Guillain-Barré Syndrome Following Influenza Vaccination: Causal or Coincidental?

In 1976, the emergence of a new swine-origin influenza virus prompted concerns about an impending influenza pandemic. Although the outbreak never materialized, the epidemiological link between Guillain-Barre syndrome, a potentially severe peripheral nerve disorder, and the influenza vaccines developed against this virus caught public health officials, clinicians, and the public by surprise. Subsequently, a great deal of scrutiny has been placed on the possible risk of other formulations of influenza vaccine causing this adverse event. Several epidemiologic and biological assessments have been performed in subsequent years to assess this risk, yet considerable uncertainty remains among health care providers about the possible association. The development and rapid implementation of vaccines against the pandemic 2009 A(H1N1) influenza virus once again highlighted this issue. This article reviews the evidence for and against the association of the 1976 influenza vaccines and subsequent seasonal influenza vaccines with the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome.     

Concomitant Tuberculosis and Carcinoma Colon: Coincidence or Causal Nexus?

Two rare cases of adenocarcinoma of the caecum and ascending colon concomitant with tuberculosis at the same site are reported. The plausibility of an aetiological relationship between the two pathological conditions has been discussed along with a review of the relevant literature. Tuberculosis complicating malignant disease is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge; and the likelihood of the two occurring together should be kept in mind especially in tuberculosis endemic areas and in patients with equivocal symptoms.     

Myelodysplastic and Myeloproliferative Syndromes Associated with Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Coincidental Coexistence or a Causal Relationship?

A variety of systemic autoimmune disorders have been reported in patients with myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative syndromes. A possible association with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis has also been recognised. We report another case of polymyalgia rheumatica and one of giant cell arteritis associated with a myelodysplastic syndrome and the two first cases of giant cell arteritis associated with essential thrombocytaemia and chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia, respectively. It seems that there is a relationship between these entities, but the nature of this association is still unknown. Received: 29 October 2001 / Accepted: 16 January 2002     

Is C-Reactive Protein a Prognostic Factor of Colorectal Cancer?

Purpose C-reactive protein, a commonly used inflammation marker, has been reported to be a prognostic factor of colorectal cancer. This prospective study was designed to confirm the prognostic value of its preoperative levels and to observe their perioperative change. Methods Between January 2001 and September 2005, preoperative C-reactive protein levels were obtained for 212 consecutive patients (140 males) receiving elective open resection of colorectal cancer. A level higher than 0.5 mg/dl was defined as positive. They were analyzed against clinicopathologic factors. The survival of 158 curative resections was analyzed. Postoperative levels (at months 1, 3, and 6) were collected for analysis of changing trend, from the patients receiving curative surgeries. Results Median value of preoperative C-reactive protein was 0.54 mg/dl (48.6 percent positive). Positive rate was significantly correlated with ulcerative type, larger size, higher stage, and positive carcinoembryonic antigen (>5 ng/ml). In both univariate log-rank test and multiple Cox proportional hazards regression, stage (univariate P = 0.011, and multivariate P = 0.016; hazard ratio, 6.23; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.41–27.54), C-reactive protein (0.5 mg/dl; P = 0.005, and P = 0.016; hazard ratio: 6.51; 95 percent confidence interval: 1.41–30.05), and differentiation (P = 0.006, and P = 0.043; hazard ratio, 3.53; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.04–11.98) were significant factors. Analysis of disease-free interval showed C-reactive protein was significant (P = 0.03): as level rose, prognosis worsened. The quiescent inflammation-response group (≤0.1 mg/dl) had excellent outcomes. Postoperatively, the C-reactive protein levels declined at the third postoperative month. Conclusions Preoperative C-reactive protein is an independent prognostic factor. The levels declined postoperatively, although with a lag. These findings seem to support the response hypothesis regarding C-reactive protein. Supported by Taipei Veterans General Hospital Grant 97.     

Colonoscopic Stigmata of 1 mm or Deeper Submucosal Invasion in Colorectal Cancer

Purpose  This study was designed to identify colonoscopic stigmata, indicating substantial invasion into the submucosa by T1 colorectal cancer with sessile morphology, including both flat and protruded types. Methods  A total of 111 Tis or T1 colorectal cancers were studied retrospectively. The lesions were divided into two groups: Group A (n = 83), Tis or T1 cancers with <1 mm submucosal invasion; and Group B (n = 28), T1 cancers with a ≥1 mm submucosal invasion. Printed photographs of the lesions were reviewed by five experienced colonoscopists who were blinded to histology. Deep depression, irregular surface, ulceration or erosion, fold convergence, and spontaneous bleeding were independently evaluated. Findings considered present by three or more reviewers were defined as positive. Kappa analysis was used to measure inter/intraobserver variability. Results  Positive rates of four findings but not fold convergence were significantly higher in Group B than in Group A. Irregular surface and spontaneous bleeding were significant independent predictors of ≥1 mm submucosal invasion, with diagnostic accuracies of 85.6 and 76.6 percent, respectively. Kappa analysis demonstrated fair-to-good inter/intraobserver agreement for spontaneous bleeding and fair-to-good intraobserver agreement for irregular surface. Conclusions  Irregular surface and spontaneous bleeding were colonoscopic stigmata, indicating ≥1 mm submucosal invasion in T1 colorectal cancer.     

Small bowel volvulus with jejunal diverticulum: Primary or secondary?

Small bowel volvulus, which is torsion of the small bowel and its mesentery, is a medical emergency, and is categorized as primary or secondary type. Primary type often occurs without any apparent intrinsic anatomical anomalies, while the secondary type is common clinically and could be caused by numerous factors including postoperative adhesions, intestinal diverticulum, and/or tumors. Here, we report a rare case of a 60-year-old man diagnosed with small bowel volvulus using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography. Further discovery by laparotomy showed one jejunal diverticulum, longer corresponding mesentery with a narrower insertion, and a lack of mesenteric fat. This case report includes several etiological factors of small bowel volvulus, and we discuss the possible cause of small bowel volvulus in this patient. We also highlight the importance of MDCT angiography in the diagnosis of volvulus and share our experience in treating this disease.     

Death or Debt? National Estimates of Financial Toxicity in Persons with Newly-Diagnosed Cancer

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of cancer upon a patient's net worth and debt in the US.