Comparative study of treatment efficacy in severe intraepithelial squamous cell lesions and preinvasive cervical cancer by conization and chlorin e6-mediated fluorescence-assisted systemic photodynamic therapy

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer (CC) occupies a leading position in incidence among young women of reproductive age. In this connection, it is urgent to search for the most effective approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of this pathology. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the PDT method using Cе6 with the control of the photobleaching using video and spectral fluorescence diagnostic methods, to develop the method of fluorescence-assisted systemic photodynamic therapy mediated with chlorin e6 for treatment CIN 3 and CIS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized comparative clinical study was conducted involving 94 women aged 18 to 49 years with histologically verified severe intraepithelial squamous cell lesions of the cervix or preinvasive cervical cancer. The patients were included in 2 groups: in the first group conization of the cervix was performed with curettage of the remaining part of the cervical canal; patients in the second group underwent the chlorin e6-mediated fluorescence-assisted systemic photodynamic therapy.

RESULTS

The absolute majority of patients in the main group after the first course of chlorin e6-mediated fluorescence-assisted systemic photodynamic therapy showed normalization of cytological parameters and colposcopic picture, while women from the comparison group showed signs of cervical lesions statistically significantly more often. These changes corresponded to the dynamics of the proliferation markers expression in the cells of intraepithelial squamous cell lesions. Also, patients of the second group who were planning a pregnancy had better reproductive outcomes after treatment compared to those of the first group.

CONCLUSION

In general, higher clinical efficacy and safety of the use of the chlorin e6-mediated fluorescence-assisted systemic photodynamic therapy in the treatment of intraepithelial squamous cell lesions and preinvasive cervical cancer have been established compared to the use of standard treatment methods.

Comparison of single versus double door posterior cervical laminoplasty for patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

We undertook a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of single versus double door posterior cervical laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials were searched for randomized controlled trials investigating single and double door posterior cervical laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The Mantel-Haenszel method with the fixed-effects or random-effects model was used to calculate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Seven studies with 224 patients met the eligibility criteria and were included. There was a significant difference in Japanese Orthopedic Association score (MD = 0.79, 95%CI [0.09, 1.49], P = .03; P for heterogeneity = .09, I = 45%), and adverse events (OR = 0.32, 95%CI [0.11, 0.95], P = .04; P for heterogeneity = 1.00, I = 0%) between the double door posterior cervical laminoplasty group and the single door posterior cervical laminoplasty group. There was no significance in operative time (MD = 0.56, 95%CI [-11.86, 12.98], P = .93; P for heterogeneity = 0.001, I = 73%) and length of hospital stay (OR = -0.75, 95%CI [-1.78, 0.27], P = .15; P for heterogeneity = 1.00, I = 0%) between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Double door posterior cervical laminoplasty is more effective and safer than single door laminoplasty in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Computerized Tomography-Based Morphometric Analysis of Cervical Spinal Canal in Central Indian Population

Objective  Normal cervical spine canal morphometry is critical for understanding the pathology of certain diseases and for proper preoperative planning. Computerized tomography (CT) scan can replace older conventional radiography techniques by providing more accurate morphometric measurements. This study was aimed to find out various dimensions of the cervical spinal canal of central Indian population.

Materials and Methods  A prospective study was conducted including 100 consecutive cervical spine CT scan of asymptomatic adult subjects. The anteroposterior sagittal canal diameter (SCD), transverse canal diameter (TCD), canal surface area (CSA), and Pavlov-Torg Ratio (PTR) from C2 to C7 were calculated.

Statistical Analysis  Data were entered in Microsoft Excel Sheet 2007 and statistical analysis was performed by IBM SPSS statistics 2.0 version. p -Value < 0.05 was considered as significant.

Results  Age ranged from 18 years to 77 years with mean age 39.5 years. There was no significant difference in all the dimensions (SCD, TCD, CSA) in male and female except at C2 level, where SCD, TCD, and CSA were significant larger in male. The mean SCD, TCD, and CSA is largest at C2 level (14.4 ± 1.63 mm, 21.57 ± 1.59 mm, and 156.20 ± 24.98 mm ² , respectively) and smallest at C4 level (12.77 ± 1.48 mm, 20.37 ± 1.72 mm, and 130.42 ± 21.20 mm ² ). PTR showed very little variation.

Conclusion  Normal values of cervical spinal canal could serve as a future reference. CT scan provides more accurate measurement. More studies are needed as there could be variations in dimensions in different regions in India.

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy in Higher-Aged Patients: How Do They Benefit from Surgery?

Background: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the most common reason for spinal cord disease in elderly patients. This study analyzes the preoperative status and postoperative outcome of higher-aged patients in comparison to young and elderly patients in order to determine the benefit to those patients from DCM surgery. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data, radiological findings, and operative reports of 411 patients treated surgically between 2007 and 2016 suffering from DCM was performed. The preoperative and postoperative neurological functions were evaluated using the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association Score (mJOA Score), the postoperative mJOA Score improvement, the neurological recovery rate (NRR) of the mJOA Score, and the minimum clinically important difference (MCID). The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was used to evaluate the impact of comorbidities on the preoperative and postoperative mJOA Score. The comparisons were performed between the following age groups: G1: ≤50 years, G2: 51–70 years, and G3: >70 years. Results: The preoperative and postoperative mJOA Score was significantly lower in G3 than in G2 and G1 (p < 0.0001). However, the mean mJOA Score’s improvement did not differ significantly (p = 0.81) between those groups six months after surgery (G1: 1.99 ± 1.04, G2: 2.01 ± 1.04, G: 2.00 ± 0.91). Furthermore, the MCID showed a significant improvement in every age-group. The CCI was evaluated for each age-group, showing a statistically significant group effect (p < 0.0001). Analysis of variance revealed a significant group effect on the delay (weeks) between symptom onset and surgery (p = 0.003). The duration of the stay at the hospital did differ significantly between the age groups (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Preoperative and postoperative mJOA Scores, but not the extent of postoperative improvement, are affected by the patients’ age. Therefore, patients should be considered for DCM surgery regardless of their age.

Radiologic Assessment of Cervical Canal Stenosis Using Kang MRI Grading System: Do Clinical Symptoms Correlate with Imaging Findings?

Introduction

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in the evaluation of cervical canal stenosis and spinal cord compression. Kang et al. formulated a new MRI grading system for assessing canal stenosis which takes cord signal change into account. The purpose of the study was to determine the agreement between Kang's grading system and neurological symptoms.

Methods 

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital between April 2014 and December 2015. Patients meeting inclusion criteria were enrolled. T2 sagittal and T2 axial MRI images were acquired and reported by a consultant neuroradiologist, in accordance with the MRI grading system suggested by Kang et al. Neurologic clinical symptoms were acquired by the history taken by the principal investigator. More than one neurologic symptoms and Kang MRI grade 2 or 3 were taken as positive evidence of cord compression resulting from canal stenosis.

Results

Amongst 126 subjects, 54% were females. Mean age of patients was 50.3 ± 14.3 years (range 19-83 years). Average disease duration was 4.61 ± 3.73 (range 1-24 months). In the majority of the patients, the findings were found at the C5-C6 level. 65.1% of patients were identified positive for cervical canal stenosis by Kang grading system. Most common neurological symptoms were pain (99%) and numbness (56%). Cohen’s Kappa was run to evaluate the agreement between neurological symptoms and Kang grading system. There was a strong agreement between the two methods, K = 0.81 (95% CI 0.70-0.92), p < 0.001.

Conclusion

There was a substantial agreement between Kang's grading system and the presence of clinical symptoms. The agreement was greatest in females, older patients, and those with longer duration of symptoms.