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Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Primary and secondary postoperative hemorrhage in pediatric tonsillectomy

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World J Clin Cases. 2021 Mar 6;9(7):1543-1553. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1543.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tonsillectomy is the most common procedure for treatment of pediatric recurrent acute tonsillitis and tonsillar enlargement that contributes to obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome. Postoperative hemorrhage of tonsillectomy is a life-threatening complication.

AIM: To identify the risk factors that may contribute to primary and secondary post-operative hemorrhage in pediatric tonsillectomy.

METHODS: The clinical data from 5015 children, 3443 males and 1572 females, aged 1.92-17.08 years, with recurrent tonsillitis and/or tonsil hypertrophy who underwent tonsillectomy in our hospital from January 2009 to December 2018 were retrospectively collected. The variables including sex, age, time of onset, diagnosis, method of tonsillectomy, experience of surgeon, time when the surgery started and monthly average air temperature wer e abstracted. The patients with postoperative hemorrhage were classified into two groups, the primary bleeding group and the secondary bleeding group, and their characteristics were compared with those of the nonbleeding group separately. Statistical analysis was performed by chi-square test with SPSS 20.

RESULTS: Ninety-two patients had post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage, and the incidence rate of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage was 1.83%. The mean age was 5.75 years. Cases of primary hemorrhage accounted for approximately 33.70% (31/92), and cases of secondary hemorrhage occurred in 66.30% (61/92). The rate of reoperation for bleeding was 0.92%, and the rate of rehospitalization for bleeding was 0.88% in all patients. Multiple hemostasis surgery was performed in 6.52% (3/46) of patients. The method of tonsillectomy (coblation tonsillectomy) and experience of the surgeon (junior surgeon with less than 5 years of experience) were significantly associated with primary hemorrhage ( χ 2 = 5.830, P = 0.016, χ 2= 6.621, P = 0.010, respectively). Age (over 6 years old) and time of onset (more than a 1-year history) were significantly associated with secondary hemorrhage (χ 2= 15.242, P = 0.000, χ 2=4.293, P = 0.038, respectively). There was no significant difference in sex, diagnosis, time when the surgery started or monthly average air temperature. There was a significant difference in the intervention measures between the primary bleeding group and the secondary bleeding group (χ 2= 10.947, P = 0.001). The lower pole and middle portion were the common bleeding sites, followed by the upper pole and palatoglossal arch.

CONCLUSION: The incidence rate of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage is low. Coblation tonsillectomy and less than 5 years' experience of surgeon contribute to the tendency for primary hemorrhage. Age and time of onset ar e responsible for secondary hemorrhage.

PMID:33728298 | PMC:PMC7942054 | DOI:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1543

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Regulation of the expression of proinflammatory cytokines induced by SARS-CoV-2

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World J Clin Cases. 2021 Mar 6;9(7):1513-1523. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1513.

ABSTRACT

An outbreak of a novel coronavirus was reported in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. It has spread rapidly through China and many other countries, causing a global pandemic. Since February 2020, over 28 countries/regions have reported confirmed cases. Individuals with the infection known as coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) have similar clinical features as severe acute respiratory syndrome first encountered 17 years ago, with fever, cough, and upper airway congestion, along with high production of proinflammatory cytokines (PICs), which form a cytokine storm. PICs induced by COVID-19 include interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The production of cytokines is regulated by activated nuclear factor-kB and involves downstream pathways such as Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators transcription. Protein expression is also regulated by post-translational modification of chromosomal markers. Lysine residues in the peptide tails stretching out from the core of histones bind the sequence upstream of the coding portion of genomic DNA. Covalent modification, particularly methylation, activates or represses gene transcription. PICs have been reported to be induced by histone modification and stimulate exudation of hyaluronic acid, which is implicated in the occurrence of COVID-19. These findings indicate the impact of the expression of PICs on the pathogenesis and therapeutic targeting of COVID-19.

PMID:33728295 | PMC:PMC7942047 | DOI:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1513

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Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with human immunodeficiency virus mimicking complicated frontal sinusitis: A case report

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World J Clin Cases. 2021 Mar 6;9(7):1654-1660. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1654.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the frontal sinus is extremely rare. In addition, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been reported to play a role in the development of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related malignant lymphomas. To the best of our knowledge, there is no report for the HIV-associated, EBV-positive primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the frontal sinus.

CASE SUMMARY: We present a unique case of HIV-associated, EBV-positive DLBCL in the frontal sinus in a 46-year-old man. Computed tomography of paranasal sinuses revealed dense opacification of the right frontal sinus with combined soft tissue swelling. Based on the clinical and radiological findings, the initial diagnosis was complicated frontal sinusitis, presenting Pott's puffy tumor. Unexpectedly, HIV testing was positive on preoperative laboratory test, and the frontal sinus lesion was confirmed as EBV-positive DLBCL on biopsy.

CONCLUSION: Through this article, we suggest that EBV-positive DLBCL should be considered as possible diagnosis for patients with nonspecific space-occupying lesion of the paranasal sinuses. We also highlight an importance of clinical suspicion in diagnosing HIV infection because HIV serology is not routinely tested in patients with paranasal sinus problem.

PMID:33728309 | PMC:PMC7942051 | DOI:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1654

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Effects of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt using the Viatorr stent on hepatic reserve function in patients with cirrhosis

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World J Clin Cases. 2021 Mar 6;9(7):1532-1542. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1532.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: As transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation alters the hemodynamic status of the portal system, whether reduced portal blood supply affects the synthetic reserve function of the liver has been the focus of clinical attention. Since the Viatorr stent entered the Chinese market in 2015, it has not yet been widely used in clinical practice. Further, unlike other countries, the main cause of liver cirrhosis in China is viral hepatitis. Therefore, use of the Viatorr stent to establish a TIPS channel in patients with liver cirrhosis with differing etiologies is of great clinical interest.

AIM: To investigate factors affecting changes in liver reserve function after TIPS Viatorr stent implantation.

METHODS: Clinical data from 200 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension who received TIPS treatment from March 2 016 to March 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into three groups (A-C), according to their disease etiology, with post-hepatitis, autoimmune, and alcoholic cirrhosis, respectively. Preoperative and postoperative liver and renal function and coagulation data, Child-Pugh grade, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores were collected. Statistical analyses were performed using the t-test or chi-square test. The incidence and of hepatic encephalopathy and patient survival were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS: The surgical success rate was 100%, with mean portal pressure gradient (mmHg) decreasing from 25.5 ± 5.22 to 10.04 ± 2.76 (t = 45.80; P < 0.001). After 24 mo, the cumulative incidence of hepatic encephalopathy in group A was significantly lower than that in group B/C, while the cumulative survival rate was significantly higher in group A than in group B/C (P < 0.05 for both). The Child-Pug h score for group A was 6.96 ± 1.21, which was significantly better than those of groups B (7.42 ± 0.99; t = -2.44; P = 0.016) and C (7.52 ± 1.12; t = -2.67; P = 0.009). Further, the MELD score for group A (9.62 ± 2.19) was significantly better than those for groups B (10.64 ± 1.90; t = -2.92; P = 0.004) and C (10.82 ± 2.01; t = -3.29; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Insertion of 8 mm internal diameter Viatorr stent has no significant effects on liver reserve function. Changes of liver reserve function in the medium and long term may be related to the etiology and treatment of portal hypertension.

PMID:33728297 | PMC:PMC7942045 | DOI:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1532

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Multiple well-differentiated retroperitoneal liposarcomas with different patterns of appearance on computed tomography: A case report

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World J Clin Cases. 2021 Mar 6;9(7):1661-1667. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1661.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma (PRPLS) is a rare soft tissue tumor with nonspecific clinical symptoms; it has different computed tomography (CT) image features according to pathological types. Some patients with a single tumor have been previously reported in the literature. We present an exceptional case of a PRPLS patient with multiple large tumors exhibiting different patterns of appearance on CT and confirmed as atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcoma by postoperative pathology.

CASE SUMMARY: A 64-year-old man presented with abdominal distension for 1 year. The patient was diagnosed with PRPLS based on physical examination, laparotomy, ultrasonography, CT scan, and surgery. Both of the tumors were completely resected through surgery and confirmed as atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcoma by postoperative pathology. The postoperative course was uneventful without recurrence or metastasis, as demonstrated by abdominal-pelvic CT during an 18 mo follow-up.

CONCLUSION: Multiple large Well-differentiated liposarcomas with different patterns of appearance on CT image can occur simultaneously in the same patient, to which more attention should be paid to make an effective differential diagnosis.

PMID:33728310 | PMC:PMC7942046 | DOI:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1661

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Dynamic monitoring of serum liver function indexes in patients with COVID-19

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World J Clin Cases. 2021 Mar 6;9(7):1554-1562. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1554.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Some patients with the novel 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) display elevated liver enzymes. Some antiviral drugs that can be used against COVID-19 are associated with a risk of hepatotoxicity.

AIM: To analyze the clinical significance of the dynamic monitoring of the liver function of patients with COVID-19.

METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in January and February 2020 at the Department of Infection, Shantou Central Hospital. The exclusion criteria for all patients were: (1) History of chronic liver disease; (2) History of kidney disease; (3) History of coronary heart disease; (4) History of malignancy; or (5) History of diabetes. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase, and total bilirubin of patients with COVI D-19 were measured on days 1, 3, 7 and 14 after admission, and compared to non-COVID-19 patents.

RESULTS: Twelve patients with COVID-19 (seven men and five women) and twelve controls (eight men and four women) were included. There were one, two, and nine patients with severe, mild, and moderate COVID-19, respectively. There were no differences in age and sex between the two groups (both P > 0.05). No significant differences were found in albumin, ALT, AST, γ-glutamyltransferase, or total bilirubin between the controls and the patients with COVID-19 on day 1 of hospitalization (all P > 0.05). Serum albumin showed a decreasing trend from days 0 to 7 of hospitalization, reaching the lowest level on day 7. Total bilirubin was higher on day 3 than on day 7. ALT, AST, and γ-glutamyltransferase did not change significantly over time. The severe patient was observed to have ALT levels of 67 U/L and AST levels of 75 U/L on day 7, ALT of 71 U/L and AST of 35 U/L on day 14, and ALT of 210 U/L and AST of 123 U/L on day 21.

CONCLUSION: Changes in serum liver function indicators are not obvious in the early stage of COVID-19, but clinically significant changes might be observed in severe COVID-19.

PMID:33728299 | PMC:PMC7942056 | DOI:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1554

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Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the prostate with bladder invasion shortly after androgen deprivation: Two case reports

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World J Clin Cases. 2021 Mar 6;9(7):1668-1675. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1668.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To summarize the imaging, morphological and biological characteristics of sarcomatoid carcinoma (SC) of the prostate with bladder invasion not long after castration.

CASE SUMMARY: Our two cases were initially diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the prostate due to dysuria. However, prostate SC was diagnosed after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and castration after only 5 and 10 mo, respectively. Distinctive liver-like tissues appeared in the second TURP procedure in case 1, while a white, fish flesh-like, narrow pedicled soft globe protruded from the prostate to the bladder in case 2.

CONCLUSION: The sarcomatoid component of SC may arise from one of the specific groups of cancer cells that are resistant to hormonal therapy. Morphological characteristics of SCs can present as "red hepatization" and "fish flesh". SC s grow rapidly and have a poor prognosis, and thus, extensive TURP plus radiation may be the treatment of choice.

PMID:33728311 | PMC:PMC7942028 | DOI:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1668

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Short-term outcomes of radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma using cone-beam computed tomography for planning and image guidance

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World J Clin Cases. 2021 Mar 6;9(7):1580-1591. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1580.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and a minimally invasive alternative to hepatectomy for treating tumour recurrence. RFA is often performed using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and/or ultrasonography. In recent years, angiographic systems with flat panel image detectors and advanced image reconstruction algorithms have broadened the clinical applications of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), including RFA. Several studies have shown the effectiveness of using CBCT for immediate treatment assessments and follow-ups.

AIM: To assess the treatment response to RFA for HCC using CBCT.

METHODS: Forty-eight patients (44 men; aged 37-89 years) with solitary HCC [median size: 3.2 (1.2-6.6) cm] underwent RFA and were followed for 25.6 (me dian; 13.5-35.2) mo. Image fusion of CBCT and pre-operative CECT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used for tumour segmentation and needle path and ablation zone planning. Real-time image guidance was provided by overlaying the three-dimensional image of the tumour and needle path on the fluoroscopy image. Treatment response was categorized as complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), or progressive disease (PD). Disease progression, death, time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS) were recorded. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS: Initial post-RFA CECT/MRI showed 38 cases of CR (79.2%), 10 of PR (20.8%), 0 of SD, and 0 of PD, which strongly correlated with the planning estimation (42 CR, 87.5%; 6 PR, 12.5%; 0 SD; and 0 PD; accuracy: 91.7%, P < 0.01). Ten (20.8%) patients died, and disease progression occurred in 31 (35.4%, median TTP: 12.8 mo) patients, resulting in 12-, 24-, and 35-mo OS rates of 100%, 81.2%, and 72.2%, respectively, and progression-free survival (PFS) rates of 54.2%, 37.1%, and 37.1%, respectively. The median dose-area product of the procedures was 79.05 Gy*cm2 (range 40.95-146.24 Gy*cm2), and the median effective dose was 10.27 mSv (range 5.32-19.01 mSv). Tumour size < 2 cm (P = 0.008) was a significant factor for OS, while age (P = 0.001), tumour size < 2 cm (P < 0.001), tumour stage (P = 0.010), and initial treatment response (P = 0.003) were significant factors for PFS.

CONCLUSION: Reliable RFA treatment planning and satisfactory outcomes can be achieved with CBCT.

PMID:33728301 | PMC:PMC7942052 | DOI:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1580

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Metastatic thymic-enteric adenocarcinoma responding to chemoradiation plus anti-angiogenic therapy: A case report

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World J Clin Cases. 2021 Mar 6;9(7):1676-1681. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1676.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Thymic-enteric adenocarcinoma with positive expression of CDX2 and CK20 is rare in adults, with only 16 reported cases. However, standard treatment options for this type of thymic adenocarcinoma has not yet been established. Therefore, we report a case of stage IV thymic-enteric adenocarcinoma treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and anti-angiogenesis therapy.

CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of thymic-enteric adenocarcinoma occurring in a 44-year-old woman. The tumor was considered unresectable owing to its invasiveness. The patient was treated with six cycles of oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2, day 1) and capecitabine (1000 mg/m2 BID, days 1-14). During the first three cycles of chemotherapy, concurrent radiotherapy (60 Gy/30 fractions) and anti-angiogenic therapy using apatinib were recommended. The primary tumor a chieved partial remission based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. During follow-up, there was no evidence of disease relapse, except a high serum CA19-9 level. The patient is alive and regularly followed. Based on the previous literature and the present case, we believe that early diagnosis of thymic-enteric adenocarcinoma is important.

CONCLUSION: XELOX (capecitabine plus oxaliplatin) combined with radiotherapy is an optional therapy for inoperable thymic-enteric adenocarcinoma.

PMID:33728312 | PMC:PMC7942030 | DOI:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1676

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Study on pathogenic genes of dwarfism disease by next-generation sequencing

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World J Clin Cases. 2021 Mar 6;9(7):1600-1609. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1600.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are many factors that lead to dwarfism, and the mechanism has not yet been elucidated. Next-generation sequencing may identify candidate-related gene mutations, which may clarify the molecular cause.

AIM: To analyze genetic variation by using a constructed panel related to dwarfism by utilizing next-generation sequencing platform sequencing analysis to screen candidate-related gene mutations.

METHODS: Physical and laboratory characteristics, including clinical examination, growth hormone drug challenge test, serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), IGF binding protein 3, other related tests, imaging examination, and chromosome karyotyping, were analyzed. Next-generation sequencing was performed to analyze pathogenicity variability.

RESULTS: In the 39 dwarfism patients, 10 had pathogenicity variability. Gene vari ation was found in the OBSL1, SLC26A2, PTPN11, COL27AI, HDAC6, CUL7, FGFR3, DYNC2H1, GH1, and ATP7B genes. Of the 10 patients with pathogenicity variability, the related physical characteristics included double breast development and growth hormone deficiency, enuresis and indirect inguinal hernia on the left, two finger distance of 70.2 cm, head circumference of 49.2 cm, ischium/lower body length of 1.8 cm, weak limb muscles, and partial growth hormone deficiency. After 6 mo of growth hormone therapy, the concentrations of IGF-1 and IGF binding protein 3 increased from 215.2 ± 170.3 to 285.0 ± 166.0 and 3.9 ± 1.4 to 4.2 ± 1.1, respectively.

CONCLUSION: OBSL1, SLC26A2, PTPN11, COL27AI, HDAC6, CUL7, FGFR3, DYNC2H1, GH1, and ATP7B genes may be related to the incidence of dwarfism, and more research needs to be performed to elucidate the mechanism.

PMID:33728303 | PMC:PMC7942040 | DOI:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i7.1600

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