Radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein, comparing one versus two treatment cycles for the proximal vein segment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the great saphenous vein (GSV) using one versus two 20 s energy cycle treatment in the proximal 7 cm segment of the GSV. METHODS: All patients who underwent RFA of the GSV from 1 May 2013 to 30 September 2013 in eight of our vein centers were included. Duplex ultrasound scans (DUSs) were performed prior to treatment on all patients and 2-3 days, and 1 month after procedure. Demographic data, GSV diameters, and other relevant data were recorded. Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, Pathologic (CEAP) classification and Venous Clinical Severity Scores (VCSSs) were determined prior to ablation and one month later. Patients who developed endovenous heat induced thrombosis (EHIT) were followed till resolution. RESULTS: A total of 205 patients had one cycle treatment (group A) and 204 had two cycle treatment (group B). The two groups were comparable in their demography, CEAP classification, and VCSS scores. The rate of failure of ablation and incidence of EHIT were also not significantly different. The incidence of complications was low, <5% in both groups and all were minor. CONCLUSION: Two cycle treatment of the proximal GSV for vein ablation does not improve the success rate of vein closure in the short term, compared to one cycle treatment. It also does not increase the risks of DVT, EHIT, major bleeding, and other complications. However, we do not know at what diameter two cycles may be superior to one cycle.

Endovenous heat-induced thrombosis after ablation with 1470 nm laser: Incidence, progression, and risk factors.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence of heat-induced thrombosis, its progression and risk factors that may contribute to its formation after endovenous laser ablation. METHODS: This was a prospective evaluation of all patients who had endovenous laser ablation of the great saphenous vein, accessory saphenous vein, and small saphenous vein using 1470 nm wavelength laser, from March 2010 to September 2011. All patients who developed endovenous heat-induced thrombosis at the saphenofemoral junction or at the saphenopopliteal junction were included. Demographic data, history of venous thrombosis, body mass index, vein diameter, reflux time, catheter tip position, endovenous heat-induced thrombosis progression, number of phlebectomies, and venous clinical severity scores were analyzed. Duplex ultrasound was done in all patients preoperatively, and 2-3 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Endovenous laser ablation was performed in 2168 limbs. Fifty-seven percent had great saphenous vein, 13% accessory saphenous vein, and 30% small saphenous vein ablation. Endovenous heat-induced thrombosis was developed in 18 limbs (12 at saphenofemoral junction and six at saphenopopliteal junction) for an incidence of 0.9%. Eight were class 1 and 10 were > class 2. No pulmonary embolism was reported. The percentage of men with endovenous heat-induced thrombosis was higher compared to those without (39% vs. 24%, p = .14). The median age for endovenous heat-induced thrombosis patients was 59.6 compared to non-endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (p = .021). Great saphenous vein/accessory saphenous vein diameter for endovenous heat-induced thrombosis patients was 8.0 mm versus 6.3 mm for non-endovenous heat-induced thrombosis patients (p = .014), and for small saphenous vein it was 5.7 mm versus 4.5 mm (p = .16). Multiple concomitant phlebectomies were performed in 55.6% of the endovenous heat-induced thrombosis patients compared to 37% in non-endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (p = .001). All other parameters were similar between endovenous heat-induced thrombosis and non-endovenous heat-induced thrombosis group. Endovenous heat-induced thrombosis resolution occurred in 16 cases at 2-4 but two cases progressing from class 1 to 2, before resolution. The mean VCSS score for endovenous heat-induced thrombosis patients preoperatively was 5.6 and improved to 2.8 (p = .003) at one month. CONCLUSION: Risk factors associated with endovenous heat-induced thrombosis formation after endovenous laser ablation include: vein size, age, and multiple phlebectomies. Endovenous heat-induced thrombosis resolves in 2-4 weeks in most patients but it may worsen in few.

Superficial vein ablation for the treatment of primary chronic venous ulcers.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study was undertaken to review our experience with ablation of superficial veins with significant reflux, using VNUS ClosureFAST RF (radiofrequency) or laser 980 nm, in patients with primary chronic venous ulcers, and also determine its effects in ulcer healing and ulcer recurrence. METHOD: Included were 25 limbs (18 patients with chronic primary venous ulcers (clinical, aetiological, anatomical and pathological elements [CEAP] classification C6), who underwent endovenous ablation with RF for the axial veins or laser for the perforating veins during a two-year period. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients, there were eight men and 10 women. The median age of the group was 68 (range 37-89) years. The number of ablations done in each leg with an ulcer varied from one to eight, with a median of three. During a follow-up period of 6-12 months, one patient failed ulcer healing despite sequential ablations of refluxing veins. There was one case that developed recurrence of a small ulcer after six months and was successfully treated with a perforator ablation. CONCLUSION: Endovenous ablation of incompetent superficial veins improves the healing of chronic primary venous ulcers and decreases the recurrence rates.

Phase II study of 4-ipomeanol, a naturally occurring alkylating furan, in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: 4-Ipomeanol (IPO; NSC 394438), a naturally occurring furan isolated from common sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) infected with the fungus Fusarium solani was the first agent to be developed by the National Cancer Institute based on a biochemical-biological rationale as an anticancer agent targeted specifically against lung cancer. Prior to clinical development, IPO was shown to induce pulmonary toxicity in the lungs of several mammalian species because the agent is metabolized to a highly reactive furan epoxide by specific cytochrome P450 monooxygenases found in pulmonary Clara cells and type II pneumocytes, which share biochemical features with bronchogenic carcinoma. However, instead of inducing the anticipated lung toxicity in patients with lung cancer in disease-directed phase I studies, hepatotoxicity was the principal toxic effect of IPO in humans. Based on the presumption that IPO may be preferentially activated by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in liver cells and biochemically-related hepatic malignancies, a phase II study was conducted to determine the activity and evaluate the toxicity of IPO in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients with advanced measurable hepatocellular carcinoma were enrolled on the phase II trial. All patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of at least two, no evidence of pulmonary dysfunction, and had either no prior treatment or minimal prior therapy. Patients were treated with IPO at a dose of either 1032 mg/m2, which was the maximum tolerated and recommended phase II dose previously derived for patients with normal hepatic function (15 patients) or 826 mg/m2 if they had serum bilirubin concentrations in the range of 2.0 to 3.0 mg/dL (four patients). Treatment was repeated every three weeks. Objective tumor response, the primary endpoint of the study, was assessed after every two courses of treatment, and both pulmonary function and lung density were rigorously monitored using successive pulmonary function testing and computerized tomography. RESULTS: All nineteen patients were evaluable for both response and toxicity. No major objective responses were observed. One patient had a minor, brief reduction in lung metastases. Although marker lesions and overall disease remained stable for at least 12 and 24 months in three and two patients, respectively, the median time to progression was three months and the median survival was five months for all patients. The principal toxicity was reversible elevations in hepatic transaminases, which occasionally resulted in dose reduction. No clinically-significant pulmonary toxicity was noted. CONCLUSION: IPO at a dose of either 826 or 1032 mg/m2 administered every three weeks did not demonstrate a relevant degree of clinical activity against advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Further evaluations of TO is not recommended for this disease.

Sporotrichosis in an unusual location--dermatologically and geographically.

We report the unusual fixed cutaneous variety of sporotrichosis in a patient hailing from Uttarkashi (Uttar Pradesh) in the north-western part of India.

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis--an unusual presentation.

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis can present as hypopigmented macules, erythematous to skin-coloured papules, nodules and photosensitive butterfly erythema on the face. We present a patient with disseminated annular lesions of post-kala-azar dermal leishamaniasis. The patient was treated with daily intravenous injections of sodium antimony gluconate for 120 days at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight with complete clearance of lesions.

Coronary sinus injury during retrograde cardioplegia: a report of three cases.

Coronary sinus injuries related to the use of retrograde cardioplegia are uncommon. In most cases injuries are encountered with overinflation of the coronary sinus catheter balloon or traumatic catheter insertion. This article describes three cases of coronary sinus injury during retrograde cardioplegia administration in patients with ventricular hypertrophy, while the heart was manually retracted to expose the posterior myocardium. We propose that the risk of coronary sinus injury during retrograde cardioplegia, in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, can be minimized by avoiding excessive retraction of the heart, deflation of the retrograde catheter during retraction, and the use of a left ventricular vent.

MR and CT diagnosis of carotid pseudoaneurysm in children following surgical resection of craniopharyngioma.

We report the cases of two children who underwent CT, MR, MRA and angiography in the diagnosis of postoperative aneurysmal dilatation of the supraclinoid carotid arteries following surgical resection of craniopharyngioma. Craniopharyngiomas are relatively common lesions, accounting for 6-7% of brain tumors in children. They are histologically benign, causing symptoms by their growth within the sella and suprasellar cistern with compression of adjacent structures, especially the pituitary gland, hypothalamus and optic nerves, chiasm, and tracts. Complete surgical resection, particularly of large tumors, is complicated by the fact that the lesions are usually found within the circle of Willis, with displacement and adherence to the adventitia of these vessels [1, 2]. Recent reports in the neurosurgical literature have described aneurysmal dilatation of the supraclinoid internal carotid arteries following aggressive surgical resection of craniopharyngioma [3, 4].

Angiocentric T cell lymphoma masquerading as cutaneous vasculitis.

Angiocentric T cell lymphoma may present with cutaneous inflammatory lesions masquerading as cutaneous vasculitis both clinically and pathologically. We describe a case of angiocentric T cell lymphoma. Although initial biopsies in this patient resembled polyarteritis nodosa, subsequent biopsies exhibited more characteristic changes and immunohistochemical stains confirmed the diagnosis of large cell angiocentric cutaneous T cell lymphoma. It is important to differentiate these diseases as treatment and prognostic implications are very different.

Diagnostic value of C-reactive protein in acute appendicitis.

Serum C-reactive protein was measured in 56 patients hospitalized with a suspected diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Based on these determinations, four groups of patients were defined: Group A = 26 patients with acute appendicitis who had a C-reactive protein level higher than 2.5 mg/dl. Group B = 4 patients with a C-reactive protein level lower than 2.5 mg/dl who, after surgery based on a presumed diagnosis of acute appendicitis, were found to have a normal appendix. Group C = 22 patients with nonspecific abdominal pain, 18 (72 percent) of whom had an elevated C-reactive protein level, although in only 4 (7.1 percent) were these levels higher than 2.5 percent mg/dl. Group D = 4 patients who had diseases other than acute appendicitis. It is concluded that an increase in C-reactive protein levels to more than 2.5 mg/dl is not a definite indicator of acute appendicitis. However, if the C-reactive protein level in blood drawn 12 hours after the onset of symptoms is less than 2.5 mg/dl, acute appendicitis can be excluded.

Priapism as a manifestation of isolated genital vasculitis.

Vasculitis may affect virtually any organ system in the body. We describe a patient who presented with priapism due to isolated genital vasculitis. This responded promptly to oral corticosteroids. In patients presenting with priapism, a possible underlying vasculitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis; the treatment for this may be nonsurgical.

Lymphoreticular disorders masquerading as rheumatic disease syndromes.

We describe four cases, each with a distinct rheumatologic presentation. Three had lymphoma, and the fourth, though initially suggestive of lymphoma, had a tuberculous infection. Clinicians should be alert for diseases masquerading as diverse clinical syndromes. It is important to establish rheumatic, lymphoproliferative, or infectious etiology because of major differences in therapeutic and prognostic implications.

Eosinophilic fasciitis: clinical spectrum and therapeutic response in 52 cases.

The clinical course of 52 cases with eosinophilic fasciitis observed at the Mayo Clinic has been described. Cutaneous changes included pitting edema, peau d'orange, and induration, and may affect virtually any body surface area. In addition, localized morphea was present in 15 cases. Arthritis was observed in 21 patients; 29 patients had flexion contractures and 12 had carpal tunnel syndrome. Associated hematologic diseases were found in five patients; thrombocytopenia in two, myeloproliferative disorder in one, myelomonocytic leukemia in one, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in one. Peripheral blood eosinophilia was noted in 33 of 52 patients, hypergammaglobulinemia was noted in 17 of 49, and elevated sedimentation rate was noted in 15 of 52. Nonspecific EMG changes were seen in 11 of 15 patients. None had clinical involvement of the kidneys, lungs, or heart. No significant association between any HLA-A, -B, or -DR and eosinophilic fasciitis was seen. Prednisone and hydroxychloroquine seemed equally beneficial in treatment; however, some cases showed spontaneous recovery, making evaluation of therapeutic efficacy difficult. Relapses occurred in some cases.

Evidence for linkage of IgA deficiency with the major histocompatibility complex.

A 57-year-old woman with IgA deficiency and Still's disease was the proband in a 20-member, three-generation kindred in which we studied the possible linkage of IgA deficiency with her HLA-A1-B8 haplotype. The presence of paternal A1-B8 haplotype complicated the analysis. Known maternal HLA-A1-B8 haplotype, present in three of the children of the proband, was associated with IgA deficiency, whereas all five family members with exclusively paternal A1-B8 had normal IgA. Of three third-generation family members whose A1-B8 haplotype was of indeterminate origin--that is, potentially either maternally or paternally derived--two had IgA deficiency and one did not.