Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a sustainable obesity prevention programme for preschool children delivered at scale 'HENRY' (Health, Exercise, Nutrition for the Really Young): protocol for the HENRY III cluster randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: One-fifth of children start school already overweight or living with obesity, with rates disproportionately impacting those living in the most deprived areas. Social, environmental and biological factors contribute to excess weight gain and programmes delivered in early years settings aim to support families to navigate these in order to prevent obesity. One of these programmes (Health, Exercise and Nutrition for the Really Young, HENRY) has been delivered in UK community venues (hereon named 'centres') in high deprivation areas since 2008 and aims to help families to provide a healthy start for their preschool children. We aim to establish the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of HENRY, including its potential role from a wider systems perspective. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a multicentre, open-labelled, two-group, prospective, cluster randomised controlled trial, with cost-effectiveness analysis, systems-based process evaluation and internal pilot. Primary analysis will compare body mass index (BMI) z-score at 12 months in children (n=984) whose parents have attended HENRY to those who have not attended. Secondary outcomes include parent and staff BMI and waist circumference, parenting efficacy, feeding, eating habits, quality of life, resource use and medium term (3 years) BMI z-scores (child and siblings). 82 centres in ~14 local authority areas will be randomised (1:1) to receive HENRY or continue with standard practice. Intention-to-treat analysis will compare outcomes using mixed effects linear regression. Economic evaluation will estimate a within-trial calculation of cost-per unit change in BMI z-score and longer-term trajectories to determine lifelong cost savings (long-term outcomes). A systems process evaluation will explore whether (and how) implementation of HENRY impacts (and is impacted by) the early years obesity system. An established parent advisory group will support delivery and dissemination. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been granted by the University of York, Health Sciences' Research Governance Committee (HSRGC/2022/537/E). Dissemination includes policy reports, community resources, social media and academic outputs. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN16529380.

Effect of Nature-Themed Recharge Room on Healthcare Workers' Level of Stress and Anxiety.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is a difference in stress and anxiety before and after the use of the nature-themed recharge room. BACKGROUND: Psychological support measures have been noted to be relevant to nurses; however, the effect of the pandemic on the healthcare workers' emotional and psychological well-being led to urgent calls to implement psychological support measures more widely. METHODS: The study utilized a 1-group pretest and posttest design. One hundred sixty hospital employees utilized the recharge room, with 131 completed questionnaires counted in the data analysis. Data were collected using the demographic form, Perceived Stress Scale, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. RESULTS: Most participants were between 25 and 35 years old, female, worked the morning shift, had 3 to 5 years of experience, preferred a water feature theme, and used the room for 10 minutes. The mean stress preintervention score was 7.44, and postintervention score was 7.17, with the difference not statistically significant. The mean anxiety preintervention score was 14.17, and postintervention score was 8.48, with the difference statistically significant at a P < 0.05. Females working in the hospital for 1 to 5 years were physicians/residents, nursing support staff, and leaders with the highest mean stress (4-item Perceived Stress Scale) and anxiety (6-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) preintervention scores. Comparing the preintervention and postintervention anxiety levels, the highest reduction was noted among females working in the hospital for 1 to 3 years and nursing support staff who have used the room for 5 to 15 minutes with 2 or fewer people. CONCLUSION: Organizational leaders should offer psychological support programs, such as the nature-themed recharge room, to help reduce the healthcare workers' stress and anxiety.

Evaluation of two electronic-rehabilitation programmes for persistent knee pain: protocol for a randomised feasibility trial.

INTRODUCTION: Persistent, knee pain is a common cause of disability. Education and exercise treatment are advocated in all clinical guidelines; however, the increasing prevalence of persistent knee pain presents challenges for health services regarding appropriate and scalable delivery of these treatments. Digital technologies may help address this, and this trial will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of two electronic-rehabilitation interventions: 'My Knee UK' and 'Group E-Rehab'. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol describes a non-blinded, randomised feasibility trial with three parallel groups. The trial aims to recruit 90 participants (45 years or older) with a history of persistent knee pain consistent with a clinical diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. The 'My Knee UK' intervention arm will receive a self-directed unsupervised internet-based home exercise programme plus short message service support (targeting exercise behaviour change) for 12 weeks; the 'Group E-Rehab' intervention arm will receive group-based physiotherapist-prescribed home exercises delivered via videoconferencing accompanied by internet-interactive educational sessions for 12 weeks; the control arm will receive usual physiotherapy care or continue with their usual self-management (depending on their recruitment path). Feasibility variables, patient-reported outcomes and clinical findings measured at baseline, 3 and 9 months will be assessed and integrated with qualitative interview data from a subset of Group E-Rehab and My Knee UK participants. If considered feasible and acceptable, a definitive randomised controlled trial can be conducted to investigate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of one or both interventions with a view to implementation in routine care. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The trial was approved by the West of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 5 (Reference: 20/WS/0006). The results of the study will be disseminated to study participants, the study grant funder and will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN15564385.

Screening for cerebrovascular disorder on the basis of family history in asymptomatic children.

Background: Cerebrovascular disorders represent a group of uncommon, heterogeneous, and complex conditions in children. We reviewed the screening practice for the detection of cerebrovascular disorder in asymptomatic children referred to our neurovascular service on the basis of a positive family history and parental and/or treating physician concern.Methods: Retrospective case-note review of referrals to our neurovascular service (July 2008-April 2018). Patients were included if the referral was made for screening, on the basis of a positive family history of cerebrovascular disorder. Symptomatic children, those with previous cranial imaging, or children under the care of a clinical geneticist (i.e. due to the child or their relative having HHT or mutations in KRIT1) were not eligible for inclusion.Results: Forty-one children were reviewed, 22 males (Median age 10.7 years, range 0.6-15.6 years). This represented 22% of the total number of referrals over a 10-year period. Twenty-nine children had an MRI/MRA brain. Twenty-eight children were referred due to a family history of intracranial aneurysm and/or subarachnoid haemorrhage, but only two had two first-degree relatives affected. Ten children were referred due to a family history of arteriovenous malformation. Three children were referred due to a family history of stroke. No cerebrovascular disease was detected during the study period (n = 29).Conclusions: Parental and/or physician concern generated a substantial number of referrals but no pathology was detected after screening. Whilst general screening guidance exists for the detection of intracranial aneurysms, consensus guidelines for the screening of children with a positive family history do not, but are required both to guide clinical practice and to assuage parental and/or physician concerns.

Optical coherence tomography outcomes from SPRINT-MS, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial of ibudilast in progressive multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The SPRINT-MS trial demonstrated benefit of ibudilast on brain atrophy over 96 weeks in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed in all trial participants. OBJECTIVE: Report the OCT results of the SPRINT-MS trial. METHODS: OCT was obtained at baseline and every 6 months using spectral domain OCT and analyzed by an OCT reading center. Change in each OCT outcome measure by treatment group was estimated using linear mixed models. RESULTS: Change in pRNFL thickness was +0.0424 uM/year (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.3091 to 0.3939) for ibudilast versus -0.2630 uM (95% CI: -0.5973 to 0.0714) for placebo (n = 244, p = 0.22). Macular volume change was -0.00503 mm3/year (-0.02693 to 0.01688) with ibudilast versus -0.03659 mm3/year (-0.05824 to -0.01494) for placebo in the Spectralis cohort (n = 61, p = 0.044). For the Cirrus cohort, macular volume change was -0.00040 mm3/year (-0.02167, 0.020866) with ibudilast compared to -0.02083 mm3/year (-0.04134 to -0.00033) for placebo (n = 183, p = 0.1734). Ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness change, available from Cirrus, was -0.4893 uM/year (-0.9132, -0.0654) with ibudilast versus -0.9587 uM/year (-1.3677, -0.5498) with placebo (n = 183, p = 0.12). CONCLUSION: Retinal thinning in MS may be attenuated by ibudilast. Sample size estimates suggest OCT can be a viable outcome measure in progressive MS trials if a therapy has a large treatment effect. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NN102/SPRINT-MS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01982942.

Cranial and ventricular size following shunting or endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in infants with aqueductal stenosis: further insights from the International Infant Hydrocephalus Study (IIHS).

PURPOSE: The craniometrics of head circumference (HC) and ventricular size are part of the clinical assessment of infants with hydrocephalus and are often utilized in conjunction with other clinical and radiological parameters to determine the success of treatment. We aimed to assess the effect of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and shunting on craniometric measurements during the follow-up of a cohort of infants with symptomatic triventricular hydrocephalus secondary to aqueductal stenosis. METHODS: We performed a post hoc analysis of data from the International Infant Hydrocephalus Study (IIHS)-a prospective, multicenter study of infants (< 24 months old) with hydrocephalus from aqueductal stenosis who were treated with either an ETV or shunt. During various stages of a 5-year follow-up period, the following craniometrics were measured: HC, HC centile, HC z-score, and frontal-occipital horn ratio (FOR). Data were compared in an analysis of covariance, adjusting for baseline variables including age at surgery and sex. RESULTS: Of 158 enrolled patients, 115 underwent an ETV, while 43 received a shunt. Both procedures led to improvements in the mean HC centile position and z-score, a trend which continued until the 5-year assessment point. A similar trend was noted for FOR which was measured at 12 months and 3 years following initial treatment. Although the values were consistently higher for ETV compared with shunt, the differences in HC value, centile, and z-score were not significant. ETV was associated with a significantly higher FOR compared with shunting at 12 months (0.52 vs 0.44; p = 0.002) and 3 years (0.46 vs 0.38; p = 0.03) of follow-up. CONCLUSION: ETV and shunting led to improvements in HC centile, z-score, and FOR measurements during long-term follow-up of infants with hydrocephalus secondary to aqueductal stenosis. Head size did not significantly differ between the treatment groups during follow-up, however ventricle size was greater in those undergoing ETV when measured at 1 and 3 years following treatment.

Lasik Xtra® Provides Corneal Stability and Improved Outcomes.

A new procedure which combines LASIK and corneal cross-linking (Lasik Xtra®) has been proposed as an alternative to traditional LASIK. It is aimed at restoring strength to the cornea, increasing stability in visual outcomes, increasing the accuracy of the refractive correction, and potentially lowering enhancement rates. This article reviews the current clinical evidence which has been published on the topic and reviews both the safety and efficacy argument for the procedure.

Indwelling intrathecal catheter with subcutaneous abdominal reservoir: a viable baclofen delivery system in severely cachectic patients.

Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) is a reversible treatment that reduces muscle tone to ameliorate spasticity and dystonia in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). The resulting decrease in energy expenditure allows patients to gain much-needed weight, albeit temporarily. Modern techniques require sufficient abdominal musculature and subcutaneous fat to permit the implantation of an indwelling pump. In patients with extremely low muscle bulk, visceral pumps may be impractical or impossible, with increased risks of dehiscence and infection. The authors describe a variation of the classical procedure in a young patient with severe cachexia. A 10-year-old boy with spastic-dystonic quadriplegic CP was admitted to the neuromedical unit. Numerous drug trials had failed, and surgical intervention was deemed necessary but was complicated by his cachectic body habitus. The authors inserted a lumbar intrathecal catheter and subcutaneously tunneled it to the anterolateral abdomen, where it was connected to a subcutaneous injection port. Baclofen was continuously infused into the subcutaneous port using a noncoring needle connected to an external pump. The needle and line were changed every 5 days to minimize the risk of sepsis. Although other techniques, such as intraventricular baclofen delivery, have been described, these are largely dependent upon sufficient musculature to support a visceral pump. A subcutaneous injection port system represents an alternative approach that reduces the risk of sepsis and may be better tolerated in cachectic patients.

Adverse events following immunization in Ontario's female school-based HPV program.

BACKGROUND: In September 2007, a school-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program targeting grade 8 girls (approximately 13 years old) and delivered by public health was implemented in Ontario, Canada. We assessed reports of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) from the school-based program as part of quadrivalent HPV (HPV4) vaccine safety surveillance and to contribute to a comprehensive HPV vaccine program evaluation. METHODS: AEFIs following HPV4 vaccine (Gardasil(®)) administered between September 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011 were extracted from the province's reportable disease system. Confirmed AEFI reports among females 12-15 years old (i.e. assumed to have received vaccine through the program) were included. Events were grouped according to provincial AEFI case definitions. Rates were calculated using doses distributed as the denominator. RESULTS: Between 2007 and 2011, 133 confirmed AEFIs were reported while 691,994 HPV4 vaccine doses were distributed in the school-based program. The overall reporting rate was 19.2 HPV4 AEFI per 100,000 doses distributed. Annual reporting rates decreased from 30.0 to 18.3 per 100,000 doses distributed. Frequently reported events included 'allergic reaction-dermatologic/mucosa' (25%), 'rash' (22%), and 'local/injection site reaction' (20%); 26% of reports had a non-specific event of 'other severe/unusual events' selected. Ten serious AEFIs were reported (7.5% of reports) including 2 anaphylaxis, 2 seizures, 1 thrombocytopenia and 1 death. Further review found that the reports of anaphylaxis did not meet the Brighton anaphylaxis definition and the death was attributed to a preexisting cardiac condition. CONCLUSIONS: Overall these findings are consistent with the safety profile of HPV4 vaccine from pre-licensure clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance reports and importantly, no new safety signals were identified, especially no reports of VTE in this younger female population. Continued assessment of HPV4 AEFI surveillance data may be important to detect and investigate safety signals.

The role of surgery in optic pathway/hypothalamic gliomas in children.

OBJECT: Optic pathway/hypothalamic gliomas (OPHGs) are generally benign tumors situated in an exquisitely sensitive brain region. The location and natural history of OPHGs has led to much debate about optimal treatment. This paper revisits the role of and optimal timing of debulking surgery in OPHG. METHODS: This paper presents a series of cases managed by the neuro-oncology team at Alder Hey Children's Hospital and a single surgeon. Data were collected retrospectively for periods prior to 2009 and prospectively thereafter. Tailored treatment strategies were used, including observation and combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Tumor control rates and outcomes are reviewed. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were treated between 1998 and 2011. Their median age at diagnosis was 5 years 7 months. Nineteen patients were positive for neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) and 23 patients were negative for NF1. The median duration of follow-up was 77 months (range 21.8-142.3 months). Presenting symptoms included visual impairment (in 50% of cases), headache (in 24%), and hypothalamic/pituitary dysfunction (in 29%). Twenty-two debulking procedures were performed in 21 patients. Four biopsies (3 open, 1 endoscopic) were also performed. The histological diagnosis was pilocytic astrocytoma in 21 patients and pilomyxoid astrocytoma in 2 patients. Ten patients (Group 1) had primary surgical debulking alone and were then observed. Four patients (Group 2) had surgical debulking, plus planned chemotherapy within 3 months. Seven patients (Group 3) required surgical debulking for progressive disease following a variety of treatments. Patient age had the greatest impact on subsequent tumor progression. In total, 13 patients received chemotherapy, 4 on initial presentation, 4 in combination with surgery, and 5 for further tumor progression. Five patients were treated with radiotherapy, 3 prior to referral to Alder Hey. Eleven patients required shunt insertion for hydrocephalus. Vision was stabilized for 74% of patients. The number of patients with hypothalamic/pituitary dysfunction increased from 12 at presentation to 16 by the end of treatment. The overall survival rate was 93%. Three patients died-1 from tumor progression, 1 from infective complications from tumor biopsy, and 1 from a spontaneous posterior fossa hemorrhage. NF1 was associated with improved outcome-fewer patients required active intervention and rates of visual impairment and/or or hypothalamic/pituitary dysfunction were lower. CONCLUSIONS: Good long-term survival and functional outcomes can be achieved in children with OPHG. Tumor control was achieved through an individualized approach using surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy in varied combinations. The authors aim to limit radiotherapy to cases involving older children in whom other therapies have failed, due to the well-described and often devastating late effects associated with midline cranial irradiation. Surgery has a clear role for diagnosis, tumor control, and relief of mass effect. In particular, primary surgical debulking of tumor (without adjuvant therapy) is safe and effective. Recent advances in intraoperative MRI may add value and need further assessment.

Evaluation of a miniature microscope objective designed for fluorescence array microscopy detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

CONTEXT: A prototype miniature objective that was designed for a point-of-care diagnostic array microscope for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and previously fabricated and presented in a proof of concept is evaluated for its effectiveness in detecting acid-fast bacteria. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of the microscope to resolve submicron features and details in the image of acid-fast microorganisms stained with a fluorescent dye, and to evaluate the accuracy of clinical diagnoses made with digital images acquired with the objective. DESIGN: The lens prescription data for the microscope design are presented. A test platform is built by combining parts of a standard microscope, a prototype objective, and a digital single-lens reflex camera. Counts of acid-fast bacteria made with the prototype objective are compared to counts obtained with a standard microscope over matched fields of view. Two sets of 20 smears, positive and negative, are diagnosed by 2 pathologists as sputum smear positive or sputum smear negative, using both a standard clinical microscope and the prototype objective under evaluation. The results are compared to a reference diagnosis of the same sample. RESULTS: More bacteria are counted in matched fields of view in digital images taken with the prototype objective than with the standard clinical microscope. All diagnostic results are found to be highly concordant. CONCLUSIONS: An array microscope built with this miniature lens design will be able to detect M tuberculosis with high sensitivity and specificity.

Spatiotemporal dynamics and demographic profiles of imported Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections in Ontario, Canada (1990-2009).

We examined malaria cases reported to Ontario's public health surveillance systems from 1990 through 2009 to determine how temporal scale (longitudinal, seasonal), spatial scale (provincial, health unit), and demography (gender, age) contribute to Plasmodium infection in Ontario travellers. Our retrospective study included 4,551 confirmed cases of imported malaria reported throughout Ontario, with additional analysis at the local health unit level (i.e., Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto). During the 20-year period, Plasmodium vivax accounted for 50.6% of all cases, P. falciparum (38.6%), Plasmodium sp. (6.0%), P. ovale (3.1%), and P. malariae (1.8%). During the first ten years of the study (1990-1999), P. vivax (64% of all cases) was the dominant agent, followed by P. falciparum (28%); however, during the second ten years (2000-2009) the situation reversed and P. falciparum (55%) dominated, followed by P. vivax (30%). The prevalence of P. falciparum and P. vivax cases varied spatially (e.g., P. falciparum more prevalent in Toronto, P. vivax more prevalent in Peel), temporally (e.g. P. falciparum incidence increased during the 20-year study), and demographically (e.g. preponderance of male cases). Infection rates per 100,000 international travellers were estimated: rates of infection were 2× higher in males compared to females; rates associated with travel to Africa were 37× higher compared to travel to Asia and 126× higher compared to travel to the Americas; rates of infection were 2.3-3.5× higher in June and July compared to October through March; and rates of infection were highest in those 65-69 years old. Where exposure country was reported, 71% of P. falciparum cases reported exposure in Ghana or Nigeria and 63% of P. vivax cases reported exposure in India. Our study provides insights toward improving pre-travel programs for Ontarians visiting malaria-endemic regions and underscores the changing epidemiology of imported malaria in the province.

High field strength magnetic resonance imaging in paediatric brain tumour surgery--its role in prevention of early repeat resections.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the surgical and imaging outcome in children who underwent brain tumour surgery with intention of complete tumour resection, prior to and following the start of intra-operative MRI (ioMRI) service. METHODS: ioMRI service for brain tumour resection commenced in October 2009. A cohort of patients operated between June 2007 and September 2009 with a pre-surgical intention of complete tumour resection were selected (Group A). A similar number of consecutive cases were selected from a prospective database of patients undergoing ioMRI (Group B). The demographics, imaging, pathology and surgical outcome of both groups were compared. RESULTS: Thirty-six of 47 cases from Group A met the inclusion criterion and 36 cases were selected from Group B; 7 of the 36 cases in Group A had unequivocal evidence of residual tumour on the post-operative scan; 5 (14%) of them underwent repeat resection within 6 months post-surgery. In Group B, ioMRI revealed unequivocal evidence of residual tumour in 11 of the 36 cases following initial resection. In 10 of these 11 cases, repeat resections were performed during the same surgical episode and none of these 11 cases required repeat surgery in the following 6 months. Early repeat resection rate was significantly different between both groups (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Following the advent of ioMRI at our institution, the need for repeat resection within 6 months has been prevented in cases where ioMRI revealed unequivocal evidence of residual tumour.

Skull base surgery for tumors in children: long-term clinical and functional outcome.

OBJECT: Skull base tumors in children are rare but require complex approaches with potential morbidity to the developing craniofacial skeleton, in addition to tumor-related morbidity. Reports of long-term clinical and functional outcome following skull base approaches in children are scarce. The authors report long-term outcome in children with tumors undergoing multidisciplinary skull base surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was undertaken of children undergoing surgery at a single institution between 1998 and 2008 for benign and malignant lesions of the anterior, middle, or posterior cranial base. Patients with craniopharyngioma, pituitary tumors, and optic glioma were excluded. Histology, surgical morbidity, length of hospital stay, progression-free survival, and adjuvant therapy were recorded. Functional and cognitive outcome was assessed prospectively using the Late Effects Severity Score (LESS). RESULTS: Twenty-three children ranging in age from 13 months to 15 years underwent skull base approaches for resection of tumors during the study period. The median follow-up duration was 60 months. Tumor types included meningioma, schwannoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, angiofibroma, and chordoma. Complete resection was achieved in 12 patients (52%). Thirteen patients (57%) had benign histology. The median hospital stay was 7 days. There were 3 deaths, 1 perioperative and 2 from tumor progression. Two patients had CSF leakage (9%) and 2 developed meningitis. Two children (9%) had residual neurological deficit at last follow-up evaluation. Thirteen (59%) of 22 surviving patients received adjuvant therapy. The majority of the patients remain in mainstream education and 19 of the 20 surviving children have an LESS of 3 or lower. CONCLUSIONS: Children tolerate complex skull base procedures well, with minimal surgical-related morbidity as well as good long-term tumor control rates and functional outcomes from maximal safe resection combined with adjuvant treatment when required.

A genomic day in the life of a clinical microbiology laboratory.

Next-generation sequencing technology is available to many clinical laboratories; however, it is not yet widely used in routine microbiology practice. To demonstrate the feasibility of using whole-genome sequencing in a routine clinical microbiology workflow, we sequenced the genome of every organism isolated in our laboratory for 1 day.

Foreign body granuloma secondary to ventriculo-peritoneal shunt: a rare scenario with a new insight.

Ventriculo-peritoneal shunts are used extensively for the management of hydrocephalus and frequently present with complications such as shunt blockage and infection. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) eosinophilia and allergic responses to the shunt itself are rare, poorly understood but increasingly recognised complications. Here, the authors describe a child who required multiple shunt revision surgeries due to extensive scalp tenderness overlying the shunt tubing and persistent severe headaches despite having a normal working shunt and no CSF infection or eosinophilia. Histological investigation of excised tissue during the last shunt revision demonstrated fibrosis with scar tissue and chronic inflammatory infiltrate with foreign body giant cells and few abortive granulomata. This was felt to represent a foreign body reaction to the shunt. A hypoallergenic 'extracted' shunt was trialled (extracted Delta® valve and extracted ventricular and peritoneal catheters; Medtronic) and the child has had no further shunt revisions and is currently asymptomatic 1 year after the insertion.

Differentiating between Burkitt lymphoma and CD10+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: the role of commonly used flow cytometry cell markers and the application of a multiparameter scoring system.

The goal of this study was to evaluate routine flow cytometric (FC) immunophenotypic markers in differentiating between Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and CD10+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We performed retrospective analysis of FC data from 55 patients. We evaluated 9 FC parameters: forward and side scatter (FSC and SSC); mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) for CD20, CD10, CD38, CD79b, CD43, and CD71; and the percentage of neoplastic cells positive for CD71 (%CD71). The FSC; MFIs of CD10, CD43, CD79b, and CD71; and %CD71 cells were significantly different between BL and CD10+ DLBCL (P < .05; Student t test). A 5-point scoring system (FSC, %CD71, and MFIs of CD43, CD79b, and CD71) was devised, and 6 (60%) of 10 BLs scored 3 or greater and 1 (10%) of 10 CD10+ DLBCLs scored 3 (P = .04; χ(2)). Our findings indicate that routine FC parameters can aid in differentiating BL from CD10+ DLBCL.