N1 esophageal carcinoma: the importance of staging and downstaging

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of clinical staging and downstaging by induction chemoradiation therapy in patients with N1 esophageal carcinoma.

METHODS

Sixty-nine consecutive patients with regional lymph node metastases (cN1) according to clinical staging received induction therapy before surgery. These were compared to 75 patients both clinically and pathologically N1 (cN1/pN1) who underwent surgery without induction therapy and 79 patients clinically and pathologically not N1 (cN0/pN0) who underwent surgery without induction therapy. Analyses focused on survival and the cost and benefit of therapy.

RESULTS

For comparison, the extremes of 5-year survival were 69% for cN0/pN0 patients who underwent surgery alone and 12% for cN1/pN1 patients who underwent surgery alone. Of 69 patients who received induction therapy, 37 were pN0 at resection (downstaged); they had an intermediate survival of 37% at 5 years. Those patients not downstaged with induction therapy had a 12% 5-year survival, similar to patients with cN1/pN1 who underwent surgery alone. After adjusting for the strongest predictors of poor outcome, pN1, and increasing N1 burden, a modest increased risk of death after induction therapy was identified. However, this cost of induction therapy was more than counterbalanced by the benefit of improved survival of downstaging to pN0.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) pN1 is the strongest determinant of poor outcome. (2) cN1 patients who are downstaged by induction chemoradiation therapy to pN0 have an intermediate outcome. (3) cN1 patients who are not downstaged by induction therapy have a poor outcome.

Role of differential neuroaxial blockade in the evaluation and management of pain in chronic pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

Chronic pancreatic pain is difficult to treat. Surgical and medical therapies directed at reducing pain have met with little long-term success. In addition, there are no reliable predictors of response including pancreatic duct diameter. A differential neuroaxial blockade allows characterization of chronic abdominal pain into visceral and nonvisceral pain origins and may be useful as a guide to the treatment. Pain from an inflamed, and scarred pancreas should be visceral in origin. The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency with which patients with chronic pancreatitis have visceral pain and whether our modified differential neuroaxial blockade technique using thoracic epidural analgesia can accurately predict which patients will respond to medical or surgical therapy.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with a firmly established diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis (Cambridge classification, calcifications) who had undergone a differential neuroaxial block for their chronic abdominal pain evaluation. Patient demographics and medical or surgical treatment for pancreatic pain was recorded. Response to therapy was defined by a 50% reduction in pain by verbal response score.

RESULTS

A total of 23 patients were identified. Alcohol was the most common etiology for chronic pancreatitis (15 of 23, 55%). Surprisingly, the majority of chronic pancreatitis patients had nonvisceral pain (18 of 23, 78%) and only 22% (5 of 23) had visceral pain by differential neuroaxial block. Four of five patients (80%) with visceral pain responded to therapy, whereas only 5 of 17 (29%) of patients with nonvisceral pain responded.

CONCLUSIONS

Surprisingly, patients with chronic pancreatitis commonly have nonvisceral pain. Differential neuroaxial blockade can predict which patients will respond to therapy.

Sedation for colonoscopy using a single bolus is safe, effective, and efficient: a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial

OBJECTIVE

Practice guidelines call for the careful titration of sedatives and analgesics during endoscopy, with time taken between incremental doses to assess effect. This approach is time-consuming and has never been validated in a prospective trial. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of titration, as outlined in practice guidelines, with a single, rapid bolus of sedatives before colonoscopy.

METHODS

Consecutive colonoscopy outpatients were randomized to a single, rapid bolus of meperidine and midazolam or to a titration of doses every 3 min until predefined levels of somnolence were achieved. The colonoscopist was not present during sedation and remained blinded as to which technique was used. Supplemental O2 was given for SaO2 <90% on three or more occasions. Total physician time was calculated from the first injection of sedatives to the removal of the colonoscope. Patient assessments of pain and tolerance were obtained at the time of discharge using visual analog scales of 100 mm (0 = excellent and 100 = unbearable).

RESULTS

A total of 101 patients were randomized (49 bolus, 52 titration). Demographic features were similar for both groups. Titration required more physician time than did bolus (32.2 min vs 20.1 min, p < 0.001) and was associated with an increased need for supplemental O2 (44% vs 14%, p = 0.002). Mean tolerance scores were similar (titration 16.3 vs bolus 15.3, p = 0.72).

CONCLUSIONS

Rapid bolus sedation for colonoscopy saves significant endoscopist time, is associated with less O2 desaturation, and provides equivalent levels of patient comfort. A revision of the guidelines for sedation and analgesia during endoscopy should be considered.

Gastroenterologist-administered propofol for therapeutic upper endoscopy with graphic assessment of respiratory activity: a case series

BACKGROUND

Traditional methods of sedation and analgesia for advanced endoscopic procedures can be inadequate and frequently prolong recovery room observation. Propofol is a rapidly acting agent that produces an excellent hypnotic state, but its use is typically limited to anesthesiologist-assisted cases because of the inadequacy of current monitoring standards to reliably detect early stages of respiratory depression.

METHODS

Ten patients undergoing advanced upper endoscopic procedures (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasound, esophageal stent placement) received a propofol infusion under the control of a second qualified gastroenterologist with advanced cardiac life support skills. Graphic assessment of respiratory activity was made by using a sidestream carbon dioxide detecting cannula. Patient satisfaction was measured with a 100 mm visual analog scale. Recovery scores were measured by standardized scoring of discharge criteria.

RESULTS

Monitoring with graphic assessment of respiratory activity detected early phases of respiratory depression, resulting in a timely decrease in the propofol infusion without significant hypoxemia, hypercapnia, hypotension, or arrhythmias. Satisfaction scores were extremely high (median score 92 of 100) and 9 of 10 patients met discharge criteria at 15 minutes after discontinuation of the propofol infusion.

CONCLUSIONS

With the use of monitoring by graphic assessment of respiratory activity, propofol infusion by a second qualified gastroenterologist for prolonged upper endoscopic procedures is safe and results in high levels of patient satisfaction with rapid recovery times.

Craniofacial distraction osteogenesis en bloc

Bone distraction of the superior and medial thirds of the craniofacial skeleton en bloc, avoiding a frontal craniectomy is presented. We applied this procedure in eight patients who were more than 5 years old with different types of craniofacial synostosis and who had not received previous treatment, and with a normal frontal shape. During monobloc advancement, major complications were encountered in older patients, especially the impossibility of the brain to expand rapidly to fill the retrofrontal dead space. Distraction osteogenesis of the craniofacial skeleton en bloc (without craniectomy) is feasible. Miniplates and screws are avoided as well as the possibility of frontal relapse or fractures of the frontozygomatic region. The patients did not need skull vault remodeling, except for a small cranioplasty at the bregma zone. The results obtained were satisfactory and stable at the time. This procedure avoids any kind of osteosynthesis, there is no extradural dead space, the operative time is brief, and blood loss is minimal. The inconvenience is the necessity of a second operation to remove the distractor.

Does paclitaxel improve the chemoradiotherapy of locoregionally advanced esophageal cancer? A nonrandomized comparison with fluorouracil-based therapy

PURPOSE

A phase II trial of accelerated fractionation radiation with concurrent cisplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy was performed to investigate the role of the paclitaxel, when substituted for fluorouracil (5-FU), in the chemoradiotherapy of esophageal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with an esophageal ultrasound stage of T(3) or N(1) or M(1) (nodal) esophageal cancer were treated with two courses of a cisplatin infusion (20 mg/m(2)/d for 4 days) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2) over 24 hours) concurrent with a split course of accelerated fractionation radiation (1.5 Gy bid to a total dose of 45 Gy). Surgical resection was performed 4 to 6 weeks later followed by a single identical postoperative course of chemoradiotherapy (24 Gy) in patients with significant residual tumor at surgery. Toxicity and results of this treatment were retrospectively compared with our previous 5-FU and cisplatin chemoradiotherapy experience.

RESULTS

Between September 1995 and July 1997, 40 patients were entered onto this study. Although dysphagia proved worse in our 5-FU-treated patients, profound leukopenia and a need for unplanned hospitalization were significantly more common in the paclitaxel group. Thirty-seven patients (93%) proved resectable for cure. The 3-year projected overall survival is 30%, locoregional control is 81%, and distant metastatic disease control is 44%. When compared with a similarly staged cohort of 5-FU-treated patients, there was no advantage for any survival function studied.

CONCLUSION

This paclitaxel-based treatment regimen for locoregionally advanced esophageal cancer produced increased toxicity with no improvement in results when compared with our previous 5-FU experience. Paclitaxel-based treatments must be carefully and prospectively studied before their incorporation into the standard management of esophageal cancer.

Sedation and sedationless endoscopy

Sedation and analgesia are provided routinely for patients undergoing endoscopic procedures. This article reviews the clinical experience with the medications commonly used for this purpose. Furthermore, advantages and disadvantages of alternative agents are also discussed. There are multiple practice guidelines available to the gastrointestinal endoscopist and both the attributes and limitations of these guidelines are presented. In an effort to control costs and improve productivity, sedationless endoscopy has been introduced into the practice of some endoscopists. The advantages and limitations of sedationless endoscopy, as well as the clinical experience to date, are reviewed.

Lateral ventricle tumors in children: a series of 54 cases

A series of 54 patients with lateral ventricle tumors diagnosed and surgically treated from 1988 to 1998 was reviewed. Neoplasms invading ventricles and originating beyond their walls were excluded. There were 35 male and 19 female patients. Their ages ranged from 15 days to 20 years, and two frequency peaks were observed, one at 2 and one at 11 years. The most frequent signs and symptoms were attributed to increased intracranial pressure. The 54 patients included 41 who developed hydrocephalus, but only 15 of these required shunting. The trigonal region and frontal horn were the most common sites of origin. Surgery was planned with due consideration for the localization of the tumor, its presumptive histology, its main feeding vessels, the parenchymal functionality, and the presence or absence of hydrocephalus. The most frequent tumor types were subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, choroid plexus tumors, ependymoma, and astrocytoma. The most common complications were intraventricular hemorrhage, cortical collapse, subdural collection and seizures. To conclude, tumors located within the lateral ventricles are often very voluminous and are predominantly benign, and the treatment of choice is total resection. In the case of malignancy, postsurgical radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy should be given.

M1a/M1b esophageal carcinoma: clinical relevance

OBJECTIVE

The 1997 staging system for esophageal carcinoma subdivides distant metastatic disease (M1) into M1a (nonregional lymph node metastases) and M1b (other metastases). This study evaluates the relevance of this classification.

METHODS

One hundred forty patients were identified with M1 disease, 36 (26%) M1a and 104 (74%) M1b. The histologic type was adenocarcinoma in 118 (84%), squamous cell in 18 (13%), and adenosquamous in 4 (3%), with a similar distribution for M1a and M1b (P =.3). Forty-five underwent surgery, 28 (78%) with M1a disease and 17 (16%) with M1b disease (P <.001). Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy was given to 33 (73%) surgical patients and 63 (66%) nonsurgical patients (P =.4), 28 (78%) with M1a disease and 68 (66%) with M1b disease (P =.17).

RESULTS

Median and 5-year survivals were 11 months and 6% in patients with M1a disease and 5 months and 2% in those with M1b disease (P =.001). Surgery provided no advantage in M1b (P =.6) or M1a disease (P =.2). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that patients with M1b disease had 1.8 times the mortality risk of those with M1a disease (CI 1.2-2.7, P =.004), and patients without chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy had 2.2 times the mortality risk of those with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (CI 1.5-3.2, P <.001). Despite the prevalence of surgery in patients with M1a disease, the analysis suggests that M1a and use of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, rather than surgery, account for the small, clinically unimportant differences in survival.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that (1) although there are statistically significant survival differences between M1a and M1b disease, these differences are not clinically important; (2) chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy is associated with a modest survival benefit; and (3) surgery offers no survival advantage.

Esophageal diverticula: patient assessment

Esophageal diverticula are best classified by their anatomic location: pharyngoesophageal (Zenker's diverticula), midthoracic, and epiphrenic. Most diverticula result from esophageal motility disorders. Although some patients are asymptomatic and diverticula are incidental findings, most patients are symptomatic. Dysphagia, regurgitation, and pain are common complaints, however, symptoms are often nonspecific and may be the result of an associated esophageal motility disorder. Contrast radiography is the prime diagnostic tool; evaluation of the diverticulum, associated esophageal abnormalities, and complications are assessed by a barium esophogram. Esophagoscopy adds little to the evaluation of the diverticulum but may be indicated in the assessment of other esophageal abnormalities. Motility studies, which may be difficult or hazardous to perform, are of little use in the diagnosis and treatment of Zenker's diverticula. Manometric evaluation of midthoracic or epiphrenic diverticula usually show an associated motility disorder and may influence treatment decisions.

Endoscopic ultrasound cannot determine suitability for esophagectomy after aggressive chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) provides important information in the initial staging of patients with esophageal cancer. With recent modifications in chemoradiotherapy protocols, a significant number of patients have no residual tumor at esophagectomy. The high surgical morbidity and mortality might be avoided if complete response to chemoradiotherapy could be predicted. Previously published clinical trials, with relatively small patient numbers, have suggested that EUS may accurately stage esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy. The aim of this study was to verify the accuracy of EUS in staging esophageal cancer after effective chemoradiotherapy.

METHODS

EUS staging was performed before and after concurrent cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and hyperfractionated radiotherapy in 59 patients with newly diagnosed esophageal cancer. All patients underwent subsequent esophagectomy and pathological staging. The accuracy of preoperative, postchemoradiotherapy EUS was evaluated in a retrospective fashion by comparison to pathological staging.

RESULTS

After chemoradiotherapy, 18 patients (31%) had no residual disease at pathological staging (T0N0). However, EUS correctly predicted complete response to chemoradiotherapy (T0N0) in only three patients (17%). The accuracy of postchemoradiotherapy EUS for pathological T stage was only 37%, and its sensitivity for N1 disease was only 38%. EUS was unable to distinguish postradiation fibrosis and inflammation from residual tumor.

CONCLUSION

When aggressive preoperative chemoradiotherapy is provided to patients with esophageal cancer, the predictive value of postchemoradiotherapy EUS is inadequate for use in clinical decision making.

Viridans streptococcal bacteremia after esophageal stricture dilation

BACKGROUND

The incidence of bacteremia with organisms that may cause infective endocarditis after esophageal stricture dilation is unknown. There is disagreement among physicians regarding the need for antibiotic prophylaxis for patients with valvular heart disease undergoing dilation. Our aim was to determine the frequency and duration of bacteremia associated with esophageal stricture dilation.

METHODS

Blood cultures were obtained before and after stricture dilation in patients without valvular heart disease and in a control group of patients undergoing upper endoscopy without dilation.

RESULTS

A total of 103 patients undergoing dilation and 50 control patients were studied; 22 of 103 patients (21%) undergoing dilation had at least one post-procedure blood culture positive for viridans streptococcus, compared with 1 of 50 (2%) of control patients (p = 0. 001). Blood cultures obtained 1 minute after stricture dilation were positive for viridans streptococcus in 19 of 81 (23%), in 16 of 96 (17%) 5 minutes post-dilation, and in 3 of 63 (5%) 20 to 30 minutes post-dilation. Of the 19 patients with viridans streptococcus bacteremia 1 minute after dilation, cultures were still positive in 14 of 19 (74%) at 5 minutes and in 2 of 19 (10%) 20 to 30 minutes post-dilation.

CONCLUSIONS

These data support the use of antibiotic prophylaxis before esophageal stricture dilation for patients with valvular heart disease at risk for the development of infective endocarditis.

Common variable immunodeficiency following Epstein-Barr virus infection

The authors present a case of a patient who developed recurrent bacterial upper respiratory and pulmonary infections and marked hypogammaglobulinemia with a gradual decrease of serum IgG, IgA and IgM some months after acute Epstein-Barr virus infection. Test for identification of lymphocyte subpopulation showed increased CD8+ T-cells with a surface phenotype (CD8+, CD57+, HLA-DR+) characteristic of virus-induced, activated cytotoxic cells. Viral investigations showed a positive anti-EBNA titer, an IgG titer anti-VCA of 1:40, a negative IgG titer anti-EA and human immunodeficiency virus negativity. The authors conclude that these clinical features are indicative of possible common variable immunodeficiency following Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Esophageal carcinoma: depth of tumor invasion is predictive of regional lymph node status

BACKGROUND

The depth of tumor invasion (T) and regional lymph node status (N) are two factors that define the stage of an esophageal carcinoma. However, the arrangement of staging groups assumes that these factors are independent variables. A retrospective review of 359 consecutive patients undergoing esophageal resection was conducted to define the relationship between T and N and to determine whether T is a significant predictor of regional lymph node metastasis (N1).

METHODS

Primary treatment was operation without preoperative therapy. There were 295 (82%) adenocarcinomas, 55 (15%) squamous cell carcinomas, and 9 (3%) adenosquamous carcinomas. T status was Tis in 29 (8%) patients, T1 in 65 (18%), T2 in 37 (10%), T3 in 219 (61%), and T4 in 9 (3%). N status was N0 in 161 (45%) patients and N1 in 198 (55%). M status was M0 in 327 (91%) patients and M1 in 32 (9%). Stage was 0 in 29 (8%) patients, I in 58 (16%), IIA in 70 (20%), IIB in 22 (6%), III in 148 (41%), and IV in 32 (9%).

RESULTS

The likelihood of N1 disease occurring with increasing T was tested using the trend test. The percentage of patients with N1 disease is 0% for Tis, 11% for T1, 43% for T2, 77% for T3, and 67% for T4 (p < 0.001). This relationship existed for both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Multivariable analysis identified increasing T, adenocarcinoma, and lack of well-differentiated histologic features as significant predictors of N1 disease. Compared with a T1 patient, a T2 patient is 6 times more likely to have N1 disease, a T3 patient 23 times, and a T4 patient 35 times.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that for patients with esophageal carcinoma, T is an important predictor of N and this association should be included with other established factors used in clinical staging and treatment decisions.

Pretreatment with methylprednisolone to prevent ERCP-induced pancreatitis: a randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

Pancreatitis remains the major complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Uncontrolled data suggest a lower incidence of pancreatitis in patients with a history of iodine sensitivity when given pretreatment with corticosteroids. We conducted a clinical trial to assess the efficacy of a commonly prescribed corticosteroid, methylprednisolone, to prevent ERCP-induced pancreatitis.

METHODS

Patients were entered into a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of intravenous methylprednisolone (125 mg) versus a saline placebo immediately before the ERCP. All patients were evaluated for early and late complications.

RESULTS

Two hundred eighty-six patients were randomized. Thirty-one randomized patients were excluded for technical reasons at the time of ERCP. Overall, the incidence of pancreatitis was 16 of 129 (12.4%, 95% CI: 6.7-18.1%) in the methylprednisolone group and 11 of 126 (8.7%, 95% CI: 4.4-15.1%) in the placebo group, which was not significantly different (p = 0.34). Although there was a higher rate of sphincterotomy performed in the methylprednisolone group compared to the control group (31.8% vs 16.8%, p = 0.005), the incidence of pancreatitis was not different when patients undergoing sphincterotomy were analyzed separately (13.6% in the methylprednisolone group and 9.6% in the placebo group,p = 0.50). There was no significant difference between the two groups for those with ERCP-induced pancreatitis in hospital length of stay (p = 0.22), days of parenteral analgesia (p = 0.09), or days of parenteral nutrition (p = 0.15).

CONCLUSION

Intravenous methylprednisolone is not beneficial in preventing ERCP-induced pancreatitis.

Advances in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma

Recent changes in the epidemiology of esophageal carcinoma now recognize adenocarcinoma as the predominant histologic cell type. Barrett's esophagus and dysplasia in this epithelium identify patients who are at risk of developing invasive adenocarcinoma. This neoplasm is not a single entity with a consistently poor prognosis, and disease stage is important for determining therapy. These findings offer the potential for further development of therapeutic regimens. Endoscopic esophageal ultrasound is an accurate and reproducible staging tool. It allows the physician to determine clinical stage and modify treatment. T2 N0 M0 or lesser stage tumors have acceptable surgical cure rates, and patients should undergo immediate resection. Patients with more advanced T3 or N1 tumors have a potential for cure but do poorly with surgery alone. These patients should be considered for multimodality therapy. Palliative therapy should be given to patients with hematogenous metastatic disease. Treatment stratification by stage proves that esophageal carcinoma is not a uniformly fatal disease without hope for cure.

Treatment and referral guidelines in gastroenterology

Practice guidelines have become an integral part of clinical practice. There are inherent potential problems involving their source, methodology, and measurement of their impact. Physicians may understandably have reservations about embracing practice guidelines. Such guidelines, however, offer the opportunity to ensure continued quality while controlling cost and resource utilization.

Prevention of bacterial endocarditis: recommendations by the American Heart Association

OBJECTIVE

To update recommendations issued by the American Heart Association last published in 1990 for the prevention of bacterial endocarditis in individuals at risk for this disease.

PARTICIPANTS

An ad hoc writing group appointed by the American Heart Association for their expertise in endocarditis and treatment with liaison members representing the American Dental Association, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

EVIDENCE

The recommendations in this article reflect analyses of relevant literature regarding procedure-related endocarditis, in vitro susceptibility data of pathogens causing endocarditis, results of prophylactic studies in animal models of endocarditis, and retrospective analyses of human endocarditis cases in terms of antibiotic prophylaxis usage patterns and apparent prophylaxis failures. MEDLINE database searches from 1936 through 1996 were done using the root words endocarditis, bacteremia, and antibiotic prophylaxis. Recommendations in this document fall into evidence level III of the US Preventive Services Task Force categories of evidence.

CONSENSUS PROCESS

The recommendations were formulated by the writing group after specific therapeutic regimens were discussed. The consensus statement was subsequently reviewed by outside experts not affiliated with the writing group and by the Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee of the American Heart Association. These guidelines are meant to aid practitioners but are not intended as the standard of care or as a substitute for clinical judgment.

CONCLUSIONS

Major changes in the updated recommendations include the following: (1) emphasis that most cases of endocarditis are not attributable to an invasive procedure; (2) cardiac conditions are stratified into high-, moderate-, and negligible-risk categories based on potential outcome if endocarditis develops; (3) procedures that may cause bacteremia and for which prophylaxis is recommended are more clearly specified; (4) an algorithm was developed to more clearly define when prophylaxis is recommended for patients with mitral valve prolapse; (5) for oral or dental procedures the initial amoxicillin dose is reduced to 2 g, a follow-up antibiotic dose is no longer recommended, erythromycin is no longer recommended for penicillin-allergic individuals, but clindamycin and other alternatives are offered; and (6) for gastrointestinal or genitourinary procedures, the prophylactic regimens have been simplified. These changes were instituted to more clearly define when prophylaxis is or is not recommended, improve practitioner and patient compliance, reduce cost and potential gastrointestinal adverse effects, and approach more uniform worldwide recommendations.

Use of concurrent chemotherapy, accelerated fractionation radiation, and surgery for patients with esophageal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The results of a Phase II study of concurrent chemotherapy and accelerated fractionation radiation therapy followed by surgical resection for patients with both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus are presented. Pretreatment and postinduction staging were correlated with pathologic findings at surgery to assess the role of surgical resection and the predictive value of noninvasive staging techniques.

METHODS

Patients received 2 induction courses with 4-day continuous intravenous infusions of cisplatin (20 mg/m2/day) and 5-fluorouracil (1000 mg/m2/day) beginning on Day 1 and Day 21, concurrent with a split course of accelerated fractionation radiation (1.5 grays [Gy] twice daily, to a total dose of 45 Gy). All patients were subsequently referred for surgical resection. A single, identical postoperative course of chemotherapy and 24 Gy accelerated fractionation radiation was planned for patients with residual tumor at surgery.

RESULTS

Seventy-four patients were entered on this study; 72 patients were considered eligible and evaluable. Induction toxicity included nausea (85%), increased dysphagia (90%), neutropenia (<1000/mm3) (43%), thrombocytopenia (<20,000/mm3) (10%), and reversible nephrotoxicity (8%). Sixty-seven patients (93%) underwent surgery, and 65 (90%) were found to have resectable tumors. Twelve of these patients (18%) died perioperatively, and 18 (27%) had no residual pathologic evidence of disease. Resolution of symptoms and normalization of radiographic studies, endoscopy, or esophageal ultrasound did not identify pathologic complete responders accurately. No patient completing induction therapy and surgery experienced a locoregional recurrence. The Kaplan-Meier 4-year projected recurrence free and overall survival rates were 49% and 44%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although this regimen is feasible, there was significant preoperative toxicity and perioperative mortality. Nonetheless, the recurrence free and overall survival rates were encouraging. However, no staging tool can predict a pathologic complete response after induction therapy accurately, suggesting a continued need for surgical resection.

Prevention of bacterial endocarditis: recommendations by the American Heart Association

OBJECTIVE

To update recommendations issued by the American Heart Association last published in 1990 for the prevention of bacterial endocarditis in individuals at risk for this disease.

PARTICIPANTS

An ad hoc writing group appointed by the American Heart Association for their expertise in endocarditis and treatment with liaison members representing the American Dental Association, the infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

EVIDENCE

The recommendations in this article reflect analyses of relevant literature regarding procedure-related endocarditis, in vitro susceptibility data of pathogens causing endocarditis, results of prophylactic studies in animal models of endocarditis and retrospective analyses of human endocarditis cases in terms of antibiotic prophylaxis usage patterns and apparent prophylaxis failures. MEDLINE database searches from 1936 through 1996 were done using root words endocarditis, bacteremia and antibiotic prophylaxis. Recommendations in this document fall into evidence level III of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force categories of evidence.

CONSENSUS PROCESS

The recommendations were formulated by the writing group after specific therapeutic regimens were discussed. The consensus statement was subsequently reviewed by outside experts not affiliated with the writing group and by the Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee of the American Heart Association. These guidelines are meant to aid practitioners but are not intended as the standard of care or as a substitute for clinical judgment.

CONCLUSIONS

Major changes in the updated recommendations include the following: (1) emphasis that most cases of endocarditis are not attributable to an invasive procedure; (2) cardiac conditions are stratified into high-, moderate- and negligible-risk categories based on potential outcome if endocarditis develops; (3) procedures that may cause bacteremia and for which prophylaxis is recommended are more clearly specified; (4) an algorithm was developed to more clearly define when prophylaxis is recommended for patients with mitral valve prolapse; (5) for oral or dental procedures the initial amoxicillin dose is reduced to 2 g, a follow-up antibiotic dose is no longer recommended, erythromycin is no longer recommended for penicillin-allergic individuals, but clindamycin and other alternatives are offered.

Prevention of bacterial endocarditis. Recommendations by the American Heart Association

OBJECTIVE

To update recommendations issued by the American Heart Association last published in 1990 for the prevention of bacterial endocarditis in individuals at risk for this disease.

PARTICIPANTS

An ad hoc writing group appointed by the American Heart Association for their expertise in endocarditis and treatment with liaison members representing the American Dental Association, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

EVIDENCE

The recommendations in this article reflect analyses of relevant literature regarding procedure-related endocarditis, in vitro susceptibility data of pathogens causing endocarditis, results of prophylactic studies in animal models of endocarditis, and retrospective analyses of human endocarditis cases in terms of antibiotic prophylaxis usage patterns and apparent prophylaxis failures. MEDLINE database searches from 1936 through 1996 were done using the root words endocarditis, bacteremia, and antibiotic prophylaxis. Recommendations in this document fall into evidence level III of the US Preventive Services Task Force categories of evidence.

CONSENSUS PROCESS

The recommendations were formulated by the writing group after specific therapeutic regimens were discussed. The consensus statement was subsequently reviewed by outside experts not affiliated with the writing group and by the Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee of the American Heart Association. These guidelines are meant to aid practitioners but are not intended as the standard of care or as a substitute for clinical judgment.

CONCLUSIONS

Major changes in the updated recommendations include the following: (1) emphasis that most cases of endocarditis are not attributable to an invasive procedure; (2) cardiac conditions are stratified into high-, moderate-, and negligible-risk categories based on potential outcome if endocarditis develops; (3) procedures that may cause bacteremia and for which prophylaxis is recommended are more clearly specified; (4) an algorithm was developed to more clearly define when prophylaxis is recommended for patients with mitral valve prolapse; (5) for oral or dental procedures the initial amoxicillin dose is reduced to 2 g, a follow-up antibiotic dose is no longer recommended, erythromycin is no longer recommended for penicillin-allergic individuals, but clindamycin and other alternatives are offered; and (6) for gastrointestinal or genitourinary procedures, the prophylactic regimens have been simplified. These changes were instituted to more clearly define when prophylaxis is or is not recommended, improve practitioner and patient compliance, reduce cost and potential gastrointestinal adverse effects, and approach more uniform worldwide recommendations.