Serum anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a IgG antibodies are biomarkers for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis.

OBJECTIVES: A previous single-country pilot study indicated serum anti-GM2 and anti-GA1 anti-glycolipid antibodies as potential biomarkers for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis. This study aims to validate these findings in a large geographically heterogenous cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sera from 175 dogs clinically diagnosed with acute canine polyradiculoneuritis, 112 dogs with other peripheral nerve, cranial nerve or neuromuscular disorders and 226 neurologically normal dogs were screened for anti-glycolipid antibodies against 11 common glycolipid targets to determine the immunoglobulin G anti-glycolipid antibodies with the highest combined sensitivity and specificity for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis. RESULTS: Anti-GM2 anti-glycolipid antibodies reached the highest combined sensitivity and specificity (sensitivity: 65.1%, 95% confidence interval 57.6 to 72.2%; specificity: 90.2%, 95% confidence interval 83.1 to 95.0%), followed by anti-GalNAc-GD1a anti-glycolipid antibodies (sensitivity: 61.7%, 95% confidence interval 54.1 to 68.9%; specificity: 89.3%, 95% confidence interval 82.0 to 94.3%) and these anti-glycolipid antibodies were frequently present concomitantly. Anti-GA1 anti-glycolipid antibodies were detected in both acute canine polyradiculoneuritis and control animals. Both for anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a anti-glycolipid antibodies, sex was found a significantly associated factor with a female to male odds ratio of 2.55 (1.27 to 5.31) and 3.00 (1.22 to 7.89), respectively. Anti-GalNAc-GD1a anti-glycolipid antibodies were more commonly observed in dogs unable to walk (OR 4.56, 1.56 to 14.87). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a immunoglobulin G anti-glycolipid antibodies represent serum biomarkers for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis.

Metronidazole-induced neurotoxicity in 26 dogs.

BACKGROUND: Metronidazole is an antibacterial, antiprotozoal and anthelmintic medication commonly used in veterinary medicine. We describe cases of neurotoxicity associated with the drug's administration. METHODS: Medical records between 2004 and 2017 from four veterinary referral hospitals were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were the presence of neurological signs compatible with metronidazole toxicity, clinical history supporting recent metronidazole therapy and resolution of clinical signs upon discontinuation of metronidazole administration. RESULTS: A total of 26 dogs were identified with clinical signs supporting a diagnosis of metronidazole toxicity. Median age at presentation was 7.2 years (range, 0.1-12 years); median duration of treatment was 35 days (range, 5-180 days); median treatment dosage was 21 mg/kg BID (range, 13-56 mg/kg every 12 h); median resolution of the clinical signs upon discontinuation of metronidazole was 3 days (range, 1-26 days). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was performed in 19 cases and only one dog had brain lesions affecting the dentate nuclei, which resembled the MRI appearance of this disease in humans. CONCLUSIONS: We found evidence of neurotoxicity in dogs at much lower doses than previously reported and we suggest caution when administering metronidazole at doses > 40 mg/kg every 24 h, regardless of the duration of the treatment.

Clinical Features, Imaging Characteristics, and Long-term Outcome of Dogs with Cranial Meningocele or Meningoencephalocele.

BACKGROUND: The term meningoencephalocele (MEC) describes a herniation of cerebral tissue and meninges through a defect in the cranium, whereas a meningocele (MC) is a herniation of the meninges alone. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical features, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics, and outcomes of dogs with cranial MC and MEC. ANIMALS: Twenty-two client-owned dogs diagnosed with cranial MC or MEC. METHODS: Multicentric retrospective descriptive study. Clinical records of 13 institutions were reviewed. Signalment, clinical history, neurologic findings and MRI characteristics as well as treatment and outcome were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: Most affected dogs were presented at a young age (median, 6.5 months; range, 1 month - 8 years). The most common presenting complaints were seizures and behavioral abnormalities. Intranasal MEC was more common than parietal MC. Magnetic resonance imaging identified meningeal enhancement of the protruded tissue in 77% of the cases. Porencephaly was seen in all cases with parietal MC. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis identified mild abnormalities in 4 of 11 cases. Surgery was not performed in any affected dog. Seventeen patients were treated medically, and seizures were adequately controlled with anti-epileptic drugs in 10 dogs. Dogs with intranasal MEC and mild neurologic signs had a fair prognosis with medical treatment. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Although uncommon, MC and MEC should be considered as a differential diagnosis in young dogs presenting with seizures or alterations in behavior. Medical treatment is a valid option with a fair prognosis when the neurologic signs are mild.

18F-FDG-PET imaging of a benign neurofibroma masquerading as metastatic oesophageal carcinoma.

We present the case of a 65-year-old male with squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic oesophagus on a background of neurofibromatosis type 1. On computed tomography, he was noted to have a large left-sided superior mediastinal mass. Initially, this mass was thought to be metastatic lymphadenopathy; however, it did not display fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on positron emission tomography. Subsequent biopsy confirmed the mass to be a neurofibroma and the patient commenced definitive chemo-radiation. Positron emission tomography had a major impact on management since the presumed lymph node disease was not included in the radiation field. In addition, positron emission tomography altered prognostic stratification since lymph node involvement is a poor prognostic factor in oesophageal cancer. We could only identify one other case in the English literature in which positron emission tomography was used to distinguish metastatic carcinoma from a neurofibroma, although there are a number of reports that describe the utility of positron emission tomography in differentiating benign neurofibromas from malignant connective tissue tumours.

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in evaluation of germ cell tumor after chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in the assessment of germ cell tumors after chemotherapy. METHODS: We reviewed patients' records for the histologic findings and clinical outcome. 18F-FDG PET results were correlated with tissue histologic features where available; and if not available, the correlation was with the clinical outcome. RESULTS: A total of 45 PET studies were performed on 38 patients (age range 19 to 64 years, median 31). All patients had received chemotherapy. In the nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) group, of the 31 patients with one scan, 18 PET scans were reported as positive, with only 2 not having active disease. Of the 12 negative scans, 6 showed teratoma, 1 tumor, and 5 did not show active disease. The equivocal scan revealed thyroid adenoma. In the seminoma group, the PET scans correlated well with the clinical and histologic outcomes. Four patients underwent salvage chemotherapy, and in this subgroup, the PET findings also correlated with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: (18)F-FDG PET is a promising tool as an adjunct to current imaging techniques in detecting residual viable germ cell tumor after chemotherapy. In NSGCT, a positive PET scan was accurate in 16 of 18 patients, although negative PET studies did not exclude the presence of disease, mainly because of the presence of teratoma. In seminoma, a negative 18F-FDG PET study correlated with a favorable clinical outcome. PET was also predictive of the response to salvage chemotherapy and was highly specific for active tumor in both NSGCT and seminoma.

[Complicated colon cancer: the experience at an Operative Surgery Unit]. / Il cancro del colon complicato: esperienza di una Unità Operativa Chirurgica.

INTRODUCTION: Prognosis of colon cancer is worse if complications are present at the moment of diagnosis. The high mortality rate with surgery in emergency in such cases needs a careful reflection about the best suitable operation to perform. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 107 consecutive patients observed along a 9 year-period for colon-rectal cancer are retrospectively analysed. 27 of them were complicated at the presentation for obstruction (19 patients), colon perforation (6 patients) or rectal hemorrhage (2 patients). In the whole experience 5 patients underwent primary resection of the tumour and direct anastomosis; 5 only a decompressive colostomy; 6 were primarily resected and anastomized under the protection of a cecostomy; 6 other patients underwent a Hartmann procedure; 2 were treated with only an intestinal by-pass; 1 was treated with Miles procedure; 1 with an anterior rectal section and the last one was resected-anastomosed in two steps, after a temporary decompressive colostomy. RESULTS: Intraoperative mortality was of 11.1% (3 patients) and morbidity 18.5% (5 patients). General 5 years survival was 62.1% among the cases complicated at presentation. The recurrence rate was 8.45%. Both these figures are below a statistical significance (p = 0.57). CONCLUSIONS: The necessity to treat in emergency the colon cancers reduces the possibility to adopt the best rules of modern programmed oncologic surgery giving up the chemotherapy w/o neoadjuvant radiotherapy with which a preoperative down-staging of the tumour were possible. For these reasons in emergency not only mortality and morbidity are higher than in case of elective surgery, but also metastasization and recurrence are worse because of a more difficult radicality in surgery.

[The treatment of inguinal hernia: experience of a Operative Surgery Unit]. / Il trattamento dell'ernia inguinale: esperienza di una Unità Operativa Chirurgica.

INTRODUCTION: 550 patients submitted to surgical hernia reparation are reviewed for a retrospective analysis. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: The case report shows a predominance of prosthesis reconstruction according to Trabucco (254 patients) and of the surgical technique of Shouldice (191 patients). Other procedures of the experience refer to the surgical techniques of Bassini (46 patients), Lichtenstein (46 patients), Mugnai/Ferrari (7 patients), Postenski (3 patients), Rives (2 patients), and Stoppa (1 patient). RESULTS: The reconstruction procedure was performed from a number of surgeons, all let free to choice the kind of operation following his personal skill and preference, but always in the most correct technique way. The results were satisfying in terms of short hospital stay, both precocious and late low complications, and always without failure. DISCUSSION: A first consideration is that there is no data from the literature that any prosthesis procedure offers a lower postoperative complication incidence than the Shouldice's technique, and our experience confirms this option. CONCLUSIONS: A surgeon can nowadays freely cultivate his preference for any of the possible procedures in reconstructing an inguinal hernia, but it is highly advisable that all the possibilities, also the pure surgical ones, remain in the surgeon's possibility of choice not to waste a precious previous surgical culture.

[Digestive system neoplasms originating from the autonomic nervous system. Diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic issues]. / Tumori del canale digerente derivati dal sistema nervoso autonomo. Problematiche diagnostiche terapeutiche e prognostiche.

The gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumors (GAN tumor) are uncommon stromal tumors of the intestinal tract and retroperitoneum. The distinction of GAN tumors from other gastrointestinal stromal tumors is based on electron microscopic findings. However further study of additional cases is needed to fully characterize both their gross and microscopic features and to further characterize the natural history of such tumors. In the present study we report two cases of GAN tumor that arose from the stomach and small intestinal with different prognostic evolution in two patients of 73 and 65 years old. They were both treated by surgery, but only one case was successful. In addition patient 1 aged 73, died 11 months after surgical treatment with liver metastases on CT. scan. Patient 2, is clinically well five years after surgical treatment.

Depressed level of natural killer cells in cancer family syndrome.

Individuals from kindred with cancer family syndrome (CFS) have an increased genetic risk for the development of adenocarcinoma of the colon as well as of several other organs. Previous studies have suggested that this high occurrence of adenocarcinoma in this as in other hereditary neoplastic syndromes may be correlated to an underlying abnormality in immunological tumor surveillance. In attempt to define a marker that might identify individuals within CFS kindred at risk of developing cancer, we determined natural killer (NK) cell number and NK cell function in affected and healthy members of a CFS family. We studied 13 cancer-affected patients, 20 unaffected but "at-risk" subjects, 20 healthy subjects and 26 normal individuals matched to the patients with colon cancer on the basis of sex and age. We determined the number of NK cells and their function concurrently, using a monoclonal antibody and a 51Cr-release assay with K562 as target cells. We found that the number of NK cells was significantly (P = 0.00004) reduced in cancer patients as compared with healthy subjects and normal controls. Of the 20 at-risk individuals 9 had levels lower than the norm, while 11 showed normal-values. Consequently, the mean percentage of NK cells of this group does not differ either from that of normal subjects or from that of cancer patients. Mean NK cell function was lower in cancer patients than in healthy members of the CFS family but the differences were not statistically significant. Therefore, the mean NK cell function per single cell, expressed as a ratio between cytotoxicity (LU) and the number of NK1-positive cells, resulted paradoxically in an increase when compared with that of normal subjects. The possible mechanisms for this dichotomy were examined.

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer--Lynch syndromes I and II.

HNPCC is an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder with proclivity to early onset colorectal cancer in the absence of multiple polyps of the colon. There is a predilection for proximal colonic location (70 per cent) and an excess of synchronous and metachronous colorectal cancers. HNPCC is subdivided into Lynch syndrome I, which is restricted to site-specific colon cancer susceptibility, and Lynch syndrome II, which shows all of the features of Lynch syndrome I, but in addition, patients are at inordinately increased risk for carcinoma of the endometrium, ovary, and other anatomic sites. The frequency of HNPCC is conservatively estimated to be 4 to 6 per cent of the total colorectal cancer burden. Because of the fact that the family history is underreported almost uniformly in medical practice, we believe that the true frequency of this disease may be much greater. Heterogeneity may be extant with respect to tumor association, in that in certain Lynch syndrome II kindreds, carcinoma of the pancreas, kidney, breast, and other anatomic sites may predominate. Knowledge of the natural history of HNPCC predicates surveillance and management strategies. Thus, because of the early onset of and proximal predilection for colorectal cancer, we recommend initiation of colonscopy at age 25 and annually thereafter. We also recommend guaiac testing of the stool at least twice a year. In the case of Lynch syndrome II, in addition to colonscopy, we recommend intensive surveillance for the endometrium, including aspiration biopsies. Other targeted organs, depending on the tumor spectrum in the family, should be given priority attention. Because of an excess of synchronous and metachronous colorectal cancer in HNPCC, subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis is the treatment of choice for initial colorectal cancer. In women presenting with initial colorectal cancer who have completed their families, consideration should be given to prophylactic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at the time of surgery for colorectal cancer. Needed are biomarkers of acceptable sensitivity and specificity for the genotype, because HNPCC lacks premonitory physical signs. We believe that increased knowledge about colorectal cancer etiology and carcinogenesis can be attained through the study of families prone to the Lynch syndromes.