Predictors and Prevalence of Nodal Disease in Salvage Oropharyngectomy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with recurrent oropharyngeal cancer often require extensive salvage surgery. For patients with clinically N0 necks, the indication for concurrent neck dissection remains unclear. This study aimed to determine predictors, prevalence, and distribution of nodal disease in patients treated with salvage oropharyngectomy. METHODS: In a case series with data collection at a single tertiary academic National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center, this study analyzed patients treated with prior radiation or chemoradiation who had persistent, recurrent, or second primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx requiring oropharyngeal resection between 1998 and 2017 (n = 95). Clinical and oncologic characteristics and treatment outcomes were collected, and statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: The overall rate of nodal positivity was 21% (24/95), and the rate of occult nodal disease was 6% (4/65). Ipsilateral and contralateral level 2 were the most common areas harboring positive nodes. Bivariate analysis showed female sex (p = 0.01), initial overall stage (p = 0.02), and N status (p = 0.03), as well as recurrent overall and T stage (p = 0.05) to be predictors of nodal disease. In the multivariate analysis, recurrent T stage continued to be significantly predictive of pathologic nodal disease. Both computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography-CT were moderately accurate in predicting nodal disease in the salvage setting (area under the curve, 0.79 and 0.80, respectively). CONCLUSION: Occult nodal disease is observed in few patients undergoing salvage oropharyngeal resection. This study identified factors predictive of nodal disease in patients undergoing salvage oropharyngectomy and appropriate diagnostic tests in this setting.

Therapeutic lymphangiography and CT-guided sclerotherapy for the treatment of refractory lymphatic leakage.

PURPOSE: To evaluate therapeutic lymphangiography and computed tomography (CT)-guided sclerotherapy for the treatment of refractory inguinal, pelvic, abdominal, and thoracic lymphatic leakage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2008 and April 2011, 18 patients with refractory lymphatic leakage were treated with therapeutic lymphangiography. Additionally, 10 of these 18 patients underwent CT-guided sclerotherapy with injection of ethanol at the site of the leakage. In the delayed sclerotherapy group (n = 5), the sclerotherapy procedure was performed when the leak persisted after therapeutic lymphangiography. In the immediate sclerotherapy group (n = 5), sclerotherapy was performed on the same day as lymphangiography. The sites of the lymphatic leakage were as follows: inguinal leakage in 8 patients, pelvic leakage in 4 patients, abdominal leakage in 2 patients, and thoracic leakage in 4 patients. Data collected included technical success, clinical success, and procedural complications. RESULTS: Lymphangiography was technically successful in all patients. In eight patients undergoing therapeutic lymphangiography alone, the clinical success rate was 75%, and the drainage catheter could be removed in six patients after the treatment. Lymphangiography followed by immediate sclerotherapy was clinically successful in four of five patients. Lymphangiography combined with delayed sclerotherapy was clinically successful in three of five patients. Overall, the clinical success rate was 72% (13 of 18 patients). One minor complication occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic lymphangiography alone or in combination with CT-guided sclerotherapy is a promising treatment option for the management of refractory lymphatic leakage.

Cutting cancer waiting times: streamlining cervical lymph node biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with enlarged lymph nodes present to a number of different specialties and diagnosis is often made following a biopsy. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish department waiting times for cervical lymph node biopsy, and compare these to the cancer services guidelines. METHODS: A retrospective audit was carried out to record patient waiting times (defined as the number of days from referral to biopsy) between May and December 2010. A proforma for referral was introduced. In addition, appointments for biopsies were arranged by a co-ordinator. A prospective re-audit was carried out from March to September 2011. RESULTS: The first audit showed that national guidelines were not met; there was a median waiting time of 74 days (interquartile range, 47-113). Re-audit demonstrated a significant reduction in waiting times using the proforma; the median waiting time had decreased to 18 days (interquartile range, 9-22). CONCLUSION: A proforma for lymph node biopsy and a designated co-ordinator streamlined the service, significantly reducing waiting times. Together, these can aid referral for meeting guidelines and improve patient care.

Performance of the integrated management of childhood illness algorithm for diagnosis of HIV-1 infection among African infants.

OBJECTIVES: Early infant HIV-1 diagnosis and treatment substantially improve survival. Where virologic HIV-1 testing is unavailable, integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) clinical algorithms may be used for infant HIV-1 screening. We evaluated the performance of the 2008 WHO IMCI HIV algorithm in a cohort of HIV-exposed Kenyan infants. METHODS: From 1999 to 2003, 444 infants had monthly clinical assessments and quarterly virologic HIV-1 testing. Using archived clinical data, IMCI sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated using virologic testing as a gold standard. Linear regression and survival analyses were used to determine the effect of age on IMCI performance and timing of diagnosis. RESULTS: Overall IMCI sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV value were 58, 87, 52, and 90%, respectively. Sensitivity (1.4%) and PPV (14%) were lowest at 1 month of age, when 81% of HIV infections already had occurred. Sensitivity increased with age (P < 0.0001), but remained low throughout infancy (range 1.4-35%). Specificity (range 97-100%) was high at each time point and was not associated with age. Fifty-eight percent of HIV-1-infected infants (50 of 86) were eventually diagnosed by IMCI, and use of IMCI was estimated to delay diagnosis in HIV-infected infants by a median of 5.9 months (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: IMCI had low sensitivity during the first month of life, when the majority of HIV-1 infections had already occurred and initiation of treatment is most critical. Although sensitivity increased with age, the substantial delay in HIV-1 diagnosis using IMCI limits its utility in early infant HIV-1 diagnosis.

Drenagem linfática em paciente com dermatofibrose e flebite de membro inferior: relato de caso / Lymph drainage in patients with dermatofibrosis and phlebitis of the lower limb: case report

O presente estudo objetivou avaliar a drenagem linfática como forma coadjuvante de tratamento, em uma paciente idosa com dermatofibrose, flebite de membro inferior e queixa de dores na perna, localizada em região pós-flebítica. Foi realizado tratamento clínico inicial por três meses com drogas venotônicas (diosmin), anti-inflamatórios, analgésicos e repouso, porém com pouca melhora clínica. Foi, então, associada ao tratamento clínico, a drenagem linfática manual e mecânica. Os resultados obtidos incluíram a redução dos sintomas dolorosos e da hiperpigmentação do local acometido. Este trabalho sugere que a drenagem linfática obteve melhora do quadro clínico de paciente portadora de dermatofibrose, sugerindo novas pesquisas para caracterização mais específica dessa abordagem.

This study aimed at evaluating lymphatic drainage as a complementary form of treatment in an elderly patient with dermatofibrosis and phlebitis of the lower limb. The patient complained of pain in the post-phlebitic region. Initially three months of clinical treatment was performed using vasotonic(diosmine), anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs and the patient was told to rest. However this treatment was not very effective. Manual and mechanical lymph drainage was associated to the clinical treatment. The results gave a significant improvement in the symptoms and the hyperpigmentation of the affected area. This study suggests that lymph drainage obtained improves the clinical of patient with dermatofibrosis, suggesting new research for more specific characterization of this approach.

Nine years' experience of needle localized breast biopsy in a university hospital: results and evaluation of the role of the surgeon in decision making.

BACKGROUND: Needle localized breast biopsy is an effective means of detecting breast cancer in its early stages. We analysed the indications for needle localized biopsies, evaluated the results, and determined the surgeon's role in the decision-making process. METHODS: The needle localized open biopsy results of 350 patients were assessed. RESULTS: Malignancy was encountered in 7 of 56 patients in whom the radiologist suggested follow-up due to mammographical images, although a surgeon performed a biopsy with the assessment of the patient's historical and clinical findings (12.5%). Biopsy failure rates were higher for office-based ambulatory patients (9.1%) than for those patients who underwent biopsies in an operating theatre (1.9%; P < .05). Patients undergoing operating theatre biopsies under local anaesthesia showed statistically significant failure rates compared with those under general anaesthesia (p = .04). The rate of malignancy of micro-calcification was highest in patients younger than 40 years of age (64.3%), while spicular lesions were commonly malignant in patients over 50 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: From our experience, we suggest that needle localized biopsies should be performed in the operating theatre with the patient under general anaesthesia. Although both micro-calcifications and spicular lesions have a high rate of malignancy in all decades, micro-calcifications are more prevalent in younger patients while spicular lesions prevail in older patients. The final decision, to follow-up or biopsy, should be based on a patient's clinical and historical perspective and not only on the guidance of the mammography report.

[A case of refractory inguinal lymphorrhea cured by lipiodol lymphangiography].

We report a case of inguinal lymphorrhea cured by Lipiodol lymphangiography. The patient was a 80-year-old female who underwent an abdomino-perineal resection with lateral pelvic lymph node dissection and inguinal lymph node extraction for anal canal cancer. Histologically, the tumor was a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and considered to be stage IV (a2, n3 (+), P0, H3, M (-), cur C) in the Japanese classification of colorectal cancer. We recognized a lot of lymph node metastases in dissected lateral pelvic lymph node and inguinal lymph node. By hepatic arterial infusion using 5-FU (1250 mg/body weekly), the liver metastases had a complete response after 15 courses. She noticed a left inguinal lymph node swelling and an elevation of serum CEA level (79.5 ng/mL) was observed. There was no evidence of recurrence except left inguinal lymph nodes. She underwent a left inguinal lymph node dissection. Serous discharge from a surgical site persisted despite of conservative therapy such as compression. She received lymphangiography using 8 mL of Lipiodol from left dorsum of foot. We found three lymph ducts heading to left groin and observed a lot of Lipiodol leakage from ducts. We determined not only the site of leakage but we also confirmed a gradual decrease and a complete stop of lypmphorrhea in 7 days after lymphangiography. Slight lymph edema of left lower extremity appeared but gradually relieved. Lymphangiography using Lipiodol helps determine the site of leakage and may be an effective therapeutic modality for treating refractory lymphorrhea.

Síndrome febril prolongado con linfadenopatías: actualización y revisión del tema / Prolonged febrile syndrome with lymphadenopathy: update and review of this process

Presentamos una serie de 5 pacientes con síndrome febril prolongado con linfadenopatías (S.F.P.LA.), 2 de sexo masculino y 3 de sexo femenino, entre 16 y 55 años de edad. La etiología fue: lupus eritematoso sistémico (n=1), sarcoidosis (n=1), síndrome de Felty (n=1), linfadenopatía angioinmunoblástica (n=1) y mononucleosis infecciosa (n=1). Todos los casos fueron diagnosticados entre 1997 y 2002. Realizamos además una revisión y actualización del tema.

Síndrome febril prolongado con linfadenopatías: actualización y revisión del tema / Prolonged febrile syndrome with lymphadenopathy: update and review of this process

Presentamos una serie de 5 pacientes con síndrome febril prolongado con linfadenopatías (S.F.P.LA.), 2 de sexo masculino y 3 de sexo femenino, entre 16 y 55 años de edad. La etiología fue: lupus eritematoso sistémico (n=1), sarcoidosis (n=1), síndrome de Felty (n=1), linfadenopatía angioinmunoblástica (n=1) y mononucleosis infecciosa (n=1). Todos los casos fueron diagnosticados entre 1997 y 2002. Realizamos además una revisión y actualización del tema. (AU)

Lymphatic filariasis in the Caribbean region: the opportunity for its elimination and certification

In order to support the case for a certification of elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in some Caribbean countries, we compared the prevalence of circulating Wucheria bancrofti antigen in communities in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad. For the study, we assayed school children in six communities in Guyana, five communities in Suriname, and three communities in Trinidad for the prevalence of circulating W. bancrofti antigen, using a new immunochromatographic test for LF. We also assayed adults in these three countries, with a special focus on Blanchisseusse, Trinidad, where mass treatment for LF elimination had been carried out in 1981. The prevalence of W. bancrofti circulating antigen found in the school children populations ranged from 1.7 percent to 33.2 percent in Guyana and were .22 percent overall in Suriname and 0.0 percent in Trinidad. Among adults in two Guyana communities the prevalences were 16.7 percent and 32.1 percent. The results were all negative from 211 adults in communities in the north, center, and south of Trinidad, as well as from 29 adults in Suriname. The data suggest that contrary to reports of LF endemicity from the World Health Organization, LF may no longer be present in Trinidad and may be of very low prevalence in Suriname. Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean nations proven negative could seek to be awarded a certificate of LF elimination. In Suriname the small localized pocket of infected persons who may serve as a reservoir of LF infection could be tested and appropriately treated to achieve LF elimination. Such LF-positive countries as Guyana should access new international resources being made available for LF elimination efforts. An adequate certification program would help identify which countries should seek the new LF elimination resources (AU)

Adenopatías cervicales en Oncología. Clínica, diagnóstico y tratamiento / Cervical adenopathies in Oncology. Clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment

Las adenopatías cervicales representan el síntoma de aparición del 12 por ciento de los tumores de cabeza y cuello. Ante una tumoración cervical se ha de establecer el diagnóstico diferencial entre tres etiologías: congénita, infecciosa y neoplásica. El diagnóstico de sospecha se debe confirmar mediante la realización de una punción aspiración con aguja fina (PAAF), que nos proporcionará el diagnóstico histológico en más del noventa por ciento de los casos. La correspondencia entre la localización de la adenopatía y sus territorios de drenaje linfático indica la localización probable del tumor primario. La localización del tumor primario, la estadificación, la histología, el grado de aneuploidía y el estado inmunológico del enfermo se han citado como factores que predisponen al tumor primario a metastatizar. La metástasis de origen desconocido constituyen el 5 por ciento de las adenopatías metastásicas, y su diagnóstico precisará la realización de biopsias aleatorias en las regiones donde las neoplasias de localización submucosa metastatizan de forma temprana. La localización, la histología, la estadificación y la aparición del tumor primario se han citado como factores pronósticos en esta entidad (AU)

Concordancia clínico-histopatológica en biopsias de ganglio linfático en un hospital de tercer nivel / Clinical-histopathologic diagnostic concordancy of lymph node biopses in a third level hospital

Objetivo. Determinar la concordancia diagnóstica clínico-histopatológica en material de biopsias de ganglios linfáticos, así como la sensibilidad y especificidad de los diagnósticos clínicos. Métodos. Se revisaron 72 expedientes clínicos de pacientes con estudios de biopsias de ganglios linfáticos del Centro de Especialidades Médicas Dr. Rafael Lucio del estado de Veracruz de enero de 1991 a julio de 1997. En el análisis se estimaron sensibilidad, especificidad y concordancia clínico-patológica (kappa simple). Resultados. La mayor parte de las biopsias fueron cervicales (n=27), mesentéricas (n=13) o supraclaviculares (n=12); esta última fue la de mayor sensibilidad en el diagnóstico clínico (S = 67 por ciento) asociándose en 75 por ciento de los casos con padecimientos neoplásicos (linfoma y cáncer metastásico). La concordancia global fue regular (kappa = 0.37). La sensibilidad y la especificidad fueron de 50 por ciento. Conclusiones. La concordancia y la sensibilidad y especificidad estuvieron muy por debajo de lo deseable. Esto apoya la necesidad de cuantificar la eficacia del diagnóstico clínico, como parte importante de una educación médica continua que permita disminuir los errores del proceso diagnóstico

Paracoccidioidomicose na criança / Paracoccidioidomycosis in children

No presente trabalho estuda-se a Paracoccidioidomicose na criança, que tem sido assunto frequente de estudo nomeio universitário, devido a sua incidência relativamente elevada, constituindo-se, mesmo numa patologia regional de destaque. O objetivo principal foi situar a real participação da criança segundo a concepção atual da história natural da doença. Para tanto fez-se uma abrangente revisão da literatura, comparando-se os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e imunopatológicos com o estudo retrospectivo dos prontuários de 30 pacientes menores de 12 anos de idade, portadores de paracoccidioidomicose, confirmada pelo encontro do parasito em exames diretos e internados em 3 hospitais de referência de Goiânia, no período de janeiro de 1970 a julho de 1990. Os dados dos prontuários foram sintetizados em 17 tabelas. Dos resultados definiram-se 3 grupos de formas clínicas: Linfático abdominal; Linfático hepatoesplênica e Linfática; dos exames específicos: no hemograma a anemia e a eosinofilia foram achados marcantes, na eletroforese de proteínas séricas a hipoalbuminemia e hiperglobulinemia às custas de gama foram evidenciadas; as sorologias e as intradermorreações foram provas que denunciaram o envolvimento do sistema imune com elevação da imunidade humoral e depleção da imunidade celular; dos exames radiológicos (torax, trânsito e enema)e ultrossonográficos do abdomen verifica-se que o pulmão é raramente comprometido dos RX do torax realizados; o trânsito intestinal detecta lesões da mucosa, sugestivas do envolvimento dos linfáticos da parede; a USG é um recurso diagnóstico não invasivo as massas intrabdominais e pode sugerir fibrose hepática

Magnetic resonance behaviour of lipiodol.

Lipiodol is a frequently used contrast agent for lymphangiography and more recently has been used in the investigation of hepatoma. We describe the magnetic resonance characteristics of lipiodol using a Siemens 1.5 T Magnetom with reference to the appearance and behaviour of lipiodol in abdominal lymphadenopathy. The characteristics described differ from previously published reports.

Pitfall in MR imaging of lymphadenopathy after lymphangiography.

In two patients examined with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging after lymphangiography, opacified pelvic lymph nodes could not be distinguished from subcutaneous or retroperitoneal fat because of the short T1 and long T2 relaxation times of lymphangiographic contrast media. Opacified nodes removed from one patient had relaxation times similar to those of fat. Thus, assessment of lymphadenopathy with MR imaging should be performed before lymphangiography to obviate this potential pitfall.