100% peer review in radiation oncology: is it feasible?

PURPOSE: Peer review has been proposed as a strategy to ensure patient safety and plan quality in radiation oncology. Despite its potential benefits, barriers commonly exist to its optimal implementation in daily clinical routine. Our purpose is to analyze peer-review process at our institution. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Based on our group peer-review process, we quantified the rate of plan changes, time and resources needed for this process. Prospectively, data on cases presented at our institutional peer-review conference attended by physicians, resident physicians and physicists were collected. Items such as time to present per case, type of patient (adult or pediatric), treatment intent, dose, aimed technique, disease location and receipt of previous radiation were gathered. Cases were then analyzed to determine the rate of major change, minor change and plan rejection after presentation as well as the median time per session. RESULTS: Over a period of 4 weeks, 148 cases were reviewed. Median of attendants was six physicians, three in-training-physicians and one physicist. Median time per session was 38 (4-72) minutes. 59.5% of cases presented in 1-4 min, 32.4% in 5-9 min and 8.1% in ≥ 10 min. 79.1% of cases were accepted without changes, 11.5% with minor changes, 6% with major changes and 3.4% were rejected with indication of new presentation. Most frequent reason of change was contouring corrections (53.8%) followed by dose or fractionation (26.9%). CONCLUSION: Everyday group consensus peer review is an efficient manner to recollect clinical and technical data of cases presented to ensure quality radiation care before initiation of treatment as well as ensuring department quality in a feedback team environment. This model is feasible within the normal operation of every radiation oncology Department.

Importance of the Moskowitz artery in the laparoscopic medial approach to splenic flexure mobilization: a cadaveric study.

BACKGROUND: The medial approach in laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization is based on the entrance to the lesser sac just above the ventral edge of the pancreas (VEOP). The artery of Moskowitz runs through the base of the mesocolon, just above the VEOP. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of the artery of Moskowitz, its route and its distance from the VEOP. METHODS: We performed a cadaveric study on 27 human cadavers. The vascular arcades of the splenic flexure were dissected, the number of vascular arches, and the origin and localization of its terminal anastomosis were recorded. The splenic flexure avascular space (SFAS) was defined as the avascular zone in the mesocolon delimited by the VEOP, middle colic artery, ascending branch of the left colic artery and the vascular arch of the splenic flexure nearest to the VEOP and was quantified as the distance between the VEOP and the most proximal arch RESULTS: The artery of Drummond was identified in 100% of the cadavers. In 5 of 27 (18%) Riolan's arch was present, and in 3 of 27 (11%) the Moskowitz artery was found. The mean distance from the VEOP to the artery of Moskowitz was 0.3 cm (SD 0.04). This vascular arch travelled from the origin of the middle colic artery to the distal third of the ascending branch of the left colic artery. The SFAS was greater (p = 0.001) in cadavers that only presented the artery of Drummond (mean 6.8 cm; SD 1.25) than in those with Riolan's arch (mean 4.5 cm; SD 0.5) CONCLUSIONS: In the medial approach for laparoscopic mobilization of the splenic flexure, when only one of the arches is present, the avascular area is an extensive and secure territory. If the artery of Moskowitz is present, the area is nonexistent and this would contraindicate the approach due to risk of iatrogenic bleeding. A radiological preoperatory study could be essential for accurate and safe surgery in this area.

Preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum and botulinum toxin type A in patients with large incisional hernia.

PURPOSE: Combination of preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP) and botulinum toxin type A (BT) has not been previously reported in the management of large incisional hernia (LIH). METHODS: Observational study of 45 consecutive patients with LIH between June 2010 and July 2014. The diameters of the hernia sac, the volumes of the incisional hernia (VIH) and the abdominal cavity (VAC), and the VIH/VAC ratio were measured before and after PPP and BT using abdominal CT scan data. We indicated the combination of both techniques when the volume of the incisional hernia (VIH)/volume of the abdominal cavity (VAC) ratio was >20%. RESULTS: The median insufflated volume of air for PPP was 8.600 ± 3.200 cc (4.500-13.250), over a period of 14.3 ± 1.3 days (13-16). BT administration time was 40.2 ± 3.3 days (37-44). We obtained an average value of reduction of 14% of the VIH/VAC ratio after PPP and BT (p < 0.05). Complications associated with PPP were 15.5%, and with surgical technique, 26.6%. No complications occurred during the BT administration. Reconstructive technique was anterior CST and primary fascial closure was achieved in all patients. Median follow-up was 40.5 ± 19 months (12-60) and we reported 2 cases of hernia recurrence (4.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative combination of PPP and BT is feasible and a useful tool in the surgical management of LIH, although at the cost of some specific complications.

The use of an endostapler in the treatment of supralevator abscess of intersphincteric origin.

AIM: This technical note describes the use of an endostapler for the definitive treatment of supralevator abscess upward from an intersphincteric origin. METHOD: A two-stage treatment was performed. First an endoanal drainage was performed by inserting a mushroom catheter in the supralevator abscess cavity. In the second stage transanal unroofing of the fistula was performed with an endostapler. RESULTS: Since 2011, three patients have been treated in this way. After 2 years of follow up, none of the patients had recurrence of the abscess or been referred for anal incontinence. CONCLUSION: The use of an endostapler in the treatment of supralevator abscess of intersphincteric origin may be an alternative to decrease the risk of recurrence and incontinence.

A surgical model for isolating the pig liver in vivo for gene therapy.

Several studies report results that suggest the need of vascularization blocking for efficient gene transfer to the liver, especially in nonviral gene therapy. In this study, we describe a surgical strategy for in vivo isolation of the pig liver, resulting in a vascular watertight organ that allows the evaluation of several gene injection conditions. The hepatic artery and portal, suprahepatic and infrahepatic cava veins were dissected. Then, liver vascularization was excluded for 5-7 min. In that time, we first injected 200 ml saline solution containing the p3c-eGFP plasmid (20 µg/ml) simultaneously through two different catheters placed in the portal and cava veins, respectively. Vital constants were monitored during the surgery to assess the safety of the procedure. Basal systolic/diastolic blood pressures were 92.8/63.2 mm Hg and dropped to 40.7/31.3 mm Hg at the end of vascular exclusion; the mean basal heart rate was 58 bpm, reaching 95 bpm when the blood pressure was low. Oxygen saturation was maintained above 98% during the intervention, and no relevant changes were observed in the ECG tracing. Peak plasma AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) levels were observed after 24 h (151 and 57 IU, respectively). These values were higher, but not relevant, in 60 ml/s injection than in 20 ml/s injection. Efficiency of gene transfer was studied with simultaneous (cava and portal veins) injection of eGFP gene at flow rates of 20 and 60 ml/s. Liver tissue samples were collected 24 h after injection and qPCR was carried out on each lobe sample. The results confirmed the efficiency of the procedure. Gene delivery differed between 20 ml/s (9.9-31.0 eGFP DNA copies/100 pg of total DNA) and 60 ml/s injections (0.6-1.1 eGFP DNA copies/100 pg of total DNA). Gene transcription showed no significant differences between 20 ml/s (15,701.8-21,475.8 eGFP RNA copies/100 ng of total RNA) and 60 ml/s (12,014-36,371 eGFP RNA copies/100 ng of total RNA). The procedure is not harmful for animals and it offers a wide range of gene delivery options because it allows different perfusion ways (anterograde and retrograde) and different flow rates to determine the optimal conditions of gene transfer. This strategy permits the use of cell therapy and viral or non-viral liver gene therapy, especially appropriated to a wide variety of inherited or acquired diseases because of the liver's ability to produce and deliver proteins to the bloodstream.

Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes con alopecia fibrosante frontal / Retrospective study of patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia

Introducción: La alopecia fibrosante frontal, considerada por algunos autores como un subtipo de liquen plano pilaris, corresponde a una alopecia cicatricial primaria, que se presenta en mujeres adultas y se caracteriza por el retroceso simétrico de la línea de implantación fronto temporal. Se presenta un estudio descriptivo de pacientes con Alopecía fibrosante frontal atendidos en este centro. Objetivos: Evaluar características clínicas, dermatoscópicas e histopatológicas de pacientes con alopecia fibrosante frontal. Materiales y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes con diagnóstico clínico-histopatológico de alopecia fibrosante frontal atendidos en nuestro centro desde Julio 2010 a Octubre 2012. Resultados: Se encontraron 57 casos con diagnóstico histológico de alopecia cicatricial, de los cuales 8 (14 por ciento) se diagnosticaron como Alopecia Fibrosante Frontal. El 100 por ciento correspondieron a mujeres, el promedio de edad fue de 45 años. Sólo la mitad de los casos comenzó con la alopecia luego del climaterio. El hallazgo clínico más frecuentemente encontrado fue el retroceso de la línea de implantación frontotemporal (87,5 por ciento); y en segundo lugar la disminución difusa de densidad capilar (37,5 por ciento) y alopecia de la cola de las cejas (50 por ciento). No se reportó ningún caso asociado a liquen plano cutáneo o de mucosas. Los hallazgos más relevantes a la dermatoscopía fueron: eritema perifolicular (50 por ciento) e hiperqueratosis folicular (25 por ciento). A la histopatología, los principales hallazgos fueron el infiltrado inflamatorio linfocitario perifolicular (50 por ciento) y fibrosis concéntrica perifolicular (100 por ciento). Discusión: La Alopecia fibrosante frontalrepresenta el 14 por ciento de las alopecias cicatriciales primarias en nuestra serie. La edad al diagnóstico fue inferior a lo reportado en la literatura. El principal hallazgo clínico fue el retroceso de la línea de implantación frontotemporal...

Introduction: Frontal fibrosing alopecia, considered by some authors as a subtype of lichen planopilaris, is a scarring alopecia that usually involves adult women and is characterized by the symmetric recession of fronto-temporal hairline. Objectives: Characterize the clinical, dermoscopic and histological features of frontal fibrosing alopecia. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with clinical and histological diagnosis of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia treated in our institution from July 2010 to October2012. Results: 8 out of 57 cases with histological diagnosis of scarring alopecia, had diagnosis of frontal fibrosing alopecia (14 percent). 100 percent were women, with mean age of 45 years. 50 percent of patients began with alopecia in the post-climacteric period. Recession of frontotemporal hair-line was the most common finding (87.5 percent), associated with reduced capillary density (37.5 percent) and loss of eyebrows (50 percent). In our study, none of the patients had other signs of lichen planus. At dermoscopy, most common finding were perifollicular erythema (50 percent) and follicular hyperkeratosis (25 percent). Most common histological findings were a perifollicular lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate (50 percent) and perifollicular concentric fibrosis (100 percent). Discussion: Frontal fibrosing alopecia represents 14 percent of scarring alopecia in our series. Age at diagnosis was lower than reported in the literature, and only 50 percent of women presented alopecia in the postmenopausal period. The main clinical finding was the recession of frontotemporal hairline...

Alopecia areata incógnita: casos clínicos y revisión de la literatura / Alopecia areata incognita: clinical cases and literature review

La alopecia areata incógnita es un tipo de alopecia no cicatricial, que ha sido considerada por algunos autores como parte del espectro de alopecia areata. Se presenta como caída difusa de cabello, con visualización variable de vellos cortos, puntos amarillos, puntos negros y pelos en signos de exclamación a la dermatoscopía, y hallazgos histológicos que, si bien varían de acuerdo al tiempo de evolución, son similares a lo encontrado en biopsias de pacientes con patrones clásicos de alopecia areata. Desde que Rebora et al. describe por primera vez su hipótesis de alopecia areata incógnita, se han publicado diversos estudios dirigidos a establecer criterios que permitan definir esta entidad. Sin embargo, aún no se ha llegado a consenso. A continuación, se describen los hallazgos clínicos, dermatoscópicos e histopatológicos de pacientes con alopecia difusa de difícil manejo vistos en el Departamento de Dermatología de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Alopecia areata incognita, a type of non-scarring alopecia, has been considered by some authors as a subtype of alopecia areata. Clinically it is characterized by diffuse hair fall, with variable display of short hairs, yellow dots, black dots and exclamation mark hairs on dermoscopy. Its histological findings are similar to those found in biopsies of patients with classical pattern of alopecia areata, although substancial changes may be seen according to the evolution of the disease. Since Rebora et al. described his hypothesis of alopecia areata incognita, several studies have been published to establish a criteria in order to define this entity. However, still no consensus has been reached. In this review, we describe the clinical, dermoscopic and histopathologic features of patients seen at the Dermatology Department of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile with the diagnosis of diffuse alopecia with difficult management.

Isquemia mesentérica crónica, tratamiento quirúrgico: reporte de dos casos / Chronic mesenteric ischemia: report of two cases

Chronic mesenteric ischemia is uncommon and often not recognized by clinicians. We report two patients with the disease. A 61 years old female with a two years history of abdominal pain, diarrhea, anorexia and weight loss. A mesenteric arteriography showed a critical stenosis of the celiac artery. The patient was operated and a retrograde bypass from the iliac to the mesenteric artery was placed. Digestive symptoms ceased and the patient gained weight. A 49 years old smoker female, with a two years history of abdominal pain and weight loss, without diarrhea. A doppler ultrasonography of abdominal arteries showed a critical stenosis of the celiac artery. The angiography confirmed the stenosis and disclosed also a complete occlusion of the common hepatic artery. The patient was operated placing anterograde aortic-mesenteric and aortic- hepatic bypasses. During the follow up, the patient is in good conditions.

La isquemia mesentérica crónica es una enfermedad que pone en riesgo la vida, que puede provocar la muerte por inanición o infarto mesentérico. El diagnóstico se realiza tardíamente debido a la inespecificidad de sus síntomas. El método diagnóstico no invasivo de elección es la ecografía doppler, por el cual se determina la presencia de estenosis u oclusión de las arterias viscerales comprometidas. La arteriografía se utiliza para definir la anatomía de las lesiones y planificar la cirugía. El tratamiento de elección sigue siendo la revascularización. Presentamos dos pacientes tratadas en nuestro servicio con buenos resultados, las que presentaban historia de síntomas abdominales inespecíficos y baja de peso. En la primera paciente, con antecedentes de hipercolesterolemia, su estudio demostró ateromatosis calcica difusa de aorta abdominal, ilíacas comunes, tronco celíaco, renales y mesentérica superior; se le realizó bypass ilíaco-mesentérico superior. En la segunda paciente, con antecedentes de tabaquismo crónico, su estudio demostró lesiones críticas de tronco celíaco y arteria mesentérica superior e inferior, se le realizó bypass aorto-mesentérico superior y aorto-hepático común. En los controles, ambas pacientes presentan alza de peso sostenida y se mantienen asintomáticas.

[Sport dermatoses]. / Dermatosis en los deportistas.

Sports practice has become a part of modern life. As a result, the association of dermatoses with sports increases continuously. Proper diagnosis and treatment of these skin lesions requires familiarity with their characteristics clinical presentations. This article reviews the cutaneous manifestations of traumatic and environmental injuries, infections, and exacerbation of preexisting dermatoses.

Dermatosis en los deportistas: [revisión] / Sport dermatoses: [review]

Sports practice has become a part of modern life. As a result, the association of dermatoses with sports increases continuously. Proper diagnosis and treatment of these skin lesions requires familiarity with their characteristics clinical presentations. This article reviews the cutaneous manifestations of traumatic and environmental injuries, infections, and exacerbation of preexisting dermatoses.

Exploring endoscopic neck surgery in a porcine model.

OBJECTIVES: This study uses a porcine model to establish the feasibility of performing endoscopic procedures in the neck using standard techniques currently being employed in preperitoneal endoscopy in the abdomen. STUDY DESIGN: It is a pilot study presented as a case series. METHODS: Ten animals were subjected to anterior deep cervical fascia dissection using standard endoscopic instrumentation. RESULTS: Balloon dissection and CO2 insufflation poses a number of problems: CO2 gas dissection into the chest, CO2 gas embolism into the venous circulation, carotid artery occlusion, and limited visualization causing increased risk of injury to adjacent structures. CONCLUSION: These issues need to be dealt with before such a method could be employed safely in humans. However, with further research and development, endoscopic neck surgery may someday become a reality.

Treatment of Postcraniotomy Tension Pneumocephalus via Endoscopic Closure of the Nasofrontal Recess.

Tension pneumocephalus can be a life-threatening complication following cranial surgery. We report a 14-year-old female who developed tension pneumocephalus following her most recent external approach to a recurrent pilocytic astrocytoma of the skull base and clivus. Because the risk of devascularization of the recently placed bone grafts was a concern, an endoscopic approach was chosen instead of a cramotomy. Endoseopic decompression was accomplished by opening the anterior ethmoid and frontal recess air cells after performing an uncinectomy. The nasofrontal recess areas were then packed from below with grafts of muscle and fascia lata. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at three and eight months showed complete resolution of the intracranial air. At two-year follow-up, the patient is still asymptomatic. This case report presents treatment of tension pneumocephalus through endoscopic decompression and closure of the nasofrontal recess as a viable option if significant risks are associated with craniotomy and the status of the mucosa of the nasal frontal recess is known.