Dermoscopy Patterns and Histopathological Findings in Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma-Study on 68 Cases.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer, with an increasing incidence in Europe particularly in young individuals. Nodular basal cell carcinoma is the most common subtype and accounts for approximately 57.6-78.7% of all BCCs. We performed an observational, morphological study which involved 68 patients with the diagnosis of nodular BCC. The localization and diameter of the lesion, histological subtype of the lesion, dermoscopic patterns, Fitzpatrick skin type and sex of each patient were recorded. The most common dermoscopic pattern seen in nodular BCCs was irregular vascularity and, arborizing vessels (>0.2mm in diameter) being the most frequent irregular vascular pattern. The second most common dermoscopic feature in patients with nodular BCCs was translucency. The most common dermoscopic features of the 12 pigmented BCCs were: pigmented islands (blue-gray globules and blue-gray ovoid nests); the pigmented distribution pattern (with (maple leaf-like structures and spoke wheel-like areas); arborizing vessels and white streaks/white areas. The histopathological analysis of the 68 BCCs revealed that the nodular type was the most frequently identified for 71.7% of cases The differential diagnosis between basal cell carcinoma and other skin lesions and inflammatory skin diseases is very important, since serious morbidity may result from an undiagnosed tumor.

Urinary Bladder Tumors Clinical and Statistical Retrospective Study.

Nowadays, urinary bladder cancer represents a major health problem, due to very high medical and social costs. This disease affects mainly the elderly. We performed a study on 1073 patients admitted to the Urology Clinic within the Emergency Clinical Hospital of Craiova, between 2013-2015 with bladder cancer. Of the 1073 cases, 741(69.06%) were diagnosed in men, and 332 (30.94%) were found in women, the men/ women ratio being of 2.23/1. The highest incidence of bladder tumors was recorded in individuals aged between 60 and 79 years old. In this age group, there were admitted 734 patients with bladder cancer, representing 68.44%. Regarding the tumor recurrence, out of 1073 bladder tumors, a number of 608 (56.66%) patients were diagnosed with primary tumors, while a number of 465 (43.34%) patients presented recurrent tumors. Of the symptoms presented by the patients, the most frequent were haematuria (present in about 87% of the patients), pollakiuria (present in 64% of the patients), dysuria (present in 55% of the patients) and urinary infections (present in about 23% of the patients).

Psoriasis Vulgaris in Children - Case Presentation.

A seven-year-old girl, with erythematous-squamous rash, was admitted to our clinic to decide upon the diagnosis and treatment, being transferred from a county hospital. Heredo-collateral antecedents - an aunt, related to her mother, with psoriasis. When admitted, the patient presented prominent non-pruriginous erythematous plaques, clearly marked and covered by thick, silvery-white scales, easily exfoliating, all over at the level of: scalp, earlobes, neck, torso, limbs, periungual, axillary and genital areas. The dermatological examination: psoriasis vulgaris in patches and plaques, a diagnosis also confirmed histopathologically. Using a local dermatologic treatment, the evolution was favorable, the patient initially presenting thick squamae, then, gradually, there occurred the psoriasis whitening. We presented this case since psoriasis is rarely met at this early age.

Wellness Beyond Cancer Program: building an effective survivorship program.

BACKGROUND: The Wellness Beyond Cancer Program (wbcp) was launched in 2012, first accepting patients with colorectal cancer (crc) and, subsequently, those with breast cancer (bca), with the aim of standardizing and streamlining the discharge process from our cancer centre. Patients are discharged either to the wbcp nurse practitioner or to their primary care provider (pcp). The program incorporates survivorship care plans (scps) and education classes; it also has a rapid re-entry system in case of recurrence. The objective of this paper is to describe the process by which a cancer survivorship program was developed at our institution and to present preliminary evaluation results. METHODS: Qualitative surveys were mailed to patients and pcps 1 year after patients had been referred to the wbcp. The surveys addressed knowledge of the program content, satisfaction on the part of patients and providers, and whether scp recommendations were followed. Questions were scored on the level of agreement with each of a list of statements (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). RESULTS: From March 2012 to November 2014, 2630 patients were referred to the wbcp (809 with crc, 1821 with bca). Surveys were received from 289 patients and 412 pcps. Patients and pcps gave similar scores (average: 4) to statements about satisfaction; pcps gave scores below 4 to statements about communication with the wbcp. CONCLUSIONS: At 1 year after discharge, patients and pcps were satisfied with program content, but there is an opportunity to improve on communication and provision of cancer-specific information to the pcps. Using the wbcp to ensure a safe transition to the most appropriate health care provider, we have standardized the discharge process for crc and bca patients.

Dermatoscopic and Histopatological Aspect of Preneoplasia and Skin Cancers - Study on 74 Patients.

Dermoscopy is an important in-vivo, non-invasive diagnostic technique that allows visualization of morphological features not macroscopic visible. It has a major contribution in enhancing the diagnostic accuracy for pigmented skin lesions. Recent studies have shown that it also aids in the diagnosis of non-pigmented keratinizing skin lesions, including actinic keratosis and Bowen's disease. We performed a retrospective study in Dermamed Clinic Craiova, between January and June 2014, with the aim to correlate the dermoscopic and histopathological aspect of skin tumors. This study included a total of 74 patients, aged between 16 and 76 years. The dermatoscopic examination revealed 12 skin cancers, 51 precancerous lesions and 11 benign tumors. Those 12 subjects diagnosed with malignant tumors by dermatoscopic examination, had also histopathological examination and confirmation of the diagnosis, also 11 patients identified with benign tumors with dermatoscopic examination were subsequently confirmed by histopathological assesment. Out of the 51 patients with premalignant tumors, 48 patients had histopatological confirmation of it, and for 3 patients the result was squamous cell carcinoma. Thus dermatoscopic examination identified the malignant lesions with a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 80% with a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 94.12%, p<0.000.

Clinical and Pathological Analysis of Two Cases of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma.

The purpose of this study was the clinical and histo-immunohistochemical analysis of two cases: a cutaneous pigmented facial malignant melanoma and a lumbar congenital nevus with malignant transformation. A series of clinical elements raised the suspicion of some malignant melanocytic lesions and the histopathological analysis through the paraffin embedding technique confirmed the clinical suspicion. The immunohistochemical analysis using the streptavidin-biotin-peroxydase method of the facial malignant melanoma showed: S100 protein intense and diffuse positive, Tyrosinase diffuse positive, HMB45 strong and focal positive, Cyclin D1 positive in approximately 40% and Ki-67 positive in almost 70% of the tumor cells. The malignant melanoma developed on the nevocellular nevus displayed: S100 protein intense and diffuse positive, both in the nevus cells and in the malignant melanocytes as well, Tyrosinase intense and diffuse positive in the malignant melanocytes, poor and focal positive in the nevus cells and HMB45 intense and focal positive in the malignant cells and positive in the isolated nevus cells. Cyclin D1 was positive in about 70% of the malignant cells, but negative in the nevus area and Ki-67 was found positive in relatively 30% of the malignant melanocytes, also in less than 1% of the nevus cells. The pattern and the intensity of the Tyrosinase and HMB45 immunoexpression are important in the differentiation of the nevus cells from the malignant melanocytic cells. The immunoexpression of Cyclin D1 does not correlate directly with the proliferating activity of the malignant melanocytic cells in all types of malignant melanomas.

Overlap Syndrome-Systemic Sclerosis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Dermatomyositis - Case Report.

Overlap syndrome is often defined as an entity that satisfies the classification criteria for at least two distinct connective tissue disease. We present the case of a female patient, 39 years old, hospitalized in the Dermatology clinic of Emergency County Hospital in september 2014, for ulcerative lesions on the left hallux and the second and third left toes, associated with pain and difficulties in walking. After performing the clinical exam and paraclinical tests, we decided for both intravenous synthetic analogue of prostacyclin PGI2-iloprost and local therapeutic measures, with a favourable outcome of the ulcerations. Due to the fact that overlap syndrome is an entity with several visceral involvement and unpredictable evolution, we must not disregard the skin manifestation, so that we can prevent a severe evolution and improve the outcome. The case represents a permanent challenge for the multidisciplinary team that examine, survey and periodically adjust the treatment, based on the biological status and predominant symptoms.

Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma - Case report.

Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma (CLM) is a very rare smooth muscle tumor arising from the dermis or subcutaneous tissue in the skin. Superficial leiomyosarcoma originates in the superficial dermis or subcutaneous tissue and represents about 3% of the soft tissue sarcomas. CLM presents in persons of all ages but with a peak between 60-70 years old. It may also occur anywhere on the body; the existing cases reported it on the face and trunk. The clinic of leiomyosarcoma consists in a firm dermal nodule, which can be painful, pruritic or paresthestic. The tumor is of 1-3 cm in diameter and can often be seen as a solitary formation. We report one case of a cutaneous leiomyosarcoma arising in the chest region of a 79- year-old male. Leiomyosarcoma is a rare entity whose clinical presentation may appear nonspecific, making diagnosis difficult. Primary tumor excision with wide oncological safety margins is considered, when suitable case, the most appropriate method. Other therapeutic methods, such as radio- or chemotherapy are described as without significant benefits. Despite the claims of radical surgical treatment, due to recurrence rates, the prognosis remains poor. We recommend long-term follow-up of patients to capture a subsequent malignant disease progression.

Six-year outcomes after non-resective mitral valve repair with artificial chordae using removable clips.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The results were evaluated of a non-resective technique for mitral valve repair with artificial chordae implantation that allows modification of the length of the chordae as many times as necessary, and avoids inadvertent alteration of chordal length during fixation by using removable clips. METHODS: After having determined the length of the artificial chordae, a removable clip was tied on the two thread ends to prevent sliding when performing the competence test. The length of the artificial chordae could be modified by opening the clip and closing it elsewhere along the chordae length. When the competence test was satisfactory, the threads were knotted on the clips. Long-term follow up was completed between January and May 2012, by echocardiography plus consultation with a cardiologist at the authors' institution. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients underwent repair with this technique. Follow up was complete at a median of 6.0 years. There were no in-hospital deaths, but four deaths occurred during the follow up period (8.5%). The survival rate at six years was 91.5 +/- 2.1%. One patient (2.1%) had recurrent mitral regurgitation (MR) and required reoperation within two years after the initial surgery. The event-free survival rate, defined as survival free from death, reoperation or cardiovascular adverse events, was 87.2 +/- 5.2% at six years. At the time of follow up, echocardiography identified a fully competent valve or minimal MR in 45 patients (96%), mild MR in one patient (2.1%), and significant MR in one patient (2.1%). CONCLUSION: A satisfactory six-year outcome is reported for this method, whereby removable clips were used to determine the correct length of the artificial chordae, and for accurate tying of the knots.

Role of MRI in the diagnosis and evaluation of cavernous hemangioma of the arm.

Sinusoidal hemangioma is a rare type of cavernous hemangioma with different clinico-pathological aspects. They are usually localized in the extremities with interest in the subcutaneous layer. The new imaging techniques play an important role in diagnosis, evaluation and follow-up of these types of tumors. We describe the case of a 21-year-old patient, four times operated for a recurrent soft tissue tumor, located intramuscularly in the distal third of the upper limb. Plain X-ray and computer tomography (CT) showed a nonspecific mass with calcification. The MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) exam demonstrated a lobulated heterogeneous signal tumor mass in the biceps brachial muscles, with high signal intensity on T2 weighted images and intermediate signal on T1 weighted images. MRI accurately assessed the extent of the tumor and evaluated the recurrence. MRI imagings combined with contrast-enhanced sequences were used to classify the lesions in low flow vascular disorders. CT angiography with multiplanar reconstructions (MPR), maximum intensity projections (MIP) and volume-rendered reconstructions (VR) was useful in confirming the venous origin of the tumor.

[Intermediate and long-term outcome after total joint replacement for hallux rigidus : a retrospective analysis]. / Mittel- und langfristige Ergebnisse nach endoprothetischer Versorgung des Hallux rigidus : Eine retrospektive Analyse.

BACKGROUND: The treatment options for advanced hallux rigidus include arthrodesis, excision arthroplasty (Keller-Brandes) and joint arthroplasty and based on the literature, arthrodesis still appears to be the gold standard. In recent years, technical advances and higher patient demands have led to an increasing use of total joint replacement but comparative data on patient satisfaction and clinical outcome of different forms of treatment are rare. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 2005 a total of 27 patients were treated with 28 joint replacements of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) in a surgical practice (Bio-Action Great Toe Implant, OsteoMed, Addison, TX). The mean age of the patients was 63.7 years. In a retrospective analysis patients were examined clinically and radiologically after a mean follow-up period of 8.8 years and asked about their satisfaction with surgical results using a questionnaire. RESULTS: After joint replacement 15 patients (53.6%) were free of pain, 8 (28.6%) reported marked improvement, 12 (42.9%) had no limitations in any activity and another 5 (17.9%) had no restrictions in activities of daily life. The maximum walking distance was improved in 21 patients (75%) and walking on rough ground in 24 (85.7%). Of the patients 11 (39.3%) had a good range of motion in the MTPJ, 13 (46.4%) reported a slight restriction, 24 (85.7%) were satisfied or very satisfied with the postoperative result and 22 stated that they would undergo joint replacement again. The results of the Wilcoxon test showed a significant increase in postoperative modified American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores compared with preoperative scores. There was loosening of the phalangeal component in 3 patients (11%), and 2 had to undergo revision. CONCLUSIONS: Many recent studies reported good to excellent long-term results of arthrodesis of the MTPJ for stage III and IV hallux rigidus. The results of this study suggest that similar results can be achieved by an experienced foot surgeon with total joint replacement in strictly selected patients.

New mediators of vascular damage in dialysed patients.

Cardiovascular events are the main causes of mortality in dialysed patients. Traditional risk factors such as hypertension, aging, smoking, diabetes, and abnormal lipid metabolism does not fully explain the high frequency of cardiovascular disease in renal patients, indicating that some other distinct pathogenesis may be involved. Vascular calcification have been associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. It is an active process that resembles osteogenesis, regulated by bone proteins and osteoblast-like cells. Elements involved in the pathogenesis are: the risk factors that initiates the process, the promoters released and overexpressed and the dysregulation of the inhibitor factors of extraskeletal calcifications. Although researches in the past decade have greatly improved our knowledge of the multiple factors and mechanisms involved in vascular calcification, many questions remain unanswered.

Photodynamic diagnosis of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer using hexaminolevulinic acid.

UNLABELLED: Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common tumor of the urinary tract. White light cystoscopy (WLC) is currently considered the standard investigation for diagnosis of bladder tumors. Recent studies suggest that using exogenous fluorescence (photodynamic diagnosis, PDD) can improve its diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to analyze the value of using fluorescent cystoscopy (PDD) in the diagnosis and treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study designed as a prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted over a 12 months period and included 44 patients with primitive NMIBC diagnosed and treated in our department in 2009. Twenty-two patients were included in the study group (PDD), while 22 patients were diagnosed and treated by conventional methods (WLC). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding age, sex, place of origin, smoking history, clinical symptoms or presence of urological history as well as tumor size, location or number. Fluorescence cystoscopy examination identified 25.8% more tumors than the conventional examination (p=0.004). We demonstrated a significant reduction of tumor recurrence rates at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months by using PDD (HR=0.3271, 95% CI 0.1091-0.9809; p=0.0461). CONCLUSIONS: The use of PDD in patients with NMIBC results in significant improvement of the efficiency of their initial diagnosis cystoscopy (by over 25%). We demonstrated improved patient prognosis and quality of life following conservative TUR treatment of these tumors by significantly reducing the tumor recurrence rate (by 9-27%) in the first year of follow-up.

Synchronous squamous esophageal carcinoma and urothelial renal cancer.

Synchronous development of a second primary cancer in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was reported in 2.73%-11% of the cases. Although the synchronous association between esophageal and renal cancer is very rare, an increasingly number of cases is reported in medical literature. This study's aim is to report a case of synchronous esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and an urothelial carcinoma of the right kidney. Patient G.D. was admitted in our clinic with esophageal cancer diagnosis; during the preoperative work-up protocol, an asymptomatic right renal mass was discovered. A nephroureteroscopy with biopsy was performed and the urothelial renal cancer diagnosis was established. The patient is proposed for seriate surgery: nephroureterectomy on the first stage, then esophagectomy with gastric reconstruction was performed. Postoperative evolution was unfavourable, patient being finally discharged, on his request, with severely altered status.

Assessment of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) Therapeutic Efficiency in Urolithiasis.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) revolutionized the treatment of urolithiasis and gradually became the favorite treatment option so that today it is considered to be the first line of treatment for more than 75% of the patients with urolithiasis. The purpose of this study was the assessment of the therapeutic efficiency, complications and limitations of ESWL in urolithiasis in the initial experience using a third generation electromagnetic lithotripter.  Between 2007 and 2008 we performed ESWL for 167 patients with urolithiasis. We recorded 92 patients with single stone (55.1%) and 72 with multiple lithiasis (44.9%). Stone size varied between 7 and 24 mm with an average of 12.3±7.1 mm. Radioopac stones were found in 104 patients (62.3%) while radiolucent stones in 63 only (37.6%).    Complete stone disintegration and clearance was achieved in most cases (86.2%). Complications were mostly minor and rare (transitory haematuria, renal colic). Severe complications (renal hematoma, steinstrasse) were diagnosed for a limited number of patients (3.6%) and their management was mostly nonsurgical or minimally invasive (retrograde ureteroscopy). ESWL is therefore the first line of treatment for urolithiasis with stone size smaller than 2.5 cm. It has an efficiency rate above 85%, low procedure time, high safety and good tolerability (new generation lithotripters do not require anesthesia) and minimal complications.

[Anatomo-clinical considerations regarding the celiac-mesenteric junction]. / Consideratii anatomo-clinice asupra butonului celio-mezenteric.

AIM: This work points out the access ways - both the classical ones and the ones less known and used - to the origin and the first centimeters of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), underlining the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Our work is based on dissection of 30 human bodies and 200 selective arteriographies. RESULTS: There are two classical ways to access the first part of SMA: inter-duodeno-pancreatic and the left thoraco-abdominal ways. CONCLUSIONS: An access way to the origin of the SMA is necessary for the revascularisation through different techniques of the visceral territory depending on the SMA, taking into account the fact that at this level we have the most frequent localization of the atheroma plaques, which leads to acute or chronic intestinal ischemia (manifest in the form of postprandial abdominal 'angor').

Septal myomectomy and coronary artery bypass in one case of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

UNLABELLED: Surgery of the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy remains controversial. The safest procedure and the simples procedure is the mitral valve replacement. Septal myomectomy is difficult because of the poor surgical exposure and complications: incomplete resection, complete heart block, ventricular septal defect. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56 years old man with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, double coronary stenosis and grade II mitral regurgitation by systolic anterior motion was long time stable under treatment with b-blockers. He developed angina and the circumflex and the left anterior descending arteries were stented. Re-stenosis developed in the left anterior descending stent and the patient was referred to surgery. The intraventricular gradient was 80 mmHg and the maximal septal thickness 28 mm. He was successfully treated by septal myomectomy and bypass on the left anterior descending artery with the left internal thoracic artery. Perioperative transesophageal echography was used to establish the limits of the surgical resection and to control the remnant gradient. The patient is asymptomatic 6 months after the procedure, he has a 30 mmHg remnant gradient and a grade I mitral regurgitation. CONCLUSION: Septal myomectomy is a safe alternative to mitral valve replacement for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This procedure must be guided by perioperative transesophageal echography to avoid incomplete resection.

[A primary undifferentiated pleomorph cardiac sarcoma. Case report]. / Sarcomul cardiac primar pleomorf nediferentiat. Prezentare de caz.

The aim of the study was to characterize the clinical and histological picture of a malignant cardiac tumor, to assess the prognosis and to develop a management strategy. We described a primary cardiac sarcoma, located in the right ventricle. Minimal invasive right thoracotomy was used and a partial surgical excision of the malignant cardiac tumor was made as a palliative procedure. The malignant cardiac tumour continues to have a poor prognosis despite of the individualization of the approach.

[The first case of coronary artery by-pass grafting surgery (CABG) in a patient on maintenance dialysis in Iasi]. / Prima operatie de by-pass coronarian la un pacient dializat cronic în Iasi.

Coronary artery disease has a significantly higher prevalence in chronic dialysis patients compared to the general population, explained by a cluster of non-specific and specific (uremia-associated) cardiovascular risk factors, typical for these patients. Nephrologists and cardiovascular surgeons worldwide are rather reluctant to offer CABG to dialysis patients, because of concerns about higher risks associated with this procedure in this frail population. However, there is an increasing opinion supporting a more aggressive management of coronary artery disease in uremic individuals. To illustrate this "positive attitude", we report here the first dialysis patient ever treated by CABG in Iasi; his good outcome was both rewarding and encouraging for us all.

Septal myomectomy and coronary artery bypass in one case of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

UNLABELLED: trophic cardiomyopathy remains controversial. The safest procedure and the simplest procedure is the mitral valve replacement. Septal myomectomy is difficult because of the poor surgical exposure and complications: incomplete resection, complete heart block, ventricular septal defect. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-years old man with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, double coronary stenosis and grade II mitral regurgitation by systolic anterior motion was long time stable under treatment with b-blockers. He developed angina and the circumflex and the left anterior descending arteries were stented. Re-stenosis developed in the left anterior descending stent and the patient was referred to surgery. The intraventricular gradient was 80 mmHg and the maximal septal thickness 28 mm. He was successfully treated by septal myomectomy and bypass on the left anterior descending artery with the left internal thoracic artery. Perioperative transesophageal echography was used to establish the limits of the surgical resection and to control the remnant gradient. The patient is asymptomatic 6 months after the procedure, he has a 30 mmHg remnant gradient and a grade I mitral regurgitation. CONCLUSION: Septal myomectomy is a safe alternative to mitral valve replacement for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This procedure must be guided by perioperative transesophageal echography to avoid incomplete resection.