Prevalence study of primary dystonia in Iceland.

In Iceland, the crude prevalence for all types of primary dystonia was 37.1/10(5) (confidence interval, 30.4-44.9). Focal dystonia had the highest prevalence (31.2/10(5)), followed by segmental (3.1/10(5)), multifocal (2.4/10(5)) and generalized dystonia (0.3/10(5)). Cervical dystonia was the most common focal dystonia (11.5/10(5)), followed by limb dystonia (8.0/10(5)), laryngeal dystonia (5.9/10(5)), blepharospasm (3.1/10(5)), and oromandibular dystonia (2.8/10(5)). The male:female ratio for all patients was 1:1.9 (P=0.0007), and females outnumbered males in all subtypes except oromandibular dystonia. Mean age of onset for all patients was 42.7 years (range, 3-82 years). This prevalence of primary dystonia is higher than in most reported studies, possibly because of more complete ascertainment but the relative frequencies of dystonia subtypes is similar.     

Oncological and cosmetic outcomes of oncoplastic breast conserving surgery.

BACKGROUND: Breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy is firmly established as a good and safe option for most women with early breast cancer. The important outcome measures of breast conservation are survival, local recurrence, cosmesis and patient satisfaction. Partial breast reconstructive techniques may improve cosmesis and patient satisfaction without compromising the oncological outcomes. METHODS: A search of the Medline and Pubmed databases of studies on breast conserving surgery where partial breast reconstructive techniques were employed. The keywords used were breast conserving surgery, oncoplastic breast surgery, partial breast reconstruction and reduction mammoplasty. The oncological and cosmetic outcomes of these studies were analysed. RESULTS: Studies on partial breast reconstructive techniques often lack oncological outcomes and long-term results are not available. On intermediate follow-up (up to 4.5 years) local recurrence rates vary from 0 to 1.8% per year. Cosmetic failure rates vary from 0 to 18%. To date, detailed studies are small and outcome measures vary. CONCLUSIONS: Breast surgeons should be aware of the range of surgical techniques that may enhance the aesthetic results of breast-conserving surgery as well as expand the indications for its use. There is a need for routine assessment of oncological and cosmetic outcomes and long-term results of partial breast reconstructive techniques in relation to these outcomes are awaited.     

Anastomotic leaks: technique and timing of detection

Background

Despite the proven benefits of laparoscopic colorectal surgery, the rate of anastomotic leaks has not changed. This study looks at the time of presentation of anastomotic leaks between laparoscopic and open colectomies.

Methods

Retrospective chart review was performed between July 2008 and 2012. Two groups were created, laparoscopic and open. The time of presentation of significant leaks requiring reoperation were compared between the groups by index colectomies. Statistical analysis is presented as paired t test and chi-square test (P < .05).

Results

From 1,424 segmental colectomies, the anastomotic leak rate between the two groups was not statically significant (P = .69). No difference in the time of leak detection was evident (P = .67). Mortality rate was equal between the groups. The overall complication rate of the entire cohort was statically significant (P ≤ .001).

Conclusion

The timing of anastomotic leak detection does not differ between laparoscopy and open colorectal resections.     

Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia in Iceland, 1995–2008: changing incidence and mortality

Little is known about temporal changes in the epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia. The objective of the present study was to analyse changes in the incidence and mortality of adult S. aureus bacteraemia in Iceland. Individuals 18 years or older with a positive blood culture for S. aureus between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2008 were identified, with the participation of all clinical microbiological laboratories performing blood cultures in Iceland. Infections were categorized as nosocomial, healthcare-associated or community-acquired. National population statistics and dates of death were retrieved from the National Registry. During the study period, 692 individuals from 19 institutions had 721 distinct episodes of S. aureus bacteraemia. The incidence rose from 22.7 to 28.9 per 100 000 per year during the period (p 0.012). Nosocomial infections comprised 46.3% of cases, 14.6% were healthcare-associated, and 39.1% were community-acquired. The proportion of nosocomial infections decreased during the period (p <0.001), whereas an increase was seen in the proportion of community-acquired infections (p <0.001). All-cause 30-day mortality decreased from 25.0% to 8.1% (p 0.001) and 1-year mortality decreased from 37.0% to 27.9% (p 0.061) between the periods 1995–1996 and 2007–2008. Four cases of bacteraemia caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus were seen (0.6%), none of which was fatal. In conclusion, there was a significant increase in the incidence of S. aureus bacteraemia in Iceland between 1995 and 2008. Concomitantly, there was a significant reduction in mortality, towards one of the lowest reported. Further studies are needed to understand the basis for these changes.     

Serum epidermal growth factor receptor and HER2 expression in primary and metastatic breast cancer patients

Background  

Breast tissue expression of the ERBB proto-oncogene family has been extensively studied. It was recently shown that expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR; c-erbB-1) and epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)2 (c-erbB-2) can be detected in the serum of breast cancer patients. The clinical relevance of this has not been fully established.     

Results of Attempted Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation of Patients Dying Suddenly outside the Hospital in Reykjavik and the Surrounding Area, 1976–1979

ABSTRACT. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was attempted in 222 cases of sudden death at the City Hospital, Reykjavik, during 1976–79. Of the 68 patients (31%) successfully resuscitated, 47 died in the hospital and 21 (9%) were discharged, 17 in good mental and physical condition. The mean combined response and transport time was 12.1 min and the ambulance mean time of response 7.3 min. The first ECG revealed considerable prognostic indications. Of the 90 patients who had ventricular fibrillation on admission, 42 (47%) were successfully resuscitated and 18 (20%) were subsequently discharged. Among 114 patients with asystole, resuscitation was successful in 23 (20%) and two (2%) were discharged. Immediate first aid in situ had a definite prognostic influence. These results compare favourably with those obtained elsewhere where the organization of first aid and emergency transport is similar. They do not, however, match the results achieved by fully specialized resuscitation teams trained to operate outside the hospital. Results of CPR of patients with cardiac arrest out of hospital in Reykjavik show increasing improvement over the years. This may be partly explained by a considerable public debate on this issue in 1978 and subsequent streamlining of activities.     

Size of invasive breast cancer and risk of local recurrence after breast-conservation therapy

Risk of local recurrence is one important factor that determines a woman's suitability for breast-conservation therapy. With the evolution of oncoplastic surgery, tumours of a size that traditionally require mastectomy may be treated by breast conservation and partial breast reconstruction. This article reviews the evidence relating to tumour size as a risk factor for local recurrence to assess whether this change in practice is appropriate. A literature review through Medline and Pubmed was performed. All pathological studies analysing tumour size as a predictor of multifocality and all randomised trials and large case series of breast conservation including tumours larger than 2 cm were reviewed and critically interpreted. Pathological studies report consistent evidence that tumour size is not predictive of multifocality. Randomised trials and clinical series of breast conservation report conflicting evidence relating to tumour size as a risk factor for local recurrence, although most studies report no association. Evidence relating to cancers over 3 cm is limited. There is little evidence to justify the use of tumour size alone as an exclusion criterion for breast-conservation therapy. A registration study of patients with cancers larger than 3 cm treated by breast conservation with or without partial breast reconstruction is proposed.