Letter to: Pathogenetic Analysis of Sinonasal Teratocarcinosarcomas Reveal Beta-catenin Overexpression and an Actionable Beta-catenin MutationJ Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2016; 77(S 01): A093DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1579881
Posterolateral spinal fusion (PSLSF) in rabbits is a challenging model for bone substitutes because the transverse processes are extremely thin and the space to be filled with bone is greater than critical and meiopragic in terms of vascularity. Several investigators have shown beneficial effects of PRP in bone and soft-tissue healing processes. However, controversial results have been reported in clinical setting analysing the effectiveness of PRP. Aim of the present study was to test the effectiveness of PRP in experimental model of PLSF in rabbits. MATERIAL AND METHODS 20 White females New Zeland Rabbits were used. Seven rabbits (Group 1) had PRP plus carrier on the right side (Group 1A) and plus carrier and fresh bone marrow on the left side (Group 1B). Seven rabbits (Group 2) had carrier alone on the right side (Group 2A) and carrier plus fresh bone marrow on the left side (Group 2B). Six rabbits (Group 3) had sham operation on both right and left sides. Animals were sacrificed 6 months after surgery and the lumbar spine submitted to radiolographic and histologic analysis. Vascular density (VD) was also assessed in the different zone of the grafted material. RESULTS Radiographs showed a complete fusion in 83% of group 1A and in 83% of group 1B, and in 86% of group 2A and 2B. Pseudarthrosis or non union, was observed in 1 specimen of group 1B and 2A and in all specimens of group 3 (sham). In contrast to radiographic results, no specimen showed a complete bony bridge between the transverse processes on histologic analysis. VD was significantly greater in the periapophyseal compared to the interapophyseal region of the graft material. However, no significant difference was found in the VD between groups. CONCLUSIONS In this study PRP alone, or augmented with fresh bone marrow, failed to induce a histologically proved bony fusion in the PLSF model. Factors which may influence the effectiveness of PRP should be further addressed before applying PRP in the clinical setting.
Abstract Background Liver involvement in adults with acute myeloid leukemia is uncommon. Most of the case reports describe acute liver failure or obstructive jaundice, while acute hepatitis is rarely mentioned. We report a patient with acute myeloid leukemia who presented with clinical, biochemical, and radiological signs of acute hepatitis that totally regressed after chemotherapy. Case presentation A 38-year-old Caucasian man presented with fever, cough, and mild fatigue. Laboratory workup showed anemia, thrombocytopenia, severe leukocytosis, transaminitis, and hyperbilirubinemia. Imaging of the abdomen (ultrasound and magnetic resonance) showed hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, upper limits portal veins diameters, increased thickness of the gallbladder wall, and significant abdominal lymph nodes. Peripheral blood smear and bone marrow evaluation were consistent with acute myeloid leukemia, and liver biopsy showed massive sinusoidal and portal infiltration by leukemic cells. After remission-inducing chemotherapy, there was complete normalization of liver function tests, and liver, spleen, and portal vein size. Conclusions This case highlights the importance of taking acute myeloid leukemia into account as a possible cause of liver damage to make a rapid diagnosis and start appropriate treatment that may lead to hematological remission and hepatic dysfunction resolution.
Abstract Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a promising source of stem cells to use in early haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) approaches for several genetic diseases that can be diagnosed at birth. Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS-I) is a progressive multi-system disorder caused by deficiency of lysosomal enzyme α-L-iduronidase, and patients treated with allogeneic HSCT at the onset have improved outcome, suggesting to administer such therapy as early as possible. Given that the best characterized MPS-I murine model is an immunocompetent mouse, we here developed a transplantation system based on murine UCB. With the final aim of testing the therapeutic efficacy of UCB in MPS-I mice transplanted at birth, we first defined the features of murine UCB cells and demonstrated that they are capable of multi-lineage haematopoietic repopulation of myeloablated adult mice similarly to bone marrow cells. We then assessed the effectiveness of murine UCB cells transplantation in busulfan-conditioned newborn MPS-I mice. Twenty weeks after treatment, iduronidase activity was increased in visceral organs of MPS-I animals, glycosaminoglycans storage was reduced, and skeletal phenotype was ameliorated. This study explores a potential therapy for MPS-I at a very early stage in life and represents a novel model to test UCB-based transplantation approaches for various diseases.
Renal allograft recipients are at greater risk of developing tuberculosis than the general population. A woman with a kidney transplant was admitted to the emergency department with high temperature, dysphonia, odynophagia, and asthenia. The final diagnosis was laryngeal tuberculosis. Multidisciplinary collaboration enabled accurate diagnosis and successful treatment. Laryngeal tuberculosis should be considered in renal allograft recipients with hoarseness. A more rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis in renal transplant recipients is desirable when the site involved, such as the larynx, exhibits specific manifestations and the patient exhibits specific symptoms. In these cases, prognosis is excellent, and with adequate treatment, a complete recovery is often achieved.
