Humans ; Philosophy ; Radiology ; methods

BACKGROUNDPatients with melanoma metastasized to the central nervous system have a poor prognosis. Because the incidence of malignant melanoma in the Oriental is lower than that in the Caucasian population, brain metastases of malignant melanoma are rarely reported in Asia. Here we present our experience of brain metastasis of melanoma in an Asian perspective.

METHODSFrom 1990 to 2003, 369 patients with melanoma were treated in our hospital, 26 of them were diagnosed as having central nervous system involvement. Of the 26 cases, the clinical history, image, and pathologic findings of 23 patients were analyzed; the other 3 were excluded because of incomplete clinical data.

RESULTSAmong the 369 patients with melanoma, 45% (167/369) developed lower extremity melanoma, and 27.1% (100/369) had acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM); while in the 23 patients with brain metastases, 34.7% (8/23) had lower extremity melanoma, and 34.7% (8/23) had ALM. Among the 23 patients, 17 had acute hemorrhage into the tumor, 8 initially presented with a single cerebral metastatic lesion, and 15 had multiple brain lesions. Ten of them received surgery, 3 underwent stereotactic radiosurgery, and 16 received whole brain radiation. During follow-up, only 2 patients survived for more than 1 year, the median survival period was 5 months. The longest follow-up period was 11 years.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with the Caucasian, Chinese patients with melanoma have a different proportion of melanoma subtype and higher incidence rates of lower extremities melanoma and ALM. However, their clinical presentation and prognosis are similar. The patients, who have excisable single or multiple brain lesions or limited extracranial disease and who are actively treated, may survive longer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain Neoplasms ; secondary ; Cranial Irradiation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Melanoma ; pathology ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Skin Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy

INTRODUCTIONThe severity of acute pulmonary embolism can be assessed with computed tomography (CT) using clot burden estimation. We compared the existing CT obstruction scores with an in-house developed central clot score for the prediction of 30-day pulmonary embolism (PE)-related mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODSIn 125 consecutive patients [47 men, 78 women; mean age +/- standard deviation (SD, 60.4 years +/- 16.6] with acute PE, 2 readers in consensus assessed the severity of PE with 2 existing clot scoring systems (Mastora and Qanadli) and central clot score. The right ventricular dysfunction was assessed by right ventricular diameter (RVD), left ventricular diameter (LVD), ventricular ratio (VR) and septal deviation. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis were performed to correlate these parameters and 30-day PE-related mortality.

RESULTSTen patients (8%) died of PE within 30 days following CT and 115 patients did not have PE-related death outcome. There was a significant difference in all 3 clot scores, LVD and VR between patients with 30-day PE-related death and those without (P < or =0.001-0.02). Univariate regression analysis showed that all three clot scores and LVD were predictors of PE death, however with multivariate analysis, only central clot score showed significant correlation with 30-day PE death [Odds ratio (OR), 1.1; 96% CI, 1-1.16; P <0.003]. A central clot index of 53% had 100% sensitivity, 76.5% specificity, 23.5% positive predictive value and 98% negative predictive value for 30-day PE death.

CONCLUSIONCentral clot score is a strong predictor of 30-day PE death and may therefore allow therapy and risk stratification in patients with acute PE.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Coagulation ; Female ; Forecasting ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Embolism ; mortality ; Severity of Illness Index ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTIONCardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines were revised in 2005 based on new evidence and expert consensus. However, the benefits of the new guidelines remain undetermined and their influence has not been published in Asia. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of implementing the new resuscitation guidelines and identify factors that influence the discharge survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients in an Asian metropolitan city.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis was an observational cohort study of all OHCA patients seen by the emergency medical service during the period before (Nov 2003 to Oct 2005) and after (May 2006 to Oct 2008) implementing the new resuscitation guidelines. Detailed clinical information was recorded using the Ustein style template. Statistical analysis was done using X2 test or t-test for univariate analysis and the logistic regression model for multivariate analysis.

RESULTSThere were 463 patients before and 430 patients after the new guidelines who received resuscitation. The rate of recovery of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival-to-intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and survival-to-hospital discharge all showed no benefits regarding the new resuscitation guidelines (ROSC: 42% vs 39%, P = 0.32; Survival-to-ICU admission: 33% vs 30%, P = 0.27; survival-to-hospital discharge: 10% vs 7%, P = 0.09). The rate of ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VF/pulseless VT), rate of witnessed arrest, and rate of bystander CPR were much lower than in Western studies. After multivariate logistic regression, factors related to discharge survival were witnessed arrest and initial rhythm with VF/pulseless VT. The new resuscitation guidelines did not significantly influence the discharge survival.

CONCLUSIONSWe did not observe any improvement in survival after implementing the new guidelines. Independent factors of survival-to-hospital discharge are witnessed arrest and initial rhythm with VF/pulseless VT. Because the rates of VF/pulseless VT and bystander CPR in Asia are low, popularising CPR training programmes and increasing the rate of bystander CPR may be more important for improving OHCA survival rates than frequent guideline changes.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; methods ; standards ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Hospitals, University ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest ; mortality ; therapy ; Patient Discharge ; statistics & numerical data ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Survival Analysis ; Taiwan ; epidemiology

Crohn's disease (CD) is a disease with chronic inflammation of unknown etiology involving any part of the gastrointestinal tract. The incidence and prevalence of CD are increasing recently in Asia. Half of the CD patients will have intestinal complications, such as strictures or fistulas, within 20 years after diagnosis. Twenty-five percentage of CD patients have had at least one small bowel stricture and 10% have had at least one colonic stricture and lead to significant complications. Most of these patients will require at least one surgery during their lifetime. Early diagnosis and evaluation with adequate managements for the patients can prevent disability and mortality of these patient. Here, we reviewed the current incidence of CD with stricture, the etiology of stricture, and how to diagnose and manage the stricture.
Asia ; Colon ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Crohn Disease* ; Diagnosis ; Disease Management ; Early Diagnosis ; Fistula ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Intestines ; Mortality ; Prevalence

Adult ; Anticarcinogenic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Interdisciplinary Communication ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome

Background: Delivering a poor prognosis to patients and their families is critically challenging in pediatric populations. The application of palliative care (PC) provides a bridge between accepting the occurrence of mortality and offering lifelong support.However, little is known about the specifics of PC. This study aims to explore the unmet need for PC in pediatric populations. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of mortality cases in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Statistical tests, including Chi-square and Student’s t-tests, were applied to determine the differences between early and late intervention groups in terms of the timing of PC introduction. Results: During the study period, 41 patients were included. Their median age was 11.8 years (IQR, 7.6-15.9). The majority of the disease statuses were refractory or relapsing (R/R). The incidence of memento application was significantly higher in the early intervention group (47.6% vs. 10%, P=0.0081). Vital signs variations tended to be end-of-life (EoL) indicators in this study. Conclusion The early introduction of PC encourages families to accompany their beloved child. EoL signs in the pediatric population include vital sign variations. With the presence of relevant EoL signs, clinical physicians can apply PC earlier to meet the needs.

Background: Delivering a poor prognosis to patients and their families is critically challenging in pediatric populations. The application of palliative care (PC) provides a bridge between accepting the occurrence of mortality and offering lifelong support.However, little is known about the specifics of PC. This study aims to explore the unmet need for PC in pediatric populations. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of mortality cases in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Statistical tests, including Chi-square and Student’s t-tests, were applied to determine the differences between early and late intervention groups in terms of the timing of PC introduction. Results: During the study period, 41 patients were included. Their median age was 11.8 years (IQR, 7.6-15.9). The majority of the disease statuses were refractory or relapsing (R/R). The incidence of memento application was significantly higher in the early intervention group (47.6% vs. 10%, P=0.0081). Vital signs variations tended to be end-of-life (EoL) indicators in this study. Conclusion The early introduction of PC encourages families to accompany their beloved child. EoL signs in the pediatric population include vital sign variations. With the presence of relevant EoL signs, clinical physicians can apply PC earlier to meet the needs.

Background: Delivering a poor prognosis to patients and their families is critically challenging in pediatric populations. The application of palliative care (PC) provides a bridge between accepting the occurrence of mortality and offering lifelong support.However, little is known about the specifics of PC. This study aims to explore the unmet need for PC in pediatric populations. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of mortality cases in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Statistical tests, including Chi-square and Student’s t-tests, were applied to determine the differences between early and late intervention groups in terms of the timing of PC introduction. Results: During the study period, 41 patients were included. Their median age was 11.8 years (IQR, 7.6-15.9). The majority of the disease statuses were refractory or relapsing (R/R). The incidence of memento application was significantly higher in the early intervention group (47.6% vs. 10%, P=0.0081). Vital signs variations tended to be end-of-life (EoL) indicators in this study. Conclusion The early introduction of PC encourages families to accompany their beloved child. EoL signs in the pediatric population include vital sign variations. With the presence of relevant EoL signs, clinical physicians can apply PC earlier to meet the needs.

Background: Delivering a poor prognosis to patients and their families is critically challenging in pediatric populations. The application of palliative care (PC) provides a bridge between accepting the occurrence of mortality and offering lifelong support.However, little is known about the specifics of PC. This study aims to explore the unmet need for PC in pediatric populations. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of mortality cases in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Statistical tests, including Chi-square and Student’s t-tests, were applied to determine the differences between early and late intervention groups in terms of the timing of PC introduction. Results: During the study period, 41 patients were included. Their median age was 11.8 years (IQR, 7.6-15.9). The majority of the disease statuses were refractory or relapsing (R/R). The incidence of memento application was significantly higher in the early intervention group (47.6% vs. 10%, P=0.0081). Vital signs variations tended to be end-of-life (EoL) indicators in this study. Conclusion The early introduction of PC encourages families to accompany their beloved child. EoL signs in the pediatric population include vital sign variations. With the presence of relevant EoL signs, clinical physicians can apply PC earlier to meet the needs.