Relapse of herpes simplex encephalitis in a patient with metastatic small cell lung cancer following scalp sparing whole brain radiotherapy.

Herpes simplex virus is the most common cause of severe and potentially fatal sporadic encephalitis worldwide. Recurrence of neurologic symptoms after resolution of the initial episode of HSV encephalitis and despite adequate treatment with intravenous acyclovir is well recognized albeit rare. Most of these recurrences had no evidence of replicating virus and are immune in nature with only a minority of these recurrences representing true virologic relapses. Immunocompromised patients are predominantly at greater risk for virologic relapse of HSV encephalitis with potentially severe and at times fatal consequences. We describe a patient with small cell lung cancer and brain metastasis who underwent chemotherapy, treatment with dexamethasone and whole brain radiotherapy who subsequently suffered two episodes of HSV encephalitis three months and seven months after completion of radiotherapy and while on dexamethasone treatment.

The biology of rotator cuff healing.

Despite advances in surgical reconstruction of chronic rotator cuff (RC) tears leading to improved clinical outcomes, failure rates of 13-94% have been reported. Reasons for this rather high failure rate include compromised healing at the bone-tendon interface, as well as the musculo-tendinous changes that occur after RC tears, namely retraction and muscle atrophy, as well as fatty infiltration. Significant research efforts have focused on gaining a better understanding of these pathological changes in order to design effective therapeutic solutions. Biological augmentation, including the application of different growth factors, platelet concentrates, cells, scaffolds and various drugs, or a combination of the above have been studied. It is important to note that instead of a physiological enthesis, an abundance of scar tissue is formed. Even though cytokines have demonstrated the potential to improve rotator cuff healing in animal models, there is little information about the correct concentration and timing of the more than 1500 cytokines that interact during the healing process. There is only minimal evidence that platelet concentrates may lead to improvement in radiographic, but not clinical outcome. Using stem cells to biologically augment the reconstruction of the tears might have a great potential since these cells can differentiate into various cell types that are integral for healing. However, further studies are necessary to understand how to enhance the potential of these stem cells in a safe and efficient way. This article intends to give an overview of the biological augmentation options found in the literature.

Occult Infection in Aseptic Joint Loosening and the Diagnostic Role of Implant Sonication.

Our aim was to determine the incidence of occult infection and to examine the role of ultrasound sonication of the implants in cases of presumed aseptic loosening in a prospective trial. Joint swabs, aspirates, and deep tissue samples were obtained from around the prosthesis for routine microbiology. Each prosthesis was sonicated and the sonicate examined with Gram staining and extended cultures. There were 106 joints in the study of which 54 were revised for aseptic loosening and 52 were assigned to the control revision group. There were 9 positive cultures with 8/54 positive cultures in the aseptic loosening group and 1/52 in the control revision group (p = 0.017, associated OR 47.7). We found concordant results between sonication fluid culture and conventional samples in 5/9 cultures. Preoperative inflammatory markers were not prognostic for infection. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most commonly cultured organism (7/9). Previously unrecognised infection was present in 15% of patients undergoing revision for aseptic loosening. Ultrasound sonication of the removed prosthesis was less sensitive than conventional sampling techniques. We recommend routine intraoperative sampling for patients having revision for aseptic loosening, but we do not support the routine use of ultrasound sonication for its detection.

Folic acid supplementation and colorectal cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

AIM: This meta-analysis aims to determine the effect of folic acid supplementation on colorectal cancer risk. METHOD: A structured search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and CINAHL databases was undertaken in July 2008. All published full text English language articles were searched that included a randomized or pseudo-randomized comparison of subjects who received folate vs subjects who did not in relation to their risk of adenoma or advanced adenomatous lesions, including colorectal cancer. A weighted treatment effect (using fixed effects) was calculated across trials. RESULTS: Overall, the risk of an adenomatous lesion was not increased (odds ratio 1.09, 95% confidence interval 0.93-1.28) among patients who received folate supplementation for up to 3 years; however, for those who received folate for over 3 years, the risk of an adenomatous lesion was increased (odds ratio 1.35, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.70). The risk associated with treatment was the highest for the occurrence of an advanced lesion (odds ratio 1.50, 95% confidence interval 1.06-2.10). There was no significant statistical heterogeneity in the analyses. CONCLUSION: At the 3-year colonoscopic follow up, folate supplementation had no effect on adenoma recurrence overall. While colonic surveillance beyond 3 years revealed an increased risk of colorectal adenoma, especially advanced adenoma, among those participants randomized to the folate group. This meta-analysis challenges the results from epidemiological studies that folate status is inversely related to the risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Patterns of recurrence in patients with acute diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND: The natural history of acute diverticulitis remains unclear, with the role of prophylactic surgery following conservatively managed diverticulitis increasingly controversial. This study investigated recurrence rates, patterns and complications after conservatively managed diverticulitis. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of all patients admitted with diverticulitis between June 1997 and June 2002. Demographic data, management, recurrence rates, complications and subsequent surgery were recorded. RESULTS: Some 502 patients were identified, 337 with uncomplicated and 165 with complicated diverticulitis. Median follow-up was 101 (range 60-124) months. Of 320 patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis managed conservatively, 60 (18.8 per cent) had one episode of recurrence, whereas 15 (4.7 per cent) had two or more episodes. After an initial attack of uncomplicated diverticulitis, only 5.0 per cent developed complicated disease. Complicated disease recurred in 24 per cent, compared with a recurrence rate of 23.4 per cent in those with uncomplicated diverticulitis (P = 0.622). When recurrence occurred, it usually did so within 12 months of the initial episode. CONCLUSION: Acute diverticulitis has a low recurrence rate and rarely progresses to complications. Any recurrence is usually early, in a pattern more consistent with failure of the index episode to settle. Subsequent elective surgery to prevent recurrence and the development of complications should be used sparingly.

Sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease.

BACKGROUND: Sacrococcygeal pilonidal is a common disease in active young adults. Many surgical methods have been proposed, although no clear consensus as to the optimal treatment has been reported. This review looks at the different surgical techniques available and examines the reported results of primary healing, recurrent disease and complications (including delayed healing). METHOD: A literature search using the Medline database was performed to locate English language articles on surgery for pilonidal disease. Further articles were obtained from the references cited in the literature initially reviewed. RESULTS: Management should be tailored according to the individual and whether the disease is acute or chronic. Treatment should take into consideration hospital stay and return to work. Simple excision, curettage, partial lateral wall excision, or marsupialisation, are simple techniques with good results. They can be used for the initial surgery but their use is not recommended for recurrent disease. The modified rhomboid flap for recurrent disease has consistently shown positive results in terms of complication rates and recurrence. CONCLUSION: We would recommend tailored treatment with simple excision for initial presentation and the modified rhomboid flap for recurrent disease.

A randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy and acceptability of phospo-soda buffered saline (Fleet) with sodium picosulphate/magnesium citrate (Picoprep) in the preparation of patients for colonoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: Small-volume bowel preparations for colonoscopy has become increasingly popular due to improved tolerance by patients and equivalent efficacy compared with the larger volume preparations. Comparative studies, however, between small volume preparations are lacking. This randomized controlled trial aimed at comparing the efficacy and acceptability of phospo-soda buffered saline (Fleet) with sodium picosulphate/magnesium citrate (Picoprep) in the preparation of patients for colonoscopy. METHOD: A randomized prospective trial designed to compare the efficacy and acceptability of Fleet with Picoprep in patients undergoing colonoscopy. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients undergoing colonoscopy were randomized to receive either Fleet or Picoprep as bowel preparation. Patients were asked to score the acceptability and to comment specifically on adverse events, namely headache, nausea and vomiting. The efficacy of the preparation was also assessed. The results showed no difference in efficacy (P = 0.06, chi(2) test), but there was a significant difference in acceptability (P = 0.01, chi(2) test). and side effects of patients suffering nausea (P = 0.003, chi(2) test), in favour of Picoprep. CONCLUSION: Whilst there was no difference in efficacy, there was a significant difference in acceptability and side effects in favour of Picoprep.

An unusual late complication of intracerebral haematoma in herpes encephalitis after successful acyclovir treatment.

This is a case report of PCR proven herpes simplex (HSV-1) encephalitis in a 26 years old immunocompetent adult taking an unusual course of acute intracerebral haematoma after successful and complete recovery with acyclovir therapy. This transient late complication was associated with a negative repeat CSF PCR for HSV suggesting that the initial 14 days course of acyclovir was successful in the eradication of the herpes virus infection as recommended by the International Herpes Management Forum (IHMF). The location of the haematoma corresponded to the initial encephalitic area involving the medial temporal lobe structures. Despite this late neuroradiologic complication, after day 18 of symptom onset, the patient had a favourable neurological outcome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second report of the unusual, rare, and late neuroimaging complication of acute intracerebral haematoma formation after complete recovery from treated HSVE with favourable clinical outcome. The literature is reviewed and plausible aetiology is discussed.