Human Epidermal Growth Factor 2-positive Breast Cancer with Mammographic Microcalcification: Relationship to Pathologic Complete Response after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Purpose To determine the relationship between the presence or absence of mammographic calcifications in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancers and pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and to determine other tumor and clinical characteristics that may be predictive of such a response. Materials and Methods A database of all patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy between 2007 and 2015 was retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographic characteristics, mammographic appearance, molecular subtype of cancer (luminal or nonluminal), radiologic response (based on breast magnetic resonance images), surgery, and pathologic response to treatment were recorded. Inter- and subgroup comparison was performed for presence of mammographic microcalcification and cancer subtype by using Mann-Whitney and χ2 tests and logistic regression. Results A total of 111 patients with a median age of 49 years (interquartile range, 40-57 years) were evaluated. Of these, 64.9% (72 of 111) had mammographic microcalcifications, 63.1% (70 of 111) had luminal B cancer, and 36.9% (41 of 111) had nonluminal HER2-positive cancer. Radiologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was observed in 70.3% (78 of 111) of patients. Surgery was performed in 97.3% (108 of 111) of patients, and 30.6% (34 of 111) of patients underwent breast conservation. pCR was observed in 33.3% (37 of 111) of patients; 16.2% (18 of 111) showed residual ductal carcinoma in situ and 50.5% (56 of 111) had residual invasive disease. The pCR rate was the same (P = .21) in patients with mammographic microcalcification (29.2% [21 of 72]) as in those without calcification (41.0% [16 of 39]). The pCR rate in patients with nonluminal HER2-positive cancers (46.3% [19 of 41]) was higher (P = .01) than in those with luminal B cancers (25.7% [18 of 70]). pCR was associated with nonluminal HER2-positive subtype (odds ratio, 5.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.8, 16.0; P = .01) and complete radiologic response (odds ratio, 20.4; 95% confidence interval: 3.3, 126.6; P = .01). Conclusion Patients with HER2-positive cancer and mammographic microcalcification can achieve pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Nonluminal HER2-positive subtype and complete radiologic response are predictors of pCR.

Utility of contrast enema to assess anastomotic integrity and the natural history of radiological leaks after low rectal surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: There is no clear consensus on how to assess low rectal anastomotic integrity and patency prior to reversal of de-functioning stoma. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the utility of contrast enema (CE) in this context and to clarify the natural history of radiological leaks. METHODS: Keyword search of electronic databases (Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar) and bibliographic cross-referencing were performed to identify appropriate studies. Data extraction and synthesis was performed with the primary outcomes being the sensitivity and specificity of CE for detecting clinically significant abnormalities. Statistical analysis was performed using Open Meta-Analyst software. Narrative review of outcomes including those of clinical and radiological leaks was also undertaken. RESULTS: A total of 1,142 CE from 11 articles were included in the final meta-analysis. CE had high specificity (95.4; 95 % confidence interval = 92.0-97.4) and negative predictive value (98.4; 97.4-99.1) and moderate sensitivity (79.9; 63.9-89.9) and positive predictive value (64.6; 55.5-72.9) for the detection of clinically significant anastomotic problems. There was a high degree of correlation between CE and clinical examination findings (96.7 %). Occult radiological leaks were seen in 5.7 % of CE, and all but one (97 %) eventually underwent successful reversal. Only three quarters of patients with clinical leak underwent successful reversal. CONCLUSION: CE is effective at excluding clinically significant anastomotic problems, especially after clinical anastomotic leaks. However, false positive results can be observed in asymptomatic patients, and it is unclear how much additional information CE provides over clinical assessment in the low uncomplicated anastomosis.

Computerized dynamic posturography in the objective assessment of balance in patients with intermittent claudication.

One-third of all elderly patients fall each year and impaired balance has been recognized as a specific risk factor. Intermittent claudication is common among the elderly population, affecting approximately 5% of the population over the age of 50. The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to assess the prevalence of impaired balance among elderly claudicants and to assess each patient's insight into their own risk of falling. A total of 58 claudicants (45 men), median age of 70 (interquartile range = 65-73) years, underwent objective balance assessment by using computerized dynamic posturography. As compared with 195 (5%) historic controls, 24 (41%) of the claudicants demonstrated abnormal balance when the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) was used. Vestibular dysfunction occurred in 52% of the claudicants. Abnormalities including somatosensory (22%), visual function (17%), and preferential reliance on inaccurate visual cues (17%) occurred less often. Prolonged Motor Control Test latency times were uncommon (n = 13) and were in most cases evenly distributed between those with normal (n = 7) and abnormal (n = 6) composite SOT scores. There was a significant difference in history of falling between claudicants with abnormal and normal SOT scores (p = 0.003), with a higher number of patients with abnormal SOT having experienced falling in the past year. However, no correlation between fear of falling and composite SOT score was found (Spearman rank correlation, r = 0.124; p = 0.381). Impaired balance, particularly secondary to vestibular problems, is very common among claudicants and may predispose to a high incidence of falls. Claudicants with abnormal balance are more likely to have a history of falls but not a fear of falling, thus potentially rendering these patients to be at a greater risk.

The Comparison of Strattice and SurgiMend in Acellular Dermal Matrix-Assisted, Implant-Based Immediate Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Strattice (porcine derivative) and SurgiMend (bovine derivative) are the two most common acellular dermal matrices used in breast reconstruction in the United Kingdom. This retrospective study compared clinical outcomes in immediate implant-based breast reconstruction patients. METHODS: The study, conducted across three hospitals, included all patients who underwent immediate implant-based breast reconstruction using Strattice and SurgiMend. The primary outcome measure was implant loss rate. Secondary outcome measures included acellular dermal matrix loss rate, seroma formation, and minor and major complication rates. Intergroup comparison was performed. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (Strattice, n = 45; SurgiMend, n = 37) underwent 97 immediate implant-based breast reconstructions (Strattice, n = 54; SurgiMend, n = 43). There were no differences between groups for age, comorbidities, specimen weight, or implant volume. Drains were used in all Strattice and 36 (84 percent) SurgiMend cases. The implant loss rate was higher for Strattice (n = 10, 20 percent) compared with SurgiMend (n = 3, 7 percent) but failed to reach statistical significance (chi-square test, p = 0.077). The acellular dermal matrix loss rate was significantly higher (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.014) in the Strattice group (n = 7, 14 percent), with no acellular dermal matrix loss with SurgiMend. The reoperation rate was also significantly higher (chi-square test, p = 0.002) in the Strattice group (n = 17, 33 percent, versus n = 3, 7 percent). The incidence of red breast was significantly higher (chi-square test, p = 0.022) in the SurgiMend group (n = 9, 21 percent, versus n = 3, 6 percent). Seroma, wound problems, and infection rates were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical outcomes, including implant loss, acellular dermal matrix loss, and reoperation rates, are significantly better when using SurgiMend in immediate implant-based breast reconstruction compared with Strattice. An appropriately powered randomized trial is needed to provide further information. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Comparison of 12-w versus 14-w endovenous laser ablation in the treatment of great saphenous varicose veins: 5-year outcomes from a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for lower limb varicose veins in the short and midterm results. This study reports the 5-year outcomes of EVLA technique at different power settings. METHODS: Patients with primary symptomatic, unilateral varicose veins secondary to saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) incompetence and great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux were recruited and randomized to either 12W (intermittent laser withdrawal) or 14W (continuous laser withdrawal). They were assessed at baseline, 1, 6, 12, 52, 104 weeks, and 5 years. Outcome measures included: Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), pain scores, time taken to return to normal functions, complications, recurrence, quality of life (QoL), and duplex ultrasound findings. RESULTS: 76 consecutive patients, M: F 30:46, median age 54(IQR: 37.3-59) years were randomized. Intragroup analysis: Significant improvement was seen in both groups in VCSS, pain scores, Aberdeen varicose vein questionnaire (AVVQ) scores, Shortform-36 (SF-36) and Euroqol (EQ-5D) domains over the follow-up period (P < 0.05). Intergroup analysis: Over 5 years, clinically recurrent varicosities and duplex detected SFJ incompetence was less frequent and patient satisfaction with cosmetic outcome significantly higher in the 14W group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in duration of procedure, postoperative pain scores, return to normal functioning, complications, VCSS, disease specific (AVVQ) and generic (SF36, EQ-5D) QoL measures (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Late outcomes following EVLA were superior for the 14W continuous power settings achieving better long term venous occlusion and lowered recurrence rates without increasing post-operative morbidity. Hence 14W continuous setting should be the energy delivery mode of choice.