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As gender-affirming surgery is becoming more common, it is important for pathologists to recognize potential benign findings to avoid misinterpretation. Cervical transitional cell metaplasia and superficial clusters of small basophilic cells have been described in the context of gender-affirming testosterone therapy; these findings may be misdiagnosed as high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or endometrial cells on Pap smears. Prostatic metaplasia has been reported in the surface squamous epithelium of the vagina and the uterine cervix in individuals undergoing gender-affirming androgen therapy; this finding is often associated with NKX3.1-positive basal keratinocytes. The aim of this study was to assess the morphological and immunohistochemical features of the uterine cervix in gender-affirming hysterectomies in comparison with benign hysterectomies from cisgender women.We assessed the morphological and immunohistochemical features of the uterine cervix in 49 gender-affirming hysterectomies as compared with 57 hysterectomies from cisgender patients to establish the relative prevalences of surface prostatic metaplasia, NKX3.1-positive basal keratinocytes, transitional cell metaplasia, and small basophilic cells in the cervical squamous epithelium. The cervical tissue from the gender-affirming therapy cohort showed significantly higher prevalences of NKX3.1-positive basal keratinocytes (86% versus 1.8%), transitional cell metaplasia (80% versus 3.5%), superficial clusters of small basophilic cells (67% versus 7%), and surface prostatic metaplasia (43% versus 3.5%).NKX3.1-positive basal keratinocytes, transitional cell metaplasia, small basophilic cells and surface prostatic metaplasia are all more prevalent in the cervices of individuals receiving gender-affirming testosterone therapy; awareness of this fact allows pathologists to avoid the overdiagnosis of dysplasia or the recommendation of unnecessary follow-up procedures.

IMPORTANCE: This study identifies the diagnostic errors leading to misdiagnosis of 3(rd) nerve palsy in order to aid clinicians in making this diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of misdiagnosis of third cranial nerve palsy (3(rd) nerve palsy) amongst providers referring to a tertiary care neuro-ophthalmology clinic and to characterize diagnostic errors that led to an incorrect diagnosis. DESIGN: Retrospective clinic-based cross-sectional study of office encounters at two institutions from 1/2014 to 1/2017. All encounters with scheduling comments containing variations of “3(rd) nerve palsy” were reviewed. Patients with a documented referral diagnosis of new 3(rd) neve palsy were included in the study. Examination findings including extraocular movement exam, external lid exam, and pupil exam were collected. The final diagnosis was determined by a neuro-ophthalmologist. The Diagnosis Error Evaluation and Research (DEER) taxonomy tool was used to categorize the causes of misdiagnosis. SETTING: Multicenter study describing patients at two neuro-ophthalmology referral centers. PARTICIPANTS: 78 patients referred for a new diagnosis of 3(rd) nerve palsy. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The main outcome measure was the type of diagnostic error that led to incorrect diagnoses using the DEER criteria as determined by two independent reviewers. Secondary outcomes were rates of misdiagnosis, misdiagnosis rate by referring specialty, and examination findings associated with incorrect diagnoses. RESULTS: Out of 78 patients referred with a suspected diagnosis of 3(rd) nerve palsy, 21.8% were determined to have an alternate diagnosis. The most common error in misdiagnosed cases was failure to correctly interpret the physical exam. Ophthalmologists were the most common referring provider for third nerve palsy, and optometrists had the highest overdiagnosis rate of 3(rd) nerve palsy. CONCLUSIONS: Misdiagnosis of 3(rd) nerve palsy was common. Performance and interpretation of the physical exam were the most common factors leading to misdiagnosis of 3(rd) nerve palsy.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The absence of symptoms in early-stage (I/II) disease, when curative treatment is possible, results in >70% of cases being diagnosed at late stage (III/IV), when treatment is rarely curative. This contributes greatly to the poor prognosis of lung cancer, which sees only 16.2% of individuals diagnosed with the disease alive at 5 years. Early detection is key to improving lung cancer survival outcomes. As a result, there has been longstanding interest in finding a reliable screening test. After little success with chest radiography and sputum cytology, in 2011 the United States National Lung Screening Trial demonstrated that annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening reduced lung cancer-specific mortality by 20%, when compared with annual chest radiography. In 2020, the NELSON study demonstrated an even greater reduction in lung cancer-specific mortality for LDCT screening at 0, 1, 3 and 5.5 years of 24% in men, when compared to no screening. Despite these impressive results, a call to arms in the 2017 European position statement on lung cancer screening (LCS) and the widespread introduction across the United States, there was, until recently, no population-based European national screening programme in place. We address the potential barriers and outstanding concerns including common screening foes, such as false-positive tests, overdiagnosis and the negative psychological impact of screening, as well as others more unique to LDCT LCS, including appropriate risk stratification of potential participants, radiation exposure and incidental findings. In doing this, we conclude that whilst the evidence generated from ongoing work can be used to refine the screening process, for those risks which remain, appropriate and acceptable mitigations are available, and none should serve as barriers to the implementation of national unified LCS programmes across Europe and beyond.

We discuss the optimal timing of surgery for lung cancer, and propose 3 surgical strategies for pre- and minimally invasive lung adenocarcinoma to avoid "overdiagnosis" and "overtreatment." Benign disease should not be treated as malignancy, pre- and minimally invasive disease should not be treated as invasive disease, and indolent malignancy should not be treated as aggressive malignancy.

Objective The diagnosis of any dental pathology can vary from being simple to challenging. While the use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is well established, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains a proof of concept. This systematic review aims to compare the diagnostic ability of MRI with CBCT in diagnosing periapical pathosis. Materials and Methods This systematic search was performed using the electronic databases of MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Science Direct to identify relevant articles from 2010 to 2020. The search terms used were magnetic resonance imaging, cone beam computed tomography, diagnosis, and periapical diseases. Result In total, 3218 potentially relevant abstracts and titles were identified. After removing duplicates, 1288 articles were reviewed for titles and abstracts, and 29 articles were selected for full-text reading. From those, 19 articles were finally selected that included original research studies, case reports, and case series and were included for systematic review. Most of the studies included in this review suggested that the combined use of CBCT and MRI is needed for a better and more precise diagnosis of complex periapical pathoses. The main advantage of MRI is its ability to image soft tissues usingnonionizing radiation, and the main disadvantage in the case of CBCT is overdiagnosis of the lesion. Conclusion MRI has various advantages over CBCT with similar diagnostic utility. When diagnosing periapical pathogens, both MRI and CBCT are needed for an accurate diagnosis.

Objective: Many older adults (aged 75+) continue cancer screening despite guidelines suggesting they should not. Using mixed-methods, we examined psychosocial and clinical factors associated with continued breast/prostate screening. Methods: We conducted an online, scenario-based, randomized study in Australia with participants aged 65+ years. The primary outcome was screening intention (10-point scale, dichotomized: low (1-5) and high (6-10)). We also measured demographic, psychosocial, and age-related clinical variables. Participants provided reason/s for their screening intentions in free-text. Results: 271 eligible participants completed the survey (aged 65-90 years, 71% adequate health literacy). Those who reported higher cancer anxiety, were men, screened more recently, had family history of breast/ prostate cancer and were independent in activities of daily living, were more likely to intend to continue screening. Commonly reported reasons for intending to continue screening were grouped into six themes: routine adherence, the value of knowing, positive screening attitudes, perceived susceptibility, benefits focus, and needing reassurance. Conclusions: Psychosocial factors may drive continued cancer screening in older adults and undermine efforts to promote informed decision-making. Practice implications: When communicating benefits and harms of cancer screening to older adults, both clinical and psychosocial factors should be discussed to support informed decision-making. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background Recommendations against prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in 2012 have increased advanced-stage diagnosis and prostate cancer–specific mortality rates. Objective To present the position of the European Association of Urology (EAU) in 2021 and provide recommendations for the use of PSA testing as part of a risk-adapted strategy for the early detection of prostate cancer. Evidence acquisition The authors combined their review of relevant literature, including the EAU prostate cancer guidelines 2021 update, with their own knowledge to provide an expert opinion, representing the EAU’s position in 2021. Evidence synthesis The EAU has developed a risk-adapted early prostate cancer detection strategy for well-informed men based on PSA testing, risk calculators, and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, which can differentiate significant from insignificant prostate cancer. This approach largely avoids the overdiagnosis/overtreatment of men unlikely to experience disease-related symptoms during their lifetime and facilitates an early diagnosis of men with significant cancer to receive active treatment. It also reduces advanced-stage diagnosis, thereby potentially reducing prostate cancer–specific mortality and improving quality of life. Education is required among urologists, general practitioners, radiologists, policy makers, and healthy men, including endorsement by the European Commission to adapt the European Council’s screening recommendations in its 2022 plan and requests to individual countries for its incorporation into national cancer plans. Conclusions This risk-adapted approach for the early detection of prostate cancer will reverse current unfavourable trends and ultimately save lives. Patient summary The European Association of Urology has developed a patient information leaflet and algorithm for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer. It can identify men who do not need magnetic resonance imaging or a biopsy and those who would not show any symptoms versus those with more aggressive disease who require further tests/treatment. We need to raise awareness of this algorithm to ensure that all well-informed men at risk of significant prostate cancer are offered a prostate-specific antigen test. Take Home Message A risk-adapted early prostate cancer detection strategy, incorporating prostate-specific antigen testing, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, risk calculators, and biomarkers, will avoid overdiagnosis/overtreatment of insignificant cancers and ensure early detection and treatment of significant cancers, thereby improving quality of life and reducing prostate cancer–related deaths.

The state of thyroid cancer in 2021 is reviewed including the prevalence of thyroid cancer, vulnerable patient groups such as women and young adults, and known and hypothesized risk factors for thyroid cancer. Understanding the overdiagnosis and overtreatment of thyroid cancer as well as recent efforts to reduce harms secondary to overdiagnosis and overtreatment are addressed with optimism that future work will continue to evaluate and improve the care of thyroid cancer patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Digital single-operator cholangioscopy (d-SOC) with cholangioscopic biopsy sampling has shown promise in the evaluation of indeterminate biliary strictures. Some studies have suggested higher sensitivity for visual impression compared with biopsy sampling, although assessors were not blinded to previous investigations. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy and interobserver agreement (IOA) of d-SOC in the visual appraisal of biliary strictures when blinded to additional information. METHODS: A multicenter, international cohort study was performed. Cholangioscopic videos in patients with a known final diagnosis were systematically scored. Pseudonymized videos were reviewed by 19 experts in 2 steps: blinded for patient history and investigations and unblinded. RESULTS: Forty-four high-quality videos were reviewed of 19 benign and 25 malignant strictures. The sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of malignancy was 74.2% and 46.9% (blinded) and 72.7% and 62.5% (unblinded). Cholangioscopic certainty of a malignant diagnosis led to overdiagnosis (sensitivity, 90.6%; specificity, 33%), especially if no additional information was provided. The IOA for the presence of malignancy was fair for both assessments (Fleiss' κ = .245 [blinded] and κ = .321 [unblended]). For individual visual features, the IOA ranged from slight to moderate for both assessments (κ = .059-.400 vs κ = .031-.452). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed low sensitivity and specificity for blinded and unblinded d-SOC video appraisal of indeterminate biliary strictures, with considerable interobserver variation. Although reaching a consensus on the optical features of biliary strictures remains important, optimizing visually directed biopsy sampling may be the most important role of cholangioscopy in biliary stricture assessment. ispartof: GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY vol:94 issue:6 pages:1059-1068 ispartof: location:United States status: published

Purpose of review We conducted a systematic literature review to summarize the available evidence regarding the incidence, risk factors, and clinical characteristics of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation because of acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection (C-ARDS). Recent findings Sixteen studies (6484 patients) were identified. Bacterial coinfection was uncommon at baseline (50%) of developing VAP, most commonly because of Gram-negative bacteria. Further work is needed to elucidate the disease-specific risk factors for VAP, strategies for prevention, and how best to differentiate between bacterial colonization versus superinfection.

Background Supporting well-informed decisions about breast cancer screening requires communicating that inconsequential disease may be detected, leading to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Having previously shown that telling women about overdetection improved informed choice, we investigated effects on screening knowledge and participation over 2 years. Methods We conducted a community-based, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial in Australia. Participants were women aged 48-50 years, without personal or strong family history of breast cancer, who had not undergone mammography in the past 2 years. We randomly assigned 879 women to receive the intervention decision aid (evidence-based information on overdetection, breast cancer mortality reduction, and false-positives) or control decision aid (identical but without overdetection information). We interviewed 838 women postintervention and recontacted them for follow-up at 6 months and 1 and 2 years. Main outcomes for this report are screening knowledge and participation. Results We interviewed 790, 746, and 712 participants at 6 months, 1, and 2 years, respectively. The intervention group demonstrated superior knowledge throughout follow-up. After 2 years, conceptual knowledge was adequate in 123 (34.4%) of 358 women in the intervention group compared with 71 (20.1%) of 354 control participants(odds ratio = 2.04, 95% confidence interval = 1.46 to 2.85). Groups were similar in total screening participation (200 [55.1%] vs 204 [56.0%]; = 0.97, 95% confidence interval = 0.73 to 1.29). Conclusions A brief decision aid produced lasting improvement in women’s understanding of potential consequences of screening, including overdetection, without changing participation rates. These findings support the use of decision aids for breast cancer screening.

Background It has been suggested that targeting prostate lesions identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will improve the sensitivity of prostate biopsy for high-grade disease. The clinical significance of high-grade tumors found on MRI but missed on systematic biopsy is open to question. Objective To determine the risk of mortality for high-grade cancers identified by MRI targeting in men who had benign systematic biopsy findings. Design, setting, and participants We used data from 999 men with negative systematic biopsy and concurrent MRI-targeted biopsy in the National Cancer Institute MRI study. The comparison group consisted of 3056 men followed for 11 yr after negative sextant biopsy in the European Randomized Trial of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC). Outcome measurements and statistical analysis We calculated the number of patients needed to be diagnosed (NND) and treated (NNT) following targeted biopsy in order to prevent one prostate cancer death at 11 yr. We used a simple modeling approach that involved several assumptions, such as the proportion of the deaths in ERSPC preventable by earlier detection with MRI-guided biopsy. We then varied these assumptions to assess the effects on the results. Results and limitations NND and NNT were 89 and 57 for the scenario involving assumptions favorable to MRI, and 169 and 127 for a more neutral set of assumptions, respectively. Results were only more encouraging for MRI targeting under unlikely scenarios, such as 100% sensitivity for MRI and a cure rate of 100% for treatment. Conclusions Although MRI may be of benefit overall, considering the decrease in overdiagnosis among men with negative MRI findings, targeting biopsy needles to MRI-detected lesions results in a large number of men diagnosed and treated per death prevented. Consideration should be given to changing guidelines on grading of MRI cores and those regarding treatment of MRI-detected high-grade prostate cancer. Patient summary We carried out a modeling study to assess how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan results used to target prostate cancer lesions during biopsy can affect outcomes. The model results show that if MRI-visible tumors are targeted during prostate biopsy, a large number of men need to be diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer in order to avoid just one prostate cancer death.

Overdiagnosis of anaphylaxis risk is an underappreciated aspect of anaphylaxis prevention. Whereas the benefits of anaphylaxis-risk prevention are well known, potential harms resulting from preemptive approaches to mitigate anaphylaxis-risk are not insignificant. Still, great progress has been made in recent years to avoid the unintended consequences of anaphylaxis-risk overdiagnosis. Reflection on recent advances in the use of diagnostic testing, as well as the application of diagnostic labels, provides an important perspective to understand how far the specialty of allergy and immunology has come in improving the lives of patients and families. Examples of recent paradigm shifts in anaphylaxis-risk management include approaches to peanut allergy prevention without screening, deferral of corticosteroids to prevent biphasic anaphylaxis reactions, reevaluation of reflex use of emergency medical services for resolved community anaphylaxis, and an approach to penicillin allergy delabeling with direct oral challenge. Routine medical practices to decrease anaphylaxis risk can have lifelong impacts for patients-beyond just preventing anaphylaxis. As our understanding of these trade-offs evolves, it becomes necessary to weigh both the benefits and the harms of past management approaches. Because medicine remains a science of uncertainty and an art of probability, a critical approach to risk mitigation remains necessary to find the often-elusive balance in anaphylaxis prevention.

Given the increase in psychiatric occupational disability claims over the past 20 years, better patient psychiatric assessment and management is critical. To minimize iatrogenic psychiatric disability and maximize positive outcomes, it is important to understand the issues involved and establish better procedures for diagnosing conditions and assessing any associated impact on function. This second article in a three-part series focuses on ways to improve the diagnosis and assessment of mental health work disability.

ObjectivesThe clinical and public health relevance of widespread case finding by testing for asymptomatic chlamydia infections is under debate. We wanted to explore future directions for chlamydia control and generate insights that might guide for evidence-based strategies. In particular, we wanted to know the extent to which we should pursue testing for asymptomatic infections at both genital and extragenital sites.MethodsWe synthesised findings from published literature and from discussions among national and international chlamydia experts during an invitational workshop. We described changing perceptions in chlamydia control to inform the development of recommendations for future avenues for chlamydia control in the Netherlands.ResultsDespite implementing a range of interventions to control chlamydia, there is no practice-based evidence that population prevalence can be reduced by screening programmes or widespread opportunistic testing. There is limited evidence about the beneficial effect of testing on pelvic inflammatory disease prevention. The risk of tubal factor infertility resulting from chlamydia infection is low and evidence on the preventable fraction remains uncertain. Overdiagnosis and overtreatment with antibiotics for self-limiting and non-viable infections have contributed to antimicrobial resistance in other pathogens and may affect oral, anal and genital microbiota. These changing insights could affect the outcome of previous cost–effectiveness analysis.ConclusionThe balance between benefits and harms of widespread testing to detect asymptomatic chlamydia infections is changing. The opinion of our expert group deviates from the existing paradigm of ‘test and treat’ and suggests that future strategies should reduce, rather than expand, the role of widespread testing for asymptomatic chlamydia infections.

Objectives: Benefit and cost effectiveness of breast cancer screening are still matters of controversy. Risk-adapted strategies are proposed to improve its benefit-harm and cost–benefit relations. Our objective was to perform a systematic review on economic breast cancer models evaluating primary and secondary prevention strategies in the European health care setting, with specific focus on model results, model characteristics, and risk-adapted strategies. Methods: Literature databases were systematically searched for economic breast cancer models evaluating the cost effectiveness of breast cancer screening and prevention strategies in the European health care context. Characteristics, methodological details and results of the identified studies are reported in evidence tables. Economic model outputs are standardized to achieve comparable cost-effectiveness ratios. Results: Thirty-two economic evaluations of breast cancer screening and seven evaluations of primary breast cancer prevention were included. Five screening studies and none of the prevention studies considered risk-adapted strategies. Studies differed in methodologic features. Only about half of the screening studies modeled overdiagnosis-related harms, most often indirectly and without reporting their magnitude. All models predict gains in life expectancy and/or quality-adjusted life expectancy at acceptable costs. However, risk-adapted screening was shown to be more effective and efficient than conventional screening. Conclusions: Economic models suggest that breast cancer screening and prevention are cost effective in the European setting. All screening models predict gains in life expectancy, which has not yet been confirmed by trials. European models evaluating risk-adapted screening strategies are rare, but suggest that risk-adapted screening is more effective and efficient than conventional screening.

Background Heart failure (HF) is one of the most common complications of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and among the leading causes of death in the US. Many other CVDs can lead to increased mortality as well. Investigating the genetic epidemiology and susceptibility to CVDs is a central focus of cardiology and biomedical life sciences. Several studies have explored expression of key CVD genes specially in HF, yet new targets and biomarkers for early diagnosis are still missing to support personalized treatment. Lack of gender-specific cardiac biomarker thresholds in men and women may be the reason for CVD underdiagnosis in women, and potentially increased morbidity and mortality as a result, or conversely, an overdiagnosis in men. In this context, it is important to analyze the expression and enrichment of genes with associated phenotypes and disease-causing variants among high-risk CVD populations. Methods We performed RNA sequencing focusing on key CVD genes with a great number of genetic associations to HF. Peripheral blood samples were collected from a broad age range of adult male and female CVD patients. These patients were clinically diagnosed with CVDs and CMS/HCC HF, as well as including cardiomyopathy, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol, hernia, chronic kidney, joint pain, dizziness and giddiness, osteopenia of multiple sites, chest pain, osteoarthritis, and other diseases. Results We report RNA-seq driven case–control study to analyze patterns of expression in genes and differentiating the pathways, which differ between healthy and diseased patients. Our in-depth gene expression and enrichment analysis of RNA-seq data from patients with mostly HF and other CVDs on differentially expressed genes and CVD annotated genes revealed 4,885 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and regulation of 41 genes known for HF and 23 genes related to other CVDs, with 15 DEGs as significantly expressed including four genes already known (FLNA, CST3, LGALS3, and HBA1) for HF and CVDs with the enrichment of many pathways. Furthermore, gender and ethnic group specific analysis showed shared and unique genes between the genders, and among different races. Broadening the scope of the results in clinical settings, we have linked the CVD genes with ICD codes. Conclusions Many pathways were found to be enriched, and gender-specific analysis showed shared and unique genes between the genders. Additional testing of these genes may lead to the development of new clinical tools to improve diagnosis and prognosis of CVD patients.

OBJECTIVE To examine the secular trends of thyroid cancer incidence and mortality and to estimate the proportion of thyroid cancer cases potentially attributable to overdiagnosis. METHODS Data on thyroid cancer cases from 1973 to 2015 were obtained from the Shanghai Cancer Registry. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was evaluated using the joinpoint regression analysis. The age, period, and birth cohort effects were assessed using an age-period-cohort model. The overdiagnosis of thyroid cancer cases was estimated based on the difference between observed and expected incidences using the rates of Nordic countries as reference. RESULTS From 1973 to 2015, the number of thyroid cancer cases was 23 117, and 75% of the patients were women. The age-standardized rates were seven- to eightfold higher from 2013 to 2015 than from 1973 to 1977. Compared with relatively stable mortality, thyroid cancer incidence was dramatically increased from 2002 to 2015 in both sexes, with significant trends (men: AAPC = 21.84%, 95% CI: 18.77%-24.98%, P < .001; women: AAPC = 18.55%, 95% CI: 16.49%-20.64%, P < .001). The proportion of overdiagnosis has gradually increased over time, rising from 68% between 2003 and 2007 to more than 90% between 2013 and 2015. This increasing trend appeared to be similar between men and women. CONCLUSION An increasing gap between thyroid cancer incidence and mortality was observed in Shanghai, and overdiagnosis has contributed substantially to the rise of incidence, which calls for an urgent update on the practice of thyroid examination.

Apart from high-risk scenarios such as the presence of highly penetrant genetic mutations, breast screening typically comprises mammography or tomosynthesis strategies defined by age. However, age-based screening ignores the range of breast cancer risks that individual women may possess and is antithetical to the ambitions of personalised early detection. Whilst screening mammography reduces breast cancer mortality, this is at the risk of potentially significant harms including overdiagnosis with overtreatment, and psychological morbidity associated with false positives. In risk-stratified screening, individualised risk assessment may inform screening intensity/interval, starting age, imaging modality used, or even decisions not to screen. However, clear evidence for its benefits and harms needs to be established. In this scoping review, the authors summarise the established and emerging evidence regarding several critical dependencies for successful risk-stratified breast screening: risk prediction model performance, epidemiological studies, retrospective clinical evaluations, health economic evaluations and qualitative research on feasibility and acceptability. Family history, breast density or reproductive factors are not on their own suitable for precisely estimating risk and risk prediction models increasingly incorporate combinations of demographic, clinical, genetic and imaging-related parameters. Clinical evaluations of risk-stratified screening are currently limited. Epidemiological evidence is sparse, and randomised trials only began in recent years.

Background: With the development of new technologies such as magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging, endoscopists achieved better accuracy for diagnosis of gastric cancer (GC) in various aspects. However, to master such skill takes substantial effort and could be difficult for inexperienced doctors. Therefore, a novel diagnostic method based on artificial intelligence (AI) was developed and its effectiveness was confirmed in many studies. AI system using convolutional neural network has showed marvelous results in the ongoing trials of computer-aided detection of colorectal polyps. Summary: With AI’s efficient computational power and learning capacities, endoscopists could improve their diagnostic accuracy and avoid the overlooking or over-diagnosis of gastric neoplasm. Several systems have been reported to achieved decent accuracy. Thus, AI-assisted endoscopy showed great potential on more accurate and sensitive ways for early detection, differentiation, and invasion depth prediction of gastric lesions. However, the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety in daily practice remain to be tested. Key messages: This review summarizes the current status of different AI applications in early GC diagnosis. More randomized controlled trails will be needed before AI could be widely put into clinical practice.

Beta-lactams (BLs) are among the most commonly prescribed and effective antibiotics. Given the fact that overdiagnosis of penicillin allergy constitutes a major public health problem by increasing health costs and contributing to overall antibiotic resistance, removing BL allergy label is crucial. Delabeling penicillin allergy as an essential component of antimicrobial stewardship is a hot topic. Despite several clinical risk factors and genetic characteristics proposed to predict BL allergy, it is still unclear what exactly constitutes a risk. Recently, a great deal of interest has been focused in the design of risk stratification and implementing pathways in order to classify the risk based on the clinical history. Appropriate risk stratification is critical to ensure that high-risk patients are referred to allergy specialist for further diagnostic assessment, whereas direct drug provocation tests can be safely employed in low-risk patients. Many patients labeled as allergic to BLs are able to tolerate these drugs. The huge burden of penicillin allergy can be tackled by integrating risk-based and traditional testing strategies into antibiotic stewardship programs. Promising potential methods to accurately assess BL allergy risk will require collaborative multimodal approaches including risk stratification pathways with validated tools.

Background Follow-up for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a challenge for urologists that has not been finally resolved. The intensity of follow-up is based on the recurrence and progression behavior of the tumor as well as the patient's individual situation. Materials and methods The following article focuses on the current data situation, the valid German S3 guideline and the available instruments for the detection of relapses and progression, taking into account tumor stages and degree of malignancy. Results Urethrocystoscopy, imaging and urine cytology are generally recommended, but the recommendations appear to be too extensive in the case of so-called intermediate risk profiles. Depending on the situation, urine markers could optimize follow-up, although results from prospective randomized studies are still pending. Conclusions The current follow-up of NMIBC is invasive, carries the risk of side effects and increases costs. In the absence of scientific evidence, recommendations for follow-up for NMIBC are naturally based on expert opinion. In the opinion of the authors, overdiagnosis is currently taking place particularly in patients with an intermediate risk profile. The first prospective, marker-based studies are ongoing and will be helpful in the near future to improve the data situation relevant to urological practice.

AIMS Fundic gland polyps (FGPs) arise sporadically and in combination with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Criteria for distinguishing low-grade dysplasia (LGD) from regenerative atypia in FGPs are not well established. The aims of study were to determine: (i) interobserver variability in diagnosing LGD in FGPs; (ii) bias in diagnosing LGD in FAP patients; and (iii) stringent criteria for LGD in FGPs. METHODS AND RESULTS Five senior pathologists who were blinded to the clinical history reviewed 72 FAP-associated FGPs and 34 sporadic FGPs. Cases were classified as negative (score = 0) or positive (score = 1) for LGD. Each case was assigned a 'combined dysplasia score' (CDS) ranging from 0 to 5 to reflect all five opinions. Fleiss' kappa showed only moderate interobserver agreement (κ = 0.46). Forty-one FGPs were classified as negative for dysplasia by consensus (CDS = 0-1), including 10 (24%) originally diagnosed as LGD. In contrast, all 37 cases classified as LGD by consensus (CDS = 4-5) were originally diagnosed as LGD, indicating that overdiagnosis of dysplasia is more common than underdiagnosis (P = 0.0012). Cytological atypia in the surface epithelium and an abrupt transition between atypical and normal-appearing epithelium were the most sensitive (97% and 100%, respectively) and specific (100% and 98%, respectively) features of dysplasia (P

Background Melanoma is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies in the United States and is responsible for the majority of deaths from skin cancer. Objective Since the 1970s, the incidence of melanoma has risen appreciably while melanoma-specific mortality has remained stable. This has raised a debate about potential overdiagnosis of melanoma. Herein, we review temporal trends in melanoma incidence and mortality and explore factors that may contribute to observed trends, including an aging population in the United States, ultraviolet exposure, increased numbers of biopsies by dermatologists and physician extenders, skin cancer screenings, histopathology criteria, and historic underdiagnosis. Additionally, we discuss melanoma overdiagnosis and the extent to which it may contribute to current trends. Methods The literature was reviewed. Results Several factors may contribute to an increased incidence of melanoma, including an aging population, ultraviolet exposure, increased skin biopsies, skin cancer screenings, histopathologic criteria, historic underdiagnosis, and current overdiagnosis. Limitations Further studies are required to determine exactly which tumors are being overdiagnosed, and how to improve patient outcomes with adjustment to physician's practice. Conclusion The rise in the incidence of melanoma observed since the 1970s is likely multifactorial.

Background Black men in the United States have markedly higher rates of prostate cancer than the general population. National guidelines for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening do not provide clear guidance for this high-risk population. The purpose of this study is to estimate the benefit and harm of intensified PSA screening in Black men. Methods Two microsimulation models of prostate cancer calibrated to incidence from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program among Black men project the impact of different screening strategies (varying screening intervals, starting and stopping ages, and biopsy utilization following an abnormal PSA) on disease-specific mortality and overdiagnosis. Each strategy induces a mean lead time (MLT) for detected cases. A longer MLT reduces mortality according to estimates combining the US and European prostate cancer screening trials but increases overdiagnosis. Results Under historical population screening, Black men had similar MLT to men of all races and similar mortality reduction (range between models = 21%-24% vs 20%-24%) but a higher frequency of overdiagnosis (75-86 vs 58-60 per 1000 men). Screening Black men aged 40-84 years annually would increase both mortality reduction (29%-31%) and overdiagnosis (112-129 per 1000). Restricting screening to ages 45-69 years would still achieve substantial mortality reduction (26%-29%) with lower overdiagnosis (51-61 per 1000). Increasing biopsy utilization to 100% of abnormal tests would further reduce mortality but substantially increase overdiagnosis. Conclusions Annual screening in Black men is expected to reduce mortality more than that estimated under historical screening. Limiting screening to men younger than 70 years is expected to help reduce overdiagnosis.

BackgroundThe current diagnostic delay of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) after pulmonary embolism (PE) is unacceptably long, causing loss of quality-adjusted life years and excess mortality. Validated screening strategies for early CTEPH diagnosis are lacking. Echocardiographic screening among all PE survivors is associated with overdiagnosis and cost-ineffectiveness. We aimed to validate a simple screening strategy for excluding CTEPH early after acute PE, limiting the number of performed echocardiograms.MethodsIn this prospective, international, multicentre management study, consecutive patients were managed according to a screening algorithm starting 3 months after acute PE to determine whether echocardiographic evaluation of pulmonary hypertension (PH) was indicated. If the ‘CTEPH prediction score’ indicated high pretest probability or matching symptoms were present, the ‘CTEPH rule-out criteria’ were applied, consisting of ECG reading and N-terminalpro-brain natriuretic peptide. Only if these results could not rule out possible PH, the patients were referred for echocardiography.Results424 patients were included. Based on the algorithm, CTEPH was considered absent in 343 (81%) patients, leaving 81 patients (19%) referred for echocardiography. During 2-year follow-up, one patient in whom echocardiography was deemed unnecessary by the algorithm was diagnosed with CTEPH, reflecting an algorithm failure rate of 0.29% (95% CI 0% to 1.6%). Overall CTEPH incidence was 3.1% (13/424), of whom 10 patients were diagnosed within 4 months after the PE presentation.ConclusionsThe InShape II algorithm accurately excluded CTEPH, without the need for echocardiography in the overall majority of patients. CTEPH was identified early after acute PE, resulting in a substantially shorter diagnostic delay than in current practice.

Актуальність. Крижово-клубові суглоби є причиною больових синдромів у 15–30 % пацієнтів зі скаргами на болі у попереково-крижовому відділі хребта. У зв’язку з цим актуальним питанням є диференційна діагностика больових синдромів крижово-клубового суглоба з дискогенним, артрогенним і міофасціальним больовими синдромами. Ціль дослідження — провести оцінку показників інформативності різних діагностичних тестів у діагностиці крижово-клубових больових синдромів як окремо, так і в сукупності, з використанням як верифікуючої процедури діагностичної блокади з локальним анестетиком, що виконується під рентгенологічним контролем. Матеріали та методи. Обстежено 90 пацієнтів у віці від 30 до 78 років з одно- чи двостороннім больовим синдромом попереково-крижового відділу хребта з іррадіацією в нижню кінцівку чи без такої тривалістю більше 2 місяців. Результати. Найбільшу чутливість має тест Ганслена (83 %) порівняно з іншими тестами з більш низькою гіпердіагностикою (73 %). Позитивне прогностичне значення даного тесту дорівнювало 79 %. Висновки. Тести в комбінації з діагностичною блокадою дозволяють ефективно діагностувати патологію крижово-клубового суглоба та диференціювати її з диско- та артрогенною патологією поперекового відділу хребта і дегенеративними захворюваннями кульшових суглобів.

У 63 пацієнтів із поперековим спінальним стенозом визначено взаємозв’язок сонографічних показників параметрів нижньої порожнистої вени і нейрогенної переміжної кульгавості. Досліджувані показники зміни швидкості об’ємного кровотоку під впливом провокаційного тесту в пацієнтів із нейрогенною переміжною кульгавістю показали середнє значення чутливості даного методу (0,64), однак частота гіпердіагностики досягає значних цифр (0,71), що вимагає додаткових верифікуючих тестів для підтвердження причинно-наслідкового зв’язку.

In 2004, the Japanese government halted nationwide mass screening for neuroblastoma in 6-month-old infants as it led to overdiagnosis of localized tumors with favorable prognoses and failed to reduce neuroblastoma-related mortality. However, a new mass screening program for neuroblastoma in 18-month-old infants (18MS) was conducted in the Osaka prefecture. We assessed the efficacy of the 18MS in screening unfavorable cases. Public health centers in Osaka prefecture, excluding the Osaka city area, provided test kits to the guardians of infants who received a check-up at 18 months of age between 2004 and 2017. For patients whose standardized urinary levels of vanillylmandelic acid or homovanillic acid exceeded the threshold, they were further examined and treated in two specific hospitals Osaka University Hospital and Osaka Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Screening-positive patients with and without neuroblastoma were retrospectively reviewed. Among 142,423 children screened during the 18MS, 85 tested positive, and 14 were diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Twelve patients were classified as very low risk, while 2 were classified as high risk, based on the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group risk classification. The 18MS did not screen unfavorable cases with neuroblastoma efficiently, although few participants benefited from it.

Cervical cancer remains a health concern. Effective screening programs are critical to reduce the incidence and mortality. High-risk HPV (hr-HPV) testing as primary screening tool discloses high sensitivity but suboptimal specificity. Adequate triage tests to reduce unnecessary colposcopy referrals and overdiagnosis/overtreatment are crucial. Hence, we aimed to validate a panel of DNA methylation-based markers as triage test for women hr-HPV+ in the population-based Regional Cervical Cancer Screening Program of Northern Portugal. Firstly, CADM1, MAL, FAM19A4 and hsa-miR124-2 promoter methylation levels were assessed by multiplex QMSP in a testing set of 402 FFPE tissue samples (159 normal samples and 243 cervical lesions, including 39 low-grade intraepithelial squamous lesions [LSIL], 59 high-grade intraepithelial squamous lesions [HSIL] and 145 cancerous lesions). Then, preliminary validation was performed in 125 hr-HPV+ cervical scrapes (including 59 normal samples, 30 LSIL, 34 HSIL and 2 cancerous lesions). Higher MALme , FAM19A4me and hsa-miR124-2me methylation levels were disclosed in histological HSIL or worse (HSIL+) in testing set. Individually, markers depicted over 86% specificity for HSIL+ detection. In validation set, all these genes significantly differed between histological HSIL+ and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or less. In combination, these markers reached 74% specificity and 61% sensitivity for identification of histological HSIL+. We concluded that host gene methylation might constitute a useful referral triage tool of hr-HPV+ women enrolled in the Cervical Cancer Screening Program of Northern Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic cysts are incidentally detected in up to 13% of patients undergoing radiographic imaging. Of the most frequently encountered types, mucin-producing (mucinous) pancreatic cystic lesions may develop into pancreatic cancer, while non-mucinous ones have little or no malignant potential. Accurate preoperative diagnosis is critical for optimal management but has been difficult to achieve, resulting in unnecessary major surgery. Here, we aim to develop an algorithm based upon biomarker risk scores to improve risk stratification. METHODS: Patients undergoing surgery and/or surveillance for a pancreatic cystic lesion with diagnostic imaging and banked pancreatic cyst fluid were enrolled in the study following informed consent (n=163 surgical, 67 surveillance). Cyst fluid biomarkers with high specificity for distinguishing non-mucinous from mucinous pancreatic cysts (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], glucose, carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA], amylase, cytology, and DNA mutation) were selected. Biomarker risk scores were used to design an algorithm to predict preoperative diagnosis. Performance was tested using surgical (retrospective) and surveillance (prospective) cohorts. RESULTS: In the surgical cohort, the biomarker algorithm outperformed the preoperative clinical diagnosis in correctly predicting the final pathological diagnosis (91% vs. 73%; P

Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved., Background and aims: Overdiagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) should be minimized. We wanted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the prostate health index density (PHID) and compare it with that of the prostate health index (PHI) alone and of the prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD). Materials and methods: 232 men scheduled for a prostate biopsy (prostate-specific antigen level: 2-10 µg/L), were enrolled. PHI, PHID and PSAD were evaluated considering PCa and clinically significant PCa (csPCa) as the outcomes. Results: For PCa, the area under the curve (AUC) was higher for PHID (0.823) than for PHI (0.779) and PSAD (0.776). For csPCa, the AUC was also higher for PHID (0.851) but closer to that of PSAD (0.819) and PHI (0.813). For equal sensitivities (90%) for PCa, PHID and PSAD offered the highest specificities (37%), missing the same number of cancers (n=11). Considering csPCa, PHI and PHID had similar specificities. PSAD reached the highest specificity (50.0%), sparing 32.8% of biopsies, while missing 9 cases of csPCa. Conclusions: PHID has a better diagnostic performance than PHI for overall PCa detection, but very close to the PSAD performance. Considering csPCa, PHI and PHID perform almost equally, but PSAD has a better diagnostic performance.

Although prostate-specific antigen-based prostate cancer screening had a positive impact in reducing prostate cancer mortality, it also led to overdiagnosis, overtreatment and a significant number of unnecessary biopsies. In the post-prostate-specific antigen era, new biomarkers have emerged that can complement the information given by prostate-specific antigen, towards a better cancer diagnostic specificity, and also allowing a better estimate of the aggressiveness of the disease and its clinical outcome. That means those markers have the potential to assist the clinician in the decision-making processes, such as whether or not to perform a biopsy, and to make the best treatment choice among the new therapeutic options available, including active surveillance in lower risk disease. In this article, we will review several of those more recent diagnostic markers (4Kscore®, [-2]proPSA and Prostate Health Index, SelectMDx®, ConfirmMDx®, Progensa® Prostate Cancer Antigen 3, Mi-Prostate Score, ExoDx™ Prostate Test, the Stockholm3 test and ERSPC risk calculators) and prognostic markers (OncotypeDX® Genomic Prostate Score, Prolaris®, Decipher® and ProMark®). We will also address some new liquid biopsy approaches – circulating tumour cells and cell-free DNA – with a potential role in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and will briefly give some future perspectives, mostly outlooking epigenetic markers. The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

The issue of overdiagnosis and overtreatment of lesions detected by breast screening mammography has been debated in both international media and the scientific literature. A proportion of cancers detected by breast screening would never have presented symptomatically or caused harm during the patient’s lifetime. The most likely (but not the only) entity which may represent those overdiagnosed and overtreated is low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In this article, we address what is understood regarding the natural history of DCIS and the diagnosis and prognosis of low-grade DCIS. However, low cytonuclear grade disease may not be the totality of DCIS that can be considered of low clinical risk and we outline the issues regarding active surveillance vs excision of low-risk DCIS and the clinical trials exploring this approach.

Purpose Nearly half the cases of thyroid cancer, a malignancy rapidly rising in incidence within the United States, are attributable to small and asymptomatic papillary thyroid cancers that will not increase mortality. A primary driver of thyroid cancer overdiagnosis is ultrasound use. It is therefore valuable to understand how inappropriate use of thyroid ultrasound is defined, analyze the current evidence for its frequency, and identify interventions to lessen misuse. Methods Ovid MEDLINE(R), Ovid EMBASE, and Scopus databases were searched from inception to June 2020 for studies assessing inappropriate use of thyroid ultrasound. Reviewers, working independently and in duplicate, evaluated studies for inclusion, extracted data, and graded risk of bias. We used a random-effects model with a generalized linear mixed approach to calculate the mean overall proportion estimates of inappropriate use. Results Seven studies (total n = 1573) met the inclusion criteria with moderate to high risk of bias. Inappropriate thyroid ultrasound use was described variably, using published practice guidelines, third-party expert reviewers, or author interpretations of the literature. The overall frequency of inappropriate thyroid ultrasound use was 46% (95% CI 15-82%; n = 388) and 34% (95% CI 16-57%; n = 190) among studies using guideline based definitions. The pooled frequency of iUS due to thyroid dysfunction (either hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis) was 17% (95% CI 7-37%; n = 191) and the frequency of iUS due to nonspecific symptoms without a palpable mass was 11% (95% CI 5-22%; n = 124). No study examined interventions to address inappropriate use. Conclusions Low quality evidence suggests that inappropriate use of thyroid ultrasound is common. Interventional studies aiming to decrease the inappropriate use of thyroid ultrasound are urgently needed.

Background A paucity of research addresses breast cancer screening strategies for women at lower-than-average breast cancer risk. The aim of this study was to examine screening harms and benefits among women aged 50-74 years at lower-than-average breast cancer risk by breast density. Methods Three well-established, validated Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Network models were used to estimate the lifetime benefits and harms of different screening scenarios, varying by screening interval (biennial, triennial). Breast cancer deaths averted, life-years and quality-adjusted life-years gained, false-positives, benign biopsies, and overdiagnosis were assessed by relative risk (RR) level (0.6, 0.7, 0.85, 1 [average risk]) and breast density category, for US women born in 1970. Results Screening benefits decreased proportionally with decreasing risk and with lower breast density. False-positives, unnecessary biopsies, and the percentage overdiagnosis also varied substantially by breast density category; false-positives and unnecessary biopsies were highest in the heterogeneously dense category. For women with fatty or scattered fibroglandular breast density and a relative risk of no more than 0.85, the additional deaths averted and life-years gained were small with biennial vs triennial screening. For these groups, undergoing 4 additional screens (screening biennially [13 screens] vs triennially [9 screens]) averted no more than 1 additional breast cancer death and gained no more than 16 life-years and no more than 10 quality-adjusted life-years per 1000 women but resulted in up to 232 more false-positives per 1000 women. Conclusion Triennial screening from age 50 to 74 years may be a reasonable screening strategy for women with lower-than-average breast cancer risk and fatty or scattered fibroglandular breast density.

Although prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a significant tumor marker for prostate cancer at present, the low specificity (approximately 33%) and so on likely lead to an overdiagnosis and patient suffering from highly invasive prostate biopsy. Complementary measures with cancer-characteristic biomarkers could improve the specificity and accuracy of diagnosis before the biopsy. Previously, “sniffer mice” were shown to be super-sensitive to differences in odors and to discriminate between odors of urine mixtures from patients with bladder cancer before and after tumor resection as well as urine odors of mice with or without experimental tumors. Here, we showed that the sniffer mice discriminate efficiently urinary odors of patients with prostate cancer using an odor plume-guided Y-maze behavioural assay. Through discrimination training in forced-odor choice, statistically significant increases in correct odor choice rates showed the super-sensitivity of sniffer mice to the olfactory cue of ppq-level urinary biomarkers for prostate cancer in 106 -fold diluted urine samples, where donor-unique odors were below the threshold. Moreover, we validated eight volatile urinary biomarkers nearly at their original relative concentrations as the prostate cancer cue even when adding a similar biomarker profile to the post-radical prostatectomy urine samples by the same behavioural score of the sniffer mice. These biomarkers and profiles could be useful for non-invasive tests for prostate and bladder cancers.

Purpose: Screening for prostate cancer may have limited impact on decreasing prostate cancer-related mortality. A major disadvantage is overdiagnosis, whereby lesions are identified that would not have become evident during the man’s lifetime if screening had not taken place. The present study aims to estimate the rate of overdiagnosis using Finnish data from the European randomized trial of prostate screening. Methods: We used data from 80,149 men randomized to a screening or a control group, distinguishing four birth cohorts. We used the “catch-up method” to identify when the difference in the cumulative incidence of prostate cancer between the screening and control groups had stabilised, implying that the screening has no further effect. We define the overdiagnosis rate to be the relative excess cumulative incidence in the screened group at that point. As an independent method, we also examined the diagnosis rates of T1c tumours as an indicator of early tumors detected by PSA. Results: The estimates of overdiagnosis rates from the catch-up method using the full period of available follow-up ranged between cohorts from 2.3% to 15.4%, and the T1c analysis gave very similar results. Conclusions: Some overdiagnosis has occurred, but there is uncertainty about its extent. A long follow-up is required to demonstrate the full impact of screening. We evaluated the overdiagnosis rates at a population level, associated with being offered screening, taking account of contamination (screening among the controls). The overall evaluation of screening should incorporate mortality benefit, cost-effectiveness and quality of life.

The current prostate cancer screening program results in unnecessary biopsies in a quarter of patients, overdiagnosis of clinically insignificant prostate cancer (ISUP 1) and overtreatment. Intoducing multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging into routine practice before biopsy allows to decrease the number of biopsies, thereby reducing the burden on clinicians and increasing the likelihood of detecting clinically significant forms of prostate cancer (ISUP >2). The objective of this literature review is to compare targeted biopsy techniques and to determine their current role in the prostate cancer diagnosis.

Vertebral artery compression is a syndrome that occurs as a result of hemodynamically significant partial or complete obstruction of vertebral arteries by extravascular structures. In clinical practice, this condition is most often called vertebral artery syndrome. Any vertebral segments can be compressed, but most often the lesion is determined at the level of C1–C2. Russian authors consider vertebral artery compression to be a common cause of a wide range of patient complaints, including dizziness, headaches, and subjective tinnitus. In some studies, it is reported that vertebral artery syndrome develops in 50% of patients with degenerative changes in the cervical spine. In the world literature, vertebral artery compression syndrome which is often referred to as “bow hunter’s syndrome” is called a rare pathology. Such a pronounced difference in the frequency of detection of vertebral artery compression in Russian and world literature may be associated with a lack of common diagnostic criteria, low awareness of alternative diagnoses, and incorrect interpretation of patient complaints. It is obvious that these factors need to be corrected in order to reduce the likelihood of overdiagnosis of vertebral artery compression syndrome and improve the quality of medical care.

Migraine is considered an underdiagnosed disease in general population. Different studies show a higher prevalence in neurologists. However, there are few studies about its prevalence in doctors of other specialties, where it could also be superior than in general population. Our aim was to define migraine lifetime prevalence among doctors according to three parameters (previous diagnosis, self-diagnosis and positivity of a screening test). Single-center, descriptive, cross-sectional study based on online surveys with collection of sociodemographic and clinical variables, addressed to doctors of a tertiary hospital. Participants who reported 5 or more headaches throughout their lives were considered "headache sufferers" and were divided in different groups according to their position (specialists or trainees) and their specialty (medical, medical-surgical and surgical or specialties with no direct contact with the patient). The Spanish validated version of the Migraine Screen Questionnaire (MS-Q) was used as screening test. There were 217 participants (response rate of 29%), 72% were women and 56% trainees, mean age 34 years (SD10). 77% were "headache sufferers" Among all participants, migraine lifetime prevalence according to diagnosis by another physician was 15.2%, self-diagnosis 38.2% and positivity of the MS-Q 20.3%; those categories were not mutually exclusive Greater but not statistically significant coexistence of self-diagnosis and positive MS-Q was seen in specialists compared to trainees and in medical specialties. Migraine prevalence among doctors in a tertiary care hospital was higher than in general population, according to all three parameters analyzed. Self-diagnosis was the highest which could reflect an overdiagnosis; further studies are needed to determine this possibility.

Objective The basis of thyroid nodule diagnostics is ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy with cytological evaluation (FNC) if ultrasound appearance is not clearly benign. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive potential of dedicated, expert high-resolution ultrasound, to see if histopathological entities of thyroid nodules can be diagnosed without invasive FNC biopsies. Design Prospective case-cohort study. Methods 187 patients with 221 thyroid nodules were examined with ultrasound and prospectively assigned to the expected histopathological diagnosis: colloid nodule, adenomatoid colloid nodule, follicular adenoma, follicular carcinoma, follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma, or other thyroid cancer. In 101 of these, we later obtained histopathological reports for comparison. Results Overall accuracy for classification into discrete histopathological categories by expert ultrasound was 71.3% and Cohen’s Kappa was 0.62. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting malignancy were 97.3% and 78.1%. The diagnostic accuracy for malignancy was 85.1%. ACR-TIRADS scores for the same nodules had a sensitivity of 97.3%, specificity of 26.6%, and accuracy of 52.5%. Conclusion Dedicated expert high-resolution ultrasound without FNC can reliably distinguish benign vs malignant nodules, but also differentiate between several histopathological entities in thyroid nodules. There is potential for a reduction in the number of invasive FNC biopsies and diagnostic operations.

Background Silicon migration after rupture is an adverse event of breast implant, whose risk increases with the aging of prosthesis. The exact prevalence of this complication remains unclear and reported data are inconsistent. In addition, microscopic diffusion of silicone gel through intact implant, known as gel bleeding, might verify thus complicating diagnosis. Although high cohesive gel has reduced the occurrence of gel bleeding, this phenomenon is still possible and its occurrence rate remains underestimated. If silicon droplets migrate in locoregional lymph node, a swelling that mimics recurrence can arise. Therefore, a risk of overdiagnosis is possible when clinicians rely only on imaging techniques. The aim of this study is to evaluate the actual prevalence of metastasis in internal mammary lymph node (IMLN) in presence of PET positive uptake and no prosthesis rupture. Methods We retrospectively evaluated our patient's records and selected those with intact breast implants and suspected relapse in IMLN that underwent biopsy, either surgical or imaging guided. All patients performed PET/CT scan showing pathological uptake in IMLNs. A breast magnetic resonance (MRI) or ultrasound (US) imaging confirmed a suspicious adenopathy and excluded prosthesis rupture. From 2015 to 2019 a total of nine patients underwent biopsy of the IMLN and only six of them met inclusion criteria. Results Four biopsies were CT-guided, two were surgical. Three patients (50%) were diagnosed with breast cancer relapse while two (33.3%) were found with siliconoma and one (16.7%) was inflammatory. Conclusions Siliconoma can occur even without evidence of capsule rupture, challenging the clinicians and leading to a risk of relapse over diagnosis. Echographic, MRI and nuclear medicine imaging criteria may be not sufficient in differential diagnosis. To overcome the issue, we suggest introducing into the clinical practice the biopsy of suspicious enlarged IMLN with minimally invasive technique.

The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has increased over recent decades. This apparent epidemic has been attributed to the overdiagnosis of small PTC ≤10 mm in diameter (papillary thyroid microcarcinoma [PTMC]) incidentally detected on imaging for unrelated presentations. Although most PTMCs follow an indolent disease course, there is a small but significant proportion of cases that display more biologically aggressive features such as early metastasis and lymph node involvement. Management of PTMC diagnosed preoperatively should be distinguished from managing those PTMCs incidentally discovered after thyroidectomy. Here, we will focus on the challenge of managing the preoperative patient. Current guidelines recommend against routine biopsy of nodules ≤10 mm, even if they display highly suspicious features on ultrasound; however, it is not known how to identify those PTMCs at higher risk of disease progression. In view of their good prognosis even without surgical resection, active surveillance has emerged as an alternative to operative management for low-risk PTMC without lymph node involvement or distant metastasis. This review aims to summarise active surveillance data for PTMC and identify clinical features that may differentiate the indolent majority from those PTMCs that exhibit early disease progression and metastasis.

Background: The diagnosis of (significant) prostate cancer ((s)PC) is impeded by overdiagnosis and unnecessary biopsy. Risk calculators (RC) have been developed to mitigate these issues. Contemporary RCs integrate clinical characteristics with mpMRI findings. Objective: To validate two of these models—the MRI-ERSPC-RC-3/4 and the risk model of van Leeuwen. Methods: 265 men with clinical suspicion of PC were enrolled. Every patient received a prebiopsy mpMRI, which was reported according to PI-RADS v2.1, followed by MRI/TRUS fusion-biopsy. Cancers with ISUP grade ≥ 2 were classified as sPC. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Statistical analysis was performed by comparing discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility Results: There was no significant difference in discrimination between the RCs. The MRI-ERSPC-RC-3/4-RC showed a nearly ideal calibration-slope (0.94; 95% CI 0.68–1.20) than the van Leeuwen model (0.70; 95% CI 0.52–0.88). Within a threshold range up to 9% for a sPC, the MRI-ERSPC-RC-3/4-RC shows a greater net benefit than the van Leeuwen model. From 10 to 15%, the van Leeuwen model showed a higher net benefit compared to the MRI-ERSP-3/4-RC. For a risk threshold of 15%, the van Leeuwen model would avoid 24% vs. 14% compared to the MRI-ERSPC-RC-3/4 model; 6% vs. 5% sPC would be overlooked, respectively. Conclusion: Both risk models supply accurate results and reduce the number of biopsies and basically no sPC were overlooked. The van Leeuwen model suggests a better balance between unnecessary biopsies and overlooked sPC at thresholds range of 10–15%. The MRI-ERSPC-RC-3/4 risk model provides better overall calibration.

Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is superior in fracture detection than conventional radiography; however, dose is increased. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers higher spatial resolution and lower dose than MDCT. Manufacturers offer an ultra-low-dose algorithm. This study compares the diagnostic accuracy of the ultra-low-dose CBCT (ULDCBCT) with that of the standard-dose CBCT (SDCBCT). In total, 64 patients were scanned with both the SDCBCT and the ULDCBCT protocols. Both studies were reported by two consultant radiologists with fellowship training in emergency radiology separated in time. The reporter recorded a diagnosis of fracture or normal and diagnostic confidence using a 5-point Likert scale. The gold standard was taken as the SDCBCT. Reporters were blinded to the indication and the SDCBCT report. Cases of discrepancy were resolved by consensus. There were 34 fractures and 30 cases had no fracture. Several fractures were missed using the UDCBCT, and there were also several cases of overdiagnosis. ULD was inferior to SD for fracture diagnosis (p

Purpose Lateral neck nodal metastases are common in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and usually have an indolent nature. They may be detected via neck palpation or preoperative ultrasound (US) of the neck. We hypothesized that preoperative neck metastases detected with US did not affect regional recurrence or long-term survival. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients’ records treated for DTC at our institution between January 2006 and December 2016 was performed. Information about preoperative US of the neck, treatment, demographics, staging, and histopathology was obtained. The endpoints for the study were nodal recurrence and survival. Differences in survival were analyzed between three groups of patients divided by presence or lack of preoperative US and/or palpable cervical lymph nodes (PLN). Furthermore, the prognostic value of multiple variables was tested by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results There were 1108 patients with DTC, 221 males and 887 females. The median age was 48.3 years (range 3 to 86), the median time of observation was 68 months (range 0 to 142). Eight hundred sixty-two patients without PLN or preoperative US represented group 1, 112 patients with PLN were in group 2, and 134 patients without PLN and with preoperative US were in group 3. Only five patients had a regional recurrence, one died due to distant metastases. There was no statistically significant difference in survival between the groups (p = 0.841) and neck US was not significantly associated with overall survival neither in univariate nor in multivariate analysis. Conclusion In patients with DTC, the benefits of preoperative US of cervical lymph nodes are probably limited and “less is more” approach is advised.