Latest Anatomy research

Top 10 this week

Week of 20 September 2026

1. 1

   CT-FFR in stable CAD: A meta-analysis of clinical outcomes and healthcare cost

   Clinical imaging · Q2 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 9 September 2026

   In three randomized trials of 11,371 patients, using CT-FFR to guide care lowered the rate of invasive angiography from 24.9% to 20.8% without increasing revascularization or major cardiac events. Observational data suggested fewer events but likely reflect bias, and cost analyses were inconsistent, leaving economic impact unclear.

2. 2

   Brain-computer interface for post-stroke upper-limb recovery: a systematic review integrating clinical efficacy with neuroplasticity evidence

   Frontiers in neurology · Q2 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 3 September 2026

3. 3

   Gas Versus Air Tamponade in Surgery for Full-Thickness Macular Hole: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

   Ophthalmology. Retina · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 18 September 2026

   High-quality evidence in a top journal

4. 4

   Real-time AI-assisted nerve tracking for ultrasound-guided nerve identification: a prospective randomized trial

   Regional anesthesia and pain medicine · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 18 September 2026

   In a randomized trial of 78 ultrasound novices, first-attempt identification of the median nerve and supraclavicular brachial plexus was similar whether participants used real-time AI tracking or standard B-mode training. Additional AI-guided practice improved confidence modestly but did not translate into higher independent success, leaving its clinical value uncertain.

5. 5

   Transabdominal lumbar approach (TALA) versus retroperitoneal approach for robot-assisted renal surgery: a prospective randomised controlled trial

   World journal of urology · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 15 September 2026

   In a prospective randomized trial of 40 patients, the new transabdominal lumbar (TALA) technique reached the renal artery in a median of 38 minutes versus 54 minutes with the standard retroperitoneal route, saving about 16 minutes. Peri-operative safety was similar, with three grade III-IV complications (7.5%) overall. The faster exposure may streamline robot-assisted nephrectomy, but larger studies are needed to confirm broader benefits.

6. 6

   MedDRA adoption and adverse event reporting quality in gastrointestinal and abdominal surgery randomised controlled trials: a cross-sectional analysis

   BMJ open · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 17 September 2026

   High-quality evidence in a top journal

7. 7

   Clinical efficacy and cortical network modulation of a multimodal sensory feedback upper-limb rehabilitation robot for post-stroke upper-limb recovery: a randomized controlled trial

   Frontiers in neurology · Q2 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 4 September 2026

8. 8

   Paeoniflorin adjunct to scar release surgery for postoperative anorectal stenosis: a randomized controlled trial

   Frontiers in surgery · Q2 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 3 September 2026

   In a multicenter RCT of 106 patients, scar-release surgery plus local paeoniflorin achieved a 90.6% stricture-relief rate at six months versus 73.6% with surgery alone, and patients reported near-normal defecation scores. Scar thickness was lower and recurrence fewer, though the trial was small and follow-up limited, so larger studies are needed.

9. 9

   Performance of Transvaginal First-Trimester Anatomical Screening by Operators with Different Levels of Experience: A Randomized Controlled Trial

   Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · Q2 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 28 August 2026

   Operator experience in transvaginal first‑trimester screening, obstetrics focus

10. 10

    Performances and Fatigue Responses to Weighted Vest Training in Parkour Novices

    European journal of sport science · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 1 October 2026

    Weighted vest training performance, not anatomy

Paper of the day, last two weeks

• Diagnostic Delay, Bronchoscopic Airway Phenotype, and Early Surgical Outcomes in Children With Vascular Rings and Pulmonary Artery Sling: A 10-Year Palestinian Referral-Center cohort

  Journal of pediatric surgery · Q1 journal · Retrospective cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 21 September 2026

  Vascular rings airway phenotype, surgical anatomy

• Anatomical fit of a precontoured suprapectineal plate in japanese patients with acetabular fractures: A three-dimensional morphometric study

  Injury · Q1 journal · Unclassified · Evidence level 5 (Expert Opinion) · 14 September 2026

  Dual‑pin reference frame placement anatomy grading in MI‑TLIF

• Does an alar ligament tubercle exist? Anatomical study with application to imaging interpretation and skull base approaches

  Neurosurgical review · Q1 journal · Unclassified · Evidence level 5 (Expert Opinion) · 18 September 2026

  Alar ligament tubercle prevalence and morphology study

• Impact of Preoperative Condylar Volume on Postoperative Displacement in Asymmetric Mandibular Setback Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

  Aesthetic plastic surgery · Q1 journal · Prospective cohort · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 17 September 2026

  Preoperative condylar volume predicts postoperative displacement

• CT-based three-dimensional fracture mapping reveals characteristic patterns in pelvic insufficiency fractures

  Injury · Q1 journal · Cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 9 September 2026

  3‑D pelvic fracture mapping, anatomical hotspots

• Age-associated medialization of the cervical internal carotid artery: CT morphometric findings and an exploratory combined mucosa-midline grading framework

  European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · Q1 journal · Prospective cohort · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 16 September 2026

  In 471 neck CT scans, 14% showed critical internal carotid artery medialization that can limit safety during transoral procedures. Patients aged 70 years or older captured 89% of these cases with 86% specificity and a 98% negative predictive value, while a new five-grade CT grading system remains exploratory and unvalidated.

• Anatomical Septal Variations in the Maxillary Sinus and Associated Pathological Findings: A Retrospective Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study

  Journal of clinical medicine · Q1 journal · Retrospective cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 1 September 2026

  Maxillary sinus septal variations and pathology via CBCT

• Fetal aortic morphometry by echocardiography: reproducibility study using stringent criteria and standardized nomenclature

  Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology · Q1 journal · Prospective cohort · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 11 September 2026

  Standardized fetal aortic measurements with high reproducibility

• Patellar Tendon-Lateral Trochlear Ridge Distance Is More Specific Than Tibial Tubercle-Trochlear Groove for Patellofemoral Instability

  Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association · Q1 journal · Retrospective cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 13 September 2026

  In a matched case-control of 50 knees with recurrent patellofemoral instability and 50 controls, the PT-LTR measurement was highly reliable and, at a cutoff of 4.6 mm, correctly flagged instability in 66% of cases while correctly ruling it out in 92% of non-cases-far higher specificity than the traditional TT-TG metric. The test's moderate sensitivity means it should complement, not replace, existing assessments.

• Age-Related Volumetric Changes of the Posterior Cranial Fossa and its Structures in Stroke Patients

  Cerebellum (London, England) · Q1 journal · Retrospective cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 11 September 2026

  In 1,280 adults scanned for cerebellar stroke, average cerebellar volume fell from about 136 cm³ in younger adults to 115 cm³ in older adults, while infratentorial CSF space grew. Men consistently had larger posterior fossa, cerebellar and brainstem volumes than women. These age- and sex-specific norms can help clinicians interpret posterior fossa imaging.

• Incidental Cervical Spine Stenosis by Race and Ethnicity Among Trauma Patients: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Clinical Study

  The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society · Q1 journal · Cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 11 September 2026

  In a level-1 trauma center review of 381 adults with normal cervical CTs, congenital cervical canal narrowing (SCD < 13 mm) was present in 21% of Black patients compared with 15% of White patients, most often at C3-C4. The finding suggests clinicians should screen at-risk groups more carefully, though larger studies are needed to confirm racial differences.

• Habenula as a Marker of Thalamic Asymmetrical Skew and a Landmark for the Vim-Vc Boundary in MRgFUS Thalamotomy

  Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery · Q1 journal · Cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 10 September 2026

  In 157 patients undergoing MR-guided focused-ultrasound thalamotomy, those with anterior habenular torsion experienced sensory complications in 43% immediately and 25% at one year, versus 14% and 5% in others. Tremor relief was similar across groups, suggesting torsion predicts side effects without affecting efficacy, and may guide safer targeting.

• Transverse cervical artery anterior perforator flap: Systematization and applications in head and neck reconstructive surgery

  Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS · Q1 journal · Unclassified · Evidence level 5 (Expert Opinion) · 1 September 2026

  Cadaveric study of transverse cervical artery perforator flap anatomy

• Technical Performance and Clinical Utility of Indocyanine Green Thoracic Duct Lymphography During Esophagectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

  Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract · Q1 journal · SR of cohorts · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 7 September 2026

  Near-infrared ICG fluorescence identified the thoracic duct in about 95% of patients undergoing esophagectomy and was reported safe, but comparative data showed it did not lower the rate of postoperative chyle leak or need for re-intervention. Larger, well-designed trials are needed to prove any clinical benefit beyond anatomy guidance.

Evidence summaries in Anatomy

• Brachial Plexus