Fetuin-A and vascular calcification in Indian end-stage renal disease population.

Fetuin-A levels, its correlation with vascular calcification and other biochemical markers of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) has not been studied in Indian end-stage renal disease population. Forty patients on dialysis for more than 3 months were studied. Biochemical parameters of CKD-MBD, highly sensitive-C reactive protein (hs-CRP), lipid profile and fetuin-A levels were estimated. Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) at the level of L1-L4 was done, and calcification score calculated using AJ 130 smart score. Levels of fetuin-A were correlated with calcification score and biochemical markers of CKD-MBD. Mean fetuin-A levels were 0.33 ± 0.098 g/l. Positive correlation of abdominal aortic calcification scores was found with age (P < 0.01) and duration of dialysis (P = 0.018). No correlation was detected between MSCT score, calcium phosphate product, intact parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, triglycerides and fetuin-A, and there was no correlation between fetuin-A levels, age, dialysis duration and calcium phosphate product but a significant correlations with vitamin D3 (P = 0.034), serum albumin (P = 0.002) was detected. Inverse correlation with hs-CRP was obtained. Patients with ischemic heart disease had numerically lower levels of fetuin-A (P = 0.427) and numerically higher MSCT score (P = 0.135). Patients with low hs-CRP (<10) had numerically higher fetuin-A levels (P = 0.090) and significantly low MSCT scores (P = 0.020). Calcium deposition seen on MSCT increases with age and duration of dialysis but is not related to fetuin-A levels. Inconclusive relationship exists with other parameters of CKD-MBD. Large controlled studies are needed to establish the role of fetuin-A in vascular calcification in Indian population.

Isolated cavitary lung disease in a renal allograft recipient: A rare manifestation of cryptococcus.

Although lungs are the portal of entry for cryptococcus, pulmonary disease is relatively uncommon. Cavitary pulmonary disease is even less common. We report a rare case of cryptococcosis with an isolated cavitary lung lesion in a renal allograft recipient.

Paclitaxel added to the cisplatin/etoposide regimen in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer -- the use of complete response rate as the primary endpoint in phase II trials.

Obtaining a complete response (CR) is the most powerful predictor of survival in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Improvements in long-term survival in extensive-stage SCLC can be made if the proportion of complete responders to induction therapy can be increased. We performed a phase II trial of the feasibility of adding paclitaxel to standard cisplatin/etoposide (EP regimen) in extensive-stage SCLC. The primary endpoint for this trial is the proportion of patients (pts) obtaining a CR rather than overall response. The null hypothesis for this trial consists of the absence of a CR rate >20%. Paclitaxel was given at doses of 135 (3 pts) or 170 mg/m(2) i.v. over 3 h on day 1. Cisplatin 60 mg/m(2) was given on day 1. On days 1-3 etoposide 80 mg/m(2) per day i.v. was given. G-CSF was used from days 5 to 14 of each cycle. Cycles were repeated q21 days. A two-stage design was used for patient accrual, based on the occurrence of complete responses. Initially, 16 patients were to be accrued. If more than three complete responses were to occur, a further 20 patients would be accrued to the study (Simon's optimal two stage design). Sixteen patients were enrolled. Two patients had a CR (13%) and nine patients had a partial response (56%) for an overall response rate of 69%. The trial was suspended due to the low CR rate. Review of the literature for paclitaxel based front-line treatment combined with EP therapy, in extensive stage SCLC, consistently shows a CR rate <20% but high overall response rate is maintained (thus most responses are partial). As virtually all long-term survivors in extensive-disease SCLC have had a CR to induction therapy and CR remains the strongest predictor of survival for this disease, this may suggest that paclitaxel added to standard EP may improve progression-free survival (and possibly median survival) but is unlikely to significantly improve long-term survival. Initial randomized phase III data confirm the absence of impact on survival for this triple-drug regimen compared to EP therapy alone. Furthermore, other regimens comparing favorably to the EP regimen have all shown consistent CR rates >20% in the phase II setting. In conclusion, consideration should be given to the use of CR rate as a phase II endpoint to determine if a particular regimen should be compared to the standard in a phase III setting for extensive-stage SCLC. A two-stage phase II design based on a minimum required completed responses for further patient accrual is recommended.

Complications of "dropped" gallstones after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: technical considerations and imaging findings.

New laparoscopic techniques have revolutionized the practice of surgery. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become one of the most commonly performed surgeries worldwide. Although shorter hospital stays and patient comfort have offered clear advantages over open cholecystectomy, the technique has resulted in several specific complications, including bile duct injury and gallbladder perforation. Although rarely clinically significant, intraperitoneal gallstone spillage can cause abscess formation and adhesions. Although these patients can present with a confusing clinical picture, their characteristic radiologic features should be recognized. We present two cases of complicated intraperitoneal gallstone spillage radiologically diagnosed and treated with laparoscopic and interventional radiologic techniques.