Neuroimaging in Pineal Tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The authors report radiological findings in 11 tumors in the pineal region, which were histologically diagnosed as germinomas, pineocytomas pineoblastomas, ependymomas, teratomas, and astrocytomas. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) was performed in seven patients and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in all patients. RESULTS: CT showed a solid or solid/cystic mass with variable contrast enhancement. MRI showed a heterogeneous mass, with hypointense signal on T1 and iso/hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images (WI) and gadolinium enhancement. Extension to adjacent structures occurred in five patients and spread through the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in two. CONCLUSIONS: Pineal region tumors have no pathognomonic imaging pattern. MRI and CT are complementary in diagnosis and are important to determine localization, extension, and meningeal spread.     

The role of donor and recipient factors in initial renal graft non-function

ATN is a deleterious problem in the outcome of kidney transplantation. This complication is usually related to multiple factors including donor parameters, surgical technique, ischemic time, and recipient variables. In order to develop prophylactic measures, out of 430 kidney transplants performed in our Department, a series of 90 consecutive cadaveric renal allografts has been considered in this study. The overall incidence of IGNF was 23/90 (25.5%). Kidneys from MOD revealed a lower rate of IGNF (7/35 = 20%) when compared with organs from SOD (16/55 = 29%, P = NS). No difference was noted when kidneys were removed together with heart and/or liver and/or pancreas. Out of the donor factors, only CID was significant (17 +/- 9 hours in IGNF v 11 +/- 10 hours in patients with IGF, P = less than .05). Analysis of data concerning the fate of paired kidneys revealed two cases of IGNF in both kidneys from the same donor v 14 cases of IGNF in only one of the two paired grafts (P = NS). We conclude that: 1. Donor factors are clearly associated with a minority of IGNF. 2. The introduction of multiorgan procurement programs does not complicate early function. 3. Recipient factors (immunological events and intraoperative fluid management) provides important additive effects on initial graft nonfunction.     

Ultrasound in tropical pyomyositis

Tropical pyomyositis is an infection of muscles mainly presenting in black people, occurring in the trunk and limbs. At Hoima Hospital, Uganda, 58 patients (30 men and 28 women) with a mean age of 21 years have been investigated by ultrasound; a total of 81 lesions were present. Two different characteristic images were found; abscess was present in 65 cases while 16 patients showed a diffuse infiltration among the muscular fibers. These two different images correspond to the two stages of histologic and clinical progression described by other authors. Ultrasound is useful to demonstrate the progression of pyomyositis and to determine when and where to drain any abscess.     

Mortality study of asbestos cement workers

The present study describes cause-specific mortality of asbestos cement workers in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. The cohort included workers in ten factories, most of which started operating between 1955 and 1965. Asbestos, mainly chrysotile, constituted 10%–20% of the dry component of the mixture. Crocidolite range between 5% and 50% of total asbestos. Asbestos concentrations up to 44 ff/cc were reported prior to 1975, while in recent years they have usually been below 0–1 ff/cc. The cohort included 3341 workers who had at some time been employed in the ten factories under study. Their mortality experience was compared with that of the population resident in Emilia Romagna. Vital status was ascertained at 1989. Seventy-three subjects were lost to followup (2.2%). Mortality from all causes and from all types of cancer was increased in the cohort. Malignant neoplasms of the respiratory tract showed a significant increase (SMR: 134; 90% confidence interval: 101–175; 40 observed) due to lung cancer (SMR: 124; 90% confidence interval: 91–166; 33 observed) and neoplasms of the pleura, mediastinum, and other parts of the respiratory tract (SMR: 602; 90% confidence interval 237–1267; 5 observed). The discrepancy between observed and expected mortality mainly concerned subjects with at least 20 years of employment in the factories. Five more cases of histologically confirmed mesothelioma occurred after the end of follow-up.     

Surgery for right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit obstruction: risk factors for further reoperation.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the surgical approaches and risk factors which influence longevity of right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduits following first reoperation for obstruction. METHODS: Between January 1993 and August 2003, 114 patients underwent 141 reoperations for RV-PA conduit obstruction. Diagnoses included 'Truncus Arteriosus' (n=52), 'Pulmonary atresia/Tetralogy of fallot' (n=39), 'Double outlet right ventricle' (n=10), 'Transposition of great arteries, VSD, and pulmonary atresia' (n=9), and the 'Ross operation' (n=4). All patients had undergone a previous biventricular repair. The first reoperation for conduit obstruction was performed in 112 hospital survivors by: total conduit replacement (Group A, n=73) with valved (homograft=10 and xenograft=54) or non-valved (n=9) conduit, and patch enlargement of the obstructed RV outflow tract with preservation of the posterior and sides of the conduit wall after removing of the fibrocalcific peel and degenerated valve (Group B, n=39). Mean age at first reoperation was 8.8+/-6.7 and 7.5+/-5.3 years in patients of groups A and B, respectively. Seven patients in Group A and 18 in Group B required a second reoperation and two patients in Group B a third reoperation. RESULTS: There were two hospital deaths and no late deaths. Mean follow-up was 5.8+/-3.2 years. Risk factors for second reoperation by univariate analysis were: homograft conduit use (P=0.004), Group B surgical approach (P=0.0001), higher RV-PA systolic pressure gradient at discharge (P=0.02), and age <5-years-old (P=0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that inclusion in Group B and younger age (<5-years-old) at repair were independent risk factors for second reoperation. Group B surgical approaches had higher RV-PA systolic pressure gradient at discharge (P=0.02) and required more PA bifurcation repair at the time of second reoperation (P=0.05). Freedom from second reoperation for conduit obstruction was significantly higher in Group A patients at 5 and 8 years (P<0.04) and those with xenografts rather than homograft (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the optimal surgical approach for RV-PA conduit obstruction is total replacement with a xenograft. RV outflow reconstruction by other techniques without complete dissection of PA bifurcation does not completely relieve the stenosis and could cause early restenosis. Higher systolic gradients at discharge and younger age at first reoperation are predictors of earlier reoperation.     

Selective hepatic artery ligation for hepatic haemangioendothelioma: case report and review of the literature.

Although benign, hepatic haemangioendotheliomas (HHE) are rare vascular tumours of the infant which have a high mortality rate secondary to high output congestive heart failure. The management of these tumours is still controversial and none of the different medical or surgical options has been unanimously accepted. We report the case of a neonate with congestive heart failure (CHF) due to a localized HHE, treated successfully by selective ligation of the left hepatic artery branch irrigating the tumour, under perioperative ultrasound Doppler control. A review of the literature showed 35 cases of HHE treated by hepatic artery ligation (HAL) with a survival rate of 80 %.     

The Use of Stent Grafts for the Treatment of Aneurysms and Dissections of the Thoracic Aorta: A Single Centre Experience

OBJECTIVE: To review the results of stent graft treatment for diseases of the thoracic aorta. DESIGN: A retrospective study of the results of thoracic stent graft procedures in a single centre. METHODS: The results of 30 procedures performed in 24 patients were analysed. Eleven patients had aneurysmal dilatation of the descending thoracic aorta (>5.5 cm), nine patients had complicated type B dissection, three had penetrating ulcers and one had a traumatic pseudoaneurysm. Imaging follow-up consisted of CT scans performed at one, three, six and 12 months following the procedure and annually thereafter. RESULTS: One technical failure occurred due to a ruptured external iliac artery. There were no other immediate failures. The primary technical success rate was 83%. The 30-day procedural and patient mortality rates were 7 and 8%, respectively. No neurological complications occurred. Seven patients had the subclavian artery covered without complications. Secondary intervention was required in 21%. During the follow-up period (mean 11 months, range 1-48 months.) there were five deaths, two of which were related to stent graft infection. CONCLUSION: Thoracic stent grafts offer a realistic alternative to surgery.     

Single-Step Multiplex PCR Assay for Characterization of New World Leishmania Complexes

We have developed a PCR assay for one-step differentiation of the three complexes of New World Leishmania (Leishmania braziliensis, Leishmania mexicana, and Leishmania donovani). This multiplex assay is targeted to the spliced leader RNA (mini-exon) gene repeats of these organisms and can detect all three complexes simultaneously, generating differently sized products for each complex. The assay is specific to the Leishmania genus and does not recognize related kinetoplastid protozoa, such as Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei, and Crithidia fasciculata. It correctly identified Leishmania species with a broad geographic distribution in Central and South America. The sensitivity of the PCR amplification ranged from 1 fg to 10 pg of DNA (0.01 to 100 parasites), depending on the complex detected. Crude extracts of cultured parasites, prepared simply by boiling diluted cultures, served as excellent templates for amplification. Crude preparations of clinical material were also tested. The assay detected L. braziliensis in dermal scrapings from cutaneous leishmanial lesions, Leishmania chagasi in dermal scrapings of atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis, and L. mexicana from lesion aspirates from infected hamsters. We have minimized the material requirements and maximized the simplicity, rapidity, and informative content of this assay to render it suitable for use in laboratories in countries where leishmaniasis is endemic. This assay should be useful for rapid in-country identification of Leishmania parasites, particularly where different Leishmania complexes are found in the same geographical area.