No Pathogenic DICER1 Gene Variants in a Cohort Study of 28 Children With Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation.

BACKGROUND: Distinguishing congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs) from pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) can be challenging. Previously diagnosed patients with CPAM may have been misdiagnosed and we may have missed DICER1-associated PPBs, a diagnosis with important clinical implications for patients and their families. To gain insight in potential misdiagnoses, we systematically assessed somatic DICER1 gene mutation status in an unselected, retrospective cohort of patients with a CPAM diagnosis. METHODS: In the Amsterdam University Medical Center (the Netherlands), it has been standard policy to resect CPAM lesions. We included all consecutive cases of children (age 0-18 years) with a diagnosis of CPAM between 2007 and 2017 at this center. Clinical and radiographic features were reviewed, and DICER1 gene sequencing was performed on DNA retrieved from CPAM tissue samples. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients with a surgically removed CPAM were included. CPAM type 1 and type 2 were the most common subtypes (n = 12 and n = 13). For 21 patients a chest CT scan was available for reassessment by two pediatric radiologists. In 9 patients (9/21, 43%) the CPAM subtype scored by the radiologists did not correspond with the subtype given at pathology assessment. No pathogenic mutations and no copy number variations of the DICER1 gene were found in the DNA extracted from CPAM tissue (0/28). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the initial CPAM diagnoses were correct. These findings should be validated through larger studies to draw conclusions regarding whether systematic DICER1 genetic testing is required in children with a pathological confirmed diagnosis of CPAM or not. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Right-sided resection with standard or selective portal vein resection in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: a propensity score analysis.

BACKGROUND: Standard portal vein resection (PVR) has been proposed to improve oncological outcomes in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC), however it potentially introduces an increased risk of morbidity. The policy in Amsterdam UMC(AMC) is to resect the portal vein bifurcation selectively when involved, while in Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, standard PVR is performed with right trisectionectomy. The objective of this study was to analyze postoperative outcomes and survival after standard or selective PVR for PHC. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed including PHC-patients undergoing right-sided resection in Amsterdam (2000-2018) and Berlin (2005-2015). Primary outcomes were 90-day mortality, severe morbidity (Clavien-Dindo≥3), and overall survival (OS). A propensity score comparison (1:1 ratio) was performed corrected for age/sex/ASA/jaundice/tumor diameter/N-stage/Bismuth-Corlette type-IV. RESULTS: A total of 251 patients who underwent right-sided resection for PHC were evaluated: 87 in the selective (Amsterdam) and 164 in the standard PVR-group (Berlin). Major differences in baseline characteristics were observed, with higher ASA and AJCC-stage in the standard PVR-group (Berlin). Severe morbidity and 90-day mortality were comparable before matching (selective/Amsterdam:68% and 19%, standard/Berlin:61% and 17%,p = 0.284 and p = 0.746, respectively). After propensity score matching, both short term outcomes and OS were comparable (selective/Amsterdam (n = 45) 33 months (95%CI:20-45), standard/Berlin (n = 45) 31 months (95%CI:24-38,p = 0.747)). CONCLUSION: In this combined cohort, standard PVR was not associated with increased severe morbidity or mortality. After propensity score matching, survival was comparable after selective (Amsterdam) and standard PVR (Berlin).

Intraoperative frozen section analysis of para-aortic lymph nodes after neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX: will it soon become useless?

PURPOSE: Positive para-aortic lymph nodes (PALN) (station 16) are commonly detected in the final pathologic examination (ranging from 15 to 26%) among patients who undergo upfront pancreatoduodenectomy for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. However, after neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) the role of positive PALN as a watershed for surgical resection remains unclear. We aimed to determine the incidence of intraoperative detection of PALN after NAT with FOLFIRINOX for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma and its impact on survival, as our policy was to not resect the tumor in such situations. METHODS: From January 2014 to December 2020, 136 patients with non-metastatic cancer who received neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX and underwent explorative laparotomy were included. RESULTS: Intraoperative positive PALN were observed in 7 patients (5%). Patients had resectable (n = 5) or locally advanced (n = 2) disease at the time of surgery, but none of them underwent surgical resection. Positive PALN were significantly associated with a lower median number of FOLFIRINOX cycles (4 vs. 6, P = 0.05). There was no significant difference in overall survival between patients with positive loco-regional lymph nodes after resection and patients with non-resection owing to positive PALN (22 versus 16 months, P = 0.16), Overall survival with positive PALN, carcinomatosis, and liver metastasis was 16, 14, and 10 months, respectively (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that NAT may lower PALN involvement. We have modified our policy, positive PALN after NAT are no longer a contraindication to resection, rather a holistic picture of the disease guides management.

[A Resected Case of Gallbladder Neuroendocrine Cancer Found as a Liver Mass].

Our patient was a 72-year-old man in whom a liver mass was identified on abdominal ultrasonography at the examination for which he was referred to our hospital. Contrast-enhanced CT showed that the liver mass was a hemangioma with a surrounding AP shunt. Gallbladder wall thickening could not be ruled out as gallbladder cancer; however, a high possibility of adenomyomatosis was considered. EOB-MRI determined that the gallbladder wall thickening was adenomyomatosis and liver mass was a metastatic malignant tumor of unknown primary origin. Our policy was to resect gallbladder adenomyomatosis and the liver tumor for diagnostic purposes. Cholecystectomy plus hepatic S4a subsegmental resection and hepatoduodenal mesenteric lymph node dissection were performed. The histopathological diagnosis was neuroendocrine cancer of the gallbladder. A similar histology of the liver mass suggested continuity from the gallbladder tumor and was considered direct infiltration. Fifteen months after the operation, no recurrence was observed.

Real-Time Optical Diagnosis of Colorectal Polyps in the Routine Clinical Practice Using the NICE and WASP Classifications in a Nonacademic Setting.

BACKGROUND: Narrow-band imaging (NBI) allows "in vivo" classification of colorectal polyps. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the optical diagnosis by nonexpert community-based endoscopists in routine clinical practice, the impact of training, and whether the endoscopists could achieve the threshold for the "do not resect" policy. METHODS: This was an observational study performed in two periods (P1 and P2). Endoscopists had no prior experience in NBI in P1 and applied the technique on a daily basis for 1 year before participation in P2. Lesions were classified by applying the NBI International Colorectal Endoscopic (NICE) and Workgroup serrAted polypS and Polyposis (WASP) classifications, simultaneously. RESULTS: A total of 290 polyps were analyzed. The overall accuracy of optical diagnosis was 0.75 (95% CI 0.68-0.81) in P1, with an increase to 0.82 (95% CI 0.73-0.89) in P2 (p = 0.260). The accuracy of the NICE/WASP classifications to differentiate adenomatous from nonadenomatous histology was 0.78 (95% CI 0.72-0.84) in P1 and 0.86 (95% CI 0.77-0.92) in P2 (p = 0.164); assignments made with a high confidence level achieved statistical significance (13% improvement, 95% CI 3-22%; p = 0.022). The negative predictive value for adenomatous histology of diminutive rectosigmoid polyps was 81% (95% CI 64-93%) and 80% (95% CI 59-93%) in P1 and P2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Nonexpert endoscopists achieved moderate accuracy for real-time optical diagnosis of colorectal lesions with the NICE/WASP classifications. The overall performance of the endoscopists improved after sustained use of optical diagnosis, but did not achieve the standards for the implementation of the "do not resect" strategy.

INTRODUÇÃO: O narrow-band imaging (NBI) permite a classificação "in-vivo" dos pólipos colo-rectais. OBJECTIVOS: Avaliámos o diagnóstico óptico na prática clínica diária em endoscopistas da comunidade, sem experiência prévia em NBI, o impacto do treino e se estes conseguiam atingir o limiar da estratégia de "não ressecar". MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional, realizado em dois períodos (P1 e P2). Os endoscopistas não apresentavam experiência prévia em NBI em P1 e aplicaram a técnica diariamente durante um ano antes da participação em P2. As lesões foram classificadas aplicando as classificações NBI International Colorectal Endoscopic (NICE) e Workgroup serrAted polypS and Polyposis (WASP), simultaneamente. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 290 pólipos. A acuidade global do diagnóstico óptico foi de 0.75 (IC 95%, 0.68-0.81) em P1, aumentando para 0.82 (IC 95%, 0.73-0.89) em P2 (p = 0.260). A acuidade das classificações de NICE/WASP na diferenciação de histologia adenomatosa de não-adenomatosa foi de 0.78 (IC 95%, 0.72-0.84) em P1, e 0.86 (IC 95%, 0.77-0.92) em P2 (p = 0.164); as predições realizadas com alto grau de confiança alcançaram significado estatístico (melhoria de 13%, IC 95%, 3-22%; p = 0.022). O valor preditivo negativo para histologia adenomatosa dos pólipos diminutos recto-sigmóides foi de 81% (IC 95%, 64-93%) e 80% (IC 95%, 59-93%), em P1 e P2, respetivamente. CONCLUSÕES: Endoscopistas sem experiência em NBI alcançaram acuidade moderada no diagnóstico óptico em tempo real de lesões colo-rectais, utilizando as classificações de NICE/WASP. O desempenho global melhorou após a utilização contínua do diagnóstico óptico, mas não alcançou o limiar definido para a implementação da estratégia de "não ressecar".

Application of narrow-band imaging without magnifying in diagnosis of colorectal lesions by NICE classification / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective: To evaluate narrow-band imaging (NBI) without magnifying in the diagnosis of colorectal lesions by NBI International Colorectal Endoscopic Criteria (NICE classification), and analyze the safety and practicability of "do-not-resect" and "resect and discard" policies in clinical practice. Methods: The patients undergoing screening or surveillance colonoscopy, who were found colorectal lesions in the examination, from May to December in 2017 were enrolled. All the patients were examined by NBI without magnifying by any of the designated two physicians. NICE classification was used to diagnose colorectal lesions, and the diagnostic confidence of each lesion was recorded. The results of endoscopy were compared with those of pathology, and the accuracy rate and the confidence rate of diagnosis were calculated. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the diagnostic method for differentiating superficial tumors from non-tumors were also calculated. Finally, the feasibility, safety and cost savings of using "do-not-resect" and "resect and discard" policies in clinic were analyzed. Results: A total of 764 lesions were detected in the 636 enrolled patients. The overall accuracy of NICE classification was 84.95% and the diagnostic confidence rate was 81.68%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for differentiating tumors from non-tumors were 91.77%, 67.68%, 88.69%, and 74.86%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of diminutive colorectal lesions (≤5 mm) with high confidence was 94.98%, and the negative predictive value of diminutive rectosigmoid lesions (≤5 mm) with high confidence was 96.25%. They achieved the criteria of "resect and discard" and "do-not-resect" policies. If "do-not-resect" and "resect and discard" policies had been executed in clinical practice, ¥165 490 could have been saved and the omission diagnostic rates of "do-not-resect" and "resect and discard" policies would have been 3.75% and 0, respectively, in this study. Conclusion: It is feasible to use NBI without magnifying in differentiating tumors from non-tumors. The diminutive colorectal lesions and rectosigmoid lesions with high diagnostic confidence may achieve the criteria of "resect and discard" and "do-not-resect" policies, respectively.

Failure to operate on resectable gastric cancer: implications for policy changes and regionalization.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of patients never receive curative-intent surgery for resectable gastric cancer (GC). The primary aims of this study were to identify disparities and targetable risk factors associated with failure to operate in the context of national trends in surgical rates for resectable GC. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients with resectable GC (adenocarcinoma, clinical stage IA-IIIC, 2004-2013). Multivariate modeling was used to identify predictors of resection and to analyze the impact of surgery on overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Of 46,970 patients with resectable GC, 18,085 (39%) did not receive an appropriate operation. Among unresected patients, 69% had no comorbidities. Failure to resect was associated with reduced median OS (44.4 versus 11.8 mo, hazard ratio [HR]: 2.09, P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the most critical factors affecting OS were resection (HR: 2.09) and stage (reference IA; HR range: 1.16-3.50, stage IB-IIIC). Variables independently associated with no surgery included insurance other than private or Medicare (odds ratio [OR]: 1.60/1.54), nonacademic/nonresearch hospital (OR: 1.16), non-Asian race (OR: 1.72), male (OR: 1.19), older age (OR: 1.04), Charlson-Deyo score >1 (OR: 1.17), residing in areas with median income <$48,000 (OR: 1.23), small urban populations <20,000 (OR: 1.41), and stage (reference IA; OR range: 1.36-3.79, stage IB-IIIC, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Over one-third of patients with resectable GC fail to receive surgery. Suitable insurance coverage and treatment facility are the most salient (and only modifiable) risk factors for omitting surgery. To mitigate national disparities in surgical care, policymakers should consider improving insurance coverage in underserved areas and regionalization of gastric cancer care.

Social isolation and cancer management - advanced rectal cancer with patient delay following the 2011 triple disaster in Fukushima, Japan: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effects of social isolation in the elderly on their process of gaining health information and seeking health care. CASE PRESENTATION: In March 2011, Fukushima, Japan experienced an earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster, also known as Japan's triple disaster. In June 2016, an 80-year-old Japanese man, who lived alone after divorce at the age of 42, presented to our hospital with bloody stools and dizziness. Although his bloody stools initially occurred in May 2015, a year earlier, he did not pursue the possibility of malignancy. He was diagnosed as having stage IIIA rectal cancer. Detailed history taking revealed that he experienced social isolation after the disaster, due to the evacuation of his friends, losing his regular opportunities for socialization. He additionally reported that the current diagnosis of rectal cancer made him feel he had lost his health in addition to his social relationships. Although radical surgery was attempted, it failed to resect the lesion completely, and thereafter his disease gradually progressed. As support from family or friends was not available, he was not able to receive palliative radiation therapy or home-based care in his end-of-life period. He died at a long-term care facility in February 2017. CONCLUSIONS: This case suggests that intense social isolation after the Fukushima disaster was a likely contributor to the patient delay, poor treatment course, and poor outcome of an elderly patient with rectal cancer. Direct communication with family and friends may play an indispensable role in increasing health awareness and promoting health-seeking behaviors, and in the midst of social isolation, elderly patients with cancer may lose these opportunities and experience increased risk of patient delay. Although health care providers may be able to alleviate isolation-induced delay by promoting cancer knowledge and awareness widely among local residents, policy-led interventions at the community level may be essential to reducing social isolation and its health consequences.

Prevalence of sessile serrated adenoma/polyp in hyperplastic-appearing diminutive rectosigmoid polyps.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommends that distal colon hyperplastic lesions can be left in place without resection if adenomatous histology can be excluded with >90% negative predictive value. However, some lesions could be sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (SSA/Ps), which is also precancerous. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of SSA/Ps in hyperplastic-appearing diminutive rectosigmoid polyps. METHODS: We prospectively placed 513 consecutive diminutive rectosigmoid polyps that appeared hyperplastic to an expert endoscopist in individual bottles for pathologic. Each polyp was examined by 3 expert GI pathologists. RESULTS: The prevalence of SSA/P in the study polyps ranged from .6% to 2.1%. The lowest negative predictive value found by the endoscopist for the combination of adenomas plus SSA/Ps was 96.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SSA/Ps in diminutive rectosigmoid hyperplastic-appearing polyps is very low. These results support the safety and feasibility of a "do not resect" policy for diminutive hyperplastic-appearing rectosigmoid polyps.

Recurrences and Ongoing Complaints of Diverticulitis; Results of a Survey among Gastroenterologists and Surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the current opinion of gastroenterologists and surgeons on treatment strategies for patients, with recurrences or ongoing complaints of diverticulitis. BACKGROUND: Treatment of recurrences and ongoing complaints remains a point of debate. No randomized trials have been published yet and guidelines are not uniform in their advice. DESIGN: A web-based survey was conducted among gastroenterologists and GE-surgeons. Questions were aimed at the treatment options for recurrent diverticulitis and ongoing complaints. RESULTS: In total, 123 surveys were filled out. The number of patients with recurrent or ongoing diverticulitis who were seen at the outpatient clinic each year was 7 (0-30) and 5 (0-115) respectively. Surgeons see significantly more patients on an annual basis 20 vs. 15% (p = 0.00). Both surgeons and gastroenterologists preferred to treat patients in a conservative manner using pain medication and lifestyle advise (64.4 vs. 54.0, p = 0.27); however, gastroenterologists would treat patients with mesalazine medication, which is significantly more (28%, p = 0.04) than in the surgical group. Surgeons are inclined more towards surgery (31.5%, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Both surgeons and gastroenterologists prefer to treat recurrent diverticulitis and ongoing complaints in a conservative manner. Quality of life, the risk of complications and the viewpoint of the patient are considered important factors in the decision to resect the affected colon.

Adherence to colonoscopy recommendations for first-degree relatives of young patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The American College of Gastroenterology recommends screening for first-degree relatives of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer before the age of 50. A colonoscopy is one of the most commonly recommended exams due to its specificity and the possibility to resect pre-malignant lesions. Nevertheless, the rate of physician adherence to this recommendation is unknown. METHODS: This transversal study was performed at a major cancer center in Brazil with 62 patients, aged 18 to 50, who completed a questionnaire on information received from their physicians regarding screening their first-degree relatives. We used the answers from patients who provided explicit consent. RESULTS: Two hundred and three patients were eligible to participate and 93 (45.8%) agreed to complete the questionnaire. Twenty-three questionnaires (24.73%) were returned and 39 were completed by telephone. Of the patients who answered the questionnaire, 39 (62.9%) had received a colonoscopy recommendation for their first-degree relatives and 23 (37.1%) were not informed of the recommendation. Among the patients who received the recommendations, 20.51% affirmed that all relatives completed the exam and 51.28% stated that no relatives completed the exam. DISCUSSION: The adherence rate of our physicians to the ACG guideline recommendations was 62.9%. Considering that our study was performed at a leading center for cancer treatment in Latin America, we had expected better adherence. The results show that adherence to the colorectal cancer screening recommendations for high-risk patients must be improved.

Adherence to colonoscopy recommendations for first-degree relatives of young patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVES:Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The American College of Gastroenterology recommends screening for first-degree relatives of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer before the age of 50. A colonoscopy is one of the most commonly recommended exams due to its specificity and the possibility to resect pre-malignant lesions. Nevertheless, the rate of physician adherence to this recommendation is unknown.METHODS:This transversal study was performed at a major cancer center in Brazil with 62 patients, aged 18 to 50, who completed a questionnaire on information received from their physicians regarding screening their first-degree relatives. We used the answers from patients who provided explicit consent.RESULTS:Two hundred and three patients were eligible to participate and 93 (45.8%) agreed to complete the questionnaire. Twenty-three questionnaires (24.73%) were returned and 39 were completed by telephone. Of the patients who answered the questionnaire, 39 (62.9%) had received a colonoscopy recommendation for their first-degree relatives and 23 (37.1%) were not informed of the recommendation. Among the patients who received the recommendations, 20.51% affirmed that all relatives completed the exam and 51.28% stated that no relatives completed the exam.DISCUSSION:The adherence rate of our physicians to the ACG guideline recommendations was 62.9%. Considering that our study was performed at a leading center for cancer treatment in Latin America, we had expected better adherence. The results show that adherence to the colorectal cancer screening recommendations for high-risk patients must be improved.

Endoscopic features and management of diminutive colorectal submucosal invasive carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The vast majority of diminutive (∼5 mm) colorectal tumors consist of a very low prevalence of advanced neoplasia, and a predict-resect-and-discard policy has been proposed recently in Western countries. The histology of some diminutive colorectal tumors reveals carcinoma, not adenoma, although the frequency is relatively low. Clarifying the endoscopic features of diminutive submucosal invasive colorectal carcinoma (CRC) during colonoscopy is important for managing diminutive lesions. METHODS: A total of 111 cases of submucosal invasive CRC ≤ 10 mm were analyzed. The incidence of submucosal invasion in early CRC per gross type, size, location, pit pattern diagnosis, and rate of lymph node (LN) metastasis was evaluated. RESULTS: In diminutive tumors, the overall submucosal invasion rate in early CRC was 9.6%; however, depressed tumors had a significantly higher frequency of submucosal invasion than protruded or flat elevated tumors. There were no significant differences in the distribution of submucosal invasive CRC between the diminutive tumors and those that were 6-10 mm. The pit pattern diagnosis of diminutive submucosal invasive CRC was type VI pit pattern in all cases. Each case of submucosal invasive CRC was completely resected by en bloc endoscopic resection, and there were no cases of LN metastasis. CONCLUSION: Diminutive tumors with depression have a high frequency of submucosal invasive CRC and an initial indication for endoscopic resection.

New paradigms for colonoscopic management of diminutive colorectal polyps: predict, resect, and discard or do not resect?

The possibility to predict in vivo the histology of colorectal polyps by advanced endoscopic imaging has resulted in the implementation of a more conservative management for diminutive lesions detected at colonoscopy. In detail, a predict-and-do-not-resect strategy has been proposed for diminutive lesions located in the rectosigmoid tract, whilst a predict-resect-and-discard policy has been advocated for nonrectosigmoid diminutive polyps. Recently, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy set required thresholds to be met, before allowing the adoption of these policies in the clinical field. The ability of current endoscopic imaging in reaching these thresholds would depend on a complex interaction among the accuracy of advanced endoscopic imaging in differentiating between adenomatous and hyperplastic lesions, the prevalence of (advanced) neoplasia within diminutive lesions, and the type of surveillance intervals recommended. Aim of this review is to summarize the data supporting the application of both a predict-and-do-not-resect and a predict-resect-and-discard policies, also addressing the potential pitfalls associated with these strategies.

New Paradigms for Colonoscopic Management of Diminutive Colorectal Polyps: Predict, Resect, and Discard or Do Not Resect?

The possibility to predict in vivo the histology of colorectal polyps by advanced endoscopic imaging has resulted in the implementation of a more conservative management for diminutive lesions detected at colonoscopy. In detail, a predict-and-do-not-resect strategy has been proposed for diminutive lesions located in the rectosigmoid tract, whilst a predict-resect-and-discard policy has been advocated for nonrectosigmoid diminutive polyps. Recently, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy set required thresholds to be met, before allowing the adoption of these policies in the clinical field. The ability of current endoscopic imaging in reaching these thresholds would depend on a complex interaction among the accuracy of advanced endoscopic imaging in differentiating between adenomatous and hyperplastic lesions, the prevalence of (advanced) neoplasia within diminutive lesions, and the type of surveillance intervals recommended. Aim of this review is to summarize the data supporting the application of both a predict-and-do-not-resect and a predict-resect-and-discard policies, also addressing the potential pitfalls associated with these strategies.

A resect and discard strategy would improve cost-effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: A "resect and discard" policy has been proposed for diminutive polyps detected by screening colonoscopy, because hyperplastic and adenomatous polyps can be distinguished, in vivo, by using narrow-band imaging (NBI). We modeled the cost-effectiveness of this policy. METHODS: Markov modeling was used to compare the cost-effectiveness of universal pathology evaluations with a resect and discard policy for colonoscopy screening. In a resect and discard approach, diminutive lesions (≤5 mm), classified by endoscopy with high confidence, were not analyzed by a pathologist. Base case assumptions of an 84% rate of high-confidence classification, with a sensitivity and specificity for adenomas of 94% and 89%, respectively, were used. Census data were used to project outputs of the model onto the US population, assuming 23% as the current rate of adherence to a colonoscopy screening. RESULTS: With universal referral of resected polyps to pathology, colonoscopy screening costs an estimated $3222/person, with a gain of 51 days/person. Endoscopic polypectomy accounted for $179/person, of which $46/person was related to pathology examination. Adoption of a resect and discard policy for eligible diminutive polyps resulted in a savings of $25/person, without any meaningful effect on screening efficacy. Projected onto the US population, this approach would result in an undiscounted annual savings of $33 million. In the sensitivity analysis, the rate of high-confidence diagnosis and the accuracy for endoscopic polyp determination were the most meaningful variables. CONCLUSIONS: In a simulation model, a resect and discard strategy for diminutive polyps detected by screening colonoscopy resulted in a substantial economic benefit without an impact on efficacy.

[Skull base meningiomas spreading into the infratemporal fossa: clinical picture, diagnosis, and treatment policy]. / Meningiomy osnovaniia cherepa, rasprostraniaiushchiecia v podvisochnuiu iamku: klinika, diagnostika, taktika lecheniia.

From 1997 to 2004, the Academician N. N. Burdenko Research Institute of Neurosurgery has operated on 54 patients with intracranial meningiomas spreading into the infratemporal fossa. Fifteen patients were operated on for the first time. Thirty-nine patients had undergone surgical interventions on the average 3 times (from 2 to 8). All the patients were operated on via different orbitozygomatic approaches depending on the extent of the process. Opening the upper and lower palpebral fissures and the round foramen with resection, if required, the pterygoid processes suffice to remove tumors from the areas of the upper and lower palpebral fissures, which spread into the sphenoid and maxillary sinuses. If there are tumors at the site of the base of the anterior surface of the pyramid, and the articular bursa, it is expedient to open the oval and spinous foramens, to resect the external portions of the fundus of the middle cranial fossa and, if required, the articular process of the lower jaw. By taking into account the X-ray and histological patterns, it may be stated that invasion of meningiomas is not always accompanied by the development of hyperostosis. According to our findings, extracranial growth of meningiomas points to the invasion of osseous structures of the middle cranial fossa. Furthermore, if meningiomas grow into the infratemporal fossa, they frequently involve the muscles, nerves, and mucosa. After removing the tumors spreading to the infratemporal fossa, the optimum plastic repairs of defects of the base of the skull are as follows: hermetic closure of basal defect of the dura mater with a free fat flap, by fixing it with sutures and fibrin-thrombin glue with additional plastic repair of skull base defect with local displaced tissues on a pedicle (with a temporal muscular fascioperiosteal flap, a Bisch fat flap). Further policy of management of these patients is a complicated problem. It depends on the radicalism of an operation and the invasiveness of the process. The histobiological features of infiltrative meningiomas should be studied and this will determine management policy. Conceivably, the use of postoperative radiation therapy will be substantiated in a definite group of patients.

[Surgical therapy of rectal carcinoma]. / Chirurgische Therapie des Rektumkarzinoms.

Total mesorectal excision (TME) has gained a revolutionary impact on the surgical therapy of rectal cancer within the last 2 decades, providing superior local tumor control in comparison to conventional resection. Consequently, 85% of rectal carcinomas can be resected by sphincter-preserving surgery without compromising either oncologic radicality or continence. With the introduction of TME, local recurrence rates have been reliably decreased below 10% after curative resection. Surgical dissection along the connective tissue space between rectal and parietal pelvic fascia with complete mesorectal excision results in reliable excision of all relevant lymphatic pathways with preservation of continence and sexual function. Complete removal of a TME specimen is mandatory in carcinomas of the middle and lower third of the rectum. Both removal of the complete TME specimen and careful pathologic examination of the circumferential resection margin have decisive significance. An additional pelvic lymphadenectomy with the potential risk of increased morbidity does not improve prognosis. As a spread of tumor distally along the bowel wall rarely exceeds a few centimeters, a distal resection margin of 1-2 cm is oncologically sufficient in sphincter-saving procedures without compromising prognosis. Taken together, the convincing results of TME provide a rationale for using TME as the dissection policy of choice to resect rectal cancers in the distal two-thirds of the rectum, despite the absence of direct evidence from prospective randomized trials. The question whether laparoscopic curative resection for rectal cancer is oncologically adequate cannot be definitely answered to date, as results of randomized studies are currently missing. However, the preliminary results of laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer provided by centers are promising.

Current surgical therapy for bronchiectasis.

The ideal classification system for bronchiectasis continues to be debated. As an alternative to the present morphologic classification, a hemodynamic-based functional classification is proposed. This study examines the rationale for and outcome of surgery based on this classification in patients with unilateral or bilateral bronchiectasis. Between July 1987 and January 1997 the morphologic and hemodynamic features in 85 bronchiectatic patients were examined: 18 with bilateral bronchiectasis and 67 with unilateral disease. A policy of unilateral lung resection of the nonperfused bronchiectasis and preservation of the perfused type was adopted in all patients. The mean age at operation was 29.4 +/- 9.7 years (range 6-55 years) with a mean follow-up period of 45.2 +/- 21.0 months (range 2-120 months). Left-sided predominance of bronchiectasis was evident in this series both in frequency and severity. In those with unilateral disease, bronchiectasis was left-sided in 49 (73.1%) patients and right-sided in 18 (26.9%). The left lung was totally bronchiectatic in 11 (16.4%) patients and the right in 3 (4.4%). Moreover, among the patients with bilateral bronchiectasis, 14 of 18 (77.7%) patients had the left lung more severely involved. Based on the morphologic and hemodynamic features in the investigated patients, two types of bronchiectasis were recognized: a perfused type with intact pulmonary artery flow and a nonperfused type with absent pulmonary artery flow. Lobectomy was performed in 55 patients, basal segmentectomy and preservation of the apical segment in 16, and pneumonectomy in 14. There was no mortality in this series. Altogether 63 patients (74.1%) achieved excellent results, 19 (22.4%) scored good results, and 3 (3.5%) patients had not benefited from surgery at last follow-up. In the face of the general criticism of the traditional morphologic classification, the proposed classification not only predicts whether the involved lung will have a measure of respiratory function with regard to gas exchange but reflects the degree of severity of the disease process. Thus the question of which side to resect and which to preserve is defined more precisely. This classification was found to be logical, physiologically sound, and of proven benefit.

Hemodynamic alterations in bronchiectasis: a base for a new subclassification of the disease.

On the basis of the morphologic and hemodynamic features in 17 patients with bilateral bronchiectasis, a new subclassification is proposed. Accordingly, two types of bronchiectasis were recognized: perfused and nonperfused. Whereas perfused bronchiectasis has intact pulmonary artery flow and cylindrical bronchiectatic changes, the nonperfused type involves an absent pulmonary artery flow, retrograde filling of the pulmonary artery through the systemic circulation, and cystic bronchiectatic changes. A policy of unilateral resection of nonperfused bronchiectasis and preservation of the perfused type was adopted in 17 patients with bilateral bronchiectasis during an 8-year period. There were 9 women and 8 men with an average age of 28.6 +/- 7 years (range 18 to 48 years). Fifteen patients had mixed bronchiectasis (perfused type on one side and nonperfused on the other side) and two had localized bilateral nonperfused type. The average duration of follow-up was 38.3 +/- 24.9 months (range 13 to 111 months). In the 15 patients with mixed bronchiectasis, excellent (N = 8) or good (N = 7) results were achieved in all cases. On the other hand, the two patients with bilateral nonperfused bronchiectasis did not benefit from unilateral resection. This outcome implies that with perfused bronchiectasis the deranged function is likely to resolve with time. In the face of the general criticism of the traditional morphologic classification system, the proposed functional classification not only reflects the degree of severity of the disease process, but also predicts whether the involved lung will have a measure of respiratory function with regard to gas exchange. Thus the question of which side to resect and which to preserve is defined more precisely.