Expression of tumor pyruvate kinase M2 isoform in plasma and stool of patients with colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps.

BACKGROUND: Tumor pyruvate kinase M2 isoform (tM2-PK), which is an isoform of PK-glycolytic enzyme and appears on the surface of cancerous proliferating cells, has been used as a diagnostic biomarker for colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the tM2-PK measurement test for the diagnosis of CRCs and adenomatous polyps in plasma and stool samples in an Iranian population. METHODS: In this prospective study, a total of 226 stool and 178 plasma samples were received from patients referred to colonoscopy units. tM2-PK enzyme was measured using two separate ScheBo-Biotech-AG ELISA kits for stool and plasma samples. RESULTS: According to ROC curves, in the tumor group, at the cut-off value of 4 U/ml, the sensitivity of fecal tM2-PK test was 100% and the specificity was 68%, and in the polyp group, the sensitivity and specificity were 87 and 68%, respectively. For tumor detection in plasma specimens, a cut-off value > 25 U/ml has a sensitivity and specificity of 90.9 and 91.3%, respectively. Similarly, for polyp detection, a cut-off value > 19 U/ml has a sensitivity of 96.3% and the specificity of 85.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, a cut-off range of 4.8-8 U/ml and >  8 U/ml could be used to detect polyp and tumor in stool samples, respectively. Similarly, a cut-off range of 19-25 U/ml and > 25 U/ml is recommended in plasma samples, suggesting tM2-PK test as a non-invasive assay to diagnose CRC and adenomatous polyps.

Benign bone tumours of tibial tuberosity clinically mimicking Osgood-Schlatter disease: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is a traction apophysitis of the tibial tubercle and a common cause of anterior knee pain in growing adolescents. A variety of benign neoplasms can also cause bony prominence over the tibial tubercle in adolescents that might clinically imitate OSD. Therefore, the differential diagnosis of tumours mimicking OSD is critical and considered the primary goal of this study. METHODS: Eleven patients who were referred to our orthopaedic oncology department with clinical suspicions of OSD and obscure radiographic presentation were identified. The final diagnosis was OSD in three cases. The demographic, clinical, and radiologic characteristics of the remaining eight patients in whom a tumour mimicked OSD were evaluated. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathologic examination. RESULTS: The final diagnosis was periosteal chondroma in four cases, osteochondroma in three cases, and dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica (DEH) in one case. The average age of the patients was 10.5 ± 3.1 years. In the majority of patients (62.5%), the lesion was painless. The mean size of the bump was 6.5 ± 1.2 cm2. In patients with a painful knee, the pain was constant and activity-independent. At history taking, the pain and bump size were progressive. CONCLUSION: Lack of pain, progressive pain and bump, activity-independent pain, a bump size larger than 5 cm2 at presentation, and age fewer than ten years could be considered in favour of tumours and against OSD.

Locking plate and fibular strut-graft augmentation in the reconstruction of unicameral bone cyst of proximal femur in the paediatric population.

PURPOSE: Several therapeutic strategies have been used for managing unicameral bone cyst (UBC) of the proximal femur. However, there is insufficient evidence to support one treatment over another, and the optimal treatment is controversial. This study aims at describing our experience with surgical reconstruction of paediatric UBCs of the proximal femur using a proximal locking plate and fibular strut allograft. METHODS: In total, 14 consecutive paediatric patients with Dormans types IB (four cases) and IIB (10 cases) UBC were assessed. Mean patient age was 8.6 ± 2.3 years, and mean follow-up period was 41.7 ± 29.8 months. Six patients (42.8%) were referred with a pathologic fracture. Clinical/radiological outcome and complication rates were evaluated at the final follow-up session. RESULTS: No cysts were Capanna's class III (recurrence) or IV (no response). Complete healing (Capanna's class I) was seen in ten cysts, while four other cysts healed with residual radiolucent areas (Capanna's class II). Mean healing period was 14.1 ± 5.1 (9-24 months). One patient had superficial infection, one heterotopic ossification, and one mild coxa vara, and mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score was 99.5%. CONCLUSION: According to our results, locking plate and fibular strut graft in Dormans classification types IB and IIB results in a favorable outcome in managing UBC of the proximal femur in the paediatric population.

Managing Myocardial Infarction in the COVID-19 Epidemic: A Case Report.

Coronaviruses can cause viral pneumonia with extrapulmonary manifestations and complications. Many patients have either underlying cardiovascular disease or cardiac risk factors. Acute heart attacks are also frequent in severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is associated with high mortality. In this paper, we describe a patient with COVID-19 who presented with myocardial infarction (MI) symptoms but lacked the initial symptoms of the infection such as fever and cough. COVID-19 and myocardial infarction were diagnosed. The patient underwent thrombolytic treatment and fully recovered.

Bipolar hemiarthroplasty versus total hip arthroplasty in allograft-prosthesis composite reconstruction of the proximal femur following primary bone tumour resection.

AIMS: The consensus is that bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BHA) in allograft-prosthesis composite (APC) reconstruction of the proximal femur following primary tumour resection provides more stability than total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, no comparative study has been performed. In this study, we have compared the outcome and complication rates of these two methods. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 57 patients who underwent APC reconstruction of proximal femur following the primary tumour resection, either using BHA (29) or THA (28), were included. Functional outcome was assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) scoring system and Harris Hip Score (HHS). Postoperative complications of the two techniques were also compared. RESULTS: The mean follow-up of the patients was 8.3 years (standard deviation (SD) 5.5) in the BHA and 6.9 years (SD 4.7) in the THA group. The mean HHS was 65 (SD 16.6) in the BHA group and 88 (SD 11.9) in the THA group (p = 0.036). The mean MSTS score of the patients was 73.3% (SD 16.1%) in the BHA and 86.7% (SD 12.2%) in the THA group (p = 0.041). Limping was recorded in 19 patients (65.5%) of the BHA group and five patients (17.8%) of the THA group (p < 0.001). Dislocation occurred in three patients (10.3%) of the BHA group and two patients (7.1%) of the THA group. CONCLUSION: While the dislocation rate was not higher in THA than with BHA, the functional outcome was significantly superior. Based on our results, we recommend THA in APC reconstruction of the proximal femur. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(4):524-529.

Hypnosis as an Approach to Control Pain and Anxiety in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Meniscal Surgeries: Two Case Presentations.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is an extremely common surgery in sports medicine and orthopedic surgery. This surgery requires creating tunnels in bones (femur and tibia), which is often associated with severe pain and thus general or neuraxial anesthesia should be applied to mitigate pain and anxiety. This paper follows our previous case report of hypnoanesthesia in hand surgery, discussing the application of hypnosis as a non-pharmacologic intervention for controlling intraoperative and postoperative pain and anxiety, which can contribute to postoperative recovery of patients with ACL surgery. According to the results of this study, it seems better to teach hypnosis as a pain control protocol to anesthesia residents and pain service staff. Also, hypnosis can be considered an anxiety reduction strategy in perioperative phases and also useful for postoperative pain management.

Denosumab in Patients with Giant Cell Tumor and Its Recurrence: A Systematic Review.

Recent studies suggest that Denosumab reduces tumor size, therefore, makes the surgery easier with lower morbidity. However, some studies have reported several complications for this drug. So, this systematic review was performed to determine the effectiveness and safety of Denosumab in reducing bone destructions activity of giant cell tumor and skeletal-related events (SRE) in affected patients with giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) and its recurrence. We explored studies in PubMed, and Cochrane Library. For this purpose, articles of various levels were retrieved until October 22, 2016. Two reviewers assessed the articles independently based on predefined criteria to extract the relevant data. Primary outcomes associated with skeletal-related event, overall survival, and secondary outcomes such as pain, quality of life and adverse events were evaluated and analyzed. The total population of this meta-analysis consisted of 686 patients. Of this population, 55% had primary GCTB and 45% had giant cell tumor recurrence, with 2% experiencing secondary recurrence. The results showed the effectiveness of Denosumab in reducing the tumor size due to inhibiting the Osteoclastogenesis. Denosumab didnot show any effect on reducing tumor recurrence, but, in cases where complete tumor surgery is not possible and tumor residuals may remain, Denosumab can be helpful. Also, the clinicians should consider the risk benefit of Denosumab.

Knowledge and attitude of women regarding breast cancer screening tests in Eastern Iran.

INTRODUCTION: According to recent statistics, there has been a rapid growth of breast cancer in developing countries. Thus, early detection is essential. This study is based on the perception of people in the Northeast of Iran regarding breast cancer screening. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 1469 women were selected randomly in the period from April to November 2016. The study population consisted of women or their companions referring to outpatient clinics or people in public urban areas who filled out a breast cancer screening questionnaire in an interview. RESULTS: The patients' age was in the range of 14 to 84 years (mean = 38.8). More than 84% of interviewees were not informed of breast cancer and screening tests. The main reasons mentioned by patients for their failure to do screening tests was 'absence of any symptom or problem' and 'they did not think it was necessary'.There was not a significant difference between income level, marital status and knowledge of people about breast cancer screening tests (P > 0.05). However, employment, education level and family history had a positive effect on people's awareness of breast cancer and its screening tests (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The lack of knowledge in people from low socio-economic classes was the main barrier to breast cancer screening. In this regard, organizing training programs by physicians and the media can help raise screening rates.

An Evaluation of the Effect of Hypnosis on Postoperative Analgesia following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Little attention has been paid to the effectiveness of hypnosis in improving the results of surgery in Iran. One hundred and twenty patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly divided into either control (standard care) or experimental (hypnosis) groups. Prior to surgery and again after surgery, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting were assessed. The results suggest that hypnosis could effectively reduce pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and significantly reduce hospitalization time.

Central Venous Cannulation of the Internal Jugular Vein Using Ultrasound-Guided and Anatomical Landmark Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Central venous cannulation is a current and important procedure used in the operating room and intensive care unit. Some studies have shown that the application of ultrasound-guided cannulation can improve the success rate of surgery, save time, reduce the number of required needlesticks, and mitigate many complications compared to anatomical landmark-guided cannulation. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to draw a comparison between central venous cannulation of the internal jugular vein using ultrasound-guided and anatomical landmark-guided techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 321 patients scheduled for cardiac surgery in the surgical ward of a general hospital were randomly treated with central venous cannulation using either anatomical landmarks (150 patients) or ultrasound guidance (170 patients). The demographic data of patients, the success rate of cannulation, the execution time, and the number of attempts for successful cannulation as well as the complications were recorded and subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: The success rate of cannulation was 98.7% in the anatomical landmark-guided group and 99.4% in the ultrasound-guided group. The average operation times were 46.05 and 45.46 seconds in the anatomical landmark and ultrasound-guided groups, respectively. The two groups were not significantly different in terms of the success rates of treatment, the number of attempts, the time required for successful cannulation, or the prevalence of complications (P > 0.05) other than carotid artery puncture (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In our conditions, the use of an anatomical landmark-guided procedure was the preferred treatment method due to limited resources and a lack of adequate training.

Efficacy of Conversational Hypnosis and Propofol in Reducing Adverse Effects of Endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: As pain and nausea is usually associated with endoscopy procedure, its management is important to alleviate patients' anxious in this regard. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of conversational hypnosis in reducing anxiety and endoscopy-related complications as well as its role in increasing the satisfaction of patients exposed to endoscopic procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The participants of upper GI endoscopy procedure were randomly assigned to an experiment group (with conversational hypnosis intervention, n = 93) and a control group (n = 47). The participants' hemodynamic indexes (HR, blood pressure, pulse oximetry), anxiety, satisfaction level, and complications resulted from the procedure were monitored and included in the self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The results indicated that the participants in experiment group had a significant reduction of anxiety in the posttest. The adverse side effects such as vomiting, nausea, and hiccups in the experimental group was less than the control group, though this difference was not significant (P = 0.54). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that conversational hypnosis technique could reduce anxiety as well as the sedation process in invasive procedures such as endoscopy.

Factors affecting on serum lactate after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: The relation between elevated blood lactate level and mortality and morbidity rates after coronary bypass surgery is a proven subject. One of the factors that seems to affect directly the blood lactate level is the storage duration of packed red blood cells. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of storage duration of transfused blood on serum lactate during cardiac surgery and up to 24 hours after that in the ICU. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 228 patients referred to three hospitals of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences for open cardiac surgery, was enrolled using systematic random sampling method. Immediately after accessing arterial line, the first sample of arterial blood gas (ABG) was obtained. For evaluation of lactate levels, the next samples were obtained at the end of surgery and after 24 hours of staying ICU. RESULTS: Among 5 factors which affected lactate level during surgery, diabetes and higher ejection fraction (EF) reduced changes of the lactate level. On the other hand, the number of infused blood units, duration of on-pump time, and the mean storage duration of blood units were associated with elevated serum lactate during surgery. A significant relationship was found between blood storage duration and serum lactate levels 24 hours after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing the serum lactate level before operation and 24 hours after the operation showed that the number of received blood units had a significant effect on serum lactate. We found no significant effect for blood storage duration; however, the number of given blood units was more significant.

Evaluating the incidence of cognitive disorder following off-pump coronary artery bypasses surgery and its predisposing factors.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive disorder is a fluctuating cognitive destruction and a common problem for hospitalized patients, which leads to loss of consciousness. It is usually accompanied with increased mortality, prolonged hospital stay, and decreased rehabilitation. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine risk factors associated with cognitive disorder after open-heart surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 171 patients who had undergone off-pump open-heart surgery and lacked any history of psychiatric disorders were enrolled. Samples were selected according to a purposive sampling method. The Mini-Mental State Examination questionnaire was used for these patients to assess the incidence of cognitive disorder 24 hours after the operation in ICU and to compare creatinine level, ESR, extubation time and patients' age in the two groups, one with postoperative cognitive disorder and the other without it. Independent T-test was used to compare the two groups regarding any history of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, Chi square test was used. RESULTS: In total, 75% of patients had postoperative cognitive disorder. There was a significant association between the history of high blood pressure, C-reactive protein and preoperative creatinine levels in both cognitive disorder and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Given the significant prevalence of postoperative cognitive disorder and significant associatio n between the history of high blood pressure, C-reactive protein and preoperative creatinine and cognitive disorder, detection of patient's clinical symptoms may improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this disorder.

The association of anesthetic method with developing back pain after lower extremity operations.

BACKGROUND: Selection of anesthetic approach for lower extremity operations is often a controversial issue for anesthesiologists. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the incidence and severity of back pain between general and spinal anesthesia, and to find effective factors in developing postoperative back pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a randomized clinical trail, 148 patients with elective lower extremity surgeries were randomly allocated into two groups of 74. The first group received general anesthesia and the second group underwent spinal anesthesia. The incidence of back pain was observed and documented. The severity of back pain was assessed at the first, fourth and eighth postoperative weeks by visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The mean of patients' age was 35.50 ± 13.34 years. The incidence and mean of back pain severity among all participants were respectively 35.80% and 15.95% at the first week, 7.40% and 2.43% at the fourth week, and 1.4% and 0.27% at the eighth postoperative week. The incidence and mean of back pain severity in spinal group were respectively 39.2% and 18.11% at the first, 12.2% and 3.92% at the fourth, and 2.7% and 0.54% eighth postoperative weeks. In general anesthesia group, these figures were respectively 32.4% and 13.78% at the first week and 2.7% and 0.95% at the fourth postoperative week. No back pain was reported at the eighth postoperative week. The incidence and severity of back pain in the first week showed significant difference between the two groups, while the mean severity of back pain showed significant difference at the fourth week after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal anesthesia could be probably considered as the sole effective factor in the development of back pain after operation.

Knowledge and perception toward colorectal cancer screening in east of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in Iran and its early detection is necessary. This study is based on perception of people in the east of Iran toward CRC screening. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 1060 randomly selected individuals who referred to Razavi Hospital of Mashhad, Iran, between September the 1(st), 2012 and February the 28(th), 2013 as patients or their visitors involved in an interview to fill a questionnaire on CRC screening. RESULTS: The participants' age ranged from 40 to 88 years (mean= 55). More than 90% had no knowledge of CRC and screening tests. The most cited reasons for not having screening tests were "did not have any problem" and "did not think it was needed". Although, older people had more knowledge of CRC (P= 0.033), there was no relationship between gender, health insurance status, family history of individuals and their knowledge about CRC (P> 0.050). Employment, education and higher income had positive effect on the perception of people toward CRC screening (P< 0.050). CONCLUSION: Lack of knowledge in people in lower socio-economical class with limited literacy is the most important barrier to CRC screening. As such, designing educational programs involving physicians and media is important to improve CRC screening rates.

A rare central venous catheter malposition: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Central venous catheter placement is a routine procedure for the management of critically ill patients; however, it is important to ensure its proper placement. A central venous catheter malposition may cause various complications, some of which can be fatal. CASE PRESENTATION: We report an unexpected malposition of a catheter in the left internal jugular vein, where it entered into the left internal mammary vein. CONCLUSIONS: We think one of the influential factors for leading a guidewire and catheter into a nominated vein may be the left sided bevel of the needle at the time of internal jugular vein needle and catheter insertion. We were required to continue going towards the subclavian vein and accidentally turned into the left internal mammary vein.