Survival outcome of non-small cell lung cancer patients: Comparing results between the database of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Zürich and the Epidemiological Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug.

BACKGROUND: Cancer cases among the population of the canton Zurich, are registered in the Cancer Registry of the cantons of Zurich and Zug (KKR). The Thoracic Oncology Center, founded in 2011 is one of 17 multidisciplinary centers within the Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich (CCCZ). METHODS: The aim of the current study is to quantify the mortality risk of patients with NSCLC and identify differences on survival and other factors between patients receiving their primary treatment at the CCCZ and those treated elsewhere and registered by KKR. The differential effect between CCCZ and KKR cohorts on survival: overall, by stage, sex and age, is explored. Stratified log-rank and Wilcoxon tests, Cox models and restricted mean survival times (RMST) are estimated. Propensity score matching (PSM) is also used to adjust for confounding factors. RESULTS: Analysis included 848 NSCLC cases from the CCCZ and 1759 from the KKR, diagnosed between January 2011 and December 2015. At a median follow-up of 57 months, overall survival (OS) was significantly superior for patients treated at the CCCZ compared to KKR [Median OS: 36.0 months (95%CI: 31.0-45.0) and 12.0 months (95%CI: 11.0-13.0), respectively, stratified log-rank p < 0.001; adjusted HR = 1.31, (95% CI: 1.18-1.46), difference in RMST up to 72 months: 13.8 months (95%CI: 11.5-16.2), p < 0.001]. The effect of cohort was significant for stages III and IV (overall and also by sex and age). After PSM OS remained significantly superior for patients treated at the CCCZ compared to KKR. CONCLUSIONS: The survival probability for patients in the CCCZ cohort was superior to that of patients in the canton Zürich treated outside the center. This analysis provides further evidence of the importance of the volume of experience and the availability of a multidisciplinary organization and research environment, as delivered by a comprehensive cancer center, on the outcome of patients with NSCLC.

[Lung Volume Reduction Surgery]. / Chirurgische Lungenvolumenreduktion.

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) offers improvement in lung function, quality of life and even survival in well selected patients with severe emphysema. Patients with all types of emphysema morphology can profit from LVRS when certain selection criteria are present. Hyperinflation plays a key role in qualifying for the procedure. Candidate selection should be performed at high volume centers with a multidisciplinary emphysema board. Qualified thoracic surgeons together with pulmonologists and radiologists identify the suitable patient considering emphysema morphology with its target areas for resection, lung function parameters and cardiac comorbidities. This review outlines candidate selection, technique and results of LVRS to inform referring physicians how to screen und inform their patients.

[Lung Volume Reduction Surgery - State of the Art 2016]. / Emphysemchirurgie - State of the Art 2016.

In a number of large case series in the mid-1990s, lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) was shown to reduce dyspnoea and improve pulmonary function and quality of life in patients with advanced pulmonary emphysema. The large randomised National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) confirmed this in the early 2000s and also demonstrated that selected patients live longer after surgery. Patient selection is crucial to the success of the procedure and should be performed at a specialised experienced centre with a multidisciplinary team approach on emphysema treatment. The upper-lobe predominant heterogeneous type of emphysema is the best indication, but there are other types of emphysema morphology that are also eligible for surgery, if ideally chosen. Nowadays there is also growing evidence for positive effects after different types of bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) with increasing quality. These methods add to the range of multimodal emphysema treatment.

[Role of pretherapeutic biomarkers in lung cancer with special regards to bronchoscopic procedures]. / Prätherapeutische Biomarker des Lungenkarzinoms unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Bronchoskopie.

Molecular biomarkers are becoming increasingly significant in the workup of lung carcinoma patients. They assist in diagnosis, selecting the most adequate therapy and determining prognosis. Obtaining blood based biomarkers or volatile markers in exhaled breath may provide a less invasive method in the future. For the time being, bronchoscopy is still the method of choice to obtain specimen and assess tissue based biomarkers. The techniques how specimen are collected and processed for analysis are of paramount importance.

[Rheumatoid arthritis and interstitial lung alterations - a clear case, isn't it?]. / Rheumatoide Arthritis und interstitielle Lungenver-änderungen - Ein klarer Fall! Oder eben doch nicht?

In a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and asymptomatic, diffuse reticulo-nodular lung parenchymal alterations with upper lobe predominance, a Caplan syndrome (CS) was diagnosed. According to the size of the pulmonary nodules, classification into two subtypes of the CS has been proposed: the classic (Caplan) type and the silicotic type. Patients with CS often present with considerable x-ray or computertomographic changes but relatively few symptoms. However, in case of respiratory symptoms, infectious complications or pneumotoxic side effects of the immunsuppressive/immune-modulating pharmacotherapy for RA must be encountered in the differential diagnosis.

[Bilateral fractures of the humerus after hypoglycemic seizure]. / Bilaterale Humerusfrakturen nach Hypoglykämie.

HISTORY: An 87 year-old woman with insulin dependent diabetes was referred to our hospital because she had sustained a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Initial blood sugar concentration before hospital admission was 1.1 mmol/l. INVESTIGATIONS: Conventional radiography and computed tomography of both shoulders confirmed the diagnosis of bilateral proximal fractures of the humerus with posterior dislocation. The cause of the seizure was found to be iatrogenic because timing of application of the dual-acting insulin medication had been wrongly changed, and the patient had developed severe hypoglycemia. TREATMENT AND COURSE: After administration of glucose and a 7-day course of antibiotics for aspiration pneumonia, both fractures were treated surgically with hemiarthroplasty. After a four-week stay in hospital the patient was discharged to her nursing home, requiring much more care than before. CONCLUSION: The presentation of simultaneous bilateral fractures of the humerus is a rare but severe and almost pathognomonic complications of generalized tonic-clonic seizures, for example in the context of marked hypoglycemia. Appropriate monitoring and treatment of blood sugar levels in diabetics must be emphasized.

[Subacute weakness of the lower limbs]. / Subakute Beinschwäche.

Complete and isolated herniation of the urinary bladder is extremely rare, and the consecutive appearance of bilateral urethral obstruction and renal failure is even rarer. We report about a 73 year old male presenting with massive nausea and muscular weakness. On physical examination he showed a giant inguinal hernia with involvement of the entire bladder along with evidence of bilateral hydronephrosis. His serum creatinine and potassium levels were markedly elevated most likely leading to his presenting symptoms of azotemia (nausea) and hyperkalemia (weakness). After transscrotal drainage and decompression of the bladder, a transurethral catheter was inserted. After gaining full renal recovery, the hernia was repaired successfully performing the Lichtenstein procedure.

["Ghost peak" in gas chromatography in a delirious woman with severe metabolic acidosis. Intoxication with an unknown substance?]. / "Geisterpeak" in der Gas-Chromatografie bei schwerer metabolischer Azidose. Intoxikation mit unbekannter Substanz?

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 31-year-old female with known type 1 diabetes mellitus was referred because of symptomatic hyperglycemia. On admission she was delirious and impressed with marked Kussmaul breathing. All other vital signs were normal. INVESTIGATIONS: Blood serum glucose concentration was 26.4 mmol/l. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed massive metabolic acidosis (pH 6.80) with an elevated anion gap (21 mmol/l) and a marginally increased osmolar gap (21,5 mOsm/l). TREATMENT AND COURSE: Despite normalization of the serum glucose and acidemia after administration of normal saline, insulin and bicarbonate, the delirium persisted, and the possibility of an additional intoxication had to be considered. Serum headspace analysis for intoxication with solvents (gas chromatography) finally detected a "ghost peak", which could not be assigned to any established substance. The same peak was, however, found in a healthy subject's serum and was found to be a "toluene peak". Toluene is contained as "contaminator" in gels in blood collection tubes. The patient gradually regained consciousness and "merely" suffered from diabetic ketoacidosis associated with cocaine use. CONCLUSION: The differential diagnosis of high anion gap metabolic acidosis includes among other reasons intoxications with different kinds of solvents. When looking for solvents in the serum when poisoning is suspected (headspace analysis), only blood collection tubes without gel (EDTA plasma) should be used, because all gels contain solvents (in this case toluene).

Idiopathic non-histaminergic angio-oedema after routine extubation successfully treated with fresh frozen plasma.

Non-allergic angio-oedema is a potentially life-threatening condition typically seen in patients with hereditary or acquired angio-oedema caused by C1 inhibitor deficiency or an adverse drug reaction to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. We report a case of sudden angio-oedema in a patient who developed severe swelling of the tongue and neck after routine extubation requiring resuscitative re-intubation. The oedema was refractory to conventional allergy treatment. Shortly thereafter, the patient was treated with fresh frozen plasma, and within a few hours his condition improved, allowing extubation. Familial history and exposure to potentially angio-oedema causative drugs were not evident. The serum complement status was normal, and no IgE sensitisation was detected. We therefore concluded that the patient was suffering from idiopathic non-histaminergic angio-oedema. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an acute, life-threatening attack of idiopathic non-histaminergic angio-oedema that was successfully treated with fresh frozen plasma.

[Neuroleptic malignant syndrome after 30 years treatment with clozapine: a rarely seen differential diagnosis on intensive care units]. / Malignes neuroleptisches Syndrom nach 30-jähriger Behandlung mit Clozapin: Eine seltene Differenzialdiagnose auf der Intensivstation.

The neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare, but potentially lethal side effect of conventional and atypical antipsychotic drugs. We present a 62 years old male patient who was admitted to our institution because of sudden onset of mild hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, stupor, leucocytosis and massive rhabdomyolysis after 30 years uneventful treatment with clozapine. The medication with clozapine was suspended because of the suspicion of NMS. When the acute symptoms were abated, the treatment with clozapine was resumed again after 14 days. The very next day, the patient suffered again from raised body core temperature, leucocytosis, elevated serum creatine kinase and new catatonia. The therapy with clozapine was stopped definitively and benzodiazepines were administered assuming a relapse of an alleviated, probably reconvening NMS. Under the treatment with benzodiazepines the patient was free of symptoms even after 1 month. To our knowledge, the latency of 30 years between the beginning of the treatment with clozapine and the onset of NMS is the longest period in the literature. According to our case, the differential diagnosis of NMS is not always trivial and is therefore discussed.

[The Guideline Clearing Project COPD. Recommendations for a National Guideline]. / Das Leitlinien-Clearingverfahren COPD. Empfehlungen für eine nationale Leitlinie.

In order to promote the care of patients with COPD in Germany a national guideline clearing project was initiated jointly by autonomous corporate bodies of the German health care system. Following a systematic search of literature data bases between 1992 and 2002, 20 guidelines were identified that met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated with the German Checklist for Methodological Guideline Appraisal. Following this, a multidisciplinary expert group appointed by the German Guideline Clearinghouse (Leitlinien-Clearingstelle im Arztlichen Zentrum fur Qualitat in der Medizin, AZQ) reviewed the suitability of these guidelines for the use in the German health care system. Referring to methodological aspects, criteria were best met by the guideline of the Veteran's Health Administration/Department of Defense (US), followed by the one of the Deutsche Atemwegsliga and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Pneumologie. Aiming at the production respectivly a revision of a German national guideline for COPD the expert group agreed on recommendations organized in 19 chapters. Among others these strengthened the role of a precise definition of COPD based primarily on the pathogenesis, of a subtle description of all diagnostic and therapeutic tools and of a detailed description of quality assurance and quality management. The feasability of recommendations were demonstrated by examples chosen from the evaluated guidelines. Additionally the presented findings may be used as steering tools in the German Health care system.

[The German guideline clearing-project on bronchial asthma - part 2: recommendations and key topics for a national guideline on bronchial asthma]. / Das Leitlinien-Clearingverfahren Asthma bronchiale - 2. Empfehlungen zu Eckpunkten für eine nationale Leitlinie Asthma bronchiale.

BACKGROUND: In order to promote the quality of asthma management in Germany, a national asthma guidelines clearing project was initiated in 2000 by the German Guidelines Clearinghouse (Sponsors: German Medical Association (GMA), National Association of the Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (NASHIP), German Hospital Federation, Federal Association of the Statutory Sickness Funds. This Part shows the key topics which should be dealt with in a German guideline on bronchial asthma. SUMMARY POINTS: For quality promotion of bronchial asthma management in Germany, the development of a national evidence-based guideline, using the internationally accepted quality criteria for clinical practice guidelines, was recommended by an expert group of the German Guideline Clearinghouse. The experts identified and peer-reviewed 16 out of 54 guidelines, which might be useful as benchmarks and examples for a German asthma guideline. From the peer review results, the expert group identified 18 key topics for a national asthma guideline.

[A comparison of high resolution computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis]. / Bildgebende Diagnostik der allergischen bronchopulmonalen Aspergillose: Vergleich von hochauflösender Computertomographie und Kernspintomographie.

Apart from serologic markers structural changes of bronchi and adjacent lung tissue are key factors determining the diagnosis and course of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Due to problems relating to procedural hazards and radiation exposure using bronchography and computerized tomography we evaluated the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging of the lung in ABPA. Direct comparison of high resolution computerized tomography (HR-CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MR) in 5 patients with ABPA revealed that image resolution and data acquisition of present MR technique are insufficient to accurately delineate the extent and activity of structural damage of bronchi and adjacent lung tissue. Although major bronchiectasis may be identified, MR was unable to demonstrate even extensive patchy infiltrates seen in high resolution computerized tomography. At present, magnetic resonance imaging cannot be recommended for determining diagnosis or course of ABPA.

[The German guideline clearing-project on bronchial asthma-part 1: Methodology and results of formal appraisal]. / Das Leitlinien-Clearingverfahren Asthma bronchiale--1. Methodik und Ergebnisse der formalen Bewertung.

BACKGROUND: In order to promote quality of asthma management in Germany, a national asthma guidelines clearing project was initiated in 2000 by the German Guidelines Clearinghouse (Sponsors: German Medical Association (GMA), National Association of the Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (NASHIP), German Hospital Federation, Federal Association of the Statutory Sickness Funds. Part 1 of this article shows the methodology and the results of the appraisal, part 2 (to be published) shows the key topics which should be dealt with in a german guideline on bronchial asthma. OBJECTIVES: To identify and compare evidence-based, high-quality German- and English language asthma guidelines as benchmarks for ongoing guideline development and implementation programmes. To disseminate information about asthma guidelines developed in accordance with current methodological know-how. To identify and consent key topics for a national evidence-based guideline for Germany. METHODS: Search procedure, formal appraisal: Systematic search using literature databases (XMED, incl. Medline and Embase) and English-/German-language guideline databases (via www. leitlinien.de), published between January 1990 and March 2000. Abstract screening of the search results according to the inclusion criteria (n = 54 of a total of 502 hits). Methodological guideline evaluation of 16 guidelines using the German checklist for methodological guideline appraisal. Appraisal of guidelines' contents: Peer review of guidelines with the following inclusion criteria: Bronchial Asthma-general, German and English language, based in references published later than 1994, new guideline or actual update. Peer review was performed by a multidisciplinary focus group of EBM experts (clinical and ambulatory settings). No expert was involved in guideline production during the review period. RESULTS: Methodological appraisal: 16 out of guidelines were in accordance with the formal minimal standard with a wide range within the following domains: "description of the development process", "declaration of authors' independence", "explicit link between recommendations and the supporting evidence", "management options", "tools for implementation". The focus group recommended for future national asthma guidelines to rely on the following procedures: (1) to formulate the recommendations using standardized, clearly described consensus methods basing on evidence retrieved and selected in a systematic way (2) to prove links between recommendations and supporting evidence (3) to develop guideline versions for health care professionals as well as for consumer/patients (4) to develop guideline-based education tools (5) to ensure periodical updates of the asthma guideline (6) to consider the methodological recommendations and to give reasons for deviations from the methodological recommendations. APPRAISAL OF GUIDELINES CONTENT: None of the guidelines identified comprised information about all of the following key topics considered to be relevant for a German national guideline by the focus group: (1) intended guideline users/goals, (2) definition (3) cause of disease, (4) form of disease, (5) severity, (6) diagnosis, (7) therapeutic goals, (8) prevention, (9) pharmacotherapy, (10) non-pharmacotherapy, (11) therapy control and compliance, (12) emergency treatment, (13) rehabilitation, (14) comorbidity, (15) special aspects, (16) coordination of care, (17) quality assurance/quality management, (18) implementation. SUMMARY POINTS: For quality promotion of bronchial asthma management in Germany, the development of a national evidence-based guideline, using the internationally accepted quality criteria for clinical practice guidelines, was recommended by an expert group of the German Guideline Clearinghouse. The experts identified and peer-reviewed 16 out of 54 guidelines, which might be useful as benchmarks and examples for a German asthma guideline. From the peer review results, the expert group identified 18 key topics for a national asthma guideline.