Outcomes of Self-Expanding Metal Stents in Malignant Colonic Obstruction are Independent of Location or Length of the Stenosis: Results of a Retrospective, Single-Center Series.

Aim: To evaluate the length and location of stenosis in the colon as predictors of technical and clinical outcomes of stent placement in patients presenting with obstructive colorectal cancer.

Methods: A prospective single-center cohort study of patients treated with a colonic stent for malignant obstruction, regardless of stenosis length or location. Stenosis length was assessed globally on the appropriate CT slice as well as by 3D CT reconstruction.

Cladribine therapy for systemic mastocytosis.

Patients with systemic mastocytosis (SM) can suffer from disabling symptoms related to mast cell mediator release or mast cell infiltration, requiring mast cell eradication. In the present absence of any curative therapy, a recent case report describing the efficacy of cladribine showed promising results. In a pilot study, the efficacy of cladribine (0.

Intravenous catheterisation of conventional pigs without application of antimicrobial agents.

In six experiments 43 castrated male conventional pigs weighing 25-41 kg were catheterised by inserting a cannula via the jugular vein into the cranal caval vein. The catheters were taped to the spinal neck region where the tap stops were located. Antimicrobial agents were not applied.

Retinoic acid as antileukemic therapy in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia and Aspergillus pneumonia.

A patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and laboratory evidence of fibrinolysis who could not be treated with aggressive cytostatic regimens because of Aspergillus pneumonia was treated with cis-retinoic acid (RA), a substance that can induce differentiation and maturation of APL cells. After seven weeks of daily oral treatment, he went into complete remission, and signs of coagulopathy disappeared. Meanwhile, the Aspergillus pneumonia could be treated adequately.

Serum beta 2-microglobulin: a real improvement in the management of multiple myeloma?

Beta 2-microglobulin (B2-m) determinations in serum have recently been introduced as a method of stratifying patients suffering from multiple myeloma. Conflicting results from several studies prompted us to study retrospectively the correlation of B2-m with presenting features and disease stage, as well as the prognostic value of B2-m, in 87 myeloma patients. Significant correlations were found between B2-m and presenting features such as haemoglobin level, serum calcium level and total body myeloma cell mass.

Plasma spermidine concentrations as early indication of response to therapy in human myeloma.

Eighteen patients with melphalan refractory myeloma were treated with vindesine and prednisone. Plasma spermidine concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay before and after a single vindesine injection. Seven patients showed a significant rise of plasma spermidine after vindesine and five of these showed a clinical response on further evaluation.

Role of metastatectomy without chemotherapy in the management of osteosarcoma in children.

In a series of 18 consecutive non metastatic osteosarcoma patients, metastases developed in 12 and successful metastatectomies could be performed in 6. No adjuvant chemotherapy was given. Four of these 6 patients survived.