Falun Hospital

BackgroundIn Sweden, approximately 1300 patients are diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) every year. The use of a computed tomography (CT) scan of the thoracic cavity in the preoperative work up of kidney cancer has increased in Sweden, and current national guidelines recommend that all patients, regardless of tumor size, should be evaluated this wayPurposeTo investigate the need for the preoperative routine to include a CT scan of the thoracic cavity when investigating renal masses 4 cm or smaller.Material and MethodsBetween 2017 and 2022, 496 patients at a university hospital and a regional hospital received treatment with curative intent for T1a tumors. Patient data and pathological findings were registered from patient records.ResultsMedian follow-up was 38 months. A total of 260 patients were examined with a preoperative CT scan of the thoracic cavity without pathology: 46 had not been scanned, 118 had indeterminate lesions, and metastasis was suspected in two cases. During follow-up, six patients had local relapse and none was diagnosed with lung metastasis. In no case did the preoperative CT of the thoracic cavity contribute to an early discovery of lung metastases.ConclusionOur conclusion is that a chest CT scan is superfluous in the preoperative work-up. The cost, and the time to treatment, could be reduced by precluding the chest CT in the preoperative work up for small renal tumors.

Lower abdominal and junctional hemorrhages are major causes of trauma-related mortality in both military and civilian settings. The Abdominal Aortic and Junctional Tourniquet (AAJT) is designed to occlude the infrarenal aorta through external compression, providing a potential prehospital hemorrhage control strategy. However, concerns remain regarding time-dependent adverse effects, particularly ischemic injury to abdominal organs. This study aimed to evaluate the anatomical and physiological consequences of AAJT application over different durations using computed tomography angiography in a porcine model. Six male crossbred swine (mean 62.4 kg) underwent controlled class II hemorrhage, followed by AAJT application for either 60 or 240 min. computed tomography angiographies were performed at baseline, immediately after application, and at the designated time points. Three-dimensional vascular reconstructions were analyzed to assess blood flow and ischemic changes in major abdominal organs. AAJT successfully occluded the infrarenal aorta in all cases, preventing blood flow to the distal aorta and inferior vena cava. Abdominal organs were displaced cranially, but contrast enhancement remained intact in the intestines and liver. Significant hydronephrosis was observed at 240 min (P = 0.022), suggesting time-dependent renal impairment. No pleural effusion or pulmonary embolism was detected. AAJT caused time-dependent adverse effects. Radiological imaging may underestimate ischemic damage, highlighting the need for multimodal assessment when evaluating AAJT, especially with prolonged use. Limiting application duration to 60 min minimizes ischemic risks while maintaining effective hemorrhage control. Future research should focus on device modifications and alternative protocols to mitigate these complications.

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This paper investigates the vertical response of end-bearing piles in a homogeneous isotropic linear elastic soil on a rigid bedrock subjected to a vertical harmonic point load at the soil’s surface. A numerical model is used to compute vibration responses. A novel system of dimensionless parameters is established to bring insight into the influence of the relationships between soil and pile properties on the dynamic pile–soil interaction and to allow for general conclusions to be drawn. The results show the conditions under which the relationship between the axial stiffness of the pile and the stiffness of the soil has a significant influence on the end-bearing pile response. Different pile group configurations are considered where the vertical response is found to be bounded by the single pile response, justifying its use as a conservative estimate for the group response. Finally, an expression including only two dimensionless parameters, the pile slenderness ratio and the pile–soil stiffness ratio, is proposed for calculating an estimation of the vertical response of an end-bearing pile from the free field vibrations. • Vertical responses of end-bearing piles are estimated from free field vibrations • A reduction factor is obtained from pile slenderness and pile–soil stiffness ratio • Vertical responses of 2 × 2 pile groups are bounded by the single pile response • Limitations regarding pile axial resonances and guided P-waves are considered

Abstract BackgroundNew disease modifying treatments (DMTs) offer a new treatment paradigm in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This likely requires significant changes in patient management and need for added capacity for diagnosis, treatment and monitoring.MethodWe surveyed eight selected memory clinics in the three largest and two smaller regions of Sweden, plus one in each of Denmark, Finland and Norway on their current practice, number of patients by diagnosis and available resources. Findings were compared to clinic assumptions on a future scenario where eligible patients with MCI or mild dementia due to AD are offered DMT.ResultUp to 3, but most often less than 1, incident patients in 1000 inhabitants per year are seen at surveyed memory clinics, of which on average about 40% have MCI or mild dementia due to AD. This constitutes not more than a few percent of the 10‐30 persons in 1000 inhabitants expected to have AD at this stage in the Nordics today. Most patients get amyloid biomarker confirmation as part of their diagnosis, while there are long wait times for radiology, in particular magnetic resonance imaging.ConclusionMost patients expected to be eligible for DMTs in AD are not referred to memory clinics today, but are managed in primary care or are not presenting with cognitive complaints to health care at all. Therefore, the main challenge is likely not to treat patients already seen at memory clinics, but to manage a potential increase in patients that would benefit from DMTs. New referral patterns and health care seeking behaviors are therefore expected to determine the need for investments in additional capacity to diagnose and treat eligible patients.

BackgroundLaparoscopic cholecystectomy with ultrasonic dissection presents a compelling alternative to conventional electrocautery. The evidence for elective cholecystectomy supports the adoption of ultrasonic dissection, citing advantages such as reduced operating time, diminished bleeding, shorter hospital stays and decreased postoperative pain and nausea. However, the efficacy of this procedure in emergency surgery and patients diagnosed with acute cholecystitis remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of electrocautery and ultrasonic dissection in patients with acute cholecystitis.MethodsA randomized, parallel, double-blinded, multicentre controlled trial was conducted across eight Swedish hospitals. Eligible participants were individuals aged ≥ 18 years with acute cholecystitis lasting ≤ 7 days. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in the emergency setting as soon as local circumstances permitted. Random allocation to electrocautery or ultrasonic dissection was performed in a 1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint was the total complication rate, analysed using an intention-to-treat approach. The primary outcome was analysed using logistic generalized estimated equations. Patients, postoperative caregivers, and follow-up personnel were blinded to group assignment.ResultsFrom September 2019 to March 2023, 300 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to electrocautery dissection (n = 148) and ultrasonic dissection (n = 152). No significant difference in complication rate was observed between the groups (risk difference [RD] 1.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI], − 7.2% to 10.4%, P = 0.720). No significant disparities in operating time, conversion rate, hospital stay or readmission rates between the groups were noted. Haemostatic agents were more frequently used in electrocautery dissection (RD 10.6%, 95% CI, 1.3% to 19.8%, P = 0.025).ConclusionsUltrasonic dissection and electrocautery dissection demonstrate comparable risks for complications in emergency surgery for patients with acute cholecystitis. Ultrasonic dissection is a viable alternative to electrocautery dissection or can be used as a complementary method in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.Trial registrationThe trial was registered prior to conducting the research on http://clinical.trials.gov, NCT03014817.

The aim of the study was to investigate the virulence factors in Escherichia coli producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) derived from the perinatal fecal colonization flora of mothers and their newborns in a Chinese obstetric ward.Rectal swabs were obtained from mothers prenatally and from their newborns postnatally, and analyzed for ESBL-producing Escherichia coli. The isolates were then whole-genome sequenced.Maternal and neonatal colonization by ESBL-producing E. coli in a Chinese obstetric ward was 18% (31/177) and 5% (9/170), respectively. Fecal ESBL-producing isolates exhibited a significantly lower frequency of virulence factors compared with invasive E. coli.Providing balanced information on screening results is essential, along with conducting a risk assessment for antibiotic treatment strategies. · High ESBL E. coli colonization rates in mothers and neonates perinatally. · Fecal ESBL-producing E. coli showed fewer virulence traits.. · ESBL-producing E. coli knowledge may prompt antibiotic overuse..

Validation of biobanks and large cancer cohorts is essential in ensuring high-quality research results. We examined the coverage, generalisability and validity of the lymphoma collection of the Uppsala-Umeå Comprehensive Cancer Consortium (U-CAN) biobank in Sweden, one of the largest cancer biobanks in Europe. Up until 2022, 889 lymphoma patients in U-CAN Uppsala had available samples, and 329 in U-CAN Umeå. Patients diagnosed in the U-CAN Uppsala area 2011-2021 (n = 843) were linked to the nationwide Swedish Lymphoma Register, and a subset diagnosed before 2019 (n = 727) to population-based registers. The coverage was 39% of all lymphoma patients between 2011 and 2019 diagnosed in the U-CAN Uppsala area, with a pandemic decline to 10% during 2020-2021. The patients included had superior overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.70 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.60-0.82]) than all lymphoma patients in Sweden. They had better performance status, were younger (odds ratio [OR] = 0.21 [95% CI: 0.13-0.34]) and had less comorbidities (OR = 0.66 [95% CI: 0.56-0.78]). However, cause-specific survival and stage distribution were similar. The questionnaire data captured less comorbidities compared to the national registers. Evaluations of biobanks are important, as even population-based biobanks such as U-CAN select younger patients with higher socioeconomical status and better performance status. However, the similar cause-specific survival as in the registries suggests U-CANs usefulness for prognostic biomarker studies.

BackgroundUncemented trabecular metal (TM) monoblock tibial components in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have shown excellent clinical results for up to 10 years. However, these studies were performed in highly specialized units, with few surgeons and often excluding knees with secondary osteoarthritis (OA), severe malalignments and previous surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate implant survivorship and clinical and radiological outcome of the uncemented TM high-flex posterior stabilized (PS) monoblock tibial component in routine clinical practice. MethodsA retrospective study of 339 knees (282 patients) operated with the implant in routine clinical practice at two hospitals on patients aged 60 years or younger between 2007 and 2015. The operations were performed by 12 surgeons and there were no specific contraindications for use of the implant. Follow up ended in 2020. The status of the implant of deceased patients at death and those not attending follow up was checked with the Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Register. Clinical follow up consisted of clinical investigation, PROMs, and knee X-ray. ResultsFollow up was mean (range) 8.5 (5–13.8) years, and the 8-year survival rate was 0.98 (standard error 0.007). Five patients five knees) were deceased, five knees were revised (none due to aseptic loosening), and 16 patients did not attend the clinical follow up.Forty-four percent of the knees had secondary OA and 45% had had previous operations. 93% were satisfied or very satisfied with the operation and forgotten joint score (FJS) was median (interquartile range) 81 (44–94). Radiographic analysis revealed bone in close contact with the tibial tray and pegs in most cases, and in only 2% of the knees were potential radiolucent lines found. ConclusionThe results indicate that this uncemented implant performs excellently in routine clinical practice and also in younger patients with secondary OA or previous knee operations.

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of serum and SF levels of the granulocyte protein calprotectin as an inflammatory biomarker in RA patients with knee synovitis.MethodsSeventy-six RA patients with ongoing knee synovitis were included. Data on DAS with 28 joints and their subcomponents and radiological destruction of the affected knee were collected. White blood cell count, CRP, ACPA against cyclic citrullinated peptide version 2 (anti-CCP2), IgM RF and calprotectin were analysed in parallel in circulation and in SF. Counts of polynuclear and mononuclear cells were measured in SF.ResultsSerum (S)-calprotectin correlated more strongly than SF-calprotectin with inflammatory markers and disease activity. Instead, SF-calprotectin showed a strong correlation to SF counts of white blood cells, and especially to polymorphonuclear cell counts (Spearman’s ρ = 0.72, P < 0.001). S-calprotectin showed markedly stronger correlation with inflammatory markers and disease activity in ACPA positive as compared with ACPA negative RA patients; a similar difference was observed for patients with and without IgM RF.ConclusionThe particularly strong association between circulating calprotectin and inflammation in ACPA positive RA is a new argument for a specific role for polymorphonuclear granulocytes/neutrophils in this RA subset. Measurement of calprotectin in SF does not convey any additional benefit compared with measurement in the circulation in RA patients with knee synovitis.