Citations

Abstract: Cellular blue nevomelanocytic lesions (CBNLs) frequently pose diagnostic problems to pathologists, and their biological potential may be difficult to establish. In this study, the authors have analyzed the clinical, histological, and outcome data of 37 cellular blue nevomelanocytic lesions and the molecular characteristics of 4 lesions. The cohort of cases comprised 8 cellular blue nevi (CBNs), 17 atypical cellular blue nevi (ACBNs), and 12 blue-nevus–like melanomas (BNLMs) with a mean follow-up of 5 years. The average age at diagnosis was 25.9 years for patients with ACBN, versus 30.4 years for CBN, and 44.6 years for BNLM. Both CBN and ACBN occurred most frequently on the trunk or extremities, whereas BNLM primarily involved the scalp. Histologically, CBN and ACBN were characterized by a mean diameter of <1 cm, absence of necrosis, low mitotic rate (mean: 1–2 mitotic figures/mm2), little or no infiltrative properties, and usually low-grade cytologic atypia. In contrast, BNLM had a mean diameter of 1.6 cm, necrosis, tissue infiltration, greater mitotic activity (mean: 6 mitotic figures/mm2), and high-grade cytologic atypia. ACBNs often were larger, more densely cellular, exhibited higher mitotic counts, and were cytologically more atypical than CBN. Seven CBN cases with follow-up had a benign clinical course (average follow-up of 4.7 years). Among 6 patients with ACBN who underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy, 3 were positive, and a single additional case had 1 positive non-SLN (this patient did not have a SLN biopsy performed). All 14 cases of ACBN with follow-up were alive and without recurrence with mean follow-up of 5 years. Of the 9 melanoma cases with follow-up, 3 patients with SLN and non-SLN involvement died from their disease (average follow-up of 4.8 years). Array comparative genomic hybridization was performed on 2 ACBNs and 1 BNLM: One of the 2 ACBNs showed chromosomal aberrations and 1 BNLM showed multiple chromosomal gains and losses. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was performed on 1 ACBN, and no mutations were found. From these results, the authors conclude that ACBN occupy an intermediate position within the spectrum of CBN and BNLM, yet many lesions cannot be reliably distinguished from either CBN or BNLM because of overlapping histologic features. However, in general, ACBNs seem to aggregate more closely with CBN in terms of clinical, histological, molecular profile (limited data), and biological behavior.

Background In comparison to warfarin, non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants ( NOAC s) have the advantages of ease of dosing, fewer drug interactions, and lack of need for ongoing monitoring. We sought to evaluate whether these advantages translate to improved adherence and whether adherence is associated with improved outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods and Results We performed a retrospective cohort analysis by using a large US commercial insurance database to identify 64 661 patients with atrial fibrillation who initiated warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban treatment between November 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014. During a median of 1.1 y of follow‐up, 47.5% of NOAC patients had a proportion of days covered of ≥80%, compared with 40.2% in warfarin patients ( P <0.001). Patients with CHA 2 DS 2 ‐ VAS c (risk based on the presence of congestive heart failure, hypertension age 65–74 y, age ≥75 y, diabetes mellitus, prior stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, sex category) score ≥4 were at increased risk of stroke when they were not taking anticoagulation ≥1 month versus <1 week (1–3 months: hazard ratio [ HR ] 1.96, 3–6 months: HR 2.64, ≥6 months: HR 3.66; all P <0.001). Patients with CHA 2 DS 2 ‐ VAS c score 2 or 3 were at increased risk of stroke when they were not taking anticoagulation ≥6 months ( HR 2.73, P <0.001). In these patients with CHA 2 DS 2 ‐ VAS c score ≥2, nonadherence was not associated with intracranial hemorrhage. Among patients with CHA 2 DS 2 ‐ VAS c score 0 or 1, time not taking anticoagulation was not associated with stroke, but not taking anticoagulation ≥3 months was associated with a significant reduction of bleeding. Conclusions Adherence to anticoagulation is poor in practice and may be modestly improved with NOAC s. Adherence to therapy appears to be most important in patients with CHA 2 DS 2 ‐ VAS c score ≥2, whereas the benefits of anticoagulation may not outweigh the harms in patients with CHA 2 DS 2 ‐ VAS c score 0 or 1.

ObjectivesTo analyze factors that influence hearing preservation over time in cochlear implant recipients with conventional‐length electrode arrays located entirely within the scala tympani.Study DesignCase series with planned chart review.SettingSingle tertiary academic referral center.Subjects and MethodsA retrospective review was performed to analyze a subgroup of cochlear implant recipients with residual acoustic hearing. Patients were included in the study only if their electrode arrays remained fully in the scala tympani after insertion and serviceable acoustic hearing (≤80 dB at 250 Hz) was preserved. Electrode array location was verified through a validated radiographic assessment tool. Patients with <6 months of audiologic follow‐up were excluded. The main outcome measure was change in acoustic hearing thresholds from implant activation to the last available follow‐up.ResultsA total of 16 cases met inclusion criteria (median age, 70.6 years; range, 29.4‐82.2; 50% female). The average follow‐up was 18.0 months (median, 16.1; range, 6.2‐36.4). Patients with a lateral wall electrode array were more likely to have stable acoustic thresholds over time (P <. 05). Positive correlations were seen between continued hearing loss following activation and larger initial postoperative acoustic threshold shifts, though statistical significance was not achieved. Age, sex, and noise exposure had no significant influence on continued hearing preservation over time.ConclusionsTo control for hearing loss associated with interscalar excursion during cochlear implantation, the present study evaluated patients only with conventional electrode arrays located entirely within the scala tympani. In this group, the style of electrode array may influence residual hearing preservation over time.