Medical Editor
Dr. Lars van Dijk, PhD
Surgical, Procedural & Diagnostic — Device/procedure evidence, surgical-outcome methodology, imaging endpoints.
Dr. Lars van Dijk is an independent medical writer based in Amsterdam with over 8+ years of experience specializing in Surgical, Procedural & Diagnostic research. He holds a PhD in Epidemiology from Utrecht University and a Master's degree in Health Economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam. He also holds certification in health technology assessment (HTA) methodologies and advanced evidence synthesis frameworks.
Lars focuses on generating evidence narratives for device, procedural, and imaging-based research, including orthopedic and sports medicine outcomes, ophthalmology, ENT, urology, radiology, emergency medicine, and diagnostic accuracy studies. His work emphasizes surgical outcomes research, comparative effectiveness, and imaging-based endpoints.
Before becoming a freelance writer, Lars worked as an HEOR consultant at a leading European consultancy, supporting cross-market access and evidence generation strategies for medical devices and diagnostic technologies. He is fluent in Dutch, English, and German.
Articles in this group — last 14 days
Physical exam algorithm distinguishes benign anal masses, guides surgical decisions
New Clinical Algorithm Helps Identify Anal Masses and Prolapse
This narrative review proposes a clinical decision algorithm based on physical examination to differentiate benign lesions prolapsing throug…
Doctors can now use a specific physical examination guide to tell the difference between rectal prolapse, hemorrhoids, and other anal condit…
CARTA reduces rerupture rates by 73% in patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture
New Treatment Strategy Reduces Rerupture Rates for Achilles Tendon Tears
This randomized controlled trial of 300 adults with acute Achilles tendon rupture found that the CARTA protocol significantly reduced rerupt…
A new treatment protocol for Achilles tendon ruptures significantly lowers rerupture rates while requiring fewer surgeries than standard ope…
Multimodal frameworks and generative models improve consistency and interpretability in medical visual question answering systems
New AI methods improve accuracy in medical image analysis
This systematic mini review of 27 representative studies evaluates the evolution of Med-VQA systems from traditional classification methods …
Newer AI models that combine images and text are proving more consistent than old systems when answering clinical questions.
EBUS-TBNB yields higher diagnostic rates for lymphoma and sarcoidosis compared to EBUS-TBNA
Core Biopsy Shows Higher Yield for Lymphoma and Sarcoidosis
This meta-analysis of 1434 patients with mediastinal disorders found that EBUS-TBNB provides a significantly higher diagnostic yield for lym…
A core biopsy technique may provide more accurate results than standard needle aspiration for certain conditions like lymphoma and sarcoidos…
AI-augmented tutoring systems show statistically significant improvement in expert-rated surgical skill scores
AI Tutoring Shows Potential for Surgical Skill Training
This meta-analysis evaluated the impact of AI-augmented tutoring systems compared to expert instruction for learners acquiring simulated gen…
New research shows AI tutoring systems can help students learn surgical skills as effectively as expert instructors in simulated training en…
Mind-body training improves upper-limb function after stroke, optimal dose near 33.5 hours
Mind body training improves arm function for stroke survivors
This meta-analysis of 16 RCTs (769 participants) found that mind-body training (MBT), including Tai Chi, significantly improves upper-limb f…
New data shows that mind body exercises like Tai Chi can significantly improve arm movement and function for people recovering from a stroke…
Focused ultrasound ablation surgery monotherapy improves dysmenorrhea remission and menorrhagia scores in patients with adenomyosis
Focused Ultrasound Surgery Shows Promise for Adenomyosis Treatment
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 studies involving 13,307 patients found that focused ultrasound ablation surgery (FUAS) signi…
A large review of over 13,000 patients suggests focused ultrasound surgery can effectively reduce period pain and heavy bleeding in adenomyo…
FDA Approves Fluorescite (fluorescein sodium) for Retinal and Iris Angiography
FDA approves Fluorescite injection for eye imaging tests.
The FDA approved Fluorescite Injection 10% for diagnostic fluorescein angiography or angioscopy of the retina and iris vasculature. The adul…
The FDA approved Fluorescite Injection 10% for use in eye imaging tests to examine blood flow in the retina and iris. It helps doctors detec…
Unilateral Extrapedicular and Bilateral Transpedicular Approaches in Percutaneous Kyphoplasty
One-sided approach for spine fracture repair may be safer
A meta-analysis suggests that unilateral extrapedicular approaches provide comparable clinical outcomes to bilateral transpedicular methods …
A new analysis suggests a one-sided needle approach for spine fracture repair cuts radiation and cement leakage while working just as well.
Robot-assisted spinal instrumentation reduces pedicle screw deviation and intraoperative revisions compared to navigation-guided surgery
Robot-assisted surgery shows specific benefits for spinal screw placement
This meta-analysis of 59,474 patients undergoing spinal surgery compared robot-assisted instrumentation to navigation-guided techniques. Fin…
Robotic systems may improve accuracy and reduce radiation during spine surgery, though both robot and navigation methods show similar overal…
Hydroxyapatite composite sodium hyaluronate maintains alveolar ridge height and width during tooth extraction
New Implant Material Shows Promise for Preserving Jawbone After Extraction
This randomized controlled trial of 200 patients with alveolar bone defects found that hydroxyapatite composite sodium hyaluronate (HAp/HA) …
A new composite material may help preserve the jawbone's height and width after a tooth is removed due to dental disease.
Mapping 56,694 phosphosites in brewer's yeast identifies disordered residues and AlphaFold 3 structural patterns
Mapping Phosphorylation Sites in Brewer's Yeast for Better Data
This meta-analysis maps 56,694 phosphorylation sites in brewer's yeast to establish a high-confidence database for downstream analysis. The …
Researchers mapped over 56,000 phosphorylation sites in brewer's yeast to create more reliable data for training artificial intelligence mod…
Long-read sequencing improves detection of structural variants and methylation patterns in liquid biopsy
Long-read sequencing improves detection of cancer signals in blood
This mini-review examines the application of long-read sequencing (LRS) for liquid biopsy, specifically focusing on cfDNA and ctDNA. The aut…
Newer long-read sequencing technology helps doctors identify complex genetic changes and the source of tumors in lung, brain, and pediatric …
AI-assisted instruction provides diverse tools for undergraduate medical education clinical skills training
AI Tools are Growing in Medical Student Clinical Training
This scoping review of 39 studies identifies various AI innovations in undergraduate medical education, including LLM-based virtual patients…
New research identifies how artificial intelligence tools like virtual patients and robotic simulations are being used to train medical stud…
Single-incision sleeve plus bypass shows short-term safety and metabolic improvement in 3 patients with obesity and T2DM
SILSG-JJB Procedure Shows Promise for Weight Loss and Diabetes
This case report and review describes 3 female patients with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes who underwent single-incision laparoscopic s…
A new surgical approach may help people with severe obesity and Type 2 Diabetes achieve weight loss and better blood sugar levels.
Curcumin supplementation improves IPSS scores by 4.11 points in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Curcumin Shows Potential for Managing Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Symptoms
This meta-analysis of 697 patients evaluated curcumin as an adjunct for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The analysis found a significant…
New research suggests that curcumin may help improve urinary symptoms and prostate health in men with enlarged prostates.
SLE patients have a 2- to 3-fold higher risk of intracerebral hemorrhage compared to non-SLE populations
Lupus Patients Face Higher Risk of Brain Bleeding
This literature review and case report analyze the association between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH).…
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus may face a much higher risk of brain bleeds compared to those without the condition.
Children with hearing loss demonstrate significantly lower physical fitness in strength, agility, speed, and balance
Children with Hearing Loss Show Lower Physical Fitness Levels
This meta-analysis of 5 observational studies involving 404 children and adolescents found significant differences in physical fitness compa…
Children and adolescents with hearing loss may have lower strength, agility, speed, and balance compared to their peers without hearing loss…
Digital health tools may improve referral coordination and postoperative continuity for pediatric surgical patients
Digital tools may improve surgical care for children in remote areas
This mini review explores the impact of digital health tools on pediatric surgical referral and follow-up in low-resource settings. The auth…
Simple mobile tools like messaging and image sharing can help children in low-resource areas get better surgical care and follow-up.
Incarcerated prolapsed ureterocele is an important differential diagnosis for post-surgical vulvar masses
Doctors identify rare cause of masses after pelvic surgery
This case report with systematic review examines the role of incarcerated prolapsed ureterocele (IPU) as a rare but significant cause of vul…
A rare condition involving the urinary tract can mimic other issues after surgery, making specific imaging vital for an accurate diagnosis.
Tranexamic acid reduces mortality in TBI patients with high brain voxel percentages
Trial shows brain imaging helps identify patients who benefit from TXA
This post hoc analysis of an RCT involving 550 patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) evaluated the impact of tranexa…
A new analysis suggests that specific brain scans can help doctors identify which traumatic brain injury patients might benefit most from a …
Elite athletes have larger absolute aortic sinus of Valsalva diameters than non-athlete healthy controls
Elite Athletes Show Larger Aortic Diameters Than Non-Athlete Controls
This meta-analysis of 21 studies involving 9,464 elite athletes and 2,637 controls found significantly higher absolute AoSV in athletes (MD …
Elite athletes may have larger aortic diameters than non-athletes, but these measurements change significantly when adjusted for body surfac…
High intensity training is associated with specific cardiac remodeling in young female athletes
High Intensity Training Changes Heart Structure in Female Athletes
This analysis examined echocardiographic and electrocardiographic indices in young female athletes compared to non-athletes and male counter…
Intense athletic training leads to specific changes in heart size and structure for young women, which can differ from non-athletes.
NODI parameters ODI and V-ISO differentiate gliomas from brain metastases in contrast-enhancing regions
Brain scan technique helps tell gliomas from metastases
This meta-analysis evaluates the use of Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) to distinguish gliomas from brain metasta…
A new imaging method may help doctors distinguish between gliomas and brain metastases without invasive biopsy.
Combined phacoemulsification and angle filtering reduce intraocular pressure and medication needs in glaucoma patients
Combined surgery lowers eye pressure better than cataract surgery alone
This meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials evaluated combined phacoemulsification and angle filtering compared to phacoemulsifica…
For glaucoma patients with cataracts, combining two procedures in one surgery may better protect vision than cataract surgery alone.
Intravitreal ziv-aflibercept reduces central macular thickness and improves visual acuity in DME and RVO
Trial shows ziv-aflibercept improves vision in macular edema cases
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 5 RCTs and 8 observational studies found that intravitreal ziv-aflibercept significantly reduced…
A new eye treatment called ziv-aflibercept may help reduce swelling and improve vision for patients with specific types of macular edema.
Minimally invasive tonsillectomy improves operative efficiency over cold dissection in chronic tonsillitis
Minimally invasive tonsil surgery may be more efficient
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 RCTs involving 1528 patients found that minimally invasive tonsillar surgical techniques improve…
New analysis suggests minimally invasive tonsil surgery may be faster and more efficient than traditional cold dissection.
Leptin expression in seminal plasma is significantly higher in infertile patients with varicocele than controls
Infertile men with varicocele have higher leptin in their semen than healthy controls
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined leptin expression in seminal plasma and serum leptin levels in infertile patients with var…
A new analysis shows men with varicocele have significantly higher leptin in their semen. This finding might help explain why some struggle …
Posterior-only fixation reduces blood loss, operative time, and hospital stay in thoracolumbar burst fractures
Simpler spine surgery cuts blood loss and hospital time for burst fractures
A meta-analysis of 1553 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures found that posterior-only fixation significantly reduced blood loss, ope…
A review of 1553 patients shows simpler spine surgery cuts blood loss and hospital time without hurting recovery for burst fractures.
Stand-alone ALIF shows higher reoperation risk for pseudarthrosis vs combined fixation
Adding screws to spinal fusion may reduce reoperation risk
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 917 patients found that stand-alone ALIF had a numerically higher but not statistically signific…
Spinal fusion with added screws lowered the need for repeat surgery by nearly 7 times, but fusion rates were similar.
Conversion surgery after induction therapy improves 5-year survival to 26.5% versus 11.6% in cT4 esophageal cancer patients
Conversion surgery after induction therapy improves survival for advanced esophageal cancer patients
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates conversion surgery versus definitive therapy for patients with cT4 esophageal cancer. The…
Patients with advanced esophageal cancer who had conversion surgery lived significantly longer than those who received definitive therapy al…
PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy outcomes vary by patient characteristics and disease burden in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Prior chemo and liver spread worsen outcomes for prostate cancer patients on PSMA therapy
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 4,819 patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer reveals that prior chemotherapy…
A large review of 4,819 patients found that prior chemotherapy and liver spread worsen survival. This helps doctors predict who benefits mos…
Postoperative delirium linked to greater cognitive decline one year after hip fracture repair in older adults
Postoperative delirium linked to worse thinking one year after hip fracture repair
This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial examined older adults with hip fracture repair. Participants with postoperative delir…
Older adults with hip fractures who developed postoperative delirium showed greater cognitive decline one year later compared to those witho…
Meta-analysis shows testosterone replacement therapy increases clinical fracture risk in hypogonadal men compared to placebo
Testosterone therapy raises fracture risk in hypogonadal men
A systematic review of 2,711 hypogonadal men found that testosterone replacement therapy significantly increased the risk of clinical fractu…
A large review found that men with low testosterone taking replacement therapy had a higher risk of clinical fractures compared to those on …
Computational modeling may improve TAVR planning but clinical translation remains limited
Computational modelling may help predict TAVR risks before surgery
This systematic review examines computational modeling derived from patient-specific imaging for TAVR planning versus CT-based anatomical as…
A systematic review suggests patient-specific imaging models could predict complications in TAVR procedures, though clinical validation is s…
Polish pediatric surgeons vary widely in managing incidentally found Meckel's diverticula during appendectomy procedures
Surgeons in Poland report mixed views on handling Meckel's diverticulum
A survey of Polish pediatric surgeons reveals significant variation in managing incidentally found Meckel's diverticula. While most excise t…
A survey of Polish surgeons shows no single best way to handle Meckel's diverticulum found during appendectomy, with practices varying widel…
Deep learning pipeline detects vertebral fractures with 92.6% sensitivity and 95.8% specificity in older adults during routine CT scans
Deep Learning Pipeline Detects Spinal Fractures in Routine CT Scans
This guideline outlines a deep learning pipeline for vertebral segmentation, fracture detection, and Schmorl's node identification using 5,0…
A new deep learning pipeline analyzed 5,000 CT scans to detect vertebral fractures and Schmorl's nodes with high accuracy in older adults du…
Hypofractionated and dose-boosted radiotherapy improves metastasis-free survival in clinically localised prostate cancer
Dose-boosting radiotherapy may improve survival for high-risk prostate cancer patients
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated hypofractionated and dose-boosted radiotherapy fractionation schedules versus standard ra…
Combining external beam radiotherapy with brachytherapy or a focal boost significantly improved metastasis-free survival in patients with cl…
Review compares LLM and physician responses to otologic questions on Reddit
AI Answers Ear Questions With More Empathy Than Doctors
This review analyzed 49 otology-related questions from Reddit's r/AskDocs, comparing responses from ChatGPT-4o, ClaudeAI, and Google Gemini …
AI tools might offer clearer, kinder answers to common ear problems than busy doctors.
Cartilage Thickness Score shows higher values in future knee osteoarthritis cases in a cohort study
New cartilage score predicts knee osteoarthritis onset and progression in study cohorts
This observational cohort study in the Osteoarthritis Initiative found that the Cartilage Thickness Score was higher in individuals who late…
A new cartilage score predicts who will develop knee osteoarthritis or need a replacement before symptoms appear.
Glaucoma drainage device implantation yields 65% success rate in uveitic glaucoma meta-analysis
Glaucoma Drainage Devices Show Promise for Uveitic Glaucoma
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 38 studies (1083 eyes) found an overall surgical success rate of 65.40% for glaucoma drainage de…
A review of 38 studies finds drainage devices help lower eye pressure in uveitic glaucoma, with different devices offering distinct benefits…
Mid-trimester cervical length measurements predict spontaneous preterm birth risk in singleton pregnancies through a non-linear association pattern
Short cervix in pregnancy raises risk of early birth
Analysis of 91,404 women reveals that shorter mid-trimester cervical length significantly increases the odds of spontaneous preterm birth be…
A short cervix during pregnancy is linked to a higher chance of early birth. This analysis of over 91,000 women shows how length matters.
Neurotological evaluation distinguishes vestibular migraine from viral neuritis in acute unilateral vestibulopathy
A single case report shows rapid recovery in vestibular migraine
This case report describes a 40-year-old woman with a history of migraine with aura presenting to the emergency department with vestibular m…
A 40-year-old woman with vestibular migraine recovered her balance quickly. This case suggests that specific reflex patterns help doctors te…
Women critically ill adults on EEG have higher intracranial hemorrhage and seizure discharge rates than men
Trial finds women with impaired consciousness have different outcomes
This post hoc analysis of a multicenter randomized trial included 364 critically ill adults requiring electroencephalography. Women showed h…
A trial of critically ill adults found women with impaired consciousness had higher rates of brain bleeding and seizures but similar surviva…
Ahmed or Baerveldt GDD implantation decreases corneal endothelial cell density by 204.7 cells/mm2 at 12 months in anterior chamber settings
Glaucoma device implantation linked to corneal cell loss
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated corneal endothelial cell density changes after Ahmed or Baerveldt glaucoma drainage devic…
A review of 572 eyes finds glaucoma drainage device implantation reduces corneal cell density, with greater loss in Asian populations.
PSMA PET Parameters Predict Survival in mCRPC on Lu-PSMA-617
PSMA PET scan numbers may help predict Lu-PSMA therapy response in prostate cancer
Meta-analysis of 23 studies shows PSMA PET parameters, especially tumor volume, predict survival in mCRPC patients treated with Lu-PSMA-617.
A meta-analysis of 23 studies suggests certain PSMA PET scan measurements might help predict how patients with metastatic prostate cancer re…
Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty Improves Forward Flexion Over ORIF in Elderly Fracture Patients
Reverse shoulder replacement beats plate surgery for arm lifting
A systematic review and meta-analysis of over 34,000 patients aged 65 years or older with complex proximal humeral fractures found that reve…
For older adults with complex shoulder fractures, reverse shoulder replacement may offer better arm lifting ability than traditional plate s…
Liquid biopsy guides kidney-sparing decisions in upper tract urothelial carcinoma without replacing standard care
Liquid biopsy helps doctors decide on kidney-sparing care for upper tract urothelial carcinoma
This review discusses liquid biopsy-guided kidney-sparing management for patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma. The authors note th…
A review shows liquid biopsy adds value to kidney-sparing decisions for upper tract urothelial carcinoma but does not replace standard imagi…
AI dental reports match human readability but need standardized evaluation before routine clinical implementation
AI dental reports show high accuracy and improved clarity in early review
This scoping review examined seven studies on AI applications for automated dental report generation. Results indicate high accuracy for com…
A review of seven studies found AI-generated dental reports match human accuracy and offer better clarity when simplified, though routine us…
Diabetes mellitus linked to higher SSI risk after hernia repair, other factors not significant
Large study shows diabetes may raise infection risk during hernia repair surgery for patients
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 97,428 patients undergoing abdominal wall hernia repair found that diabetes mellitus was associa…
A huge review of nearly 100,000 patients found that having diabetes might slightly increase the chance of infection after hernia surgery. Ot…
Gut microbiota modulation offers insights for heat stroke prevention and treatment in clinical practice
Gut bacteria may help prevent heat stroke, but human proof is limited
This narrative review examines gut microbiota modulation using probiotics for heat stroke. The authors note that much evidence comes from pr…
A review suggests gut microbiota changes might help prevent heat stroke, yet most evidence comes from animal experiments rather than human t…
Routine non-EPI DWI MRI at 12 to 24 months detects cholesteatoma recurrence in postoperative patients
First routine MRI scan at 12 to 24 months helps catch cholesteatoma recurrence
This meta-analysis evaluates non-EPI DWI MRI follow-up timing for patients with postoperative cholesteatoma. The pooled data show MRI positi…
A meta-analysis of 1,187 patients suggests routine MRI scans at 12 to 24 months can detect cholesteatoma recurrence, with follow-ups every t…
Z-POEM offers minimally invasive treatment for Zenker's diverticulum in elderly patients with high surgical risks
A minimally invasive procedure helped an 85-year-old woman with Zenker's diverticulum
This case report describes a single 85-year-old female treated with Zenker's peroral endoscopic myotomy (Z-POEM) for Zenker's diverticulum. …
An 85-year-old woman with Zenker's diverticulum recovered without complications after a minimally invasive procedure called Z-POEM.
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy show no clear link to obstructive sleep apnea in head and neck cancer patients
Radiation for head and neck cancer may raise sleep apnea risk
This scoping review with exploratory meta-analysis of 13 studies found no significant association between radiotherapy or chemotherapy and i…
A review of 13 studies suggests a possible link between radiation for head and neck cancer and mild sleep apnea, but the evidence is too wea…
Aspiration pneumonia affects 74.8% of head and neck cancer patients after chemoradiotherapy
Aspiration pneumonia strikes most head and neck cancer patients after chemoradiation
This supplementary analysis of a phase II/III trial in Japan found that 74.8% of 151 patients with resected high-risk head and neck cancer d…
Three in four head and neck cancer patients develop aspiration pneumonia after chemoradiation. Severe swallowing problems and reconstruction…
Kinematic alignment improves function and pain over mechanical alignment in robotic TKA
Kinematic alignment beats mechanical in knee replacement
This meta-analysis of 1470 patients undergoing robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty found that kinematic alignment (KA) was superior to …
A new analysis suggests aligning the knee implant to a patient's natural anatomy may lead to less pain and better function after robotic kne…
Preventing tibial fracture infections may cut CO2 by 1025 kg per case
Preventing bone infections could cut carbon emissions
This meta-analysis models the environmental impact of preventing tibial fracture-related infections (FRIs). Each prevented FRI could reduce …
Preventing just one tibial fracture infection saves over 1,000 kg of CO2, enough to drive 2,500 miles.
Drug-induced osteoporosis mechanisms and gut microbiota links remain largely unresolved for most medication classes
Many common medicines might change gut bacteria and affect bone strength in older adults
This narrative review examines the association between medications such as glucocorticoids and aromatase inhibitors and gut microbiota alter…
Some drugs like antidepressants and seizure medicines can alter gut bacteria. Scientists are still studying if these changes hurt bones or c…
Simulation-based training improves fundus identification success in ophthalmology education
Simulation training improves eye exam skills in early review
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 772 participants found that simulation-based training led to a 63.1% fundus identification succe…
A review of 772 participants found simulation training helped identify eye structures better than traditional methods, with most preferring …
ECMO cannulation by intensivists shows 2% per cannula and 5% per patient complication rates in a meta-analysis of 12 studies
Intensivists Can Safely Perform ECMO Cannulation, Review Finds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated complication rates associated with ECMO cannulation performed by intensivists across 12 s…
A review of 12 studies finds intensivists can safely place ECMO lines, with low complication rates.