Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: a 5-year retrospective review of cases in a tertiary centre in Dublin, Ireland.

AIMS: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, benign, inflammatory breast disorder of unknown aetiology usually affecting women of reproductive age. It classically presents as a unilateral painful breast mass. It is frequently mistaken for carcinoma or other inflammatory breast diseases. Diagnostic investigations include clinical examination, appropriate imaging and tissue sampling. A link between IGM and infection with the Corynebacterium species in particular Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii has been described. METHODS: A retrospective single-centre cohort study was conducted over a 5-year period (2017-2022); all cases of IGM were identified. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were diagnosed with IGM. Breast lump was the most common presenting complaint (n=29). The average age was 45 years. Eighteen patients had samples sent for culture and sensitivity, 11 of which had positive microbiology results indicative of Corynebacterium spp infection.An 82% resolution rate (27 of 33) was recorded in those who received either a short-antibiotic course or none at all. Eight patients reported persistent disease at 3 months, five of which had evidence of Corynebacterium spp. DISCUSSION: This 5-year review highlights the impact of IGM in a tertiary centre in Dublin, Ireland. Although no treatment guidelines exist, options include antibiotics, immunomodulators and surgery. Due to risk of fistulae and unfavourable cosmetic outcomes, surgery should be reserved for refractory IGM. We suspect that there may be a subset of patients where prolonged antibiotic therapy should be considered. Defining this subgroup requires further study, but likely includes those with cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis, relapsing disease and in whom Corynebacterium spp is recovered.

Value of Long-term Follow-up in Surgically Excised Lesions of Uncertain Malignant Potential in the Breast - Is 5 Years Necessary?

INTRODUCTION: B3 lesions are a heterogeneous group of breast lesions of uncertain malignant potential which usually require excision. The aim was to assess the efficacy of 5 years routine radiological or clinical follow-up of patients who had "high-risk" B3 lesions surgically excised, by analyzing recurrence and subsequent development of invasive/in-situ cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 10-year retrospective review from 2010 to 2019 was performed of B3 lesions diagnosed on core needle biopsy, including patients who proceeded to surgical excision with a high-risk lesion on final histology. The database recorded 6 specific B3 lesion categories: 1. Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), 2. Radial scars/complex sclerosing lesions (CSLs) with epithelial atypia 3. Classical Lobular neoplasia (ALH/LCIS), 4. Papillary lesions with epithelial atypia, 5. Mixed, 6. Flat epithelial atypia (FEA), including radiological and clinical follow-up data. RESULTS: Six hundred sixteen patients had a B3 lesion after core biopsy. 110 patients had "high risk" lesions. This included 17 (15.5%) Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia (ADH), 22 (20%) radial scars/CSLs with epithelial atypia, 47 (42.7%) classical lobular neoplasia (LCIS/ALH), 7 (6.4%) papillary lesions with epithelial atypia, 13 (11.8%) mixed lesions & 4 (3.6%) Flat Epithelial Atypia (FEA) lesions. 4 of 110 (3.6%) developed invasive/in-situ disease and 4 of 110 (3.6%) developed recurrence during follow-up. 33 of 616 (5.4%) upgraded to invasive/preinvasive disease after surgical excision. CONCLUSION: Five years of routine radiological surveillance may not be necessary in patients who undergo surgical excision of "high-risk" B3 lesions. Clinical surveillance appears to be of little benefit, especially in patients with radial scars, papillary lesions, and FEA. Subsequent development of invasive/in-situ disease in patients who undergo surgical excision of atypical B3 lesions remains low.

Process evaluation of health fairs promoting cancer screenings.

BACKGROUND: Low income and uninsured individuals often have lower adherence to cancer screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. Health fairs are a common community outreach strategy used to provide cancer-related health education and services. METHODS: This study was a process evaluation of seven health fairs focused on cancer screening across the U.S. We conducted key-informant interviews with the fair coordinator and conducted baseline and follow-up surveys with fair participants to describe characteristics of participants as well as their experiences. We collected baseline data with participants at the health fairs and telephone follow-up surveys 6 months following the fair. RESULTS: Attendance across the seven health fairs ranged from 41 to 212 participants. Most fairs provided group or individual education, print materials and cancer screening during the event. Overall, participants rated health fairs as very good and participants reported that the staff was knowledgeable and that they liked the materials distributed. After the fairs, about 60% of participants, who were reached at follow-up, had read the materials provided and had conversations with others about cancer screening, and 41% talked to their doctors about screening. Based on findings from evaluation including participant data and coordinator interviews, we describe 6 areas in planning for health fairs that may increase their effectiveness. These include: 1) use of a theoretical framework for health promotion to guide educational content and activities provided, 2) considering the community characteristics, 3) choosing a relevant setting, 4) promotion of the event, 5) considerations of the types of services to deliver, and 6) evaluation of the health fair. CONCLUSIONS: The events reported varied in reach and the participants represented diverse races and lower income populations overall. Most health fairs offered education, print materials and onsite cancer screening. Participants reported general satisfaction with these events and were motivated through their participation to read educational materials or discuss screening with providers. Public health professionals can benefit from this process evaluation and recommendations for designing and evaluating health fairs.

Pancreatic Cancer Complicated by Pancreatitis Demonstrated on FDG PET/CT.

A 73-year-old man was referred for F-FDG PET/CT study for staging of biopsy-proven pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The scan demonstrated focal intense FDG uptake in the pancreatic head, localizing the primary tumor. Additional moderate diffuse uptake was seen throughout the pancreas, suggestive of acute pancreatitis. Concurrent diagnostic CT showed diffuse pancreatic hypoenhancement consistent with edema. Serum lipase level was elevated, confirming a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.

Polyostotic Fibrous Dysplasia in McCune-Albright Syndrome Demonstrated on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT.

A 33-year-old woman with McCune-Albright syndrome was referred for a Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT study for evaluation and staging of a biopsy-proven pancreatic tail neuroendocrine tumor. The scan demonstrated intense focal octreopeptide uptake corresponding to the known neuroendocrine tumor at the pancreatic tail/splenic hilum. There was no evidence of octreopeptide-avid metastases. Diffuse octreopeptide uptake was demonstrated in multiple bones involving the right side of the skeleton. The concurrent CT demonstrated corresponding expansile lucent changes consistent with the known fibrous dysplasia.

Atomoxetine Treatment for Cocaine Abuse and Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Preliminary Open Trial.

The purpose of this 12-week open trial was to evaluate the potential utility of atomoxetine for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in cocaine-dependent treatment seekers. The sample consisted of 20 participants with all participants meeting DSM-IV-TR criteria for ADHD and cocaine dependence (CD). Using several measures to assess ADHD, there was a significant reduction in ADHD symptoms. There was no significant decrease in cocaine use throughout the trial. Taken together, although cocaine-dependent individuals showed some reduction in ADHD symptoms while receiving atomoxetine, the high drop-out rate and lack of impact on cocaine use may limit its utility in ADHD adults who are currently abusing cocaine.

Bipolar disorder and substance abuse.

Substance use disorders are overrepresented in individuals with bipolar and bipolar spectrum disorders. Although awareness of this phenomenon has increased over the past 20 years, few empirically based treatment strategies have been developed for this challenging patient population. This review examines the relationship between bipolar and substance use disorders and treatment options that have been studied in this patient population. First, we examine the high prevalence rates of substance use disorders in individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the common problems associated with establishing a bipolar disorder diagnosis in individuals who abuse substances, the possible explanations for the frequent coexistence of bipolar and substance use disorders, and the negative effect of substance abuse on the course of and treatment outcomes for bipolar disorder. The review then focuses on treatment approaches for this patient population, including integrated group therapy for co-occurring bipolar and substance use disorders and pharmacotherapies that target both disorders. Finally, we present suggestions for medications that might be tested for their efficacy in treating both disorders in specific subgroups of patients with bipolar and substance use disorders.

Substance use histories in patients seeking treatment for controlled-release oxycodone dependence.

The characteristics of patients currently abusing controlled-release (CR) oxycodone admitted for inpatient detoxification were ascertained from medical record review of 48 inpatients with CR oxycodone dependence. Patients were categorized according to the manner in which they initially received the drug: illicitly or by prescription for legitimate medical use. Fifteen of the 48 patients (31%) initially obtained a CR oxycodone prescription legitimately for a medical condition. While none of these 15 patients had a history of prior opioid misuse, they were more likely than illicit CR oxycodone users to report prior detoxifications (P<0.03) as well as a lower mean age of first alcohol use (legitimate=11.7 versus illicit=14.7, P<0.05) and first illicit drug use (legitimate=12.8 versus illicit=15.8, P<0.05). These findings suggest that a history of substance abuse is common among patients abusing CR oxycodone, including individuals for whom CR oxycodone was initially legitimately prescribed for pain.

Psychosocial treatments for cocaine dependence.

Psychosocial treatment remains the predominant modality of treatment for patients with cocaine dependence. This paper reviews several recent studies comparing different types of psychosocial treatments for this population. A number of forms of psychosocial treatment for cocaine dependence have shown promising results, as detailed in the study descriptions.

What general psychiatrists ask addiction psychiatrists: a review of 381 substance abuse consultations in a psychiatric hospital.

We reviewed the records of 381 consecutive substance abuse consultations completed by the Substance Abuse Consultation Service (SACS) of McLean Hospital to ascertain 1) the most frequent reasons why general psychiatrists consulted the SACS, and 2) the clinical characteristics of these patients. The most frequent reasons for consultation were to make aftercare recommendations (66.1%) or to make (19.7%) or clarify (6.3%) a substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis. Mood disorders were the most prevalent co-occurring psychiatric disorder; alcohol use disorders were the most prevalent SUDs. The findings indicate the potential utility of a substance abuse consultation service in a psychiatric hospital.