COVID-19-associated aspergillosis in a Brazilian referral centre: Diagnosis, risk factors and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 patients on mechanical ventilation are at risk to develop invasive aspergillosis. To provide additional data regarding this intriguing entity, we conducted a retrospective study describing risk factors, radiology and prognosis of this emerging entity in a Brazilian referral centre. METHODS: This retrospective study included intubated (≥18 years) patients with COVID-19 admitted from April 2020 until July 2021 that had bronchoscopy to investigate pulmonary co-infections. COVID-19-associated aspergillosis (CAPA) was defined according to the 2020 European Confederation of Medical Mycology/International Society of Human and Animal Mycosis consensus criteria. The performance of tracheal aspirate (TA) cultures to diagnose CAPA were described, as well as the radiological findings, risk factors and outcomes. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (14/87, 16%) had probable CAPA (0.9 cases per 100 ICU admissions). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of TA for the diagnosis of CAPA were 85.7%, 73.1%, 46.2% and 95% respectively. Most of the radiological findings of CAPA were classified as typical of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (64.3%). The overall mortality rate of probable CAPA was 71.4%. Age was the only independent risk factor for CAPA [p = .03; odds ratio (OR) 1.072]. CAPA patients under renal replacement therapy (RRT) may have a higher risk for a fatal outcome (p = .053, hazard ratio 8.047). CONCLUSIONS: CAPA was a prevalent co-infection in our cohort of patients under mechanical ventilation. Older patients had a higher risk to develop CAPA, and a poor prognosis may be associated with RRT.

Altered p16Ink4a, IL-1ß, and Lamin b1 Protein Expression Suggest Cellular Senescence in Deep Endometriotic Lesions.

Endometriosis causes immunological and cellular alterations. Endometriosis lesions have lower levels of lamin b1 than the endometrium. Moreover, high levels of pro-inflammatory markers are observed in the peritoneal fluid, follicular fluid, and serum in endometriosis lesions. Thus, we hypothesized that the accumulation of senescent cells in endometriosis tissues would facilitate endometriosis maintenance in an inflammatory microenvironment. To study senescent cell markers and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in endometriosis lesions, we conducted a cross-sectional study with 27 patients undergoing video laparoscopy for endometriosis resection and 19 patients without endometriosis. Endometriosis lesions were collected from patients with endometriosis, while eutopic endometrium was collected from patients both with and without endometriosis. Tissues were evaluated for senescence markers (p16Ink4a, lamin b1, and IL-1ß) and interleukin concentrations. The expression of p16Ink4a increased in lesions compared to that in eutopic endometrium from endometriosis patients in the secretory phase. In the proliferative phase, lesions exhibited lower lamin b1 expression but higher IL-4 expression than the eutopic endometrium. Further, IL-1ß levels were higher in the lesions than in the eutopic endometrium in both the secretory and proliferative phases. We believe that our findings may provide targets for better therapeutic interventions to alleviate the symptoms of endometriosis.

Validation of Laser Capture Microdissection Protocol in Endometriosis Studies.

Background and Objectives: The presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity is a key feature of endometriosis. Although endometriotic lesions appear to be histologically quite similar to the eutopic endometrium, detailed studies comparing both tissues are required because their inner and surrounding cellular arrangement is distinct. Thus, comparison between tissues might require methods, such as laser capture microdissection (LCM), that allow for precise selection of an area and its specific cell populations. However, it is known that the efficient use of LCM depends on the type of studied tissue and on the choice of an adequate protocol. Recent studies have reported the use of LCM in endometriosis studies. The main objective of the present study is to establish a standardized protocol to obtain good-quality microdissected material from eutopic or ectopic endometrium. Materials and Methods: The main methodological steps involved in the processing of the lesion samples for LCM were standardized to yield material of good quality to be further used in molecular techniques. Results: We obtained satisfactory results regarding the yields and integrity of RNA and protein obtained from LCM-processed endometriosis tissues. Conclusion: LCM can provide more precise analysis of endometriosis biopsies, provided that key steps of the methodology are followed.

Depleted lamin B1: a possible marker of the involvement of senescence in endometriosis?

PROPOSE: Endometriosis is a benign disease characterized by implantation and the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity and it shares similarities with cancer. Lamin B1, p16 and p21 play a role on cell cycle regulation, development, cell repair and its activities are related to cancers. Considering the similarities between endometriosis and cancer, the aim of the present cross-sectional study is to detect p16, p21 and Lamin B1 in the ectopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis (n = 8) with eutopic (n = 8) and control endometrium (n = 8) and relate them to the maintenance and development of endometriosis. METHODS: Biopsies were obtained from both eutopic and ectopic, from deep infiltrating lesions, endometrium frozen and used for immunofluorescent (p16) or immunohistochemistry procedures (p16, p21, lamin B1). RESULTS: Detected higher lamin B1 in the eutopic endometrium when compared with ectopic endometrium, with no differences between endometriosis tissue with control endometrium. Similar presence of p16 in all groups of patients and no p21 detection was observed. CONCLUSION: We observed reduced detection of lamin B1 in the ectopic endometrium raising the possibility that the presence of senescent cells might be contributing to the maintenance and progression of endometriosis by apoptosis resistance and peritoneal stress inherent of the disease.

Comparison between multiparametric MRI with and without post - contrast sequences for clinically significant prostate cancer detection.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic-contrast enhanced (DCE) sequence is used to increase detection of small lesions, based on increased vascularization. However, literature is controversy about the real incremental value of DCE in detection of clinically significant (CS) prostate cancer (PCa), since absence of enhancement does not exclude cancer, and enhancement alone is not definitive for tumor. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that DCE images do not increase CS PCa detection on MRI prior to biopsy, comparing exams without and with contrast sequences. Material and Materials and Methods: All men who come to our institution to perform MRI on a 3T scanner without a prior diagnosis of CS PCa were invited to participate in this study. Reference standard was transrectal prostate US with systematic biopsy and MRI/US fusion biopsy of suspicious areas. Radiologists read the MRI images prospectively and independently (first only sequences without contrast, and subsequently the entire exam) and graded them on 5-points scale of cancer suspicion. RESULTS: 102 patients were included. Overall detection on biopsy showed CS cancer in 43 patients (42.2%), clinically non-significant cancer in 11 (10.8%) and negative results in 48 patients (47%). Positivities for CS PCa ranged from 8.9% to 9.8% for low suspicion and 75.0% to 88.9% for very high suspicion. There was no statistical difference regarding detection of CS PCa (no statistical difference was found when compared accuracies, sensitivities, specificities, PPV and NPV in both types of exams). Inter-reader agreement was 0.59. CONCLUSION: Exams with and without contrast-enhanced sequences were similar for detection of CS PCa on MRI.

Microsatellite Instability and Clinical Use in Sarcomas: Systematic Review and Illustrative Case Report.

Sarcomas, a diverse group of malignancies, exhibit substantial heterogeneity in both biological behavior and microenvironment, influencing their response to immunotherapy. Although pembrolizumab is approved for deficient mismatch repair or microsatellite instability-high (dMMR/MSI-H) tumors regardless of histology, there is a paucity of data to support its effectiveness in dMMR/MSI-H sarcomas. This study presents a case of a metastatic undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the retroperitoneum with dMMR status demonstrating a sustained complete response to pembrolizumab. Our case revealed inconsistencies in identifying dMMR/MSI-H status through next-generation sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction methods. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to analyze various methods for assessing dMMR/MSI-H and to explore whether pembrolizumab's indications rely on this biomarker.

UNDIFFERENTIATED PLEOMORPHIC SARCOMA: PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN 42 EXTREMITY CASES.

Introduction: Soft tissue undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) in extremities is considered a rare neoplasm, corresponding to 5% of soft tissue sarcomas (STS) today. The objective was to evaluate prognostic factors related to death, local recurrence (LR), and impact on survival rates. Methods: A retrospective study including 42 patients with UPS in extremities treated surgically in a single center. Comparisons were made between demographic data, characteristics of the neoplasia, and treatment. Between the variables with statistical significance, logistic regression analysis was used. Survival rates were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier plots. To compare the effect of variables on survival rates, the Log-Rank test was used. Results: Age group of patients was from 25 to 85 years (mean 58 years), with a mean follow-up of 29.6 months. The variables with the highest effect on survival rates were sizes larger than 15 cm (T4) with p = 0.01, presence of metastatic lesions, and prognostic stage IV according to the American Joint Committee of Cancer (AJCC) with p < 0.001. The mean survival was 25.9 months. Metastasis and stage IV of AJCC were associated with a reduction in patient survival (17.8 months) with Log-Rank test p < 0.001. Conclusion: The main factors of poor prognosis related to mortality and reduction of survival of UPS in extremities were metastatic lesions and stage IV of AJCC. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective Study.

O sarcoma pleomórfico indiferenciado (SPI) de tecidos moles em extremidades, neoplasia rara, correspondente a 5% dos sarcomas de tecidos moles (STM). Objetivo: Avaliar fatores de prognóstico relacionados a óbito, recorrência local (RL) e impacto na sobrevida geral. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de 42 pacientes com SPI tratados cirurgicamente em centro único. Foram comparados dados demográficos, características da neoplasia e de tratamento; e para as variáveis com significância estatística, foi realizada análise de regressão logística. A sobrevida foi avaliada através de gráficos de Kaplan-Meier; e os efeito das variáveis sobre a sobrevida, por meio do teste de log-rank. Resultados: Os pacientes tinham idades entre 25 e 85 anos (média de 58 anos), com seguimento ambulatorial médio de 29,6 meses. As variáveis com maior relação com o desfecho óbito foram tamanho maior que 15 cm (T4), com p = 0,01, metástases e estágio IV de prognóstico da American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), com p < 0,001. A sobrevida média dos pacientes foi de 25,9 meses. Presença de metástase e estágio IV da AJCC foram associados à redução na sobrevida dos pacientes (17,8 meses; p < 0,001). Conclusão: Os principais fatores de mau prognóstico relacionados ao óbito e à redução da sobrevida dos pacientes com SPI foram doença metastática e estágio IV da AJCC. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo Retrospectivo.

Site-Specific Regulation of Sulfatase and Aromatase Pathways for Estrogen Production in Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a highly prevalent gynecological disease characterized by lesions in different sites. Regulation of specific estrogen pathways may favor the formation of distinct microenvironments and the progression of endometriosis. However, no study has simultaneously evaluated the gene and protein regulation of the main estrogen-synthesizing enzymes in endometriosis. Thus, our goals were to study the relationship between gene and protein expression of aromatase (CYP19A1 or ARO), steroid sulfatase (STS), and hydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase (HSD17B1) in superficial (SUP), ovarian (OMA), and deep infiltrating (DIE) endometriotic lesion sites as well as in the eutopic endometrium of patients with (EE) and without (control) endometriosis in the same and large cohort of patients. The site-specific expression of these enzymes within different cells (glandular and stromal components) was also explored. The study included 108 patients surgically diagnosed with endometriosis who provided biopsies of EE and endometriotic lesions and 16 disease-free patients who collected normal endometrium tissue. Our results showed that CYP19A1 was detected in all endometriosis tissues and was in higher levels than in control. Unique patterns of the STS and HSD17B1 levels showed that they were most closely regulated in all tissues, with manifestation at greater levels in DIE compared to the other endometriotic lesion sites, OMA and SUP. Gene and protein expression of ARO, STS, and HSD17B1 occurred at different rates in endometriotic sites or EE. The distinctive levels of these estrogen-synthesizing enzymes in each endometriotic site support the hypothesis of a tissue microenvironment that can both influence and be influenced by the expression of different estrogenic pathways, locally affecting the availability of estrogen needed for maintenance and progression of endometriotic lesions.

Accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT and PET-MRI in lymph node staging for localized prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive value of positron emission computed tomography or magnetic resonance (PET-CT and PET-MRI) using gallium-68-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (68Ga-PSMA) in lymph node involvement in prostate cancer. METHODS: A retrospective study comprising 91 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2016 to 2020, who underwent 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT or PET-MRI for staging before prostatectomy. The patients were divided into Group 1, with 65 patients with satisfactory pathological lymph node analysis, and Group 2, with 91 patients representing the sum of patients with pathological lymph node analysis and those with postoperative prostate-specific antigen within 60 days after surgery. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were used to assess accuracy of predictive capacity of imaging exams for lymph node involvement. RESULTS: Regarding local clinical staging, the groups showed similar results, and 50% were classified as staging T2a. The accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT for prostate cancer lymph node staging was 86.5% (95%CI 0.74-0.94; p=0.06), with a sensitivity of 58.3% and specificity of 95%. The accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA PET-MRI was 84.6% (95%CI 0.69-0.94; p=0.09), with a sensitivity of 40% and specificity of 100%. Considering both 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT and PET-MRI, the accuracy was 85.7% (95%CI 0.76-0.92; p=0.015), with sensitivity of 50% and specificity of 97%. CONCLUSION: The imaging tests 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT and PET-MRI were highly accurate to detect preoperative lymph node involvement, and could be useful tools to indicate the need for extended lymph node dissection during radical prostatectomy.

Consensus on Screening, Diagnosis, and Staging Tools for Prostate Cancer in Developing Countries: A Report From the First Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference for Developing Countries (PCCCDC).

PURPOSE: To generate and present the survey results on critical issues relevant to screening, diagnosis, and staging tools for prostate cancer (PCa) focused on developing countries. METHODS: A total of 36 of 300 questions concern the main areas of interest of this paper: (1) screening, (2) diagnosis, and (3) staging for various risk levels of PCa in developing countries. A panel of 99 international multidisciplinary cancer experts voted on these questions to create recommendations for screening, diagnosing, and staging tools for PCa in areas of limited resources discussed in this manuscript. RESULTS: The panel voted publicly but anonymously on the predefined questions. Each question was deemed consensus if 75% or more of the full panel had selected a particular answer. These answers are based on panelist opinion not a literature review or meta-analysis. For questions that refer to an area of limited resources, the recommendations consider cost-effectiveness and the possible therapies with easier and greater access. Each question had five to seven relevant answers including two nonanswers. The results were tabulated in real time. CONCLUSION: The voting results and recommendations presented in this document can be used by physicians to support the screening, diagnosis, and staging of PCa in areas of limited resources. Individual clinical decision making should be supported by available data; however, as guidelines for screening, diagnosis, and staging of PCa in developing countries have not been developed, this document will serve as a point of reference when confronted with this disease.

Prognostic factors and expression of MDM2 in patients with primary extremity liposarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate MDM2 (murine double minute 2) protein expression and evaluate its relationship with some anatomical and pathological aspects, aiming also to identify prognostic factors concerning local recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival and overall survival in patients with primary liposarcomas of the extremities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 50 patients with primary liposarcomas of the extremities admitted to a Reference Service, between 1968 and 2004, 25 were enrolled in the study, following eligibility and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: The adverse factors that influenced the risk for local recurrence in the univariant analysis included male sex (P = 0.023), pleomorphic histological subtype (P = 0.027), and high histological grade (P = 0.007). Concerning metastasis-free survival, age less than 50 years (P = 0.040), male sex (P = 0.040), pleomorphic subtype (P < 0.001), and high histological grade (P = 0.003) had a worse prognosis. Adverse factors for overall survival were age under 50 years (P = 0.040), male sex (P = 0.040), pleomorphic subtype (P < 0.001), and high histological grade (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: There was no correlation between immunohistochemically observed MDM2 protein expressions and the anatomical and pathological variables studied. The immunohistochemical expression of MDM2 protein was not considered to have a prognostic value for any of the surviving patients in this study (local recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival, or overall survival). The immunoexpression of MDM2 protein was a frequent event in the different subtypes of liposarcomas.

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma: prognostic factors in 42 extremity cases / Sarcoma pleomórfico indiferenciado: fatores de prognóstico em 42 casos em extremidades

ABSTRACT Introduction: Soft tissue undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) in extremities is considered a rare neoplasm, corresponding to 5% of soft tissue sarcomas (STS) today. The objective was to evaluate prognostic factors related to death, local recurrence (LR), and impact on survival rates. Methods: A retrospective study including 42 patients with UPS in extremities treated surgically in a single center. Comparisons were made between demographic data, characteristics of the neoplasia, and treatment. Between the variables with statistical significance, logistic regression analysis was used. Survival rates were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier plots. To compare the effect of variables on survival rates, the Log-Rank test was used. Results: Age group of patients was from 25 to 85 years (mean 58 years), with a mean follow-up of 29.6 months. The variables with the highest effect on survival rates were sizes larger than 15 cm (T4) with p = 0.01, presence of metastatic lesions, and prognostic stage IV according to the American Joint Committee of Cancer (AJCC) with p < 0.001. The mean survival was 25.9 months. Metastasis and stage IV of AJCC were associated with a reduction in patient survival (17.8 months) with Log-Rank test p < 0.001. Conclusion: The main factors of poor prognosis related to mortality and reduction of survival of UPS in extremities were metastatic lesions and stage IV of AJCC. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective Study.

RESUMO O sarcoma pleomórfico indiferenciado (SPI) de tecidos moles em extremidades, neoplasia rara, correspondente a 5% dos sarcomas de tecidos moles (STM). Objetivo: Avaliar fatores de prognóstico relacionados a óbito, recorrência local (RL) e impacto na sobrevida geral. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de 42 pacientes com SPI tratados cirurgicamente em centro único. Foram comparados dados demográficos, características da neoplasia e de tratamento; e para as variáveis com significância estatística, foi realizada análise de regressão logística. A sobrevida foi avaliada através de gráficos de Kaplan-Meier; e os efeito das variáveis sobre a sobrevida, por meio do teste de log-rank. Resultados: Os pacientes tinham idades entre 25 e 85 anos (média de 58 anos), com seguimento ambulatorial médio de 29,6 meses. As variáveis com maior relação com o desfecho óbito foram tamanho maior que 15 cm (T4), com p = 0,01, metástases e estágio IV de prognóstico da American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), com p < 0,001. A sobrevida média dos pacientes foi de 25,9 meses. Presença de metástase e estágio IV da AJCC foram associados à redução na sobrevida dos pacientes (17,8 meses; p < 0,001). Conclusão: Os principais fatores de mau prognóstico relacionados ao óbito e à redução da sobrevida dos pacientes com SPI foram doença metastática e estágio IV da AJCC. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo Retrospectivo.

Loss of MTAP expression is a negative prognostic marker in Ewing sarcoma family of tumors.

AIM: The Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) is a group of malignant small round cell neoplasms of bones and soft tissues closely histogenetically related. Methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) deficiency has been recently associated with increased tumor aggressiveness and poor outcomes in different types of neoplasms. However, the expression of this biomarker and its biological role in ESFT remain largely unknown. METHODS: Immunohistochemical expression of MTAP was accessed in 112 patients with ESFT in a tissue microarray platform and associated with clinicopathological parameters and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Loss of MTAP expression was significantly associated with lower OS in both univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: Loss of MTAP expression is an independent negative prognostic biomarker in ESFT.

Are Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Images Necessary for Prostate Cancer Detection on Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging?

BACKGROUND: To compare the results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with and without contrast-enhanced sequences for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. The value of contrast in the MRI protocol for the detection of prostate tumors has been discussed in previous studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an institutional review board-approved, retrospective study of patients who had undergone prostate MRI followed by fusion biopsy during a 16-month period. The patients had undergone MRI on a 3-Tesla scanner with a phased-array coil using a routine multiparametric protocol: T2-weighted, diffusion, and dynamic postcontrast enhancement sequences. The examination films were read independently by 2 readers in 2 sessions: first without contrast-enhanced images and second with contrast-enhanced images. The images were graded according to the suspicion of clinically significant prostate cancer (scale, 1-5). The kappa coefficient was used to compare the readings with and without contrast. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for both readers were calculated using the biopsy findings as a reference standard. The level for statistical significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients were included, and clinically significant prostate cancer was found in 48 patients (40.7%). The MRI findings on both contrast-enhanced and noncontrast-enhanced images had no statistically significant differences for either reader (P > .05 for all levels of suspicion). The sensitivity ranged from 68.3% to 80.7%, specificity from 57.1% to 77.1%, positive predictive value from 29.9% to 38.8%, negative predictive value from 88.0% to 91.3%, and accuracy from 60.6% to 73.0%. CONCLUSION: Our results show that contrast-enhanced sequences provide minimal or no increased value for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer.

Multifocal osteonecrosis secondary to occupational exposure to aluminum.

Multifocal osteonecrosis is a rare disease; chronic use of corticosteroids is considered the main risk factor. Patients with chronic renal failure can develop aluminum toxicity, which can lead to osteomalacia and encephalopathy. An association between osteonecrosis and aluminum toxicity has been reported among patients with dialytic renal insufficiency. Occupational exposure to aluminum rarely causes lung disease and no cases of bone lesions resulting from exposure to this metal have been reported. In this manuscript, we describe a novel case of a patient with multifocal osteonecrosis associated with chronic occupational exposure to aluminum. Level of Evidence IV, Case Report.

A osteonecrose multifocal é uma doença rara. O uso crônico de corticoides é considerado seu principal fator de risco. Em pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica é descrita a intoxicação por alumínio, causando osteomalácia e encefalopatia. A relação entre osteonecrose e toxicidade pelo alumínio já foi relatada em estudos que envolveram pacientes com insuficiência renal dialítica. A exposição ocupacional ao alumínio pode, raramente, ocasionar doenças pulmonares. Não existem casos relatados de lesões ósseas decorrentes da exposição a esse metal. Descrevemos neste artigo, o relato inédito de um paciente com osteonecrose multifocal associada à exposição ocupacional crônica ao alumínio. Nível de Evidência IV, Relato de Caso.

Accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT and PET-MRI in lymph node staging for localized prostate cancer

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the predictive value of positron emission computed tomography or magnetic resonance (PET-CT and PET-MRI) using gallium-68-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (68Ga-PSMA) in lymph node involvement in prostate cancer. Methods A retrospective study comprising 91 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2016 to 2020, who underwent 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT or PET-MRI for staging before prostatectomy. The patients were divided into Group 1, with 65 patients with satisfactory pathological lymph node analysis, and Group 2, with 91 patients representing the sum of patients with pathological lymph node analysis and those with postoperative prostate-specific antigen within 60 days after surgery. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were used to assess accuracy of predictive capacity of imaging exams for lymph node involvement. Results Regarding local clinical staging, the groups showed similar results, and 50% were classified as staging T2a. The accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT for prostate cancer lymph node staging was 86.5% (95%CI 0.74-0.94; p=0.06), with a sensitivity of 58.3% and specificity of 95%. The accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA PET-MRI was 84.6% (95%CI 0.69-0.94; p=0.09), with a sensitivity of 40% and specificity of 100%. Considering both 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT and PET-MRI, the accuracy was 85.7% (95%CI 0.76-0.92; p=0.015), with sensitivity of 50% and specificity of 97%. Conclusion The imaging tests 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT and PET-MRI were highly accurate to detect preoperative lymph node involvement, and could be useful tools to indicate the need for extended lymph node dissection during radical prostatectomy.

Comparative study of cryopreserved bone tissue and tissue preserved in a 98% glycerol solution.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the bone graft cryopreservation method (at -80 degrees C) with a preservation method using a 98% glycerol solution at room temperature (10 degrees C-35 degrees C), by testing the antibacterial and fungal effects of 98% glycerol and comparatively analyzing the observed histological changes resulting from the use of both methods. METHOD: This study was of 30 samples of trabecular bone tissue from 10 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Each femoral head provided 3 samples that were randomized into 3 groups, namely, the control group, the cryopreserved group, and the group preserved in a 98% glycerol at room temperature for 1 year. The samples were submitted to histomorphologic, cell feasibility, and microbiologic analyses. The results were statistically analyzed using the McNemar test, with a statistical significance index of 0.05. RESULTS: Values obtained using the McNemar test to compare probability distributions of histomorphologic variables (mature or lamellar bone, immature bone, and necrosis) and cell feasibility (osteoblasts and osteoclasts) indicated that there is no difference between the distributions of variables under the 3 experimental conditions. Microbiological analysis of the 98% glycerol solution and bone fragments from samples stored for 1 year at room temperature did not show bacterial or fungal growth. The histological and microbiological investigation were performed at 2 different time points: immediately after the sample processing and after 1 year. CONCLUSION: The method used to preserve bone grafts kept in 98% glycerol at room temperature (10 degrees C-35 degrees C) was similar to cryopreservation in terms of bone matrix preservation; no bacteria or fungi were found in the samples.

Comparative analysis between osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma: evaluation of the time from onset of signs and symptoms until diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to describe the early signs and symptoms of osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma, identify symptoms that could be used to help differentiate the two types of tumors, and determine the time elapsed between the onset of signs and symptoms and the definitive diagnosis in our service, providing information and imputus for earlier diagnosis of these tumors. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the medical dossiers of 365 patients under 30 years of age diagnosed with osteosarcoma or Ewing's sarcoma was performed, and the aspects of the clinical diagnosis were statistically analyzed and compared. RESULTS: The time between the onset of signs and the symptoms was 5.25 months for osteosarcoma and 8.1 months for Ewing's sarcoma, and the most frequent (89.5%) early symptom of osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma was local pain. Symptoms that might aid diagnosis included early local volume increase and the presence of fever. CONCLUSION: The time until diagnosis of both neoplasias was higher than that reported for North America and Europe. Education of the lay public and medical professionals regarding suspicious early signs and symptoms might shorten the delay of diagnosis.