The influence of anastomotic techniques on postoperative anastomotic complications: Results of the Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit

BACKGROUND

The optimal anastomotic techniques in esophagectomy to minimize rates of anastomotic leakage and conduit necrosis are not known. The aim of this study was to assess whether the anastomotic technique was associated with anastomotic failure after esophagectomy in the international Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit cohort.

METHODS

This prospective observational multicenter cohort study included patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal cancer over 9 months during 2018. The primary exposure was the anastomotic technique, classified as handsewn, linear stapled, or circular stapled. The primary outcome was anastomotic failure, namely a composite of anastomotic leakage and conduit necrosis, as defined by the Esophageal Complications Consensus Group. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to identify the association between anastomotic techniques and anastomotic failure, after adjustment for confounders.

RESULTS

Of the 2238 esophagectomies, the anastomosis was handsewn in 27.1%, linear stapled in 21.0%, and circular stapled in 51.9%. Anastomotic techniques differed significantly by the anastomosis sites (P < .001), with the majority of neck anastomoses being handsewn (69.9%), whereas most chest anastomoses were stapled (66.3% circular stapled and 19.3% linear stapled). Rates of anastomotic failure differed significantly among the anastomotic techniques (P < .001), from 19.3% in handsewn anastomoses, to 14.0% in linear stapled anastomoses, and 12.1% in circular stapled anastomoses. This effect remained significant after adjustment for confounding factors on multivariable analysis, with an odds ratio of 0.63 (95% CI, 0.46-0.86; P = .004) for circular stapled versus handsewn anastomosis. However, subgroup analysis by anastomosis site suggested that this effect was predominantly present in neck anastomoses, with anastomotic failure rates of 23.2% versus 14.6% versus 5.9% for handsewn versus linear stapled anastomoses versus circular stapled neck anastomoses, compared with 13.7% versus 13.8% versus 12.2% for chest anastomoses.

CONCLUSIONS

Handsewn anastomoses appear to be independently associated with higher rates of anastomotic failure compared with stapled anastomoses. However, this effect seems to be largely confined to neck anastomoses, with minimal differences between techniques observed for chest anastomoses. Further research into standardization of anastomotic approach and techniques may further improve outcomes.

Textbook outcome following oesophagectomy for cancer: international cohort study

Background

Textbook outcome has been proposed as a tool for the assessment of oncological surgical care. However, an international assessment in patients undergoing oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer has not been reported. This study aimed to assess textbook outcome in an international setting.

Methods

Patients undergoing curative resection for oesophageal cancer were identified from the international Oesophagogastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA) from April 2018 to December 2018. Textbook outcome was defined as the percentage of patients who underwent a complete tumour resection with at least 15 lymph nodes in the resected specimen and an uneventful postoperative course, without hospital readmission. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors independently associated with textbook outcome, and results are presented as odds ratio (OR) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (95 per cent c.i.).

Results

Of 2159 patients with oesophageal cancer, 39.7 per cent achieved a textbook outcome. The outcome parameter ‘no major postoperative complication’ had the greatest negative impact on a textbook outcome for patients with oesophageal cancer, compared to other textbook outcome parameters. Multivariable analysis identified male gender and increasing Charlson comorbidity index with a significantly lower likelihood of textbook outcome. Presence of 24-hour on-call rota for oesophageal surgeons (OR 2.05, 95 per cent c.i. 1.30 to 3.22; P = 0.002) and radiology (OR 1.54, 95 per cent c.i. 1.05 to 2.24; P = 0.027), total minimally invasive oesophagectomies (OR 1.63, 95 per cent c.i. 1.27 to 2.08; P &lt; 0.001), and chest anastomosis above azygous (OR 2.17, 95 per cent c.i. 1.58 to 2.98; P &lt; 0.001) were independently associated with a significantly increased likelihood of textbook outcome.

Conclusion

Textbook outcome is achieved in less than 40 per cent of patients having oesophagectomy for cancer. Improvements in centralization, hospital resources, access to minimal access surgery, and adoption of newer techniques for improving lymph node yield could improve textbook outcome.

Textbook outcome following oesophagectomy for cancer: international cohort study

BACKGROUND

Textbook outcome has been proposed as a tool for the assessment of oncological surgical care. However, an international assessment in patients undergoing oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer has not been reported. This study aimed to assess textbook outcome in an international setting.

METHODS

Patients undergoing curative resection for oesophageal cancer were identified from the international Oesophagogastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA) from April 2018 to December 2018. Textbook outcome was defined as the percentage of patients who underwent a complete tumour resection with at least 15 lymph nodes in the resected specimen and an uneventful postoperative course, without hospital readmission. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors independently associated with textbook outcome, and results are presented as odds ratio (OR) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (95 per cent c.i.).

RESULTS

Of 2159 patients with oesophageal cancer, 39.7 per cent achieved a textbook outcome. The outcome parameter 'no major postoperative complication' had the greatest negative impact on a textbook outcome for patients with oesophageal cancer, compared to other textbook outcome parameters. Multivariable analysis identified male gender and increasing Charlson comorbidity index with a significantly lower likelihood of textbook outcome. Presence of 24-hour on-call rota for oesophageal surgeons (OR 2.05, 95 per cent c.i. 1.30 to 3.22; P = 0.002) and radiology (OR 1.54, 95 per cent c.i. 1.05 to 2.24; P = 0.027), total minimally invasive oesophagectomies (OR 1.63, 95 per cent c.i. 1.27 to 2.08; P < 0.001), and chest anastomosis above azygous (OR 2.17, 95 per cent c.i. 1.58 to 2.98; P < 0.001) were independently associated with a significantly increased likelihood of textbook outcome.

CONCLUSION

Textbook outcome is achieved in less than 40 per cent of patients having oesophagectomy for cancer. Improvements in centralization, hospital resources, access to minimal access surgery, and adoption of newer techniques for improving lymph node yield could improve textbook outcome.

Postoperative outcomes in oesophagectomy with trainee involvement

BACKGROUND

The complexity of oesophageal surgery and the significant risk of morbidity necessitates that oesophagectomy is predominantly performed by a consultant surgeon, or a senior trainee under their supervision. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of trainee involvement in oesophagectomy on postoperative outcomes in an international multicentre setting.

METHODS

Data from the multicentre Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Study Group (OGAA) cohort study were analysed, which comprised prospectively collected data from patients undergoing oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer between April 2018 and December 2018. Procedures were grouped by the level of trainee involvement, and univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to compare patient outcomes across groups.

RESULTS

Of 2232 oesophagectomies from 137 centres in 41 countries, trainees were involved in 29.1 per cent of them (n = 650), performing only the abdominal phase in 230, only the chest and/or neck phases in 130, and all phases in 315 procedures. For procedures with a chest anastomosis, those with trainee involvement had similar 90-day mortality, complication and reoperation rates to consultant-performed oesophagectomies (P = 0.451, P = 0.318, and P = 0.382, respectively), while anastomotic leak rates were significantly lower in the trainee groups (P = 0.030). Procedures with a neck anastomosis had equivalent complication, anastomotic leak, and reoperation rates (P = 0.150, P = 0.430, and P = 0.632, respectively) in trainee-involved versus consultant-performed oesophagectomies, with significantly lower 90-day mortality in the trainee groups (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Trainee involvement was not found to be associated with significantly inferior postoperative outcomes for selected patients undergoing oesophagectomy. The results support continued supervised trainee involvement in oesophageal cancer surgery.

Mortality from esophagectomy for esophageal cancer across low, middle, and high-income countries: An international cohort study

BACKGROUND

No evidence currently exists characterising global outcomes following major cancer surgery, including esophageal cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to characterise impact of high income countries (HIC) versus low and middle income countries (LMIC) on the outcomes following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

METHOD

This international multi-center prospective study across 137 hospitals in 41 countries included patients who underwent an esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, with 90-day follow-up. The main explanatory variable was country income, defined according to the World Bank Data classification. The primary outcome was 90-day postoperative mortality, and secondary outcomes were composite leaks (anastomotic leak or conduit necrosis) and major complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade III - V). Multivariable generalized estimating equation models were used to produce adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI95%).

RESULTS

Between April 2018 to December 2018, 2247 patients were included. Patients from HIC were more significantly older, with higher ASA grade, and more advanced tumors. Patients from LMIC had almost three-fold increase in 90-day mortality, compared to HIC (9.4% vs 3.7%, p < 0.001). On adjusted analysis, LMIC were independently associated with higher 90-day mortality (OR: 2.31, CI95%: 1.17-4.55, p = 0.015). However, LMIC were not independently associated with higher rates of anastomotic leaks (OR: 1.06, CI95%: 0.57-1.99, p = 0.9) or major complications (OR: 0.85, CI95%: 0.54-1.32, p = 0.5), compared to HIC.

CONCLUSION

Resections in LMIC were independently associated with higher 90-day postoperative mortality, likely reflecting a failure to rescue of these patients following esophagectomy, despite similar composite anastomotic leaks and major complication rates to HIC. These findings warrant further research, to identify potential issues and solutions to improve global outcomes following esophagectomy for cancer.

Comparison of short-term outcomes from the International Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA), the Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group (ECCG), and the Dutch Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Audit (DUCA)

BACKGROUND

The Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group (ECCG) and the Dutch Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Audit (DUCA) have set standards in reporting outcomes after oesophagectomy. Reporting outcomes from selected high-volume centres or centralized national cancer programmes may not, however, be reflective of the true global prevalence of complications. This study aimed to compare complication rates after oesophagectomy from these existing sources with those of an unselected international cohort from the Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA).

METHODS

The OGAA was a prospective multicentre cohort study coordinated by the West Midlands Research Collaborative, and included patients undergoing oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer between April and December 2018, with 90 days of follow-up.

RESULTS

The OGAA study included 2247 oesophagectomies across 137 hospitals in 41 countries. Comparisons with the ECCG and DUCA found differences in baseline demographics between the three cohorts, including age, ASA grade, and rates of chronic pulmonary disease. The OGAA had the lowest rates of neoadjuvant treatment (OGAA 75.1 per cent, ECCG 78.9 per cent, DUCA 93.5 per cent; P < 0.001). DUCA exhibited the highest rates of minimally invasive surgery (OGAA 57.2 per cent, ECCG 47.9 per cent, DUCA 85.8 per cent; P < 0.001). Overall complication rates were similar in the three cohorts (OGAA 63.6 per cent, ECCG 59.0 per cent, DUCA 62.2 per cent), with no statistically significant difference in Clavien-Dindo grades (P = 0.752). However, a significant difference in 30-day mortality was observed, with DUCA reporting the lowest rate (OGAA 3.2 per cent, ECCG 2.4 per cent, DUCA 1.7 per cent; P = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

Despite differences in rates of co-morbidities, oncological treatment strategies, and access to minimal-access surgery, overall complication rates were similar in the three cohorts.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation and surgery with and without cetuximab in patients with resectable esophageal cancer: a randomized, open-label, phase III trial (SAKK 75/08)

Background

This open-label, phase III trial compared chemoradiation followed by surgery with or without neoadjuvant and adjuvant cetuximab in patients with resectable esophageal carcinoma.

Patients and methods

Patients were randomly assigned (1 : 1) to two cycles of chemotherapy (docetaxel 75 mg/m2, cisplatin 75 mg/m2) followed by chemoradiation (45 Gy, docetaxel 20 mg/m2 and cisplatin 25 mg/m2, weekly for 5 weeks) and surgery, with or without neoadjuvant cetuximab 250 mg/m2 weekly and adjuvant cetuximab 500 mg/m2 fortnightly for 3 months. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

In total, 300 patients (median age, 61 years; 88% male; 63% adenocarcinoma; 85% cT3/4a, 90% cN+) were assigned to cetuximab (n = 149) or control (n = 151). The R0-resection rate was 95% for cetuximab versus 97% for control. Postoperative treatment-related mortality was 6% in both arms. Median PFS was 2.9 years [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.0 to not reached] with cetuximab and 2.0 years (95% CI, 1.5-2.8) with control [hazard ratio (HR), 0.79; 95% CI, 0.58-1.07; P = 0.13]. Median overall survival (OS) time was 5.1 years (95% CI, 3.7 to not reached) versus 3.0 years (95% CI, 2.2-4.2) for cetuximab and control, respectively (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.52-1.01; P = 0.055). Time to loco-regional failure after R0-resection was significantly longer for cetuximab (HR 0.53; 95% CI, 0.31-0.90; P = 0.017); time to distant failure did not differ between arms (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.64-1.59, P = 0.97). Cetuximab did not increase adverse events in neoadjuvant or postoperative settings.

Conclusion

Adding cetuximab to multimodal therapy significantly improved loco-regional control, and led to clinically relevant, but not-significant improvements in PFS and OS in resectable esophageal carcinoma.

Clinical trial information

NCT01107639.

Brain-actuated functional electrical stimulation elicits lasting arm motor recovery after stroke

Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) are used in stroke rehabilitation to translate brain signals into intended movements of the paralyzed limb. However, the efficacy and mechanisms of BCI-based therapies remain unclear. Here we show that BCI coupled to functional electrical stimulation (FES) elicits significant, clinically relevant, and lasting motor recovery in chronic stroke survivors more effectively than sham FES. Such recovery is associated to quantitative signatures of functional neuroplasticity. BCI patients exhibit a significant functional recovery after the intervention, which remains 6-12 months after the end of therapy. Electroencephalography analysis pinpoints significant differences in favor of the BCI group, mainly consisting in an increase in functional connectivity between motor areas in the affected hemisphere. This increase is significantly correlated with functional improvement. Results illustrate how a BCI-FES therapy can drive significant functional recovery and purposeful plasticity thanks to contingent activation of body natural efferent and afferent pathways.

Memory in time: electrophysiological comparison between reality filtering and temporal order judgment

Orbitofrontal reality filtering (ORF) denotes a little known but vital memory control mechanism, expressed at 200-300ms after stimulus presentation, that allows one to sense whether evoked memories (thoughts) refer to present reality and can be acted upon, or not. Its failure induces reality confusion evident in confabulations that patients act upon and disorientation. In what way ORF differs from temporal order judgment (TOJ), that is, the conscious knowledge about when something happened in the past, has never been explored. Here we used evoked potential analysis to compare ORF and TOJ within a combined experimental task and within a comparable time frame, close to the experienced present. Seventeen healthy human subjects performed an experiment using continuous recognition tasks that combined the challenges of ORF and TOJ. We found that the two mechanisms dissociated behaviorally: subjects were markedly slower and less accurate in TOJ than ORF. Both mechanisms evoked similar potentials at 240-280ms, when ORF normally occurs. However, they rapidly dissociated in terms of amplitude differences and electrical source from 310 to 360ms and again from 530 to 560ms. We conclude that the task of consciously ordering memories in the immediate past (TOJ) is effortful and slow in contrast to sensing memories' relation with the present (ORF). Both functions invoke similar early electrocortical processes which then rapidly dissociate and engage different brain areas. The results are consistent with the different consequences of the two mechanisms' dysfunction: while failure of ORF has a known clinical manifestation (reality confusion as evident in confabulation and disorientation), the failure of TOJ, as tested here, has no such known clinical correlate.

Anterograde and retrograde amnesia following bitemporal infarction

A patient suffered very severe anterograde and retrograde amnesia following infarction of both medial temporal lobes (hippocampus and adjacent cortex) and the left inferior temporo-occipital area. The temporal stem and the amygdala were intact; these structures do not appear to be critical for new learning in humans. Extension of the left-sided infarct into the inferior temporo-occipital lobe, an area critically involved in visual processing, appears to be responsible for our patient's loss of remote memories.

Do irrelevant sounds impair the maintenance of all characteristics of speech in memory?

Several studies have shown that maintaining in memory some attributes of speech, such as the content or pitch of an interlocutor's message, is markedly reduced in the presence of background sounds made of spectrotemporal variations. However, experimental paradigms showing this interference have only focused on one attribute of speech at a time, and thus differ from real-life situations in which several attributes have to be memorized and maintained simultaneously. It is possible that the interference is even greater in such a case and can occur for a broader range of background sounds. We developed a paradigm in which participants had to maintain the content, pitch and speaker size of auditorily presented speech information and used various auditory distractors to generate interference. We found that only distractors with spectrotemporal variations impaired the detection, which shows that similar interference mechanisms occur whether there are one or more speech attributes to maintain in memory. A high percentage of false alarms was observed with these distractors, suggesting that spectrotemporal variations not only weaken but also modify the information maintained in memory. Lastly, we found that participants were unaware of the interference. These results are similar to those observed in the visual modality.

Subdural catheter migration may lead to baclofen pump dysfunction

OBJECTIVES

To report an unusual cause of intrathecal drug delivery failure in baclofen pump device.

STUDY DESIGN

A case report of an SCI patient treated with intrathecal baclofen, presenting a drug withdrawal.

SETTING

Regional spinal cord injuries centre in Geneva (Switzerland).

METHODS

We present a case of a 38-year-old male with complete T9 spastic paraplegia for 15 years, treated with intrathecal baclofen for 11 years. He recently presented to our centre with a spastic hypertonic episode, associated with rhabdomyolysis.

RESULTS

Standard investigations were unrevealing. However, a CT scan performed after injecting a radio-opaque solution by the side port of the pump, showed an unexpected catheter migration into the subdural space. Surgical revision reversed withdrawal symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Subdural catheter migration must be considered in the differential diagnosis of intrathecal drug delivery system failures. We recommend the use of the CT scan after contrast injection, to detect the localization of the distal catheter tip and confirm the normal diffusion into the subarachnoid space.

[Functional weakness of movement]

The diagnosis of functional paresis is evoked when a patient presents with symptoms and signs incompatible with current anatomical and physiological knowledge. A broad assessment, including imaging and motor evoked potentials at rest, remains necessary; the rate of false diagnosis being estimated at 4%. The mechanisms of hysteria remain still dubious but various studies suggest that functional paresis is different from simulation by conscious, voluntary inhibition. The long-term prognosis is bad. The treatment includes cognitive-behavioral therapy and rehabilitation to develop a positive attitude.

Masticatory Function and Bite Force in Stroke Patients

Orofacial functions are frequently affected by stroke, but little is known on the nature and extent of the impairment of mastication, which is investigated in this observational study. Thirty-one stroke patients, aged 69.0 ± 12.7 yrs, presenting with a hemi-syndrome with facial palsy, were recruited. Chewing efficiency, maximum bite and restraining lip forces were tested. Stroke severity (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) and dental state were recorded. The control group was similar in age, gender, and dental state (n = 24). The chewing efficiency was significantly lower in the stroke group (p ≤ 0.0001) and was related to both the dental state and the lip forces measured with small and medium-sized labial plates. The maximum bite force proved to be not significantly different between sides or groups (n.s.), whereas lip force was significantly lower in the stroke group (p ≤ 0.05). Chewing efficiency is severely affected by stroke; thus, rehabilitation protocols should aim to restore the strength and co-ordination of the orofacial muscles.

Comparison of real-time PCR assays for detection, quantification, and differentiation of campylobacter jejuni and campylobacter coli in broiler neck skin samples

We tested the use of multiplex real-time PCR for detection and quantification of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli on broiler carcass neck skin samples collected during 2008 from slaughterhouses in Switzerland. Results from an established TaqMan assay based on two different targets (hipO and ceuE for C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively) were corroborated with data from a newly developed assay based on a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the fusA gene, which allows differentiation between C. jejuni and C. coli. Both multiplex real-time PCRs were applied simultaneously for direct detection, differentiation, and quantification of Campylobacter from 351 neck skin samples and compared with culture methods. There was good correlation in detection and enumeration between real-time PCR results and quantitative culture, with real-time PCR being more sensitive. Overall, 251 (71.5%) of the samples were PCR positive for Campylobacter, with 211 (60.1%) in the hipO-ceuE assays, 244 (69.5%) in the fusA assay, and 204 (58.1%) of them being positive in both PCR assays. Thus, the fusA assay was similarly sensitive to the enrichment culture (72.4% positive); however, it is faster and allows for quantification. In addition, real-time PCR allowed for species differentiation; roughly 60% of positive samples contained C. jejuni, less than 10% C. coli, and more than 30% contained both species. Real-time PCR proved to be a suitable method for direct detection, quantification, and differentiation of Campylobacter from carcasses, and could permit time-efficient surveillance of these zoonotic agents.

[Expansion of the sphere of crisis: the question of the intrusiveness of the disease]

The passage to ambulatory care of a patient with a long hospital stay due to a wrenching disease is not something obvious. The doctor and the care staff will have to take up the challenge of dealing with an important amount of care. The quality of life of the patient and his caregivers is influenced by the neuropsychiatric disorders, the illness intrusiveness and the depression that come along with them. The chronic disease intruding causes a crisis in their lives. In order to better evaluate these factors we are using the Illness Intrusiveness Rating Scale developed by Devins. This article addresses the high complexity of clinical situations handled in an environment of rehabilitation care with the support of the consultants, nurses and doctors, of the liaison psychiatry.

Preoperative induction chemotherapy with docetaxel-cisplatin followed by concurrent docetaxel-cisplatin and radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer: A prospective, multicenter phase ll trial of the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research

4562

Background: The role of preoperative therapy in patients (pts) with locally advanced esophageal cancer remains unclear. Non-randomized and randomized studies were often performed in single and highly specialized centers. The purpose of this study was to investigate 1) the efficacy and toxicity of preoperative docetaxel-cisplatin together with radiation therapy (RT) 2) the feasibility of a complex preoperative strategy in a community-based multicenter setting. Methods: Eligibility criteria: resectable, locally advanced (uT3 or uN1, T4 if deemed resectable) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or adenocarcinoma (AC) of the thoracic esophagus or gastroesophageal junction (Siewert type l); staged by EUS, CT and PET scan; age 18–70y; PS <2; normal organ functions. Treatment: 2 cycles of docetaxel 75mg/m2 and cisplatin 75mg/m2 q3w, followed by weekly x5 docetaxel 20mg/m2 and cisplatin 25mg/m2 with concomitant 45 Gy RT in 25 fractions; surgery 3- 8 weeks after RT. A two stage-design was used with two primary endpoints: 1) efficacy (TRG : tumor regression grade ); 2) feasibility (successful completion of entire therapy and being alive 30 days after surgery). Results: 66 pts, 56 males, were included from 11 institutions; median age 61y (35–70y); AC 53%; SCC 46%; 53 pts (80%) completed the preoperative therapy, underwent resection and were alive 30 days after surgery; 10 pts (15%) had no resection (4 progressive disease, 4 medical reasons, 2 patient’s refusal). Of 56 (85%) pts who had surgery, 51 pts had RO-resection (91%), 5 pts (9%) died due to complications after surgery (3 after > 30 days). Conclusion: Our trimodality treatment shows encouraging antineoplastic activity with 57% histopathological responders (TRG1 and 2) and acceptable feasibility in a community-based multicenter setting.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Paradoxical switching to a barely-mastered second language by an aphasic patient

Polyglot speakers who become aphasics are not necessarily affected to the same extent in each language. In some cases there is a mixing of the different languages or a switching between languages and in very rare cases the switch is to the language seldom if ever used in everyday live. We report a French-speaking aphasic, who switched paradoxically from his mother tongue (French) to a second language (German) which he had learned at school but barely mastered and hardly ever spoke, and kept using German most of the time. We tried to understand the mechanism responsible for that phenomenon by reviewing the actual hypothesis of multi-language organization. We concluded, in line with previous reports, that our case used his metalinguistic knowledge to compensate for his inability to access his linguistic skills.

L’accident ischémique cérébral, une complication rare de la maladie de Biermer

INTRODUCTION

Stroke in a young adult justifies an extensive etiologic workup.

OBSERVATION

We present a 44-year-old women victim of a frontal ischemic stroke. Extensive evaluation was normal, except for high plasma level of homocysteine in the context of pernicious anemia, otherwise asymptomatic.

DISCUSSION

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a known marker, and probably risk factor for stroke, fostering atherosclerosis and thrombosis. It can be found among individuals suffering from homocystinuria, in individuals homozygous for the MHTFR T allele but also when there is deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid. Although it is very seldom ascribed, pernicious anemia would be a cause of stroke, possibly though hyperhomocysteinemia.

The prognosis of agenesis of the corpus callosum might mostly be favourable

The post-natal development of 6 patients with complete agenesis of the corpus callosum was assessed. The diagnosis of agenesis of the corpus callosum had been suspected prenatally in 3 cases. In the remaining 3 cases diagnostic neuro-imaging was performed because of partial seizures (n = 2) and pendular nystagmus (n = 1). The neurological examination was normal in all patients with the exception of nystagmus in one. The neuro-developmental outcome was found to be normal in all 6 patients. In conclusion, these data suggest that good outcome is predominant in agenesis of the corpus callosum.

The prognosis of agenesis of the corpus callosum might mostly be favourable

The post-natal development of 6 patients with complete agenesis of the corpus callosum was assessed. The diagnosis of agenesis of the corpus callosum had been suspected prenatally in 3 cases. In the remaining 3 cases diagnostic neuro-imaging was performed because of partial seizures (n = 2) and pendular nystagmus (n = 1). The neurological examination was normal in all patients with the exception of nystagmus in one. The neuro-developmental outcome was found to be normal in all 6 patients. In conclusion, these data suggest that good outcome is predominant in agenesis of the corpus callosum.

17-jähriger Mann mit akuten Bauchschmerzen, Hämatochezie und Exanthem

A 17-year old adolescent presented with abdominal pain, petechial lesions, arthralgia, and hematochezia. Abdominal ultrasound showed a suspicious ileocecal region and a lower endoscopy revealed the picture of an ileitis terminalis. The diagnosis of Purpura Henoch Schoenlein was made and confirmed by skin-biopsy showing a leucocytoclastic vasculitis. This case report demonstrates the various clinical symptoms of Purpura Henoch Schoenlein and its clinical course.

Neurological improvement and rehabilitation potential following toxic myelopathy due to intrathecal injection of doxorubicin

STUDY DESIGN

Case report of a 31-year-old woman who presented with toxic myelopathy due to intrathecal administration of doxorubicin.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the pathology and the rehabilitation of an uncommon complication of intrathecal drug administration during the oncologic treatment of acute lymphoma.

SETTING

Spinal cord rehabilitation center, University Hospital.

METHOD

Clinical and radiological observations during a rehabilitation program.

RESULTS

Evidence of neurological improvement and rehabilitation potential after severe myelopathy due to intrathecal injection of doxorubicin.

CONCLUSION

This is, to our knowledge, the first report of severe myelopathy following accidental intrathecal administration of doxorubicin. Despite early complete paraplegia, some neurological and functional recovery was observed.

Perioperative detection of disseminated tumour cells is an independent prognostic factor in patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The objective of the present investigation was to assess the prognostic significance of disseminated tumour cells in peritoneal lavage, and peripheral and mesenteric venous blood in patients undergoing curative resection of colorectal cancer.

METHODS

The prognostic impact of perioperative cytological and immunocytochemical detection of disseminated colorectal cancer cells was evaluated prospectively. Peritoneal lavage fluid, and peripheral and mesenteric venous blood from 53 consecutive patients undergoing curative surgery for colorectal cancer were analysed. The dichotomous results (positive versus negative) from the cytological and immunocytochemical analysis were used as a predictor along with other co-variates in proportional hazard regression models of disease-free and overall survival.

RESULTS

Disseminated colorectal cancer cells were found in 13 of 53 patients (25 per cent) using cytology (CYT) and/or immunocytochemistry (ICC). The median follow-up at the time of the analysis was 37 months. In multivariate proportional hazard regression models CYT/ICC status was a significant predictor for disease-free (P = 0.002) and overall (P = 0.006) survival.

CONCLUSION

Disseminated tumour cells detected by CYT and ICC represent an independent prognostic factor in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and may identify patients at high risk of recurrence.

Prophylactic surgery in families with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and in colitis

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of death from malignant tumors in western countries with approximately 3800 new cases/year in Switzerland. For individuals known to be at high risk for the development of colorectal cancer, screening, chemoprevention and/or prophylactic surgery are the only tools to avoid unnecessary premature death from this disease. With modern molecular and/or genetic testing the risk of developing colorectal cancer can be more precisely estimated on an individualized basis. These individuals need to be enrolled in strong surveillance programs and are clear candidates for prophylactic surgery. The risk of prophylactic surgery (morbidity, mortality, quality of life following surgery) must be clearly weighted against the increasing risk of cancer. These patients should be treated in experienced centers for colorectal surgery in close connection with a genetic testing and counseling team, a molecular laboratory and a psychological support group.

Probabilistic contingency learning with limbic or prefrontal damage

A fundamental capacity of the human brain is to learn relations (contingencies) between environmental stimuli and the consequences of their occurrence. Some contingencies are probabilistic; that is, they predict an event in some situations but not in all. Animal studies suggest that damage to limbic structures or the prefrontal cortex may disturb probabilistic learning. The authors studied the learning of probabilistic contingencies in amnesic patients with limbic lesions, patients with prefrontal cortex damage, and healthy controls. Across 120 trials, participants learned contingent relations between spatial sequences and a button press. Amnesic patients had learning comparable to that of control subjects but failed to indicate what they had learned. Across the last 60 trials, amnesic patients and control subjects learned to avoid a noncontingent choice better than frontal patients. These results indicate that probabilistic learning does not depend on the brain structures supporting declarative memory.

Dissociated active and passive tactile shape recognition: a case study of pure tactile apraxia

Disorders of tactile object recognition (TOR) may result from primary motor or sensory deficits or higher cognitive impairment of tactile shape representations or semantic memory. Studies with healthy participants suggest the existence of exploratory motor procedures directly linked to the extraction of specific properties of objects. A pure deficit of these procedures without concomitant gnostic disorders has never been described in a brain-damaged patient. Here, we present a patient with a right hemispheric infarction who, in spite of intact sensorimotor functions, had impaired TOR with the left hand. Recognition of 2D shapes and objects was severely deficient under the condition of spontaneous exploration. Tactile exploration of shapes was disorganized and exploratory procedures, such as the contour-following strategy, which is necessary to identify the precise shape of an object, were severely disturbed. However, recognition of 2D shapes under manually or verbally guided exploration and the recognition of shapes traced on the skin were intact, indicating a dissociation in shape recognition between active and passive touch. Functional MRI during sensory stimulation of the left hand showed preserved activation of the spared primary sensory cortex in the right hemisphere. We interpret the deficit of our patient as a pure tactile apraxia without tactile agnosia, i.e. a specific inability to use tactile feedback to generate the exploratory procedures necessary for tactile shape recognition.

Spontaneous confabulation, reality monitoring, and the limbic system--a review

Patients with anterior limbic damage may present a distinct syndrome, spontaneous confabulation: they fail in common memory tests, act on the basis of previous habits rather than currently relevant memories, produce confabulations composed of elements of past true events, are disorientated, and are absolutely convinced about the veracity of their perceived reality. Spontaneous confabulation is independent of other false memories, such as, provoked confabulations or illusory recognition. Studies showed that spontaneous confabulators fail to suppress (inactivate) evoked memories that do not pertain to ongoing reality. Rehabilitation differs from other memory failures. Prognosis depends on the lesion site, but recovery is always associated with recovery of this suppression capacity. Lesions typically involve the posterior medial orbitofrontal cortex or its connections in the basal forebrain. Imaging and evoked potential studies in healthy subjects support the idea that the anterior limbic system provides a reality monitoring mechanism which selects memories of current relevance by suppressing (inactivating) currently irrelevant memories. This mechanism appears to adjust the cortical representation of activated memories before their content is recognised and consolidated. Comparison with animal studies suggests that human reality monitoring is a property of the brain's reward system.

Probabilistic contingency learning with limbic or prefrontal damage

A fundamental capacity of the human brain is to learn relations (contingencies) between environmental stimuli and the consequences of their occurrence. Some contingencies are probabilistic; that is, they predict an event in some situations but not in all. Animal studies suggest that damage to limbic structures or the prefrontal cortex may disturb probabilistic learning. The authors studied the learning of probabilistic contingencies in amnesic patients with limbic lesions, patients with prefrontal cortex damage, and healthy controls. Across 120 trials, participants learned contingent relations between spatial sequences and a button press. Amnesic patients had learning comparable to that of control subjects but failed to indicate what they had learned. Across the last 60 trials, amnesic patients and control subjects learned to avoid a noncontingent choice better than frontal patients. These results indicate that probabilistic learning does not depend on the brain structures supporting declarative memory.

Hypothalamic amnesia with spontaneous confabulations: a clinicopathologic study

Previous studies demonstrated that patients producing spontaneous confabulations fail to suppress currently irrelevant memory traces and have anterior limbic lesions, particularly involving the orbitofrontal cortex or the basal forebrain. Here, a woman is described who had sarcoidosis damaging the medial hypothalamus and endocrine dysfunction, and a severe memory failure characterized by spontaneous confabulation, disorientation, and severely impaired free recall with preserved recognition. Isolated hypothalamic damage may produce the same type of memory disorder as orbitofrontal damage.

[Minimal invasive surgery. Aspects of surgical oncology of the gastrointestinal tract]

The general potential and current position of minimally invasive surgery for the surgical treatment of malignant tumours of the gastrointestinal tract are discussed. A reliable validation of these procedures for tumour surgery is still impossible due to the lack of long-term results, the selective experience, and the ongoing process of learning and development. However, it seems clear that minimally invasive procedures will have an important position within surgical oncology. This is especially true with respect to improved staging of gastrointestinal tumours by laparoscopy and various palliative procedures that may be performed laparoscopically. Minimally invasive procedures may suffice for the treatment of certain, highly selected cases of preneoplastic and early cancerous lesions. The definitive acceptance of minimally invasive procedures in the future will require further clinical, preferably randomised trials, comparing the advantages of the minimally invasive access route to possible long-term disadvantages with regard to recurrence-free and overall survival.

Time estimation in Parkinson's disease: normal long duration estimation despite impaired short duration discrimination

It has been claimed that patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are deficient in estimating and reproducing time intervals in the range of seconds. This deficit is more severe when subjects are requested to count internally during the demanded intervals, and when the rate of internal counting is fast. The observed deficit might therefore reflect slow internal counting, i. e. motor slowness, rather than a specific deficit of temporal processing. However, PD patients also have a higher temporal discrimination threshold for sensory stimuli, a finding purportedly indicating a slow 'internal clock'. In this study we examined PD patients' processing of short durations (approx. 1s,'psychological present') and long durations (up to 48 s,'extended present'). In the first experiment the ability to discriminate between temporally overlapping presentations of two visual stimuli (darkened rectangles on the computer screen) in the range of one second was tested. In the second experiment PD patients' ability to estimate time intervals between 12 and 48 s was investigated. During these intervals, subjects were required to tap and read a random number on the computer screen at a rate of 1 Hz. We found that the patients were impaired at discriminating between short intervals. This deficit was independent of task difficulty and appeared to be based on an impairment of divided attention. Despite this deficit, the PD patients estimated time intervals up to 48 s as accurately as the controls. We suggest that time estimation, i. e. the feeling for the flow of time, is normal in PD patients despite impaired discrimination of brief intervals in the range of seconds.

Selection of currently relevant memories by the human posterior medial orbitofrontal cortex

We have demonstrated previously that patients producing spontaneous confabulations fail to suppress currently irrelevant memory traces, so that they act and think on the basis of a false, temporally displaced (past) reality. All spontaneous confabulators had anterior limbic damage, in particular of the orbitofrontal cortex and basal forebrain. These findings indicated that these structures are essential for distinguishing between mental representations of ongoing reality and currently irrelevant memories. In the present study, we used a similar experimental paradigm as in our clinical studies and H(2)(15)O positron emission tomography to explore the selection of currently relevant memories by the healthy human brain. Subjects were repeatedly presented with the same set of pictures, arranged in different order each time, and were requested to indicate picture recurrences within the runs. Thus, performance in the first run depended on new learning, whereas subsequent runs required the distinction between picture repetitions within the current run ("now") and previous picture presentations in earlier runs. Whereas initial learning activated medial temporal structures, subsequent runs provoked circumscribed posterior medial orbitofrontal activation. We suggest that this area is essential for sorting out mental associations that pertain to ongoing reality.

Recovery from spontaneous confabulations parallels recovery of temporal confusion in memory

BACKGROUND

In previous studies, the authors found that patients with spontaneous confabulation differ from those with nonconfabulating amnesia by 1) temporal context confusion (TCC) in memory based on an inability to suppress intrusions of currently irrelevant memory traces into ongoing thinking; and 2) lesions involving the orbitofrontal cortex, basal forebrain, or amygdala and perirhinal cortex.

OBJECTIVES

To study the long-term clinical course of spontaneous confabulations, determine whether TCC in memory also parallels the clinical course of spontaneous confabulations, and study the impact of lesion site on clinical course.

METHODS

Eight patients with spontaneous confabulation were re-examined 18 months after onset. Tests of memory and executive functioning and measurement of TCC in memory were again applied. MRI according to a standard protocol was performed to determine areas of permanent damage.

RESULTS

Seven patients eventually stopped confabulating. TCC, but not common memory or executive tests, precisely paralleled the course of spontaneous confabulations. Patients with isolated, less extensive, orbitofrontal lesions stopped confabulating first and had the best neuropsychological outcome. Patients with basal forebrain lesions continued to confabulate for several months and remained amnesic. One patient with extensive orbitofrontal damage and perirhinal cortex damage continues to confabulate after more than 3 years, continuing to confuse memory traces.

CONCLUSIONS

Temporal context confusion in memory is not only the sole feature reliably separating patients with spontaneous confabulation from those with nonconfabulating amnesia in the acute stage, it is also the only feature that precisely parallels the clinical course of spontaneous confabulations. Most patients eventually stop confabulating but duration of confabulations depends on the lesion site.

Spontaneous confabulations, disorientation, and the processing of 'now'

We have previously demonstrated that spontaneous confabulations and disorientation in amnesia emanate from temporal context confusion in memory characterised by intrusion of previously acquired information into ongoing thinking. This failure appears to be due to an inability to suppress previously activated memory traces of events dating back hours, weeks or even years. In the present study, the possibility was explored that spontaneous confabulators also have a problem in processing information in the very short-term range of the psychological present (the 'now'), which has been defined as the duration of an experiential process. Tasks assessing the processing of time within the psychological present were devised to test this possibility. In experiment 1, spontaneous confabulators, in comparison with other amnestic patients, failed to discriminate brief, visually presented intervals in the now. In experiment 2, they failed to make motion-associated time estimations within the now. These deficits also correlated with disorientation. Although these results do not prove a causal relationship, they indicate that spontaneously confabulating and disorientated patients typically do fail to process information within the 'now'.