Optimization of percutaneous biopsy for diagnosis and pretreatment risk assessment of neuroblastoma

BackgroundImage- guided percutaneous core needle biopsy (PCNB) is increasingly utilized to diagnose solid tumors. The objective of this study is to determine whether PCNB is adequate for modern biologic characterization of neuroblastoma.ProcedureA multi- institutional retrospective study was performed by the Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative on children with neuroblastoma at 12 institutions over a 3- year period. Data collected included demographics, clinical details, biopsy technique, complications, and adequacy of biopsies for cytogenetic markers utilized by the Children’s Oncology Group for risk stratification.ResultsA total of 243 children were identified with a diagnosis of neuroblastoma: 79 (32.5%) tumor excision at diagnosis, 94 (38.7%) open incisional biopsy (IB), and 70 (28.8%) PCNB. Compared to IB, there was no significant difference in ability to accurately obtain a primary diagnosis by PCNB (95.7% vs 98.9%, P = .314) or determine MYCN copy number (92.4% vs 97.8%, P = .111). The yield for loss of heterozygosity and tumor ploidy was lower with PCNB versus IB (56.1% vs 90.9%, P < .05; and 58.0% vs. 88.5%, P < .05). Complications did not differ between groups (2.9 % vs 3.3%, P = 1.000), though the PCNB group had fewer blood transfusions and lower opioid usage. Efficacy of PCNB was improved for loss of heterozygosity when a pediatric pathologist evaluated the fresh specimen for adequacy.ConclusionsPCNB is a less invasive alternative to open biopsy for primary diagnosis and MYCN oncogene status in patients with neuroblastoma. Our data suggest that PCNB could be optimized for complete genetic analysis by standardized protocols and real- time pathology assessment of specimen quality.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154667/1/pbc28153_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154667/2/pbc28153.pd

Optimization of percutaneous biopsy for diagnosis and pretreatment risk assessment of neuroblastoma

Background: Image-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy (PCNB) is increasingly utilized to diagnose solid tumors. The objective of this study is to determine whether PCNB is adequate for modern biologic characterization of neuroblastoma. Procedure: A multi-institutional retrospective study was performed by the Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative on children with neuroblastoma at 12 institutions over a 3-year period. Data collected included demographics, clinical details, biopsy technique, complications, and adequacy of biopsies for cytogenetic markers utilized by the Children\u27s Oncology Group for risk stratification. Results: A total of 243 children were identified with a diagnosis of neuroblastoma: 79 (32.5%) tumor excision at diagnosis, 94 (38.7%) open incisional biopsy (IB), and 70 (28.8%) PCNB. Compared to IB, there was no significant difference in ability to accurately obtain a primary diagnosis by PCNB (95.7% vs 98.9%, P =.314) or determine MYCN copy number (92.4% vs 97.8%, P =.111). The yield for loss of heterozygosity and tumor ploidy was lower with PCNB versus IB (56.1% vs 90.9%, P \u3c.05; and 58.0% vs. 88.5%, P \u3c.05). Complications did not differ between groups (2.9 % vs 3.3%, P = 1.000), though the PCNB group had fewer blood transfusions and lower opioid usage. Efficacy of PCNB was improved for loss of heterozygosity when a pediatric pathologist evaluated the fresh specimen for adequacy. Conclusions: PCNB is a less invasive alternative to open biopsy for primary diagnosis and MYCN oncogene status in patients with neuroblastoma. Our data suggest that PCNB could be optimized for complete genetic analysis by standardized protocols and real-time pathology assessment of specimen quality

On-farm instant quality analysis

Near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy has been used to evaluate forage quality since the early 1980s. Until recently, these were relatively sensitive, large laboratory instruments that required finely-ground, dry forage samples for analysis. New technology has allowed the development of small, hand-held NIR units that can work with wet, chopped forage or silage

What's the future for grass biomass?

This information was part of the February 2011 issue of Eastern DairyBusiness Magazine. The Manager, a section within the Eastern DairyBusiness Magazine, is authored and organized by the PRO-DAIRY program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University

Alfalfa-Grass Mixtures -- 2017 Update

While almost 90 percent of alfalfa acreage in NY is sown with a perennial grass, alfalfa acreage in the rest of the USA may average more than 90 percent pure alfalfa. Interest appears to be growing in alfalfa-grass mixtures across the northern tier of states. Until recently, little research has been conducted on grass species selection or management of mixtures. The primary negative point with mixtures is not lower forage quality, but variable forage quality. The main cause of this variability is a variable alfalfa-grass ratio

Late summer alfalfa harvest? Take Labor Day off!

Alfalfa harvest schedule is an annual discussion as day length begins to shorten and with many areas facing short forage supplies the topic has even greater emphasis. The bottom line is that the underlying principles for risk to an alfalfa crop remain the same regardless of forage inventories; however, your tolerance for the risk involved certainly changes based on forage needs

New hybrids require higher seeding rates

This information was part of the February 2011 issue of Eastern DairyBusiness Magazine. The Manager, a section within the Eastern DairyBusiness Magazine, is authored and organized by the PRO-DAIRY program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University

Soil may supply adequate K

This information was part of the February 2011 issue of Eastern DairyBusiness Magazine. The Manager, a section within the Eastern DairyBusiness Magazine, is authored and organized by the PRO-DAIRY program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University

Rethink added sulfur for alfalfa

This information was part of the February 2011 issue of Eastern DairyBusiness Magazine. The Manager, a section within the Eastern DairyBusiness Magazine, is authored and organized by the PRO-DAIRY program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University

Is day-to-day variation in bunkers worth correcting?

Progressive Dairy magazine is printed 20 times each year for forward-thinking U.S. dairy producers. The award-winning magazine's editors and contributors provide compelling features, helpful articles, insightful news analysis, and entertaining commentary about the people, practices and topics related to a dairy lifestyle.Everyone knows that feed from haylage and corn silage bunkers will vary in composition from day to day. What is not so clear is the magnitude of this variation, and whether it might be worth it, economically and environmentally, to rebalance dairy rations daily to correct the variation. Providing excess feed likely will mitigate the effects of day-to­day silage variability, but this increases feed costs and is less environmentally acceptable. Many farms rebalance dairy rations weekly. A few attempt daily rebalancing. A better understanding of day-to-day variability of bunkers within a week is the first step to assess the potential benefits of daily rebalancing of rations. The most practical component to focus on for daily rebalancing is dry matter (DM) concentration; however, DM can be difficult to measure accurately, particularly in mixed haylage.Progressive Dairy, Papillo