Classification of follicular-patterned thyroid lesions using a minimal set of epigenetic biomarkers.

Objective: The minimally invasive fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is the current gold standard for the diagnosis of thyroid nodule malignancy. However, the correct discrimination of follicular neoplasia often requires more invasive diagnostic techniques. The lack of suitable immunohistochemical markers to distinguish between follicular thyroid carcinoma and other types of follicular-derived lesions complicates diagnosis, and despite most of these tumours being surgically resected, only a small number will test positive for malignancy. As such, the development of new orthogonal diagnostic approaches may improve the accuracy of diagnosing thyroid nodules. Design: This study includes a retrospective, multi-centre training cohort including 54 fresh-frozen follicular-patterned thyroid samples and two independent, multi-centre validation cohorts of 103 snap-frozen biopsies and 33 FNAC samples, respectively. Methods: We performed a genome-wide genetic and epigenetic profiling of 54 fresh-frozen follicular-patterned thyroid samples using exome sequencing and the Illumina Human DNA Methylation EPIC platform. An extensive validation was performed using the bisulfite pyrosequencing technique. Results: Using a random forest approach, we developed a three-CpG marker-based diagnostic model that was subsequently validated using bisulfite pyrosequencing experiments. According to the validation cohort, this cost-effective method discriminates between benign and malignant nodules with a sensitivity and specificity of 97 and 88%, respectively (positive predictive value (PPV): 0.85, negative predictive value (NPV): 0.98). Conclusions: Our classification system based on a minimal set of epigenetic biomarkers can complement the potential of the diagnostic techniques currently available and would prioritize a considerable number of surgical interventions that are often performed due to uncertain cytology. Significance statement: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of people diagnosed with thyroid nodules. The current challenge is their etiological diagnosis to discount malignancy without resorting to thyroidectomy. The method proposed here, based on DNA pyrosequencing assays, has high sensitivity (0.97) and specificity (0.88) for the identification of malignant thyroid nodules. This simple and cost-effective approach can complement expert pathologist evaluation to prioritize the classification of difficult-to-diagnose follicular-patterned thyroid lesions and track tumor evolution, including real-time monitoring of treatment efficacy, thereby stimulating adherence to health promotion programs.

From Lauren's diffuse gastric cancer to WHO's poorly cohesive carcinoma. Clinicopathological and prognostic characteristics.

INTRODUCTION: since Lauren classified gastric cancer into intestinal-type adenocarcinoma and diffuse gastric carcinoma back in 1965, countless categorizations have been published that attempt to elucidate the clinicopathological and prognostic differences between histological subtypes. OBJECTIVE: a retrospective study was performed of gastric cancer cases managed in a third-level site over ten years in order to compare subtypes between the most widely used classifications (Lauren and World Health Organization [WHO]). METHODS: a comparative study of the most relevant clinicopathological characteristics and a multivariate survival analysis were performed. RESULTS: significant differences exist between histological subtypes in terms of age, gender, location, extension, stage and treatment received. A univariate overall survival analysis revealed better survival rates for intestinal-type adenocarcinoma as compared to diffuse carcinoma (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.405 [1.024-1.927]) according to the Lauren's classification. Furthermore, there was a better prognosis of mucinous carcinoma (HR: 0.378 [0.164-0.868]), though failing to prove a poorer prognosis of poorly cohesive (HR: 1.242 [0.878-1.757]) and signet cell (HR: 1.354 [0.792-2.314]) carcinomas, according to the WHO classification. In the multivariate overall survival analysis, the following poor prognosis factors were identified: male gender, local infiltration (T), nodal invasion (N) and received adjuvant therapy. CONCLUSION: although the various histological subtypes show significant clinicopathological differences, further studies are needed to compare them and clarify the prognostic relevance of each one.

Liver transplantation following hepatic artery avulsion in a trauma patient.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery avulsion following politrauma is an extremely rare condition with a very high mortality rate. Management is based on damage control surgery given the precarious situation of these patients. Ligating the artery is one option under such circumstances, despite potential consequences including ischemic cholangiopathy (IC). Ischemic cholangiopathy, which can be caused by an insufficient blood supply to the bile duct, generally results in stricture and recurrent cholangitis, and the need for a liver transplant in extreme cases. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 37-year-old male with multiple traumas after falling from the third floor of a building. He was hemodynamically unstable upon arrival at the emergencies department, with no improvement on administration of aggressive fluid therapy. A Echo-FAST exam evidenced fluid in all quadrants, so the patient was transferred to the operating room where a 4-litre hemoperitoneum secondary to total avulsion of the proper hepatic artery was observed. The patient required massive transfusion and vasoactive drugs, with instability throughout the intervention; therefore, we decided to ligate the proper hepatic artery. Hepatic dysfunction and diffuse IC with multiple episodes of recurrent cholangitis were observed during the postoperative period. Given the irreversible clinical picture, we opted for a liver transplant 70 days after the patient's initial admission. The patient died on Day 34 post-transplant due to irreversible ischemic brain damage and a right occipital hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic artery avulsion due to trauma is very rare and its management very complex, and in certain situations the artery must be ligated. The main consequence of ligating the hepatic artery is IC, which is more frequently observed secondary to iatrogenic lesions or systemic diseases, while very few cases have been published in which IC is secondary to hepatic artery avulsion caused by hepatic trauma. Treatment depends on the extent of ischemia, and when the damage is diffuse, as in our case, it may involve a liver transplant.

Controversias en el tratamiento de la hernia de Amyand / Controversies in the treatment of Amyand´s hernia

La hernia de Amyand tiene baja incidencia (0,1 a 1 %) pero, en caso de complicación, puede asociarse con una alta tasa de mortalidad. A pesar de haber sido descrita hace más de 200 años por Claudius Amyand, siguen existiendo ciertas controversias sobre su correcto tratamiento en determinadas situaciones. La práctica o la evitación de la apendicectomía en ausencia de apendicitis y la técnica para reparar el defecto herniario según el grado de contaminación de la zona, son temas tratados en el presente artículo. Ante la falta de consenso global en la literatura científica, la individualización de cada caso y el buen juicio del cirujano deben primar a la hora de decidir el tratamiento más adecuado. Se presentan dos casos clínicos que, a pesar de tratarse de la misma enfermedad, tuvieron formas de presentación, manejo y evolución dispares. Asimismo, se adjunta la iconografía de un excepcional caso de hernia de Amyand, izquierda, junto con el hallazgo de una hernia de Littré no complicada en el mismo saco herniario

Amyand's hernia has a low incidence (0.1%-1.0%) but it may be associated with high mortality rates. Despite having been described more than 200 years ago by Claudius Amyand, there are still controversies regarding treatment in some particular situations. Performing or not appendectomies in the absence of appendicitis, or how to perform the hernia repair depending on the degree of contamination, are topics discussed in this article. There is not a global consensus in the literature yet. The individualization of each case and the surgeon´s proper judgment should be the priority for selecting the most appropriate treatment. Two clinical cases of Amyand's hernia are reported with very different clinical presentations, management and evolution. Also, an image of a left sided Amyand's hernia together with a Littre's hernia in the same hernia sac is shown

Hemangiopericitoma pélvico. Una localización infrecuente de tumor vascular / Pelvic hemangiopericytoma. An unusual location of a vascular tumor

Introducción: el hemangiopericitoma es una neoplasia infrecuente de estirpe vascular. Presentamos un caso clínico de interés dada su escasa frecuencia, tamaño y localización. Caso clínico: se trata de una mujer de 63 años que consultó por dolor abdominal. Se realizaron TAC, RMN abdominal y arteriografía que mostraban una gran masa pélvica que ocupaba el espacio de Douglas y desplazaba útero, vejiga y sigma y presentaba vascularización dependiente de la arteria mesentérica interior y ambas arterias hipogástricas. Se embolizó selectivamente la vascularización propia de la neoplasia y seguidamente se resecó la masa, sin presentarse complicaciones ni intra ni postoperatorias. La anatomía patológica confirmó el diagnóstico de hemangiopericitoma. La paciente sigue controles en consultas externas sin signos de recidiva hasta la fecha. Discusión: el hemangiopericitoma procede de las células del pericito por lo que puede presentarse en cualquier localización. La localización pélvica es excepcional. Puede presentarse como dolor abdominal inespecífico, dar síntomas de compresión de órganos vecinos y, ocasionalmente, asociarse a síndromes paraneoplásicos. El diagnóstico de sospecha es mediante TAC y angiografía aunque la confirmación es histológica tras analizar la pieza de resección. El tratamiento de elección es quirúrgico, precediéndose en algunos casos de embolización preoperatoria de la vascularización de la masa. No hay acuerdo sobre la quimio/radioterapia como tratamiento primario del hemangiopericitoma, aunque se ha descrito la radioterapia adyuvante para mejorar del control local y disminuir las recurrencias. El pronóstico es bueno si se consigue una resección completa, con supervivencias a 5 y 10 años entre el 70 y el 80% según las series (AU)

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Pelvic hemangiopericytoma. An unusual location of a vascular tumor.

BACKGROUND: The hemangiopericytoma is an uncommon vascular tumour. We report a case of interest because of its rarity, size and location. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 63-year-old woman who consulted for abdominal pain. TAC, MRI and arteriography showed a pelvic mass occupying Douglas' space, displacing the uterus, bladder and sigma, with vascularisation relative to the inferior mesenteric artery and both hypogastric arteries. The vascularity of the tumour itself was selectively embolised before the mass was resected. There were no intra- or postoperative complications. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of hemangiopericitoma. The patient is being monitored as an outpatient, with no signs of recurrence to date. DISCUSSION: The hemangiopericytoma is a tumour of the pericyte cells so it can occur in any location. The pelvic location is exceptional. The tumour may appear as nonspecific abdominal pain, show signs of compression of adjacent organs or occasionally be associated with paraneoplastic syndromes. The diagnosis is suspected via CT and angiography findings, but confirmation is only made by analysing the surgical specimen. The treatment of choice is surgery, in some cases after preoperative embolisation of the vascularisation of the mass. There is no agreement on chemo/radiotherapy as the primary treatment for hemangiopericytoma, although adjuvant radiation therapy has been found to improve local control and reduce recurrences. The prognosis is good if complete resection is achieved, with five- and 10-year survival rates between 70 and 80%, depending on the series.

Carcinoma escamoso de ano en enfermedad de Crohn perianal severa de larga evolución / Anal squamous cell carcinoma in chronic severe perianal Crohn's disease

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Afectación ganglionar en endometriosis rectal aislada / Lymph node involvement in isolated rectal endometriosis

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La gestión clínica en tiempos difíciles / Clinical management in hard times

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Clinical Pathway for Thyroidectomy.

Clinical pathways are care plans applicable to patient care procedures that present variations in practice and a predictable clinical course. They are designed not as a substitute for clinical judgment, but rather as a means to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the procedures. This clinical pathway is the result of a collaborative work of the Sections of Endocrine Surgery and Quality Management of the Spanish Association of Surgeons. It attempts to provide a framework for standardizing the performance of thyroidectomy, the most frequently performed operation in endocrine surgery. Along with the usual documents of clinical pathways (temporary matrix, variance tracking and information sheets, assessment indicators and a satisfaction questionnaire) it includes a review of the scientific evidence around different aspects of pre, intra and postoperative management. Among others, antibiotic and antithrombotic prophylaxis, preoperative preparation in hyperthyroidism, intraoperative neuromonitoring and systems for obtaining hemostasis are included, along with management of postoperative hypocalcemia.

Is organizational progress in the EFQM model related to employee satisfaction?

BACKGROUND: To determine whether there is greater employee satisfaction in organisations that have made more progress in implementation of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model. METHODS: A series of cross-sectional studies (one for each assessment cycle) comparing staff satisfaction survey results between groups of healthcare organisations by degree of implementation of the EFQM model (assessed in terms of external recognition of management quality in each organisation). SETTING: 30 healthcare organisations including hospitals, primary care and mental health providers in Osakidetza, the Basque public health service. PARTICIPANTS: Employees of 30 Osakidetza organisations. INTERVENTION: Progress in implementation of EFQM model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores in 9 dimensions of employee satisfaction from questionnaires administered in healthcare organisations in 4 assessment cycles between 2001 and 2010. RESULTS: Comparing satisfaction results in organisations granted Gold or Silver Q Awards and those without this type of external recognition, we found statistically significant differences in the dimensions of training and internal communication. Then, comparing recipients of Gold Q Awards with those with no Q Certification, differences in leadership style and in policy and strategy also emerged as significant. CONCLUSIONS: Progress of healthcare organisations in the implementation of the EFQM Excellence Model is associated with increases in their employee satisfaction in dimensions that can be managed at the level of each organisation, while dimensions in which no statistically significant differences were found represent common organisational elements with little scope for self-management.

Cirugía de las metástasis en la glándula suprarrenal: resultados de una serie de 35 pacientes / Surgical treatment of adrenal gland metastases: results in a series of 35 patients

Introducción: Los objetivos de este estudio son comprobar los resultados de la suprarrenalectomía por metástasis y analizar los factores pronósticos que nos ayuden a predecir la supervivencia a largo plazo en este grupo de pacientes. Pacientes y métodos Estudio retrospectivo de 35 pacientes a los que se les realizó adrenalectomía por la presencia de metástasis, en el Hospital de Cruces desde 1996 hasta enero de 2010. El análisis de supervivencia se realizó por el método de Kaplan y Meier. Resultados El carcinoma de pulmón de células no pequeñas (CPCNP) fue el tumor primario más frecuente, con 18 casos. En 15 pacientes el diagnóstico de metástasis suprarrenal fue sincrónico con respecto al tumor primario y en 20 casos metacrónico. Solo 7 pacientes sobrevivieron sin enfermedad 12, 22, 26, 58, 60, 65 y 120 meses después de la adrenalectomía. La supervivencia libre de enfermedad a los 5 años fue, en la serie general, del 16% y en el subgrupo de CPCNP del 27%. Ninguno de los factores pronósticos evaluados (tamaño mayor de 4,5cm, estirpe celular, grado de diferenciación, quimioterapia, técnica quirúrgica, intervalo libre de enfermedad) tuvieron significación estadística en la supervivencia global, ni en la serie total, ni en el subgrupo de pacientes con CPCNP. Sin embargo, en pacientes de la serie general con recidiva tumoral, la diferencia de supervivencia entre metástasis metacrónicas y sincrónicas fue estadísticamente significativa (p=0,05), a favor de las primeras. Conclusiones La adrenalectomía mejora la supervivencia esperada, sobre todo, en pacientes con CPCNP. Los pacientes con metástasis metacrónica no presentan mayor tasa de supervivencia libre de enfermedad a los 5 años que aquellos con metástasis sincrónicas, pero sí tienen una supervivencia más larga, aunque con enfermedad. Cuando se produce una recidiva tumoral, esta suele ser precoz (AU)

Introduction: The objectives of this study are to present the results of adrenalectomies due to metastasis, and to analyse the prognostic factors that may help to predict long-term survivalin this patient group. Patients and methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 35 patients who underwent adrenalectomy for metastases in the Hospital de Cruces from 1996 to January 2010. The survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan and Meier method. Results: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was the most frequent primary tumour, with18 cases. In 15 patients the diagnosis of adrenal metastasis was synchronous with the primary tumour, and in 20 cases it was metachronous. Only 7 patients survived with out disease for 12, 22, 26, 58, 60, 65 and 120 months after the adrenalectomy. The disease free survival at 5 years was 16% in the whole series, and 27% in the NSCLC sub-group. None of the prognostic factors evaluated (size greater than 4.5 cm, cell type, differentiation grade, chemotherapy, surgical technique, disease free interval) was statistically significant in the overall survival, either in the general series or in the sub-group of patients with NSCLC. However, in the general series with tumour recurrence, the difference in survival between metachronous and synchronous metastasis was statistically significant (P=.05), in favour of the former. Conclusions: Adrenalectomy improves the expected survival particularly in patients with NSCLC. Patients with metachronous metastases do not have a higher rate of disease free survival at 5 years than those with synchronous metastases, although they do have a longer survival with the disease. When there is tumour recurrence, it is usually early (AU)

[Surgical treatment of adrenal gland metastases: results in a series of 35 patients]. / Cirugía de las metástasis en la glándula suprarrenal: resultados de una serie de 35 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: The objectives of this study are to present the results of adrenalectomies due to metastasis, and to analyse the prognostic factors that may help to predict long-term survival in this patient group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 35 patients who underwent adrenalectomy for metastases in the Hospital de Cruces from 1996 to January 2010. The survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan and Meier method. RESULTS: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was the most frequent primary tumour, with 18 cases. In 15 patients the diagnosis of adrenal metastasis was synchronous with the primary tumour, and in 20 cases it was metachronous. Only 7 patients survived without disease for 12, 22, 26, 58, 60, 65 and 120 months after the adrenalectomy. The disease free survival at 5 years was 16% in the whole series, and 27% in the NSCLC sub-group. None of the prognostic factors evaluated (size greater than 4.5 cm, cell type, differentiation grade, chemotherapy, surgical technique, disease free interval) was statistically significant in the overall survival, either in the general series or in the sub-group of patients with NSCLC. However, in the general series with tumour recurrence, the difference in survival between metachronous and synchronous metastasis was statistically significant (P=.05), in favour of the former. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenalectomy improves the expected survival particularly in patients with NSCLC. Patients with metachronous metastases do not have a higher rate of disease free survival at 5 years than those with synchronous metastases, although they do have a longer survival with the disease. When there is tumour recurrence, it is usually early.