Body weight in patients with Parkinson's disease.

There is some evidence suggesting that Parkinson's disease (PD) patients exhibit lower body weight when compared to age-matched healthy subjects. Low body mass index (BMI) is correlated with low bone mineral density, both of which are major risk factors for hip fractures. Possible determinants of weight loss in PD patients include hyposmia, impaired hand-mouth coordination, difficulty chewing, dysphagia, intestinal hypomotility, depression, decreased reward processing of dopaminergic mesolimbic regions, nausea, and anorexia as the side effects of medication, and increased energy requirements due to muscular rigidity and involuntary movements. It is unclear whether PD patients in general, or only a subgroup of those affected, definitely show lower BMI in the advanced stages of the disease. We therefore recommend that the body weight of PD patients be monitored monthly as the disease progresses, and that a patient's nutrition should be supplemented with sufficient amounts of vitamin D and calcium to reduce the risk of hip fractures and strengthen bone density. Because meal times may coincide with unpredictable off periods associated with akinesia and impaired hand-mouth coordination, PD patients also need flexible food schedules that accommodate the associated symptoms of this disease.     

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for patients with body mass index of ≤35 kg/m

BACKGROUND: Many mild-to-moderately obese individuals (body mass index [BMI] 30-35 kg/m(2)) have serious diseases related to their obesity. Nonoperative therapy is ineffective in the long term, yet surgery has never been made widely available to this population. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2004, 93 patients with a BMI of 30-35 kg/m(2) underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding with the LAP-BAND. All patients were referred by their primary physician, entered into a comprehensive bariatric surgery program at one Australian center, and operated on by one surgeon. Data on all patients were collected prospectively and entered into an electronic registry. The study parameters included preoperative age, gender, BMI, presence of co-morbidities, percentage of excess weight loss, and resolution of co-morbidities. RESULTS: The mean age was 44.6 years (range 16-76), mean weight was 98 kg, and the mean BMI was 32.7 kg/m(2) (range 30-34). Of the 93 patients, 42 (45%) had co-morbidities, including asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The proportion of patients in follow-up was 79%, 85%, and 89% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The mean weight was reduced to 71 kg at 1 year, 72 kg at 2 years, and 72 kg at 3 years. The mean BMI was reduced to 27.2 +/- 2.2, 27.3 +/- 3.1, and 27.6 +/- 3.7 kg/m(2), respectively, and the mean percentage of excess weight loss was 57.9% +/- 24.5%, 57.6 +/- 29.3%, and 53.8% +/- 32.8% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. At 3 years, the BMI was 18-24 kg/m(2) in 34%, 25-29 kg/m(2) in 51%, and 30-35 kg/m(2) in 10%. At 3 years, the percentage of excess weight loss was <25% in 10%, 25-50% in 24%, 50-75% in 51%, and >75% in 10%. The co-morbidities improved or completely resolved in most patients. No mortality occurred. CONCLUSION: We are very encouraged by this series of low BMI patients treated with the LAP-BAND. Their weight loss has been good, the complications have been minimal, and the co-morbidities have partially or wholly resolved. With additional study, it is reasonable to expect the weight guidelines for bariatric surgery to be altered to include patients with a BMI of 30-35 kg/m(2).     

Surgical Complications and Long-Term Outcome of Different Biliary Reconstructions in Liver Transplantation for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis—Choledochoduodenostomy versus Choledochojejunostomy

Choledochojejunostomy (CJS) is commonly used for biliary reconstruction in liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). We alternatively performed choledochoduodenostomy (CDS) and side-to-side choledochodocholedochstomy in a large cohort of patients. Fifty-one patients with PSC, transplanted between 1988 and 2000, were analyzed retrospectively. Biliary reconstruction was CDS in 25 (49%), CJS in 20 (39%) and CC in 6 transplantations (12%). Biliary leaks occurred in the early follow-up (< or =41 days) only in CDS patients (20%). However, in the late follow-up (>4 months), stricturing of anastomosis was found once in CDS (4%) and CJS (5%). Later (>9 months), intrahepatic bile duct strictures were diagnosed in four CDS (16%), one CJS (5%) and one CC (17%) patient(s). In 48% of CDS (12/25), 60% of CJS (12/20) and 17% of CC (1/6) at least one incidence of cholangitis was observed. Overall, biliary complication rates were significantly higher in CDS (40%) than CJS (10%) and CC (17%); of those none in CC and 12% in CDS were anastomosis-related. Graft/patient survival showed no significant differences among groups. Based on our results we consider CJS the standard method for biliary reconstruction in PSC; however, in selected cases where CJS is difficult to accomplish because of previous surgery or for retransplantation, CDS may present an alternative technique.     

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma: characterization of a distinct phenotype.

We have recently shown that HPV-positive tonsillar carcinoma in young patients exhibits nonkeratinizing basaloid morphology and a characteristic immunophenotype. The purpose of this study was to review a large number of cases of oropharyngeal carcinomas, in all age groups, and to identify tumors with nonkeratinizing morphology. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) the prevalence and type of HPV DNA was determined in representative cases and in a control group of conventional keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas. The tumors were further characterized with a panel of immunohistochemical stains. A total of 235 carcinomas were reviewed; 141 of the tonsils and 94 in the base of tongue. Ninety (36%) of the tonsillar and 30 (32%) of the base of tongue carcinomas were nonkeratinizing (NKCa) with basal cell features; the rest were classical keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas (KSCC). HPV DNA, particularly type 16, was identified in 10 (100%) of 10 of NKCA and in only 2 (20%) of 10 of KSCC (P = .0014). NKCas were strongly reactive to p16 antibodies while KSCC showed weak and focal reactivity. Higher Ki67 and lower p53 staining scores were observed in NKCa as compared to KSCC. It is concluded that NKCa of the tonsils and base of tongue is a distinct subtype of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with high prevalence of HPV DNA and a characteristic immunophenotype.     

Turboprop: improved PROPELLER imaging.

A variant of periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) MRI, called turboprop, is introduced. This method employs an oscillating readout gradient during each spin echo of the echo train to collect more lines of data per echo train, which reduces the minimum scan time, motion-related artifact, and specific absorption rate (SAR) while increasing sampling efficiency. It can be applied to conventional fast spin-echo (FSE) imaging; however, this article emphasizes its application in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The method is described and compared with conventional PROPELLER imaging, and clinical images collected with this PROPELLER variant are shown.