Reactivation of dormant lumbar methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis after 12 years.

The adequate treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) osteomyelitis has intrigued clinicians for some time. As the resistance of these pathogens, coupled with the increase in community-acquired cases, continues steadily to rise, clinicians are finding it useful to employ multi-modal approaches for efficacious treatment. The authors present a single case report of a patient with recurrent MRSA osteomyelitis, lumbar paraspinal and epidural abscess. He was found to have decreased muscle strength and was hyporeflexic in the involved extremity. Serum testing demonstrated MRSA bacteremia. Neuroimaging studies revealed evidence of paraspinal abscess and a presumed herniated nucleus pulposus at the L5/S1 interspace with significant nerve root compromise. Despite antimicrobials, his symptoms persisted, necessitating surgical exploration. At surgery, paraspinal and epidural abscesses were encountered and debrided; however, no herniated disc was visualized. This case demonstrates the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas with which these lesions present. We postulate that the MRSA osteomyelitis/discitis pathogens were walled off in the disc space and subsequently inoculated the soft tissues with ensuing bacteremia. We concur that antimicrobial treatment should be the first line of therapy for these patients; however, surgical debridements and cautious spinal instrumentation should be employed where appropriate.     

Kidney Transplant in Black Recipients: Are African Europeans Different from African Americans?

Despite recent improvement, significant racial disparities in outcome still persist after renal transplantation among African American patients in the United States. This study evaluated the association of race and ethnicity with allograft outcomes in a French population of 952 Caucasian (Cauc) patients and 140 African European (AE) patients who underwent renal transplantation in our center between 1987 and 2003. Demographic characteristics were similar for the two cohorts other than cause of end-stage renal failure (more hypertension among AE and more polycystic kidney disease among Cauc) and cold ischemia time (significantly longer for AE). Immunosuppressive treatment was comparable between groups. There were no significant differences between AE and Cauc in the incidence of acute rejection (31% vs. 30%). At 5 years post-transplant, patient survival (93% vs. 92%), graft survival (83% in both groups) and graft function (creatinine clearance 48 mL/min vs. 45 mL/min) were also similar among the AE and Cauc patients. We demonstrate that ethnic origin does not affect outcome after renal transplantation in France. Therefore, differences observed in the United States cannot be only related to immunologic or pharmacologic factors. The results of renal transplantation in patients of African origin could be improved with universal immunosuppressive drug coverage.     

Evaluating the impact of human papillomavirus vaccines

While two prophylactic HPV vaccines have been proven notably efficacious in clinical trials, the effectiveness of these vaccines at the population level remains to be evaluated. To lay the foundation for understanding the strengths and limitations of different endpoints for future effectiveness research, we present a comprehensive review of HPV-related clinical outcomes, including: (i) HPV type-specific positivity and persistence, (ii) Pap diagnoses (ASC-US, LSIL, and HSIL), (iii) histologic cervical cancer precursor lesions (i.e., CIN1, CIN2, and CIN3), (iv) invasive cervical cancer (ICC), (v) anogenital warts, (vi) recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), and (vii) other HPV-associated cancers (vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal). While research on the vaccines’ effects on these HPV clinical outcomes in the general population is presently limited, numerous large trials will soon be completed, making a priori discussion of these potential outcomes especially urgent. Furthermore, population level systems to track HPV-associated clinical outcomes may need to be developed for HPV vaccine effectiveness evaluation.     

Management of Constipation in Patients with Cancer

In patients with cancer, constipation is a common complication. However, unlike in the general population, the impact of the symptoms of constipation on the quality of life in cancer patients is often greater. More importantly, in patients who are in the more advanced stages of the disease, constipation may also be suggestive of disease progression. Constipation as a symptom in this population is of significant importance as it may lead to life-threatening complications, i.e. bowel perforation due to fecal impaction. Therefore, in this regard, this problem deserves particular attention, as early recognition and management of complications may prevent further physical deterioration. This review aims to provide an overview of the management of constipation in patients with cancer. A symptom-based criteria definition for chronic constipation and prevalence of the problem in cancer patients provides a brief introduction. For the initial assessment and evaluation of constipation in cancer patients, an algorithm is described. The different possible etiologies of constipation in cancer patients are also discussed. Regarding therapeutic management, guidelines and recommendations for the use of different types of laxatives, stool softeners, suppositories and rectal enemas, prokinetic agents, antidepressant medications, and miscellaneous agents are succinctly discussed. Management of fecal impaction and opioid-induced bowel dysfunction are also described. Lastly, a brief overview of the management of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction and surgical or endoscopic options for large bowel obstruction are described.     

Previous weight loss experiences of bariatric surgery candidates: how much have patients dieted prior to surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the dieting histories of bariatric surgery candidates. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: One hundred seventy-seven individuals with extreme obesity who sought bariatric surgery completed the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory, a self-report instrument that assesses several variables, including weight and dieting history. Patients' dieting histories were further explored with an aided recall during a preoperative behavioral/psychological evaluation performed by a mental health professional. RESULTS: Participants who completed the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory reported an average of 4.7 +/- 2.9 successful dieting attempts, defined as those that resulted in a loss of 10 lbs (4.5 kg) or more. These individuals reported a mean total lifetime weight loss of 61.1 +/- 41.3 kg. Despite these efforts, their weight increased from 89.4 +/- 27.4 kg at the time of their first diet (age 21.2 +/- 10.1 years) to 144.5 +/- 30.8 kg at the time they underwent their behavioral/psychological evaluation (age 43.0 +/- 11.0 years). Results of the aided recall revealed that participants had made numerous other efforts to lose weight that were unsuccessful. Self-directed diets and commercial programs were used more frequently. DISCUSSION: Individuals who sought bariatric surgery reported an extensive history of dieting, beginning in adolescence, that was not successful in halting progressive weight gain. Thus, the recommendation often made by insurance companies that patients delay surgery to attempt more conservative treatment options may be unwarranted, particularly in the presence of significant obesity-related comorbidities. Weight loss histories should be routinely examined during a behavioral evaluation to determine whether additional attempts at non-surgical weight loss are advisable. Future studies also are needed to explore the potential relationship between dieting history and postoperative outcome.     

Is the P300 deficit in alcoholism associated with early visual impairments (P100, N170)? An oddball paradigm

OBJECTIVE: Studies exploring chronic alcoholism with event-related potentials (ERPs) have shown delayed latency and reduced amplitude of the P300, a long-lasting positive potential reflecting decisional processing. This P300 deficit in alcoholism is generally interpreted as a disturbance in central nervous system inhibition or in memory/attention. The present study aimed at identifying if this electrophysiological deficit is already present on earlier components, and advances a new hypothesis concerning the interpretation of the P300 alteration. METHODS: Patients suffering from alcoholism and matched healthy controls had to detect, in an oddball paradigm, emotional faces among a succession of neutral faces. Behavioral performance and ERP data (recorded from 32 electrodes) were analyzed. RESULTS: In line with previous studies, data showed that alcoholism led to a P300 deficit. Moreover, we observed for the first time that this deficit begins at earlier visual (P100) and face-processing (N170) stages, and we found high positive correlations between P100, N170 and P300 for amplitude and latency values, suggesting cumulative deficits on the cognitive continuum. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the P300 deficit observed in chronic alcoholism could be linked to earlier visuo-spatial deficits rather than being an impairment of the specific processes linked to the P300. SIGNIFICANCE: These results call for reconsidering the interpretation of P300 impairments at a fundamental and clinical level, and shows that earlier ERP components must be taken into account in future studies.