Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: diagnostic challenges,histopathologic features and ancillary testing

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an aggressive thyroid malignancy with high mortality rate. This malignancy arises in thyroid follicular cells either denovo or with an associated differentiated thyroid carcinoma component. Clinically, it usually presents as a rapidly enlarging mass, pain and locally compressive symptoms. Histopathologic variability and heterogeneity often pose diagnostic challenges, especially in scant and paucicellular specimens. This article describes the clinical, histopathologic and molecular features of ATC and also addresses the associated diagnostic limitations and challenges.     

A case report of pseudoaneurysm after a core needle biopsy of breast cancer

Breast pseudoaneurysms after a core needle biopsy are a rare complication with a low incidence. However, it is important to be aware of the possibility of complications that require treatment.     

品管圈在植入式静脉输液港患者护理中的应用

目的探讨品管圈在植入式静脉输液港(IVAP)患者护理中的应用。方法选取本院2018年10月-2018年12月IVAP患者30例作为对照组,2019年1月-2019年3月品管圈活动干预后IVAP患者30例作为观察组。对照组采用常规护理措施,观察组采用品管圈活动干预后的护理措施。比较两组IVAP患者并发症的发生率和对护理工作的满意度。结果观察组导管堵塞1例;并发症发生率为3.33%(1/30)。对照组感染4例,血栓2例,导管堵塞4例;并发症发生率为33.33%(10/30)。观察组并发症发生率低于对照组(P <0.05)。观察组对优质服务、技术水平、关怀、出院指导、护理总满意度评分分别为(42.39±5.27)分、(31.49±4.32)分、(22.25±4.69)分、(20.26±4.91)分、(112.24±10.38)分;对照组分别为(38.65±4.91)分、(28.68±4.26)分、(19.96±4.30)分、(19.94±4.63)分、(103.37±10.12)分;观察组对优质服务、技术水平、关怀、出院指导、护理总满意度评分均高于对照组(P <0.05)。结论通过品管圈活动干预后的护理措施明显降低IVAP患者并发症的发生率,提高患者对护理工作的满意度。     

Can EGFR mutation status be reliably determined in pre‐operative needle biopsies from adenocarcinomas of the lung?

The identification of EGFR mutations in non‐small‐cell lung cancer is important for selecting patients, who may benefit from treatment with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The analysis is usually performed on cytological aspirates and/or histological needle biopsies, representing a small fraction of the tumour volume. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of this molecular test. We retrospectively included 201 patients with primary adenocarcinoma of the lung. EGFR mutation status (exon 19 deletions and exon 21 L858R point mutation) was evaluated on both pre‐operative biopsies (131 histological and 70 cytological) and on the surgical specimens, using PCR. Samples with low tumour cell fraction were assigned to laser micro‐dissection (LMD). We found nine (4.5%) patients with EGFR mutation in the lung tumour resections, but failed to identify mutation in one of the corresponding pre‐operative, cytological specimens. Several (18.4%) analyses of the pre‐operative biopsies were inconclusive, especially in case of biopsies undergoing LMD and regarding exon 21 analysis. Discrepancy of mutation status in one patient may reflect intra‐tumoural heterogeneity or technical issues. Moreover, several inconclusive results in the diagnostic biopsies reveal that attention must be paid on the suitability of pre‐operative biopsies for EGFR mutation analysis.     

Successful treatment of hemorrhagic bullous Henoch‐Schonlein purpura with intravenous immunoglobulins

Henoch‐Schonlein purpura (HSP) is the most common systemic vasculitis in childhood. There is no consensus about the management for isolated cutaneous manifestations in HSP. We describe a case of HSP presenting with severe skin lesions that did not respond to standard therapy with corticosteroids. The 11‐year‐old child was treated with intravenous immunoglobulins, which induced rapid and persistent resolution of symptomatology.     

EBUS-TBNA超声内镜对纵隔肿大淋巴结良恶性的鉴别诊断价值

目的:分析超声内镜引导下经支气管针吸活检(endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration，EBUS-TBNA)术中肿大纵隔淋巴结的超声图像特点，探讨EBUS-TBNA超声内镜对纵隔淋巴结良恶性的鉴别诊断价值，以期提高EBUS-TBNA对纵隔淋巴结恶性病变的活检率。方法:回顾性分析2014年10月至2018年11月行EBUS-TBNA患者的超声内镜图像。我们使用以下EBUS超声内镜特征来预测淋巴结的良恶:回声，长轴长度，短轴长度，纵横比，形态，边界，淋巴门有无，淋巴结内血流信号分级。将超声检查结果与最终病理结果或临床随访结果进行比较。采用SPSS 20.0软件进行统计学分析，采用logistic回归分析评价肿大淋巴结EBUS-TBNA超声内镜下的特征与良恶性的相关性，以 P<0.05 为标准判定差异有统计学意义。结果:对130例纵隔淋巴结肿大患者的227个淋巴结进行回顾性分析，67.4%的肿大淋巴结被证实为恶性转移。Logistic回归分析显示回声、长轴及短轴的长度、正常淋巴门结构的消失是诊断恶性淋巴结的独立预测因素。结论:纵隔恶性淋巴结具有一定的超声特征，可以通过这些超声特征提高EBUS-TBNA对纵隔恶性淋巴结的检出率。