Tratamiento quirúrgico de las úlceras por presión sacras con colgajo miocutáneo de gluteus maximus por deslizamiento en V-Y: Técnica quirúrgica / Surgical treatment of sacral pressure ulcers with gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap due to V-Y sliding: surgical technique

Resumen Introducción: La úlcera por presión más frecuente es la sacra. Si compromete el hueso puede provocar osteomielitis por lo que requiere aseo quirúrgico y colgajo miocutáneo de gluteus maximus por deslizamiento en V-Y. Materiales y Método: En el servicio de cirugía plástica del hospital del Salvador entre 2011 y 2020 se han operado 82 pacientes con ulceras sacras grado 4 que requirieron cobertura con colgajo miocutáneo de gluteus maximus en V-Y. De ellas se analizaron los últimos 37 pacientes. Resultados De los 37 pacientes, 12 fueron mujeres, 25 hombres, 17 parapléjicos, 12 tetrapléjicos y 8 deambulaban. 6 pacientes presentaron COVID-19. 24 fueron bilaterales y 13 unilaterales. Los colgajos cicatrizaron bien en 30 pacientes. Las complicaciones fueron de 16% consistente en 2 hematomas, 2 dehiscencias, 2 celulitis y 1 seroma, todas resueltas sin problemas. Seguimiento de entre 3 y 6 meses. Discusión El tratamiento quirúrgico con colgajo miocutáneo de gluteus maximus en V-Y, aparte de aportar volumen para ocluir la úlcera, aporta irrigación excelente con oxígeno, nutrientes y antibióticos que aseguran una óptima cicatrización. Dependiendo del diámetro de la úlcera el colgajo puede ser uni o bilateral. Dado lo complejo del tratamiento, en general, el porcentaje de complicaciones de 16% se considera bajo. Conclusión: El tratamiento quirúrgico de las úlceras por presión sacras con colgajos miocutáneos deslizantes de gluteus maximus ha sido exitoso con buenos resultados quirúrgicos con buen flujo sanguíneo y buena evolución.

Introduction: Pressure sores are the result of the compression of soft tissues in the prominent bones areas, mainly in patients without movement. If the depth of the ulcer compromises the sacral bone, the treatment will be the gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap in V-Y. Materials and Method: In the plastic surgery service of the hospital del Salvador 82 patients with sacral pressure sores grade 4 were operated on between 2011 and 2020 with gluteus maximus myocutaneous V-Y flap. The last 37 patients were analyzed. Results: With this treatment the flaps were doing well in all cases with good blood supply. Complications: dehiscence: 2 patients, cellulitis: 2 patients, hematoma: 2 patients and seroma: 1 patient. The overall complication was 16%. Follow up between three and six months. Discussion: The most important part in pressure sores is their prevention. When the ulcer is in prominent parts of the body, the sore, could be in different grades of depth. The classification of them is in grades 1: erythema, 2: subcutaneous tissue. These two grades are solved with conservative treatment. When the ulcers are in grade 3 or 4, and with little ulcer in the skin but with damage of the deep plane, the treatment will be with surgery. In our casuistic the most frequent pressure sore is in the sacrum treated with gluteus maximus sliding myocutaneous flap in V-Y. With this treatment the flaps were doing well in all cases with good blood supply. The complications of 16% were considered low. Conclusion: The sliding gluteus Maximus myocutaneous flap in V-Y for treatment for sacral pressures sores have been successful for our patients.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de las úlceras por radionecrosis con colgajos músculo y fasciocutáneos / Surgical treatment of radionecrosis ulcers with myocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps

Resumen Introducción: La Ulcera con radionecrosis debe ser resecada ampliamente y reparada con colgajos miocutáneos y fasciocutáneos. Objetivo: Presentar el tratamiento quirúrgico de las úlceras por radionecrosis mediante colgajos Miocutáneos y Fasciocutáneos pediculados y microquirúrgicos. Materiales y Método: La casuística es de 31 pacientes portadores de úlceras por radionecrosis resueltas con colgajos miocutáneos y fasciocutáneos. Ellos han sido pediculados y microquirúrgicos. Las edades fluctuaron entre 30 y 75 años operados entre el 2000 y el 2019. Resultados: Se realizaron 19 colgajos musculares o miocutáneos y 12 fasciocutáneos en diferentes zonas del organismo. Los colgajos correspondieron a: temporal, latissimus dorsi de pedículo central y en reversa, latissimus dorsi microquirúrgicos, recto abdominal, escapular microquirúrgico, para escapular, gracilis, gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, cubital microquirúrgico, fasciocutaneos: cone flap y de rotación local. Las complicaciones fueron dehiscencia de herida operatoria suturada y celulitis tratada con antibióticos. No hubo necrosis completa de los colgajos. El seguimiento fue de 3 a 6 meses. Discusión: En esta serie hemos utilizados los colgajos músculo cutáneos de preferencia, los fasciocutáneos los hemos reservados para aquellos casos en los que por razones anatómicas, de localización de las úlceras, era más adecuado usar estos últimos, como en las lesiones planas o poco profundas. Generalmente los colgajos fueron pediculados y en determinados casos, cuando el tejido vecino de reparación no estaba disponible, realizamos colgajos con microcirugía. Conclusión: El tratamiento de las úlceras por radionecrosis es efectivo cuando se realiza desbridamiento exhaustivo con cobertura inmediata con colgajos musculares o músculocutáneos y fasciocutáneos. Fueron colgajos pediculados y microquirúrgicos.

Introduction: The radionecrosis ulcer have to be widely resected and repaired trough flaps with good blood supply who contibute with oxigen, nutrients and antibiotics. Thinking on this the more suitable flaps are the myocutaneous ones and in special conditions the fasciocutaneous. Aim: The objetive of this paper is to show the surgical treatment of radionecrosis ulcers with myocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps. Materials and Method: Casuistic is 31 patients with radionecrosis ulcers treated with, mainly, myocutaneous flaps and in special areas with fasciocutaneous ones. The majority were pedicle flaps and in less number microsurgical flaps. The age of patients were betwee30 and 75 years old. Results: 19 muscle or myocutaneous flaps and 12 fasciocutaneous flaps were made. Flaps were latissimus dorsi, temporal, escapular, para escapular, rectus abdominis, rectus femoris, gracilis, gatrocnemius, cone flap and local fasciocutaneous flaps. Complications were sutured operative wound dehiscence and cellulitis treated with antibiotics. There were no complete necrosis of any flap. Discusion: In this serie we used muscle or myocutaneous flaps because they give good blood supply, oxigen, nutrients and arrival of antibiotic with filling of the deep ulcers. When the ulcers were shallow we use fasciocutaneous flaps. The majority of our flaps were pedicles and microsurgical flaps were used when there was no near avialable tissue. Conclusion: The treatment have to be wide debridement of the ulcer. The surgical treatment is with myocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps sometimes pediculates and in others conditions microsurgicals.

Cierre progresivo de heridas en pacientes con pie diabético / Progressive suture in diabetic foot patients with difficult healing

Resumen Introducción: Los pacientes diabéticos insulino requirientes con heridas del pie, producto de amputaciones con exposición de huesos, cartílagos o tendones, son de difícil manejo por el déficit de irrigación distal. Alternativa de tratamiento a los colgajos pediculados o microquirúrgicos es el cierre progresivo de las heridas. Objetivo: Reportar la técnica de cierre progresivo de heridas de pie en pacientes diabéticos insulino requirientes. Materiales y Método: Con esta técnica se operó a 15 pacientes diabéticos insulino requirientes que, después de amputación, presentaron heridas del pie con exposición de huesos, cartílagos y tendones. Lesiones de talón: 4, lesiones de antepie: 5 y lesiones plantares: 6. Las edades fluctuaron entre 45 y 70 años. Fueron 11 hombres y 4 mujeres operados entre 2014 y 2019. En ambos bordes de la herida se instaló dos placas de Ventrofil® unidas por sutura en U transversa y se tensó cada 3 días hasta obtener cicatrización. Resultados: 14 pacientes obtuvieron cicatrización en un plazo de entre 15 y 21 días y sólo uno presentó sufrimiento de los bordes de la herida por afrontamiento muy seguido. El seguimiento fue de tres meses sin recidiva de las heridas. Discusión: En pacientes diabéticos las heridas, producto de amputaciones y con exposición de huesos, cartílagos y tendones, son de muy difícil tratamiento debido el déficit de irrigación distal. En estas condiciones el uso de complejos colgajos locales o microquirúrgicos es de alto riesgo dada la posibilidad de necrosis. En esta situación, el cierre progresivo con sutura de Ventrofil® es una alternativa viable, segura, reproducible y con buenos resultados. Conclusión: Es un procedimiento rápido, seguro y reproducible.

Introduction: The closure of wounds in diabetic foot patients, after amputation with esposure of bones, is difficult because of lack of blood supply to this area. The progressive suture with Ventrofil® is a good alternative. Aim: Report the technique of progressive closure of foot wounds in insulin-requiring diabetic patients. Materials and Method: 15 patients with diabetic foot were operated on in the Hospital del Salvador, between 2014 and 2019.The ages were among 45 and 70 years. 11 men and 4 women. In those patients two plaques of Ventrofil® were positioned in both borders of the wound an tied through a horizontal suture.This suture was tensioned every 3 days until get the complete wound healing. Results: 14 patients healed very well and in just only one patient there was suffering of the edges of the wound. The follow up was of 3 months without relapse. Discussion: In patients with diabetic foot with wounds after amputation the closure is difficult because of lack of adecuate blood supply. In these case the progressive suture with plaques of Ventrofil® is a good alternative to a more complex flaps like microsurgicals ones. Conclusion: This technique is sure, easy to perfom and safe.

Tratamiento de eventraciones gigantes con cirugía de separación de componentes más turn over flap aponeurótico / Giant ventral hernia treatment with components separation technique and aponeurotic turn over flap

Resumen Objetivo: Demostrar la anatomía y aplicación de la vaina anterior de los rectos para la reparación de defectos herniarios gigantes de la línea media abdominal mediante la cirugía de separación de componentes más la aplicación de un colgajo aponeurótico tipo turn over. Materiales y Método: Disección anatómica con descripción vascular y dinámica de la vaina anterior de los rectos. Posterior aplicación de la técnica en pacientes con hernias gigantes de la línea media. Seguimiento clínico de recidiva y complicaciones locales como sistémicas. Resultados: 8 pacientes fueron seleccionados. La edad promedio fue de 58,6 años y el tamaño del defecto hemiario 19,6 cm. En todos los pacientes se pudo aplicar la técnica sin inconvenientes. Sólo 1 paciente presentó una complicación local (dehiscencia y necrosis parcial del colgajo cutáneo) que se manejó con resección y reavance sin incidentes. No se describen complicaciones sistémicas ni mortalidad. Discusión: Las hernias abdominales gigantes y con pérdida a derecho de domicilio son un desafío quirúrgico. Se han desarrollado importantes avances con abordajes quirúrgicos innovadores. Nuevos materiales biológicos y sintéticos se han convertido en una parte integral del arsenal quirúrgico, sin embargo, involucran muchas veces asumir grandes costos y complicaciones propias a los materiales utilizados, además, de no cumplir con la adaptación dinámica adecuada de la pared requerida. Conclusión: Esta modificación técnica es segura, útil y accesible para los pacientes con eventraciones gigantes. La tasa de complicaciones es baja y está dada principalmente por problemas relacionados al sufrimiento de los colgajos cutáneos.

Aim: To demonstrate the anatomy and application of the anterior rectus sheet in the repair of giant abdominal wall hernias through a classic component surgery plus a turn over flap. Materials and Method: Anatomic dissection with vascular and dynamic description of the anterior rectus sheet. Posterior application of the technique in patients with giant abdominal wall hernias. Clinical follow up of recurrence, local and systemic complications. Results: 8 patients were selected. The average age was 58.6 years old and the abdominal wall defect 19.6 cm wide. The technique could be applied in every patient without inconveniences. Only 1 patient had a complication (dehiscence and partial skin flap necrosis) that was successfully treated with resection and readvancement. No systemic complications nor mortality was described. Discussion: Giant abdominal wall hernias are a surgical challenge. Great and innovative advances have been made. New biological and synthetic materials have been developed, nevertheless they frequently involve great costs and complications related to them. Also, they do not adapt adequately to the dynamic required for the abdominal wall. Conclusion: This technical modification is useful, safe and accessible for the patients who present giant wall hernias. The complication rate is low and it's principally given from problems related to skin flap blood flow.

Assessment of the effects of radiofrequency radiation on human colon epithelium cells.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the possible effects of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) at different frequencies for different exposure durations on caspase-dependent apoptosis pathways in human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29). METHODS: HT-29 cells were exposed to 1800 MHz; 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz RFR for 3 h cont., 6 h int. and 6 h cont.. Cell viability measurements were performed by Trypan Blue exclusion assay and the gene expressions of CASP8, CASP9, CASP3 and CASP12 were analyzed using qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Exposure to 2100 MHz RFR for all 3 durations of exposures was more effective for the ratio of the number of viable HT-29 cells w.r.t 1800 MHz RFR and 2600 MHz RFR exposures. After 2100 MHz RFR exposure, caspase activation increased significantly (for 3h cont. and 6 h int. exposures CASP8 and CASP9 levels; for 6 h cont. exposure CASP3 levels) (p 0.05). CONCLUSION: Decreases in the cell viability of HT-29 cells for certain frequencies and also durations are consistent with significant increases in caspase activations. The results of caspase activation after 1800 MHz or 2600 MHz RFR exposures can be interpreted as the activation of different types of cell death pathway by caspase signaling cascades (Fig. 15, Ref. 56).

GSM-like radiofrequency exposure induces apoptosis via caspase-dependent pathway in infant rabbits.

BACKGROUND: There have been several Radio Frequency (RF) field researches on various populations and groups of different ages in recent years. However, the most important group for research has been declared as the pregnant women and their babies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyse the effect on apoptotic factors of RF fields on newborn rabbit liver tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytochrome c and AIF (Apoptosis Inducing Factor) levels were measured by western blot and caspase 1, 3 and 9 activities were measured by colorimetric method. RESULTS: Cytochrome c and AIF levels were not altered, but all caspase activities were increased in female infant rabbits that exposed to 1800 MHz GSM-like RF signals when they reached 1 month of age and caspase 1 and caspase 3 levels were decreased in male infant rabbits that exposed to 1800 MHz GSM-like RF signals between 15th and 22nd days of the gestational period. Results showed that 1800 MHz GSM-like RF exposure might lead to apoptosis in infant rabbit's liver tissues. CONCLUSION: According to the results, we suggest that postnatal RF exposure causes caspase dependent apoptosis in female infant rabbits liver tissues (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 27).

Evaluation of adiponectin and lipoprotein(a) levels in cardiac syndrome X.

AIMS: Low adiponectin and high lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease. Cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is characterized by anginal symptoms, positive stress test, and documentation of normal epicardial coronary arteries with angiography. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between CSX and circulating levels of adiponectin and Lp(a). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 53 female patients with CSX and 33 patients as the control group. The diagnosis of CSX was made according to presence of angina, findings suggestive of ischemia during stress electrocardiography or myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, and documentation of normal coronary arteries in coronary angiography. The control group consisted of patients with atypical angina and normal stress electrocardiography test results. Both groups were matched in terms of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: Adiponectin levels were significantly decreased in patients with CSX (4.57 µg/ml vs. 13.18 µg/ml; p=0.001); however, Lp(a) levels were significantly increased (36.30 mg/dl vs. 7.24 mg/dl; p < 0.001). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) concentrations did not differ between the case group and the control group (p=0.14, p=0.62, p=0.64, respectively). There was no significant difference between groups in terms of age, body mass index, waist circumference hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, or metabolic syndrome. In multivariate analysis, Lp(a) and adiponectin were found to be independent predictors of CSX. An Lp(a) level of > 21 mg/dl had 84 % sensitivity and 96 % specificity {area under the curve (AUC)= 0.922, p < 0.0001, 95 % CI [0.842-0.970]} and an adiponectin level of ≤ 5.18 µg/ml also had 58.7 % sensitivity and 82.1 % specificity (AUC=0.726, p=0.0003, 95 % CI [0.609-0.823]) for detecting CSX. CONCLUSION: We detected low adiponectin and high Lp(a) levels in patients with CSX and these findings may be related to the microvascular injury in CSX.

Impact of valve surgery on serum osteopontin levels in patients with mitral regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: Osteopontin (OPN), a sialoprotein present within atherosclerotic lesions, especially in calcified plaques, is linked to the progression of coronary artery disease and heart failure. We assessed the impact of valve surgery on serum OPN and left ventricular (LV) function in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR). METHODS: Thirty-two patients with severe MR scheduled for surgery were included in the study. Echocardiography markers were assessed preoperatively and at 3 months following the surgery and matched with the serum OPN levels. RESULTS: Valve surgery was associated with a reduction of the ejection fraction (EF) from 55.2 ± 6.3 to 48.8 ± 7.1% after surgery, p < 0.001. Following surgery, the OPN level was significantly higher than preoperatively (mean 245, range 36-2,284 ng/ml vs. 76, 6-486 ng/ml, p = 0.007). Preoperative OPN exhibited a slight negative correlation with the EF (r = -0.35, p = 0.04), and a moderate correlation with vena contracta (r = -0.38, p = 0.02). There were no other meaningful correlations between conventional echocardiographic parameters and OPN. CONCLUSION: Following valve surgery due to severe MR, patients exhibited a decrease in EF and an increase in OPN levels. The assessment of preoperative OPN failed to strongly predict probable LV dysfunction.

A retrospective analysis of prognostic factors predictive of lymph-node metastasis and recurrence in thyroid papillary microcarcinoma.

AIM: The literature is inconclusive concerning the prognostic factors and therapeutic management of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Herein we report on our extensive experience with PTMC in relation to clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors. METHODS: In all, 248 patients that were diagnosed and treated for PTMC between 2007 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and tumor characteristics at presentation, and recurrence during follow-up were noted. RESULTS: Total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation treatment were performed in all patients. Bilateral involvement, vascular and capsular invasion, extra-thyroidal extension, and lymph node metastasis occurred significantly more frequently in patients with tumor size>5 mm (P<0.05). Multivariate statistical analysis showed that a clinically suspected diagnosis (OR:0.095; P=0.043) and elevated thyroglobulin (TG) level (OR: 1.083; P=0.011; cut-off value≥7.98 ngmL(-1)) were significant and independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis, with a sensitivity of 57% and specificity of 83%. After a median follow-up of 2 years (range:0.3-11 years), 10 (4%) of the 248 patients had recurrent disease. According to multivariate analysis, lymph node metastasis (OR: 51.4; P=0.003) was the only independent predictor of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that serum TG level and a clinically suspected diagnosis were risk factors for lymph node metastasis, while nodal metastasis was a predictor of recurrence.

Hürthle cell presence alters the distribution and outcome of categories in the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether the presence of Hürthle cells altered the distribution of categories in the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology, or the expected neoplastic and malignant outcome. METHODS: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology reports of Hürthle cells in a 2-year period were evaluated. The distribution of Bethesda system categories and the outcome at partial or complete thyroidectomy were compared for FNAs with and without Hürthle cells. RESULTS: Of 895 adequate FNAs with Hürthle cells, 764 (85.4%) were classified as benign, 86 (9.6%) as atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS), 32 (3.6%) as follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN), 12 (1.3%) as suspicious for malignancy (SFM) and one (0.1%) as malignant. Of 10 359 adequate FNAs without Hürthle cells, 9707 (93.7%) were classified as benign, 412 (4.0%) as AUS/FLUS, 77 (0.7%) as FN/SFN, 93 (0.9%) as SFM and 70 (0.7%) as malignant. The distribution of categories in FNAs with and without Hürthle cells was significantly different (P < 0.001) as a result of a decrease in benign and an increase in AUS/FLUS and FN/SFN categories. Among 128 patients with and 582 without Hürthle cells undergoing surgery, the overall neoplastic and malignancy rates were higher in the former than in the latter group (27.3% versus 14.9%, P < 0.001; 21.1% versus 11.7%, P = 0.003; respectively). Although neoplastic and malignant rates were higher in the group with than without Hürthle cells in all categories, the differences were only significant for a neoplastic outcome of benign cytology (15.1% versus 6.0%, P = 0.0013) and a malignant outcome of FN/SFN cytology (63.6% versus 21.9%, P = 0.0108). CONCLUSIONS: We found that the rates of AUS/FLUS and FN/SFN categories in the Bethesda system were higher when Hürthle cells were present. After surgery, neoplastic and malignant outcomes were significantly higher in the Hürthle cell group.

Pioderma gangrenoso en mamoplastía de reducción con pedículo inferior / Pyoderma gangrenosum secondary to reduction mammoplasty

Background: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an uncommon inflammatory and ulcerative disorder of the skin. It may be associated with immune deficiencies. It is usually located in the extremities and its appearance after reduction mammoplasty is exceptional. We report three patients with the disease. A 54 years old female subjected to a bilateral reduction mammoplasty with an inferior pedicle. She developed a pyoderma gangrenosum and was treated with systemic steroids and local application of Dapsone with remission of lesions and healing after one month of evolution. A 23 years old women subjected to the same surgical procedure, which developed a wound dehiscence with ulcerative lesions, was treated with steroids and Azathioprine, reducing the local inflammation but leaving a severe esthetic sequel. A 21 years old woman subjected to the same surgical procedure, develop bilateral wound dehiscence and ulcerative lesions, she was treated with steroids and antimicrobials achieving a secondary healing...

Introducción: El Pioderma Gangrenoso es una enfermedad poco frecuente, de difícil diagnóstico y manejo. Puede estar asociado a otras enfermedades, en donde la alteración de la respuesta inmune es común. Su presentación por lo general corresponde a lesiones ulceradas de la piel ubicadas con frecuencia en las extremidades, siendo su presentación en las mamas excepcional; y mucho más rara su relación post mamoplastía de reducción. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión de pacientes sometidas a mamoplastía de reducción con pedículo inferior, asociadas al desarrollo de pioderma gangrenoso post-quirúrgico, durante un período comprendido entre los años 2000 y 2011. Resultados: Se recolectaron 3 pacientes, se describen sus casos clínicos con respecto a esta ubicación, analizando su presentación, evolución y manejo de la enfermedad. Discusión: La presentación del pioderma gangrenoso post-quirúrgico en relación a la mamoplastía de reducción comparte ciertas similitudes, las cuales deben orientar al diagnóstico precoz y de esta forma evitar manejos erróneos que pueden ser deletéreos, secuelantes e incluso potencialmente mortales...

Evaluation of changes in biologic markers ER, PR, HER 2 and Ki-67 index in breast cancer with administration of neoadjuvant dose dense doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the changes in biologic markers of breast cancer ER, PR, HER 2 and Ki-67 in locally advanced breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: Data from 63 locally advanced breast cancer patients (stage II or III), whose histological diagnosis was made by core biopsies were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were given 4 cyles of 600 mg/m(2) cyclophosphamide, 60 mg/m(2) doxorubicin every 15 days followed by 4 cycles of paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) every 15 days, and they underwent surgery within two weeks after the last chemotherapy cycle. Expressions in the preoperative and postoperative status of ER, PR, HER 2 and Ki-67 were compared. RESULTS: The patient mean age was 49.2 ±10.7 years and most (57.1%) were premenopausal. Clinical stages of patients ranged between T2N1 and T3N2. The pathological complete response (pCR) rate was 14.9 % (N=9). Two (5.7%) patients who were ER positive prior to treatment showed ER negativity after treatment. In 7 (21.17percnt;) patients PR became negative after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and in 3 (9.0%) patients PR became positive. Changes in ER and PR receptors were not statistically significant (ER p=0.500 and PR p=0.549, respectively), whereas in 2 (5. 8%) patients hormonal status changed significantly when compared to initial biopsies (p=0.003). In addition, median value for PR intensity decreased from 20 to 10% (p=0.003) and Ki-67 values decreased from 10 to 1% (p<0.001) following neoadjuvant therapy. Six (17%) patients exhibited some changes in HER 2 staining. HER 2 expression became 2+ in 3 patients who were HER 2 negative prior to treatment, and HER 2 expression became negative in two patients with HER 2 1+ and 2+ prior to treatment following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: The biological markers ER, PR, HER 2 and Ki- 67 index demonstrated differences after neoadjuvant treatment in breast cancer patients. These changes may affect the treatment decision.

Evaluation of changes of biologic markers ER, PR, HER 2 and Ki-67 in breast cancer with administration of neoadjuvant dose-dense doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel.

PURPOSE: To assess the changes of biologic markers estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), HER 2 and Ki-67 in locally advanced breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: Data from 63 locally advanced breast cancer patients (stage II or III), whose histological diagnosis was made by core biopsies were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were given 4 cycles of 600 mg/m(2) cyclophosphamide, 60 mg/m(2) doxorubicin every 15 days, followed by 4 cycles of paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2), followed by mastectomy within 2 weeks after the last chemotherapy cycle. The changes in ER, PR, HER 2 and Ki-67 status of the operated tumor tissue were compared with the material obtained by initial core biopsies. RESULTS: The patient mean age was 49.2±10.7 years. Most (57.1%) were premenopausal. Clinical disease stages ranged between T2N1 and T3N2. Pathological complete response (pCR) rate was 14.9 7 percent; (n=9). Two (5.7%) patients who were ER positive prior to treatment showed ER negativity after treatment. In 7 (21.1%) patients PR became negative and in 3 (9.0%) became positive after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Changes in ER and PR receptors were not statistically significant (p=0.500 and PR p=0.549, respectively), whereas in 2 (5.8%) patients hormonal status changed significantly when compared to initial biopsies (p=0.003). In addition, the median value of PR intensity decreased from 20 to 10% (p=0.003) and Ki-67 decreased from 10 to 1% (p<0.001) following neoadjuvant therapy. Five (14.1%) patients exhibited some changes in HER 2 expression: HER 2 expression became 2+ in 3 patients previously being HER 2 negative, and in 2 patients HER 2 became negative whilst it was 1+ and 2+ prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: It was observed that the biologic markers ER, PR, HER 2 and Ki-67, from the same tumor material demonstrated differences after neoadjuvant treatment in breast cancer patients. These changes may affect the treatment decision.

Correlation of thyroid fine-needle aspiration with final histopathology: a case series.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between preoperative thyroid fine-needle aspiration result and final histopathology in patients with thyroid nodules. METHODS: The medical records of 298 patients (mean age, 47.7±12.3 years; 79.5% females) who underwent fine-needle aspiration for thyroid nodules and who were operated and have final pathological diagnosis were retrospectively reviewed. For reporting fine-needle aspiration specimen pathology, the Bethesda thyroid fine-needle aspiration classification was used. Tyroglobulin (Tg) and anti-Tg and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibody levels were determined preoperatively. RESULTS: Thyroid nodules were non-diagnostic, benign or atypia (Bethesda groups 1-3) in 76.8% of patients; and follicular neoplasm, suspicious for malignancy or malignant (Bethesda groups 4-6) in 23.1% of patients. Final pathology of surgery specimen was most commonly nodular goiter (36.6%) and papillary carcinoma (35.6%). Nodular goiter was significantly more prevalent in Bethesda 1 group while papillary carcinoma was more common in Bethesda 3 group (P<0.05). Tg level is significantly higher in the nodular goiter group (90.49±126.93 ng/mL), while anti-Tg and anti-TPO levels are significantly higher in the lymphocytic thyroiditis goiter group (229.77±494.42 U/mL and 282.86±360.77 U/mL, respectively) than the other pathology groups (P<0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Papillary carcinoma is more common in Bethesda thyroid fine-needle aspiration classification 3 group. Therefore, preoperative fine-needle aspiration for thyroid nodules is predictive of final pathology and should be applied for diagnosis and follow-up.

Follow-up of atypia and follicular lesions of undetermined significance in thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience of atypia of undetermined significance (AUS)/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (FLUS) rate and outcome. METHODS: Among 7658 patients with 19 569 nodules, 524 (2.7%) nodules were diagnosed as AUS/FLUS on fine needle aspiration (FNA). After exclusion of patients with simultaneous nodules that were suspicious for follicular neoplasm or malignancy or that were malignant, 368 (4.8%) patients were diagnosed as AUS/FLUS. The outcome of 146 patients who had undergone surgery or repeated fine needle aspirate at the time of preparation of this study was evaluated. The original FNAs were matched to repeated FNAs and thyroidectomy or diagnostic lobectomy specimens. RESULTS: Seventy-two (19.6%) of the 368 patients had directly undergone surgery, either a lobectomy or a thyroidectomy: of these, 27 (37.5%) had neoplastic nodules (21 were malignant). Seventy-four (20.1%) of the 368 patients had repeat FNA. On second FNA, 47 of 74 (63.5%) were benign, three were suspicious for follicular neoplasm, one was malignant and 23 (31.1%) were non-diagnostic. Four patients had a third FNA: two were AUS/FLUS, one was malignant and one non-diagnostic. One patient had a fourth FNA, which was diagnosed as AUS/FLUS. Sixteen (21.6%) of 74 patients with repeat FNA had surgery: three of these had neoplastic nodules (two were malignant). Overall, 88 of the 368 (23.9%) patients had a thyroidectomy of which 30 (34.1%) were neoplastic and 23 (26.1%) malignant. The neoplastic rate for patients who were once diagnosed with AUS/FLUS was 8.2% and the malignancy rate 6.3%. The malignancy rate for patients on follow-up at the time we prepared the study was 15.7% (23/146); 222 remained on follow-up without surgery or repeat FNA or were managed elsewhere. CONCLUSIONS: Although in this category repeat FNA is expected rather than excision, we suggest evaluation of all AUS/FLUS patients in multidisciplinary meetings to decide management and recommend follow-up of all patients with this diagnosis.

ERCC1 expression in triple negative breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1), which is a component of nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway, removes platinum-induced DNA adducts. Overexpression of ERCC1 has been associated with resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy in ovarian and lung cancers. Detecting ERCC1 overexpression is important in considering treatment options for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), and in conducting and interpreting trials that search to find specific chemotherapy regimens for TNBC. In this study we aimed to study ERCC1 overexpression in patients with TNBC. METHODS: A monoclonal antibody against ERCC1 was used for immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of tumor samples. Tumor samples from 45 patients were evaluated by two experienced pathologists who were blinded to clinical data. A semi-quantitative H score (intensity staining scale ranging from no staining/0 to very intense staining/3+) was calculated by multiplying staining intensity with extent score. Tumors with H score ≥ 1 were classified as ERCC1-positive. RESULTS: ERCC1 expression was positive in 73.3% of the tumor samples with an H score ≥ 1 and 26.7% of the tumor samples stained negative with an H score lt; 1. Of the tumor samples 15.5% stained diffusely and intensively. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that about two thirds of the TNBC showed positive expression of ERCC1, which may be predictive of a poor response to platinum-based chemotherapy.

Effect of season on fatty acid composition and n-3/n-6 ratios of zander and carp muscle lipids in Altinapa Dam Lake.

In this study, seasonal variations on total fatty acid composition of carp, Cyprinus carpio, and zander, Sander lucioperca, muscle lipids in Altinapa Dam Lake were determined. Fish samples in 2 seasons (summer and winter) were obtained from Altinapa Dam Lake in Konya, Turkey. Polyunsaturated fatty acids were found to be higher during the cold season than in the hot both in zander and carp. Whereas the Docosahexaenoic acid was high in zander both in summer and winter, in carp it was high only during wintertime. Zander contained more n-3 fatty acids during the cold season compared to carp. Especially, the n-3:n-6 ratios in zander were 3.89 and 3.84 in summer and winter, respectively. In conclusion, seasonal variations affected fatty acid composition of zander and carp in Altinapa Dam Lake.