Electroencephalogram and somatosensory evoked potential evaluation for good and poor neurological prognosis after cardiac arrest: A prospective multicenter cohort trial (ProNeCA)

n/

Does a combination of ≥2 abnormal tests vs. the ERC-ESICM stepwise algorithm improve prediction of poor neurological outcome after cardiac arrest? A post-hoc analysis of the ProNeCA multicentre study.

BACKGROUND Bilaterally absent pupillary light reflexes (PLR) or N20 waves of short-latency evoked potentials (SSEPs) are recommended by the 2015 ERC-ESICM guidelines as robust, first-line predictors of poor neurological outcome after cardiac arrest. However, recent evidence shows that the false positive rates (FPRs) of these tests may be higher than previously reported. We investigated if testing accuracy is improved when combining PLR/SSEPs with malignant electroencephalogram (EEG), oedema on brain computed tomography (CT), or early status myoclonus (SM). METHODS Post-hoc analysis of ProNeCA multicentre prognostication study. We compared the prognostic accuracy of the ERC-ESICM prognostication strategy vs. that of a new strategy combining ≥2 abnormal results from any of PLR, SSEPs, EEG, CT and SM. We also investigated if using alternative classifications for abnormal SSEPs (absent-pathological vs. bilaterally-absent N20) or malignant EEG (ACNS-defined suppression or burst-suppression vs. unreactive burst-suppression or status epilepticus) improved test sensitivity. RESULTS We assessed 210 adult comatose resuscitated patients of whom 164 (78%) had poor neurological outcome (CPC 3-5) at six months. FPRs and sensitivities of the ≥2 abnormal test strategy vs. the ERC-ESICM algorithm were 0[0-8]% vs. 7 [1-18]% and 49[41-57]% vs. 63[56-71]%, respectively (p < .0001). Using alternative SSEP/EEG definitions increased the number of patients with ≥2 concordant test results and the sensitivity of both strategies (67[59-74]% and 54[46-61]% respectively), with no loss of specificity. CONCLUSIONS In comatose resuscitated patients, a prognostication strategy combining ≥2 among PLR, SSEPs, EEG, CT and SM was more specific than the 2015 ERC-ESICM prognostication algorithm for predicting 6-month poor neurological outcome

Complications after surgery for gastric cancer in patients aged 80 years and over

Recent studies have shown a considerable increase in the number of aged patients with gastric cancer. In this retrospective study, we report our 18-year experience with 110 patients aged 80 years and over affected with this neoplasm. Postoperative morbidity and mortality rates and risk factors affecting their incidence were examined by univariate and multivariate analysis. Operability and resectability rates were 70.9% and 47.3% respectively. Of the resective procedures, 41 (78.8%) were subtotal gastrectomies. In five cases (9.6%), we performed combined resections. Twenty-five patients (32.1%) experienced postoperative complications; overall mortality rate was 12.8% (10 patients). In resective procedures, morbidity and mortality were 26.9% and 3.8% respectively, which are very low rates compared to other Western reports. Statistical analysis identified the number of preexisting medical illnesses as an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality. Crude five-year survival rate of curatively resected cases was 43%. Although multiple medical illnesses involved much higher operative mortality, neither the presence of postoperative complications nor the number of preexisting medical illnesses significantly influenced five-year survival rate of curatively resected patients. With careful evaluation and selection of patients, correct treatment of concomitant diseases and adequate peri- and postoperative care, gastric surgery provides good immediate and long-term results even in very old patients. Subtotal gastrectomy with limited lymphadenectomy should be the preferred procedure; total gastrectomy, combined resections and extended lymphadenectomy should be performed only when necessary, in patients with fewer than two illnesses. Surgery should be avoided in patients with highly advanced disease, if multiple medical illnesses are present

Reliability of transcranial magnetic stimulation-related measurements of tibialis anterior muscle in healthy subjects

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-related measurements linked to the corticospinal control of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle in healthy subjects. Methods: Inter-investigator and intra-investigator (within-session with a 1.5-h interval; between-session with a 4-week interval) reliability of the motor threshold, recruitment curve with its slope and MEP area at the plateau, MEP latency, maximum MEP (MEPmax) area, and duration of the maximum and minimum silent period (SPmax and SPmin) were assessed in 50 (29 men and 21 women) healthy subjects (mean age 44.8 years, range 22-74 years) using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM) and smallest real difference (SRD). Results: The high ICC values and lower SEM and SRD values indicate a good intra- and inter-investigator reliability for motor threshold (ICC range 0.94-0.98), MEP latency (ICC range 0.79-0.93), SPmax (ICC range 0.89-0.95) and SPmin (ICC range 0.79-0.81) in healthy subjects. Conclusions: These results suggest that the TMS-related measurements investigated are reliable in healthy subjects. Significance: These data could be useful in further studies on cortical excitability changes, such as those induced by therapeutic interventions (e.g. rehabilitative treatment). © 2008 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology

Clinicopathological features of advanced gastric cancer. Report on 400 operated cases.

In the present study the Authors report the clinical and pathological characteristics of highly advanced cases of gastric carcinoma. Of 1204 primary gastric cancer cases observed between 1977 and 1994 at the Second Department of Surgery, University of Siena, 400 cases treated by non-curative surgery were selected for this study: 174 explorative laparotomies, 76 by-pass and 150 resective operations, of which 98 relatively non-curative and 52 absolutely non-curative resections. The clinical and pathological features of these cases were compared with curative resection cases. Of several variables examined at univariate analysis, tumor site, macroscopic aspect, tumor size, depth in gastric wall and lymph nodal involvement significantly influenced the operative rate and the rate of non-curative operations (p < 0.001). With reference to non-curative cases, the diffusion pattern of neoplasm, besides the above mentioned variables, significantly affected the resectability rate: distant metastases, and particularly peritoneal spread, involved a lower resection rate if compared to cases with loco-regional diffusion (p < 0.001)

Facial functional outcome in monitored versus not-monitored patients in vestibular schwannomas surgery

OBJECTIVE: Even though advances in surgical techniques have improved facial nerve outcomes, functional preservation is still an issue because injury to the facial nerve has significant physical and psychological consequences for the patient. We retrospectively review our data in VS surgery to compare the facial outcome in intraoperative facial monitored versus not-monitored patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 51 consecutive patients with unilateral vestibular schwannoma in the period from 2005 to 2010 were treated in our Institution. In according to the type of neurophysiological tool used during surgical procedures, two patients groups were identified: Group 1 (facial stimulator only) and Group 2 (stimulator and facial monitoring). Statistical comparison of the two groups was made with the t- test, and facial function results were evaluated with the Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: In the Group 1, of the 22 patients with anatomically preserved facial nerves, 3 (13.6%) showed excellent facial nerve function, 14 (63.6%) showed intermediate function, and 5 (22.7%) showed poor function. In the Group 2, all the 27 patients got anatomically preserved facial nerves, and 18 (66.7%) showed excellent facial nerve function, 9 (33.3%) showed intermediate function, and no one showed poor function. CONCLUSIONS: We found that retrosigmoid approach associated with continuous EMG facial monitoring combined with the use of bipolar stimulation is a safe and effective treatment for vestibular schwannomas

Trends in stomach carcinoma. A statistical analysis of 1204 cases.

The authors report a retrospective analysis of their experience of gastric cancer. One thousand two hundred and four patients, observed between 1977 and 1994, of whom 1,094 underwent surgery, were studied. Data analysis was performed, dividing this period as follows: 1977-1982, 1983-1988, 1989-1994. The results reveal that, over time, substantial changes occurred both in tumor characteristics and surgical approach. With regards to tumor characteristics, the disease weighs heavily, even if it is less frequent than in the past (25% reduction), striking younger subjects and presenting in increasingly more aggressive forms [higher frequency of proximal (+11.4%) and diffuse forms (+18.1%), reduction of advanced forms (-11.6%) not proportional to the increase of early forms (+64.5%), as well as increase of cases with a short clinical history (+15.2%)]. In terms of surgical approach, while the use of conservative surgery was reduced during the study period, extensive procedures were more widely used, particularly in the curative treatment of advanced tumors (subtotal gastrectomies: reduction of 39.5%; total gastrectomies: increase of 106%). The increasing use of extended surgery is linked to the modifications occurred in tumor characteristics and in pre and post-operative management rather then to changes in surgical approach. It must be noted, however, that such technical advances have not yielded an improvement in survival (p = n.s.); as such, it is likely that gastric cancer has became a more aggressive disease and, therefore, has counterbalanced the benefits of early diagnosis and extended exeresis

Risk factors for liver metastases after curative surgical procedures for gastric cancer: a prospective study of 208 patients treated with surgical resection.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of liver metastases after radical surgical treatment for gastric cancer, the potential risk factors involved, and the sensitivity of serum tumor markers during followup. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 208 patients who had undergone curative resection for primary gastric cancer and a prospective followup protocol were studied. The association between clinicopathologic variables and hepatic recurrence was investigated using standard univariate methods and multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Mean followup time (+/- SD) for the entire patient population was 51 +/- 38 months (median 52 months) and was 88 +/- 24 months (median 81 months) for disease-free patients. Recurrence of gastric cancer was documented in 109 of 208 patients (52.4%). Liver metastases were found in 28 of 208 patients (13.5%); in most of these patients (82.1%) diagnosis was made within 2 years after surgical treatment. The estimated cumulative risk of liver metastases after 5 years was 16.4%. Cox regression analysis identified lymph node involvement (adjusted relative risk [RR] = 6.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.11 to 18.70, p = 0.001), preoperative positivity for CEA, CA 19-9, or CA 72-4 (RR = 5.18, 95% CI = 1.75 to 15.37, p = 0.003), and intestinal histotype (RR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.06 to 8.96, p = 0.039) as independent predictors of hepatic recurrence. In 27 of 28 cases hepatic recurrence was associated with an increase in CEA, CA 19-9, or CA 72-4 serum levels above the cutoff, either before or at the time of the clinical diagnosis (sensitivity 96.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative positivity for serum tumor markers, lymph node involvement, and intestinal histotype are risk factors for liver metastases after radical surgical treatment for gastric cancer. Postoperative measurement of serum tumor markers may be useful for an early diagnosis of hepatic recurrence during followup

Treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: state of the art and future developments.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) had long been regarded as a terminal disease, characterized by a very poor survival and worth treating with palliative therapy. A new strategy combining maximal surgery (cytoreductive surgery, CRS), with maximal regional chemotherapy (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, HIPEC), has been proposed to treat PC, resulting in long-term survival rates in selected patients. The emerging trend is to view localised peritoneal carcinomatosis, in the absence of other metastases, as a regional metastatic disease that is amenable to locoregional therapy. In spite of the need for more high quality studies, many international experts now agree that the use of this new strategy is a gold standard for treating selected patients with PC with the intent of curing. The best results are achieved in patients with limited disease who have completed macroscopic tumor removal. To offer a comprehensive review, we summarized the present status and possible future progress of this treatment modality, in particular outlining its rationale, current practice and general outcome