Lymphangioma of the spermatic cord

We report a new case of spermatic cord lymphangioma in a infant 2 years old. The initial diagnosis was funicular hydrocele. The treatment was the local excision of tumor and the diagnostic was histological. Postoperative course was excellent. Must be explored the transillumination of the mass which would have led us to think other the diagnosis different from that of the cord hydrocele before the operation since it would have given negative. During the operation, must the assured that the cystic anomaly is limited to spermatic cord, to evite recurrences in the postoperative course.     

Pseudomixoma peritoneal tipo adenomucinosis peritoneal diseminada con imágenes radiológicas atípicas

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is an unusual condition that has caused much confusion regarding its aetiology, clinical manifestations, treatment and prognosis. It is characterised by mucinous ascites and diffuse mucinous invasions of the peritoneum. Three histological subtypes have been defined: a) disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis (peritoneal lesions composed of abundant extra-cellular mucin containing scant simple-to-focally-proliferating mucinous epithelium with little cytological atypia or mitotic activity); b) peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis (peritoneal lesions composed of more abundant mucinous epithelium with the architectural and cytological features of carcinoma); and c) an intermediate group. The different histological subtypes have different prognoses. We report a case of disseminated peritoneal adenomatosis, and discuss its clinical management.     

Relationship between tumor recurrence and the expression of the p53 gene in primary superficial transitional carcinoma of the bladder

Contribution of 60 patients with primary surface transitional cell tumours of the bladder where nuclear expression of p53 protein was prospectively studied and compared to known prognostic factors in an attempt to find out its role in the development of relapses. An statistically significant relationship was found between the protein expression and cytology, tumoral multifocality, stage, relapse development and tumoral progression. It can be concluded that expression of this protein can be of use as relapse predictor.     

Informed consent, parental awareness, and reasons for participating in a randomised controlled study

BACKGROUND: The informed consent procedure plays a central role in randomised controlled trials but has only been explored in a few studies on children. AIM: To assess the quality of the informed consent process in a paediatric setting. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to parents who volunteered their child (230 children) for a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of ibuprofen syrup to prevent recurrent febrile seizures. RESULTS: 181 (79%) parents responded. On average, 73% of parents were aware of the major study characteristics. A few had difficulty understanding the information provided. Major factors in parents granting approval were the contribution to clinical science (51%) and benefit to the child (32%). Sociodemographic status did not influence initial participation but west European origin of the father was associated with willingness to participate in future trials. 89% of participants felt positive about the informed consent procedure; however, 25% stated that they felt obliged to participate. Although their reasons for granting approval and their evaluation of the informed consent procedure did not differ, relatively more were hesitant about participating in future. Parents appreciated the investigator being on call 24 hours a day (38%) and the extra medical care and information provided (37%) as advantages of participation. Disadvantages were mainly the time consuming aspects and the work involved (23%). CONCLUSIONS: Parents' understanding of trial characteristics might be improved by designing less difficult informed consent forms and by the investigator giving extra attention and information to non-west European parents. Adequate measures should be taken to avoid parents feeling obliged to participate, rather than giving true informed consent.     

分子生物学技术在植入前诊断中的应用

植入前诊断是产前诊断非常早的一种方法，目的是放弃携带严重遗传病的胚胎，将健康胚胎植入母体。两种主要的方法是聚合酶链反应（PCR）和荧光原位杂交（FISH）。PCR用于单基因病诊断，FISH用于染色体异常诊断。临床主要应用于存在遗传风险的患者如携带单基因病和染色体易位的患者。随着分子生物学技术的飞速发展，如比较基因组（CGH），全基因组扩增技术（WGA），引物延伸预扩增（PEP），间期核转换技术及DNA芯片技术（DNAchip）等PGD先进检测手段的应用，单细胞用于诊断单基因或多基因突变及染色体疾病，为期不远。     

急性白血病病人GST-π、MRP1表达及其相关性的临床研究

目的：检测急性白血病（acute leukemia，AL）病人谷胱甘肽硫转移酶-π（glutathione—S—transferltse-π，GST-π）、多药耐药相关蛋白1（multi—drug resistance relevant protein 1，MRP1）的表达，探讨二者与AL多药耐药（multi—drug resistance，MDR）的关系及临床意义，明确二者在AL中的表达有无相关性以及两者表达与AL病人临床特征的关系。方法：采用免疫组织化学S—P法检测80例AL病人及30例正常人外周血单个核细胞GST-π、MPP1表达。运用SPSS10．0统计软件，采用X^2检验、四格表精确概率法、t检验、直线相关分析方法统计结果。结果：GST-π、MRP1在难治组的阳性率均高于初治组和完全缓解组；在初治组的阳性率均高于对照组。GST-π、MRP1在AL难治组中的表达具有高度相关性。GST-π、MRP1表达阳性组完全缓解率低于阴性组。GST-π、MRP1的表达与AL难治组病人年龄、性别、骨髓幼稚细胞比例及外周血白细胞计数无关。且两者在急性淋巴细胞白血病（acute lymphoblastic leukemia，ALL）组、急性非淋巴细胞白血病（acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia，ANLL）组表达无差别。结论：GST-π和MRP1的高表达与AL临床耐药有关；GST-π和MRP1在难治组中的表达密切相关；GST-π和MRP1表达阳性的AL病人的完全缓解率明显降低，两者可能是影响AL疗效的重要指标；GST-π和MRP1在难治组表达阳性率与年龄、性别、外周血白细胞计数、骨髓幼稚细胞比例可能无关，且在ALL组与ANLL组中差别无统计学意义。     

Chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure: manifestations and management.

Thanks to improvements in treatment regimens, more and more patients are now surviving cancer. However, cancer survivors are faced with the serious long-term effects of the different modalities of cancer treatments. One of these adverse effects is chemotherapy-induced irreversible damage to the ovarian tissues, which leads to premature ovarian failure and its resulting consequences such as hot flashes, osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction and the risk of infertility. Chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure (or chemotherapy-induced premature menopause) affects the quality of life of female cancer survivors. Although there is no clear definition of chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure, irreversible amenorrhoea lasting for several months (>12 months) following chemotherapy and a follicle stimulating hormone level of > or = 30 MIU/mL in the presence of a negative pregnancy test seems to be an appropriate characterisation. Different chemotherapy agents, alkylating cytotoxics in particular, have the potential to cause progressive and irreversible damage to the ovaries. The result of this damage is a state of premature ovarian failure, with progressive declining of estrogen levels, decreasing bone mass and an increased risk of fractures. Historically, hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) has been used to treat menopausal problems in the general population, but concerns about the potential of estrogen to increase the risk of breast cancer in women at high-risk or increase the risk of recurrence in cancer survivors, have forced physicians to utilise alternative treatments. This review discusses some of the newer therapies that are now available to provide appropriate symptom control, avoid complications such as fractures and possibly prevent infertility by making the ovarian epithelium less susceptible to cytotoxic agents.     

Oftalmoplejía completa izquierda por metástasis ósea de cáncer de próstata

Prognosis in prostate cancer is determined, in greater part, by the presence of metastases. Bone metastases can occur in any part of the skeleton even, for example, at the base of the skull. We present a case of a 78 year old male who, in December 2001, presented with paralysis of the third cranial nerve. The NMR and CAT scans were normal and circulating levels of PSA were elevated. He was referred to the Urology Service where the treatment guidelines included complete androgen block. Subsequently, he developed retro-orbital pain, divergent strabismus and palpebral ptosis. CAT and NMR indicated a soft tissue mass at the sphenoid level. Treatment was Gamma Knife Radio-surgery. Since August 2004, in conjunction with the latest rise in PSA, the patient's general status deteriorated considerably and he was referred to the Oncology Service. there was an increase in the paralysis of the third, fourth and sixth cranial nerve (complete left ophthalmoplegia) and left-central facial paralysis. Metastases from prostate cancer can be disseminated via the lymphatic or the blood system. Currently, there are more metastases from large-size tumours. Metastases are critical in prostate cancer because of their adverse effect on the patient's survival. Measurements of circulating levels of prostate specific antigen and prostate acid phosphatase are very useful in the clinical diagnosis of the primary tumour, or its metastases.     

氟伐他汀对心衰大鼠基质金属蛋白酶、转化生长因子及左室重构的影响

目的:了解基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)及转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)在心肌梗死大鼠左室重构及心衰发展过程中的改变,以及氟伐他汀的干预作用,探讨心梗后心衰的发生机制。方法:选用雄性SD大鼠67只随机分为假手术组、心梗组和心梗他汀组,经冠状动脉前降支结扎术建立心肌梗死后心衰模型,手术24 h后心梗他汀组大鼠管饲氟伐他汀4 mg·kg-1·d-1,假手术组和心梗组大鼠管饲安慰剂。术后3 d、4周、8周检测大鼠非梗死区心肌MMP-2的含量(Western-blot法)、胶原、TGF-β1的改变(免疫组化法),压力传感器记录左室血流动力学改变。结果:术后各时点非梗死区心肌的MMP-2含量,心梗组及心梗他汀组显著高于假手术组(P<0.05),而心梗他汀组显著低于心梗组(P<0.05);术后各组各时点非梗死区心肌TGF-β1表达的变化趋势与MMP-2相同;与心梗组比较,心梗他汀组术后4周和8周的心功能明显改善,胶原容积分数(CVF)及Ⅰ／Ⅲ型胶原比值(Ratio of type Ⅰ／Ⅲ)降低(P<0.05)。结论:氟伐他汀通过减少非梗死区心肌MMP-2和TGF-β1的含量,而减轻心梗后非梗死区心肌胶原网络的破坏及反应性胶原的过度沉积,从而预防和逆转心室重构,改善心脏功能。