Anatomical pancreatic variants in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm patients : a cross-sectional study

Background No previous studies have examined the possible relationship between intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) and the developmental ductal variations of the pancreas, such as an ansa pancreatica and a meandering main pancreatic duct (MMPD). Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled 214 patients, 108 with IPMN disease and 106 subjects from a community at the tertiary care unit. The main pancreatic duct (MPD) was evaluated in the head of the pancreas by its course, which were non-MMPD: descending, vertical, and sigmoid, or MMPD including loop types, reverse-Z subtypes, and an N-shape, which was identified for the first time in this study. IPMN patients were also evaluated for worrisome features (WF) or high-risk stigmata (HRS), and the extent of IPMN cysts. Results Among IPMN patients, 18.4% had MMPD, which we observed in only 3.0% of the control group (P < 0.001). Patients with MMPD were more likely to belong to the IPMN group compared with non-MMPD patients [odds ratio (OR) 6.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2-24.9]. Compared with a descending shape MPD, IPMN patients with an N-shaped MPD were more likely to have a cystic mural nodule (OR 5.9, 95% CI 1.02-36.0). The presence of ansa pancreatica associated with more extent IPMN disease (OR 12.8, 95% CI 2.6-127.7). Conclusions IPMN patients exhibited an MMPD more often than control patients. Ansa pancreatica associated with multiple cysts. Furthermore, an N-shape in IPMN patients associated with cystic mural nodules, suggesting that this shape serves as a risk factor for more severe IPMN.Peer reviewe

Pitkät yhtäjaksoiset yksilöterapiat : Terapioiden merkitys kuntoutujan ja kuntoutuksen eri toimijoiden näkökulmista

Tässä tutkimuksessa selvitettiin kuntoutumisen merkityksiä pitkään yhtäjaksoisesti avomuotoista yksilöterapiaa saaneille kuntoutujille ja kuntoutuksen toteutumista kuntoutujan, palveluntuottajan ja hoitavan tahon näkökulmasta. Tutkimus on osa Kelan Pitkät yhtäjaksoiset yksilöterapiat -tutkimusta. Tutkimuksen kohderyhmä olivat vuoden 2015 Kelan kuntoutustietojen mukaan avomuotoista fysio-, musiikki-, puhe- ja toimintaterapiaa sekä neuropsykologista kuntoutusta yhtäjaksoisesti yli 5 vuotta saaneet kuntoutujat. Tutkimukseen osallistui 30 kuntoutujaa (8–64 vuotta), 30 terapeuttia ja 6 lääkäriä. Aineisto kerättiin teemahaastatteluilla, jotka nauhoitettiin ja litteroitiin. Haastattelujen lisäksi laadullisen sisällönanalyysin aineistona olivat kuntoutussuunnitelmat, -palautteet ja -päätökset. Kaikki haastatellut kokivat avokuntoutuksen hyödylliseksi, terapian jatkumiselle löytyi perusteita ja kaikki olivat edistyneet tai heidän toimintakykynsä oli pysynyt ennallaan viimeisimmänkin terapiavuoden aikana. Pitkään jatkuneen avokuntoutuksen merkitys haastatelluille kuntoutujille rakentuu laaja-alaisista hyödyistä kuntoutujan arkeen, osallistumiseen ja elämänlaatuun. Aineistossa toistuu hyvin toimivan kuntoutuksen moninainen hyöty myös yhteiskunnalle. Tämän tutkimuksen perusteella pitkiä yhtäjaksoisia yksilöterapioita tulisi kehittää hyödyntämällä toimintakyvyn arviointimenetelmiä, näyttöön perustuvaa toimintaa ja suosituksia sekä kuntoutuspalautteiden kirjaamista niin, että palautteissa tulisi selkeämmin esille niin kuntoutujan toimintakyvyn, tavoitteiden kuin terapian toteutuksenkin muutokset. Haastattelut tehtiin keväällä 2016, jolloin uusi laki Kelan vaativasta kuntoutuksesta oli juuri tullut voimaan. Tutkimusaineisto kuvaa vanhan lain ja Kelan standardien mukaan toteutettua pitkää vaikeavammaisten avokuntoutusta, eikä tuloksista voi tehdä johtopäätöksiä uuden vaativan lääkinnällisen kuntoutuksen lain mukaisesta tai määrittämästä kuntoutuksen toteutuksesta.peerReviewedVertaisarvioit

Sensory profiles in women with neuropathic pain after breast cancer surgery

Purpose We performed a detailed analysis of sensory function in patients with chronic post-surgical neuropathic pain (NP) after breast cancer treatments by quantitative sensory testing (QST) with DFNS (German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain) protocol and bed side examination (BE). The nature of sensory changes in peripheral NP may reflect distinct pathophysiological backgrounds that can guide the treatment choices. NP with sensory gain (i.e., hyperesthesia, hyperalgesia, allodynia) has been shown to respond to Na+-channel blockers (e.g., oxcarbazepine). Methods 104 patients with at least "probable" NP in the surgical area were included. All patients had been treated for breast cancer 4-9 years ago and the handling of the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) was verified by the surgeon. QST was conducted at the site of NP in the surgical or nearby area and the corresponding contralateral area. BE covered the upper body and sensory abnormalities were marked on body maps and digitalized for area calculation. The outcomes of BE and QST were compared to assess the value of QST in the sensory examination of this patient group. Results Loss of function in both small and large fibers was a prominent feature in QST in the area of post-surgical NP. QST profiles did not differ between spared and resected ICBN. In BE, hypoesthesia on multiple modalities was highly prevalent. The presence of sensory gain in BE was associated with more intense pain. Conclusions Extensive sensory loss is characteristic for chronic post-surgical NP several years after treatment for breast cancer. These patients are unlikely to respond to Na+-channel blockers.Peer reviewe

Temporal genetic structure in a poecilogonous polychaete: the interplay of developmental mode and environmental stochasticity

Background: Temporal variation in the genetic structure of populations can be caused by multiple factors, including natural selection, stochastic environmental variation, migration, or genetic drift. In benthic marine species, the developmental mode of larvae may indicate a possibility for temporal genetic variation: species with dispersive planktonic larvae are expected to be more likely to show temporal genetic variation than species with benthic or brooded non-dispersive larvae, due to differences in larval mortality and dispersal ability. We examined temporal genetic structure in populations of Pygospio elegans, a poecilogonous polychaete with within-species variation in developmental mode. P. elegans produces either planktonic, benthic, or intermediate larvae, varying both among and within populations, providing a within-species test of the generality of a relationship between temporal genetic variation and larval developmental mode. Results: In contrast to our expectations, our microsatellite analyses of P. elegans revealed temporal genetic stability in the UK population with planktonic larvae, whereas there was variation indicative of drift in temporal samples of the populations from the Baltic Sea, which have predominantly benthic and intermediate larvae. We also detected temporal variation in relatedness within these populations. A large temporal shift in genetic structure was detected in a population from the Netherlands, having multiple developmental modes. This shift could have been caused by local extiction due to extreme environmental conditions and (re)colonization by planktonic larvae from neighboring populations. Conclusions: In our study of P. elegans, temporal genetic variation appears to be due to not only larval developmental mode, but also the stochastic environment of adults. Large temporal genetic shifts may be more likely in marine intertidal habitats (e.g. North Sea and Wadden Sea) which are more prone to environmental stochasticity than the sub-tidal Baltic habitats. Sub-tidal and/or brackish (less saline) habitats may support smaller P. elegans populations and these may be more susceptible to the effects of random genetic drift. Moreover, higher frequencies of asexual reproduction and the benthic larval developmental mode in these populations leads to higher relatedness and contributes to drift. Our results indicate that a general relationship between larval developmental mode and temporal genetic variation may not exist

MRI follow-up for pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm : an ultrashort versus long protocol

Purpose To evaluate whether an ultrashort-protocol (USP) MRI including only T2-weighted HASTE axial and 3D MRCP SPACE sequences adequately measures the largest diameter of the largest cyst and the main pancreatic duct (MPD) and identifies worrisome features (WF) and high-risk stigmata (HRS) when compared to longer protocols (LP, long protocol; SP, short protocol; S-LP, short or long protocol). We also calculated reductions in costs associated with USP. Methods This retrospective study included 183 IPMN patients. Two radiologists compared two imaging sets (USP versus S-LP) per patient, comparing the mean values of the largest cyst and MPD and agreement regarding the presence or absence of cystic or MPD mural nodules and solid pancreatic tumors. The interobserver agreement for cystic mural nodules and WF/HRS was evaluated, using the Bland-Altman plot and Cohen's Kappa. Results A total of 112 IPMN patients were evaluated. For detecting cysts or MPD nodules, WF/HRS, and solid pancreatic tumors, USP and S-LP coincided in 94.9%, 99.1%, 92.4%, and 99.1% of cases, respectively. Both USP and S-LP identified all true cystic mural nodules. The mean size of the largest cyst and MPD was 19.48/19.67 mm and 3.24/3.33 mm using USP versus S-LP, while the mean differences for USP versus S-LP were 0.19 mm and 0.08 mm. The USP cost was 39% of LP cost and 77% of SP. Interobserver agreement was moderate to strong. Conclusions For IPMN surveillance, an ultrashort-protocol MRI provides nearly identical information to the more expensive longer protocols.Peer reviewe