Medical decision analysis of endoscopic surveillance of Barrett's oesophagus to prevent oesophageal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Barrett's oesophagus is associated with an increased risk of the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic surveillance every 2-5 years has been recommended to prevent death from adenocarcinoma.

AIM

To assess the cost-effectiveness of this strategy.

METHODS

The incremental cost-effectiveness of surveillance (as compared to no surveillance) was analysed with a computer model of a Markov process.

RESULTS

Compared to no surveillance, the incremental cost-effectiveness of bi-annual endoscopy is 16,695 dollars per life-year saved. Surveillance is less cost-effective if the incidence rate of oesophageal adenocarcinoma is low and the 5-year survival rate is high. For surveillance to be cost-effective, there should be little reduction in health-related quality of life following surgical oesophagectomy to prevent death. Moreover, endoscopic surveillance and oesophagectomy need to be efficacious in reliably diagnosing high-grade dysplasia and preventing deaths from cancer. If such ideal conditions of surveillance are not met, the cost per life-year saved could rise five-fold.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic surveillance of patients with Barrett's oesophagus may be a cost-effective means to prevent death from oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

ICU management of severe malaria

Malaria is very common in India. First step in management of malaria is to establish the diagnosis. It is established by using traditional smear or method like dipstick antigen captures assay which is simpler, accurate and doesn't require expertise. Next step is to look for signs and symptoms, which help cases of severe malaria should be admitted in intensive care unit (ICU) and antimalarial chemotherapy should be started through parenteral route. Complications like coma, anemia, renal failure, pulmonary edema, disseminated intravascular coagulation are not very uncommon. These complications should be anticipated and treated in time. There is no role of corticosteroids, mannitol in the treatment of cerebral edema. Therapeutic monitoring of severe malaria should involve quantitative estimation of parasite load.

Management of dengue fever in ICU

Dengue virus infection can cause a wide spectrum of illness. Thrombocytopenia with concurrent haemoconcentration differentiates dengue haemorrhagic fever from classical dengue fever. Only cases with shock or unstable vitals signs need admission in the pediatric intensive care. The management is essentially supportive and symptomatic. The key to success is frequent monitoring and changing strategies. A rise in hematocrit of 20% along with a continuing drop in platelet count is an important indicator for the onset of shock. Patients in grade I and II should be closely monitored for signs of shock. The management of dengue shock syndrome (grade III and IV) is a medical emergency needing prompt and adequate fluid replacement for the rapid and massive plasma losses through increased capillary permeability. Early and effective replacement of plasma losses with plasma expanders or fluid and electrolyte solutions results in a favourable outcome in most cases. The ideal fluid management should include both cystalloids and colloids (including albumin). Cystalloids are given as boluses as rapidly as possible, and as many as 2 to 3 boluses may be needed in profound shock. Colloidal fluids are indicated in patients with massive plasma leakage and in whom a large volume of cystalloids has been given. Frequent recording of vital signs and determinations of haematocrit are important in evaluating the results of treatment. Apart from correction of electrolyte and metabolic disturbances, oxygen is mandatory in all patients of shock. Some patients develop DIC and need supportive therapy with blood products (blood, FFP and platelet transfusions). Polyserositis, in the form of pleural effusion and ascitis, are common in cases of dengue shock syndrome, and if possible, drainage should be avoided as it can lead to severe hemorrhages and sudden circulatory collapse. The prognosis depends mainly on the early recognition and treatment of shock.

Malignant pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade in endometrial adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Malignant pericardial effusion as a complication of gynecological cancers is a rare occurrence. A review of the literature revealed only two cases of pericardial effusion secondary to endometrial adenocarcinoma. We describe another patient with FIGO stage IIIA endometrial cancer who developed malignant pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade.

CASE

A 57-year-old woman with a history of endometrial carcinoma presented with pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. The patient had undergone total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, followed by three cycles of radiotherapy postoperatively. Chest X ray and echocardiogram confirmed the presence of pericardial effusion with impending cardiac tamponade. Pericardial biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma. The treatment consisted of emergency pericardial window and subsequent therapy with tamoxifen. A follow-up after 6 months revealed the patient to be asymptomatic.

CONCLUSION

Patients with cancer may develop a pericardial effusion for different reasons. Early diagnosis of the specific cause is not only useful but also essential in determination of the mode of therapy and estimation of prognosis.

Impact of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) on phosphatase activity in testis of the teleostean fish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Fishes are sensitive indicators of pollutants present in water.These pollutants cause various physical and physiological alterations in fishes. In the present work alteration in the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase was evaluated in testicular tissue of fresh water fish Heteropneustes fossilis exposed to LC50 value of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) for different exposure periods [24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h] With increase in the concentration of chemical LAS, the activity of acid phosphatase (ACP) was reported elevated while a significant fall in the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ACP) was recorded for same exposure period. Elevated activity of ACP, one of the important hydrolases of lysosomes, is quite suggestive of bringing about gross necrosis and dysarchitecture. ALP is involved in various metabolic activities including gonadal maturation and as such decreased activity of this enzyme is definitely one of the important causative factors for reproductive impairment of the fish.

External beam irradiation for inhibition of intimal hyperplasia following prosthetic bypass: preliminary results

To determine whether external beam irradiation delivered immediately after graft implantation can inhibit anastomotic intimal hyperplasia (IH) 1 month following polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bypass in a sheep carotid artery model, 23 sheep underwent bilateral bypass of the ligated common carotid artery with 8-mm PTFE immediately followed by a single dose of irradiation (15, 21, or 30 Gy) to one side. The 15 animals with bilaterally patent grafts were euthanized at 1 month and graft-arterial anastomoses harvested. Using computer-aided image analysis, IH areas and thicknesses were measured. Graft patency in this model was 83% at 1 month and did not differ according to treatment administered. In the control animals, IH was greatest at mid-anastomosis, but minimal within the native vessel. All three radiation doses markedly inhibited mid-anastomotic IH area and thickness. At the proximal anastomosis, 30 Gy reduced the IH area 20-fold, from 2.06 to 0.14 mm2 (p < 0.0001 by ANOVA), and IH thickness 70-fold, from 29.0 to 0.4 micron (p < 0.0002); similar effects were seen at the distal anastomosis. No adverse effects of radiation treatment were observed. External beam irradiation in doses of 15 to 30 Gy delivered in a single fraction immediately after operation markedly inhibits development of intimal hyperplasia 1 month following end-to-side anastomosis with PTFE in sheep.

Healthcare resource utilization in the management of oesophageal adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To study the natural history of oesophageal adenocarcinoma in terms of utilization of the healthcare resources and associated medical costs.

METHODS

All 29 patients treated at the University of New Mexico Health Center between 1 January 1992 and 1 December 1998 for an oesophageal adenocarcinoma were included in the study. For each individual patient, all medical resources utilized, facility costs, and physician fees were retrieved from the computerized databases of the collection departments.

RESULTS

During the progress of the disease, the same type of diagnostic or therapeutic procedure became necessary a number of times, and patients underwent, on average, three (range one to eight) upper gastrointestinal endoscopies, five (range one to 11) computerized tomography scans, 35 (five to 143) X-ray examinations, and 28 (three to 46) radiation therapies or 39 (10 to 74) chemotherapies. The large variation in the numbers of resources utilized was also reflected by a corresponding variation in total healthcare costs. The mean cost per patient was $48 127, ranging between $13 454 and $139 721. Facility costs comprised 88% of all costs compared to physician fees which comprised 12%. The largest cost items, in declining order, were physician encounters ($16 916), radiation plus chemotherapy ($9909 plus $4891, respectively), and pharmacy prescriptions ($7565).

CONCLUSIONS

The prolonged disease process and the many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures result in complications, side-effects, inconclusive tests, or failed therapies that all markedly increase the use of healthcare resources. Because such outcomes are the rule rather than the exception, the management of oesophageal adenocarcinoma is expensive.

Pathways to rare baryonic B decays

We point out new ways to search for charmless baryonic B decays and suggest that enhanced baryon production is favored by reduced energy release on the baryon side. Thus B-->eta(')+baryon pairs might be larger than Kpi/pipi modes; the argument may be extended to B-->gamma+X(s), and perhaps to lnu+X(u). Guess estimates give some branching ratios in the 10(-3)- 10(-6) range, with confidence gained from the recent observation of B-->D(*)pn, D(*)pppi not far below D(*)pi and D(*)rho rates. Observation of modes proposed here would help clarify the dynamics of weak decays involving baryons, while the self-analyzing prowess of Lambda decay can be helpful in CP- and T-violation studies.

Screening for high-grade dysplasia in gastroesophageal reflux disease: is it cost-effective?

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of endoscopic screening in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to rule out high-grade dysplasia of Barrett's esophagus.

METHODS

Using an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio as outcome measure, the cost-effectiveness of endoscopic screening was compared to not screening in a decision tree. It was assumed that GERD patients at age 60 yr undergo a one-time endoscopy with esophageal biopsies, targeting abnormal-appearing epithelium. Positive biopsies with respect to high-grade dysplasia or early esophageal adenocarcinoma result in esophagectomy. Transition rates were estimated from U.S. cancer statistics, as well as published data of endoscopic sensitivity, specificity, and surgical outcome. Costs of screening and cancer care were estimated from Medicare reimbursement data from the perspective of a third-party-payor.

RESULTS

Compared with no screening, screening endoscopy cost $24,700 per life-year saved. The cost-effectiveness of screening is quite sensitive to the prevalence of Barrett's esophagus, high-grade dysplasia, and adenocarcinoma, as well as the sensitivity, specificity, and cost of screening endoscopy. A small drop in the health-related quality of life associated with postsurgical states markedly reduced the effectiveness of screening. Simultaneous variations of the prevalence, specificity, and health-related quality of life can easily change screening endoscopy from a life-saving into a life-losing strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

Under favorable conditions, general screening by endoscopy of all patients with reflux symptoms to prevent death from esophageal adenocarcinoma may represent a cost-effective strategy; however, such conditions may be difficult to meet.

Dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome with coexisting acute hepatitis E

A 14-year-old girl presented with fever, generalized lymphadenopathy, skin rash and hepatitis after starting dapsone. All abnormalities reversed with institution of prednisolone therapy after discontinuation of dapsone. The hepatic involvement was of hepatocellular type; it was associated with IgM anti-HEV antibodies, suggesting coexisting acute hepatitis E. We believe a causal link between the hepatotrophic viruses and dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome could exist.

Clinical features of hepatitis C-infected patients with persistently normal alanine transaminase levels in the Southwestern United States

Approximately one third of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have normal alanine transaminase (ALT) levels. We studied the clinical, biochemical, virological, and histological features in patients with persistently normal ALT. A case-control study was conducted on 275 patients with chronic HCV infection, including 75 patients with persistently normal ALT and 200 patients with abnormal ALT. Persistently normal ALT was defined as 4 consecutive ALT values in each patient within a period of 12 months. The average age of the patients was 44 years (range 18 to 69 years). More non-Hispanic whites had persistently normal ALT. The mean serum ferritin level was significantly lower in patients with persistently normal ALT as compared with abnormal ALT (128 +/- 92 ng/mL and 224 +/- 128 ng/mL), respectively (P =.017). The mean HCV-RNA level was significantly lower in patients with persistently normal ALT as compared with abnormal ALT (12 x 10(5) +/- 2.8 x 10(6) copies/mL and 33 x 10(5) +/- 8.0 x 10(6)), respectively (P =.02). Histologically, patients with persistently normal ALT had less severe portal inflammation (P <.05), lobular inflammation (P =.003), piecemeal necrosis (P =.002), fibrosis (P <.05), lower prevalence of cirrhosis (P =.007), as well as a slower fibrosis progression rate (P <.001). Chronic hepatitis C patients with persistently normal ALT have low-activity grade and stage on liver biopsy. In these patients the hepatitis C RNA level was lower compared with abnormal ALT patients, which may explain the slower fibrosis progression rate.

Clinical review: irradiation for lower extremity arterial occlusive disease

Lower extremity atherosclerosis, a disease of aging, is both widespread and increasing in prevalence-it is estimated that almost 100,000 patients per year in the United States require operative bypass for lower extremity ischemia. It is an axiom of vascular surgery that essentially every bypass graft will eventually fail. Many if not most such failures are due to the process of intimal hyperplasia at one or both anastomoses. The search for a "cure" for intimal hyperplasia has been long, but thus far unrewarding. Recent advances in therapeutic irradiation, however, offer a potential solution to this problem. This review is designed to acquaint the radiation oncologist with the basic concepts behind lower extremity atherosclerosis and its treatment, and to introduce briefly the special problems inherent in considering irradiation of an end-to-side anastomosis.

Intraoperative optimized inverse planning for prostate brachytherapy: early experience

PURPOSE

To demonstrate the feasibility of an intraoperative inverse planning technique with advanced optimization for prostate seed implantation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We have implemented a method for optimized inverse planning of prostate seed implantation in the operating room (OR), based on the genetic algorithm (GA) driven Prostate Implant Planning Engine for Radiotherapy (PIPER). An integrated treatment planning system was deployed, which includes real-time ultrasound image acquisition, treatment volume segmentation, GA optimization, real-time decision making and sensitivity analysis, isodose and DVH evaluation, and virtual reality navigation and surgical guidance. Ten consecutive patients previously scheduled for implantation were included in the series.

RESULTS

The feasibility of the technique was established by careful monitoring of each step in the OR and comparison with conventional preplanned implants. The median elapsed time for complete image capture, segmentation, GA optimization, and plan evaluation was 4, 10, 2.2, and 2 min, respectively. The dosimetric quality of the OR-based plan was shown to be equivalent to the corresponding preplan.

CONCLUSION

An intraoperative optimized inverse planning technique was developed for prostate brachytherapy. The feasibility of the method was demonstrated through an early clinical experience.

Changes in myosin ATPase activity in skeletal muscles of rat during cold stress

Three skeletal muscles viz., gastrocnemius, pectoralis and diaphragm from rats acclimated to a low temperature (4 +/- 1 degrees C; 16 hr daily; maximum for 8 weeks) exhibit an increased myosin ATPase activity. An analysis of native myosin from these muscles under non-dissociating conditions reveals two myosin isozymes instead of a single isozyme expressed in control muscles. Isoelectric focusing (IEF) coupled with two dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D SDS-PAGE) confirms an increased phosphorylation of myosin light chain 2 (MLC2) in muscles from cold acclimated rats.

The molecular and cellular biologic basis for the radiation treatment of benign proliferative diseases

Since its discovery, radiation has been used to treat numerous ailments, including many benign conditions. The most susceptible disorders have included keloids, heterotopic bone formation, and, most recently, vascular restenosis. These disorders are proliferative in nature and fall under the category of excessive wound healing or scar formation after trauma. In addition, radiation has been used for its immunosuppressive quality, eg, in organ transplantation to suppress graft rejection and in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In this article, we have chosen keloids as an archetype for radiation use with benign conditions; the radiation inhibition of vascular restenosis will be used as a prototype to explore a paradigm for the molecular and cellular basis of radiation treatment for selected benign disorders. Vascular restenosis is currently one of the new frontiers of radiation therapy and offers opportunities to explore the role of inflammatory or immune cell responses in benign conditions that lead to excessive fibrogenesis and require treatment. The pathophysiology of surgical wound healing has not been avidly studied in the radiobiologic laboratory setting. However, the paradigm we propose for the effectiveness of radiation treatment for benign conditions is based on the model offered by Clark. He describes three phases of molecular and cellular events in which an inflammatory phase precedes the fibrogenic phase, occurs within hours of injury, and continues for weeks. We postulate that the radiosensitive targets within the vascular milieu are the monocyte/macrophages that would otherwise act as the trigger for the induced cytokine cascade, leading to the myofibroblast being recruited from a quiescent to a proliferative phase, resulting in fibrogenesis.