Contemporary pathologic characteristics and oncologic outcomes of prostate cancers missed by 6- and 12-core biopsy and diagnosed with a 21-core biopsy protocol

Purpose

To assess the pathological and the oncologic outcomes of the prostate cancer (PCa) missed by 6- and 12-core biopsy protocols by using a reference 21-core scheme.

Materials and methods

Between 2001 and 2009, all patients who had PCa detected in an initial 21-core TRUS biopsy scheme and were treated by a radical prostatectomy (RP) were included. Patients were sorted in 3 groups according to the diagnosis site: sextant (6 first cores; group 1), peripheral zone (12 first cores; group 2) or midline/transitional zone (after 21 cores; group 3). Demographics, pathological features in biopsy and RP specimens and follow-up after RP were analyzed. The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was studied in the 3 groups.

Results

During the study period, 443 patients were included. Among them, 67, 23.7 and 9.2% were, respectively, diagnosed in groups 1, 2 and 3. Among PCa diagnosed in midline/transition zone cores, 42% were intermediate or high risk. Unfavorable disease was more frequently reported in group 1 in terms of extraprostatic extension (P = 0.001), high Gleason score (P = 0.001) and progression (P = 0.001). No significant difference was observed between groups 2 and 3 in terms of pathological features in RP specimens and oncologic outcome. The 5-year PFS was 89.7% and not significantly different in patients diagnosed with a 12-core scheme compared to those diagnosed only with 21-core scheme (P = 0.332).

Conclusions

Our findings emphasize that PCa diagnosed only in a 21-core protocol is at least as aggressive as PCa detected in a 12-core scheme. This study invalidates the widespread idea sustaining that cancers diagnosed by more than 12 biopsies are less aggressive.     

Collapse and massive pulmonary edema secondary to thrombosis of a mitral mechanical heart valve prosthesis during low-molecular weight heparin therapy.

Mechanical heart valves (MHV) are particularly exposed to thrombosis if anticoagulation becomes ineffective. Thromboembolic complications may be avoided by oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists or derivatives of unfractionated heparin. A few cases of low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) as sole anticoagulant in patients with MHV have been published, though with contradictory results. We report a case of a massive thrombosis of a St. Jude Medical mitral valve after the patient had been treated for one month with calcium nadroparin (Fraxiparine).     

A huge abdominal mass revealing a depressive syndrome

Trichobezoar is a rare condition that occurs mostly in young women with psychiatric disorders such as trichotillomania and trichophagia. We report the case of a giant gastric trichobezoar in a 21-year-old woman who presented with chronic abdominal pain, vomiting and weight loss. Abdominal examination revealed a large epigastric mass. Endoscopic and imaging findings were highly suggestive of a gastric trichobezoar. Surgical extraction of the huge hair mass was successfully performed through an open gastrotomy. Postoperatively, history of a neglected chronic depression with suicidal ideation was diagnosed. Consequently, the patient was referred to the psychiatric department for mental healthcare, to prevent trichobezoar recurrences.     

Time-course diffusion of hydrogen peroxide through human dentin: clinical significance for young tooth internal bleaching

The purpose of this study was to record the time-course diffusion of hydrogen peroxide through human dentin from a peroxide carbamide gel designed for the walking bleach technique in order to determine its optimal renewal time. It was considered that the optimal renewal rate corresponded to the time necessary to achieve 80% of the maximal diffusion because a much longer time does not involve further significant diffusion. Thirty-six freshly extracted human premolars were used for this study. Eighteen were extracted for orthodontic reasons on patients under 20 years old (young-teeth group). Eighteen were extracted for periodontal reasons on patients between 40 and 60 years old (old-teeth group). The teeth were endodontically treated, and a flat defect was created at the enamel-cementum junction. The teeth were suspended in vials containing water, and the access cavities were filled with 20 microL of 20% hydrogen peroxide gel. The amount of diffusing hydrogen peroxide was assessed at 1 hour, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 120 hours. The diffusive flux and the maximal diffusion were calculated as well as the optimal renewal time. Hydrogen peroxide diffusion through young teeth lasted 352 hours but lasted 291 hours through old teeth. Diffusive flux and maximal diffusion were higher through young teeth than through old teeth. The optimal renewal time for young teeth was 33 hours and for old teeth was 18 hours.