Barrett’s esophagus: Review of natural history and comparative efficacy of endoscopic and surgical therapies

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Progression to cancer typically occurs in a stepwise fashion through worsening dysplasia and ultimately, invasive neoplasia. Established EAC with deep involvement of the esophageal wall and/or metastatic disease is invariably associated with poor long-term survival rates. This guides the rationale of surveillance of Barrett’s in an attempt to treat lesions at an earlier, and potentially curative stage. The last two decades have seen a paradigm shift in management of Barrett’s with rapid expansion in the role of endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) for management of dysplastic and early neoplastic BE, and there have been substantial changes to international consensus guidelines for management of early BE based on evolving evidence. This review aims to assist the physician in the therapeutic decision-making process with patients by comprehensive review and summary of literature surrounding natural history of Barrett’s by histological stage, and the effectiveness of interventions in attenuating the risk posed by its natural history. Key findings were as follows. Non-dysplastic Barrett’s is associated with extremely low risk of progression, and interventions cannot be justified. The annual risk of cancer progression in low grade dysplasia is between 1%-3%; EET can be offered though evidence for its benefit remains confined to highly select settings. High-grade dysplasia progresses to cancer in 5%-10% per year; EET is similarly effective to and less morbid than surgery and should be routinely performed for this indication. Risk of nodal metastases in intramucosal cancer is 2%-4%, which is comparable to operative mortality rate, so EET is usually preferred. Submucosal cancer is associated with nodal metastases in 14%-41% hence surgery remains standard of care, except for select situations.     

Validation of the Modena bleeding score in endoscopic sinus surgery

IntroductionThe Modena bleeding score is a categorical rating scale that allows the assessment of the surgical field in relation to bleeding during endoscopic surgery. It has recently been presented and validated in the field of endoscopic ear surgery by the present authors. The Modena bleeding score provides five grades for rating the surgical field during endoscopic procedures (from grade 1 ? no bleeding to grade 5 ? bleeding that prevents every surgical procedure except those dedicated to bleeding control).ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to validate the Modena bleeding score in the setting of endoscopic sinus surgery.MethodsFifteen three-minute videos of endoscopic sinus surgery procedures (each containing three bleeding situations) were evaluated by 15 specialists, using the Modena bleeding score. Intra and inter-rater reliability were assessed, and the clinical validity of the Modena bleeding score was calculated using a referent standard.ResultsThe data analysis showed an intra-rater reliability ranging from 0.6336 to 0.861. The inter-rater reliability ranged from 0.676 to 0.844. The clinical validity was α = 0.70; confidence limits: 0.64 ? 0.75, corresponding to substantial agreement.ConclusionThe Modena bleeding score is an effective method to score bleeding during endoscopic sinus surgery. Its application in future research could facilitate the performance and efficacy assessment of surgical techniques, materials or devices aimed to bleeding control during endoscopic sinus surgery.     

康莱特注射液联合紫杉醇治疗晚期恶性胸腺瘤的疗效观察

目的:比较康莱特注射液联合紫杉醇及紫杉醇单纯化疗治疗晚期恶性胸腺瘤的不良反应和疗效。方法:2013年8月至2017年12月，经病理学和免疫组化确诊为恶性胸腺瘤并在我院肿瘤中心进行姑息性化疗的患者68例。康莱特注射液联合化疗为观察组（37例）；单纯化疗为对照组（31例）。28天为一周期，共化疗4周期。结果:两组患者均无人发生过敏反应。观察组可有效减轻患者化疗不良反应:恶性、呕吐、四肢麻木、关节肌肉酸痛和白细胞下降(P＜0.05)，可以有效减轻患者胸闷症状和全身疼痛(P＜0.05)，在肿瘤控制方面，康莱特联合化疗的疗效较单纯化疗稍好，但均未见有统计学差异(P＞0.05)。结论:康莱特注射液联合紫杉醇治疗晚期胸腺瘤，具有减轻患者疼痛、减轻化疗不良反应，从而提高患者化疗依从性的作用，值得临床进一步推广和研究。     

注射用盐酸柔红霉素的质量评价

目的 按照国家计划抽验要求，评价国内不同企业生产的注射用盐酸柔红霉素的质量。方法 按国家标准检验与探索性研究相结合，对抽验样品进行检验，对检验结果进行统计分析。结果 共抽取样品17批次，按国家标准检验合格率100.0%。探索性研究对主要杂质的来源与结构进行了研究；建立溶液的澄清度检查方法；对包材相容性及稳定性进行了考察。结论 目前国内注射用盐酸柔红霉素总体质量较好；现行标准有待进一步提高，建议现行标准修订有关物质检查方法，增加特定杂质的控制，增加溶液的澄清度检查；建议企业优化生产工艺，以提高产品质量。