 years undergoing brow lift surgery, between January 2011 and January 2013. In all cases, the brow lift was associated with an upper blepharoplasty. The amount of brow elevation reduced was assessed by comparison of the preoperative and postoperative vertical distances between the superior eyebrow hairline and the midpupil and lateral and medial canthal angle. The average follow-up period was 18 months. Results: No incidences of infection, alopecia, or excessive scarring were noticed. The main complication associated with direct brow lift was visibility of the scar in 2 patients. One patient treated with brow lift with suture had recurrent eyebrow ptosis. Transient frontal paresthesia was noticed in 1 case treated with endotine ribbon device and in 1 case treated with Mersilene mesh, but this sensation returned by 6–12 weeks. Conclusions: In our experience, there does not exist a technique better than the other, but the best procedure depends on eyebrow contour, sex and age of the patient, magnitude of desired correction, presence or absence of patient’s hair, and patient’s expectations

Direct brow lifting: Specific indications for a simplified approach to eyebrow ptosis

Context: Brow lifting is an essential element in the rejuvenation of the ageing face. Various surgical techniques have been described. Among these, the direct brow lifting is an easy and effective technique that is often neglected because the scar can remain visible. Thus, this approach is usually reserved for elderly patients and males, with thick bushy brows. Aims: The authors present their result from a series of fifty consecutive patients treated over 2 years with direct brow lift. The aim is to demonstrate when the hairline is high or temporal alopecia is present and whether this technique is the best in bald patients, when some surgical steps are carefully adhered to. In these cases, the scar is less visible, hidden in the brow and is a good solution in women too. Subjects and Methods: Between January 2011 and January 2013, fifty patients underwent direct brow lift surgery. All were men. In all the cases, brow lifting was undertaken together with an upper blepharoplasty. The amount of brow elevation produced was assessed by comparing the vertical distances between the superior eyebrow hairline and the inter-pupillary line, pre- and post-operatively. The result and the scar quality were assessed both by the patient and the surgeon. Statistical Analysis Used: The paired t-test. Results: The authors obtained statistically significant results in brow elevation in 98% of the patients after a 12-month follow-up. The main complication associated with this procedure was visibility of the scar in two patients. Conclusions: The direct brow lift technique in bald men and with a high anterior hairline provides excellent and long-lasting results