BI-RADS 3 for magnetic resonance imaging

A BI-RADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) 3, or probably benign, assessment is given in approximately 7% to 12% of breast magnetic resonance (MR) images. However, the imaging features of probably benign lesions on MR imaging have not been well defined. As with mammography and ultrasonography, a BI-RADS 3 assessment should be used only when there is a less than 2% likelihood of malignancy. The use of BI-RADS 3 for classically benign findings should be avoided. Certain masses, foci, and areas of nonmass enhancement may be categorized as probably benign on baseline MR imaging.

A pilot study of preoperative (Pre-op), single-dose ipilimumab (Ipi) and/or cryoablation (Cryo) in women (pts) with early-stage/resectable breast cancer (ESBC)

67

Background: Intratumoral cryo combined with immune modulation generates a potent systemic anti-tumor immune response that might improve recurrence free survival in ESBC. In this study, we evaluate the safety of pre-op cryo and/or ipi (10mg/kg) in pts with ESBC. Radiographic correlates and intratumoral/serologic immune responses are also explored. Methods: Eligible pts are ≥18y of age with operable ≥1.5 cm invasive ESBC, no history of autoimmune disease and planned mastectomy. Pts are sequentially assigned to receive pre-op: cryo alone (Group-A), ipi alone (B), or ipi with cryo (C). Cryo is administered 7-10d prior to surgery. Ipi is administered 8-15d prior to surgery (1-5d prior to cryo). If at least 5/6 pts in each group proceed with surgery without delay, the regimen will be considered safe/tolerable. Toxicity evaluation continues for 12 wks after ipi administration for Groups B and C. Results: As of May 1, 2013, 7/7 pts were enrolled to Group-A (expanded after a possible technical failure in 1 pt) and 6/6 pts were enrolled to Group-B. The median age was 45y (range 39-69y). All 13 pts in Groups A and B underwent mastectomy without delay. Group C is now accruing with 1/6 patients enrolled and awaiting surgery. 6/7 pts in Group-A and none in Group-B had ischemic tumor necrosis/infarction in the mastectomy tissue. Overall, pre-op cryo or ipi alone have been well tolerated with no study related grade 3/4 adverse events (AE) reported (Table). Conclusions: To date, pre-op cryo or ipi is safe and tolerable in pts with ESBC. A Phase II study of pre-op ipi and cryo in ESBC is planned. Clinical trial information: NCT01502592. [Table: see text]

A pilot study of preoperative, single-dose ipilimumab (Ipi) and/or cryoablation (Cryo) in women (pts) with early stage/resectable breast cancer (ESBC)

TPS3120

Background: Intratumoral cryo combined with immune modulation generates a potent systemic anti-tumor immune response that might improve recurrence-free survival in ESBC. Cryo-mediated tumor destruction results in necrosis and immunogenic cell death which exposes dendritic cells (DC) to sufficient quantities of tumor antigens and inflammatory cytokines to induce their maturation and activation and elicit tumor specific T cell responses. To further amplify this immune response we use ipi, a human monoclonal antibody that blocks cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA4). In preclinical murine models, the combination of cryo with CTLA4 blockade successfully mediates rejection of metastatic prostate cancer lesions and prevents growth of secondary tumors. We therefore hypothesize that this strategy could confer long-term immunity for pts with ESBC. In this study, we evaluate the safety of pre-op cryo and/or immune modulation with single dose ipi (at 10 mg/kg) in pts with ESBC. Methods: Pts are sequentially assigned to receive pre-op: cryo alone (Group A), ipi alone (B), or ipi with cryo (C). Cryo is administered 7-10 d prior to surgery. Ipi is administered 8-15 d prior to surgery (1-5 d prior to cryo). If at least 5/6 pts in each group proceed with surgery without delay, the regimen will be considered safe/tolerable.Primary aim: To evaluate the safety of pre-op cryo and/or ipi (10mg/kg) in pts with ESBC.Seconday aims: To characterize pre- and post-intervention radiographic and immunological (peripheral blood and tumor tissue) correlates. Eligibility: Pts ≥18y of age with operable ≥1.5 cm invasive ESBC, no history of autoimmune disease and planned mastectomy. Study status: As of January 25, 2013 7/7 pts were enrolled to Group A (expanded after 1 pt had suspected incomplete cryo) and 5/6 pts were enrolled to Group B. Enrollment to Group C will open when the pts in Group B meet the safety endpoint 30 d (+/-10 d) after surgery. Toxicity evaluation continues for 12 wks after ipi administration for Groups B and C. Clinical trial information: NCT01502592.

OT2-05-06: ACOSOG Z11101/ACRIN 6694: Effect of Preoperative Breast MRI on Surgical Outcomes, Costs and Quality of Life of Women with Breast Cancer

Background

Surgical planning and local-regional treatment of breast cancer relies on accurate assessment of disease extent including the primary tumor size and the presence/absence of multiple tumor foci. As a staging modality for breast cancer, MRI has shown high sensitivity for detection of additional foci of diseases within the index breast. However, the impact of preoperative breast MRI on reducing re-excision rates and improving local control is less clear. Data from the COMICE trial in the UK suggested that routine use of pre-operative breast MRI did not alter rates of re-excision; however issues have been raised about the lack of quality standards for the MR imaging that may have resulted in the negative results of this trial. Retrospective data suggest that local recurrence is not impacted by use of breast MRI. In concert with data showing no improvement in clinical outcomes of breast cancer patients, concerns have been raised that routine use of preoperative breast MRI is associated with increased rates of mastectomy and delays to surgery. Therefore, the application of MRI for preoperative surgical staging remains controversial. In order to address this ongoing controversy, a joint effort has been launched by ACOSOG and ACRIN for a prospective clinical trial focused on evaluating the impact of preoperative breast MRI on clinically relevant patient outcomes. An important part of this collaboration is implementation of standards of how MRI findings should be clinically managed and used to direct localization methods and surgical planning, thereby creating guidelines for subsequent patient intervention.

Trial design/eligibility criteria: A prospective multicenter trial will include women eligible for BCT by standard criteria and randomized between current standard of care, clinical examination and mammography (+/− ultrasound) and the same plus preoperative breast MRI. The study will focus on women at the highest risk of local recurrence: ER/PR/HER-2 negative (triple negative) and HER-2 amplified breast cancers.

Specific aims: To compare the rates of local recurrence following breast conserving therapy in a cohort randomized to preoperative staging with mammography or mammography plus breast MRI. Additionally, a comparison of rates of re-operation, time to local recurrence, survival outcomes, contralateral breast cancer rates, rates of multicentric disease and other secondary aims will be performed. Costs and quality of life measures will also be investigated.

Statistical methods: A stratified logrank test and Cox partial likelihood score test will be used to assess whether the distribution of LR times differs with respect to diagnostic work-up approach having adjusted for tumor stage. Cox modeling with the Cox partial likelihood score test will be used to examine the strength of association between these time to event distributions and such additional potential prognostic factors as menopausal status, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, ER, PR, number of positive lymph nodes, HER-2/neu expression, Nottingham grade, and Ki-67 expression.

Target Accrual: 556 patients

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-05-06.

Near infrared transillumination imaging of breast cancer with vasoactive inhalation contrast

Inhalation of vasoactive gases such as carbon dioxide and oxygen can provide strong changes in tissue hemodynamics. In this report, we present a preliminary clinical study aimed at assessing the feasibility of inhalation-based contrast with near infrared continuous wave transillumination for breast imaging. We describe a method for fitting the transient absorbance that provides the wavelength dependence of the optical pathlength as parametrized by tissue oxygenation and scatter power as well as the differential changes in oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin. We also present a principal component analysis data reduction technique to assess the dynamic response from the tissue that uses coercion to provide single temporal eigenvalues associated with both oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin changes.

Effect of a low-lying placenta on delivery outcome

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate delivery outcome in pregnancies with a low-lying placenta (within 2 cm of, but not covering, the internal os) that had been identified within 4 weeks of delivery. We examined the likelihood of a vaginal delivery and investigated the clinical significance of the placental edge to internal os measurement.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed for singleton pregnancies delivering in the third trimester with a low-lying placenta identified within 4 weeks of delivery. Outcome variables included type of delivery, maternal and neonatal hemoglobin levels, and umbilical artery pH levels.

RESULTS

Eighty-six patients met the study criteria of a low-lying placenta identified within 4 weeks of delivery. Forty-five of these patients were allowed to labor and, of these, 29 (64.4%) delivered vaginally. The vaginal delivery rate was 76.5% in patients with a placenta to cervical os distance of 1-2 cm, significantly greater than the rate of 27.3% in patients in whom the placenta was within 1 cm of the cervix (P = 0.0085). A maternal hemoglobin level below 8.0 g/dL was the most common morbidity associated with low-lying placenta. Analysis of morbidity observed did not clearly favor either elective Cesarean delivery or attempted vaginal delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective study, most laboring patients with a low-lying placenta were able to have a vaginal delivery with limited morbidity. The likelihood of a vaginal delivery was greater with increased placenta to cervical os distance. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical significance of the placenta to cervical os distance and the interval from scan to delivery.

Breast imaging: a surgeon's prospective

Mammography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, gamma camera and intraoperative gamma detection, and computed tomography are employed in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. This paper summarizes the role of each modality from the perspective of the physician responsible for management of the patient's care. An understanding of an imaging modality's current role can provide insights into the design of new applications and diagnostic agents. Moreover, knowledge of the mechanism by which each modality provides clinical information can guide the design of new imaging methods that complement and add certainty to the patient's management. The reader should note the lack of molecular information provided by the current imaging methods. The perspective concludes with a request for an imaging technique that can measure the biologic aggressiveness of a woman's cancer. The surgeon notes that basing the formation of an image on a molecular process would be compatible with current medical practice, which utilizes molecular concepts to base medical decisions. In addition, molecular imaging will enable rapid translation between basic science and medical practice.

Fetal schistocytic hemolytic anemia and umbilical vein varix

A rare case of schistocytic hemolytic anemia presenting in a fetus secondary to a varix of the intra-abdominal umbilical vein is reported. A patient was referred to our hospital at 32 weeks of gestation because of an abnormal hypoechoic finding in the fetal liver. Prenatal ultrasound showed turbulent flow through a 12-mm diameter dilatation of the fetal intra-abdominal umbilical vein consistent with a varix. Cardiomegaly also was noted. At birth, the 1098-g, growth-retarded, male neonate was in severe congestive heart failure secondary to anemia as the initial hemoglobin was 5 g/dL. Additional evaluation found the anemia to be secondary to schistocytic hemolysis. After the neonate received a transfusion of packed erythrocytes and supportive care, the anemia quickly resolved, and he was discharged to home doing well after a 6-week stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. Prompt recognition of the varix prenatally and thorough evaluation of the newborn postnatally led to appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Eye examinations for VA patients with diabetes: standardizing performance measures

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the potential of the Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) for the calculation of a performance measure for eye exams in the diabetic population using Veterans Health Administration (VA) administrative data.

DESIGN

We calculated a 1-year HEDIS-defined patient denominator and three alternative denominators that considered coding factors in identifying a VA patient as diabetic. We calculated the HEDIS-defined numerator, along with alternative specifications that captured other types of eye exams. Finally, we supplemented national data with VA pharmacy and Medicare claims data to identify all VA diabetic patients at 14 selected VA facilities and to establish a more accurate picture of non-VA health care utilization.

RESULTS

The national average annual HEDIS-defined eye exam rate in the VA was 26% in fiscal 1997 compared with 39% for managed care organizations. Medicare utilization raised this by 15 percentage points at 14 northeastern VA hospitals. Over 2 years, at least two-thirds of diabetic VA patients had some type of eye exam through VA or Medicare.

CONCLUSION

A HEDIS measure of eye exams for VA patients with diabetes can be calculated using VA administrative data only. However, the question remains to what extent the denominator and numerator accurately and completely identify all diabetic patients using VA services and all appropriate eye exams. We recommend caution in interpreting the results of performance measurement across different health care sectors based on what we currently know are data system limitations.

Private sector coverage of people with dual diagnoses

In general, people with dual diagnoses account for a significant proportion of both the mental health and substance abuse populations. Most published information on dual diagnosis comes from research on selected treatment programs that are largely funded from public sources. This analysis uses private health insurance claims and eligibility files for 1989 to 1991 for three large firms to identify individuals with both substance abuse and mental health claims and to examine their characteristics, charges, and utilization. More than half of people with dual diagnoses incurred significant charges over three years in both mental health and substance abuse. These individuals with high mental health charges were more likely to be male than were patients with mental health claims alone; they were less likely to be male than were patients with claims for substance abuse and no mental health services. They were also significantly younger than were patients with substance abuse or mental health utilization only for two of the firms. The average charges for people with dual diagnoses were higher than those for patients with substance abuse or mental health claims only.

Do individuals with substance abuse diagnoses incur higher charges than individuals with other chronic conditions?

Concerns about high costs have led to limits on the services covered by most insurance plans for substance abuse treatment. But, the commonly used comparison group for cost analyses, all enrollees in a health-care plan, may not be appropriate because addiction is a chronic condition. Therefore, to determine whether substance abusers incur higher charges than patients with other serious chronic conditions, we used health insurance information for employees and dependents over 3 years (1989 to 1991) for two firms with a total of almost 40,000 employees to do alternate comparisons. We compared average annual charges for patients with the following diagnoses: substance abuse, substance abuse with mental illness, arthritis, asthma, and diabetes. Patients who undergo treatment for abusing alcohol, drugs, or both often (but not always) incur higher charges than people with other chronic conditions. Clear differences in average charges emerge between patients with and without mental health claims.

Using health insurance claims data to analyze substance abuse charges and utilization

It is crucial to evaluate whether health insurance data sets will provide robust answers to significant research questions in advance of undertaking large research studies using these data. In this article, we present the research challenges of using insurance claims data sets to study substance abuse. Using illustrations from the itemized claims from three large employers, we focus on using administrative data to analyze costs to employers, utilization of services to treat abuse of specific drugs, and the effects of managed care strategies. We conclude that insurance claims data sets are useful for reporting employers' payments for treatment of identified substance abusers and for tracking changes over time but are not useful for studies of the use of treatment for specific drugs.

Reimplantation of a contaminated and devitalized bone fragment after autoclaving in an open fracture

This case report describes a technique for dealing with open fractures with segmental bone loss and a critical need for restoration of anatomical alignment. In the majority of cases, autogenous bone graft can and should be used successfully. Regardless of the treatment option chosen though, meticulous debridement and sound judgment in regards to wound care and bony stabilization remain the foundation to a successful outcome. Autoclaving a devitalized bone fragment with subsequent reimplantation as described in this case report, although not the procedure of choice, does offer the orthopaedist another option in dealing with the difficult segmental fracture.

A clinical and radiographic study of the "safe area" using the direct lateral approach for total hip arthroplasty

The purpose of this clinical and radiographic study is to determine whether the surgeon can remain within the 5 cm "safe zone" while using the direct lateral approach during total hip arthroplasty (THA) without endangering the superior gluteal nerve. The direct lateral approach was used in a prospective, consecutive series of 36 primary THAs in 31 patients performed by one surgeon. At the time of closure of the abductor muscle layer, a small metallic clip was placed at the superior extent of the incision into the gluteus medius. After surgery, the patients were mobilized on crutches with protected weight bearing for either a 6-week (hybrid THA) or 12-week (uncemented THA) period. Before surgery, and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, abductor strength and the Trendelenburg sign were measured by the same physical therapist. The vertical distance from the superior pole of the greater trochanter to the base of the clip was measured on all radiographs of the pelvis and corrected for magnification. Before surgery, only 25 of the 36 hips demonstrated abduction strength of 4/5 or greater. Three months after surgery, 34 hips had a grade of 4/5 or greater for abductor strength. The Trendelenburg sign was positive in 24 of 34 hips before surgery, in 5 hips at 3 months, in 1 hip at 6 months, but negative in all hips by 12 months. The clip was located 3.2 +/- 1.3 cm (mean +/- SD) vertically from the superior pole of the greater trochanter. In 34 of 36 hips (95%), the 5 cm safe zone was respected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pudendal nerve palsy after femoral intramedullary nailing

Pudendal nerve palsy after femoral intramedullary (IM) nailing was retrospectively reviewed in 65 nailings performed on 63 patients. Ten pudendal nerve palsies (15%) were noted in eight male patients and two female patients. Three male patients had autonomic involvement affecting erections. All palsies were transient (3-173 days), and occurred in patients done in the supine position as opposed to the lateral position. A possible etiology is the smaller perineal post used in the supine position that may penetrate the pelvis deeper, compressing the pudendal nerve. Other factors may be operating time and amount of traction. As prevention, the perineal post must always be adequately padded, and the operating time and amount of traction should be minimized to decrease the incidence of pudendal nerve palsy. Because pudendal nerve palsy appears to be a common complication in femoral IM nailing, the patient must be informed of this possibility.

Coronary heart disease in Massachusetts: the years of change (1980-1984)

During this decade, diagnosis and treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) have become far more aggressive and invasive than in prior decades. This study documents rates of hospitalization, use of various treatment options, a case fatality in the state of Massachusetts during 4 of the first 5 years of this decade (1980, 1982, 1983, and 1984). The data base was that of the Massachusetts Health Data Consortium (MHDC), covering all hospital discharges in the state, a total of 3.8 million discharge records for this period. Of these, about 190,000 (5%) fell into two active symptomatic categories of CHD: chronic active coronary disease (CACD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Total hospitalization rate for these CHD categories increased by 17%; this was due both to an increased rate of hospital transfers (or readmissions) and to a larger cohort of patients under care. The case fatality rate for hospitalized CHD decreased approximately 16%, from 9.7% (1980) to 8.1% (1984). In CACD the frequency of coronary angiography (CA) rose; the use of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) increased much faster than the rate of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), with a resultant increase in PTCA as a fraction of total interventions. Similar findings were recorded for AMI, but with much more marked changes, the total intervention rate increasing almost twenty-fold from 1980 to 1984. The statewide mortality rate for hospitalized CHD patients remained essentially unchanged at 71 to 74 hospital deaths per 100,000 population.

Report on variation in rates of utilization of surgical services in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

This article presents an analysis of over 140,000 selected surgical procedures performed in Massachusetts in 1980, giving the per capita rates of 14 common procedures and of four less frequently performed procedures. The analysis defines 172 geographic areas for the commonly performed procedures and 45 for the less frequently performed procedures. Per capita surgical rates among the defined areas are significantly different from both a statistical and a clinical point of view. Twofold and threefold variations occur frequently across geographic areas. In certain areas, some surgical services appear to be provided at rates substantially different from the statewide rate. We discuss the importance of these data for physicians as well as the implications for the distribution and quality of clinical care and for containment of medical care costs.