Citations

Study Design Literature review. Objective Functional secretory tumors metastatic to the spine can secrete hormones, growth factors, peptides, and/or molecules into the systemic circulation that cause distinct syndromes, clinically symptomatic effects, and/or additional morbidity and mortality. En bloc resection has a limited role in metastatic spine disease due to the current paradigm that systemic burden usually determines morbidity and mortality. Our objective is to review the literature for studies focused on en bloc resection of functionally active spinal metastasis as the primary indication. Methods A review of the PubMed literature was performed to identify studies focused on functional secreting metastatic tumors to the spinal column. We identified five cases of patients undergoing en bloc resection of spinal metastases from functional secreting tumors. Results The primary histologies of these spinal metastases were pheochromocytoma, carcinoid tumor, choriocarcinoma, and a fibroblast growth factor 23–secreting phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor. Although studies of en bloc resection for these rare tumor subtypes are confined to case reports, this surgical treatment option resulted in metabolic cures and decreased clinical symptoms postoperatively for patients diagnosed with solitary functional secretory spinal metastasis. Conclusion Although the ability to formulate comprehensive conclusions is limited, case reports demonstrate that en bloc resection may be considered as a potential surgical option for the treatment of patients diagnosed with solitary functional secretory spinal metastatic tumors. Future prospective investigations into clinical outcomes should be conducted comparing intralesional resection and en bloc resection for patients diagnosed with solitary functional secretory spinal metastasis.

ABSTRACTIntroductionPOEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal plasma cell disorder, and skin changes) syndrome may be mistaken for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Differentiating the 2 entities is crucial, as there are major treatment implications.MethodsWe compared platelet counts in 136 POEMS patients and 67 CIDP controls.ResultsOf the patients with POEMS, 53.7% had thrombocytosis, compared with 1.5% of those with CIDP (P < 0.0001). The median platelet count in patients with POEMS was 467,000/μl compared with 275,000/μl in those with CIDP (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsThrombocytosis is a helpful indicator to prompt clinicians to consider the diagnosis of POEMS syndrome in patients who are thought to have CIDP, and is an important reminder of the increased risk of thrombotic events in POEMS syndrome. Muscle Nerve 52: 658–659, 2015

SUMMARYThis comprehensive review outlines the impact of military-relevant respiratory infections, with special attention to recruit training environments, influenza pandemics in 1918 to 1919 and 2009 to 2010, and peacetime operations and conflicts in the past 25 years. Outbreaks and epidemiologic investigations of viral and bacterial infections among high-risk groups are presented, including (i) experience by recruits at training centers, (ii) impact on advanced trainees in special settings, (iii) morbidity sustained by shipboard personnel at sea, and (iv) experience of deployed personnel. Utilizing a pathogen-by-pathogen approach, we examine (i) epidemiology, (ii) impact in terms of morbidity and operational readiness, (iii) clinical presentation and outbreak potential, (iv) diagnostic modalities, (v) treatment approaches, and (vi) vaccine and other control measures. We also outline military-specific initiatives in (i) surveillance, (ii) vaccine development and policy, (iii) novel influenza and coronavirus diagnostic test development and surveillance methods, (iv) influenza virus transmission and severity prediction modeling efforts, and (v) evaluation and implementation of nonvaccine, nonpharmacologic interventions.

Emotional intelligence (EI) has been associated with increased academic achievement, but its impact on medical education is relatively unexplored. This study sought to evaluate change in EI, performance outcomes, and team cohesion within a team‐based medical school anatomy course. Forty‐two medical students completed a pre‐course and post‐course Schutte Self‐Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT). Individual EI scores were then compared with composite course performance grade and team cohesion survey results. Mean pre‐course EI score was 140.3 out of a possible 160. During the course, mean individual EI scores did not change significantly (P = 0.17) and no correlation between EI scores and academic performance was noted (P = 0.31). In addition, EI did not correlate with team cohesion (P = 0.16). While business has found significant utility for EI in increasing performance and productivity, its role in medical education is still uncertain. Anat Sci Educ 9: 143–149. © 2015 American Association of Anatomists.

Abstract Background: Microsatellite instability (MSI) and BRAF mutation status are associated with colorectal cancer survival, whereas the role of body mass index (BMI) is less clear. We evaluated the association between BMI and colorectal cancer survival, overall and by strata of MSI, BRAF mutation, sex, and other factors. Methods: This study included 5,615 men and women diagnosed with invasive colorectal cancer who were followed for mortality (maximum: 14.7 years; mean: 5.9 years). Prediagnosis BMI was derived from self-reported weight approximately one year before diagnosis and height. Tumor MSI and BRAF mutation status were available for 4,131 and 4,414 persons, respectively. Multivariable hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated from delayed-entry Cox proportional hazards models. Results: In multivariable models, high prediagnosis BMI was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality in both sexes (per 5-kg/m2; HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.06–1.15), with similar associations stratified by sex (Pinteraction: 0.41), colon versus rectum (Pinteraction: 0.86), MSI status (Pinteraction: 0.84), and BRAF mutation status (Pinteraction: 0.28). In joint models, with MS-stable/MSI-low and normal BMI as the reference group, risk of death was higher for MS-stable/MSI-low and obese BMI (HR, 1.32; P value: 0.0002), not statistically significantly lower for MSI-high and normal BMI (HR, 0.86; P value: 0.29), and approximately the same for MSI-high and obese BMI (HR, 1.00; P value: 0.98). Conclusions: High prediagnosis BMI was associated with increased mortality; this association was consistent across participant subgroups, including strata of tumor molecular phenotype. Impact: High BMI may attenuate the survival benefit otherwise observed with MSI-high tumors. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(8); 1229–38. ©2015 AACR.

Introduction Treatment of symptomatic spinal metastases through surgical decompression and reconstruction is known to improve quality of life in patients with cancer. However, most studies have been performed on patients with mixed tumor histopathology. We systematically review the literature for prognostic factors specific to the surgical treatment of prostate metastases to the spine to determine the indications and outcomes of the surgical treatment. Material and Methods A systemic review of the literature was conducted to answer the following questions: Q1. Describe the survival and functional outcomes of surgery or vertebral augmentation for prostate metastases to the spine; Q2. Determine whether overall tumor burden, Gleason score, preoperative functional markers, and favorable hormonal naivety for operative intervention; Q3. Establish whether clinical outcomes vary with the evolution of operative techniques. Expert consensus was obtained using a modified Delphi process. Results A total of 16 studies met the preset inclusion criteria. These studies were all retrospective series with a level of evidence of IV. Included studies consistently showed a large effect of hormone naivety on overall survival. In addition, studies consistently demonstrated an improvement in motor function and the ability to maintain/regain ambulation following surgery resulting in moderate strength of recommendation. All other parameters were of insufficient or low strength. Conclusion There is scant literature on the surgical treatment of prostate metastases to the spine, which represents an opportunity for future research. On the basis of the existing evidence, it appears that the surgical treatment of prostate metastases to the spine has consistently favorable results. While no consistent preoperative indicators favor nonoperative treatment, hormone naivety and high Karnofsky Performance Scores have positive effects on survival and clinical outcomes.

Introduction Surgical treatment and cement augmentation procedures are effective palliative techniques for the treatment of symptomatic spinal metastases. However, clinical results specific to a breast cancer cohort are generally lacking. We aim to systematically review the literature for clinical outcomes following operative interventions and prognostic factors for the treatment of breast metastases to the spine. Specifically, we describe the survival and clinical outcomes of surgery and cement augmentation procedures for breast metastases to the spine and to determine prognostic variables that may help recognize which patients will perform better or worse following surgery. Methods We performed a literature review using PubMed to identify articles that reported outcomes and/or prognostic factors of the breast cancer patient population with spinal metastases treated with any surgical technique since 1990. Results A total of 19 surgical studies, 4 cement augmentation studies, and 6 nonsurgical prognostic variable studies met the preset inclusion criteria. All but three studies (two surgical and one cement augmentation) were retrospective in nature, and all studies were of level of evidence IV. Median postoperative survival for metastatic breast cancer was 21.7 months (8.2–36 months), mean rate of pain improvement was 92.9% (76–100%), mean rate of neurological improvement was 63.8% (53–100%), mean rate neurological decline was 4.1% (0–8%), and mean rate LTC was 92.6% (89–100%). Kyphoplasty studies reported a high rate of pain control in selected patients. Negative prognostic variables included: hormonal (estrogen and progesterone) and HER2 receptor refractory tumor status, high degree of axillary lymph node involvement, and short disease-free interval (DFI). All other clinical or prognostic parameters were of low or insufficient strength. Conclusion With respect to clinical outcomes, studies consistently found that surgery resulted in neurological improvement for a majority of patients, with a minimal risk of worsening, and kyphoplasty studies reported a high rate of pain control. Increased postoperative survival 2002 onwards was likely due to FDA approval of new chemotherapies. However, specific factors associated with shorter survival following surgery involve hormone and HER2 receptor status and disease-free interval.