Chondromyxoid fibroma: A fine-needle aspiration diagnosis

A 25-yr-old female presented with a slowly progressive swelling, occurring over an 8-yr period, in the right lower leg. The swelling was tender and fixed to the underlying bone. Clinical and radiological diagnosis was giant cell tumor (GCT) of the bone. Aspiration cytology smears were cellular showing an admixture of chondroid, stellate, and fibrocytic cells against a chondroid background. On cytomorphology, a diagnosis of chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) was made. It was confirmed on histologic examination.     

Randomized controlled trial comparing outcomes of video capsule endoscopy with push enteroscopy in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND:

Optimal management of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate diagnostic yields and downstream clinical outcomes comparing video capsule endoscopy (VCE) with push enteroscopy (PE).

METHODS:

Patients with OGIB and negative esophagogastroduodenoscopies and colonoscopies were randomly assigned to VCE or PE and followed for 12 months. End points included diagnostic yield, acute or chronic bleeding, health resource utilization and crossovers.

RESULTS:

Data from 79 patients were analyzed (VCE n=40; PE n=39; 82.3% overt OGIB). VCE had greater diagnostic yield (72.5% versus 48.7%; P<0.05), especially in the distal small bowel (58% versus 13%; P<0.01). More VCE-identified lesions were rated possible or certain causes of bleeding (79.3% versus 35.0%; P<0.05). During follow-up, there were no differences in the rates of ongoing bleeding (acute [40.0% versus 38.5%; P not significant], chronic [32.5% versus 45.6%; P not significant]), nor in health resource utilization. Fewer VCE-first patients crossed over due to ongoing bleeding (22.5% versus 48.7%; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

A VCE-first approach had a significant diagnostic advantage over PE-first in patients with OGIB, especially with regard to detecting small bowel lesions, affecting clinical certainty and subsequent further small bowel investigations, with no subsequent differences in bleeding or resource utilization outcomes in follow-up. These findings question the clinical relevance of many of the discovered endoscopic lesions or the ability to treat most of these effectively over time. Improved prognostication of both patient characteristics and endoscopic lesion appearance with regard to bleeding behaviour, coupled with the impact of therapeutic deep enteroscopy, is now required using adapted, high-quality study methodologies.     

Short and long-term post-operative outcomes of duodenum preserving pancreatic head resection for chronic pancreatitis affecting the head of pancreas: a?systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

To evaluate the short and long term outcomes of duodenum preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR) procedures in the treatment of painful chronic pancreatitis.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed to identify all comparative studies evaluating long and short term postoperative outcomes (pain relief, morbidity and mortality, pancreatic exocrine and endocrine function).

Results

Five published studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria including 1 randomized controlled trial comparing the Beger and Frey procedure. In total, 323 patients underwent surgical procedures for chronic pancreatitis, including Beger (n = 138) and Frey (n = 99), minimal Frey (n = 32), modified Frey (n = 25) and Berne''s modification (n = 29). Two studies comparing the Beger and Frey procedure were entered into a meta-analysis and showed no difference in post-operative pain (RD = −0.06; CI −0.21 to 0.09), mortality (RD = 0.01; CI −0.03 to 0.05), morbidity (RD = 0.12; CI −0.00 to 0.24), exocrine insufficiency (RD = 0.04; CI −0.10 to 0.18) and endocrine insufficiency (RD = −0.14 CI −0.28 to 0.01).

Conclusion

All procedures are equally effective for the management of pain for chronic pancreatitis. The choice of procedure should be determined by other factors including the presence of secondary complications of pancreatitis and intra-operative findings. Registration number CRD42015019275. Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, 2009.     

Surveillance of Artemisinin Resistance in Plasmodium falciparum in India Using the kelch13 Molecular Marker

Malaria treatment in Southeast Asia is threatened with the emergence of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. Genome association studies have strongly linked a locus on P. falciparum chromosome 13 to artemisinin resistance, and recently, mutations in the kelch13 propeller region (Pfk-13) were strongly linked to resistance. To date, this information has not been shown in Indian samples. Pfk-13 mutations were assessed in samples from efficacy studies of artemisinin combination treatments in India. Samples were PCR amplified and sequenced from codon 427 to 727. Out of 384 samples, nonsynonymous mutations in the propeller region were found in four patients from the northeastern states, but their presence did not correlate with ACT treatment failures. This is the first report of Pfk-13 point mutations from India. Further phenotyping and genotyping studies are required to assess the status of artemisinin resistance in this region.     

Mental health disorders and substance use among people living with HIV in Nepal: their influence on non-adherence to anti-retroviral therapy

People living with HIV often experience mental health disorders and engage in substance use. Evidence, however, is limited about the influence of mental health disorders and substance use on non-adherence to ART. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 682 HIV-positive people on ART in Nepal. We measured their depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress levels, substance use, and non-adherence to ART. We developed logistic regression models to examine the association of mental health disorders and substance use with non-adherence to ART. Experiencing depressive symptoms was positively associated with ART non-adherence among HIV-positive people (men: AOR?=?2.77, p?=?.001; women: AOR?=?3.69, p?=?.001). Additionally, both men and women were more likely to have non-adherence to ART when they had anxiety (men: AOR =?2.19, p?=?.022; women AOR?=?2.83, p?=?.001) and higher stress scores (men: AOR?=?1.11, p?=?.001; women: AOR?=?1.08, p?=?.001). While substance use was associated with non-adherence only in HIV-positive men (AOR?=?3.12, p?<?.001). Depressive symptoms, anxiety, and high level of stress had negative roles on adherence in HIV-positive men and women. While substance use had a negative role on ART adherence among men only. Results highlight that the HIV-positive people should be screened and provided treatment and psychosocial support while providing ART services to improve their medication adherence.     

The Digital Imaging Workstation

Picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) are expected to convert film-based radiology into a computer-based digital environment, with associated cost savings and improved physician communication. The digital workstation will be used by physicians to display these soft-copy images; however, difficult technical challenges must be met for the workstation to compete successfully with the familiar viewbox. Issues relating to image perception and the impact on physicians practice must be carefully considered. The spatial and contrast resolutions required vary according to imaging modality, type of procedure, and class of user. Rule-based software allows simple physician interaction and speeds image display. A consensus appears to be emerging concerning the requirements for the PACS workstation. Standards such as the American College of Radiology/National Electrical Manufacturers Association Digital Imaging and Communication Standard are facilitating commercial applications. Yet much careful study is needed before PACS workstations will be fully integrated into radiology departments. Abbreviations: CRT = cathode ray tube, H&D = Hurter and Drifield, PACS = picture archiving and communication system, ROC = receiver operating characteristic, S/N = signal-to-noise ratio. Partially supported by grant HL-33332 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood institute, U.S. Public Health Service. Address reprint requests to R.L.A. Copyright © 1990 by the Radiological Society of North America. Radiology 176:303-315, 1990. Reprinted with permission.     

Incidence of and risk factors for genital human papillomavirus infection in women drug users

A total of 230 women drug users were prospectively studied. At 6-month intervals, interviews, HIV testing, and cervicovaginal lavage sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV) were performed. HPV was detected and typed using a MY09/MY11 polymerase chain reaction system. 230 women without high-risk HPV (types 16, 18, 26, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58. 59, 68, 73 and 82), with or without non-high risk HPV types at baseline, were included in analyses. Incidence rates of and factors associated with HPV infections of all types and high-risk types (types 16, 18, 26, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68, 73, and 82) were analyzed. Baseline median age was 40 years (range 24-65); 62% of women were Hispanic, 20% black, and 16% white; 54 (24%) were HIV seropositive; 172 (75%) were without detectable HPV; 58 (25%) had only low-risk or untypeable HPV. The incidence rates for any and for high-risk type HPV infection were 9.5/100 and 4.8/100 person-years, respectively. HIV-positive women had a significantly increased hazard rate for any HPV (HRadj: 3.4; 95% CI: 1.4 to 8.0) and for high-risk HPV (HRadj 3.0; 95% CI: 1.4 to 6.6), adjusted for race, sexual behaviors, condom use, and history of other sexually transmitted infections. HIV infection was independently associated with a substantial and significantly increased risk for any and for high-risk genital HPV infection and was the most important risk factor found.     

Selection of antigens and development of prototype tests for point-of-care leprosy diagnosis

Leprosy can be a devastating chronic infection that causes nerve function impairment and associated disfigurement. Despite the recent reduction in the number of registered worldwide leprosy cases as a result of the widespread use of multidrug therapy, the number of new cases detected each year remains relatively stable. The diagnosis of leprosy is currently based on the appearance of clinical signs and requires expert clinical, as well as labor-intensive and time-consuming laboratory or histological, evaluation. For the purpose of developing an effective, simple, rapid, and low-cost diagnostic alternative, we have analyzed the serologic antibody response to identify Mycobacterium leprae proteins that are recognized by leprosy patients. More than 100 recombinant antigens were analyzed in a protein array format to select those with discriminatory properties for leprosy diagnosis. As expected, multibacillary leprosy patients recognized more antigens with stronger antibody responses than paucibacillary leprosy patients. Our data indicate, however, that multibacillary patients can be distinguished from paucibacillary patients, and both of these groups can be segregated from endemic control groups. We went on to confirm the diagnostic properties of antigens ML0405 and ML2331 and the LID-1 fusion construct of these two proteins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We then demonstrated the performance of these antigens in rapid test formats with a goal of developing a point-of-care diagnostic test. A serological diagnostic test capable of identifying and allowing treatment of leprosy could reduce transmission, prevent functional disabilities and stigmatizing deformities, and facilitate leprosy eradication.     

Prognostic significance of micropapillary pattern in pure mucinous carcinoma of the breast

Breast carcinoma with micropapillary architecture is associated with aggressive behavior. Similar micropapillary pattern in pure mucinous carcinoma has been noticed and has been shown to convey poor prognosis. In this study 17 cases of pure mucinous carcinoma of the breast seen during a 10-year period have been reviewed, with special reference to micropapillary pattern. Diffuse micropapillary pattern was seen in 6 of 17 cases of mucinous carcinoma of the breast and demonstrated reverse polarity immunostaining pattern with "Epithelial Membrane Antigen." In all cases, the tumor cells showed grade I morphology, and no lymph node metastases were noticed. All the tumors except 1 expressed strong estrogen and progesterone receptor expression, however, all the cases were negative for Her-2/neu expression. In this present study, mucinous carcinomas with micropapillary pattern showed a low nuclear grade, higher incidence of hormone receptor positivity, and lower incidence of Her-2/neu similar to mucinous carcinomas without micropapillary pattern, thus explaining their indolent behavior.