Detection by (18)F-FDG PET of unsuspected extensive bone marrow metastases in a case of basosquamous carcinoma of the cheek

Basosquamous carcinoma (BSC) is a rare type of malignancy with features of both basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with a potential for aggressive behaviour infiltration and destruction. First reported by MacCormac in 1910 in a series of rodent ulcers, this entity does have an increased risk of recurrence and metastases as well, which distinguish it from other forms of basal cell carcinoma. The overall incidence of basosquamous carcinoma ranges from 1.2% to 2.7%. An unusual case of basosquamous carcinoma (BSC) is presented where 18- fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)F-FDG-PET) scan diagnosed unsuspected extensive metastatic disease in the bone marrow, which was further proven histopathologically. The patient was a 32 years old man with history of recently diagnosed basosquamous carcinoma of left cheek involving left lower eyelid and left eyeball. Contrast enhanced computed tomography(ceCT) of the head and neck demonstrated involvement of the left cheek skin by the malignancy along with erosion of zygomatic bone and phthisis bulbi of the left eye. The serum alkaline phosphatase was elevated (255units, normal range 50-150units). The patient was referred for (18)F-FDG PET, for disease status evaluation. The scan showed intense tracer uptake in the left zygomatic region, the site of known primary disease. Intense tracer uptake was noted in the multiple lesions of bone marrow of axial as well as appendicular skeleton. The scan appearance was highly suggestive of metastatic bone marrow involvement. A bone marrow biopsy was performed to confirm the scan findings. Guided by the (18)F-FDG PET scan findings, bone marrow biopsy was performed and metastatic basosquamous carcinoma was diagnosed. We believe this is the first reported case of basosquamous carcinoma where extensive metastatic bone marrow disease was diagnosed with the aid of (18)F-FDG PET. At first diagnosis, an advanced stage of BSC is often present. Due to its metastatic potential, extensive primary surgical resection of BSC, possibly completed by radiation or photodynamic adjuvant treatment is recommended. Given the aggressive nature of basosquamous carcinoma, whole body (18)F-FDG PET is very useful in diagnosing metastatic BSC. In conclusion, this is the first reported case of the use of (18)F-FDG PET study for diagnosing metastatic bone marrow disease in a patient with basosquamous carcinoma.     

Therapies for multiple sclerosis: considerations in the pediatric patient

Current and emerging therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) offer promise for improved disease control and long-term clinical outcome. To date, these therapies have been evaluated solely in the context of adult MS. However, onset of MS in children is being increasingly recognized, and recent studies have identified a significant impact of MS onset during childhood on cognitive and physical functioning. Optimization of pediatric MS care requires that promising new therapies be made available to children and adolescents, but also that safety and tolerability and potential influence of therapies on the developing immune and neural networks of pediatric patients be closely considered. We propose care algorithms illustrating models for therapy that detail careful monitoring of pediatric patients with MS, provide definitions for inadequate treatment response and treatment escalation, and foster multinational collaboration in future therapeutic trials.     

Toward dysfunctional connectivity: a review of neuroimaging findings in pediatric major depressive disorder

Child and adolescent psychiatric neuroimaging research typically lags behind similar advances in adult disorders. While the pediatric depression imaging literature is less developed, a recent surge in interest has created the need for a synthetic review of this work. Major findings from pediatric volumetric and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting state functional connectivity studies converge to implicate a corticolimbic network of key areas that work together to mediate the task of emotion regulation. Imaging the brain of children and adolescents with unipolar depression began with volumetric studies of isolated brain regions that served to identify key prefrontal, cingulate and limbic nodes of depression-related circuitry elucidated from more recent advances in DTI and functional connectivity imaging. Systematic review of these studies preliminarily suggests developmental differences between findings in youth and adults, including prodromal neurobiological features, along with some continuity across development.     

Predictors of axillary vein location for vascular access during pacemaker and defibrillator lead implantation

Background: The axillary vein is a commonly used extrathoracic access site for cardiac rhythm device lead implantation. We sought to describe variation in axillary vein location and identify predictors of a more cranial or caudal radiographic location to facilitate blind venous cannulation. Methods: This was a single‐center, retrospective study of patients undergoing lead implantation between 2006 and 2010. The cranial‐caudal location of the axillary vein lateral and medial to the rib cage border was determined by reviewing peripheral contrast venograms. Multivariate linear regression was performed. Results: Of 155 patients, the majority were men (62%) and White (53%). The most frequent position of the lateral and medial axillary vein was over the third rib (40%) and top of the third rib (15%), respectively. In multivariate analysis, whites had a more caudal location of both the lateral (0.56 rib spaces lower, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22–0.91, P = 0.002) and medial axillary vein (0.50 rib spaces lower, 95% CI 0.85–0.91, P = 0.019). Other independent predictors included an approximate 3–4% higher rib space location for every digit increase in body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.049 for the lateral location and P = 0.016 for the medial location) and an approximate half rib space higher location for males (P = 0.015 for the lateral location and P = 0.013 for the medial location). Conclusions: The most common radiographic position of the axillary vein was over the third rib. Whites have a more caudal axillary vein location while men and patients with higher BMI have a more cranial position of the axillary vein. (PACE 2011; 34:1585–1592)