Inhibiting TNFα with etanercept in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma

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Background: Follicular dendritic cells (FDC) support the survival of follicular lymphoma (FL). TNFα is overexpressed by FL cells and TNFα plays a central role in the development and maintenance of normal FDCs. TNFα may be an ideal target for therapy due to its pleotropic effects on FDCs. Inhibition of TNFα is possible with the decoy receptor, etanercept. Methods: Patients with relapsed/refractory FL received 8 weeks of etanercept, 25 mg SC on day 1 and 4 of each week. Patients with any response or stable disease (SD) received 16 more weeks of etanercept at the same dose/schedule. 7 patients enrolled from April 2002 to September 2005. Median age was 63. All patients had stage III/IV disease and had received multiple chemotherapy regimens (median 3); 2 had prior autologous stem cell transplant. FDG-PET was performed at baseline and after 8 (scan 1, n = 7 patients) and 24 weeks on therapy (scan 2, n = 3 patients). Maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) were measured in up to 3 lesions per patient (n = 17 lesions for scan 1; 7 lesions for scan 2). The summation SUVmax of all lesions was calculated at each time point. The percentage (%) change in SUVmax in individual lesions and the summed SUVmax for each patient was calculated relative to baseline. The % metabolic response (mR) was assessed using EORTC thresholds for % SUVmax change (mPR ≤ −25% < mSD < +25% ≤ PD). Results: All patients completed at least 8 weeks of etanercept. 2 patients completed 24 weeks. 5 patients had minor or mixed responses. At the 8 week evaluation 5 patients had SD and 2 had progressive disease (PD). Of the 5 with SD, 2 progressed at 9 and 12 weeks of therapy and 3 progressed by 24 weeks. PET scan 1 showed mPR in 5/7 pts, SD in 2/7 and no PD. PET scan 2 showed mPR in 2/3 pts, mSD in 1/3 and no mPD.All patients are alive at a median of 20+ months after therapy. 1 grade 3 toxicity (lymphopenia) and 3 grade 1/2 toxicities (rhinitis/URI and 2 injection site reactions) were reported. Conclusions: Etanercept was well tolerated and minor clinical responses were observed. By EORTC criteria for metabolic response, mPR occurred in 5/7 pts, mSD in 2/7 and there was no mPD. The significant number of metabolic PR’s suggest that targeting the microenvironment with agents like etanercept may be a novel treatment approach for FL.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Socio-economic status and surgery in children: myringotomies and tonsillectomies in Ontario, Canada, 1996-2000

AIM

To examine the relation between socio-economic status and (1) receipt of paediatric otolaryngological surgery, and (2) inclusion of adjuvant procedures.

METHODS

Using data on myringotomies with insertion of tympanostomy tube and tonsillectomies for all children in Ontario, Canada, from 1996 to 2000, and census data on socio-economic status, we examined the association between socio-economic status and (1) the probability of surgery (myringotomy or tonsillectomy), and (2) the probability that surgery was accompanied by an adjuvant procedure.

RESULTS

Lower socio-economic status was associated with increased likelihood that a child's initial surgery was a tonsillectomy rather than a myringotomy (odds ratio per unit increase in the deprivation index = 1.09, p = 0.01, confidence interval 1.06-1.11), and with increased likelihood that those children having a myringotomy would undergo a tonsillectomy during the same hospitalization (odds ratio 1.14, p < 0.0001, confidence interval 1.11-1.16). Children from neighbourhoods with larger immigrant populations were less likely to receive either procedure (odds ratios per 1% increase in the proportion of immigrants = 0.97 (p < 0.0001, confidence interval 0.96-0.97) for myringotomies and 0.97 (p < 0.0001, confidence interval 0.97-0.98) for tonsillectomies).

CONCLUSIONS

Socio-economic status was associated with treatment selection for the two most common paediatric surgical procedures. Further research should examine whether differences in treatment arise at the level of the primary care physician, the specialist, and/or are due to parental preference.

Physician and population determinants of rates of middle-ear surgery in Ontario

CONTEXT

Small-area variations in surgical rates raise concerns about access to care, treatment appropriateness, and the quality and cost of care.

OBJECTIVE

To measure small-area variations in rates of myringotomy with insertion of tympanostomy tubes (TTs) and to identify determinants of rate variation.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective analyses using hospital discharge data for patients who had undergone a myringotomy with insertion of TT by county in Ontario between April 1, 1996, and March 31, 1999. Information on possible determinants was taken from a survey of otolaryngologists and primary care physicians in 1996 and from the 1996 Canadian census and physician demographic databases for 1996-1999.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 75 358 hospitalizations for TT placement of children and adolescents (aged </=14 years).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Small-area variation in rates of TT.

RESULTS

An almost 10-fold difference between the areas with the highest and lowest rates was found (extremal quotient, 9.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.2-11.1; P<.001). Higher rates occurred in counties with higher percentages of high school graduates (parameter estimate, 0.01; 95% CI, 0-0.02; P =.049); and where referring physicians were more likely to be male (parameter estimate, 0.01; 95% CI, 0-0.02; P =.01), North American-trained (parameter estimate, 0.01; 95% CI, 0.01-0.02; P<.001), and have higher propensities to refer for surgery (parameter estimate, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.09-0.72; P =.02). Otolaryngologist opinion was not a significant predictor.

CONCLUSION

Substantial area variation in TT rates was observed. The opinion of primary care physicians was the dominant modifiable determinant, suggesting an area of research that may be important in reducing area variation in TT procedures.

Photodynamic therapy for mesothelioma

Multiple trials of traditional cancer therapies for malignant pleural mesothelioma (including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy) have not convincingly demonstrated that any one treatment is superior to supportive care alone. Although there have been reports of long-term survivors who were treated with aggressive surgery combined with radiation and aggressive multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimens, these patient populations are highly selected and results cannot be generalized to a larger population. Despite attempts to use aggressive multimodality therapies, disease recurs in most patients. Local failure in particular is a large part of the natural history of mesothelioma, especially after surgery alone. Therefore, one of the major considerations in the development of new treatments is the inclusion of aggressive local therapies. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a local treatment modality, is being evaluated as an adjuvant therapy to surgical resection. Clinical use of PDT requires the use of a photosensitizing agent and light of a wavelength specific to the absorption characteristics of the sensitizer in the presence of oxygen. The treatment effect of PDT is superficial, mostly because of the limited depth of light absorption in tissues. Therefore, it is theoretically an ideal treatment for tissue surfaces and body cavities after surgical debulking procedures. One theoretical advantage of PDT is that it can be used to treat the lung surface after a pleurectomy; therefore, patients may be treated with a pleurectomy rather than with an extrapleural pneumonectomy. Several studies have evaluated the efficacy of PDT in the treatment of mesothelioma. Clinical studies have not proven convincingly that the use of PDT is superior to the use of other adjuvant therapies or to surgery alone. The advent of newer photosensitizers and improved laser technology has led to a renewed interest in evaluating PDT. Additional studies are necessary to determine the role of PDT in the treatment of mesothelioma.

The role of adjuvant adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy in the outcome of the insertion of tympanostomy tubes

BACKGROUND

Otitis media is the most common medical problem in young children. The usual surgical treatment is myringotomy with insertion of tympanostomy tubes. There is debate about the usefulness of concomitant adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy. We examined the effects of these adjuvant procedures on the rates of reinsertion of tympanostomy tubes and rehospitalization for conditions related to otitis media.

METHODS

Using hospital discharge records for the period 1995 through 1997, we examined the results of surgery for all 37,316 children (defined as persons 19 years of age or younger) in Ontario, Canada, who received tympanostomy tubes as their first surgical treatment for otitis media. We determined the time to the first readmission for conditions related to otitis media and the time to the first reinsertion of tympanostomy tubes.

RESULTS

As compared with treatment involving the insertion of tympanostomy tubes alone, adjuvant adenoidectomy was associated with a reduction in the likelihood of reinsertion of tympanostomy tubes (relative risk, 0.5; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.5 to 0.6; P<0.001) and the likelihood of readmission for conditions related to otitis media (relative risk, 0.5; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.5 to 0.6; P<0.001). The risk of these outcomes was further reduced if an adjuvant adenotonsillectomy was performed. The effect was age-related. Children as young as one year appeared to benefit from adjuvant adenotonsillectomy; the benefit of an adjuvant adenoidectomy was apparent in two-year-olds and was greatest for children three years of age or older.

CONCLUSIONS

Performing an adenoidectomy at the time of the initial insertion of tympanostomy tubes substantially reduces the likelihood of additional hospitalizations and operations related to otitis media among children two years of age or older.

Otolaryngologists' perceptions of the indications for tympanostomy tube insertion in children

BACKGROUND

Bilateral myringotomy with insertion of tympanostomy tubes is the most common operation that children in Canada undergo. Area variations in surgical rates for this procedure have raised questions about indications used to decide about surgery. The objective of this study was to describe the factors that influence otolaryngologists to recommend tympanostomy tube insertion in children with otitis media and their level of agreement about indications for surgery.

METHODS

A survey was sent to all 227 otolaryngologists in Ontario in the fall of 1996. The influence of 17 clinical and social factors on recommendations to insert tympanostomy tubes were assessed. Case vignettes were used to determine the effect of multiple factors in decisions about the need for surgical management.

RESULTS

Surveys were returned by 138 (68.3%) of the 202 eligible otolaryngologists. There was agreement (more than 90% of respondents) about 6 indications for surgery: persistent effusion, a lack of improvement after 3 months of antibiotic therapy, a history of persistent effusion for 3 or more months per episode of otitis media, more than 7 episodes of otitis media in 6 months, a bilateral conductive hearing loss of 20 dB or more and a persistently abnormal tympanic membrane. Some respondents were more likely to recommend tube insertion if there were parental concerns about hearing problems or the frequency or severity of episodes of otitis media. Otolaryngologists agreed about the role of tympanostomy tubes in 1 of 4 case vignettes but disagreed about whether adenoidectomy should also be performed in that instance. Most viewed tympanostomy tube insertion as beneficial, with few adverse effects.

INTERPRETATION

There is a lack of consensus among practising otolaryngologists in Ontario as to which children with recurrent otitis media or persistent effusion should undergo bilateral myringotomy with tympanostomy tube insertion. These findings suggest the need to revisit clinical guidelines for this procedure.

Acute otitis media: the evolution of surgical management

OBJECTIVE

Acute suppurative otitis media has been a common disease since time immemorial and, until the late nineteenth century, was followed by a high complication rate, major morbidity, and frequent mortality. Since then, the overall incidence of the disease has changed little; however, in less than a century, progressively more sophisticated surgery and the introduction of antimicrobials have reduced the mortality, at least in developed countries, to a rarity. Complications such as chronic perforation of the tympanic membrane or cholesteatoma, although much less frequent than in the past, are not uncommon. The evolution of mastoid surgery into the antibiotic era is reviewed.

CONCLUSION

There is concern that with the increasing frequency of bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the decreasing familiarity of family practitioners with the clinical presentation of complicated otitis media that we may be faced with a resurgence of mastoid disease.

Comparative cost analysis of myringotomy with insertion of ventilation tubes in Ontario and British Columbia

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to conduct a comparative cost analysis of myringotomy with insertion of ventilation tube (MVT) for children performed at two regional paediatric centres: The Hospital for Sick Children, and the British Columbia Children's Hospital.

DESIGN

Comparative cost analysis.

SETTING

The Hospital for Sick Children (HSC), Toronto, and the British Columbia Children's Hospital (BCCH), Vancouver.

METHODS

The cost analysis was performed from a health system perspective using a treatment protocol developed through a review of the literature and input from staff from each of the study hospitals. MVT cost estimates were derived, including direct treatment costs and overhead costs.

RESULTS

Total costs per MVT case (in 1994 Canadian dollars: Cdn$ 1.00 approximately US$ 0.75) varied from $390.81 at BCCH to $455.63 at HSC. Regional variations in physician costs accounted for almost 70% of the difference in MVT case costs. The distribution of nonphysician MVT case costs were similar in each study hospital, with direct (nonphysician) surgical costs, preoperative assessment and recovery room costs, and administration accounting for 30%, 26%, and 44% of total nonphysician costs, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified the magnitude and determinants of regional variations in the cost of MVT surgery. Such cost estimates serve as an important (but not the sole) ingredient in service cost-effectiveness deliberations and in the formulation of evidence-based care when health care resources are scarce.

Discontinuing antidepressant treatment in major depression

Maintenance treatments in bipolar disorders and schizophrenia are securely established, and their discontinuation is associated with high but modifiable risk of early relapse. The benefits of long-term antidepressant treatment in major depression and the risks of discontinuing medication at various times after clinical recovery from acute depression are not as well defined. Computerized searching found 27 studies with data on depression risk over time including a total of 3037 depressive patients treated for 5.78 (0-48) months and then followed for 16.6 (5-66) months with antidepressants continued or discontinued. Compared with patients whose antidepressants were discontinued, those with continued treatment showed much lower relapse rates (1.85 vs. 6.24%/month), longer time to 50% relapse (48.0 vs. 14.2 months), and lower 12-month relapse risk (19.5 vs. 44.8%) (all p < 0.001). However, longer prior treatment did not yield lower postdiscontinuation relapse risk, and differences in relapses off versus on antidepressants fell markedly with longer follow-up. Contrary to prediction, gradual discontinuation (dose-tapering or use of long-acting agents) did not yield lower relapse rates. Relapse risk was not associated with diagnostic criteria. More previous illness (particularly three or more prior episodes or a chronic course) was strongly associated with higher relapse risk after discontinuation of antidepressants but had no effect on response to continued treatment; patients with infrequent prior illness showed only minor relapse differences between drug and placebo treatment.

Heterotopic brain in the parapharyngeal space

There have been numerous reports of various types of heterotopic tissue in the head and neck. Heterotopic cartilage, gastric tissue, thyroid, and salivary gland in such various locations as tongue, gingiva, palate, nasopharynx, parapharyngeal space, and neck have been frequently reported. Heterotopic brain in the parapharyngeal space causing airway obstruction in the neonate has been rarely described. These benign masses are capable of expansion and because of their location, can lead to significant airway and feeding difficulties. We describe 3 cases of heterotopic brain tissue in the parapharyngeal space causing feeding difficulties and airway obstruction in the neonatal period. Two were initially misdiagnosed as lymphatic malformations. In the third, a nine month delay in diagnosis occurred. The diagnostic features of heterotopic brain in this location and some management suggestions in treating such a lesion are discussed.

Congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis as a presenting feature of holoprosencephaly

Congenital nasal pyriform apertures stenosis (CNPAS), a recently recognized uncommon cause of nasal airway obstruction, can be a life-threatening circumstance in the neonate. This study's experience with six cases confirmed the suggestion that CNPAS represents a manifestation of holoprosencephaly. Management of this condition depends firstly on the overall prognosis of the patient and secondly the severity of obstruction. Patients with poor overall prognosis should be managed conservatively with an oropharyngeal airway. In patients with a good outlook, the choice of treatment is conservative for those with less severe obstruction and surgical correction for those with complete obstruction. The ability to pass a No. 5Fr catheter (O.D. 1.67 mm) may be a guide to the choice of treatment. An increase in awareness among otolaryngologists on the nature of CNPAS is necessary to improve overall management of such patients.

Aerodigestive-tract foreign bodies in children: pitfalls in management

A review of the charts of pediatric patients admitted with the final diagnosis of tracheobronchial or esophageal foreign bodies was carried out for the 5 years prior to September 30, 1992. Removal of foreign bodies from the aerodigestive tract poses little problem for the experienced endoscopist, and the inference that the diagnosis and initial management of patients should be equally well performed often follows. However, initial misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, inappropriate methods of patients transfer, or great variation in diagnosis methods still provide ample opportunity for delay in treatment and complication. Pitfalls in management occurred because of incomplete radiographic evaluation, confusion due to prior or concurrent illness, improper patient transfer, unusual presentation, and inappropriate methods of foreign-body removal. Demonstrative cases and summary statistics are presented.

Congenital cholesteatoma

Since the late 1970s, the author has had the opportunity to prospectively study, document, and surgically manage 40 cases of congenital cholesteatoma. All cases met strict criteria for inclusion in the study, all were surgically and pathologically confirmed, and were definitively followed. During that same period, 38 cases were managed by other members of the otolaryngology department. It is the purpose of this thesis to critically study this personal and institutional experience, and to validate the rationale for early diagnosis and prompt and effective surgical intervention.

First brachial cleft sinuses: an analysis of current management strategies and treatment outcomes

First branchial cleft sinuses account for less than 1% of all branchial cleft anomalies. A thorough understanding of the embryology and developmental anatomy is essential for successful management. Nine cases of first branchial cleft sinuses treated at The Hospital for Sick Children by the Department of Otolaryngology between 1984 and 1990 were reviewed. A large proportion of these lesions were initially misdiagnosed despite significant symptomatology. This resulted in a high rate of infectious complications. Early diagnosis, prompt control of infection, and early surgical excision are recommended. Current methods of diagnosis and treatment are discussed along with techniques for facial nerve preservation.

High risk of eosinophilia in women treated with clozapine

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilia associated with clozapine treatment has been reported in some studies and limited case reports. Because little is known regarding incidence, course, and relevance of this finding, clozapine therapy has been terminated prematurely in some patients with elevated eosinophil counts.

METHOD

Records were reviewed on 118 consecutively hospitalized, acutely psychotic patients treated over a 1-year period with clozapine for at least 3 weeks. Demographic data were obtained on those patients, and white blood cell counts were analyzed. We reviewed the data for predisposing factors, associated medical findings, or clinical sequelae, and performed a two-sided Fisher's exact test to determine if sex or diagnosis was associated with a higher risk of developing eosinophilia. The literature pertaining to this blood dyscrasia and its relationship to clozapine was reviewed.

RESULTS

In our population, the cumulative incidence of eosinophilia among women was 23% (13/57), a statistically significant higher risk (p < .01) than that in men (7% [4/61]). In all cases, the eosinophilia was noted between Weeks 3 and 5 of treatment and resolved without medical or psychiatric complications.

CONCLUSION

Eosinophilia should be added to the list of commonly observed side effects of clozapine treatment. Women appear to be at significant risk. Eosinophilia usually occurs early in therapy, spontaneously resolves, and is not associated with any known complications. An otherwise healthy person with this blood dyscrasia may continue with treatment but should be monitored closely. Further investigation into this finding may provide insight into the mechanism of neutropenia and other adverse reactions to clozapine.

Congenital mid-line cervical cleft

The mid-line cervical cleft is part of a broad spectrum of congenital mid-line branchiogenic syndromes. Two recent cases of this rare anomaly are presented, along with the clinical presentation, gross pathology and histopathology. The preferred operative technique of complete excision of the cervical cleft with Z-plasty is demonstrated. Embryologic origins and spectrum of severity of the mid-line branchiogenic syndromes is discussed.

Pharyngeal cleft sinuses and cysts, and other benign neck lesions

Few pediatricians can expect to acquire great personal experience in dealing with many of the aforementioned lesions. Nevertheless, an appreciation of the usual presentation and natural history of most of the entities will usually permit an accurate diagnosis and guide to management in all but the most obscure conditions.

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy: report of two cases

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of childhood is a rare lesion, but its presentation appears to be quite characteristic and a clinical diagnosis may be made with some confidence. Although this is an extremely rapidly growing, aggressive tumor, local excision appears to be adequate for cure.

Inhalation of a safety pin by a laryngectomized patient: a case report

Otolaryngologists are well aware of the potentially devastating consequences of inhaling a sharp foreign body. We report here a case of a laryngectomized patient who accidentally inhaled a safety pin through his tracheal stoma under highly unusual circumstances. This proved to be a life-threatening situation which resolved only after a complicated hospital admission culminating in a thoracotomy. We use this case to suggest guidelines that otolaryngologists may wish to discuss with their laryngectomized patients with regard to stomal care.

The parathyroid adenoma: an imaging/surgical perspective

The clinical picture of hyperparathyroidism has changed since the implementation of routine serum calcium testing, resulting in more asymptomatic patients undergoing early surgical exploration. Although operative complications (e.g., recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, hypocalcemia, etc.) are not prevalent, the risk can be minimized by minimizing tissue dissection. For this reason, we feel that preoperative tumor localization is of great importance. We report our imaging results of parathyroid adenomas, utilizing ultrasonography, technetium-thallium subtraction scanning, digital subtraction angiography and magnetic resonance imaging. We also present an imaging protocol which, we have found, maximizes preoperative identification of these tumors.