Colon perforation following percutaneous nephrostomy and renal calculus removal

Two patients had colonic perforation as a result of percutaneous nephrostomy placement followed by track dilatation and renal calculus removal. We present the technical aspects of nephrostomy placement and stone removal, as well as the clinical diagnosis and management of these cases. Both patients recovered well with conservative therapy and required no surgical intervention. This report reviews the anatomic considerations for percutaneous nephrostomy in patients undergoing renal stone removal.     

Delirium Tremens

The varied clinical manifestations and management of 14 male patients with delirium tremens (DT) have been studied. Eight patients were initially hospitalised for diseases unrelated to ethanol abuse i.e. 2 each for gun shot wound, myocardial infarction and stroke, and one each for pneumonia and gastroenteritis. One patient was going through withdrawal because of prodrome of viral hepatitis before he was hospitalised for uncontrolled agitation and delirium. Two known cases of mild essential hypertension on dietary therapy reported for agitation, abnormal behaviour, a single episode of tonic clonic seizure and hypertensive encephalopathy as they could not/did not get alcohol for 3 days. Three patients presented denovo with DT without concomitant illness. The other features besides delirium and hallucinations were tremulousness in 10, tachycardia in 12, fever in 3, diaphoresis in 2 and tonic clonic seizures in 4 patients. The symptoms fluctuated markedly at short intervals and 2 patients did not have any features of sympathetic overactivity. Altered hepatic biochemical parameters and ketonuria with normal blood sugar were noted in 4 and one patients respectively. Other biochemical parameters including serum electrolytes were normal. CT scan brain done for 5 patients revealed subdural haematoma in one. Cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) and EEG findings were noncontributory. All made good recovery with heavy doses of intravenous vitamin B complex, glucose and oral benzodiazepine. Short course of haloperidol was used in 2 patients. Two patients developed pancreatitis during follow up. All patients made complete recovery, and 8 patients have been followed for 8 to 12 months without relapse. The reason for hospitalisation in such cases is often unrelated to alcohol abuse; hence a detailed history of alcoholism is mandatory to identify those at risk as well as for prompt treatment and decreasing the mortality.Key Words: Alcohol withdrawal, Concomitant illnesses, Delirium, Precipitating events     

The Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale: Update and compilation of international versions

Background

The interest of clinical research in aging males increased in recent years and thereby the interest to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptoms of aging men. The Aging Males' Symptoms scale (AMS) became the most commonly used scale to measure HRQoL and symptoms in aging males in many countries worldwide. The aim of this paper is to review the current state of the instrument particularly concerning versions of the scale in different languages in the light of the quality of the translation process.

AMS versions available

Most of the translations were performed following international methodological recommendations for linguistic & cultural adaptation of HRQoL instruments. Mainly the English version was used as source language for the translation into Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Swedish, and Japanese (attached as additional PDF-files). Preliminary versions that were derived only from forward translations are of secondary quality and available in Finnish, Flemish, and Russian. It is recommended to complete the translation process for the latter languages before using them in international studies.

Translations in process

The AMS scale is in the process of consensus finding of two existing French versions, and the versions in the Korean, Thai, and Indonesian languages have not yet been completed in the translation process.

Conclusion

The AMS scale is obviously a valuable tool for assessing health related quality of life in aging men, because it is used worldwide. It is a standardized scale according to psychometric norms. Most of the currently available language versions were translated following international standards for linguistic and cultural translation of quality of life scales. Assistance is offered to help interested parties in the translation process.     

Technetium-99m-labeled myocardial perfusion agents: Are they better than thallium-201?

Currently, thallium-201 (201Tl)- and technetium-99m (99mTc)-labeled tracers are used interchangeably for the detection of coronary artery disease, the assessment of myocardial viability, and risk stratification. This article reviews some of the potential advantages and disadvantages of the 99mTc-labeled tracers relative to 201Tl. The basic myocardial kinetic properties and biodistribution of the commonly used 99mTc-labeled perfusion tracers are compared with those of 201Tl. The clinical value of the 99mTc-labeled perfusion tracers is then compared with that of 201Tl imaging. With regard to imaging physics and radiation safety, the 99mTc-labeled tracers are superior to 201Tl. Cost and tracer availability also may favor 99mTc-labeled perfusion tracers rather than 201Tl imaging. However, the most widely used 99mTc-labeled perfusion tracers currently approved for clinical use-99mTc-sestamibi and 99mTc-tetrofosmin-do not track myocardial flow as well as 201Tl does. This shortcoming of 99mTc-labeled perfusion tracers may reduce the sensitivity of these agents in detecting subcritical coronary artery disease. The most notable new perfusion agent is 99mTc-labeled bis(N-ethoxy, N-ethyl dithiocarbamato) nitrido technetium(v), which is considered to be the 99mTc-labeled equivalent of 201Tl. However, 99mTc-labeled bis(N-ethoxy, N-ethyl dithiocarbamato) nitrido technetium(v) is a neutral compound with kinetic properties that are very different from those of 201Tl. Myocardial perfusion imaging is often conducted in conjunction with exercise or with different pharmacologic stressors, both of which augment regional flow heterogeneity. Each of these stressors has unique effects on the coronary vasculature and influences the behavior of the radiolabeled perfusion agents. The substantial differences in myocardial uptake, clearance kinetics, and biodistribution between each of the 99mTc-labeled perfusion tracers and 201Tl should be considered in the clinical application of perfusion imaging. The myocardial retention of all of the agents is affected by myocardial viability. However, 201Tl demonstrates greater differential clearance from normal and ischemic regions (redistribution), making 201Tl a better agent for assessment of viability, particularly in patients with extremely low flow. In contrast, agents that do not redistribute, such as 99mTc-tetrofosmin, might be better for acute assessment of "risk areas" or of chest pain. Each of the available perfusion tracers has unique advantages and disadvantages that must be considered to ensure its optimal application.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA2</Emphasis> mutations in a population-based study of male breast cancer

Background

The contribution of BRCA1 and BRCA2 to the incidence of male breast cancer (MBC) in the United Kingdom is not known, and the importance of these genes in the increased risk of female breast cancer associated with a family history of breast cancer in a male first-degree relative is unclear.

Methods

We have carried out a population-based study of 94 MBC cases collected in the UK. We screened genomic DNA for mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 and used family history data from these cases to calculate the risk of breast cancer to female relatives of MBC cases. We also estimated the contribution of BRCA1 and BRCA2 to this risk.

Results

Nineteen cases (20%) reported a first-degree relative with breast cancer, of whom seven also had an affected second-degree relative. The breast cancer risk in female first-degree relatives was 2.4 times (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4–4.0) the risk in the general population. No BRCA1 mutation carriers were identified and five cases were found to carry a mutation in BRCA2. Allowing for a mutation detection sensitivity frequency of 70%, the carrier frequency for BRCA2 mutations was 8% (95% CI = 3–19). All the mutation carriers had a family history of breast, ovarian, prostate or pancreatic cancer. However, BRCA2 accounted for only 15% of the excess familial risk of breast cancer in female first-degree relatives.

Conclusion

These data suggest that other genes that confer an increased risk for both female and male breast cancer have yet to be found.

     

Antibody-mediated marrow failure after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Marrow graft failure observed in association with histocompatibility differences between donor and recipient is often attributed to rejection mediated by host-derived cytolytic T lymphocytes. The data presented in this report indicate that persistent host antibodies specific for donor antigen may also mediate graft failure, either by antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), or complement- mediated cytotoxicity. In the case of HLA Class I disparity, where all donor cells express the target antigen, the presence of alpha-donor antibody was associated with complete graft failure and death. In the case of ABO blood group antigen disparity, the presence of alpha-donor antibody resulted in erythroid hypoplasia. The latter cases proved informative insofar as they established that host antibodies could persist for more than 18 months after chemoradiotherapy and impair marrow function.     

Methotrexate/narrowband UVB phototherapy combination vs. narrowband UVB phototherapy in the treatment of chronic plaque‐type psoriasis – a randomized single‐blinded placebo‐controlled study

Background Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring inflammatory disease affecting the skin, joints and nails that has a significant negative impact on the quality of life. Efficacy of combination of methotrexate/narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy in the treatment of psoriasis has been rarely assessed. Objectives To compare the efficacy of methotrexate/NBUVB phototherapy combination vs. NBUVB phototherapy in the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. Methods Forty patients with chronic plaque‐type psoriasis (body surface area involvement >10%) were randomized to receive either methotrexate/NBUVB phototherapy (group A) or placebo/NBUVB phototherapy (group B). End point of treatment was 75% reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) Score or upto 6 months, whichever was earlier. Patients were then followed up for a period of 12 weeks for assessment of relapse. Results Of 40 patients, 37 completed the treatment period and 29 both the treatment period and follow‐up. PASI 75 was achieved in 19/20 patients in group A and 14/20 patients in group B (P < 0.04). The mean number of weeks(P = 0.001), the mean cumulative dose of NBUVB (P = 0.001) and the mean number of phototherapy sessions (P = 0.0001) required to achieve PASI 75 were significantly less in group A compared with group B. There was no significant difference in the number of patients who relapsed during the follow‐up period (P = 0.68). Conclusion Combination of methotrexate and NBUVB phototherapy provides more rapid clinical improvement compared with NBUVB monotherapy in the treatment for chronic plaque‐type psoriasis.     

A prosthetic contact lens in the treatment of ocular manifestations of albinism

A patient with severe ocular albinism was fitted with a prosthetic soft contact lens which improved both photophobic symptoms and facial cosmesis.