Pre-operative localisation of axillary lymph nodes using radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags: a feasibility assessment in 75 cases.

AIM: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of using radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags for the localisation of axillary nodes prior to targeted excision in a National Health Service (NHS) breast unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data collection was carried out to analyse the first 75 cases of RFID-targeted axillary nodes inserted between 12 June 2019 and 27 October 2022, during which an overall total of 1,296 breast and axillary tags were deployed in 1,120 patients. RESULTS: Of the 75 axillary tags, 70 (93%) had a primary breast cancer and five (7%) had no known breast cancer but had an abnormal node targeted for diagnostic excision. Of the 70 with breast cancer, 20 (29%) underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) including one neoadjuvant endocrine therapy. Localisations were performed an average of 11 days before surgery (median 6, range 1-95; n=75). Patients undergoing NAC had their tags inserted after completing treatment due to the artefact caused by the tags on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Tag deployment had a 100% success rate, with 62 tags (83%) lying within the node and 13 tags (17%) lying directly adjacent to the node, either in direct contact (nine of 13), or a maximum of 8 mm from the target (four of 13). All tags and their respective nodes were excised successfully at surgery with no significant complications. There were four cases of tag dislodgement during excision, but overall, this did not compromise retrieval of the tag or the node. CONCLUSIONS: The use of RFID tags for the preoperative localisation of axillary nodes is safe and feasible.

Use of Hologic LOCalizer radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags to localise impalpable breast lesions and axillary nodes: experience of the first 150 cases in a UK breast unit.

AIM: To report the outcome of 150 patients using the Hologic LOCalizer RFID (radiofrequency identification) tag system, including the first reported use of RFID tags in the axilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected prospectively from the first tag insertion (12 June 2019) until 150 consecutive patients had undergone surgery (excision date 9 January 2020). RESULTS: A total of 177 tags were targeted to 177 malignant lesions in 150 women. Tags were inserted an average of 7.8 days before surgery (range 0-71 days). One hundred and twenty-six tags were targeted to a single lesion in one breast only; the remainder of tags were targeted to multiple lesions in one or both breasts, as well as to axillary lymph nodes. In addition, two cases involved the use of two tags to bracket microcalcification. All except three tags were satisfactorily deployed at their initial intended target. The majority of target lesions were masses (n=142, mean size 13.8 mm), with a range of other targets including post-vacuum-assisted biopsy cavities, marker clips post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy, architectural distortions, and clipped metastatic lymph nodes. All tags were successfully retrieved at surgical excision. Re-excision rate was 8.7%. There were no tag-specific surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS: The RFID tag system demonstrates many advantages over guidewires, and is effective at targeting axillary lymph nodes and multiple sites within the same breast.

Pre-operative staging of the axilla in primary breast cancer. By redefining the abnormal appearing node can we reduce investigations without affecting overall treatment?

Primary axillary clearance (ANC) is currently performed based on cytology from abnormal appearing node(s) without considering extent of involvement. We assessed correlation between nodal burden and nodal appearance. 439 invasive breast cancer cases underwent axillary ultrasound (AUSS) with nodal scoring [UN2-normal (n = 293), UN3-indeterminate (n = 84), UN4-suspicious (n = 29), and UN5-replaced (n = 34)]. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of all UN3, UN4 & UN5 nodes was performed. 64 cases had nodal metastases identified pre-operatively, proceeding to primary ANC. 375 cases underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), 64 of whom were found to have nodal metastases. Likelihood of metastases and nodal burden was related to AUSS score. >50% of malignant UN4 & UN5 scored nodes had ≥4 metastases compared to 19% of UN3 nodes. Most UN3 nodes are either not involved or have low metastatic burden which may be better served by SLNB alone. Redefining our FNAC nodal threshold could potentially avoid additional ANC morbidity and reduce pre-operative workload.

Spontaneous rupture of the spleen: three case reports and causative processes for the radiologist to consider.

Splenic rupture is most commonly encountered after blunt abdominal trauma. Atraumatic spontaneous splenic rupture is a rarer entity and can occur in both histologically normal and diseased spleen. It has a high morbidity, as there is often little or no clinical history to suggest its presence, and is generally diagnosed after imaging. We describe three experiences of spontaneous splenic rupture at our institution and discuss possible causes for the radiologist to consider.

The changing use of palliative chemotherapy for recurrent esophagogastric cancer: a single center retrospective 15-year review.

BACKGROUND: Palliative chemotherapy is often recommended in the treatment of recurrent esophagogastric (EG) cancer with limited evidence of its benefit. This study aims to define the current practice and benefit of this treatment. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients who developed EG cancer recurrence between 1991 and 2006 following surgery with curative intent. RESULTS: There were 336 recurrences. Median time to disease recurrence was 13.4 months (range 1.3-118). Survival after recurrence ranged from 0-93.2 months (six patients are currently alive). A significant increase in the use of chemotherapy was observed rising from 10% prior to 1999 (n = 100) to 23% (n = 236) after 1999. The median survival for patients receiving chemotherapy (n = 64) was 10.6 months (range 1.5-75.7), patients undergoing nonchemotherapy palliative intervention (n = 142) median survival was 2.85 months (range 0-93.2), and for patients having no active intervention (n = 130), median survival was 1.3 months (range 0-16.2). Median duration of chemotherapy was 3.1 months (range 0.5-9.2). Median survival for these patients after chemotherapy treatment was 6.6 months (range 0.4-73.5). Twenty-eight patients (44%) experienced side effects of chemotherapy. Ten cases required treatment to be modified or stopped and two patients died during chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: There has been a significant increase in the use of palliative chemotherapy for recurrent EG cancer. While survival appears improved, a substantial proportion of this time was spent receiving chemotherapy with many patients experiencing significant comorbidity. Further studies assessing both quality and quantity of life are required to fully evaluate the use of palliative chemotherapy and to identify patients most likely to benefit.

Outcomes of intra-arterial thrombolysis for acute limb ischemia.

Intra-arterial thrombolysis is an alternative treatment to surgery for acute limb ischemia. We report our own experiences by retrospectively assessing initial and long-term outcomes using this strategy. Patients (n = 48; 50 events) underwent thrombolysis according to our protocol (64.6% male, median age 68.5 years). Using thrombolysis as an initial treatment strategy, overall limb survival on index admission was 84%. Of this group who had successful limb salvage, 76% was attributable to thrombolysis alone, and 24% had limb salvage attributable to subsequent surgery after failed thrombolysis or anticoagulation. Significant complications occurred in 8% of cases, and no deaths were attributed to thrombolysis. Patients alive at 6 and 24 months after index admission who had limb salvage attributable to thrombolysis alone had limb survival rates of 89% and 82%, respectively. The majority of these patients had not required subsequent secondary procedures to maintain limb survival. Thrombolysis is an acceptable and less invasive treatment of acute limb ischemia, with many patients not needing subsequent surgery.

Eagle's syndrome: review of literature and case report.

Eagle's Syndrome is caused by an elongated styloid process of the temporal bone or by ossification of the derivations of the second branchial arch. It is a source of craniofacial and cervical pain. Although the incidence of styloid process elongation is fairly common, only a small percentage of the patients exhibit symptoms associated with Eagle's syndrome. Like any other pain in the head and neck region it is an enigma. Eagle's syndrome is one of the glaring examples where the exact etiology eludes from the treating doctor for a long. It is important for the dental practitioner to be aware of this anomaly and its anatomic basis. Unilateral symptoms were present in one case of bilateral elongation.

Isolation and characterization of larvicidal principle of garlic.

The larvicidal principles of garlic, Allium sativum L.,have been isolated and identified as diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide. Both natural and synthetic samples of these larvicides are fatal at 5 parts per million to Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say.