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Cureus Apr 2024Cranial nerve palsy is common in pituitary disease and depends on the extension of the lesion into the cavernous sinuses. Bilateral cranial nerve palsy was described...
Cranial nerve palsy is common in pituitary disease and depends on the extension of the lesion into the cavernous sinuses. Bilateral cranial nerve palsy was described in pituitary adenomas with apoplexy and in only one case in hypophysitis. We present a case of a 32-year-old female manifesting with headache, diplopia, bilateral sixth nerve palsy, and hypopituitarism. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed symmetric expansion of the pituitary gland, with bilateral cavernous sinus invasion and thickening of the pituitary stalk. Hypophysitis was suspected, and after treatment with IV methylprednisolone boluses, a decrease in the pituitary lesion was observed, with complete remission of sixth nerve palsy in the right eye and partial improvement in the left eye. In this case, we report an infrequent form of presentation of hypophysitis, and highlight that steroids are the first line of treatment.
PubMed: 38784347
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58850 -
Arquivos de Gastroenterologia 2024Spontaneous regression (SR) is defined as the partial or complete disappearance of a tumor, in the absence of a specific treatment. Evidence of the SR in hepatocellular...
BACKGROUND
Spontaneous regression (SR) is defined as the partial or complete disappearance of a tumor, in the absence of a specific treatment. Evidence of the SR in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rare.
OBJECTIVE
The authors aimed to review all the cases of SR of HCC in two reference centers of Southern Brazil, highlighting the main characteristics.
METHODS
Data of all patients with HCC were retrospectively reviewed looking for the occurrence of SR in patients from two tertiary centers in Southern Brazil, in the last five years. The diagnosis of cirrhosis was established according to clinical, laboratory and imaging data, as well as upper endoscopy or histopathological examination when necessary. The diagnosis of HCC was based on typical findings according to radiologic criteria (LIRADS) or histopathological examination. Spontaneous regression was defined as a partial or complete involution of a HCC in the absence of a specific therapy.
RESULTS
From all cases of HCC in the last 5 years (n=433), there were five cases of SR. Three (60%) were men, the mean age was 62.6 (50.0-76.0) years, and the etiology was HCV in 3 (60%). Complete regression was observed in three patients (60%), one patient (20%) presented partial regression, and one (20%) relapesed and died. The time of follow-up varied between 12 and 21 months. In this presentation, it was highlighted one case of SR observed after COVID-19 infection in a patient with cirrhosis. The possible mechanisms involved in this situation were reviewed, emphasizing the most common like hypoxia and immunological. There were also one patient submitted to a surgical procedure as a possible fator involved and three patients without obvious risk factors.
CONCLUSION
This phenomenon will possibly contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of HCC.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Aged; Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous; Liver Cirrhosis; Remission, Spontaneous; Brazil
PubMed: 38775585
DOI: 10.1590/S0004-2803.24612023-151 -
Annals of Palliative Medicine May 2024End-of-life (EOL) care is the part of palliative care intended for persons nearing death. In anorexia nervosa (AN), providing EOL care instead of coercing... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
End-of-life (EOL) care is the part of palliative care intended for persons nearing death. In anorexia nervosa (AN), providing EOL care instead of coercing life-sustaining measures is controversial. The existing literature has not been synthesized yet. To clearly delineate differing views and identify open questions as well as areas of possible consensus, we conducted the first-ever synthesis of the existing literature.
METHODS
We searched EMBASE, PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science for scientific publications on forgoing coerced life-sustaining measures and/or providing EOL care for persons with AN who refuse life-sustaining measures, typically artificial nutrition. Palliative care outside of the EOL context and medical assistance in dying were not reviewed. As very little quantitative studies were identified, we qualitatively analyzed conceptual questions, ethical reasoning, legal aspects, stakeholder attitudes, practical aspects, stakeholder needs, and outcome.
RESULTS
We identified 117 eligible publications from 1984 to 2023, mainly case reports (n=26 different cases) and ethical analyses. Conceptualizations of key terms such as terminality, futility, and decision-making capacity (DMC) in AN varied widely and were often value-laden and circular. Ethical reasoning centered on weighing the preservation of life versus quality of life in the context of uncertainty about DMC and likelihood of clinical remission. Studies on stakeholder attitudes reflected this challenge. In some cases, courts ruled against coerced life-sustaining measures and/or in favor of EOL care for persons with AN. While eligibility criteria were contested, recommendations for deliberating about and providing EOL care were consistent. We identified only one study on stakeholder needs and none on outcome. Case reports described quality of life under EOL care as good and death as the most frequent outcome but engagement in voluntary treatment and (partial) clinical remission in some.
CONCLUSIONS
The debate around EOL care in AN needs consented, coherent terminology whose value base is reduced to a minimum and made transparent. While more empirical research into decision-making in AN and predictors of outcome might help reduce uncertainty, fundamental normative questions need to be addressed, for example regarding the ethico-legal significance of treatment refusals, the weighing of quantity versus quality of life and the appropriateness of diagnosis-based ethico-legal exceptionalism such as hard paternalism. More research is needed on outcome of and stakeholder needs in EOL care for persons with AN.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Anorexia Nervosa; Palliative Care; Quality of Life; Terminal Care
PubMed: 38769800
DOI: 10.21037/apm-23-522 -
Boletin Medico Del Hospital Infantil de... 2024Vitiligo is a multifactorial disease characterized by the progressive loss of melanocytes. The worldwide prevalence ranges from 0.5% to 2%, and in children from 0% to...
BACKGROUND
Vitiligo is a multifactorial disease characterized by the progressive loss of melanocytes. The worldwide prevalence ranges from 0.5% to 2%, and in children from 0% to 2.16%. The objective of this study was to determine the variables associated with progression of vitiligo.
METHODS
A retrospective cohort was carried out where a random sample of records of pediatric patients with vitiligo from January 2016 to December 2020 was analyzed. The variables were studied: age at onset, sex, hereditary family history, personal history of thyroid diseases, time of evolution, classification, Köebner phenomena, mucosal vitiligo, halo nevus, premature graying and the presence of other dermatoses. The final state was classified as progression, stability, partial remission and complete remission.
RESULTS
574 children with vitiligo; 290 (50.5%) women, 284 (49.5%) men. Non-segmental vitiligo in 324 (56.4%), segmental vitiligo in 250 (43.6%). Mean age of onset 8.7 years (SD: 4.54). Median evolution time 6 months (25 percentile of 3 months and 75 percentile of 24 months). Family history 27 (4.70%). Thyroid disease 7 (1.21%). Evolution remained stable in 44 (7.7%), 68 (11.8%) had progression, 32 (5.6%) complete remission, 222 (38.7%) partial remission and 208 (36.2%) one consultation. Non-segmental vitiligo was obtained p < 0.028, younger age of onset p < 0.000, and none skin comorbidities p < 0.009.
CONCLUSIONS
The variables that were associated with a more progression were non-segmental vitiligo, early ages at the onset of the disease, and not presenting with other skin diseases.
Topics: Humans; Vitiligo; Male; Female; Retrospective Studies; Child; Prognosis; Child, Preschool; Age of Onset; Adolescent; Disease Progression; Cohort Studies; Infant; Thyroid Diseases
PubMed: 38768496
DOI: 10.24875/BMHIM.23000083 -
World Journal of Gastrointestinal... May 2024Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a major contributor to cancer-related deaths, is particularly prevalent in Asia, largely due to hepatitis B virus infection. Its...
BACKGROUND
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a major contributor to cancer-related deaths, is particularly prevalent in Asia, largely due to hepatitis B virus infection. Its prognosis is generally poor. This case report contributes to the medical literature by detailing a unique approach in treating a large HCC through multidisciplinary collaboration, particularly in patients with massive HCC complicated by ruptured bleeding, a scenario not extensively documented previously.
CASE SUMMARY
The patient presented with large HCC complicated by intratumoral bleeding. Treatment involved a multidisciplinary approach, providing individualized care. The strategy included drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization, sorafenib-targeted therapy, laparoscopic partial hepatectomy, and standardized sintilimab monoclonal antibody therapy. Six months after treatment, the patient achieved complete radiological remission, with significant symptom relief. Imaging studies showed no lesions or recurrence, and clinical assessments confirmed complete remission. This report is notable as possibly the first documented case of successfully treating such complex HCC conditions through integrated multidisciplinary efforts, offering new insights and a reference for future similar cases.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated effective multidisciplinary treatment for massive HCC with intratumoral bleeding, providing insights for future similar cases.
PubMed: 38764847
DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i5.2225 -
World Journal of Gastrointestinal... May 2024A treat-to-target strategy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves treatment intensification in order to achieve a pre-determined endpoint. Such uniform and tight...
A treat-to-target strategy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves treatment intensification in order to achieve a pre-determined endpoint. Such uniform and tight disease control has been demonstrated to improve clinical outcomes compared to treatment driven by a clinician's subjective assessment of symptoms. However, choice of treatment endpoints remains a challenge in management of IBD a treat-to-target strategy. The treatment endpoints for ulcerative colitis (UC), recommended by the Selecting Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (STRIDE) consensus have changed somewhat over time. The latest STRIDE-II consensus advises immediate (clinical response), intermediate (clinical remission and biochemical normalisation) and long-term treatment (endoscopic healing, absence of disability and normalisation of health-related quality of life, as well as normal growth in children) endpoints in UC. However, achieving deeper levels of remission, such as histologic normalisation or healing of the gut barrier function, may further improve outcomes among UC patients. Generally, all medical therapy should seek to improve short- and long-term mortality and morbidity. Hence treatment endpoints should be chosen based on their ability to predict for improvement in short- and long-term mortality and morbidity. Potential benefits of treatment intensification need to be weighed against the potential harms within an individual patient. In addition, changing therapy that has achieved partial response may lead to worse outcomes, with failure to recapture response on treatment reversion. Patients may also place different emphasis on certain potential benefits and harms of various treatments than clinicians, or may have strong opinions re certain therapies. Potential benefits and harms of therapies, incremental benefits of achieving deeper levels of remission, as well as uncertainties of the same, need to be discussed with individual patients, and a treatment endpoint agreed upon with the clinician. Future research should focus on quantifying the incremental benefits and risks of achieving deeper levels of remission, such that clinicians and patients can make an informed decision about appropriate treatment end-point on an individual basis.
PubMed: 38764502
DOI: 10.4292/wjgpt.v15.i2.91591 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Candidates for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT) of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) frequently have...
Candidates for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT) of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) frequently have "mismatch" lesions with pronounced 18-fluorodeoxyglucose ([F]FDG) but attenuated PSMA ligand uptake on positron emission tomography (PET). However, no quantitative criteria yet exist to identify mismatch lesions and predict their response to RLT. To define such criteria, we retrospectively analyzed 267 randomly-selected glucometabolic mCRPC metastases from 22 patients. On baseline PET, we determined [F]FDG and [Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 maximum standardized uptake value (SUV), and calculated the [F]FDG SUV/[Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 SUV quotient (FPQ). From follow-up [F]FDG PET after two lutetium-177-PSMA-617 RLT cycles, we evaluated the treatment response and categorized the lesions into three subgroups (partial remission, stable disease, progression) based on change in [F]FDG SUV. Lastly, we compared the baseline PET variables in progressing versus non-progressing lesions. Variables differing significantly, and a score incorporating them, were assessed via receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, regarding ability to predict lesional progression, with area under the curve (AUC) as metric. Cut-offs with optimal sensitivity and specificity were determined using the maximum value of Youden's index. Fifty-one of 267 lesions (19.1%) progressed, 102/267 (38.2%) manifested stable disease, and 114/267 (42.7%) partially responded after two RLT cycles. At baseline, median [Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 SUV was significantly lower (p < 0.001), median FPQ significantly higher (p < 0.001), and median [F]FDG SUV similar in progressing versus non-progressing lesions. [Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 SUV and FPQ showed predictive power regarding progression (AUCs: 0.89, 0.90). An introduced clinical score combining both further improved predictive performance (AUC: 0.94). Optimal cut-offs to foretell progression were: [Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 SUV < 11.09 (88.2% sensitivity, 81.9% specificity), FPQ ≥ 0.92 (90.2% sensitivity, 78.7% specificity), clinical score ≥ 6/9 points (88.2% sensitivity, 87.5% specificity). At baseline, a low [ Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 SUV and a high FPQ predict early lesional progression under RLT; [F]FDG SUV does not. A score combining [ Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 SUV and FPQ predicts early lesional progression even more effectively and might therefore be useful to quantitatively identify mismatch lesions.
Topics: Humans; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant; Aged; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Positron-Emission Tomography; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Disease Progression; Gallium Radioisotopes; Radiopharmaceuticals; Antigens, Surface; Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II; Aged, 80 and over; Lutetium
PubMed: 38760451
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61961-z -
Technology in Cancer Research &... 20241q21 gain/Amp is one of the most common cytogenetic abnormalities. There are controversies about its effects on prognosis and may be associated with inferior outcomes in...
OBJECTIVE
1q21 gain/Amp is one of the most common cytogenetic abnormalities. There are controversies about its effects on prognosis and may be associated with inferior outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). To explore the optimal induction treatment, we analyzed and compared the efficacy of combinations of bortezomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (VRD) and only bortezomib-based triplet regimens without lenalidomide (only bortezomib-based) as induction therapy in patients with NDMM with 1q21 gain/Amp.
METHODS
Seventy-six NDMM patients with 1q21 gain/Amp who were admitted to our center from 2016 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. The progression and efficacy of the patients were observed.
RESULTS
Within our study group, the overall survival rate stood at 75.0%, and the progression-free survival (PFS) rate reached 40.8% in NDMM patients with 1q21 gain/Amp. The best outcome assessment was that 17.1% achieved complete response (CR) and 44.7% achieved very good partial response (VGPR). Patients in the VRD group had a deeper response (VGPR: 63.6% 37.0%, = 0.034), lower disease progression rate (31.8% 70.3%, = 0.002), longer sustained remission (median 49.7 months 18.3 months, = 0.030), and longer PFS (median 61.9 months 22.9 months, = 0.032) than those treated with only bortezomib-based induction therapy. No significant differences were found among patients with partial response or better (86.4% 77.8%, = 0.532) or CR (27.3% 13.0%, = 0.180). Multivariate analysis showed that only bortezomib-based induction therapy (= 0.003, HR 0.246, 95% CI 0.097-0.620), International Staging System stage III (= 0.003, HR 3.844, 95% CI 1.588-9.308) and LMR <3.6 (= 0.032, HR 0.491, 95% CI 0.257-0.940) were significantly associated with adverse PFS.
CONCLUSIONS
When compared with the sequential administration of bortezomib and lenalidomide or only bortezomib-based protocols, NDMM patients with 1q21 gain/Amp may benefit more from VRD as initial treatments.
Topics: Humans; Bortezomib; Lenalidomide; Multiple Myeloma; Female; Male; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Middle Aged; Aged; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1; Adult; Retrospective Studies; Prognosis; Treatment Outcome; Chromosome Aberrations; Aged, 80 and over; Dexamethasone
PubMed: 38759699
DOI: 10.1177/15330338241252605 -
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment Dec 2024Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. This study was conducted to evaluate efficacy and safety of interferon (IFN) α-2a...
Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. This study was conducted to evaluate efficacy and safety of interferon (IFN) α-2a combined with phototherapy for early-stage MF. Thirteen patients with early-stage MF received subcutaneous injections of IFN α-2a at 3 million IU combined with phototherapy three times per week for 6 months. Treatment efficacy was measured by changes in body surface area (BSA) score and modified severity-weighted assessment tool (mSWAT) score at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. Histopathologic examinations of skin lesions were performed before and after treatment. After 3 months of treatment, all 13 patients achieved a partial response, and BSA and mSWAT scores were significantly lower than those at baseline ( < 0.001). After 6 months, BSA and mSWAT scores were significantly lower than those at baseline ( < 0.001) and after 3 months ( < 0.05). Eleven patients achieved complete remission and two patients achieved a partial response (overall response rate, 100%). Histopathologic examination showed a significant decrease in the number of atypical lymphocytes in both epidermis and dermis. No severe adverse effects occurred. IFN α-2a in combination with phototherapy may be an effective and safe alternative modality for early-stage MF.
Topics: Humans; Mycosis Fungoides; Male; Middle Aged; Female; Prospective Studies; Skin Neoplasms; Adult; Interferon alpha-2; Treatment Outcome; Aged; Injections, Subcutaneous; Interferon-alpha; Combined Modality Therapy; Phototherapy; Neoplasm Staging; Recombinant Proteins
PubMed: 38754985
DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2024.2350231 -
Cureus Apr 2024Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a chronic autoimmune blistering disorder characterized by the loss of intraepithelial adhesion, affecting the skin and mucous membranes. Both... (Review)
Review
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a chronic autoimmune blistering disorder characterized by the loss of intraepithelial adhesion, affecting the skin and mucous membranes. Both males and females are affected, although it predominantly affects females in their fifth and sixth decades of life. Approximately 1.4 to 3.7% of PV cases occur in the pediatric population (≤18 years of age), and may be classified into childhood/pediatric PV, which affects individuals under 12 years old, and juvenile/adolescent PV, affecting those between 12 and 18 years old. Due to its rare occurrence in children and adolescents, there is often a delay in diagnosis and treatment in this age group. A systematic literature search was conducted on MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library databases to evaluate the efficacy of rituximab (RTX) in childhood and juvenile PV patients. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist was employed to assess the risk of bias in case reports and series, while the Cochrane ROBINS-I tool was utilized for evaluating observational studies or non-randomized intervention studies. A total of 18 studies encompassing 46 juvenile or childhood PV patients in the pediatric and adolescent age groups were included for qualitative synthesis. The studies included nine case reports, two case series, five retrospective studies, one prospective study, and one open-label pilot study. Almost all cases of childhood and juvenile PV achieved either complete or partial remission after undergoing RTX treatment during the final follow-up periods. Furthermore, most cases reported no relapse, and only minor adverse events were noted in the RTX treatment group. Despite its potential benefits, the utilization of RTX in pediatric patients raises concerns due to the scarcity of evidence and the absence of controlled studies specific to this age group. Further exploration is necessary to establish a standardized treatment regimen for RTX in pediatric PV, which involves identifying the optimal dosage, frequency, treatment cycle duration, and maintenance therapy duration.
PubMed: 38752055
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58288