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The purpose of our study was to quantitate the changes in axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), frozen section (FS), and the impact on costs after the publication of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011 trial. We compared axillary nodal management and cost data in breast cancer patients who met Z0011 criteria and were treated with lumpectomy and sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) biopsy from 2007 to July 2013. Of 800 patients, 67 (13.5%) and 34 (12.5%) patients in the pre- and post-Z0011 era had 1-2 positive SLN. ALND decreased from 78% to 21% (p < 0.001) after publication of Z0011. The mean overall cost of SLN biopsy was $41,059 per patient, while SLN biopsy with completion ALND was $50,999 (p < 0.001). Intraoperative FS use decreased from 95% to 66% (p = 0.015). Omitting the FS decreased mean costs from $4,319 to $2,036. The application of Z0011 resulted in an overall mean cost savings of $571,653 from 2011 to July 2013. ACOSOG Z0011 significantly impacted axillary management resulting in a 20% reduction in the mean overall cost per patient by omitting ALND. In these patients, intraoperative FS analysis had poor sensitivity (56%) and doubled the cost of pathologic examination. Fewer ALND and intraoperative FS were performed after the publication of ACOSOG Z0011. Eliminating FS and ALND in patients who met Z0011 criteria, results in significant cost savings.

Rett syndrome is a common X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene. Patients with Rett syndrome have a low bone mineral density and increased risk of fracture. The present case report describes a successful novel therapeutic intervention with teriparatide with one patient with Rett syndrome, after suffering from recurrent low-trauma fractures at intervals of several years. Because of the severity of bone involvement, the decision was made to treat with teriparatide and subsequently with intravenous bisphosphonate. Since the initiation of the treatment, there was an evident improvement at densitometric and QUS parameters. Furthermore, until the present, no new fractures have appeared. This is the first report in which teriparatide was administered to a subjects with Rett syndrome. In conclusion, this report has shown the effectiveness of teriparatide in the management of osteoporotic fractures in one subjects with Rett syndrome. This report provides evidence that increased knowledge of bone pathology and fracture prevention in Rett subjects is important and should be addressed in future studies.

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