Adjusting oxygen fraction to avoid hyperoxemia during cardiopulmonary bypass

Although an adverse influence of hyperoxemia during cardiopulmonary bypass is well documented, there is a wide range of oxygen settings during cardiopulmonary bypass, based mostly on trial and error. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal inspired oxygen fraction during cardiopulmonary bypass. Ninety patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass operations were randomly allocated to one of 3 groups of 30 each. In group 1, cardiopulmonary bypass was started with an inspired oxygen fraction of 0.40, increased to 0.60 during rewarming. These settings were 0.40 and 0.50 in group 2, and 0.35 and 0.45 in group 3. Samples for blood gas analysis were collected at defined time periods during the operation. PaO(2) was significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 compared to group 3. All patients in group 1 and 88% of patients in group 2 suffered at least one episode of hyperoxemia during cardiopulmonary bypass, compared to 30% of patients in group 3. The differences were significant, and we concluded that to avoid hyperoxemia, inspired oxygen fraction should be kept at 0.35 during cardiopulmonary bypass and increased to 0.45 during rewarming.     

Endovascular treatment of rapidly expanding thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm after surgical repair of acute type A dissection

We report the successful endovascular treatment of a rapidly expanding thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm after surgical treatment for acute type A dissection in a 53-year-old man who had previously undergone replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta with a composite graft and coronary bypass.     

Splenogonadal fusion in adults: presentation of three cases and review of the literature

Splenogonadal fusion (SGF) is a rare congenital anomaly in boys and girls. It commonly presents as a testicular mass treated with an unnecessary orchiectomy. We present 3 cases of SGF diagnosed in adulthood and discuss the published literature focusing on several aspects of this rarity. These cases of SGF of both types presented with the usual complaints. In our first case, orchiectomy was performed since the left testis was hypoplastic and testicular neoplasm could not be ruled out. The testicles could be preserved in the latter 2 cases. The second case is the continuous-type SGF associated with contralateral testicular aplasia and, to our knowledge, this is the first reported case of continuous SGF associated with testicular aplasia. Knowledge of this entity may help prevent unnecessary orchiectomy.     

Erectile dysfunction following radiotherapy and brachytherapy for prostate cancer: pathophysiology, prevention and treatment

Objectives Although detrimental impact on sexual function following radiotherapy (RT) and brachytherapy decreases the quality of life of prostate cancer survivors, the etiology, pathophysiology, prophylaxis and treatment of this condition has not yet been fully clarified. We reviewed the published literature in terms of etiology, treatment and possible prevention of erectile dysfunction (ED) following RT and/or brachytherapy. Method We have reviewed the literature through a MEDLINE search. Prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, radiotherapy, brachytherapy, treatment and quality of life were used as keywords. Conclusion Both RT and brachytherapy result in high rates of ED. Although arterial damage seems to be the main cause of ED after RT, exposure of neurovascular bundle to high levels of radiation dose has been also implicated in some studies with brachytherapy. The radiation dose received by the corpora cavernosa at the crurae of the penis may also be important in the etiology of ED. The most important predictive factor of ED following RT is the treatment modality. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy and vessel-sparing prostate radiotherapy are new techniques but those treatments may not guarantee complete preservation of the erectile function. Patients need to be correctly informed on the possible sequela of radiation-based treatments on their sexual well-being while planning their treatment. Patients should also be informed about the possible treatment modalities for ED, which may develop in due course.     

Long-term outcomes of cervical cancer patients with complete metabolic response after definitive chemoradiotherapy

ObjectiveWe investigated the importance of metabolic parameters measured with ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography integrated with computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for predicting progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in cervical cancer with complete metabolic response (CMR) after chemoradiotherapy (ChRT).MethodsThe clinical data and PET parameters including standardized uptake value (SUV), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of 122 patients having CMR in post-treatment ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT delivered a median of 3.9 months after ChRT completion were analyzed.ResultsWith a median follow-up of 8.4 years, 55 patients (45%) presented with disease a median of 19.7 months after ChRT. For SUVp, MTVp, TLGp, SUVln, MTVln, and TLGp, the cut-off values for OS determined by receiver operating curve analysis were 15.8, 48.7 cm³, 552.3, 8.7, 7.0 cm³, respectively. All metabolic PET parameters were significant prognostic factors for OS and PFS in univariate analysis. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage was predictive of both OS and PFS, while pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph node metastasis were predictive of OS only. In multivariate analysis, FIGO stage ≥IIB, MTVp ≥49.8 cm³, and TLGp ≥597.4 were predictive of worse OS. Advanced stage, presence of lymph node metastasis, higher TLGp, and larger MTVln were significant factors for poor PFS rates.ConclusionWe found that advanced stage and higher TLGp values were significant predictors for poor survival and higher progression rates. Volumetric PET parameters could be used to predict treatment outcomes in patients with CMR after definitive ChRT.