RESUMEN
To examine the safety and efficacy of chemoablation using UGN-101 in patients with upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC). We conducted a systematic search through 7 databases/registries to identify key observational and experimental studies reporting either the efficacy or safety of UGN-101 in UTUC patients regardless of the risk or grade of the disease. The outcomes included efficacy (complete/partial/no response, survival, death, recurrence, or progression) and safety endpoints. All meta-analyses were conducted through STATA. The prevalence rate and its 95% CI were pooled across studies. A subgroup meta-analysis was conducted on follow-up. The quality was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Twenty studies (1051 patients) were analyzed. Complete response was reported in 49% (39%-60%) of cases, and 5% (0%- 15%) had disease progression. Treatment cessation was reported in 13% (3%-27%) of patients. Four percent of cases needed radical nephroureterectomy. Recurrence and death occurred in 14% (7%-23%) and 6% (2%-10%) of patients. Complications occurred in 63% (39%-85%), the majority of which were of grades I, II, and III. Ureteral stenosis was the most common complication accounting for 35% of cases. Chemoablationrelated complications occurred more than procedure-related ones. Based on available evidence, the intracavitary instillation of UGN-101 gel provides an alternative therapeutic option for upper tract urothelial cancer. Chemoablation provides good clinical outcomes in terms of complete response, disease progression and recurrence, and the need to undergo nephroureterectomy. Complications were encountered in more than half the population; however, most of them were of low grades.
RESUMEN
The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) is not yet confirmed. Therefore, we conducted this review to pool the available evidence in this regard. We analyzed 14117 UTUC patients reported in 21 studies after searching 5 databases. The NAC was administered in 1983 patients and the remaining 12134 controls underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) alone. Efficacy endpoints included pathological, functional, and survival outcomes. Safety was determined by overall and grade 3-4 complications. For dichotomous outcomes, the log odds ratio (logOR) was pooled, and for continuous variables, the crude mean difference was calculated along with its 95% CI. The NAC was associated with 10% complete pathological response (CPR), 42% pathological downstaging, 31% post-NAC advanced disease (pT3-4), 6% positive surgical margin, 18% lymph node metastasis (pN+), 24% lymphovascular invasion, and 29% mortality and recurrence at 5 years. Compared to controls, NAC resulted in increased risk of CPR [logOR=1.67; 95% CI, 0.11-3.23] and downstaging [logOR=1.30; 95% CI, 0.41-2.18] and reduced risk of advanced disease [logOR=-0.81; 95% CI, -1.51--0.11]. Renal function did not improve from baseline; however, it increased significantly after RNU. The NAC was associated with good survival/low mortality in the short term, with a sustained increase over time. Overall and grade 3-4 complications occurred in 25% and 7% of patients, respectively. Our findings support the potential benefits of NAC in enhancing pathological outcomes and possibly improving survival in UTUC patients undergoing RNU. The variability in response and associated complications underscore the importance of careful patient selection and tailored treatment approaches.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Non-contrast Computerised Tomography (NCCT) of brain is the gold standard investigation for diagnosis and management of Traumatic brain injury (TBI). Asymmetrical CT brain images as a result of improper head positioning in the CT gantry will compromise the diagnostic value. Therefore, this audit aimed to assess the degree of asymmetry in CT brain studies carried out in TBI patients. METHODS: This audit was carried out at a level one trauma centre and included CT scans of TBI patients with a Glasgow come scale (GCS) score ≤ 13, admitted to the Neurological intensive care unit (NICU). The first cycle involved a period of three months. The data collected included demographic data and variables such as GCS at the time of the scan and whether the patient was intubated or not. The visualisation of bilateral internal auditory meatuses was used as landmark to determine scan symmetry. If the internal auditory meatus on both sides were visible on the same slice of CT scan, it was considered symmetric. The degree of asymmetry was gauged based on the axial slice difference between bilateral meatuses. The data collected was tabulated and presented to Neurosurgery residents and a checklist was formulated which had to be followed while positioning the patient on CT table prior to imaging. RESULTS: The first cycle of the audit showed that 83.8% of scans were asymmetric and among them 44.1% revealed gross asymmetry affecting interpretation of the scan. Following, implementation of the checklist the percentage of gross asymmetry dropped to 21.86% in the second and to 22.22% in the third audit. CONCLUSION: The use of checklist prior to CT brain studies showed sustainable improvement in reducing gross asymmetry and in acquisition of symmetrical CT brain images.