Groove pancreatitis associated with true pancreatic cyst

We report a case of groove pancreatitis (GP) associated with a true pancreatic cyst. An 81-year-old man who had suffered epigastric pain for 4 months was referred to Saisekai Kure Hospital. Computed tomography and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography showed a cystic lesion in the groove area of the pancreas. Serum amylase elevation and imaging findings suggested GP due to the cyst. Six weeks of medical treatment did not improve the clinical symptoms. Therefore, pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Histologic examination revealed a true cyst with intraluminal necrosis, which produced a protein plug that obstructed the Santorini duct. The parenchyma surrounding the groove area showed marked fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration. GP due to true pancreatic cyst was diagnosed. Although GP is usually caused by overconsumption of alcohol, which leads to changes in the pancreatic juice and the ultimate blockage of pancreatic outflow, the histologic features in our patient suggest that true pancreatic cyst stands as a secondary cause of GP.     

Moving beyond empiric continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) trials for central sleep apnea: a multi-modality titration study

There is no universally accepted method to determine effective therapy for central sleep apnea (CSA). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) applied acutely most often does not eliminate apneas and hypopneas. We hypothesized that the application of two or more therapeutic modalities after the diagnostic phase of polysomnography, a multi-modality titration study (MMTS), would identify a successful CSA treatment more often than a standard split-night study (SNS) and obviate the need for additional polysomnograms to determine a successful therapy. We retrospectively analyzed polysomnograms of patients diagnosed with CSA at our Sleep Disorders Center. We defined a therapy trial that resulted in an apnea–hypopnea index < 10 with at least one treatment modality as a therapeutic success. One hundred fifteen patients with CSA were studied. Sixty-six patients (57.4%) underwent a SNS, and 49 patients (42.6%) underwent a MMTS. SNS yielded only 8/66 (12.1%) successes on the first night, whereas a MMTS yielded 19/49 (38.8%) successes (p = 0.001, two-tailed Fishers exact). Patients who underwent a SNS eventually had similar rate of success as patients studied with MMTS (60.6 vs 63.3%, NS), but required more testing. Adaptive servo-ventilation was the most successful modality tested, yielding 36/46 (78.3%) successes. Trials of additional modalities following a failed trial of CPAP often produce a successful option that may guide therapy in patients with CSA. This approach may lead to establishing the diagnosis and treatment plans faster, while reducing unnecessary testing.     

The use of frame fixation in the management of open distal extensor mechanism avulsion fracture in a dislocated knee

An avulsion fracture of the tibial tubercle is a common injury in traffic accident. If the fracture is closed, then a comparatively good prognosis can be expected through reinforcement of the bone via osteosynthesis and the use of artificial ligaments. In this case, an open wound was observed in the tibial tubercle, and the wound was so polluted that the healing process was significantly delayed. It was therefore difficult to provide simultaneous surgical treatment and so three operations were required to perform the reconstruction of the extensor mechanism. The reconstruction of extensor mechanism and the frame fixation between the patella and tibia was performed. Six months after the injury, the patient was able to walk without aid, had a range of movement from 5°to 130°, and did not show any indications of ADL disorder. Using this method of frame fixation between the patella and tibia proved to be an effective technique for the reconstruction of the open knee extension mechanism injury.     

Multiple sclerosis and headache co-morbidity. A case-control study

The prevalence of primary headache (PH) in a multiple sclerosis (MS) sample vs. control healthy subjects was investigated at a neurological clinic in 2004–2005: 122 of 238 (51%) MS patients and 57 of 238 (23%) controls proved to be affected by headache. The groups did not differ for the rates of PH types. Headache types of MS patients were comparable to those of PH patients that were observed at the same institute in a case-control comparison. First symptoms of headache preceded those of MS in two thirds of cases. Headache features did not significantly change after MS onset. Comorbidity of MS and PH could be explained by some common clinical and biological traits.     

Interpreting cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis in HIV in the era of potent antiretroviral therapy

Background  

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis may be seen in asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals. This finding complicates interpretation of CSF abnormalities when such individuals are evaluated for other central nervous system infections. The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between CSF pleocytosis, central nervous system (CNS) antiretroviral penetration, adherence to antiretroviral medication regimens, neurological symptoms and performance on neuropsychological tests.     

A novel technique of ab interno glaucoma surgery: follow-up results after 24 months

Purpose It was the aim of this study to investigate the efficacy, longevity, and safety of a new ab interno intervention for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods The previously described method of radiofrequency-mediated “sclerothalamotomy ab interno” was applied in 53 eyes of consecutive patients with POAG between April 2002 and July 2002. Average preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 25.6±2.3 mmHg (range 18–48 mmHg). Sclerothalamotomies were carried out with a custom-made high-frequency dissection 19 G probe (tip 0.3×1 mm) applying bipolar current with a frequency of 500 kHz (tip temperature 130°C). Results After a follow-up period of 24 months, the average IOP was 15.0±1.6 mmHg (range 11–20 mmHg) (p<0.005). The average number of topical agents was 2.6±1.0 (range 1–5) preoperatively. Twenty-four months after surgery such agents were used in only five (9.6%) eyes and the average was 0.21±0.53 (range 0–2). Transient IOP elevation was observed in 12 of 53 eyes (22.6%) postoperatively. In all cases elevated IOP could efficiently be controlled with topical medication. In general, IOP dropped continuously over the course of the 6 months following surgery and then remained constant. Conclusions This study indicates that sclerothalamotomy ab interno is a safe and efficient surgical method for the treatment of POAG. Long-term results clearly demonstrate the longevity of IOP reduction.     

Definition of An Optimal First-line Chemotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer

Single-agent chemotherapy of metastatic breast cancer is the treatment of choice in patients with slow tumor progression and asymptomatic disease. In this patient group, the choice of drugs is based more on good tolerability than on efficacy. By contrast, symptomatic or rapidly progressing disease requires the use of highly active regimens where more weight is put on reliable antitumor activity. While anthraycline-based combination regimens have set the standard of effective treatment, the addition of docetaxel (and to a lesser extent paclitaxel) has improved tumor response, but failed to induce a consistent prolongation of survival. Based on retrospective analyses, it is hypothesised that the combined use of anthracyclines and taxanes in first-line therapy may be most beneficial in defined subgroups: after adjuvant chemotherapy, in patients with HER-2 gene amplification, possibly also in patients with rapidly progressing visceral disease.