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Uveal melanoma is one of the most common primary intraocular malignancies that accounts for about 85% of all ocular melanomas. The pathophysiology of uveal melanoma is distinct from cutaneous melanoma and has separate tumor profiles. The management of uveal melanoma is largely dependent on the presence of metastases, which confers a poor prognosis with a one-year survival reaching only 15%. Although a better understanding of tumor biology has led to the development of novel pharmacologic agents, there is increasing demand for minimally invasive management of hepatic uveal melanoma metastases. Multiple studies have already summarized the systemic therapeutic options available for metastatic uveal melanoma. This review covers the current research for the most prevalent locoregional treatment options for metastatic uveal melanoma including percutaneous hepatic perfusion, immunoembolization, chemoembolization, thermal ablation, and radioembolization.
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Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and potentially deadly form of venous thromboembolic disease. It is the third most common cause of cardiovascular death and is associated with multiple inherited and acquired risk factors as well as advanced age. The prognosis from PE depends on the degree of obstruction and hemodynamic effects of PE and understanding the pathophysiology helps in risk-stratifying patients and determining treatment. Though the natural history of thrombus is resolution, a subset of patients have chronic residual thrombus, contributing to the post-PE syndrome.
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Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a potentially life-threatening complication of ascites diagnosed by paracentesis. We determined predictors of SBP to facilitate patient selection. The 301 paracenteses performed in 119 patients (51 women, 68 men) from July to November 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Presentation, lab data, depth of the deepest ascites pocket on ultrasound, total volume of ascites removed, absolute neutrophil count, and complications were studied. Of 301 paracenteses, 16 (5%) diagnosed SBP. On univariate analysis, SBP was associated negatively with history of cirrhosis and positively with history of cancer, abdominal pain, greater depth of the fluid pocket, prior SBP, and leukocytosis. Multivariate analysis using these variables to predict SBP was significant (P < 0.0001); only depth of the largest fluid pocket (P = 0.008) and complaint of abdominal pain (P = 0.006) were independent predictors. Receiver-operator curve analysis showed that a 5-cm cutoff of pocket depth yielded 100% sensitivity and 32% specificity. Two (0.1%) hemorrhagic complications occurred, one causing death and one necessitating laparotomy. In conclusion, deeper ascites pockets and abdominal pain are independent predictors of SBP. When the largest ascites pocket is <5 cm, the probability of SBP is nearly negligible. Given the potential for hemorrhagic complications, findings may help triage patients for paracentesis.
RESUMO
Vitiligo is one of the most common cutaneous disorders of depigmentation. Although its underlying causes are still being studied and no definitive cure currently exists, recent research has provided insight into pathogenic mechanisms and new treatment options. Objective: The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the medical and surgical therapies for vitiligo with emphasis on the most recent treatment modalities. Design: This review was conducted through a literature search using PubMed and the National institutes of Health's clinicalTrials.gov databases from January 2010 to July 2015. This yielded 86 studies, 12 of which were excluded, and 74 of which were reviewed. Results: Recent studies and ongoing clinical trials indicate that there are many promising new medical and surgical treatment modalities for this chronic condition. Conclusion: A combination of traditional and newer treatments may work synergistically to provide additional improvement in patients' disease state and quality of life.
