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PubMed2001

[Surgical treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer patient selection and oncological outcome].

The indications for surgical resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer remain controversial. Clinical, pathological, and outcome data for 418 consecutive patients undergoing hepatectomy between 1984 and 1998 were examined. The over-all 5-year survival rate was 42%, and the 10-year survival rate was 31%. The 5-year survival rate of patients with four or more nodules was 24%, with 20 patients surviving for more than 5 years. Five factors were found to be significant and independent predictors of poor long-term outcome by multivariate analysis. The preoperative scoring system reported by Fong et al was double-checked in our 418 patients and was found to be useful to predict long-term outcome after hepatectomy. It is clear that liver resection alone has limitations. Therefore clinical risk scoring (CRS) and effective intravenous systemic chemotherapy to prevent recurrence both in the remaining liver and lung should be established to improve survival outcome in patients with poor prognostic factors after liver resection.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed2002

Thyroid diseases in pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: Changes in thyroid function in pregnancy encompass both hyper- and hypothyroidism. Failure to maintain euthyroidism may place both mother and foetus at higher risk of adverse obstetrical outcomes. This review examines the differences between physiological and pathological thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and their management. METHODS: Data were obtained from relevant clinical studies and review articles listed in MEDLINE. Additional cross-references from selected articles were identified. RESULTS: In hyperthyroidism, the challenge lies in differentiating gestational transient thyrotoxicosis (GTT) from actual pathological states during the first trimester. GTT is thought to be due to elevation of isoforms of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) which may exert potent thyrotrophic effects. While thionamides are safe, the lowest possible dose should be used together with close monitoring of maternal thyroid function in order to avoid over-treatment. Surgery for thyroid nodules may be safely performed during the second trimester. Conversely, diagnosing hypothyroid states, particularly subclinical hypothyroidism and postpartum thyroiditis (PPT), require a high index of suspicion. High levels of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in early pregnancy may be predictive of PPT and subsequent permanent hypothyroidism. Clinicians must recognise the need to increase thyroxine replacement as maternal hypothyroidism may adversely affect the IQ scores of children. The association between thyroid autoimmunity and recurrent abortions remain unclear. CONCLUSION: Regardless of the aetiology of thyroid dysfunction, the key to management lies in individualized therapy in close collaboration with the obstetrician.

Antibodies↗
PubMed2005

[Clinical experience of treating infection after total hip arthroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To present the experience in the management of the infected total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: Forty-three cases (44 hips) of infection after THA were reviewed. Eighteen women and 25 men with a mean age of 54 years (range, 24-81 years) were studied. Follow-up ranged from 5 months to 16 years (mean, 3.2 years). Treatment strategies included: one-stage revision (n = 7), two-stage revision (n = 15), resection arthroplasty (n = 13), debridement and retain prosthesis (n = 5), and others (n = 3). RESULTS: Forty cases had positive culture result with 59 organisms including 19 staphylococcus epidermidis and 10 staphylococcus aureus. Thirty-six cases had been followed up, and no case had infection recurrence. Twenty-nine cases had postoperative Harris hip score averaged 78.5 (45-98). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis and treatment of infection after hip replacement is very difficult. The violence and antibiotic resistant rate of the organisms is high. Two-stage reconstruction of the infected hip is useful and effective because of higher eradication rate of the infection and good postoperative functional result.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Prognosis of the long-term results of selective proximal vagotomy].

A selective proximal vagotomy risk map was created on the basis of risk factors of selective proximal vagotomy (SPV). The severity of initial state of the patient was determined by the map and expressed in scoring system. Four degrees of risk of unfavourable remote results of the operative procedure were established. The result was found to depend on the sum of scored points and risk degree. It was found that recurrent ulcers were most probable after isolated SPV, dumping syndrome followed SPV with the Finney pyloroplasty, other functional disorders took place after SPV with gastroduodenostomy after Jabuley.

Duodenal Ulcer↗
PubMed1993

[Prognostic factors in the surgery for intracranial meningioma. Role of the tumoral size and arterial vascularization originating from the pia mater. Study of 150 cases].

The authors report a series of 150 consecutive patients operated on for an intracranial meningioma over a period of 14 years (1974-1988). The patients were aged from 15 to 85 years (mean: 58 y; 49 were over 60 y) and severely disabled preoperatively in 42 cases (Karnofsky score 10 to 60). Tumors were located in the convexity in 22% the parasagittal region and falx in 24%, the skull base in 14% and the posterior fossa in 13%. In 21 cases the diameter of the tumor was less than 3 cm, in 86 it ranged from 3 to 6 cm, and in 43 cases it was more than 6 cm (29%). Tumor was hypervascularized in 51% of cases. Peritumoral edema was present in 73 of the 106 patients studied (69%). The tumor was removed completely (grade I and II of Simpson classification) in 136 cases (91%). Post-operative mortality was 10%. 88.5% of the surviving patients had a normal life with a score of 80 to 100 according to Karnofsky scale. Recurrence rate amounted at 3.3%. Mortality and severe morbidity (poor outcome) were assessed and correlated with sex, age, tumor, size, location, vascularization, peritumoral edema and histology. From this retrospective study the only predictives of a poor outcome, statistically significant, were: severe preoperative neurological conditions (p < 0.001) and tumor size (p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant correlation with the other parameters. Cortical arteries participation to tumor vascularization, in a equal part of more than the dural arteries, led to subpial dissection for achieving complete tumor removal. This was a source of hemorrhagic infarction through ischemia, with patent neurological deficits for rolandic meningiomas (p = 0.001). The importance of pial supply of the tumor was correlated with its size (p < 0.001). Pial supply of the tumour and consequently subpial dissection were foreseeable in the preoperative study: on selective angiography (p < 0.001) and the presence of peritumoral edema on CT scan (p < 0.001). The authors conclude that besides the "classic" pronostic factors (preoperative neurological conditions, tumor size), the mode of vascularization of the tumor (pial supply) plays an important role in the possibility or not to find an extra pial plan of dissection from the adjacent parenchyma, and consequently in the neurological outcome of the patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Trauma recidivism in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of recurrent trauma in the elderly is unknown. This study evaluated the risk of readmission for injury among elderly trauma patients compared with an uninjured geriatric cohort. The effects of age, sex, race, preexisting illness, and ISS on trauma recidivism were determined. METHODS: Population based retrospective cohort analysis of the elderly using administrative data from the Health Care Financing Administration was performed. The measured outcome was trauma admission within 5 years. The injured were identified using hospital discharge data and the Injury Severity Score generated by ICD-Map. The uninjured were identified from Medicare eligibility files. Comorbid illness was assessed using ICD-9CM codes from outpatient and inpatient data files. RESULTS: The injured members of the cohort had increased risk of subsequent new trauma admission (p < 0.001). Increasing Injury Severity Score, age, and comorbid illness are associated with trauma recidivism. CONCLUSION: Trauma in the elderly is recurrent. Further study is required to develop age and injury specific interventions to prevent recurrent injury.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2003

Clinicopathologic features, cellular differentiation, PCNA and P53 expressions in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are currently defined, as specific c-kit positive primary mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Although increasing tumor size and mitotic activity favours aggressive behaviour, no specific histological criteria that enable the prediction of biological behaviour have yet been identified. The purpose of this study is, (1) to determine whether cell differentiation of gastrointestinal stromal tumors could be detected through their expression of various antigens, (2) to correlate their macroscopic and histologic features with cell differentiation, p53 expression, PCNA score and clinical outcome. METHODOLOGY: 65 gastrointestinal stromal tumors were included in this study. All cases were reviewed in terms of clinical presentation and courses. The cell morphology, growth pattern, cellularity, pleomorphism, mucosal invasion, necrosis and mitotic index were evaluated. Tissue sections were immunostained with CD117, CD34, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and S-100 protein. PCNA score and p53 expressions were investigated to determine whether these could be used as prognostic indicator. RESULTS: Clinical outcome was obtained for 42 of the 65 patients. The follow-up time ranged from 1 to 240 months (median: 20 months). The tumors occurred in 34 female and 31 male patients, ranging in age from 1.5 months to 80 years (median: 53 years). Tumors were located in the stomach (19), duodenum (10), jejunum and ileum (19), the colon (5), the anorectal region (5) and in the mesentery or omentum (7). 55 tumors had spindle, 7 showed spindle and epithelioid, 3 had pure epithelioid morphology. Mitotic rate was found significantly different between probably benign 11 cases and recurrent 11 and metastatic 25 cases (p=0.001). Immunohistochemically, CD117 positivity was found 52 tumors (80%). 4 of 13 CD117 negative tumors were positive for CD34. 4 of 9 tumors showing were also a-SMA and S-100 negative. CD34 positivity was determinated in 44 tumors (67.6%). alpha-SMA reactivity was seen in 39 tumors (60%). Only 5 tumors showed S-100 protein reactivity (7.69%). Statistically, mitotic rate was found significantly different between probably benign 11 cases and recurrent 11 and metastatic 14 cases (p=0.001). Furthermore, there were significant differences between the probably benign neoplasms and recurrent or metastatic cases in following parameters; p53 expression, PCNA score, presence of necrosis and cellularity. CONCLUSIONS: GISTs could be specifically differentiated neoplasms and their some other aspects should be clarified such as relations with c-kit and other oncogenes and dual or "null" differentiation in the same neoplasm.

Actins↗
PubMed2006

Management strategies for brittle diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an intrinsically unstable condition. However, the term "brittle diabetes" is reserved for those cases in which the instability, whatever its cause, results in disruption of life and often recurrent and/or prolonged hospitalization. It affects 3/1000 insulin-dependent diabetic patients, mainly young women. Its prognosis is poor with lower quality of life scores, more microvascular and pregnancy complications and shortened life expectancy. Three forms have been described: recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis, predominant hypoglycemic forms and mixed instability. Main causes of brittleness include malabsorption, certain drugs (alcohol, antipsychotics), defective insulin absorption or degradation, defect of hyperglycemic hormones especially glucocorticoid and glucagon, and above all delayed gastric emptying as a result of autonomic neuropathy. Psychosocial factors are very important and factitious brittleness may lead to a self-perpetuating condition. The assessment of brittle diabetes requires quantification of the variability of blood glucose levels. To quantify instability, measures which have been developed, include Mean Amplitude of the largest Glycemic Excursions (MAGE), Mean Of Daily Differences (MODD), Lability Index (LI), Low Blood Glucose Index (LBGI), Clarke's score, Hyposcore, and continuous blood glucose monitoring. Once psychogenic problems have been excluded, therapeutic strategies require firstly, the treatment of underlying organic causes of the brittleness whenever possible and secondly optimising standard insulin therapy using analogues, multiple injections and consideration of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion. Alternative approaches may still be needed for the most severely affected patients. Isolated islet transplantation (IIT), which restores glucose sensing, should be considered in cases of hypoglycaemic unawareness and/or lability especially if the body mass index is < 25, but with current immunosuppressive protocols patients must have normal renal function and preferably no plans for pregnancy. Implantable pumps have advantages for patients who either weigh more than 80 kgs or have abnormalities of kidney or liver function or are highly sensitised.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1↗
PubMed2002

[Prognostic value of CLIP score system for patients with resection of hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of CLIP score system for patients with resection of HCC. METHODS: A retrospective survey was carried out in 174 patients undergoing resection of HCC from January 1986 to June 1998. 153 of 174 patients with curative resection were followed up for at least three years. Disease-free survival rate was defined as the time relapsed from the date of image diagnosis and either the date of death or the date of the latest follow-up visit, with final evaluation at June 30, 2001. Recurrences were classified into early (</= 3 year) and late (> 3 year) recurrence. Risk factors for recurrences and prognostic factors for survival in each group were analyzed by the chi-square test, the Kalain-Meier estimation and the COX proportional hazards model respectively. RESULTS: The 1-, 3-, 5-, 7-, and 10-year cumulative disease free survival rates were 57.2%, 28.3%, 23.5%, 18.8% and 17.8%, respectively. The associated factors with early recurrence were as fellows: tumor size > 5 cm, microsatellite, venous invasion, tumor morphology, tumor extension, advanced TNM stages, CLIP scores, radical resection, and resection margin, respectively. But both CLIP scores and Child stage were associated with late recurrence. Univariate survival curves analysis expressed that Child grades, radical resection, resection margin, tumor size, microsatellite, venous invasion, tumor morphology, tumor extension, TNM stages, and CLIP scores were associated with prognosis. The multivariate analysis by COX proportional hazards model, the independent prognostic factors for survival were radical resection, resection margin, and TNM stages. CONCLUSIONS: CLIP score, which takes into account both liver function and tumor extension, has displayed a unique superiority in predicting the tumor early and late recurrence and prognosis. It could be an useful tool in predicting the patient recurrence and prognosis with resection of HCC. Meanwhile, it may help physicians to decide the more appropriate management in advance for patients with HCC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Daily physical activity and the use of a walking aid in relation to falls in elderly people in a residential care setting.

Physical activity is usually considered as an important component of a healthy lifestyle, including a preventive effect on the risk of falls in the elderly. The relationship between physical activity and falls is complex: physical activity is a prerequisite to maintain neuromuscular functioning, necessary to keep balance and to react to a fall, but a higher level of physical activity also implies a greater exposure to environmental threats, possibly leading to a fall. Related to this greater exposure to threats, the use of a walking aid may protect against falls in those who have impaired mobility. In this cross-sectional study we investigated the relationship between daily physical activity and falls and the use of a walking aid in elderly subjects. Participants were 131 men and 563 women, aged 70 years and over (mean age and standard deviation: 82+/-6 years), living in homes for the elderly (n=335) and apartment houses for elderly (n=359). Data on baseline characteristics and falls in the previous year were obtained using a questionnaire. The level of daily physical activity in the previous year was obtained by means of a questionnaire regarding household and leisure activities. Subjects with a lower extremity fracture in the previous year were excluded from the analyses. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression, adjusted for age, gender, and residence. In the past year, 40% of the participants fell at least one time, and 19% of the participants fell two times or more. Since falls and recurrent falls were nonlinearly related to the level of daily physical activity, the physical activity score was grouped into quartiles: the highest quartile corresponding to the highest activity level. Odds ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) for falls and recurrent falls for subjects in the highest quartile contrasted with those in the lowest quartile were 0.5 (0.3-0.9) and 0.3 (0.2-0.6), respectively. The risk of falls and recurrent falls was not lower for those with intermediate levels of daily physical activity. The use of a walking aid protected against falls in those with intermediate high activity levels (third quartile). It was suggested that the exposure to environmental hazards, due to some degree of physical activity may have been responsible for the nonlinear relationship between daily physical activity and falling. We conclude that a high activity level and the use of a walking aid may protect against falls.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2004

Long-term follow-up of patients with low back pain attending for manipulative care: outcomes and predictors.

Psychosocial factors are known to act as obstacles to recovery from low back pain, but predictors of longer-term outcomes are not established. An average 4-year follow-up of a cohort of 252 low back pain patients attending for manipulative care was conducted to describe the longer-term course of low back pain, and to identify predictors of outcomes. Clinical and psychosocial data were obtained at baseline. Mailed questionnaires collected self-reported outcomes (pain, disability, recurrence and care seeking). Among the 60% who responded, the statistically significant reduction in mean Roland Disability Questionnaire score seen at 1 year did not improve further during follow-up. At the 4-year point, 49% of respondents reported residual disability, and 59% reported at least 'mild' pain. Symptom recurrence beyond the 1-year point was reported by 78% of respondents, with half of them seeking further care. Recurrence and care seeking were related to fear avoidance beliefs and duration of presenting symptoms. The disability score at 4-years was statistically significantly related to baseline depressive symptoms and higher pain intensity. Low back pain presenting for manipulative care is characterized by high levels of recurrence and care seeking over at least 4-years for many patients. Because psychosocial factors at presentation exert a long-term influence, they need to be considered by manual therapists.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

A modified capsular shift for atraumatic anterior-inferior shoulder instability.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcome of a modified inferior capsular shift procedure in patients with atraumatic anterior-inferior shoulder instability by analyzing a consecutive series of patients who had undergone a modified inferior capsular shift for this specific type of shoulder instability. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Between 1992 and 1997, 38 shoulders of 35 patients with atraumatic anterior-inferior shoulder instability that were unresponsive to nonoperative management were operated on using a modified capsular shift procedure with longitudinal incision of the capsule medially and a bony fixation of the inferior flap to the glenoid and labrum in the 1 o'clock to 3 o'clock position. The patient study group consisted of 9 men and 26 women with a mean age of 25.4 years (range, 15-55 years) at the time of surgery. The mean follow-up was 7.4 years (range, 4.0-11.4 years); 1 patient was lost to follow-up directly after surgery. The study group was evaluated according to the Rowe score. RESULTS: After 7.4 years, 2 patients experienced a single redislocation or resubluxation, 1 patient had recurrent dislocations, and 1 patient had a positive apprehension sign, which is an overall redislocation rate of 10.5%. The average Rowe score increased to 90.6 (SD = 19.7) points from 36.2 (SD = 13.5) points before surgery. Seventy-two percent of the patients participating in sports returned to their preoperative level of competition. CONCLUSIONS: Results in this series demonstrate the efficacy and durability of a modified capsular shift procedure for the treatment of atraumatic anterior-inferior shoulder instability.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Eosinophilia in nasal polyposis: its objective quantification and clinical relevance.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilia within nasal polyps is often taken as a criterion for adjuvant medical treatment postoperatively such as topical steroids. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed in order to validate a new technique for objective quantification of eosinophilia by using laser scanning cytometry (LSC), to compare these results with manual scoring and routine histopathology, and to correlate them with the history of allergy or recurrence. METHODS: LSC was used for semi-automated analysis of single-cell preparations from representative ethmoidal polyps obtained during routine paranasal sinus surgery (n=41). This microscope-based instrument scans the cells after immobilization of cells on a glass slide and after triple staining of cytokeratin, eosinophilic granula, and DNA. The location of each cell is stored with the fluorescence data. Therefore, the morphology of every cell can be documented by re-staining with haemotoxylin and eosin and re-localization on the slide. Subsequently, slides were subjected to manual scoring. The remaining polyps were analysed by routine histopathology. RESULTS: Data from LSC and manual scoring showed good correlation (r=0.81, P<0.001), whereas there were discrepancies with histopathology. Eosinophilia scored by LSC and histopathology was neither correlated with the history of allergy nor with recurrence as determined by Fisher's exact test independent of the definition of eosinophilia (> or =2%, > or =3%, or > or =5% of all cells). CONCLUSION: Scoring eosinophilia by LSC in comparison with histopathology does not contribute to a more reliable basis for adjuvant medical therapy in nasal polyposis. Instead, functional parameters (cytokine production, apoptosis) may serve better.

Eosinophilia↗
PubMed2004

Biochemical recurrence and survival prediction models for the management of clinically localized prostate cancer.

A number of new predictive modeling techniques have emerged in the past several years. These methods, which have been developed in fields such as artificial intelligence research, engineering, and meteorology, are now being applied to problems in medicine with promising results. This review outlines our recent work with use of selected advanced techniques such as artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms, and propensity scoring to develop useful models for estimating the risk of biochemical recurrence and long-term survival in men with clinically localized prostate cancer. In addition, we include a description of our efforts to develop a comprehensive prostate cancer database that, along with these novel modeling techniques, provides a powerful research tool that allows for the stratification of risk for treatment failure and survival by such factors as age, race, and comorbidities. Clinical and pathologic data from 1400 patients were used to develop the biochemical recurrence model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for this model was 0.83, with a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 74%. For the survival model, data from 6149 men were used. Our analysis indicated that age, income, and comorbidities had a statistically significant impact on survival. The effect of race did not reach statistical significance in this regard. The C index value for the model was 0.69 for overall survival. We conclude that these methods, along with a comprehensive database, allow for the development of models that provide estimates of treatment failure risk and survival probability that are more meaningful and clinically useful than those previously developed.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Dental caries in a group of 15 to 16-year-olds from Göteborg. Part I.

301 adolescents aged 15 to 16 years (158 girls and 143 boys) were examined for caries under standardized conditions during the fall and spring terms of 1987/88. Clinical examinations, performed by two calibrated examiners were supplemented with posterior bite-wing radiographs which were assessed by one of the examiners. The mean DFT and DFS scores (incipient lesions included) were 9.8 and 19.4, respectively. The mean DFS score (dentin lesions+restorations) was 6.4. On average 1.9 surfaces had frank cavities or recurrent lesions and 13 surfaces had incipient lesions. Occlusal surfaces contributed 75%, approximal 21% and bucco-linqual 4% to the manifest component of the DFS score (4.8, 1.4 and 0.2 surfaces, respectively). 3% of the incipient lesions were found occlusally, 51% approximally and 46% bucco-linqually (0.4, 6.6 and 5.9 surfaces, respectively). Only 3% of the participants were completely free from caries, whereas 9% had no dentin lesions or restorations. 15% of the subjects with the highest caries prevalence averaged 15.8 dentin lesions or restorations. A tendency towards polarization of low and high caries prevalence groups was observed. Totally 91% of the individuals had occlusal caries, 82% approximal and 76% bucco-lingual, whereas dentin lesions or restorations had 88%, 42% and 14%, respectively.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Prospective randomized comparison of teres cardiopexy and Nissen fundoplication in the surgical therapy of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Teres cardiopexy was compared with Nissen fundoplication in a prospective randomized study of surgery for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease refractory to medical treatment. Follow-up at 3 months of ten patients undergoing each procedure showed good clinical results and improvement of the mean symptom score in both groups, for cardiopexy from 7.8 to 1.1 (P < 0.01) and for fundoplication from 5.7 to 0.2 (P < 0.01). After 1 year, six of the ten patients undergoing cardiopexy required a second antireflux procedure because of recurrent disease, whereas one reoperation was performed after fundoplication. The mean symptom score after 1 year was higher in patients submitted to cardiopexy than in those receiving fundoplication (3.9 versus 0.3, P < 0.01). The mean endoscopic oesophagitis score after 1 year was no different from preoperative values after cardiopexy (1.9 versus 1.9) but was significantly lower after fundoplication (1.5 versus 0.3, P = 0.01). Ambulatory 24-h pH monitoring showed a significantly higher proportion of total time at pH < 4 after cardiopexy than fundoplication (24.0 versus 3.8 per cent, P < 0.05). Cardiopexy is significantly less effective than fundoplication for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease assessed at 1-year follow-up. This study does not support the use of cardiopexy either in conventional or laparoscopic antireflux surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Influence of phototherapy treatment duration for seasonal affective disorder: outcome at one vs. two weeks.

Most previous phototherapy research has been conducted on trials of 1 week duration. This study compares response to phototherapy at weeks 1 and 2. All subjects (n = 26) were between 18 and 65 years and met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd ed, revised, (DSM III-R) criteria for major depression, recurrent, seasonal pattern and had a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score (HAM-D) > or = 20. A rater blinded to treatment schedule and study hypothesis repeated the HAM-D-31 1 and 2 weeks after baseline to assess treatment response to bright light. Response rates at week 1 defined by 50% reduction in HAM-D-31 and HAM-D-31 score < 8 were 62% and 27%, respectively. At week 2, however, 65% had a 50% reduction in HAM-D-31 and 62% had a HAM-D-31 < score 8 (chi-square = 6, p = 0.01). Four patients (15%) who were nonresponders at week 1 responded after 2 weeks. The results show a statistically different outcome after 2 weeks of treatment and suggest the necessity of longer trials of phototherapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

A new esophageal stent design (Niti-S stent) for the prevention of migration: a prospective study in 42 patients.

BACKGROUND: Covered, rather than uncovered, metal stents are used for the palliation of dysphagia from esophageal cancer, but a major drawback is the risk of stent migration, which occurs in up to 20% of patients. To overcome this problem, a double-layered stent, the Niti-S stent (Taewong Medical, Seoul, Korea), has been developed. The Niti-S stent consists of an inner polyurethane layer to prevent tumor ingrowth and an outer uncovered nitinol wire tube to allow the mesh of the stent to embed itself in the esophageal wall. METHODS: Between June 2003 and May 2004, 42 patients with malignant dysphagia caused by inoperable carcinoma of the esophagus or gastric cardia were treated with a Niti-S stent. Patients were prospectively followed and data collection focused on recurrent dysphagia, functional outcome, complications, and survival. RESULTS: At 4 weeks, the dysphagia score had significantly improved from a median of 3 (liquids only) to 0 (ability to eat a normal diet). Five of 42 (12%) patients with a Niti-S stent developed recurrent dysphagia, mainly due to tissue overgrowth (2 of 42; 5%) and stent migration (3 of 42; 7%). Major complications (perforation, 1; aspiration pneumonia, 2; hemorrhage, 2) occurred in 5 of 42 (12%) patients. Pain following stent placement was observed in 5 of 42 (12%) patients, and symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux occurred in 2 of 42 (5%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The Niti-S stent provides symptomatic relief of malignant dysphagia and effectively reduces recurrent dysphagia. Its double-layered design is probably important in preventing migration. In addition, the complete covering of the Niti-S stent may be a factor in preventing tissue overgrowth at both ends of the stent.

Adenocarcinoma↗