Implementation of a patient safety training program in radiation oncology residency: A pilot study.

PURPOSE: An educational program using Radiation Oncology-Incident Learning System (RO-ILS) was developed to improve safety culture and training for radiation oncology (RO) residents. METHODS: The program included a pre-training assessment, interactive training, integration of residents into quality assurance meetings, and a post-training assessment over a 3 month rotation. RESULTS: Twelve residents completed the safety training program. Pre-training assessment mean scores (five-point scale) of experience with Incident Learning Systems (ILS), root-cause analysis (RCA), failure-mode and effect analysis (FMEA), safety training, and culture were 2.3, 2.8, 2.0, 4.0, and 4.4, respectively. Post-training assessment showed a significant increase in ILS 4.0 (p < 0.001), RCA 3.8 (p = 0.008), and FMEA 3.3 (p = 0.006) and safety culture (4.8, p = 0.043). Additionally, residents were anonymously surveyed ≥ 10 months after graduation to determine the long-term value of the program. The overall assessment from the graduated residents indicates that this education is valued by RO in many institutions. The majority of the residents are either currently utilizing or plan to utilize the information gained in this program in their new institutions. CONCLUSIONS: We report a successful implementation of a safety training program in a RO residency with significant improvements in self-reported confidence with the concepts of ILS, RCA, and FMEA and an improved perception of safety culture. This program can be implemented across all residency programs.

Effect of perioperative lignocaine infusion on postoperative pain relief for laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair: A randomized controlled study.

INTRODUCTION: The focus on enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and opioid-free anesthesia has renewed interest in use of lignocaine. We evaluated postoperative pain relief following intravenous (IV) lignocaine administration in patients undergoing laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair (IPOM). METHODS: Seventy patients were randomized into two groups. Group L patients were administered IV lignocaine infusion (1.5 mg/kg) at induction of anesthesia followed by infusion (1.5 mg/kg/h), until 1 hour in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Group P patients received equal volumes of normal saline IV infusion. We recorded hemodynamics, perioperative analgesic consumption, postoperative visual analog scores (VAS), incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), bowel function, patient satisfaction and length of hospital stay (LOS). RESULTS: The hemodynamics in both groups were maintained. Group L had lower VAS scores as compared to Group P (P < .05). Intraoperative fentanyl consumption in Group L was significantly less than Group P (P = .029). Group L patients scored lower on the Likert scale in comparison to the patients of Group P at 0 hour (P = .013). Recovery of bowel function as assessed by time to pass first flatus was significantly shortened by IV lignocaine (P = .001). The perioperative administration of IV lignocaine resulted in decreased postoperative analgesic requirement and greater patient satisfaction scores. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative IV lignocaine infusion provided good pain relief, hemodynamic stability and decreased perioperative analgesic consumption. PONV incidence decreased along with an early return of bowel function, reduced LOS and improved patient satisfaction in patients undergoing laparoscopic IPOM surgery.

Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma with Unusual Radioiodine-Refractory Breast Metastasis Mimicking Primary Breast Malignancy.

The breast is an unusual site for metastasis from malignant tumors, although it may be the first manifestation of an extramammary primary malignancy typically arising in the lung, skin (melanoma), ovary, or lymph nodes (lymphoma). Breast metastasis from thyroid carcinoma is extremely rare and may take years to develop, as differentiated thyroid carcinoma is usually indolent and slow-growing and metastasizes to the lymph nodes, lungs, and bones. Here, we present the case of a middle-aged woman (after subtotal thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter 24 y previously) showing discordant 18F-FDG and iodine avidity in proven metastatic disease involving the lymph nodes, bones, spleen, and breast on whole-body 131I and 18F-FDG scans due to tumor heterogeneity.

Outcomes After Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy as a Bridging Modality to Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma awaiting liver transplantation (LT), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has emerged as a bridging treatment to ensure patients maintain priority status and eligibility per Milan criteria. In this study, we aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of SBRT in such situations. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of the outcomes of 27 patients treated with SBRT who were listed for LT at 1 institution. Among these, 20 patients with 26 tumors went on to LT and were the focus of this study. Operative reports and postoperative charts were evaluated for potential radiation-related complications. The explant pathology findings were correlated with equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions and tumor size. RESULTS: Median pretreatment tumor size was 3.05 cm. Median total dose of radiation was 50 Gy delivered in 5 fractions. Pathologic complete response (pCR) was achieved in 16 tumors (62%). Median interval from end of SBRT to transplant was 287 days. Of the 21 tumors imaged before transplant, 16 or 76% demonstrated a clinical complete response based on modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria. There was no significant correlation between pCR rate and increasing tumor size (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.595-1.53) or pCR rate and equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (OR, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 0.984-1.07.) No patients experienced radiation-related operative or postoperative complications. Of the 27 patients who were listed for transplant, the dropout rate was 22%. Two of the 5 patients with Child-Pugh score 10 died of liver failure. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that SBRT as a bridging modality is a feasible option, with a pCR rate comparable to that of other bridging modalities and no additional radiation-related operative or postoperative complications. There was no dose dependence nor size dependence for pCR rate, which may indicate that for the tumor sizes in this study, the radiation doses delivered were sufficiently high.

Non infective bullous lesions: a diagnostic challenge in a minimally equipped centre- based solely on microscopic findings.

Vesicobullous lesions of skin may occur in different forms of dermatosis, which include various inflammatory, infective, autoimmune, drug induced as well as genetic conditions. Autoimmune bullous lesions, may be fatal if not treated with appropriate agents. Bearing in mind, the morbidity of these diseases, it is important to establish a firm diagnosis. A diagnostic skin biopsy with immunofluorescence is frequently used to confirm a clinical diagnosis, especially where it is not apparent clinically. There are many centres in India where immunofluorescence is not available and the diagnosis in these lesions is based on clinical and histopathological features only. Here in this study, we studied 53 skin punch biopsies with clinical suspicion of vesicobullous lesions followed by histopathological examination was carried out over a period of 2 years in a Medical College in Gujarat. Lesions were categorised based on the location of the blister. 1) Suprabasal 2) subcorneal 3) and subepidermal. Further subtyping was done based on additional histopathological features and clinical correlation. All the patients responded appropriately to the treatment and the results correlated well with the immunofluorescence done in a few cases. This study lays emphasis upon the histopathology and clinical features keeping in consideration of the lack of ancillary techniques in many centres especially in the developing world.

Proliferation Marker (Ki67) in Sub-Categorization of Neuroendocrine Tumours of the Lung.

OBJECTIVE: The 2015 WHO classification classifies neuroendocrine tumours (NET) of the lung into typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and small cell carcinoma based on morphology alone. Mitosis is the major parameter for this classification, and thus several studies have focused on the role of Ki67 in these tumours but without conclusive results. The aim of the study was to categorize neuroendocrine tumours of the lung based on morphology and to assess the utility of Ki67 in diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study included 42 cases (23 biopsies and 19 lobectomy specimens) of neuroendocrine tumours (excluding small cell carcinoma). Haematoxylin & eosin stained sections, immunohistochemistry for neuroendocrine markers and Ki67 were studied. RESULTS: Based on WHO criteria, cases were classified as typical carcinoids (83.3%), atypical carcinoids (12%) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (4.7%). The Ki67 index ranged between 1%-10% (mean 2.6%), 10%-30% (mean 19%), 35%-50% (mean 42.5%) in typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma respectively. Using the ROC curve, the cut off value of Ki67 for typical and atypical carcinoids was 7.5% (P value < 0.001), and for atypical carcinoid/large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma was 32.5% (P value=0.051). On comparing the size and infiltration pattern (both local and lymphovascular invasion) of tumours in resected specimens, there was no association with the proliferation index (P value > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Morphological features are the gold standard for subtyping of neuroendocrine tumours. Ki-67 is a potentially meaningful marker for sub-categorization of lung NETs, especially in small biopsies. However, the size and infiltrative pattern of the tumours are independent of the proliferation index.

Immunohistochemistry: sole tool in diagnosing a rare case of primary vaginal amelanotic melanoma.

We report a rare case of vaginal amelanotic melanoma. Malignant melanomas are cutaneous and extracutaneous tumors that arise from embryological remnants of neural crest cells/melanocytes. Amelanotic melanomas at such rare locations can be misdiagnosed both clinically and radiologically. Therefore, histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry are mandatory for the diagnosis of these tumors. We diagnosed this case using histopathology and confirmed the diagnosis based on the presence of immunohistochemical markers human melanoma black 45 (HMB45) and S-100.

Late complications of radiation therapy for breast cancer: evolution in techniques and risk over time.

Radiation therapy in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, and endocrine therapy as indicated, has led to excellent local and distant control of early stage breast cancers. With the majority of these patients surviving long term, mitigating the probability and severity of late toxicities is vital. Radiation to the breast, with or without additional fields for nodal coverage, has the potential to negatively impact long term cosmetic outcome of the treated breast as well as cause rare, but severe, complications due to incidental dosage to the heart, lungs and contralateral breast. The long-term clinical side-effects of breast radiation have been studied extensively. This review aims to discuss the risk of developing late complications following breast radiation and how modern techniques can be used to diminish these risks.

Utility of Cytokeratin7 Immunocytochemistry in the Cytopathological Diagnosis of Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To distinguish fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FL-HCC) variant from the conventional hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by cytology, immunocytochemistry, and morphometry. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective detailed cytomorphological, immunocytochemical, and morphometric analysis was performed in 6 cases of FL-HCC reported on fine needle aspiration. Cell block immunocytochemistry (CB-ICC) for CK7 and CD68 was performed in four cases. Morphometry was carried out with Cell A software. Area of the cell, nucleus and nucleolus was measured in 50 nuclei per case in 6 cases each of FL-HCC and HCC. RESULTS: The mean age of patients with FL-HCC was 19 years and all had normal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels. Fine needle aspiration smears showed large polygonal cells with abundant cytoplasm, vesicular nucleus and prominent nucleolus, associated with variably cellular fibrous stromal fragments. Intranuclear inclusions, cytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions, and bile were also noted. FL-HCC showed strong membrano-cytoplasmic CK7 positivity and cytoplasmic granular and canalicular positivity for CD68. In contrast, HCC showed weak focal positivity for CK7 and only canalicular CD68 positivity. Morphometry revealed that FL-HCC cells were 2.19 times the size of HCC. CONCLUSION: CK7 immunocytochemistry on cell blocks is useful for confirming and distinguishing it from HCC.

The chemotherapy response score is a useful histological predictor of prognosis in high-grade serous carcinoma.

AIMS: High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is the most common tubal/ovarian malignant tumour, and usually presents at an advanced stage. Interval debulking surgery (IDS) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is being increasingly used for the management of these patients. The chemotherapy response score (CRS) has been proposed for grading the response of tubo-ovarian HGSC to NACT on the basis of examination of IDS specimens. Our aims were to evaluate the CRS in post-NACT cases, assess the interobserver agreement, and correlate it with overall and progression-free survival. METHODS AND RESULTS: The CRS was applied by two independent pathologists on omental and adnexal tumour tissue sections from post-NACT patients with HGSC who had undergone IDS. The assigned primary site of tumour origin was documented. The interobserver agreement and prognostic significance of the CRS were evaluated. There were 103 cases, and in 61.1% of cases a fallopian tubal origin was confirmed. There were 26, 35 and 42 cases with CRSs of 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The interobserver variability for CRS was low (κ = 0.806). The CRS showed a significant correlation with progression-free survival (CRS 1 and 2 versus 3: median survival 16 months versus 18 months; P = 0.004); however, after controlling for debulking status, this association was not significant. The CRS applied to adnexal sections did not show any prognostic significance for either progression-free or overall survival. CONCLUSION: The CRS is an easy and reproducible method for predicting the prognosis in post-NACT HGSC patients.

Systemic cryptococcosis in an immune-competent child.

Crytococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast that frequently affects immune-compromised patients, although increasingly being detected in the immune-competent host as well. We report a case of disseminated cryptococcosis in a young child in whom no immune deficiency was yet identified. A 4-year-old child presented with high-grade fever, intermittent abdominal pain and generalized skin eruptions for the past two months. He had pallor, firm lymphadenopathy, skin lesions with scarring and firm hepatosplenomegaly. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain and bone-marrow aspiration were normal. Fine-needle-aspiration-cytology of cervical lymph nodes demonstrated Cryptococcus. Serum latex-agglutination test showed a positive titer (1:256). Cryptococcus culture was sterile. The patient received intravenous liposomal amphotericin-B and oral flucytosine for 8 weeks followed by oral fluconazole. Disseminated cryptococcosis with involvement of reticuloendothelial and dermatological systems is rare. Early diagnosis and timely management of associated complications would be life saving.

Unilateral Gynaecomastia in a Young Man with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Male reproductive issues are frequently overlooked in patients of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) on imatinib therapy. Current article describes a young man with CML on imatinib mesylate since 13 years who presented to us with painful left sided breast swelling. Mammography and fine needle aspiration cytology confirmed the diagnosis of gynaecomastia and hormone profile revealed low testosterone levels. Gynaecomastia was attributed to imatinib related hypogonadism. Gynaecomastia improved after hormone replacement therapy. Need for long term monitoring of reproductive hormones in patients of CML on imatinib therapy is emphasized in this report.

Unusual clinical presentation of spinal echinococcal cyst imitating a malignant tumour.

Spinal echinococcal cyst is very uncommon and may have variable clinical presentations. We describe an exceptional case of intradural and extramedullary spinal echinococcal cyst, misguided as a spinal tumour on radiological examination and was diagnosed as echinococcal cyst on fine needle aspiration biopsy smears and subsequently on histopathological examination.

Vertebral Osteomyelitis and Acinetobacter Spp. Paravertebral Soft Tissue Infection in a 4-Year-Old Boy With X-Linked Chronic Granulomatous Disease.

Vertebral osteomyelitis is known to occur in chronic granulomatous disease, a phagocytic disorder and the etiology is usually a fungus. Indolent spread of fungal infection from lungs to adjacent ribs and vertebra often results in persistent pneumonia and vertebral deformities. We report a 4-year-old boy with chronic cough and kyphosis, who had a fungal vertebral osteomyelitis and Acinetobacter spp. paravertebral soft tissue infection related to X-linked chronic granulomatous disease.

Lipid-Rich Carcinoma of the Breast With Unusual Clinical and Histopathological Features.

Lipid-rich carcinoma of the breast is a rare form of invasive breast carcinoma of special type. Most cases are grade 3, hormone receptor negative, and associated with aggressive clinical behavior. We report an unusual case of lipid-rich carcinoma with morphological and immunophenotypical features different from those of cases reported so far in the literature. The index case underscores the fact that there is no consensus with regard to the exact nature of this tumor. Hence, larger studies are needed to draw meaningful conclusions.