Cutaneous metastasis from carcinoma of the cervix at the drain site

BACKGROUND: Metastasis to the skin occurs rarely in gynecologic cancer, especially in cervical carcinoma. Although carcinoma of the cervix is the second to the fourth most common malignancy in women, cutaneous involvement originating from cervical cancer is particularly unusual, even in the terminal stage of the disease. CASE: We present a case of cervical cancer recurrence with skin metastasis. The extensive skin lesion on the abdominal wall occurred 4 years after radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. This was a biopsy-proven metastasis from the patient's primary cervical carcinoma. CONCLUSION: As far we know this is the second case (after Copas et al., Gynecol Oncol 1995;56:102-4) of skin and subcutaneous tissues metastasis from cervical carcinoma at the drain site. Palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy have a useful role in controlling symptoms.     

Distinguishing healthy from otosclerotic ears: effect of probe-tone frequency on static immittance

The diagnostic utility of static immittance (SI) with respect to distinguishing healthy from otosclerotic ears was investigated at different probe-tone frequencies in 68 healthy ears and 36 ears with surgically confirmed otosclerosis. Because one effect of otosclerosis is to shift the resonant frequency of the middle ear to higher values as a result of increased stiffness of the middle ear system, it was hypothesized that SI measured at higher probe-tone frequencies may provide a better distinction between healthy and otosclerotic ears. As expected, the results of this study indicate that SI measured at higher probe-tone frequencies is superior to a standard low probe tone in the detection of otosclerotic ears. Through systematic and objective comparisons of relevant probetone frequencies using both group statistics and test performance analysis, the present study suggests 630 Hz as an optimum probe-tone frequency for measuring SI with respect to distinguishing healthy ears from otosclerotic ears.     

The modified Palmer lateral approach for calcaneal fractures: wound healing and postoperative computed tomographic evaluation of fracture reduction

In 32 consecutive intra-articular calcaneal fractures (28 patients, 4 bilateral), open treatment was done using the modified Palmer lateral approach and the reduction was assessed with postoperative radiography and computed tomography (CT) (coronal and axial images, 1-2 days after surgery). Retrospective analysis of the available radiographs and CT scans was done in 27 fractures (25 patients, 2 bilateral) to assess accuracy of reduction achieved; in five fractures the studies were not available. Sanders classification was type I in 2 (7%), type II in 20 (74%), and type III in 5 (19%) fractures; the calcaneocuboid joint was involved in 9 (33%) fractures. Reduction included elevation of the depressed lateral side of the posterior facet, reduction of the neck (anterior third of calcaneus) to the body (middle third of calcaneus), realignment of the posterior tuberosity, and reduction of lateral wall blowout; internal fixation was done with cannulated screws. Mean (+/-SD) values of the following displacement parameters were significantly improved after surgery: B?hler's angle, posterior facet angle, lateral posterior facet articular depression, heel width (coronal CT), and calcaneal height. There was no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative values of mean angle of Gissane, posterior tuberosity position, and body width and length on axial CT. One (3%) of the 32 fractures was associated with preoperative (traumatic) full-thickness skin necrosis at the sinus tarsi that required free muscle flap coverage. One (3%) postoperative wound healing complication occurred, consisting of wound dehiscence and drainage at the central portion of the surgical wound in a smoker, which resolved with dressing changes and antibiotics. In conclusion, the modified Palmer lateral approach enabled open reduction of major features of calcaneal fractures with less soft-tissue risk than more extensile approaches.     

Strength of fixation of Ludloff metatarsal osteotomy utilizing three different types of Kirschner wires: a biomechanical study

Static biomechanical studies have demonstrated that the Ludloff shaft metatarsal osteotomy is significantly more stable than other commonly used proximal (basilar) osteotomies, such as the proximal crescentic and the proximal chevron. High average static bending failure moments have been recorded for the screw fixation Ludloff osteotomy construct. The objective of the current study was to find a reasonable alternative method of fixation in cases where a short osteotomy may not be amenable to adequate screw fixation and in cases where an inadvertent intraoperative fracture of the metatarsal occurs and subsequent screw fixation is precarious due to inadequate bone stock. A Ludloff osteotomy was performed on 24 matched pairs of cadaveric specimens to compare the strength of fixation of three different types of Kirschner wires (smooth, threaded, and SOC threaded). Biomechanical testing with plantar force was carried out, and failure load and stiffness were measured for each specimen. The current results indicate that the threaded pin construct provides adequate strength for fixation of the Ludloff osteotomy in the clinical setting.     

The role and frequency of glutathione s‐transferase P1 polymorphism in Iranian patients affected with reflux esophagitis

Reflux esophagitis is a common complication of the gastroesophageal reflux disease. Glutathione s‐transferases (GSTs) have important role in the protection of cells from the products of oxidative stress. GSTP1*B allele has a correlation with susceptibility to several diseases. In this case‐control study, the role and frequency of GSTP1 polymorphism was evaluated in Iranian patients with erosive reflux esophagitis. Seventy patients with erosive reflux esophagitis and 75 normal individuals were enrolled in this study. The grade of esophagitis was determined via endoscopy. DNA was extracted from venous blood of each subject using the salting out method. GSTP1 genetic polymorphisms were detected using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method. There was a significant difference in GSTP1 genotype frequency between patients and normal groups (P= 0.006). Also, in the patient group, the grade B of esophagitis was significantly associated with variant GSTP1 genotype (P= 0.028). The rate of throat pain symptom was higher in the no‐variant group (P < 0.036). The GSTP1*B allele frequency in Iranian normal groups is similar to Orientals. Reflux esophagitis are more commonly found in variant (*B/*B and *A/*B) GSTP1 genotypes. In addition, GSTP1 polymorphism is correlated with a higher grade of esophagitis.     

CYP1B1 mutation profile of Iranian primary congenital glaucoma patients and associated haplotypes

The mutation spectrum of CYP1B1 among 104 primary congenital glaucoma patients of the genetically heterogeneous Iranian population was investigated by sequencing. We also determined intragenic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) haplotypes associated with the mutations and compared these with haplotypes of other populations. Finally, the frequency distribution of the haplotypes was compared among primary congenital glaucoma patients with and without CYP1B1 mutations and normal controls. Genotype classification of six high-frequency SNPs was performed using the PHASE 2.0 software. CYP1B1 mutations in the Iranian patients were very heterogeneous. Nineteen nonconservative mutations associated with disease, and 10 variations not associated with disease were identified. Ten mutations and three variations not associated with disease were novel. The 13 novel variations make a notable contribution to the approximately 70 known variations in the gene. CYP1B1 mutations were identified in 70% of the patients. The four most common mutations were G61E, R368H, R390H, and R469W, which together constituted 76.2% of the CYP1B1 mutated alleles found. Six unique core SNP haplotypes were identified, four of which were common to the patients with and without CYP1B1 mutations and controls studied. Three SNP blocks determined the haplotypes. Comparison of haplotypes with those of other populations suggests a common origin for many of the mutations.     

Mitral valve surgery for acute papillary muscle rupture

Background

Papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is a rare complication of a myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to review our results of mitral valve surgery for acute PMR.

Methods

Data from patients undergoing emergent mitral valve surgery for acute PMR between 2011 and 2017 at our institution were reviewed. Outcomes included operative morbidity and mortality, mitral valve reoperation, and hospital readmission.

Results

A total of 2479 patients underwent mitral valve surgery during the study period including 24 (1.0%) for PMR. Mean age was 62 years, and two (8.3%) patients had prior open‐heart surgery. Overall Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality was 17.5%. Operative mortality was 12.5% (n = 3) with an observed‐to‐expected mortality ratio of 0.71. There were no strokes, and new onset dialysis was required in two (8.3%) patients. Mean follow‐up was 2.40 ± 1.96 years. Three‐year mortality, mitral valve reoperation, and readmission rates were 21.1%, 5.0%, and 45.4%.

Conclusions

Expeditious operative intervention for PMR can be associated with acceptable operative and longer‐term outcomes.     

1 Versus 2-cm Excision Margins for pT2-pT4 Primary Cutaneous Melanoma (MelMarT): A Feasibility Study

Background

There is a lack of consensus regarding optimal surgical excision margins for primary cutaneous melanoma?>?1 mm in Breslow thickness (BT). A narrower surgical margin is expected to be associated with lower morbidity, improved quality of life (QoL), and reduced cost. We report the results of a pilot international study (MelMarT) comparing a 1 versus 2-cm surgical margin for patients with primary melanoma?>?1 mm in BT.

Methods

This phase III, multicentre trial [NCT02385214] administered by the Australia & New Zealand Medical Trials Group (ANZMTG 03.12) randomised patients with a primary cutaneous melanoma?>?1 mm in BT to a 1 versus 2-cm wide excision margin to be performed with sentinel lymph node biopsy. Surgical closure technique was at the discretion of the treating surgeon. Patients’ QoL was measured (FACT-M questionnaire) at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months after randomisation.

Results

Between January 2015 and June 2016, 400 patients were randomised from 17 centres in 5 countries. A total of 377 patients were available for analysis. Primary melanomas were located on the trunk (56.9%), extremities (35.6%), and head and neck (7.4%). More patients in the 2-cm margin group required reconstruction (34.9 vs. 13.6%; p?<?0.0001). There was an increased wound necrosis rate in the 2-cm arm (0.5 vs. 3.6%; p?=?0.036). After 12 months’ follow-up, no differences were noted in QoL between groups.

Discussion

This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of a large international RCT to provide a definitive answer to the optimal excision margin for patients with intermediate- to high-risk primary cutaneous melanoma.