Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy versus nasogastric tube feeding for adults with swallowing disturbances

BACKGROUND

A number of conditions compromise the passage of food along the digestive tract. Nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding is a classic, time-proven technique, although its prolonged use can lead to complications such as lesions to the nasal wing, chronic sinusitis, gastro-oesophageal reflux, and aspiration pneumonia. Another method of infusion, percutaneous endoscopy gastrostomy (PEG), is generally used when there is a need for enteral nutrition for a longer time period. There is a high demand for PEG in patients with swallowing disorders, although there is no consistent evidence about its effectiveness and safety as compared to NGT.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of PEG compared with NGT for adults with swallowing disturbances.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS from inception to January 2014, and contacted the main authors in the subject area. There was no language restriction in the search.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We planned to include randomised controlled trials comparing PEG versus NGT for adults with swallowing disturbances or dysphagia and indications for nutritional support, with any underlying diseases. The primary outcome was intervention failure (e.g. feeding interruption, blocking or leakage of the tube, no adherence to treatment).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration. For dichotomous and continuous variables, we used risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD), respectively with the random-effects statistical model and 95% confidence interval (CI). We assumed statistical heterogeneity when I² > 50%.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 11 randomised controlled studies with 735 participants which produced 16 meta-analyses of outcome data. Meta-analysis indicated that the primary outcome of intervention failure, occurred in lower proportion of participants with PEG compared to NGT (RR 0.18, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.59, eight studies, 408 participants, low quality evidence) and this difference was statistically significant. For this outcome, we also subgrouped the studies by endoscopic gastrostomy technique into pull, and push and not reported. We observed a significant difference favouring PEG in the pull subgroup (RR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.35, three studies, 90 participants). Thepush subgroup contained only one clinical trial and the result favoured PEG (RR 0.05, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.74, one study, 33 participants) techniques. We found no statistically significant difference in cases where the technique was not reported (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.13 to 1.44, four studies, 285 participants).There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for meta-analyses of the secondary outcomes of mortality (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.28, 644 participants, nine studies, very low quality evidence), overall reports of any adverse event at any follow-up time point (ITT analysis, RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.34), 597 participants, 6 studies, moderate quality evidence), specific adverse events including pneumonia (aspiration) (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.46 to 1.06, 645 participants, seven studies, low quality evidence), or for the meta- analyses of the secondary outcome of nutritional status including weight change from baseline, and mid-arm circumference at endpoint, although there was evidence in favour of PEG for meta-analyses of mid-arm circumference change from baseline (MD 1.16, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.31, 115 participants, two studies), and levels of serum albumin were higher in the PEG group (MD 6.03, 95% CI 2.31 to 9.74, 107 participants).For meta-analyses of the secondary outcomes of time on enteral nutrition, there was no statistically significant difference (MD 14.48, 95% CI -2.74 to 31.71; 119 participants, two studies). For meta-analyses of quality of life measures (EuroQol) outcomes in two studies with 133 participants, for inconvenience (RR 0.03, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.29), discomfort (RR 0.03, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.29), altered body image (RR 0.01, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.18; P = 0.001) and social activities (RR 0.01, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.18) the intervention favoured PEG, that is, fewer participants found the intervention of PEG to be inconvenient, uncomfortable or interfered with social activities. However, there were no significant differences between the groups for pain, ease of learning to use, or the secondary outcome of length of hospital stay (two studies, 381 participants).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

PEG was associated with a lower probability of intervention failure, suggesting the endoscopic procedure may be more effective and safe compared with NGT. There is no significant difference in mortality rates between comparison groups, or in adverse events, including pneumonia related to aspiration. Future studies should include details of participant demographics including underlying disease, age and gender, and the gastrostomy technique.

COVID-19 in solid organ transplantation patients: A systematic review

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) rapidly progresses to severe acute respiratory syndrome. This review aimed at collating available data on COVID-19 infection in solid organ transplantation (SOT) patients. We performed a systematic review of SOT patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The MEDLINE and PubMed databases were electronically searched and updated until April 20, 2020. The MeSH terms used were "COVID-19" AND "Transplant." Thirty-nine COVID-19 cases were reported among SOT patients. The median interval for developing SARS-CoV-2 infection was 4 years since transplantation, and the fatality rate was 25.64% (10/39). Sixteen cases were described in liver transplant (LT) patients, and the median interval since transplantation was 5 years. The fatality rate among LT patients was 37.5% (6/16), with death occurring more than 3 years after LT. The youngest patient who died was 59 years old; there were no deaths among children. Twenty-three cases were described in kidney transplant (KT) patients. The median interval since transplantation was 4 years, and the fatality rate was 17.4% (4/23). The youngest patient who died was 71 years old. Among all transplant patients, COVID-19 had the highest fatality rate in patients older than 60 years : LT, 62.5% vs 12.5% (p=0.006); KT 44.44% vs 0 (p=0.039); and SOT, 52.94% vs 4.54% (p=0.001). This study presents a novel description of COVID-19 in abdominal SOT recipients. Furthermore, we alert medical professionals to the higher fatality risk in patients older than 60 years. (PROSPERO, registration number=CRD42020181299).

Chondrosarcoma of bone: lessons from 46 operated cases in a single institution

BACKGROUND

Bone chondrosarcomas are rare malignant tumors that have variable biologic behavior, and their treatment is controversial. For low-grade tumors, there is no consensus on whether intralesional en bloc resections are the best treatment.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We therefore compared patients with Grade 1 and Grade 2 primary central chondrosarcomas to (1) determine difference in survival and (2) local recurrence rates; and (3) determine any association of histological grade with some clinical and demographic characteristics.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 46 patients with grade 1 and 2 chondrosarcomas. There were 25 men and 21 women with a mean age of 43 years (range, 17-79 years). Minimum followup was 32 months (mean, 99 months; range, 32-312 months) for the patients who remained alive in the end of the study. Twenty-three of the tumors were intracompartmental (Enneking A); of these, 19 were Grade 1 and 4 were Grade 2. Twenty-three tumors were extracompartmental (Enneking B); of these, 4 were Grade 1 and 19 were Grade 2. Twenty-five patients underwent intralesional resection, 18 had wide resection, and three had amputations.

RESULTS

The overall survival rate was 94% and the disease-free survival rate was 90%. Among the 23 Grade 1 tumors, we observed six local recurrences and none of these patients died; among the 23 Grade 2 tumors, 10 recurred and two patients died. Local recurrence negatively influenced survival.

CONCLUSIONS

For lesions with radiographic characteristics of intracompartmental Grade 1 chondrosarcoma, we believe intralesional resection followed by electrocauterization and cement is the best treatment. When the imaging suggests aggressive (Grade 2 or 3) chondrosarcoma, then wide resection is promptly indicated.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy versus nasogastric tube feeding for adults with swallowing disturbances

BACKGROUND

A number of conditions compromise the passage of food along the digestive tract. Nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding is a classic, time-proven technique, although its prolonged use can lead to complications such as lesions to the nasal wing, chronic sinusitis, gastro-oesophageal reflux, and aspiration pneumonia. Another method of infusion, percutaneous endoscopy gastrostomy (PEG), is generally used when there is a need for enteral nutrition for a longer time period. There is a high demand for PEG in patients with swallowing disorders, although there is no consistent evidence about its effectiveness and safety as compared to NGT.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of PEG as compared to NGT for adults with swallowing disturbances, by updating our previous Cochrane review.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS from inception to September 2011, as well as contacting main authors in the subject area. There was no language restriction in the search.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We planned to include randomised controlled trials comparing PEG versus NGT for adults with swallowing disturbances or dysphagia and indications for nutritional support, with any underlying diseases. The primary outcome was intervention failure (e.g. feeding interruption, blocking or leakage of the tube, no adherence to treatment).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Review authors performed selection, data extraction and evaluation of methodological quality of studies. For dichotomous and continuous variables, we used risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD), respectively with the random-effects statistical model and 95% confidence interval (CI). We assumed statistical heterogeneity when I² > 50%.

MAIN RESULTS

We included nine randomised controlled studies. We did not identify new eligible studies published after our previous review literature search date (August 2009). Intervention failure occurred in 19/156 patients in the PEG group and 63/158 patients in the NGT group (RR 0.24, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.76, P = 0.01) in favour of PEG. There was no statistically significant difference between comparison groups in complications (RR 1.00, 95%CI 0.91 to 1.11, P = 0.93).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

PEG was associated with a lower probability of intervention failure, suggesting the endoscopic procedure is more effective and safe as compared to NGT. There is no significant difference of mortality rates between comparison groups, and pneumonia irrespective of underlying disease (medical diagnosis). Future studies should include previously planned and executed follow-up periods, the gastrostomy technique, and the experience of the professionals to allow more detailed subgroup analysis.

Use of ketofol for procedural sedation and analgesia in children with hematological diseases

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intravenous ketamine-propofol admixture ("ketofol") in the same syringe for procedural sedation and analgesia in children undergoing bone marrow aspiration.

METHODS

This was a prospective, observational pilot study. Patients aged between 4 and 12 years requiring sedation for bone marrow aspiration were included. Ketofol (1:1 mixture of ketamine 10 mg/mL and propofol 10 mg/mL) was given intravenously in 0.5 mg/kg aliquots each with a 1-min interval and titrated to reach sedation levels of 3 or 4 (Ramsay score). The primary outcome was patient satisfaction with the degree of sedation. Secondary outcomes included injection pain, total sedation time, recovery time, hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, and adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients were enrolled in the study. The median total dose of ketofol administered was 1.25 mg/kg each of propofol and ketamine (95%CI 0.77-2 mg/kg). The median score on the visual analog scale was 0 (extremely comfortable) (0-1.5; 95%CI 0.2-2.2). Median recovery time was 23 min (20.5-28 min; 95%CI 17.1-51.2). The incidence of injection pain was 2/20. Two patients had transient diplopia and one child reported dreams. No patients had hypotension, vomiting or required airway intervention.

CONCLUSION

Ketofol provided effective sedation, which was reflected in the high degree of satisfaction recorded by children requiring procedural sedation and analgesia for bone marrow aspiration. We also observed rapid recovery and no clinically significant complications. A large number of patients is required to evaluate and validate these findings.

Resection for intrahepatic cholangiocellular cancer: new advances

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most prevalent primary liver neoplasm after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), corresponding to 10% to 15% of cases. Pathologies that cause chronic biliary inflammation and bile stasis are known predisposing factors for development of ICC. The incidence and cancer-related mortality of ICC is increasing worldwide. Most patients remain asymptomatic until advance stage, commonly presenting with a liver mass incidentally diagnosed. The only potentially curative treatment available for ICC is surgical resection. The prognosis is dismal for unresectable cases. The principle of the surgical approach is a margin negative hepatic resection with preservation of adequate liver remnant. Regional lymphadenectomy is recommended at time of hepatectomy due to the massive impact on outcomes caused by lymph node (LN) metastasis. Multicentric disease, tumor size, margin status and tumor differentiation are also important prognostic factors. Staging laparoscopy is warranted in high-risk patients to avoid unnecessary laparotomy. Exceedingly complex surgical procedures, such as major vascular, extrahepatic bile ducts and visceral resections, ex vivo hepatectomy and autotransplantation, should be implemented in properly selected patients to achieve negative margins. Neoadjuvant therapy may be used in initially unresectable lesions in order to downstage and allow resection. Despite optimal surgical management, recurrence is frustratingly high. Adjuvant chemotherapy with radiation associated with locoregional treatments should be considered in cases with unfavorable prognostic factors. Selected patients may undergo re-resection of tumor recurrence. Despite the historically poor outcomes of liver transplantation for ICC, highly selected patients with unresectable disease, especially those with adequate response to neoadjuvant therapy, may be offered transplant. In this article, we reviewed the current literature in order to highlight the most recent advances and recommendations for the surgical treatment of this aggressive malignancy.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy versus nasogastric tube feeding for adults with swallowing disturbances

BACKGROUND

A number of conditions compromise the passage of food along the digestive tract. Nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding is a classic, time-proven technique, although its prolonged use can lead to complications such as lesions to the nasal wing, chronic sinusitis, gastro-oesophageal reflux, and aspiration pneumonia. Another method of infusion, percutaneous endoscopy gastrostomy (PEG), is generally used when there is a need for enteral nutrition for a longer time period. There is a high demand for PEG in patients with swallowing disorders, although there is no consistent evidence about its effectiveness and safety as compared to NGT.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of PEG as compared to NGT for adults with swallowing disturbances.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS from inception to August 2009, as well as contacting main authors in the subject area. There was no language restriction in the search.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We planned to include randomised controlled trials comparing PEG versus NGT for adults with swallowing disturbances or dysphagia and indications for nutritional support, with any underlying diseases. The primary outcome was intervention failures (feeding interruption, blocking or leakage of the tube, no adherence to treatment).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Review authors performed selection, data extraction and evaluation of methodological quality of studies. For dichotomous and continuous variables, we used risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD), respectively with the random-effects statistical model and 95% confidence interval (CI). We assumed statistical heterogeneity when I(2) > 50%.

MAIN RESULTS

We included nine randomised controlled studies. Intervention failure occurred in 19/156 patients in the PEG group and 63/158 patients in the NGT group (RR 0.24 (95%CI 0.08 to 0.76, P = 0.01)) in favour of PEG. There was no statistically significant difference between comparison groups in complications (RR 1.00, 95%CI 0.91 to 1.11, P = 0.93).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

PEG was associated to a lower probability of intervention failure, suggesting the endoscopic procedure is more effective and safe as compared to NGT. There is no significant difference of mortality rates between comparison groups, and pneumonia irrespective of underlying disease (medical diagnosis). Future studies should include previously planned and executed follow-up periods, the gastrostomy technique, and the experience of the professionals to allow more detailed subgroup analysis.

Abnormal expression of telomerase/apoptosis limits type II alveolar epithelial cell replication in the early remodeling of usual interstitial pneumonia/idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a distinctive, usually fatal, type of chronic fibrosing interstitial pneumonia of unknown cause that increases in prevalence with advanced age, characterized by failure of alveolar re-epithelization and progressive scar formation. Recently, limitation of the replicative capacity of tissues determined by telomerase/apoptosis balance has been implicated in pathogenesis of age-related diseases. In this study, we validated the importance of the expression of type 2 alveolar epithelial cells telomerase protein and studied the relationships between telomerase and apoptosis in early remodeling of usual interstitial pneumonia. We determined type 2 alveolar epithelial cells density, telomerase expression, and apoptosis in surgical lung biopsies from 24 patients with usual interstitial pneumonia, and in normal lung tissues from 18 subjects. We used immunohistochemistry, deoxynucleotidyl transferase method of end labeling, electron microscopy, and histomorphometry to evaluate the amount of type 2 alveolar epithelial cells staining for surfactant-A, telomerase, and in situ detection of apoptotic cells. Unaffected areas of usual interstitial pneumonia and normal lung tissue had similar densities of type 2 alveolar epithelial cells, but a significant minor subpopulation of type 2 alveolar epithelial cells was telomerase positive and a large population was telomerase negative. A significant inverse association was found between low type 2 alveolar epithelial cell telomerase expression and high apoptosis in unaffected areas of usual interstitial pneumonia. Although type 2 alveolar epithelial cell telomerase expression was higher than apoptosis in NLT group, no significant association was found between them. Electron microscopy confirmed epithelial apoptosis, alveolar collapse, and initial fibroplasia. We conclude that abnormal type 2 alveolar epithelial cells telomerase/apoptosis balance may reduce alveolar epithelial regenerative capacity, thus contributing to the early remodeling response in usual interstitial pneumonia.

Increased fibroblast telomerase expression precedes myofibroblast α-smooth muscle actin expression in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to identify the relationship between fibroblast telomerase expression, myofibroblasts, and telomerase-mediated regulatory signals in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

METHODS

Thirty-four surgical lung biopsies, which had been obtained from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and histologically classified as usual interstitial pneumonia, were examined. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate fibroblast telomerase expression, myofibroblast α-smooth muscle actin expression and the tissue expression of inter leu kin-4, transforming growth factor-β, and basic fibroblast growth factor. The point-counting technique was used to quantify the expression of these markers in unaffected, collapsed, mural fibrosis, and honeycombing areas. The results were correlated to patient survival.

RESULTS

Fibroblast telomerase expression and basic fibroblast growth factor tissue expression were higher in collapsed areas, whereas myofibroblast expression and interleukine-4 tissue expression were higher in areas of mural fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-β expression was higher in collapsed, mural fibrosis and honeycombing areas in comparison to unaffected areas. Positive correlations were found between basic fibroblast growth factor tissue expression and fibroblast telomerase expression and between interleukin-4 tissue expression and myofibroblast α-smooth muscle actin expression. Negative correlations were observed between interleukin-4 expression and basic fibroblast growth factor tissue expression in areas of mural fibrosis. Myofibroblast α-smooth muscle actin expression and interleukin-4 tissue expression in areas of mural fibrosis were negatively associated with patient survival.

CONCLUSION

Fibroblast telomerase expression is higher in areas of early remodeling in lung tissues demonstrating typical interstitial pneumonia, whereas myofibroblast α-smooth muscle actin expression predominates in areas of late remodeling. These events seem to be regulated by basic fibroblast growth factor and interleukin-4 tissue expression, respectively.

Internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm with life-threatening epistaxis as a complication of deep neck space infection

Pseudoaneurysm of the cervical internal carotid artery is a very rare, potentially fatal complication of a neck space infection in children associated with high mortality and morbidity. A 3-year-old boy presented with spontaneous massive epistaxis 45 days after a deep neck space infection caused by a peritonsillar abscess. During nasopharyngeal packing, he evolved with cardiac arrest. Intra-arterial angiography was then performed that revealed a large pseudoaneurysm. Endovascular treatment using detachable balloons achieved complete exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm. The child made an uneventful recovery and was discharged with mild left hemiparesis and no deficit of sensory or cognitive functions. Pseudoaneurysms of the internal carotid artery after a deep neck space infection can be associated with delayed and potentially fatal massive epistaxis. Furthermore, a regional (ie, extranasal) blood vessel should be promptly investigated when there are signs of hypovolemic shock. A high level of suspicion and definitive treatment are essential for successful management of these patients.

CA72-4 antigen levels in serum and peritoneal washing in gastric cancer: correlation with morphological aspects of neoplasia

BACKGROUND: Determining levels of tumor markers in peritoneal washing enables likelihood of peritoneal recurrence to be ascertained in patients with high marker levels, thereby allowing provision of more accurate adjuvant treatment and postoperative follow up. AIM: To analyze the relationship between levels of tumor marker CA72-4 in serum and peritoneal washing, and morphological aspects of gastric carcinoma. METHOD: This study analyzed 32 consecutively-operated patients with gastric carcinoma, who underwent subtotal, total or palliative gastrectomy. The variables studied were CA72-4 levels in serum and peritoneal washing, lesion site, stage, degree of cell differentiation, operation performed, and number of extirpated and involvement lymph nodes. Of the 32 patient sample, 21 (65.6%) were male and 11 (34.4%) female. Mean age was 62.6 ± 14.2 years (29 to 91 years). Following anesthetic induction, peripherical venous blood was collected through percutaneous punction of an upper limb vein. After the procedure, 50 mL of physiologic solution at 37ºC was introduced into the cul-de-sac. A 10 mL volume of this liquid was aspirated from the cavity and the peritoneal washing tested for CA72-4 levels. Normal values for CA72-4 levels in serum were considered <7 U/mL and high levels as >7U/mL, whilst for the peritoneal washing normal levels were <0.61 U/mL, and abnormal >0.61 U/mL. RESULTS: Mean pre-operative serum levels for CA72-4 were 6.55 U/mL ± 15.30 (0.3 to 75.30 U/mL) whilst the mean level of CA72-4 in peritoneal washing was 8.50 U/mL ± 26.72 (0.3 to 142.00 U/mL); correlation between these levels was significant. Lymph nodes involvement by the gastric carcinoma correlated significantly with higher CA72-4 levels in both serum and peritoneal wash. There was no statistically significant correlation between serum level of CA72-4 and invasion into serosa by the gastric carcinoma. There was however, significant correlation between peritoneal washing levels of CA72-4 and involvement of serosa by gastric carcinoma. There was also a significant correlation between more advanced stages of gastric carcinoma and higher levels of CA72-4 in the peritoneal washing, although serum levels of CA72-4 and more advanced stage of gastric neoplasia showed no significant correlation. Degrees of cellular differentiation in the gastric carcinoma did not differ significantly with CA72-4 levels in serum or peritoneal washing. CONCLUSION: High levels of CA72-4 in peritoneal washing correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis and serosa involvement by the neoplasia, and also with more advanced stage of gastric carcinoma. The levels of CA72-4 in the blood correlated significantly with lymph node involvement by the gastric carcinoma, but not with serosa invasion or more advanced stage of neoplasia.

Living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular cancer: an (almost) exclusive Eastern procedure?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most prevalent cancer and it is linked with chronic liver disease. Liver transplantation (LT) is the best curative treatment modality, since it can cure simultaneously the underlying liver disease and HCC. Milan criteria (MC) are the benchmark for selecting patients with HCC for LT, achieving up to 91% 1-year survival post transplantation. However, when considering intention-to-treat (ITT) rates are substantially lower, mainly due dropout. Additionally, Milan criteria (MC) are too restrictive and more inclusive criteria have been reported with good outcomes. Mainly, in Eastern countries, deceased donors are scarce, therefore Asian centers have developed living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) to a state-of-art status. There are many eastern centers reporting huge numbers of LDLT with outstanding results. Regarding HCC patients, they have reported many criteria including more advanced tumors achieving reasonable outcomes. Western countries have well-established deceased-donor liver transplantation (DDLT) programs. However, organ shortage and restrictive criteria for listing patients with HCC endorses LDLT as a good option to offer curative treatment to more HCC patients. However, there are some controversial reports claiming higher rates of HCC recurrence after LDLT than DDLT. An extensive review included 30 studies with cohorts of HCC patients who underwent LDLT in both East and West countries. We reported also the results of our Institution, in Brazil, where it was performed the first LDLT. This review also addresses the eligibility criteria for transplanting patients with HCC developed in Western and Eastern countries.

NM23 protein expression in colorectal carcinoma using TMA (tissue microarray): association with metastases and survival

CONTEXT

NM23, a metastasis suppressor gene, may be associated with prognosis in patients with colorectal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze NM23 expression and its association with the presence of lymph node and liver metastases and survival in patients operated on for colorectal carcinoma.

METHODS

One hundred thirty patients operated on for colorectal carcinoma were investigated. Tissue microarray blocks containing neoplastic tissue and tumor-adjacent non-neoplastic mucosa were obtained and analyzed by immunohistochemical staining using a monoclonal anti-NM23 antibody. Immunohistochemical expression was assessed using a semiquantitative scoring method, counting the percentage of stained cells. The results were compared regarding morphological and histological characteristics of the colorectal carcinoma, presence of lymph node and liver metastases, tumor staging, and patient survival. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney test, the Kruskal-Wallis test and Fisher's exact test. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test.

RESULTS

NM23 expression was higher in colorectal carcinoma tissue than in adjacent non-neoplastic mucosa (P<0.0001). NM23 protein expression did not correlate with degree of cell differentiation (P = 0.57), vascular invasion (P = 0.85), lymphatic invasion (P = 0.41), perineural infiltration (P = 0.46), staging (P = 0.19), lymph node metastases (P = 0.08), or liver metastases (P = 0.59). Disease-free survival showed significant association (P = 0.01) with the intensity of NM23 protein immunohistochemical expression in colorectal carcinoma tissue, whereas overall survival showed no association with NM23 protein expression (P = 0.13).

CONCLUSIONS

NM23 protein expression was higher in neoplastic colorectal carcinoma tissue than in adjacent non-neoplastic mucosa, showing no correlation with morphological aspects, presence of lymph node or liver metastases, colorectal carcinoma staging, or overall survival. Disease-free survival was higher in patients with increased NM23 expression.

Liver transplant recipients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the early postoperative period: Lessons from a single center in the epicenter of the pandemic

The impact of coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) in liver recipients remains largely unknown. Most data derive from small retrospective series of patients transplanted years ago. We aimed to report a single‐center case series of five consecutive patients in the early postoperative period of deceased‐donor liver transplantation who developed nosocomial COVID‐19. Two patients presented important respiratory discomfort and eventually died. One was 69 years old and had severe coronary disease. She rapidly worsened after COVID‐19 diagnosis on 9th postoperative day. The other was 67 years old with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis, who experienced prolonged postoperative course, complicated with cytomegalovirus infection and kidney failure. He was diagnosed on 36th postoperative day and remained on mechanical ventilation for 20 days, ultimately succumbing of secondary bacterial infection. The third, fourth, and fifth patients were diagnosed on 10th, 11th, and 18th postoperative day, respectively, and presented satisfactory clinical evolution. These last two patients were severely immunosuppressed, since one underwent steroid bolus for acute cellular rejection and another also used anti‐thymocyte globulin for treating steroid‐resistant rejection. Our novel experience highlights that COVID‐19 may negatively impact the postoperative course, especially in elder and obese patients with comorbidities, and draws attention to COVID‐19 nosocomial spread in the early postoperative period.

Colonic carcinoid tumors: a clinicopathologic study of 23 patients from a single institution

CONTEXT: Colonic carcinoids, excluding those arising in the appendix, have proved to be extremely rare. Due to their rarity, the characteristics and behavior of this unusual malignancy remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To review the clinicopathologic features of patients operated on carcinoid tumors of the colon. METHODS: Twenty-three patients (12 males and 11 females) were operated on colonic carcinoids. The mean age of the patients was 63.0 ± 12.9 years (42 to 85 years). The clinical and histopathological data of patients who were pathologically diagnosed as having carcinoid tumors and submitted to surgical treatment over a 30-year period (1977-2007) were gathered. Actuarial patient survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, with carcinoid-specific death as the outcome. RESULTS: The mean time elapsed between onset of symptoms and surgical treatment was 8.3 months (1.5 to 20 months). The most frequent symptoms or signs encountered were abdominal pain followed by anorexia or weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal tenderness, palpable abdominal mass, and rectal bleeding. No carcinoid syndrome was noted. The lesion was located in the cecum in 16 (69.6%) patients, in the sigmoid in 3 patients (13.0%), in the ascending colon in 3 patients (13.0%), and in the transverse colon in one patient (4.3%). Twenty-one (91.3%) patients were operated on curative intent. Spreading of the disease to the liver and peritoneum was found in two (8.7%) patients who submitted to intestinal bypass. The mean size of the largest mass was 3.7 ± 1.2 cm (1.5 to 6.2 cm). There were multiple (two or more) lesions in three cases (13.0%). In the resected cases, the lymph nodes were compromised in 10 patients (47.6%) and disease-free in 11 (52.4%). Venous invasion and neural infiltration were both present in five (23.8%) patients. The tumors had penetrated the muscularis propria in all resected cases. Four (17.4%) patients had a second non-carcinoid primary tumor. Three (13.0%) patients died due to postoperative complications and five (21.7%) patients died from metachronous metastases or local recurrence. Fifteen patients (65.2%) remain alive without evidence of active disease. The mean follow-up period was 12 years (1.2 to 18 years), whereas the mean global survival was 50.7 ± 34.2 months and the crude survival rate at 5 years was 62.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Carcinoid tumors of the colon are frequently right-sided and may be clinically occult until an advanced stage is reached. Based on the relatively poor survival rates reported, it is recommended that, in addition to standard surgical resection, vigorous surveillance for metastatic disease must be performed, particularly during the first 2 years after surgery. In addition, these patients require evaluation of the entire gastrointestinal tract for evidence of coexisting malignancy, along with an extended period of follow-up, because tumor recurrences after 5 years are not uncommon.

Prognostic value of carcinoembryonic antigen distribution in tumor tissue of colorectal carcinoma

CONTEXT: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) can be detected in colorectal tumor tissue but its role in the survival of patients remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the expression of tissue CEA using immunohistochemical staining in colorectal tumors and to analyze the relationship between this finding and preoperative plasmatic level of CEA, morphologic features and survival of patients operated with curative intent for colorectal carcinoma. METHOD: Forty-seven patients were included in the study: 18 (38.3%) males and 29 (61.7%) females, with a mean age of 67.8 ± 9.7 years (37 to 84 years). Immediately before laparotomy, pre-operative serum levels of CEA were obtained where normal levels were considered <2.5 ng/mL for non-smokers, and <5.0 ng/mL for smokers. CEA immunohistochemical studies were carried out using anti-human CEA monoclonal mouse antibody. The expression of immunostaining for each neoplasia was classified according to the pattern of CEA tissular distribution into apical or cytoplasmic. The variables considered for the statistical analysis were plasmatic preoperative CEA level, location of the lesion within the large intestine, lesion diameter, lymph node involvement, Duke's classification, vein invasion, grade of cellular differentiation, survival and pattern of CEA tissular distribution. The statistical models utilized were Spearman's correlation and the Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Student t tests. Patients' survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The mean preoperative CEA value was 15.4 ± 5.5 ng/mL (0.2 to 92.1 ng/mL). The neoplasm was located in the colon in 29 (61.7%) and in the rectum in 18 (38.3%) patients. Eight (17.0%) patients were classified as Duke's stage A, 22 (46.8%) as stage B and 17 (36.2%) as stage C. On immunohistochemical studies, the pattern of CEA tissular distribution was apical in 33 (70.2%) patients and cytoplasmic in 14 (29.8%) patients. Patients with apical patterns presented a mean sera CEA level of 15.5 ± 6.5 ng/mL while those with cytoplasmic pattern attained a mean sera CEA level of 15.1 ± 7.3 ng/mL, with no significant difference between these values (P = 0.35). Apical distribution of CEA occurred in 6 (12.8%) Duke A, 18 (38.2%) Duke B and 9 (12.2%) Duke C patients, while cytoplasmic CEA tissular distribution was observed in 2 (4.2%) Duke A, 3 (6.4%) Duke B and 9 (19.1%) Duke C patients. Patients with Duke B neoplasms presented significantly more apical CEA tissular distribution patterns (P = 0.049) than subjects with cytoplasmic CEA tissular patterns. The apical CEA tissular distribution pattern in neoplasms was significantly more frequent in neoplasms with no lymph node compromise compared to the cytoplasmic pattern (P = 0.50). However, no significant differences were seen between apical and cytoplasmic CEA tissular distribution patterns in terms of colon or rectal site (P = 0.21), lesion diameter across greatest axis (P = 0.19), vein invasion (P = 0.13) or degree of cellular differentiation (P = 0.19). Of the 47 patients operated, 33 (70.2%) survived for more than 5 years where mean survival was 31.1 ± 5.6 months. Survival between patients with apical and cytoplasmic CEA tissular distribution showed no significant difference (P = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: Although the apical distribution pattern of CEA was significantly more frequent in more advanced stages of Duke's classification, the CEA tissular distribution presented no relationship with serum CEA levels, morphological features of the neoplasm or survival of patients undergoing curative colorectal carcinoma resection.

Does videothoracoscopy improve clinical outcomes when implemented as part of a pleural empyema treatment algorithm?

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate whether the inclusion of videothoracoscopy in a pleural empyema treatment algorithm would change the clinical outcome of such patients.

METHODS

This study performed quality-improvement research. We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent pleural decortication for pleural empyema at our institution from 2002 to 2008. With the old algorithm (January 2002 to September 2005), open decortication was the procedure of choice, and videothoracoscopy was only performed in certain sporadic mid-stage cases. With the new algorithm (October 2005 to December 2008), videothoracoscopy became the first-line treatment option, whereas open decortication was only performed in patients with a thick pleural peel (>2 cm) observed by chest scan. The patients were divided into an old algorithm (n = 93) and new algorithm (n = 113) group and compared. The main outcome variables assessed included treatment failure (pleural space reintervention or death up to 60 days after medical discharge) and the occurrence of complications.

RESULTS

Videothoracoscopy and open decortication were performed in 13 and 80 patients from the old algorithm group and in 81 and 32 patients from the new algorithm group, respectively (p<0.01). The patients in the new algorithm group were older (41 +1 vs. 46.3+ 16.7 years, p = 0.014) and had higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores [0(0-3) vs. 2(0-4), p = 0.032]. The occurrence of treatment failure was similar in both groups (19.35% vs. 24.77%, p = 0.35), although the complication rate was lower in the new algorithm group (48.3% vs. 33.6%, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The wider use of videothoracoscopy in pleural empyema treatment was associated with fewer complications and unaltered rates of mortality and reoperation even though more severely ill patients were subjected to videothoracoscopic surgery.

Obesity is a risk factor for significant carotid atherosclerosis in patients aged 39 to 55 years

We compared the prevalence of risk factors between young and old individuals with significant carotid atherosclerosis. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients aged 39 to 55 years (group I) and aged ≥ 60 years (group II) with significant atherosclerotic stenosis at the carotid bifurcation. Group I patients had significantly higher values for the following factors: weight, height, body mass index, diastolic pressure, prevalence of current smoking, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and significant lower values for systolic pressure, creatinine, and prevalence of coronary artery disease. Group I patients were more symptomatic and showed higher rates of carotid occlusion and near occlusion. Atherosclerosis of the carotid bifurcation was more aggressive in the younger group, with a higher rate of occlusion and near occlusion. Obesity and smoking were significant risk factors for young patients in this sample.

Perfil do doador de pulmão disponibilizado no estado de São Paulo, Brasil, em 2006

OBJETIVO: Analisar a taxa de aproveitamento de pulmões disponibilizados em São Paulo no ano de 2006, bem como caracterizar o perfil dos doadores de pulmão deste período. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de 497 prontuários de doadores de pulmão, no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2006. RESULTADOS: Não houve oferta de doação de pulmões para transplante em 149 (30%) dos prontuários analisados, sendo excluídos do estudo. A idade média dos 348 doadores eleitos para o estudo foi de 37,4 ± 16,1 anos, e 56,9% deles eram do sexo masculino. As principais causas da morte cerebral dos doadores foram: acidente vascular cerebral (40,5%); trauma cranioencefálico (34,2%); e hemorragia subaracnóidea (10,9%). A grande maioria dos doadores recebia drogas vasoativas (90,5%), sendo que 13,5% haviam apresentado parada cárdio-respiratória. Do ponto de vista infeccioso, o leucograma médio foi de 15.008 ± 6.467 células/mm³, 67,8% recebiam antibioticoterapia e 26,1% apresentavam infecção pulmonar. Quase 40% dos doadores apresentavam alterações radiográficas. Apenas 4,9% dos doadores foram aceitos, representando 28 pulmões (taxa de aproveitamento de órgãos de 4%). Os motivos de recusa foram: alteração gasométrica (30,1%); infecção (23,7%); e distância (10,9%). CONCLUSÕES: A taxa de aproveitamento de pulmões em nosso meio é baixa quando comparada às taxas médias de aproveitamento mundial. Além disso, mais de 50% das recusas deveram-se à gasometria arterial inadequada e infecção pulmonar. Aliar melhor cuidado ao potencial doador à menor rigidez nos critérios de seleção poderia aumentar a utilização dos órgãos doados.

Imatinib-induced fulminant liver failure in chronic myeloid leukemia: role of liver transplant and second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors: a case report

BACKGROUND

There is a worldwide problem of acute liver failure and mortality associated with remaining on the waiting for a liver transplant. In this study, we highlight results published in recent years by leading transplant centers in evaluating imatinib-induced acute liver failure in chronic myeloid leukemia and follow-up in liver transplantation.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 36-year-old brown-skinned woman (mixed Brazilian race) diagnosed 1 year earlier with chronic myeloid leukemia was started after delivery of a baby and continued for 6 months with imatinib mesylate (selective inhibitor of Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase), which induced liver failure. We conducted a literature review using the PubMed database for articles published through September 2017, and we demonstrate a role of liver transplant in this situation for imatinib-induced liver failure. We report previously published results and a successful liver transplant after acute liver failure due to imatinib-induced in chronic myeloid leukemia treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a case of a successful liver transplant after acute liver failure resulting from imatinib-induced chronic myeloid leukemia treatment. The literature reveals the importance of prompt acute liver failure diagnosis and treatment with liver transplant in selected cases.

Glycomics expression analysis of sulfated glycosaminoglycans of human colorectal cancer tissues and non-neoplastic mucosa by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Objective

To determine the presence of glycosaminoglycans in the extracellular matrix of connective tissue from neoplastic and non-neoplastic colorectal tissues, since it has a central role in tumor development and progression.

Methods

Tissue samples from neoplastic and non-neoplastic colorectal tissues were obtained from 64 operated patients who had colorectal carcinoma with no distant metastases. Expressions of heparan sulphate, chondroitin sulphate, dermatan sulphate and their fragments were analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, with the technique for extraction and quantification of glycosaminoglycans after proteolysis and electrophoresis. The statistical analysis included mean, standard deviation, and Student’s t test.

Results

The glycosaminoglycans extracted from colorectal tissue showed three electrophoretic bands in agarose gel. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry showed characteristic disaccharide fragments from glycosaminoglycans, indicating their structural characterization in the tissues analyzed. Some peaks in the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry were not characterized as fragments of sugars, indicating the presence of fragments of the protein structure of proteoglycans generated during the glycosaminoglycan purification. The average amount of chondroitin and dermatan increased in the neoplastic tissue compared to normal tissue (p=0.01). On the other hand, the average amount of heparan decreased in the neoplastic tissue compared to normal tissue (p= 0.03).

Conclusion

The method allowed the determination of the glycosaminoglycans structural profile in colorectal tissue from neoplastic and non-neoplastic colorectal tissue. Neoplastic tissues showed greater amounts of chondroitin sulphate and dermatan sulphate compared to non-neoplastic tissues, while heparan sulphate was decreased in neoplastic tissues.