Prognostic factors in head and neck mucoepidermoid carcinoma: experience at a single institution based on 64 consecutive patients over a 28-year period.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignancy of the salivary glands. The clinical behaviour of MEC is largely unpredictable, ranging from indolent tumour growth to highly aggressive metastatic spread. The objective of this study was to determine the clinicopathological predictors of recurrence and survival in patients with head and neck MEC. The medical records of 64 patients who underwent surgical treatment for head and neck MEC between 1982 and 2010 were reviewed. The main outcome measures were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Clinicopathological parameters evaluated were age, sex, anatomical subsite, histological grade, tumour stage, tumour size, adjuvant therapy, and nodal and margin status. For the entire cohort, the 5-year DFS was 82.8% and the 5-year OS was 67.2%. Histological grade and tumour subsite were statistically significant predictors of OS. Furthermore, tumour stage and nodal status were statistically significant predictors with respect to OS. Advanced tumour stage, high histological grade, submandibular/sublingual localization, and positive nodal status were independent predictors of the prognosis in patients with head and neck MEC. Further studies into the molecular biology of MEC are needed in order to provide new therapeutic strategies for patients with locally aggressive and highly metastatic carcinomas.

Prognostic significance of extracapsular spread of lymph node metastasis from oral squamous cell carcinoma in the clinically negative neck.

The presence of extracapsular spread (ECS) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) indicates a poor prognosis and is associated with a higher risk of regional recurrence and distant metastasis. The aim of this study was to analyse this important feature of cervical lymph nodes in the clinically node-negative setting. The study included 61 patients with clinically T1-T3N0 OSCC who underwent primary surgical treatment; 52 were male and nine were female, and their median age was 57 years. The 5-year disease-free survival, disease-specific survival, and overall survival rates were 30.6%, 28.3%, and 14.3%, respectively, in the ECS group compared to 61.9%, 61.9%, and 48.2%, respectively, in the pN+/ECS-negative group and 76.7%, 81.9%, and 47.0%, respectively, in the pN0 group. The differences between the survival curves were highly significant (P=0.023, P=0.003, and P=0.029, respectively). The incidence of local (50% vs. 14.9%, P=0.011) and regional (28.6% vs. 2.1%, P=0.008) recurrence was significantly greater in the ECS group compared to the other subgroups of patients. Furthermore, the time to recurrence was significantly shorter in the ECS subjects. The presence of ECS in patients with oral cancer indicates a poor prognosis. ECS is a frequent feature in clinically node-negative settings and may be more common in smaller lymph nodes than is generally appreciated.

Disconnection of chamber and catheter as a complication of central venous catheter type port-a-cath.

The use of a central vein catheter (CVC) type port-a-cath (VPS), apart from the comfort it provides to the patient undergoing chemotherapy, also carries certain complications. In this study, our patient was subjected to chemotherapy after a radical breast cancer operation and was given a CVC type VPS. After further care, a rare complication was verified--disconnection of the chamber and catheter, which one was visually identified in the right heart chamber. As the patient was vitally endangered, she was immediately hospitalized and the catheter was removed by catheterization of the right femoral vein, with scopic imaging. Early diagnosis and localization of the problem prevented more severe complications and mortality.

Fragmentation of axillary fibrofatty tissue during dissection facilitates preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve and the lateral thoracic vein.

The preservation of neurovascular elements passing through the axillary fibrofatty tissue (the intercostobrachial nerve and the lateral thoracic vein) could be techniqually demanding if an en bloc axillary dissection is performed in the conventional way. In this paper we describe a surgical technique for more successful preservation of these elements, by which fragmentation of the axillary fibrofatty tissue is planned and performed "in advance". The techniques of axillary sampling biopsies, where lymphatic vessels are always divided, have shown that cutting of the lymph routes does not increase the risk of local regional recurrence. After adopting and applying this technique in a series of 22 consecutive dissections, the nerve was spared in 22 patients (100%) (compared to an earlier series where the nerve was spared in 53 of 65 patients (81.5%)), while the vein was spared in 21 patients (95%) (earlier 22 of 65 patients (34%)).

Radial scar of the breast--a confusing lesion.

Radial scar is a confusing lesion of the breast which represent a premalignant lesion. It looks like a tubular carcinoma but histologically we can see two rows of cells in tubules. Mammographically there are some typical but not specific signs: (1) the presence of the central radiolucency, (2) the presence of radial long thin spicules, (3) varying appearance in different projection, (4) radiolucent linear structures parallel to spicules, and (5) abscence of palpable lesion or skin changes. All these signs make the "black star" appearance. Authors reanalyzed 21 from 26 woman with the radial scar diagnosis. Aim of our study was to investigate the different morphologic changes in view of differential diagnosis, frequency and potential prognostic importance of the different lesions. According to our findings we can conclude that the radial scar is unpalpable, subclinical lesion which can be seen on mammography but the final diagnosis is histological.

[Surgical methods for the treatment of breast phyllodes tumors--a report of 319 cases].

UNLABELLED: Breast phyllodes tumors (FT) belong the fibroapitelial group of breast tumors arising in terminal ductulo-lobular unit (TDLU). Their incidence do not exceed 1% of all breast tumors. Biologicaly they can be divided into benign, borderline and malignant group. Incomplete tumor excision can be the reason for local reccurence. Malignant form of FT metastazise hematogenous most often in the lung. There is no uniform surgical opinion about the treatment FT. METHODS: We analyzed histopathology features of 319 FT of the breast surgicaly removed on Departement of surgery Institut of oncology and radiology of Serbia between 1.1.1985.-31.12.1994. Retrospective study of surgical treatment 84 patients with FT of the breast (69 benign, 4 borderline and 11 malignant) and 5 year follow up after surgery we analysed. RESULTS: local reccurence after surgery was found in 17 (20,2 %) patients(14 benign , 2 borderline and 1 malignant FT), pulmonary metastases in 6 (7,1%) patients with malignant FT. DFI was 21,3 months for local reccurences and 25,1 months for pulmonary metastases. DFS for al forms of FT was 71 % (p =0,7104) in 5-year follow up. CONCLUSION: According to biological behavior we propose wide excision for benign and borderline forms and simple mastectomy for malignant FT, and voluminous benign and borderline forms. Axillary disection is not necessary because lymphatic spread of malignant FT is unfrequent.

Visceral metastases of melanoma-single institution experience an analysis of 15 cases.

Authors analysed 15 cases with visceral metastasis of melanoma. In eight cases the primary was unknown but in seven cases the data about primary was known. From 15 patients 10 were male and 5 female. All metastases were in abdominal cavity (liver-3, abdominal lymph nodes-4. stomach-2, bowel-4, omentum-1, spleen-1, oesophagus-1, adrenal-2 cases. In one case metastatic deposit was in brain and in one case i the vertebral body. In 6 cases visceral metastases were in more than one location.

[Initial diagnosis of intra-abdominal hemorrhage caused by isolated splenic injury in blunt abdominal trauma]. / Inicijalna dijagnostika intraabdominalnog krvavljenja uzrokovano izolovanom povredom slezine kod tupe abdominalne traume.

Diagnosis of intraabdominal bleeding caused by spleen injury must be performed in the shortest possible period of time, with little risk for the patient, and with high preciseness. By its simple performance, high preciseness and little risk for the patient, DPL imposes as the predominant method in initial diagnostic of intraabdominal bleeding. Control and monitoring of lavage may duly signalize degree of bleeding. Preciseness of this diagnostic in our series ranges up to 93.3%. DPL method is especially important in a combined neurotrauma. Ultrasonography is a sovereign method in diagnostic of bleeding source as well as in monitoring of bleeding that from the very beginning does not require urgent surgical intervention. Its importance is in monitoring both intrasplenic and subcapsulary hematomas. It is not appliable in disturbed and haemodynamically unstable patients. It is in particular important in children where a maximum conservative attitude with respect to operative treatment has been assumed. CT takes the leading place with respect to preciseness of bleeding area, and the combined thoracoabdominal trauma. Preciseness of CT in our series comes up to 96.6%, but can be applied only in haemodynamically stable patients. Same as US of abdomen so the CT of abdomen represents a prominent method in monitoring of both intrasplenic and subcapsular hematomas, which do not require urgent surgical intervention.

[National organization of health care in diabetes based on the "Croatian model"]. / Nacionalna organizacija zdravstvene zastite dijabeticnih bolesnika "Hrvatski model".

This review article shows the development and organization of the "Croatian Model" of organization of health care for diabetic patients from Professor Vuk Vrhovac to this day, and its inclusion in the St. Vincent Declaration-a group of recommendations agreed upon in 1989 with the aim to decrease the morbidity and mortality of diabetes and its complications. The Model is organized on primary, secondary and terciary levels of health care. After the administrative changes of 1993, specialized health care for diabetic patients is delivered through County and Regional Centres for Diabetes and the Diabetes Reference Centre (the Vuk Vrhovac Clinic for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases), a scientific and educational institution and a WHO Collaborating Centre. Mention is made of the Croatian Diabetes Registry and statistical data on the morbidity (the prevalence of diabetes in Croatia is 2.37%) and mortality of diabetes mellitus and its complications, of organization of health care for diabetic patients, their medical treatment and care in Croatia.

[The present status and perspectives of the University of Zagreb Medical School]. / Sadasnje stanje i perspektive Medicinskog fakulteta Sveucilista u Zagrebu.

Ranked as the leading school of medicine in Croatia, University of Zagreb School of Medicine has succeeded to maintain the continuity of the high quality teaching process despite of the heritage of the socialist educational system and the harsh times of war. With the introduction of the six-year curriculum, where the "problem-solving" method is given prominence to, the school has fulfilled its requirements to meet the European standards of medical education. Teaching of the basic medical sciences is faced predominantly with the problems of obsolete equipment, whereas the quality of the education of the clinical subjects has not yet reached the desirable standards in all segments. Scientists from the University of School Zagreb of Medicine contribute to the overall scientific output of the Republic of Croatia with 10 to 20%, in addition to appearance of significant number of papers published in the international periodicals. According to the latest faculty roster, the number of full professors with teaching appointments is much too excessive. The University of Zagreb School of Medicine sees its main goal in the improvement of the quality of the teaching process. This goal is to be accomplished through introduction of the new courses (molecular biology, neuroscience, emergency medicine, ecology, medical economy etc.), improvement of the teaching methods, as well as through high standards of teaching the elective courses. Overall number of exams is also to be reduced in due time, whereas the future curriculum should provide a comprehensive medical teaching, with students actively participating in the teaching process through the first-hand experience with patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Zinc and copper in the serum of diabetic patients.

The Zn/Cu ratio was examined in the serum of three groups of persons: healthy volunteers, diabetic patients on diabetic diet (NIDDM), and diabetic patients on diabetic diet and insulin (IDDM). Zinc, copper, the Zn/Cu serum ratio, and the blood glucose level were determined during fasting and 2 h after breakfast. Zn and Cu serum levels in NIDDM and IDDM patients were decreased. The Zn/Cu ratio was higher in both groups of diabetic patients. These changes in the Zn and Cu levels as well as in the Zn/Cu ratio were not related to chronic diabetic complications.

The effect of guanidino substances from uremic plasma on insulin binding to erythrocyte receptors in uremia.

We have studied insulin binding to erythrocyte receptors in a group of 25 nonobese, nondiabetic uremic patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for 2-54 months and 14 healthy controls. Erythrocytes of predialyzed uremics bind significantly less insulin than control erythrocytes (p less than 0.01). Dialysis resulted in a rapid increase of insulin binding (p less than 0.001). The concentrations of plasma insulin and glucose remained essentially unchanged during 5-hour hemodialysis and did not significantly differ from the control values. The down regulation of insulin receptors in undialyzed patients in the presence of normal plasma insulin concentration indicates that factors other than insulin itself could be responsible for insulin receptor activity during uremia. The results demonstrated that creatinine, creatine and glycocyamine have a direct suppressive effect on insulin binding of postdialyzed plasma (p less than 0.05) in concentration of 1 mmol/l. This suggested that specific uremic toxins could play an important role in the mechanisms of altered insulin binding during hemodialysis. Despite the high concentration of these compounds in blood of uremics, the only common feature for these compounds is the presence of the guanidino group in the molecule.

[The femoral hypoplasia syndrome and unusual facies in an infant of a diabetic mother]. / Sindrom hipoplasticnih femura i neobicnog lica u djeteta majke dijabeticarke.

One-month-old female infant of diabetic mother with the femoral hypoplasia--unusual facies syndrome is presented. At birth the characteristic facial pattern of long philtrum with thin upper lip, micrognathia and cleft palate was present. Both legs showed extreme shortening of the upper segments. X-rays showed numerous skeletal abberations including radioulnar synostosis of the right elbow, dysplastic sacrum and hypoplasia of the femurs, the right one more severe. Radiological findings also revealed abnormal left kidney's collecting system and absence of the right kidney. Possible contributing factors to the pathogenetic mechanism underlying the skeletal defects in infants of diabetic mothers are considered.

Dental status in a group of adult diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental caries, DMFT score and treatment needs in a group of diabetic patients (n = 222), mean age 46.9 yr, and to compare them to those recorded in a control group (n = 189), mean age 43.9 yr, using WHO criteria. Relations between the type and duration of diabetes mellitus, diabetic complications (retinopathy and neuropathy), diabetic control, and the subjects' DMFT status were separately studied. The results obtained revealed no difference in the prevalence of caries between the group of diabetics and the control group. Neither was any difference found in the mean numbers of teeth with fillings, but the number of extracted teeth per subject was significantly higher in the group of diabetics (12.3) than in the control group (9.7) (P less than 0.01). Type I diabetics were found to have a significantly higher number of teeth with fillings (4.05 vs. 2.22) than the non-insulin dependent diabetics (P less than 0.001). Type II diabetics, however, had a significantly higher number of extracted teeth (14.1 vs. 10.4) (P less than 0.001). There was no difference in the caries experience regarding duration of diabetes, diabetic control, or diabetic complications.

CPITN assessment of periodontal disease in diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate, using the CPITN system, the periodontal treatment needs in diabetic patients, and to shed additional light on the possible effects of the duration and control of diabetes on the periodontal status in these patients. A comparison was made between 222 diabetic patients (mean age, 46.9 years) and 189 control subjects (mean age, 43.9 years). Edentulous patients were not included in the study. The results indicated that diabetic patients demonstrated significantly more missing teeth (P less than 0.001). The mean number of missing sextants was also significantly higher in diabetics. Pathologic pockets of 6 mm or more were found in 1.3 and 0.3 sextants in the diabetic and control group subjects, respectively (P less than 0.001). Up to the age of 34, no differences were observed between the diabetic and control group subjects regarding pathologic pockets of 6 mm or more. Above this age, diabetics demonstrated significantly more sextants with deep pockets (P less than 0.001). Concerning the type of diabetes, no differences related to CPITN score were found between insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetics. Neither were any differences found in the periodontal condition related to the duration and control of diabetes, whereas diabetics with advanced retinopathy demonstrated more sextants with deep pockets. Oral hygiene instructions and scaling were required in all patients from both study groups. On an average, 1.3 sextants in 50.9% of diabetics and 0.3 sextants in 17.9% of control subjects required complex treatment.