Review of commercially available demineralized bone matrix products for spinal fusions: A selection paradigm.

BACKGROUND: Spinal fusions are commonly performed in the US each year for various spinal pathologies. There are multiple commercially available graft material options for these procedures, including an abundance of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) products. METHODS: This study reviews, clearly organizes, and puts forth meaningful information on select biological and physical properties of several commercially available DBM products. In addition, we provide an alternative classification method of DBM products by carrier. RESULTS: This review takes a closer look at the commercial and distributor practices of these products and companies in order to increase transparency between the consumer and source companies. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a novel patient-centered approach to DBM product selection. This requires prioritizing patient safety, product effectiveness, and product transparency. This review offers a practical paradigm to facilitate informed product choice for surgeons and hospital systems alike.

Detection of mutated K12-ras in histologically negative lymph nodes as an indicator of poor prognosis in stage II colorectal cancer.

Stage II colorectal carcinoma is characterized by negative lymph node pathology as determined by conventional microscopic examination. These patients generally do not receive adjuvant therapy although 20%-30% will die from metastatic disease. To determine whether K-ras mutations at codon 12 could be used as a sensitive indicator of occult lymph node metastasis in stage II colon carcinoma, a retrospective study was performed using restriction endonuclease-mediated selective polymerase chain reaction (REMS-PCR) amplification. Of 106 colonic tumors analyzed, 46 were identified as positive for a K12-ras mutation in the primary tumor. Multiple lymph node samples from 38 of these 46 patients were examined by a sensitive nested PCR protocol for the presence of a K12-ras mutation. Of these 38 patients, 14 had 1 or more positive lymph nodes by PCR (37%) and 24 were negative for the mutation (63%). Of the 14 patients with a K12-ras mutation detected in lymph nodes, 8 died of the disease within 5 years (57%) compared to only 4 of the 24 patients with ras-negative lymph nodes (17%). The difference in time to death from disease, stratified using K12-ras status of lymph nodes, was statistically significant (P = 0.036; log-rank test). These results suggest K-ras mutation status of lymph nodes in patients with stage II colon cancer might identify a subgroup of patients who are more likely to develop recurrent and/or metastatic disease and benefit from adjuvant therapy. Larger studies are indicated to determine whether detection of K-ras mutation positivity in histologically negative lymph nodes portends a poor prognosis and to determine whether more aggressive use of adjuvant therapy is warranted.

Temporal dermoid cyst with a partial dermal sinus tract.

BACKGROUND: Cranial dermal sinuses are rare and occur most frequently in the posterior fossa and along the midline. Likewise, supratentorial dermoid cysts are very uncommon. METHOD: We report a unique case of an adult female patient with both a supratentorial dermoid cyst and an incomplete dermal sinus tract. RESULTS: The patient is a 31-year-old female, who presented with a new onset complex partial seizure. Neuroimaging and surgery revealed a right superior temporal dermoid cyst with an associated dermal sinus tract. Furthermore, the dermal sinus tract was incomplete and had no cutaneous manifestations. CONCLUSION: We present a rare patient with an off midline supratentorial dermoid cyst associated with a uniquely incomplete cranial dermal sinus tract. The dermal sinus tract involved the bone, dura and intradural compartment, without involving the overlying skin. This represents a novel variant in the spectrum of cranial dermal sinus abnormalities.