Pre-treatment magnetic resonance imaging in anal cancer: large-scale evaluation of mrT, mrN and novel staging parameters.

Background: In patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is recommended for pre-treatment staging prior to chemo-radiotherapy (CRT), but large-scale evaluation of its staging performance is lacking.

Methods: We re-characterised pre-treatment MRs from 228 patients with non-metastatic SCCA treated consecutively by CRT (2006-2015) at one UK cancer centre. We derived TN staging from tumour size (mrTr) and nodal involvement (mrN), and additionally characterised novel beyond TN features such as extramural vascular invasion (mrEMVI) and tumour signal heterogeneity (mrTSH).

Intermediate multidomain state in single-crystalline Mn-doped BiFeO thin films during ferroelectric polarization switching.

A intermediate multidomain state and large crystallographic tilting of 1.78° for the (hh0) planes of a (001)-oriented single-domain Mn-doped BiFeO (BFMO) thin film were found when an electric field was applied along the [110] direction. The anomalous crystallographic tilting was caused by ferroelastic domain switching of the 109° domain switching.

Superstructure of FeGeTe Determined by Te K-Edge Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure and Te Kα X-ray Fluorescence Holography.

The local structure of the two-dimensional van der Waals material, FeGeTe, which exhibits unique structural/magnetic phase transitions, was investigated by Te K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and Te Kα X-ray fluorescence holography (XFH) over a wide temperature range. The formation of a trimer of Te atoms at low temperatures has been fully explored using these methods. An increase in the Te-Fe distance at approximately 150 K was suggested by EXAFS and presumably indicates the formation of a Te trimer.

SF-CORNER (splenic flexure colorectal cancer): an international survey of operative approaches and outcomes for cancers of the splenic flexure.

Aim: The optimum surgical approach to splenic flexure cancers (SFCs) remains uncertain. The aim of this survey was to explore the opinions of an international surgical community on the management and outcomes of SFC.

Method: A questionnaire was constructed comprising five sections (information about respondents; definition and prognosis of SFC; operative approach; approach in specific scenarios; outcomes) and circulated through an international dissemination committee and social media.

Three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance volume assessment and loco-regional failure in anal cancer: early evaluation case-control study.

Background: The primary aim was to test the hypothesis that deriving pre-treatment 3D magnetic resonance tumour volume (mrTV) quantification improves performance characteristics for the prediction of loco-regional failure compared with standard maximal tumour diameter (1D) assessment in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anus undergoing chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: We performed an early evaluation case-control study at two UK centres (2007-2014) in 39 patients with loco-regional failure (cases), and 41 patients disease-free at 3 years (controls). mrTV was determined using the summation of areas method (Vol).

Temporal improvements in loco-regional failure and survival in patients with anal cancer treated with chemo-radiotherapy: treatment cohort study (1990-2014).

Background: We evaluated oncological changes in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) treated by chemoradiotherapy (CRT) from a large UK institute, to derive estimates of contemporary outcomes.

Methods: We performed a treatment-cohort analysis in 560 patients with non-metastatic SCCA treated with CRT over 25 years. The primary outcomes were 3-year loco-regional failure (LRF), 5-year overall survival (OS), and 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS).

Nodal stage migration and prognosis in anal cancer: a systematic review, meta-regression, and simulation study.

Background: In patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA), lymph node positivity (LNP) indicates poor prognosis for survival and is central to radiotherapy planning. Over the past three decades, LNP proportion has increased, mainly reflecting enhanced detection with newer imaging modalities; a process known as nodal stage migration. If accompanied by constant T stage distributions, prognosis for both lymph node-positive and lymph node-negative groups may improve without any increase in overall survival for individual patients; a paradox termed the Will Rogers phenomenon.

Human ocular dirofilariasis in Kerala Southern India.

A twenty-six year old female presented to the Ophthalmology OPD with swelling of the upper eyelid. On excision, two long, thin, dead worms were removed. Microscopic and HPE showed the worms to belong to the Dirofilaria species.

Histopathologic and ultrastructural changes in the temporal bones of HIV-infected human adults.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a devastating disease that is affecting the human population in epidemic numbers. Patients with AIDS are known to have a significant incidence of otologic disease, including hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, otalgia, and infection with unusual pathogens. There has been no previous work on the histopathology of this disease.

Temporal bone histopathologic findings in drowning victims.

The human temporal bones of five drowning victims, the largest such series, to our knowledge, were evaluated to determine what histopathologic changes occurred. Thickening of the periosteal epithelium, especially on the surgical dome of the otic capsule, was evident in all cases. There was also hemorrhage in the middle ear cavity in four of the cases.

Hanhart's syndrome with special reference to temporal bone findings.

We report two cases of Hanhart's syndrome. The first patient was a male who died in the neonatal period, and whose temporal bones were removed, processed, and histologically examined; the findings are presented in this article. The second case concerns a living patient with the typical characteristics of the syndrome.

Temporal bone findings in hemifacial microsomia.

The temporal bone findings in a case of hemifacial microsomia are described with photographs. The right facial hypoplasia was associated with anophthalmia and microtia on the same side. The right petrous bone was hypoplastic and showed total superior dehiscence of the internal acoustic meatus.

Familial dysautonomia (Riley-Day syndrome). Temporal bone findings and otolaryngological manifestations.

Familial dysautonomia, or Riley-Day syndrome, is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion and occurs almost exclusively in Jewish families. This disorder is characterized by a smooth tongue devoid of fungiform papillae and of taste buds, and is clinically associated with poor taste discrimination. An unsteady gait and dizziness on change in position are also common presenting symptoms.

Congenital facial neuropathy in oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia-hemifacial microsomia (Goldenhar-Gorlin syndrome).

Four patients with clinical features of Goldenhar-Gorlin syndrome who showed facial paralysis on clinical examination are presented. The fourth case died following surgery for cleft lip. Autopsy revealed hypoplasia of the right facial nerve in its intracranial segment, with small right facial nucleus in the brain stem.

Mondini defect in association with multiple congenital anomalies.

A case of bilaterally symmetrical genetic aplasia conforming to Mondini type of congenital deformity in a 12-day-old child is presented with the help of temporal bone sections. Cochlear changes include a stunted modiolus, deficient interscalar septum between the middle and upper coils forming a scala communis cochleae, a degenerated organ of Corti and reduced spiral ganglion cells and dendrites. The vestibule is malformed, with membranous labyrinth being deficient.