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Terms modified by Grade I Selected AbstractsHidradenitis Suppurativa: Importance of Early Treatment; Efficient Treatment with ElectrosurgeryDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 2 2008A. BURHAN AKSAKAL MD BACKGROUND Hidradenitis suppurativa is a challenging condition, both for the physicians and for the patients. Many surgical and medical approaches with different success rates have been undertaken. Early and appropriate intervention is a factor that significantly increases the success rate of the treatment of the disease. OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of electrosurgery treatment in early hidradenitis suppurativa. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study comprised 12 patients aged between 29 and 38 years (mean, 34 years) with a diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa Grade I (n=9) or Grade II (n=3). A surgical method consisted of excision of the areas with nodules and sinuses, up to the level of subcutaneous fat tissue, and leaving the surgical defect for secondary healing. RESULTS All patients completed the study. In 10 of 12 (83%) patients, 26 of 30 (86%) lesions, cure was observed in a mean of 16 days (range 15 to 21 days). Four lesions in 2 patients with Grade II became infected and required a short course of antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION Electrosurgery will decrease the need for other systemic treatments, owing to its high cure rates. Our results showed that electrosurgery should be considered a top alternative in the treatment algorithm of hidradenitis suppurativa. [source] Topical 3.0% diclofenac in 2.5% hyaluronic acid gel induces regression of cancerous transformation in actinic keratosesJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 3 2010T Dirschka Abstract Background, Actinic keratoses (AKs) are frequently diagnosed in dermatological patients. As they represent in situ carcinomas, effective treatment is required. Objectives, We investigated the effect of topical 3.0% diclofenac in 2.5% hyaluronic acid gel on AK. Methods, Sixty-five patients with AKs were clinically evaluated before and after 3 months' treatment with topical 3.0% diclofenac in 2.5% hyaluronic gel. Biopsy specimens were taken and stained with haematoxylin-eosin and immunohistological markers. Specimens were evaluated for histological type of AKs using the AK classification scheme suggested by Röwert-Huber et al. [(early) in situ squamous cell carcinoma type AK Grade I,III], number of mitoses per high-power field and expression of immunohistological markers. Results, Complete clinical resolution was observed in 11 patients (16.9%). A significant (P < 0.001) downgrading of AK grade was observed. Complete histological resolution was achieved in 15 patients (23.1%). The number of mitoses per high-power field was reduced significantly (P < 0.001). The expression of anti-p53-antibody decreased significantly (P = 0.009), as did the expression of anti-MiB-1 antibody (P = 0.021). Conclusions, 3.0% diclofenac in 2.5% hyaluronic acid gel causes regression of signs of cancerous transformation after 3 months' therapy. [source] Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Histological Classification of Intracranial Meningiomas in 112 DogsJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2008B.K. Sturges Background: Intracranial meningiomas are the most common primary brain tumors in dogs. Classification of meningiomas by tumor grade and subtype has not been reported, and the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics for predicting tumor subtype and grade has not been investigated. Hypothesis: Canine intracranial meningiomas are a heterogenous group of tumors with differing histological subtypes and grades. Prediction of histopathological classification is possible based on MRI characteristics. Animals: One hundred and twelve dogs with a histological diagnosis of intracranial meningioma. Methods: Retrospective observational study. Results: Meningiomas were overrepresented in the Golden Retriever and Boxer breeds with no sex predilection. The incidence of specific tumor grades was 56% benign (Grade I), 43% atypical (Grade II), and 1% malignant (Grade III). Grade I histological subtypes included meningothelial (43%), transitional (40%), microcystic (8%), psammomatous (6%), and angiomatous (3%). No statistically significant (P < .05) associations were found among tumor subtype or grade and any of the MRI features studied. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Meningiomas in dogs differ from their counterparts in humans mainly in their higher incidence of atypical (Grade II) tumors observed. MRI characteristics do not allow for prediction of meningioma subtype or grade, emphasizing the necessity of histopathology for antemortem diagnosis. The higher incidence of atypical tumors in dogs may contribute to the poorer therapeutic response in dogs with meningiomas as compared with the response in humans with meningiomas. [source] Retinal vascular findings and penile cavernosal artery blood flowBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 9 2003Y. Kawanishi Authors from Japan attempt to correlate retinal vascular changes with cavernosal arterial blood flow. They studied patients with erectile dysfunction, but excluded patients with previous pelvic surgery, pelvic injury or diabetes. They found that penile changes can be anticipated from retinal vascular changes seen on fundoscopy. OBJECTIVE To assess the correlation between retinal vascular findings and penile cavernosal arterial blood flow, as it is probable that systemic atherosclerotic vascular disease is important in male erectile dysfunction (ED), and being systemic, it might be possible to evaluate the extent of atherosclerosis from retinal vascular findings. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 75 patients with ED; any with a history of pelvic injury, pelvic surgery, or diabetes mellitus were excluded. All patients gave fully informed consent. Ocular fundus photographs were taken with an automatic-focus fundus camera under amydriatic conditions. Three ophthalmologists, unaware of the patients' detailed data, evaluated the photographs using Hyman's classification to evaluate retinal vascular findings. Blood flow in the penile cavernosal artery was measured with colour Doppler ultrasonography, and the peak systolic velocity used as a haemodynamic variable. Correlations among the peak systolic velocity, retinal vascular findings and vascular risk factors (including hypertension, age, cigarette smoking, and hyperlipidaemia) were investigated using multivariate analysis. RESULTS Of the 75 patients, 72 (96%) had both right and left retinal vascular images of sufficient quality for evaluation; 37 were classified as normal and 35 as Grade I, while no patient was Grade II. From a logistic regression multivariate analysis, the peak systolic velocity was the only significant factor correlating with retinal vascular findings, with an odds ratio of 3.34. In contrast, hypertension, age, cigarette smoking and hyperlipidaemia did not correlate significantly with the retinal vascular findings. Similarly, the retinal vascular finding was the only significant factor correlating with the peak systolic velocity of cavernosal blood flow (odds ratio 3.28) and again hypertension, age, cigarette smoking and hyperlipidaemia were not significant factors. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the assumption that penile erectile function is one of the diseases of atherosclerosis, and emerges nearly simultaneously with retinal vascular disease. It is possible to predict penile arterial conditions in patients with ED from their retinal vascular findings. Thus, amydriatic fundoscopy, a simple practical examination, may be helpful for primary physicians in diagnosing and treating ED. [source] Histologic grade, stage, and survival in breast carcinoma,,CANCER, Issue 5 2003Caucasian women, Comparison of African American Abstract BACKGROUND African American women have lower breast carcinoma survival rates than do Caucasian women. African American women often present with advanced-stage disease and more aggressive tumors as shown by histologic and laboratory-based prognostic factors. Aggressive tumor behavior may be responsible, at least in part, for the advanced stage and reduced survival rates. METHODS The authors investigated the correlation between survival and histologic grade, stage of disease, and tumor size for both African American and Caucasian women who were younger than age 50 years and age 50 years and older. The authors also investigated the distribution of grade within each stage group and the distribution of grade by tumor size. African American and Caucasian women were matched by stage, tumor size, and histologic grade. Survival was represented by 6-year breast carcinoma,specific survival rates. RESULTS Compared with Caucasian women, African American women, regardless of age, had proportionally more Grade III tumors and fewer Grade I and II tumors for all stages combined and for each individual stage group. Similarly, matched for tumor size, African American women had more Grade III tumors and fewer Grade I and II tumors compared with Caucasian women, except for tumors smaller than 1.0 cm. For nearly all combinations of stage and grade regardless of age, the 6-year breast carcinoma,specific survival rate was lower for African American women than for Caucasian women, although it did not always reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS Compared with Caucasian women, African American women, regardless of age, presented with proportionally more aggressive tumors for each stage of disease and for each tumor size above 1.0 cm as revealed by the histologic grade. Higher histologic grade may be a significant contributing factor to survival disadvantage for African American women. Cancer 2003;98:908,17. Published 2003 by the American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11558 [source] Relationship Between Plasma Total Antioxidant Capacity and Thoracic Aortic Intima-Media ThicknessECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2006Recep Demirbag M.D. It is known that antioxidants have an important role in the prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD). Low total antioxidant capacity (TAC) is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease. However, no data are available concerning the relationship between TAC and severity of thoracic aortic atherosclerosis. This study using multiplane transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examined the relationship between atherosclerotic thoracic aortic intima-media thickness (TAIMT) and TAC. Twenty-nine patients (17 male, 12 female; mean age 36 ± 8 years) without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease referred for TEE were included. The patients with obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and CAD were excluded. The TAC was measured for each patient using a more recently developed method. TAIMT and grade of thoracic aortic atherosclerosis were evaluated in each patient by using TEE. Mean TAC level was 1.91 ± 0.53 mmol Trolox equiv/l. There was a negative and significant correlation between the TAC levels and TAIMT and grade of thoracic aortic atherosclerosis (r =,0.799, P < 0.001 versus r =,0.827, P < 0.001, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that TAIMT was independently associated with TAC (,=,0.734, P < 0.001). The mean values of TAC in grade I, II, and III were 2.23 ± 0.31, 1.58 ± 0.31, and 1.04 ± 0.27 mmol Trolox equiv/l, respectively (ANOVA P < 0.001). This study indicates that the TAC is an independent variable for TAIMT and it has a potential for an independent variable for atherosclerotic lesions in the major arterial locations. [source] High levels of serum prostate-specific antigen due to PSA producing follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphomaEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Jan Jelrik Oosterheert Abstract Objective:, Both carcinoma of the prostate and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are common in elderly patients. Measurement of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a frequently used tool to diagnose and monitor prostate carcinoma and is generally specific for diseases of the prostate. Case:, We describe a 68-yr-old patient with voiding difficulties and high PSA levels, but without inflammatory or malignant changes upon multiple transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies. Digital rectal examination was normal. Laboratory showed a strongly elevated PSA level (62 ,g/L, Immulight 2000®; DPC, USA). A CT-scan showed a retroperitoneal process with mass in the right pelvis and infiltration of the bladder wall, suggestive for metastatic prostate carcinoma. Surgical excision of an axillary lymph node set the diagnosis at a stage IV follicular lymphoma, Berard grade I to II in which the majority of neoplastic cells expressed PSA. After lymphoma-specific treatment, there was a positron emission tomography (PET) confirmed complete remission with normal PSA levels (6 ,g/L), which still persists. Conclusion:, Although rare, high PSA levels can be due to the presence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Such a diagnosis should be considered when patients present with lymphadenopathy other than regional prostatic lymphadenopathy. [source] Migraine and delayed ischaemic neurological deficit after subarachnoid haemorrhage in women: a case,control studyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 12 2007J. P. Dreier The aim of the present case,control study was to investigate the role of migraine as a potential risk factor for a delayed ischaemic neurological deficit (DIND) after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). A telephone interview was performed in patients or their relatives to determine the prevalence of migraine. Thirty-six women aged <60 years had SAH with Hunt & Hess grade I,III and DIND (group A). This group was compared with an age-matched group of 36 female SAH patients, Hunt & Hess grade I,III without DIND (group B). The two populations were also characterized regarding hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus and alcohol use. A significant difference was only found for the prevalence of migraine with 47% in group A and 25% in group B (P < 0.05; odds ratio: 2.68, confidence interval: 0.99,7.29). Migraineurs revealed similar prevalences of risk factors independently of the presence of DINDs. This retrospective study suggests that women with migraine have a higher risk to develop a DIND than women without migraine. [source] Cytotoxic factor-autoantibodies: possible role in the pathogenesis of dengue haemorrhagic feverFEMS IMMUNOLOGY & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2001U.C. Chaturvedi Abstract During dengue virus infection a unique cytokine, cytotoxic factor (hCF), is produced that is pathogenesis-related and plays a key role in the development of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). However, what regulates the adverse effects of hCF is not known. We have previously shown that anti-hCF antibodies raised in mice, neutralise the pathogenic effects of hCF. In this study we have investigated the presence and levels of hCF-autoantibodies in sera of patients with various severity of dengue illness (n=136) and normal healthy controls (n=50). The highest levels of hCF-autoantibodies (mean±S.D.=36±20 U ml,1) were seen in patients with mild illness, the dengue fever (DF), and 48 out of 50 (96%) of the sera were positive. On the other hand the hCF-autoantibody levels declined sharply with the development of DHF and the levels were lowest in patients with DHF grade IV (mean±S.D.=5±2 U ml,1; P=<0.001 as compared to DF). Only one of the 13 DHF grade IV patients had an antibody level above the ,cut-off' value (mean plus 3 S.D. of the control sera). The analysis of data with respect to different days of illness further showed that the highest levels of hCF-autoantibodies were present in DF patients at >9 days of illness. Moreover, the DF patients at all time points, i.e. 1,4, 5,8 and >9 days of illness had significantly higher levels of hCF-autoantibodies (P<0.001) than patients with DHF grade I, II, III and IV. In addition DHF grade I and grade II patients had significantly more positive specimens than DHF grade III and grade IV patients at all time points. These results suggest that elevated levels of hCF-autoantibodies protect the patients against the development of severe forms of DHF and, therefore, it may be useful as a prognostic indicator. [source] Peripheral Neurostimulation for the Treatment of Chronic, Disabling Transformed MigraineHEADACHE, Issue 4 2003Charles A. Popeney DO Background.,Up to 5% of the general population suffers from transformed migraine. This study analyzes clinical responses of transformed migraine to cervical peripheral nerve stimulation. Methods.,Headache frequency, severity, and disability (Migraine Disability Assessment [MIDAS] scores) were independently measured in an uncontrolled consecutive case series of 25 patients with transformed migraine implanted with C1 through C3 peripheral nerve stimulation. All patients met International Headache Society (IHS) criteria for episodic migraine, as well as suggested criteria for transformed migraine, and had been refractory to conventional treatment for at least 6 months. Responses to C1 through C3 peripheral nerve stimulation were recorded. Results.,Prior to stimulation, all patients experienced severe disability (grade IV on the MIDAS) with 75.56 headache days (average severity, 9.32; average MIDAS score, 121) over a 3-month period. Following stimulation, 15 patients reported little or no disability (grade I), 1 reported mild disability (grade II), 4 reported moderate disability (grade III), and 5 continued with severe disability (grade IV), with 37.45 headache days (average severity, 5.72; average MIDAS score, 15). The average improvement in the MIDAS score was 88.7%, with all patients reporting their headaches well controlled after stimulation. Conclusions.,These results raise the possibility that C1 through C3 peripheral nerve stimulation can help improve transformed migraine symptoms and disability. A controlled study is required to confirm these results. [source] 8q24 Copy number gains and expression of the c- myc mRNA stabilizing protein CRD-BP in primary breast carcinomasINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 1 2003Panayotis Ioannidis Abstract The coding region determinant binding protein (CRD-BP) was isolated by virtue of its high affinity to the c- myc mRNA coding region stability determinant and shown to shield this message from nucleolytic attack, prolonging its half-life. CRD-BP is normally expressed during fetal life but is also activated de novo in tumors. Considering that aberrant CRD-BP expression may represent an additional mechanism interfering with c- myc regulation, we screened 118 primary breast carcinomas for CRD-BP expression, 60 of which had also been analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Copy number gains encompassing 8q24, the chromosome band that contains the c- myc locus, were detected in 48.3% (29/60) of tumors, whereas gains involving band 17q21, which contains the CRD-BP locus, were observed in 18.3% (11/60) of tumors. CRD-BP expression was detected in 58.5% (69/118) of tumors, implying mechanisms of activation alternative to gene amplification. Altogether, some 75% of the tumors had alterations pertaining to c- myc since they either harbored 8q24 gains and/or expressed CRD-BP. Significant associations were detected between CRD-BP expression and the absence of estrogen receptors (p = 0.005) and between the presence of 8q24 gains and an increased number of genomic changes as measured by CGH (p = 0.0017). Tumors were divided into 4 groups according to CRD-BP expression and 8q24 gains. The odds for tumors having both characteristics to be classified as poorly differentiated (grade III vs. grade I and II) were 19.6 times the corresponding odds for tumors neither expressing CRD-BP nor harboring 8q24 gains. For tumors either harboring 8q24 gains only or expressing CRD-BP alone, the corresponding odds were 6.4 and 3, respectively. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The characteristics and outcome of primary vesicoureteric reflux diagnosed in the first year of lifeINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 7 2006F. Papachristou Summary A retrospective trial was performed to study presentation, evaluation, management, complications and outcome of 186 infants with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Medical records of 103 male and 83 female infants with mean age at entry 5.97 months were reviewed. Diagnosis was established using radiographic voiding cystourethrogram. At diagnosis, a renal ultrasound and dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scintigraphy were performed in all children. The follow-up included blood pressure measurements, serial urine cultures, haematological and biochemical tests, radionuclide cystography, renal ultrasounds and renal scintigraphy. The majority of infants with reflux, 176/186, presented with one or more episodes of urinary tract infections. In 113 children, reflux resolved spontaneously, 27 underwent surgical or endoscopic correction and 46 are being followed-up to date. Spontaneous resolution after prophylaxis was more frequent in boys (p < 0.0001), in children with grade I or II (p < 0.0001) and unilateral reflux at diagnosis (p = 0.0215). No significant difference could be established with respect to the presence of scars (p = 0.1680) and the number of breakthrough urinary tract infections (p = 0.1078). The data of the present study indicate that spontaneous resolution rate is high in infants, and therefore, early antireflux surgery should be avoided. [source] Harvesting peripheral blood progenitor cells from healthy donors: retrospective comparison of filgrastim and lenograstimJOURNAL OF CLINICAL APHERESIS, Issue 3 2005Massimo Martino Abstract Mobilization of CD34+ into peripheral blood is attained by either glycosylated (lenograstim) or non-glycosylated recombinant G-CSF (filgrastim). 101 donors, 57 males, median age 42 years (range 16,63) entered this retrospective study. Group I (55 cases) received filgrastim and group II lenograstim subcutaneously for 5,6 days. The peak number of CD34+ cells/,l blood observed on day 4 and 5 was not significantly different in the two groups. No differences were shown in terms of both circulating CFU-GM at the time of harvesting and CD34+ target of collection. The most frequent side effects were bone pain (18.2% grade I; 36.4% grade II, 7.3% grade III), headache (18.2%), nausea (9.1%), fever (5.5%) and a mild splenomegaly (>2cm) (5.5%) in filgrastim group, and bone pain (37.0% grade I, 26.1% grade II, 2.2% grade III), headache (17.4%), nausea (15.2%), fever (4.4%) and a mild splenomegaly (4.3%) in lenograstim group, respectively. CD34+ collection was associated with thrombocytopenia, which was not significantly different between the two groups. No donor in either group developed long-term adverse effects. We conclude that both G-CSFs are comparable in terms of CD34+ cell collection, safety and tolerability. J. Clin. Apheresis © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Impact of the Tokyo guidelines on the management of patients with acute calculous cholecystitisJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 12 2009Shou-Wu Lee Abstract Background and Aim:, Prompt treatments for acute calculous cholecystitis can reduce both mortality and morbidity. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the impact of the Tokyo guidelines on management of patients with acute cholecystitis. Methods:, The records of patients admitted due to acute calculous cholecystitis were collected between January 2007 and June 2008. Exclusion criteria included acalculous, hepatobiliary malignancy, younger than 18 years old and mortality unrelated to cholecystitis. These 235 patients were classified into three groups; grade I, grade II and grade III, according to the severity grading in the Tokyo guidelines for acute cholecystitis. They were further classified into two subgroups; those compatible with and incompatible with managements suggested in the Tokyo guidelines, for comparison. Results:, Lower levels of platelets, lower blood pressure, higher levels of C-reactive protein, blood urine nitrogen, prothrombin time, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and more incidences of positive microorganisms cultured in bile or blood, were found in patients as the severity of disease progressed. Shorter mean length of hospital stay was compatible with the Tokyo guidelines, but no significant differences in outcomes, including incidences of survival, post-surgery complications and mortality, were found between the two subgroups. Conclusion:, No significant benefit of the application of the Tokyo guidelines in the management of patients was found between the two subgroups except for reduced mean length of hospital stay. The application of the Tokyo guidelines for improving the outcomes of patients with acute cholecystitis needs further investigation and evaluation. [source] MR and MRS Characteristics of Intraventricular MeningiomaJOURNAL OF NEUROIMAGING, Issue 3 2010Nada Vu ABSTRACT Meningiomas are frequent intracranial, non-glial tumors of adults. We present the unusual left lateral ventricular localization of meningioma in a 51-year-old man. The magnetic resonance (MR) images showed well demarcated, large mass of the atrium of the left lateral ventricle with transependymal extension into the left temporal lobe. MR spectroscopy revealed the presence of "choline only" spectrum, typical for extra axial neoplasms. The mass was completely resected. The diagnosis of transitional type intraventricular meningioma, with psammoma bodies, histologic grade I was made. Progesterone and estrogen receptors were negative. [source] Detection of Right-to-Left Shunts: Comparison between the International Consensus and Spencer Logarithmic Scale CriteriaJOURNAL OF NEUROIMAGING, Issue 4 2008Annabelle Y. Lao ABSTRACT BACKGROUND International Consensus Criteria (ICC) consider right-to-left shunt (RLS) present when Transcranial Doppler (TCD) detects even one microbubble (,B). Spencer Logarithmic Scale (SLS) offers more grades of RLS with detection of >30 ,B corresponding to a large shunt. We compared the yield of ICC and SLS in detection and quantification of a large RLS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We prospectively evaluated paradoxical embolism in consecutive patients with ischemic strokes or transient ischemic attack (TIA) using injections of 9 cc saline agitated with 1 cc of air. Results were classified according to ICC [negative (no ,B), grade I (1-20 ,B), grade II (>20 ,B or "shower" appearance of ,B), and grade III ("curtain" appearance of ,B)] and SLS criteria [negative (no ,B), grade I (1-10 ,B), grade II (11-30 ,B), grade III (31100 ,B), grade IV (101300 ,B), grade V (>300 ,B)]. The RLS size was defined as large (>4 mm) using diameter measurement of the septal defects on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). RESULTS TCD comparison to TEE showed 24 true positive, 48 true negative, 4 false positive, and 2 false negative cases (sensitivity 92.3%, specificity 92.3%, positive predictive value (PPV) 85.7%, negative predictive value (NPV) 96%, and accuracy 92.3%) for any RLS presence. Both ICC and SLS were 100% sensitive for detection of large RLS. ICC and SLS criteria yielded a false positive rate of 24.4% and 7.7%, respectively when compared to TEE. CONCLUSIONS Although both grading scales provide agreement as to any shunt presence, using the Spencer Scale grade III or higher can decrease by one-half the number of false positive TCD diagnoses to predict large RLS on TEE. [source] Advances in the diagnosis and management of cutaneous mast cell tumours in dogsJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 8 2007J. M. Dobson Mast cell tumours are one of the most common tumours of the canine skin and have a reputation for being difficult to manage because of their variable clinical presentation, behaviour and response to treatment. This review of recent literature on canine mast cell tumours suggests that the majority of such tumours may not be as bad as their reputation suggests. Most grade I and grade II tumours can be managed successfully by good surgery. Recent literature also calls into question the utility of clinical staging systems and the value of assessing surgical margins for prognosis and highlights the paucity of well-conducted, case-controlled clinical trials in assessing the efficacy of medical management of high-risk tumours. In terms of more basic research, recent studies have implicated the stem cell factor receptor KIT as having a role in the aetiology of canine mast cell tumours and there appears to be an association between c-kit mutation and higher grade of tumour. This may offer a possible target for new therapeutic approaches. [source] Detection of HCV antigens in liver graft: Relevance to the management of recurrent post-liver transplant hepatitis CLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 11 2006Alberto Grassi The aim of this study was to evaluate how the immunohistochemical detection of liver hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigens (HCV-Ag) could support the histologic diagnosis and influence the clinical management of post-liver transplantation (LT) liver disease. A total of 215 liver specimens from 152 HCV-positive patients with post-LT liver disease were studied. Histologic coding was: hepatitis (126), rejection (34), undefined (24; coexisting rejection grade I and hepatitis), or other (31). The percentage of HCV-Ag infected hepatocytes were evaluated, on frozen sections, by an immunoperoxidase technique. HCV-Ag were detectable early in 57% of cases within 30 days post-LT, 92% of cases between 31 and 180 days, and 74% of cases after more than 180 days. Overall, HCV-Ag were detected more frequently in histologic hepatitis as compared to rejection (P < 0.0001) with a higher percentage of positive hepatocytes (P < 0.00001). In 16 patients with a high number of HCV-Ag-positive hepatocytes (65%; range 40-90%) a clinical diagnosis of recurrent hepatitis (RHC) was made despite inconclusive histopathologic diagnosis. Multivariate analysis identified the percentage of HCV-Ag-positive hepatocytes and the time post-LT as independent predictors for RHC (P = 0.008 and P = 0.041, respectively) and the number of HCV-Ag-positive hepatocytes ,50% as the only independent predictor for nonresponse (P < 0.001) in 26 patients treated with ,-interferon plus ribavirin. In conclusion, HCV reinfection occurs early post-LT, reaching its peak within 6 months. Immunohistochemical detection of post-LT HCV reinfection support the diagnosis of hepatitis when the histologic features are not conclusive. A high number of infected cells, independently from the genotype, represents a negative predictive factor of response to antiviral treatment. Liver Transpl, 2006. © 2006 AASLD. [source] Influence of total IgE levels on the severity of sting reactions in Hymenoptera venom allergyALLERGY, Issue 8 2007G. J. Sturm Background:, Detection of specific IgE for Hymenoptera venoms and skin tests are well established diagnostic tools for the diagnosis of insect venom hypersensitivity. The aim of our study was to analyze the effect of total IgE levels on the outcome of generalized anaphylactic reactions after a Hymenoptera sting. Methods:, Two hundred and twenty patients allergic to bee, wasp, or European hornet venom were included in the study. Their specific and total IgE levels, serum tryptase levels, skin tests, and sting history were analyzed. Results:, In patients with mild reactions (grade I, generalized skin symptoms) we observed higher total IgE levels (248.0 kU/l) compared to patients with moderate reactions (grade II, moderate pulmonary, cardiovascular, or gastrointestinal symptoms; 75.2 kU/l) and severe reactions (grade III, bronchoconstriction, emesis, anaphylactic shock, or loss of consciousness; 56.5 kU/l; P < 0.001). Accordingly, 25% of the patients with low levels of total IgE (<50 kU/l), but no individual with total IgE levels >250 kU/l, developed loss of consciousness (P = 0.001). Additionally, specific IgE levels were related to total IgE levels: Specific IgE levels increased from 1.6 to 7.1 kU/l in patients with low (<50 kU/l) and high (>250 kU/l) total IgE levels, respectively (P < 0.001). Specific IgE levels correlated inversely to the clinical reaction grades, however, this trend was not statistically significant (P = 0.083). Conclusion:, Patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy and high levels (>250 kU/l) of total IgE, predominantly develop grade I and grade II reactions and appear to be protected from grade III reactions. However, this hypothesis should be confirmed by extended studies with sting challenges. [source] J1-31 protein expression in astrocytes and astrocytomasNEUROPATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2009Shanop Shuangshoti J1-31 is one of the astrocytic proteins, the expression of which has not been evaluated in astrocytomas. In the present study, we studied the expression of J1-31 protein in astrocytes and astrocytomas in comparison with GFAP, p53 and Ki-67. Materials consisted of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens that included five cases of normal brain, 17 of gliosis, 15 of pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I), 26 of low-grade diffuse astrocytoma (WHO grade II), four of anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III), and eight of glioblastoma (WHO grade IV). GFAP was highly expressed in all specimens examined. The anti-J1-31 antibody exhibited strong cytoplasmic staining of reactive gliosis in 17/17 (100%) cases with a higher intensity of staining than that observed in the adjacent normal astrocytes. The antibody showed reactivity with tumor cells in 12/15 (80%) cases of pilocytic astrocytoma, although intensity of staining was generally weaker and more focal than observed in reactive gliosis. J1-31-positive tumor cells were detected in only 9/26 (35%) cases of the low-grade diffuse astrocytoma and none of the cases of anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma. Increasing Ki-67 indices paralleled advancing tumor grades. p53 protein was expressed more commonly in infiltrating astrocytomas compared to pilocytic astrocytoma. In conclusion, down-regulation of J1-31 expression correlates with advancing grade of astrocytomas. The result suggests this protein plays some role in astrocytes that is progressively lost in malignant progression. The anti-J1-31 antibody may help further our understanding of astrocytes in disease and may be useful as an aid in the pathologic diagnosis of astrocytic lesions. [source] Glial cytoplasmic inclusions and tissue injury in multiple system atrophy: A quantitative study in white matter (olivopontocerebellar system) and gray matter (nigrostriatal system)NEUROPATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Keisuke Ishizawa Glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) and microglia were quantified in 12 cases of multiple system atrophy (MSA) with special reference to their association with histologically defined lesion severity. The targets of the analysis were white matter (cerebellum, pontine base) and gray matter (putamen, substantia nigra). First, the lesion severity was defined: for white matter, the degree of demyelination and tissue rarefaction were semi-quantified on Klüver-Barrera (KB) sections as grade I (mildly injured), II (moderately injured), and III (severely injured); for gray matter, neurons and astrocytes were counted on KB and glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunostained sections, respectively. Next, the GCI burden was quantified on sections immunostained for ,-synuclein, phosphorylated ,-synuclein, and ubiquitin and the microglial burden was quantified on sections immunostained for HLA-DR. In white matter, the GCI and microglial burdens were the greatest when the tissue injury was mild and/or moderate (grade I and/or grade II), and they became less prominent when the tissue injury became more severe (grade III). In gray matter, in contrast, the GCI and microglial burdens failed to show significant correlations with the lesion severity. Our result suggests that the amount of GCIs as well as that of microglia is reduced when the tissue injury becomes severe in vulnerable white matter areas, but not in vulnerable gray matter areas, of MSA. It also suggests that there seems to be a difference between gray matter and white matter in the way GCIs and microglia participate in the degenerative process of MSA. [source] MIB-1 immunolabeling: A valuable marker in prediction of benign recurring meningiomasNEUROPATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2007Mahesha Vankalakunti Histological analysis has limited value to predict biological behavior of meningiomas. We investigated the utility of cell proliferative indicator in the evaluation of histologically benign meningiomas. We selected 25 benign non-recurrent meningiomas, 15 benign recurrent meningiomas after complete surgical resection, 30 atypical meningiomas, and 15 anaplastic meningiomas out of 384 cases studied. MIB-1 Labeling Index was evaluated by two methods: Highest Labeling Index (HLI) and Random Labeling Index (RLI). There was no dependable histological parameter to predict recurrence among benign-looking meningiomas. HLI had significant difference when compared with RLI in all categories. The mean MIB-1 HLI values ± SD were 3.47 ± 2.0% for benign meningiomas, 5.08 ± 4.0% for atypical meningiomas and 11.66 ± 7.06% for anaplastic meningiomas. In comparison, the mean MIB-1 HLI of benign non-recurrent meningiomas were 2.66 ± 1.7% and with recurrence were 4.21 ± 2.78% (P = 0.0339). Using receiver operating characteristic, it was seen that neoplasm recurred with the MIB-1 HLI of > 2.6 having the sensitivity of 64.6% and specificity of 68% among benign (grade I) meningiomas. MIB-1 positive tumor cells were maximally aggregated at the periphery of excised specimen. MIB-1 HLI, integrated with standard histopathology can provide better information about the disease biological nature in benign meningiomas. [source] Relationship between urinary profile of the endogenous steroids and postmenopausal women with stress urinary incontinenceNEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 3 2003S.W. Bai Abstract Aims The aims of this study were to investigate whether endogenous steroid hormones are (1) related to pathogenesis of stress urinary incontinence after menopause, (2) are related to severity of stress urinary incontinence, and (3) are related to prognostic parameters of stress urinary incontinence. Methods Twenty post-partum women with clinically diagnosed stress urinary incontinence and 20 age-matched postmenopausal women without stress urinary incontinence (control group) were evaluated. We compared urinary profile of the endogenous steroid hormones patients with stress urinary incontinence and controls, and between grade I and grade II of stress urinary incontinence. We also in vestigated the relationship between urinary profile of the endogenous steroid hormones and prognostic parameters of stress urinary incontinence (maximal urethral closure pressure, functional urethral length, Valsalva leak point pressure, cough leak point pressure, posterior urethrovesical angle, bladder neck descent, and stress urethral axis). The ages of the patients and those in the control group were 64.3,±,5.6 and 57.5,±,3.8 years old and the body mass indexes were 24.96,±,3.14 and 22.11,±, 2.73 kg/m2 in patients and in normal subjects, respectively. Nine patients were grade I and 11 were grade II. Estrone and 17,-estradiol only were detected in all subjects, regardless of control or patient group. It is noteworthy that there were no significant differ ences (P,>,0.05) in the levels of estrone and 17,-estradiol in the urine of postmenopausal normal subjects compared with in the urine of postmenopausal patients with urinary incontinence. E2/E1 ratio was not different between the two groups (P,>,0.05). Among the objective steroids, DHEA, ,4 -dione, ,5 -diol, Te, DHT, 16,-DHT, 11-keto An, THDOC, and THB were not detected either in the urine of normal subjects and nor in the urine of the patients. After comparing androgen levels between normal subjects and patients, no significant differences (P>0.05) were detected, except for 5,-THB and 5,-THF. Neither 5,-THB or 5,-THF were detected in the patients' urine. Et/An (11,-OH Et/11,-OH An) concentration ratios were not significantly different between the two groups, either (P,>,0.05). There were not significant differences of concentrations (,mol/g creatinine) of urinary steroids between grade I and grade II of stress urinary incontinence. Pregnanediol was significantly related to bladder neck descent in supine and sitting positions (R,=,0.79, P,=,0.01, and R,=,0.73, P,=,0.03, respectively), and pregnanetriol was significantly related to maximal urethral closure pressure and functional urethral length (R,=,0.68, P,=,0.04, and R,=,,0.79, P,=,0.01, respectively). Androsterone was significantly related to bladder neck descent in supine and sitting positions (R,=,0.68, P,=,0.04, and R,=,0.78, P,=,0.01, respectively). 5-AT was significantly related to bladder neck descent in sitting position and stress urethral axis (R,=,0.72, P,=,0.03, and R,=,,0.71, P,=,0.03). 11-Keto Et was significantly related to bladder neck descent in supine and sitting positions and related to stress ure thral axis (R,=,0.82, P,=,0.01, and R,=,0.81, P,=,0.01, R,=,,0.67, P,=,0.04, respectively). THS was signi ficantly related to bladder neck descent in supine and sitting positions and related to stress urethral axis (R,=,0.76, P,=,0.02, and R,=,0.74, P,=,0.02, R,=,,0.68, P,=,0.04, respectively). THE was significantly related to bladder neck descent in sitting position (R,=,0.67, P,=,0.04).,-Tetrahydrocortisol/,-tetrahydrocortisol (,-THF/,-THF) and ,-cortol were significantly related to maximal urethral closure pressure and functional urethral length (R,=,0.74, P,=,0.02, and R,=,,0.92, P,=,0.01; R,=,0.71, P,=,0.36, and R,=,,0.87, P,=,0.000, respectively). 17,-Estradiol (E2) was significantly related to bladder neck descent in supine position (R,=,,0.62, P,=,0.04) and 17,-estradiol/estrone (E2/E1) was significantly related to cough leak point pressure (R,=,0.79, P,=,0.01). In conclusion, the urinary concentrations of endogenous steroid metabolites in postmenopausal patients with stress urinary incontinence were not significantly different from normal patients and were not significantly different between grade I and grade II patients with stress urinary incontinence. Some endogenous steroid metabolites were positively or negatively significantly related to prognostic parameters of stress urinary incontinence. Neurourol. Urodynam. 22:198,205, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Structured review of enamel erosion literature (1980,1998): a critical appraisal of experimental, clinical and review publicationsORAL DISEASES, Issue 4 2000G. Maupome OBJECTIVE: To attain an objective account of the methods to measure enamel erosion used in 1980,1998 publications, a structured review of the literature was undertaken. METHODS: Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to 731 clinical/experimental research and review reportS. Eighty-five included papers were subsequently rated according to ,hierarchy of evidence' guidelines to assess the strength of the report's design and the relevance of the evidence to replicating enamel erosion in vivo in humanS. Scores were assigned to rate each aspect in the guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 16 clinical, 13 review and 56 experimental papers were assessed; 36.4% were published during 1996,1998.Excluding reviews, 16 papers were qualitative and 56 quantitative; 51 used human enamel. Our classification yielded nine groups of methods (five scoring systems and 26 measurement techniques).CTFPHE (Can Med Assoc J 1992; 147: 443) grading of research reports indicated that 2.8% provided evidence grade I; 20.8%, grade IIa; 63.9%, grade III; and 12.5%, grade IV. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a consistent increase in the body of knowledge. The overall quality of publications has not substantially changed over time. Experimental studies were more often quantitative, and quantitative studies had better research designS. No single group of research methods had obviously superior research designs. [source] Expression of E-cadherin and catenins in meningioma: Ubiquitous expression and its irrelevance to malignancyPATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2005Shio Shimada The expression of cell adhesion molecules in 107 meningiomas was analyzed with immunohistochemical methods using antibodies to epithelial (E)-cadherin and catenins (,, , and ,). According to the provided World Health Organization (WHO) grading, 84, 18 and five cases were classified as grade I, II and III, respectively. In addition, hemangioblastoma (15 cases) and hemangiopericytoma (four cases) were also evaluated. In most meningiomas, E-cadherin, ,- and ,-catenins were expressed along the cell membrane or inside the cytoplasm. The tumor cells constituting whorls and glandular structures of secretory type showed a strong immunoreactivity. ,-Catenin expression tended to be weak and infrequent in fibrous meningiomas, while other types exhibited diffuse stainings. Even in meningiomas of more than grade II, the expressions of cell adhesion molecules were detected in all cases. Hemangiopericytoma was positive for ,- and ,-catenins, and hemangioblastomas were positive for ,-catenin alone, which was distinct from the expression pattern in meningiomas. Quantitatively, there were no correlations between the histological variants, Ki-67 indexes, or grades of meningiomas and the immunoreactive scores except for ,-catenin scores of fibrous meningiomas. The present study demonstrates that cell adhesion molecules are ubiquitously expressed in all variants of meningioma and may be involved in the tumor morphogenesis. This result suggests that the expression of cell adhesion molecules is not a reliable indicator of malignancy in meningiomas. The present study also suggests that these markers may be useful for the differential diagnosis of meningioma. [source] Prognostic value of bone marrow angiogenesis in multiple myeloma: Use of light microscopy as well as computerized image analyzer in the assessment of microvessel density and total vascular area in multiple myeloma and its correlation with various clinical, histological, and laboratory parametersAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2006Sahibinder Singh Bhatti Abstract We studied the prognostic value of parameters of angiogenesis on bone marrow biopsies in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Angiogenesis parameters studied were the microvessel count done manually on light microscopy (MVD-A), microvessel count done by using computerized image analyzer (MVD-B), and total vascular area (TVA) measured by computerized image analyzer. One hundred ten newly diagnosed cases of MM treated at Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, were analyzed with respect to clinical features, laboratory findings, histological features, angiogenesis parameters, and responses to the treatment on follow-up. Twenty age- and sex-matched controls were studied for comparing with angiogenesis of the test cases. Bone marrow microvessels were examined using immunohistochemical staining for CD34. MVD-A (range 4.9,85.2; mean 28.2; SD 19.4), MVD-B (range 2.0,26.9; mean 11.7; SD 5.9), and TVA measured in percentage (range 0.1,17.1; mean 2.4; SD 2.5) were measured for test cases (n = 110). Grading of angiogenesis parameters of the test cases were done; such that angiogenesis parameters of controls (taken as baseline) were grade I. There was a statistically highly significant correlation between (MVD-A vs MVD-B, pcc = 0.92; MVD-A vs TVA, pcc = 0.78; MVD-B vs TVA, pcc = 0.76). The myeloma cases had significantly higher angiogenesis parameters when compared with controls (Kruskall-Wallis test, P < 0.001). "Complete responders" (n = 38/110) had significant lower angiogenesis (Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.001) than "nonresponders" (n = 72/110). On treatment follow-up "rapid disease progressors" had the highest levels of angiogenesis (mean rank for MVD-A = 84.7, MVD-B = 82.1, and TVA = 81.1). On multivariate (logistic regression) analysis, factors found to have independent prognostic significance in complete responders (adjusted odd ratio (95% CI, P value)] were: (a) MVD-B grade I [0.134 (0.10,0.16, P < 0.001)], (b) clinical substage A [0.163 (0.12,0.19, P = 0.008)], (c) Bartl's histological stage II & I [0.262 (0.2,0.32, P = 0.021)], (d) MVD-A grade I [0.28 (0.22,0.36, P = 0.03)], (e) ,2 microglobulin levels less than 3,400 ng/dl [0.31 (0.23,0.42, P = 0.04)]. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis for myeloma-related death (n = 16) shows a mean survival time (in months) of 24.75; SE = 3; 95% CI = 21,28. We conclude that MVD (particularly MVD-B) is a very good predictor for the complete response in patients of MM and should be done routinely on bone marrow biopsies. Am. J. Hematol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A Decision Tool for Predicting Sentinel Node Accuracy from Breast Tumor Size and GradeTHE BREAST JOURNAL, Issue 6 2007FRCS (Gen. Surg.), Nathan Coombs BSc Abstract:, The ability to predict axillary lymph node involvement in breast cancer patients in the preoperative setting is invaluable. This study provides a simple set of formulae to enable clinicians to make informed decisions in the management of screen-detected breast cancer. The tumor pathology reports were obtained of all 4,585 women identified between 1996 and 1999 in New South Wales (NSW) with T1 or T2 breast cancer by the statewide co-ordinated breast screening service (BreastScreen NSW). Equations predicting node positivity were calculated by linear regression analysis and, from published sentinel node false-negative rates, the probability of retrieval of a false-negative axillary lymph node by sentinel node biopsy was calculated for tumors of different size and grade. Node involvement was identified in 1,089 (23.8%) of women. A linear relationship for tumor size, grade, and nodal involvement was predicted by: frequency (%) = 1.5 × tumor size (mm) + 2 (or 6 or 10) for grade I (or II or III) tumors. Assuming a 7.5% false-negative rate, the probability of retrieving a false-negative sentinel node ranged from 0.8% for a patient with a 5 mm, grade I carcinoma to 6.0% for a 50 mm, grade III tumor. These simple formulae are easy to use in a clinical setting. The reference table enables breast surgeons to inform a patient about the absolute probability of false-negative sentinel biopsy rates for patients with screen-detected carcinomas when size can be estimated from preoperative imaging and when tumor grade is often available from preoperative core biopsy. Patients with large, T2 breast tumors may be best treated with axillary dissection rather than sentinel node biopsy alone due to the risk of under-staging the woman's disease and also the high probability of finding a positive sentinel node. [source] Tubular Carcinoma of the Breast: A Population-Based Study of Nodal Metastases at Presentation and of Patterns of RelapseTHE BREAST JOURNAL, Issue 1 2001H. A. Kader MD Abstract: Tubular carcinoma of the breast (TCB) is a recognized histologic variant of infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) and has been considered to have a comparatively favorable prognosis. However, previous studies have been based on small numbers of cases, some pure TCB and some mixed histology, or have not employed an appropriate comparison group. In this study 171 pure TCB cases and a comparison group of 386 cases with grade I (well differentiated) IDC were identified in a population-based database maintained by the British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA). The proportion of cases with axillary nodal involvement at presentation was lower in TCB cases than in the grade I IDC comparison group (12.9% and 23.9%, respectively; p < 0.05). Low-risk tumors (T1 and without vascular lymphatic or perineural invasion) were more prevalent in the TCB patients than in the grade I IDC patients (66.7% and 60.0%; p < 0.05). Low-risk TCB cases had a significantly lower rate of nodal metastases at presentation than low-risk grade I IDC cases (7.0% and 13.2%; p < 0.05). Kaplan,Meier and log-rank analyses indicated a statistically significantly lower rate of local recurrence in TCB cases than among IDC cases (p < 0.05) and a trend toward a lower rate of systemic relapse in TCB cases (p = 0.07). However, no difference in disease-specific survival was observed between TCB cases and grade I IDC comparisons. We conclude that the biologic behavior of TCB was more favorable than that of a comparison group of IDC cases. In view of the low incidence of axillary node metastases at presentation in the low-risk TCB subset (7%), axillary dissection may be omitted as part of the initial surgical management in these patients. [source] High frequency of ,-catenin mutations in borderline endometrioid tumours of the ovaryTHE JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2006E Oliva Abstract Some low-grade endometrioid carcinomas arise from a background of endometrioid tumours of borderline malignancy. To determine the molecular mechanisms involved in the initiation of endometrioid carcinoma, the present study investigated whether the genetic alterations reported in these tumours (mutations in PTEN, KRAS, and ,-catenin genes, and microsatellite instability) are already present in endometrioid tumours of borderline malignancy. Eight endometrioid tumours of borderline malignancy were studied. By immunohistochemistry, ,-catenin was expressed in the nuclei of all tumours, suggesting the presence of stabilizing ,-catenin mutations. By mutational analysis, five different ,-catenin mutations were found in seven of eight cases (90%), affecting codons 32, 33, and 37. In contrast, only one tumour harboured a PTEN mutation, which affected codon 130. Neither KRAS mutations nor microsatellite instability was detected. A review of the literature indicated that ,-catenin mutations are characteristic of well-differentiated endometrioid carcinomas, since they were present in nearly 60% of grade I but in less of 3% of grade III tumours. In conclusion, the present study identifies ,-catenin mutation as a nearly constant molecular alteration in borderline endometrioid tumours, whereas PTEN and KRAS mutations and microsatellite instability are very infrequent. The findings in the present study, and previously reported data, strongly suggest that ,-catenin mutation is an early event in endometrioid ovarian carcinogenesis, and that it is involved in the development of low-grade endometrioid tumours. Copyright © 2006 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Postoperative complications after extracapsular dissection of benign parotid lesions with particular reference to facial nerve functionTHE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 3 2010Nils Klintworth MD Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: The desirable extent of surgical intervention for benign parotid tumors remains a matter of controversy. Superficial or total parotidectomy as a standard procedure is often said to be the gold standard; however, with it the risk of intraoperative damage to the facial nerve cannot be ignored. For some time now, extracapsular dissection without exposure of the main trunk of the facial nerve has been favored as an alternative for the treatment of discrete parotid tumors. Data on the incidence of facial nerve lesions and other acute postoperative complications of extracapsular dissection have been lacking until now. Study Design: Retrospective analysis. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the data from patients in whom extracapsular dissection of a benign parotid tumor had been performed under facial nerve monitoring and as a primary intervention in our department between 2000 and 2008. Results: A total of 934 patients were operated on for a newly diagnosed benign tumor of the parotid gland. Three hundred seventy-seven patients (40%) underwent extracapsular dissection as a primary intervention. The most common postoperative complication was hypoesthesia of the cheek or the earlobe, as reported by 38 patients (10%). Eighteen patients (5%) developed a seroma and 13 patients (3%) a hematoma. A salivary fistula formed in eight patients (2%). Secondary bleeding occurred in three patients (0.8%). In 346 patients (92%) facial nerve function was normal (House-Brackmann grade I) in the immediate postoperative period, whereas 23 patients (6%) showed temporary facial nerve paresis (House-Brackmann grade II or III) and eight patients (2%) developed permanent facial nerve paresis (seven patients House-Brackmann grade II, one patient House-Brackmann grade III). Conclusions: Extracapsular dissection of benign parotid tumors is associated with a low rate of postoperative complications, a fact that is confirmed by the available literature. We therefore recommend that use of this technique always be considered as a means of treating benign parotid tumors as conservatively, that is, as uninvasively, as possible. Laryngoscope, 2010 [source] |