Cleveland Clinic

We recently became the first hospital in Ohio to perform a robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy following recent clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Breast surgeon Dr. Stephanie Valente and a surgical team performed the procedure, bringing a new minimally invasive option for breast cancer surgery and risk-reducing mastectomy to patients. The procedure uses a 3D camera and robotic instruments inserted through a small incision to remove breast tissue while preserving the nipple, areola and skin. Compared with traditional approaches, the robotic technique may result in less visible scarring and a faster recovery for some patients. Robotic surgery gives surgeons better visualization of the operative field in what is typically a technically challenging procedure. This enhanced view can improve nerve identification and preservation, reduce blood loss and allow surgeons to perform the same oncologic operation through a one-inch incision rather than the traditional five-inch open incision. The robotic approach removes the same breast tissue as a conventional mastectomy while changing how surgeons access the breast. For some patients, breast reconstruction can be performed during the same operation. The approach is also designed to preserve the natural skin envelope and nipple, improve sensation and support recovery. “As a field, we haven't had many new options for patients with breast surgery for a decade now, so we are pleased to now have these minimally invasive procedures available for our patients,” says Dr. Valente. “Innovations like this support a more patient-centered experience as they allow us to address both the physical and emotional realities of breast cancer.” More: https://cle.clinic/3UoBVb1

It’s wild mushroom season, but foraging can come with big risks. We are seeing a concerning number of patients in our emergency departments after eating wild mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms often look like edible varieties, and it can be difficult to tell the difference based on appearance alone. Cooking or washing poisonous mushrooms does not necessarily make them safe. Symptoms often begin with nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea, but more serious complications can follow. Some mushroom toxins can cause severe liver and kidney damage that may become life-threatening. Our doctors can take measures to limit the spread of toxins, but they need to be given quickly. It’s important to go to the emergency department right away if you feel sick after eating any suspicious mushrooms. We also have a specialized intensive care liver unit where patients can be treated.

Repeated head trauma has been linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, but doctors still lack reliable tools to diagnose the condition in living patients. Researchers say finding and validating biomarkers for CTE is a critical next step toward earlier detection, better treatment and improved understanding of the disease. Learn more about the research priorities shaping the future of CTE care: https://cle.clinic/4ulKyjT

Brain supplements promise better memory, sharper focus and improved mental performance. But do they actually work? While some ingredients show potential, many products lack strong evidence to support the claims on their labels. Learn what experts say about brain supplements and the habits that truly support brain health: https://cle.clinic/4onsjbw

A 33-year-old patient has made a full recovery following the removal of a large nerve tumor from a complex area at the intersection of his spine, lung and major arteries. The tumor was reported as an incidental finding on a chest X-ray for a suspected broken rib. Diagnosed as a grade 1 schwannoma arising from the spine, the noncancerous tumor was notable for its size but more importantly for its rare location (extending to the superior mediastinum at the apex of the lung and adjacent to the carotid, subclavian and vertebral arteries). More about the case: https://cle.clinic/3MUnCYl

Prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes do not happen overnight. In many cases, small daily habits can make a big difference. Regular physical activity, balanced meals, quality sleep and maintaining a healthy weight can all help lower your risk. The earlier you start, the more impact those changes can have on your long-term health. Learn practical steps you can take to help prevent diabetes: https://cle.clinic/4vS3Xcp

From surfing to a hospital bed. A hip injury put Georgina Monti’s life on hold. But after undergoing hip resurfacing with an innovative ceramic implant, she’s back on her surfboard and finally pain-free. “There are no words to describe what it felt like to be able to surf again after so long. It was truly amazing,” says Georgina, who ultimately underwent hip resurfacing surgery with a ceramic implant at Cleveland Clinic London – which is one of the first hospitals in the world to provide this alternative to metal-on-metal hip resurfacing. The 31 year old from the United Kingdom says her injury stemmed from a wakeboarding accident where she dislocated her hip. This happened when she was 17 years old, and by 30 years old, the pain drove Georgina to get an MRI. It showed her femoral head had collapsed. She eventually came to Cleveland Clinic London to meet with Professor Justin Cobb. He was offering another option besides a total hip replacement: a hip resurfacing procedure using a ceramic implant. “While a great option, a total hip replacement is not the best approach for everyone. For instance, it can reduce the amount of exercise a patient can take. With hip resurfacing, patients retain the femoral head and neck, allowing them to resume the activities they participated in with their healthy, native hip,” says Prof Cobb. For years, the only available option was metal-on-metal hip resurfacing, which manufacturers currently recommend only for patients with larger femoral heads – typically found more often in men. In response, Prof Cobb and team created the ceramic hip resurfacing implant that's tailored to patients with smaller hips and pelvises. “I put off having a scan longer than I should have. Don’t be scared to take that step. There’s so much they can do now for hip preservation, and it turned out to be the best possible thing I could have done. I feel the strongest I've ever felt in my entire life,” says Georgina. Her story: https://cle.clinic/47xz3eR

Prosthetic limbs can restore movement, but recreating the sense of how a limb is moving remains a challenge. New research suggests the brain may process movement as coordinated patterns rather than as individual joint sensations. The findings could help researchers develop prosthetic devices that work more like the human body. Learn more about the research and what it reveals about how the brain processes movement: https://cle.clinic/3UUooYU

Pancreatitis happens when the pancreas becomes inflamed, often leading to pain, nausea and digestive problems. While some cases are mild, others can lead to serious complications and require hospitalization. Learn more about symptoms, risk factors and when to seek medical attention: https://cle.clinic/49qu5Cw

Research into TMAO, or trimethylamine N-oxide, has revealed its connection to some serious heart, vessel and kidney diseases when high levels of the compound are detected in the body. The information about TMAO could raise a lot of questions: What foods raise TMAO levels? What are the risks? How can I minimize my risk?