Outcomes of Short Fusion versus Long Fusion for Adult Degenerative Scoliosis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis

The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in clinical and radiographic outcomes between short (<3 levels) and long (≥3 levels) fusions in the setting of degenerative lumbar scoliosis. A literature search was performed from six electronic databases. The key terms of “degenerative scoliosis” OR “lumbar scoliosis” AND “fusion” were combined and used as MeSH subheadings. From relevant studies identified, demographic data, complication rates, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and radiographic parameters were extracted and the data was pooled and analyzed. Long fusion was associated with comparable overall complication rates to short fusion (17% vs 14%, P = 0.20). There was a significant difference in the incidence of pulmonary complications when comparing short versus long fusion (0.42% vs 2.70%; P = 0.02). No significant difference was found in terms of motor, sensory complications, infections, construct‐related or cardiac complications, pseudoarthrosis, dural tears, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, or urinary retention. A longer fusion was associated with a greater reduction in coronal Cobb angle and increases in lumbar lordosis, but both findings failed to achieve statistical significance. The ODI was comparable across both cohorts. If shorter fusion lengths are clinically indicated, they should be used instead of longer fusion lengths to reduce perioperative time, costs, and some other complications. However, there are no statistically significant differences in terms of radiographically measurable restoration associated with a short or long fusion.     

Endoscopic ultrasound of Lemmel’s syndrome

Periampullary duodenal diverticula are common and are usually asymptomatic. However, complications like biliary or pancreatic obstruction, duodenal obstruction, perforation, or hemorrhage can occur occasionally. Obstructive jaundice is usually due to biliary stones and periampullary tumors. Rarely, duodenal diverticula may present with obstructive jaundice in the absence of cholelithiasis or other detectable obstacle. This condition is called Lemmel’s syndrome. There are only few case reports of this rare condition. We report a case of 78-year-old man presenting with painless obstructive jaundice due to Lemmel’s syndrome which was diagnosed on endoscopic ultrasonography.     

A monocyte‐TNF‐endothelial activation axis in sickle transgenic mice: Therapeutic benefit from TNF blockade

Elaboration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a very early event in development of ischemia/reperfusion injury pathophysiology. Therefore, TNF may be a prominent mediator of endothelial cell and vascular wall dysfunction in sickle cell anemia, a hypothesis we addressed using NY1DD, S+S^Antilles, and SS‐BERK sickle transgenic mice. Transfusion experiments revealed participation of abnormally activated blood monocytes exerting an endothelial activating effect, dependent upon Egr‐1 in both vessel wall and blood cells, and upon NFκB(p50) in a blood cell only. Involvement of TNF was identified by beneficial impact from TNF blockers, etanercept and infliximab, with less benefit from an IL‐1 blocker, anakinra. In therapeutic studies, etanercept ameliorated multiple disturbances of the murine sickle condition: monocyte activation, blood biomarkers of inflammation, low platelet count and Hb, vascular stasis triggered by hypoxia/reoxygenation (but not if triggered by hemin infusion), tissue production of neuro‐inflammatory mediators, endothelial activation (monitored by tissue factor and VCAM‐1 expression), histopathologic liver injury, and three surrogate markers of pulmonary hypertension (perivascular inflammatory aggregates, arteriolar muscularization, and right ventricular mean systolic pressure). In aggregate, these studies identify a prominent—and possibly dominant—role for an abnormal monocyte‐TNF‐endothelial activation axis in the sickle context. Its presence, plus the many benefits of etanercept observed here, argue that pilot testing of TNF blockade should be considered for human sickle cell anemia, a challenging but achievable translational research goal.     

HEALING OF SOLITARY RECTAL ULCERS WITH MULTIPLE SESSIONS OF ARGON PLASMA COAGULATION

Background: Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is an uncommon disorder of evacuation. Management of bleeding ulcers is usually unsatisfactory with conventional treatment. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) has been reported to control bleeding; however, it has not been shown to result in ulcer healing. The aim of the present study was to: (i) to investigate the efficacy and safety of APC in controlling bleeding from SRUS; and (ii) to study its efficacy in the healing of ulcer/s. Methods: Twenty‐four patients with bleeding SRUS diagnosed on clinical, colonoscopic, and histological findings were randomized to receive either standard care alone (12 patients) or to undergo multiple sessions of APC in addition (12 patients). All patients were followed up to determine ulcer healing. Results: Twenty‐four patients with a mean duration of symptoms of 12.6 ± 4.8 months were included. Bleeding was controlled with one (n = 5) or two sessions (n = 7) of APC. Reduction in size and depth of ulcer was noted. Eight out of 12 patients who received APC had complete healing of ulcers after four to eight sessions, carried out 2–4 weeks apart. The remaining four patients had a reduction in size and depth of ulcers compared to their pretreatment appearance. All patients were advised to have a high intake of fluids, fiber and laxatives, and to undergo biofeedback and behavior modification therapy in addition to the treatment. Conclusions: APC controls bleeding in patients with SRUS and it also improves the healing of these ulcers.     

Pharmacokinetics of imipenem-cilastatin in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

In six patients with end-stage renal disease, a single bolus of imipenem-cilastatin (500 mg each) was given either intravenously or intraperitoneally in a randomized crossover protocol such that each patient received the drug by both routes at a 2- to 3-week interval. Drug levels in plasma and the peritoneal dialysis fluid were analyzed at frequent intervals, and various pharmacokinetic variables were calculated for a one-compartment open model. Data obtained in the present study suggest that while no significant difference in peak plasma levels or volume of distribution were noted, the following variables were significantly different for imipenem as compared with cilastatin: elimination half-life, total plasma clearance, area under the concentration-time curve, and percent drug excretion in the peritoneal dialysis fluid. The elimination half-life of imipenem (3.28 h) or cilastatin (8.84 h) in our patients was in the same range as observed in patients with minimal renal function undergoing hemodialysis. The dose of imipenem-cilastatin should be reduced appropriately in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing peritoneal dialysis.     

Bowel dysfunction after transposition of intestinal segments into the urinary tract: 8-year prospective cohort study

PURPOSE: Bowel function may be disturbed after intestinal segments are transposed into the urinary tract to reconstruct or replace the bladder. In 1997 our group was the first to report major bowel dysfunction in a cohort of such patients. Up to 42% of those who were asymptomatic preoperatively described new bowel symptoms postoperatively including explosive diarrhea, nocturnal diarrhea, fecal urgency, fecal incontinence and flatus leakage. We now describe bowel symptoms in this same cohort 8 years later (2005). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 116 patients were evaluable. Of the remaining 37 from the original study 30 had died, 5 no longer wished to be involved and 2 could not be located. Patients were asked to complete postal questionnaires identical to those used in the first followup, assessing the severity of bowel symptoms and quality of life using 2 validated instruments. Responses were compared with those from the original study. The Nottingham Health Profile quality of life scores were also compared to age and sex matched norms. RESULTS: There were 96 patients (83%) who completed 8-year followup questionnaires, including 43 after ileal conduit diversion (group 1), 17 after clam enterocystoplasty for overactive bladder (group 2), 18 after bladder reconstruction for neurogenic bladder dysfunction (group 3) and 18 with bladder replacement for nonneurogenic causes (group 4). High prevalence rates of bowel symptoms persisted with no statistically significant differences between the 2 times. Of those with symptoms in 2005, approximately 50% had reported similar symptoms in 1997. Patients treated with clam enterocystoplasty (group 2) still reported the highest prevalence (59%) of troublesome diarrhea with 1 in 2 on regular antidiarrheal medication. They also had high rates of fecal incontinence (47%), fecal urgency (41%) and nocturnal bowel movement (18%), and a large number reported a moderate or severe adverse effect on work (36%), social life (50%) and sexual activity (43%). High rates were also reported by patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction, including 50% with troublesome diarrhea. This symptom was reported by 19% after ileal conduit and by 17% after bladder replacement for nonneurogenic causes. The impact of bowel symptoms on everyday activities and quality of life persisted, remaining most severe after clam enterocystoplasty, with 24% regretting undergoing the procedure because of subsequent bowel symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: After more than 8 years, operations involving transposition of intestinal segments continue to be associated with high rates of bowel symptoms which impact everyday activities. These are particularly troublesome following enterocystoplasty for overactive bladder and bladder reconstruction for neurogenic bladder dysfunction. These risks should influence patient selection and potential patients should be warned before undergoing surgery.