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British Journal of Haematology Jun 2024Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) often experience painful vaso-occlusive crises and chronic haemolytic anaemia, as well as various acute and chronic... (Review)
Review
Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) often experience painful vaso-occlusive crises and chronic haemolytic anaemia, as well as various acute and chronic complications, such as leg ulcers. Leg ulcers are characterized by their unpredictability, debilitating pain and prolonged healing process. The pathophysiology of SCD leg ulcers is not well defined. Known risk factors include male gender, poor social conditions, malnutrition and a lack of compression therapy when oedema occurs. Leg ulcers typically start with spontaneous pain, followed by induration, hyperpigmentation, blister formation and destruction of the epidermis. SCD is characterized by chronic haemolysis, increased oxidative stress and decreased nitric oxide bioavailability, which promote ischaemia and inflammation and consequently impair vascular function in the skin. This cutaneous vasculopathy, coupled with venostasis around the ankle, creates an ideal environment for local vaso-occlusive crises, which can result in the development of leg ulcers that resemble arterial ulcers. Following the development of the ulcer, healing is hindered as a result of factors commonly observed in venous ulceration, including venous insufficiency, oedema and impaired angiogenesis. All of these factors are modulated by genetic factors. However, our current understanding of these genetic factors remains limited and does not yet enable us to accurately predict ulceration susceptibility.
PubMed: 38867511
DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19584 -
Perfusion Jun 2024For veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the femoral artery is the preferred cannulation site (femoro-femoral: Vf-Af). This results in retrograde...
RATIONALE
For veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the femoral artery is the preferred cannulation site (femoro-femoral: Vf-Af). This results in retrograde aortic flow, which increases the left ventricular afterload and can lead to severe pulmonary edema and thrombosis of the cardiac chambers. Right axillary artery cannulation (femoral-axillary: Vf-Aa) provides partial anterograde aortic flow, which may prevent some complications. This study aimed to compare the 90-day mortality and complication rates between VF-AA and VF-AF.
METHODS
Consecutive adult patients with cardiogenic shock who received peripheral VA-ECMO between 2013 and 2019 at our institution were retrospectively included. The exclusion criteria were refractory cardiac arrest, multiple VA-ECMO implantations due to vascular access changes, weaning failure, or ICU readmission. A statistical approach using inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to estimate the effect of the cannulation site on the outcomes. The primary endpoint was the 90-day mortality. The secondary endpoints were vascular access complications, stroke, and other complications related to retrograde blood flow. Outcomes were estimated using logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
VA-ECMO was performed on 534 patients. Patients with refractory cardiac arrest ( = 77 (14%)) and those supported by multiple VA-ECMO ( = 92, (17%)) were excluded. Out of the 333 patients studied ( = 209 Vf-Aa; = 124 VF-AF), the main indications for VA-ECMO implantation were post-cardiotomy (33%, = 109), dilated cardiomyopathy (20%, = 66), post-cardiac transplantation (15%, = 50), acute myocardial infarction (14%, = 46) and other etiologies (18%, = 62). The median SOFA score was 9 [7-11], and the crude 90-day mortality rate was 53% ( = 175). After IPTW, the 90-day mortality was similar in the Vf-Aa and VF-AF groups (54% vs 58%, IPTW-OR = 0.84 [0.54-1.29]). Axillary artery cannulation was associated with significantly fewer local infections (OR = 0.21, 95% CI:0.09-0.51), limb ischemia (OR = 0.37, 95% CI:0.17-0.84), bowel ischemia (OR = 0.16, 95% CI:0.05-0.51) and pulmonary edema (OR = 0.52, 95% CI:0.29-0.92) episodes, but with a higher rate of stroke (OR = 2.87, 95% CI:1.08-7.62) than femoral artery cannulation.
CONCLUSION
Compared to VF-AF, axillary cannulation was associated with similar 90-day mortality rates. The high rate of stroke associated with axillary artery cannulation requires further investigation.
PubMed: 38867368
DOI: 10.1177/02676591241261330 -
International Journal of Radiation... Jun 2024Primary soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is rare, with many tumours occurring in extremities. Local management is limb-sparing surgery and pre-operative/post-operative...
PURPOSE
Primary soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is rare, with many tumours occurring in extremities. Local management is limb-sparing surgery and pre-operative/post-operative radiotherapy (RT) for patients at high risk of local recurrence. We prospectively investigated late normal tissue toxicity and limb function observed after intensity modulated RT (IMRT) in extremity STS.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Patients with extremity STS, age ≥16 years. Two treatment cohorts: IMRT 50Gy in 25 × 2Gy fractions (pre-operative) or 60/66Gy in 30/33 × 2Gy fractions (post-operative). Primary endpoint was rate of ≥ grade 2 late subcutaneous fibrosis at 24 months after IMRT (RTOG late radiation morbidity scoring).
RESULTS
One hundred and sixty-eight patients were registered between March 2016-July 2017. Of those, 159 (95%) received IMRT (106, 67% pre-operative RT and 53, 33% post-operative RT) with a median follow-up of 35.2 months (IQR: 32.9 to 36.6); 62% male; median age 58 years. Of 111 patients assessable for primary endpoint at 24 months, 12 (10.8%, 95%CI: 5.7%-18.1%) had ≥ grade 2 subcutaneous fibrosis. The overall rate at 24 months of RTOG late skin, bone and joint toxicity was 7/112 (6.3%), 3/112 (2.7%) and 10/113 (8.8%), respectively, and for Stern's scale oedema was 6/113 (5.3%). More wound complications were observed with pre-operative than post-operative RT (29.2% vs 3.8%). Overall survival at 24 months was 84.6%, and local recurrence event rate at 24 months was 10%.
CONCLUSIONS
The rate of ≥ grade 2 subcutaneous fibrosis at 24 months after IMRT was 10.8%, consistent with other recent trials of IMRT, and lower than historical reported rates in patients treated with 3D-CRT. This trial provides further evidence for the benefits of IMRT in this patient population.
PubMed: 38866214
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.05.024 -
Clinical Nuclear Medicine Jun 2024An 11-year-old girl presented with focal impaired awareness seizures. MRI brain demonstrated a T2 hyperintense cortical lesion in the left temporal lobe with surrounding...
An 11-year-old girl presented with focal impaired awareness seizures. MRI brain demonstrated a T2 hyperintense cortical lesion in the left temporal lobe with surrounding vasogenic edema. 18F-FDG PET/CT was arranged to assess metabolic activity of the cerebral lesion, to screen the whole body for other metabolically active lesions, and to assist biopsy planning. The study demonstrated intensely increased FDG uptake within the left temporal lobe lesion without evidence of hypermetabolic lesions elsewhere on the whole-body acquisition. The brain lesion was excised, and histopathology and molecular testing were consistent with ALK-positive histiocytosis.
PubMed: 38861389
DOI: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000005302 -
Clinical Rheumatology Jun 2024Dermatomyositis is a rare, autoimmune systemic disorder of unknown aetiology that presents as a constellation of clinical symptoms and signs primarily affecting skin and... (Review)
Review
Dermatomyositis is a rare, autoimmune systemic disorder of unknown aetiology that presents as a constellation of clinical symptoms and signs primarily affecting skin and muscles. Patients with dermatomyositis can present with rare "non-canonical" manifestations. Focal or generalised oedema is an infrequent and often overlooked symptom of the disease, while spontaneous intramuscular haemorrhage is an even rarer and under-recognised, life-threatening complication that constitutes a medical emergency for clinical physicians. There are no known predisposing factors able to predict which patients will develop this complication and specific instructions considering treatment approach are currently lacking. Herein, we present a case of a patient with dermatomyositis complicated by both anasarca and spontaneous intramuscular haemorrhage. In order to raise awareness and timely diagnosis of such patients, we provide a review of the relevant literature and of the cases reported this far.
PubMed: 38861228
DOI: 10.1007/s10067-024-07026-y -
International Journal of Surgery Case... Jul 2024Radiation recall dermatitis (RRD) is a localized drug-induced inflammatory skin reaction occurring exclusively in a previously irradiated site months to years after...
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE
Radiation recall dermatitis (RRD) is a localized drug-induced inflammatory skin reaction occurring exclusively in a previously irradiated site months to years after discontinuation of ionizing radiation. The symptoms of RRD can range from mild redness to extensive dermatitis. Antineoplastic drugs such as doxorubicin, docetaxel, paclitaxel, and gemcitabine are most commonly associated with radiation recall reactions. These reactions can also occur with antibiotics and anti-tubercular drugs.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 38-years-old woman with hormone receptor-negative, HER2-positive inflammatory breast cancer (right), clinical stage cT4dN1Mx, received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with AC > TH protocol at 3 weeks intervals (Anthracycline-Doxorubicin plus Cyclophosphamide X 4 cycles, then docetaxel plus Trastuzumab X 4 cycles) followed by modified radical mastectomy followed by adjuvant locoregional radiotherapy. She received the 5th cycle and 6th cycle trastuzumab monotherapy just before the start of surgery and radiotherapy, respectively. After 1 month of completion of radiotherapy, during her seventh cycle of Trastuzumab monotherapy, she developed mild edema with erythematous change over the previously irradiated area with fever. A skin biopsy was taken to exclude any recurrence; however, no evidence of malignancy was found.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION
We diagnosed it as a case of RRD. We managed her conservatively. Later, she was rechallenged with the same dose in subsequent cycles with systemic steroid coverage, which she tolerated very well, except for the reappearance of mild erythema following each cycle of maintenance dose of Trastuzumab.
CONCLUSION
Radiation recall dermatitis is an extremely rare phenomenon; hence, an acquaintance of clinicians with this rare entity is essential for timely diagnosis and appropriate management.
PubMed: 38852571
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109864 -
Brachytherapy Jun 2024Eye plaque brachytherapy (EPBT) is the most common treatment for uveal melanoma with high local control rates of 95-100%. When local recurrences occur following EPBT,...
PURPOSE
Eye plaque brachytherapy (EPBT) is the most common treatment for uveal melanoma with high local control rates of 95-100%. When local recurrences occur following EPBT, salvage options include enucleation, transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT), external beam radiation, or re-irradiation with EPBT. The purpose of this study is to report our institution's experience with EPBT re-irradiation for locally recurrent uveal melanoma.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Patients were included if they were previously treated for uveal melanoma with EPBT, experienced local recurrence, and were subsequently treated at our institution with EPBT from 2016- 2020.
RESULTS
A total of 5 patients with median age 68 years were included. All patients were initially treated at an outside institution (OSI) with Iodine-125 or Ruthenium-106 EPBT. Mean time between EPBT at the OSI and EPBT at our facility was 130 months (range 28-231 months). Patients were re-irradiated with Iodine-125 EPBT prescribed to 85 Gy over 168 hours. Median follow up after re-treatment at our center was 24 months. Local control among this cohort was 100%. Metastasis occurred in two patients after re-treatment, at 8 months and 7 months. At last follow up, all treated lesions were decreased in size. Four patients experienced worsening visual acuity. Four patients developed cataracts, while two patients developed radiation retinopathy with cystoid macular edema requiring anti-VEGF injections. One patient developed radiation retinopathy but did not require injections. No patients required enucleation.
CONCLUSIONS
Re-treatment of locally recurrent uveal melanomas with EPBT is a feasible alternative to enucleation with a high local control rate. Ocular toxicities have not been significant enough to require enucleation.
PubMed: 38851918
DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2024.04.004 -
Minerva Surgery Jun 2024Hemorrhoids are a common problem associated with symptoms, like swelling, local thrombosis and generally with a decreased quality of life, often in otherwise healthy...
BACKGROUND
Hemorrhoids are a common problem associated with symptoms, like swelling, local thrombosis and generally with a decreased quality of life, often in otherwise healthy subjects. Hemorrhoids can be classified by grades (I to IV) according to their severity. In this registry study subjects treated with excisional hemorrhoidectomy (EH) for the first time, were included. After surgery, edema tends to complicate surgical areas causing relevant symptoms. Most hemorrhoids symptoms are related to alterations in bowel habits. Increase in diet fibers to avoid constipation, exercise, and limiting straining reduce recurrence after surgery.
METHODS
The aim of the registry study was to evaluate the effects of Pycnogenol (Horphag Research, Geneva, Switzerland) on relieving postoperative symptoms following hemorrhoidectomy. Pycnogenol 150 mg/day was used between one month before surgery up to one month after surgery. The main postoperative symptoms were scored.
RESULTS
Thirty-eight subjects completed the 60-day supplement registry study. Eighteen subjects were supplemented with Pycnogenol in addition to the standard management (SM) and 20 subjects only received SM and were considered as controls. The two groups were comparable for age, sex and main symptoms distribution and for their clinical characteristics at inclusion. No other disease was present. The scores for pain, discomfort, and constipation were significantly lower with the supplement compared to controls (P<0.05) 10 and 30 days after surgery. In addition, the quality-of-life score was higher with Pycnogenol (P<0.05) while bleeding (minimal, not clinically evaluable) and a possible residual anal stenosis (requiring a longer period of observation) were barely observed. A satisfactory return to activity was observed 30 days after surgery in the 18 subjects using Pycnogenol, and in only 15 out of 20 patients (75%) in the control group (P<0.05). All Pycnogenol subjects were able to drive and perform daily tasks in comparison with 14 out of 20 subjects in the control group. The proportion of patients that took pain medication from day 10 to 30 post-surgery was significantly lower in the Pycnogenol group than in controls (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
In this post-surgical pilot, registry study, Pycnogenol was effective in preventing and controlling postoperative symptoms after hemorrhoidectomy. To confirm the results, more cases are needed, including different surgical methods and clinical conditions. Mucosal and cutaneous edema and perianal swelling - generally seen after surgery - seem to be clearly reduced with Pycnogenol and the supplement intake was associated with a more regular and pain-controlled convalescence and healing.
Topics: Humans; Plant Extracts; Flavonoids; Male; Female; Hemorrhoids; Hemorrhoidectomy; Middle Aged; Registries; Adult; Dietary Supplements; Quality of Life; Aged; Pain, Postoperative; Postoperative Complications; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38847768
DOI: 10.23736/S2724-5691.23.10241-3 -
Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official... Jun 2024Telisotuzumab vedotin (Teliso-V) is a c-Met-directed antibody-drug conjugate with a monomethyl auristatin E cytotoxic payload. The phase 2 LUMINOSITY trial (NCT03539536)...
Telisotuzumab Vedotin Monotherapy in Patients With Previously Treated c-Met Protein-Overexpressing Advanced Non-Squamous EGFR-Wildtype NSCLC in the Phase 2 LUMINOSITY Trial.
PURPOSE
Telisotuzumab vedotin (Teliso-V) is a c-Met-directed antibody-drug conjugate with a monomethyl auristatin E cytotoxic payload. The phase 2 LUMINOSITY trial (NCT03539536) aimed to identify the optimal c-Met protein-overexpressing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) population for treatment with Teliso-V (stage 1) and expand the selected group for efficacy evaluation (stage 2). Stage 2 enrolled patients with non-squamous epidermal growth factor receptor ()-wildtype NSCLC.
METHODS
Eligible patients had locally advanced/metastatic c-Met protein-overexpressing NSCLC and ≤2 prior lines of therapy (including ≤1 line of systemic chemotherapy). c-Met protein overexpression in non-squamous -wildtype NSCLC was defined as ≥25% tumor cells with 3+ staining (high [≥50% 3+]; intermediate [≥25%-<50%]). Teliso-V was administered at 1.9 mg/kg every 2 weeks. Primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) by independent central review.
RESULTS
In total, 172 patients with non-squamous -wildtype NSCLC received Teliso-V in stages 1 and 2. ORR was 28.6% (95% CI, 21.7-36.2; c-Met high, 34.6% [24.2-46.2]; c-Met intermediate, 22.9% [14.4-33.4]). Median duration of response was 8.3 months (95% CI, 5.6-11.3; c-Met high, 9.0 [4.2-13.0]; c-Met intermediate: 7.2 [5.3-11.5]). Median overall survival was 14.5 months (95% CI, 9.9-16.6; c-Met high, 14.6 [9.2-25.6]; c-Met intermediate, 14.2 [9.6-16.6]). Median progression-free survival was 5.7 months (95% CI, 4.6-6.9; c-Met high, 5.5 [4.1-8.3]; c-Met intermediate: 6.0 [4.5-8.1]). Most common any-grade treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were peripheral sensory neuropathy (30%), peripheral edema (16%), and fatigue (14%); the most common grade ≥3 was peripheral sensory neuropathy (7%).
CONCLUSION
Teliso-V was associated with durable responses in c-Met protein-overexpressing non-squamous -wildtype NSCLC, especially in those with high c-Met. AEs were generally manageable.
PubMed: 38843488
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.24.00720 -
American Journal of Ophthalmology Case... Sep 2024To evaluate outcomes of slow coagulation transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (SC-TSCPC) in a primarily African American patient population with glaucoma.
PURPOSE
To evaluate outcomes of slow coagulation transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (SC-TSCPC) in a primarily African American patient population with glaucoma.
METHODS
A retrospective chart review was performed for 104 consecutive cases of SC-TSCPC by a single surgeon between November 6, 2019-September 7, 2023. Power ranged from 1150 to 1500 mW, duration was 4 s, and number of spots ranged from 10 to 25. Exclusion criteria were diagnosis of neovascular glaucoma, prior CPC, visual acuity (VA) of no light perception or unable to be assessed due to patient's mental status, aphakia, or follow-up <3 months. The primary outcome measure was surgical success defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) of 6-21 mmHg with a ≥20 % reduction from baseline, no glaucoma re-operation, and no loss of light-perception. Secondary outcome measures included VA, glaucoma medication use, and post-surgical complications. Analysis was also stratified by lens status as literature suggests a greater IOP-lowering effect in pseudophakic eyes after CPC.
RESULTS
There were 28 eligible patients (6 phakic, 22 pseudophakic) included in this analysis. Mean follow-up was 11.6 ± 8.3 months, and 14 patients had postoperative year 1 data available. The mean age was 75.2 ± 13.9 years, 42.9 % were female, and 92.9 % were African American, reflective of the demographics of the local community. The cumulative success rate was 68.5 % at 1 year and did not differ significantly between phakic and pseudophakic patients. Mean VA worsened from 20/600 preoperatively to 20/1050 at last follow-up (P = 0.04) and was marginally worse in the phakic group (P = 0.15). Mean IOP decreased from 31.1 ± 13.2 mmHg on 4.0 ± 1.5 medications preoperatively to 13.8 ± 7.1 mmHg on 2.6 ± 1.5 medications at last follow-up (P < 0.001; P < 0.01), with a more pronounced effect among pseudophakic patients. 85.7 % of patients had prolonged anterior chamber (AC) inflammation beyond 1 month, which persisted in 10.7 % at last follow-up. The cystoid macular edema (CME) rate was 21.4 %, with 10.7 % persistent at last follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
SC-TSCPC is an effective, non-incisional IOP-lowering procedure in phakic and pseudophakic eyes that may not otherwise be ideal candidates for incisional glaucoma surgery. Pseudophakic eyes may experience larger reductions in IOP, however, laser settings can be titrated on a case-by-case basis depending on individual patients' goals. There was a higher incidence of prolonged AC inflammation and CME in our cohort compared to similar studies which report rates of 12.7 % and 2.7 %, respectively. Although the significance of such complications may differ based on the visual potential of each patient, these findings support existing literature that African American patients can have greater incidence of inflammation and subsequent sequalae after ocular surgery.
PubMed: 38841152
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2024.102072