Abdominal lymph node recurrence from colorectal cancer: Resection should be considered as a curative treatment in patients with controlled disease

BackgroundLymph node recurrences (LNR) from colorectal cancer (CRC) still represent a therapeutic challenge, as standardized recommendations have yet to be established. The aim of this study was to analyze short- and long-term oncological outcomes following resection of LNR from CRC.MethodsAll patients with previously resected CRC who underwent histopathologically confirmed LNR resection in 3 tertiary referral centers between 2010 and 2017 were reviewed. Short- and long-term outcomes were analyzed, mainly recurrence-free and overall survival. Further recurrences following LNR resection were also analyzed.ResultsOverall, 18 patients were included. Primary CRC was left-sided in 16 (89%) patients, staged T3-4 in 15 (83%), N+ in 14 (78%) and presented with synchronous metastases in 8 (43%). Median time interval between primary CRC and LNR resections was 31 months. Performed lymphadenectomies were aortocaval (n = 10), pelvic (n = 7), in hepatic pedicle (n = 3) and mesenteric (n = 1). Four patients had associated liver metastases resection. Three (17%) presented with postoperative complications, of which one Clavien-Dindo 3. Fourteen (78%) patients presented with further recurrences after a mean delay of 9 months, with 36% of patients presenting with early (<6 months) recurrence. Five (36%) patients could undergo secondary recurrence resection and 3 (21%) patients radiotherapy. Median overall survival following LNR resection reached 44 months.ConclusionsCurrent results suggest that LNR resection is feasible and associated with improved survival, in selected patients. Longer time interval between primary CRC resection and LNR occurrence appeared to be a favorable prognostic factor whereas multisite recurrence appeared to be associated with impaired long-term survival.     

原发性骶尾部脊索瘤的CT分型及征象

目的对治疗前原发性骶尾部脊索瘤(PSC)CT图像分型,并分析其CT征象,为诊断和个性化治疗提供依据。方法回顾性分析101例PSC患者治疗前的CT图像,包括肿瘤的部位、范围、大小、密度、肿瘤与邻近结构的关系。按照肿瘤的部位由上及下分为Ⅰ~Ⅳ型,并根据肿瘤侵犯的范围从小到大分为a^d亚型。采用Kruskal-Wallis H检验比较PSC各亚型的占比,并对各亚型之间进行两两比较。采用R×C列联表精确概率检验比较分型和亚型肿瘤钙化的发生率。采用单因素方差分析及LSD-t检验对各分型和亚型肿瘤的大小和密度进行分析、比较。结果101例PSC中,Ⅰ~Ⅳ型的发生率分别为17.8%、30.7%、36.6%、14.9%,a^d亚型的占比分别为9.9%、25.7%、58.4%、5.9%。各亚型的占比差异具有统计学意义(P=0.012)。c亚型明显高于a亚型(P=0.039),d亚型明显低于a亚型(P=0.036),其余各型之间无明显差异。各分型肿瘤内钙化的差异无统计学意义(P=0.233);各亚型肿瘤内钙化的差异有统计学意义(P=0.003),a^d亚型肿瘤钙化的比率逐渐增加。Ⅰ型肿瘤的左右径及上下径明显大于Ⅱ~Ⅳ型(P<0.05)。a亚型与b亚型肿瘤之间前后径的差异无统计学意义(P=0.102),b^d亚型之间前后径的差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);不同亚型肿瘤之间的左右径、上下径之间的差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),a亚型径线最小,d亚型径线最大。结论101例PSC中,Ⅱ、Ⅲ型最多见,肿瘤较少累及第一骶骨;各亚型中,a型较少见,c亚型最多见,d亚型最少见。肿瘤的密度与分型无关,肿瘤内钙化与亚型有关。Ⅰ型肿瘤侵犯的范围较Ⅱ~Ⅳ型广泛,a^d亚型肿瘤的径线逐渐增大,CT分型有利于判断肿瘤的范围。PSC诊断延迟现象比较明显,但很少发生远处侵犯和转移。CT图像可对治疗前PSC分型,为诊断和个性化治疗提供依据。     

Outcomes after neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy for cT2-4N0-1 non–small cell lung cancer: A propensity-matched analysis

Objective

Comparative survival between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with cT2-4N0-1M0 non–small cell lung cancer has not been extensively studied.

Atypical Abnormal Pulmonary Vein Drainage with Atrial Septal Defect: Surgical Treatment

Sinus venosus atrial septal defect (SV‐ASD) usually coexists with partial anomalous pulmonary vein connection (PAPVC). It is a difficult diagnosis in transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) due to eccentric position of defects. We present a rare case of atypical anatomical variation in PAPVC, which was never described before. Two right pulmonary veins drained into superior vena cava, which overrode SV‐ASD and interatrial septum, a third pulmonary vein into the right atrium. Complete diagnosis could not be set after TTE, nor transesophageal echocardiography, whereas angio‐CT was finally conclusive. This diagnostic approach allowed the surgical planning.     

Fractal dimension in CT low attenuation areas is predictive of long-term oxygen therapy initiation in COPD patients: Results from two observational cohort studies

BackgroundSome chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients develop hypoxemia with disease progression, with some even requiring long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). Lung function, especially diffusing capacity, and the annual decline in PaO₂, are reported to be predictive factors of chronic respiratory failure. However, the association between lung morphometry evaluated using computed tomography (CT) images and LTOT initiation is unknown.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the relationship between clinical indices, including pulmonary function, body mass index (BMI), and CT parameters, at baseline and LTOT initiation in two prospective COPD cohorts. In the Nara Medical University cohort (n = 76), the low attenuation area (LAA) and its fractal dimension (fractal D) were adapted as the indices for parenchymal destruction in CT images. The association between these CT measurements and LTOT initiation was replicated in the Kyoto University cohort (n = 130).ResultsIn the Nara Medical University cohort, lower BMI (hazard ratio [HR]:0.70, p = 0.006), lower % diffusing capacity (%DLCO) (HR: 0.92, p = 0.006), lower %DLCO/VA (HR, 0.90, p = 0.008), higher RV/TLC (HR, 1.26, p = 0.012), higher LAA% (HR: 1.18, p = 0.001), and lower fractal D (HR: 3.27 × 10^?8, p < 0.001) were associated with LTOT initiation. Multivariate analysis in the Kyoto University cohort confirmed that lower %DLCO and lower fractal D were independently associated with LTOT initiation, whereas LAA% was not.ConclusionFractal D, which is the index for morphometric complexity of LAA in CT analysis, is predictive of LTOT initiation in COPD patients.     

Cleaning,Shaping, and Disinfecting Abilities of 2 Instrument Systems as Evaluated by a Correlative Micro–computed Tomographic and Histobacteriologic Approach

IntroductionThis study assessed the cleaning, shaping, and disinfection abilities of 2 instrumentation systems in molar root canals using a novel correlative analytical approach.MethodsThe root canals from extracted mandibular and maxillary molars with apical periodontitis were pair matched according to anatomic similarities as determined by micro–computed tomographic analysis and prepared with either XP-endo Shaper (FKG Dentaire, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) (n = 16) or Reciproc Blue (VDW, Munich, Germany) (n = 16) instruments and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite irrigation. Pre- and postpreparation micro–computed tomographic scans were used to identify and calculate the unprepared surface areas (shaping), which were histobacteriologically evaluated for the presence of residual bacteria (disinfection) and pulp tissue remnants (cleaning) in each canal third.ResultsUnprepared canal surface areas for XP-endo Shaper and Reciproc Blue in the full canal length were approximately 26% and 19% (P < .05), respectively (30% and 23% in the apical part of the canal, P > .05). Preparation with Reciproc Blue resulted in 37.5% canals free of bacteria in all sections examined and 56% in the apical sections only. XP-endo Shaper resulted in 44% canals free of bacteria in all sections, and 56% in the apical part of the canal only. Pulp tissue remnants were not observed in 31% (all canal sections) and 50% (apical canal sections) of specimens from both instrument systems. No significant differences were observed between instruments when comparing the amount of pulp tissue remnants and the number of cases negative for bacteria and tissue remnants (P > .05).ConclusionsAlthough the Reciproc Blue instrument had superior shaping ability in comparison with XP-endo Shaper, both systems performed similarly in cleaning and disinfecting root canals. Irregular canals and difficult-to-reach areas were not thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by any of the tested systems.     

The Lausanne forensic pathology approach to post-mortem imaging for natural and non-natural deaths

Post-mortem imaging by computed tomography (PMCT) and post-mortem CT angiography (PMCTA) are used routinely in forensic practice as components to the autopsy. PMCT is efficient for gas detection, foreign body visualization and skeleton analysis. Various parameters can lead to the indication for contrast agent injection. Contrast injection into the vascular system can overcome the disadvantages of non-contrast PMCT by visualization of solid organ parenchyma and vessels. This can also assist the conventional autopsy, allowing one to investigate the vascular system. It is the method of choice for the analysis of the blood vessels by showing vascular pathology, congenital or postsurgical anatomical variations and an exact source of bleeding. By knowing the artefacts linked to the angiographic technique, we limit the risk of misinterpretation. The use of post-mortem MRI (PMMR) for diagnostic purposes is still limited to rare indications. These include review of the neck in cases of death by mechanical asphyxia, total-body PMMR in neonatal and pediatric death and cardiac PMMR in case of suspected myocardial infraction. Currently, in our daily practice, the vast majority or PMMR is only performed for research purposes.     

Morphological imaging and CT histogram analysis to differentiate pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor grade 3 from neuroendocrine carcinoma

PurposeTo compare morphological imaging features and CT texture histogram parameters between grade 3 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (G3-NET) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC).Materials and methodsPatients with pathologically proven G3-NET and NEC, according to the 2017 World Health Organization classification who had CT and MRI examinations between 2006-2017 were retrospectively included. CT and MRI examinations were reviewed by two radiologists in consensus and analyzed with respect to tumor size, enhancement patterns, hemorrhagic content, liver metastases and lymphadenopathies. Texture histogram analysis of tumors was performed on arterial and portal phase CT images. images. Morphological imaging features and CT texture histogram parameters of G3-NETs and NECs were compared.ResultsThirty-seven patients (21 men, 16 women; mean age, 56 ± 13 [SD] years [range: 28-82 years]) with 37 tumors (mean diameter, 60 ± 46 [SD] mm) were included (CT available for all, MRI for 16/37, 43%). Twenty-three patients (23/37; 62%) had NEC and 14 patients (14/37; 38%) had G3-NET. NECs were larger than G3-NETs (mean, 70 ± 51 [SD] mm [range: 18 - 196 mm] vs. 42 ± 24 [SD] mm [range: 8 - 94 mm], respectively; P = 0.039), with more tumor necrosis (75% vs. 33%, respectively; P = 0.030) and lower attenuation on precontrast (30 ± 4 [SD] HU [range: 25-39 HU] vs. 37 ± 6 [SD] [range: 25-45 HU], respectively; P = 0.002) and on portal venous phase CT images (75 ± 18 [SD] HU [range: 43 - 108 HU] vs. 92 ± 19 [SD] HU [range: 46 - 117 HU], respectively; P = 0.014). Hemorrhagic content on MRI was only observed in NEC (P = 0.007). The mean ADC value was lower in NEC ([1.1 ± 0.1 (SD)] × 10⁻³ mm²/s [range: (0.91 - 1.3) × 10⁻³ mm²/s] vs. [1.4 ± 0.2 (SD)] × 10⁻³ mm²/s [range: (1.1 - 1.6) × 10⁻³ mm²/s]; P = 0.005). CT histogram analysis showed that NEC were more heterogeneous on portal venous phase images (Entropy-0: 4.7 ± 0.2 [SD] [range: 4.2-5.1] vs. 4.5 ± 0.4 [SD] [range: 3.7-4.9]; P = 0.023).ConclusionPancreatic NECs are larger, more frequently hypoattenuating and more heterogeneous with hemorrhagic content than G3-NET on CT and MRI.