Lymph node non-Hodgkin's lymphoma incidentally discovered during a nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma

We report the case of a left laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with the incidental discovery of a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in one of the lymph nodes of the renal hilum. A laparoscopic nephroureterectomy was decided on for a 64-year-old man. Renal cell carcinoma in the kidney and one lymph node of the renal hilum with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was found. Chemotherapy was not started for the lymphoma discovery. There are no signs of relapse after two years of follow up. Coexistence in the same patient is an extremely rare condition. We review the literature about this issue to clarify this association.     

Protocols of antithrombotic therapy in a University Cardiocenter

This article presents local protocols for antithrombotic therapy used in a tertiary care institution—the cardiocenter of a university hospital. The protocols were discussed in detail among the whole team of physicians of the cardiocenter. This article addresses cardiac conditions requiring hospitalization whenever antithrombotic therapy is indicated. These protocols do not include antithrombotic therapy in other medicinal disciplines (e.g., orthopedics, surgery). These protocols are mostly based on the current guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The partial differences between the ESC guidelines and this text are usually based on the results of the latest clinical trials, which have not yet been included in the ESC guidelines.     

Reduced stem cell mobilization in mice receiving antibiotic modulation of the intestinal flora: involvement of endotoxins as cofactors in mobilization

Since endotoxins are potent inducers of stem cell mobilization, we hypothesized that their presence in the gut may play a role in cytokine-induced mobilization. To address this possibility we added ciprofloxacin and polymyxin B to the drinking water of Balb/c mice mobilized with either interleukin-8 (IL-8), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), or flt3 ligand (FL). The yield of colony-forming units (CFUs) was significantly reduced in all mice treated with these antibiotics when compared with controls (IL-8: 192 +/- 61 vs 290 +/- 64, P <.05; G-CSF: 1925 +/- 1216 vs 3371 +/- 1214, P <.05; FL: 562 +/- 213 vs 1068 +/- 528, P <.05). Treatment with ciprofloxacin eliminated only aerobic Gram-negative bacteria from the feces without effect on mobilization. Polymyxin B treatment did not result in decontamination but significantly reduced the number of mobilized hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) most likely due to the endotoxin binding capacity of polymyxin B. More than 90% of the gastrointestinal flora consists of anaerobic bacteria. Elimination of the anaerobic flora by metronidazol led to a significantly reduced number of mobilized HPCs when compared with controls (IL-8: 55 +/- 66 vs 538 +/- 216, P <.05). Germ-free OF1 mice showed a significantly reduced mobilization compared with their wild-type controls (IL-8 controls: 378 +/- 182, IL-8 germ free: 157 +/- 53, P <.05). Finally, we performed reconstitution experiments adding Escherichia coli-derived endotoxins to the drinking water of decontaminated mice. This resulted in partial restoration of the IL-8-induced mobilization (67 +/- 28 vs 190 +/- 98.1, P <.01). Our results indicate that endotoxins serve as cofactors in cytokine-induced mobilization. Modification of the endotoxin content by antibiotic treatment may affect the yield of cytokine-induced mobilization.     

The influence of oxygen therapy on the hypercapnia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND/AIM: Oxygen therapy is a necessary therapeutic method in treatment of severe chronic respiratory failure (CRF), especially in phases of acute worsening. Risks which are to be taken into consideration during this therapy are: unpredictable increase of carbon dioxide in blood, carbonarcosis, respiratory acidosis and coma. The aim of this study was to show the influence of oxygen therapy on changes of arterial blood carbon dioxide partial pressure. METHODS: The study included 93 patients in 104 admittances to the hospital due to acute exacerbation of CFR. The majority of the patients (89.4%) had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while other causes of respiratory failure were less common. The effect of oxygenation was controlled through measurement of PaO2 and PaCO2 in arterial blood samples. To analyse the influence of oxygen therapy on levels of carbon dioxide, greatest values of change of PaO2 and PaCO2 values from these measurements, including corresponding PaO2 values from the same blood analysis were taken. RESULTS: The obtained results show that oxygen therapy led to the increase of PaO2 but also to the increase of PaCO2. The average increase of PaO2 for the whole group of patients was 2.42 kPa, and the average increase of PaCO2 was 1.69 kPa. There was no correlation between the initial values of PaO2 and PaCO2 and changes of PaCO2 during the oxygen therapy. Also, no correlation between the produced increase in PaO2 and change in PaCO2 during this therapy was found. CONCLUSION: Controlled oxygen therapy in patients with severe respiratory failure greately reduces the risk of unwanted increase of PaCO2, but does not exclude it completely. The initial values of PaO2 and PaCO2 are not reliable parameters which could predict the response to oxygen therapy.     

Elderly donor kidney grafts into young recipients: results at 5 years

BACKGROUND: To date, few data are available on older donor renal grafts transplanted into young recipients. We compare 63 kidneys grafts from donors older than 60 years transplanted into recipients younger than 60 years (group 1) with a control group of 235 patients in whom both recipients and donors were younger than 60 years (group 2). RESULTS: Patient survival rates at 1 and 5 years, respectively, were 98% and 95% (group 1) and 95% and 84% (group 2) (P=0.01). Graft survival rates were 95% and 83% in group 1 versus 94% and 81% in group 2, although death censoring was significant (100% and 98% group 1 vs. 96% and 86% group 2, P=0.04). In group 1, plasmatic creatinemia was significantly higher. The aged donor, female donor-male recipient combination, and the presence of acute rejection alone or together with acute tubular necrosis, were determinants for worse renal functioning at 1 year after transplantation. Seven patients had chronic nephropathy not related to any clinical parameter. CONCLUSION: We conclude that kidneys from older donors can be successfully transplanted to younger patients.     

Carpal scaphoid fracture nonunion in children

Four new cases of carpal scaphoid nonunion in children are presented. This rare injury is characterized by delay in treatment of the scaphoid fracture or incorrect immobilization. The Matti-Russe procedure was performed with autograft harvested from the proximal cubitus, achieving complete consolidation in every patient. No complications occurred and there was no significantly limited mobility. The author speculates about the posibility of partial or complete consolidation of the scaphoid fracture without treatment as a part of the natural history of this fracture in children.     

Utility of sigmoid intramucosal pH in the early diagnosis of ischemic colitis after aorta surgery

A 62-year-old man with grade III ischemia of the legs and occlusion of an aortofemoral shunt underwent axillofemoral bypass and bilateral profundoplasty. During surgery, an aneurysm in the aortic origin of the right common iliac artery ruptured, requiring ligation of the inferior vena cava, the iliac veins and the right common iliac artery. Upon transfer of the patient to the recovery unit, the sigmoid intramucosal pH (pHi) was 6.83 (arterial pH 7.35), the regional CO2 pressure (PrCO2) was 100 mmHg (arterial PCO2 35.2 mmHg), and the lactic acid concentration was 3.6 mmol/L. Ischemic colitis was suspected and colonoscopy confirmed the presence of severe rectal and moderate sigmoid inflammation. An extended sigmoidectomy was performed with colostomy. The patient died from multiorgan failure 48 hours after surgery. Ischemic colitis is a severe complication of aortic surgery. Sigmoid pHi monitoring is non-invasive and highly useful for the early diagnosis of ischemic colitis.     

Prophylactic thyroidectomy in MEN 2A syndrome: experience in a single center

BACKGROUND: Genetic study of the RET proto-oncogene has modified the management, treatment, and prognosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A (MEN 2A), for patients with less advanced tumor stages. Classically, the diagnosis was based on an increase in basal and poststimulus peak calcitonin (bCT and pCT). Prophylactic thyroidectomy, based on results of genetic testing, may reduce recurrences in MTC. STUDY DESIGN: Of 82 MTC (MEN 2A) patients genetically diagnosed and surgically treated at our center, 22 received a prophylactic thyroidectomy (RET +, bCT and pCT with normal values and asymptomatic). We analyzed age, gender, phenotype, RET mutation, cervical ultrasound, laboratory tests (bCT, pCT, and CEA), surgery, histologic data, TNM, and followup. RESULTS: The 22 patients belonged to 8 families with MTC (MEN 2A). Mean age was 15.2 years (range 5 to 36 years). The RET mutation in 21 patients was Cys-->Tyr and in the remaining patient both in codon 634 in exon 11. The median values of bCT and pCT were 38 pg/mL (range < 15 to 75 pg/mL) and 148.5 pg/mL (range < 15 to 250 pg/mL), respectively. Total thyroidectomy was performed in 8 patients (age < or = 10 years) and associated central neck dissection in 14 patients (age> 10 years). Histologic study showed 7 C-cell hyperplasias and 15 MTCs (8 bilateral); the median size was 0.2 cm (range < 0.1 to 0.7cm); 1 patient had metastatic adenopathies. According to TNM, 7 were stage 0, 14 were stage I, and 1 was stage III. Postsurgery bCT and pCT values were normal in all patients, with a curative rate of 100%. MTC patients compared with C-cell hyperplasia patients were older on average, had higher mean bCT, mean pCT, and mean CEA. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic thyroidectomy based on genetic testing allows identification and treatment of patients at an early stage of the disease and decreases recurrence rates. pCT values above the upper limit of normal may be markers for the presence of MTC and should be considered in selecting operative procedures for these patients.     

Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis of the sinonasal tract: report on the clinicopathologic features of a case and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis (EAF) is a rare fibroinflammatory lesion of the sinonasal tract that occurs mainly in young to middle-aged female patients. Only two previous cases affecting male patients have been reported, and its etiopathogenesis remains unknown. The authors report on the third case of the entity in a male patient and review the 12 previously reported cases. CASE REPORT: A 52-year-old male patient was initially seen with a 15 years history of allergic rhinitis, progressive nasal obstruction, and left-sided hearing loss. All laboratory tests were unremarkable, except the nasal discharge eosinophil count that showed a conspicuous eosinophilia. The video-assisted-nasofibroscopic examination and CT scans disclosed a thickened deviated nasal septum with a subjacent infiltrative lesion. The histologic analysis of the nasal septum showed a variable mixed inflammatory cellular infiltration mainly composed of eosinophils, plasma cells, and histiocytes with a perivascular distribution; in other areas, an angiocentric fibrosing lesion with a peculiar perivascular onion-skin pattern was observed. The patient had a partial resection of the lesion with symptomatic control. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of rhinitis and nasal eosinophilia in our case associated with the clinical aspects of the previously reported cases further support an allergic cause for EAF.     

Cervical epidural anesthesia with 0.75% ropivacaine in shoulder surgery

We present the cases of three patients scheduled for shoulder surgery under cervical epidural anesthesia with 0.75% ropivacaine. The technique was successful and surgery proceeded uneventfully in all three cases. The total doses of ropivacaine infused were 67, 90 and 109 mg. Premedication with intravenous atropine is recommended. Cervical epidural anesthesia offers several advantages over general anesthesia and other regional techniques for shoulder surgery: postoperative analgesia, lower total dose of the local anesthetic and single needle insertion with no need to elicit paresthesias or muscle movements. This technique brings about hemodynamic and respiratory changes in function of the extension and intensity of the block. Extent of the blockade to the upper thoracic sensory segments causes a total or partial sympathetic block with decreased heart rate, blood pressure and cardiac output. Limiting the initial and subsequent doses to restrict the sensory blockade to the surgical area will reduce hemodynamic complications. Ropivacaine provides an effective sensory block and a restricted motor block, reducing the probability of the restrictive pulmonary syndrome associated with cervical epidural anesthesia.