Health Problem: Damage to major joints, such as the knee, hip, or spine, may be caused by diseases and conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fracture, bone tumors, and osteonecrosis. Symptoms associated with these conditions include persistent pain and limited function. Joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty) and associate…
Health Technology Assessments
Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) are a comprehensive systematic review and critical analysis of available evidence for A SINGLE medical technology for which there are several published clinical trials and a substantial body of evidence. This report details an entire technology class for which there are one or more indications or patient populations in use.
Our analysts evaluate clinical trial data, along with information regarding safety issues, coverage policies from the private and public sectors, regulatory approvals, consensus statements, and an overall projection of the potential clinical efficacy and economic impact of the technology. Reports are reviewed annually up to 5 years post publication to determine if there is new literature or evidence that would impact a change in rating and warrant an updated report.
Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) for Treatment of Glioblastoma in Adults
Health Problem: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent primary malignant intracranial tumor, representing as much as 16% of primary brain tumors. GBM is a fast-growing aggressive glioma that develops from glial cells in the brain. The overall prognosis is poor and even with the best standard of care, the median survival for adults with GBM …
iStent Inject Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent (Glaukos Corp.) as a Standalone Procedure for Open-Angle Glaucoma
Health Problem: Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve characterized by loss of retinal ganglion cells, remodeling of the lamina cribrosa, structural changes to the nerve, elevated IOP, and progressive, irreversible loss of vision leading to blindness. Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is associated with partial blockage of the flow of aqueous humo…
Polidocanol Endovenous Microfoam (Varithena) 1% for Treatment of Varicose Veins
Health Problem: Varicose veins are dilated, thickened, elongated, and twisted blood vessels that may appear thread-like or as grape-like clusters under the skin, most often on the legs. They are manifestations of chronic venous insufficiency, a condition characterized by dysfunction of the valves in veins, leading to increased blood pressure,…
Polidocanol Endovenous Microfoam (Varithena) 1% for Treatment of Varicose Veins
Health Problem: Varicose veins are dilated, thickened, elongated, and twisted blood vessels that may appear thread-like or as grape-like clusters under the skin, most often on the legs. They are manifestations of chronic venous insufficiency, a condition characterized by dysfunction of the valves in veins, leading to increased blood pressure,…
Proton Beam Therapy for Treatment of Rhabdomyosarcomas of the Head and Neck Region in Pediatric Patients
Health Problem: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma diagnosed in children and the third most common pediatric extracranial solid tumor. Although progress in the treatment for RMS has led to improved survival, some children have nonresponsive or recurrent disease, and current treatment modalities can lead to long-term…
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Movement Disorders
Health Problem: Movement disorders, such as Parkinson disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET), are neurological conditions that can cause tremor that cannot be controlled with medication in some patients. ET is the most common movement disorder, affecting an estimated 7 million Americans and approximately 1% to 6% of the adult population > 40 …
Radioactive Yttrium-90 Microspheres for the Treatment of Primary Unresectable Liver Cancer for Downstaging or as a Bridge to Transplantation or Surgery
Health Problem: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver malignancy in the United States, accounting for approximately 90% of primary liver cancers. The definitive therapies for HCC are surgical resection, tumor ablation, and liver transplantation; however, most patients are not eligible for these therapies due to the overall b…
Risk-Reducing (Prophylactic) Salpingectomy
Health Problem: In the United States, ovarian cancer ranks fifth among cancer deaths. This type of cancer is often not detected at an early stage since early signs or symptoms are usually absent or easily overlooked. There is no effective method for screening women at normal risk for ovarian cancer.
Technology Description: Bilateral salpingectomy refer…
Greater Occipital Nerve Blocks for Treatment of Migraine
Health Problem: Migraine is a chronic, familial neurological disorder characterized by episodic headache attacks that are typically unilateral and often debilitating, lasting for hours or days and occurring multiple times per month. It is the third most prevalent illness in the world and considered the most disabling of the neurological disor…