Granular Cell Tumor of the Esophagus: A Patient Treated by Endoscopic Mucosal Resection with Long Term Follow-Up

Granular cell tumors (GCTs) of the esophagus are uncommon. We report a case of granular cell tumor of esophagus treated by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) with long term follow-up.

Long Term Follow-Up Results of a Fractional Radio Frequency Ablative Treatment of Acne Vulgaris and Related Acne Scars

Introduction: Acne vulgaris and acne scarring are prevalent conditions that can have a negative effect on a patient’s quality of life. Fractional radiofrequency technologies have been shown to be clinically safe and effective in managing acne scars through dermal remodeling without causing direct damage to the epidermis. In a recently published study, we presented our clinical and histological results in the treatment of patients with active acne and acne related scarring using a Fractional RF (FRF) device. In the current article we demonstrate long term follow-up results, up to two years post last fractional treatment. Methods: Four out of the eight patients who completed a four treatment regimen were invited for long term follow-up visit to document treatment results. In some cases, touch-up treatments were conducted to optimize clinical results. Results: Patients demonstrated significant improvement of acne lesions, acne scarring, pores and skin texture. Long term photos demonstrated that clinical improvement progressed with time. Conclusion: The current study further supports the previous findings that FRF is a safe and effective treatment modality for active acne and acne related scars. Treatment protocol can be customized according to patient needs and clinical results last for long term.

Adult Congenital Lumbar Kyphosis Requiring Anteroposterior Correction and Fusion: A Case Report with 32-Year Follow-Up

Congenital pure kyphosis due to failure of vertebral body segmentation is a relatively rare entity, and surgical intervention is infrequent compared to that for failure of vertebral body formation [1] [2]. There are very few reports of long-term follow-up of surgical treatment in patients with congenital pure kyphosis, and all the reported cases were diagnosed as failure of formation and had an age at the time of surgery of less than 18 years. It is important for orthopedic surgeons to follow the postoperative course of rare cases over 30 years. Here, we present a surgically treated case with ultra-long term follow-up of a 50-year-old patient with congenital pure kyphosis of the lumbar spine. Imaging of the lumbar spine showed six vertebrae and an unsegmented bar at L3-4 causing a pure kyphosis of 54°. The wedge-shaped block vertebra had 4 pedicles with the neural foramen between the pedicles without concomitant disc space, with compensatory thoracic hypokyphosis and lower lumbar hyperlordosis. One-stage correction and fusion surgery using anterior opening and posterior closing osteotomy was successfully performed. Both clinical and radiographic results were excellent and have been maintained for over 30 years postoperatively. The basic principle in the surgical treatment of adult spinal deformity is to achieve and maintain a good global sagittal balance over time. This case reaffirms the importance of spinopelvic harmony.

Long-term prognosis in patients with severe late radiation enteropathy:A prospective cohort study

AIM: To assess persistent symptoms and mortality in a cohort of patients with severe (grade 3-4) radiation enteropathy,59 patients were followed up after 15-18 years. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients were prospectively enrolled by twelve surgical departments. Primary malignant disease,radiation therapy and surgical management were recorded at inclusion. The cause of death or persistence of symptoms was examined in public death records or by interview of survivors. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients had received radiation therapy for gynaecological cancers,twelve for urological cancers,four for gastrointestinal cancers and four for other malignancies. Forty-five patients (76%) required surgical intervention. Complications occurred in 11 (25%) operated patients. Forty-seven patients had died at the time of follow-up,seven (12%) died as a direct result of radiation enteropathy,while radiation enteropathy contributed to death in an additional seven patients. Four of the twelve surviving patients suffered from chronic debilitating symptoms of radiation enteropathy,while three had moderate symptoms. CONCLUSION: Patients with severe delayed radiation enteropathy have a high risk of persistence of symptoms after surgery. At least one in ten patients dies from radiation-induced bowel injury.

Long-term results of laparoscopic fenestration for patients with congenital liver cysts

BACKGROUND: The feasibility and immediate outcome of laparoscopic fenestration for patients with congenital liver cysts have been generally recognized. The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term results after laparoscopic fenestration. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 44 patients with congenital liver cysts who had undergone laparoscopic fenestration between June 1998 and December 2004. Among them, 30 were women and 14 men, aged 57 years on average (range 18-76 years). While 14 patients had solitary cysts, 20 had multiple cysts, and 10 had polycystic liver disease. The results of laparoscopic fenestration, including mortality, morbidity, mean postoperative hospital stay, and recurrences of cysts were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no perioperative death and the morbidity rate was 11% (5/44). All complications were treated conservatively. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 4 days. A mean follow-up of 57 months showed that the rates of cyst recurrence and symptom recurrence were 9% and 4.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic fenestration as a feasible and safe treatment procedure for patients with congenital liver cysts can yield very good long-term results.

Long-term results of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in Egyptian population

AIM： To evaluate the long-term results and complications of Ahmed glaucoma valve （AGV） implantation in a cohort of Egyptian patients. METHODS： A retrospective study of 124 eyes of 99 patients with refractory glaucoma who underwent AGV implantation and had a minimum follow-up of 5y was performed. All patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination and intraocular pressure （lOP） measurement before surgery and at ld, weekly for the 1st month, 3, 6mo, and ly after surgery and yearly afterward for 5y. lOP was measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry and/or Tono-Pen. Complications and the number of anti-glaucoma medications needed were recorded. Success was defined as lOP less than 21 mm Hg with or without anti-glaucoma medication and without additional glaucoma surgery. RESULTS： Mean age was 23.1±19.9y. All eyes had at least one prior glaucoma surgery, lOP was reduced from a mean of 37.2±6.8 to 19.2±5.2 mm Hg after 5y follow-up with a reduced number of medications from 2.64±0.59 to 1.81±0.4. Complete and qualified success rates were 31.5% and 46.0% respectively at the end of follow-up. The most common complications were encapsulated cyst formation in 51 eyes （41.1%）, complicated cataract in 9 eyes （7.25%）, recessed tube in 8 eyes （6.45%）, tube exposure in 6 eyes （4.8%） and corneal touch in 6 eyes （4.8%）. Other complications included extruded AGV, endophthalmitis and persistent hypotony. Each of them was recorded in only 2 eyes （1.6%）. ~ CONCLUSION： Although refractory glaucoma is a difficult problem to manage, AGV is effective and relatively safe procedure in treating refractory glaucoma in Egyptian patients with long-term follow-up. Encapsulated cyst formation was the most common complication, which limits successful lOP control after AGV implantation. However, effective complications management can improve the rate of success.

Long-term survival after enucleation of a giant esophagea gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. Less than 1% occurs in the esophagus. Surgery is the primary treatment for patients with GISTs. We report a29-year-old male was admitted after the detection of a posterior mediastinal mass during work-up with routine examination. He did not have any disease-related symptoms. The physical examination was unremarkable. Chest computed tomographic scan, the barium esophagogram and endoscopic esophageal ultrasound showed benign neoplasm. The patient was performed an enucleation surgery through the right posterolateral thoracotomy. The pathology revealed a 13.0 cm × 12.0cm × 5.0 cm mass. The tumor was CD117(C-kit), PDGFRA and DOG1 positive. These findings were consistent with a GIST of the esophagus. So the diagnosis of GIST of esophagus was confirmed. The pathological diagnosis of low grade of GIST of esophagus was confirmed. The patient has no evidence of recurrence and is in good clinical conditions up-to date, five years after surgery.

A Long-Term Study of Efficacy of Patients with Macular Edema Secondary to BRVO Treated with Ranibizumab Combined with Compound Salvia

Purpose: To study the long-term efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab injection combined with in-travenous compound salvia injection drip in the treatment of patients with macular edema sec-ondary to branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO). Methods: Sixty-five patients of branch retinal vein occlusion with macular edema were analyzed retrospectively. Thirty-seven patients in the treat-ment group were treated with ranibizumab injection combined with intravenous compound salvia injection drip, twenty-eight patients in the control group were treated with ranibizumab injection only. All patients were recorded and analyzed changes of clinical efficacy after 3 months, 6 months after a course of treatment of 6 months. Results: During 3 months after 6 months’ treatment, there were 5 patients having recurrence in the treatment group, while there were 9 in control group, the rate of recurrence between the two groups had significant difference (P < 0.05);during 3 - 6 months after a course of treatment, there were 2 patients having recurrence in the treatment group, while there were 4 in control group, the rate of recurrence between the two groups had significant difference (P < 0.05);however, the treatment group’s BCVA was better than control group, and the difference between the two groups had significance (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Ranibizumab injection combined with intravenous compound salvia injection drip could effectively reduce the impossibility of recurrence, improve the visual activity and bring better therapeutic efficacy in patients with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion. The treatment showed great potential in the clinical use.

Spouses Who Donate Seem to Be the Winners – A Questionnaire Study of Kidney Donors Long-Term

Background:Living donor kidney transplantations have been performed at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden since 1965. In this study we wanted to explore the living kidney donor’s long-term experiences of the donation. Methods: Of 1110 consecutive living donors throughout 1965-2005, 823 were available for our questionnaire study. Results:Totally 692 replied to the questionnaire, 65% were females. The most common relation to the recipients was siblings (284), parents (262) and spouses (96). Time since donation was median 15 years (2 - 43). The initiative to donate came from the donors themselves in 69%. The dominating motives for donation were a wish to help, worries about the recipient not receiving a transplant and the knowledge that one could live a normal life with one kidney. The majority of the donors, felt well informed about potential risks both short-term and long-term. Depression post donation was reported by few donors, 2.3% and persisting pain by 4.3%. Comparisons between sibling donors and spouse donors show a significant difference (p Conclusions:Our study shows that the donor population is in good psychosocial health. It is a positive progress that spouses can be living kidney donors - they seem to be the winners.

Fifty-Year-Follow-up Results Compared with Shorter Follow-up of Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radical Mastectomy with or without Adjuvant Radiotherapy

Background: To evaluate the effect of follow-up length on the outcome of breast cancer patients, we compared the 50- and 25-year follow-up results in terms of cure rate, overall mortality and mortalities from breast cancer, second cancer, and benign diseases. Methods: 763 patients treated for breast cancer between February 1953 and September 1976, were followed up until December 2014. They were divided into two cohorts;earlier cohort exclusively underwent radical mastectomy plus adjuvant radiotherapy, while later cohort had radical mastectomy alone. Assuming that in all patients follow-up was terminated at 50 or 25 years after diagnosis, likelihood ratio test and stratified Log-rank tests were performed to evaluate the differences in cure rate and overall survival between the two cohorts. Results: During the 50 years, radical mastectomy alone compared with radical mastectomy plus adjuvant radiotherapy is associated with a significantly higher cure rate, and higher survivals regardless of whether the death was from breast cancer, second cancer, benign causes or any causes. However, if follow-up information is limited to 25 years, the advantage of radical mastectomy alone is partly offset and the survival difference between the two cohorts becomes less significant. Conclusion: Radiotherapy to breast cancer may adversely affect not only mortality from breast cancer, but mortalities unrelated to breast cancer. Since such deaths occur later, they may fail to be detected unless follow-up is long enough. Thus, deleterious effects of radiotherapy may be underestimated. Exceedingly long follow-up is required to accurately estimate the cure rate and the long-term effect of radiotherapy.

RF-Ⅱ系统治疗腰椎滑脱症的远期疗效

目的:总结RF-Ⅱ系统治疗腰椎滑脱症术后的远期疗效。方法:对接受RF-Ⅱ系统治疗腰椎滑脱症3年以上的患者进行问卷调查及影像学检查,并就患者的疼痛、功能状况以及影像学检查结果进行分析。结果:56例患者获得3～9年（平均5年8个月）随访,按疼痛、体征和功能状况评价,优良率为92.8％,患者满意率为 67.8％。9.4％的椎弓根螺钉弯曲或折断,6.2％的钉杆角度减小,但均未出现复位丢失现象,仅有椎间隙高度和角度的不同程度改变。结论:应用RF-Ⅱ治疗腰椎滑脱症长期疗效肯定,维持复位好;椎间植骨融合可能是进一步减少远期并发症的重要方法。

碘-131治疗甲亢长期随访疗效分析

以长期随访方式观察碘-131治疗甲亢的疗效,并分析影响甲亢治愈和甲低发生的原因。对用碘-131治疗的甲亢患者进行随访的结果是:(1)碘-131治疗甲亢的总治愈率为74.4%,永久性甲低发生率7.5%。(2)男性与女性及初治与停用他巴唑>2周之间治愈率和甲低发生率差异无显著性(P>0.05)。(3)病程<1年、1―3年、>3年之间治愈率差异有显著意义(P<0.05),而甲低发生率无明显统计学差异(P>0.05)。(4)年龄<40岁与≥40岁及甲状腺大小<40g、40―55g、>55g之间治愈率和甲低发生率差异有显著意义(P<0.05)。(5)近期甲低和远期甲低的永久转化率分别为31.7%、76.9%;治疗时年龄较小的患者较易发生永久性甲低(P<0.05),而发生永久性甲低与不出现永久性甲低患者的甲状腺最高摄碘-131率之间差异无显著性(P>0.05)。由此得出以下结论:病程、年龄和甲状腺大小是影响甲亢治愈率的主要因素,而年龄和甲状腺大小是影响甲低发生率的主要因素。尽早碘-131治疗可提高疗效,同时应密切注意随访观察,警惕永久性甲低的发生。

α-1b干扰素治疗慢性乙型肝炎的远期疗效探讨

目的 :探讨国产基因重组α -1b干扰素对慢性乙型肝炎的远期疗效。方法 :以30例同期条件相仿且未用干扰素等抗病毒药物治疗的慢性乙型肝炎患者作为对照 ,前瞻性研究晋城地区33例应用α -1b干扰素治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者的远期疗效 ,平均随访时间5 2年。结果 :(1)治疗组总有效率75 7 % ,血清HBeAg、HBV -DNA转阴率分别为84 8 %、84 4 % ,对照组HBeAg、HBV -DNA转阴率分别为63 3 %、54 2 % ,两组比较有显著性差异 (P<0 05) ;(2)α -1b干扰素治疗后1、2、5、8、10年HBeAg转阴率相应为51 5 %、48 5 %、69 6 %、84 8 %、87 % ,HBV -DNA转阴率相应为53 5 %、48 5 %、84 4 %、86 6 %和86 6 % ,显示在随访期内 ,由于α -1b干扰素的远期持续效应 ,患者的HBV标志转阴率随时间的增加而呈上升趋势 ;(3)治疗组肝纤维化发生率低于对照组。结论 :国产α -1b干扰素对慢性乙型肝炎患者具有良好的远期抗HBV持续效应。

改良TVT-O术治疗中重度女性压力性尿失禁的长期随访

目的观察改良的经闭孔无张力吊带尿道中段悬吊术（modified tension-flee vaginal tape-obturator,改良TVT—O术）治疗女性中重度单纯性压力性尿失禁（stress urinary incontinence, SUI）的长期疗效。方法收集同济大学附属同济医院妇产科2005年3月～2006年12月收治的58例女性中重度单纯性SUI患者行改良TVT—O手术的临床资料，回顾分析并进行术后1、3、6、12个月及每年定期随访，观察手术治疗的短期及长期治疗效果及并发症。结果58例女性中重度单纯性SUI进行改良TVT—O手术的患者中，1年随访时均治愈或好转、未出现无效或复发，2年随访时失访3例（5．17％）、复发3例，复发者均行再次手术，术后症状均逐步好转，3年随访时1例高龄患者死亡，其余病例3年及以后每年随访均未复发，治愈46例（79．31％），好转8例（13．79％），其中4例出现了急迫性尿失禁的表现，经药物治疗又有所好转。结论改良TVT-O术治疗女性中重度单纯性SUI，手术操作简便、用时短、出血少，经短期及长期随访治愈好转率高，疗效均可靠。

Budd-Chiari综合征患者介入开通术后再狭窄处理和远期随访结果

目的探讨Budd-Chiari综合征患者介入开通术后再狭窄的治疗策略,评价远期随访结果。方法回顾性分析1983年11月至2013年12月60例原发性Budd-Chiari综合征介入开通术后出现再狭窄患者临床资料和随访结果。结果60例再狭窄患者根据初始开通术式分为单纯PTA治疗组(40例,其中混合型27例,下腔静脉型5例,肝静脉型8例)、PTA+支架植入组(20例,其中混合型13例,下腔静脉型6例,肝静脉型1例)。单纯PTA治疗组出院1年内、5年内、10年内发生再狭窄分别为15例(37.5%)、34例(85%)、38例(95%),PTA+支架植入组出院1年内、5年内、10年内发生再狭窄分别为10例(50%)、18例(90%)、19例(95%)。单纯PTA治疗组中13例拒绝治疗,27例接受进一步治疗,其中5例随访中出现第2次再狭窄,2例第3次再狭窄,1例第4次再狭窄;PTA+支架植入组中9例拒绝治疗,10例仅接受单纯PTA,另1例接受PTA+支架植入,5例随访中发生第2次再狭窄,3例第3次再狭窄,1例第4次再狭窄。38例再狭窄后接受进一步治疗患者1年、5年、10年、20年、25年累积生存率分别为分别为100%、78.3%、78.3%、70.5%、70.5%,22例拒绝进一步治疗患者分别为72.7%、45.9%、30.6%、10.2%、NA(未获得),两部分患者间差异有显著统计学意义(P<0.001)。结论Budd-Chiari综合征患者介入开通术后远期随访非常重要。积极治疗再狭窄可改善患者预后。根据疗效逐步升级侵入性治疗策略,取得了满意的结果。

重组人干扰素a-2b治疗宫颈上皮内瘤变远期随访

目的研究干扰素a-2b(IFN-a-2b)治疗宫颈上皮内瘤样病变(CIN)的长期效果。方法对2005年5月～2010年4月期间14例诊断为CINⅠ和CINⅡ的患者均使用IFN-a-2b治疗,并且随访5年,用药第1、2年,每3个月实施1次巴氏涂片和阴道镜检,后3年,每6个月实施1次相同的检查。结果 10例完全清除了人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)所致的CIN,4例部分有效,即较低的CIN和(或)HPV清除率,4例无效。3例CINⅠ复发,复发率为30%,4例短期疗效为部分有效病例中3例长期疗效显示完全清除,CINⅠ和CINⅡ患者总的IFN-a-2b治愈率为55.55%。结论 IFN-a-2b的免疫调节治疗法有较好的长期疗效。

YPV-I型牦牛心包瓣替换二尖瓣术后远期的临床观察

ＹＰＶ－Ｉ型瓣膜是一种血流动力学优良的牦牛心包瓣，但其耐久性和长期结果尚不知道。从１９８５年５月至１９８７年９月，我科使用该种瓣作二尖瓣替换。对５５例出院患者进行了随访。共随访３７９．４病人－年（平均６．９病人－年）。随访期间９例死亡，除１例原因不明外，其余由于替换瓣膜心内膜炎、血栓栓塞、心衰和瓣膜毁损所致。替换瓣膜心内膜炎、血栓栓塞、瓣膜毁掼及再手术发生率分别为：１．３２％、０．２６％、４．２２％及１．３２％病人一年。１６例瓣膜毁损中１２例为瓣叶钙化。死亡率３．６９％病人一年。５年存活率７５％。证据表明：ＹＰＶ－Ｉ型瓣膜替换二尖瓣后远期的结果是可接受的。为取得更好的效果，改进该种瓣膜是必要的。

Predictive factors of clinical response in steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis treated with granulocyte-monocyte apheresis

AIM:To identify factors predicting the clinical response of ulcerative colitis patients to granulocyte-monocyte apheresis (GMA). METHODS:Sixty-nine ulcerative colitis patients (39 F,30 M) dependent upon/refractory to steroids were treated with GMA. Steroid dependency,clinical activity index (CAI),C reactive protein (CRP) level,erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),values at baseline,use of immunosuppressant,duration of disease,and age and extent of disease were considered for statistical analysis as predictive factors of clinical response. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used. RESULTS:In the univariate analysis,CAI (P = 0.039) and ESR (P = 0.017) levels at baseline were singled out as predictive of clinical remission. In the multivariate analysis steroid dependency [Odds ratio (OR) = 0.390,95% Confidence interval (CI):0.176-0.865,Wald 5.361,P = 0.0160] and low CAI levels at baseline (4 < CAI <7) (OR = 0.770,95% CI:0.425-1.394,Wald 3.747,P = 0.028) proved to be effective as factors predicting clinical response. CONCLUSION:GMA may be a valid therapeutic option for steroid-dependent ulcerative colitis patients with mild-moderate disease and its clinical efficacy seems to persist for 12 mo.

Novel Histological Evidence of Collagen and Elastin Regeneration in Fractional RF-Treated Acne Scars

Introduction: Fractional radiofrequency (RF) technology has been shown to be a gold standard therapy for acne scars. We have previously published clinical and histological results from the treatment of 8 patients with active acne and acne related scarring using a fractional RF device. Evidence of safety and efficacy was demonstrated, including long term follow-up clinical results from 4 patients, up to two years post last fractional treatment. In the current article we present histology evidence of acne scar skin renewal 3.5 years post treatment. Methods: Skin biopsies from acne scars in a concealed facial area were taken before, after four treatments and at 3.5 years after the last fractional treatment. Biopsies were examined with standard hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain, as well as Verhoeff’s Van Gieson (VVG) and Shikata stains for elastic fibers. Results: Histological findings demonstrate regeneration of elastic fibers and reduction of the dermal fibrosis. Scar depth of Patient #2 was reduced by 80% in the corresponding follow-up period. Conclusion: The long-term histological results further support the previously published findings that fractional RF is a safe and effective treatment for acne related scars.

Computed tomography-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation for primary trigeminal neuralgia in older and younger patients

We evaluated the immediate and long-term clinical efficacy of computed tomography （CT）-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation for primary trigeminal neuralgia （RTPTN） in 852 patients including 502 patients aged -〉 60 years and 350 patients aged 〈 60 years. After discharge, the incidence of complications was 1.0% and 0.9% in patients aged 〉 60 years and patients aged 〈 60 years, respectively. Over 3-year follow-up after CT-guided RTPTN, 96.8% of the patients aged 〉 60 years and 98.6% of the patients aged 〈 60 years were completely pain-free, and there was no significant difference between these two age brackets. In addition, there were no significant differences in quality of life scores and numbness scores between these two age brackets. These findings suggest that CT-guided RTPTN is a safe and effective method and is recommended for older and poor-risk patients.