Intrathecal sICAM-1 production in multiple sclerosis Correlation with triple dose Gd-DTPA MRI enhancement and IgG index

Abstract In this study the aim was to evaluate the intrathecal sICAM-1 production in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients during relapse and remission. In addition to this, we assessed whether there is a correlation between intrathecal sICAM-1 production and other disease activity markers such as IgG index and gadolinium enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Twenty four relapsing- remitting MS patients were included in the study. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were obtained both during relapse and remission. The soluble form of ICAM (sICAM) was measured by the ELISA method in serum and CSF. Cranial MRI with triple dose gadolinium injection was performed for each patient both during relapse and remission. Serum levels of sICAM-1 (245.23±92.88 ng/ml) were higher during relapse than those in remission (219.90±110.94 ng/ml), but the difference was not statistically significant. In relapse periods CSF levels of sICAM-1 (1.304±0.92 ng/ml) were higher than those in remission (1.06±0.86 ng/ml), but this was not significant. However, during relapse periods patients had significantly higher sICAM-1 index values (1.76±0.60) than those found during remission periods (1.01±0.44) (p<0.05). The IgG index values were higher in relapse periods than in remission (0.88±0.37 vs. 0.67±0.28) (p<0.005). On T1 weighted images following triple dose Gd injection, at least two or more enhancing lesions were present in 22/24 of the patients (91 %) in relapse and 4/24 of the patients (19 %) in remission. There was strong correlation both between the sICAM-1 index and Gd enhancement (r=0.72 p<0.05) and sICAM-1 index and IgG index in relapse (r=0.69 p<0.05). In conclusion, there is association between high sICAM-1 and IgG indices, as well as between high sICAM-1 index and Gd enhancing MRI lesions in relapsing MS patients.     

Ovarian transplantation in humans: indications, techniques and the risk of reseeding cancer

Laboratory research on ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation began in the 1950s leading to clinical studies in the 2000s. The research that was performed during this half century indicated that cryopreserved ovarian tissue has the potential to restore fertility in women who face premature ovarian failure due to chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery. To date, ovarian function has been restored in at least four women. Even though no pregnancies have been reported so far from these clinical studies, animal studies indicate that this is a valid prospect for humans. Future clinical trials will determine on a larger number of patients the longevity of ovarian grafts, normality of hormone production and ovarian follicle development, possibility and safety of pregnancy, and the safety of auto-transplantation in cancer patients. However, the major improvement in the efficiency of ovarian transplantation is anticipated to come from research exploring the revascularization process.     

Radiologic aspects of abdominal hydatidosis in children: a study of 31 cases in Turkey

OBJECTIVE: To determine the location and radiological characteristics in children with abdominal hydatid disease (HD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one children (average age: 7.2 years) with abdominal HD were studied. The number, location, diameter and internal architecture of the cysts were assessed with abdominal ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT). Density measurements and enhancement patterns were determined on CT. RESULTS: Twenty-one children had hepatic HD. The remaining 10 children had both hepatic and extrahepatic cysts. There were splenic cysts in five children, peritoneal cysts in two children and combined splenic and peritoneal cysts in three children. The most common site of the cysts was the liver (64%), followed by the spleen (20%) and the peritoneal cavity (16%). The seven intraabdominal cysts, which were not detected by US, were 20 mm or less in diameter. CONCLUSION: CT may demonstrate additional small intrahepatic or unsuspected extrahepatic cysts. Although rare, splenic or peritoneal hydatidosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of a cystic splenic or peritoneal lesion. Familiarity with atypical locations of HD may be helpful in making a prompt, accurate diagnosis. We think that in particular patients, especially those who had diagnostic problem and who are under surgical planning, CT should be performed additionally.     

Unexpected gallbladder cancer during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background/Purpose In the present study, we investigated the effectiveness of surgeons in determining incidental gallbladder pathologies at laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).Methods This study included 548 patients with gallstones who underwent LC between May 1, 2001 and October 15, 2003. The surgeon made an incision on the gallbladder wall for inspection, and palpated the mucosa after removing the gallbladder from the abdominal cavity to look for unsuspected pathologies. If an abnormal mucosa was observed or palpated, it was marked with a silk suture and then histopathologic examination was performed.Results Fifty of 548 LC specimens were found to be suspi-cious by the surgeon. Histopathological examination of frozen sections revealed incidental pathologies in 15 of these specimens. Strikingly, 5 of these specimens were considered to have gallbladder cancer (GBC). The other incidental pathologies were consistent with adenomyomatosis, xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis, and fibroepithelial and hyperplastic polyps. Four of the other 498 specimens revealed incidental pathologies at definitive histopathological examination, and all of them were consistent with gastric metaplasia. The sensitivity and specificity of the procedure was 78.9% and 93%, respectively.Conclusions A simple prosedure; that is, incision and inspection, and palpation of the gallbladder, seems to be useful for the diagnosis of incidental gallbladder pathologies.     

Total lymphocyte count in peripheral blood of peritoneal dialysis patients: relationship to clinical parameters and outcome

BACKGROUND: Total lymphocyte count (TLC) is used as a nutritional status measurement. The impact of TLC on mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is controversial. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of TLC on mortality, and assessing the relationship between TLC and nutritional status, anemia and erythropoietin (EPO) response, acute-phase response, dialysis adequacy and volume status in PD patients. METHODS: Seventy-three PD patients were monitored for 3 yrs from the beginning of the treatment. Data recorded for each patient included demographic features, comorbidity, TLC, blood biochemistry, systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BP), indices of dialysis adequacy and nutritional status, total fluid removal and mortality. Adjusted mortality risk for TLC was estimated using the Cox's regression models composed by TLC and one covariate having a value p<0.05 in univariate analysis. RESULTS: The 3-yr patient survival rates were significantly different among the TLC quartiles. The adjusted TLC was found, generally, to be a significant predictor of death in reduced Cox's models, except in models composed of TLC and total fluid removal or serum albumin. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis demonstrated that TLC provided a significant prediction of mortality. TLC correlated positively to total fluid removal, serum albumin, triglyceride and hematocrit, and negatively correlated to BP, high peritoneal transport and EPO-need. It did not correlate to other measures of nutritional status, dialysis adequacy and acute-phase response. Fluid removal and serum triglyceride were independent predictors of TLC in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that TLC can be used as a simple prognostic tool in PD patients; however, the association between TLC and mortality is confounded by other prognostic factors. Volume status could be a more important factor affecting the TLC than nutritional status.     

Accessory soleus muscle

Accessory soleus muscle is an uncommon anatomical variant that may present as a soft-tissue mass in the posteromedial region of the ankle. It is congenital in origin but usually presents in the second or third decade of life. Although it is a rare entity, accessory soleus muscle should be included in the differential diagnosis of soft-tissue swelling of the ankle. Awareness of the clinical presentation and specific findings of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and electromyography help with diagnosis without surgical exploration. We describe a 30-year-old patient with accessory soleus muscle. Magnetic resonance imaging features of the case are described, and the literature is briefly reviewed.     

A technique for transplantation of ovarian cortical strips to the forearm

OBJECTIVE: To describe a forearm heterotopic ovarian transplantation technique. DESIGN: Case study. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENT(S): One patient with stage IIIB squamous cell cervical carcinoma and one patient with recurrent benign ovarian cysts. INTERVENTION(S): Preparation of thin ovarian cortical slices and transplantation under the skin of the forearm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Follicular development and oocyte retrieval; cyclical estradiol (E(2)) and progesterone (P(4)) production; restoration of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels to reproductive age range. RESULT(S): Both patients were menopausal immediately after oophorectomy. The first patient developed a dominant follicle 10 weeks after transplantation, and her gonadotropin levels decreased to nonmenopausal levels. Percutaneous aspiration of ovarian follicles yielded a metaphase I (M-I) oocyte that was matured to metaphase II (M-II). The first patient's graft was functional for at least 21 months. In the second patient, ovarian follicle development was detected 6 months after transplantation, and periodic menstruation occurred thereafter. Spontaneous ovulation was confirmed by a midluteal increase in her P(4) levels. Menstruation and follicle development continued for more than 2 years after the transplant. CONCLUSION(S): Heterotopic transplantation of ovarian tissue to the forearm is a simple and promising technique to restore ovarian function in women who become menopausal due to chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation.     

Serum, pleural effusion, and ascites CA-125 levels in ovarian cancer and nonovarian benign and malignant diseases: a comparative study

OBJECTIVES: Cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) is not a specific tumor marker and it is synthesized by normal and malignant cells of different origins. Recently it has been shown that various diseases are associated with increased CA-125 levels, especially in the presence of serosal fluid. The aim of this study is to investigate serum and fluid CA-125 levels in patients with different diseases. METHODS: A total of 133 patients and 23 healthy control cases were included in the study and divided into eight groups on the basis of disease and the presence of fluid in the serosal cavities. Serum and serosal fluid CA-125 levels were measured by a commercial enzyme immunoassay kit at the same time. Comparisons among the groups were made. RESULTS: Abnormal levels of serum CA-125 were observed in 76% of ovarian cancer patients; 96% in patients with ascites and 56% in patients without ascites. Moreover, elevated serum CA-125 levels were detected in 52% of patients with hepatic diseases, in 100% of patients with nongynecologic peritoneal carcinomatosis, and in 87% of patients with pleural effusion. Serum and fluid CA-125 levels were significantly higher in cases of ovarian cancer with ascites than in the other groups (P < 0.01). A positive correlation between serum CA-125 levels and ascites amounts was observed in cases of ovarian cancer with ascites (P < 0.01, r = 0.81). Furthermore, no correlation was observed between ovarian mass volume and serum CA-125 levels in ovarian cancer patients with stage I disease without ascites (P = 0.08, r = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Although CA-125 levels may be considered a sensitive tumor marker in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, it was determined that high serum CA-125 levels were closely related to the presence of serosal fluids and serosal involvement, whatever the origin is. These results should be considered in the interpretation of CA-125 elevation in patients with ovarian cancer.     

Outcome of nephron-sparing surgery: elective versus imperative indications

INTRODUCTION: The increase in the detection of renal tumors incidentally in earlier stages has enhanced the enthusiasm for nephron-sparing surgery (NSS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed NSS in 76 patients (53 male, 23 female) with a mean age 52.3 between December 1988 and September 2001. Patients were sub-classified into 2 groups as elective or imperative indication group. They were compared regarding surgical technique, time of surgery, pathological analysis, complications, and disease free status. RESULTS: Elective indication group (group I) with a normal contralateral kidney consisted of 50 patients, whereas there were 26 patients in the imperative indication group (group II). Tumors were incidentally detected in 63%; 74% in group I and 42% in group II. Although the mean diameter of the tumor was slightly higher in group II (39.1 vs. 36.3 mm), this difference did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). The partial nephrectomy was performed more frequently compared to enucleation in group I (90 vs. 69%, p = 0.050). However, the mean operation time as well as the mean clamping time did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05). In the histological evaluation tumors were benign in 16 (21%) and malignant in 60 patients. All of the patients but one with renal cell carcinoma had stage T1-T2 disease. Major complications were observed in 14 (18%) and 12 were from group II. Complication rate was significantly higher in group II (p = 0.000). Of 60 patients with renal cell carcinoma, 2 died of unrelated causes. One patient died with multiple visceral metastases. One patient was lost to follow-up. In the remaining 56 patients with a mean follow-up of 37.1 months (1-152), local recurrence or distant metastases were not detected. Serum creatinine levels have remained almost the same compared to preoperative levels (1.2 +/- 0.6 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.9). Overall and cancer-specific survivals were 100 and 100% in group I, 85 and 95% in group II, and 94 and 98% for the entire patient population, respectively. CONCLUSION: NSS is an effective and reliable treatment in low stage renal tumors. It prevents unnecessary nephrectomy in benign lesions that could not be diagnosed preoperatively. However, the patients who underwent NSS with elective indication outcome with better results, compared to those with imperative indication.