Relapsing polychondritis studied by computed tomography

Computed tomographic findings in a patient with relapsing polychondritis are described. Collapse of the cartilage of the nose and calcification in cartilages of the ears were clearly demonstrated. CT scanning was also helpful in evaluating the tracheobronchial tree for airway compromise, which could prove fatal in this condition.     

Lung cancer audit in an Irish teaching hospital

Background Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in Ireland. There are few complete data sets available as to the stage and cell type of lung cancers at time of presentation in Ireland. Aim To audit the lung cancers presenting to a large Dublin teaching hospital over a 12-month period. Method Prospective evaluation of all lung tumours presenting to our institution over a consecutive 12-month period. Results One hundred and ninety-eight lung cancers presented over the study period. There were 34 cases of small cell carcinoma and 150 cases of non-small cell carcinoma (NSCC). Fourteen patients were too ill or compromised at time of presentation for tissue confirmation. The most common cell type was squamous carcinoma. Eighty-four per cent of the NSCCs were either stage 3 or 4 at presentation. Conclusion Most lung cancers present late in the time course of the disease. Distribution of cell type and location are similar in Ireland and other developed countries.     

Intraocular pressure in a Somali population living in the United States

PURPOSE: Intraocular pressure is a risk factor for the development of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. With few exceptions, higher mean intraocular pressure and greater prevalences of glaucoma have been reported for individuals of African origin. This study was performed to compare the mean intraocular pressure of a group of ethnic East Africans living in the United States with that of Caucasians living in the same community. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective comparison of Somali patients 30 years of age or greater with age- and gender-matched Caucasian control subjects. All patients were seen in the same clinic in Seattle, Washington, between July 1996 and March 1998. Patients were excluded for conditions or medications affecting intraocular pressure and for a diagnosis of glaucoma. Mean intraocular pressure of the two populations was compared using an independent sample two-tailed t test. RESULTS: Following exclusions and defined age limits, 57 Somali patients and 57 Caucasian control subjects were included in the final analysis. Mean age of Somalis was 48.5 +/- 12.2 years versus 48.1 +/- 11.3 years for control subjects (P = 0.84). The mean intraocular pressure of Somalis was 13.76 +/- 3.63 mm Hg versus 13.94 +/- 2.78 mm Hg for control subjects (P = 0.77). CONCLUSION: Some populations of African origin may not have higher mean intraocular pressures compared with non-African populations. Consideration of ethnic and racial origins more specific than "African" should be given when evaluating intraocular pressure in individual patients.     

Ocular MR imaging and spectroscopy: an ex vivo study

Six eyes, freshly enucleated because of choroidal melanoma, were imaged on a 1.4-T superconducting magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, and relaxation times were calculated for various parts of the eye. Unfixed fresh tissue samples were obtained for nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMRS) on a variable-field (0.19-1.4 T) resistive unit. Detailed ocular anatomy was demonstrated. The NMRS relaxation times correlated with the MR imaging intensity patterns. The sensitivity of MR imaging to states of hydration provides an excellent window for appreciation of ocular anatomy.     

Real‐Time Craving Differences between Black and White Smokers

Black and White smokers may experience aspects of nicotine dependence, including craving, differently. This study used a naturalistic technique, ecological momentary assessment (EMA), to explore differences in craving, mood, expectancy, and smoking enjoyment between Black and White smokers. Participants carried personal digital assistants (PDAs) programmed to obtain multiple daily assessments. Black smokers reported higher craving after smoking and at random assessment times and higher cigarette enjoyment. No differences were found in mood or expectancy. Racial differences in psychological factors related to smoking are explored in the contexts of genetic, sociological, and psychophysiological distinctions. Implications for practice and research are discussed. (Am J Addict 2010;00:1–5)     

Primary retroperitoneal myxoid/round cell liposarcoma is a nonexisting disease: an immunohistochemical and molecular biological analysis

Almost all primary retroperitoneal liposarcomas can be classified as well-/dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Rarely, however, primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma is classified as myxoid/round cell liposarcoma, based on the presence of myxoid areas and vascular crow's feet pattern, which has resulted in a debate on the classification of liposarcoma in the retroperitoneum. Genetically, myxoid/round cell liposarcoma and well-/dedifferentiated liposarcoma are different diseases. Myxoid/round cell liposarcoma is characterized by a translocation causing FUS-CHOP or EWSR1-CHOP fusion, whereas well-/dedifferentiated liposarcoma is characterized by an amplification of the 12q13-15 region, including MDM2 and CDK4 genes. As myxoid/round cell liposarcoma is highly radio- and chemosensitive, differentiation between subtypes is important to optimize treatment. We studied whether primary retroperitoneal liposarcomas diagnosed as myxoid/round cell liposarcoma represent molecularly true myxoid/round cell liposarcoma or are histopathological mimics and represent well-/dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Primary retroperitoneal myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (n=16) were compared to primary extremity myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (n=20). Histopathological and immunohistochemical features were studied. Amplification status of the 12q13-15 region was studied using a multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis, and FUS-CHOP or EWS-CHOP translocations were studied using RT-PCR. In primary retroperitoneal myxoid/round cell liposarcoma, MDM2 and CDK4 staining was both positive in 12 of 15 cases. In primary extremity myxoid/round cell liposarcoma, MDM2 was negative in 18/20 and CDK4 was negative in all cases. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification showed the amplification of 12q13-15 region in 16/16 primary retroperitoneal myxoid/round cell liposarcomas and in 1/20 primary extremity myxoid/round cell liposarcomas. Translocation was present in all (18/18) primary extremity myxoid/round cell liposarcomas, but absent in all primary retroperitoneal myxoid/round cell liposarcomas. On the basis of immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics, apparent primary retroperitoneal myxoid/round cell liposarcoma can be recognized as well-/dedifferentiated liposarcoma with morphological features mimicking myxoid/round cell liposarcoma. In these cases, treatment should probably be specifically designed as for well-/dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Moreover, finding of myxoid/round cell liposarcoma translocations in a retroperitoneal localization is highly suggestive of metastasis and should prompt search for a primary localization outside the retroperitoneum.