Impact of upgraded radiotherapy system on outcomes in postoperative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients

Background

This study was performed to evaluate the impact of upgrade of radiotherapy system, including launch of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), on the therapeutic outcomes.

Materials and methods

Patients with head and neck (H&N) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) who underwent postoperative radiotherapy at our hospital between June 2009 and July 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. In July 2014, we converted the radiotherapy technique for these patients from a 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) to IMRT, along with the adoption of a meticulous planning policy and a few advanced procedures, including online imaging guidance.

Results

A total of 136 patients (57 treated with the previous system and 79 treated with the upgraded system) were reviewed. There were significantly more patients with extracapsular extension in the upgraded-system group than the previous-system group (p = 0.0021). There were significantly fewer patients with ≥ Grade 2 acute and late adverse events in the upgraded-system group than the previous-system group. The differences in progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DFFS), locoregional progression-free survival (LRPFS), and overall survival (OS) between the two groups were not statistically significant (p = 0.8962, 0.9926, 0.6244, and 0.4827, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that the upgrade had neither positive nor negative impact on survival outcomes. Extracapsular extension was independently associated with decreased LRPFS and OS (p = 0.0499 and 0.0392, respectively).

Conclusions

The IMRT-centered upgrade was beneficial for the postoperative patients with H&N SCC, because survival outcomes were sustained with less toxicities.

Ten-Year Experience of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy at a Single Institution: Impact of Technological Development on the Outcome of Patients With Early Lung Cancer

Purpose:

Advanced radiotherapeutic techniques and apparatus have been developed and widely applied in stereotactic body radiation therapy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, but their clinical benefits have not necessarily been confirmed. This study was performed to review our 10-year experience with therapy for the disease and to evaluate whether the advanced radiotherapeutic system implemented in our hospital 5 years after we began the therapy improved the clinical outcomes of patients.

Materials and Methods:

Patients who underwent the therapy at our hospital between April 2008 and March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. They were divided into 2 groups treated with the conventional system or the advanced system, and the characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared between the groups. The same analyses were also performed in propensity-matched patients from the 2 groups.

Results:

Among the 73 patients eligible for this study, 42 were treated with the conventional system and 31 with the advanced system. All were treated as planned, and severe adverse events were rare. The local progression-free survival rate in the advanced system group was significantly higher than in the conventional system group (P = 0.025). In the propensity-matched patients, both the local progression-free survival rate and the overall survival rate were significantly higher compared in the advanced system group than the conventional system group (P = 0.089 and 0.080, respectively).

Conclusion:

The advanced system improved the outcomes of patients with the disease, suggesting that technological development has had a strong impact on clinical outcomes.

Palliative radiotherapy for Japanese patients with malignant melanoma: a single-institution experience

PURPOSE

This study aimed to clarify the significance of palliative radiotherapy for Japanese patients with malignant melanoma based on the experience of our institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-nine patients with malignant melanoma who underwent palliative radiotherapy at our facility were included in the investigation. Median radiation dose was 30 Gy (4-30).

RESULTS

Median follow-up time was 4.2 months (range 2.7-40.5 months). Twenty-two patient (75.9%) died during the follow-up. The response rate of overall symptoms to radiotherapy was 63.0%. The rate of completely resolved hemorrhage was relatively high (81.8%). The median time of freedom from progression in completely resolved symptoms was 3.1 months (range 0.2-27.8 months). Radiation dose <30 Gy and poor performance status tended to be associated with poor symptomatic relief in treatment site (p = .080 and p = .068, respectively). There were very few severe toxic events.

CONCLUSION

Two thirds of symptoms were safely alleviated by palliative radiotherapy for Japanese patients with malignant melanoma. The therapeutic effect was retained for a substantial duration. Further domestic studies are warranted.

Validity of reduced radiation dose for localized diffuse large B-cell lymphoma showing a good response to chemotherapy

To evaluate the validity of a decrease in the radiation dose for patients who were good responders to chemotherapy for localized diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 91 patients with localized DLBCL who underwent radiotherapy after multi-agent chemotherapy from 1988-2008 were reviewed. Exclusion criteria were as follows: central nervous system or nasal cavity primary site, or Stage II with bulky tumor (≥10 cm). Of these patients, 62 were identified as good responders to chemotherapy. They were divided into two groups receiving either a higher or a lower radiation dose (32-50.4 Gy or 15-30.6 Gy, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences between the lower and higher dose groups in progression-free survival, locoregional progression-free survival or overall survival. Adaptation of decreased radiation dose may be valid for localized DLBCL patients who show a good response to chemotherapy.

The "mini-elephant trunk" technique of distal anastomosis in total arch replacement through a median sternotomy for a distal aortic arch aneurysm

A median sternotomy is considered to have several advantages over a left thoracotomy as a route for the surgical treatment of a distal aortic arch aneurysm, including less pain and less lung damage. In a median sternotomy, distal anastomosis is such an important problem that we herein present a useful technique to prevent surgical bleeding from it. An invaginated 40-mm-long graft is inserted into the distal aorta, sutured to the aortic wall, unfolded, and anastomosed with a four-limbed tube graft. We applied this "mini-elephant trunk" technique to total arch replacement for both a saccural distal aneurysm, where the distal aorta was transected, and a fusiform aneurysm, where the invaginated graft was sutured by the "inclusion" method. This technique enables a greater surface contact area between the graft and the aortic wall at the distal anastomosis, thus resulting in a reduced risk of bleeding.

Resolution of perivalvular hematoma of the Freestyle stentless aortic root bioprosthesis implanted with a subcoronary technique

The modified subcoronary technique is frequently used to implant the Freestyle aortic root bioprosthesis because of its ease. This technique is primarily associated with hematoma in the potential space between the prosthetic and native aortic walls. We report a case of resolution of perivalvular hematoma around the Freestyle valve 6 months after implantation in a patient with aneurysm of the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva. During follow-up, the patient underwent no significant changes in pressure gradient or degree of regurgitation. Although long-term results are not yet known, the subcoronary technique may be a feasible alternative for patients with aneurysms in the sinus of Valsalva to exclude it, unless the sinotubular junction and aortic annulus are intact.

Relation of intraoperative flow measurement with postoperative quantitative angiographic assessment of coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND

It is critical to evaluate the anastomotic quality of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the operating room. The aim of this study is to determine the validity of intraoperative flow measurement for predicting the quality of CABG by comparison with the postoperative quantitative angiographic evaluation of the grafts.

METHODS

Eighty-two grafts, including 37 internal thoracic arteries, were examined intraoperatively with a transit-time flowmeter. Coronary angiograms were performed 14 +/- 5 days after CABG to quantify the diameters at the toe, heel, and anastomosis proper of the grafts.

RESULTS

There were significant differences between patent and nonpatent grafts in all intraoperative flow parameters. However, the only cut-off value to distinguish patent from nonpatent was a fast Fourier transformation (FFT) ratio of 1.0. FFT is the ratio of powers of the fundamental frequency and its first harmonic. Postoperative quantitative angiography indicated that the stenosis was greatest at the heel of the anastomosis. The degree of stenosis at the heel of the anastomosis alone correlated significantly with intraoperative mean flow values.

CONCLUSIONS

Fast Fourier transformation analysis of flow measurement may be useful to differentiate patent grafts intraoperatively. Intraoperative flow measurement may predict the most stenotic part of the anastomosis.

A simple method to determine anastomotic quality of coronary artery bypass grafting in the operating room

Anastomotic quality of coronary artery bypass grafting is directly associated with peri-operative and long-term clinical results. In this study, we investigated a cut-off value for intra-operative flow measurement. This value could be of use to a surgeon in determining the anastomotic quality of grafts. Intra-operative transit-time flow variables (mean flow, pulsatility index, % efficiency, fast Fourier transformation (FFT) of the flow curve) and the 2-week post-operative angiographic findings were examined in 66 coronary artery bypass grafts, including 33 internal thoracic arteries. There were significant differences between patent and non patent grafts in all of the intra-operative flow parameters. Only the FFT ratio, the ratio of powers of the fundamental frequency and its first harmonic, could be utilized as a cut-off value to distinguish patent from non patent grafts. All stenotic or occluded grafts showed an intra-operative FFT ratio of <1.0, while all patent grafts yielded a ratio of >1.0. Based upon these results, we concluded that power spectral analysis of flow measurement might be useful for intra-operative differential diagnosis of the anastomotic quality in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Aberrant left gastric vein demonstrated by helical CT

PURPOSE

Our goal was to describe the CT findings of aberrant left gastric vein (ALGV) and to evaluate the clinical significance of this vein.

METHOD

Four patients in whom ALGVs were demonstrated by helical CT were examined. Each patient had either intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, cirrhosis with gastric varices, chronic hepatitis, or nonspecific abdominal pain. All patients underwent two phase helical CT, and the patient with cholangiocarcinoma underwent CT during arterial portography, and 3D images of the abdominal veins were obtained.

RESULTS

In all patients, the ALGVs ran along the hepatogastric ligament and were directly connected with the left portal branch. In the patient with cholangiocarcinoma, the portal vein had severe stenosis by tumor invasion, and both the ALGV and the aberrant right gastric vein functioned as a collateral pathway of the portal flow into the liver. In the patient with cirrhosis, dilated ALGV with hepatofugal flow caused gastric varices.

CONCLUSION

The ALGV is directly connected with the left portal branch and may play an important role in the collateral pathway of the portal system.

Segmental anatomy of the liver under the right diaphragmatic dome: evaluation with axial CT

PURPOSE

To evaluate the segmental anatomy of the liver under the right side of the diaphragm with axial computed tomography (CT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-six patients underwent CT arteriography with selective catheterization of the right hepatic artery in 25 cases, the left hepatic artery in 12, the anterior branch of the right hepatic artery in six, the posterior branch of the right hepatic artery in five, the superior anterior branch of the right hepatic artery in 10, and the superior posterior branch of the right hepatic artery in eight.

RESULTS

The boundary between the right and left lobes shifted by 16.2 degrees +/- 16.8 anteriorly, and the boundary between the anterior and posterior segments shifted by 43.9 degrees +/- 14.0 posteriorly to the line through the middle or right hepatic vein from the inferior vena cava. The top of the liver consisted of both lobes in 22 patients, only the right lobe in 17, and only the left lobe in two. Participation of segment 7 in the top was not demonstrated.

CONCLUSION

The line that extends beyond the middle or right hepatic vein from the inferior vena cava does not coincide with the main or right longitudinal scissura on axial images of the upper portion of the liver.

Hepatic pseudolesion in the left lobe around the falciform ligament at helical CT

PURPOSE

To determine the prevalence and possible cause of pseudolesions in the left hepatic lobe around the falciform ligament at hepatic helical computed tomography (CT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Portal venous-dominant CT scans of 472 consecutive patients were reviewed. CT of the left hepatic lobe was performed after injection of contrast material into the portal vein in 73 patients, the hepatic artery in 32, and the internal thoracic artery in four. The scans were compared with those obtained at helical CT, and the findings were analyzed.

RESULTS

Pseudolesions were seen on 64 (14%) of 472 helical CT scans and correlated well (accuracy, 96%) with portal perfusion defects. They were not more enhanced than the surrounding liver parenchyma at CT arteriography with hepatic artery injection but were enhanced in two patients at CT arteriography with internal thoracic artery injection.

CONCLUSION

Pseudolesions are caused by portal perfusion defects and may receive an aberrant blood supply.

The frequency of a concomitant early esophageal cancer in male patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Screening results using Lugol dye endoscopy

BACKGROUND

Male patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer are known to have high risk of concomitant esophageal cancer developing. Thus, mass screening programs are pursued to detect such esophageal cancer early, and in a mass screening trial of patients with early oral and oropharyngeal cancer, the efficacy of Lugol dye endoscopy for detecting concomitant esophageal cancers has been evaluated.

METHODS

Lugol dye was used in an endoscopic screening of 101 patients with oral cancer and 26 with oropharyngeal cancer; all of the patients were men.

RESULTS

Among these 127 patients, eight (6.3%) clinical asymptomatic concomitant esophageal cancers were detected, and four of these eight cancers were found in the patients with oropharyngeal cancer. Five of these eight superficial lesions could not be detected by ordinary endoscopy or barium study.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that Lugol dye endoscopy is indispensable for monitoring male patients with oral or oropharyngeal cancer to detect an early concomitant esophageal cancer. In addition, a higher frequency of concomitant esophageal cancer was seen in the patients with oropharyngeal cancer than in the patients with oral cancer.

[Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) prevents the pressure responses to tracheal intubation in hypertensive patients]

Forty-five hypertensive patients for elective abdominal surgery were investigated regarding the effects of PGE1 on the cardiovascular responses to tracheal intubation. Administration of PGE1 at the dose of 0.10 or 0.20 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 for 10 minutes before tracheal intubation significantly reduced the blood pressure responses immediately after the intubation and 2 minutes later. The increases in heart rate were not altered with and without the administration of PGE1. So the increases in rate pressure products were markedly reduced with PGE1 compared with the control values. Plasma concentration of catecholamines was measured before and after tracheal intubation. Norepinephrine was elevated markedly immediately after the intubation and this change was not affected by the infusion of PGE1. These results demonstrate that PGE1 ameliorates the pressure responses by the release of norepinephrine and thus reduces the increases in rate pressure products immediately after tracheal intubation.

Effects of calcium and temperature on tension in isolated canine coronary artery

The effects of calcium and temperature on the tension of isolated canine coronary arterial strips were studied. In 20 mEq. l(-1) K solution, the tension was significantly increased from 0 mg with 0 mEq. l(-1) Ca to 33 +/- 18 mg with 0.2 mEq. l(-1) Ca at 37 degrees C, from -40 +/- 18 mg with 0 mEq. l(-1) Ca to -17 +/- 11 mg with 0.2 mEq. l(-1) Ca at 30 degrees C, from -77 +/- 19 mg with 0 mEq. l(-1) Ca to -52 +/- 17 mEq. l(-1) with 1 mEq. l(-1) Ca at 25 degrees C, from -88 +/- 13 mg with 0 mEq. l(-1) Ca to -41 +/- 18 mg with 2 mEq. l(-1) Ca at 20 degrees C, from -125 +/- 16 mg with 0 mEq. l(-1) Ca to -116 +/- 13 mg with 2 mEq. l(-1) Ca at 15 degrees C. Ca higher than 0.2 mEq. l(-1) produced a dose-dependent increase in tension between 37 degrees C and 15 degrees C. In spite of the presence of 4 mEq. l(-1) Ca, the development of tension was strongly supressed by lowering the temperature below 20 degrees C, and completely inhibited at 10 degrees C. The rate of a decrease in tension caused by cooling was about 5.5 mg. degrees C(-1). This study demonstrated that Ca(2+) produced a dose-dependent increase in tension in high-K solution, which was suppressed as the temperature was lowered.

Effects of sodium and temperature on tension in isolated canine coronary artery

The effects of sodium and temperature on tension of isolated canine coronary arterial strips were studied. In 20 mEq. l(-1) K solution, the strength of tension was inversely related to the Na concentration. At 37 degrees C, the tension was significantly increased at 70 mEq. l(-1) Na and below. The tension was gradually suppressed by lowering of the temperature from 37 degrees C to 10 degrees C. At 10 degrees C, tension did not developed significantly at Na concentrations between 127 mEq. l(-1) and 12 mEq. l(-1). It was concluded that the decrease in Na concentrations increased the tension of the canine coronary artery and the lowering of temperature supressed the tension inducted by the decrease in Na concentrations.

[Effects of cardioplegic solution and calcium entry blockers on coronary artery contraction]

We studied the effects of the electrolyte composition (K, Ca, Na) and calcium entry blockers of the extracellular fluid on the tension development of isolated canine coronary arterial strips. In 20 mEq/l K solution, 4.7 mEq/l calcium produced coronary artery contraction. This Ca-induced contraction was inhibited dose-dependently by calcium entry blockers-nifedipine, nicardipine, diltiazem and verapamil. In the presence of 20 mEq/l K, the reduction of sodium concentration to 12 mEq/l increased the tension of coronary artery. Calcium entry blockers did not affect this tension development. After 5 or 30 min perfusion of calcium entry blockers, Ca-induced contraction was inhibited. It is concluded that low calcium, high sodium cardioplegic solution or addition of calcium entry blockers may relax the canine coronary artery.

[Comparison of myocardial protective effects between GIK solution and St. Thomas solution by use of canine isolated heart-lung preparations]

The myocardial protection afforded by GIK solution, widely used as cardioplegic solution in this country, was compared with that provided by St. Thomas solution or oxygenated St. Thomas solution. Eighteen isolated heart-lung preparations of dogs were made and their hearts were subjected to 3 hours cold (4 degrees C) cardioplegic arrest. GIK group hearts (n = 6) received 20 ml/kg of GIK solution at the time of aortic cross-clamp perfused through the aortic root and were subsequently given 10 ml/kg of GIK solution every 30 minutes. St. Thomas group hearts (n = 6) and oxygenated St. Thomas group hearts (n = 6) were treated identically except that cardioplegic solution were St. Thomas solution or fully oxygenated one. Four hearts of GIK group showed ventricular fibrillation immediately after reperfusion that required DC countershock. Temporary A-V block was recognized in two hearts. In the other two groups, however, neither ventricular fibrillation nor A-V block was found. Heart rate, coronary flow, aortic flow and LVSW were measured before arrest and after 60 minutes of reperfusion (mean aortic pressure 70 mmHg, left atrial pressure 4 mmHg). Post reperfusion % recovery rates (post-reperfusion/before arrest) of heart rate, coronary flow, aortic flow and LVSW (mean value +/- standard deviation) were 93.4 +/- 10.32%, 104.6 +/- 24.91%, 18.8 +/- 8.54%, 32.6 +/- 6.12% respectively for GIK group, 81.4 +/- 6.50%, 125.9 +/- 15.23%, 35.4 +/- 9.91%, 56.3 +/- 12.90% for St. Thomas group and 83.1 +/- 8.40%, 121.6 +/- 16.92%, 47.0 +/- 7.89%, 69.1 +/- 9.71% for oxygenated St. Thomas group. St. Thomas and oxygenated St. Thomas groups revealed significantly (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.01 respectively) more excellent functional preservation than GIK group. Intramyocardial pH was also measured by use of glass needle pH electrode punctured into the anterior interventricular septum. Preischemic intramyocardial pH (at 37 degrees C) was 7.49 +/- 0.106 in GIK group, 7.48 +/- 0.113 in St. Thomas group and 7.43 +/- 0.114 in oxygenated St. Thomas group. During 3 hours of cardioplegic arrest, intramyocardial pH (at 4 degrees C) decreased to 6.84 +/- 0.101 in GIK group, 7.03 +/- 0.088 in St. Thomas group and 7.23 +/- 0.239 in oxygenated St. Thomas group, which was significantly higher than GIK group (p less than 0.01). Therefore oxygenated St. Thomas solution was found to maintain more favorable energy supply to ischemic myocardium. These results clearly evidenced that St. Thomas and oxygenated St. Thomas solutions would provide more effective myocardial protection during ischemic arrest than GIK solution.

[Transvenous permanent pacemaker implantation for Fabry's disease. 3 cases report]

Three men with Fabry's disease (angiokeratoma corporis diffusum universal ) are described. In the first patient, atrial fibrillation appeared, and a permanent cardiac pacemaker (VVI) was implanted. Sick sinus syndrome with complete atrioventricular block was occurred on the second patient. Transvenous pacemaker (DDD) implantation was performed for him. The last patient was younger brother of the second patient. He demonstrated complete atrio-ventricular block, so cardiac pace maker (VAT) was implanted. They showed a low value of granulocyte's alpha-galactosidase activity. During 1 to 4 year follow up period, they showed no trouble about pacemaking. Fabry's disease is an disorder of glycosphingolipid metabolism. This disorder is characterized by the accumulation of trihexosyl ceramide in many sites. Cardiac involvement and abnormal electrocardiographic manifestations are common in this disorder. Permanent cardiac pacemaker is necessary for severe bradycardia caused by this disorder.