Centrilobular emphysema: CT-pathologic correlation

Over a 5-year period, 25 patients who had undergone chest computed tomography (CT) died and were autopsied. Their lungs were fixed in the inflated state and were assessed for the presence and severity of centrilobular emphysema (CLE). Three radiologists independently evaluated the CT scans for nonperipheral low-attenuation areas, peripheral low-attenuation areas, pulmonary vascular pruning, pulmonary vascular distortion, and pulmonary density gradient. The CT criterion that best correlated with the presence and severity of CLE was the nonperipheral low-attenuation area. With this CT criterion, lung destruction was correctly identified in 13 of 15 cases. The absence of this criterion resulted in correct identification of eight of ten normal lungs. These preliminary data suggest that CLE can be reliably identified and quantified with current CT scanners.     

Prostatic evaluation by transrectal sonography with histopathologic correlation: the echopenic appearance of early carcinoma

Fifty-two patients with clinical stage A and B carcinomas of the prostate were imaged by ultrasound (US) transrectally with a 5-MHz linear array transducer and transabdominally with a 3-MHz sector scanner prior to radical prostatectomy. The fresh specimens of 44 prostate glands were scanned in a water bath with a 5-MHz linear array transducer in multiple planes. In all cases, histopathologic correlation was obtained. Prostatic carcinoma presented as an echopenic lesion in 54% of the specimens, as a slightly hypoechoic area in 22%, and could not be identified in 24% because of its isoechoic characteristics. In contrast to many previous reports, no instance of echogenic cancer was observed.     

Peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma: diagnosis with biphasic radiography compared with fiberoptic endoscopy

The diagnostic value of biphasic radiographic examination of the stomach and duodenum was compared with that of fiberoptic endoscopy in a prospective, blinded study of 385 patients with dyspepsia. This investigation was directed at gastric malignancies and peptic ulcers. Methodologically there is no absolute standard for a study of this kind because histologic examination is useful for detection of cancer but inadequate for ulcers. As an alternative, kappa indexes and the sensitivity and specificity, as derived by Hui and Walter, were calculated and compared. For the detection of gastric carcinoma, radiographic and endoscopic findings had almost perfect agreement beyond chance. For gastric ulcers, radiography and endoscopy had substantial agreement, which became perfect if small ulcers (less than 5 mm) were excluded. For duodenal ulcers, radiography had a lower sensitivity than endoscopy; this disagreement disappeared if small ulcers were excluded. Both methods have equal merit; choice of the initial diagnostic procedure will therefore depend on cost, discomfort to the patient, and risk of complications.     

Recovery of autologous erythrocytes in transfused patients

A microcapillary method utilizing phthalate esters or an ultracentrifuge method are both capable of separating autologous from homologous erythrocytes in polytransfused patients. The microcapillary technique which is readily adaptable to blood bank laboratories provides a previously unavailable method for defining blood group antigen typings in transfused patients. Such typings are of vital importance in the laboratory evaluation of transfused patients with multiple or weak blood group antibodies.     

Total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) and exercise

The relationship between physical activity, physical fitness and total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) was examined in the Northern Ireland Health and Activity Survey. This was a cross-sectional population study (n = 1600) using a two-stage probability sample of the population. TRAP was calculated using the sum of the individual serum antioxidant concentrations (urate, protein thiols, ascorbate, alpha tocopherol and bilirubin) multiplied by their respective stoichiometric values. Physical fitness was determined by estimation of VO2max by extrapolation from submaximal oxygen uptake, and physical activity was recorded by computer-assisted interview. Mean serum TRAP concentrations were significantly higher in males (653 +/- 8.2 mumol/l, mean +/- SEM) compared to females (564 +/- 8.0 mumol/l) (p < 0.0001). Both male and female smokers had significantly lower TRAP values than non-smokers (males p < 0.0001, females p = 0.02). In females, there was a positive relationship of TRAP with age (p < 0.001) and body mass index (p < 0.001) but a negative relationship with physical fitness (p < 0.05). The known beneficial effects of exercise and activity do not appear to be directly mediated through increased antioxidant status.      

A randomized controlled trial of a protease inhibitor (saquinavir) in combination with zidovudine in previously untreated patients with advanced HIV infection

This study assessed the activity and tolerability of an HIV-protease inhibitor, saquinavir, alone or in combination with zidovudine. A total of 92 previously untreated HIV-infected patients with CD4 cell counts < 300 cells/mm3 participated in a parallel, randomized double-blind study. Patients were randomized to receive one of five treatments, each three times a day: 600 mg of saquinavir; 200 mg of zidovudine; 75, 200 or 600 mg of saquinavir in combination with 200 mg of zidovudine. The primary treatment period was 16 weeks, with monthly extensions in patients who did not show major disease progression or toxicity. The main measures of the efficacy of therapy used were changes in CD4 cell counts and in the concentration of HIV-1 RNA in the plasma (as determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction). The 600 mg dose of saquinavir in combination with zidovudine induced a 1.6 log (after 4 weeks) and a 0.7 log (after 16 weeks) median reduction in plasma RNA concentration; this reduction was greater than those seen in the other four treatment groups. The combination of 600 mg of saquinavir with zidovudine also resulted in a larger and more sustained improvement in the CD4 cell count than either saquinavir or zidovudine monotherapy or the other combination therapies. In the group receiving 200 mg of saquinavir in combination with zidovudine, the maximal median change in CD4 cell count occurred at week 2 (85 cells/mm3), and by week 16 had fallen to 15 cells/mm3. In the group receiving 600 mg of saquinavir plus zidovudine, the median change in CD4 cell count remained high for the 16-week period (median change of 48 cells/mm3 at week 2 and 61 cells/mm3 at week 16). Saquinavir was safe and very well tolerated, either alone or in combination with zidovudine. The incidence of adverse events was greater in the four groups receiving zidovudine therapy, and all the most commonly reported adverse events have previously been associated with zidovudine therapy. Few changes in laboratory values occurred during the study, except for known zidovudine-associated toxicities. The most frequent abnormalities were raised aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, depressed calcium levels, and abnormally high or low phosphate levels. Despite the low oral bioavailability of saquinavir, combined virological and immunological data show definite antiviral activity in vivo for the combination of saquinavir at 600 mg plus zidovudine at 200 mg (each three times daily). The combination of drugs with different mechanisms of action represents an advance in the treatment of HIV infection.     

A comparison of hexaminolevulinate fluorescence cystoscopy and white light cystoscopy for the detection of carcinoma in situ in patients with bladder cancer: a phase III, multicenter study

PURPOSE: We compared hexaminolevulinate (Hexvix) fluorescence cystoscopy with white light cystoscopy for detecting carcinoma in situ. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multicenter study 298 patients with known or suspected bladder cancer underwent bladder instillation with 50 ml 8 mM hexaminolevulinate for 1 hour. Cystoscopy was then performed, first using standard white light and then hexaminolevulinate fluorescence cystoscopy. Lesions or suspicious areas identified under the 2 illumination conditions were mapped and biopsied for histological examination. In addition, 1 directed biopsy was obtained from an area appearing to be normal. RESULTS: Of 196 evaluable patients 29.6% (58 of 196) had carcinoma in situ, including 18 with carcinoma in situ alone, and 35 with carcinoma in situ and concomitant papillary disease, which was only detected on random biopsy in 5. Of the 18 patients with no concomitant papillary disease carcinoma in situ was detected only by hexaminolevulinate fluorescence in 4 and only by white light in 4. In the group with concomitant papillary disease carcinoma in situ was found only by hexaminolevulinate fluorescence in 5 patients and only by white light in 3. The proportion of patients in whom 1 or more carcinoma in situ lesions were found only by hexaminolevulinate cystoscopy was greater than the hypothesized 5% (p=0.0022). Overall more carcinoma in situ lesions were found by hexaminolevulinate than by white light cystoscopy in 22 of 58 patients (41.5%), while the converse occurred in 8 of 58 (15.1%). Biopsy results confirmed cystoscopy findings. Of a total of 113 carcinoma in situ lesions in 58 patients 104 (92%) were detected by hexaminolevulinate cystoscopy and 77 (68%) were detected by white light cystoscopy, while 5 were detected only on directed visually normal mucosal biopsy. Hexaminolevulinate instillation was well tolerated with no local or systemic side effects. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with bladder cancer hexaminolevulinate fluorescence cystoscopy with blue light can diagnose carcinoma in situ that may be missed with white light cystoscopy. Hexaminolevulinate fluorescence cystoscopy can be used in conjunction with white light cystoscopy to aid in the diagnosis of this form of bladder cancer.     

Erythromycin treatment for gastrointestinal dysmotility in preterm infants

To report our clinical experience on the use of oral erythromycin for the treatment of severe gastrointestinal dysmotility in preterm infants.

Methodology:

A case series study of seven preterm infants (six were very low birthweight) with severe intestinal dysmotility in a tertiary neonatal centre.

Results:

All responded favourably without adverse effects and tolerated full enteral feeding within 1–2 weeks of the commencement of the drug.

Conclusions:

As prolonged total parenteral nutrition carries significant risk of complications, this therapy could be considered in selected preterm infants who fail to establish enteral feeding after an extended period, and in whom an anatomically obstructive lesion of the gastrointestinal tract has been excluded. Meanwhile, we would caution against the widespread implementation of this therapeutic approach until formal evaluation by randomized controlled trials have established the exact role of erythromycin, or its analogues, in the treatment of intestinal dysmotility in preterm infants.