Systemic Therapy for Microsatellite Instability Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma With Mesenteric Vascular Embolism as Initial Symptom: A Case Report

Background: Small bowel adenocarcinoma are relatively rare tumors of the digestive system. Due to the lack of specific screening methods, patients are often diagnosed at an advanced stage. At present, there is no specific surgical guidance and chemotherapy regimen for small bowel adenocarcinoma. Here, we report a rare small bowel adenocarcinoma case with mesenteric vascular embolization and microsatellite instability, in which palliative surgery combined with chemotherapy and anti-Programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1) therapy resulted in complete remission.Case Presentation: The patient was a 55-year-old man who was admitted for suspected small bowel adenocarcinoma combined with incomplete ileus, mesenteric vascular occlusion and distant metastasis. We performed palliative surgery to remove adenocarcinoma as well as relieve obstruction. Then according to the pathological and immunohistochemical results (Stage IV and microsatellite instability), we used XELOX regimen combined with anti-PD-1 therapy. In last 2 years follow up, this patient achieved complete remission.Conclusions: The possibility of small intestinal tumor should be considered in patients with mesenteric vascular obstruction. PD-1 blockade is an effective therapy for small bowel adenocarcinoma with microsatellite instability.

Degrees of Arterial Stenosis and Other Factors Related with Diabetic Foot Wound Severity

Background: Few studies have addressed which blood vessels are affected by arterial stenosis in patients with diabetic foot (DF) and the severity thereof. Furthermore, whether the severity of arterial stenosis is significantly correlated to DF severity was yet to be established. We analyzed the association between the severity of arterial stenosis and DF wound severity, along with a variety of relevant factors.Methods: Seventy-one cases hospitalized with DF were evaluated. To assess the degree of arterial stenosis of the five major arteries of the lower extremity (femoral, popliteal, anterior tibial, posterior tibial and peroneal artery), we performed computed tomography angiography, and quantified arterial stenosis using Bollinger scores. We then assessed DF severity and calculated self-reported wound scores. We also analyzed factors that can affect DF severity and the degree of arterial stenosis in the lower extremities.Results: There was no significant association between the mean total Bollinger score and wound severity. Albumin, protein, and Bollinger scores of femoral arteries showed significant association with wound severity, and age and ankle-brachial index (ABI) showed significant association with mean total Bollinger scores (P<0.05). Albumin and Bollinger scores of femoral arteries had significant association with wound severity, and age and ABI showed significant association with mean total Bollinger scores (P<0.05).Conclusion: There was no significant association between the degree of vascular obstruction and the severity of DF. Our results indicate that surgeons should consider the other factors above to ensure appropriate management of patients with DF and assess the prognosis.

WSO EXPRESS: Thrombolysis outcomes according to arterial characteristics of acute ischemic stroke by alteplase dose and blood pressure target

Background: We explored the influence of low-dose intravenous alteplase and intensive blood pressure (BP) lowering on outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) according to status/location of vascular obstruction in participants of the Enhanced Control of Hypertension and Thrombolysis Stroke Study (ENCHANTED). Methods: ENCHANTED was a multicenter, quasi-factorial, randomized trial to determine efficacy and safety of low- versus standard-dose intravenous alteplase and intensive- versus guideline-recommended BP lowering in AIS patients. In those who had baseline CT or MRI angiography, the degree of vascular occlusion was grouped according to being no (NVO), medium (MVO), or large (LVO). Logistic regression models were used to determine 90-day outcomes (modified Rankin scale [mRS] shift [primary], other mRS cut-scores, intracranial hemorrhage, early neurologic deterioration [END], and recanalization) by vascular obstruction status/site. Heterogeneity in associations for outcomes across subgroups was estimated by adding an interaction term to the models. Results: There were 940 participants: 607 in alteplase arm only, 243 in BP arm only, and 90 assigned to both arms. Compared to the NVO group, functional outcome was worse in LVO (mRS shift, adjusted OR [95% CI] 2.13 [1.56-2.90] but comparable in MVO (1.34 [0.96-1.88]) groups. There were no differences in associations of alteplase dose or BP lowering and outcomes across NVO/MVO/LVO groups (mRS shift: low versus standard alteplase dose 0.84 [0.54-1.30]/0.48 [0.25-0.91]/0.99 [0.75-2.09], Pinteraction=0.28; intensive versus standard BP lowering 1.32 [0.74-2.38]/0.78 [0.31-1.94]/1.24 [0.64-2.41], Pinteraction=0.41), except for a borderline significant difference for intensive BP lowering and increased END (0.63 [0.14-2.72]/0.17 [0.02-1.47]/2.69 [0.90-8.04], Pinteraction=0.05). Conclusions: Functional outcome by dose of alteplase or intensity of BP lowering is not modified by vascular obstruction status/site according to analyzes from ENCHANTED, although these results are compromised by low statistical power.

Sudden onset hearing and visual loss: An unusual presenting manifestation of chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia

Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) commonly presents with generalized weakness, splenomegaly, leucocytosis with basophilia, while neurological manifestations like convulsions, hearing loss, papilledema are rare. Moreover, hearing and or vision loss is seldom encountered as a primary manifestation [1-6], with various mechanisms implicated for vascular obstruction and end organ dysfunction [4]. We hereby, report a retrospective series of six patients with CML in Chronic Phase (CP) who presented with visual loss and/or Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL). Due to the rarity of this presentation we feel our case series could contribute to the existing scarce literature.

Eliminating Vascular Obstruction in Myocardial Infarction by Accelerated Ferromagnetic Microrobot

Background vascular obstruction by clots is one of the main reasons of cardiovascular disease such as myocardial infarction. There is a short time, less than 6 minutes, to establish the blood flow, especially in vital organs. While conventional techniques are not very fast and effective, current micro-robots have inherent limitations such as being slow to achieving this goal. Objective There is a strong requirement to develop microrobots with new principles that can quickly eliminate clot blockage in the vascular. The aim of this study is to evaluate, in-vitro, the efficiency of accelerated ferromagnetic micro-robots in destroying blood clots in an artificial vascular precipitately. Methods An artificial graft with a diameter of 10 mm were used as the vessel. Blood clots with various lengths (5*10 and 10*10 and 20*10mm3 (dimeter*length)) are formed inside the graft. Microrobots made of steel with a length of 1 mm and a width of 0.05 mm are utilized. Besides, an electromagnetic accelerator is prototyped to instantly raise the magnetic field, which accelerates the magnetic micro-robot toward the blocked artery. Blood clots with various lengths (5*10 and 10*10 and 20*10mm3(Dimeter*length)) are formed inside the tube. The effect of voltage from 100 to 400 volts on destroying different lengths of clot has been studied. Results The microrobot enables to destroy the clot and reopen the vessel in a fraction of a second. By increasing the voltage from 100 to 400 volt, the micro-robot is able to destroy clots with longer lengths from 5 to 30 mm. Conclusion results confirm that accelerated microbes have a unique potential in piercing clots to reestablish blood flow.

Radiological differences between chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease (CTEPD) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)

Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the radiological features of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease (CTEPD), not yet systematically described in the literature. Furthermore, we compared vascular scores between CTEPD and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients, trying to explain why pulmonary hypertension does not develop at rest in CTEPD patients. Methods Eighty-five patients (40 CTEPD, 45 CTEPH) referred to our centre for pulmonary endarterectomy underwent dual-energy computed tomography pulmonary angiography (DE-CTPA) with iodine perfusion maps; other 6 CTEPD patients underwent single-source CTPA. CT scans were reviewed independently by an experienced cardiothoracic radiologist and a radiology resident to evaluate scores of vascular obstruction, hypoperfusion and mosaic attenuation, signs of pulmonary hypertension and other CT features typical of CTEPH. Results Vascular obstruction burden was similar in the two groups (p = 0.073), but CTEPD patients have a smaller extension of perfusion defects in the iodine map (p = 0.009) and a smaller number of these patients had mosaic attenuation (p < 0.001) than CTEPH patients, suggesting the absence of microvascular disease. Furthermore, as expected, the two groups were significantly different considering the indirect signs of pulmonary hypertension (p < 0.001). Conclusions CTEPD and CTEPH patients have significantly different radiological characteristics, in terms of signs of pulmonary hypertension, mosaic attenuation and iodine map perfusion extension. Importantly, our results suggest that the absence of peripheral microvascular disease, even in presence of an important thrombotic burden, might be the reason for the absence of pulmonary hypertension in CTEPD. Key Points • CTEPD and CTEPH patients have significantly different radiological characteristics. • The absence of peripheral microvascular disease might be the reason for the absence of pulmonary hypertension in CTEPD.

The Impact of Pulmonary Vascular Obstruction on the Risk of Recurrence of Pulmonary Embolism: A French Prospective Cohort

Background We aimed to assess whether high pulmonary vascular obstruction index (PVOI) measured at the time of pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis is associated with an increased risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE). Study Design and Methods French prospective cohort of patients with a symptomatic episode of PE diagnosed with spiral computerized tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) lung scan and a follow-up of at least 6 months after anticoagulation discontinuation. PVOI was assessed based on the available diagnostic exam (V/Q lung scan or CTPA). All patients had standardized follow-up and independent clinicians adjudicated all deaths and recurrent VTE events. Main outcome was recurrent VTE after stopping anticoagulation. Results A total of 418 patients with PE were included. During a median follow-up period of 3.6 (1.2–6.0) years, 109 recurrences occurred. In multivariate analysis, PVOI ≥ 40% was an independent risk factor for recurrence (hazard ratio 1.77, 95% confidence interval 1.20–2.62, p < 0.01), whether PE was provoked by a major transient risk factor or not. A threshold at 41% was identified as the best value associated with the risk of recurrence 6 months after stopping anticoagulation (area under curve = 0.64). Conclusion PVOI ≥ 40% at PE diagnosis was an independent risk factor for recurrence VTE. Further prospective validation studies are needed.

Female pelvic congestion syndrome: how can CT and MRI help in the management decision?

Objective: Diagnosis of female pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is challenging. Although invasive venography is the gold-standard for diagnosis, however, CT and MRI are important in the assessment. In this study, we tried to highlight the role of CT and MRI as non-invasive tools in the diagnosis and management of PCS. Methods and material: This was a retrospective study of 50 patients confirmed clinically to have PCS. These patients had already done CT and MRI before venography or surgery. Results: The mean age of the patients was 48 years ± 12 years SD. Vaginal discharge and pelvic heaviness were the commonest symptoms (46 and 42% respectively). The commonest risk factor was multiparity (56%) followed by the RVF uterus (26%). No significant difference was found between CT, MRI, and venography as regarding the diameter of the ovarian vein, diameter, and the number of the varicose veins. The sensitivity of CT and MRI was 94.8 and 96%. CT and MRI discovered five cases with local pelvic obstructing cause,14 cases with evidence of vascular compression syndrome, and the rest 31 cases diagnosed to have primary non-obstructing PCS which was effective in decision-making with the surgery indicated in the first group while stenting of the vascular obstruction followed by bilateral ovarian veins coiling was the better option for the second group and only bilateral coiling was needed for the last group. Conclusion: CT and MRI play important roles in the diagnosis and even management decision in cases of PCS. Advances in knowledge: : Identification of the importance of diagnostic radiology before management decisions of cases with PCS.