Agata Smoleń

Evaluation of tracheal stenosis: comparison between computed tomography virtual tracheobronchoscopy with multiplanar reformatting, flexible tracheofiberoscopy and intra-operative findings.

The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare various helical CT display modes [virtual endoscopy (VE)] and multiplanar reformations (MPR), conventional flexible tracheobronchoscopy (FT) and intra-operative (IO) findings in patients with tracheal stenosis and to analyze the advantage of MPR and VE in diagnosis and treatment planning and in postoperative follow-up. Thirty-seven patients with tracheal stenosis underwent standard neck and chest CT followed by MPR and VE. Results were correlated with the results of FT and IO findings. Thirty-three of the 37 stenoses were correctly graded and measured adequately using VE. Complete correlation among CT, fiberoptic tracheoscopy, and surgery of stenosis grading, stenosis length and length of planned resection segment of the trachea was noted between 33 of 37 patients with tracheal stenosis. Correlation between VE and IO was noted in 35 of 37 patients and between FT and VE was noted in 33 of 37 patients with tracheal stenosis. The sensitivity of VE was 94–97%, specificity was 100% with comparison to IO findings. The sensitivity and accuracy of MPR was 86–89% and specificity was 100% with comparison to FT findings. The results of the study indicate that VE is an excellent, consistent, and objective technique. VE with MPR is very useful in diagnostic evaluation and treatment planning in patients with tracheal stenosis.

Association of Serum Adiponectin, Leptin, and Resistin Concentrations with the Severity of Liver Dysfunction and the Disease Complications in Alcoholic Liver Disease

Background and aims. There is growing evidence that white adipose tissue is an important contributor in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). We investigated serum concentrations of total adiponectin (Acrp30), leptin, and resistin in patients with chronic alcohol abuse and different grades of liver dysfunction, as well as ALD complications. Materials and Methods. One hundred forty-seven consecutive inpatients with ALD were prospectively recruited. The evaluation of plasma adipokine levels was performed using immunoenzymatic ELISA tests. Multivariable logistic regression was applied in order to select independent predictors of advanced liver dysfunction and the disease complications. Results. Acrp30 and resistin levels were significantly higher in patients with ALD than in controls. Lower leptin levels in females with ALD compared to controls, but no significant differences in leptin concentrations in males, were found. High serum Acrp30 level revealed an independent association with advanced liver dysfunction, as well as the development of ALD complications, that is, ascites and hepatic encephalopathy. Conclusion. Gender-related differences in serum leptin concentrations may influence the ALD course, different in females compared with males. Serum Acrp30 level may serve as a potential prognostic indicator for patients with ALD.

Usefulness and efficiency of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens from laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in HPV detection by IHC and PCR/DEIA.

The use of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues for HPV DNA detection by PCR from biopsy materials is not entirely clear in retrospective studies. The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness and efficiency of FFPE tissues from laryngeal cancer (LSCC) in HPV detection by immunohistochemistry reaction (IHC) and PCR-DNA enzyme immunoassay method (PCR/DEIA) and to compare with HPV detection from DFT. HPV-DNA was amplified from 54 FFPE tissues from LSCC specimens by the short PCR fragment (SPF10) primer set using PCR/DNA method and monoclonal anti Human Papillomavirus antibodies in IHC. In the same patients 54 specimens were collected and immediately deep-frozen and stored at (-70°C) to (-80°C). All the FFPE and deep-frozen tissue (DFT) specimens were positive for β-globin amplification. HPV was detected by two methods (SPF10 PCR/DEIA and IHC) in 14 (25.92%) out of 54 specimens from FFPE. Significant differences were found between the HPV detection using PCR/DEIA method and IHC method in FFPE tissues. The comparative analysis of the 54 samples after assuming PCR method in FFPE tissues showed accuracy of 92.6%, sensitivity of 90.5% and specificity of 93.9%. The FFPE tissues method has high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy when used to detect HPV DNA by PCR reaction and it is comparable to DFT results. DNA quality of FFPE samples is adequate and it can be used in HPV-DNA detection and in retrospective studies on LSCC.

Altered tissue electrical properties in squamous cell carcinoma in head and neck tumors: Preliminary observations.

The purpose of this study was to investigate tissue electrical properties in patients with head and neck cancer.

Validation of the Polish version of Diabetes Quality of Life - Brief Clinical Inventory (DQL-BCI) among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Introduction The aim of the study was to develop a Polish version of the Diabetes Quality of Life Brief Clinical Inventory (DQL-BCI) and to perform validating evaluation of selected psychometric aspects. Material and methods The translation process was performed in accordance with generally accepted international principles of translation and cultural adaptation of measurement tools. Two hundred and seventy-four subjects with type 2 diabetes completed the Polish version of DQL-BCI, the generic EQ-5D questionnaire and the diabetes-specific DSC-R. The examination provides information about the reliability (internal consistency, test-retest) and the construct validity of the studied tool (the relationship between the DQL-BCI score and EQ-5D and DSC-R scales, as well as selected clinical patient characteristics). Results Cronbachs α (internal consistency) for the translated version of DQL-BCI was 0.76. Test-retest Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.96. Spearmans coefficient correlation between DQL-BCI score and EQ-5D index and EQ-VAS were 0.6 (p = 0.0000001) and 0.61 (p = 0.0000001) respectively. The correlation between scores of the examined tool and DSC-R total score was –0.6 (p = 0.0000001). Quality of life was lower among patients with microvascular as well as macrovascular complications and with occurring hypoglycemic episodes. Conclusions The result of this study is the Polish scale used to test the quality of life of patients with diabetes, which includes the range of problems faced by patients while maintaining a patient-friendly form. High reliability of the scale and good construct validity qualify the Polish version of DQL-BCI as a reliable tool in both research and individual diagnostics.

Tissue electrical properties in head and neck tumors before and after surgery: Preliminary observations

Context: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) detects changes in tissue electrical properties and has been seen as a prognostic tool in several chronic conditions, including cancer. AIMS The study was conducted to investigate whether there are any tissue electrical differences in patients with head and neck cancer (H and NC) before and after surgery treatment. Settings and Design: The observational study was performed at the Otolaryngology Department, Head and Neck Oncology. Materials and Methods : Tissue electrical properties were assessed in 31 patients with H and NC before and 2 weeks after surgery treatment. Direct bioimpedance measures [resistance, reactance, phase angle (PA)] were determined by BIA. Statistical Analysis Used: The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess the distribution conformity of examined parameters with a normal distribution; the Fisher (F) test was used to assess variance homogeneity. For group comparisons of metric data we used the Mann-Whitney U test. P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The statistical analysis for this study was performed using the computer software STATISTICA v. 8.0 (StatSoft). Results: PA at 50 kHz was found to be significantly (P = 0.000009) lower after surgery in patients with H and NC than before treatment (4.69° ±0.71 vs. 4.22 ± 0.83, respectively). Resistance was significantly (P = 0.0005) greater after surgery in patients with H and NC than before (596.24 ± 96.31 ohm vs 647.64 ± 276.11 ohm, respectively). Conclusions: There are tissue electrical differences before and after surgery in patients diagnosed with H and NC. Further observations would be useful to feedback in support therapy planning of individual patients.

Extracellular–to–body cell mass ratio and subjective global assessment in head-and-neck cancers

BACKGROUND The ratio of extracellular mass to body cell mass (ecm/bcm), determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis, has been found to be a potentially useful indicator of nutrition status. Subjective global assessment (sga) is a subjective method of evaluating nutrition status in head-and-neck cancer. The present study was conducted to investigate the association between ecm/bcm and sga in head-and-neck cancer. METHODS Patients were classified as either well-nourished or malnourished by sga. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was conducted on a population of 75 patients with histologically confirmed head-and-neck cancer, and the ecm/bcm was calculated. Receiver operating characteristic curves were estimated using the nonparametric method to determine an optimal cut-off value of the ecm/bcm. RESULTS Compared with malnourished patients, those who were well-nourished had a statistically significantly lower ecm/bcm (1.11 vs. 1.28, p = 0.005). An ecm/bcm cut-off of 1.194 was 76% sensitive and 63% specific in detecting malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS The ecm/bcm can be an indicator that detects malnutrition in patients with head-and-neck cancer. Further observations are needed to validate the significance of the ecm/bcm and to monitor nutrition interventions.

Bioimpedance vector pattern in Taiwanese and Polish college students detected by bioelectric impedance vector analysis: preliminary observations.

Background and Objectives. The study was conducted to evaluate soft tissue hydration and mass through pattern analysis of vector plots as height, normalized resistance, and reactance measurements by bioelectric impedance vector analysis in Taiwanese and Polish college students. Methods. Whole-body measurements were made with ImpediMed bioimpedance analysis SFB7 BioImp v1.55 (Pinkenba Qld 4008, Australia) in 16 Taiwanese and Polish men and 16 Taiwanese and Polish women. Results. Mean vectors of Taiwanese men and women groups versus the Polish men and women groups were characterized by almost the same normalized resistance component with reactance component (separate 95% confidence limits, P < 0.05) indicating that there were no differences of soft tissue hydration and mass. Interpretation and Conclusion. The evaluation of soft tissue hydration and mass through pattern analysis of vector plots as height, normalized resistance, and reactance measurements by bioelectric impedance vector analysis in Taiwanese and Polish college students did not differ between these two diverse ethnic groups. Further observational research investigating these properties in larger groups would be welcomed to elucidate and/or confirm these findings.

Wznowy u pacjentów leczonych operacyjnie z powodu raka krtani

PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to investigate the recurrence prevalence in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) underwent surgery as primary treatment. MATERIAL The assessed group consisted of 148 patients with operable LSCC underwent surgery as primary treatment between 1999-2002. Surgery was performed in all cases. Total laryngectomy was performed in 107 (72.3%) patients and laser endoscopic tumor resection was performed in 41 (27.7%) patients. RESULTS Local recurrence occurred in 18 (12.2%) patients, nodal recurrence in 12 (8.1%) and both and/or remote metastases in 6 (4%) patients. Altogether, recurrence was present in 36 (24.3%) patients and 111 (75.7%) patients had no symptoms of recurrence. Recurrence prevalence in 3-year follow-up--prevalence of recurrence significantly increased with tumors T feature (p=0.04), N feature (p=0.03), progression of clinical stage (p=0.008) and histological malignancy G stage (p=0.01). Recurrence prevalence in 5-year follow-up--prevalence of recurrence significantly increased with tumors T feature (p=0.02), N feature (p=0.01), progression of clinical stage (p=0.003) and histological malignancy G stage (p=0.002). Tumors localized in glottic area had less recurrences than those localized in supraglottic area (p=0.05). There were no significant dependence between recurrence type (local or nodal) and tumors clinicopathological features. Multiple factor analysis with logistic regression model did not revealed simultaneous influence of many variables on recurrences presence and type. Using multiple factor analysis with Coxs regression model it was proved that recurrence presence (p<0.00001) is a significant independent prognostic factor in the analyzed group of patients with laryngeal carcinoma in 3-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Recurrence prevalence depends on localization, systemic progression stage, clinical progression stage, cervical lymph nodes state and histological malignancy stage of tumor. Patients with local recurrence have statistically significantly worse prognosis than patients with no recurrence. Recurrence presence is significant independent prognostic factor in 3-year follow-up.Summary Purpose The aim of the present study was to investigate the recurrence prevalence in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) underwent surgery as primary treatment. Material The assessed group consisted of 148 patients with operable LSCC underwent surgery as primary treatment between 1999–2002. Surgery was performed in all cases. Total laryngectomy was performed in 107 (72.3%) patients and laser endoscopic tumor resection was performed in 41 (27.7%) patients. Results Local recurrence occurred in 18 (12.2%) patients, nodal recurrence in 12 (8.1%) and both and/or remote metastases in 6 (4%) patients. Altogether, recurrence was present in 36 (24.3%) patients and 111 (75.7%) patients had no symptoms of recurrence. Recurrence prevalence in 3-year follow-up – prevalence of recurrence significantly increased with tumors T feature (p = 0.04), N feature (p = 0.03), progression of clinical stage (p = 0.008) and histological malignancy G stage (p = 0.01). Recurrence prevalence in 5-year follow-up – prevalence of recurrence significantly increased with tumors T feature (p = 0.02), N feature (p = 0.01), progression of clinical stage (p = 0.003) and histological malignancy G stage (p = 0.002). Tumors localized in glottic area had less recurrences than those localized in supraglottic area (p = 0.05). There were no significant dependence between recurrence type (local or nodal) and tumors clinicopathological features. Multiple factor analysis with logistic regression model did not reveal simultaneous influence of many variables on recurrences presence and type. Using multiple factor analysis with Coxs regression model it was proved that recurrence presence (p Conclusions Recurrence prevalence depends on localization, systemic progression stage, clinical progression stage, cervical lymph nodes state and histological malignancy stage of tumor. Patients with local recurrence have statistically significantly worse prognosis than patients with no recurrence. Recurrence presence is significant independent prognostic factor in 3-year follow-up.

Capacitance of Membrane As a Prognostic Indicator of Survival in Head and Neck Cancer

Background Evaluation of prognostic value of capacitance of membrane (Cm), parameter measured by bioelectrical impedance (BIA) as an alternative to known clinical factors in patients with Head and Neck Cancer (HNC). Methods A cohort of 75 stage IIIB and IV HNC patients treated in Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Lublin, Poland were prospectively evaluated. Cm measurements were performed in all patients using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer that was set on a frequency of 50 kHz. Results of Cm measurements were presented in nF. Survival differences were estimated using Kaplan–Meier method. Results Significantly higher Cm median was noted in well-nourished(n = 45) compared to malnourished (n = 30) patients (1.41 vs 1.01 respectively; p = 0.0009). Established in ROC curves analysis cut-off value (0.743) was characterized by 98% specificity and 37% sensitivity in the detection of malnutrition. Median overall survival (mOS) in the cohort was 32months. At the time of analysis deaths were recorded in 47 cases (62.7%). In patients who had Cm below the level of 0.743 risk of OS shortening was significantly higher than in other patients (12.1 and 43.4 months respectively; HR = 8.47, 95%CI: 2.91–24.66; χ2 = 15.38, p = 0.0001). Conclusion Cm is a strong, independent prognostic factor in head and neck cancer.