Fibrotic lesions of the breast: radiological findings and core-neddle biopsy results

Objectives

To evaluate the incidence of breast lesions with a histopathological diagnosis of focal fibrosis based on imaging guided core biopsy, to review the radiologic findings and to assess the diagnostic reliability of 14 G core needle biopsy.

Materials and methods

723 patients, who had undergone 14 G core biopsy and/or surgical excisions, were retrospectively analyzed. Overall, 43 lesions were diagnosed as focal fibrosis. Physical examination, mammography, ultrasonography, and follow-up findings were all reviewed.

Results

Radiological evaluation revealed that 35 (81%) lesions were solid masses. Of 35 mass lesions, 24 (69%) were well circumscribed, the remaining 11 (31%) lesions were ill defined on mammograms or sonograms. None of the lesions had pathological microcalcifications. Three lesions were surgically excised because of radio-pathological discordance after core needle biopsy.

Conclusions

Focal fibrosis of the breast is a benign condition and reflects the ductal and lobular atrophy secondary to stromal proliferation. The radiological findings of this entity may vary and sometimes mimic those of malignant lesions. The incidence of focal fibrosis among our study population is 6% and a well-defined mass lesion is the most frequent finding. Core needle biopsy is a safe and reliable diagnostic procedure in the management of these cases.     

Prognostic significance of hemostatic parameters in patients with lung cancer

There is a subclinical activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis system in lung cancer. Alterations in hemostatic system are seen frequently in lung cancer correlated with the prognosis of disease. In this prospective study, our purpose was to investigate the prognostic significance of hemostatic markers in patients with lung cancer. The study comprised 58 patients (22 squamous cell carcinoma, 16 adenocarcinoma, 20 small cell carcinoma). There were 55 men (95%)and 3 women (5%) with a mean age of 61 years range (36-74). Plasma level of platelets (PLT), prothrombin time (PT), active partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), antithrombin III (AT III), fibrinogen (F) and D-dimer level were measured before the initiation of any therapy. Patients were followed up for 17 (12-20) months. The median survival was determined as 6.4 months. Three histopathologic groups; squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma were compared for the hemostatic parameters. There were no statistically significant differences among the histopathologic types for any of the parameters (P > 0.05). Patients were divided into two groups as patients without distant metastasis (stages I,II,III) and with distant metastasis (stage IV). The group with distant metastasis had higher level of D-dimer than the other group (P < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences for D-dimer level between stages IIIB and IV (P > 0.05). Patients having high D-dimer and low AT III level had poor survival in our study. Thus, high level of D-dimer and low AT III level were determined as correlated with short survival (P < 0.05). These results suggest that elevated plasma level of D-dimer and low AT III level might be a sign of poor prognosis in patients with lung cancer.     

Contrast-enhanced MR angiography of thoracic vascular malformations in children

To plan an effective management of thoracic vascular malformations, clinicians must have a clear understanding of the anatomy. Although echocardiography and angiography are the leading imaging modalities in patients with congenital cardiovascular anomalies, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography (CT) are valuable noninvasive adjuncts. MR imaging and CT are effective in demonstrating the complex extracardiac morphology and yield helpful information that can change the treatment plan. Although recent reports state the usefulness of multidetector CT (MDCT), in terms of pediatric population, the significance of radiation exposure should be taken into account. Thus, contrast enhanced MR angiography, as a guide in planning surgery, seems to be the best alternative to conventional angiography in the diagnosis of congenital vascular malformations. In this review, the diagnostic features of thoracic vascular malformations in pediatric population are discussed, and, the potential uses of contrast-enhanced MR angiography are emphasized with the retrospective evaluation of imaging findings in 114 examinations.     

Association of macroscopic gut inflammation with disease activity, functional status and quality of life in ankylosing spondylitis

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the frequency of intestinal inflammation and its association with disease activity, functional status and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A total of 25 patients with AS had undergone ileocolonoscopy and concomitant histological study. Clinical and demographical parameters, BASDAI, BASFI, and SF-36 scores were compared between patients with and without macroscopic gut inflammation (MGI). Colonoscopic study revealed MGI in 9 patients and macroscopically normal gut mucosa in 16 patients. On histological examination, of 25 patients 20 had gut inflammation, mostly in ileum. BASDAI score was higher (P < 0.05), SF-36 pain and physical scores, and chest expansion measurement were lower (P = 0.00, P = 0.01, P = 0.01), duration of morning stiffness was longer (P = 0.01) in patients with MGI. Serum C-reactive protein, erytrocyte sedimentation rate levels were similar between groups (P > 0.05). There is high prevalence of histological gut inflammation in AS patients. More active disease should suggest gut inflammation in AS patients.     

Life quality and daily life activities of elderly people in rural areas, Eski?ehir (Turkey)

Certain difficulties in daily life activities appear and quality of life (QoL) begins to deteriorate with old age. This study aimed at determining QoL and activities of daily living (ADL) of elderly people in rural areas of Eski?ehir, and at identifying applicable factors in this regard. Cross-sectional study managed to reach 1301 (81.3%) of elderly people. Face-to-face interviews and the WHOQOL-BREF QoL scale and questionnaire were applied to evaluate daily life activities, as well as instrumental activities all of which contained sociodemographic features. WHOQOL-BREF life quality scale comprised of four domains with grades between 0 and 20. Those who received help from others in the execution of these activities were labelled as "dependent", those who received partial aid during the execution of these activities were labelled as "partially dependent", and those who did not receive any help in their daily activities were labelled as "independent" individuals. Average age of 1301 people contacted was 71.52+/-5.18 (ranging 65-91 years); 675 of them were women (51.9%), 626 were men (48.1%). Three hundred and eighty-seven of these elderly people (29.7%) had no medically diagnosed illnesses, whereas 18 of them (1.4%) were bedridden. With older age, with the exception of social and environmental areas, life quality got even worse in women, widows, illiterates, bedridden and those with medically diagnosed diseases. As women were more dependent on issues such as housework, shopping, traveling, transporting and bathing, men were more dependent on areas such as meal preparation. No distinction between men and women were identified in areas such as dressing, toilet use, urine and bowel continence and eating. As a conclusion, in cases where medically diagnosed diseases were present, quality of life in women that were dependent somehow in daily activities was worse. It was concluded that medicosocial services for the elderly would be prioritized and studies on chronic diseases would be re-evaluated.     

Reference interval of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A in healthy men and non-pregnant women

ObjectiveThe serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) concentration is a predictor of ischemic cardiac events and renal impairment. However, the reference interval of PAPP-A has not been determined. This study determined the reference interval of PAPP-A in men and non-pregnant women.MethodsThe study enrolled 126 apparently healthy individuals (52 males and 74 females). The mean age of the men and women was 34.7 (range 20–66) years and 34.6 (range 18–65) years, respectively. Serum PAPP-A concentrations were determined using an ultrasensitive enzyme-linked immunoassay kit. Reference intervals were calculated using the bootstrap method.ResultsThe results for three subjects were outliers, so the reference interval of PAPP-A was calculated using the data for 123 subjects. PAPP-A was undetectable in 26 subjects. The reference interval of PAPP-A for men and women (with the 90% confidence interval) was <22.9 ng/mL (19.7–23.3) and <33.6 ng/mL (25.2–36.7), respectively. In male subjects, serum PAPP-A levels of smokers [3.10 (UD, 7.30) ng/mL] were significantly lower than that of non-smokers [11.00 (UD, 24.4) ng/mL] (p < 0.001) and there was a positive correlation between serum PAPP-A levels and subjects’ age (r = 0.439; p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe reference interval of PAPP-A differed for men and non-pregnant women. In clinical practice, <22.9 ng/mL for men and <33.6 ng/mL for non-pregnant women may be used as reference intervals for PAPP-A.     

Wilms' tumor associated with vertebral anomalies

The association of Wilms tumor (WT) and vertebral disorders, such as hemivertebrae or fusion anomalies, have been described in literature. Here, we report a rare association of butterfly T3, T8 vertebrae and a T2, T7 hemivertebrae in a patient with WT, determined during initial examinations of tumoral extension. In patients with WT, investigation of vertebral malformations should be a part of diagnostic work-up.