Background We published previously a model predictive of the need for exploration in small-bowel obstruction. We aimed to validate and refine the model, hypothesizing that the model would be ...predictive, would prevent delayed management of strangulation, and would be successfully improved. Study Design Data from 100 consecutive patients with small-bowel obstruction and concurrent CT were collected prospectively. New features evaluated included obstipation and the absence of colonic gas on CT. Results Overall mortality was 8%. Twenty-nine patients had all 4 clinical features, 22 of whom required operative exploration (concordance index = 0.75), confirming the validity of the old model. Intraperitoneal free fluid (odds ratio OR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.0 to 6.9) and vomiting (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 0.5 to 4.5) were not predictive of operative exploration; however, mesenteric edema (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 1.1 to 15.8) and lack of the small-bowel feces sign were (OR: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.4 to 8.8). Obstipation was associated with the need for exploration (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.2 to 6.6), but absence of colonic gas was not. A new model was equally predictive of the need for exploration: mesenteric edema (OR: 5.6, 95% CI: 1.5 to 20.7), lack of the small-bowel feces sign (OR: 5.1, 95% CI: 1.9 to 13.6), and obstipation (OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.2 to 8.3). The concordance index for this new model was 0.77. Conclusions Our current prospective study validated our original model and was successfully improved. Our new model demonstrated equivalent predictive ability and was simpler to use. When all 3 features of the new model are present, strong consideration for early operative exploration should be entertained and may decrease the rate of missed strangulation obstructions.
Background The Gastrografin (GG) challenge was developed to predict the need for operative management in patients with small bowel obstruction (SBO). Although clinical trials have demonstrated that ...it is an effective diagnostic and therapeutic modality, these studies excluded patients with a history of abdominal/pelvic malignancy. This study aims to examine the outcomes of the GG challenge for patients with a history of abdominal/pelvic malignancies. Methods Institutional review board approval was obtained to review retrospectively patients admitted with SBO in 3 separate categories: Group 1, patients presenting between 2010 and 2012 with SBO who received the GG challenge and had a concurrent history of abdominal or pelvic malignancy; group 2, patients presenting between 2010 and 2012 with SBO who underwent the GG challenge but did not have a concurrent history of abdominal or pelvic malignancy; and group 3, patients presenting between 2007 and 2010 (before our incorporation of the GG challenge protocol) with SBO and a concurrent history of abdominal or pelvic malignancy who did not receive GG . Two distinct comparisons were made. The first analysis was made between groups 1 and 2. The second comparison was performed comparing patients from groups 1 and 3. Results A total of 237 patients (74 group 1, 83 group 2, 80 group 3) were identified with a mean age of 69.1 years (range, 20–101); 115 were male (48%).There were no adverse events related to GG administration in our study. Analysis of groups 1 and 2 showed similar rates of exploration (25% vs 18%) and complications (32% vs 24%); however, mortality was greater among patients with history of malignancy at 12 months (26% vs 7%). Both groups had similar readmission rates for SBO, as well as exploration upon readmission. Analysis between groups 1 and 3 showed that the need for operative exploration at index admission was less in patients who underwent the GG challenge (26% vs 41%); however, hospital duration of stay was similar (8 vs 9 days). There was no difference in SBO recurrence at 12 months (28% vs 26%); however, mortality was significantly greater among patients not receiving GG (26% vs 41%). Conclusion The GG challenge was safe and effective in patients presenting with SBO and a history of abdominal or pelvic malignancy. As a result, GG has the potential to improve these terminal patients' quality of life.
To retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous image-guided mediastinal mass core-needle biopsy.
Retrospective review of an institutionally maintained biopsy registry identified ...337 computed tomography– or ultrasound-guided percutaneous mediastinal mass core needle biopsies between October 2002 and August 2017 in a single quaternary referral center. Mean patient age was 51 (range, 18 to 93) years. Procedural techniques, anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy, and tumor anatomical characteristics were reviewed. Classification and gradation of complications was based on the Clavien-Dindo system. Diagnostic yield was defined as the ratio of diagnostic biopsy to all biopsies performed.
Mean tumor size was 59.2 (range, 10 to 180) mm with 89.9% (n=303) of lesions located in the prevascular (anterior) mediastinum. There was a single major complication (0.3%) of a symptomatic pneumothorax requiring intervention. There were seven (2.1%) minor complications, including three bleeding complications. A transpleural approach was the only variable associated with an increased complication rate (P<.01). Forty-one (12.2%) patients had a biopsy performed while taking an antiplatelet/anticoagulant agent within the therapeutic window, with a single case (0.3%) associated with a minor bleeding complication. Of 18 (5.3%) procedures performed without cessation of anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy, there were no bleeding complications. Of all 337 biopsies, 322 (95.5%) were diagnostic. None of the analyzed variables were significantly associated with a nondiagnostic biopsy.
Image-guided percutaneous core-needle biopsy of mediastinal masses is a safe procedure with high diagnostic yield. Further prospective studies are required to assess the complication profile in higher risk patients.
To determine histopathologic, exome, and transcriptome nucleic acid material yield from prospectively collected metastatic tissue biopsy specimens in patients with metastatic castration-resistant ...prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Patients with mCRPC initiating abiraterone acetate therapy underwent 2 serial metastatic site core needle biopsies after study activation on May 17, 2013. Multiple cores were obtained, and from each core, 1- to 2-mm segments were separated and formalin fixed for histopathologic examination. Tumor purity was determined for DNA and RNA from the rest of the biopsy specimen. RNA quality was assessed by calculation of an RNA integrity number and a DV200 score.
A total of 89 patients underwent 172 uniformly processed core needle biopsies (89 on visit 1 and 83 on visit 2) between May 30, 2013, and September 10, 2015. Metastatic sites biopsied included bone (131), lymph nodes (31), liver (5), lung (3), and pelvic soft tissues (2). Of the 172 biopsy specimens, 85 (49%) had at least one of the multiple cores positive for tumor on histopathologic examination (53 of 88 60% from visit 1 and 32 of 83 39% from visit 2; P=.006). Metastatic carcinoma was observed in 50 of 130 bone lesion specimens (38%), compared to 35 of 41 nonbone specimens (85%) (P<.001). More than 10% tumoral DNA purity was observed in 89% and 80% of visit 1 and visit 2 biopsy specimens, respectively. Similarly, more than 10% tumor RNA purity was observed in 79% of visit 1 vs 59% for visit 2 (P=.008). In all, 134 of 172 procedures (78%) yielded tumor material either by histopathologic or nucleic acid purity analysis.
This study found that biopsy specimens from mCRPC sites yield adequate histopathologic, exome, and transcriptome material in most, but not all, cases. This finding has relevance for future genome sequencing studies on the introduction of targeted therapeutic agents.
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: 01953640.
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