Minimum clinically important difference of the health-related quality of life scales in adult spinal deformity calculated by latent class analysis: is it appropriate to use the same values for surgical and nonsurgical patients?

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) parameters have been shown to be reliable and valid in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). Minimum clinically important difference (MCID) has become increasingly important to clinicians in evaluating patients with a threshold of improvement that is clinically relevant.

Comparison of the Exposure Obtained by Endoscope and Microscope in the Extended Trans-Sphenoidal Approach

Objective: Trans-sphenoidal surgery is often combined with other approaches for the treatment of middle cranial base tumors. By combining a maxillotomy with trans-sphenoidal approach, significantly wider exposure to these regions is gained. However, endoscope-assisted techniques have also been used for sellar and parasellar and upper clival regions. Methods: An extended trans-sphenoidal approach was performed on 10 cadaver heads using the operating microscope and was repeated with a 0-degree endoscope. The mean horizontal and vertical distances were measured and pictured for each technique, and both distances were compared using a parametric paired Student's t-test. Results: The mean horizontal distances in the 10 specimens were 19.5 ± 1.8 mm by microscope and 27.5 ± 2.2 mm by endoscope, and the mean vertical distances were 25.8 ± 1.9 mm by the microscope and 34.5 ± 3.5 mm by the endoscope. Conclusion: The aim of this study was to quantify the amount of exposure obtained with an extended trans-sphenoidal approach and to compare both endoscopic and microscopic techniques. Using the endoscope in conjunction with the operating microscope may provide additional exposure and better access in skull base surgery.     

Comparison of indium-111 octreotide and thallium-201 scintigraphy in patients mammographically suspected of having breast cancer: Preliminary results

Indium-111 octreotide and thallium-201 scintigraphic studies were compared in 21 patients (16 with palpable and five with non-palpable lesions) suspected of having breast malignancies on the basis of mammography. Early (15 min) and late (3 h)²⁰¹Tl (111 MBq) and 4-h and 24-h¹¹¹In-octreotide (111–148 MBq) static planar anterior images (matrix 256×256) were obtained on separate days. Images were evaluated both visually and quantitatively. Biopsy was performed following the imaging studies. Histopathology revealed 17 breast carcinomas (15 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, one mucinous adenocarcinoma and one intraductal carcinoma) and four benign breast lesions (two fibroadenomas, one abscess and one case of fat necrosis). The means histopathologcial tumour size (mean largest diameter) was 3.38±1.9 cm.¹¹¹In-octreotide detected 16 of the 17 breast cancers (94%) while²⁰¹Tl detected 13 of them (76%). Both¹¹¹In-octreotide and²⁰¹Tl missed one nonpalpable carcinoma showing only an isolated cluster of microcalcifications on mammography. The smallest tumour size detected by both agents 1.5×1.5 cm. Of the four benign lesions, only the breast abscess revealed both²⁰¹Tl and¹¹¹In-octreotide uptake.¹¹¹In-octreotide scan also showed tracer uptake in five of the six patients with histologically proven axillary metastases, while four of these six patients showed²⁰¹Tl uptake. The tumour/background (T/B) ratios of late¹¹¹In-octreotide and²⁰¹Tl images were 1.71±0.38 and 1.46±0.30 respectively (P=0.039). In this preliminary study,¹¹¹In-octreotide yielded more favourable results than²⁰¹Tl in the detection of breast carcinomas. However, the diagnostic efficacy of¹¹¹In-octreotide imaging needs to be investigated in larger patient series.     

Systemic endotoxin and gastric mucosal pH are the best parameters to predict lethal outcome in a porcine model of abdominal sepsis according to multivariate analysis.

This study was devised to identify sepsis-relevant parameters that early and reliably predict a lethal outcome in intra-abdominal sepsis. In 18 Duroc pigs, peritonitis was induced through standardized gastrotomy. Twelve hours later the defect was oversewn and the abdominal cavity lavaged thoroughly. Sepsis relevant parameters were measured before initiating therapy, and 30 min later animals were extubated and observed for a period of 6 days under adequate analgesia with free access to water and food. All parameters were correlated with survival postoperatively. In the treatment group, 7 out of 18 pigs (39%) died within the observation period. Endotoxin level at 30 min after initiation of therapy [17.9 EU/mL (+/- 12.1) vs. 110.9 EU/mL (+/- 21); p <.001] and Delta pHi [0.015 (+/- 0.011) vs. -0.039 (+/- 0.013); p =.016] were identified as the two parameters with highest predictive power regarding mortality in a multivariate analysis. In conclusion measurement of endotoxin and gastric tonometry should gain wider clinical application in septic patients.     

Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiodrainage as Rescue Therapy for Symptomatic Biliary Leakage Without Biliary Tract Dilation After Major Surgery

Symptomatic biliary leakage following major upper abdominal surgery is a severe complication resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Treatment options usually include either endoscopic intervention or surgical revision. These options may be burdened by a high perioperative risk for the patient (e.g., patients with severe disease) or simply may not be possible (e.g., nonpreserved gastroduodenal passage). In the past, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage did only seem to be a viable option for patients with dilated bile ducts. Here, we present our experience in a consecutive series of patients with symptomatic biliary leakage following major upper abdominal surgery and without dilation of the biliary system that underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage was feasible in 15 of 18 patients (83.3%). The procedure was technically not possible in three patients (16.7%). In 10 of the 15 patients (66.6%) with feasible percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage, biliary leakage was definitely controlled without the need for surgical revision. Depending on the experience with the interventional procedure, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage should be considered as an alternative for treatment of symptomatic biliary leakage instead of immediate reoperation. Presented at the Digestive Disease Week 2005 (DDW), Chicago, IL, May 14–19, 2005 (poster presentation).     

Frontal lobe epilepsy presented as ictal aggression

Abstract Aggressive behaviour is rarely observed as an ictal semiology. Ictal aggression can occur in lesions of frontal and limbic structures. In limbic structure lesions, the main mechanism of aggressive behaviour is hyperactivity; whereas frontal lesions may cause aggressive behaviour with an indirect mechanism in which the suppression on limbic system is lost. Here we present a patient with ictal aggression. In this case a right frontoparietal epileptiform focus was detected during the postictal period. Magnetic resonance imaging showed cortical dysplasia on the right inferior frontal gyrus. The seizures disappeared completely after pharmacological treatment.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arg</Emphasis>194<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trp</Emphasis> polymorphism in DNA repair gene XRCC1 and the risk for sporadic late-onset Alzheimer's disease

Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is defined pathologically by the presence of β-amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and extensive neuronal loss. Evidence indicates that increased DNA damage may contribute to neuronal loss in AD. Recently, it has been shown that in AD neurons have a reduced capacity for some types of DNA repair. Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes may be associated with differences in repair efficiency of DNA damage. Variants of several DNA repair genes, including the base excision repair gene XRCC1, have been described previously. We hypothesised that Arg194Trp polymorphism of XRCC1 gene may contribute to genetic susceptibility for AD. In order to test this hypothesis, we investigated Arg194Trp polymorphism at the XRCC1 gene in the DNA samples of 98 patients with AD and 95 healthy subjects. The frequency of the Trp allele was more pronounced among cases (11.2%) compared with controls (5.8%). On combining the homozygous and heterozygous variants of each codon, the variants seemed to be at twofold risk of AD, although the risk estimates were not statistically significant (OR=1.95, 95% CI 0.88–4.34, p=0.09). In addition, the 194Trp allele revealed a borderline significance (OR=2.05, 95% CI 0.96–4.37, p=0.056). According to our results, it may be speculated that the polymorphic variants of XRCC1 codon 194 have a role in the development of AD.     

Influence of immediate and delayed post space preparation on sealing ability of resilon.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of immediate and delayed post space preparation on the sealing ability of a new root canal filling material. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-two extracted teeth were prepared and obturated with gutta-percha/AH-Plus and Resilon/Epiphany sealer by the lateral compaction technique. The teeth were divided randomly into 4 groups, and the post space was prepared either immediately after filling or after the obturated teeth had been stored in saline at 37 degrees C for a week. Leakage was determined by a fluid-transport device. RESULTS: The results showed that immediate post space preparation of the Resilon/Epiphany-filled group had a mean leakage value of 0.81 microL/h, whereas the delayed preparation had a mean leakage value of 0.75 microL/h. No difference (P > .05) in microleakage was found between gutta-percha/AH-Plus and Resilon/Epiphany-filled groups after immediate preparation. There was significant difference between gutta-percha/AH-Plus and Resilon/Epiphany groups in the delayed post space preparation (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Epiphany/Resilon obturation achieved better sealing than gutta-percha/AH-Plus at the apical end, especially in delayed post space preparation when mechanical techniques were used.     

Recommendations for the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease and other disorders associated with dementia: EFNS guideline

The aim of this international guideline on dementia was to present a peer-reviewed evidence-based statement for the guidance of practice for clinical neurologists, geriatricians, psychiatrists, and other specialist physicians responsible for the care of patients with dementia. It covers major aspects of diagnostic evaluation and treatment, with particular emphasis on the type of patient often referred to the specialist physician. The main focus is Alzheimer's disease, but many of the recommendations apply to dementia disorders in general. The task force working group considered and classified evidence from original research reports, meta-analysis, and systematic reviews, published before January 2006. The evidence was classified and consensus recommendations graded according to the EFNS guidance. Where there was a lack of evidence, but clear consensus, good practice points were provided. The recommendations for clinical diagnosis, blood tests, neuroimaging, electroencephalography (EEG), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, genetic testing, tissue biopsy, disclosure of diagnosis, treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and counselling and support for caregivers were all revised when compared with the previous EFNS guideline. New recommendations were added for the treatment of vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies, for monitoring treatment, for treatment of behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia, and for legal issues. The specialist physician plays an important role together with primary care physicians in the multidisciplinary dementia teams, which have been established throughout Europe. This guideline may contribute to the definition of the role of the specialist physician in providing dementia health care.