Predictive role of capillaroscopic skin ulcer risk index in systemic sclerosis: a multicentre validation study.

UNLABELLED: Introduction The early detection of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients at high risk of developing digital ulcers could allow preventive treatment, with a reduction of morbidity and social costs. In 2009, a quantitative score, the capillaroscopic skin ulcer risk index (CSURI), calculated according to the formula 'D×M/N(2'), was proposed, which was highly predictive of the appearance of scleroderma digital ulcers within 3 months of capillaroscopic evaluation. OBJECTIVES: This multicentre study aims to validate the predictive value and reproducibility of CSURI in a large population of SSc patients. METHODS: CSURI was analysed in 229 unselected SSc patients by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC). All patients were re-evaluated 3 months later with regard to the persistence and/or appearance of new digital ulcers. RESULTS: 57 of 229 patients presented with digital ulcers after 3 months. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.884 (95% CI 0.835 to 0.922), with specificity and sensitivity of 81.4% (95% CI 74.8 to 86.89) and 92.98% (95% CI 83.0 to 98.0), respectively, at the cut-off value of 2.96. The reproducibility of CSURI was validated on a random sample of 81 patients, with a κ-statistic measure of interrater agreement of 0.8514. CONCLUSIONS: The role of CSURI was confirmed in detecting scleroderma patients with a significantly high risk of developing digital ulcers within the first 3 months from NVC evaluation. CSURI is the only method validated to predict the appearance of digital ulcers and its introduction into routine clinical practice might help optimise the therapeutic strategy of these harmful SSc complications.

FOLFOX-4 regimen as fist-line chemotherapy in elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer: a safety study.

Gastric cancer is often diagnosed in advanced stage (AGC) and in elderly patients. Current chemotherapies induce severe toxicity and are difficult to deliver. Some authors have shown the activity and safety of oxaliplatin with various 5-fluorouracil (FU) and leucovorin (LV) infusions in AGC. The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of the FOLFOX-4 regimen in elderly patients with AGC. From 6/2003 to 7/2005, 33 patients (median age 74 years, range 66-79 years) were enrolled into the study. 31 patients were assessable for the safety analysis and for response. We recorded complete response in 4 patients (13%), partial response in 6 patients (19%), 9 (29%) stable disease and 12 progressive disease for an overall response rate of 32% (95% CI, 16% to 48%). At median follow-up of 20 months the median time to progression was 6.4 months. The therapy was well tolerated, the main G1/2 toxicities were nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Only 2 patients suffered from severe vomiting. Severe hematologic toxicities were uncommon. Anemia G3 was recorded in 3 patients, neutropenia G3 in 6 patients and febrile neutropenia in 1 patient. G1 and G2 neurotoxicity were a common event while G3 sensorial neuropathy was not reported. We conclude that although our patients were elderly and most had a PS 2, the regimen was manageable, easy to deliver, well accepted by the patients and active.

Diffuse scleroderma occurring after the use of paclitaxel for ovarian cancer.

Acase of diffuse scleroderma in a 56-year-old woman who received paclitaxel for the treatment of a metastatic ovarian cancer is presented. The clinical cutaneous alterations, as well as the capillaroscopic and histological findings, were indistinguishable from those encountered in definite systemic sclerosis (SSc). In contrast to SSc, Raynaud's phenomenon and cutaneous calcinosis were absent and antinuclear antibodies were negative. The temporal relationship between the onset of skin involvement and administration of the drug may indicate an effect of paclitaxel.

[Balloon tamponade in penetrating liver lesions. Technical note]. / Tamponamento con sonda a palloncino nelle lesioni trasfisse del fegato. Nota di tecnica.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this work was to evaluate the utility and the effectiveness of the intraparenchymatous balloon tamponade for transfixing lesions of the liver. An analysis is made of the results of an experimental surgical technique during 12 months in patients with gunshot wounds producing hepatic transfixing lesions. METHODS: Twelve patients have been treated, all of masculine sex, with middle age of 22 years, in which the hepatic transfixing lesions have been treated with intraparenchymatous balloon tamponade built intraoperatively with Nelaton and a drain of great latex. This system is filled with physiological solution and hydrosoluble contrast medium for further radiological controls. All the patients have been enrolled at the department of General Surgery of the Hospital "José Maria Vargas" of Caracas (Central University of Venezuela). RESULTS: This method has been used with good results, without postoperative bleeding and neither after the balloon removal. CONCLUSIONS: The intraparenchymatous balloon tamponade in the hepatic transfixing lesions is a sure procedure, rapid and easy, particularly in the emergency rooms of countries that have a high index of abdominal trauma with gunshot wounds and they are not always endowed with all the surgical medical requirements to treat these severe and difficult hepatic lesions.

[Gemcitabine in peritoneal mesothelioma: a case report]. / Gemcitabina nel mesotelioma peritoneale: presentazione di un caso clinico.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare tumor whose prognosis is poor. We report a case history of a 57-year old woman with large peritoneal masses and ascites refractory to several chemotherapeutic regimens. The patient benefited of a dramatic regression of disease with symptomatic improvement during chemotherapy with gemcitabine. Serum CA-125 values declined consensually to tumor regression. The duration of response was 12 months. The activity of gemcitabine in malignant mesothelioma has been already confirmed in phase II studies. Data are also available suggesting that better results can be obtained combining this agent with cisplatin, and a multicenter phase II study is now exploring the activity of this combination.

Sequential subcutaneous thymopentin, interferon alpha-2a and interleukin-2 in metastatic renal cell cancer.

To determine the activity of sequential administration of thymopentin (TP-5), interferon alpha-2a (IFN) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) in metastatic renal cell cancer (RCC), 17 patients with RCC were treated with TP-5 50 mg/d on days 1 to 14, IFN 3 MIU/d on days 14, 15, 21, 22 and IL-2 18 MIU/d on days 16 to 20, and 23 to 27. Treatment was given subcutaneously and cycles were repeated every 6 weeks. All patients were assessed for toxicity and response. No objective responses were observed. Two patients had a short-lived disease stabilization. Median survival was 9 months. Toxicity was generally moderate. The most important side-effects were related to IL-2 administration. In view of the lack of antitumor activity, the combination of TP-5 + IFN + IL-2 in the doses and schedule used in this trial cannot be recommended. The investigation of chemotherapeutic and immunological agents that can effectively synergize with IFN or IL-2 is essential.

[Splenic abscess, a diagnostic and therapeutic problem]. / El absceso esplénico, un problema diagnóstico y terapeútico.

Splenic abscess remains a rare entity, reserved for patients with predisposing factors or immunosuppressive conditions. In our 13 patients in which a splenic abscess was diagnosed pre- or intra-operatively, an average of 14 days past before the diagnosis was made. Main symptoms were fever, upper left abdominal pain, auscultatory left basal anomalies and splenomegaly. Culture from the spleen material included E. coli, Staphylococcus, Proteus, Salmonella and Streptococcus v. Although splenectomy has been considered the standard procedure for this pathology, we treated our last three patients by means of Computed Tomography Percutaneous Drainage (C.T.G.P.D.). There was no need for splenectomy after this procedure and there were no complications associated with the C. T. G. P. D.

Phase II study of continuous intravenous infusion of recombinant interleukin-2 in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) administered by continuous intravenous (CIV) infusion to patients with metastatic renal cell cancer (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with RCC were given rIL-2 18 MIU/m2/d CIV. The schedule consisted of two induction cycles and four maintenance cycles with a 3-week rest period between cycles. Each induction cycle consisted of two infusion periods lasting 120 and 108 hours, respectively, separated by a 6-day rest period. Each maintenance cycle consisted of a 120-hour infusion period. RESULTS: Among 29 assessable patients, the objective response rate was 14% (95% confidence interval, 2% to 26%); one patient achieved a complete response, and 3 partial responses. Ten patients (34%) had stable disease (SD). Median survival was 11 months. Toxicity was generally manageable. Hypotension was universal, but required dose reduction in only 2 patients. Increase in serum creatinine levels was observed in 20 patients, and returned to normal in all but 4 patients after discontinuation of treatment. CONCLUSION: Results confirm the efficacy of rIL-2 in patients with RCC and the feasibility of the treatment in a normal oncology ward. However, responses are observed in a minority of patients, and treatment-related toxicity, as well as technical problems, may be troublesome to many patients.

[Bacterial translocation in a model of intestinal obstruction. II. Bacteriological study and role of cellular immunity]. / Translocación bacteriana en un modelo de obstrucción intestinal. II. Estudio bacteriológico y papel de la inmunidad celular.

Bacterial translocation (Bt) from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to systemic organs creates the possibility of Infection and sepsis in a great number of pathologic entities. In a mouse model of Intestinal Obstruction (IO), we evaluated the type of micro-organisms and the organs that bacteria frequent translocated. At 24 hours post-10, positive cultures where obtained at the MLN, portal, systemic circulation and peritoneal cavity, establishing that the translocation is bi-directional. The more frequent bacteria isolated were the Streptococcus group D, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp., an clostridium. BT occurs at 24 hour post-OI and was due to increased intestinal permeability, at 48 hrs BT increased and related to the physical disruption of the mucosal barrier in the intestinal mucosa. Cell mediated immunity (CMI) response in this model was not altered, although a progressive decrease was observed at 48 hrs it was not significant, suggesting that the CMI play no role in the pathogenesis of BT. In the Control-Laparotomy group, CMI response was increased significantly at 48 hours, suggesting that a simple laparotomy boost the immune defense response.

[Budd-Chiari syndrome, pulmonary thromboembolism, and deep venous thrombosis associated with "lupus anticoagulant" and recent use of oral contraceptives]. / Síndrome de Budd-Chiari, tromboembolismo pulmonar y trombosis venosa profunda, asociado con "anticoagulante lúpico" y uso reciente de anticonceptivos orales.

The Budd-Chiari syndrome is the clinical manifestation of the total or partial obstruction of the hepatic veins and/or inferior vena cava. It is an infrequent cause of portal hypertension. The chronic presentation is the most frequent and is characterized by right upper quadrant pain, hepatomegaly, and ascites of slow onset. We report a case of a 26 year old woman affected by this disorder associated to a recent use of oral contraceptive and a "Lupus Anticoagulant". She subsequently developed deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. She died almost 6 years after the onset of symptoms.

PIP: A 26-year-old woman sought medical care in April 1983 because she had been experiencing pain in the right upper quadrant for 2 months, as well as an enlarged abdomen and postprandial fullness accompanied by nausea and vomiting. She had used oral contraceptives (OCs) for a period of 11 months up to 4 months before the inception of the symptoms. Examination showed normal vital functions but painful hepatomegaly. Hepatic biopsy showed dilatation of the central vein of the lobe; ultrasound of the liver showed hepatomegaly, the dilatation of hepatic veins, and suprahepatic veins; and echos of the inside were suggestive of thrombosis. The Doppler instrument revealed inversion of the hepatic flow towards the spleen and the presence of multiple collateral veins. Venocavography confirmed almost total obstruction of the inferior vena cava in its retrohepatic trajectory. Percutaneous transhepatic splenoportography demonstrated evidence of slow suprahepatic drainage with obstruction of the contrast medium in the area of the cava. The pressure in the suprahepatic vein was 43 cm of H2O. As the illness progressed, profound venous thrombosis of the left lower extremity developed, which was treated with heparin and managed with fenindione for 4 years. 5 years later, multiple pulmonary thromboembolism was confirmed by pulmonary gammagram of perfusion and digital arteriography. She received medical treatment based on low sodium and diuretic diet. Her hepatic function progressively deteriorated with increased ascites and collateral venous network. She died in December 1988.

[Factors involved in bacterial translocation in an experimental model of intestinal obstruction]. / Factores involucrados en la translocación bacteriana en un modelo experimental de obstrucción intestinal.

We designed a model of intestinal obstruction (IO) to study the histological alterations in the intestinal wall and the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). Therefore we used 32 Sprague-Dawley rats and under anesthesia a laparotomy was performed and the distal ileum was ligated with 3-0 silk, producing a complete occlusion. At different interval (24, 48, 72 and 96 hours) the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and were histologically analyzed. At 24 hours post IO, congestion, edema and a inflammatory infiltrate were observed at the level of the lamina propia and the MLN were reactive. At 48 hours the congestion and edema increased and the intestinal mucosa began to fragment, allowing the bacteria to translocate and getting to the lymph nodes in the intestinal wall. The reactivity at the MLN increased. The observation of bacterial translocation in IO widen the scope of the alterations in this pathology, were not only absorption of toxic products and endotoxin occurs in the compromise segment and this phenomenon could explain the incidence of bacteremia and sepsis in the IO patients.