Long-term follow-up of patients with hyperparathyroidism treated by transcatheter staining with contrast agent

Primary hyperparathyroidism is generally treated by primary neck exploration. Particularly in patients with hyperparathyroidism caused by adenoma, cervical exploration is generally curative, and extensive preoperative localization studies are unnecessary. If, after thorough primary cervical exploration, no adenoma is identified or at least four parathyroid glands are not confirmed and the patient's hypercalcemia persists, radiologic localization studies are indicated prior to a repeat operation. Persistent hypercalcemia in defined as the failure of calcium levels to return to normal soon after parathyroid exploration; recurrent hyperparathyroidism is defined as hypercalcemia that follows 6 months of low or normal serum calcium levels. Persistent or recurrent hypercalcemia not controlled by a primary cervical exploration may be due to an ectopic parathyroid adenoma, either outside the usual anatomic sites in the neck or in the mediastinum. Techniques used for localization of these ectopic adenomas include sonography, computed tomography scanning, venous sampling, digital angiography, and selective arteriography. Of these techniques, selective arteriography not only has been precise but also offers the possibility of therapy. A small group of patients who underwent embolization of ectopic parathyroid adenomas through the angiographic catheter was reviewed 6 years ago with the cautious suggestion that this technique, under highly specialized indications, might offer a percutaneous treatment of hyperparathyroidism in selected patients. Since the time of the preliminary report, radiologic techniques have been modified, indications for patient selection have been refined, and experience with this method of managing persistent hyperparathyroidism has increased. It is the purpose of this report to summarize this experience with long-term follow-up of those patients treated by transcatheter staining.     

Long-term follow-up of patients with Grave's disease treated by subtotal thyroidectomy

This long-term follow-up study of 83 patients with Grave's disease who were treated by subtotal thyroidectomy reemphasizes the fact that postoperative hypothyroidism occurs primarily in the first postoperative year (27 percent of the study patients). In addition, there was no evidence of progressive increase in the incidence of hypothyroidism in subsequent years. Patients treated with radioactive iodine have a reported incidence of hypothyroidism of 70 percent 10 years postoperatively [4]. The 6 percent incidence of recurrent hyperthyroidism is much less than a reported incidence of 90 percent in patients treated with long-term antithyroid drugs [7]. Subtotal thyroidectomy continues to be an excellent method of treatment for patients with Grave's disease and compared favorably with both radioactive iodine and long-term antithyroid drugs.     

Long-term follow-up of patients with hydronephrosis treated by Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty.

A series of 21 patients with hydronephrosis (mean age 37 years) underwent an Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty; a nephrostomy catheter was not used routinely. One patient developed urinary leakage post-operatively but this ceased following insertion of a ureteric catheter. Assessment was carried out after a mean observation time of 85 months. Clinical examination, laboratory investigations, urography and renography were performed pre-operatively and at follow-up. There was no evidence of stones or stenosis in the pelvis. Patients operated upon before the age of 30 years showed improved renal function. All patients had symptoms pre-operatively but only one had symptoms post-operatively. It was concluded that the results of surgical intervention in hydronephrosis are excellent, especially in patients aged less than 30 years.     

Long-term follow-up after transurethral prostatic resection with or without a short peri-operative antibiotic course

This study was undertaken to analyse the results in 192 patients who 3 to 4 years earlier had undergone transurethral resection (TUR) in a controlled clinical trial on the value of a short peri-operative course of antibiotics. The survival rate was comparable in both groups. Most deaths were due to cardiovascular disease and/or cancer of the prostate and the gastrointestinal tract. Infectious events predominated in the control group and more antibiotics were prescribed for these patients during follow-up than for the patients in the peri-operative antibiotic group. Bacteriuria was found in 24% of patients, evenly distributed between the groups. Eighty-three per cent were satisfied with the results of prostatectomy but 38% complained of symptoms from the lower urinary tract. The maximum urinary flow rate was not influenced by the presence of bacteriuria and/or symptoms. There was no difference between the groups regarding mortality or morbidity except for the frequency of post-operative urethral stricture formation, which was significantly higher in the controls. It was concluded that prospective long-term follow-up is indicated to assess the effect of short peri-operative antibiotic courses.     

Long-term follow-up of 5 patients with intracranial germinoma initially treated by chemotherapy alone

Summary Background. High rates of overall- and event-free survival have been reported in patients with intracranial germinoma treated by radiotherapy. We report the long-term results after treatment initially with chemotherapy, but without radiation. Patients and method. Five patients with an intracranial germinoma were treated with 2 cycles of etoposide and cisplatin, without radiotherapy. All achieved complete remission; 3 suffered recurrence within 2 years and were again treated with 2 cycles of etoposide and cisplatin followed by radiotherapy. Results. At long-term follow-up, each of the 5 patients was in complete remission without further recurrence. Each patient with a neurohypophyseal germinoma who presented with endocrinopathy had initially recovered endocrinological function. Conclusion. In a patient with a germinoma chemotherapy, and restriction of radiation to those with recurrence may allow restoration of hypophyseal function damaged by the intracranial germinoma without compromising long term survivial.     

Long-term follow-up study of patients with cavernous sinus aneurysm treated by proximal occlusion

Proximal occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is still the treatment of choice for a large cavernous sinus aneurysm. Endovascular occlusion or trapping of the ICA with or without an extracranial-intracranial bypass is sometimes performed. We analyzed the results of the long-term follow up of 11 patients with a giant or large cavernous sinus aneurysm treated by only proximal occlusion between 1975 and 1989. Proximal occlusion of the carotid artery was performed by Selverstone clamping. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 21 years (mean 13.9 years). Eight of the 11 patients showed improvement of cranial nerves paresis or headache, and four became asymptomatic. None of the original aneurysms ruptured. The final outcomes were nine good recovery, one moderately disabled, and one severely disabled by the Glasgow Outcome Scale. The causes of morbidity were early ischemia and subarachnoid hemorrhage from a newly formed aneurysm. Late complications included ischemia in two patients, and new formation and enlargement of aneurysms at a site other than the original aneurysm in two patients, 13 and 17 years later. Therapeutic carotid artery occlusion requires strict test ICA occlusion. In addition, long-term follow up by periodical cerebral angiography using magnetic resonance, computed tomography, or digital subtraction angiography is necessary, and postoperative medical treatment is important to reduce the risk of late complications.     

Chiari截骨术治疗成人髋发育不良的远期随访

目的:对成人髋发育不良行Chiari截骨术进行远期随访,评估该治疗方法的有效性.方法:对接受Chiari截骨术治疗的病人,分别测定其术前和术后JOA评分、中心边缘角和Sharp角、术后截骨远端内移率和截骨平面的高度,并对影响结果的因素进行相关性分析.结果:平均随访时间为12.8年,病人38例,共45侧髋,其中男3例,女35例,手术时平均年龄为38.5岁.45侧髋中,有17例髋关节骨性关节炎得到明显改善,占37.7%;有13侧髋关节骨性关节炎无明显变化,占28.9%;有15侧髋关节骨性关节炎病变继续恶化,占33.3%.术前JOA平均为59.9分,术后83.8分.术后疗效为优占37.0%,良占34.2%,一般占15.5%,差占13.3%.术前平均中心边缘角-11.5°,术后为24.6°.术前平均Sharp角为54.4°,术后平均为43.3°.平均截骨角度为7.51°,股骨头顶点至截骨平面的距离平均为8.17mm.截骨远端内移率平均值为33.6%.结论:经过10年以上的随访表明,Chiari截骨术能使成人髋发育不良的疼痛症状得到缓解,一部分病人骨性关节炎的过程得到有效的遏制.     

Long-term follow-up of patients with clubfeet treated with extensive soft-tissue release

BACKGROUND: Although long-term follow-up studies have shown favorable results, in terms of foot function, after treatment of idiopathic clubfoot with serial manipulations and casts, we know of no long-term follow-up studies of patients in whom clubfoot was treated with an extensive surgical soft-tissue release. METHODS: Forty-five patients (seventy-three feet) in whom idiopathic clubfoot was treated with either a posterior release and plantar fasciotomy (eight patients) or an extensive combined posterior, medial, and lateral release (thirty-seven patients) were followed for a mean of thirty years. Patients were evaluated with detailed examination of the lower extremities, a radiographic evaluation that included grading of osteoarthritis, and three independent quality-of-life questionnaires, including the Short Form-36 Medical Outcomes Study. RESULTS: At the time of follow-up, the majority of patients in both treatment groups had significant limitation of foot function, which was consistent across the three independent quality-of-life questionnaires. No significant difference between groups was noted with regard to the results of the quality-of-life measures, the range of motion of the ankle or the position of the heel, or the radiographic findings. Six patients who had been treated with only one surgical procedure had better ranges of motion of the ankle and subtalar joints (p < 0.004) than those who had had multiple surgical procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients with clubfoot treated with an extensive soft-tissue release have poor long-term foot function. We found a correlation between the extent of the soft-tissue release and the degree of functional impairment. Repeated soft-tissue releases can result in a stiff, painful, and arthritic foot and significantly impaired quality of life.     

Colorectal cancer: 74 patients treated by laparoscopic resection with a mean follow-up of 5 years

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to analyse the results and long term outcome in a prospective non randomised trial of 74 patients treated by laparoscopic colo-rectal resection for cancer, and to determine wether survival and recurrence are or are not compromised by an initial laparoscopic approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-four patients with colo-rectal carcinoma were included in a prospective trial and treated by laparoscopic resection. All patients were reviewed at 1, 3, and 6 months interval. A median of 5 years follow up was available. Forty-eight patients (65%) had more than 3 years of follow up. RESULTS: Six conversions (8.1%) were necessary: 2 for tumor invasion of adjacent organs, 2 for limited margin resection in lower rectal tumors, 1 for small bowel injury and 1 for obesity. After surgery, passing flatus occurred at 34.3 +/- 16.7 h and oral intake could be reinstaured at 42.6 +/- 22 h. Mean postoperative stay was 8.2 +/- 3.4 days. No death occurred. The overall morbidity was about 13.5%. The rate of late complications was 5.4%. Two port site metastasis (2.6%) were seen in locally advanced carcinoma. Recurrence rate at 5 years was 0% for Dukes A, 20% for Dukes B, 39.2% for Dukes C. Survival rate at 5 years was 100% for Dukes A, 80% for Dukes B, and 60.7% for Dukes C. These results are similar to those of conventional open surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic colorectal resection for cancer can be performed safely, with a low morbidity and rare late complications. Long term follow up (5 years) assessment shows similar outcome compared with conventional surgery.     

心形吻合术治疗先天性巨结肠的远期效果

目的 总结心形吻合术治疗巨结肠的经验。方法 回顾11年来心形吻合术治疗巨结肠的疗效,技术操作及改进,并发症的发生率和防治。结果 193例手术患者得到随访者152例,早期术后并发症15例,其中尿潴留2例,肠炎10例,吻合口狭窄1例,肠梗阻2例。晚期并发症22例,其中肠梗阻2例,便秘5例,切口疝2例,肠炎6例,7例偶有污粪,无盆腔、腹腔伤口感染、肛门失禁和死亡。结论 心形吻合术能明显减少术后并发症,提高疗效。     

Long-term ultrasonographic follow-up of plantar fasciitis patients treated with steroid injection

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of steroid injection for plantar fasciitis using clinical parameters and high-resolution ultrasonography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients (27 female and three male) with plantar fasciitis and 30 healthy controls matched by age, gender and body mass index (BMI), were enrolled in this study. Seventeen of the patients had bilateral and 13 had unilateral (six right, seven left) plantar fasciitis. Palpation-guided steroid injection was applied to the 47 heels of 30 plantar fasciitis patients. Ultrasound examination and pain intensity with visual analog scale (VAS) were assessed three times in each plantar fasciitis patients; before injection and at 1 and 6 months after steroid injection. Ultrasonography was performed to the controls at initial assessment. RESULTS: The plantar fascia was remarkably thicker in the plantar fasciitis group than in controls (P < 0.001). The thickness of the plantar fascia and mean VAS values in the plantar fasciitis group decreased significantly 1 month after steroid injection (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively) and a further decrease was noted 6 months postinjection (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Strong correlation was found between the changes of plantar fascia thickness and VAS values 1 month after (P < 0.001, r: 0.61) and 6 months after (P < 0.001, r: 0.49) steroid injection. The incidence of hypoechoic fascia was 73% in the plantar fasciitis group before steroid injection. It decreased significantly at 1 and 6 months postinjection (33% and 7%, respectively, P < 0.001). Gross fascia disruption or other side effects were not observed after steroid injection. CONCLUSION: Steroid injection could be used in plantar fasciitis treatment for its positive long-term effects.     

Long-term results of a randomized study comparing parathyroidectomy with cinacalcet for treating tertiary hyperparathyroidism

Tertiary hyperparathyroidism is a common cause of hypercalcemia after kidney transplantation (KT) and has been associated with renal dysfunction, bone mineral density loss, and increased risk of fracture and cardiovascular events. In a previous 12-month clinical trial, we demonstrated that subtotal parathyroidectomy was more effective than cinacalcet for controlling hypercalcemia. In the current study, we retrospectively evaluate whether this effect is maintained after 5 years of follow-up. In total, 24 patients had data available at 5 years, 13 in the cinacalcet group and 11 in the parathyroidectomy group. At 5 years, 7 of 11 patients (64%) in the parathyroidectomy group and 6 of 13 patients (46%) in the cinacalcet group (P = .44) showed normocalcemia. However, recurrence of hypercalcemia was only observed in the cinacalcet group (P = .016). Subtotal parathyroidectomy retained a greater reduction in intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) compared with cinacalcet group. No differences were observed in kidney function and incidence of fragility fractures between both groups. Cinacalcet was discontinued in 5 out of 13 patients. In conclusion, in kidney transplant patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism recurrence of hypercalcemia after 5-year follow-up is more frequent in cinacalcet than after subtotal parathyroidectomy.     

Long-term follow-up of patients with node-negative breast cancer treated only by regional therapy.

BACKGROUND. This study examines the potential impact of intercurrent diseases on survival after adjuvant chemotherapy for node-negative (N0) breast cancer in light of 30-year follow-up results in 136 patients with N0 disease receiving only regional therapy at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1958 and 1960. METHODS. We made a retrospective review of treatment records. RESULTS. Thirty-nine women (28.6%) died of the initial breast cancer, including 12 (22%) of 54 premenopausal women, 15 (43%) of 35 perimenopausal women, and 12 (25%) of 47 postmenopausal women (p less than or equal to 0.09). Six (12%) of 49 patients with T1 disease died of the initial breast cancer versus 27 (38%) of 70 patients with T2 disease and 6 (35%) of 17 patients with T3 disease (p less than or equal to 0.006). Five of 10 women died of metachronous contralateral breast primary lesions. Deaths from other cancers occurred in 11%, 2.8%, and 6.4% of premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women, respectively. Deaths from nonmalignant conditions occurred in 22%, 20%, and 59% of premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women, respectively. Overall survival at 30 years was 35 (26%) of 136 patients. CONCLUSIONS. Given these statistics, if one postulates that adjuvant chemotherapy reduces the death rate from an initial breast cancer by 30% to 77% (estimates based on data from adjuvant chemotherapy trials in patients with N+ or N0 disease), a 5% to 12.9% increase in the 30-year survival would have resulted.     

Long-term follow-up of 166 surgically treated patients with congenital hip dislocation

166 patients with congenital dislocation of the hip, ranging from 10 months to 5 years old, were operated between 1958 and 1971. 140 patients were women (84%) and 26 patients were men (16%). 96 patients had unilateral and 70 patients had bilateral dislocation; that makes a total of 236 dislocated hips. 61 patients with bilateral hip dislocation were operated simultaneously on both hips. All the patients were treated with adductor tenotomy and open reduction through Smith Petersen incision with section or elongation of the psoas tendon. The postoperative immobilization consisted in a period of one month pelvic toecast followed by 2 plaster casts with abduction rod during 3 to 5 months. The postoperatory follow-up ranged from 9 years to 26 years, 2 months; average 14 years, 5 months. The clinical evaluation comprises pain, hip mobility, gait and muscle power. Results: excellent 138 (59%); good 66 (28%); fair 29 (12%); and poor 3 (1%). The radiological evaluation considered: Mose; acetabular femoral head index; Wiberg's CD-angle; cervico-diaphysiary angle and radial quotient. Results: normal 5 (2%); excellent 44 (19%); good 78 (33%); subtotal 54%; fair 90 (38%), and poor 19 (8%). Complications (hips); infections 12 (5%); 3 of them deep ones (1%); residual subluxation 19 (8%); reluxation 1 (0.5%). Isquemic necrosis Grade II of T?nnis 31 (13%); Grade III 2 (1%) and Grade IV 1 (0.5%).     

Mortality in patients surgically treated for primary hyperparathyroidism due to solitary adenoma

In a multicentre study including 5 surgical departments in Europe and USA the results of surgical treatment in primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) due to single adenoma were analysed. At long term follow-up 60 out of 282 patients operated on for solitary parathyroid adenoma were found to be dead. The average age at operation was 69.2 years and the time of survival after surgery 3.9 years. The cumulative relative survival in patients aged 60-64 years was reduced by 18% (P less than 0.01) as compared to a control group corrected for nationality, age and gender. In patients above the age of 65 no such reduction could be demonstrated. The operative mortality was 1% and attributed to cardiac failures. Late mortality was caused by cardiovascular conditions in 52% and by malignant disease in 15%. None of these figures were statistically different from the age, gender and nation corrected control group. Among the miscellaneous causes of death were two patients who committed suicide during the first postoperative year. The results indicate that surgery for parathyroid adenoma can be performed with low morbidity and mortality.