Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma With Vitreous Humor Involvement

Purpose: To describe a case of T-cell lymphoma with bilateral vitreous involvement. Methods: A case report was reviewed, and a literature review, including search terms such as "anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL)" and "T-cell lymphoma with ocular involvement", was performed. Results: A 56-year-old man presented with slurred speech, left-sided weakness, and floaters in his right eye. He was found to have an enhancing right frontal lobe mass with biopsy positive for ALCL. The right eye demonstrated 2+ vitreous cell, with a vitreous biopsy consistent with ALCL. His floaters resolved, and the patient was asymptomatic until he developed floaters in his left eye 1½ years later. A subsequent vitreous biopsy revealed recurrence of ALCL in the fellow eye. Conclusions: ALCL is a rare T-cell lymphoma uncommonly reported as having vitreous infiltration.

Accuracy of Vitreoretinal Disease Information From an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot

This cross-sectional study compares 2 sets of responses by 1 chatbot to frequently asked questions about vitreoretinal conditions and procedures.

Subretinal fluid associated with pemigatinib therapy for cholangiocarcinoma; a case report and literature review Pemigatinib-associated subretinal fluid

PURPOSE

To describe the retinal findings associated with pemigatinib, an oral competitive inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) approved for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODS

We present a case report and performed a literature review, revealing only two prior reported cases of pemigatinib-mediated subretinal fluid.

RESULTS

A 72-year-old woman presented with transient visual symptoms while on pemigatinib for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed subfoveal subretinal fluid bilaterally that resolved during a drug holiday, however fluctuated throughout her treatment course. She remained on pemigatinib for ten months without other ocular sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS

This is one of the few reported cases of pemigatinib-related retinopathy, which further supports the self-limited and benign nature of subretinal fluid associated with FGFR inhibitors.

Ophthalmic complications in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and type 2 diabetes prescribed rivaroxaban or warfarin

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Bayer AG Berlin, Germany

INTRODUCTION

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at an increased risk of ophthalmic complications compared to those without. Ophthalmic complications in T2D patients with comorbid nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) may include ophthalmic bleeding and/or diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE

We sought to evaluate ophthalmic complications in patients with NVAF and T2D prescribed rivaroxaban or warfarin for stroke prevention.

METHODS

Optum® de-identified electronic health record (EHR) data from 11/2010-3/2020 were utilized. Adults with NVAF and T2D, newly started on rivaroxaban or warfarin and with ≥12 months of prior EHR activity were included. Patients were excluded if they received any oral anticoagulation in the prior 12 months, had valvular disease or pre-existing diabetic retinopathy. Our primary outcome was the incidence rate of any ophthalmic complication including non-traumatic bleeding (choroidal, intraocular, retinal, vitreous) or diabetic retinopathy.  Ophthalmic bleeds typically associated with trauma (hyphema, orbital) were excluded from our outcomes.  Hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using propensity score-overlap weighted Cox regression.

RESULTS

We included 26,537 rivaroxaban and 61,690 warfarin patients. The average age of patients was 69 ± 9 years, CHA2DS2VASc score was 4.1 ± 1.5 and HASBLED 1.5 ± 0.9. Thirty-two percent of patients had an a1c ≥7.0 and 16% an a1c≥8.0. Rivaroxaban was associated with a 15% (95%CI = 8-21%) relative hazard reduction of any ophthalmic complication (incidence rate = 1.25 vs. 1.46%/year) (Table), driven by reductions in both ophthalmic bleeding (HR = 0.80) and diabetic retinopathy (HR = 0.85).

CONCLUSIONS

Rivaroxaban was associated with a reduction in ophthalmic complications compared to warfarin. Table. Ophthalmic Complications Outcome Rivaroxaban, %/yearN = 26,537 Warfarin, %/yearN = 61,690 PS OLW HR (95%CI) Any Ophthalmic Complication 1.25 1.46 0.85 (0.79-0.92) Any Ophthalmic Bleed 0.15 0.19 0.80 (0.63-1.00) Choroidal Bleed 0.003 0.005 0.59 (0.11-3.17) Intraocular Bleed 0.01 0.01 0.75 (0.26-2.13) Retinal Bleed 0.08 0.09 0.93 (0.68-1.28) Vitreous Bleed 0.07 0.10 0.66 (0.47-0.92) Any Type of Diabetic Retinopathy 1.15 1.34 0.85 (0.79-0.93) Diabetic Retinopathy, non-proliferative 0.35 0.44 0.80 (0.69-0.93) Diabetic Retinopathy, proliferative 0.09 0.12 0.79 (0.59-1.05) Diabetic Retinopathy, unspecified 0.82 0.94 0.87 (0.79-0.97) CI = confidence interval; HR = hazard ratio; OLW = overlap weighted; PS = propensity score

Do differences in baseline clinical severity of ovarian cancer patients with thrombosis predict treatment with rivaroxaban versus low molecular-weight heparin?

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Background: Prescribers use direct oral anticoagulants and low molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for the acute treatment and secondary prevention of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT). We sought to identify predictors impacting the use rivaroxaban versus LMWH for CAT in patients with ovarian cancer. Methods: Using US Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result-Medicare linked data from 2013-2016, we evaluated adults with ovarian cancer, undergoing hospitalization/emergency department admission for CAT and prescribed rivaroxaban or LMWH for outpatient anticoagulation. Univariate analysis was performed to examine the association between covariates and clinicians’ choice to use rivaroxaban or LMWH. Variables with a p-value < 0.20 upon univariate analysis were deemed significant and subsequently included into a stepwise, backwards multivariable logistic regression model to obtain adjusted odd ratios (ORs) of treatment assignment. Results: Of the 125 ovarian cancer patients included in our analysis, 26% received rivaroxaban and 74% LMWH. All patients had stage 3 or 4 ovarian cancer, 36% were ≥75 years-of-age, 78% were white, and 18% were below the poverty line (p ≥ 0.25). Upon univariate analysis, rural community, time between cancer diagnosis and VTE ≥ 1 year, index VTE without evidence of pulmonary embolism, and CKD ≥ stage 3 were found to be significant predictors of rivaroxaban use when compared to LMWH (p ≤ 0.14 for all). Upon multivariable regression, CKD ≥ stage 3 (OR = 3.13) was shown to be independently associated with rivaroxaban versus LMWH use (p≤0.01). Conclusions: In routine practice, patients were more likely to receive rivaroxaban if they had CKD and lived in a rural area. These differences in prescribing practices may be due to less availability of LMWH in rural areas and less tolerance of injections in CKD patients. Univariate analysis also suggest that low VTE burden (i.e., DVT only) and VTE event ≥ 1 year after cancer diagnosis were also associated with rivaroxaban use over LMWH, which may be due to LMWH therapy as the long-established standard of care for patients with cancer. Large observational studies are needed to confirm these results. [Table: see text]

Characterizing safety and efficacy in ovarian cancer patients with thromboembolism treated with rivaroxaban

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Background: There is a paucity of real-world data regarding rates of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE), major bleeding and all-cause mortality among ovarian cancer patients with thrombosis treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) currently available. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban versus low molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) treatment in patients with ovarian cancer. Methods: We utilized US Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare–linked data from 2013-2016 to identify adults with active ovarian cancer, undergoing hospitalization/emergency department admission for CAT and prescribed rivaroxaban or LMWH for outpatient anticoagulation. Rivaroxaban and LMWH cohorts were balanced using propensity score overlap weighting . Outcomes included the composite of recurrent thrombosis or major bleeding, each outcome separately and mortality at six-months using an intention-to-treat approach. On-treatment analysis after 12-months was also performed. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals using overlap weighted cox regression were reported. Results: We included 33 rivaroxaban and 92 LMWH-managed CAT patients. In each cohort, mean age was 73, 79.5% of patients were white, 46.9% had a history of ≥ stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD), two-thirds had metastatic disease at the time of VTE, and 32.6% had a prior VTE. Patients were diagnosed with ovarian cancer an average of 1.40 years prior to the index VTE event and 45.8% had a pulmonary embolism (with or without DVT) as the index event. Our analysis did not detect a significant difference in outcomes with rivaroxaban versus LMWH at six-months (Table). On-treatment analysis at 12-months showed similar results. Conclusions: Rivaroxaban may be a reasonable alternative to LMWH for CAT patients with ovarian cancer. Large observational studies are needed to confirm these results.[Table: see text]

Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis: A review

Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis (SCST) is a rare, yet severe, process typically arising from infections of the paranasal sinuses (predominately ethmoid and/or sphenoid sinusitis) and less commonly, otogenic, odontogenic, and pharyngeal sources. Clinical symptoms of SCST arise from obstruction of venous drainage from the orbit and compression of the cranial nerves within the cavernous sinus. In the preantibiotic era SCST was considered universally fatal (80-100%); however, with the introduction of antibiotics the overall incidence, morbidity, and mortality of SCST have greatly declined. In spite of dramatic improvements, morbidity and mortality remain high, with the majority of patients experiencing neurological sequalae, highlighting the severity of the disease and the need for prompt recognition, diagnosis, and treatment. Here we review of the literature on SCST with a focus on the current recommendations and recent evidence for diagnostic and medical management of this condition.

Atypical presentation of a solid-variant orbital aneurysmal bone cyst with a literature review

INTRODUCTION

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are rare, rapidly expansile, benign, vascular lesions capable of causing local bone destruction. The majority of cases present as multi-cystic lytic lesions (with solid-variant ABCs representing<10% of all presentations) of the long bones or vertebrae, rarely occurring in the head/neck region.

CLINICAL CASE

A 44-year-old female presented with nine days of worsening pain, ptosis and proptosis in the right eye. CT and MR imaging revealed a 3.2cm extra-axial multiloculated right frontal lobe mass in the orbit with fluid-fluid levels secondary to layering of solid blood components. A right craniotomy was performed and the lesion was resected piecemeal with subsequent high speed burring to remove residual tissue. Histological evaluation revealed spindle and giant cell infiltration of the bone without vascular channels. Based on these findings, the lesion was diagnosed as a solid-variant orbital ABC without paranasal sinus involvement. The patient recovered fully with no residual symptoms.

CONCLUSION

This case report details a rare presentation of ABC (solid-variant presenting outside of the vertebrae/long bones) with discussion concerning possible treatment modalities and guidance for follow-up.

External validation of three risk stratification rules in patients presenting with pulmonary embolism and cancer

Numerous risk stratification rules exist to predict post-pulmonary embolism (PE) mortality; however, few were designed for use in cancer patients. In the EPIPHANY registry, adapted versions of common rules (the Hestia criteria, Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index [PESI], and simplified PESI [sPESI]) displayed high sensitivity for prognosticating mortality in PE patients with cancer. These adapted rules have yet to be externally validated. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the performance of an adapted Hestia criteria, PESI, and sPESI for predicting 30-day post-PE mortality in patients with cancer. We identified consecutive, adults presenting with objectively confirmed PE and cancer to our institution (November 2010 to January 2014). The proportion of patients categorized as low or high risk by these three risk stratification rules was calculated, and each rule's accuracy for predicting 30-day all-cause mortality was determined. Of the 124 patients with PE and active cancer identified, 25 (20%) experienced mortality at 30 days. The adapted Hestia criteria categorized 23 (19%) patients as low risk, while exhibiting a sensitivity of 88% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 68-97%), a negative predictive value NPV of 87% (95% CI = 65-97%), and a specificity of 20% (95% CI = 13-30%). A total of 38 (31%) and 30 (24%) patients were low risk by the adapted PESI and sPESI, with both displaying sensitivities of 92% and NPVs > 93%. Specificities were 36% (95% CI = 27-47%) and 28% (95% CI = 20-38%) for PESI and sPESI. In our external validation, the adapted Hestia, PESI, and sPESI demonstrated high sensitivity but low specificity for 30-day PE mortality in patients with cancer. Larger, prospective trials are needed to optimize strategies for risk stratification in this population.

Mechanical endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke: An indirect treatment comparison between Solitaire and Penumbra thrombectomy devices

BACKGROUND

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have compared mechanical endovascular therapy (MET) in addition to intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IVtPA) to IVtPA alone for the management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Direct comparative studies between individual METs are not available. In lieu of head-to-head randomized control trials, we performed an adjusted indirect treatment comparison (ITC) meta-analysis to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of different METs, Solitaire+IVtPA and Penumbra+IVtPA in AIS patients.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Embase from January 1, 2005 through April 1, 2017 for RCTs in AIS patients, comparing a single MET+IVtPA to IVtPA alone and reporting shift in ordinal modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days. Secondary endpoints included 90 day mortality and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Endpoints were pooled using traditional random effects meta-analysis methods, producing odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Adjusted ITCs using pooled estimates were then performed. Three studies (SWIFT PRIME, EXTEND-IA, THERAPY) were included; two evaluating the Solitaire stent retriever and one the Penumbra system. Traditional meta-analysis demonstrated that each MET+IVtPA resulted in increased odds of improving ordinal mRS score vs. IVtPA alone, but did not alter the odds of death or sICH. Adjusted ITC showed no significant difference between the METs for any outcome.

CONCLUSION

No significant difference in efficacy or safety between the Solitaire and Penumbra devices was observed.

Clinical prediction rules for mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism and cancer to guide outpatient management: a meta-analysis

Essentials Clinical prediction rules (CPRs) can stratify patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) and cancer. A meta-analysis was done to assess prognostic accuracy in CPRs for mortality in these patients. Eight studies evaluating ten CPRs were included in this study. CPRs should continue to be used with other patient factors for mortality risk stratification.

SUMMARY

Background Cancer treatment is commonly complicated by pulmonary embolism (PE), which remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. Some guidelines recommend the use of clinical prediction rules (CPRs) to help clinicians identify patients at low risk of mortality and therefore guide care. Objective To determine and compare the accuracy of available CPRs for identifying cancer patients with PE at low risk of mortality. Methods A literature search of Medline and Scopus (January 2000 to August 2017) was performed. Studies deriving/validating ≥ 1 CPR for early post-PE all-cause mortality were included. A bivariate, random-effects model was used to pool sensitivity and specificity estimates for each CPR. Traditional random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate the weighted proportion of patients deemed at low risk of early mortality, mortality in low risk patients and odds ratios for death compared with higher-risk patients. Results Eight studies evaluating 10 CPRs were included. The highest sensitivities were observed with Hestia (98.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 75.6-99.9%) and the EPIPHANY index (97.4%, 95% CI = 93.2-99.0%); sensitivities of remaining rules ranged from 59.9 to 96.6%. Of the six CPRs with sensitivities ≥ 95%, none had specificities > 33%. Random-effects meta-analysis suggested that 6.6-51.6% of cancer patients with PE were at low risk of mortality, 0-14.3% of low-risk patients died and low-risk patients had a 43-94% lower odds of death compared with those at higher risk. Conclusions Because of the limited total body of evidence regarding CPRs, their results, in conjunction with other pertinent patient-specific clinical factors, should continue to be used in identifying appropriate management for PE in patients with cancer.

External Validation of Generic and Cancer-Specific Risk Stratification Tools in Patients With Pulmonary Embolism and Active Cancer

Background: Numerous risk stratification tools exist to predict early post-pulmonary embolism (PE) mortality; however, few were specifically designed for use in patients with cancer. This study sought to evaluate the performance of 3 cancer-specific (RIETE, POMPE-C, and Font criteria) and 3 generic (Hestia, Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index [PESI], and Geneva prognostic score [GPS]) risk stratification tools for predicting 30-day post-PE mortality in patients with active cancer. Methods: We identified consecutive, adult, objectively confirmed patients with PE and active cancer presenting to our institution from November 2010 to January 2014. We calculated the proportion of patients categorized as low or high risk by each of the 6 risk stratification tools and determined each tools' accuracy for predicting 30-day all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 124 patients with PE and active cancer were included (mean age, 66.2 years; 46.0% with concurrent deep vein thrombosis; 49.2% with metastatic disease; and 46.8%, 16.9%, and 11.3% receiving chemotherapy, radiation, or both, respectively). Mortality at 30 days occurred in 25 patients (20.2%). The cancer-specific tools (POMPE-C, RIETE, and Font criteria) categorized between 32% and 43% of patients as low risk and displayed sensitivities and specificities of 88.0% to 96.0% and 38.4% to 52.5%, respectively. The generic PESI and Hestia tools had sensitivities >96.0%, but classified <19% of patients as low risk; specificity of these tools were low (PESI, 6.1%; Hestia, 23.2%). Although the final noncancer tool, GPS, classified 43.5% of patients as low risk, it did so with a sensitivity of 52.0% and specificity of 42.4%. Conclusions: When risk-stratifying PE in patients with active cancer, cancer-specific tools appeared to exhibit better prognostic accuracy than their generic counterparts. POMPE-C, RIETE, and the Font criteria identified a substantially greater proportion of patients with PE likely to survive to 30 days with comparable sensitivity to the generic tools.