Predictive Factors of Thyroid Cancer in Patients with Graves’ Disease

Background

The best preoperative examination in Graves’ disease with thyroid cancer still remains uncertain. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the prevalence of thyroid cancer in Graves’ disease patients, and to identify the predictive factors and ultrasonographic features of thyroid cancer that may aid the preoperative diagnosis in Graves’ disease.

Methods

This retrospective study included 423 patients with Graves’ disease who underwent surgical treatment from 2002 to 2012 at our institution. The clinical features and ultrasonographic findings of thyroid nodules were recorded. The diagnosis of thyroid cancer was determined according to the pathological results.

Results

Thyroid cancer was discovered in 58 of the 423 (13.7 %) surgically treated Graves’ disease patients; 46 of those 58 patients had thyroid nodules, and the other 12 patients were diagnosed with incidentally discovered thyroid carcinomas without thyroid nodules. Among the 58 patients with thyroid cancer, papillary microcarcinomas were discovered in 50 patients, and multifocality and lymph node involvement were detected in the other 8 patients. Multivariate regression analysis showed younger age was the only significant factor predictive of metastatic thyroid cancer. Ultrasonographic findings of calcification and intranodular blood flow in thyroid nodules indicate that they are more likely to harbor thyroid cancers.

Conclusions

Because the influencing factor of metastatic thyroid cancers in Graves’ disease is young age, every suspicious nodule in Graves’ disease patients should be evaluated and treated carefully, especially in younger patients because of the potential for metastasis.     

Surgical Treatment of Graves’ Disease: Evidence-Based Approach

Background

The optimal treatment of Graves´ disease (GD) is still controversial. Surgery is one treatment option along with radioactive iodine (RAI) and antithyroid medication. In this evidence-based review, we examine four issues: (1) Is surgery better than RAI or long-term antithyroid medication? (2) What is the recommended surgical approach? (3) How does the presence of Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) influence the role of surgery? (4) What is the role of surgery in children with GD?

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of the literature using evidence-based criteria regarding these four issues.

Results

(1) There are no recommendations reaching any grade of evidence for which treatment to choose for adults with GD. (2) Total thyroidectomy has complication rates equal to those seen with lesser resections but it has higher cure rates and negligible recurrence rates (Level I–IV data leading to a grade A recommendation). (3) Data support surgery when severe GO is present, but RAI combined with glucocorticoids may be equally safe (Level II–IV data, grade B recommendation). The extent of thyroid resection does not influence the outcome of GO (Level II data, grade B recommendation). (4) Based on the available data, definitive treatment can be advocated for children (Level IV data, grade C recommendation) using either RAI or surgery. No recommendation can be given as to whether RAI or surgery is preferred owing to the lack of studies addressing this issue. Increased cancer risk with RAI in children below the age of 5 years supports surgery in this setting (Level I data, grade A recommendation).

Conclusion

If surgery is considered for definitive management, evidence-based criteria support total thyroidectomy as the surgical technique of choice for GD. Available evidence also supports surgery in the presence of severe endocrine GO. Children with GD should be treated with an ablative strategy. Whether this is achieved by total thyroidectomy or RAI may still be debatable. Data on long-term cancer risk are missing or conflicting; and until RAI has proven harmless in children, we continue to recommend surgery in this group.

     

Strictureplasty in Crohn’s Disease: Short and Long-Term Follow-Up

Strictureplasty for obstructive Crohn’s disease is still controversial because lesions are left in place and the suture is performed on a diseased bowel. Many surgeons prefer to perform bowel resection, hoping for fewer complications and a lower recurrence rate. In this paper, the authors report their strictureplasty experience. They performed a systematic retrospective review of the patients suffering from Crohn’s disease who underwent strictureplasties during a 10-year period in the abdominal surgery department of the University Hospital of Liège Sart Tilman, and studied the short-and long-term clinical results of 68 strictureplasties performed in 18 patients. Median follow-up was 63 months (range 12 to 144). Mortality was 0% and septic morbidity was 11% (one wound abscess and one leakage). Among the 16 patients available for the latest follow-up, symptomatic stenotic recurrence had to be medically treated in hospital for 4 patients (25%) with a recurrence delay range of 19 to 49 months. Stenosis recurrence needed re-intervention in one patient 48 months after surgery: stenosis occurred at a distance from the corrected site. These results confirmed that strictureplasty is a safe and efficient procedure in selected patients undergoing surgery for obstructive Crohn’s disease.     

Long-Term Follow-Up of Gastric Banding 10 Years and Beyond

Background

This investigation assessed the long-term outcome of patients with gastric banding implanted more than 10 years ago.

Methods

A total of 73 patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric banding between 1997 and 2003 were identified. Patients who had their band removed were converted to a laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure.

Results

The mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 44.4 (SD 5.3). The mean follow-up was 11.6 (SD 2.1) years. The reasons for reoperation were leakage (N?=?16, 21.9 %), slipping (N?=?15, 20.5 %), and insufficient weight loss (N?=?9, 12.3 %). The band was left in situ in 33 patients (45.2 %). The 5- and 10-year survival rates for the banding were 82.2 % (95 %CI 73.9–91.5 %) and 53.4 % (95 %CI 43.1–66.2 %). Best results were observed in male patients (10-year survival rate 76.5 %, 95 %CI 58.7–99.5 %, HR?=?0.44, P?=?0.043) and patients older than 50 years (10-year survival rate 63.8 %, 95 %CI 51.5–79.2 %, HR?=?0.41, P?=?0.006). Overall, the BMI was 31.0 (SD 6.3) at follow-up, excess weight loss was 68.1 % (SD 26.4), and the score for the Moorehead-Ardelt Questionnaire was 1.6 (SD 1.0). Similar results were obtained for patients with and without banding failure.

Conclusion

The present investigation provides evidence that gastric banding remains effective after more than 10 years in less than 50 % of initially operated patients. Older (>50 years) and male patients seemed to maintain the banding as long-time carriers with good results, and these patients subjectively profited from this method. Good results can be achieved if patients are followed thoroughly, and alternative surgical options for patients who fail may be offered with longstanding success.

     

Predictive Factors of “Forgotten Knee” Acquisition After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Long-Term Follow-Up of a Large Prospective Cohort

Background

In a large prospective cohort, we recently showed that only 66.1% of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with a perfect outcome according to Knee Society Knee Score was completely forgotten in all everyday activities. The main objective of this study was to identify clinical and orthopedic factors associated with the acquisition of “forgotten knee” (FK).

Early Experience With the Vanguard Complete Total Knee System: 2–7 Years of Follow-Up and Risk Factors for Revision

A cross-sectional study in two hospitals was performed on 807 patients with a primary Vanguard (Biomet) total knee Arthroplasty (TKA). The research questions addressed were (1) what are the two- and six year survival rates of the Vanguard, (2) what are the clinical outcome scores, (3) what are the findings at revision and (4) what are predictors for revision? The mean age at time of surgery was 67.0 (SD 10.0). The mean follow-up was 3.6 years (95% CI 3.56–3.73). At two years the survival was 97.2% for all-reasons (767 patients remaining) and 99%, for prosthesis-related-reasons (777 remaining). At six years this was 96.5% (40 remaining) and 98.6% (41 remaining). The mean clinical results (84% response on KOOS, Oxford and NRS) were good. A previous osteotomy was a risk factor for revision (hazard ratio 5.1, P = 0.001). This early experience with the Vanguard shows a good survival with no adverse outcomes related to the implant and therefore further use of the implant is justified.     

Therapeutic Potential of a Polymer-Encapsulated l-DOPA and Dopamine-Producing Cell Line in Rodent and Primate Models of Parkinson’s Disease

Encapsulation of cells within polymer membranes prior to transplantation provides a novel means of achieving continuous, site-specific delivery of therapeutic molecules to the CNS. The use of encapsulated dopamine-secreting cells that can be transplanted directly into the striatum has particular appeal for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. This article provides a brief and timely review of the progress that has been made over the past decade using encapsulated PC12 cells as a means of delivering dopamine and l-DOPA to the striatum in rodent and primate models of Parkinson’s disease. The polymer membranes are well tolerated and biocompatible. Encapsulated PC12 cells survive in vivo for up to 6 mo, they release dopamine into the surrounding host striatum, and they clearly improve behavioral function in both dopamine-depleted rodents and primates. Although these results are promising, fundamental issues remain concerning the extent of dopamine diffusion from the polymer membranes and the number of devices needed for behavioral improvement, and the duration and consistency of cell viability and device output. Nevertheless, this technology appears to be a promising means of avoiding many of the practical, societal, and ethical issues that have been associated with other transplantation approaches.     

Peripheral Pseudoaneurysm in Active Behçet’s Disease: Surgical and Perioperative Therapeutic Strategies

Since aneurysms in patients with Behçet’s disease are often pseudoaneurysmal and adjacent arteries are highly inflammatory, there is not only a risk of rupture but also a high incidence of late surgical complications at anastomotic sites. Furthermore, there is no consensus on perioperative medical therapeutic strategy in patients with active vasculo-Behçet’s disease who require surgery. Herein, we present two cases of active Behçet’s disease, a 51-year-old male with rupture of the left internal iliac artery who required emergent operation and a 31-year-old male with a rapidly developed pseudoaneurysm in the right superficial femoral artery. Surgical and perioperative therapeutic strategies are also discussed.     

Fabry Disease—A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Problem

The authors present a patient with Fabry syndrome that remained undiagnosed for several years. Fabry syndrome is a genetic disease related to changes on the X chromosome. Its complex clinical presentation and diverse symptomatology is caused by deficient activity of lysosomal hydrolase alpha-galactosidase enzyme. Defect in the basic alpha-galactosidase molecule implies genetic change, which can be a predisposing factor for the development of atypical and typical forms of this genetic disease. In the presented case, clinical manifestation and hemizygous symptomatology were the evidence of metabolic and genetic irregularity, typical clinical presentation of Fabry disease. Many authors report generalized vasculopathy as a basic characteristic of Fabry disease and a causative factor of multiorgan changes. Some authors indicate that persons with diagnosed asymmetric hypertrophy of the left ventricle have decreased alpha-galactosidase. Cardiac complications, coronary disease, and acute myocardial ischemia are often present in cases of Fabry disease, frequently causing death in such patients. Characteristic central nervous system symptoms with skin-burning sensation and paresthesia were also present in our case. Cerebrovascular complications were caused by changes on small blood vessels. Clinical signs of renal failure were nonspecific, and the diagnosis was based on extrarenal symptoms. Initial renal manifestations were insignificant as asymptomatic proteinuria and microhematuria, due to which our patient was referred to further examination. The level of alpha-galactosidase was significantly decreased. The severity and progression of this disease depends on the level of alpha-galactosidase enzyme in serum and its catabolic effect. More recent studies have showed that deficient enzyme can be synthetic zed and, accordingly, our patient has been successfully enrolled in the replacement therapy program.     

Authors’ Reply: Routine Pathology and Postoperative Follow-Up are not Cost-Effective in Cholecystectomy for Benign Gallbladder Disease

World Journal of Surgery -     

Risk Factors of Portal Vein Thrombosis in Crohn’s Disease Patients

Introduction

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn??s disease (CD), suffer from a threefold increase in the risk of venous thromboembolism. Small bowel, segmental bowel, or ileocolonic resection to treat Crohn??s disease can lead to rare complications of portal vein thrombosis (PVT), which can lead to further poor health outcomes, such as small bowel ischemia. The study attempts to find different risk factors that may be associated with postoperative complications of PVT in Crohn??s disease patients.

Methods

In a 1 to 3 case?Ccontrol study following Institutional Review Board approval, 13 Crohn??s disease patients with documented radiological postoperative diagnosis of PVT from 2004 to 2011 and 39 CD patients who did not have postoperative PVT were matched by retrospective chart review for patient demographics, preoperative course and workup, anticoagulant use, and operative procedure. Univariate analysis was performed to draw correlations on risk factors for the development of PVT.

Results

In the 13 CD patients with PVT, concurrent cancer, liver disease, and dyslipidemia were present in 23.1%, 23.1%, and 15.4% of the population, respectively. Compared to the 39 CD only patients, concurrent cancer, liver disease, and dyslipidemia were present in only 2.6%, 2.6%, and 0% of the population, respectively. Of the CD patients with PVT, 61.5% were on preoperative steroids compared to 28.9% of the CD only patients. PVT development in CD patients is correlated with concurrent cancer (p?=?0.016), liver disease (p?=?0.016), dyslipidemia (p?=?0.012), and preoperative steroid usage (p?=?0.036).

Conclusions

Concurrent cancer, liver disease, dyslipidemia, and preoperative steroid usage were risk factors associated with the development of PVT in Crohn??s patients. Since there is limited literature on PVT in CD, more data needs to be collected, and additional studies should be done to further assess the prevention, diagnosis, and management of the disease.     

Incidence and Risk Factors of Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease in a Prospective Cohort of 700 Adult Elderly Men Followed for 5 Years

Objective  

This study was designed to assess the incidence of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) in a population-based cohort of men aged 55–74 years and to establish a predictive function based on risk factors for the disease.     

Frequency and Risk Factors of Postoperative Recurrence of Crohn’s Disease After Intestinal Resection in the Chinese Population

Background

Data on risk factors of postoperative recurrence in patients with Crohn??s disease (CD) have shown conflicting results. The aim of this retrospective study is to identify predictors of early symptomatic recurrence of CD after surgical intestinal resection in the Chinese population.

Materials and Methods

Patients diagnosed as CD who underwent intestinal resection in Jinling Hospital between May 2004 and December 2010 were included in our study. Clinical data of these patients were reviewed. Multivariable survival analysis was performed to elucidate risk factors of early postoperative symptomatic recurrence.

Results

There were a total of 141 CD patients who had at least one previous curative resection for CD under regular follow-up in our unit. Our data indicated disease behavior (95?% CI 1.01?C1.70, P?=?0.044), smoking habits (95?% CI 1.32?C2.84, P?=?0.001), indication of perforation (95?% CI 1.09?C4.02, P?=?0.026), and location of anastomosis (95?% CI 1.09?C3.39, P?=?0.023) which are, as a result, strong independent predictors of symptomatic recurrence, while the anastomosis type as side-to-side anastomosis (SSA) was significantly associated with a decreased risk of symptomatic recurrence when compared with other anastomosis type (95?% CI 0.26?C0.94, P?=?0.038). Medical prophylaxes also played a role in the prevention of postoperative symptomatic recurrence.

Conclusions

A smoking habits and perforation indication for surgery at the time of resection are associated with an increased risk of symptomatic recurrence. Anastomosis type with SSA is associated with a reduced risk of symptomatic recurrence. This population-based study supports the concept that environmental factors, disease character, and surgical technique influence the risk of postoperative symptomatic recurrence of CD.     

Correction to: Authors’ Reply: Routine Pathology and Postoperative Follow-Up are not Cost-Effective in Cholecystectomy for Benign Gallbladder Disease

World Journal of Surgery - In the original article, Madelon J. H. Metman’s given name is incorrect. It is correct as reflected here.     

Isolated Acute Traumatic Subtalar Dislocations: Review of 13 Cases at a Mean Follow-Up of 6 Years and Literature Review

Isolated acute traumatic subtalar dislocations are quite rare. They correspond to talotarsal dislocation, including the talonavicular and talocalcaneal joints. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the functional and radiologic outcomes of the treatment of acute traumatic isolated subtalar dislocations. The present retrospective study included 13 patients who had sustained isolated subtalar dislocations during a 10-year period. Of the 13 cases, 10 (76.9%) were medial dislocations and 3 (23.1%) were lateral dislocations. All the patients underwent immediate closed reduction under anesthesia followed by immobilization. No open reduction was required. The mean follow-up period was 72.6 (range 24.4 to 124.8) months. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score was 80.1 of 100 (range 66 to 90). The score result was good in 69% of cases and poor in 31% of cases. The subtalar mobility was reduced for 8 (61.5%) patients and significantly affected the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score (p = .002). Subtalar osteoarthritis was present in 6 (46.1%) cases with talonavicular osteoarthritis in 3 (23.1%) cases. No cases of avascular necrosis of the talus were noted. In accordance with the published data, the prognosis of isolated acute traumatic subtalar dislocations is favorable. Medial dislocations are more frequent than lateral dislocations. Emergent closed reduction makes it possible to remove soft tissue injuries. The risk of post-traumatic subtalar osteoarthritis is significant, even without an initial subtalar lesion. A postreduction computed tomography scan will enable the diagnosis of osteochondral lesions.     

Paradigm Shifts in Atherosclerotic Renovascular Disease: Where Are We Now?

Results of recent clinical trials and experimental studies indicate that whereas atherosclerotic renovascular disease can accelerate both systemic hypertension and tissue injury in the poststenotic kidney, restoring vessel patency alone is insufficient to recover kidney function for most subjects. Kidney injury in atherosclerotic renovascular disease reflects complex interactions among vascular rarefication, oxidative stress injury, and recruitment of inflammatory cellular elements that ultimately produce fibrosis. Classic paradigms for simply restoring blood flow are shifting to implementation of therapy targeting mitochondria and cell-based functions to allow regeneration of vascular, glomerular, and tubular structures sufficient to recover, or at least stabilize, renal function. These developments offer exciting possibilities of repair and regeneration of kidney tissue that may limit progressive CKD in atherosclerotic renovascular disease and may apply to other conditions in which inflammatory injury is a major common pathway.