AI: Can It Make a Difference to the Predictive Value of Ultrasound Breast Biopsy?

(1) Background: This study aims to compare the ground truth (pathology results) against the BI-RADS classification of images acquired while performing breast ultrasound diagnostic examinations that led to a biopsy and against the result of processing the same images through the AI algorithm KOIOS DS TM (KOIOS). (2) Methods: All results of biopsies performed with ultrasound guidance during 2019 were recovered from the pathology department. Readers selected the image which better represented the BI-RADS classification, confirmed correlation to the biopsied image, and submitted it to the KOIOS AI software. The results of the BI-RADS classification of the diagnostic study performed at our institution were set against the KOIOS classification and both were compared to the pathology reports. (3) Results: 403 cases were included in this study. Pathology rendered 197 malignant and 206 benign reports. Four biopsies on BI-RADS 0 and two images are included. Of fifty BI-RADS 3 cases biopsied, only seven rendered cancers. All but one had a positive or suspicious cytology; all were classified as suspicious by KOIOS. Using KOIOS, 17 B3 biopsies could have been avoided. Of 347 BI-RADS 4, 5, and 6 cases, 190 were malignant (54.7%). Because only KOIOS suspicious and probably malignant categories should be biopsied, 312 biopsies would have resulted in 187 malignant lesions (60%), but 10 cancers would have been missed. (4) Conclusions: KOIOS had a higher ratio of positive biopsies in this selected case study vis-à-vis the BI-RADS 4, 5 and 6 categories. A large number of biopsies in the BI-RADS 3 category could have been avoided.

How Frequently Benign Uterine Myomas Appear Suspicious for Sarcoma as Assessed by Transvaginal Ultrasound?

BACKGROUND: Uterine myomas may resemble uterine sarcomas in some cases. However, the rate of benign myomas appearing as sarcomas at an ultrasound examination is not known. The objective of this study is to determine the percentage of benign myomas that appear suspicious for uterine sarcoma on ultrasound examination. This is a prospective observational multicenter study (June 2019-December 2021) comprising a consecutive series of patients with histologically proven uterine myoma after hysterectomy or myomectomy who underwent transvaginal and/or transabdominal ultrasound prior to surgery. All ultrasound examinations were performed by expert examiners. MUSA criteria were used to describe the lesions (1). Suspicion of sarcoma was established when three or more sonographic features, described by Ludovisi et al. as "frequently seen in uterine sarcoma", were present (2). These features are no visible myometrium, irregular cystic areas, non-uniform echogenicity, irregular contour, "cooked" appearance, and a Doppler color score of 3-4. In addition, the examiners had to classify the lesion as suspicious based on her/his impression, independent of the number of features present. Eight hundred and ten women were included. The median maximum diameter of the myomas was 58.7 mm (range: 10.0-263.0 mm). Three hundred and forty-nine (43.1%) of the patients had more than one myoma. Using the criterion of >3 suspicious features, 40 (4.9%) of the myomas had suspicious appearance. By subjective impression, the examiners considered 40 (4.9%) cases suspicious. The cases were not exactly the same. We conclude that approximately 5% of benign uterine myomas may exhibit sonographic suspicion of sarcoma. Although it is a small percentage, it is not negligible.

"Are changes in breast density during the menstrual cycle relevant? To what?"

PURPOSE: Cancers can be hidden by high breast density (BDen)- the masking effect (ME). BDen is also a modifiable and highly prevalent breast cancer risk (BCR) factor. The purposes of this study were to determine how much glandular volume (GVol), breast volume (BVol) and their ratio: BDen change during the menstrual cycle, and if these changes could affect ME or be relevant to results of interventional studies aiming to diminish BCR using these parameters as surrogates. METHODS: We retrieved GVol, BVol and BDen data values obtained from 39,997 right mammograms performed with photon counting technique of 19,904 premenopausal women who reported their first day of last menses (FDLM). Many women had more than one study included over the years (with a different FDLM) but were not studied longitudinally. We segregated women by age (yearly), divided the menstrual cycle in 4 weeks, and assigned results with respect to the FDLM. RESULTS: All parameters vary cyclically, with higher values in week 4 (GVol and BDen) or week 1 (BVol). Mean inter-week differences were very small for the three parameters, and diminished with age. However, especially in the youngest women, inter-week differences could be more than 10% for BDen, 15% for GVol, and 50% for BVol. CONCLUSION: Small inter-week mean differences almost certainly rule out relevant changes to ME directly attributable to BDen. However, the possibility of large differences during the menstrual cycle in younger women, who are the ideal targets of interventional studies to diminish BCR, might distort results and should be accounted for.

Form of presentation, natural history and course of postoperative venous thromboembolism in patients operated on for pelvic and abdominal cancer. Analysis of the RIETE registry. / Forma de presentación, historia natural y evolución de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa postoperatoria en pacientes operados por cáncer abdominal y pélvico. Análisis del registro RIETE.

INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents a serious complication after oncologic surgery. Recent studies have shown that the risk of VTE persists several weeks after surgery. This study assesses the form of presentation and time course of VTE after abdominal and pelvic cancer surgery. METHODS: Prospective, multicenter, observational study that analyzes data from an international registry (RIETE) that includes consecutive patients with symptomatic VTE. Our study assesses the form and time of presentation of postoperative VTE, as well as main outcomes, in patients operated for abdominopelvic cancer 8 weeks prior to VTE diagnosis. Variables related to the presentation of VTE after hospital discharge are identified. RESULTS: Out of the 766 analyzed patients with VTE, 395 (52%) presented pulmonary embolism (PE). Most VTE cases (84%) were detected after the first postoperative week, and 38% after one month. Among patients with VTE in the first postoperative week, 70% presented PE. VTE presented after hospital discharge in 54% of cases. Colorectal, urologic, and gynecologic tumors, the use of radiotherapy, and blood hemoglobin levels were independently associated with VTE diagnosis after hospital discharge. Complications (thrombosis recurrence, bleeding, and death) occurred in 34% of patients with VTE detected before hospital discharge, compared to 24% in VTE after hospital discharge (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: VTE occurs after hospital discharge in most patients, particularly in those operated for colorectal, urologic, and gynecologic cancer. Pulmonary embolism is more frequent in patients who develop early VTE, who also have worse prognosis.

Uterine bleeding during anticoagulation in women with venous thromboembolism.

BACKGROUND: Women presenting with uterine bleeding during the course of anticoagulant therapy for venous thromboembolism (VTE) present a difficult therapeutic dilemma due to the absence of evidence-based recommendations. METHODS: We used the RIETE (Registro Informatizado Enfermedad TromboEmbólica) database to assess the clinical characteristics of women presenting with uterine bleeding during anticoagulation for VTE, its frequency, time course, management and 30-day outcomes. RESULTS: As of October 2016, 31,951 women with VTE were recruited in RIETE. During the course of anticoagulant therapy, 53 (0.17%) developed major uterine bleeding, 118 (0.37%) non-major uterine bleeding and 948 (2.97%) had major bleeding in other sites. Median time elapsed from VTE to bleeding was: 32, 71 and 22 days, respectively. Mean age was: 56±17, 52±20 and 75±14 years, respectively. Women with major uterine bleeding more likely had cancer (51%), anemia (72%), raised platelet count (19%) or recent major bleeding (11%) at VTE presentation than those in the other subgroups. During the first 30 days after bleeding, 17%, 1.7% and 31% of women died, respectively. Of 11 women with uterine bleeding who died, 9 (82%) had cancer, two (18%) died of bleeding and one (9.1%) died of pulmonary embolism after discontinuing anticoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine bleeding during the course of anticoagulation for VTE is not uncommon and mostly affects young women. Those with cancer, anaemia, raised platelet count or recent bleeding at baseline are at an increased risk for uterine bleeding during anticoagulation.

Clinical outcomes during anticoagulant therapy in fragile patients with venous thromboembolism.

BACKGROUND: Subgroup analyses from randomized trials suggested favorable results for the direct oral anticoagulants in fragile patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). The frequency and natural history of fragile patients with VTE have not been studied yet. OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes during the first 3 months of anticoagulation in fragile vs non-fragile patients with VTE. METHODS: Retrospective study using consecutive patients enrolled in the RIETE (Registro Informatizado Enfermedad TromboEmbolica) registry. Fragile patients were defined as those having age ≥75 years, creatinine clearance (CrCl) levels ≤50 mL/min, and/or body weight ≤50 kg. RESULTS: From January 2013 to October 2016, 15 079 patients were recruited. Of these, 6260 (42%) were fragile: 37% were aged ≥75 years, 20% had CrCl levels ≤50 mL/min, and 3.6% weighed ≤50 kg. During the first 3 months of anticoagulant therapy, fragile patients had a lower risk of VTE recurrences (0.78% vs 1.4%; adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.52; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.37-0.74) and a higher risk of major bleeding (2.6% vs 1.4%; adjusted OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.10-1.80), gastrointestinal bleeding (0.86% vs 0.35%; adjusted OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.16-2.92), haematoma (0.51% vs 0.07%; adjusted OR: 5.05; 95% CI: 2.05-12.4), all-cause death (9.2% vs 3.5%; adjusted OR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.75-2.33), or fatal PE (0.85% vs 0.35%; adjusted OR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.10-2.85) than the non-fragile. CONCLUSIONS: In real life, 42% of VTE patients were fragile. During anticoagulation, they had fewer VTE recurrences and more major bleeding events than the non-fragile.

Whipple's disease diagnosed during anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha treatment: two case reports and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Whipple's disease is a rare infectious disease caused by Tropheryma whipplei with protean clinical manifestations. This infection may mimic chronic inflammatory rheumatisms. CASE PRESENTATION: We report two cases of Whipple's disease diagnosed in the context of an inflammatory disease with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha failure. The first patient was a 58-year-old white man with psoriatic spondylarthritis, who was treated with adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, tocilizumab and golimumab. The second was a 73-year-old white man with rheumatoid arthritis, who received treatment with infliximab, then etanercept and rituximab. CONCLUSIONS: Whipple's disease should be suspected in all patients diagnosed with chronic inflammatory rheumatism, partially controlled or not controlled by treatment with tumor necrosis factor alpha blockers, whose condition worsens after treatment.

Characteristics and outcome in nonagenarians admitted in general internal medicine and other specialties.

UNLABELLED: To describe the characteristics of nonagenarians admitted to the surgical and medical divisions at a tertiary hospital and compare them with nonagenarians admitted to other hospital care services. METHODS: A retrospective study of all hospital discharge episodes via the registry of the Basic Minimum Data Set at the Hospital General Universitario de Alicante from January 2007 until December 2011. RESULTS: Of the 165,870 hospitalizations, 2461 (1.5%) were nonagenarians. The highest number of admitted nonagenarians was in the Division of General Internal Medicine (DGIM) (n=751), followed by the short stay unit (SSU) (n=633). The rate of nonagenarians per 100 admissions to the DGIM was 10.2, significantly higher than that of those admitted to the SSU (6.2) (p<0.001), the service of orthopedic and trauma surgery (2.2) (p<0.001), and other specialties. Females comprised 64.8% of the nonagenarians. Mortality was 17% for the nonagenarians admitted, while for those admitted to the DGIM it was 27.7%. Those hospitalized in the SSU had a lower risk of death during hospitalization (8.1%) (odds ratio [OR] 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16-0.32) and a greater risk of being admitted for diseases and disorders of the circulatory system (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.22-2.05), particularly for heart failure and shock (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.30-2.53), and being discharged with home hospitalization (OR: 8.05, 95% CI: 5.5-11.8). CONCLUSIONS: Nonagenarian patients represent a tenth of those admitted to the DGIM. The profile of nonagenarians admitted to the DGIM is different from other hospital services. Hospital mortality for nonagenarians admitted to the DGIM is high and superior to other hospital services.

[Acute liver failure in a patient with hairy cell leukemia]. / Fallo hepático agudo en un paciente con tricoleucemia.

Acute liver failure as a manifestation of primary non-Hodkin's lymphoma is a rare phenomenon with a fatal prognosis. Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is an uncommon chronic B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, representing about 2 percent of all leukemies. We report a 78-year-old patient with a history of hairy cell leukemia since 10 years, presenting whith fulminant liver failure due to massive liver infiltration. He have reviewed several cases of infiltration of the liver by haematological malignancies, but we only have found after a review in MEDLINE between 1980 and 2006, one case of acute liver failure in a patient with hepatic invasion by hairy cell leukaemia.