Looking for a strategy in treating peritoneal gastric cancer carcinomatosis: an Italian multicenter Gastric Cancer Research group’s analysis

Background The present study provides a snapshot of Italian patients with peritoneal metastasis from gastric cancer treated by surgery in Italian centers belonging to the Italian Research Group on Gastric Cancer. Prognostic factors affecting survival in such cohort of patients were evaluated with the final aim to identify patients who may benefit from radical intent surgery. Methods It is a multicentric retrospective study based on a prospectively collected database including demographics, clinical, surgical, pathological, and follow-up data of patients with gastric cancer and synchronous macroscopic peritoneal metastases. Patients were surgically treated from January 2005 to January 2017. We focused on patients with macroscopic peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) treated with upfront surgery in order to provide homogeneous evidences. Results Our results show that patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis cannot be considered all lost. Strictly selected cases (R0/R1 and P1 patients) could benefit from an aggressive surgical approach performing an extended lymphadenectomy and HIPEC treatment. Conclusion The main result of the study is that GC patients with limited peritoneal involvement can have a survival benefit from a surgery with “radical oncological intent”, that means extended lymphadenectomy and R0 resection. The retrospective nature of this study is an important bias, and for this reason, we have started a prospective multicentric study including Italian stage IV patients that hopefully will give us more answers.

1239. Ceftaroline versus Vancomycin as First-Line Therapy for MRSA Bacteremia

Background Beta-lactams have demonstrated superior outcomes over vancomycin in MSSA bacteremia. Despite this, studies of the anti-MRSA beta-lactam ceftaroline in MRSA bacteremia (MRSAB) are largely limited in size or focus on combination or salvage regimens. This study sought to further examine ceftaroline as first-line therapy for MRSAB. Methods This was a retrospective matched cohort study at the San Diego VA Medical Center between November 2010 and June 2020. Patients had to have received at least 72 hours of ceftaroline or vancomycin for MRSAB and less than 72 hours of prior MRSA therapy. Adjunct MRSA therapy was allowed only if routinely indicated for the infection (e.g. rifampin for prosthesis). Patients in the vancomycin group were matched 1:1 to patients in the ceftaroline group by age (+/- 10 years) and Pitt bacteremia score (+/- 1 point). The primary outcome was duration of bacteremia after initiation of MRSA therapy, including time on prior MRSA therapy. Results Fifteen patients were included in each group, with a median age of 65 years and Pitt bacteremia score of 0. Patients in the ceftaroline group were more likely to have CKD; to have been on a different MRSA agent prior to initiation of the study drug, with a median of 1 day of prior treatment; and to have been on adjunctive rifampin or clindamycin. Though not significant, more patients in the ceftaroline group also had endovascular sources, uncontrolled sources, and longer durations of therapy. The median duration of bacteremia after initiation of MRSA therapy did not significantly differ between ceftaroline and vancomycin (4 vs. 3 days, p = 0.806). In addition, 30-day all-cause mortality, in-hospital mortality, 90-day readmission or treatment failure, inpatient length of stay, total duration of bacteremia, and rate of adverse events did not significantly differ between groups. Conclusion This study suggests ceftaroline may be an appropriate first-line agent for the treatment of MRSA bacteremia with similar outcomes between groups despite the ceftaroline group likely experiencing more difficult-to-treat infections. However, it was not powered to detect differences between groups, and its retrospective nature has the potential to introduce bias. Prospective comparative studies are needed to corroborate these findings. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Diagnostic Values of Dermatoscopy and CD31 Expression in Cutaneous Lymphangioma Circumscriptum

Background: Cutaneous lymphangioma circumscriptum is characterized by clusters of deep-seated, vesicle-like papules. Cutaneous lymphangioma circumscriptum (CLC) is not a tumor but rather a congenital malformation of superficial lymphatics.Objectives: The study aimed to describe the dermoscopic features of CLC and investigate the reason why marked blood components in CLC. Moreover, this study sought to increase awareness of the clinical characteristics of CLC and provide insights into CLC diagnosis.Methods: A representative sample of patients with CLC with demographic information and pathological and dermoscopical results was analyzed. The immunohistochemistry of lymphangioma specimens with CD31 and D2-40 was performed. The clinical manifestations of CLC, demographic information, and the results of immunohistochemistry were statistically analyzed to validate the correlation.Results: Besides the pattern of frog spawn-like blisters, lymphangioma also presented as either transparent or pigmented with dark-red to whitish/yellowish shades. Moreover, lymphangioma manifested as a pattern of dermatofibroma. Furthermore, CD31 was detected in the flattened endothelium and only present in dilated spaces containing enough blood or lymph components.Limitations: This study is limited by its retrospective nature and statistical power.Conclusion: Dermoscopy is useful for the diagnosis of CLC. CD31 positive staining and cystic-dilated spaces showed flattened inner and outer endothelia are the diagnostic features in hypopyon-like shape and blisters resembling frog spawn patterns in CLC. These features can assist in the diagnosis of CLC.

Encephalopathy as a prognostic factor in adults with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis following COVID-19

Numerous reports support the possible occurrence of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) following COVID-19. Herein, we report a case of ADEM in a 53 years-old man two weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. We reviewed the reports of adult cases of ADEM and its variant acute necrotizing hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (ANHLE) to check for possible prognostic factors and clinical/epidemiological peculiarities. We performed a descriptive analysis of clinical and cerebrospinal fluid data. Ordinal logistic regressions were performed to check the effect of clinical variables and treatments on ADEM/ANHLE outcomes. We also compared ADEM and ANHLE patients. We identified a total of 20 ADEM (9 females, median age 53.5 years) and 23 ANHLE (11 females, median age 55 years). Encephalopathy was present in 80% of ADEM and 91.3% of ANHLE patients. We found that the absence of encephalopathy predicts a better clinical outcome in ADEM (OR = 0.027, 95%CI 0.001–0.611, p = 0.023), also when correcting for the other variables (OR = 0.032, 95%CI 0.001–0.995, p = 0.05). Conversely, we identified no significant prognostic factor in ANHLE patients. ANHLE patients showed a trend towards a worse clinical outcome (lower proportion of good/complete recovery, 4.5% vs 16.7%) and higher mortality (36.4% vs 11.1%) as compared to ADEM. Compared to pre-pandemic ADEM, we observed a higher median age of people with post-COVID-19 ADEM and ANHLE, a shorter interval between infection and neurological symptoms, and a worse prognosis both in terms of high morbidity and mortality. Despite being affected by the retrospective nature of the study, these observations provide new insights into ADEM/ANHLE following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The role of scar massage in cleft lip surgery

Introduction: Despite advances in surgical technique for cleft lip, minimal evidence exists for methods of scar management, particularly scar massage. Some parents express concern that lip massage creates pain and distress to their children. This study aims to determine whether scar massage has enough cosmetic advantage to justify its use. Method: We reviewed 33 unilateral complete cleft lip repairs performed at our institution. Information on repair technique, suture material and scar management were recorded. Parent questionnaires and clinical photography were used with a panel of eight trained blinded observers asked to assess photos taken 24 months postoperatively. Scars were graded using a scale of 1 (very poor) to 5 (excellent). Twenty patients were included. Ethics approval was obtained from The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne Research Ethics and Governance office with HREC reference number QA/60562/RCHM-2019. Results: Frequency of scar massage was not associated with a better scar score (p= 0.36). Both the technique of repair and type of suture material used had greater effect on scar grading than massage therapy. Discussion: Problematic scarring following cleft lip surgery is a challenging outcome. This is the first study aiming to explore the effect of scar massage following cleft lip surgery. Conclusion: We found no conclusive evidence to support the use of scar massage in the postoperative care of cleft lip patients. Limitations include the retrospective nature of the study, low patient numbers and heterogeneity of surgical techniques. Nevertheless, there was no correlation seen between the frequency of massage and scar quality. Lip scar massage can cause significant pain to patients and distress to their family, warranting further studies to justify its use.

Esomeprazole in the treatment of equine glandular gastric disease

Background: Equine glandular gastric disease is a highly prevalent disease, for which there is no universally effective treatment. Given the widespread use of esomeprazole in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease in humans, its use in horses warrants further investigation. Objective: To assess rates of healing of equine glandular gastric disease using oral esomeprazole. Study design: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records and gastroscopy images of horses diagnosed with equine glandular gastric disease and treated with esomeprazole by Avon Ridge Equine Veterinary Services were reviewed. Results: Out of four horses treated with esomeprazole for 28 days, 75% (three) healed and 25% (one) did not improve. Out of three horses treated with esomeprazole for 14 days, 67% (two) healed and 33% (one) did not improve. Main limitations: The study was limited by its retrospective nature and small sample size. Conclusions: Esomeprazole may be a valid first-line treatment option for equine glandular gastric disease. Larger and more robust studies of esomeprazole are warranted.

Don’t close the book on tocilizumab for the treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia–the jury is still out: The Kuwait experience

Purpose This cross-sectional observational study aims to report preliminary data from the first experience using tocilizumab for patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in three of Kuwait’s largest public hospitals City. Patients and methods This chart review study examined the benefits of tocilizumab treatment among 127 patients diagnosed with severe coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Results 90 of 127 patients (71%) survived. Mortality was highest in the elderly with multiple medical conditions. Conclusion Despite the small sample size and retrospective nature of the work, our findings are consistent with recent studies suggesting tocilizumab administration in patients presenting with severe COVID pneumonia with associated hyperinflammatory features conferred mortality benefit.

Multi-Level Fibrotomy for Pediatric Patients with Cerebral Palsy: A Cohort Study

Muscle retraction in Cerebral Palsy (CP) often requires surgical treatment. Multilevel procedures (using open or percutaneous techniques) are commonly performed in the ambulant patient with CP. The necessity to find new surgical techniques, reduce postoperative discomfort, and accelerate the healing process and rehabilitation is mandatory for these patients. A retrospective cohort study with 189 pediatric patients with CP was performed. The multilevel gradual fibrotomy of Ulzibat was modified using an ophthalmic knife. No significant complications were reported using our technique. Opioid drugs were not necessary, and casting time was reduced at the first 24 h. A significant Range of Motion recovery was assessed post-operatory and maintained at the last follow-up. Mean days of hospitalization were 2.2. The mean follow-up was 39 months (6–64 months). The modified multilevel fibrotomy reduces postoperative pain with easier patient management, resulting in a faster discharge from the hospital. However, the retrospective nature and the lack of a control group of the present study did not allow the authors to report significant results. Further studies with longer follow-up are in progress to obtain more certain data that confirm our preliminary results.

Macular Findings of Patients on Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium

ABSTRACT Introduction In 2018, a unique maculopathy associated with chronic pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) use for the treatment of interstitial cystitis (IC) was described, where the authors detailed macular retinal pigment epithelial abnormalities in six patients. In this paper, a retrospective study of a larger patient pool at one large tertiary retina practice was undertaken to evaluate patients taking PPS and their macular findings. Materials and methods A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients presenting to a single large retina practice between 2011 and 2019. Patient’s macular diagnosis, findings, optical coherence tomography scans, and macular auto-fluorescent scans were assessed. This project was Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved by the St Luke’s Hospital IRB board (St Louis, MO, USA). Results Fifty-five patients were identified as taking PPS for IC. Fifty-three patients were found to have a diagnosis consistent with changes attributable to known macular diseases to include macular degeneration and pattern dystrophies. Two (4%) of fifty-five patients had macular findings suggestive of PPS toxicity. The first was a 58-year-old female with subtle retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) deposits on optical coherence tomography that exhibited hyper-autofluorescence. The second was a 72-year-old female with 14 years of PPS use who exhibited RPE excrescences and parafoveal areas of atrophy. Conclusions Pentosan polysulfate sodium may be the cause of macular findings in a small percentage of patients referred to a tertiary retina practice. Although causation of macular changes with PPS use has yet to be elucidated, clinicians should be aware of this possibility when assessing patients with atypical macular findings. Future longitudinal studies are necessary to evaluate a definitive relationship. This paper should remind all clinicians of the importance of a throughout review of the patient’s medication list as novel toxicities may become apparent years after initial FDA trials. The strength of this study is the larger patient population compared to earlier studies, and the main weaknesses include the retrospective nature of the study, lack of family and genetic testing, and lack of multimodal imaging for all patients.

The Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 within the Dog Population in Croatia: Host Factors and Clinical Outcome

Over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, there is growing evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infections among dogs are more common than previously thought. In this study, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was investigated in two dog populations. The first group was comprised of 1069 dogs admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital for any given reason. The second group included dogs that shared households with confirmed COVID-19 cases in humans. This study group numbered 78 dogs. In COVID-19 infected households, 43.9% tested ELISA positive, and neutralising antibodies were detected in 25.64% of dogs. Those data are comparable with the secondary attack rate in the human population. With 14.69% of dogs in the general population testing ELISA positive, there was a surge of SARS-CoV-2 infections within the dog population amid the second wave of the pandemic. Noticeably seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the dog and the human population did not differ at the end of the study period. Male sex, breed and age were identified as significant risk factors. This study gives strong evidence that while acute dog infections are mostly asymptomatic, they can pose a significant risk to dog health. Due to the retrospective nature of this study, samples for viral isolation and PCR were unavailable. Still, seropositive dogs had a 1.97 times greater risk for developing central nervous symptoms.