Is transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma really more challenging? A propensity score-matched analysis.

PURPOSE: Minimally invasive surgery is the gold standard treatment for adrenal masses, but it may be a challenging procedure in the case of pheochromocytoma (PHEO). The aim of the present study is to report the results of transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (TLA) in cases of PHEO in comparison to other types of adrenal lesions. METHODS: From 1994 to 2021, 629 patients underwent adrenalectomy. Twenty-two and thirty-five patients, respectively, were excluded because they underwent bilateral and open adrenalectomy, leaving 572 patients for inclusion. Of these, 114 patients had PHEO (Group A), and 458 had other types of lesions (Group B). To adjust for potential baseline confounders, a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was conducted. RESULTS: After PSM, 114 matched pairs of patients were identified from each group. Statistically significant differences were not observed when comparing the median operative time (85 and 90 min in Groups A and B, respectively, p = 0.627), conversion rate [6 (5.3%) in each group, p = 1.000], transfusion rate [4 (3.5%) and 3 (2.6%) in Groups A and B, respectively, p = 1.000], complication rate [7 (6.1%) and 9 (7.9%) in Groups A and B, respectively, p = 0.796), median postoperative hospital stay (3.9 and 3.6 days in Groups A and B, respectively, p = 0.110), and mortality rate [1 (0.9%) in each group, p = 1.000]. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this analysis, the results of TLA for PHEO are equivalent to those of TLA for other types of adrenal lesions, but the fundamental requirements are multidisciplinary patient management and adequate surgeon experience. Further prospective studies are required to draw definitive conclusions.

First-line avelumab for patients with PD-L1-positive metastatic or locally advanced urothelial cancer who are unfit for cisplatin.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is the most recommended treatment for metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC). However, about 50% of patients are considered to be cisplatin ineligible. Anti-programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapies have, nevertheless, increased the options available to clinicians and are especially valuable for treating these patients. This study therefore tested the activity and safety of avelumab as first-line therapy for mUC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with mUC who were ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy were screened centrally for PD-L1 expression and only those with a tumour proportion score ≥ 5% were enrolled in the trial. The primary endpoint was 1-year overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints were median OS, median progression-free survival, overall response rate, duration of the response, safety and tolerability. All the survival rates were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier product-limit methodology and compared across groups using the log-rank test. RESULTS: A total of 198 patients were screened, with 71 (35.9%) whose PD-L1 expression was ≥5% enrolled in the study. The median age was 75 years, bladder cancer was the primary tumour in 73.2% of cases and 25.3% had liver metastases. The main reasons for the cisplatin ineligibility were a low rate of creatinine clearance (<60 ml/min), present in 70.4% of patients, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2, which affected 31%. The median OS was 10.0 months (95% confidence interval 5.5-14.5 months) and 43% of patients were alive at 1 year. A complete response was achieved in 8.5% of cases, and 15.5% had a partial response. Adverse any-grade and high-grade events occurred in 49.3% and 8.5% of patients, respectively. A grade 3 infusion reaction was the only high-grade treatment-related adverse event. No treatment-related deaths were reported. CONCLUSIONS: This ARIES trial confirmed the activity and safety of avelumab for treating mUC, adding a new therapy option to the armamentarium of checkpoint inhibitors already approved for platinum-ineligible, locally advanced/mUC.

Real-time ultrasound virtual navigation in 3D PET/CT volumes for superficial lymph-node evaluation: innovative fusion examination.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and clinical application of fusion imaging with virtual navigation, combining 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18 F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with real-time ultrasound imaging, in assessing superficial lymph nodes in breast-cancer and gynecological-cancer patients. METHODS: This was a pilot study of breast- and gynecological-cancer patients with abnormal uptake of 18 F-FDG by axillary or groin lymph nodes on PET/CT scan, examined at our institution between January 2017 and May 2019. Fusion imaging was performed, uploading preacquired PET/CT DICOM images onto the ultrasound machine and synchronizing them with real-time ultrasound scanning performed at the lymph-node site. In the first phase, we assessed the feasibility and reliability of fusion imaging in a series of 10 patients with suspicious lymph nodes on both PET/CT and ultrasound, and with full correspondence between both techniques in terms of size, shape and morphology of the lymph nodes (Group A). In the second phase, we included 20 patients with non-corresponding findings between PET/CT and ultrasound: 10 patients with lymph nodes that were suspicious or pathological on PET/CT scan but not suspicious on ultrasound assessment (Group B), and 10 patients with suspicious or pathological lymph nodes on both PET/CT and ultrasound but with no correspondence between the two techniques in terms of number of affected lymph nodes (Group C). RESULTS: In the 30 selected patients, fusion imaging was assessed at 30 lymph-node sites (22 inguinal and eight axillary nodes). In the first phase (Group A), the fusion technique was shown to be feasible in all 10 lymph-node sites evaluated. In the second phase, fusion imaging was completed successfully in nine of 10 cases in Group B and in all 10 cases in Group C. In all groups, fusion imaging was able to identify the target lymph node, guiding the examiner to perform a core-needle aspiration biopsy or to inject radiotracer for selective surgical nodal excision, according to the radio-guided occult lesion localization technique. CONCLUSION: Fusion imaging with virtual navigation, combining PET/CT and real-time ultrasound imaging, is technically feasible and able to detect target lymph nodes even when PET/CT and ultrasound findings are inconsistent. Fusion imaging can also be used to guide the performance of core-needle aspiration biopsy, avoiding further surgical diagnostic procedures, or the injection of radiotracer for selective surgical nodal excision, enabling more sparing, selective surgery. This innovative technique could open up multiple diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities in breast and gynecological oncology. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Thyroid dysfunction in COVID-19 patients.

PURPOSE: "Non thyroidal illness syndrome" (NTIS) or "euthyroid sick syndrome" (ESS) is a possible biochemical finding in euthyroid patients with severe diseases. It is characterized by a reduction of serum T3 (fT3), sometimes followed by reduction of serum T4 (fT4). The relationship between thyroid hormones levels and mortality is well known and different studies showed a direct association between NTIS and mortality. The sudden spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV 2) infection (COVID-19) and its high mortality become a world healthcare problem. Our aim in this paper was to investigate if patients affected by COVID-19 presented NTIS and the relationship between thyroid function and severity of this infection. METHODS: We evaluated the thyroid function in two different groups of consecutive patients affected by COVID-19 with respect to a control group of euthyroid patients. Group A included patients hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia while patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) for acute respiratory syndrome formed the group B. Group C identified the control group of euthyroid patients. RESULTS: Patients from group A and group B showed a statistically significant reduction in fT3 and TSH compared to group C. In group B, compared to group A, a further statistically significant reduction of fT3 and TSH was found. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 in-patients can present NTIS. FT3 and TSH serum levels are lower in patients with more severe symptoms.

ALK gene copy number gains in non-small-cell lung cancer: prognostic impact and clinico-pathological correlations.

BACKGROUND: The correlation between ALK gene copy number gain (ALK-CNG) and prognosis in the context of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a controversial issue. This study aimed to evaluate the association among ALK-CNG according to Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH), clinical characteristics and survival in resectable and advanced NSCLC. METHODS: Clinical and pathological data of patients with resectable and advanced NSCLC were retrospectively collected. Tumor tissues were analyzed for ALK-CNG by FISH, and patients were divided in 3 groups/patterns on the basis of ALK signals: disomic [Pattern A], 3-7 signals [Pattern B], >7 signals [Pattern C]. The association between clinical and pathological features and ALK-CNG patterns was evaluated. Disease/progression-free and overall survival (DFS/PFS and OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meyer method. RESULTS: A number of 128 (76.6 %) out of the 167 eligible patients were evaluable for ALK-CNG, displaying pattern A, B and C in 71 (42.5 %), 42 (25.1 %) and 15 (9 %) patients, respectively. Gains in ALK-CNG appear to be more frequent in smokers/former smokers than in non-smokers (74.2 % versus 20.4 %, respectively, p = 0.03). Pattern A and C seem more frequently associated with higher T-stage (T3-4), while pattern B appears more represented in lower T-stage (T 1-2) (p = 0.06). No significant differences in survival rate were observed among the above groups. CONCLUSIONS: A high ALK-CNG pattern might be associated with smoking status and theoretically it might mirror genomic instability. The implications for prognosis should be prospectively investigated and validated in larger patients' series. TRIAL REGISTRATION: We confirm that all the study was performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations and that all the protocol (part of a larger project MFAG 2013 N.14282) was approved by the local Ethics Committee of the Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona on November 11st, 2014.

Appropriateness of knee MRI prescriptions: clinical, economic and technical issues.

OBJECTIVES: Many studies show that a large portion of medical prescriptions for diagnostic examinations may be not useful for patient's management or unnecessary. Rapid technological advancement has made it possible for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to be increasingly used all over the world, particularly for musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the appropriateness of the knee MRI prescriptions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A panel of experts found standard clinical practice guidelines in the management of knee disorders. Secondly, the finalized set of guidelines chosen was compared with the data of 400 patients who underwent previous knee MRIs, which were then reported in a specific questionnaire prepared by the authors. The rate of appropriateness of knee MRI prescriptions was then calculated. RESULTS: Almost 21% of prescriptions were totally inappropriate, 18.8% were uncertain, and 60.2% could be considered totally appropriate. The most frequent prescription indication was for meniscal disorders that account for 26.8% of the total indications. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that approximately 40% of the total prescriptions were totally inappropriate or uncertain and that most of these were made by general practitioners. In light of these results, the economic impact of inappropriate prescriptions on the Italian healthcare system has to be seriously considered.

Clinical remission of psoriatic arthritis in patients receiving continuous biological therapies for 1 year: the experience of an outpatient dermatological clinic for psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: The data in the literature concerning the frequency of remission of inflammatory arthritis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are limited and conflicting. AIM: To evaluate the frequency of clinical remission in inflammatory arthritis in a cohort of patients with PsA receiving continuous treatment (1 year) with tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors or ustekinumab, as well as the clinical covariates affecting remission. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 74 patients with PsA attending our psoriasis outpatient dermatology clinic. Remission of PsA was defined as documented absence of clinical signs related to arthritis (no tender or swollen joints), enthesitis or dactylitis. Patients were examined every 3 months for 1 year. RESULTS: At 1 year > 40% of patients had clinical remission of inflammatory arthritis. Predictors of remission were absence of fibromyalgia (FM) at baseline and having < 11 tender joints. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical remission of inflammatory arthritis can be obtained in a significant proportion of patients by continuous treatment with biological drugs. A large number of tender joints and the presence of FM can make remission less likely.

Age-related prevalence and morphological appearance of facial skin tumours: a prospective, cross-sectional, observational, multicentre study with special emphasis on melanocytic tumours.

BACKGROUND: The clinical and histopathological diagnosis of skin tumours arising on the face may be challenging. OBJECTIVE: An improved knowledge about the age-related patterns of facial skin tumours may aid the correct diagnosis and management. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional morphological study to investigate the age-related frequency and morphological variability in facial skin tumours in a cohort of consecutive subjects attending two skin lesion clinics in Italy between June and September 2011. A total of 454 consecutive subjects (249 women; 55.5%) presenting with a total of 1866 facial tumours were enrolled in the study. Of the entire cohort, 54 (11.9%) subjects had no facial lesion. RESULTS: Total body naevus count correlated significantly with the mean number of facial lesions (ρ = 0.289, P < 0.001). The majority of flat lesions were pigmented (1056; 75.70%), compared to palpable (233; 17.40%) and raised lesions (93; 6.90%), the association being statistically significant (Pearson's chi square, P < 0.001. Considering melanocytic tumours only, the frequency of flat lesions significantly decreased with increasing age, while the number of palpable and raised lesions increased with increasing age (chi-square, P < 0.001). This trend was mainly due to naevi, whereby pigmented melanocytic naevi decreased with increasing age. Conversely, the percentage of non- pigmented naevi increased with increasing age (chi-square, P < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: The study was conducted in skin lesion clinics in Italy, thus any general conclusions with respect to common traits or features based on the phenotypic and genetic diversity within the European population cannot be stated. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Our study suggests that a high number of facial naevi could predict a high total naevus count. Moreover, naevi present a different morphological appearance during lifetime being initially flat, small and pigmented and becoming later raised, large and hypopigmented. Instead, lentigo maligna is an intraepidermal proliferation that typically presents as flat, large pigmented macule. A given histopathological diagnosis of a junctional naevus of a flat, facial pigmented macule of an elderly should be critically reviewed and treated with caution.

Reflectance confocal microscopy for plaque psoriasis therapeutic follow-up during an anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody: an observational multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease that affects 2-3% of the world population. Biologics are relatively new systemic treatments that block molecular steps important in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. In vivo Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a non-invasive, imaging technique already reported to be useful in the evaluation of the follow-up of PP under treatment with topical actives and phototherapy. No reports on systemic treatments have been proposed in literature so far. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of RCM in the monitoring of microscopic response to a subcutaneous anti-TNF treatment, Adalimumab. METHODS: One target lesion with typical clinical aspect, from 48 psoriatic patients, was evaluated using RCM at baseline, after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Microscopic confocal changes were followed up during treatment. Results disclosed identification of early microscopic evidence of the anti-inflammatory activity of Adalimumab not detected at clinical examination. Confocal feature related to the effect of TNF-α on melanocytes activity has been also identified. CONCLUSION: Early detected RCM parameters related to Adalimumab activity could be used to identify an early response to the treatment. RCM seems to be able to give useful and practical information about follow-up in patients with PP under treatment with Adalimumab.

Sun protection among Spanish beachgoers: knowledge, attitude and behaviour.

This study aims to investigate the level of awareness on the risks related to sun exposure, attitude towards sun protection and sun protection behaviour in Spanish beachgoers. During the summer of 2009, trained assistants conducted a structured interview with 630 sunbathers at the beaches of Valencia, Spain, via administrating a questionnaire including the following: (a) general data (age, gender, education, profession), (b) "knowledge" and "attitude" items and (c) self-assessed sun sensitivity, sun exposure and sun protection characteristics. The health belief model was used to evaluate factors that may influence on engaging healthy behaviour. The median age was 30 (2-82) years; the M/F ratio was 0.60. Despite the widespread regular ("often" or "always", 80%) use of high (>15) sun-protective factor sunscreens, current recommendations on sun protection were not regularly followed, and a history of sunburns is very common (70%). At multivariate analysis, female gender, age, fair hair, freckles, all-day use of sunscreens and wearing sunglasses were independent factors associated with having sunburn history. A high knowledge and a fairly good attitude emerged (median scores, 6/7 and 22/30, respectively). Age class (p = 0.032), educational level (p < 0.0001), sunscreen use (p = 0.048) and adequate timing of the first application of sunscreens (p = 0.015) were predictors of awareness, while factors associated with a more favourable attitude were educational level (p < 0.0001) and regular use of hats (p = 0.001). Wrong beliefs mainly concern sunscreens (false safety); the attractiveness of a tanned look is the main unfavourable attitude. Physical and motivational barriers are common (80%). The findings by highlighting constitutional and psychosocial factors involved in unhealthy behaviour provide useful information to promote sun-safe interventions in this population.

Chemotherapy Rechallenge or Reintroduction Compared to Regorafenib or Trifluridine/Tipiracil for Pretreated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Propensity Score Analysis of Treatment Beyond Second Line (Proserpyna Study).

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) beyond second line is still questioned. Besides the standard of care agents (regorafenib, REG, or trifluridine/tipiracil, FTD/TPI), chemotherapy rechallenge or reintroduction (CTr/r) are commonly considered in clinical practice, despite weak supporting evidence. The prognostic performance of CTr/r, REG and FTD/TPI in this setting are herein evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PROSERpYNa is a multicenter, observational, retrospective study, in which patients with refractory mCRC, progressing after at least 2 lines of CT, treated with CTr/r, REG or FTD/TPI, are considered eligible and were enrolled in 2 independent data sets (exploratory and validation). Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS); secondary endpoints were investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (RR) and safety. A propensity score adjustment was accomplished for survival analyses. RESULTS: Data referring to patients treated between Jan-10 and Jan-19 from 3 Italian institutions were gathered (341 and 181 treatments for exploratory and validation data sets respectively). In the exploratory cohort, median OS (18.5 vs. 6.5 months), PFS (6.1 vs. 3.5 months) and RR (28.6% vs. 1.4%) were significantly longer for CTr/r compared to REG/FTD/TPI. Survival benefits were retained at the propensity score analysis, adjusted for independent prognostic factors identified at multivariate analysis. Moreover, these results were confirmed within the validation cohort analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Although the retrospective fashion, CTr/r proved to be a valuable option in this setting in a real-world context, providing superior outcomes compared to standard of care agents at the price of a moderate toxicity.

Expression of TP53 mutation-associated microRNAs predicts clinical outcome in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND: TP53 mutation is associated with decreased survival rate in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. We set out to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) whose expression associates with TP53 mutation and survival in HNSCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed TP53 status by direct sequencing of exons 2 through 11 of a prospective series of 121 HNSCC samples and assessed its association with outcome in 109 followed-up patients. We carried out miRNA expression profiling on 121 HNSCC samples and 66 normal counterparts. miRNA associations with TP53 mutations and outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: A TP53 mutation was present in 58% of the tumors and TP53 mutations were significantly associated with a shorter recurrence-free survival. This association was stronger in the clinical subgroup of patients subjected to adjuvant therapy after surgery. The expression of 49 miRNAs was significantly associated with TP53 status. Among these 49, we identified a group of 12 miRNAs whose expression correlates with recurrence-free survival and a group of 4 miRNAs that correlates with cancer-specific survival. The two groups share three miRNAs. Importantly, miRNAs that correlate with survival are independent prognostic factors either when considered individually or as signatures. CONCLUSIONS: miRNAs expression associates with TP53 status and with reduced survival after surgical treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

A clinical-biological risk stratification model for resected gastric cancer: prognostic impact of Her2, Fhit, and APC expression status.

BACKGROUND: To obtain a prognostic stratification model for resected gastric cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinicopathological and molecular data (expression of Cdx2, Apc, ß-catenin, E-cadherin, Fhit, p53, and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (Her2); HER2 and TOPO2A gene copy number; PIK3CA mutations; microsatellite instability) were correlated to cancer-specific/overall survival (CSS/OS) using a Cox model. Individual patient probability (IPP) was estimated by logistic equation. A continuous score to identify risk-classes was derived according to the model ratios. RESULTS: Two-hundred eight patients were studied (median follow-up 20 months). At multivariate analysis, sex, stage, margins, location, nodes, Apc, and Fhit were independent predictors for CSS; the same factors (and age and Her2, except Fhit) predicted OS. Multivariate model predicted IPP with high prognostic accuracy (0.90 for CSS; 0.91 for OS). A two-class model significantly separated low- and high-risk patients for CSS (23.4% and 85.6%, P < 0.0001) and OS (21.4% and 82.0%, P < 0.0001). A three-class model differentiated low-, intermediate-, and high-risk patients for CSS (6.3%, 35.3%, and 88.0%, P < 0.0001) and OS (6.1%, 34.6%, and 86.5%, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A risk classification system comprising the immunohistochemical expression of three proteins (Apc, Fhit, and Her2) and five clinicopathological parameters (stage, resected nodes, margins, location, and sex) accurately separates the resected gastric cancer patients into three classes of risk.

Typical and atypical dermoscopic presentations of dermatofibroma.

BACKGROUND: Dermatofibroma is a common skin neoplasm that is usually easy to recognize, but in some cases its differentiation from melanoma and other tumours may be difficult. OBJECTIVE: To describe the dermoscopic features of dermatofibromas, with special emphasis on the characteristics of atypical patterns, and to calculate pattern frequency according to the patients age and gender, anatomical site and histopathological subtype. METHODS: Two groups of patients were consecutively seen, one with dermatofibromas that were surgically excised because of clinically and/or dermoscopically equivocal aspects or following patient request, and another with non-equivocal dermatofibromas. Each lesion was scored for previously reported global dermoscopic patterns and for additional features. RESULTS: A typical pattern was observed in 92 of 130 (70.8%) lesions, whereas an atypical pattern, that we named the 'non Dermatofibroma (DF)-like' pattern, was seen in 38 of 130 (29.2%). Atypical dermatofibromas showed features reminiscent of different conditions, such as melanoma in 21(16.2%) cases, vascular tumour in six (4.6%), basal cell carcinoma in five (3.8%), collision tumour in three (2.3%) and psoriasis in three (2.3%). A significant association was found between the 'melanoma-like' pattern/'vascular tumour-like' pattern and males, whereas a trend was observed between the above-mentioned patterns and hemosiderotic/aneurysmal DFs. 'Peripheral pigment network and central white scar-like patch' pattern was found associated with females and classic histopathological variant of DF. CONCLUSION: Dermatofibromas may display different morphological faces. The typical dermoscopic patterns allow a confident diagnosis, whereas a full surgical excision is always recommended in all doubtful cases.

Improving sun-safe knowledge, attitude and behaviour in parents of primary school children: a pilot study.

Excessive sun exposure, mainly in childhood, represents one of the major skin cancer risk factors. Sun protection habits should start early in life to be effective. The purpose of this study was to investigate knowledge, attitude and sun protection behaviour in parents (P) and in their children (C). The educational intervention addressed the parents of 131 primary school pupils in Valencia, Spain, during the school year 2007-2008. A self-administered pre- and post-intervention questionnaire was handed in during school hours to be filled in by parents. Parents' compliance was very high (88 %). At baseline, regular high-sun-protective-factor (>15) sunscreen use was common (P, 64 %; C, 95 %); wearing clothing (T-shirt: P, 34 %, C, 62 %; hat: P, 29 %, C, 64 %) and sun avoidance at midday (P, 23 %; C, 29 %) were less frequent. Almost 70 % of parents reported difficulties, mainly due to the children's refusal. A high knowledge score (median, 6/7) and a medium/high attitude score (median, 24/30) in parents were observed; however, lifetime sunburn history was generally reported (P, 88 %; C, 24 %). Factors associated with parents' knowledge were a personal history of sunburns and regularly repeating sunscreen application to children (median score: 6 vs 5; p ≤ 0.01) Predictors of a more favourable attitude were female caretakers and having daughters (median score: 30 vs 25 and 25 vs 24, respectively; p ≤ 0.01). A trend towards limited post-intervention positive changes emerged; however, sun avoidance habit decreased (35 vs 20 %, p = 0.01). Despite a high level of parents' knowledge, sun protection in children is not adequate, and sunburns are not uncommon. Unfavourable beliefs and attitudes need to be overcome and quality of messages improved to achieve sun-safe exposure in children.

Excised melanocytic lesions in children and adolescents - a 10-year survey.

BACKGROUND: Early recognition and prompt excision is to date the only available strategy for reducing mortality from melanoma. Little is known about the accuracy of melanoma detection in children and adolescents. OBJECTIVES: To assess the accuracy of melanoma detection in a paediatric population. METHODS: From the Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Austria, we reviewed the dermatopathology reports of naevi and melanomas excised in patients younger than 20 years over a 10-year period (1998-2007). Patients were subdivided into four age groups: 0-4, 5-9, 10-14 and 15-19 years. RESULTS: Accuracy in melanoma detection was tested using the number needed to excise (NNE) value that is obtained by dividing the total number of excised lesions by the number of melanomas. A total of 22564 lesions were reviewed, disclosing 22526 naevi and 38 melanomas, for an overall NNE value of 593.8. Five melanomas were excised in children aged 10-14 years (NNE 1141) and 33 in children aged 15-19 years (NNE 479.8), whereas no melanomas were found among 1026 lesions excised in children younger than 10 years. In children aged 0-4 years, congenital and Spitz/Reed naevi accounted for 34.5% and 20% of lesions, respectively. These percentages decreased progressively when moving to older age groups (P<0.0001). In contrast, the percentage of dermal and compound naevi rose in direct proportion with age, being 3.4% and 20.7%, respectively, in the youngest age group, and 36.7% and 31.9%, respectively, among the oldest patients (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The overall NNE value in paediatric patients over the 10-year study period was 593.8, meaning that about 594 lesions were excised to find one melanoma. This value is 20 times higher than the rates found in adult patients.

Wide resection for giant-cell tumor of the distal radius: which reconstruction? A systematic review of the literature and pooled analysis of 176 cases.

Giant-cell tumor (GCT) is often more aggressive when located in the distal radius, and wide resection is then the gold-standard. No single reconstruction protocol is recommended, and the technique depends upon the surgeon's preferences. The aim of the present review was to determine the recurrence rate of GTC of the distal radius after intralesional treatment, to assess the results, advantages and complications of the various surgical techniques, and to draw up a decision-tree for surgical indications. The review of literature was performed in the main healthcare databases, searching for studies that reported results of wide resection and reconstruction of distal radius GCT. Local recurrence rates, metastasis rates, reconstruction techniques and respective results and complications were evaluated and analyzed. Sixteen studies were selected, for a total population of 226 patients; 6.0% and 0.9% experienced local recurrence and lung metastasis, respectively. Arthroplasty with non-vascularized or vascularized ipsilateral fibula were the most common techniques and were associated with the highest satisfaction rates: 86.4% and 88.0%, respectively. Arthroplasty with allograft presented a MusculoSkeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score of 79.2% and arthroplasty with custom-made prosthesis presented an MSTS score of 81.8%. Arthrodesis was performed in 46 cases, with an MSTS score of 82.7%. Arthroplasty techniques are the most common in literature; they are used in patients who wish to conserve joint motion. Reconstruction with non-vascularized fibula seems to provide the best results, with lower morbidity. Arthrodesis is usually reserved for heavy manual workers or in case of arthroplasty failure.