Follicular dendritic cell sarcomas (FDCS) are rare neoplasms that involve lymph nodes or extranodal sites. They show varied histological features and thus can be mistaken for carcinoma or sarcoma. Correct identification is important for further management. A 43-year-old Indian female presented with a three-month history of progressive swelling at the right inguinal region. It was excised completely and was reported as lymph node with metastatic poorly differentiated carcinoma based on Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain findings. Computerized tomography (CT) scans of thorax, abdomen and pelvis were normal and did not reveal a primary site. Following this, the case was referred to one of the authors. The slides were reviewed and a variety of immunocytochemical markers were done. The tumour cells were negative for epithelial, melanocytic, neural, leucocyte and soft tissue tumour markers. They were immunopositive for CD21, CD35 and negative for CD68. Based on the immunocytochemical findings, a final diagnosis of FDCS was made. This case highlights the histological and immunophenotypical profile of a rare tumour which requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis.
lymph nodes ; Follicular ; Malignant neoplasm musculoskeletal ; Dendritic Cells ; Diagnostic

OBJECTIVETo evaluate serum cytokine concentrations in children with and without obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and to investigate the effects of OSA treatment on cytokines.

MATERIALS AND METHODSConsecutive children with habitual snoring and symptoms suggestive of OSA were recruited. They completed a sleep apnoea symptom questionnaire, underwent physical examination and overnight polysomnography (PSG). OSA was diagnosed if obstructive apnoea index (OAI) >1. A blood sample was collected for analysis of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha after PSG.

RESULTSOne hundred forty-two children (97 males) with a median (IQR) age of 11.1 years (9.0-12.8) were recruited. The commonest presenting symptoms were nocturnal mouth breathing, prone sleeping position and poor attention at school. Forty-seven children were found to have OSA and they had higher serum IL-6 [0.1 (0.1-0.4) vs 0.1 (0.1-0.1) pg/mL, P = 0.001] and IL-8 [1.7 (1.0-2.3) vs 1.3 (0.9-1.7) pg/mL, P = 0.029] concentrations compared to their non-OSA counterparts. Multiple regression analysis indicated that OAI was significantly associated with both IL-6 (r = 0.351, P <0.001) and IL-8 (r = 0.266, P = 0.002). Sixteen children underwent treatment and there was significant reduction in mean (SD) serum IL-8 after intervention [pre vs post levels of 1.9 (1.0) vs 1.1 (0.6) pg/mL, P = 0.001] independent of weight loss.

CONCLUSIONChildren with OSA had elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines that normalised following treatment suggesting that the inflammatory response is potentially reversible. Early detection and intervention may be beneficial.

Child ; Cytokines ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Male ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; blood ; therapy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Many biologic products have improved the outcomes of cancer patients, but the costs can substantially burden healthcare systems. Biosimilar products can potentially reduce drug costs and increase patient access to beneifcial treatments. Approval of a biosimilar product relies on the demonstration of “comparability” or “no clinically meaningful differences” as compared to its reference biologic product. Biosimilar products for erythropoietin, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, trastuzumab, and rituximab are already available, and the regulatory processes in various countries are constantly evolving. It is important that oncologists be familiar with the potential issues surrounding the clinical use of biosimilar products. In this review article, we provide background information about biosimilar products and their regulatory approval processes, followed by a discussion of individual biosimilar drugs.

INTRODUCTIONSuperovulation-intrauterine insemination (SO-IUI) is the most common assisted reproductive technique (ART) in the world, with good evidence of efficacy and cost-effectiveness. However, parameters affecting its success have not been consistently reported. So in this study, we aim at determining the parameters influencing the success rate of SO-IUI.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of 797 SO-IUI cycles from 606 patients, performed between 2007 and 2009 in a single centre. These women received clomiphene citrate (CC), recombinant FSH (rFSH) or both.

RESULTSThere were 127 clinical pregnancies with a pregnancy rate (PR) of 15.9% (127/797) per treatment cycle. Factors associated with higher PR included maternal age <38 (P = 0.02), subfertility diagnoses of ovulatory disorders, unexplained infertility, sexual dysfunction and unilateral tubal obstruction (P = 0.02), an endometrial thickness ≥8 mm (P = 0.03), total number motile spermatozoa (TNMS) of ≥1 million (P = 0.03), and spermatozoa normal forms (NF) ≥4% (P <0.01) on bivariate analysis. When CC is used, the endometrial thickness is more likely to be suboptimal (<8 mm). All the above parameters remained significant except the subfertility diagnoses on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONPatients' selection with women <38 years old and preferably with ovulation disorders and unexplained infertility is associated with the highest PR in SO-IUI. Cycle parameters such as the use of rFSH alone, with the avoidance of CC, TNMS ≥1 million and NF ≥4% is likely to result in the best outcomes and reduce the high order multiple pregnancy risk.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Clomiphene ; therapeutic use ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Fertility Agents, Female ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; etiology ; Insemination, Artificial ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Superovulation

INTRODUCTIONTranscranial Doppler (TCD) is an established tool for the non-invasive assessment of cerebral blood flow. Since TCD results vary with the skills and experience of the sonographer, it requires validation against contrast angiography. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of TCD against computed tomography angiography (CTA) and the feasibility of the latter as an additional screening tool in our acute ischaemic stroke patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODSOur stroke unit manages about 700 patients annually. Acute stroke patients undergo TCD for vascular assessment of major arteries of the circle of Willis. Randomly selected acute stroke patients with significant stenosis on TCD underwent high-resolution cranial CTA with multidetector helical scanner. CTA was performed within 24 hours of TCD and images were interpreted by a neuroradiologist blinded to TCD findings. An independent neurosonologist reevaluated TCD if CTA findings were contradictory. Additional information by either modality was also noted.

RESULTSFifteen patients (12 men, mean age 61 +/- 15years) with cerebral ischaemia and moderate (>50%) stenosis in > or =1 large intracranial arterial segment on routine TCD were evaluated by CTA. Compared with 21 segments of significant stenosis on CTA, TCD showed 16 true-positive, 3 false-positive and 5 false-negative results (sensitivity: 76.2%, positive predictive value: 84.2%). In 3 cases, TCD showed findings complementary to CTA (real-time embolisation, collateral flow patterns, evidence of distal M2 branch occlusion).

CONCLUSIONTCD in our neurovascular laboratory shows a satisfactory agreement with cranial CTA in evaluating patients with cerebral ischaemia. TCD can provide additional real-time dynamic findings complementary to information provided by CTA.

Aged ; Brain Ischemia ; diagnosis ; Cerebral Angiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pilot Projects ; Singapore ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial

INTRODUCTIONThe revised Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) was implemented in Singapore in July 2004. We aim to evaluate expanding the potential donor pool for liver transplant in Singapore with the inclusion of marginal donors.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAll donor referrals between July 2004 and June 2007 were studied. All potential deceased liver donors were heart-beating. After being reviewed by the transplant coordinator, potential donors were assessed by a transplant hepatologist and a transplant surgeon for suitability of organ donation strictly based on the programme's donor assessment protocol. Reasons for rejection as potential donors were documented. The clinical characteristics of all donor referrals were retrospectively reviewed, and an independent decision was made as to whether liver retrieval in each rejected case might have been possible.

RESULTSAmong the 128 potential donor referrals, 20 donors (15.6%) underwent liver retrieval. Of the 20 livers retrieved, 16 were implanted and 4 were not implanted (3 unfit recipients, and 1 donor liver with 40% steatosis). Another 10 donor livers were assessed intraoperatively and were rejected because of varying levels of steatosis. Of these livers assessed, 5 donor livers had steatosis <40% and 5 had steatosis >40%. Of the remaining potential donors, 45 were deemed not possible because of prolonged hypotension (9), on-going or unresolved sepsis (13), high-risk behaviour (4), non-actualisation (8), or pre-existing medical conditions (11). Another 53 donors may potentially have been suitable donors but were rejected because of possible sepsis (13), no suitable recipients (12), transient hypotension (10), transient abnormal liver function test (6), history of alcohol ingestion (5), non-actualisation because of consent (4) and other reasons (3). Overall, it was deemed that 61 donors (47.7%) might potentially have been suitable liver donors.

CONCLUSIONSDespite new legislation (HOTA) in Singapore, the utilisation of cadaveric donor livers showed no increase in the last 3 years. By expanding our donor criteria to include marginal donors, we could potentially increase the availability of deceased donor livers to meet our waiting list demands.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Living Donors ; legislation & jurisprudence ; supply & distribution ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Referral and Consultation ; organization & administration ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; Tissue and Organ Procurement ; legislation & jurisprudence ; Waiting Lists

Abnormalities, Multiple ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; abnormalities ; Kidney Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterus ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Vagina ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTIONThe aim of this study was to determine if racial differences exist in the rate of posterior capsule rupture (PCR) during cataract surgery in Singapore.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAll intraoperative complications during cataract surgery were prospectively reported as part of a clinical audit programme. A retrospective review of all patients who sustained a PCR during cataract surgery between July 1995 and December 1998 was performed.

RESULTSOf 8230 consecutive eyes which underwent cataract surgery, 6951 (84.5%) were Chinese, 597 (7.3%) were Malay, 524 (6.4%) were Indian, and 158 (1.9%) were of other races. The overall incidence of PCR was 1.9%. The PCR rates were 1.8% [125 of 6951; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.49 to 2.11] in Chinese, 2.0% (12 of 597; 95% CI, 1.01 to 3.57) in Malay, 2.7% (14 of 524; 95% CI, 1.13 to 3.56) in Indian, and 2.5% (4 of 158; 95% CI, 0.00 to 4.98) in other races. There was no statistical difference between the PCR rates (P = 0.62, chi-square test).

CONCLUSIONRacial differences in Singapore do not have an effect on the rates of PCR during cataract surgery.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Capsulorhexis ; adverse effects ; Cataract Extraction ; adverse effects ; Eye Injuries ; ethnology ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intraoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Lens Capsule, Crystalline ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; adverse effects ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Medical Audit ; Middle Aged ; Phacoemulsification ; adverse effects ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; ethnology ; etiology ; Singapore ; epidemiology

INTRODUCTION: Psychiatric comorbidity is common in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) but a good screening tool for psychiatric disorders in gastrointestinal clinical practice is lacking. Aims: 1) Evaluate the performance and optimal cut-off of 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) as a screening tool for psychiatric disorders in FD patients; 2) Compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in FD patients with and without psychiatric comorbidities. METHODS: Consecutive patients fulfilling Rome III criteria for FD without medical co-morbidities and gastroesophageal reflux disease were recruited in a gastroenterology clinic. The followings were conducted at 4 weeks after index oesophagogastroduodenoscopy: self-administrated questionnaires on socio-demographics, dyspeptic symptom severity (4-point Likert scale), GHQ-12, and 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID) by a trained psychiatrist, which served as reference standard. RESULTS: 55 patients underwent psychiatrist-conducted interview and questionnaire assessment. 27 (49.1%) had current psychiatric disorders as determined by SCID (anxiety disorders: 38.2%, depressive disorders: 16.4%). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of GHQ-12 revealed an area under curve of 0.825 (95%CI: 0.698-0.914). Cut-off of GHQ-12 at > or =3 gave a sensitivity of 63.0% (95%CI = 42.4-80.6%) and specificity of 92.9% (95%CI = 76.5%-98.9%). Subjects with co-existing psychiatric disorders scored significantly lower in multiple domains of SF-36 (mental component summary, general health, vitality and mental health). By multivariate linear regression analysis, current psychiatric morbidities (Beta = -0.396, p = 0.002) and family history of psychiatric illness (Beta = -0.299, p = 0.015) were independent risk factors for poorer mental component summary in SF-36, while dyspepsia severity was the only independent risk factor for poorer physical component summary (Beta = -0.332, p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant psychiatric disorders adversely affect HRQoL in FD patients. The use of GHQ-12 as a reliable screening tool for psychiatric disorders allows early intervention and may improve clinical outcomes of these patients.
Area Under Curve ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Comorbidity ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Dyspepsia ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Gastroenterology ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Mass Screening ; Mental Disorders ; Psychiatry ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; ROC Curve ; Rome ; Sensitivity and Specificity

INTRODUCTIONMore than half of all deaths in Singapore occur in hospitals. Little is known about the quality of care received by dying patients in hospitals. The Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) provides a framework of providing good end-of-life care for dying patients and has been used with success in the United Kingdom (UK). In this study, we investigate whether adoption of a modified LCP in a Singapore hospital translated to better end-of-life care for cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThe LCP was adapted and implemented as a pilot project on an oncology ward in Singapore General Hospital. A baseline review of 30 consecutive death records was performed, followed by a 4-month pilot and post-implementation audit of 30 consecutive patients on the adapted LCP.

RESULTSFive types of end-of-life symptoms were analysed. There was only 1 uncontrolled symptom at death in the post-implementation group compared to 24 uncontrolled symptoms in the retrospective audit group. The prescription of breakthrough medications for symptom control increased from 21% in the retrospective audit group to 79% in the post-implementation group. Inappropriate monitoring was discontinued in 25 patients in the post-implementation group compared to none in the retrospective audit group. The documentation of resuscitation status and religion of the patient was improved, achieving full documentation in the post-implementation group.

CONCLUSIONThis study shows promising results for improving end-of-life care in cancer patients with a protocol-based pathway in a Singapore hospital. Extension of this care pathway to other settings should be explored to maximise its benefits to patients dying from all causes in hospital.

Critical Pathways ; standards ; Diffusion of Innovation ; Female ; Hospital Mortality ; Hospitals, Public ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Audit ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms ; Quality Improvement ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; Terminal Care ; standards ; Tertiary Care Centers ; United Kingdom