DR. MICHAEL JAMES CAMP, M.D.

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This study looked at the safety of using a drug called zoledronate in children with serious medical conditions who are preparing for spinal surgery due to neuromuscular scoliosis. Out of 47 patients, most who received three doses experienced only minor side effects, such as mild drops in calcium levels or flu-like symptoms, but no serious problems that required hospital care. This matters because it shows that zoledronate can be safely added to treatment plans for these complex cases, which may improve patient outcomes. Who this helps: This helps children with neuromuscular scoliosis and their doctors.

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This study focused on improving how radiology trainees interpret X-rays of children's bones and joints. Researchers used an online teaching method to help 100 trainees review over 48,000 X-ray images, finding that their accuracy in identifying fractures and dislocations improved significantly. Specifically, trainees' ability to accurately identify fractures increased by about 15%, and 77.5% of participants met the required performance standard after reviewing an average of 173 cases. Who this helps: This benefits radiology trainees, ultimately leading to better care for young patients with bone injuries.

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This study looked at how a new care plan for children with infections in their bones and joints, like septic arthritis, affected their trips to the emergency room after leaving the hospital. The researchers found that visits to the emergency room dropped from 28.6% to 17.8% after the care plan was put in place, but this change wasn’t statistically significant. More importantly, the plan improved follow-up visits and the monitoring of an important health marker (C-reactive protein), which means children received more consistent care. Who this helps: This helps children with musculoskeletal infections and their families by promoting better follow-up care.

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This study looked at a new smartphone app that uses artificial intelligence to measure the curvature of the spine in young patients with scoliosis. Researchers found that while 94% of the in-clinic scans were successful, only 51% of the at-home scans worked well. The app was able to identify curve changes with 70% accuracy, but it isn’t reliable enough to replace traditional X-rays or doctor visits just yet. Who this helps: This technology could potentially benefit adolescents with scoliosis and their families by offering a more convenient way to monitor spine curvature.

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The ENGAGE study looked at how well an AI application could provide personalized genetic education to cancer patients before they undergo genetic testing. Out of 64 patients who participated, 51 used the tool and found it secure, easy to use, and helpful, with 98% completing their education before getting test results. This is important because it shows that patients can receive crucial information about their genetic tests conveniently from home, which can lead to better-informed treatment decisions. Who this helps: Cancer patients who need genetic testing education.

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Researchers studied whether a special type of low-radiation CT scan (called ultralow-dose CT or ULD CT) could be safely performed on children with neuromuscular scoliosis without the need for sedation, which is important as many of these children have movement disorders. They found that ULD CT can be done without sedation in most cases and has a similar radiation dose to standard X-rays (0.6 mSv for ULD CT vs. 0.5 mSv for X-rays), while also providing clear images necessary for planning surgeries. This is significant because it helps reduce the risks associated with surgery by ensuring accurate anatomical assessments in these vulnerable patients. Who this helps: This helps pediatric patients with neuromuscular scoliosis and their surgeons.

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This study explored the experiences of 21 women recently diagnosed with breast cancer who received genetic testing from their surgery teams. The women generally had a positive experience and preferred to have genetics conversations during their initial appointments, though they felt these discussions were too brief. Most of the participants were motivated to seek genetic testing for their family's sake and to have complete information, rather than just for making surgical choices, indicating a need for better communication and more educational resources about genetic testing. Who this helps: This benefits breast cancer patients who are navigating their treatment options.

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This study compared two methods for treating toddler's fractures: a removable walking boot and a traditional cast. Researchers found that children wearing the boot experienced slightly less pain (average pain score of 1.21) compared to those in casts (average score of 1.76) after four weeks. Additionally, 77% of kids in the boot group returned to their usual activities most of the time, compared to only 41% in the cast group, making the boot a practical choice that also reduces caregiver challenges related to caring for the child. Who this helps: This benefits parents and caregivers of toddlers with fractures, as well as pediatricians looking for effective treatment options.

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This study looked at ways to improve outcomes for children undergoing spine surgery by focusing on reducing anemia and minimizing blood loss. It found that using patient blood management, blood conservation techniques, and enhanced recovery strategies can help lower the need for blood transfusions during surgery, ultimately leading to fewer complications and shorter hospital stays. This is important because it means safer surgeries and better recovery for young patients, which can also reduce healthcare costs. Who this helps: This helps pediatric patients and their families.

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This study looked at the use of neuromonitoring during surgical lengthening procedures for patients with early onset scoliosis, analyzing data from 62 patients over a 20-year period. Out of 470 surgeries reviewed, only 326 were lengthenings, and neuromonitoring alerts were triggered in just 3 of those procedures, showing a low occurrence of potential issues. The findings indicate that neuromonitoring may not be necessary for routine lengthening surgeries because there were no neurological injuries reported and alerts were rare. Who this helps: This helps surgeons and patients by streamlining surgical procedures and reducing costs without compromising safety.

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This study looked at two ways of performing surgery to treat early-onset scoliosis, called staged and unstaged growing rod insertion, in 48 patients. Researchers found that patients who had unstaged surgery corrected their spine curvature by an average of 46.6%, compared to just 31.5% for those who had staged surgery. Additionally, patients who underwent staged surgery experienced more complications (38% vs. 12%) and stayed in the hospital longer (10.7 days vs. 5.8 days). Who this helps: This information benefits patients with early-onset scoliosis and their families by guiding treatment decisions.

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This study looked at the outcomes of 178 preliminary surgical residents over 18 years at a U.S. hospital. It found that 84% of U.S. graduates and 88% of international graduates (IMGs) went on to complete further surgical training. This is important as it shows that a diverse group of residents, especially IMGs from 41 different countries, are successfully entering advanced training programs in the U.S., although most are not going back to their home countries after completing their training. Who this helps: This helps both surgical residency programs and international medical graduates seeking training opportunities in the U.S.

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This study examined the effectiveness of two surgical methods—Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (ALND) and Targeted Axillary Dissection (TAD)—in patients who experienced a single recurrence of breast cancer in the armpit. Out of 21 patients with this recurrence, 15 had ALND and 6 had TAD, but there was no significant difference in their progression-free survival, meaning both methods did not show improved outcomes regarding how long patients lived without cancer returning. The study also noted that radiation and hormone therapy after the first recurrence helped patients live longer without cancer progression. Who this helps: This research benefits breast cancer patients facing isolated axillary recurrence and their doctors in making treatment decisions.

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This study looked at how lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic affected children's orthopedic injuries that needed surgery in Ontario. The researchers found that emergency department visits for these injuries dropped by 20%, and surgeries went down by 29% compared to the year before the pandemic. Notably, playground injuries fell sharply during the first two stages of lockdown, while injuries from self-propelled activities increased. This information is important for planning healthcare responses to future lockdowns. Who this helps: This helps doctors and healthcare planners understand and prepare for changes in pediatric injuries during public health emergencies.

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This study looked at how accurately doctors can insert pedicle screws in patients with neuromuscular scoliosis using a special machine vision technology. Out of 687 screws placed in 25 patients, 98% were accurately positioned with only 13 minor errors that didn’t lead to serious complications. This technology is important because it helps prevent complications that can harm patients, making spinal surgeries safer and more effective. Who this helps: This helps patients with neuromuscular scoliosis and their surgeons.

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This study looked at whether routine X-rays taken three weeks after surgery for certain arm fractures in children were really necessary. Researchers found that in a group of 446 children, the X-rays changed the treatment plan for only 2 patients, which is about 0.4%. This means that many of these X-rays do not provide useful information after surgery, and stopping this practice can save time and money for families and healthcare systems without harming patient care. Who this helps: This benefits patients and their families, as well as healthcare providers.

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This study looked at breast cancer patients who underwent genetic testing to see how genetic variants relate to the aggressiveness and spread of their cancer. Out of 282 patients, 69 (or 24%) had a genetic variant linked to breast cancer, but these patients were not more likely to have tumors that were multifocal or multicentric compared to those without the variant (28% versus 22%). This is important because it indicates that having a genetic variant does not mean a patient will have a more complicated form of breast cancer, guiding treatment decisions and patient care. Who this helps: This helps patients and their doctors make informed choices about breast cancer treatment and surgery options.

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This study looked at how effectively doctors could retrieve biopsy clips from lymph nodes in patients with invasive breast cancer who had nodules that were found before surgery. They found that when doctors used a wire to mark the nodes before surgery, 90.5% of the clips were retrieved, compared to only 42.1% when no marking was done. This is important because successfully retrieving these clips helps assess the cancer's response to treatment, which can guide further care. Who this helps: This helps patients with breast cancer and their doctors by improving surgical outcomes.

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This study looked at what factors influence the sale prices of Thoroughbred racehorses sold online for non-racing jobs, analyzing data from 2012 to 2020. It found that buyers were willing to pay more for younger horses and those registered with certain organizations, while they showed less interest in mares compared to male geldings and in horses intended for non-competitive roles. Understanding these preferences helps organizations that find homes for retired racehorses, making it easier to reduce the number of unwanted horses and improve their welfare. Who this helps: This benefits organizations that rehome retired racehorses and their new owners.

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This study looked at the safety of using monopolar cautery during scoliosis surgery in a 16-year-old boy with a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) for managing epilepsy. The surgery was successful despite guidelines advising against monopolar cautery for these patients. This finding is important because it suggests that, in certain high-risk surgeries, using monopolar cautery might be safe and could lead to better outcomes when compared to more traditional methods. Who this helps: This helps patients with VNS devices who need major orthopedic surgeries.

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This study looked at the effects of two types of surgeries—Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (ALND) and targeted axillary surgery (TAS)—on breast cancer patients whose cancer had spread to lymph nodes before chemotherapy. Among 292 patients, those who had TAS experienced no cases of cancer returning to the lymph nodes, while four patients in the ALND group did. The five-year survival rate was 97% for those who had TAS compared to 85% for ALND, indicating that TAS might be as effective as the more extensive dissection without increasing recurrence. Who this helps: This benefits breast cancer patients with lymph node involvement, especially those receiving pre-surgery chemotherapy.

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This study looked at how effective different methods of monitoring nerve function during surgery are at detecting nerve injuries in children with a severe spinal condition known as high-grade spondylolisthesis. Researchers found that using a combination of two techniques—motor-evoked potentials (MEP) and somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEP)—was 100% effective in identifying new nerve injuries, while using MEP alone had a sensitivity of 92.3%. These findings are important because they suggest that using more than one monitoring method can significantly reduce the risk of nerve damage during surgery, improving outcomes for young patients. Who this helps: This helps pediatric patients undergoing spinal surgery and their surgeons.

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This paper discusses the use of antipsychotic medications to manage agitation in older adults with dementia, especially in situations where there are not enough staff to provide adequate care. It highlights the balance between the potential benefits of these drugs and the risks they pose to patients, focusing on the ethical responsibility of healthcare providers to make the best choices for their patients. The authors emphasize the importance of considering both the patients' needs and the well-being of healthcare staff when making treatment decisions. Who this helps: This helps patients with dementia and the healthcare professionals caring for them.

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This study looked at how to create a clear and fair standard for doctors to interpret pediatric x-rays. Researchers found that out of 1,835 x-rays assessed by 244 emergency doctors, the average difficulty rating was -1.8, with about 58% being considered low clinical significance. The new competency standard shows that doctors should aim for at least 85.5% accuracy in their interpretations, but some mistakes are expected, especially with easier cases. Who this helps: This helps doctors improve their skills in reading x-rays and ultimately benefits pediatric patients by ensuring better diagnosis and treatment.

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This study looked at how emergency physicians (EPs) interpret X-rays of children's bones and the common mistakes they make. Out of 1850 X-ray images analyzed, EPs found it harder to identify fractures in some areas like the elbow and ankle, especially when certain normal features were mistaken for fractures. Understanding where EPs struggle with diagnoses can improve training and help prevent misdiagnoses, which is crucial for providing accurate care to young patients. Who this helps: This helps emergency physicians and ultimately improves care for pediatric patients with bone injuries.

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This study looked at young children with thigh bone fractures treated with a special cast called spica casting. Out of 246 children, only 3.7% needed further procedures while 20.7% had noticeable differences in leg length later on, but none required additional surgery after their fractures healed. This is important because it shows that spica casting is generally a safe and effective treatment with minimal complications, helping to reassure parents and health care providers. Who this helps: Patients and their families.

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This study looked at whether measuring DNA changes in breast tissue samples could help assess the risk of breast cancer. Researchers found that DNA methylation levels were high in tumor samples, with a median measurement of 252, but low in nearby normal tissues and other breast areas, where levels were only around 2 to 11. However, the technique was not effective enough to identify potential cancerous changes reliably, indicating that different methods need to be explored. Who this helps: This information is primarily useful for doctors researching improved cancer risk assessment methods.

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This study looked at how often breast needle biopsies were done before surgery for breast cancer, which can help avoid unnecessary surgery. Among over 108,000 patients, the overall rate of biopsies was 86.7%, but about 8% of surgeons performed them less than 70% of the time. This matters because it highlights that some patients may be undergoing unnecessary breast surgeries instead of having a less invasive biopsy first. Who this helps: Patients facing breast cancer surgery.

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This study looked at how early imaging can predict which women with a specific type of breast cancer (HER2-positive) will respond well to certain targeted treatments called pertuzumab and trastuzumab. The researchers found that while overall, only 22% of women achieved complete cancer removal after treatment, those who showed at least a 40% decrease in a specific measurement from an imaging test were much more likely to respond; 83% of these women achieved a complete response, compared to 52% of those who didn’t show as much reduction. Although the study didn't entirely prove the initial idea, it shows that early imaging results could help personalize treatment for these patients. Who this helps: This helps patients with HER2-positive breast cancer and their doctors in choosing the right treatment approach.

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This study looked at how children's low-risk wrist fractures are treated in Ontario emergency departments. Out of nearly 71,000 fractures studied, about 21% (14,742) were treated without follow-up from a doctor. Many of these cases were handled in smaller hospitals or by pediatricians, showing a gap between current treatment guidelines and actual practices, which could waste valuable healthcare resources. Who this helps: This helps patients and their families by highlighting the need for better care practices in treating children's fractures.

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This study looked at fifth metatarsal fractures (foot fractures) in children and found that these fractures rarely cause serious problems. Out of 114 patients, only one experienced a delay in healing, with no cases of persistent non-healing, indicating that surgical treatment is usually unnecessary. By reducing the number of doctor visits and X-rays, healthcare costs for families can be lowered, and children can avoid unnecessary radiation exposure. Who this helps: This benefits children with foot fractures and their families.

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This study looked at survivorship care plans (SCPs) for women who survived breast cancer, analyzing 149 plans to see how well they followed national guidelines. The research found that while most plans provided important details like patient age and treatment history, only 67% addressed post-treatment symptoms and side effects, and many follow-up recommendations did not align with guidelines, including only 15% of women on a specific medication receiving necessary tests for bone density. This matters because proper follow-up care helps ensure survivors have the best chance for ongoing health and early detection of any issues. Who this helps: Patients and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at how often emergency room doctors misinterpret X-rays of children's arm and leg injuries compared to specialists who read the images, and whether these mistakes led to further health issues. Out of 2,302 children examined, 180 cases (about 7.8%) led to additional doctor visits because the initial interpretation was incorrect, with missed fractures resulting in 77.2% more visits. These mistakes happened more often when doctors suspected fractures less than 20% of the time or when the injury was in a joint. Who this helps: Patients and their families, particularly children with extremity injuries.

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This study looked at how the status of a bone called the tibial tuberosity at the time of injury can predict whether young patients will need additional surgeries after a specific type of leg fracture (distal femoral physeal fractures). Out of 74 patients studied, 30 (or 41%) needed further surgery due to growth issues. Those with the tibial tuberosity fully fused had a much lower chance of needing more surgery, with odds reduced to 12% compared to those whose tibial tuberosity had not fused. Who this helps: This helps young patients with leg fractures and their doctors in making decisions about treatment.

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This study looked at how often surgeons performed extra surgeries on women after they had initial breast-conserving therapy (BCT) for breast cancer. Among over 291,000 patients, about 19% needed another surgery, with re-excision rates dropping from 22.1% before 2014 to 17.2% after new guidelines were introduced. There was a significant difference in re-excision rates among surgeons, ranging from 0% to 91.7%, which suggests that some surgeries might not be necessary and could create extra costs for the healthcare system. Who this helps: This benefits patients by potentially reducing unnecessary surgeries and associated costs.

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This study looked at how changes in a specific measurement from a type of imaging scan (SULmax) could predict how well some women with HER2-positive breast cancer respond to treatment with the drugs pertuzumab and trastuzumab. Researchers found that 34% of the women achieved a complete response to treatment, and those who responded well had a significant decrease in SULmax by day 15 of treatment, with a reduction of 63.8% compared to only 33.5% in those who did not respond. This matters because it suggests that early imaging results can help identify which patients are likely to benefit from these targeted therapies, allowing for more personalized treatment plans. Who this helps: This helps patients with HER2-positive breast cancer and their doctors by guiding treatment decisions.

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The study examined how often medical students experience moral distress, which happens when they know the right thing to do but feel unable to do it. Out of 802 reflective essays written by third-year medical students, 34% described experiences of moral distress, often related to their roles in the medical training system or disagreements with supervisors. This is important because recognizing and addressing moral distress in medical training can enhance student well-being and improve future patient care. Who this helps: This helps medical students and educators working to improve training environments.

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This study looked at 260 nursing homes in Georgia to figure out how to combine test results for antibiotic resistance in order to create useful reports that help manage antibiotic use. It found that while nearly half of the homes had enough data for one bacteria, Escherichia coli, only about 10% had enough for other important bacteria, like Klebsiella pneumoniae. This matters because many nursing homes lack the individual data to make informed decisions about antibiotic use, so combining results from multiple homes helps improve overall patient care. Who this helps: Patients in nursing homes and healthcare providers.

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This study looked at how surgeons and their trainees communicate about the role of trainees when getting consent from parents for pediatric surgeries. Researchers interviewed 19 surgical trainees and staff surgeons at a children's hospital in Toronto. They found that many surgeons do not clearly explain the trainees' roles, and trainees often provide vague information, leading parents to misunderstand how much involvement trainees have in their child's surgery. This matters because clear communication is essential for parents to make informed decisions about their child's care. Who this helps: This helps parents of pediatric patients.

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This study looked at how much people know about human papillomavirus (HPV) and its connection to head and neck cancer during a screening event in Miami. They found that only 40% of participants were aware of HPV, and just 28% recognized it as a risk factor for this type of cancer. Awareness varied based on factors like gender, age, and education, with women and college graduates showing higher knowledge levels, which is important for targeting education and screening efforts. Who this helps: This benefits patients, healthcare providers, and public health educators.

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This study looked at whether children with broken collarbones (clavicles) need to see orthopedic surgeons frequently after their injury. Researchers analyzed 340 children who had these fractures and found they only needed about 2 visits to a clinic and 1.8 appointments for X-rays on average, with very few complications. The key takeaway is that if a child's injury doesn't require surgery right away, they don't need to come back for regular check-ups, which means less exposure to radiation and lower costs for families. Who this helps: This benefits children with clavicle fractures and their families.

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This study looked at how different treatments for breast cancer, particularly radiation, affect skin reactions in patients with high body mass indexes (BMIs). Researchers examined 280 patients and found that those receiving radiation after a mastectomy had a higher rate of severe skin problems (24%) compared to those who had a lumpectomy (8.7%). Additionally, patients receiving conventional radiation had more skin issues than those getting a treatment called hypofractionated therapy (10.9% vs. 1.8%). Who this helps: This information is valuable for doctors treating breast cancer patients, especially those with higher BMIs and those undergoing specific types of radiation therapy.

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This study looked at how children with a common elbow fracture, called a lateral condylar fracture of the humerus, are treated using two different surgical methods: K-wire fixation and screw fixation. Among 336 children studied, those treated with K-wire fixation had a higher chance of their fracture not healing properly, with a significant rate of nonunion at 8.2% compared to 3% for screw fixation. This matters because choosing the right method for fixing these fractures can affect recovery and long-term health, emphasizing the need for careful surgical decision-making. Who this helps: This helps doctors and surgeons treat children more effectively after elbow fractures.

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This research paper examines the debate surrounding the Clinch River breeder reactor, which was proposed in the 1970s in Tennessee to use plutonium as a fuel source instead of uranium. The project faced strong opposition from environmentalists who viewed plutonium as too dangerous, while local lawmakers supported it for the potential jobs it promised. Ultimately, funding for the reactor was stopped in 1983 due to rising costs and a coalition of budget-conscious legislators and environmentalists coming together against it, highlighting the complexity of nuclear policy at the time. Who this helps: This helps policymakers and communities concerned about nuclear energy and its economic impacts.

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This study looked at how structured reporting (SR) compared to non-structured reporting (NSR) affects the documentation and accuracy of CT scans for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It found that SR documented an average of 14.6 key features per report, compared to just 8.2 features for NSR, which is a significant improvement (p<0.001). While the accuracy for diagnosing multifocal disease improved slightly from 76% to 83% with SR, the main takeaway is that referring doctors preferred the structured reports because they are easier to understand. Who this helps: This benefits doctors, particularly radiologists and those treating patients with IBD.

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This study looked at how well orthopedic trainees learned a specific hip surgery called proximal femoral osteotomy (PFO) on children with cerebral palsy, using two different types of plates for fixing the bones: a fixed angled blade plate and a locking, cannulated blade plate. Out of 90 children studied, trainees found the locking, cannulated plates easier to work with compared to the other type, reporting significantly better experiences with tasks like inserting the guidewire and placing the plates. Despite the differences in trainee preferences, both types of plates showed similar results on X-rays, so the choice of plate doesn't affect how well the surgery turns out but may influence how easily trainees can learn the procedure. Who this helps: This helps orthopedic trainees and, ultimately, children with cerebral palsy needing hip surgery.