Uporabnost slikovno preiskovalnih metod pri določanju HPV statusa karcinomov glave in vratu

Head and neck cancer presents a serious health issue and is the sixth most common cancer in the world. With an estimated annual burden of 650,000 incident cases worldwide and approximately 440 incident cases in Slovenia, squamous cell carcinoma accounts for about 90 % of head and neck cancer (2015).In the last few decades, the number of oropharyngeal carcinoma cases has notably increased. The reason lies in the human papillomavirus (HPV) epidemic, with high-risk HPV type 16 being isolated from 40–60 % cases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with HPV-positive HNSCC have a notably higher survival rate as well as better treatment response opposed to their HPV-negative counterparts. Therefore, the evaluation of HPV status in these patients has become the main factor in treatment planning and outcome prediction. The current golden standard for determining the viral aetiology of carcinoma is amplifying viral RNA with PCR. While recent studies indicate that radiographic imaging techniques are useful in determining HPV status, there is not enough evidence for them to be used as the sole method for HPV status determination. However, certain radiographic parameters were proven to be specific for HPV-related carcinomas and can be, when combined with other methods, used for determining HPV status. Primary HPV-positive carcinomas are generally smaller, less metabolically active, cause less necrosis and ulcerations, and have well-defined borders. They are usually found in the tonsillar region and at the base of the tongue. HPV-positive HNSCC presents with more frequent and earlier nodal metastases than HPV-negative HNSCC. HPV-positive HNSCC nodal metastases typically have a cystic appearance.Karcinomi glave in vratu predstavljajo pomemben zdravstveni problem in so šesti najpogostejši karcinom na svetu. Okoli 90 % karcinomov glave in vratu je ploščatoceličnih karcinomov, ki predstavljajo globalno letno incidenco okoli 650.000, v Sloveniji pa okoli 440 primerov (2015). V zadnjih desetletjih strmo raste incidenca karcinomov orofarinksa. Vzrok je epidemija okužb s humanim papiloma virusom (HPV), visokorizični tip 16 izoliramo kar iz 40–60 % ploščatoceličnih karcinomov orofarinksa. Bolniki s HPV-pozitivnimi PCKGV imajo občutno boljše preživetje in odzivnost na zdravljenje v primerjavi s HPV-negativnimi, zaradi česar je postalo določanje HPV statusa karcinoma ključno pri načrtovanju zdravljenja in napovedi preživetja. Trenutni zlati standard za dokaz HPV predstavlja pomnoževanje virusne RNA z verižno reakcijo s polimerazo, čedalje večjo veljavo pa dobivajo tudi radiološke slikovno preiskovalne metode. Zaenkrat izključno s pomočjo tovrstnih metod ne moremo rutinsko razlikovati med HPV-pozitivnimi in HPV-negativnimi karcinomi. Kljub temu pa raziskave kažejo na specifične, tudi radiološke lastnosti HPV-pozitivnih karcinomov, ki jih poleg rezultatov ostalih preiskav lahko uporabimo pri določanju HPV statusa. Vrednotimo tako primarni karcinom kot zasevke v bezgavkah. Primarni HPV-pozitivni karcinomi so v primerjavi s HPV-negativnimi običajno manjši, bolje zamejeni, metabolno manj aktivni in z manj nekrozami ter ulceracijami. Značilno se pojavljajo v tonzilarni regiji in na bazi jezika. Zasevki v bezgavkah so pri HPV-pozitivnih karcinomih zgodnejši in pogostejši kot pri HPV-negativnih, poleg tega imajo pogosteje cističen videz

Hepatic Encephalopathy after Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt in Patients with Recurrent Variceal Hemorrhage

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and predictors of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and endoscopic therapy (ET) in the elective treatment of recurrent variceal hemorrhage. Methods. Seventy patients were treated with elective TIPS and fifty-six patients with ET. Median observation time was 46.28 months in the TIPS group and 42.31 months in the ET group. Results. 30 patients (42.8%) developed clinically evident portosystemic encephalopathy in TIPS group and 20 patients (35.6%) in ET group. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant (P=0.542; χ2 test). The incidence of new or worsening portosystemic encephalopathy was 24.3% in TIPS group and 10.7% in ET group. Multivariate analysis showed that ET treatment (P=0.031), age of >65 years (P=0.022), pre-existing HE (P=0.045), and Child's class C (P=0.051) values were independent predictors for the occurrence of HE. Conclusions. Procedure-related HE is a complication in a minority of patients treated with TIPS or ET. Patients with increased age, preexisting HE, and higher Child-Pugh score should be carefully observed after TIPS procedure because the risk of post-TIPS HE in these patients is higher

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of malignant pleural mesothelioma: a comparative study of pharmacokinetic models and correlation with mRECIST criteria

Abstract Background Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive thoracic malignancy that is difficult to cure. Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI is a functional imaging technique used to analyze tumor microvascular properties and to monitor therapy response. Purpose of this study was to compare two tracer kinetic models, the extended Tofts (ET) and the adiabatic approximation tissue homogeneity model (AATH) for analysis of DCE-MRI and examine the value of the DCE parameters to predict response to chemotherapy in patients with MPM. Method This prospective, longitudinal, single tertiary radiology center study was conducted between October 2013 and July 2015. Patient underwent DCE-MRI studies at three time points: prior to therapy, during and after cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The images were analyzed using ET and AATH models. In short-term follow-up, the patients were classified as having disease control or progressive disease according to modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST) criteria. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to examine specificity and sensitivity of DCE parameters for predicting response to therapy. Comparison tests were used to analyze whether derived parameters are interchangeable between the two models. Results Nineteen patients form the study population. The results indicate that the derived parameters are not interchangeable between the models. Significant correlation with response to therapy was found for AATH-calculated median pre-treatment efflux rate (kep) showing sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 100% (AUC 0.9). ET-calculated maximal pre-treatment kep showed 100% sensitivity and specificity for predicting treatment response during the early phase of the therapy and reached a favorable trend to significant prognostic value post-therapy. Conclusion Both models show potential in predicting response to therapy in MPM. High pre-treatment kep values suggest MPM disease control post-chemotherapy

The use of quetiapine in treatment of acute psychotic symptoms in an adolescent patient with primary brain calcification:A case report

Abstract Background Primary brain calcification (PBC), a neurodegenerative disorder with characteristic calcium deposits in the basal ganglia and other brain areas, typically presents with various neurological and psychiatric symptoms in the fourth or fifth decade of life or later. We present the case of a patient with psychiatric manifestations much earlier than usual, in the second decade of life. Case presentation The case of an adolescent female with acute psychotic symptoms, emotional instability, disorganized and suicidal behavior, stereotypical movements, below average intelligence and a three-year history of headaches is reported. Among others, the presentation included tactile hallucinations with secondary hypochondriacal delusions, which are rarely described in this diagnosis. Massive calcinations in the area of the basal ganglia and thalamus were determined by computerized tomography. Other causes of brain calcification were excluded. No causative mutations were found in selected genes. All the symptoms apart from lower intellectual abilities improved with quetiapine and sertraline. The patient showed no side effects. Conclusions This case report highlights the successful use of quetiapine for symptomatic treatment of acute psychosis due to PBC in an adolescent without exacerbating extrapyramidal symptoms

S3 Data -

The 5-item Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5) is a reliable and valid questionnaire for evaluating adherence in patients with asthma, hypertension, and diabetes. Validity has not been determined in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to establish criterion validity and reliability of the MARS-5 in persons with MS (PwMS). Our prospective study included PwMS on dimethyl fumarate (DMF). PwMS self-completed the MARS-5 on the same day before baseline and follow-up brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 3 and 9 months after treatment initiation and were graded as highly and medium adherent upon the 24-cut-off score, established by receiver operator curve analysis. Health outcomes were represented by relapse occurrence from the 1st DMF dispense till follow-up brain MRI and radiological progression (new T2 MRI lesions and quantitative analysis) between baseline and follow-up MRI. Criterion validity was established by association with the Proportion of Days Covered (PDC), new T2 MRI lesions, and Beliefs in Medicines questionnaire (BMQ). The reliability evaluation included internal consistency and the test-retest method. We included 40 PwMS (age 37.6 ± 9.9 years, 75% women), 34 were treatment-naive. No relapses were seen during the follow-up period but quantitative MRI analysis showed new T2 lesions in 6 PwMS. The mean (SD) MARS-5 score was 23.1 (2.5), with 24 PwMS graded as highly adherent. The higher MARS-5 score was associated with higher PDC (b = 0.027, P0.001, 95% CI: (0.0134–0.0403)) and lower medication concerns (b = -1.25, P0.001, 95% CI: (-1.93-(-0,579)). Lower adherence was associated with increased number (P = 0.00148) and total volume of new T2 MRI lesions (P = 0.00149). The questionnaire showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.72) and moderate test-retest reliability (r = 0.62, P </div

Timeline of the prospective study, *120 mg twice daily, **240 mg twice daily, Rx-refills.

Timeline of the prospective study, *120 mg twice daily, **240 mg twice daily, Rx-refills.</p

S1 File -

The 5-item Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5) is a reliable and valid questionnaire for evaluating adherence in patients with asthma, hypertension, and diabetes. Validity has not been determined in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to establish criterion validity and reliability of the MARS-5 in persons with MS (PwMS). Our prospective study included PwMS on dimethyl fumarate (DMF). PwMS self-completed the MARS-5 on the same day before baseline and follow-up brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 3 and 9 months after treatment initiation and were graded as highly and medium adherent upon the 24-cut-off score, established by receiver operator curve analysis. Health outcomes were represented by relapse occurrence from the 1st DMF dispense till follow-up brain MRI and radiological progression (new T2 MRI lesions and quantitative analysis) between baseline and follow-up MRI. Criterion validity was established by association with the Proportion of Days Covered (PDC), new T2 MRI lesions, and Beliefs in Medicines questionnaire (BMQ). The reliability evaluation included internal consistency and the test-retest method. We included 40 PwMS (age 37.6 ± 9.9 years, 75% women), 34 were treatment-naive. No relapses were seen during the follow-up period but quantitative MRI analysis showed new T2 lesions in 6 PwMS. The mean (SD) MARS-5 score was 23.1 (2.5), with 24 PwMS graded as highly adherent. The higher MARS-5 score was associated with higher PDC (b = 0.027, P0.001, 95% CI: (0.0134–0.0403)) and lower medication concerns (b = -1.25, P0.001, 95% CI: (-1.93-(-0,579)). Lower adherence was associated with increased number (P = 0.00148) and total volume of new T2 MRI lesions (P = 0.00149). The questionnaire showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.72) and moderate test-retest reliability (r = 0.62, P </div

S1 Data -

The 5-item Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5) is a reliable and valid questionnaire for evaluating adherence in patients with asthma, hypertension, and diabetes. Validity has not been determined in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to establish criterion validity and reliability of the MARS-5 in persons with MS (PwMS). Our prospective study included PwMS on dimethyl fumarate (DMF). PwMS self-completed the MARS-5 on the same day before baseline and follow-up brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 3 and 9 months after treatment initiation and were graded as highly and medium adherent upon the 24-cut-off score, established by receiver operator curve analysis. Health outcomes were represented by relapse occurrence from the 1st DMF dispense till follow-up brain MRI and radiological progression (new T2 MRI lesions and quantitative analysis) between baseline and follow-up MRI. Criterion validity was established by association with the Proportion of Days Covered (PDC), new T2 MRI lesions, and Beliefs in Medicines questionnaire (BMQ). The reliability evaluation included internal consistency and the test-retest method. We included 40 PwMS (age 37.6 ± 9.9 years, 75% women), 34 were treatment-naive. No relapses were seen during the follow-up period but quantitative MRI analysis showed new T2 lesions in 6 PwMS. The mean (SD) MARS-5 score was 23.1 (2.5), with 24 PwMS graded as highly adherent. The higher MARS-5 score was associated with higher PDC (b = 0.027, P0.001, 95% CI: (0.0134–0.0403)) and lower medication concerns (b = -1.25, P0.001, 95% CI: (-1.93-(-0,579)). Lower adherence was associated with increased number (P = 0.00148) and total volume of new T2 MRI lesions (P = 0.00149). The questionnaire showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.72) and moderate test-retest reliability (r = 0.62, P </div

PwMS demographic and clinical characteristics.

The 5-item Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5) is a reliable and valid questionnaire for evaluating adherence in patients with asthma, hypertension, and diabetes. Validity has not been determined in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to establish criterion validity and reliability of the MARS-5 in persons with MS (PwMS). Our prospective study included PwMS on dimethyl fumarate (DMF). PwMS self-completed the MARS-5 on the same day before baseline and follow-up brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 3 and 9 months after treatment initiation and were graded as highly and medium adherent upon the 24-cut-off score, established by receiver operator curve analysis. Health outcomes were represented by relapse occurrence from the 1st DMF dispense till follow-up brain MRI and radiological progression (new T2 MRI lesions and quantitative analysis) between baseline and follow-up MRI. Criterion validity was established by association with the Proportion of Days Covered (PDC), new T2 MRI lesions, and Beliefs in Medicines questionnaire (BMQ). The reliability evaluation included internal consistency and the test-retest method. We included 40 PwMS (age 37.6 ± 9.9 years, 75% women), 34 were treatment-naive. No relapses were seen during the follow-up period but quantitative MRI analysis showed new T2 lesions in 6 PwMS. The mean (SD) MARS-5 score was 23.1 (2.5), with 24 PwMS graded as highly adherent. The higher MARS-5 score was associated with higher PDC (b = 0.027, P0.001, 95% CI: (0.0134–0.0403)) and lower medication concerns (b = -1.25, P0.001, 95% CI: (-1.93-(-0,579)). Lower adherence was associated with increased number (P = 0.00148) and total volume of new T2 MRI lesions (P = 0.00149). The questionnaire showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.72) and moderate test-retest reliability (r = 0.62, P </div

STROBE 2007 (v4) statement—checklist of items that should be included in reports of <i>cohort studies</i>.

STROBE 2007 (v4) statement—checklist of items that should be included in reports of cohort studies.</p