An International Multicenter Review of the Malignancy Rate of Excised Papillomatous Breast Lesions

BACKGROUND

Papillary lesions of the breast are a relatively rare, but heterogeneous group ranging from benign to atypical and malignant. Debate exists regarding the optimal management of these lesions. In the absence of more accurate risk-stratification models, traditional management guidelines recommend surgical excision, despite the majority of lesions proving benign. This study sought to determine the rate of malignancy in excised breast papillomas and to elucidate whether there exists a population in which surgical excision may be unnecessary.

METHODS

A multicenter international retrospective review of core biopsy diagnosed breast papillomas and papillary lesions was performed between 2009 and 2013, following institutional ethical approval. Patient demographics, histopathological, and radiological findings were recorded. All data was tabulated, and statistical analysis performed using Stata.

RESULTS

A total of 238 patients were included in the final analysis. The age profile of those with benign pathology was significantly younger than those with malignant pathology (p < 0.001). Atypia on core needle biopsy was significantly associated with a final pathological diagnosis of malignancy (OR = 2.73). The upgrade rate from benign core needle biopsy to malignancy on the final pathological sample was 14.4 %; however, only 3.7 % had invasive cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

This international dataset is one of the largest in the published literature relating to breast papillomas. The overall risk of malignancy is significantly associated with older age and the presence of atypia on core needle biopsy. It may be possible to stratify higher-risk patients according to age and core needle biopsy findings, thereby avoiding surgery on low-risk patients.

CT of pelvic extraperitoneal spaces: an anatomical study in cadavers

AIM

To evaluate the pelvic extraperitoneal compartments and communications with abdominal retroperitoneal spaces.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Helical computed tomography (CT) was used to image the abdomen and pelvis after injection of 800 ml of dilute (1 in 25) contrast material into prevesical, perivesical and perirectal spaces in eight embalmed cadavers. Axial images and multiplanar reconstructions were reviewed to determine flow pathways.

RESULTS

The prevesical space was injected in four cadavers, the perivesical space in two and the perirectal in two. After the four prevesical space injections, communication was seen with the perivesical (four of four), perirectal (one of four) and abdominal extraperitoneal spaces (posterior pararenal space in all, anterior pararenal space in two of four, and perirenal space in three of four). After the two perivesical injections, communication was seen with the prevesical (two of two), perirectal (two of two) and abdominal extraperitoneal spaces (posterior pararenal in two of two, anterior pararenal in two of two, and perirenal space in two of two). After the two perirectal space injections, communication was seen with the prevesical (two of two), perivesical (one of two) and abdominal extraperitoneal spaces (posterior pararenal in two of two, anterior pararenal in two of two, and perirenal space in one of two).

CONCLUSION

The extraperitoneal spaces of the pelvis comprise three communicating compartments: the prevesical space, the perivesical space, and the perirectal space. The perirectal space, previously thought to be separate, communicates with the perivesical and the prevesical spaces. Intercommunication occurs both between the pelvic extraperitoneal spaces and with abdominal retroperitoneal spaces.

Outcome after musculoskeletal trauma treated in a regional hospital

BACKGROUND

Trauma remains the leading cause of death and morbidity in the under-35-year-old population. The majority of reports assessing outcome after trauma emanate from North American Level I trauma centers. We sought to examine outcome after trauma treated in an Irish regional unit.

METHODS

All patients admitted over a 1-year period with an Injury Severity Score > or =9 were evaluated and 61 patients recruited to the study. Demographic data, medical history, and details of the mechanism and pattern of injury and treatment were collected. Patients' functional outcome was assessed using the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), duration of hospital stay, and return to work.

RESULTS

Significant residual disability was noted (mean SIP 13.63+/-14.60). Thirty-seven percent of patients had not returned to work despite a mean follow-up of 18.36 months. Factors associated with a poor outcome include increasing age, a blue-collar occupation, lower limb fractures, comorbid conditions, and the presence of complications.

CONCLUSION

Optimizing primary care of the trauma victim may help to minimize consequent morbidity. A small group of patients suffer permanent disability, and vocational retraining opportunities should be made available to them.