A trimodality approach in the management of metastatic low-grade epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the bone.

A 29-year-old man presented with a 2-week history of severe pain in the left foot with no preceding history of trauma. A left foot radiograph demonstrated a cortical lucency in the mid-distal shaft of the third metatarsal bone. MRI of the left foot showed an expansile lesion in the same location. A staging bone scan showed a focal uptake in the known lucency in the left third metatarsal and in the proximal left femur. A subsequent left hip radiograph demonstrated a lucency in the intertrochanteric region. CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis was unremarkable. A biopsy of the left third metatarsal expansile lesion performed during an incision and curettage procedure revealed an epithelioid haemangioma (EHE) of the bone. MRI of the left hip performed in response to the findings on the bone scan showed metastatic disease in the left intertrochanteric region. A prophylactic left hip fixation surgery with an interlocking intramedullary femoral nail was therefore undertaken to avoid a pathological fracture of the left hip from the metastatic disease. Simultaneously, a left hip biopsy was performed, which also revealed an EHE. The patient underwent external beam radiation to the left femoral head and neck. This was followed by fractionated radiosurgery to the left third metatarsal. Once the left foot wound had healed, the patient subsequently received four cycles of doxorubicin and ifosfamide. A restaging positron emission tomography CT carried out after completion of therapy showed no metabolic evidence of residual primary tumour or metastasis. More than 2 years after completing his trimodality therapy, the patient remains fully functional and symptom free.

Effect of ezetimibe on major atherosclerotic disease events and all-cause mortality.

Despite ezetimibe's ability to reduce serum cholesterol levels, there are concerns over its vascular effects and whether it prevents or ameliorates atherosclerotic disease (AD). The aims of this study were to estimate the effect of ezetimibe use on major AD events and all-cause mortality and to compare these associations to those observed for hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statin) use. A total of 367 new ezetimibe users were identified from November 1, 2002, to December 31, 2009. These subjects were aged ≥18 years and had no previous statin use. One to 4 statin user matches were identified for each ezetimibe user, resulting in a total of 1,238 closely matched statin users. Pharmacy data and drug dosage information were used to estimate a moving window of ezetimibe and statin exposure for each day of study follow-up. The primary outcome was a composite of major AD events (coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease events) and all-cause death. Ezetimibe use (odds ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.13 to 0.86) and statin use (odds ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.36 to 1.04) were associated with reductions in the likelihood of the composite outcome. These protective associations were most significant for cerebrovascular disease events and all-cause death. Subgroup analyses by gender, race or ethnicity, history of AD, diabetes status, and estimated renal function showed consistent estimates across strata, with no significant differences between ezetimibe and statin use. In conclusion, ezetimibe appeared to have a protective effect on major AD events and all-cause death that was not significantly different from that observed for statin use.

Germ cell tumour of the trachea.

A 28-year-old man presented with stridor and dyspnoea. Imaging showed a tracheal mass with severe narrowing of the subglottic airway. Histopathology was consistent with non-seminomatous germ cell tumour. The patient underwent cricotracheal resection and reconstruction of the trachea with tracheostomy. Subsequent positron emission tomography demonstrated new right upper lobe nodules. Postoperative chemotherapy was initiated using the VIP regimen (etoposide, ifosfamide and cisplatin). After four cycles of chemotherapy, CT of the thorax showed interval resolution of most of the pulmonary nodules. Thoracoscopy with right upper and lower lobe wedge resections was performed to remove the residual disease. The patient is currently disease-free and undergoing continued surveillance to assess for clinical, biochemical or radiographical evidence of disease recurrence.