An Elephant in the Emergency Department: Symptom of Disparities in Cancer Care.

Reliance on emergency departments (EDs) by economically disadvantaged people for initial cancer diagnosis in place of primary care and early diagnosis and treatment is 1 obvious plausible explanation for cancer disparities. Claims data from a safety net hospital for the years 2009-2010 were merged with hospital tumor registry data to compare hospitalizations for ED-associated initial cancer diagnoses to non-ED associated initial diagnoses. The proportion of initial cancer diagnoses associated with hospital admissions through the ED was relatively high (32%) for all safety net hospital patients, but disproportionately higher for African Americans and residents of the impoverished urban core. Use of the ED for initial diagnosis was associated with a 75% higher risk of stage 4 versus stage 1 cancer diagnosis, and a 176% higher risk of dying during the 2-year study period. Findings from this study of ED use within a safety net hospital documented profound disparities in cancer care and outcomes with major implications for monitoring disparities, Affordable Care Act impact, and safety net hospital utilization. (Population Health Management 2016;19:95-101).

Pneumatosis and portal venous gas: do CT findings reassure?

BACKGROUND: Small, single-institution studies have suggested risk factors for bowel ischemia/necrosis (I/N) in patients with computed tomography (CT) findings of pneumatosis (PN) and portal venous gas (PVG). Here, analysis has been expanded in a large, multicenter study. MATERIALS & METHODS: Logistic regression models and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to construct a scoring system for I/N in cases of PN/PVG. RESULTS: Of 265 patients with PN/PVG identified, 209 had adequate data. In unadjusted analyses the following variables were significantly associated with I/N: age, peritoneal signs, ascites, the presence of both PVG and PN, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), CO2, albumin, and a history of hypertension, myocardial infarction, or stroke. In contrast, the CT findings of mesenteric stranding, bowel-wall thickening, and type of PN were not associated with I/N. In adjusted analyses, three variables were significantly associated with I/N: age ≥60 y (odds ratio = 2.51, 95% confidence interval: 1.26-4.97), peritoneal signs (10.58, 4.23-26.4), and BUN >25 mg/dL (3.08, 1.54-6.17), whereas presence of both PN and PVG (versus only one) was associated with an increase (but not statistically significant increase) in odds (2.01, 0.94-4.36). Although several ad hoc models were used to maximize diagnostic ability, with maximal odds ratio = 174, the areas of receiver operating characteristic curves were all below 0.80, revealing suboptimal accuracy to diagnose I/N. CONCLUSIONS: Older age, peritoneal signs, and high BUN are associated with I/N, suggesting an ability to predict which patients need operation. CT findings traditionally suggestive of ischemic PN/PVG, however, do not diagnose I/N accurately enough to reliably identify patients needing operation.

Splenic hamartoma: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural profile of two cases.

Splenic hamartoma (SH) is a rare, benign lesion. We present 2 cases, both in females (2 and 30 years, respectively) with multiple urinary tract infections, and left upper quadrant abdominal pain. Immunohistochemical staining with factor VIII displayed intense diffuse staining in the SH with corresponding weak staining in the adjacent spleen. CD31 showed a reverse pattern from that of factor VIII. CD34 staining pattern was identical in both the spleen and the SH. Ultrastructurally, the SH showed endothelial cells with relatively empty cytoplasm, scattered Weibel Palade bodies, and lining by basement membrane surrounded by fibrous long-spacing collagen. Our study highlights the unique immunohistochemical profile of SH. The ultrastructural features are interesting, although their diagnostic significance remains to be confirmed in future studies.

Isolated abdominal wound metastasis from a gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) frequently recur even after complete resection. The typical pattern of failure from GISTs is both local and distant with hepatic and peritoneal metastases being most common. Isolated abdominal-wall recurrence from GISTs has not been previously described. AIM OF THE STUDY: To report an isolated abdominal-wound recurrence in the absence of widespread disease in a patient with GIST. METHODS: Case report of a GIST and isolated abdominal-wound recurrence after laparoscopic-assisted en bloc resection. RESULTS: Elderly male patient presented with an isolated abdominal wall incisional recurrence 18 mo after gastric resection and adjuvant imatinib mesylate therapy for a high-grade GIST. CONCLUSIONS: Complete resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors followed by imatinib therapy may alter the extent of recurrence.