Distinguishing Ewing sarcoma and osteomyelitis using FTIR spectroscopy

Abstract The differential diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma and osteomyelitis can be challenging and can lead to delays in treatment with possibly devastating results. In this retrospective, small-cohort study we demonstrate, that the Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) spectra of osteomyelitis bone tissue can be differentiated from Ewing sarcoma and normal bone tissue sampled outside tumour area. Significant differences in osteomyelitis samples can be seen in lipid and protein composition. Supervised learning using a quadratic discriminant analysis classifier was able to differentiate the osteomyelitis samples with high accuracy. FTIR spectroscopy, alongside routine radiological and histopathological methods, may offer an additional tool for the differential diagnosis of osteomyelitis and ES

Epidemiology and prevention strategies of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric hematology and oncology centers in Poland

IntroductionEpidemiological analysis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in pediatric hematology and oncology (PHO) and hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) centers in a Polish nationwide study, as well as analysis of the preventive strategies in these centers. MethodsAll of the 18 PHO/HCT centers participated in eight surveys and questionnaires conducted over the first 5 months of the SARS-CoV-2/coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Poland. Epidemiological data were collected at eight regular time points, and the strategy of preventive management was done once after 4 months of the pandemic. ResultsDuring this analyzed period, eight patients were positive for SARS-CoV-2. The estimated incidence of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in Polish PHO/HCT centers was 0.5%. After exclusion of HCT patients (with one patient being infected), the estimated incidence of SARSCoV-2 positivity was between 0.5 and 0.6%. In all but one case, the course of COVID-19 was asymptomatic or mild, and it was moderate in one case. None of them developed SARS or respiratory insufficiency, none of them required treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU), and no patient died due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. As of July 1, parents staying in the hospital together with their children were regularly tested for the virus in 13 centers. Asymptomatic healthcare personnel were regularly tested for the virus in seven centers. ConclusionsThe estimated incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among PHO/HCT patients is lower than in Western Europe; however, these patients cannot be regarded as a low-risk group. The low COVID-19 incidence should be interpreted as a result of strictly and continuously implemented detailed preventive measures in the PHO/HCT wards and in hospitals

Modified sonoelastographic scale score for lymph node assessment in lymphoma – a preliminary report

Elastography is a new method of assessment of lymph node consistency. The majority of papers focus on metastases detection of head and neck or breast tumors. The typical desmoplastic reaction in connective tissue stroma in cancer, which is responsible for tissue’s hardening, is seen in lymphoma less frequently. Material and methods: Study of 15 patients with active Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas and 16 previously treated patients with no evidence of recurrence. A total of 60 patients suffering from reactive lymphadenopathy was the control group. The size, appearance, vascularity and elastogram of lymph node was analyzed. Results: Type C elastogram correlated strongly with lymph nodes which presented at least three pathologic features in 2D image. Large lymph nodes with long axis diameter over 3 cm may have ‘cheese with holes’ appearance rather than common type C elastogram. Conclusion: According to our simplifi ed sonoelastography scoring system, type C elastogram was present mainly in patients with active lymphoma affecting lymph nodes, which showed all four features that we analyzed using conventional ultrasonography. This elastogram was also present in reactive lymphadenopathies. Distinctive for large lymph nodes in patients with active forms of lymphoma “cheese with holes” appearance, can be considered as equal with type C image, although it is corresponding to type B sonoelastographic map.Elastografia jest nową metodą pozwalającą ocenić spoistość węzłów chłonnych. Większość prac skupia się na wykrywaniu przerzutów raków okolicy głowy i szyi oraz sutka. Typowa dla raków reakcja desmoplastyczna podścieliska łącznotkankowego, odpowiadająca za wzmożoną spoistość, w chłoniakach występuje rzadziej. Materiał i metoda: Badanie przeprowadzono na grupie 15 pacjentów z aktywną postacią chłoniaka Hodgkina i chłoniaków nie-Hodgkinowskich oraz 16 pacjentów po zakończonym leczeniu i bez cech wznowy. Grupę kontrolną stanowiło 60 osób z odczynową limfadenopatią. Węzły chłonne oceniono pod kątem wielkości, wyglądu, typu unaczynienia oraz wyglądu elastogramu. Wyniki: Elastogram typu C wykazywał silną korelację dodatnią z węzłami chłonnymi prezentującymi co najmniej trzy cechy patologii w obrazie 2D. Duże węzły chłonne przekraczające 3 cm w największym wymiarze zamiast klasycznego elastogramu C mogą prezentować wygląd „sera z dziurami”. Wnioski: Typ C według naszej uproszczonej skali sonoelastograficznej obecny był głównie u chorych z aktywnym chłoniakiem w węzłach wykazujących wszystkie cztery cechy, jakie ocenialiśmy w klasycznym USG, ale obserwowany był także w limfadenopatiach odczynowych. Obraz „sera z dziurami” jest charakterystyczny tylko dla dużych węzłów chłonnych u pacjentów z aktywnymi postaciami chłoniaków i choć odpowiada typowi B mapy sonoelastograficznej, to może być traktowany na równi z obrazem C