Pulmonary nodules 10 mm or less in diameter with ground-glass opacity component detected by high-resolution computed tomography have a high possibility of malignancy

OBJECTIVES: For the histological diagnosis of small lung cancers of 10 mm or less in diameter (< or =10), resection by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) with computed tomography (CT)-guided marking is feasible. One problem is that a small number of these pulmonary nodules are malignant. We retrospectively analyzed CT images of pulmonary nodules to find better criteria to select candidates for resection among patients with small pulmonary nodules. METHODS: Ninety-four patients with indeterminate peripheral pulmonary nodules underwent wedge resection by VATS. High-resolution CT using a 1.25 mm slice included the area of lesions. Nodules were classified by size (< or =10, 11 to 20, >20 mm) and whether they had a ground-glass opacity (GGO) component. RESULTS: The histology of all 94 nodules showed 52 primary lung cancers, 6 metastatic tumors, 5 benign tumors, 8 intrapulmonary lymph nodes, and 23 inflammatory nodules. Ninety-three percent of nodules larger than 20 mm, 75% of nodules 10 to 20 mm, and 43% of nodules < or =10 mm were malignant. Introducing a classification according to GGO component to nodules, malignancy was detected in 88% of nodules with a GGO component and in 30% of nodules without a GGO component among nodules < or =10 mm. Nodules < or =10 mm with a GGO component showed a statistically significant (p < 0.01) correlation with malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary nodules < or =10 mm with GGO should be considered to have a high possibility of malignancy and to be candidates for resection by VATS.     

Actual long-term outcome of extrahepatic bile duct cancer after surgical resection

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to analyze the actual long-term outcome after the surgical resection of extrahepatic bile duct cancer and to identify the characteristics shared by long-term survivors (5 years or longer). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although reported 5-year survival rates of extrahepatic bile duct cancer lie between 20% and 30%, these data are not reflecting the actual cure rate. Some patients survive longer than 5 years with recurrent disease. In some patients, recurrence is detected after 5 years. Accordingly, true cure rate is probably substantially lower than the 5-year survival rate. METHODS: One hundred fifty-one patients from a total of 282 patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer (excluding ampulla of Vater cancer) underwent surgical resection between 1986 and 1997. We analyzed the actual survival outcome and postresection prognostic factors after resection, which included hepatobiliary resection (HBR; extended either right or left hepatectomy, caudate lobectomy, and hilar bile duct resection, n = 23), bile duct resection (BDR; n = 25), and pancreatoduodenectomy (PD; n = 103). We also compared the clinicopathologic characteristics of actual long-term survivors (n = 49) with those who survived longer than 5 years and with short-term (<5 years) survivors. RESULTS: Forty-nine of the 151 resection cases (32.5%) survived 5 years or longer; there was no 5-year survivor in the nonresected cases. The actual 5-year survival rate was 47.8% after HBR (11 of 23), 28.0% after BDR (7 of 25), and 30.1% after PD (31 of 103) (P = 0.083). Tumor histology and lymph node metastasis were identified as independent prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. Some long-term survivors had poor postoperative prognostic factors such as T3, lymph node metastasis, or microscopic margin involvement, but none with a poorly differentiated tumor. Seven long-term survivors had recurrent disease at 5 years, and recurrence was detected after 5 years in 8 more patients. Therefore, the actual cure rate (<19.2%) was substantially less than the 5-year survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of extrahepatic bile duct cancer, resection should be considered and efforts should be made to obtain a tumor-free margin. An aggressive surgical approach will give some survival benefit to the patients with even advanced disease. Long-term follow up is needed before declaring "a cure," because late recurrence after 5 years is detected not infrequently. Adjuvant therapy, local and systemic, needs to be further developed.     

The effect of overactive bladder syndrome on the sexual quality of life in Korean young and middle aged women

Some reports showed that urinary incontinence (UI) or female lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) affect life quality and sexual activity. In clinical practice, it is commonly found that not only the symptoms of UI but also overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome affect daily lifestyle and sexual activity, especially in women in the most active era in their social and personal life. However, there is lack of data proving the effect of OAB syndrome on sexual activity or sexual life quality in sexually active age group. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of OAB syndrome and UI on the sexual activity and on the sexual quality of life (QoL) of Korean women age from 20s to 40s. We investigated 3372 women aged between 20 and 49 y, enrolled via a multicenter internet survey. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data about their LUTS and sexual activities. The prevalence of OAB syndrome and UI in 3372 women was 12.7 and 21.0%, respectively. Mean subject age was 26.4+/-4.8 y and 79.5% of subjects were 20-29 y old. Having OAB syndrome or UI were found to be significant predictors of sexual life problems (OAB syndrome: OR=5.08, 95% CI=3.68-7.01; UI: OR=4.16, 95% CI=3.06-5.67). Sexual activity was significantly reduced in OAB syndrome and UI versus the asymptomatic group (OAB syndrome: OR=4.8, 95% CI=3.14-6.83; UI: OR=3.9, 95% CI=2.81-5.27). This study is the first internet-based study concerning the sexual QoL in UI and OAB syndrome. In this study, OAB syndrome was found to cause a greater deterioration in the sexual QoL than UI. These results suggest that these symptoms have a significant impact upon women's personal and social lives and markedly affect the QoL.     

Reduced Field-of-View Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Pancreas: Comparison with Conventional Single-Shot Echo-Planar Imaging

ObjectiveTo investigate the image quality (IQ) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of reduced field-of-view (FOV) di-ffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of pancreas in comparison with full FOV DWI.ResultsOn qualitative analysis, reduced FOV DWI showed better anatomic structure visualization (2.76 ± 0.79 at b = 0 s/mm² and 2.81 ± 0.64 at b = 400 s/mm²), lesion conspicuity (3.11 ± 0.99 at b = 0 s/mm² and 3.15 ± 0.79 at b = 400 s/mm²), IQ score (8.51 ± 2.05 at b = 0 s/mm² and 8.79 ± 1.60 at b = 400 s/mm²), and higher clinical utility (3.41 ± 0.64), as compared to full FOV DWI (anatomic structure, 2.18 ± 0.59 at b = 0 s/mm² and 2.56 ± 0.47 at b = 500 s/mm²; lesion conspicuity, 2.55 ± 1.07 at b = 0 s/mm² and 2.89 ± 0.86 at b = 500 s/mm²; IQ score, 7.13 ± 1.83 at b = 0 s/mm² and 8.17 ± 1.31 at b = 500 s/mm²; clinical utility, 3.14 ± 0.70) (p < 0.05). Artifacts were significantly improved on reduced FOV DWI (2.65 ± 0.68) at b = 0 s/mm² (full FOV DWI, 2.41 ± 0.63) (p < 0.001). On quantitative analysis, there were no significant differences between the 2 DWI sequences in ADCs of various pancreatic lesions and parenchyma (p > 0.05). ADCs of adenocarcinomas (1.061 × 10^-3 mm²/s ± 0.133 at reduced FOV and 1.079 × 10^-3 mm²/s ± 0.135 at full FOV) and neuroendocrine tumors (0.983 × 10^-3 mm²/s ± 0.152 at reduced FOV and 1.004 × 10^-3 mm²/s ± 0.153 at full FOV) were significantly lower than those of parenchyma (1.191 × 10^-3 mm²/s ± 0.125 at reduced FOV and 1.218 × 10^-3 mm²/s ± 0.103 at full FOV) (p < 0.05).ConclusionReduced FOV DWI of the pancreas provides better overall IQ including better anatomic detail, lesion conspicuity and subjective clinical utility.     

Diagnostic Performance of CT Angiography in Patients Visiting Emergency Department with Overt Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Objective

To investigate the diagnostic performance of computed tomography angiography (CTA) in identifying the cause of bleeding and to determine the clinical features associated with a positive test result of CTA in patients visiting emergency department with overt gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.

Materials and Methods

We included 111 consecutive patients (61 men and 50 women; mean age: 63.4 years; range: 28-89 years) who visited emergency department with overt GI bleeding. They underwent CTA as a first-line diagnostic modality from July through December 2010. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed the CTA images and determined the presence of any definite or potential bleeding focus by consensus. An independent assessor determined the cause of bleeding based on other diagnostic studies and/or clinical follow-up. The diagnostic performance of CTA and clinical characteristics associated with positive CTA results were analyzed.

Results

To identify a definite or potential bleeding focus, the diagnostic yield of CTA was 61.3% (68 of 111). The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value were 84.8% (67 of 79), 96.9% (31 of 32), 98.5% (67 of 68), and 72.1% (31 of 43), respectively. Positive CTA results were associated with the presence of massive bleeding (p = 0.001, odds ratio: 11.506).

Conclusion

Computed tomography angiography as a first-line diagnostic modality in patients presenting with overt GI bleeding showed a fairly high accuracy. It could identify definite or potential bleeding focus with a moderate diagnostic yield and a high PPV. CTA is particularly useful in patients with massive bleeding.     

Is there any correlation between model-based perfusion parameters and model-free parameters of time-signal intensity curve on dynamic contrast enhanced MRI in breast cancer patients?

Objective

To find out any correlation between dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) model-based parameters and model-free parameters, and evaluate correlations between perfusion parameters with histologic prognostic factors.

Methods

Model-based parameters (Ktrans, Kep and Ve) of 102 invasive ductal carcinomas were obtained using DCE-MRI and post-processing software. Correlations between model-based and model-free parameters and between perfusion parameters and histologic prognostic factors were analysed.

Results

Mean Kep was significantly higher in cancers showing initial rapid enhancement (P?=?0.002) and a delayed washout pattern (P?=?0.001). Ve was significantly lower in cancers showing a delayed washout pattern (P?=?0.015). Kep significantly correlated with time to peak enhancement (TTP) (ρ?=??0.33, P?<?0.001) and washout slope (ρ?=?0.39, P?=?0.002). Ve was significantly correlated with TTP (ρ?=?0.33, P?=?0.002). Mean Kep was higher in tumours with high nuclear grade (P?=?0.017). Mean Ve was lower in tumours with high histologic grade (P?=?0.005) and in tumours with negative oestrogen receptor status (P?=?0.047). TTP was shorter in tumours with negative oestrogen receptor status (P?=?0.037).

Conclusions

We could acquire general information about the tumour vascular physiology, interstitial space volume and pathologic prognostic factors by analyzing time-signal intensity curve without a complicated acquisition process for the model-based parameters.

Key points

? Kep mainly affected the initial and delayed curve pattern in time–signal intensity curve. ? There is significant correlation between model-based and model-free parameters. ? We acquired information about tumour vascular physiology, interstitial space volume and prognostic factors.     

Massive bleeding during spine surgery in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis

Purpose

Ankylosing spondylitis is associated with pathophysiology that has important anaesthetic implications. We report a case where the sequelae of ankylosing spondylitis may have been responsible for massive bleeding during emergency spine surgery.

Clinical Features

A 69 yr old man with long standing ankylosing spondylitis sustained a complex fracture of the lumbar spine in a fall, and was scheduled for stabilization of the spine. Under general anaesthesia, prone positioning was difficult because of the extreme spinal deformity. During exploration, dilatation of epidural veins was encountered and sustained haemorrhage was encountered throughout,the surgical procedure. Estimated blood loss was 17,000 ml which was replaced with 31 units of packed red blood cells, 3200 ml of salvaged blood, 18 units of fresh frozen plasma, 26 units of platelets, 1,000 ml of albumin and 9,000 ml of crystalloid.

Conclusions

Extreme deformity of the spine led to positioning difficulties that may have contributed to massive blood loss during complex spine surgery. Difficulties with placement in the prone position in-patients with advanced ankylosing spondylitis should be anticipated.     

Clinicopathologic analysis of early ampullary cancers with a focus on the feasibility of ampullectomy

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether ampullectomy can substitute for pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) in early ampullary cancer by clinicopathologic study. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although ampullectomy has been attempted in early ampullary cancer (pTis, pT1), the indication and extent of resection have not been established. METHODS: Of 201 patients who had undergone PD for ampullary cancer between 1986 and 2002, 67 patients with a histologic diagnosis of pTis (n = 5) or pT1 (n = 62) cancer were analyzed retrospectively. Pathologic PD specimens were reviewed to analyze the cancer spread pattern, and medical records were reviewed for clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate of the 66 patients with early ampullary cancer (excluding one mortality) was 83.7%. Recurrence was confirmed in 12 patients (18.2%) and all died because of the recurrence. Pathologic review showed that 22 patients (32.8%) had at least one risk factor for failure after ampullectomy: lymph node metastasis (n = 6, 9.0%), perineural invasion (n = 1), or mucosal tumor infiltration along the CBD or P-duct (n = 15, 22.4%). Mean lengths of invasion into the CBD or the P-duct beyond the sphincter of Oddi were 7.7 mm (range, 1-25 mm) or 6.3 mm (range, 2-18 mm), respectively. Moreover, these risk factors were not correlated with tumor size, histologic grade, or the gross morphology of the primary tumor, although pTis cancer or pT1 cancer sized 1.0 cm or less was found to be least associated with risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Ampullectomy for early ampullary cancer should not be considered an alternative operation to PD because of the high possibility of recurrence. PD should be preferably performed for adequate radical resection, even in early ampullary cancer, and ampullectomy should be reserved for those who have pTis or pT1 cancer sized 1.0 cm or less with high operative risk.     

The effect of phenytoin on rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block in the rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation

Anticonvulsant therapy alters the action of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. We determined the effects of acute and chronic administration of phenytoin on rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block using the rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation. Rats were divided into 3 groups: a saline control group (n = 10), an acute phenytoin-treated group (n = 30), and a chronic phenytoin-pretreated group (n = 30). Phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm was dissected, mounted in a bath containing oxygenated Krebs solution, and the nerve was stimulated at supramaximal intensity. Single twitch responses were recorded by physiogram. In the acute phenytoin-treated group, acute effects of phenytoin were determined based on the phenytoin concentration of 1, 10, or 100 microg/mL in the bath. The chronic effects of phenytoin were determined using phrenic nerve-diaphragms from rats pretreated with phenytoin (50 mg/kg/d) for 1, 7, or 28 days. In rats with phenytoin 100 microg/mL in the bath, all concentrations of rocuronium produced twitch depression significantly different from those of other groups (P < 0.05), and the concentration-response curve shifted to the left. In rats with phenytoin 10 microg/mL in the bath, the effective concentrations for 50%, 90%, and 95% twitch depression values were significantly different from those of the control group (P < 0.05). In chronically (28 days) phenytoin-pretreated rats, the concentration-response curve significantly shifted to the right (P < 0.05). These findings show that acute administration of phenytoin augmented the neuromuscular blocking effects of rocuronium, whereas chronic phenytoin treatment causes resistance to the neuromuscular blocking effects of rocuronium in target organs.