Citations

Summary: Historically, surgical treatment of acute mid-shaft clavicle fractures has excellent outcomes with low rates of nonunion. More complex fracture patterns with significant comminution may limit the fixation that can be obtained with a single plate. The authors describe the surgical technique and case series of patients treated with extraperiosteal dual plating for acute mid-shaft clavicle fractures.

BackgroundFactors associated with dissection from inflammatory aortic aneurysms may be different from those in the general population.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for aortic dissection/rupture in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and aortic aneurysms.MethodsA population-based incident cohort of patients with a diagnosis of GCA from 1950 to 2004 was used. All patients with aortic aneurysms diagnosed 1 year prior to GCA diagnosis or any time thereafter were included. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate risk factors for aortic dissection/rupture.ResultsThe study included 33 patients (91% women) with GCA and aortic aneurysms. Mean age at diagnosis of aortic aneurysm was 83.6 years. There were 27 thoracic aneurysms and 19 abdominal aneurysms. Eight patients developed aortic dissection/rupture (both thoracic and abdominal aorta in 5 cases, thoracic aorta only in 2 cases, and isolated abdominal aorta in 1 case).Older age (hazard ratio [HR], 0.27 per 10 years; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09–0.86) and later calendar year at diagnosis of aortic aneurysm (HR, 0.29 per 10 years; 95% CI, 0.13–0.69) were associated with decreased risk of dissection/rupture. Size of the thoracic aneurysm (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.69–1.99) was not associated with dissection/rupture. Histopathology showed active aortitis in 4 of 7 patients with aortic dissection/rupture compared with 0 of 7 patients with aortic aneurysm without dissection/rupture.ConclusionsAneurysm size was not a predictor of aortic dissection/rupture in this cohort of patients with GCA. The higher frequency of active aortitis in patients with dissection suggests that active inflammation may play a role.

Abstract: Malignant proliferating tricholemmal tumor (MPTT) is a rare adnexal neoplasm most commonly located on the scalp. We a 62-year-old woman who presented to her local physician with a palpable but not visible nodule of the left breast, initially diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. Histopathological evaluation of the reexcision specimen incidentally revealed ductal carcinoma in situ. On referral to our institution, the skin biopsy specimen was reviewed and interpreted as a low-grade MPTT. This patient and 2 previously reported cases of MPTT involving breast skin highlight presentation of a rare tumor at an unusual site and the potential for misdiagnosis as squamous cell carcinoma. Reexcision provided the unexpected benefit for our patient of early diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ not revealed by imaging.

SummaryBackgroundMatrix metalloproteinase‐9 is a proteolytic enzyme whose expression is increased in ulcerative colitis.AimTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of GS‐5745, a fully humanised anti‐matrix metalloproteinase‐9 monoclonal antibody, in moderately‐to‐severely active ulcerative colitis.MethodsWe randomised 74 patients with ulcerative colitis to treatment with single or multiple ascending intravenous or subcutaneous doses of GS‐5745 or placebo. Multiple‐dose cohorts received either IV infusions (0.3, 1.0, 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg GS‐5745 or placebo) every 2 weeks (three total IV infusions) or five weekly SC injections (150 mg GS‐5745 or placebo). The primary outcomes were the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of escalating single and multiple doses of GS‐5745. Exploratory analyses in the multiple‐dose cohorts included clinical response (≥3 points or 30% decrease from baseline in Mayo Clinic score and ≥1 point decrease in the rectal bleeding subscore or a rectal bleeding subscore ≤1) and clinical remission (a complete Mayo Clinic score ≤2 with no subscore >1) at Day 36. Biological effects associated with a clinical response to GS‐5745 were explored using histological and molecular approaches.ResultsTwenty‐three of the 42 patients (55%) receiving multiple doses of GS‐5745 had adverse events, compared with 5/8 patients (63%) receiving placebo. GS‐5745 showed target‐mediated drug disposition, approximately dose‐proportional increases in maximum plasma concentration and more than dose‐proportional increases in the area under the plasma drug concentration‐time curve. Clinical response occurred in 18/42 patients (43%) receiving GS‐5745 compared with 1/8 patients (13%) receiving placebo. Clinical remission occurred in 6/42 patients (14%) receiving GS‐5745 and 0/8 (0%) receiving placebo. Patients with a clinical response to GS‐5745 had reductions in matrix metalloproteinase‐9 tissue levels (mean 48.9% decrease from baseline compared with a mean 18.5% increase in nonresponders, P = 0.008) significant improvements in histopathology scores (confirmed with three separate histological disease activity indices), as well as changes in colonic gene expression that were consistent with reduced inflammation.ConclusionThis phase 1 trial provides preliminary evidence for the safety and therapeutic potential of GS‐5745 in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.