Christina M. Wood

Reemergence of Anaerobic Bacteremia

BACKGROUND During 1974-1988, the incidence of anaerobic bacteremia at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) decreased. This trend occurred nationally, prompting calls for discontinuation of routine anaerobic blood cultures. However, recently, the sites of anaerobic infection have been shown not to be as predictable as once thought, and since 1993, the incidence of anaerobic bacteremia has increased significantly in our medical center. METHODS Records from the Mayo Clinic Division of Clinical Microbiology were used to tabulate the number of cases of anaerobic bacteremia in patients at the clinic for the 12-year period from 1993 through 2004. Medical records for patients with anaerobic bacteremia were reviewed from the periods of 1993-1994 and 2004 to identify differences between these 2 patient populations with different rates of bacteremia. RESULTS The mean incidence of anaerobic bacteremias increased from 53 cases per year during 1993-1996 to 75 cases per year during 1997-2000 to 91 cases per year during 2001-2004 (an overall increase of 74%). The total number of cases of anaerobic bacteremia per 100,000 patient-days increased by 74% (P<.001). The number of anaerobic blood cultures per 1000 cultures performed increased by 30% (P=.002). Organisms from the Bacteroides fragilis group, other species of Bacteroides, and Clostridium species were most commonly isolated. CONCLUSIONS Anaerobic bacteremia has reemerged as a significant clinical problem. Although there are probably multiple reasons for this change, the increasing number of patients with complex underlying diseases makes the clinical context for anaerobic infections less predictable than it once was. Anaerobic blood cultures should be routinely performed in medical centers with a patient population similar to ours.

Pancreatoduodenectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma: implications of positive margin on survival.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of R0 resection margin status and R0 en bloc resection in pancreatoduodenectomy outcomes. DESIGN Retrospective medical record review. SETTING Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. PATIENTS Patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma at our institution between January 1, 1981, and December 31, 2007, were identified and their medical records were reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Median survival times. RESULTS A total of 617 patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy. Median survival times after R0 en bloc resection (n = 411), R0 non-en bloc resection (n = 57), R1 resection (n = 127), and R2 resection (n = 22) were 19, 18, 15, and 10 months, respectively (P < .001). A positive resection margin was associated with death (P = .01). No difference in survival time was found between patients undergoing R0 en bloc and R0 resections after reexcision of an initial positive margin (hazard ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.64; P = .28). CONCLUSIONS R0 resection remains an important prognostic factor. Achieving R0 status by initial en bloc resection or reexcision results in similar long-term survival.

Evidence of Impaired Left Ventricular Systolic Function by Doppler Myocardial Imaging in Patients With Systemic Amyloidosis and No Evidence of Cardiac Involvement by Standard Two-Dimensional and Doppler Echocardiography

We examined the potential role of Doppler myocardial imaging for early detection of systolic dysfunction in patients with systemic amyloidosis (AL) but without evidence of cardiac involvement by standard echocardiography. We identified 42 patients without 2-dimensional echocardiographic or Doppler evidence of cardiac involvement. These patients had normal ventricular wall thickness and normal velocity of the medial mitral annulus. Myocardial images were obtained in these patients and in 32 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Peak longitudinal systolic tissue velocity (sTVI), systolic strain rate (sSR), and systolic strain (sS) were determined for 16 left ventricular segments. Radial and circumferential sSR and sS were also measured. Compared with controls in this group of patients with AL, peak longitudinal sSR (-1.0 +/- 0.2 vs -1.4 +/- 0.2, p <0.001) and peak longitudinal sS (-15.6 +/- 3.3 vs -22.5 +/- 2.0 p <0.001) were significantly decreased. In conclusion, the mean sS from all 6 basal segments, or from all 16 left ventricular segments differentiated patients with AL with normal echocardiography from controls, with similar accuracy for the mean sSR from the 6 basal segments. This distinction was not apparent from peak longitudinal sTVI or from radial or circumferential sSI or sSR.

Maternal and foetal outcomes in pregnant patients with active lupus nephritis.

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of lupus nephritis disease activity on maternal and foetal outcomes in pregnant patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Medical records of all pregnant patients with SLE treated at our institution between 1976 and 2007 were reviewed. All patients met American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for SLE. Demographic data, history of lupus nephritis, nephritis disease activity and maternal and foetal outcomes of pregnancy were abstracted. Active lupus nephritis was defined as the presence of proteinuria >0.5 g/day and/or active urinary sediment with or without an elevation in serum creatinine (Cr). Quiescent lupus nephritis was confirmed in the presence of proteinuria <0.5 mg/day and inactive urinary sediment. We identified 58 patients with 90 pregnancies. Compared with pregnancies in SLE patients without renal involvement (n = 47), pregnancies in patients with active lupus nephritis (n = 23) were associated with a higher incidence of maternal complications (57% vs 11%, P < 0.001), whereas those with quiescent lupus nephritis (n = 20) were not (35% vs 11%, P = 0.10). Women with active lupus nephritis were more likely to deliver preterm than women without lupus nephritis, median of 34 weeks vs 40 gestational weeks, respectively (P = 0.002) and were more likely to suffer foetal loss (35% vs 9%, P = 0.031). Active, but not quiescent, lupus nephritis during pregnancy is associated with a higher incidence of maternal and foetal complications compared with pregnancies in SLE patients without renal involvement.

Effect of massage therapy on pain, anxiety, and tension after cardiac surgery: A randomized study

Integrative therapies such as massage have gained support as interventions that improve the overall patient experience during hospitalization. Cardiac surgery patients undergo long procedures and commonly have postoperative back and shoulder pain, anxiety, and tension. Given the promising effects of massage therapy for alleviation of pain, tension, and anxiety, we studied the efficacy and feasibility of massage therapy delivered in the postoperative cardiovascular surgery setting. Patients were randomized to receive a massage or to have quiet relaxation time (control). In total, 113 patients completed the study (massage, n=62; control, n=51). Patients receiving massage therapy had significantly decreased pain, anxiety, and tension. Patients were highly satisfied with the intervention, and no major barriers to implementing massage therapy were identified. Massage therapy may be an important component of the healing experience for patients after cardiovascular surgery.

Comparison of Mass Spectrometry and Clinical Assay Measurements of Circulating Fragments of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Background— Multiple B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) fragments circulate in patients with heart failure (HF) but the types and relative quantities, particularly in relation to bioactive BNP 1-32, remain poorly defined. The purpose of the study was to relate clinically available BNP values with quantitative information on the concentration of pre-secretion and post-processed fragments of BNP detected by mass spectrometry. Methods and Results— Seventy Class I–IV patients were prospectively enrolled with blood drawn into tubes containing a preservative to protect against BNP degradation. Samples were analyzed by quantitative mass spectrometry (MS) immunoassay for intact BNP 1-32 and its fragments. Clinical BNP 1-2 was measured by standard clinical laboratory methods. ProBNP 1-108, corin, and clinically measured BNP levels were elevated, but MS BNP 1-32 levels were low and differed from clinical BNP (P=0.01). Intact MS BNP 1-32 correlated modestly with clinical BNP (r=0.46, P<0.001). MS BNP fragments 3-32, 4-32, and 5-32 demonstrated the best associations with clinical BNP; fragment 5-32 with a correlation coefficient of r=0.81 (P<0.001). Conclusions— ProBNP 1-108 is measured by clinical BNP assays and contributes to the cumulative results of the BNP assay. However, the observation that clinically measured BNP correlates best with MS degradation fragments and relatively poorly with MS BNP 1-32 suggests that a significant component of circulating clinical BNP is composed of such fragments that are known to demonstrate little biological activity. There appear to be multiple pathways involved in the dysregulation of proBNP in HF, and both the processing of proBNP and the downstream degradation to BNP 1-32 appear to be critical.

Frequency of Extrapancreatic Neoplasms in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm of the Pancreas: Implications for Management

Objective:To estimate the frequency of extrapancreatic neoplasms in patients with IPMN compared with those with ductal pancreatic cancer and a general referral population. Summary Background Data:Several studies have reported an increased risk of extrapancreatic neoplasms in patients with IPMN, but these studies focused only on those patients who underwent resection and excluded those patients treated nonoperatively. Methods:All patients diagnosed with IPMN at Mayo Clinic from 1994 to 2006 were identified. Two control groups consisting of Group 1–patients with a diagnosis of ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma (1:1) and Group 2–a general referral population (3:1) were matched for gender and age at diagnosis, year of registration, and residence. Logistic regression was used to assess the risk of a diagnosis of extrapancreatic neoplasms among cases versus controls. Results:There were 471 cases, 471 patients in Group 1, and 1413 patients in Group 2. The proportion of IPMN patients having any extrapancreatic neoplasm diagnosed before or coincident to the index date was 52% (95% CI, 47%–56%), compared with 36% (95% CI, 32%–41%) in Group 1 (P < 0.001), and 43% (95% CI, 41%–46%) in Group 2 (P = 0.002). Benign neoplasms most frequent in the IPMN group were colonic polyps (n = 114) and Barretts neoplasia (n = 18). The most common malignant neoplasms were nonmelanoma skin (n = 35), breast (n = 24), prostate (n = 24), colorectal cancers (n = 19), and carcinoid neoplasms (n = 6). Conclusions:Patients with IPMN have increased risk of harboring extrapancreatic neoplasms. Based on the frequency of colonic polyps, screening colonoscopy should be considered in all patients with IPMN.

Ischaemic nephropathy secondary to atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis: clinical and histopathological correlates

BACKGROUND Advanced renal artery stenosis (RAS) may cause progressive deterioration in renal function. We correlated the histopathological findings and clinical characteristics in selected patients with atherosclerotic RAS who underwent nephrectomy of their small kidneys for resistant renovascular hypertension. METHODS We studied 62 patients who underwent nephrectomy of a small kidney for uncontrolled hypertension between 1990 and 2000. RESULTS The mean patient age was 65.4 ± 9.6 years; 28 (45%) were men. Significant tubulointerstitial atrophy with relative glomerular sparing was the predominant pattern of injury in 44 (71%) patients. In 14 (23%) patients, diffuse global glomerulosclerosis was present. The severity of tubulointerstitial atrophy and the extent of glomerulosclerosis were both associated with smaller kidney size (P = 0.002). Three patterns of vascular involvement were present: atheroembolic, atherosclerotic and hypertensive vascular changes, which were documented in 39, 98 and 52% of subjects, respectively. The presence and severity of these vascular changes positively correlated with both atherosclerotic risk factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia and renal insufficiency, and cardiovascular morbidity, including abdominal aortic aneurysm and myocardial infarction. Patients on statin therapy were noted to have less evidence of renal fibrosis as measured by transforming growth factor-beta staining (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION The severity of renal histopathological findings in patients who underwent nephrectomy for resistant hypertension correlated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, a greater degree of renal dysfunction and more severe dyslipidaemia. Statin therapy may affect development of intra-renal injury by slowing the progression of fibrosis.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the biliary tract: A real disease?

BACKGROUND Despite increasing numbers of reports, biliary tract intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (BT-IPMN) is not yet recognized as a unique neoplasm. The aim of the present study was to define the presence of BT-IPMN in a large series of resected biliary neoplasms. METHODS From May 1994 to December 2006, BT-IPMN cases were identified by reviewing pathology specimens of all resected cholangiocarcinomas and other biliary neoplasms when cystic, papillary or mucinous features were cited in pathology reports. RESULTS BT-IPMN was identified in 23 out of 253 (9%) specimens using the strict histopathological criteria of IPMN. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal discomfort which was present in 15 patients (65%). Only one of the original operative pathology reports used the term IPMN; 16 (70%) used the terms cystic, mucinous and/or papillary. BT-IPMN was isolated to non-hilar extra-hepatic ducts in 12 (52%), intra-hepatic ducts in 6 (26%) and hilar extra-hepatic ducts in 5 patients (22%). Carcinoma was found in association with BT-IPMN in 19 patients (83%); 5-year survival was 38% after resection. CONCLUSION BT-IPMN occurs throughout the intra- and extra-hepatic biliary system and can be identified readily as a unique neoplasm. Broader acceptance of BT-IPMN as a unique neoplasm may lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of biliary malignancies.

Free Vascularized Fibular Graft Salvage of Complications of Long-Bone Allograft After Tumor Reconstruction

BACKGROUND Long-bone allograft reconstruction following tumor extirpation can be complicated by problems such as nonunion at the host-allograft junction, allograft fracture, or allograft infection. Free vascularized bone grafts can be used to address these complications. The purpose of the current study was to examine retrospectively the outcomes and complications following allograft reconstruction salvage with onlay vascularized fibular grafts. METHODS A tumor registry review was conducted to identify all patients who underwent a reconstruction with a vascularized fibular graft for allograft reconstruction complications following tumor resection (host-graft nonunion, allograft fracture, or allograft nonunion) in the last nineteen years. The records of these patients were analyzed for details regarding the neoplasms and the treatment thereof, details of the free vascularized fibular graft reconstruction, time to osseous union, functional outcome, and clinical outcome. RESULTS Thirty-three patients satisfied the criteria for this study. The involved bones were the femur (eighteen patients), tibia (eight), and humerus (seven). Osseous union was achieved in all patients at a mean of 7.7 months. The average duration of follow-up was seventy-three months. Twenty-three patients achieved a good or excellent functional outcome. Ultimately, seven patients had a failure of the allograft reconstruction, which resulted in limb loss in five of them. Postoperative complications were relatively common in this series. CONCLUSIONS Free vascularized fibular grafting is a useful adjunctive surgical treatment for nonunion, fracture, and infection of an intercalary allograft reconstruction in limb salvage surgery. It has, however, a high rate of associated complications often resulting in failure.