Additive value of transarterial embolization to systemic sirolimus treatment in kaposiform hemangioendothelioma.

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a rare vascular tumor in children, which can be accompanied by life-threatening thrombocytopenia, referred to as Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP). The mTOR inhibitor sirolimus is emerging as targeted therapy in KHE. As the sirolimus effect on KHE occurs only after several weeks, we aimed to evaluate whether additional transarterial embolization is of benefit for children with KHE and KMP. Seventeen patients with KHE and KMP acquired from 11 hospitals in Germany were retrospectively divided into two cohorts. Children being treated with adjunct transarterial embolization and systemic sirolimus, and those being treated with sirolimus without additional embolization. Bleeding grade as defined by WHO was determined for all patients. Response of the primary tumor at 6 and 12 months assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), time to response of KMP defined as thrombocyte increase >150 × 103 /µL, as well as rebound rates of both after cessation of sirolimus were compared. N = 8 patients had undergone additive embolization to systemic sirolimus therapy, sirolimus in this group was started after a mean of 6.5 ± 3 days following embolization. N = 9 patients were identified who had received sirolimus without additional embolization. Adjunct embolization induced a more rapid resolution of KMP within a median of 7 days vs 3 months; however, tumor response as well as rebound rates were similar between both groups. Additive embolization may be of value for a more rapid rescue of consumptive coagulopathy in children with KHE and KMP compared to systemic sirolimus only.

Thorax-to-head ratio and defect diameter-to-head ratio in giant omphaloceles as predictor for fetal outcome.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between the thorax diameter and defect diameter of giant omphaloceles as a predictor for fetal outcome. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 17 fetuses with isolated giant omphaloceles were included for evaluation. The anterior-posterior thorax diameter and the defect diameter were measured from ultrasound images. For analysis, the thorax-to-head ratio (T/HC), the defect diameter-to-head ratio (DD/HC), and the quotient of the defect diameter and the thorax diameter (DD/T) were calculated. The days of ventilation (t ventilation), the duration until hospital discharge (t hospital), and the type of treatment were recorded as outcome parameters. RESULTS: No relationship was found between the calculated ratios (T/HC, DD/HC, or DD/T) and neither t hospital (r = -0.418, p = 0.095; r = -0.153, p = 0.556; and r = -0.023, p = 0.929; respectively) nor t ventilation (r = -0.391, p = 0.121; r = 0.041, p = 0.875; and r = 0.121, p = 0.645, respectively). The type of postnatal treatment was not associated with the three calculated ratios or t hospital (r = 0.155, p = 0.553; r = 0.019, p = 0.942; and r = 0.012, p = 0.965; r = -0.009, p = 0.973, respectively). In 53% of cases, t hospital was delayed due to additional and independent postnatal complications. CONCLUSION: Thorax diameter or defect diameter of giant omphaloceles is not predictive for fetal outcome. The perinatal care of these abdominal wall defects still remains a multidisciplinary challenge, but the outcome of giant omphaloceles is favorable at experienced centers.

Blended learning in surgery using the Inmedea Simulator.

BACKGROUND: Recently, medical education in surgery has experienced several modifications. We have implemented a blended learning module in our teaching curriculum to evaluate its effectiveness, applicability, and acceptance in surgical education. METHODS: In this prospective study, the traditional face-to-face learning of our teaching curriculum for fourth-year medical students (n = 116) was augmented by the Inmedea Simulator, a web-based E-learning system, with six virtual patient cases. Student results were documented by the system and learning success was determined by comparing patient cases with comparable diseases (second and sixth case). The acceptance among the students was evaluated with a questionnaire. RESULTS: After using the Inmedea Simulator, correct diagnoses were found significantly (P < 0.05) more often, while an incomplete diagnostic was seen significantly (P < 0.05) less often. Significant overall improvement (P < 0.05) was seen in sixth case (62.3 ± 5.6 %) vs. second case (53.9 ± 5.6 %). The questionnaire revealed that our students enjoyed the surgical seminar (score 2.1 ± 1.5) and preferred blended learning (score 2.5 ± 1.2) to conventional teaching. CONCLUSION: The blended learning approach using the Inmedea Simulator was highly appreciated by our medical students and resulted in a significant learning success. Blended learning appears to be a suitable tool to complement traditional teaching in surgery.