A rare malignancy of the parotid gland: oncocytic carcinoma

Oncocytic carcinomas are uncommon; they represent 11% of all oncocytic salivary gland neoplasms, 0.5% of all epithelial salivary gland malignancies and 0.18% of all epithelial salivary gland tumors. A 65-year-old woman was admitted to our ENT clinic with a history of a painless left preauricular mass. No lymph node was palpable on either side of her neck. Computed tomography demonstrated a 3×3-cm solid lesion in the left parotid gland. As oncocytes and atypical cells were seen at the cytologic examination of a fine-needle aspiration biopsy, this finding suggested a malignant epithelial tumor. Total parotidectomy by preserving the facial nerve was performed. The result of the pathologic examination was oncocytic carcinoma regarding histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings and especially the invasive growth pattern. We preferred a close follow-up to an elective neck dissection, and reserved the neck dissection for a recurrence. The prognosis of oncocytic carcinomas is not well known because of their low incidence. Further investigation of the prognosis of patients with oncocytic carcinoma of the parotid gland is warranted as more cases are reported.     

Free fibula flap mandible reconstruction in benign mandibular lesions

The mandible may be affected by a variety of pathological conditions such as ameloblastomas, odontogenic keratocysts, central giant cell granulomas, fibro-osseous lesions, and osteomas. They generally are benign, and conservative treatment can be enough in most of the cases. However, they can be clinically aggressive, and especially ameloblastomas, odontogenic keratocysts, and fibro-osseous lesions are prone to recur. The method of treatment remains a matter of controversy in these cases. The aim of this analysis was to study 100 patients who had been treated for benign mandibular lesions, and to emphasize the importance of free fibula flap in the treatment of such lesions.     

Comparing the osteogenic capacities of bone substitutes: hydroxyapatite, high-density porous polyethylene, and bone collagen: a biochemical and histological analysis

Several inorganic materials have been shown previously to hold some osteogenic capacity. The purpose of this study is to compare the bone-forming abilities of hydroxyapatite ceramic, high-density porous polyethylene, and bone collagen within the periosteal island flap of rabbit tibia using histological and biochemical analysis. With this goal, four discrete experimental groups were formed, each comprising 22 New Zealand male rabbits. A sac was created on each rabbit tibial periosteum flap in each of the groups, and each of the previously mentioned materials was placed within this sac separately. One of these groups was thought as a control group without any material being placed inside the periosteal sac. Biopsies were taken at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 for biochemical analysis and at weeks 2 and 8 for histological evaluation. Neo-osteogenesis was evaluated quantitatively by determination of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels biochemically as well as by the percentage of new bone formation inside the periosteal sac histologically. Results show statistically that the osteogenic effect of high-density porous polyethylene is greater than that of the other materials used in this study (P < 0.05).     

Surgical outcomes of ulnar nerve lesions in children. A retrospective clinical study

The ulnar nerve provides the major motor innervation of the interosseous muscles of the hand and the flexor muscles of the wrist and the fourth and fifth digits. Injury is most common at the wrist, forearm or elbow, secondary to trauma or entrapment. Pediatric ulnar nerve lesions differ from adult lesions by their quicker axonal regeneration. Neural plasticity is also greater in children. We analyzed 21 pediatric patients with ulnar nerve lesion who underwent surgical treatment between 1995 and 2002 to determine if there were differences in the neurological outcome in terms of the type of lesion and surgery. Data showed that excellent results were found in 100% of the lesions treated by simple decompression and nearly 58% of the lesions treated by neurolysis. Good results were obtained in 33% of lesions treated by neurolysis. There were fair results for surgery performed in discontinuous lesions.     

Inhibin B levels on cycle day 3 to predict the ovulatory response in women with PCOS undergoing ovulation induction via low dose step-up gonadotropin protocol

Background In this prospective clinical single blind study, we aimed to investigate whether day 3 serum inhibin B levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS) are of predictive value for the estimation of the ovarian response to gonadotropins.Methods Ovulation induction with low dose step-up gonadotropin protocol, starting with 75 IU/day, was performed for 30 cycles on 25 patients with PCOS. Day 3 serum inhibin B, follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) and estradiol, and midluteal serum progesterone levels were measured during each cycle. The correlations between day 3 inhibin B levels and day 3 FSH, day 3 estradiol and midluteal progesterone measurements, as well as the amount of gonadotropin required to provide an ovulatory cycle were investigated.Results Five (27.8%) out of 18 cycles with day 3 inhibin levels <50.0 pg/ml; and 11 (91.7%) out of 12 cycles with levels 50.0 pg/ml were ovulatory (²=9.38, p<0.01). Moreover, day 3 inhibin B levels had statistically significant negative correlation with the gonadotropin used; and significant positive correlation with the midluteal progesterone levels (p<0.05). There wasn't any significant relation between day 3 FSH and estradiol levels with the gonadotropin used and progesterone levels.Conclusions It has been observed that as day 3 serum inhibin B levels increased in women with PCOS, the ovulatory response to gonadotropins and the rate of ovulatory cycles increased significantly.     

Variations in individual physician success rates within an in vitro fertilization program might be due to patient demographics

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there are variations in individual physician success rates in an IVF program, even with uniform laboratory and treatment protocols. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Boston IVF, a private practice. PATIENT(S): Patients <38 and 38-40 years of age who underwent non-donor egg, fresh embryo transfer (ET). INTERVENTION(S): Retrospective analysis of IVF success rates for Boston IVF for the year 1999, as reported to the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Each individual physician's clinical pregnancy and live birth rates for patients aged <38 and 38-40 years for the year 1999. Pregnancy rates were also obtained for an "ideal patient group." RESULT(S): Among 13 physicians, the clinical pregnancy rate in the <38-year age group ranged from 20.5% to 35.1% and the live birth rates from 17.8% to 31.1%. For the 38-40-year age group, the clinical pregnancy rate ranged from 10.6% to 29.8% and live birth rates from 7.0% to 25.5%. There was no statistical difference in the clinical pregnancy rate for the ideal patient group. CONCLUSION(S): In the ideal patient group, in which patient demographics are uniform, there are no statistical differences in individual physician performance within the same IVF program. Variation exists in the success rates between the physicians in the <38- and 38-40-year age groups. Possibly this is owing to patient demographics.     

In vitro fertilization outcomes: why doesn't anyone get it?

It is not only patients who frequently do not understand the implications of multiple pregnancies and IVF outcomes in general. Physicians, insurers, and governments must share the responsibility for failing to properly address both overall and multiple pregnancy rates after IVF.