Magnetic resonance imaging in malignant bone tumours

Summary Complete removal of the tumour without leaving microscopic disease is vital in the management of bone sarcomas. Magnetic resonance imaging now seems to be the best method of depicting the changes produced by the tumour within the bone and surrounding soft tissues. In order to define its reliability, five cases of primary bone sarcomas (Ewing's sarcoma, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma) are described where radiographs, bone scans and magnetic resonance images are directly compared to the pathological findings after resection. We conclude that surgical margins should be redefined with respect to the extent and borders of the tumour as depicted by magnetic resonance imaging. This will allow improvement in salvage procedures, but further experience is needed so as not to jeopardise the prognosis by incomplete removal of the tumour.

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Résumé Dans le traitement des sarcomes osseux, l'ablation absolument complète de la tumeur est d'une importance vitale. Actuellement l'imagerie par résonance magnétique semble la méthode de choix pour la détermination des lésions osseuses et de l'invasion des tissus avoisinants. Afin de juger de son utilité, cinq cas de sarcomes osseux (sarcome d'Ewing, ostéosarcome, chondrosarcome) sont décrits pour lesquels la radiographie conventionnelle, la scintigraphie osseuse et l'imagerie par résonance magnétique sont directement comparées aux pièces de résection. Nous enconcluons que les limites de la résection devraient être redéfinies en fonction de l'examen magnétique. Cela permettra d'effectuer des interventions moins radicales; mais une plus longue expérience est encore nécessaire afin de pas aggraver le pronostic des patients par une excision incomplète de la tumeur.

     

Comparison between ambulatory infusion mode and inpatient infusion mode from the perspective of quality of life among colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

Lee YM, Hung YK, Mo FKF, Ho WM. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16 : 508–516
Comparison between ambulatory infusion mode and inpatient infusion mode from the perspective of quality of life among colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy Folfox and Folfiri are active chemotherapy treatments used in advanced colorectal cancer. The total admission for these treatments has been significantly increasing in the study hospital. An ambulatory infusion programme was launched to address the problems of long waiting list and bed shortage. The study objective was to compare the quality of life between patients receiving the chemotherapy treatments in the ambulatory infusion group and the inpatient infusion group. The results showed that some demographic variables of education level, family role and employment status were determinants of the treatment mode. Patients in the ambulatory infusion group of social and global domains performed better than the inpatient group. However, the inpatient group had better quality of life of nauseated symptom at different stages. Some nursing educations should be reinforced to address the symptom management for patients receiving ambulatory infusion at home. The ambulatory infusion programme offered considerable quality of life benefits to colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.     

Differential responses of granulosa cells from small and large follicles to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) during the menstrual cycle and acyclicity: effects of tumour necrosis factor-alpha

This study determined effects of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) alone and in combination with tumour necrosis factor (TNF), on granulosa cells from small (5-10 mm diameter) and large (>10-25 mm) follicles during follicular and luteal phases of the cycle and during periods of acyclicity. Granulosa cells were collected from ovaries of premenopausal women undergoing oophorectomy. The cells were cultured with human FSH (2 ng/ml) and testosterone (1 microM) in the presence or absence of human TNF-alpha (20 ng/ml). Media were removed at 48 and 96 h after culture and progesterone, oestradiol and cAMP in media were measured by radioimmunoassays. FSH stimulated the accumulation of oestradiol from granulosa cells of small follicles during the follicular and luteal phases but not during acyclicity; and TNF reduced oestradiol accumulation in the presence of FSH. Interestingly, in granulosa cells from small follicles, progesterone and cAMP secretion increased in response to FSH and neither was affected by TNF. Thus, TNF specifically inhibited the conversion of testosterone to oestradiol in granulosa cells from small follicles. FSH stimulated oestradiol production by granulosa cells of large follicles obtained only during the follicular phase of the cycle and TNF inhibited the FSH-induced oestradiol secretion. Granulosa cells obtained from large follicles during the luteal phase and during acyclicity did not accumulate oestradiol in response to FSH. However, FSH increased progesterone and cAMP secretion by granulosa cells obtained from large follicles during the follicular and luteal phases. During the luteal phase alone, TNF in combination with FSH increased progesterone accumulation above that of FSH alone. FSH did not increase progesterone, oestradiol or cAMP secretion by granulosa cells obtained from large follicles during acyclicity. Thus, FSH increases progesterone, oestradiol and cAMP secretion by granulosa cells of small follicles during the follicular and luteal phases and TNF appears to inhibit FSH-induced oestradiol secretion specifically in those cells. In large follicles, FSH- stimulated granulosa cell secretion of oestradiol is limited to the follicular phase and this effect can be inhibited by TNF. In addition, when granulosa cells of large follicles do not increase oestradiol secretion in response to FSH, TNF stimulates progesterone secretion.      

Hematopoietic cell activation in the subventricular zone after Theiler's virus infection

Background

The long latent stage seen in syphilis, followed by chronic central nervous system infection and inflammation, can be explained by the persistence of atypical cystic and granular forms of Treponema pallidum. We investigated whether a similar situation may occur in Lyme neuroborreliosis.

Method

Atypical forms of Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes were induced exposing cultures of Borrelia burgdorferi (strains B31 and ADB1) to such unfavorable conditions as osmotic and heat shock, and exposure to the binding agents Thioflavin S and Congo red. We also analyzed whether these forms may be induced in vitro, following infection of primary chicken and rat neurons, as well as rat and human astrocytes. We further analyzed whether atypical forms similar to those induced in vitro may also occur in vivo, in brains of three patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis. We used immunohistochemical methods to detect evidence of neuroinflammation in the form of reactive microglia and astrocytes.

Results

Under these conditions we observed atypical cystic, rolled and granular forms of these spirochetes. We characterized these abnormal forms by histochemical, immunohistochemical, dark field and atomic force microscopy (AFM) methods. The atypical and cystic forms found in the brains of three patients with neuropathologically confirmed Lyme neuroborreliosis were identical to those induced in vitro. We also observed nuclear fragmentation of the infected astrocytes using the TUNEL method. Abundant HLA-DR positive microglia and GFAP positive reactive astrocytes were present in the cerebral cortex.

Conclusion

The results indicate that atypical extra- and intracellular pleomorphic and cystic forms of Borrelia burgdorferi and local neuroinflammation occur in the brain in chronic Lyme neuroborreliosis. The persistence of these more resistant spirochete forms, and their intracellular location in neurons and glial cells, may explain the long latent stage and persistence of Borrelia infection. The results also suggest that Borrelia burgdorferi may induce cellular dysfunction and apoptosis. The detection and recognition of atypical, cystic and granular forms in infected tissues is essential for the diagnosis and the treatment as they can occur in the absence of the typical spiral Borrelia form.     

CHILDHOOD CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE IN QATAR

Thirty children below the age of 12 with chronic renal failure (CRF) were studied. In 21 patients (70%) the renal failure was secondary to congenital or familial aetiology. Obstructive uropathy (53.3%), mostly due to posterior urethral valves (40%), comprised the majority of cases. Four cases (13.3%) were secondary to reflux nephropathy. It is concluded that the majority of cases of CRF in the state of Qatar are secondary to potentially treatable or preventable conditions. Use of antenatal ultrasonography combined with aggressive management of obstruction and urine infection may help reduce morbidity and mortality.     

Pelvic actinomycosis associated with intrauterine devices

The authors describe two women with pelvic pain, long-term use of an intrauterine device, and a pelvic mass due to Actinomyces israelii. The diagnostic imaging findings were nonspecific but included mass effect and mucosal irregularity of the rectosigmoid colon at barium enema examination and complex masses and inflammatory changes at computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Radiologists should be aware of the imaging findings of this potentially lethal but curable condition.