Areas of normal pulmonary parenchyma on HRCT exhibit increased FDG PET signal in IPF patients

Purpose: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) show increased PET signal at sites of morphological abnormality on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The purpose of this investigation was to investigate the PET signal at sites of normal-appearing lung on HRCT in IPF. Methods: Consecutive IPF patients (22 men, 3 women) were prospectively recruited. The patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/HRCT. The pulmonary imaging findings in the IPF patients were compared to the findings in a control population. Pulmonary uptake of 18F-FDG (mean SUV) was quantified at sites of morphologically normal parenchyma on HRCT. SUVs were also corrected for tissue fraction (TF). The mean SUV in IPF patients was compared with that in 25 controls (patients with lymphoma in remission or suspected paraneoplastic syndrome with normal PET/CT appearances). Results: The pulmonary SUV (mean ± SD) uncorrected for TF in the controls was 0.48 ± 0.14 and 0.78 ± 0.24 taken from normal lung regions in IPF patients (p < 0.001). The TF-corrected mean SUV in the controls was 2.24 ± 0.29 and 3.24 ± 0.84 in IPF patients (p < 0.001). Conclusion: IPF patients have increased pulmonary uptake of 18F-FDG on PET in areas of lung with a normal morphological appearance on HRCT. This may have implications for determining disease mechanisms and treatment monitoring. © 2013 The Author(s)

Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor of the Vulva: A Multimodal Treatment Approach

Background. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare in the gynecological population and have a high risk for local and distant failures. Multimodal management of a patient with MPNST of the vulva and review of the literature are outlined. Case. A 34-year-old woman presented with a complaint of a rapidly increasing pelvic mass, pain, and difficulty ambulating. A disfiguring 20 × 20-cm vulvar mass was identified and a recurrent MPNST diagnosed. Therapy included external-beam radiation, anterior pelvic exenteration with pelvic reconstruction, and adjuvant chemotherapy without complication. Conclusion. It is recommended that for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors of the vulva, complete surgical resection be performed with adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy in selected cases

Sigmoid impaction secondary to urinary stones: case report and review of literature

This is the first case report of a Miami pouch sigmoid fistula developing passage of urinary stones resulting in the presentation of constipation secondary to impaction. A 49-year-old woman who developed a recurrence of invasive squamous cell cervical carcinoma 1 year after pelvis radiation. She then underwent anterior pelvic exenteration and creation of a Miami pouch. Approximately 14 years after the primary radiation therapy and 13 years after the creation of the exenterative procedure, the patient developed a Miami pouch sigmoid fistula. The decision was made at this time to repair the fistula and remove the urinary stones from the sigmoid colon. Postoperatively, the patient remained continent using intermittent catheterization of the pouch and there was no evidence of recurrence of the cancer. Conservative management of urinary reservoir complications should always be considered before surgical intervention is attempted. When indicated, surgical management should not be delayed

Optimal surgical cytoreduction in patients with Stage III and Stage IV endometrial carcinoma: a study of morbidity and survival

Objective. To evaluate the survival impact of residual disease at the time of primary surgery for patients with Stage III and IV endometrial carcinoma; to assess morbidity associated with surgical cytoreduction. Method. All patients with endometrial carcinoma who underwent primary surgical therapy at the University of Miami between January 1, 1990 and June 1, 2002 were identified. Patients meeting FIGO criteria for Stage III or IV disease were selected. Papillary serous and clear cell histology was excluded. Results. Eighty-five patients were identified: 66 Stage III and 19 Stage IV. Only Stage IIIC and Stage IV were included in survival analysis: 72% (33 Stage IIIC, 9 Stage IV) had optimal cytoreduction and 28% (6 Stage IIIC, 10 Stage IV) had suboptimal cytoreduction. The median survival for Stage IIIC and IV disease was 6.7 months for patients with suboptimal cytoreduction and 17.8 months for patients with optimal cytoreduction ( P = 0.001). The proportion of patients with major postoperative complications (37.50% vs. 7.25%, P = 0.005), unplanned postoperative SICU admissions (31.25% vs. 7.25%, P = 0.018), and length of hospital stay exceeding 15 days (31.25% vs. 4.35%, P = 0.005) was greater in patients with suboptimal cytoreductive surgery. Conclusions. Overall survival is lower and morbidity is higher in patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma having suboptimal cytoreduction at the time of primary surgery. Patients with suspected advanced stage endometrial carcinoma should be counseled on the potential benefits of optimal cytoreductive surgery. Alternative treatment options should be considered in those patients with surgically unresectable disease

A phase I study of docetaxel as a radio-sensitizer for locally advanced squamous cell cervical cancer

This study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of weekly docetaxel with concurrent radiotherapy (RT) for the primary treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Eligible patients included those with locally advanced squamous cell cervical cancer without para-aortic lymph node involvement. Docetaxel dose levels were 20 mg/m 2, 30 mg/m 2 and 40 mg/m 2 given intravenously weekly for 6 cycles. Three patients were to be treated at each dose level and 6 to receive the MTD. Fifteen patients completed 4–6 cycles of chemotherapy. One of three patients experienced 2 delayed grade 3 severe adverse events (SAE) at the 20 mg/m 2 dose level consisting of colonic and ureteral obstruction. At the 30 mg/m 2 dose level, 1/4 patients had a probable treatment-related celiotomy due to obstipation and a necrotic tumor. Of the 8 patients treated at the 40 mg/m 2 dose level, 1 experienced grade 3 pneumonitis, likely treatment related. Overall, 10/15 (67%) experienced grade 1 or 2 diarrhea, 6 had grade 2 hematologic toxicity, and 2 had grade 2 hypersensitivity. 10 of 16 patients (67%) had no evidence of disease with follow-up ranging from 10–33 months (average 23 months). The recommended phase II dose of docetaxel administered weekly with concurrent radiotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix is 40 mg/m 2

Prophylactic Negative Pressure Wound Therapy After Laparotomy for Gynecologic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effectiveness of prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy in patients undergoing laparotomy for gynecologic surgery. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial. Eligible, consenting patients, regardless of body mass index (BMI), who were undergoing laparotomy for presumed gynecologic malignancy were randomly allocated to standard gauze or negative pressure wound therapy. Patients with BMIs of 40 or greater and benign disease also were eligible. Randomization, stratified by BMI, occurred after skin closure. The primary outcome was wound complication within 30 (±5) days of surgery. A sample size of 343 per group (N=686) was planned. RESULTS: From March 1, 2016, to August 20, 2019, we identified 663 potential patients; 289 were randomized to negative pressure wound therapy (254 evaluable participants) and 294 to standard gauze (251 evaluable participants), for a total of 505 evaluable patients. The median age of the entire cohort was 61 years (range 20-87). Four hundred ninety-five patients (98%) underwent laparotomy for malignancy. The trial was eventually stopped for futility after an interim analysis of 444 patients. The rate of wound complications was 17.3% in the negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) group and 16.3% in the gauze group, absolute risk difference 1% (90% CI -4.5 to 6.5%; P=.77). Adjusted odds ratio controlling for estimated blood loss and diabetes was 0.99 (90% CI 0.62-1.60). Skin blistering occurred in 33 patients (13%) in the NPWT group and in three patients (1.2%) in the gauze group (P\u3c.001). CONCLUSION: Negative pressure wound therapy after laparotomy for gynecologic surgery did not lower the wound complication rate but did increase skin blistering. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02682316. FUNDING SOURCE: The protocol was supported in part by KCI/Acelity