MR navigated breast surgery: method and initial clinical experience.

3D dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images may help to reduce the high re-excision rate associated with breast conserving surgery. However these images are acquired prone, whilst surgery is performed supine which results in a large deformation that limits their usefulness. We describe here a registration technique based on a biomechanical model to account for soft tissue deformation between prone MR imaging and surgery.

Treatment of mammary duct fistula by fistulectomy and saucerization.

This study was designed to assess the efficacy and long-term outcome of fistulectomy and saucerization for treatment of mammary duct fistulae. Mammary fistula is a chronic condition that represents the final step in what has been termed "mammary duct associated inflammatory disease sequence." The treatment is primarily surgical and may include healing by secondary intention or primary closure with or without antibiotics.

Breast duct micro-endoscopy: a study of technique and a morphological classification of endo-luminal lesions.

Endoscopic visualisation of the human mammary ductal system has been sporadically reported over the last decade. Recent rapid and groundbreaking developments in the field of optics have made the previously unseen labyrinth of mammary ducts more easily accessible to direct visualisation and examination. The emphasis so far has been on visualisation of ectatic ducts with pathological nipple discharge.

Breast duct microendoscopy in nipple discharge: microbrush improves cytology.

Background: Breast duct microendoscopy is a new technique that allows direct visualization of the mammary ductal epithelia and has the potential to provide greater accuracy in the diagnosis of benign and malignant breast conditions. We have already established the feasibility of BDME on mastectomy specimens and in patients both under general and local anesthesia. It was the aim of this study to investigate the use of BDME in patients with pathological nipple discharge and to explore the feasibility of using an endoluminal microbrush to take cytology samples from specific lesions.

Gigantomastia: A problem of local recurrence.

Gigantomastia by definition means bilateral benign progressive breast enlargement to a degree that requires breast reduction surgery to remove more than 1800 g of tissue on each side. It is seen at puberty or during pregnancy. The etiology for this condition is still not clear, but surgery remains the mainstay of treatment.

Throwing light on nipple discharge.

Five percent of the patients presenting to a symptomatic breast clinic have nipple discharge. Conventional surgical management for the nipple discharge includes microdochectomy or total duct excision. Breast duct micro-endoscopy (BDME) is a new technique, which helps evaluate the underlying cause of nipple discharge.

Toremifene, a new agent for treatment of mastalgia: an open study.

Objective: Endocrine agents have been widely used in the treatment of mastalgia. Toremifene is an agent that predominantly has antiestrogenic properties with minimal estrogenic activities. This study was aimed at investigating this drug in the treatment of mastalgia and to evaluate its tolerability and efficacy.

Gigantomastia unrelated to pregnancy or puberty: a case report.

Idiopathic gigantomastia occurs during puberty and pregnancy but a spontaneous case has not been reported in the literature. An unusual case is described, which required urgent bilateral mastectomy to control systemic sepsis and extreme discomfort.

Sentinel node biopsy: an in depth appraisal.

Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in primary breast cancer has been taken-up widely to avoid the morbidity attributable to axillary node clearance (ANC). Currently many issues surrounding SNB are undecided. This review summarises why some form of axillary surgery is required and presents data on all aspects of SNB including methodology, clinical results and problems that may delay the introduction of SNB as best practice for all patients with primary breast cancer.

Paget disease of the nipple: a multifocal manifestation of higher-risk disease.

Background: The treatment of Paget disease by mastectomy has been challenged recently in favor of breast-conserving techniques. A large series of patients treated with mastectomy has been reviewed to assess the feasibility of less radical surgery.

Methods: The cases of 70 women with a clinical diagnosis of Paget disease were reviewed.

10. Sentinel node biopsy in primary breast cancer.

Sentinel node biopsy is a minimally invasive but accurate way of staging the axilla such that as many as 50% of women with primary breast cancer could avoid axillary clearance and the morbidity this carries with it. The methodology has yet to be perfected but identification of the sentinel node(s) with either dye or isotope, or with a combination of these, is a robust technique that is quick to learn and correctly predicts the status of the rest of the axilla in significantly more than 90% of patients. Improvements in the methodology and in patient selection will inevitably make sentinel node biopsy even more accurate.

Breast carcinoma in women age 25 years or less.

Background: Although several studies have examined breast carcinoma in young women aged < or = 35 years at diagnosis, there are only occasional cases reported in very young women aged < or = 25 years, and, to the authors' knowledge, no series are available. The presentation, tumor biology, behavior, and outcome of breast carcinoma in very young women are not known, and the rarity of breast malignancy within this age group could lead to diagnostic delays.

Methods: The tumor characteristics and survival of 15 women aged < or = 25 years at the time of diagnosis, have been reviewed and compared with women aged 26-35 years under the care of Guy's Hospital's Breast Unit during the same period of time.

Activation of human granulocyte type 1-prophospholipase A2.

Using an assay for measurement of released type 1-prophospholipase A2 (type 1-proPLA2) propeptides (PROP assay), we have shown that human granulocytes, but not lymphocytes or macrophages, abundantly express this 'pancreatic' type 1-proPLA2 zymogen. Stimulation with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and other cytokines results in the immediate release from granulocytes of a mixture of free propeptides and type 1-proPLA2 precursor. We also found that granulocytes contain an approximately 29 kDa trypsin-like endogenous type 1-proPLA2 activator.

Cholecystokinin-8 induces edematous pancreatitis in dogs associated with short burst of trypsinogen activation.

To study the early pathogenesis of acute edematous pancreatitis in dogs, we examined the relationship of pancreatic hyperstimulation with cholecystokinin-8 (10 micrograms/kg/hr intravenously for 6 hr) to alterations in circulating pancreatic enzymes and pancreatic morphology with special reference to trypsinogen activation. Cholecystokinin-8 infusion was associated with increases in plasma amylase, lipase, trypsin-like immunoreactivity, and plasma and urine trypsinogen activation peptide. Pancreatic parenchymal swelling and interlobular and subcapsular fluid accumulations were detected ultrasonographically within 2 hr of cholecystokinin-8.

Type 1-prophospholipase A2 propeptide immunoreactivity is released from activated granulocytes.

Objective: To establish a ELISA assay to measure release of type 1-phospholipase A2 propeptide from activated granulocytes. Human type 1-prophospholipase A2 (1-proPLA2) is biosynthesized and stored as inactive zymogen. Activation involves tryptic-like cleavage at the N-terminus, with equimolar release of the heptapeptide DSGISPR.

Type 1 prophospholipase A2 propeptide in acute lung injury.

Neutrophil sequestration and activation in the pulmonary vasculature and interstitium are important in acute lung injury. Phospholipase A2 plays an important part in the production of potent inflammatory mediators in this syndrome. We used our ELISA for type 1 prophospholipase A2 activation peptides, which have the aminoacid sequence Asp-Ser-Gly-Ile-Ser-Pro-Arg (DSGISPR), to show that DSGISPR concentrations in plasma and urine are a sensitive and specific marker of acute lung injury in patients admitted to intensive care.

Controlled trial of high-dose octreotide in treatment of acute pancreatitis. Evidence of improvement in disease severity.

Nineteen consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis were sequentially allocated to treatment with high-dose octreotide (N = 9) or to act as controls (N = 10). All other aspects of treatment were similar and were according to a strict treatment protocol. There was no significant difference between the two groups on admission with regard to recognized criteria of poor prognosis.

A case of candidal umbilical granuloma.

A case is reported of a 14-year-old boy with a mass arising from the umbilicus, which was a large, well-organized candidal granuloma. Cell markers showed normal numbers and distribution of peripheral T and B lymphocytes but there was no reaction to intradermal injection of Candida, suggesting a specific T-cell defect such as occurs in chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis.