relation between tumor marker Ca 15-3 and metastases in interpectoral lymph nodes in breast cancer patients

We aimed at analyzing the metastatic involvement in interpectoral [Rotter's] lymph nodes [RLN] in relation to tumor marker CA 15-3. The study included 177 female patients undergoing surgery for primary breast cancer at the University Hospital for Tumors, Zagreb, Croatia from November 2001 to March 2004. In addition to the standard surgical procedure, interpectoral RLNs were removed in all of the patients Levels of the serum tumor marker CA 15-3 was determined prior to surgery. Rotter's lymph nodes were identified in 66.2% of the patients, with metastatic involvement revealed in 18.6% of the RLNs. Metastatic involvement of RLNs in patients with negative axillary lymph nodes was 2.8% and positive in 34.6%. Elevated serum levels of tumor marker CA 15-3 had 22 [12.4%] patients. of 33 Rotter's node-positive patients, 27.3% had elevated serum levels of tumor marker CA 15-3 and in Rotter's node-negative patients only 9% had elevated serum levels of tumor marker CA 15-3, with the level statistically significantly higher in Rotter's positive patients compared to those with negative [or absent] RLNs [chi 2=8.22,P=0.004. Tumor marker CA 15-3 is more frequently elevated in patients with positive RLNs. Elevated values of tumor marker CA 15-3 could be warning for possible positive interpectoral nodes. The removal of the RLNs may be beneficial for patients with [massive] axillary nodal involvement. For axillary node negative patients, sentinel node biopsy could avoid the unnecessary removal of the RLNs.

Un caso de enfisema intramuscular tras cirugía toracoscópica valorado con radiología digital / Intramuscular emphysema after thoracoscopy: digital-Rx features

El enfisema intramuscular es una entidad poco frecuente, generalmente asociada a gangrena gaseosa, siendo muy rara su aparición como extensión de un neumomediastino. En el caso presentado por nosotros el enfisema intramuscular es secundario a neumotórax espontáneo asociado inicialmente a neumomediastino y enfisema subcutáneo, visualizado tras bullectomía toracoscópica. La difusión del aire desde un neumotórax al mediastino sólo se produce en el 1-2 por ciento de los casos. La radiología digital nos permite, entre otras posibilidades, ajustar la escala de grises, aplicar filtros de imagen dependiendo de la región anatómica a estudiar o realzar los bordes de la imagen antes de su impresión en placa

Fibromatosis musculoaponeurótica de la mama / Muscularaponeurotic fibromatosis of the breast

Se presenta un caso clínico de fibromatosis musculoaponeurótica de la mama en una mujer de 33 años, sin antecedentes de cirugía mamaria previa. Se analizan las características morfológicas y el diagnóstico diferencial con un cáncer mamario. Se presenta una revisión bibliográfica y se comenta el tratamiento de elección

Lymphangioma of the chest wall.

A lymphangioma of the chest wall, hitherto unreported is described here.