Health-related quality of life after isolated limb perfusion compared to extended resection,or amputation for locally advanced extremity sarcoma: Is a limb salvage strategy worth the effort?

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to compare long-term patient reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with locally advanced extremity soft tissue sarcoma (eSTS) after isolated limb perfusion followed by resection (IR), compared to extended resection (ER), primary amputation (A) or secondary amputation after IR (IR-A).MethodsPatients were selected from the respondents of a multi-institutional cross-sectional cohort survivorship study (SURVSARC) conducted among sarcoma survivors registered in the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR), 2–10 years after diagnosis. Used PROs were the EORTC QLQ-C30, the Cancer worry scale (CWS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS).ResultsWe identified 97 eSTS survivors: IR = 20, ER = 49, A = 20, IR-A = 8. While there were no differences in PROs between IR and ER, results showed better functioning and functionality in both groups versus the amputation groups. The amputation groups scored significantly lower on physical functioning (A = 62.7, IR-A = 65.7 versus IR = 78.0, ER = 82.7, p = 0.001) and role functioning (A = 67.5, IR-A = 52.8 versus IR = 79.2, ER = 80.6, p = 0.039), both EORTC QLQ-C30 scales. Also for the TESS, the scores were significantly lower for the amputation groups compared to the limb sparing groups (upper extremity p = 0.007 with A = 68.9, IR-A = 71.6 versus IR = 93.3, ER = 91.1; lower extremity p < 0.001 with A = 72.2, IR-A50.9 versus IR = 84.5 and ER = 85.5). There were no significant differences between the groups on cancer worry, anxiety and depression.ConclusionHRQoL in eSTS survivors treated with IR or ER is equal; for maintenance of physical functioning and functionality IR and ER outperform an amputation.     

Isolated limb perfusion is an effective treatment modality for locally advanced Kaposi sarcoma of the extremities

IntroductionKaposi sarcoma (KS) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma. In case of locally advanced disease, mutilating surgery such as amputations or major reconstructive procedures are sometimes inevitable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of isolated limb perfusion (ILP) in patients with locally advanced KS of the extremities.Material and methodsAll patients who underwent ILP for KS between 1996 and 2018 at Erasmus MC, Rotterdam were identified. Clinical data was obtained from either a prospectively maintained database or retrospective assessment of patient files.ResultsA total of 14 primary ILP's were performed in 11 patients. Median follow-up from primary ILP was 30 months (range, 5–98). The overall response rate of primary ILP was 100%, with a complete response (CR) rate of 50%. Only minimal local toxicity (Wieberdink I-III) was observed. Local progressive disease occurred after eight primary ILP's (57%) with a median local progression free survival (PFS) of 18 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.0–28.9). Subsequently, four (46%) patients received a total of 5 recurrent ILP's. After the recurrent ILP on the same leg, the overall response rate was 75% and a CR-rate of 50%. One patient needed amputation post-operatively resulting in a limb salvage rate of 91%. One (9%) patient developed metastases four months after ILP.ConclusionsILP is a highly effective treatment modality with very limited morbidity rates for patients with locally advanced KS of the extremity. ILP should be considered as a treatment modality for locally advanced KS of the extremities.     

Incidencia,pronóstico y factores asociados al infarto estriatocapsular aislado tras trombectomía mecánica

ObjectivesTo describe baseline and procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes of isolated striatocapsular infarct (iSCI) after mechanical thrombectomy in patients with large-vessel occlusion of the anterior cerebral circulation andits clinical outcome.MethodsWe performed a longitudinal study including all patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy at our centre between 2015 and 2017; patients were divided into 2 groups (iSCI and non-iSCI) according to whether they presented iSCI in a control CT scan at 24 h.ResultsOf the 83 patients identified, 22.9% developed an iSCI. There were no statically significant differences in baseline characteristics or in reperfusion times. Patients presenting iSCI showed better collateral circulation and better reperfusion rates in the bivariate analysis. No significant difference was observed for mortality at discharge or at 3 months, or for functional prognosis at 3 months.ConclusionsEven if successful reperfusion is achieved, iSCI is a common sequela, independently of reperfusion time, especially in patients with good collateral circulation.     

Crohn's disease with gastroduodenal involvement: Diagnostic approach

Crohn's disease(CD) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disease of gastrointestinal tract characterizedby segmental and transmural involvement of gastrointestinal tract. Ileocolonic and colonic/anorectal is a most common and account for 40% of cases and involvement of small intestine is about 30%. Isolated involvement of stomach is an extremely unusual presentation of the disease accounting for less than 0.07% of all gastrointestinal CD. To date there are only a few documented case reports of adults with isolated gastric CD and no reports in the pediatric population. The diagnosis is difficult to establish in such cases with atypical presentation. In the absence of any other source of disease and in the presence of nonspecific upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and histological findings, serological testing can play a vital role in the diagnosis of atypical CD. Recent studies have suggested that perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody and anti-Saccharomycescervisia antibody may be used as additional diagnostic tools. The effectiveness of infliximab in isolated gastric CD is limited to only a few case reports of adult patients and the long-term outcome is unknown.     

亚临床甲状腺功能减退症与常见疾病之间关系的研究进展

甲状腺疾病作为内分泌疾病系统的一类,近年来,随着物质生活水平的提升其发病率有上升的趋势,同时合并常见病的发病率大幅度提升。例如:妊娠方面、糖代谢方面、血脂异常及动脉粥样硬化、高尿酸方面。总结近几年中西医方面对这些并发疾病的治疗经验,特别运用辨证论治、辨病论治的中医在亚健康治疗有着独特的疗效,结合现代先进的诊察技术,研究二者之间的关联,给予临床更好指导。     

金匮肾气丸临症加减治疗甲状腺功能减退临床观察

目的探究甲状腺功能减退(甲减)患者实施重要金匮肾气丸随症加减治疗的临床疗效及对甲状腺功能的影响。方法从2018年4月-2019年7月期间在本院进行治疗的甲减患者中随机抽取84例参与研究,根据数字表法随机分成观察组和对照组,每组42例患者。对照组采用常规西医疗法,观察组在西医疗法基础上采用金匮肾气丸随症加减治疗。就两组患者治疗前后的中医症状积分、甲状腺功能指标、甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)和甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TGAb)进行对比分析。结果治疗后两组患者中医正装积分显著低于治疗前,且观察组患者中医症状积分显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后两组游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(free triiodothyronine,FT3)和游离四碘甲状腺原氨酸(free tetraiodothyronine,FT4)水平高于治疗前,促甲状腺激素(thyroid stimulating hormone,TSH)水平显著低于治疗前,且观察组患者治疗后FT3和FT4水平高于对照组,TSH水平显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后两组患者的TPOAb和TGAb水平均明显低于治疗前,且观察组患者治疗后的TPOAb和TGAb水平低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论甲减患者的临床治疗中给药金匮肾气丸能够有效改善患者的症状体征,改善其异常的甲状腺激素、TPOAb和TGAb水平,可促进患者尽快恢复。     

Isolated fibular stress fractures: Radiographic parameters

BackgroundFibular stress fractures are uncommon injuries with an incompletely understood pathogenesis and predisposing characteristics. This study investigated the demographic and radiographic risk factors for fibular stress fractures.MethodsA retrospective chart review from 2010 to 2018 revealed thirteen patients with isolated fibular stress fractures. Demographics, history of fracture, fracture location, bone quality, and heel alignment were collected.ResultsThe cohort consisted of six men and seven women with a mean age of 41.8 years. The average BMI was 28.5 kg/m². Three patients used tobacco. 69.2% of fractures were in the distal third, 23.1% proximal third, and 7.7% middle third. No patients had evidence of osteopenia. Distal fibula stress fractures were more common in women (66.7%) and associated with hindfoot valgus.ConclusionDistal third fibula stress fractures were most common and associated with hindfoot valgus. This could be due to a greater amount of axial force through fibula in this alignment.Level of evidenceLevel IV, Retrospective Case Series.