Temporal artery biopsy for giant cell arteritis: retrospective audit.

OBJECTIVES: Temporal artery biopsy (TAB) is performed in suspected cases of sight-threatening giant cell arteritis (GCA). We aimed to determine the feasibility of TAB in patients who are suspected of having GCA. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective audit of all patients undergoing TAB at a single teaching hospital between 2005 and 2011, identified from the histopathology database. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Clinical profile and biochemical criteria associated with positive histology. (2) Proportion of negative histology patients who were commenced on steroid therapy. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-three TAB were performed (mean age 70.8 years, men:women = 3:2, 110 Caucasian: 43 Asian). Thirty-two biopsies were positive for GCA and 121 were negative. In total, 68 (61%) of 112 negative TAB patients were clinically diagnosed with GCA despite histological findings (P < 0.001). Nine out of 153 biopsies were non-arterial. Histologically positive TAB patients were of higher mean age (77.1 [95% CI 74.5-79.7] versus 69.1 [95% CI 66.7-71.6]; P < 0.001) and had a higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (60 [95% CI 46.1-73.9] versus 39.8 [95% CI 34.2-45.3]; P < 0.01)] than those with negative histology. CONCLUSIONS: Raised ESR and higher age may be the most useful indicators of GCA. Many histologically negative individuals were nevertheless clinically diagnosed and managed as GCA.

Opportunities for learning in the surgical workplace and how they can be exploited: a practical guide.

Training times and the working week have been shortened but the amount needed to be learned remains the same. This article demonstrates how trainees in surgery can incorporate learning opportunities into their normal working day.

Geographic variation in follow-up after rectal cancer surgery.

Most patients with rectal cancer are treated with curative-intent surgery; adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation are often used as well. A recent survey of members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) revealed considerable variation in surveillance intensity after primary treatment. We evaluated whether geographic factors may be responsible for the observed variation. Vignettes of hypothetical patients and a questionnaire based on the vignettes were mailed to the 1782 members of ASCRS. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare practice patterns, as revealed by the responses, according to US Census Regions and Divisions, Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA), and state-specific managed care organization (MCO) penetration rates. There was significant variation in surveillance intensity according to the US Census Region and Division in which the surgeon practiced. Non-US respondents employed CT of the abdomen and pelvis, chest radiography, and colonoscopy significantly more often than US respondents. MSA was not a significant source of variation. Surveillance patterns varied significantly by MCO penetration rate for office visits and CT of the abdomen and pelvis but not for other modalities. The US Census Region and Division in which the surgeon practices have a significant effect on surveillance intensity following completion of primary curative-intent therapy for rectal cancer patients. The MSA in which the surgeon practices does not affect surveillance intensity significantly and MCO penetration rate affects follow-up intensity minimally. All significant differences are clinically rather modest, however. These data should be useful in the design of controlled trials on this topic.

Patient surveillance after curative-intent surgery for rectal cancer.

The follow-up of patients with rectal cancer after potentially curative resection has significant financial and clinical implications for patients and society. The ideal regimen for monitoring patients is unknown. We evaluated the self-reported practice patterns of a large, diverse group of experts. There is little information available describing the actual practice of clinicians who perform potentially curative surgery on rectal cancer patients and follow them after recovery. The 1795 members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons were asked, via a detailed questionnaire, how often they request 14 discrete follow-up modalities in their patients treated for cure with TNM stage I, II, or III rectal cancer over the first five post-treatment years. 566/1782 (32%) responded and 347 of the respondents (61%) provided evaluable data. Members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons typically follow their own patients postoperatively rather than sending them back to their referral source. Office visit and serum CEA level are the most frequently requested items for each of the first five postoperative years. Endoscopy and imaging tests are also used regularly. Considerable variation exists among these highly experienced, highly credentialed experts. The surveillance strategies reported here rely most heavily on relatively simple and inexpensive tests. Endoscopy is employed frequently; imaging tests are employed less often. The observed variation in the intensity of postoperative monitoring is of concern.