Training of radiology specialists in local staging of primary rectal cancer on MRI: a prospective intervention study exploring the impact of various educational elements on the interpretive performance.

BACKGROUND: MRI interpretation and accurate radiological staging are crucial to the important treatment decisions and a consequent successful patient outcome in rectal cancer. AIMS: To investigate the effect of intensive training on rectal cancer MRI staging performance of radiologists and the impact of different course elements on learning outcomes. METHODS: In this prospective intervention study, 17 radiology specialists and 1 radiology registrar participated in a training programme including a 6-hour imaging workshop, a 3-hour session of individual feedback and independent MRI readings of primary rectal cancer cases. Their rectal MRI interpretive performance was evaluated through repeated readings of 30 training cases before and after each course element and a time interval with no educational intervention. A proforma template for MRI staging of primary rectal cancer was used and the results were compared with a reference standard of an expert panel. Participants repeatedly reported on confidence scores and self-assessed learning outcome. Outcomes were analysed using mixed-effects models. RESULTS: At baseline the quality of rectal MRI assessment varied significantly, with a higher interpretive performance among participants with shorter radiological experience (10.2 years vs 19.9 years, p=0.02). The ability to perform correct treatment allocation improved from 72% to 82% (adjusted OR=2.36, 95% CI 1.64 to 3.39). The improvement was largely driven by the participants with lower performance at baseline and by prevention of overstaging. Individual feedback had a significant impact on the improved interpretive performance (adjusted OR=1.82, 95% CI 1.27 to 2.63), whereas no significant change was seen after workshop or case readings only. Confidence scores increased significantly during training. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted and individualised training improves the rectal cancer MRI interpretive performance essential to successful patient treatment, especially among radiology specialists with lower performance at baseline.

Deep head and neck infection causing pathological fracture of the mandibular condyle.

We report an unusual case of a 46-year-old male with a severe deep head and neck infection after extraction of two mandibular molars that led to a potentially life-threatening condition and caused pathological fracture of the mandibular condyle. This is the first published spontaneous pathological fracture of the mandibular condyle caused by an infection spread from a lower molar tooth. Based on CT scan we discuss the pathways of infection of odontogenic origin and the reflections of treatment. This case report illustrates an unusual presentation of a spontaneous pathological condylar fracture caused by a severe life-threatening infection after tooth extraction. It details the examination and management of the patient and reflections about the treatment.

[Colectomy in a patient with pneumatosis coli]. / Kolektomi hos en patient med pneumatosis coli

Pneumatosis coli (PC) is a rare condition which may be difficult to diagnose. We report a case of PC in a 46-year-old woman, where colonoscopy and biopsies showed signs of widespread polyposis. She had a prophylactic colectomy. Pathologic examination of the specimen showed multiple air-filled cysts in the colonic wall. By analysis of a preoperative abdominal computed tomography with lung window the cysts could be visualised. This procedure could be a valuable diagnostic tool for excluding PC in patients suspected for polyposis, but with a negative family history of familial adenomatous polyposis.

Pathophysiology of late anorectal dysfunction following external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) may suffer from long-term anorectal adverse effects. The purpose of the present study was to assess long-term functional and structural anorectal changes in patients previously treated with EBRT for prostate cancer and to suggest the mechanism behind the development of the adverse effects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our previously proposed RT-induced anorectal dysfunction (RT-ARD) score, developed with the intention to survey anorectal dysfunction was used to identify patients with and without anorectal symptoms. Among 309 patients surveyed with the questionnaire, we chose 23 patients with the highest RT-ARD score and 19 patients with the lowest RT-ARD score. They were investigated by multimodal rectal sensory stimulation, standard anal physiological tests. Changes of the rectal mucosa were assessed by flexible sigmoidoscopy and graded by the Vienna Rectoscopy Score (VRS). RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 3.8 (range, 2.8; 8.6) years in patients with high RT-ARD and 3.8 (range, 2.6; 5.9) in patients with low RT-ARD. Endoscopic evaluation revealed higher VRS scores in patients with high RT-ARD compared to patients with low RT-ARD (p = 0.002). Patients with high RT-ARD had increased rectal sensory response to distension manifested both as volume (p = 0.006) and cross-sectional area (p = 0.04), and they had reduced maximum anal resting pressure assessed by anal manometri (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term anorectal symptoms correlate to changes in anorectal biomechanical properties and rectal mucosal injury. Our data suggests that RT-induced long-term anorectal dysfunction is multifactorial caused by injury of the rectal mucosa and the internal anal sphincter combined with increased rectal sensitivity and reduced rectal functional capacity.

Risk of complications and 30-day mortality after laparoscopic and open appendectomy in a Danish region, 1998-2007; a population-based study of 18,426 patients.

UNLABELLED: Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency, but population-based data on the risk of complications after laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and open appendectomy (OA) are scarce. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To describe the risk of complications and mortality after appendectomy for acute appendicitis during a 10-year period, and to compare outcomes after LA and OA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using population-based registry data, we conducted a historical cohort study in a Danish region (population 2,000,000) including all patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis during the period of 1998-2007. We used logistic regression to compare the risk of complications and 30-day mortality between LA and OA, adjusting for gender, age, severity of appendicitis, time of surgery, and calendar year. Analyses were stratified for severity of appendicitis and time period. RESULTS: We included 18,426 patients. From 1998 to 2007 the use of LA rose from 12% to 61%, while the risk of surgically-treated complications fell from 5.7% to 3.2%, the risk of intra-abdominal infections fell from 2.4% to 1.1% and 30-day mortality fell from 0.30% to 0.23%. LA was associated with a lower risk of surgically-treated complications (adjusted odds ratio for LA vs. OA=0.70 (95% CI, 0.57-0.85), intraabdominal infections (OR=0.74 [95% CI, 0.55-0.99]) and mortality (OR=0.48 [95% CI, 0.18-1.30]). LA was safer than OA for simple and complicated appendicitis throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Risk of complications and 30-day mortality decreased in Denmark between 1998 and 2007 concurrently with implementation of LA. The risk of complications was lower after LA than after OA.

Neorectal hyposensitivity after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer has a detrimental effect on long-term anorectal function and quality of life, additional to that observed after rectal resection. The exact physiological mechanisms for the excess impairment remain unknown. We aimed to investigate neorectal and anal sphincter properties in patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy (NT) prior to total mesorectal excision (TME). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen patients (NT+ patients) were examined by multimodal neorectal stimulation and standard anorectal physiological testing. Data were compared to the results of 23 patients, who underwent TME without NT (NT- patients). RESULTS: NT+ patients had elevated sensory thresholds to heat (median temperature, 60 vs. 55 °C; p<0.01) and mechanical distension (median tension, 2513 vs. 1521 mmHg mm; p=0.05) in the fasting state, and altered perception of the sensory response to heat (p=0.01) and cold (p=0.01) compared to NT- patients. No differences in the biomechanical properties of the neorectal wall were detected. Anal resting pressure was lower in NT+ patients compared to NT- patients (median pressure, 31 vs. 45 cm H2O; p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic radiotherapy causes neorectal hyposensitivity to mechanical and thermal stimuli in patients receiving NT prior to TME surgery for rectal cancer, possibly due to impaired afferent nerve function.

[Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis--an infrequent cause of hearing loss]. / Leptomeningeal karcinomatose--en usaedvanlig årsag til høretab.

The causes of acquired hearing loss may be many. We present a case of sudden onset of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. The most common clinical features and typical CSF changes are reviewed, and the potential difficulties in reaching the diagnosis are discussed. Modes of therapy and prognosis are briefly mentioned.