Acute traumatic subclavian artery thrombosis and its successful repair via resection and end-to-end anastomosis

Subclavian artery thrombosis is a rare complication of clavicle fractures. We reported a 20-yearold man who was admitted to the emergency room after a road traffic accident. He was a pedestrian who was initially hit by a bus and after he fell down on the road, he was run over by a car. On evaluation, he was found to have multiple facial and rib fractures, distal fight humerus and right clavicle fracture. Significantly, right radial pulse was absent. After further evaluation including Doppler studies and an angiography which revealed complete obstruction of right subclavian artery just distal to its 1 st portion, the patient was urgently taken to the operation room. A midclavicular fracture was adjacent to the injured vessel. We established proximal and distal control, removed damaged part. After mobilizing the subclavian artery, an end-to-end anastomosis was made. Then open reduction and internal fixation of right distal humerus was performed. The rest of the postoperative course was unremarkable. To prevent complications of subclavian artery thrombosis, different treatment modalities can be used, including anticoagulation therapy, angioplasty, stenting and bypass procedures.     

Association between copper excess, zinc deficiency, and TP53 mutations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma from Kashmir Valley, India--a high risk area

Trace element deficiency or excess is implicated in the development or progression in some cancers. Here we report the elevated level of copper and low level of zinc in the plasma of esophageal cancer patients in Kashmir India--a high incidence area. The average level of copper was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) for patients than for controls, with a mean concentration of 169 microg/dl and 149 microg/dl for patients and controls, respectively. The control group consisted of 55 healthy individuals matched for age, sex, and place of residence of the patients. In contrast, the average level of zinc in patients was significantly lower than in controls (P < 0.0001), with a mean concentration of 86.8 microg/dl and 96.1 microg/dl for patients and controls, respectively. The levels of both copper and zinc showed significant differences based on gender and age in patients as compared to controls. Similarly, smokers depicted a significant increase in serum copper (N = 39, P = 0.002) and a decrease in serum zinc approaching level of significance in the patient group as compared to controls. The copper and zinc levels were significantly altered in patients (N = 40) when compared to controls as a function of snuff consumption. The differences in the levels of copper and zinc showed significant association with the consumption of local salted tea up to 1,500 ml per day, but the changes were insignificant beyond that. Patients with poorly differentiated tumors (N = 7) had a higher copper concentration than those with moderately or well-differentiated tumors (P < 0.0001). To validate the general notion that imbalance in copper and zinc levels may lead to higher prevalence of TP53 mutations, we compared the 3 variables, and no association was found between copper concentration and TP53 mutation status; but patients with TP53 mutant tumor had lower zinc levels than those with no mutation. In conclusion, our results point toward a role of the trace element imbalance in the esophageal tumorigenesis in high-risk Kashmiri population exposed to a range of nitroso compounds or their precursors. Further prospective cohort studies are warranted to determine whether change in the plasma zinc and copper homeostasis may represent an independent risk factor for this malignancy as well as a possible target for preventive intervention.     

Post‐transplantation cyclophosphamide versus conventional graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis in mismatched unrelated donor haematopoietic cell transplantation

Post‐transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is an effective strategy to prevent graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) after haploidentical haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We determined the efficacy of PTCy‐based GVHD prophylaxis in human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD) HCT. We analysed 113 adult patients with high‐risk haematological malignancies who underwent one‐antigen MMUD transplantation between 2009 and 2013. Of these, 41 patients received PTCy, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for GVHD prophylaxis; 72 patients received conventional prophylaxis with anti‐thymocyte globulin, tacrolimus and methotrexate. Graft source was primarily bone marrow (83% PTCy vs. 63% conventional group). Incidence of grade II–IV (37% vs. 36%, P = 0·8) and grade III–IV (17% vs. 12%, P = 0·5) acute GVHD was similar at day 100. However, the incidence of grade II‐IV acute GVHD by day 30 was significantly lower in the PTCy group (0% vs. 15%, P = 0·01). Median time to neutrophil (18 days vs. 12 days, P < 0·001) and platelet (25·5 days vs. 18 days, P = 0·05) engraftment was prolonged in PTCy group. Rates of graft failure, chronic GVHD, 2‐year non‐relapse mortality, relapse, progression‐free survival or overall survival were similar. Our results demonstrate that PTCy, tacrolimus and MMF for GVHD prophylaxis is safe and produced similar results as conventional prophylaxis in patients with one antigen HLA‐MMUD HCT.     

Outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma with TP53 deletion after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant

TP53 gene deletion is associated with poor outcomes in multiple myeloma (MM). We report the outcomes of patients with MM with and without TP53 deletion who underwent immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) and/or proteasome inhibitor (PI) induction followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (auto‐HCT). We identified 34 patients with MM and TP53 deletion who underwent IMiD and/or PI induction followed by auto‐HCT at our institution during 2008–2014. We compared their outcomes with those of control patients (n = 111) with MM without TP53 deletion. Median age at auto‐HCT was 59 years in the TP53‐deletion group and 58 years in the control group (P = 0.4). Twenty‐one patients (62%) with TP53 deletion and 69 controls (62%) achieved at least partial remission before auto‐HCT (P = 0.97). Twenty‐three patients (68%) with TP53 deletion and 47 controls (42%) had relapsed disease at auto‐HCT (P = 0.01). Median progression‐free survival was 8 months for patients with TP53 deletion and 28 months for controls (P < 0.001). Median overall survival was 21 months for patients with TP53 deletion and 56 months for controls (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis of both groups, TP53 deletion (hazard ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval 1.9–5.8, P < 0.001) and relapsed disease at auto‐HCT (hazard ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.2–3.4, P = 0.008) were associated with a higher risk of earlier progression. In MM patients treated with PI and/or IMiD drugs, and auto‐HCT, TP53 deletion and relapsed disease at the time of auto‐HCT are independent predictors of progression. Novel approaches should be evaluated in this high‐risk population. Am. J. Hematol. 91:E442–E447, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Association Between Copper Excess,Zinc Deficiency,and TP53 Mutations in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma From Kashmir Valley,India—A High Risk Area

Trace element deficiency or excess is implicated in the development or progression in some cancers. Here we report the elevated level of copper and low level of zinc in the plasma of esophageal cancer patients in Kashmir India—a high incidence area. The average level of copper was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) for patients than for controls, with a mean concentration of 169 μg/dl and 149 μg/dl for patients and controls, respectively. The control group consisted of 55 healthy individuals matched for age, sex, and place of residence of the patients. In contrast, the average level of zinc in patients was significantly lower than in controls (P < 0.0001), with a mean concentration of 86.8 μg/dl and 96.1 μg/dl for patients and controls, respectively. The levels of both copper and zinc showed significant differences based on gender and age in patients as compared to controls. Similarly, smokers depicted a significant increase in serum copper (N = 39, P = 0.002) and a decrease in serum zinc approaching level of significance in the patient group as compared to controls. The copper and zinc levels were significantly altered in patients (N = 40) when compared to controls as a function of snuff consumption. The differences in the levels of copper and zinc showed significant association with the consumption of local salted tea up to 1,500 ml per day, but the changes were insignificant beyond that. Patients with poorly differentiated tumors (N = 7) had a higher copper concentration than those with moderately or well-differentiated tumors (P < 0.0001). To validate the general notion that imbalance in copper and zinc levels may lead to higher prevalence of TP53 mutations, we compared the 3 variables, and no association was found between copper concentration and TP53 mutation status; but patients with TP53 mutant tumor had lower zinc levels than those with no mutation. In conclusion, our results point toward a role of the trace element imbalance in the esophageal tumorigenesis in high-risk Kashmiri population exposed to a range of nitroso compounds or their precursors. Further prospective cohort studies are warranted to determine whether change in the plasma zinc and copper homeostasis may represent an independent risk factor for this malignancy as well as a possible target for preventive intervention.     

Classic lobular carcinoma in situ and atypical lobular hyperplasia at percutaneous breast core biopsy

BACKGROUND:

No consensus exists on the need to excise breast lesions that yield classic lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) (known together as classic lobular neoplasia [LN]) as the highest risk lesion at percutaneous core‐needle biopsy (CNB). Here, the authors report findings from 72 consecutive lesions with LN at CNB and prospective surgical excision (EXB).

METHODS:

Lesions that yielded LN at CNB at the authors' center have been referred for EXB since June 2004, regardless of imaging‐histologic concordance. A lesion was “concordant” if histologic findings provided sufficient explanation for imaging. An upgrade consisted of ductal carcinoma in situ and/or invasive carcinoma at EXB. Statistical analysis, including 95% confidence intervals (CIs), was performed.

RESULTS:

Between June 2004 and May 2009, CNB of 85 consecutive lesions yielded LN without other high‐risk histologies. Eighty of 85 lesions (94%) underwent prospective EXB. Seventy‐two of 85 lesions (90%; 42 LCIS, 30 ALH) had concordant imaging‐histologic findings. EXB yielded low‐grade carcinoma in 2 of 72 cases (3%; 95% CI, 0%‐9%). In both patients, stereotactic, 11‐gauge, vacuum‐assisted biopsy of calcifications yielded calcifications in benign parenchyma and ALH. CNB results were discordant in 8 of 80 lesions (10%; 4 LCIS, 4 ALH), and EXB yielded cancer in 3 of those 8 lesions (38%; 95% CI, 9%‐76%). The upgrade rate was significantly higher for discordant lesions versus concordant lesions (38% vs 3%; P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS:

Prospective excision of LN identified carcinoma in 3% (95% CI, 0%‐9%) of concordant cases versus 38% (95% CI, 9%‐76%) of discordant cases. The current data provide an unbiased assessment of the upgrade rate of LN diagnosed at CNB. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.     

Outcomes in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Treated With or Without Autologous or Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

BackgroundOutcomes in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) have improved; however, a significant number of patients still relapse despite receiving all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic-based therapies.Patients and MethodsOutcomes of patients with relapsed APL who were treated at our institution (1980-2010) and who received HCT were compared with those who received chemotherapy (CT) only.ResultsAmong 40 patients, 24 received HCT (autologous [auto] HCT, 7; allogeneic [allo] HCT, 14; both, 3); 16 received CT only. The median age at diagnosis was 36 years (range, 13-50 years), 31 years (range, 16-58 years), and 44 years (range, 24-79 years) for the auto-HCT, allo-HCT, and CT groups, respectively. Ten (100%) patients who received auto-HCT and 12 (71%) who received allo-HCT were in complete remission at the time of the HCT. The median follow-ups in the auto-HCT, allo-HCT, and CT groups were 74 months (range, 26-135 months), 118 months (range, 28-284 months), and 122 months (range, 32-216 months), respectively. Transplantation-related mortality (1 year) after auto-HCT and allo-HCT were 10% and 29%, respectively. The 7-year event-free survival after auto-HCT and allo-HCT was 68.6% and 40.6%, respectively (P = .45). The 7-year overall survival was 85.7%, 49.4%, and 40% in the auto-HCT, allo-HCT, and CT groups, respectively (P = .48).ConclusionBoth auto-HCT and allo-HCT are associated with durable remission and prolonged survival. All 3 strategies (auto-HCT, allo-HCT, CT) were found to be feasible in the relapsed APL setting and result in long-term disease control in selected patients. In this retrospective analysis, overall survival for patients who received HCT was not significantly better than patients who received CT only, but a trend toward better outcomes was seen in patients who underwent auto-HCT, although not statistically significant.     

Early composite cranioplasty in infants with severe aplasia cutis congenita: a report of two cases.

OBJECTIVE: Severe cutis aplasia congenita has traditionally been treated with initial soft tissue coverage and delayed cranioplasty. We advocate the technique of early composite reconstruction of both bone and soft tissues. METHODS: Two cases of cutis aplasia congenita with large skull defects (6 x 10 cm, 8 x 8 cm) of superficial layers, skull, and dura are presented. In each case, composite reconstruction was undertaken before 2 weeks of age with restoration of bony and soft tissue coverage through autologous, full-thickness cranial bone grafts and scalp flaps. Both children have been followed up over 2 years with clinical examination and computed tomography (CT) scans. RESULTS: In both cases, defects were completely repaired postoperatively and remained closed 2 years later. Complete regeneration of calvarial bone graft donor sites were documented by CT scan. Head shape and circumference were normal at 2-year follow up.