Normal Positron Emission Tomography-Computerized Tomogram in a Patient with Apparent Mesenteric Panniculitis: Biopsy Is Still the Answer

Mesenteric panniculitis (also known as sclerosing mesenteritis) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the mesenteric connective tissue. It is known to have a wide spectrum of clinical and radiological presentations. In general, biopsy is recommended for diagnosis; however, a recent study proposed that a negative positron emission tomography- computerized tomography (PET-CT) scan is accurate in differentiating benign and neoplastic mesenteric processes [Br J Radiol 2006;79:37–43]. The following case report questions the accuracy of PET-CT in this setting and confirms the requirement for biopsy to rule out the presence of mesenteric lymphoma

An historical perspective of healthcare disparity and infectious disease in the Native American population

The incidence and severity of COVID-19 infections have been disproportionately high in Native American populations. Native Americans are a high-risk group for COVID-19 because of a variety of healthcare disparities. Historically, these populations suffered excessively during previous epidemics in the United States (US). Several epidemics occurred when disease-naïve indigenous peoples were exposed to European settlers with herd immunity. Native American populations had four times higher mortality in the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic. Deaths from H1N1 infections were higher in Native Americans and most cases and deaths from the Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) occurred in Native Americans. Other infectious diseases, including HIV, hepatitis A and hepatitis C are more also common. Diabetes, alcoholism and cardiovascular diseases, all risk factors for severity and mortality in COVID-19 infection, are also more common in this group. Addressing the root causes of enhanced risk in Native American populations will improve outcomes from COVID-19 and future pandemics

Lower body weight and female gender: Hyperphosphatemia risk factors after sodium phosphate preparations

Casais et al have reported an inverse correlation between serum phosphate and body weight after administration of sodium phosphate at a dose of 60 g. Our group has already described the relationship between body weight and hyperphosphatemia with these preparations, although our study was not quoted by Casais. We performed a pharmacokinetic study involving 13 volunteers who were divided into two groups on the basis of body weight: group I consisting of seven women with a median weight of 60 kg and group IIconsisting of five men and one woman with a median weight of 119.2 kg. Group I developed higher peak phosphate levels and maintained these levels above the subjects in Group II for a prolonged time period despite adequate hydration being ensured with frequent monitoring of weight, fluid intake and total body weight. Our study demonstrated that adequate hydration does not protect against the secondary effects of hyperphosphatemia. In the study by Casais et al, 66% of the study subjects were women, the correlation between serum phosphate and gender in their data also appears to be important. Women are at higher risk of acute phosphate nephropathy due to a diminished volume of distribution of the high dose of ingested phosphate. Decreased volume of distribution in women is due to diminished body weight. This is further compounded by decreased creatinine clearance in females

Patients with newly diagnosed cervical cancer should be screened for anal human papilloma virus and anal dysplasia: Results of a pilot study using a STELLA computer simulation and economic model

Background: Women with cervical cancer often have anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and anal dysplasia. However, effectiveness of anal HPV screening is unknown. Methods: A dynamic model was constructed using STELLA. Populations are represented as ''stocks'' that change according to model rates. Initial anal cytology in new cervical cancer patients, dysplasia progression and regression, cost of treating high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), and lifetime costs for anal cancer care were extrapolated from the literature. Local costs of anal HPV testing and cytology were obtained. Outcomes included anal cancer rates, anal cancer deaths, screening costs and cancer care. Results: Benefits in the screened group included reduction in anal cancers after three years and anal cancer deaths after four years. After 10 years, predicted costs per anal cancer prevented and anal cancer deaths were $168,796 and$210,057 and were $98,631 and$210,057 at 20 years. Predicted costs per quality of life year saved at 10 and 20 years were $9785 and$1687. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated cost-effectiveness of screening for a variety of cure rates HSIL with electrocautery. Conclusion: Screening for anal HPV and treatment of anal HSIL in patients with cervical cancer is cost-effective, prevents anal cancer and reduces anal cancer deaths

Mesenteric panniculitis, sclerosing mesenteritis and mesenteric lipodystrophy: Descriptive review of a rare condition

Mesenteric panniculitis (MP) is the preferred nomenclature for a continuum of inflammatory diseases of the mesentery. The diagnosis of MP is often based on the appearance of a mass-like structure at the root of the mesentery. Characteristic histology includes focal fat necrosis, chronic inflammation, and sometimes mesenteric fibrosis. At present, robust literature related to diagnosis and management of MP are limited. MP is postulated to be an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory and/or a paraneoplastic disease. A personal or family history of other autoimmune diseases is commonly apparent. Several inciting events have been identified that possibly act as triggers in the development of the disease. Trauma, abdominal surgery, infection, and various cancers have been associated with mesenteric panniculitis. There are several diagnostic and histologic criteria that aid in making the diagnosis of MP. The differential diagnosis for a mesenteric mass includes neoplastic disease, and a biopsy may be indicated to rule out other conditions. While cases of MP with a short duration of symptoms, or spontaneously regression may occur, some patients experience prolonged periods of pain, fever, and alterations in bowel habit, causing significant morbidity. A variety of medical therapies have been suggested for MP. Only two, thalidomide and low-dose naltrexone, have been prospectively evaluated. For patients with chronic MP, good responses to prolonged corticosteroid treatment have been reported. Novel therapies include thalidomide and low-dose naltrexone. Hormonal and immunomodulatory therapies are also used based on small case series, but these treatments may have significant side effects. Surgical intervention is not curative and is avoided except for relief of focal bowel obstruction secondary to fibrotic forms of the disease