Avascular osteonecrosis after hyperthermia in children and adolescents with pelvic malignancies: a retrospective analysis of potential risk factors.

PURPOSE: In children with locally advanced or recurrent malignant tumours, prognosis can be improved by regional deep hyperthermia (RHT) in combination with platin-based chemotherapy. However, because of the increasing number of patients that achieve long-time remission with this therapy, it is necessary to evaluate long-term sequelae of thermochemotherapy. During the years 1993-2004 one has observed avascular osteonecrosis (AON) of the femoral head after RHT in seven children with pelvic germ cell tumours or rhabdomyosarcomas. METHODS: Although AON may develop in patients with malignancies treated with chemo- or radiotherapy alone, RHT might nevertheless contribute to the occurrence of AON. In order to determine potential risk factors for AON after RHT, this study analysed the relationship of AON to the patient's age, medical history and treatment parameters such as thermal dose equivalent and power output. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In the present study AON was associated with young age as well as intensity of hyperthermia indicated by high power levels that exceed 20 W per kg body weight and/or application of eight or more heat sessions as well as additional radiotherapy. Based on this observation, it was assumed that an optimized three dimensional thermal field modelling may be helpful to avoid hazardous temperatures in the femoral heads during RHT treatment and to reduce AON of the femoral heads.     

Documenting asthma severity: do we get it right?

BACKGROUND: The 1997 National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) recommends a severity classification scheme to optimize the use of anti-inflammatory therapy for persistent asthma. Physician documentation of asthma severity is often used as a quality assurance measure. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that physician documentation of asthma severity is associated with appropriate use of anti-inflammatory therapy. DESIGN/METHODS: Setting: inner-city academic health center. First, we reviewed a consecutive sample of charts of scheduled pediatric patients. Then, we administered a structured parent survey regarding the child's asthma symptoms and current asthma therapy. We used NAEPP guidelines to classify patients' severity of asthma. The main outcome measure was appropriate use of anti-inflammatory therapy. Appropriate therapy was defined as: (1) mild persistent asthmatics using anti-inflammatory therapy, and (2) moderate-severe persistent asthmatics using inhaled steroids. Chart classification of asthma severity was compared with the NAEPP-applied classification. RESULTS: Of 784 charts, 214 (27%) were asthmatic. Of these, 176 (82%) were surveyed. The mean age was 7.4 years; 61% were males. Severity classification was documented in 77% of charts. Chart documentation differed significantly from survey classification for the same patients: (mild intermittent 54% vs. 40%, mild persistent 21% vs. 14%, moderate persistent 24% vs. 36%, severe persistent 1% vs. 10%; all p < .001). Correctly classified patients were more likely to be on appropriate therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians underestimated the severity classification of asthmatic patients. Incorrect classification was associated with inappropriate asthma therapy. These findings have implications for the institution of asthma quality improvement programs.     

The principle of regulation in biology--from bone to eating behavior.

Cell physiology and molecular biology typically follow a reductionistic approach in science. In the last decade, molecular principles and pathogenetic factors involved in the development of many diseases have been successfully discovered. Therefore, early biological concepts based on systemic and cybernetic thoughts have been largely overshadowed by these more recent molecular and pathogenetic factors. This review highlights discoveries on bone development and hypothalamic controlled feeding and eating behavior with a cybernetic and systemic perspective. Interestingly, ancient ideas on bone development and hypothalamic function are still reasonable considerations to embed new molecular discoveries into a systemic concept of principles organizing nature.     

Statins are associated with a reduced infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm growth.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of statins on aneurysm growth in a group of consecutive patients under surveillance for infrarenal aortic aneurysms (AAA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients (59 statin users, 91 non-users) under surveillance between January 2002 and August 2005 with a follow-up for aneurysm growth of at least 12 months and a minimum of three diameter evaluations were retrospectively included in the analysis. Multiple regression analysis, weighted with the number of observations, was performed to test the influence of statins on AAA growth rate. RESULTS: During a median period of 3.1 (1.1-13.1) years the overall mean aneurysm growth rate was 2.95+/-2.8 mm/year. Statin users had a 1.16 mm/year lower AAA growth rate compared to non-users (95% CI 0.33-1.99 mm/year). Increased age was associated with a slower growth (-0.09 mm/year per year, p = 0.003). Female gender (+1.82 mm/year, p = 0.008) and aneurysm diameter (+0.06 mm/year per mm, p = 0.049) were associated with increased AAA growth. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chronic lung disease, or other cardiovascular risk factors were not independently associated with AAA growth. CONCLUSIONS: Statins appear to be associated with attenuation of AAA growth, irrespective of other known factors influencing aneurysm growth.     

The value of a pantaloon cast test in surgical decision making for chronic low back pain patients: a systematic review of the literature supplemented with a prospective cohort study

The results of lumbar fusion in chronic low back pain (LBP) patients vary considerably, and there is a need for proper patient selection. Lumbosacral orthoses have been widely used to predict outcome, however, with little scientific support. The aim of the present study was to determine the value of a pantaloon cast test in selecting chronic LBP patients for lumbar fusion or conservative management. First, a systematic review of the literature was carried out in which two independent reviewers identified studies in Medline, Cochrane and Current Contents databases. Three papers met the selection criteria. In the only study with a control group, a significantly better outcome after fusion compared to conservative treatment was found in patients who reported significant pain relief while in a cast (i.e. a positive cast test). The results of lumbar fusion, however, were not significantly different for patients with a positive and those with a negative cast test. In addition to the review, a clinical cohort study of 257 LBP patients, who had been allocated to either lumbar fusion or conservative management by a temporary external transpedicular fixation trial, was performed. Prior to allocation, all had undergone a pantaloon cast test. Patients with no history of prior spine surgery and with a positive pantaloon cast test had a better outcome after lumbar fusion than those treated conservatively (P = 0.002, χ ² test). In patients with previous spine operations the outcomes were poor and the test was of no value. From the literature and the present patient cohort, it was concluded that only in chronic LBP patients without prior spine surgery, a pantaloon cast test with substantial pain relief suggests a favorable outcome of lumbar fusion compared to conservative management. The test has no value in patients who have had previous spine surgery.     

Pre-eclampsia is associated with sleep-disordered breathing and endothelial dysfunction.

Pre-eclamptic toxaemia (PET) may be associated with both endothelial dysfunction (ED) and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). It was hypothesised that females with PET would demonstrate both SDB and ED, and that a correlation between these two would suggest a potential causative association. A total of 17 females with PET and 25 matched females with uncomplicated pregnancy were studied. They underwent a nocturnal ambulatory sleep study (using Watch_PAT100) and noninvasive evaluation of endothelial function utilising the reactive hyperaemia test (using Endo_PAT 2000). A higher ratio of post- to pre-occlusion pulse-wave amplitude (endothelial function index (EFI)) indicated better endothelial function. Females with PET had a significantly higher respiratory disturbance index (RDI) and lower EFI than controls (18.4+/-8.4 versus 8.3+/-1.3.h(-1), and 1.5+/-0.1 versus 1.8+/-0.1, respectively). Blood pressure significantly correlated with RDI and with EFI. EFI tended to correlate with RDI. In conclusion, these results suggest that both sleep-disordered breathing and endothelial dysfunction are more likely to occur in females with pre-eclamptic toxaemia than in females with uncomplicated pregnancies. The current authors speculate that respiratory disturbances contribute to the functional abnormality of the blood vessels seen in females with pre-eclamptic toxaemia, although causality cannot be determined based on this study.     

The molecular and clinical impact of hepatocyte growth factor, its receptor, activators, and inhibitors in wound healing

Wound healing involves a number of cellular and molecular events, many of which are controlled by soluble growth factors. In the process of healing, hepatocyte growth factor, a cytokine known to act as mitogen, motogen, and morphogen, has been postulated to play multiple roles during several stages of this complex biological process. Produced primarily by stromal fibroblasts, hepatocyte growth factor regulates angiogenesis, vascular permeability, cell migration, matrix deposition and degradation, and other biological processes. The current article discusses recent progress in understanding the multiple roles played by this growth factor in tissue repair.     

Free flap monitoring with continuous tissue oxygen tension measurement

Intraoperative and postoperative free flap monitoring by means of oxygen tension measurement was carried out in 11 patients. We used an invasive flexible microcatheter that allowed for measurement of oxygen tension in all types of free flaps. Two cases of the measured flaps were buried free flaps which do not allow monitoring by clinical assessment. All flaps monitored in this study survived. One case of displacement of the microcatheter occurred. In one patient, the tissue pO₂ monitor successfully detected early vascular thrombosis with subsequent reoperation and salvage of the free flap.     

Periodontal status of orthodontic patients and the relationship between dental aesthetic index and community periodontal index of treatment need

This prospective clinic-based study evaluated the pretreatment periodontal status of the orthodontic patients seen at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, and assessed the relationship between dental aesthetic index (DAI) scores and periodontal status according to community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) scores. One hundred forty five patients-70 (48.3%) males and 75 (51.7%) females from 6 to 45 years (mean 15.8 +/- 7.5)-were seen. World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines were followed in the examination and reporting of the periodontal status, and DAI scores were assessed based on WHO guidelines. The chi-square test was used to determine the association between the DAI and the CPITN scores. Most patients were in the 6-15 (55.9%) or 16-25 (35.9%) age groups. Based on the WHO preferred cumulative calculations of treatment need (TN), 35.2% of the patients had TN 0, 64.9% had TN 1, 24.9% had TN 2, and only 0.7% had TN 3. The relationship between DAI scores and periodontal treatment needs was not statistically significant (P >.05). Although many patients were yet to attain the WHO goal of no more than 1 sextant affected by bleeding or calculus at the age of 15, over one third had satisfactory periodontal health.