Can 3.0 Tesla diffusion tensor Imaging parameters be prognostic indicators in breast cancer?

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters such as fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), relative anisotropy (RA), and volume ratio (VR) values, and prognostic factors of invasive breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study examined 63 patients with pathologically confirmed invasive breast cancers. The patients underwent pre-operative diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3.0 Tesla. The relationship between DTI parameters and tumor size, histologic and nuclear grade, axillary lymph node status, lymphovascular and perineural invasion status, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), CERB-B2, and Ki-67 were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.018; p < 0.05) and/or lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.001; p < 0.01) and/or histologic grade 3 tumors (p < 0.05) had statistically significantly low MD values. There was a statistically significant relationship between ER and MD (r = 0.452, p < 0.01), PR and MD (p = 0.001, p < 0.01); CERB-B2 and RA (p = 0.047, p < 0.05); Ki-67 and RA (p = 0.026; p < 0.05); Ki-67 and VR (p = 0.021; p < 0.05); and lymphovascular invasion and FA (p = 0.045, p < 0.05) values. CONCLUSION: DTI parameters of malignant masses in breast cancer patients correlate with tumor size, lymph node status, histologic grade, lymphovascular invasion, Ki-67, CERB B2, ER, and PR.

The effect of tubal sterilization with the Pomeroy technique and bipolar electrocauterization on the ovarian reserve and serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of tubal sterilization techniques on the ovarian reserve and serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in rats. STUDY DESIGN: Wistar Hannover rats (n=21) were assigned to the following 3 groups (7 rats/group): Pomeroy technique, bipolar electrocauterization, and control. Pre- and postoperative serum AMH levels, ovarian damage and ovarian follicle counts were assessed. RESULTS: Total ovarian damage was higher in the electrocauterization group than in the Pomeroy (p=0.008) and control (p<0.0001) groups. The large antral follicle count was higher in the Pomeroy group than in the electrocauterization (p=0.023) and control (p=0.003) groups. The electrocauterization group had a greater decrease in postoperative serum AMH levels than the Pomeroy and control groups (p=0.031). CONCLUSION: Bipolar electrocauterization may have a negative effect on the ovarian structure and ovarian reserve compared to the Pomeroy technique.

Castelman disease of the parotid gland: An unusual entity.

Castleman disease (CD) is a benign lymphoepithelial disorder characterised by abnormal growth of a lymph node. This disease may be seen anywhere along the lymphatic chain but it usually occurs in the mediastinum. Two clinical types (localised and generalised) and three histopathological types (hyaline vascular, plasma cell, and mixed) have been described. We present a case of a 35-year-old female patient with parotid CD of the hyaline-vascular type as an extremely rare entity. We also discuss recent updates on this disease.

Effect of detorsion alone and in combination with enoxaparin therapy on ovarian reserve and serum antimüllerian hormone levels in a rat ovarian torsion model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of enoxaparin on ovarian reserve and serum antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels in a rat ovarian torsion model. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: Experimental surgery laboratory in a training and research hospital. ANIMAL(S): Fourteen female Wistar Hannover rats. INTERVENTION(S): 1) Control group received no special treatment other than abdominal exposure; 2) detorsion-only group received bilateral adnexal torsion (3-hour ischemia), and then after 3-hour torsion period, detorsion (reperfusion) was performed; and 3) detorsion-enoxaparin group received 0.5 mg/kg enoxaparin subcutaneously 2 hours before the same surgery as the detorsion-only group and a second 0.5 mg/kg dose of enoxaparin 24 hours after the first surgeries. Apart from the surgeries, preoperative and postoperative 1-mL blood samples were drawn from the right jugular vein of each rat. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Preoperative and postoperative serum AMH levels, histopathologic damage scores, and follicle counts in the ovarian tissue of the rats. RESULT(S): Vascular congestion and hemorrhage scores were higher in the detorsion-enoxaparin group than in the detorsion-only and control groups. The number of small antral follicles was smaller in the detorsion-only group than in the control group. The difference in the pre- and postoperative AMH levels was higher in the detorsion-only group than in the control and detorsion-enoxaparin groups. CONCLUSION(S): The combination of enoxaparin therapy with conventional ovarian detorsion is more effective in protecting the ovarian reserve than detorsion alone.

Folicular reserve changes in torsion-detorsion of the ovary: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: We assess follicular reserve changes by follicle count in torsion-detorsion rat model. STUDY DESIGN: 30 albino rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham group (SG), detorsion after 24-hour torsion group (24hTG) and detorsion after 72-hour torsion group (72hTG). Ovaries were torsioned and fixed. They were untwisted 24 and 72 h later. Oophorectomies were performed at 14th day after detorsion. Tissue damage scoring and follicle counts were evaluated microscopically. RESULTS: Tissue damage scores (TDSs) were higher in 72hTG and 24hTG compared to SG. In addition, as we increase torsion duration, TDSs also increased. There was no statistically significant difference in follicle numbers (primordial, primary, secondary and tertiary). CONCLUSION: Duration of torsion and intensity of ovarian damage do not affect follicular reserve in a rat model. Regardless of their macroscopic appearance, ovaries maintain their follicle reserves after torsion. Thus, surgeons should be reassured and encouraged to untwist torsioned ovaries rather than removing them.

Pretreatment with octreotide modulates iNOS gene expression, mimics surgical delay, and improves flap survival.

We aimed to evaluate the role of a synthetic somatostatin analogue in delay procedure of experimental skin flaps. Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into 2 groups of 18 each to compare the possible local ischemic effect of octreotide with that of surgical delay in the dorsal random pattern skin flap model. The inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression was assessed in the flap territory at intervals of immediate, 24 and 48 hours after preconditioning. Histologic analysis was performed in rats at 48th hour and 3 additional rats were used for microangiography. A gradual increase of daily transcript levels was detected in both groups (P < 0.05). The differences of molecular and histologic findings between the groups were not distinctive. Pharmacologically preconditioned rat displayed relevant microvascular features. Forty rats were further grouped randomly into 4 groups of 10 each. In group 1 rats, flaps were raised and reinserted without any prior intervention. Group 2 rats underwent surgical delay procedure, whereas flap territories of the others received either saline solution or octreotide 1 week before the ultimate flap harvest. After another 7-day period, both delay procedures were found effective in improving flap viability (P < 0.01). Ischemia induced by octreotide favored to investigate its utility in delay phenomenon. Although it was not as effective as the surgical delay procedure, it may be a safe pharmacologic alternative to improve the flap survival.

Lumbar extradural infiltrating angiolipoma: a case report and review of 17 previously reported cases with infiltrating spinal angiolipomas.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Spinal extradural angiolipomas are rare benign tumors, and most of them are noninfiltrating tumors located in the extradural space. However, there are 17 cases with extradural infiltrating spinal angiolipomas extending into the vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral arches in literature. These 17 tumors are mostly located at the thoracic region, and anterior or in the anterolateral extradural space, and they generally infiltrate only one vertebra. Only two of them are located at the lumbar region, four are mainly located in the posterior extradural space, and three infiltrate more than one vertebra. PURPOSE: To present an exceptional case with infiltrating extradural spinal angiolipoma involving two lumbar segments and mainly located in the posterior extradural space. STUDY DESIGN: A case report. METHODS: A 41-year-old woman with infiltrating spinal angiolipoma was treated by incomplete surgical removal of the tumor. RESULTS: There were no complaints nor recurrence after 18 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Outcome after surgery for spinal angiolipomas is very good overall even in the cases with infiltrating tumors. Although complete removal is certainly preferred, outcomes remained favorable despite incomplete resections.

Aggressive postoperative lumbar fibromatosis after the placement of instrumentation for treatment of spondylolisthesis. Case report.

This 50-year-old woman presented with a paravertebral lumbar fibromatosis (desmoid tumor) after undergoing the placement of instrumentation for lumbar spondylolisthesis. The tumor developed just cranial to the previous skin incision. Fibromatoses, or desmoid tumors, are uncommon infiltrative lesions that affect musculoaponeurotic structures, most often of the trunk and limbs. They are known to occur in association with surgery-related scars or implants and only rare examples appear in the neurosurgical and spine-related literature. In cases involving well-defined tumors in which radical resection is possible, surgery is the treatment of choice; however, the recurrence rate is high. The patient in the present case was followed for 14 months postoperatively and did not undergo radiotherapy; there was no recurrence. Although rare, this distinctive tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of postoperative paravertebral bulgings after neurosurgical and spinal operations.

A solitary calvarial lytic lesion with typical histopathological findings of juvenile hyaline fibromatosis.

Juvenile hyaline fibromatosis (JHF) is a rare systemic disease characterized by papulonodular skin lesions, gingival hyperplasia, joint contractures, and osteolytic lesions on long bones and the skull. It has recently been reported that the disease is caused by mutations in the gene encoding capillary morphogenesis protein-2 (CMG-2). To date, fewer than 60 cases have been published in the literature. Partial disease expression is common, but no cases featuring a solitary calvarial lesion have been reported. The authors discuss this 4-year-old boy with a solitary calvarial osteolytic lesion whose histopathological examination exhibited findings characteristic of JHF. Mutational analysis, however, revealed that there were no mutations in the CMG-2 gene. Two years after surgery, he was free of any complaints as well as gingival hyperplasia, joint contractures, and new skull or skin lesions. This patient's condition may represent clinical or genetic heterogeneity associated with JHF. Whether solitary lesions mimicking JHF can arise from somatic mutation of the CMG-2 gene remains to be proven.