ABSTRACT
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether persons with asymptomatic bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (ABHL) and normal results of a physical examination should be observed with a presumptive diagnosis of stage 1 sarcoidosis (S1S) (ABHLps), its most frequent cause, or undergo mediastinoscopy to avoid overlooking an alternative diagnosis (AD) requiring treatment. DESIGN: We surveyed the English-language medical literature to estimate the proportion of persons with tuberculosis (TB), Hodgkin's disease (HD), and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) who present with ABHL and calculated the number of mediastinoscopies required to identify each AD by computing the following ratio: incidence S1S/incidence of each AD presenting as ABHL (I(S1S)/I[ABHL-AD]). Risks of mediastinoscopy and benefits of earlier ascertainment of AD were derived from the published literature. Cost estimates were based on institutional charges. We conducted a regional survey of practicing pulmonologists to ascertain their diagnostic preferences. RESULTS: We estimate that if 33,000 persons with ABHL underwent mediastinoscopy, 32,982 (99.95%) would be found to have S1S or, very rarely, a disorder not requiring intervention; 407 would require hospitalization for complications at a cost in excess of $1 million; and 204 would experience major morbidity; 8 persons with TB, 9 with HD, and 1 with NHL would be identified at a cost of $100 to $200 million. The benefit for persons diagnosed as having AD would be minimal and likely offset by the procedural mortality. Seventy percent of pulmonologists responding to the survey favored observation over transbronchial lung biopsy or mediastinoscopy in patients with ABHL. CONCLUSION: A policy of continued observation of patients presenting with ABHL is preferable to diagnostic mediastinoscopy from both the risk/benefit and cost/benefit standpoint.
Subject(s)
Mediastinoscopy , Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary/diagnosis , Adult , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Diagnosis, Differential , Hodgkin Disease/diagnosis , Hodgkin Disease/epidemiology , Humans , Incidence , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/diagnosis , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/epidemiology , Mediastinoscopy/adverse effects , Mediastinoscopy/economics , Middle Aged , Risk Assessment , Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary/epidemiology , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/diagnosis , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Fifty-six cases of De Quervain's tenosynovitis (in 55 patients) were treated with a "long-acting" corticosteroid, methylprednisolone acetate, and followed prospectively over a 4-year period. Approximately 90% of these patients were effectively managed either with a single injection (58%) or with multiple injections (33%) of this compound. Seventeen patients experienced recurrence a mean of 11.9 months after the initial injection. Three had minor flares and were not reinjected; the others responded to reinjections. Ten percent of the cases could not be controlled with local injection, and these patients were referred for surgery. Adverse reactions were self-limited and relatively minor; no tendon ruptures or local infections occurred. We present a discussion of our review of the literature regarding medical therapy and surgical release for this condition. Treatment of De Quervain's tenosynovitis with methylprednisolone acetate injection rapidly controls the signs and symptoms, does not lead to serious adverse reactions, and should be the preferred initial treatment.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage , Methylprednisolone/analogs & derivatives , Tenosynovitis/drug therapy , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/adverse effects , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Delayed-Action Preparations , Drug Evaluation , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Injections/adverse effects , Injections/methods , Male , Methylprednisolone/administration & dosage , Methylprednisolone/adverse effects , Methylprednisolone/therapeutic use , Methylprednisolone Acetate , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Remission Induction , Rupture , Tendon Injuries/etiology , TendonsABSTRACT
This article focuses on the chemotherapeutic agents which alter purine metabolism as a means to achieve selective killing of leukemic cells. We present an overview of purine metabolism in order to highlight enzymatic steps which are targeted by antileukemic drugs. Purine antimetabolites used in the treatment of leukemia can be grouped into three classes: (1) structural analogs of normal purines (6-mercaptopurine and 6-thioguanine); (2) inhibitors of de novo purine biosynthesis (methotrexate and hydroxyurea); and (3) inhibitors of purine salvage (2'-deoxycoformycin). In addition, a number of investigational drugs (trimetrexate, fludarabine and 2'-chlorodeoxyadenosine) have been recently introduced and show promise in early clinical trials. Purine antimetabolites are active in a variety of lymphoid and myeloid leukemias and represent an important component of the therapy of these disorders. Several of the drugs have been developed with the specific intent of perturbing enzymes involved in purine metabolism. Refinements in our understanding of purine biochemistry in normal and leukemic cells may aid future efforts to design more effective drugs.
