True Aneurysm on Posterior Tibial Artery as Late Complication of SARS-CoV-2.

We describe the story of a 70- year-old Italian male that almost 4 months later respiratory infection by SARS-CoV-2 presented a rapid evolution of a true aneurism of the right posterior tibial artery (PTA).

Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion in locally advanced limb soft tissue sarcoma: A 24-year single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (HILP) is a locoregional treatment aimed at avoiding amputation in patients with advanced extremity soft tissue sarcomas (STS). Over the last 25 years, HILP procedure has been implemented to maximise its therapeutic ratio. METHODS: A retrospective analysis including 117 patients who underwent HILP from 1989 to 2013 was performed. Three different drug schedules were applied: 1) doxorubicin (n = 47), 2) high dose (3-4 mg) tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plus doxorubicin (n = 30), 3) low dose (1 mg) TNF-α plus melphalan (L-PAM) (n = 40). Tumour response was evaluated by MRI or CT and surgical specimens. Toxicity and local progression-free survival (LPFS) were also evaluated. RESULTS: In total 92 (78.6%) patients had primary, 25 (21.4%) had recurrent and 17 (14.5%) had metastatic disease. The subjects in the three groups were homogeneous for clinical-pathological features. Pathological response was complete in 55 patients (47%), partial in 35 (29.9%), regardless of drug schedule (p = 0.501) and tumour presentation (p = 0.094). Wieberdink III-V toxicity was registered in 19.1%, 20% and 2.5% of patients, respectively (p < 0.051). Twenty-eight patients (23.9%) received adjuvant radiotherapy with no relevant toxicity. Five-year LPFS was 81.6% and 74.2% in patients with primary or recurrent disease, respectively (p = 0.652). After a median follow-up of 36.5 months, the limb sparing rate was 77.8%. CONCLUSIONS: HILP performed with different drugs was equally active, either in primary, recurrent or metastatic STS, providing effective limb sparing and durable local control. Low dose TNF-α plus L-PAM had the most favourable toxicity profile. Adjuvant radiotherapy was not associated with relevant toxicity.

Psychometric and EEG changes after carotid endarterectomy.

The influence of carotid stenosis and its surgical treatment on brain function is still poorly defined. We therefore performed a study to assess psychometric and quantified EEG findings after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Sixty-nine non-demented patients (aged 72 ± 7 years) with severe carotid stenosis (≥ 70%) eligible for CEA were studied. Forty patients (group A) had unilateral stenosis, and 29 patients (group B) had bilateral stenosis. Before and 5 months after CEA all the patients were evaluated by the Trail Making Test A, the Symbol Digit Test, and spectral EEG analysis. At baseline, compared to group A, group B patients performed slowly the Trail Making Test A (Z: 1.45 ± 1.4 vs. 0.76 ± 1.3; p < 0.05), but not the Symbol Digit Test (Z: 0.83 ± 1.38 vs. 0.64 ± 1.26; p = 0.59). Altogether, the patients with at least one abnormal psychometric test were 29% (group A: 26%; group B: 33%, p = 0.56). The EEG did not differ significantly between patients of group A compared to group B. After CEA, psychometric tests improved (mean Z score from 0.73 ± 1.12 to 0.45 ± 1.15, p < 0.05). The improvement was similar in group A and B. The EEG mean dominant frequency improved only in group B patients and it was related to the improvement in psychometric tests (r = 0.43, p = 0.05). Low psychometric performance was detectable in about 1/ 3 of non-demented patients with severe carotid stenosis. CEA improved mental performance and, in patients with severe bilateral stenosis, accelerated the EEG frequency.

Clinical and radiological outcome after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: comparison of different grafts. preliminary single-center experience.

Endovascular repair (EVAR) represents a useful and validated alternative to conventional surgery in selected patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) because it is associated with a significantly lower long-term AAA-related mortality. Data regarding a series of 91 patients (88 men, 3 women, median age 71 years, range 65-82 years) is reported. The patients were divided into three groups, according to the type of implanted stent (Endurant, Excluder and Talent). High American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System (ASA) was important in increasing the likelihood of an early complication (p=0.0007), while it did not have any effect on later adverse events, which were more closely related to the size of the aneurysm (p=0.006). As expected, the aneurysm diameter influenced the endoleak incidence (p=0.011), aneurysmal sac expansion (p=0.029), re-intervention risk (p=0.031) and the success of treatment (p=0.006). A significantly lower tendency for the development of endoleak (p=0.035) and other late complications (p=0.048) was observed in patients with Endurant device. This group seems to be more likely destined to achieve therapeutic success, but the difference was not significant. A borderline significance (p=0.071) with regard to early complications was also recorded. However, the use of this type of device did not affect survival, which was exclusively related to ASA (p=0.040). No other statistically significant differences were found between groups. Since open surgery for elective suprarenal AAA repair is still associated with considerable mortality, EVAR may offer several advantages over open repair surgery, including a less invasive operative procedure, and shortened intensive care unit and hospital stay. The technological improvements of the prosthesis for EVAR will likely reduce complications related to this technique in the near future.

Long-term results of melphalan-based isolated limb perfusion with or without low-dose TNF for in-transit melanoma metastases.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the study were: (1) to determine toxicity, response rate, local-regional control, and survival in the entire population of the perfused patients; (2) to compare toxicity, response, and survival among patients who underwent melphalan-based perfusion with or without low-dose tumor necrosis factor (TNF); and (3) to identify factors that predict a complete response and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 53 patients with extensive in-transit metastases (47%) underwent perfusion with melphalan, and 59 (53%) also received low-dose TNF. RESULTS: No difference was observed between the 2 drug regimens for what concerns local toxicity (P = 1.0). The tumor complete response rate was higher in patients treated with TNF (60.3% versus 41.5%, P = .036), in particular in the case of locally advanced tumors (66.7% versus 30%, P = .049). The presence of lymph node metastases had a negative influence on the tumor response rate (P = .003). Median time to local progression and survival were 19.6 and 34.5 months, respectively. Long-term complete response was achieved in 68% of the patients with initial CR (39 of 57 patients). The tumor response after perfusion was the only prognostic factor for local control and survival (P < .0001 and P = .002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In the case of locally advanced disease, the addition of low-dose TNF to melphalan-based isolated limb perfusion appears safe and particularly useful. The presence of lymph node metastases is associated with decreased response rates. A sustained complete response was obtained in about one-third of the patients.

IL4Ralpha+ myeloid-derived suppressor cell expansion in cancer patients.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) contribute to immune dysfunctions induced by tumors both in experimental models and patients. In mice, MDSC are phenotypically heterogeneous cells that vary in their surface markers, likely depending on soluble factors produced by different tumors. We recently described a subset of inflammatory monocytes with immunosuppressive properties that can be found within the tumor mass, blood, and lymphoid organs of tumor-bearing mice. These cells expressed the alpha-chain of the receptor for IL-4 (IL4Ralpha) that was critical for their negative activity on CD8(+) T cells. In cancer patients, the nature of MDSC is still poorly defined because evidence exists for both monocytic and granulocytic features. We show in this study that myeloid cells with immunosuppressive properties accumulate both in mononuclear and polymorphonuclear fractions of circulating blood leukocytes of patients with colon cancer and melanoma, thus unveiling a generalized alteration in the homeostasis of the myeloid compartment. Similarly to mouse MDSC, IL4Ralpha is up-regulated in both myeloid populations but its presence correlates with an immunosuppressive phenotype only when mononuclear cells, but not granulocytes, of tumor-bearing patients are considered.

Celiomesenteric trunk aneurysm.

A celiomesenteric trunk (CMT) is an extremely rare anatomic variant that consists of celiac and superior mesenteric arteries having a common origin from the aorta. CMT accounts for less than 1% of all splanchnic artery anomalies. Aneurysm involving a CMT is an even rarer vascular abnormality, and, to our knowledge, only eight cases of CMT aneurysm have been reported in literature. We describe a case of the incidental finding of CMT aneurysm in an asymptomatic patient. It was found after dorsolumbar column radiography and successive computed tomography and arteriography confirmed the diagnosis. Even if asymptomatic, we decided to repair it surgically with aneurysmectomy and suture of the neck due to risk of rupture.

Primary great saphenous vein leiomyosarcoma: report of a case.

Leiomyosarcomas rarely arise in primary veins, especially the great saphenous vein. We have found only 20 case reports of leiomyosarcoma arising in the great saphenous vein, most of which manifested as nonspecific symptoms of advanced disease, such as a palpable mass, swelling, and back or abdominal pain. We report the case of greater saphenous vein leiomyosarcoma diagnosed in a 48-year-old man with a 4-month history of an inguinal mass. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a 6-cm mass attached to the right superficial femoral vein. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy confirmed that it was a vascular sarcoma. At the time of surgery there was no evidence of distant metastasis; therefore, we removed the tumor en bloc along with the sartorius muscle, inguinal lymph nodes, and 10 cm of the common femoral vein, and replaced the femoral vein with a polytetrafluoroethylene graft. A pathological examination revealed poorly differentiated leiomyosarcoma of the great saphenous vein, involving the deep femoral vein, without lymph node involvement. During follow-up, a thrombosis of the prosthesis developed, followed by proximal stenosis, which was treated successfully with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The patient was found to have lung metastases 25 months after surgery and he died about 5 months later.

TNF-based isolated limb perfusion followed by consolidation biotherapy with systemic low-dose interferon alpha 2b in patients with in-transit melanoma metastases: a pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-based isolated limb perfusion (ILP) yields high tumor response rates in patients with in-transit melanoma metastases. However, most patients will ultimately experience disease recurrence. The aim of this pilot study was to test the hypothesis that systemic low-dose interferon alpha-2b (LDI) might consolidate the therapeutic effect of ILP. METHODS: A total of 12 patients with in-transit melanoma metastases not amenable to surgical excision were given LDI subcutaneously (3 million IU/day, 7 days/week for 12 months) after TNF-based ILP (TNF 1 mg + melphalan (L-PAM) 10 mg/L) (group A). The clinical outcome of these patients was historically compared with that of 19 patients with similar anthropometric and disease characteristics who underwent TNF-based ILP alone (group B). RESULTS: In group A, LDI was well tolerated, only grade 2 systemic toxicity being recorded in 50% of patients. The progression-free survival analysis showed a statistically significant advantage for group A patients as compared with group B (median time to progression: 26 and 17 months, respectively; log-rank test P-value: 0.037). This survival benefit was confirmed at multivariate analysis, where treatment was the only prognostic factor retained by the prediction model. The analysis of the risk of disease progression over time suggested that this survival benefit appears to vanish after LDI discontinuation, which further strengthens the hypothesis that LDI might consolidate the therapeutic effect of TNF-based ILP. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings support the conduction of larger trials to formally assess the ability of LDI to improve the clinical outcome of melanoma patients with in-transit metastases undergoing TNF-based ILP.

Risk factors of endoleak following endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. A multicentric retrospective study.

Endoleak (EL) represents the most common complication following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Unfortunately, the long-term results of EVAR and its durability have been questioned, and EL are variably associated with a risk of late failure. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify risk factors for this complication of aneurysm-endograft complex in patients who underwent EVAR. A group of 104 consecutive patients (99 men, 5 women; median age, 74 years; range, 50-89 years) were enrolled in the study. Both preoperative and follow-up imaging studies were obtained using helical computed tomography scanning at 1, 6, 12, 24, 36 months after EVAR and blindly reviewed by a surgeon and a radiologist. Twenty-seven (25.9%) patients developed EL during follow-up, of which 10 (37%) were primary (<30 days from EVAR), and 17 (63%) were secondary EL. Age and smoking did not affect the EL onset, while a body mass index >25 and a history or presence of arterial hypertension represented significant (p<0.05) risk factors. Moreover, both greatest diameter and maximum length of the aneurysm were significantly higher (p<0.01) in patients who developed EL. No relationship was found with the anatomical features of the aortic neck (i.e. length and diameter), and between the initial size of the aneurysm and the dimension at the time of EL. In conclusion, in our study, being overweight, arterial hypertension and the initial size of the aneurysm represent risk factors for EL development.