Inflammatory BCG adenitis associated with immune reconstitution following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant in infancy

We describe four cases of a localized, granulomatous reaction to BCG including ipsilateral painful, suppurative lymphadenopathy associated with donor immune reconstitution following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant performed in infancy and preceded by uneventful, routine BCG immunisation. The management of the inflammatory disease in these cases with surgery, antimycobacterial chemotherapy and steroids, is discussed.

SNP-LOH Analysis of Lobular Carcinoma In Situ and Associated Invasive Lobular Cancer

Background: Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is a risk factor for the development of subsequent invasive breast carcinoma in either breast. Approximately 50-70% of these subsequent cancers are invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Recent molecular evidence suggests that LCIS may be a precursor of ILC. However, not all LCIS progresses to invasive disease and at present there are no biomarkers that predict which cases are going to develop invasive disease. SNP-LOH analysis may be a useful method to analyse genome wide loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and copy number variation in LCIS and associated invasive disease in order to identify such biomarkers. The study of LCIS poses specific technical challenges as available samples are almost exclusively formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue and LCIS tends to occur in small scattered foci which require micro-dissection.Aims: To assess the feasibility of performing SNP-LOH on micro-dissected FFPE tissue To compare patterns of LOH in pure LCIS and LCIS associated with ILCTo examine the genetic relationship between LCIS and associated ILCMethods: Tumour blocks were collected as part of the GLACIER Study (a study to investigate the Genetics of LobulAr Carcinoma In situ in EuRope). Tissue was micro-dissected from FFPE specimens. DNA was extracted with the DNEasy kit (Qiagen) if it was possible to micro-dissect by hand under a light microscope. For cases extracted using the laser capture microscope (LCM) the Picopure Kit (MDS Analytical Tech)) was used to extract DNA. SNP-LOH was performed using the GoldenGate Assay(Illumina) on 28 samples (20 LCIS, 8 ILC). A minimum of 250ng of DNA was required. For samples with low DNA yields, DNA was amplified using the Genomeplex Amplification Kit(Sigma).Results: Results were obtained on 24 samples that were micro-dissected under the light microscope and extracted using the DNEasy kit(Qiagen). Amplification of DNA was also possible from these samples and the SNP-LOH results for amplified DNA correlated with those for unamplified DNA(1 case).SNP-LOH was performed on 13 cases of classical LCIS: 6 pure LCIS, 7 with associated ILC. LOH events were more common in LCIS associated with invasive disease (range 2-5, median 3) than pure LCIS (range 0-5, median 2). The commonest change in both groups was 16q LOH (6/6 LCIS with invasive disease, 4/7 pure LCIS, p=0.12, Fishers Exact Test). 1q LOH was also present in all samples associated with invasive disease, but only identified in 3/7 samples of pure LCIS (p=0.049, Fishers Exact Test). There were also other regions of LOH that were more common in LCIS associated with ILC, but did not reach significance.Comparing LOH patterns in LCIS and associated ILC revealed that in 3/6 cases of ILC genetic changes were identical to those in the LCIS. In 2/6 cases the ILC had the same genetic changes but had also acquired new genetic changes. Interestingly in 1 case the LCIS had more genetic changes than the ILC.Conclusions: This pilot study has shown that it is possible to perform SNP-LOH on small amounts of micro-dissected FFPE tissue. The results confirm the findings of others that LCIS is a likely precursor lesion of ILC and suggest that even with this limited number of samples pure LCIS and LCIS associated with ILC may have different genetic profiles.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 5169.

Laparoscopic salvage total pelvic exenteration: Is it possible post-chemo-radiotherapy?

Indications for total pelvic exenteration in a male (removal of the bladder, prostate and rectum) and in a woman (removal bladder, uterus, vagina, ovaries and rectum) are rare. The advanced stage generally dictates that the patient has some form of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or a combination of two to shrink/debulk the tumour. We report the first two cases of a salvage laparoscopic total pelvic exenteration in a male for rectal adenocarcinoma invading into the bladder and prostate, post-chemo-radiotherapy and in a woman for squamous cell carcinoma of cervix invading the bladder and rectum post-chemo-radiotherapy. Salvage surgery is often difficult and has been noted to have high morbidity. Applying a laparoscopic approach to this group may have advantages for the patient and the surgeon, i.e. less pain, early recovery and magnified views. As we have technically shown it to be possible, perhaps laparoscopic approaches should be discussed if the teams in these centres are of advanced laparoscopic surgeons working in multi-skilled groups.

Isoflurane exerts a short-term but not a long-term preconditioning effect in neonatal rats exposed to a hypoxic-ischaemic neuronal injury

BACKGROUND

Isoflurane has been shown to induce tolerance against ischaemic injury in adult rodents. Although the delayed preconditioning effect of isoflurane has been demonstrated in neonatal rat pups, the acute preconditioning effects of isoflurane remained undetermined. The present study was therefore conducted to evaluate the acute preconditioning efficacy of isoflurane in neonatal rats subjected to a hypoxic-ischaemic (HI) injury.

METHODS

Post-natal day 7 pups were exposed to 1 or 2% isoflurane in oxygen for either 30, 60 or 90 min. Fifteen minutes after isoflurane exposure, the pups were subjected to an HI injury induced by left common carotid artery ligation and exposure to 8% oxygen for 2 h. Pups not exposed to isoflurane or not subjected to HI served as controls. Histopathologic injury to the cortex and hippocampus was evaluated 7 and 49 days after HI.

RESULTS

Isoflurane 2% exposure for 60 or 90 min before HI induced tolerance in the hippocampus and the number of normal neurons in the CA1 sector 7 days after HI was significantly greater than in non-preconditioned animals. This protective efficacy of isoflurane preconditioning was not observed 49 days after HI.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure of 2% isoflurane for at least 60 min is required to induce tolerance against HI injury in rat pups. However, this neuroprotective efficacy results in only transient neuroprotection.

Photoacoustic imaging endoscope

We currently present a design concept for a photoacoustic imaging endoscope as well as some preliminary experimental results. The device is based on the generation of acoustic waves in tissue by short laser pulses and the sensing of these waves with a thin, optical Fabry-Pérot etalon. The entire device is designed to be mounted on the tip of a needle to deliver high-resolution photoacoustic imaging for minimally-invasive clinical applications such as diagnosing kidney disease and guiding laparoscopic surgery.

Loss of FrmA leads to increased cell-cell adhesion and impaired multi-cellular development of Dictyostelium cells

Cell-cell adhesion is a critical property of all multi-cellular organisms and its correct regulation is critical during development, differentiation, tissue building and maintenance, and many immune responses. The multi-talin-like FERM domain containing protein, FrmA, is required during starvation-induced multi-cellular development of Dictyostelium cells. Loss of FrmA leads to increased cell-cell adhesion and results in impaired multi-cellular development, slug migration and fruiting bodies. Further, mixing experiments show that FrmA null cells are excluded from the apex of wild-type mounds, to which cells that normally form the organising centre known as the tip sort. These data suggest a critical role for FrmA in regulating cell-cell adhesion, multi-cellular development and, in particular, the formation of the organising centre known as the tip.

Transvascular retrieval of a catheter remnant from the peripheral vein of a preterm neonate

We report the first case of transvenous removal of a peripheral inserted central catheter (PICC) fragment embolized to a peripheral vein in a 32-week gestational age 1450 g infant. The technical aspect of this alternative method to surgery is discussed.

Comparison of zones 1 to 4 flexor tendon repairs using absorbable and unabsorbable four-strand core sutures

Absorbable sutures behave favourably in vitro and in an animal model. We report the outcome of flexor tendon injuries in a series of 272 consecutive patients treated over 45 months with a mean follow-up of 4 (range 3-12) months. Five hundred and seventy-six tendons were repaired in 416 digits. The patients were not randomised and all repairs were performed using a Strickland four-strand core technique. In 191 (73%) patients an absorbable core suture was used (Group 1) and in 81 (27%) a non-absorbable material was used (Group 2). There were six ruptures (2%) in Group 1 and two (2%) in Group 2. Using the original Strickland criteria, there were 72% excellent/good and 28% fair/poor results in the absorbable core suture group, and 73% and 27%, respectively, in the non-absorbable core suture group. This study suggests that appropriate absorbable core sutures can be used safely for flexor tendon repair.

WITHDRAWN: Glucocorticoids for acute viral bronchiolitis in infants and young children

BACKGROUND

Systemic glucocorticoids have been widely prescribed for use in infants and young children with acute viral bronchiolitis but the actual benefit of this intervention requires clarification.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review the evidence on the effectiveness of systemic glucocorticoids for the treatment of infants and young children with acute viral bronchiolitis.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Multiple strategies were incorporated to maximize identification of suitable studies. The following databases were searched: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2003); MEDLINE (January 1966 to September 2003); Current Contents (1998 to 2000); EMBASE (January 1990 to September 2003); and Sci Search. Handsearches through cited references and contacts with experts were also used.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Only randomised controlled trials (RCT) were eligible for inclusion. Studies were included if participants were diagnosed with acute viral bronchiolitis and treated with systemic (oral, intramuscular or intravenous) corticosteroids. Three reviewers independently selected potentially relevant articles. Four reviewers evaluated these studies, determined eligibility and assessed the methodological quality of each RCT.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The primary outcome of interest was length of hospital stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes were: respiratory rate, haemoglobin oxygen saturation, and hospital admission and revisit rates. Data were extracted independently by the four reviewers and the results compiled and compared. Two reviewers reassessed studies to clarify points of discrepancy in the data extraction and database entry processes. Missing data were requested from the authors or calculated from other data presented in the study report.

MAIN RESULTS

There was complete agreement on the inclusion of 13 trials and the exclusion of five studies. Two main study recruitment groups were identified: a) infants and young children within the first 48 hours of hospitalisation (10 trials), and b) outpatient infants and young children who were randomised from the emergency department and who may nor may not have required hospital admission (three trials).A total of 1,198 children aged 0 to 30 months were treated with the equivalent of 0.5 to 10 mg/kg of systemic prednisone for two to seven days. Outcomes of interest were not measured in each RCT. In the pooled analysis of seven trials, there was a decrease in LOS in treated children of 0.38 days (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.81 to 0.05), indicating no significant difference between treatment groups. In the pooled analysis of eight trials, the day three clinical score measured: a standard mean difference (SMD) of -0.20 (95% CI -0.73 to 0.32), indicating no difference between treatment groups. Subgroup analyses for base LOS and clinical score outcomes were performed on infants who were a) less than 12 months of age, b) all respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) positive, c) treated with less than 6 mg/kg of prednisone equivalent throughout the illness and d) first-time wheezers. These were limited by the small number of studies in each subgroup. Hospital admission rates were examined in three trials and no difference was seen between treatment groups (odds ratio (OR) 1.05 (95% CI 0.23 to 4.87). Readmission rates were reported in six studies; with no significant differences between treatment groups. Hospital revisit rates were reported in three studies, with a significant difference between treatment groups reported in one study only. The respiratory rate and haemoglobin oxygen saturation were reported descriptively in six RCTs; no differences were found between groups. Co-interventions (oxygen, supportive fluids and bronchodilators) were used similarly between treatment groups in all RCTs.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

No benefits were found in either LOS or clinical score in infants and young children treated with systemic glucocorticoids as compared to placebo. There were no differences in these outcomes between treatment groups; either in the pooled analysis or in any of the sub analyses. Among the three studies evaluating hospital admission rates following the initial hospital visit there was no difference between treatment groups. There were no differences found in respiratory rate, haemoglobin oxygen saturation, hospital revisit or readmission rates. Subgroup analyses were significantly limited by the low number of studies in each comparison. Marked study heterogeneity and occasionally conflicting direction of benefit between trials suggests that these results should be interpreted with caution. Specific data on the harm of corticosteroid therapy in this patient population are lacking. Available evidence suggests that corticosteroid therapy is not of benefit in this patient group.