Medical Reviewer
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
Sensory severity predicts insula decoupling in autistic participants during motion stimulation
Sensory severity in autism forms a continuous pattern, not distinct categories
This cohort study examined 223 behavioral participants and 63 neurobiological participants with autism spectrum disorder. Sensory severity p…
New data show sensory processing differences in autism are a continuous spectrum rather than separate types, changing how we understand thes…
Review: Eye Rubbing Techniques Raise Corneal Temperature in Healthy Young Adults
Rubbing your eye with a fingertip raises corneal temperature significantly
This cross-sectional experimental study in 93 healthy adults aged 19-29 found that fingertip, knuckle, and fingernail eye rubbing significan…
A study of 93 healthy young adults found that rubbing the eye with a fingertip, knuckle, or fingernail all raised corneal temperature signif…
Genetic testing completion rates and diagnostic yield vary by race in hereditary eye disorders patients
Genetic Testing Gaps Leave Many With Eye Disorders Undiagnosed
This retrospective cohort study evaluated 1466 patients with clinically diagnosed hereditary eye disorders at the Wilmer Eye Institute's Gen…
New data shows that race and age create unfair barriers to genetic testing for eye diseases, leaving many patients without answers.
MRI-RSI changes during neoadjuvant ADT and radiotherapy in men with high-risk localized prostate cancer
Early MRI scans shrink after treatment to help spot prostate cancer recurrence sooner
This prospective phase II trial protocol reports early results from 97 men with unfavorable-intermediate-risk or high-risk localized prostat…
New MRI scans taken before and during treatment for prostate cancer show clear shrinkage that could help doctors target the tumor more accur…
Peripheral blood inflammatory markers associated with complicated acute appendicitis in retrospective cohort study
Blood marker helps predict complicated appendicitis severity
This retrospective study of 533 patients evaluated the diagnostic value of peripheral blood composite inflammatory markers for identifying c…
Doctors may soon use a specific blood marker to tell if your appendicitis is simple or turning into a much more serious complication.
Surgical treatment for gouty tophi wounds associated with high healing rates in retrospective study
Surgery may help heal gouty tophi wounds
This retrospective cohort study of 130 patients with gouty tophi wounds in China observed high wound healing rates following surgical interv…
A small study shows that surgical treatment, including wound cleaning and vacuum drainage, helped most patients with gouty tophi wounds heal…
Case report highlights missed posterior shoulder dislocation in proximal humeral fracture
Missing shoulder dislocation ruins recovery unless doctors look twice
This case report describes a young patient with a missed posterior shoulder dislocation associated with a proximal humeral fracture. Revisio…
A hidden shoulder break often leads to pain and failure if doctors miss the dislocation during the first exam.
Scoping review examines evolution of surgical techniques for localized prostate cancer
Robotic tools help patients recover faster from prostate surgery
This scoping review explores the technological evolution of radical prostatectomy, including laparoscopic, robotic-assisted, and single-port…
Newer robotic-assisted techniques for prostate cancer surgery may lead to faster recovery and better bladder control for patients.
Large language models show varying accuracy for data extraction in sepsis guidelines
AI models show promise for extracting sepsis study data
This study evaluated the performance of large language models, including ChatGPT-4o, Claude 3 Sonnet, and Gemini 1.5 Pro, for data extractio…
New tests show AI can help pull patient details from medical papers, but extracting clinical results remains a major challenge.
Immediate coronary angiography showed no 5-year survival benefit versus delayed angiography in OHCA patients without ST elevation.
Immediate heart scan after arrest shows no long-term survival gain
This randomized trial enrolled 552 patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest without ST-segment elevation at nineteen Dutch …
Five years after a sudden cardiac arrest, patients who got an immediate heart scan did no better than those who waited, raising questions ab…
ThuFLEP non-inferior to HoLEP for benign prostatic obstruction symptom relief at 24 months
Two laser prostate surgeries offer the same long-term relief for men
This randomized non-inferiority trial compared thulium fiber laser enucleation (ThuFLEP) to holmium laser enucleation (HoLEP) in 150 patient…
Men with enlarged prostates can choose between two laser surgeries that provide equal relief and safety over two years
Retrospective review links higher TAPE score to better SLT outcomes in glaucoma
New laser settings help lower eye pressure for years without extra drops
This retrospective review of 62 eyes undergoing lower-energy SLT found that higher TAPE scores were associated with lower IOP at 2 months an…
A new way to tune laser energy for glaucoma could keep pressure low for years while avoiding the need for daily eye drops.
Feasibility Review of Portable Markerless Motion Capture for Knee OA
New tech brings knee pain insights to real-world settings
This review of a feasibility study involving 85 individuals with knee OA examined a portable markerless motion capture system. No significan…
Scientists are using smart cameras in community centers to see how knee osteoarthritis really affects movement, revealing new paths to perso…
Case report of emergent embolization for ruptured internal thoracic artery pseudoaneurysm in a 42-year-old female
A rare artery rupture in a healthy woman was stopped with a catheter procedure.
This case report describes a 42-year-old previously healthy female with a ruptured internal thoracic artery pseudoaneurysm presenting as hem…
A healthy 42-year-old woman faced a life-threatening artery rupture. Doctors used a catheter and coils to stop the bleeding before she was d…
Meta-analysis and cohort study examine chromosomal copy number variations in fetuses with urinary tract abnormalities
Genetic screening reveals hidden risks in fetal kidney scans
This meta-analysis and cohort study evaluated chromosomal copy number variations in fetuses with ultrasound-detected urinary system anomalie…
New research shows genetic testing can spot hidden risks in babies with kidney issues found on ultrasound scans during pregnancy.
Perioperative taVNS Reduces Pain and Insomnia After Glaucoma Surgery
Vagus nerve stimulation lowers pain after glaucoma surgery
This randomized trial of 94 patients undergoing glaucoma surgery found that perioperative transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (…
A trial found that vagus nerve stimulation reduced pain and improved sleep for patients having glaucoma surgery under general anesthesia.
Transrectal Ultrasound Characterization of Rectal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms Shows Feasibility in Small Retrospective Cohort
Doctors use ultrasound to map rare rectal tumors before surgery
This retrospective case analysis evaluated transrectal ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in 17 patients with rectal neuroendocrine…
A new ultrasound method helps doctors map rare rectal tumors before surgery to plan better treatment plans for patients today
Open cyst deroofing plus albendazole shows low recurrence in pediatric cystic echinococcosis
Kids in Jordan get surgery for parasitic cysts with low return rates
This retrospective cohort study of 41 pediatric patients in Northern Jordan found that open cyst deroofing combined with albendazole resulte…
A new look at kids in Jordan shows surgery and medicine can stop dangerous parasites from returning after treatment
Federated analytics platform deployment supports cross-border stroke research without reported clinical outcome data
New system lets hospitals share data without risking privacy
This cohort study describes the implementation of a Medical Informatics Platform for cross-border federated analytics in patients within the…
Hospitals are sharing sensitive patient records across countries to improve care, and the data never leave their home systems.
Umbrella review of 17 reviews on NTS assessment tools in healthcare settings
Teamwork training may improve emergency department performance
This umbrella review synthesizes 17 existing reviews regarding Non-Technical Skills (NTS) assessment tools and training approaches in health…
A review of 17 studies suggests teamwork training can boost team behaviors and processes in emergency departments, but effects on patient ou…
VitoCheck EIT platform predicts standard diagnostics for cardiopulmonary and metabolic diseases
A new device predicts heart and lung health without needing a specialist
This cohort study in community settings evaluated a compact EIT platform for predicting standard diagnostic metrics. The system provided acc…
A compact device accurately predicts standard heart and lung tests, helping bring better care to remote and community settings.
Protocol outlines corneal neurotization for neurotrophic keratopathy with noted observational limitations
New Registry Aims to Restore Sight for Rare Nerve Eye Disease
This publication is a protocol for an observational study rather than a completed trial. The scope covers patients with neurotrophic keratop…
A new global registry will track long-term results for a rare eye disease that causes nerve damage and vision loss.
Immediate coronary angiography does not alter 30-day mortality in OHCA survivors without ST elevation
Timing of heart scans does not change survival odds for older cardiac arrest survivors
This randomized controlled trial in 529 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest compared immediate versus delayed coronary angiography.…
New research shows rushing heart scans does not save more lives for older people after cardiac arrest without heart attack signs
Narrative review discusses MEMR and MOCR recording techniques in aging adults with and without hearing loss.
Ear Reflexes Could Spot Hearing Loss Before It Starts
This review examines recording methods for middle ear muscle reflex and medial olivocochlear reflex across different age and hearing groups.…
New research on ear reflexes suggests they could reveal hidden hearing damage before standard hearing tests catch it.
Review finds clinic-based measures correlate with school performance in cerebral palsy
Broader measures link better to school performance in children with cerebral palsy
This review of 102 ambulatory children with cerebral palsy found that clinic-based measures, especially the PODCI, correlate with school per…
A review of 102 ambulatory children with cerebral palsy found that broader functional measures correlated more strongly with school performa…
Systematic review and meta-analysis finds pain and function improve over time in patellofemoral pain, but recovery is variable
Many With Knee Pain Improve Within a Year, But Long-Term Recovery Varies
This systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression examined long-term prognosis in 3,230 adults and adolescents with patellofemor…
Many people under 40 with kneecap pain feel better within a year, yet long-term recovery is inconsistent and symptoms often linger.
Post-Mohs reconstruction for periocular malignancies shows low complication rates in retrospective review
New data shows how eyelid surgery outcomes depend on defect size
This retrospective cohort review of 194 adults at a tertiary referral center assessed outcomes after post-Mohs reconstruction for periocular…
Most eyelid cancer surgeries heal well, but wound size and past health history strongly influence final results for older adults.
Daily polyphenol-rich extra virgin olive oil increased occipital connectivity in nine healthy adults.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil May Rewire Your Brain for Better Focus
This randomized crossover pilot neuroimaging substudy involved nine healthy adults. Participants consumed either daily polyphenol-rich extra…
Daily extra virgin olive oil may strengthen brain connections linked to focus and memory in healthy adults.
Manuka eye drops improve dry eye symptoms after cataract surgery compared to sodium hyaluronate
Manuka drops may reduce dry eye symptoms after cataract surgery
This prospective controlled study in 53 patients undergoing cataract surgery found that Manuka eye drops (Leptospermum spp) significantly re…
A small study suggests Manuka eye drops might lower dry eye scores better than standard drops for one month after cataract surgery.
Delphi consensus among Italian thoracic surgeons addresses bleeding management and VIBeS scale use
Surgeons agree on new rules to stop dangerous bleeding in chest operations
This Delphi consensus report involved 49 Italian thoracic surgeons evaluating bleeding in thoracic surgery. Participants reached agreement o…
A national group of chest surgeons has agreed on a clear plan to stop dangerous bleeding during operations, which could help patients heal f…
Super acuity testing shows promise for screening hyperopia in adolescents and young adults.
New Eye Chart Could Spot Hidden Farsightedness in Students
This cohort study evaluated super acuity test chart measurement in 41 university students (19-26 years) and 119 high school students (16-18 …
This new eye chart could spot hidden farsightedness in teens and young adults before it causes strain or headaches during reading.
Micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation showed less pain and inflammation than continuous-wave in refractory glaucoma patients.
New laser option for hard-to-treat glaucoma cuts pain and swelling
This prospective, randomized, single-blind study enrolled 52 patients with refractory glaucoma. At 18 months, micropulse transscleral cyclop…
A gentler laser lowers eye pressure as well as older methods but causes less pain and swelling.
Retrospective analysis shows machine learning improves CT-based airway and emphysema mapping
New AI Scan Detects Lung Damage More Accurately Than Old Tech
This retrospective analysis evaluates a new feature-based parametric response mapping (PRMD) method using machine learning on CT scans for C…
A new AI tool scans lungs more accurately than old methods, helping doctors spot COPD damage even when images are noisy.
OCT-A metrics show association with diabetic retinopathy status in cross-sectional study
Eye Scan Spots Diabetes Vision Damage Earlier
This cross-sectional study abstract evaluates the association between OCT-A metrics and diabetic retinopathy status in 108 adult eyes. The f…
A fast, painless eye scan can catch diabetes-related vision damage years before symptoms appear, offering a real chance to save sight before…
Protocol for evaluating dynamic MRI-guided surgical planning in cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Dynamic MRI May Prevent Unnecessary Neck Surgery for Spinal Stenosis
This retrospective cohort study protocol describes a planned investigation of 300 patients undergoing cervical spine surgery. The study aims…
Moving MRI scans could help surgeons plan more precise neck surgery, reducing the risk of missed compression and unnecessary procedures.
COVID-19 pandemic linked to no significant change in retinal vascular occlusion incidence at a Swiss eye hospital.
COVID-19 Did Not Raise Eye Stroke Risk, Study Finds
This retrospective cohort study compared retinal vascular occlusion diagnoses in 2019 versus 2020 at a Swiss eye hospital. Vein occlusions d…
New eye data shows COVID’s first year did not raise the risk of retinal vein or artery blockages.
Review of portable visual field devices shows higher patient preference over table-mounted analyzers in rural glaucoma care.
Portable eye tests beat old machines for rural patients
This mixed methods review analyzed patient preferences among 271 respondents at three Alabama Federally Qualified Health Centers. Results in…
Rural patients with glaucoma preferred portable virtual reality eye tests over traditional machines, reporting higher satisfaction and comfo…
Systematic review of 41 RCTs evaluates surgical options for anterior compartment prolapse
Researchers find prolapse surgery risks vary by method used
This systematic review synthesizes data from 41 randomized controlled trials involving 4531 women with anterior compartment prolapse. It com…
Women choosing prolapse surgery face different risks depending on the method used, with long-term safety for mesh still unknown.
Systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates RELAPS pattern diagnostic accuracy in cardiac amyloidosis
Heart Scan Trick Helps Catch Hidden Heart Disease Early
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of the left ventricular relative apical sparing (RELAPS) pattern …
A new heart scan pattern helps doctors find hidden protein buildup in the heart muscle much faster today for patients.
Narrative review discusses TIVAP use in Chinese patients requiring long-term venous therapy.
Report finds uneven standards for venous access ports in China
This narrative review examines Totally Implantable Venous Access Ports (TIVAP) in China for patients needing long-term venous therapy. The a…
A review highlights significant disparities in how implantable venous ports are managed across medical institutions in China.
Concomitant Hip Rotator Cuff and Labral Repair Shows Comparable Outcomes to Labral Repair Alone
Hip surgery success with one key fix added
This retrospective matched-cohort study compared outcomes of concomitant hip rotator cuff and labral repair versus labral repair alone. At 2…
Adding rotator cuff repair to standard hip surgery doesn’t slow recovery and may fully address hidden sources of pain patients didn’t even k…
Preliminary observation links cochlear implant eCAP latencies to characteristic frequency in n=450 recordings.
Ear Cells Might Not Be Simple Cables After All
This preliminary observation analyzes eCAP datasets from 6 published studies involving 175 CI users. It reports a weak but statistically sig…
New data suggests ear cells inside cochlear implants process sound actively, not passively, which could improve hearing device performance f…
New qVCV Test Shows Promise for Hearing Loss Assessment and Aid Benefit Quantification
New qVCV test predicts hearing loss and quantifies hearing-aid benefit
This methodological development study introduces the qVCV test, which uses vowel-consonant-vowel stimuli with speech-shaped noise. The test …
A new speech test called qVCV can predict hearing loss and measure how much hearing aids help, offering a practical tool for clinicians.
Pre-procedural testing reduced intraoperative strategy changes in complex unruptured intracranial aneurysm endovascular treatment.
Doctors Test Brain Aneurysm Surgery on a 3D Model First
This cohort study evaluated patients who underwent pre-procedural testing (PPT) using patient-specific models versus a control group treated…
Practicing on a patient’s 3D brain model before surgery cuts surprises, shortens procedure time, and reduces wasted medical supplies.
Neuromodulation after sleep deprivation alters olfactory brain activity in male participants
Sleep Deprivation Dulls Your Sense of Smell, But New Brain Stimulation Shows Promise
This randomized controlled trial in 90 male participants examined brain activity after 36 hours of sleep deprivation and a restorative sleep…
After 36 hours without sleep, your sense of smell can falter, but targeted brain stimulation may help restore key brain networks.
Systematic review of 68 articles shows systemic factors drive 51% of coal industry occupational accident risks.
Coal Mining Deaths Shift From Mines To Roads And Rail
This systematic review synthesizes 68 peer-reviewed articles regarding occupational accident risks in coal logistics operations. The authors…
New research shows coal transport accidents are driven more by worker stress and poor systems than broken machines.
TIRADS and Bethesda systems predict thyroid malignancy in 70 patients at Baghdad Teaching Hospital.
Family history and neck swelling signal higher risk of thyroid cancer
This prospective cross-sectional study evaluated 70 patients with thyroid complaints at Baghdad Teaching Hospital. Higher TIRADS grades, spe…
A new look at thyroid nodules shows that family history and neck swelling are key signs of cancer, helping doctors catch it sooner.
High nursing execution in ERAS dimensions linked to less pain and shorter stays in women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for benign gynecologic conditions.
Better Nursing Care Cuts Pain and Hospital Time After Surgery
This prospective observational cohort study evaluated 339 women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for benign gynecologic conditions. Nursing e…
Surgery is over. The patient wakes up. But what happens next can make all the difference.
Single-incision modified Nuss procedure compared to non-flipping bar in pediatric pectus excavatum patients.
Two Chest Surgeries for Kids Show Equal Results
This single-center retrospective cohort study evaluated 171 pediatric and adolescent patients with pectus excavatum at Shanghai Children's H…
Parents can choose between two safe surgery options without worrying about different results.
Scoping review of African regulatory harmonization shows reduced joint review times and elevated application volumes.
Africa's Medicine Rules Are Finally Aligning
This scoping review examines policy design, implementation strategies, and outcomes of the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization initia…
Harmonized rules are making it easier for Africa to approve safe medicines faster, but more funding and training are needed to finish the jo…
Meta-analysis supports lung-protective ventilation for craniotomy patients
New Ventilation Strategy Cuts Lung Risks for Brain Surgery Patients
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 523 craniotomy patients found that lung-protective ventilation significantly reduced postoperati…
Imagine waking up from brain surgery only to struggle to breathe.
Experimental study explores visual recognition's role in visuo-vestibular interaction
Visual recognition modulates visuo-vestibular interaction in vestibular deficit patients
This experimental study examined how visual recognition modulates visuo-vestibular interaction using near-simultaneous task execution protoc…
New findings suggest visual recognition changes how the brain processes balance signals, offering clues for better clinical assessments of d…
Review of MRI radiomic features aids Alzheimer's disease classification and progression modeling in 382 participants.
MRI Scan Finds Alzheimer's Signs Before Memory Loss Starts
This observational review synthesizes findings from 382 participants across three cognitive stages regarding MRI-derived radiomic features. …
New imaging tools might catch Alzheimer's changes years before memory fades.
Open-sourcing data and annotations for renal cell carcinoma yielded 142 annotated CT scans from 101 patients.
Open-source CT scans aim to boost kidney cancer AI research
This cohort study involved 101 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and analyzed 142 annotated CT scans. After quality control, the data…
Researchers release 142 annotated CT scans from 101 kidney cancer patients to accelerate AI development.
In a prospective cohort, periampullary tumor surgery affected quality of life and survival metrics.
Life After Major Cancer Surgery Isn’t What We Thought
This prospective cohort study evaluated 111 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary tumors at a University Medical Cen…
Imagine waking up after major cancer surgery.
Preclinical deep learning framework shows improved dose prediction for unseen cancer sites
A Heavy Burden on Doctors
This is a preclinical development study of a deep learning framework for radiotherapy dose prediction. The framework performed comparably to…
A new AI tool can plan radiation doses for many different cancers at once.
Meta-analysis of preclinical studies supports kaempferol for osteoporosis
Nature's Shield for Weakening Bones
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials in osteoporotic animal models found that kaempferol significantl…
A natural compound found in plants may help stop bone loss, offering a new hope for osteoporosis patients.
Review of 79 patients shows MRI and oculomotor assessment localize central stroke lesions.
Sudden Dizziness Could Be a Brain Emergency
This case report and scoping literature review examines 79 patients presenting with spontaneous nystagmus of central origin. The authors syn…
It started with a dizzy spell. Maria, 55, stood up too fast and felt the room spin.
Systematic evaluation of harmonisation methods reduces variability in multisite MRI volumetric imaging-derived phenotypes
New Scan Fix Helps Compare Brain Changes Across Clinics
This systematic evaluation reviews image-based and statistical harmonisation methods applied to a clinically realistic, multisite, multiscan…
Scientists found a better way to fix differences in brain scans so doctors can track changes accurately.
3D-DXA imaging shows strong correlation with QCT for assessing femoral bone density in international cohorts.
3D-DXA scans match the accuracy of more complex bone density tests.
This cohort study of 537 subjects from Spain, the United States, and Japan compared 3D-DXA imaging to quantitative computed tomography (QCT)…
New data shows 3D-DXA scans match the accuracy of complex CT scans for measuring bone strength, offering a safer, easier way to check bone h…