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Guidelines for sites linking to mayoclinic.orgA recent study shows that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment with dosing consistent with adult protocols is safe, feasible and effective in adolescents who participated. Treatment benefits appeared durable at the six-month follow-up visit. Read more.
Researchers incorporated results of the NICE-SUGAR trial and the Leuven study with many other, smaller studies in an attempt to resolve the disparate results and answer the question of whether tight glycemic control helps or hurts patients. Read more.
Clinical laboratories use markedly different methods for vitamin D testing. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is superior to most competitive immunoassays and receptor-binding assays even though some LC-MS/MS methods can be laborious and complex. Read more.
Mayo ophthalmologists have fitted 180 patients (275 eyes) with Jupiter design pre-made diagnostic scleral lenses that differ in diameter and base curve. Lenses are customized to provide excellent vision and comfort for each patient. Read more.
Preoperative therapy, including chemotherapy and portal vein embolization to induce tumor shrinkage and increase liver remnant volume, increases the number of patients eligible for liver resection and improves patient outcomes. Read more.
The need for genetic testing to confirm clinical diagnosis of endocrine syndromes should be made on a case-by-case basis with a geneticist involved from the outset. Interpretation of genetic test results can be challenging. Read more.
Artificial sphincter implantation is the preferred treatment for patients with severe SUI. Options for patients with eventual first-time sphincter failure include tandem cuffs, transcorporal cuffs, soft tissue grafts and male suburethral slings. Read more.
Sports-related concussions are often unrecognized or unreported. Protocol for suspected concussion includes the Mayo Concussion Test, which evaluates orientation, immediate memory, concentration, and delayed recall, and the Post-Concussion Symptoms Scale, which evaluates for symptoms associated with concussion. Read more.
For patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy who receive corneal transplants, the main visual advantage of Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty over PK is the ability to provide a predictable postoperative spherical equivalent with little, if any, induced cylinder. Read more.
It is unclear who is predisposed to femoroacetabular impingement and when onset occurs. Surgeons and sports medicine specialists have developed a program aimed at detecting teen patients at risk and a randomized clinical trial comparing arthroscopic vs. open techniques. Read more.
Laboratory tests for free thyroid hormone are among the most frequently ordered. In many cases, measurement of total thyroid hormones is just as informative as testing for free thyroid hormones and analytically more reliable. Read more.
A study of the incidence of herpes simplex virus eye disease in a community-based cohort shows that oral antiviral prophylaxis was associated with a decreased risk of recurrence of epithelial keratitis, stromal keratitis and conjunctivitis due to HSV infection. Read more.
Although cancer therapy can be lifesaving, treatment sequelae may include premature gonadal failure or infertility. With recent technical improvements, more than 70 percent of oocytes can now survive the cryopreservation process, and pregnancy rates are reasonable. Read more.
Patients who undergo deep brain stimulation to improve the physical symptoms of Parkinson disease may have psychiatric adverse affects. Mayo specialists conduct cognitive assessments during initial evaluation for DBS and throughout treatment to improve patients' quality of life. Read more.
Robotic thyroid surgery allows completion of a total thyroidectomy and central compartment node dissection. The surgical robot provides excellent visualization, wristed instrumentation promoting delicate and complex motions, and application of the harmonic scalpel to divide and seal vessels without ligature. Read more.
Without surgery, chordomas, the most common primary malignant bone tumors, are fatal in 50 to 70 percent of patients. Removal of the chordoma as an intact whole reduces the risk of recurrence and prolongs patient survival. Read more.
PEDIG studies show that treatment with varying intensities of spectacles, an eye patch, atropine drops or a blurring filter usually are successful. Intensive treatment regimens are not necessary for most children with amblyopia. Read more.
Specialists guide a five-day program of cognitive behavioral therapy that educates children and their parents about obsessive-compulsive disorder and teaches parents to act as coaches so that children don't need to see a therapist after they return home. Read more.
For patients with early-stage gallbladder carcinoma that involves muscle, removal of the rim of the liver around the gallbladder bed and regional lymph nodes offers curative possibilities. Read more.
A study of 365 patients with acute type B aortic dissection without rupture or malperfusion indicates that recurrent pain and refractory hypertension should encourage an aggressive interventional approach to treatment. Read more.
Observational studies show that ablation helps to eliminate atrial fibrillation, reduce its frequency and improve quality of life for patients with AF and underlying dilated cardiomyopathies. AF's prevalence continues to increase despite progress in the treatment of contributing factors. Read more.
Most of the children who sustain a fracture by age 18 do not have an underlying metabolic bone disorder. Multiple fractures, unexplained fractures, atypical fractures, low-trauma fractures and a family history of metabolic bone disease should prompt further investigation. Read more.
Patients contemplating therapy with oral or intravenous bisphosphonate for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis should be informed of the rare risk of jaw osteonecrosis with oral bisphosphonates and the relatively infrequent risk of jaw osteonecrosis with intravenous bisphosphonates. Read more.
Mayo endocrinologists coordinate care to provide clinical assessment, ultrasound evaluation, fine-needle aspiration, and a definitive diagnosis. Early diagnosis of thyroid cancer improves the likelihood it can be contained within the thyroid gland, amenable to surgery. Read more.
Research indicates that drugs such as interferon-a, lithium, and estrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulators have the potential to affect thyroid function. Common toxins, including potassium perchlorate, pesticides and industrial chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls may also impact the thyroid. Read more.
Early study results indicate survival at 1 year was higher for patients who received transfemoral implantation of a balloon-expandable, stented bioprosthesis with standard medical management than for patients who received only medical therapy. Read more.
A federal trial studies patients with both meniscal tears and osteoarthritis to identify which variables are predictors of bad outcomes from arthroscopy, and which are predictors of good outcomes in the form of improved functional status. Read more.
The discovery that seizurelike events can occur in pathologic microdomains in humans indicates that seizures may begin before they are evident clinically. Future devices may warn patients that a seizure is imminent or prevent a seizure. Read more.
Minimally invasive transoral robotic surgery provides 3-D imaging and articulated instruments that enhance a surgeon's ability to navigate challenging anatomy. The surgery offers an effective alternative treatment for some patients with oral cancers. Read more.
Mayo specialists collaborate to diagnose and determine the best treatment alternatives for patients with facial pain. Therapeutic success is particularly dependent on differential diagnosis to distinguish classic TN from other types of facial pain. Read more.
CREST results indicate that carotid angioplasty with stent placement is appropriate for selected patients with transient ischemic attacks or cerebral infarction and also for certain patients who have severe stenosis of the carotid artery without symptoms. Read more.
Mayo researchers are conducting a large study to determine the efficacy and magnitude of the effects of aspirin on MS-related fatigue and to quantify fatigue to develop objective measures of therapeutic outcome. Read more.
Mayo Clinic's Biobank for Bipolar Disorder provides a resource for the research community working to confirm risk factors and discover additional contributors to bipolar disorder susceptibility and response to treatment in adults and children. Read more.
The orifice size of collector channels in primary open-angle glaucoma eyes may be reduced by 50%. Determining whether the change in orifice size is a cause or an effect in glaucoma is a new direction for a Mayo research team. Read more.
Mayo cardiologists use 3D transesophageal echocardiography for rapid assessment of surgical pathology, to confirm diagnosis of complications of endocarditis, and to help identify whether pacemaker or intracardiac defibrillator leads are contributing to tricuspid regurgitation. Read more.
More than half of Mayo Clinic behavioral medicine consultations occur in integrated practice settings. Mayo was also the initial rollout site for the DIAMOND project, which incorporates a patient health questionnaire to track response to treatment over time. Read more.
Researchers discover a strong association between the transcription factor 4 gene (TCF4) on chromosome 18 and FCD. A genome-wide association study allowed simultaneous comparison of 330,000 alleles between affected and unaffected subjects. Read more.
Fewer than 50% of people with diabetes have yearly eye examinations, often because eye care is not controlled by their primary care physician. Mayo now provides convenient access to retinal photographs in the primary care setting. Read more.
Research conducted at Mayo Clinic shows that for certain movement disorders and nonmotor syndromes and conditions in carefully selected patients, stimulating neural activity through surgically implanted electrodes can markedly improve quality of life. Read more.
Pancreatic, colorectal, breast, hepatobiliary, bladder, and endometrial cancers occur more frequently in people with type 2 diabetes. Older age, male sex, obesity, diminished physical activity, a high-calorie diet, excessive alcohol, and smoking are associated with both diseases. Read more.
There are several reasons to suspect, confirm, localize, and resect catecholamine-secreting tumors. Associated hypertension is curable with removal; risk of lethal hypertensive paroxysm exists; 10% of the tumors are malignant; and detection may result in early diagnosis in family members. Read more.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have evaluated a new plaque design that allows for in situ radiation of an iris melanoma. The innovation precludes removal of the melanomas, yet decreases the amount of radiation to other portions of the eye. Read more.
More than 25 years ago, research into a connection between PPNAD and cardiac myxoma resulted in identification of a new syndrome: Carney complex. Approximately half of patients with PPNAD have Carney complex. Mutations in two genes have been associated with the disorder. Read more.
Using a 10-point composite autonomic severity score that they developed, Mayo Clinic neurologists found that sudomotor testing is highly sensitive in identifying clinical distal small-fiber neuropathy in patients who have normal or unrelated abnormalities on electromyographic testing. Read more.
Robotic thyroidectomy is not minimally invasive, but allows total thyroidectomy while avoiding neck incisions. The technique was pioneered in South Korea, where the population has a high incidence of keloid formation and social stigma is associated with neck scars. Read more.
Mayo physiatrists provide accurate, research-based exercise prescriptions for healthy individuals, those with obesity-related joint complications, and inactive individuals without impairments who need to begin an activity program to optimize cardiovascular and musculoskeletal fitness. Read more.
Highly porous metals (HPMs) can form strong, rapid biological fixation of implants that improves spanning of large defects. Mayo researchers found that in acetabular revision, highly porous tantalum acetabular components may provide superior mechanical stability over the traditional cementless implant. Read more.
A new green screen virtual reality motion trainer allows patients to work on range-of-motion and other exercises in a simulated setting. Additional staff adds depth to orthopedic subspecialties and Level 1 Trauma Center care. Read more.
Molecular breast imaging (MBI) can be combined with myocardial perfusion imaging to accurately assess a woman's risk of breast cancer and coronary artery disease. Mayo's Nuclear Cardiology Laboratory offers heart-breast scans to all women scheduled for myocardial perfusion imaging. Read more.
Athletic performance places extreme demands on the heart. A team of Mayo Clinic physicians and allied health professionals evaluates patients to identify potentially serious cardiovascular disorders and provide guidelines for training and performance improvement to ensure the heart is fit. Read more.
Mayo researchers' novel conceptualization of wrist instability paved the way for the emergence of advanced prosthetics. Today, orthopedic problems are translated into mechanical problems with engineering solutions—and then translated back into the clinical context and applied to patient care. Read more.
Occipital nerve stimulation is commonly used to treat migraine and cluster headaches that do not respond to conventional medications or treatment. Recent tests indicate microstimulators may offer a less invasive treatment that avoids the risk of lead migration. Read more.
Determining subtype is critical in directing treatment in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is essential to distinguishing between aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA), which should be treated medically and not surgically. Read more.
Autonomic testing can distinguish primary from secondary disorders, true neuropathy from conditions that mimic it, and psychogenic from organic conditions. The Mayo Clinic autonomic testing laboratory helps referring physicians monitor progression and treatment of complex autonomic dysfunction. Read more.
Mayo ophthalmologists use laser photocoagulation to treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema, the leading cause of decreased visual acuity for patients with long-term diabetes mellitus. Read more.
A rating scale used in Mayo's electronic medical record tracks the progress of children diagnosed with ADHD over time and across providers. Parents, teachers and physicians complete the scale, which may rule out abuse and vision problems for patients. Read more.
Mayo Clinic offers minimally invasive endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) to patients with mucosal esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC.) Studies show that survival outcomes associated with EMR are comparable to those associated with esophagectomy. Read more.
A reimplantation valve-sparing operation that involves resuspending the aortic valve apparatus within the Dacron graft has shown promising results. A National Marfan Foundation-sponsored trial compares the results of the valve-sparing procedure with composite root replacement outcomes. Read more.
Mayo specialty teams stage large sacral resection procedures in short surgical sessions, reducing risk of complication and cost. Researchers have also developed techniques to restore stable anatomy after large resections resulting in severe loss of structure. Read more.
An advanced surgical navigation system, intraoperative CT technology and dedicated spine operating rooms improve visualization for multidisciplinary specialist teams and may shorten operating times and speed recovery. Read more.
Mayo surgeons and rehabilitation experts combine open reconstructive surgery, minimally invasive arthroscopy, and sports medicine physical therapy to treat young adults with some forms of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) successfully. Read more.
Mayo Clinic endocrinologists provide a focused clinical assessment, ultrasound evaluation, fine-needle aspiration, and definitive results, typically within a half-day appointment, for patients with thyroid nodules. Read more.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) is present in 0.2 to 2.0 people per 100,000. The major clinical manifestations in MEN 1 include primary hyperparathyroidism, pancreatic and duodenal neuroendocrine tumors and pituitary tumors. Clinical diagnosis is confirmed with genetic testing. Read more.
Intravenous corticosteroids may be more effective than oral corticosteroids in providing relief from pain, conjunctival edema, and swelling and in rendering the disease inactive in patients with active Graves' ophthalmopathy. A randomized clinical trial will study the effectiveness of rituximab. Read more.
Nearly 40% of men in their 50s and 90% of men in their 80s experience symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Mayo specialists found that outcomes of minimally invasive holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) are superior to those associated with other surgical treatments for PBH. Read more.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Asymptomatic PAD patients should reduce cardiovascular risk factors. The presence of coronary or carotid disease may indicate the coexistence of PAD. Incorporation of cardiac interventional techniques has expanded the treatments available for patients with PAD. Read more.
When used as an alternative to or in conjunction with open neurosurgical techniques, radiosurgery is an effective, less invasive option for treating many benign intracranial tumors, including meningiomas, vestibular schwannomas, and pituitary adenomas. Neurosurgeons at all 3 Mayo Clinic sites have performed radiosurgery for 2 decades. Read more.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are often asymptomatic and treatment is elective. Mayo's vascular surgery team performs more than 300 aneurysm repairs annually, including complex open and endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) procedures, in which use of a stent graft provides a less invasive alternative to open repair. Read more.
Cardiovascular events are the No. 1 cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Research based on National Kidney Foundation guidelines for assessment and treatment of dyslipidemia in patients with mild to moderate CDK shows treatment with statins caused statistically significant reductions in cardiovascular mortality rates. Read more.
Guided by specialty organizations' recommendations and committed to providing excellent care to patients with diabetes mellitus, Mayo Clinic has implemented safety and quality initiatives to ensure optimal management of hyperglycemia in hospitalized adults. Inpatient hyperglycemia has been linked to infection, postoperative complications, and even death. Read more.
Research has confirmed the long-term benefits of proactive management and early surgical intervention for patients with mitral valve regurgitation (MR). Mayo cardiologists recommend prompt surgical evaluation for patients with classic indications of MR and may recommend valve repair before symptom onset, through open or minimally invasive surgery. Read more.
Minimally invasive robotic gynecologic surgery offers many of the benefits and overcomes some of the challenges associated with laparoscopic surgery. Fewer wound complications, 1-night average hospital stays, and resumption of normal activities within 2 weeks following surgery have made the robotic approach a preferred option for many patients. Read more.
One-third of all children sustain a fracture by age 18. Children with 1 or 2 traumatic fractures are unlikely to have an identifiable underlying disorder. Multiple fractures, atypical fractures, low-trauma fractures, and a family history of metabolic bone disease, however, should prompt further investigation. Read more.
Cushing syndrome (CS) is a rare condition associated with increased morbidity and death. Mayo specialists recommend that clinicians exclude exogenous cortico-steroid use and pursue biochemical testing presentation, with abnormal results in at least 2 case detection tests, to establish a diagnosis of CS. Read more.
Recent endoscopic innovations at Mayo Clinic include direct endoscopic necrosectomy, endoscopic treatment of Barrett's esophagus, and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). NOTES eliminates the skin wounds of open and laparoscopic procedures by using natural anatomic passages, such as the vagina and anus, for access. Read more.
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by severe hypotonia in newborns and hyperphagia and weight gain in children and adolescents, resulting in morbid obesity. Mayo endocrinologists recommend care from multiple subspecialists through adulthood. Complications of PWS include osteoporosis, sleep-disordered breathing, and sudden death. Read more.
Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is an underrecognized cause of refractory chronic constipation. Gastroenterologists at Mayo Clinic recommend that when mechanical, anatomical, and disease- and diet-related causes of constipation have been ruled out, PFD should be suspected. Treatment for PFD includes retraining the pelvic floor muscles with biofeedback. Read more.
Mayo Clinic's high-volume Hepatobiliary Neoplasia Clinic provides a single site for patients to access coordinated care. From initial evaluation to diagnosis, medical therapy, minimally invasive or open surgery, transplantation, and aftercare, patients benefit from Mayo's unified approach and HCC expertise. Read more.
Advances at comprehensive inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) centers are creating better and more stable management options for both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Specialists at Mayo Clinic pioneer the use of biomaterials, clinical trials and minimally invasive surgery to care for more than 5,000 IBD patients each year. Read more.
Midwest Advocacy Project (MAP) is the first randomized, practical behavioral trial intended to help survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their families be effective advocates for themselves and others and act as community organizers. Brain Injury Associations in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin partnered with Mayo Clinic to develop an advocacy training program that may be applied nationwide. Read more.
The incidence of parathyroid carcinoma, a rare condition that may affect patients with hyperparathyroidism (HPT), increased 60% between 1988 and 2003. Mayo endocrinologists suspect patients with primary HPT who have hypercalcemia and increased blood concentrations of parathyroid hormone, nephrolithiasis, renal insufficiency or metabolic bone manifestations may be likely to have parathyroid carcinoma. Read more.
Autopsy and head MRI studies indicate that 10% of pituitary masses are discovered incidentally. Mayo endocrinologists confirm that patients are asymptomatic, consider possible causes, and weigh the potential for and the clinical impact of hormone deficiency, hormone excess and mass growth before recommending monitoring or treatment for patients with pituitary incidentaloma. Read more.
Mayo Clinics researchers continue to identify new methods to strengthen weight-bearing bones in patients with spinal cord injury. A current study explores whether vertical oscillation that mimics the rapid on-rapid off motion that occurs when a person walks will help restore bone mass. Read more.
Clinicians use Mayo Clinic's Web-based FEED program to create nutrition programs tailored to a patient's clinical condition and provide metabolic monitoring. Nutrition physicians created FEED rules, which are incorporated into computerized logic algorithms to communicate patient information, improve safety, standardize care, and enhance efficiency of daily rounds. Read more.
Mayo physicians use musculoskeletal ultrasound to diagnose and treat tendon, muscle and joint disorders. Physiatrists use ultrasound to guide therapies, including tendon fenestration (percutaneous tenotomy), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. Researchers are evaluating the combination of musculoskeletal ultrasound, PRP therapy, and tendon fenestration to treat patients with chronic tendon injuries. Read more.
Orthopedic surgeons at Mayo Clinic developed a parallel-plating internal fixation technique for the salvage of selected fractures and nonunions that provides robust fixation even in fractures formerly considered unfixable. Recently published results show that in a selected group of complex fractures, no patients experienced hardware failure or fracture re-displacement despite aggressive physical therapy. Elbow replacement is also an option in some patients. Read more.
Eight knee surgery specialists from the United States and Canada have formed the Knee Dislocation Study Group to address the lack of evidence available on which to base a systematic approach to evaluation and treatment of knee dislocation patients with multiligament injuries. The group intends to create better outcomes for more patients by achieving consensus on best practices. Read more.
Mayo Clinic researchers report favorable results with the newest generation of implants—nonconstrained pyrolytic carbon arthroplasty—for metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint arthritis. A published Mayo Clinic team review showed improvements in arc of motion, oppositional pinch, and grip strength. Longer follow-up evaluation is planned to help validate these promising early results. Read more.
Advancements in the preservation of renal function help to ensure a high quality of life for patients with kidney masses. Researchers use Mayo Clinic's renal nephrectomy registry—30-plus years of outcome data—to identify successful techniques and guide therapeutic innovation, such as the identification of prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for kidney cancers. Read more.
Robotic radical prostatectomy has become the preferred approach for prostate removal at many centers. The open approach retains a valid role, however, because intermediate- to high-risk patients benefit from the surgeon's palpable intraoperative feedback performed during the open procedure. Each approach has its advantages, depending on the patient and his unique cancer features. Read more.
Neither the treatment nor the prognosis of locally advanced high-risk prostate cancer has changed greatly over the past 60 years. Mayo Clinic urologists used a novel two-step therapeutic strategy—immunostimulation by androgen-deprivation therapy and deployment of a monoclonal antibody molecule called MDX-010—to boost and harness the immune response to fight advanced prostate cancer. Two Mayo patients have responded unusually well to this strategy. Read more.
As cross-sectional imaging technology improves and as more patients undergo abdominal CT scans, more small renal masses (≤7 cm) are incidentally found. An estimated 70% are now detected incidentally. Data show that 20 to 25% of all small renal masses are benign and as many as 66% are low-grade or indolent tumors. Mayo Clinic is among the leading centers to develop a new approach to avoid overtreating patients with small renal masses. Read more.
Adult eosinophilic esophaticis (EoE) now has an annual incidence similar to that of Crohn disease. Primary care professionals need to be aware of improved diagnostic and treatment approaches. New guidelines support early diagnosis of EoE, when it is most amenable to medical therapy. Topical corticosteroids provide symptom relief for most patients. Read more.
Glucocorticoid treatment impairs both glucose transport in fat and muscle cells and the ability of glucose to stimulate its own utilization (glucose effectiveness), as well as reducing glucose clearance. The most important goal of therapy for hyperglycemia induced by glucocorticoids is to prevent acute hyperglycemic complications, as well as serious adverse effects from therapy. Read more.
An innovative three-week outpatient program at Mayo Clinic provides treatment for adolescents with chronic pain. The program works to restore the child's ability to function despite persistent pain and symptoms such as nausea, fatigue and dizziness. It teaches family members coping skills and shows parents how to support the child's return to normal activities. Read more.
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