Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor has the potential to attenuate the therapeutic efficacy of chemo-immunotherapy for extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has the potential to attenuate the anti-tumor immune responses of T-cells by increasing immune suppressive neutrophils and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. However, the clinical impact of G-CSF on the efficacy of immunotherapy remains unknown. This multi-center retrospective analysis evaluated the impact of G-CSF in patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) treated with chemo-immunotherapy. METHODS: We analyzed 65 patients with ES-SCLC who completed four cycles of induction chemo-immunotherapy and evaluated the effects of G-CSF on progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and a durable response to immunotherapy (defined as PFS ≥ 12 months). RESULTS: Fifty patients (76.9%) received ≥ 1 dose of G-CSF. The PFS of the patients with G-CSF was poorer than that of the patients without G-CSF (median PFS 8.3 vs. 4.9 months, p = 0.009). The OS of the patients with G-CSF tended to be shorter, but not statistically significant, than that of the patients without G-CSF (median OS 24.3 vs. 16.4 months, p = 0.137). In the multivariate analysis, G-CSF administration was associated with poorer PFS (hazard ratio 2.78, 95% CI 1.36-5.69, p = 0.005) and was identified as a determinant of a durable response (odds ratio 0.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.80, p = 0.024). These results were consistent with other definitions of G-CSF administration (administration of ≥ 1 dose of pegfilgrastim, or either ≥ 5 doses of filgrastim or ≥ 1 dose of pegfilgrastim). CONCLUSIONS: G-CSF has the potential to attenuate the efficacy of immunotherapy; therefore, the indication for G-CSF during chemo-immunotherapy should be carefully considered for ES-SCLC.

Eosinophilic pleural effusion due to lung cancer has a better prognosis than non-eosinophilic malignant pleural effusion.

OBJECTIVE: Tumor-related eosinophilia may have extended survival benefits for some cancer patients. However, there has been no report on the prognosis difference between eosinophilic pleural effusion (EPE) and non-EPE in lung cancer patients. Our study aimed to investigate the prognosis difference between EPE and non-EPE due to lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with lung cancer who presented with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) between May 2007 and September 2020 at the National Hospital Organization Kochi Hospital. EPE is defined as pleural fluid with a nucleated cell count containing 10% or more eosinophils. RESULTS: A total of 152 patients were included: 89 were male (59%). The median age was 74.4 years (range 37-101), and all patients were pathologically shown to have MPE. Most patients (140; 92%) had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status (PS) of 0/1. Twenty patients had EPE. The median overall survival (OS) of all 152 lung cancer patients with MPE was 298 days. The median OS of the patients with EPE was 766 days, and the median OS of the patients with non-EPE was 252 days. Kaplan-Meier univariate analysis showed that lung cancer patients with EPE had a significantly better prognosis than patients with non-EPE (P < 0.05). Cox proportional regression analysis showed that EPE, ECOG PS, sex, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in the serum (sNLR) may be independent prognostic factors affecting survival in patients with MPE. CONCLUSION: Lung cancer patients with EPE have a better prognosis than those with non-EPE.

Type A thymoma: a rare cause of neoplastic cardiac tamponade with long-term survival.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of thymoma with cardiac tamponade is generally poor. Most of the reported thymomas with cardiac tamponade were type B or type AB (mixed thymoma), and cardiac tamponade due to type A thymoma, which has a better prognosis compared to type B thymoma, is extremely rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We encountered a case of cardiac tamponade in a 71-year-old male. He visited our emergency department due to exacerbation of fatigue and dyspnea on exertion that lasted for two weeks. Chest imaging revealed a large amount of pericardial fluid and a contrast-enhanced tumor with calcification in the anterior mediastinum. The patient underwent thoracoscopic tumor biopsy and pathological examinations revealed type A thymoma. In this case, long-term disease-free survival (7.5 years) was achieved by multidisciplinary treatment (preoperative chemotherapy, surgical excision, and postoperative radiation therapy), in accordance with the histological type. CONCLUSIONS: This case indicates that neoplastic cardiac tamponade, even in elderly patients, should not necessarily be regarded as a terminal cancer and requires a systematic investigation for underlying causes.

Clinical and prognostic differences between surgically resected right-sided and left-sided colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: A growing body of evidence suggests that right-sided colorectal cancer (RCRC) differs from left-sided colorectal cancer (LCRC) in certain clinicopathological features. Therefore, we investigated the difference between RCRC and LCRC in a series of 899 patients. METHODS: We reviewed data retrospectively, from 899 patients who underwent R0-resection for stage II and III CRC and compared the clinicopathological factors between patients with RCRC and LCRC. RESULTS: The patients with RCRC tended to be older, more likely female, with a larger tumor, higher pathological T stage, and a greater proportion of their tumors were poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, or signet ring cell carcinoma than the patients with LCRC,. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) of the patients with RCRC tended to be higher than that of the patients with LCRC and was significantly better among patients with stage II cancer. The overall survival (OS) was similar for patients with RCRC and LCRC, irrespective of cancer stage. CONCLUSION: Compared with the patients with LCRC, those with RCRC had several oncologically unfavorable factors, with better RFS in stage II and similar OS in stages II and III. These results suggest that the biological aggressiveness of RCRC is lower than that of LCRC in stage II; however, it can increase after relapse.

Overweight or Obesity is an Unfavorable Long-Term Prognostic Factor for Patients who Underwent Gastrectomy for Stage II/III Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has been reported to be a prognostic factor for many diseases in epidemiological studies; however, the results of studies examining the relationship between obesity and gastric cancer (GC) prognosis are inconsistent. METHODS: A total of 460 patients with Stage II and III GC who underwent open R0 gastrectomy were included. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI classified into < 18.5, 18.5-25, and ≥ 25 kg/m2), stage, and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were analyzed to investigate the correlation with relapse-free survival (RFS). RESULTS: Five-year RFS was 51% for the study patients. Five-year RFS values were 47.6%, 54.3%, and 40.1% for patients with BMI < 18.5, 18.5-25, and ≥ 25 kg/m2, respectively. The forest plot for relapse risk according to BMI showed a U shape. Multivariate analysis for RFS showed significant differences in stage and BMI; the hazard ratio for recurrence in patients with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 was 1.42 (95% confidence interval: 1.01-2.02, p = 0.0423) with reference to patients with BMI < 25 kg/m2. BMI ≥ 25.0 was associated with longer operation times, more blood loss, fewer lymph nodes dissected, more frequent postoperative surgical site infection, and intra-abdominal abscesses. CONCLUSIONS: BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 is an unfavorable prognostic factor for patients who underwent gastrectomy for Stage II and III GC.

Culture-based bacterial evaluation of the appendix lumen in patients with and without acute appendicitis.

PURPOSE: Controversy exists over whether bacterial flora within the appendix differs between patients with and without appendicitis. To examine these potential differences, we cultured the appendiceal luminal microbiota of patients with and without acute appendicitis, and identified the bacterial species therein. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with acute appendicitis and 37 patients without acute appendicitis who underwent curative resection of colorectal cancer and prophylactic appendectomies (control group) were included. Appendicitis patients were classified into the phlegmonous group or the gangrenous appendicitis group histopathologically. There was no patient with perforated appendicitis. Aerobic isolates were identified using standard identification schemata, and anaerobic isolates were identified according to the Japanese guidelines. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the three groups in the median number aerobe species present per patient. However, the median number anaerobe species in the gangrenous appendicitis group was significantly higher than that of the control group and the phlegmonous appendicitis group. In addition, the incidence of patients with Bacillus species, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Bilophila wadsworthia increased as the disease progressed from phlegmonous to gangrenous appendicitis. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that increased diversity of anaerobes and the translocation of Bacillus species, F. nucleatum, and B. wadsworthia are associated with the progression of acute appendicitis.

The mean corpuscular volume as a prognostic factor for colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to identify the factors investigated during routine blood examinations which can predict the disease outcome independent of the tumor stage. METHODS: Data from 1174 patients with stage I, II, and III CRC who underwent R0 resection were included. We investigated the correlations between the preoperative routine blood examination data, and clinicopathological factors, and disease-free survival (DFS) using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The univariate analysis showed that tumor location, tumor stage, CRP, serum albumin, creatine kinase, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and the administration of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were significantly correlated with the DFS. The multivariate analysis of the factors associated with the DFS showed that stage and MCV were significant factors; an MCV of <80 fL was associated with a superior DFS in comparison to an MCV of 80-100 fL (hazard ratio: 0.31, 95% confidence interval: 0.13-0.61, p = 0.0003). The DFS in patients with an MCV of <80 fL was superior to that in patients with an MCV of ≥80 fL, irrespective of whether the patients underwent postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: MCV was a prognostic factor for the DFS, independent of the tumor stage, in CRC patients who underwent R0 resection.

Phase II trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 and oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab for colorectal liver metastasis (N-SOG 05 trial).

PURPOSE: This Phase II trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with S-1 and oxaliplatin (SOX) plus bevacizumab (Bev) in patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). METHODS: Patients with initially resectable CRLM received four cycles of SOX plus Bev as NAC. We adopted the R0 resection rate as the primary endpoint, and the threshold R0 resection rate was set at 80%. RESULTS: Between December 2010 and August 2014, 61 patients were enrolled in this study and all started NAC. The completion rate of NAC was 82.0%. Three patients (4.9%) developed severe liver dysfunction caused by NAC and one patient finally decided against resection. Three patients (4.9%) were judged as having progressive disease during or after NAC and did not undergo liver resection. Among 57 patients who underwent liver resection after NAC, three patients were diagnosed with CRLM by pre-treatment imaging modalities and received NAC although a final pathological diagnosis was another malignant disease or benign condition. Finally, 47 of the 54 patients (87.0%) with resected CRLM achieved R0 resection. The pathological complete response rate of the 54 patients was 13.0%, and 31.5% were judged as pathological responders. However, the R0 resection rate of 77.0% in the entire cohort did not meet the endpoint. CONCLUSIONS: NAC with SOX plus Bev has an acceptable toxicity profile and achieved a satisfactory pathological response. However, accuracy of pre-operative diagnoses and liver dysfunction caused by NAC were serious problems. Easy introduction of NAC for initially resectable CRLM should not be performed.

[Secondary Dementia Due to Leptomeningeal Metastasis of Breast Cancer Improved by Whole Brain Radiation].

A 62-year-old woman received chemotherapy for breast cancer with bone metastasis and malignant pleural and pericardial effusion. She was examined by imaging for progressive cognitive impairment and headache. Enhanced MRI findings showed multiple solid tumors on brain surface, and brain perfusion scintigraphy showed blood flow decrease in both parietal lobes. She was diagnosed with secondary dementia due to leptomeningeal metastases of breast cancer, and whole brain external irradiation was performed(30 Gy/15 Fr). After treatment, multiple tumors were decreased in size and her cognitive impair- ment was improved.

Diagnostic value of procalcitonin for acute complicated appendicitis.

A rapid and reliable test for detection of complicated appendicitis would be useful when deciding whether emergency surgery is required. We investigated the clinical usefulness of procalcitonin for identifying acute complicated appendicitis. We retrospectively analyzed 63 patients aged ≥15 years who underwent appendectomy without receiving antibiotics before admission and had preoperative data on the plasma procalcitonin level (PCT), body temperature (BT), white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio (N/L ratio), and C-reactive protein level (CRP). Patients were classified into 3 groups: group A (inflammatory cell infiltration of the appendix with intact mural architecture), group B (inflammatory cell infiltration with destruction of mural architecture, but without abscess or perforation), and group C (macroscopic abscess and/or perforation). For identifying destruction of mural architecture, the diagnostic accuracy of PCT was similar to that of BT or CRP. However, the diagnostic accuracy of PCT was highest among the five inflammatory indices for identifying abscess and/or perforation, with the positive predictive value of PCT for abscess and/or perforation being higher than that of CRP (73% vs. 48%). Univariate analysis of the predictors of abscess and/or perforation revealed that a plasma PCT level ≥0.46 ng/mL had the highest odds ratio (30.3 [95% confidence interval: 6.5-140.5] versus PCT <0.46 ng/mL). These findings indicate that procalcitonin is a useful marker of acute appendicitis with abscess and/or perforation.

Localized primary amyloidosis of the breast: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Primary amyloidosis of the breast is an unusual benign disease that mostly occurs in postmenopausal elderly women. Amyloidosis is the deposition of amorphous protein within tissues. Breast biopsy is necessary to make a definite diagnosis in order to avoid unnecessary surgical methods. Localized primary amyloidosis of the breast has a good prognosis. However, secondary amyloidosis is a systemic disease and has a poor prognosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 77-year-old female with primary amyloidosis of the breast. She noticed a lump in her left breast. Mammographic and ultrasonographic examinations indicated breast cancer. However, core needle biopsy showed amyloidosis, not cancer of the breast. For further examinations, the patient visited the outpatient clinics of the hematology, dermatology, and gastroenterology departments. She underwent bone marrow aspiration, computed tomography, cardiac ultrasonography, random skin biopsy, gastrofiberscopy, and colonofiberscopy. Plasma cell myeloma and systemic amyloidosis were ruled out, and localized breast amyloidosis was highly suspected. Lumpectomy was performed to make a definite diagnosis, and histological evaluations revealed that this patient had localized amyloidosis of the breast, and the deposited amyloid protein was of the amyloid light chain kappa type. CONCLUSIONS: Breast biopsy is necessary in order to avoid unnecessary surgical technique. A diagnosis should be achieved only through a histological evaluation. The main treatment of localized primary amyloidosis of the breast is surgical removal.

[The Combination Therapy of Gemcitabine Plus Paclitaxel Induced Complete Response in a Tongue Skin Brain Metastasis of Bladder Carcinoma: A Case Report].

Tongue, skin and brain metastases of bladder cancer are very rare and few cases have been reported. We report a case of tongue, skin and brain metastases of bladder cancer. A 61-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with gross hematuria. Transurethral resection of the bladder (TURBT), tongue biopsy and skin biopsy were performed. Pathological findings showed urothelial carcinoma, G2, micro papillary variant, pT2＞ and tongue and skin metastases from urothelial carcinoma of bladder. After three cycles of chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus paclitaxel), tongue and skin metastases disappeared. Cystoscopy revealed no tumor of bladder. Eleven months later, she was admitted to our hospital because of disturbance of consciousness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple brain metastases. Rechallenge of chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus paclitaxel) restored from disturbance of consciousness and MRI showed partial response of brain metastases. We performed six additional courses of chemotherapy. Skin, tongue and brain metastases from bladder cancer indicate poor risk. Chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus paclitaxel)could be effective against these matastases.

Short- and long-term outcomes of open inguinal hernia repair: comparison of the Prolene Hernia System and the Mesh Plug method.

PURPOSE: Tension-free mesh repair of adult inguinal hernias has become a standard procedure, but there have been few comparisons of the postoperative outcome after hernia repair using the Prolene Hernia System (PHS) vs. the Mesh Plug (MP) method in a large number of patients from a single institution. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients to investigate the short- and long-term outcomes of the different types of hernia repair. Late symptoms were evaluated by questionnaire. A total of 1,141 repairs performed from 1999 to 2008 (PHS in 957 and MP in 184 repairs) were evaluated. RESULTS: There were 93 early postoperative complications (8.2%). A subcutaneous hematoma was found more frequently after MP repair compared with after PHS repair (3.8 vs. 1.3%, P = 0.013). Seven hundred and ten patients (62.2%) could be followed up for more than 2 years. Recurrence was detected in 14 patients with PHS repair and two patients with MP repair (1.5 vs. 1.1%, P = 0.956). Wound infections occurred in three patients (0.3%) with PHS repair vs. none with MP repair (P > 0.999). Patients with PHS and MP repair showed no significant differences in the long-term wound pain. CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence and wound infection rates were similar after hernia repair using the PHS and MP methods. Patients undergoing PHS repair developed fewer subcutaneous hematomas. An older age (≥65 years) was a significant independent risk factor for recurrence.

Risk factors for incisional surgical site infections in elective surgery for colorectal cancer: focus on intraoperative meticulous wound management.

PURPOSE: An incisional surgical site infection (I-SSI) is a frequently observed complication following colorectal surgery. Intraoperative wound management is one of the most important factors that determine the incidence of postoperative I-SSI. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the methods used for intraoperative wound management on the incidence of I-SSI following elective surgery for colorectal cancer. METHODS: Between November 2009 and February 2011, the data of 1,980 consecutive patients who underwent elective colorectal resection for colorectal cancer were prospectively collected from 19 affiliated hospitals. The incidence of and risk factors for I-SSI were investigated. RESULTS: Overall, 233 I-SSIs were identified (11.7 %). Forty-two possible risk factors were analyzed. Using a multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors for I-SSI were identified to be a high body mass index, previous laparotomy, chronic liver disease, wound length, contaminated wound class, creation or closure of an ostomy, right hemicolectomy procedure, the suture material used for fascial closure and the incidence of organ/space SSI. CONCLUSION: To prevent I-SSI following elective colorectal surgery, it is crucial to avoid making large incisions and reduce fecal contamination whenever possible. A high quality randomized control trial is necessary to confirm the definitive intraoperative procedure(s) that can minimize the incidence of I-SSI.

Modified Sauvé-Kapandji procedure for rheumatoid wrists: a long-term study with a minimum follow-up of 5 years.

OBJECTIVES: We performed a modified Sauvé-Kapandji procedure for treating disorders of distal radioulnar joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This procedure involves resecting the distal part of the ulna, rotating the resected portion by 90° and fixating it with the distal part of the radius for shelf plasty. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical and radiographic outcomes of this procedure with more than 5 years' follow-up. METHODS: We studied 32 wrists of 27 RA patients with the mean follow-up of 93.1 months after operation. Pain, grip strength and range of motion of the wrist were examined clinically, while two indices for evaluation of ulnar and palmar translation of the carpus, carpal translation index and palmar carpal subluxation ratio were calculated on radiographs. RESULTS: The wrist pain reduced in all cases. Range of motion increased significantly regarding pronation and supination but decreased significantly regarding flexion. Change in grip power was not significant. No significant differences were recognized between radiographic indices, suggesting carpal alignment was maintained well throughout the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: We think this procedure could be applied for distal radioulnar joint disorders in RA patients with promising clinical as well as radiographic outcomes over a long period.

An increased relative eosinophil count as a predictive dynamic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: An increased relative eosinophil count (REC) has potential as a predictive biomarker for a beneficial clinical response and outcome to cancer immunotherapies. Therefore, the present study investigated the impact of an increased posttreatment REC on the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all 151 patients diagnosed with NSCLC and treated with ICI monotherapy and blood test data between March 2016 and August 2021 at National Hospital Organization Kochi Hospital and Tokushima University. RESULTS: A total of 151 patients with a mean age of 69 years were included. REC after 4 weeks of initial ICI monotherapy was higher than pretreatment REC in 87 patients but not in 64. REC after 4 weeks of the ICI treatment with and without an increased REC were 4.4 and 1.8%, respectively (p < 0.001). Disease control rates (DCR) were significantly higher in patients with than in those without an increased REC (84% vs. 47%, p < 0.001). The median overall survival (OS) of lung cancer patients with or without an increased REC were 674 and 234 days, respectively. A Kaplan-Meier univariate analysis revealed a significant difference in OS between the two groups (p < 0.001). A Cox proportional regression analysis identified an increased REC as an independent predictor of OS (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: ICI-treated NSCLC patients with an increased REC after 4 weeks of treatment had a better DCR and prognosis than the other patients examined.

Long-Term (>10 Years) clinical outcomes of first-in-human biodegradable poly-l-lactic acid coronary stents: Igaki-Tamai stents.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term safety of the Igaki-Tamai stent, the first-in-human fully biodegradable coronary stent made of poly-l-lactic acid. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between September 1998 and April 2000, 50 patients with 63 lesions were treated electively with 84 Igaki-Tamai stents. Overall clinical follow-up (>10 years) of major adverse cardiac events and rates of scaffold thrombosis was analyzed together with the results of angiography and intravascular ultrasound. Major adverse cardiac events included all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization/target vessel revascularization. During the overall clinical follow-up period (121 ± 17 months), 2 patients were lost to follow-up. There were 1 cardiac death, 6 noncardiac deaths, and 4 myocardial infarctions. Survival rates free of all-cause death, cardiac death, and major adverse cardiac events at 10 years were 87%, 98%, and 50%, respectively. The cumulative rates of target lesion revascularization (target vessel revascularization) were 16% (16%) at 1 year, 18% (22%) at 5 years, and 28% (38%) at 10 years. Two definite scaffold thromboses (1 subacute, 1 very late) were recorded. The latter case was related to a sirolimus-eluting stent, which was implanted for a lesion proximal to an Igaki-Tamai stent. From the analysis of intravascular ultrasound data, the stent struts mostly disappeared within 3 years. The external elastic membrane area and stent area did not change. CONCLUSION: Acceptable major adverse cardiac events and scaffold thrombosis rates without stent recoil and vessel remodeling suggested the long-term safety of the Igaki-Tamai stent.

Phase II trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 for colorectal liver metastasis.

BACKGROUND: This phase II trial was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 in patients with curatively resected liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. Results of an interim analysis of safety and short-term outcomes are reported. METHODS: Patients who underwent curative resection of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer received S-1 monotherapy (on days 1-28, followed by 14 days' rest, 8 cycles) as adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: Among 62 patients enrolled between October 2008 and August 2010, a total of 60 patients were eligible for analysis. The most frequent grade 3 or higher hematologic toxicity involved neutropenia in three patients (5.0 %). Nonhematologic toxicities of grade 3 or higher were fatigue in 6.7 % of patients. Grade 4 enteritis occurred in one patient, but resolved promptly after withdrawal of S-1 therapy. The completion rate of the eight scheduled cycles of chemotherapy was 58.3 %. The most common reasons for withdrawal of treatment was the detection of early relapse in 16 patients (64 %). When the 16 patients who had recurrence during adjuvant treatment were excluded from analysis, 79.5 % of the remaining 44 patients completed the scheduled treatment. Early recurrence within 1 year after curative liver resection occurred in 21 patients (35 %). The most common site was the remnant liver in 14 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Orally administered S-1 after curative liver resection has an acceptable toxicity profile and a high rate of completion of the therapy. S-1 can be safely used and might be a viable treatment option in an adjuvant setting.

Impalement injury to the left buttock with massive bleeding: a case report.

A 67-year-old man fell from the second floor of his home and was impaled on an iron pipe used for a garden stake. The pipe was 2 cm in diameter and had entered his left buttock to his anus. A plain abdominal X-ray film showed that the tip of the pipe was located in front of the 4th lumbar vertebra, so the penetration distance was 30 cm. An emergency operation was performed for hemorrhagic shock. Laparotomy revealed massive intra-abdominal bleeding, injuries of the sigmoid and transverse mesocolon, superior rectal artery, and the first part of the duodenum. Because of suspected lower rectal injury, division of the upper rectum, closure of the rectal stump, and sigmoidostomy were performed. Gauze packing into the pelvic cavity was performed for uncontrollable bleeding. All the gauze was postoperatively removed from the drain wound without laparotomy. Six months after the operation, he underwent a second operation including anastomosis of the descending colon and lower rectum, which allowed him to live a normal daily life.

Improvement of health status evaluated by Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2 (AIMS-2) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with tocilizumab.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the improvement of health status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tocilizumab. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients were treated with 8 mg/kg tocilizumab every 4 weeks for 24 weeks. Disease activity was assessed by Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI). Improvement of health status was assessed by Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2 (AIMS-2) and Short Form-36 (SF-36). RESULTS: Tocilizumab improved CDAI and SDAI significantly at week 4 compared with at baseline. In the components of AIMS-2, "physical score", "symptom" and "affect" improved significantly at week 4 compared with at baseline, while "social interaction" did not improve significantly during 24 weeks of tocilizumab therapy. Similarly in SF-36, "bodily pain", "general health", "vitality" and "mental health" improved significantly at week 4. The most correlative component of AIMS-2 with CDAI was "symptom", while "social interaction" did not correlate with CDAI during tocilizumab treatment. CONCLUSION: The time-course diversity in improvement of health status should be considered to provide proper healthcare when treated with tocilizumab.