Primary renal angiosarcoma: A case report and review of the literature

Primary renal angiosarcoma is very rare. To our knowledge, only 15 cases have been reported to date. A 77-year-old Japanese man with a unilateral kidney presented with massive hematuria followed by renal failure. A renal tumor was suspected and a left nephrectomy was performed. The histopathological diagnosis was angiosarcoma of the kidney. A hemorrhagic tumor measuring 10 × 5 cm and clotted blood was found in the modularly area. The atypical tumor cells had a sinusoidal and solid appearance, and showed Immunohistochemically positive reactions for some of the endothelial markers. The patient died about 21 months after the nephrectomy and the autopsy revealed massive metastases to the liver and retroperitoneum. One of the differential diagnoses of the case was anglomyolipoma, because the tumor cells were relatively bland in their histological appearance with entrapped fat cells in the pelvic area. Fifteen case reports with titles that included the term 'hemangiosarcoma/anglosarcoma', 'hemangioendothelloma/endothelloma' or 'vascular sarcoma' of the kidney were reviewed and compared to the present case.     

Dsteosynthesis with long volar locking plates for meta- physeal-diaphyseal fractures of the distal radius

Objective：Metaphyseal-diaphyseal fractures of the distal radius are a major treatment dilemma and orthopaedic surgeons have to pay due consideration to restoration of anatomy of distal radius together with rotation of the radial shaft and maintenance of radial bow and interosseous space.We performed this study to evaluate the clinic-radiological outcome of metaphyseal-diaphyseal fractures of the distal radius treated with long volar locking plates.Methods：This prospective study involved 27 patients （22 males and 5 females） with metaphyseal-diaphyseal fracture of the distal radius.Their mean age was （30.12±11.48） years （range 19-52 years） and the follow-up was 26.8 months （range 22-34 months）.All patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation with a long volar locking plate.According to AO/OTA classification,there were 7 type A3,13 type C2 and 7 type C3 fractures.Subjective assessment was done based on the disabilities of the arm,shoulder and hand （DASH） questionnaire.Functional evaluation was done by measuring grip strength and range of motion around the wrist and the radiological determinants included radial angle,radial length,volar angle and ulnar variance.The final assessment was done according to Gartland and Werley scoring system.Results：Postoperative radiological parameters were well maintained throughout the trial,and there was significant improvement in the functional parameters from 6 weeks to final follow-up.The average DASH scores improved from 37.5 at 6 weeks to 4.2 at final follow-up.Final assessment using Gartland and Werley scoring system revealed 66.67%（n=l8） excellent and 33.33% （n=9） good results.There was one case of superficial infection which responded to antibiotics and another carpel tunnel syndrome which was managed conservatively.Conclusion：Volar locking plate fixation for metaphyseal-diaphyseal fractures of distal radius is associated with excellent to good functional outcome,early rehabilitation and minimal complications.     

Proximal humeral reconstruction using nail cement spacer in primary and metastatic tumours of proximal humerus

Limb salvage surgery for malignant tumours of proximal humerus is an operative challenge, where the surgeon has to preserve elbow and hand functions and retain shoulder stability with as much function as possible. We treated 14 consecutive patients with primary malignant or isolated metastasis of proximal humerus with surgical resection and reconstruction by nail cement spacer. There were 8 females and 6 males, with a mean age of 28.92 years (range 16–51 years) and a mean follow-up of 30.14 months (range 12–52 months). The diagnosis was osteosarcoma in 8 patients, chondrosarcoma in 4 patients and metastasis from thyroid and breast carcinoma in 1 patient each. One of our patients had radial nerve neuropraxia, 1 developed inferior subluxation and 3 developed distant metastasis. Two patients died of disease and one developed local recurrence leading to forequarter amputation, leaving a total of 11 patients with functional extremities for assessment at the time of final follow-up which was done using the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) score. Though we were able to preserve the elbow, wrist and hand functions in all patients, the abductor mechanism, deltoid muscle and axillary nerve were not salvageable in any of cases. The mean MSTS score at the time of final follow-up was 19.09. Thus, proximal humeral reconstruction using nail cement spacer is a technical simple, cost-effective and reproducible procedure which makes it a reliable option in subset of patients where the functions around the shoulder cannot be preserved despite costlier prosthesis.     

Production of murine monoclonal antibody to fetal hemoglobin

Fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) is a major hemoglobin (Hb) component at birth. Hb F levels are markedly elevated in a number of inherited and acquired disorders. Measurement of Hb F levels is usually carried out by alkali denaturation which is not very accurate for low and high values. An accurate estimation of Hb F, and also of F cells, is desired in many hematological disorders like sickle cell disease, in monitoring the efficacy of hydroxyurea (HU) therapy, to assess feto-maternal hemorrhage (FMH) during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. We have raised a murine monoclonal antibody to human Hb F, that accurately measures the number of F cells by flow cytometry. The antibody was found to be potent and specific for F cells.     

Risk for Infection with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) in Backyard Chickens, Bangladesh

To evaluate risk factors for infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (H5N1) in backyard chickens in Bangladesh, we conducted a matched case–control study. We enrolled 25 case farms (cases March–November 2007) and 75 control farms (June–November 2007). We used a questionnaire to collect farm data, which were analyzed by matched-pair analysis and multivariate conditional logistic regression. Factors independently associated were offering slaughter remnants of purchased chickens to backyard chickens (odds ratio [OR] 13.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34–131.98, p = 0.027), having a nearby water body (OR 5.27, 95% CI 1.24–22.34, p = 0.024), and having contact with pigeons (OR 4.47, 95% CI 1.14–17.50, p = 0.032). Separating chickens and ducks at night was protective (OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01–0.45, p = 0.006). Reducing these risks and taking protective measures might reduce the risk for influenza (H5N1) infection in backyard chickens.