Short-term morbidity from CT-planned transperineal I-125 prostate implants

PURPOSE

To summarize short-term morbidity and tumor response following transperineal CT-guided I-125 prostate implantation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Twenty-one patients were treated with CT-based transperineal I-125 prostate implantation between June, 1988 and May, 1990. An average of 75 I-125 seeds were placed, with an average activity of .62 mCi/seed. Symptoms were quantified after interviewing each patient in detail.

RESULTS

Nearly all patients developed substantial dysuria, nocturia and frequency from 2-24 weeks following implantation. Urinary symptoms usually resolved within 4-6 months of implantation. The one year actuarial potency rate among 18 patients who were potent prior to implantation was 94%. By 6 months after implantation, 14/17 patients (82%) with Stage B tumors had complete regression of palpable disease. Of 17 patients with Stage A or B tumors who presented with an elevated PSA, 76% returned to the normal range within 6 months of implantation.

CONCLUSION

CT-guided transperineal prostate implants entail moderate, temporary urinary and rectral morbidity. Short-term tumor responses are encouraging.

The immunopathology of upper gastrointestinal acute graft-versus-host disease. Lymphoid cells and endothelial adhesion molecules

Acute graft-versus-host disease is a common complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, but the mechanisms resulting in tissue injury are uncertain. In order to probe the effector phase of upper gastrointestinal acute GVHD, we performed immunopathologic studies of duodenal biopsies obtained from patients with or without GVHD. We evaluated the infiltrating mononuclear cells in both epithelium and lamina propria for expression of CD2, CD4, CD8, CD25, T alpha/beta and gamma/delta receptors, CD16, CD56, CD57 and also studied the distribution of cell adhesion molecules (ELAM-1, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, PECAM-1). In the epithelium, only a minimal T cell infiltrate was observed. In the lamina propria, GVHD tissue (vs. control) had an infiltrate of CD2+ (17.7 +/- 2.9% vs. 7.2 +/- 1.8%; P < 0.04), CD8+ (15.5 +/- 4.4% vs. 4.8 +/- 1.9%, P < 0.04) T lymphocytes. GVHD-positive and control tissues contained similar numbers of CD4+ T cells and natural killer cells (CD56+ or CD57+). ICAM-1 staining of endothelial cells was prominent in GVHD tissues (13.5 +/- 1.1 capillaries/field) and was significantly increased over non-GVHD specimens (7.5 +/- 1.8; P < 0.02). ELAM-1, VCAM-1, and PECAM-1 were similarly distributed in both biopsy groups. These data suggest that effectors of upper GI GVHD include CD2+, CD8+, T lymphocytes infiltrating the lamina propria. Inflammatory cell activation and resultant secretion of cytokines might directly damage the mucosa, but may also upregulate ICAM-1 on local endothelium leading to perpetuation of inflammation by recruitment of additional cytotoxic lymphocytes.

Mortality and use of health services surveys in rural Zaire

The Combatting Childhood Communicable Disease (CCCD) project is a comprehensive public health programme designed to reduce child mortality by 25% through the use of the following strategies: vaccination, oral rehydration therapy, and prompt treatment for malaria. To evaluate this programme, cross-sectional surveys were conducted in neighbouring health zones in Zaire in 1984 to determine the use of selected medical services by the population and to estimate the child mortality rate before the CCCD programme began. A reinterview survey was conducted on a subsample of women previously interviewed to determine the reliability of the mortality estimates. In both health zones 84-85% of women used antenatal services, 45% of children under age 6 who had had fewer were treated with an anti-malarial drug, 19-22% of children age 12-23 months had been vaccinated against measles, and virtually no children who had had diarrhoea were treated with oral rehydration therapy. Women's underreporting of births and deaths resulted in low estimates of mortality in both surveys. The reinterview survey provided more accurate estimates of mortality and led to a better understanding of the factors influencing underreporting. The estimated infant mortality rate was 74 deaths per 1000 livebirths; and the probability of dying before age 5 was 191 per 1000. Because births and deaths reported with incomplete dates were excluded from analysis, the mortality rates from the reinterview survey are underestimates. Given the difficulty in obtaining accurate estimates of mortality, primary importance should be given to developing and improving routine health information systems that measure changes in health status and provide information to evaluate programmes.

Acute graft-versus-host disease following unrelated donor marrow transplantation: failure of conventional therapy

The response to therapy of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is uncertain in recipients of unrelated donor (URD) bone marrow transplant (BMT). We analysed the outcome of treatment in 42 patients with moderate/severe acute GVHD. Initial therapy consisted of prednisone 60 mg/m2 orally daily for 7 days (n = 42), followed by anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) 15 mg/kg i.v. twice daily for 8-10 doses after prednisone failure (n = 22). A clinical Stage Score for acute GVHD was determined initially and after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of prednisone or ATG. Treatment failure represented worsening score after 7 days, involvement of a new organ or failure to improve after 14-28 days. Prednisone treatment led to 10 of 41 (24%) patients improving, while secondary therapy with ATG led to four of 21 (19%) improving. Of 42 patients treated, only nine (21%) achieved a complete and continuing response of acute GVHD by day +100. Neither age, diagnosis, recipient/donor gender status, histocompatibility nor GVHD prophylaxis regimen was associated with more frequent responses. Response to GVHD therapy was significantly correlated with survival at 100 days and 1 year post-BMT. We conclude that prednisone and ATG used for treatment of acute GVHD following URD BMT are associated with a high failure rate and that more aggressive therapy is warranted in these patients.

Glomerular hyperfiltration in type I, type II, and secondary diabetes

Glomerular hyperfiltration, a risk factor for diabetic nephropathy, has been reported in type I insulin-dependent diabetics, but it is not clear if it occurs in other types of diabetes. To ascertain the prevalence of glomerular hyperfiltration in various types of diabetes, we measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in 158 diabetics (91 type I, 36 type II without insulin treatment, 20 type II with insulin treatment, and 11 subjects with diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis), and classified them as hyper-, normo-, or hypofiltration according to values measured in 36 age-match controls. After elimination of subjects with overt renal disease or hypertension, glomerular hyperfiltration was detected in 35% of the type I diabetics, 32% of the type II diabetics without insulin treatment, one subject with chronic pancreatitis, and one type II diabetics with insulin treatment. Glomerular hyperfiltration was associated with high blood glucose in type I, insulin-dependent diabetics, and with a high apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio in type II, non-insulin-dependent diabetics without insulin treatment. In all subjects with glomerular hyperfiltration, GFR values and urinary albumin excretion were positively related (r = 0.33; n = 34; p = 0.05). Glomerular hyperfiltration is detectable among all types of diabetics.

Isolated relapse of acute myelogenous leukemia presenting as a gastric ulcer

Isolated gastrointestinal (GI) infiltrate is unusual at presentation or relapse of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). We report a case of acute myelogenous leukemia (FAB-M4) whose isolated relapse presented as a bleeding gastric ulcer. The patient was a 30-year-old male who had been diagnosed to have AML in June 1988. While in third complete remission, he underwent a sibling allogeneic HLA-matched bone marrow transplant. Five months after transplantation, he was readmitted for pneumonia. While in the hospital, he had an episode of upper GI bleeding. The endoscopy revealed a leukemic gastric ulcer, with morphology and immunophenotyping identical to his initial AML. There was no evidence of leukemia in the blood or bone marrow. Although different types of leukemic infiltrates have been recognized at post-mortem examination, our case is unique because AML presenting as an isolated malignant ulcer has not been described previously. We conclude that relapsing AML may present as an isolated gastric ulcer and suggest that any suspicious lesion on upper GI endoscopy should be biopsied after aggressive platelet support.

An improved method for computerized tomography-planned transperineal 125iodine prostate implants

Transperineal 125iodine implants of the prostate can be performed with ultrasound guidance, a simple technique that has met with widespread acceptance. However, ultrasound does not allow good visualization of the pubic bones in relation to the pelvic outlet, and the pubic bones may interfere with needle placement in the anterior peripheral aspect of the prostate. Adequate irradiation of the entire periphery of the prostate is important to assure tumor control, since most tumors are multicentric and may involve the anterior aspect of the prostate. A computerized tomography-based treatment planning procedure that allows for angulation of transperineal needles to avoid the pubic bones and still reaches the most peripheral aspects of the gland is described. The technique also allows for the use of transrectal ultrasound and fluoroscopy to verify correct needle placement in the prostate at the procedure. Early treatment results, based on prostate specific antigen and regression of palpable tumors, are encouraging.

An improved nasal prong apparatus for end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring in awake, sedated patients

We describe and evaluate a new apparatus that monitors end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2) and augments the inspired oxygen concentration in awake, sedated patients. The unit was evaluated for its effectiveness as an oxygenation device and its accuracy as a predictor of PaCO2 through the correlation of PaCO2 with PETCO2. Twenty cardiac surgical patients, physical status ASA 2-4, participated in this study. The PETCO2 monitoring device consisted of a dual-prong nasal oxygen cannula and a 14-gauge intravenous catheter that was inserted into one limb of the oxygen supply tubing and connected to a Datex gas analyzer (Datex Instrumentation Corp, Helsinki, Finland) to measure PETCO2. The cross-over passage between the prongs was intentionally blocked with the end of a wooden-core cotton swab. The oxygen flow rates were randomly varied (2, 4, and 6 L/min) every 5 minutes, and values for PETCO2 as well as arterial blood samples for analysis of PaCO2 and PaO2 were obtained at the end of each 5-minute period. The accuracy of the system was assessed by comparing the PaCO2-PETCO2 differences (bias) at each oxygen flow rate. The ratios of PETCO2 compared with PaCO2 were 0.98, 0.94, and 0.85, with correlation coefficients of r = 0.81, 0.85, and 0.63, respectively. The PaO2 values were 114, 154, and 183 mm Hg for the corresponding nasal oxygen flow rates of 2, 4, and 6 L/min, respectively. This study indicates that this modified nasal cannula provides supplemental oxygen adequately and yields a satisfactory reflection of the PaCO2 depending on the oxygen flow rate delivered.

A new device to stabilize templates for transperineal I-125 implants

Transperineal Iodine-125 implants of the prostate are currently being performed at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center with CT-based treatment planning and transrectal ultrasound for verification of proper needle placement in the prostate at the time of implantation. An adjustable device, the WIPI, has been designed to stabilize the perineal template and rectal obturator during planning and implementation of the procedure. The device is simple to use and is compatible with CT scanning, transrectal ultrasound, and the Mick applicator. Its design and key functional features are described here.

[Integrated mother-baby nursing care]

The article describes how the obstetrical department at Notre-Dame Hospital in Montreal developed a new, integrated approach to maternal-infant care. The first part deals with the family-centred philosophy of the unit, which has had a profound influence on the nursing staff. It explains how the previous system of post-partum care was changed, what physical modifications had to be made in the obstetrical wing and the organizational changes required to make the new system work. The second part of the article deals with the results of all these changes, as perceived by the clients. A study was conducted, using an experimental and a control group. The former consisted of clients who had experienced the new integrated system of mother-infant care. Results showed them to be more satisfied with the care they received than the control group, who received care along the lines of the traditional model. Clients in both groups were equally satisfied with the physical changes in the obstetrical wing. In summary, the new approach seems to respond to the need expressed by many couples to have their baby in a family-style atmosphere.

Inflammatory cells in graft-versus-host disease on the rectum: immunopathologic analysis

The inflammatory infiltrate of acute rectal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was investigated by indirect immunofluorescence. Twenty biopsies from 11 allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients were studied in four groups: biopsies before transplantation; biopsies after transplantation without GVHD; biopsies from patients with extra-intestinal GVHD only; and biopsies from patients with intestinal GVHD. Total T cell numbers (CD2+, CD3+) in the lamina propria differed little in the four groups. CD4+ lymphocytes appeared to be decreased in GVHD while CD8+ lymphocytes were significantly increased (p less than 0.01), thus significantly lowering the CD4/CD8 ratio. In pre-transplant patients and in those without GVHD this ratio resembled that in normal peripheral blood (1.44 +/- 0.5 and 2.46 +/- 1.3, respectively) but was significantly lower in both extraintestinal (0.71 +/- 0.08) and intestinal GVHD (0.56 +/- 0.08) (p less than 0.05). Acute intestinal GVHD was marked by a fourfold increase in CD57+ lymphoid cells within the epithelium and the lamina propria (p less than 0.05). The recognition of CD57+ cells, which may include natural killer-like cells, within rectal lymphoid infiltrates suggests a possible role for non-HLA restricted effector cells in GVHD of the rectum.

Simultaneous upper and lower endoscopic biopsy in the diagnosis of intestinal graft-versus-host disease

Graft-versus-host disease in the upper gastrointestinal tract presents with anorexia, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. Because these symptoms are not specific, we have proposed that a diagnosis of upper GI GVHD requires histologic confirmation. However, the utility of upper endoscopy in the diagnosis of upper GI GVHD has not been examined. We report a retrospective analysis of 77 allogeneic bone marrow transplantation recipients who received simultaneous upper and lower GI tract biopsies. Upper GI GVHD was found in 44% of patients, of whom 59% also had a positive lower GI tract biopsy (P less than 0.001). Thirty-five percent of the patients with no clinical evidence of lower GI tract GVHD had symptomatic upper GI GVHD confirmed histologically. Patients with and without upper GI GVHD had no significant difference in their clinical symptoms or in their endoscopic findings. We found an association between upper GI and skin GVHD greater than stage I (P = 0.05), a trend to concordance between upper GI GVHD and clinical GVHD in the lower GI tract (P = 0.08), and with the overall clinical GVHD grade (P = 0.08) but no association with clinical liver involvement. Of these 77 patients, 16% had their treatment for acute GVHD changed to include systemic immunosuppression as a result of the upper GI endoscopic biopsy. In addition, 71% had other enteric pathology identified that required specific therapy. These data suggest that upper GI GVHD cannot be diagnosed accurately from its clinical presentation nor inferred from lower GI symptoms or from extraintestinal GVHD. Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy is an important tool in the diagnosis of intestinal GVHD.