Vertebral and carotid artery dissection following chiropractic cervical manipulation

A 50-year-old woman presented a sudden left occipital headache and a posterior circulation stroke after cervical manipulation for neck pain. Magnetic resonance imaging documented a left intracranial vertebral artery occlusive dissection associated with an ipsilateral internal carotid artery dissection with vessel stenosis in its prepetrous tract. This is the first reported case showing an associate vertebral and carotid artery dissection following cervical manipulation. Carotid dissection was asymptomatic and, therefore, its incidence may be underestimated. We emphasize that cervical manipulation should be performed only in patients without predisposing factors for artery dissection and after an appropriate diagnosis of neck pain. Received: 25 October 1997 / Accepted: 19 August 1998     

Predicting Nipple–Areolar Involvement Using Preoperative Breast MRI and Primary Tumor Characteristics

Background

Preoperative assessment of the nipple–areolar complex (NAC) is invaluable when considering nipple-sparing mastectomy. Our hypothesis is that breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may predict involvement of the NAC with tumor.

Methods

Clinical, histopathologic, and imaging data were compiled for patients who underwent preoperative breast MRI followed by mastectomy or nipple-sparing mastectomy for malignancy between 2006 and 2009. Blinded rereview of all MRI studies was performed by a breast MRI imager and compared to initial MRI findings. Multivariate analysis identified variables predicting NAC involvement with tumor.

Results

Of 77 breasts, 18 (23 %) had tumor involving or within 1 cm of the NAC. The sensitivity of detecting histopathologically confirmed NAC involvement was 61 % with history and/or physical examination, and 56 % with MRI. Univariate analysis identified the following variables as significant for NAC involvement: large tumors near the nipple on preoperative MRI, node-positive disease, invasive lobular carcinoma, advanced histopathologic T stage, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. On multivariate analysis, only tumor size >2 cm and distance from tumor edge to the NAC <2 cm on MRI maintained significance. Pearson correlation coefficient for MRI size compared to histopathologic size was 0.53 (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

MRI is not superior to thorough clinical evaluation for predicting tumor in or near the NAC. However, MRI-measured tumor size and distance from the NAC are correlated with increased risk of NAC involvement. The combination of preoperative history and physical examination, tumor characteristics, and breast MRI can aid the surgeon in predicting a tumor-involved nipple more than any single modality alone.     

Endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in chronic renal failure

Uremic patients have an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress that can contribute to cardiovascular (CV) events. To assess the relationship between endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and renal failure severity, we studied 40 patients (age 57 +/- 7 yrs, 24 males) affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) K/DOQI stage 3-5 (serum creatinine (Cr) 5.6 +/- 2.2 mg/dL) on conservative treatment, 20 uremic patients (age 57 +/- 12 yrs, 13 males) on hemodialysis (HD) and 30 healthy controls (56 +/- 12 yrs, 20 males). Before and 2 hr after oral vitamin C (2 g) administration, we measured brachial artery endothelium-dependent vasodilation (flow mediated dilation (FMD)) to reactive hyperemia following 5 min of forearm ischemia and the response to sublingual glyceril trinitrate (GTN). Measurements were made by high-resolution ultrasound and computerized analysis. FMD was lower in CKD patients than in controls (5.3 +/- 2.2 vs. 6.9 +/- 2.8%; p<0.01) and was further reduced in HD patients (3.6 +/- 2.7; p<0.01 vs. CKD patients). Response to GTN was similar in all groups. FMD was related to Cr clearance (r=0.42; p<0.01) in CKD patients, while it related inversely to Kt/V(urea) (r=-0.52; p<0.05) in HD patients. After vitamin C administration, FMD was significantly enhanced in HD (4.7 +/- 2.4%; p<0.01 vs. baseline), but not in CKD patients. Response to GTN was unaffected. However, vitamin C load reduced oxidative stress markers, and increased plasma antioxidant capability in both groups. In conclusion, the reduced endothelium-dependent dilation in the brachial artery of CKD patients is related to renal failure severity. HD patients showed a more marked alteration, which seems to be related, at least in part, to increased oxidative stress.     

Comparison of Patient Characteristics and Outcomes of Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy and Unilateral Total Mastectomy in Breast Cancer Patients

Background

There has been an increasing trend toward contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) in the management of breast cancer (BCa). This study??s objective was to compare clinicopathologic characteristics of BCa patients who elected CPM to those who elected unilateral total mastectomy (UTM) and to determine whether CPM improved survival.

Methods

Comparison was performed on 355 patients with stage 0?CIII BCa matched by age and stage who underwent mastectomy from 1995 to 2008: 177 patients had CPM; 178 patients had UTM. Clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Women who underwent preoperative MRI were twice as likely to have CPM (40.9 vs. 19.7%, P?P?=?0.001; 64.3 vs. 41.4%, P?P?=?0.04, respectively). CPM patients elected nipple preservation (26 vs. 5.2%, P?P?P?=?0.01). CPM identified occult BCa in 11 patients (6.6%), and three UTM patients (1.7%) developed contralateral BCa. With median follow-up of 61?months, by univariable/multivariable analyses, CPM did not improve overall, disease-free, or distant metastases-free survival.

Conclusion

Factors that may influence choice of CPM included preoperative MRI, history of prior breast biopsies, immediate reconstruction, nipple preservation, family history, and BRCA status. Those who chose CPM did not have improved survival.     

Monotherapy with tadalafil or tamsulosin similarly improved lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia in an international, randomised, parallel, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background

Tadalafil improved lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; LUTS/BPH) in clinical studies but has not been evaluated together with an active control in an international clinical study.

Objective

Assess tadalafil or tamsulosin versus placebo for LUTS/BPH.

Design, setting, and participants

A randomised, double-blind, international, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study assessed men ≥45 yr of age with LUTS/BPH, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥13, and maximum urinary flow rate (Q_max) ≥4 to ≤15 ml/s. Following screening and washout, if needed, subjects completed a 4-wk placebo run-in before randomisation to placebo (n = 172), tadalafil 5 mg (n = 171), or tamsulosin 0.4 mg (n = 168) once daily for 12 wk.

Measurements

Outcomes were assessed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) or ranked analysis of variance (ANOVA) (continuous variables) and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test or Fisher exact test (categorical variables).

Results and limitations

IPSS significantly improved versus placebo through 12 wk with tadalafil (−2.1; p = 0.001; primary efficacy outcome) and tamsulosin (−1.5; p = 0.023) and as early as 1 wk (tadalafil and tamsulosin both −1.5; p < 0.01). BPH Impact Index significantly improved versus placebo at first assessment (week 4) with tadalafil (−0.8; p < 0.001) and tamsulosin (−0.9; p < 0.001) and through 12 wk (tadalafil −0.8, p = 0.003; tamsulosin −0.6, p = 0.026). The IPSS Quality-of-Life Index and the Treatment Satisfaction Scale–BPH improved significantly versus placebo with tadalafil (both p < 0.05) but not with tamsulosin (both p > 0.1). The International Index of Erectile Function–Erectile Function domain improved versus placebo with tadalafil (4.0; p < 0.001) but not tamsulosin (−0.4; p = 0.699). Q_max increased significantly versus placebo with both tadalafil (2.4 ml/s; p = 0.009) and tamsulosin (2.2 ml/s; p = 0.014). Adverse event profiles were consistent with previous reports. This study was limited in not being powered to directly compare tadalafil versus tamsulosin.

Conclusions

Monotherapy with tadalafil or tamsulosin resulted in significant and numerically similar improvements versus placebo in LUTS/BPH and Q_max. However, only tadalafil improved erectile dysfunction.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT00970632     

Early outcomes of colon laparoscopic resection in the elderly patients compared with the younger

Background

The aim of this study was to define any benefits in terms of early outcome for laparoscopic colectomy in patients over 75 years old (OP) compared with the outcomes of a younger populations (YP).

Methods

Forty elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy for colorectal cancer between 2007-2011 were studied, the patients are divided for gender, age, year of surgery, site of cancer, and comorbidity on admission and compared with 40 younger patients.

Results and discussion

Mean (standard deviation) age was 81.3 in OP and 68.3 YP Conversion rate was the same between the two groups. There was no difference in operative mean time . The overall mortality rate was 0% percent. The surgical morbidity rate was the same but there was an increased in cardiologic e bronchopneumonia complications in older population. Patients treated with laparoscopic approach had a faster recovery of bowel function and a significant reduction of the mean length of hospital stay not age related. Laparoscopy allowed a better preservation of postoperative independence status.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic colectomy for cancer in elderly patients is safe and beneficial including preservation of postoperative independence and a reduction of length of hospital stay.

     

Analysis of risk factors for tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: key role of immunosuppression.

To confirm recent observations about the relationship between immunosuppression and the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation (LT), we retrospectively analyzed 70 consecutive HCC patients who underwent LT and received cyclosporine (CsA)-based immunosuppression. CsA trough blood levels, measured with the same technique (fluorescence polarization immunoassay), were analyzed at different time points after transplantation. The exposure to the drug was calculated with the trapezoidal rule in each patient. CsA was associated with steroids in 26 patients and steroids and azathioprine in 44 patients. HCC recurred in 7 patients (10.0%). Different immunosuppressive schedules (CsA and steroids vs. CsA, steroids, and azathioprine) or the cumulative dosage of steroids and azathioprine did not influence HCC recurrence that was associated instead with CsA exposure (278.3 +/- 86.4 ng/mL in recurrent vs. 169.9 +/- 33.3 in tumor-free patients; P < 0.001); CsA exposure above 189.6 ng/mL was related to HCC recurrence at the receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC). The relationship between CsA exposure; various clinical (sex, age, viral- vs. non-viral-related cirrhosis, preoperative vs. incidental diagnosis of HCC, alpha-fetoprotein [AFP] blood level), pathologic (pathologic tumor staging [pT] stage, presence of Milan criteria), and histologic (grading, presence of microvascular tumor invasion) parameters; and tumor recurrence were assessed. AFP (P = 0.032), microvascular tumor invasion (P = 0.044), and CsA exposure (P < 0.001) influenced recurrence-free survival at the univariate analysis; CsA exposure was the only independent prognostic determinant at multivariate analysis (P < 0.001). High CsA exposure favors tumor recurrence; CsA blood levels should be kept to the effective minimum in HCC patients. In the presence of pathologic and histologic risk factors, specific immunosuppressive protocols should be considered.     

Comparison of two iron gluconate treatment modalities in chronic hemodialysis patients: results of a randomized trial

BACKGROUND: Iron supplementation in chronic hemodialyzed patients is not yet completely defined concerning the dosing regimen. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the same iron load administered in different regimens on anemia, iron status and the reticulocyte (Ret) subpopulation patterns in stable patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD). Patients and methods: Seventeen patients undergoing thrice-weekly chronic HD and receiving stable alphaerythropoietin therapy with absolute iron deficiency (transferrin saturation (TSAT) <20%, ferritin (Frt) <100 ng/mL) were randomly divided into two groups: group A (n=9) received 20.8 mg of sodium iron gluconate at the end of each dialysis session; group B (n=8) 62.5 mg only at the end of the 1st dialysis session of the week. The treatment period lasted 3 months (period 1) and was followed by 3 months of observation (period 2). Results: Both treatments increased hemoglobin (Hb) levels by an average of 0.90 g/dL in period 1, with a progressive decline in period 2 (p=ns between groups), peaking at 11.2 g/dL in group A and 10.8 g/dL in group B. The effects on mean red blood cell volume and Hb concentrations were similar. Frt levels more than doubled during period 1 and early in period 2 in both groups (172 microg/L in group A; 149 microg/L in group B, and progressively decreased in period 2 (p=ns between groups). The TSAT index increased progressively peaking to 28.7% in group A and 24.3% in group B. Hypochromic red blood cells (hypocRBC) decreased early from 5.6-2.2% in group A, and from 5.5-2.1% in group B, and persisted in period 2; the between-period differences for the combined groups were statistically significant (p=0.0051). High fluorescence reticulocytes (HFR) increased from period 1 to period 2 only in group B (from 0.8-1.7%, p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Both regimens replenished iron stores and improved anemia. The HFR increase in group B could be due to soluble transferring receptor (STnfR) gene upregulation; alternatively it could indicate the prevalence of immature Ret release from bone marrow.     

Volume-controlled vs no/short-term drainage after axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer surgery: A meta-analysis

It is unknown whether there are any clinically relevant differences between volume-controlled (<30–50 ml/24 h across trials) vs no/short-term drainage after axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer surgery on outcomes such as seroma formation, wound infection or length of hospital stay.Randomised controlled trials comparing volume-controlled drainage vs no or short-term drainage after axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer surgery were identified systematically using Pubmed, EMBASE and The Cochrane library. Trial data were reviewed and extracted independently by two reviewers in a standardised unblinded manner.Six randomised controlled trials which included a total of 561 patients fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Patients randomised to volume-controlled drainage were less likely to develop clinically relevant seromas compared to patients randomised to no/short-term drainage. There was, however, no difference in wound infections between patients treated with volume-controlled drainage and patients with no or short-term drainage. Patients randomised to volume-controlled drainage stayed significantly longer in hospital than patients randomised to no/short-term drainage.Based on available evidence, clinically relevant seromas occur more frequently in patients treated with no/short-term drainage. However, no/short-term drainage after axillary lymph node dissection does not lead to an increase in wound infections and is associated with shorter hospital stay.     

The Premature Ejaculation Profile: validation of self-reported outcome measures for research and practice

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Premature Ejaculation Profile (PEP), a self‐reported outcome instrument for evaluating domains of PE and its treatment, comprised of four single‐item measures, a profile, and an index score.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Data were from men participating in observational studies in the USA (PE, 207 men; non‐PE, 1380) and Europe (PE, 201; non‐PE, 914) and from men with PE (1238) participating in a phase III randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial of dapoxetine. The PEP contains four measures: perceived control over ejaculation, personal distress related to ejaculation, satisfaction with sexual intercourse, and interpersonal difficulty related to ejaculation, each assessed on five‐point response scales. Test‐retest reliability, known‐groups validity, and ability to detect a patient‐reported global impression of change (PGI) in condition were evaluated for the individual PEP measures and a PEP index score (the mean of all four measures). Profile analysis was conducted using multivariate analysis of variance.

RESULTS

All PEP measures showed acceptable reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.66 to 0.83) and mean scores for all measures differed significantly between PE and non‐PE groups (P < 0.001). Men who reported a reduction in PE with treatment in the phase III trial had significantly greater scores on each of the four measures. The PEP profiles of men with and without PE differed significantly (P < 0.001) in both observational studies; higher levels of PGI were associated with higher PEP profiles (P < 0.001). The PEP index score also showed acceptable reliability and was significantly different between the PE and non‐PE groups (P < 0.001). Men who reported an improvement in PE with treatment in the phase III trial had significantly greater PEP index scores. In the phase III trial, nausea was the most common adverse event with dapoxetine.

CONCLUSION

The PEP provides a reliable, valid, and interpretable measure for use in monitoring outcomes of men with PE.