Changes in imatinib plasma trough level during long-term treatment of patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors: correlation between changes in covariates and imatinib exposure

A pharmacokinetic study in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) suggested that imatinib plasma concentration may decrease following long-term exposure. We assessed changes in imatinib plasma trough levels (C(min)) during long-term treatment. Follow-up (FU) imatinib C(min) was measured in 65 patients who received the same dose of imatinib for at least 9 months after previous (initial) tests. After exclusion of 7 patients who had been treated with imatinib for over 2 years at the time of initial testing, 58 patients were included in this analysis. The median intervals from initiation of imatinib to initial testing and from initial to FU testing were 5.5 months (range, 0.5-24.0 months) and 13.0 months (range, 9.6-17.9 months), respectively. Mean inter- and intra-subject variability values were 47.7% and 20.9%, respectively, at initial measurements, and 45.2% and 19.4%, respectively, at FU. Mean FU imatinib C(min) (1,370 ± 661 ng/mL) was significantly higher than mean initial C(min) (1,171 ± 573 ng/mL; p = 0.003). Compared with initial C(min), FU C(min) was decreased in 22 patients and increased in 36, with median changes of 13% and 32%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed a significant correlation between the ratio of FU to initial imatinib C(min) and that of albumin (r = -0.39, p = 0.003). During long-term treatment, imatinib C(min) did not decrease significantly but remained stable or increased in most patients. Changes in imatinib C(min) were associated with changes in albumin concentration. Monitoring of imatinib C(min) only for concerns about time-dependent increases in imatinib clearance is not necessary.     

Therapeutic effects of strengthening exercise on gait function of cerebral palsy

Purpose. To assess the effectiveness of strengthening exercises of the lower limbs on improvement of muscle strength and gait function.

Method. Those included were diagnosed as spastic diplegic or hemiplegic type of cerebral palsy (CP) and verified as grade 2 or 3 of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Participants were divided into an experimental group (n = 9) or a control group (n = 8). The experimental group completed a 5-week strengthening program and the control group took part in conventional physical therapy. Muscle tone and strength of lower limb, Gross Motor Function Measure, lateral step up, squat to stand, and three dimensional gait analysis were tested at pre-training, post-training, and 6 week follow up.

Results. Maximal hip extensor strength, and number of squat to stand were significantly increased at post-training and 6 weeks follow up in the experimental group compared with the control group. GMFM score D and E significantly improved in the experimental group at post-training. The experimental group demonstrated significant increase of gait speed and stride length and decrease of double support phase at post-training and 6 weeks follow up.

Conclusions. Strengthening exercises could be a useful method to improve gait function of patients with spastic CP.     

应用双极人工股骨头和骨移植进行髋臼假体翻修术

目的分析双极人工股骨头和嵌压植骨联合应用对合并巨大骨缺损的髋臼侧假体进行翻修术的临床疗效.方法 1988年3月～2000年11月期间利用双极人工股骨头对合并巨大骨缺损的23例24髋进行髋臼侧假体翻修术.其中男15例,女8例,平均年龄48岁,平均随访6.4年.翻修术的原因中假体松动21髋,骨溶解2髋,感染1髋.髋臼骨缺损根据AAOS分类,Ⅰ型3髋,Ⅱ型6髋,Ⅲ型15髋.自体骨移植2髋,异体骨移植8髋,混合移植14髋.临床评价采用Harris评分,并在X线片上对髋臼假体的移位、移植骨的愈合与吸收、髋臼形态的塑形以及再次翻修等进行分析.结果 Harris评分术前为49分,术后1年为78分,最后随访时间为76分.髋臼假体向上内方向移位19髋,向上外方向移位5髋.并发症中异位骨化12髋,感染1髋,复发性脱位1髋.因感染和髋臼假体严重移位采用非骨水泥型髋臼假体行再次翻修术2髋.结论双极人工股骨头和嵌压植骨联合应用对合并巨大骨缺损的髋臼侧假体进行翻修术具有髋臼形态塑形良好、移植骨愈合率高以及髋臼假体不需要坚强内固定等优点,可作为一种特殊情况下的髋臼侧假体翻修术;其缺点是髋臼假体移位.     

Cotyloplasty in Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty for an Insufficient Acetabulum

Background

Cotyloplasty is a technique that involves making a perforation of the medial wall of a shallow acetabulum and then inserting an acetabular cup with the medial aspect of its dome beyond the Kohler line. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) using cotyloplasty with focusing on the amount of medial cup protrusion.

Methods

Sixteen hips with insufficient acetabulum in sixteen patients were treated by cementless THA using cotyloplasty. The average patient age was 47 years. The diagnoses included dysplastic hip (12) and infection sequelae (4). All the patients were followed up for at least 2 years. Clinically, the Harris hip scores were assessed and radiologically, the amount of cup protrusion, the hip center movement and cup fixation were evaluated.

Results

The average Harris hip score improved from 57 to 94 postoperatively. The average proportion of cup surface beyond the Kohler line was 44.1% and the hip centers were medialized by an average of 23 mm. Stable fixation of the acetabular cup was achieved in all the cases except one. In this one case, migration of the cup was detected 2 weeks postoperatively and a reoperation was performed.

Conclusions

Using cotyloplasty, good coverage of the acetabular cup was obtained without a block bone graft, and the hip joint centers were medialized. However, the safety margin for the amount of protrusion should be established.