Spinal accessory nerve anatomy in the posterior cervical triangle: A systematic review with meta-analysis

This study aimed to investigate the anatomy of the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) in the posterior cervical triangle, especially in relation to adjacent anatomical landmarks, along with a systematic review of the current literature with a meta-analysis of the data. Overall, 22 cadaveric and three prospective intraoperative studies, with a total of 1346 heminecks, were included in the analysis. The major landmarks relevant to the entry of the SAN at the posterior border of the SCM muscle (PBSCM) were found to be the mastoid apex, the great auricular point (GAP), the nerve point (NP), and the point where the PBSCM meets the upper border of the clavicle. The SAN was reported to enter the posterior cervical triangle above GAP in 100% of cases and above NP in most cases (97.5%). The mean length of the SAN along its course from the entry point to its exit point from the posterior triangle of the neck was 4.07 ± 1.13 cm. The SAN mainly gave off 1 or 2 branches (32.5% and 31%, respectively) and received either no branches or one branch in most cases (58% and 23%, respectively) from the cervical plexus during its course in the posterior cervical triangle. The major landmarks relevant to the entry of the SAN at the anterior border of the TPZ muscle (ABTPZ) were found to be the point where the ABTPZ meets the upper border of the clavicle and the midpoint of the clavicle, along with the mastoid apex, the acromion, and the transverse distance of the SAN exit point to the PBSCM. The results of the present meta-analysis will be helpful to surgeons operating in the posterior cervical triangle, aiding the avoidance of the iatrogenic injury of the SAN.

Sonoanatomy of the ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, genitofemoral, obturator, and pudendal nerves: a practical guide for US-guided injections

The ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, genitofemoral, obturator, and pudendal nerves are the major sensory nerves that may be involved in chronic groin and genital pain with a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. The diagnosis remains clinical, and US-guided diagnostic injections using an anesthetic may aid in confirming the clinical suspicion. The anatomy of the peripheral nerves can be successfully studied using imaging. High-resolution ultrasound is increasingly used in the clinical setting for visualizing small peripheral nerves, and magnetic resonance imaging provides an anatomical overview of the relationship between small nerves and surrounding structures. In this pictorial assay, we review the anatomy and clinical relevance of the ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, genitofemoral, obturator, and pudendal nerves. We summarize the various techniques for ultrasound identification, and present the ultrasound-guided infiltration techniques for injecting the ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, genitofemoral, obturator, and pudendal nerves. Corresponding magnetic resonance images and clinical photos of the probe placement technique are provided for anatomical correlation. This paper is aimed to serve as a practical technical guide for physicians to familiarize themselves with the ultrasound anatomy of the major inguinal sensory nerves and to enable successful ultrasound identification and ultrasound-guided diagnostic or therapeutic infiltrations for pain management of the ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, genitofemoral, obturator, and pudendal nerves.

Normal anatomy, variants and factors associated with the cervical vagus nerve topography: a high-resolution ultrasound study

PURPOSE

To describe the cervical vagus nerve (CVN) topography at the thyroid lobe (TL) level using high-resolution ultrasound and to investigate the possible association with anthropometric data, TL size, and thyroid disease.

METHODS

We prospectively examined 550 CVNs in 275 (205 female, 70 male) individuals with normal thyroid (53/275, 19.3%), multinodular disease (167/275, 60.7%), and Hashimoto thyroiditis (55/275, 20%). The CVN location relative to the common carotid artery was recorded as typical (lateral position) and atypical (anterior, medial, and posterior position). The shortest distance between CVN and TL margin, the TL dimensions, and volume were measured.

RESULTS

Normal thyroid subjects had lateral-positioned right CVNs in 100% and lateral/anterior/medial left CVNs in 81.1%, 15.1%, and 3.8%, respectively. CVN types did not differ significantly bilaterally between study groups. Asymmetry in CVN topography in all subjects was found in 22.2%, of which anterior CVN was the most common atypical position (64%), especially on the left side (82%). Significant gender, age, body mass, and BMI differences among CVN types were observed on the left side only. Among CVN types, no difference in TL dimensions, volume, and CVN-TL distance was found in all study groups. A weak negative correlation was recorded between CVN-thyroid distance and TL volume only on the left side (r = - 0.147, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Asymmetry in CVN topography is mainly due to the increased incidence of the anterior location of CVN on the left side. Age and anthropometric parameters are different on the left side possibly due to the increased prevalence of left CVN variants.

The Anatomy in Greek Iatrosophia during the Ottoman domination era

The knowledge of Anatomy during the Ottoman domination in Greece has not been widely studied. Medical knowledge of the time can be retrieved from folk and erudite books called Iatrosophia. The majority of these books focused on empirical diagnostics and therapeutics. However, a small quota of these Iatrosophia includes important information about anatomy. The interest in anatomy appears only after the Neohellenic Enlightenment (1750-1821) and has been associated to the scholarly background of the 1821 revolution against the Ottomans. At the same time, anatomy has been discussed by various authors in diverse contexts. All in all, it appears that a consensus on the importance of anatomy has been established among Greek scholars in the late 18th century, leading to the translation of current anatomical knowledge to the contemporary language and literature.

Intestinal Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer Surgery

Simple Summary

The microbial communities of the intestine exist in a delicate balance with the human. Colorectal cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies, and the microbiota seems to be related to it. The intestinal microbiota of patients after colorectal surgery is changed due to surgical stress and other perioperative factors. The occurrence of complications after colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery may depend on these bacterial shifts, which could also be associated with prognosis and survival in postoperative CRC patients.

Abstract

The intestinal microbiota consists of numerous microbial species that collectively interact with the host, playing a crucial role in health and disease. Colorectal cancer is well-known to be related to dysbiotic alterations in intestinal microbiota. It is evident that the microbiota is significantly affected by colorectal surgery in combination with the various perioperative interventions, mainly mechanical bowel preparation and antibiotic prophylaxis. The altered postoperative composition of intestinal microbiota could lead to an enhanced virulence, proliferation of pathogens, and diminishment of beneficial microorganisms resulting in severe complications including anastomotic leakage and surgical site infections. Moreover, the intestinal microbiota could be utilized as a possible biomarker in predicting long-term outcomes after surgical CRC treatment. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of these interactions will further support the establishment of genomic mapping of intestinal microbiota in the management of patients undergoing CRC surgery.

Large intestine embryogenesis: Molecular pathways and related disorders (Review)

The large intestine, part of the gastrointestinal tract (GI), is composed of all three germ layers, namely the endoderm, the mesoderm and the ectoderm, forming the epithelium, the smooth muscle layers and the enteric nervous system, respectively. Since gastrulation, these layers develop simultaneously during embryogenesis, signaling to each other continuously until adult age. Two invaginations, the anterior intestinal portal (AIP) and the caudal/posterior intestinal portal (CIP), elongate and fuse, creating the primitive gut tube, which is then patterned along the antero‑posterior (AP) axis and the radial (RAD) axis in the context of left‑right (LR) asymmetry. These events lead to the formation of three distinct regions, the foregut, midgut and hindgut. All the above‑mentioned phenomena are under strict control from various molecular pathways, which are critical for the normal intestinal development and function. Specifically, the intestinal epithelium constitutes a constantly developing tissue, deriving from the progenitor stem cells at the bottom of the intestinal crypt. Epithelial differentiation strongly depends on the crosstalk with the adjacent mesoderm. Major molecular pathways that are implicated in the embryogenesis of the large intestine include the canonical and non‑canonical wingless‑related integration site (Wnt), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), Notch and hedgehog systems. The aberrant regulation of these pathways inevitably leads to several intestinal malformation syndromes, such as atresia, stenosis, or agangliosis. Novel theories, involving the regulation and homeostasis of intestinal stem cells, suggest an embryological basis for the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Thus, the present review article summarizes the diverse roles of these molecular factors in intestinal embryogenesis and related disorders.

Epidemiological aspects of the outcomes from the treatment of endometriosis: Experience from two different geographical areas

The purpose of the present study was two-fold: First to review the epidemiological aspects of the experience on the surgical outcomes via laparotomy or laparoscopy, as regards endometriosis from two different academic institutions and, second, to illustrate potential differences in two different geographical areas, New Haven (US) and Greece. This retrospective study included 1,200 patients (15–80 years of age) treated via laparotomy or laparoscopy, at two different institutions, for endometriosis, between 1990 and 2017. Data were collected and analyzed from medical and pathological reports. The statistical methods used included the Student's t-test and χ² test, as well as the Mann-Whitney U test. A total of 600 women from Yale University and 600 women from Greece participated in this study. Endometrioma was confirmed in 359 (29.9%) cases. Women were compatible in terms of the site of endometriomas. Left-sided cysts were observed (P<0.001) significantly more often compared with right-sided cysts in both groups. The two groups of patients had similar rates of endometriosis stages. A statistically significant positive association (P<0.001) was found for the co-existence of benign gynecological tumors (apart from endometrioma), endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer and for post-menopausal endometriosis in women with endometriosis from Greece. Moreover, similar results were observed as regards endometriosis following in utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, endometriosis-associated Lyme disease, human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV), melanoma and endometriosis in adolescents, between the two groups. To conclude, the two populations exhibited similar results as regards the surgical outcomes of endometriosis laparoscopic or open surgery. Endometriosis represents a multifactorial entity that depends on complex interactions of hormonal, genetic, immunological and environmental factors. Gynecologists should be aware that there is an association between endometriosis and cancerous diseases. It is thus suggested that the presence of comorbidities in women with endometriosis.

Effects of single and combined toxic exposures on the gut microbiome: Current knowledge and future directions

Human populations are chronically exposed to mixtures of toxic chemicals. Predicting the health effects of these mixtures require a large amount of information on the mode of action of their components. Xenobiotic metabolism by bacteria inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract has a major influence on human health. Our review aims to explore the literature for studies looking to characterize the different modes of action and outcomes of major chemical pollutants, and some components of cosmetics and food additives, on gut microbial communities in order to facilitate an estimation of their potential mixture effects. We identified good evidence that exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, nanoparticles, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls, and non-caloric artificial sweeteners affect the gut microbiome and which is associated with the development of metabolic, malignant, inflammatory, or immune diseases. Answering the question 'Who is there?' is not sufficient to define the mode of action of a toxicant in predictive modeling of mixture effects. Therefore, we recommend that new studies focus to simulate real-life exposure to diverse chemicals (toxicants, cosmetic/food additives), including as mixtures, and which combine metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and metabolomic analytical methods achieving in that way a comprehensive evaluation of effects on human health.

Clinical manifestations, evaluation and management of hyperprolactinemia in adolescent and young girls: a brief review

Hyperprolactinemia (HPrl) is considered as a rare endocrinopathy in childhood. In children and adolescent girls, there are three major categories of HPrl causes; physiological, pathological and iatrogenic. Through hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, prolactin hypersecretion and production leads to the typical functional syndrome which is observed in female children and adolescents; delayed puberty, primary or secondary amenorrhea and/or galactorrhea. Regarding prolactinomas, clinical signs manifest with mass compression of the optic chiasm and anterior pituitary gland or prolactin hypersecretion. Targeted identification of HPrl is of significant importance for proper management and follow-up. The aim of this review is to focus on the evaluation of HPrl in adolescent and young girls. In addition, we aimed to summarize the current knowledge regarding the proper management of such cases. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Normal-tension glaucoma: Pathogenesis and genetics

Normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) is a multifactorial optic neuropathy which, similar to open-angle glaucomas, is characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell death and glaucomatous visual field loss. The major distinction of NTG from open-angle glaucomas is that the intraocular pressure (IOP) does not exceed the normal range. Missing the major risk factor and target of therapy, the elevated IOP, NTG poses a clinical challenge. Several insightful reviews have been published on the pathophysiology of NTG describing the possible underlying mechanisms. The current literature available also suggests that a significant percentage of patients with NTG (as high as 21%) have a family history of glaucoma, indicating a genetic predisposition to the disease. These facts strengthen the indication that NTG remains an enigmatic process. The aim of this review was to summarize the vascular, mechanical and genetic components considered to be responsible for NTG development and to discuss the mechanisms through which they are involved in the pathogenesis of NTG.

Intestinal microbiota and colorectal cancer: a new aspect of research

Colon holds a complex microbial community, which is crucial for maintaining homeostasis and regulating metabolic functions, supporting the intestinal barrier and controlling immune responses. Previous studies have supported a link between intestinal microbiota and colorectal cancer (CRC). Based on these fndings, the present review analyzed the numerous interactions that occur between microbiota and CRC, starting from the role of intestinal microbiota in colonic homoeostasis. Intestinal microbiota is a cause of CRC and involves various mechanisms such as chronic inflammation, the production of genotoxins causing DNA impairment and/or the biosynthesis of toxic compounds. Moreover, basic metabolic factors such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids are included in CRC pathogenesis. Different pathogenic pathways have been reported among different CRC regions (proximal or distal). Variations in the microbial populations are reported between the CRC from these colonic sites, possibly reflecting the bacterial dysbiosis and bioflm distribution. Bowel preparation is essential prior to colonoscopy and surgery; there is, however, minor consensus on the effects of this procedure on intestinal microbiota, notably with regard to the long-term outcomes. With regard to the therapeutic strategy in CRC, the intestinal microbiota is further involved in the modulation of the host response to chemotherapeutic agents (5-fluorouracil and irinotecan) by the interference with drug efcacy and by adverse effects and associated toxicity. In addition, the newly emerged research on CRC immunotherapy reveals an important interplay between intestinal microbiota and the immune system, which includes the possibility of targeting microbiota for the enhancement of anticancer treatment. Additional studies will further clarify the interaction between microbiota and CRC, resulting in the development of alternative therapeutic strategies by manipulating microbiota composition.