Mid-transverse Location in Primary Colon Tumor: A Poor Prognostic Factor?

BACKGROUND: The location of colonic tumors has been linked to different clinical and oncologic outcomes. Transverse colon cancers are generally included as right colon cancers. Furthermore, hepatic and splenic flexure tumors are usually included as components of the transverse colon. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at comparing the clinicopathologic characteristics and long-term outcomes between mid-transverse and right and left colon cancers and determining the prognostic impact of the primary tumor location in the mid-transverse colon. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study. SETTINGS: Two specialized colorectal centers were included. PATIENTS: Patients who underwent curative surgery for colon cancer were analyzed. Tumors located in the transverse colon, excluding the flexures, were defined as mid-transverse colon cancers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic characteristics, operative outcomes, pathologic results, and long-term outcomes were the primary outcome measures. RESULTS: Of the 487 patients, 41 (8.4%) had mid-transverse, 191 (39.2%) had right, and 255 (52.4%) had left colon cancers. For mid-transverse colon cancers, the mean length of hospital stay, mean length of the resected specimen, and the mean number of harvested lymph nodes were significantly higher. For patients with stage I to III cancer, the 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were significantly worse in the mid-transverse colon cancers than in the right and left colon cancers (overall survival: 55.5% vs 82.8% vs 85.9%, p = 0.004, and disease-free survival; 47.7% vs 72.4% vs 79.5%, p = 0.003). After adjustment for other clinicopathologic factors, mid-transverse colon cancers were significantly associated with a poor prognosis (HR = 2.19 [95% CI, 1.25-3.83]; p = 0.006). LIMITATIONS: Molecular and genetic information were unavailable in this retrospective study. CONCLUSIONS: In our case series, colon cancers located in the mid-transverse colon showed poorer prognosis than cancers in other locations. The impact of tumor location in the mid-transverse colon on prognosis, including molecular and genetic markers, should be investigated further in prospective studies. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B631. LOCALIZACIN TRANSVERSA MEDIA EN EL TUMOR DE COLON PRIMARIO UN FACTOR DE MAL PRONSTICO: ANTECEDENTES:La ubicación de los tumores de colon se ha relacionado con diferentes resultados clínicos y oncológicos. Los cánceres de colon transverso se incluyen generalmente como cánceres de colon derecho. Además, los tumores del ángulo hepático y esplénico suelen incluirse como un componente del colon transverso.OBJETIVO:Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar las características clínico-patológicas y los resultados a largo plazo entre los cánceres de colon transverso medio y derecho e izquierdo y determinar el impacto pronóstico de la ubicación del tumor primario en el colon transverso medio.DISEÑO:Este fue un estudio retrospectivo.AJUSTE ENTORNO CLINICO:Se incluyeron dos centros colorrectales especializados.PACIENTES:Se analizaron los pacientes que fueron sometidos a cirugía curativa por cáncer de colon. Los tumores ubicados en el colon transverso, excluidos los ángulos, se definieron como "cánceres de colon transverso medio".PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO VOLARACION:Las características demográficas, los resultados quirúrgicos, los resultados patológicos y los resultados a largo plazo fueron las principales medidas de resultado valoracion.RESULTADOS:De los 487 pacientes, 41 (8,4%) tenían cáncer de colon transverso medio, 191 (39,2%) derecho y 255 (52,4%) cáncer de colon izquierdo. Para los cánceres de colon transverso medio, la duración media de la estancia hospitalaria, la duración de la muestra resecada y el número medio de ganglios linfáticos extraídos fueron significativamente mayores. Para los pacientes en estadio I-III, las tasas de supervivencia general y sin enfermedad a 5 años fueron significativamente peores en los cánceres de colon transverso medio que en los cánceres de colon derecho e izquierdo (supervivencia general: 55,5% frente versus a 82,8% frente versus a 85,9%, p = 0,004 y supervivencia libre de enfermedad; 47,7% frente a 72,4% frente a 79,5%, p = 0,003, respectivamente). Después del ajuste por otros factores clínico-patológicos, los cánceres de colon transverso medio se asociaron significativamente con un pronóstico desfavorable (Razón de riesgo: 2,19; intervalo de confianza del 95%: 1,25-3,83; p = 0,006).LIMITACIONES:La información molecular y genética no estuvo disponible en este estudio retrospectivo.CONCLUSIONES:En nuestra serie de casos, los cánceres de colon localizados en el colon transverso medio mostraron un peor pronóstico que los cánceres en otras localizaciones. El impacto de la ubicación del tumor en el colon transverso medio sobre el pronóstico, incluidos los marcadores moleculares y genéticos, debe investigarse más a fondo en estudios prospectivos. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B631. (Traducción-Dr Adrián Ortega).

Vertical Versus Pfannenstiel Incision-Modified Stoppa Approach in the Treatment of Acetabular Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to compare the patient and fracture characteristics, radiological, functional, and quality of life outcomes; the need for a lateral window approach and requirement of total hip arthroplasty; and complications in patients with simple and complex acetabular fractures who underwent a modified Stoppa approach through vertical and Pfannenstiel incisions. DESIGN: This was a retrospective comparison study. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Patients with acetabular fractures (A-O-/-O-T-A type 62A-B-C) treated with vertical (group V) or Pfannenstiel (group P) incision-modified Stoppa approach between 2010 and 2020 were included. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: Patient characteristics, radiological evaluations (reduction quality and posttraumatic osteoarthritis), patient functional outcomes [12-item Short-Form Survey (SF-12) physical component score, SF-12 mental component score, Harris Hip Score, and Merle d'Aubigné-Postel], approach modifications and stratification by fracture type and complications were compared between those treated with vertical or Pfannenstiel incisions. RESULTS: One hundred four patients (mean age of 38.5 ± 14.3 years) were included. There was no significant difference between the Pfannenstiel or vertical groups regarding patient and fracture characteristics (P = 0.137), postoperative reduction quality (P = 0.130), or the mean functional and quality of life outcome scores at the last follow-up (P = 0.483 for the Harris Hip Score, P = 0.717 for the Merle d'Aubigné-Postel score, P = 0.682 for the SF-12 physical component score, and P = 0.781 for the SF-12 mental component score). In group P, significantly more patients needed additional lateral incisions (40.8% vs. 10.9%; P 0.001) and total hip replacement procedures (12.2% vs. 1.8%; P = 0.049). The total, early, and late complication rates were significantly higher in group P (P 0.001, P = 0.034, and P = 0.049, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Pfannenstiel incision was associated with higher complication rates than vertical incision in acetabular fractures treated through a modified Stoppa approach. Fracture complexity is associated with the need for a lateral window approach and total hip arthroplasty, as well as a worse functional and radiological outcome regardless of incision type. However, it was not associated with the development of intraoperative or postoperative complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Infliximab-induced discoid lupus erythematosus.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) immunotherapy is currently used in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn's disease. Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds to transmembrane-bound and soluble TNF-α. Previously, a discoid lupus erythematosus-like eruption linked to its use was rarely reported in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We present a case of rheumatoid arthritis which developed such an eruption after treatment with infliximab. The lesions resolved after the discontinuation of infliximab. In the present case, the clinical, serological and immunohistochemical features of our patient are discussed with the literature.

Comparison of Oxiplex and Gore-Tex effectivity in an experimental peridural fibrosis model.

OBJECTIVE: The authors conducted a study to compare the effectiveness of Oxiplex and Gore-tex in preventing postlaminectomy peridural fibrosis in rats. Peridural fibrosis is a common cause of pain in patients undergoing spinal surgery. To prevent scar formation numerous materials and methods have been employed such as non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Gelfoam, Oxiplex, Gore-tex, carboxymethil cellulose, Adcon-L, autogenous adipose grefting, mitomisin, and radiotherapy have been investigating for a long time, but only moderate success has been obtained. METHODS: Laminectomies were performed at the fourth lumbar vertebra (L-4) in 30 rats. Oxiplex or Gore-Tex was applied over the dura mater with the aim to perform a blinded evaluation of their effects. In the control group, only a L-4 laminectomy was performed. Animals were sacrificed 28 days after the surgical procedure. The extent of peridural fibrosis was evaluated on spine specimens by histological analysis. RESULTS: Both groups of animals treated with either Oxiplex or Gore-Tex showed a significant reduction in the degree of peridural fibrosis as compared to the control group. However no significant difference in the prevention of peridural fibrosis was observed between the Oxiplex and Gore-Tex groups. CONCLUSIONS: This experimental model has shown that Oxiplex and Gore-Tex are effective methods to prevent peridural fibrosis and dural adhesions at the postlaminectomy areas.

A cystic amelanotic melanoma metastasis to the brain: case report.

As far as we know, cyst formation in intracranial melanoma is rare, and only 15 cases of intracranial amelanotic melanoma have been reported until now. A yellowish mass was observed in the frontal lobe. The content of the cyst consisted of old hematoma, xanthochromic fluid and necrotic tissue, was evacuated and the cyst wall was totally resected. No abnormal pigmentation was noted in the cyst wall and surrounding brain tissue. The imaging features of metastatic melanomas are distinctive due to the presence of melanin and the propensity for hemorrhage. Both hemorrhage and melanin can produce T1-weighted hyperintensity and T2-weighted signal intensity loss.

Correlation of 18F-FDG PET/CT with pathological features and survival in primary breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the primary tumor (PT) maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and breast cancer prognostic factors, overall survival, and relapse-free survival on the basis of histopathological and molecular characteristics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, 436 female patients with breast cancer were evaluated following a pretreatment F-FDG PET/CT scan. The PT SUVmax and histopathological/molecular characteristics were determined from primary tumor tissues and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: The median SUVmax of 436 PT was 10.1 (1.7-72). The PT SUVmax values were higher in ER- versus ER+ (P=0.001), PR- versus PR+ (P=0.001), Her2+ versus Her2- (P=0.01), Ki-67% of at least 20 versus Ki-67% of less than 20 (P<0.001), histological grade 3 versus grade 1-2 (P<0.001), nuclear pleomorphism score 3 versus score 1-2 (P<0.001), and mitotic score 3 versus score 1-2 patients (P<0.001). The lowest SUVmax levels were observed in the LumA group and the highest SUVmax levels were observed in the Her2 group (P<0.001). LumA patients with PR values greater than 20% had lower PT SUVmax values than the patients with PR values of 20% or less (P=0.023). The PT SUVmax was higher in patients with recurrence (P=0.03) and died related to disease (P<0.001) independent of time. CONCLUSION: The PT SUVmax showed a significant correlation with most of the prognostic factors and histopathological subtypes as a noninvasive tool. It is also usable in the prediction of tumor-related deaths or relapse independent of time. Our results could guide future studies to provide new histopathologic subtype definitions on the basis of new PR criteria.

Does the third cervical vertebra need to be rimmed for odontoid screwing? A hypothetical study of anatomic landmarks.

BACKGROUND: The superoanterior portion of the third cervical vertebra may need to be rimmed during anterior odontoid screw fixation procedures. We, therefore, retrospectively evaluated radiological data to analyze the anatomical relation between the second and third cervical vertebra of the patients who were operated by an anterior cervical approach with respect to the question if odontoid screw fixation would have been possible without rimming or not. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients in whom the anterior approach for cervical disc prolapse and/or cervical stenosis was used between 2008 and 2010 were included in this study. The odontoid screw angle, and the angle between the lower second and the upper third cervical vertebral endplate were measured on intraoperative cervical lateral radiographs. If the screw line passed through the superior anterior portion of the third vertebral body, it was determined that the third cervical vertebra would have been needed to be rimmed if odontoid screwing would have been planned. RESULTS: 100 patients were included. There were 50 males and 50 females with a mean age of 47.9 years (mean ± SD: 47.9 ± 12.6 years). The mean odontoid screw angle, and the angle between the lower second and the upper third cervical vertebral endplate were 65.61° ± 3.75° and 15.24° ± 4.85° (nonparallel vertebral endplates only), respectively. The odontoid screw angle, in which the third cervical vertebra would not have been needed to be rimmed, was 63.87° ± 2.84°. In addition, the odontoid screw angle in which the third cervical vertebra would have been needed to be rimmed was 67.28° ± 3.77°. CONCLUSION: The odontoid screw angle may be easily measured on lateral radiographs. In cases in which the odontoid screw angle is 67.28° ± 3.77° or higher, the superoanterior portion of the third cervical vertebra would be needed to be rimmed for proper screw fixation of odontoid fractures.