Is tidal expiratory flow limitation predictive of sleep-related disorders in the elderly?

Sleep-related disorders represent an important health burden and their prevalence increases with age. In patients with snoring or sleepiness, the presence of expiratory flow limitation (EFL), determined via the negative expiratory pressure (NEP) method, is related to the apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI). In this study, we examined whether EFL can be used to predict obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) in healthy asymptomatic older subjects. A group of 72-yr-old subjects (n = 448, 44% males) with a mean body mass index of 25.5±3.8 kg·m(-2) were examined. All subjects underwent spirometry, NEP (-5 cmH(2)O, sitting position) and ventilatory polygraphy (VP). Spirometry was within normal values in 88% of the group and EFL was present in 143 (32%) subjects with a higher prevalence in females (89 out of 249 versus 54 out of 199 in females and males, respectively). VP showed an AHI<15 h(-1) in 238 subjects (53%) and OSAS with an AHI ≥15 h(-1) in 47%. EFL was found in 15% of subjects with OSAS. Consequently, EFL had low sensitivity and specificity in the prediction of OSAS (31.4% and 67.7%, respectively). We conclude that the prevalence of EFL is elevated in healthy older subjects and cannot be used to predict the presence of sleep-related disorders in an older population.

[A furoncular ankle cellulitis in a teenager with a difference: Dermatobia hominis]

We report a case of botfly myiasis presenting as an ankle cellulitis in a teenager returning from Guyana. Main clinical features and therapeutic approaches are described.

Inferior turbinate hypertrophy radiofrequency management for children with cystic fibrosis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate, using radiofrequency techniques, the relevance and effectiveness of treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy in children with cystic fibrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A study of patients with cystic fibrosis with hypertrophy of inferior turbinate who were being treated at Lisieux Hospital In-Patient Paediatric and ENT- Head and Neck Surgery Department. 41 patients were included in the study and followed over 2 years. We analyzed the postoperative phase and the effectiveness of treatment, through clinical and radiological examination.

RESULTS

A clinical improvement of symptoms is observable from the third month after surgery in 100% of cases. However, we noted a loss in the effectiveness of radiofrequency on the turbinate tissue one year following operation, which worsens with time. However, the postoperative results remain satisfactory at 1 year and 2 years.

CONCLUSION

Radiofrequency is, in our opinion, the treatment of choice for inferior turbinate hypertrophy in children with cystic fibrosis. It combines a simple and low-risk effect with effective preservative treatment. However, the benefits of radiofrequency fade with time. Nonetheless, this technique yields postoperative results that remain satisfactory beyond 2 years. It is often useful to consider a new session after this date.

Structural and magnetic properties of DyMn(2)D(6) synthesized under high deuterium pressure

DyMn(2)D(6) has been prepared by applying high gaseous deuterium pressure on DyMn(2). This phase is isostructural with other RMn(2)D(6) (R = Y, Er) compounds and crystallizes with a K(2)PtCl(6) type structure having an ordered anion and a partially disordered cation arrangement because Dy and half the Mn atoms are randomly substituted in the same 8c site. The reverse susceptibility follows a Curie-Weiss law with an effective moment of 10 μ(B) similar to that of DyMn(2). Short range magnetic order, corresponding to ferromagnetic correlations, is observed in the neutron patterns up to 10 K and can be attributed to Dy-Dy interactions. The decomposition of the deuteride into Mn and DyD(2), studied by thermal gravimetric analysis, occurs between 470 and 650 K. A further deuterium desorption takes place above 920 K.

[Dry sausage mould hypersensitivity pneumonitis: three cases]

INTRODUCTION

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) can occur as a consequence of inhaling a wide range of different antigens. The clinical diagnosis is based on five main criteria as proposed by the GERM'O'P.

CASE REPORTS

We present in this report three cases of occupational hypersenstitivity pneumonitis caused by inhalation of dry sausage mould. Lung infiltrates were observed in each case on CT scanning, with a lymphocytic or mixed inflammatory picture in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and specific antibodies (precipitins) against extract from dry sausage mould (which notably contains Penicillium). In all three cases, the condition improved after reducing exposure to the allergen and, in two cases, after the administration of corticosteroid therapy.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to dry sausage mould occurs in work places where salami is made and should be considered as a possible cause of hypersenstitivity pneumonitis.

Allogreffe de mains: expérience lyonnaise

Hand allograft is a method in the stage of clinical experimentation, which is reserved in France for the treatment of bilateral traumatic amputees. This study reports the Lyon team experience, which is pioneer in this domain. Four patients (3 males and 1 female) underwent seven (one unilateral and three bilateral) hand transplantations from September 1998 to February 2007. The level of amputation was at the wrist or at the mid-forearm. Delay since hand loss ranged from 2.5 to 9 years. The surgical protocol was elaborated and planned case by case. All recipients received the same immunosuppressive treatment. Episodes of acute rejection were observed in the first 3 months after transplantation, which were easily managed after a few days increasing oral prednisone doses and applying topical immunosuppressants. Currently the patients receive the doses of immunosuppressants comparable to those in kidney-grafted patients. We have not registered any severe complication of immunosuppressive treatment up till now (7 years follow-up for the earliest graft). We performed analytical and functional clinical, as well as questionnaire evaluation of patients. The first case (unilateral graft) resulted in graft failure at 2 years due to non-compliance of the patient. The three bilateral graftees demonstrate a favorable evolution despite some immunological (hyperglycemia, serum sickness) and surgical (thrombosis, osteomyelitis, skin loss) complications, which could be managed. The middle and long-term follow-up evaluation revealed good to excellent sensorimotor recovery of 4 hands in both male recipients (4 and 7 years) with satisfactory social adaptation, higher or equal to those expected after post-traumatic replantations at the equivalent level and higher to those obtained with currently available myoelectric prosthesis. The last patient, a young female who has been grafted in February 2007, receives ongoing reeducation course and shows normal progress of functional restoration of both hands. The encouraging results of this clinical experimentation make us currently consider hand allografting as reasonable and useful both for the patients and for evolution of research in composite tissues allotransplantation (CTA). Further long-term careful research and worldwide monitoring of all patients with hand allografts is required to, on the one part, state on the authorization of this surgery, and, on the other part, to better elucidate the mechanisms of successful CTA.

Analysis of the prognostic role of plasmatic K-ras mutations in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients

18009

Background: Qualitative analysis of circulating DNA in blood is a promising non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic tool. Our aim was to study the association between the presence of K-ras mutations at codon 12 and several clinical variables in advanced NSCLC patients. Methods: We examined 451 NSCLC patients in stage IIIB and IV, treated with cisplatin and docetaxel. Blood samples were collected before chemotherapy, and circulating DNA was extracted from the plasma using commercial adsorption columns. K-ras mutational status was determined by a method based in allelic discrimination with RT-PCR. Results: Median age was 61 years [35–82] and 84% were males. 99% had performance status 0–1. 84% were in stage IV and 16% in stage IIIB. The histological subtypes were: 32% squamous cell carcinoma, 50% adenocarcinoma, 14% anaplastic large cell, and 4% undifferentiated. 41% of the patients received second line chemotherapy. 1% achieved complete response (CR), 36% partial response (PR), 35% had stable disease (SD) and 28% progressive disease (PD). Here we present the results of the analysis of K-ras mutations in the plasma of 165 samples. 17 patients presented K-ras mutations (10.3%), being codon 12 TGT in 16 patients and GTT in 1 case. Plasmatic mutations were found either in patients presenting squamous cell carcinoma (n=3) and in patients with adenocarcinoma (14). Patients with K-ras mutations in plasma had a median time to progression (TTP) of 2.3 months (m) [0.5- 4.6] while for wild type K-ras was 4.1 m [3.3–4.8], (p=0.9). Overall Survival (OS) in K-ras mutated patients was 10.1 m [4.1–15.8] and in wild type K-ras was 9.0 m [6.9–11.1], (p=0.6). Conclusions: In advanced NSCLC, there were no significant differences between patients with K-ras mutations and those with wild-type genotype with respect to baseline characteristics, response rates, TTP, or OS. Data from the rest of the cohort will be presented at the meeting.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Skin rash as surrogate marker of efficacy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with erlotinib

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Background: Erlotinib is an orally EGFR TKI approved for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Its most frequent and specific toxicity is a rash which generally occurs in a dose-dependent manner. A relationship between rash and clinical outcome have been suggested. Methods: The TargeT trial was an open-label, non-randomized, phase II study carried out in 101 Spanish institutions. Patients (p) with confirmed NSCLC (stage IIIB-IV) were treated with 150 mg/day po until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Primary objective was time to progression. Here we report a retrospective analysis describing outcomes in terms of response and survival in the group of patients who developed rash and those who did not. Results: Data were available for 1,255 p. Key baseline characteristics were similar in p with and without rash. Median age 65y (range 26–95) Most p were male (75%); active/former smoker (82%) 51% adenocarcinoma histolog. ECOG PS 0/1/2 were (%) 20/53/27. The % p receiving erlotinib as 1st/2nd/3rd- line treatment were 26/39/35. 698 patients were evaluable for response. Objective response rate (ORR) 12.6% with 51% control disease rate. Skin rash of any grade was observed in 73.4% p, among these p, responses were observed in 14.3%. In p with no rash ORR was 8.1% (p=0.03). Control disease rate was significantly higher among p experiencing rash (56.6%) than those without rash (35.48%; p<0.0001). Median time to progression for p with rash were 3.8 mo (95% CI: 3.4–4.3), compared with 2.3 mo (95% CI: 2.1–2.6) in those with no rash (p<0.001). Similar trend was found in overall survival 6.5 mo (95% CI: 6.1–7.3) in p with rash versus 2.3 mo (95% CI: 2.3–2.7; p<0.001). In addition p who developed rash grade =2 had significantly longer TTP (4.2 m; 95% CI 3.6–4.8; p<0.001) and OS (7.9 mo; 95% CI 6.5–8.8). Conclusions: This retrospective analysis suggest a correlation between skin rash development and severity and treatment outcome. Skin rash seems to be a surrogate marker of efficacy. Studies to prospectively investigate the association between increased dosing of erlotinib, skin rash and optimal response are currently ongoing. However, data from our analysis indicate that skin toxicity is neither sufficient nor necessary condition for an optimal outcome.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Macrolides, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and cystic fibrosis]

Long-term low dose azithromycin treatment in cystic fibrosis patients with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is safe and reduces the decline in lung function, the number of acute exacerbations and improves nutritional status; underlying efficacy mechanisms are multiple and synergistic.

[Hereditary angioneurotic edema: a case report in a 3-year-old child]

Hereditary angioneurotic edema is a dominant autosomal disease (incidence 1/150,000), whose diagnosis is crucial as this condition can lead to fatal asphyxia within minutes. We report the case of a three-year-old girl, misdiagnosed as allergic asthma. Recognition of the syndrome led to adapted care restoring normal family and school life. Pathogenic cascades involved and therapeutic principles of this disease are reviewed.