Introduction: D-dimer assay, generally evaluated according to cutoff points calibrated for VTE exclusion, is used to estimate the individual risk of recurrence after a first idiopathic event of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Methods: Commercial D-dimer assays, evaluated according to predetermined cutoff levels for each assay, specific for age (lower in subjects <70 years) and gender (lower in males), were used in the recent DULCIS study. The present analysis compared the results obtained in the DULCIS with those that might have been had using the following different cutoff criteria: traditional cutoff for VTE exclusion, higher levels in subjects aged ≥60 years, or age multiplied by 10. Results: In young subjects, the DULCIS low cutoff levels resulted in half the recurrent events that would have occurred using the other criteria. In elderly patients, the DULCIS results were similar to those calculated for the two age-adjusted criteria. The adoption of traditional VTE exclusion criteria would have led to positive results in the large majority of elderly subjects, without a significant reduction in the rate of recurrent event. Conclusion:The results confirm the usefulness of the cutoff levels used in DULCIS.

Summary. Background: Little information is available on the long-term clinical outcome of cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT). Objectives and methods:In an international, retrospective cohort study, we assessed the long-term rates of mortality, residual disability and recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a cohort of patients with a first CVT episode. Results: Seven hundred and six patients (73.7% females) with CVT were included. Patients were followed for a total of 3171 patient-years. Median follow-up was 40 months (range 6, 297 months). At the end of follow-up, 20 patients had died (2.8%). The outcome was generally good: 89.1% of patients had a complete recovery (modified Rankin Score [mRS] 0-1) and 3.8% had a partial recovery and were independent (mRS 2). Eighty-four per cent of patients were treated with oral anticoagulants and the mean treatment duration was 12 months. CVT recurred in 31 patients (4.4%), and 46 patients (6.5%) had a VTE in a different site, for an overall incidence of recurrence of 23.6 events per 1000 patient-years (95% confidence Interval [CI] 17.8, 28.7) and of 35.1 events/1000 patientyears (95% CI, 27.7, 44.4) after anticoagulant therapy withdrawal. A previous VTE was the only significant predictor of recurrence at multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 2.70; 95% CI 1.25, 5.83). Conclusions: The long-term risk of mortality and recurrent VTE appears to be low in patients who survived the acute phase of CVT. A previous VTE history independently predicts recurrent events.

A randomized prospective study was carried out to compare one-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release with an open procedure. There were 47 patients (mean age 52.6 years); 25 underwent an endoscopic and 22 an open release. The aim of the study was to evaluate the risks against the benefits for pain, grip, key-pinch strength and ability to return to work. The distribution of age, occupation, sex, neurographic findings and operated hand was similar in both groups. We detected no serious nerve complications. One "open" patient developed a hypertrophic scar, a second "open" patient a disabling reflex sympathetic dystrophy, one "endo" patient a transient neurapraxia. The remaining patients experienced complete relief of symptoms. Improvement of grip strength is significantly better after endoscopic release (P = 0.0001 at 3 months). In contrast, the key-pinch showed a similar pattern of improvement in both groups. The ability to use the operated hand as effectively as the contralateral one developed after 24 days for the endoscopic group versus 42 for the open approach (P = 0.0000). The carpal arch alteration was less important for the endoscopic group (P = 0.013), but without any correlation with the grip strength. Agee's one-portal technique only allows correct placement of a knife, not an inspection of the structures being operated upon. This is a major limitation, reducing the surgeon to a technician. Further development of this procedure demands a device that will enable a fruitful inspection of the carpal tunnel.

This study suggests that, in men, androgen decline caused by normal aging does not significantly affect some targets of testosterone action, such as body composition and lipid metabolism. Therefore, androgen supplementation in hypogonadal older men cannot be expected to influence nutritional status and body composition to the same extent that it does other main targets of testosterone action, such as sexual activity and muscle strength. However, we cannot exclude that selected subsets of older patients with low testosterone levels, especially if affected by catabolic disease, could benefit from the effects of androgen administration on nutritional status.

Essentials• Isolated distal deep vein thrombosis (IDDVT) is frequently associated with cancer.• No study has specifically evaluated the long-term clinical course of cancer-associated IDDVT.• Patients with cancer-associated IDDVT are at very high risk of symptomatic recurrence and death.• We observed low rates of major bleeding during anticoagulation.Summary. Background: Although isolated distal deep vein thrombosis (IDDVT) is frequently associated with cancer, no study has specifically evaluated the long-term clinical course of IDDVT in this setting. Aim: To provide data on the rate of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE), major bleeding events and death in IDDVT patients with active cancer. Patients and Methods: Consecutive patients with active cancer and an objective IDDVT diagnosis (January 2011 to September 2014) were included from our files. We collected information on baseline characteristics, IDDVT location and extension, VTE risk factors, and type and duration of anticoagulant treatment. Results: A total of 308 patients (mean age 66.2 [standard deviation (SD), 13.2 years]; 57.1% female) with symptomatic IDDVT and a solid (n = 261) or hematologic (n = 47) cancer were included at 13 centers. Cancer was metastatic in 148 (48.1%) patients. All but three (99.0%) patients received anticoagulant therapy, which consisted of low-molecular-weight heparin in 288 (93.5%) patients. Vitamin K antagonists were used for the longterm treatment in 46 (14.9%) patients, whereas all others continued the initial parenteral agent for a mean treatment duration of 4.2 months (SD, 4.6 months). During a total follow-up of 355.8 patient-years (mean, 13.9 months), there were 47 recurrent objectively diagnosed VTEs for an incidence rate of 13.2 events per 100 patient-years. During anticoagulant treatment, the annual incidence of major bleeding was 2.0 per 100 patientyears. Conclusions: Cancer patients with IDDVT have a high risk of VTE recurrence. Additional studies are warranted to investigate the optimal intensity and duration of anticoagulant treatment for these patients.