The utility of the matrix format for surgical morbidity and mortality conference.

With the limitations posed by increasing work hour restrictions, surgical residency programs are focusing more on maximizing the educational benefit of their conferences. The Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) conference serves as a forum to discuss adverse events and patient care improvement using evidence-based medicine. The matrix format (MF) is an enhancement to the traditional format (TF), focusing on the case selection process and a postconference newsletter reiterating the relevant literature review and discussion points. Our institution adopted the MF to evaluate both its short- and long-term educational values. Surveys were distributed to residents and faculty within the Department of General Surgery to assess their interest and satisfaction, perception of educational value, and efficiency with the MF compared with the TF. Responses were obtained from 22/22 (100%) residents for the TF and 11/23 (48%) for the MF. Faculty responses were 19/19 (100%) and 9/16 (56%), respectively. Reasons for an overall decreased response with the MF were not investigated further, as participation was strictly voluntary. Our results confirmed an overall approval of the MF by both residents and faculty. Faculty reported an improved efficiency of the conference (P < 0.039), encompassing improved content and presentation quality. Residents reported an improved overall interest and satisfaction with the MF (P < 0.001) as well as an improvement in the educational value (P < 0.007). Residents spent less time preparing presentations and reported learning greater educational benefit to the conference when preparing their own presentations (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the MF resulted in a greater overall satisfaction for residents and attending surgeons with an increased investment by the audience and overall improvement in perceived educational benefit.

Palliation in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is rarely curable, and because of its location causes significant symptoms for patients in need of palliation. The common problems of incurable pancreatic cancer are biliary obstruction, duodenal obstruction, and pain. Approaches include surgical, endoscopic and radiologic interventions. This article discusses the palliative options and controversies related to these symptoms.

The predictive value of incidental PET/CT findings suspicious for breast cancer in women with non-breast malignancies.

BACKGROUND: On occasion, patients followed with positron emission tomographic (PET)/computed tomographic (CT) imaging for nonbreast malignancies will have incidental breast findings concerning for second primary breast cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of PET/CT imaging to identify breast cancers in these patients. METHODS: Patients with primary nonbreast malignancies and findings concerning for second primary breast cancers were identified from a prospectively acquired nuclear medicine database from January 2005 to July 2008. Chart reviews were then performed. RESULTS: Nine hundred two women underwent PET/CT imaging to evaluate nonbreast malignancies. Nine women (1%) had concerning breast findings, and 5 (56%) had subsequent breast cancer diagnoses. The positive predictive value of PET/CT imaging in these patients was 63%. Evidence of compliance with current screening guidelines was present in only 22% of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that findings concerning for an additional primary breast cancer should be evaluated and that age-appropriate screening tools should not be abandoned.

Incidental PET/CT findings in the cancer patient: how should they be managed?

BACKGROUND: Despite a paucity of evidence-based guidelines, the use of PET/CT (positron emission tomography/computed tomography) in the management of cancer patients is increasing. As widespread clinical application increases, unexpected radiographic findings are occasionally identified. These incidental findings are often suspicious for a second primary malignancy. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical impact of these incidental PET/CT findings. METHODS: A query of our prospectively acquired Nuclear Medicine database was performed to identify patients with a known malignancy being staged or serially imaged with PET/CT. Patients with incidental findings suggestive of a second primary malignancy were selected. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the ability of PET/CT to identify a second primary malignancy. All PET/CT were interpreted by board certified nuclear radiologists. RESULTS: Of 3,814 PET/CT scans performed on 2,219 cancer patients at our institution from January 1, 2005, to December 29, 2008, 272 patients (12% of all patients) had findings concerning for a second primary malignancy. An invasive work-up was performed on 49% (133/272) of these patients, while 15% (40/272) had no further evaluation due to an advanced primary malignancy. The remaining 36% (99/272) had no further evaluation secondary to a low clinical suspicion determined by the treating team, a clinical plan of observation, or patients lost to follow-up. Of the 133 patients evaluated further, clinicians identified a second primary malignancy in 41 patients (31%), benign disease in 62 patients (47%), and metastatic disease from their known malignancy in 30 patients (23%). The most common sites for a proven second primary malignancy were: lung (N = 10), breast (N = 7), and colon (N = 5). Investigation of these lesions was performed using several techniques, including 24 endoscopies (6 malignant). A surgical procedure was performed in 74 patients (29 malignant), and a percutaneous biopsy was performed on 34 patients (12 malignant). The overall positive predictive value for PET/CT to detect a second primary malignancy was 31% in this subgroup. At a median follow-up of 22 months, 9 of 41 patients with a second primary were dead of a malignancy, 20 were alive with disease, and 12 had no evidence of disease. CONCLUSION: Incidental PET/CT findings consistent with a second primary are occasionally encountered in cancer patients. In our data, approximately half of these findings were benign, a third were consistent with a second primary malignancy or a metastatic focus, and the remainder were never evaluated due to physician and patient decision. Advanced primary tumors are unlikely to be impacted by a second primary tumor suggesting that this subset of patients will not benefit from further investigation. Our data suggests that, despite the high rate of false positivity, incidental PET/CT findings should be investigated when the results will impact treatment algorithms. The timing and route of investigation should be dictated by clinical judgment and the status of the primary tumor. Further investigation will need to be performed to determine the long-term clinical impact of incidentally identified second primary malignancies.