Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of the cervix in a patient with a high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion: case report and review of the literature.

Minimal deviation cervical adenocarcinoma, otherwise known as adenoma malignum, is a rare and particularly well differentiated type of cervical adenocarcinoma, and is often misdiagnosed because of its benign-looking histological features. Adenoma malignum represents only 1-3% of all cervical adenocarcinomas. The Papanicolaou smear as well as punch biopsies can fail in the detection of adenoma malignum. We present the case of a 55-year-old woman diagnosed as having microinvasive minimal deviation of the adenocarcinoma cervix, after conisation for a high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion. The patient was referred for an abnormal pap smear to our colposcopy clinic where the punch biopsies performed failed to diagnose the disease. The consequent cone biopsy because of CIN3, provided us with a definite diagnosis of adenoma malignum. Subsequently, the patient underwent a radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. The histologic examination was normal. Coexistence of a squamous intraepithelial lesion with adenoma malignum is extremely uncommon.

Primary melanoma of the vagina: a case report.

Primary malignant vaginal melanoma is a rare vaginal tumour accompanied by an extremely high risk of local recurrence, distant metastasis and a small survival rate. Due to the fact that vaginal melanoma is quite uncommon there is lack of powerful prospective studies in the literature, thus the treatment choice remains controversial. An 85-year-old woman with a primary malignant vaginal melanoma located on the left lateral aspect of the distal vagina, with the greatest diameter almost 5 cm, was referred to our clinic. There was not any sign of local or distant metastasis identified. According to the most recently published data in the international literature, we decided along with the patient to perform conservative dissection of the tumor with free surgical margins as the appropriate mode of therapy. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy or radical extirpation cannot increase the survival time, even if there is a local or distant spread of melanoma.

Reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the Major Depression Inventory.

BACKGROUND: The Major Depression Inventory (MDI) is a brief self-rating scale for the assessment of depression. It is reported to be valid because it is based on the universe of symptoms of DSM-IV and ICD-10 depression. The aim of the current preliminary study was to assess the reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the MDI. METHODS: 30 depressed patients of mean age 23.41 (+/- 5.77) years, and 68 controls patients of mean age 25.08 (+/- 11.42) years, entered the study. In 18 of them, the instrument was re-applied 1-2 days later and the Translation and Back Translation made. Clinical diagnosis was reached with the use of the SCAN v.2.0 and the International Personality Disorders Examination (IPDE). The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) and the Zung Depression Rating Scale (ZDRS) were applied for cross-validation purposes. Statistical analysis included ANOVA, the Spearman Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, Principal Components Analysis and the calculation of Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity were 0.86 and 0.94, respectively, at 26/27. Cronbach's alpha for the total scale was equal to 0.89. The Spearman's rho between MDI and CES-D was 0.86 and between MDI and ZDRS was 0.76. The factor analysis revealed two factors but the first accounted for 54% of variance while the second only for 9%. The test-retest reliability was excellent (Spearman's rho between 0.53 and 0.96 for individual items and 0.89 for total score). CONCLUSION: The current study provided preliminary evidence concerning the reliability and validity of the Greek translation of the MDI. Its properties are similar to those reported in the international literature, but further research is necessary.

Reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the current study was to assess the reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the Center for Epidemiological Studies- Depression Scale (CES-D). METHODS: 40 depressed patients 29.65 +/- 9.38 years old, and 120 normal controls 27.23 +/- 10.62 years old entered the study. In 20 of them (12 patients and 8 controls) the instrument was re-applied 1-2 days later. Translation and Back Translation was made. Clinical Diagnosis was reached by consensus of two examiners with the use of the SCAN v.2.0 and the IPDE. Statistical Analysis included ANOVA, the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, Principal Components Analysis and Discriminant Function Analysis and the calculation of Cronbach's alpha (alpha) RESULTS: Both Sensitivity and specificity exceed 90.00 at 23/24, Chronbach's alpha for the total scale was equal to 0.95. Factor analysis revealed three factors (positive affect, irritability and interpersonal relationships, depressed affect and somatic complains). The test-retest reliability was satisfactory (Pearson's R between 0.45 and 0.95 for individual items and 0.71 for total score). CONCLUSION: The Greek translation of the CES-D scale is both reliable and valid and is suitable for clinical and research use with satisfactory properties. Its properties are similar to those reported in the international literature. However one should always have in mind the limitations inherent in the use of self-report scales.

Reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the Zung Depression Rating Scale.

INTRODUCTION: The current study aimed to assess the reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the Zung Depression Rating Scale (ZDRS). METHODS: The study sample included 40 depressed patients 29.65 +/- 9.38 years old and 120 normal comparison subjects 27.23 +/- 10.62 years old. In 20 of them (12 patients and 8 comparison subjects) the instrument was re-applied 1-2 days later. Translation and Back Translation was made. Clinical Diagnosis was reached by consensus of two examiners with the use of the SCAN v.2.0 and the IPDE. Statistical Analysis included ANOVA, the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, Principal Components Analysis and Discriminant Function Analysis and the calculation of Cronbach's alpha (alpha) RESULTS: Both Sensitivity and specificity exceed 90.00 at 44/45, Chronbach's alpha for the total scale was equal to 0.09, suggesting that the scale covers a broad spectrum of symptoms. Factor analysis revealed five factors (anxiety-depression, thought content, gastrenterological symptoms, irritability and social-interpersonal functioning). The test-retest reliability was satisfactory (Pearson's R between 0.92). CONCLUSION: The ZDRS-Greek translation is both reliable and valid and is suitable for clinical and research use with satisfactory properties. Its properties are similar to those reported in the international literature, although the literature is limited. However one should always have in mind the limitations inherent in the use of self-report scales.