Surgical diseases of the womb according to Aetius of Amida (6th century A.D.).

Background: In the interest of presenting historical background for modern-day medicine and surgery, the authors comment on the concepts of the eminent Byzantine physician Aetius of Amida (sixth century A.D.) in surgical treatment of diseases of the womb.

Does exclusive breastfeeding increase after hospital discharge? A Greek study.

To monitor the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Greek maternity wards and to investigate possible changes in infant-feeding practices during the first month after hospital discharge, the authors questioned 4310 Greek mothers from 7 hospitals on the fourth day postpartum. Odds ratios were calculated to estimate the effects of health system, demographic, psychosocial, and environmental factors. Any breastfeeding and full breastfeeding initiation rates were 85% and 23%, respectively.

Steroid hormones polymorphisms and cholelithiasis in Greek population.

Background: Genetic variation in genes involved in steroid biosynthesis, metabolism and signal transduction have been suggested to play a role in gallstone disease.

Methods: To elucidate the possible role of genetic variation in the estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ER-alpha, ER-beta) and androgen receptor (AR) genes in breast cancer risk, the -1174(TA)n, c.1092+3607(CA)(n) and c.

Scintimammographic detection of usual ductal breast hyperplasia with increased proliferation rate at risk for malignancy.

Objectives: To estimate whether breast uptake of (99m)Tc-(V)DMSA and (99m)Tc-sestamibi in usual ductal epithelial breast hyperplasia (UDH) and apocrine metaplasia is related to cell proliferation rate (Ki-67) and oestrogen receptor (ER) expression, both of which are associated with the potential risk of evolving to malignancy.

Methods: Among patients referred for suspicious breast findings on palpation and/or mammography and evaluated preoperatively with both radiopharmaceuticals, we retrospectively studied 17 (10 with UDH: group I; and seven with apocrine metaplasia: group II). Lesion-to-background (L/B) ratios in early and late acquisitions were calculated for both radiotracers in both groups, as well as their retention ratios.

Increased serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in relapsed ductal breast carcinoma.

Increased serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 is a quite uncommon manifestation of breast cancer both on early disease and on relapse. A 53-year-old woman with invasive ductal breast carcinoma underwent left-sided mastectomy. Two years later she palpated a subcutaneous mass at the mastectomy scar, arousing suspicion of local relapse.

Primary malignant mesothelioma of the peritoneum: a clinical and immunohistochemical study.

Background: Primary peritoneal mesothelioma is regarded as a fatal disease that presents with progressive ascites at a relatively late stage of its natural history. Differential diagnosis between this rare tumor and both serous papillary carcinoma of the peritoneum and ovary can be problematic.

Case: A 54-year-old woman presented to our institution with a 4-month history of dull epigastric pain and increased abdominal girth.

Imaging in situ breast carcinoma (with or without an invasive component) with technetium-99m pentavalent dimercaptosuccinic acid and technetium-99m 2-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile scintimammography.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to retrospectively define specific features of the technetium-99m pentavalent dimercaptosuccinic acid (99mTc-(V)DMSA) and technetium-99m 2-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile (99mTc-Sestamibi [99mTc-MIBI]) distribution in ductal breast carcinoma in situ and lobular breast carcinoma in situ (DCIS/LCIS), in relation to mammographic, histological and immunohistochemical parameters.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and two patients with suspicious palpation or mammographic findings were submitted preoperatively to scintimammography (a total of 72 patients with 99mTc-(V)DMSA and a total of 75 patients with 99mTc-Sestamibi, 45 patients receiving both radiotracers). Images were acquired at 10 min and 60 min, and were evaluated for a pattern of diffuse radiotracer accumulation.

Scintimammographic findings of phyllodes tumor of the breast in a double-phase study with Tc-99m (V)DMSA and Tc-99m MIBI: a case report.

We present a case of phyllodes tumor of the breast in a 78-year-old woman evaluated with Tc-99m (V)DMSA and Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography, acquired in separate sessions (10 and 60 min post-injection). Tc-99m (V)DMSA was accumulated intensely within the mass [tumor to background ratio (T/B) >3], whereas Tc-99m MIBI had significantly lower uptake (T/B 1.9).

The expression of epithelial specific antigen in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and adenocarcinoma.

There is a spectrum of changes described as cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia (CGIN) with adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) considered to represent the most severe lesion in that spectrum. Although there is evidence to suggest a progression of CGIN to AIS and to invasive adenocarcinoma, the natural history of these potential precursor lesions has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this project was to establish the relationship of endocervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasias to uterine endocervical adenocarcinoma.

Relationship of cell proliferation (Ki-67) to 99mTc-(V)DMSA uptake in breast cancer.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to identify the relationships between the uptake of radiotracers - namely pentavalent dimercaptosuccinic acid [(V)DMSA] and sestamibi (MIBI) - and the following parameters in primary breast cancer: steroid receptor concentrations (i.e. estrogen receptor [ER] and progesterone receptor [PR]), Ki-67 expression, tumor size, tumor grade, age, and levels of expression of p53 and c-erbB-2.

Tension-free vaginal tape in the management of recurrent stress incontinence.

Methods: Thirty-three patients with failed previous incontinence surgery had a Tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) inserted. Preoperative evaluation included uroflow, filing and voiding cystometry, urethral profilometry and a Q-tip test. Factors assessed postoperatively included cure, improvement or failure rates at 20.

Leiomyosarcoma of the breast. A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study.

Leiomyosarcoma is one of the rarest sarcomas of the breast. We present the clinical, histological and immunohistochemical findings of two new cases of leiomyosarcomas of the breast in 42 and 65 years old women. We analyze the differential diagnostic problems and we review the literature.

Cat-scratch disease presenting as a solitary tumour in the breast: report of three cases.

Cat-scratch disease (CSD) may appear as a solitary mass in the breast and give the impression of a breast carcinoma. In this case, further clinical and laboratory investigation is required to rule out malignancy. We present three cases of CSD of the breast in women of 64, 31 and 61 years old.

A tragic case of complicated labour in early Byzantium (404 A.D.).

Objectives: Presentation and comment on the problematic delivery of the Byzantine empress Eudoxia's stillborn child.

Study Design: The original Greek language Byzantine histories, chronicles and hagiographical sources were investigated. Comparisons were then made of the knowledge of obstetrics among contemporary and ancient physicians.

Clinical experience with Norplant subdermal implant system as long-term contraception during adolescence.

Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the efficacy, acceptability and side-effects of the Norplant (Leiras) contraceptive system during adolescence.

Methods: A total of 13 adolescents were implanted with Norplant immediately after menstruation. Adolescents were advised to present for follow-up visits at 3 days after implantation, at 3, 6 and 12 months and every 1 year thereafter.

99mTc-(V)DMSA scintimammography in the assessment of breast lesions: comparative study with 99mTc-MIBI.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the diagnostic accuracy of pentavalent technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid [99mTc-(V)DMSA] and 99mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) in the detection of primary breast cancer and metastatic lymph node involvement, and in the clarification of cases with indeterminate mammograms. Forty-one women (mean age+/-SD 55+/-7 years) referred for a suspicious breast lesion on physical examination and/or an abnormal mammogram underwent MIBI and (V)DMSA scintimammography (SMM) at separate sessions (48-h interval). Lateral prone and anterior supine images were obtained at 10 and 60 min after administration of 740-925 MBq of each tracer, in the arm contralateral to the breast lesion.

Breast tumors during adolescence.

A variety of benign tumors may involve the breast of the adolescent female. Neoplasms and cysts originating from the breast tissue itself, as well as from anatomically related tissues such as lymph nodes may occur. Imaging of the adolescent with a breast mass varies from that of the mature women because of the extremely uncommon occurrence of breast malignancy is this younger population.

Vimentin and alpha-fetoprotein expression in breast cancer smears: relationship with various prognostic factors.

Estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptor status, factors known to influence the prognosis and therapeutic possibilities in patients with breast cancer; alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which is an estrogen binder; and vimentin (V) were determined in cytological imprint smears of 75 mastectomy specimens. The results were classified according to tumor type and menopausal state and analyzed to determine possible relationships among these four markers under the different circumstances. There was a positive association of ER positivity with PR positivity, AFP positivity, and V negativity using chi 2 analysis.

Immunocytochemical determination of EGFR, OV 632 and OC 125 in primary ovarian cancer patients.

An immunocytochemistry study was performed to compare the immunoreactivity of the monoclonal antibodies OC 125, EGFR and OV 632 with smear imprints from 60 ovarian tumours (21 serous cystadenocarcinomas, 12 mucinous cystadenocarcinomas, 9 endometrioid carcinomas, 5 clear cell carcinomas and 5 mixed tumours). Twenty-six patients were premenopausal and 34 postmenopausal. The results showed that 75% of mucinous cystadenocarcinomas were negative for all 3 antigens as were 2 of the 5 (40%) clear cell carcinomas.

Immunocytochemical differentiation of reactive mesothelial cells and adenocarcinoma cells in serous effusions with the use of carcinoembryonic antigen and fibronectin.

Ninety effusions from patients with breast and ovarian cancer were studied cytologically and classified as benign, suspicious or malignant, and the same samples were studied for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and fibronectin (F) immunostaining. The combination F positive/CEA negative was found to have 100% specificity and 92.3% sensitivity in patients with benign or reactive effusions, and F negative/CEA positive 85.