Grading medullary thyroid carcinoma on fine-needle aspiration cytology specimens with the International Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Grading System: A cytologic-histologic correlation.

BACKGROUND: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare cancer of parafollicular C-cell origin. The International MTC Grading System (IMTCGS) incorporates mitotic activity, the presence of necrosis, and the Ki67 proliferation rate (PR) to classify MTCs as low or high grade. The ability to predict IMTCGS grade in cytology was assessed. METHODS: MTCs with cytology and subsequent surgical follow-up were reviewed. Cytology slides were reviewed for mitotic figures, apoptoses, and necrosis, and a Ki67 PR was calculated when possible. Findings were correlated with final IMTCGS grade. RESULTS: Twenty-five MTC fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) were identified, with nine identified as high grade (36%). By using a PR cutoff of 5%, Ki67 on FNA material (Ki67FNA) showed 92% concordance (n = 22 of 24) with surgical Ki67 and a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.72. Sensitivity and specificity of Ki67FNA for predicting high-grade MTC were 38% and 100%, respectively. Multiple mitotic figures were present in a single slide of 43% (n = 3 of 7) of evaluable high-grade MTCs, whereas only one of 16 low-grade MTCs showed a single mitotic figure. Definitive apoptoses were present in five of seven high-grade MTC FNAs but were absent in 16 low-grade MTCs. The sensitivity and specificity of apoptoses/necrosis on cytology for high-grade MTCs were 71% and 88%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ki67FNA ≥5% shows low sensitivity but high specificity for predicting high-grade MTC. The presence of multiple mitotic figures in a single slide or definitive apoptotic bodies are both highly suggestive of high-grade MTC, and should warrant a close examination for necrosis and a careful Ki67 PR count.

Ultrasound may safely replace chest radiograph after tube thoracostomy removal in trauma patients.

INTRODUCTION: A chest radiograph (CXR) is routinely obtained in trauma patients following tube thoracostomy (TT) removal to assess for residual pneumothorax (PTX). New literature supports the deference of a radiograph after routine removal procedure. However, many surgeons have hesitated to adopt this practice due to concern for patient welfare and medicolegal implications. Ultrasound (US) is a portable imaging modality which may be performed rapidly, without radiation exposure, and at minimal cost. We hypothesized that transitioning from CXR to US following TT removal in trauma patients would prove safe and provide superior detection of residual PTX. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A practice management guideline was established calling for the performance of a CXR and bedside US 2 h after TT removal in all adult trauma patients diagnosed with PTX at a level 1 trauma center. Surgical interns completed a 30-minute, US training course utilizing a handheld US device. US findings were interpreted and documented by the surgical interns. CXRs were interpreted by staff radiologists blinded to US findings. Data was retrospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients met inclusion criteria. Thirteen (15%) post removal PTX were identified on both US and CXR. An additional 11 (12%) PTX were identified on CXR, and 5 (6%) were identified via US, for a total of 29 PTX (33%). One patient required re-intervention; the recurrent PTX was detected by both US and CXR. For all patients, using CXR as the standard, US displayed a sensitivity of 54.2%, specificity of 92.3%, negative predictive value of 84.5%, and positive predictive value of 72.2%. The cost of care for the study cohort may have been reduced over $9,000 should US alone have been employed. CONCLUSION: Bedside US may be an acceptable alternative to CXR to assess for recurrent PTX following trauma TT removal.

Betaxolol: a new long-acting beta 1-selective adrenergic blocker.

Betaxolol (Searle, Skokie, Illinois) is a new beta 1-selective adrenergic blocker with no partial agonist action and minimal membrane stabilizing activity. Its pharmacokinetic profile is characterized by a long serum half-life and excellent oral bioavailability, with little first-pass metabolism. The mean 16-hour half-life of betaxolol has been shown to provide full 24-hour control of blood pressure and heart rate. Betaxolol has been proven to be a safe and effective antihypertensive agent, and was recently approved for clinical use in the United States for this indication.

Malignant cystosarcoma phyllodes of the breast metastatic to the oral cavity: report of a case and review of the literature.

A case report involving an oral lesion that was found to be histologically identical to the stromal component of malignant metastatic cystosarcoma phyllodes of the breast is described. This represents the first reported histologically confirmed oral manifestation of an extremely rare breast tumor. The literature regarding oral manifestations of metastatic disease in general and of cystosarcoma phyllodes in particular is reviewed.

Oral surgeons' considerations in surgical orthodontic treatment.

The orthognathic surgeon seldom has to consider further growth and development of the adult jaws. There are, however, limitations in the adult of certain orthodontic procedures that are effective in the young; rapid palatal expansion, for example. The surgeon and the orthodontist must be aware of other procedures that may be substituted. The adult patient has social, economic, and psychological demands that differ from the young. These may mandate a reversal of the traditional staging of orthodontics first, surgery to follow. Instead, consideration can be given to doing only that orthodontics needed to permit surgery, then surgery to correct the skeletal problems, followed by whatever orthodontics are necessary or desired. Various symptoms of MPD are present in most patients with jaw abnormalities and malrelationships. There must be an awareness that trying to provide relief without correcting the structural problem is treating only symptoms. There also must be realization, especially on the part of the patient, that correcting the jaw deformity does not necessarily mean that symptoms will be gone or, if gone, will not recur. Above all, the orthodontic and surgical team should strive to provide the patient with the maximum function compatible with the appearance the patient desires and do it with the least required amount of surgery and orthodontics.

Electrical pacing of the Roux limb resolves delayed gastric emptying.

This study compares antegrade gastric and Roux-limb electrical pacing in the evaluation and treatment of delayed gastric emptying following vagotomy, antrectomy and Roux-Y enterostomy. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats (250 g) underwent midline laparotomy, truncal vagotomy, antrectomy, and Roux-Y jejunostomy. Pacemaker leads were implanted 1 cm apart in both the gastric fundus and proximal Roux limb. Pacing was accomplished using a 0.5 mA, 50 msec, 0.33 Hz signal and monitored by an oscilloscope. Animals were fasted for 2 hr and then gavaged with 1.0 cc of 99mTc-labeled egg white. At 1 hr rats were anesthetized. The stomach, Roux limb, small intestine, and colon were doubly ligated and excised without disturbing their contents. The total number of counts per minute per rat was determined in a gamma radiation counter, and percentage gastric emptying (GE) was evaluated. Group I controls (n = 8) retained 76 +/- 15.8% for a GE of 24%. Group II gastric paced rats (n = 8) retained 64.5 +/- 19.2% (GE 35.5%) and Group III Roux-limb paced rats (n = 8) retained 46.8% +/- 13.2 (GE 53.2%) (P less than 0.005 III vs I, P less than 0.05 III vs II). The amount of radioactive meal distal to the Roux limb was also evaluated. Group I had 15.7 +/- 16.1%, Group II (gastric paced) 20.5 +/- 19.0%, and Group III (Roux-limb paced) 37.2 +/- 11.9% (P less than 0.005 III vs I, P less than 0.05 III vs II). These data imply that Roux-en-Y limb dysmotility may contribute to delayed gastric emptying following vagotomy, antrectomy, and Roux-Y enterostomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Psychiatric symptoms of maritally-distressed wives and husbands.

The relationship between marital distress and psychiatric symptoms of wives and husbands was investigated by comparing the number, intensity, and types of symptoms reported by each spouse in a group of maritally-distressed couples. Wives reported a significantly higher number and intensity of symptoms on the overall SCL-90 and on four of the eight sub-scales. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.