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Biomedical subjects

D M Panicek

Publications and source records attributed to D M Panicek.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Preoperative and postoperative adjuvant combination chemotherapy for adults with high grade soft tissue sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Patients with high grade soft tissue sarcoma greater than or equal to 10 cm have a 3-year disease-free survival of approximately 30%. There is no convincing evidence, however, that postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is beneficial. Preoperative chemotherapy has theoretical advantages over postoperative chemotherapy. METHODS: Twenty-nine evaluable patients with primary or recurrent high grade, nonmetastatic, soft tissue sarcoma were treated with two preoperative cycles of cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2, doxorubicin 60 mg/m2, and DTIC 1000 mg/m2 before definitive surgery and radiation. Clinical and radiologic assessment of response to chemotherapy was performed preoperatively, and the resected specimen was examined for treatment effects. Patients who did not progress during preoperative therapy were eligible to receive four additional cycles of chemotherapy. Disease-free and overall survival rates of study patients were compared with two cohorts of historic controls. RESULTS: Although subjective changes in the firmness of some tumors were observed, only one patient met the criteria for partial response (3%, 2-sided 95% confidence interval = < 1-17%). Intratumoral hemorrhage, cystic necrosis, and liquefaction were observed regularly, and three tumors were more than 90% necrotic. Toxicity of the chemotherapy was acceptable, but patients were reluctant to receive postoperative therapy. The median time free from distant metastasis was 28 months; median survival was 35 months. These results were not superior to the experience with no chemotherapy, or with postoperative doxorubicin. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with soft tissue sarcoma remains investigational. There is a strong rationale, however, for continued investigation of preoperative chemotherapy for high risk patients using doxorubicin and ifosfamide with colony stimulating factor support. Development of sensitive and specific methods to assess response to preoperative chemotherapy is needed.

Adult↗

MR signal characteristics of cadaveric bone allografts in three children with primary bone tumors treated with limb salvage therapy.

Three children with adult cadaveric bone allografts for the treatment of bone malignancies are presented. Follow-up magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated decreased signal on T1-weighted imaging and increased signal on T2-weighted imaging in the allograft without clinical evidence of recurrent disease. These signal characteristics appear to be a normal finding in cadaveric bone allografts and should not be mistaken for recurrence. The finding may reflect persistent marrow necrosis within the allograft marrow cavity.

Adolescent↗

Preaortic iliac venous confluence ("marsupial cava"): a rare anomaly of the inferior vena cava.

A patient was shown by computed tomography (CT) to have a rare developmental anomaly of the inferior vena cava (IVC), in which the iliac venous confluence is located anterior (rather than posterior) to the right common iliac artery. Recognition of the anomaly is important prior to surgical intervention in that area, as well as to prevent misinterpretation of the anomaly as representing adenopathy.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

Hemorrhage simulating tumor growth in malignant fibrous histiocytoma at MR imaging.

During the course of preoperative chemotherapy for treatment of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lower extremity, the mass in three patients was found to be enlarged at physical examination. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated, and subsequent pathologic examination of resected specimens proved, that the enlargement was caused by extensive hemorrhage within the masses, rather than by tumor growth. MR imaging can demonstrate this phenomenon well, particularly on T1-weighted images.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Bacterial lung abscess: a review of the radiographic and clinical features of 50 cases.

The radiographic and clinical features of 50 patients with documented bacterial lung abscess are presented. Neither clinical nor radiographic features permit a specific diagnosis of lung abscess to be made; microbiologic or histopathologic material is needed to establish the diagnosis. A surprising percentage of patients (18%) had radiographically occult lung abscesses that were diagnosed only at the time of surgery or autopsy. Possible causes for and means of avoiding this diagnostic pitfall are presented.

Adolescent↗

Nonseminomatous germ cell tumors: enlarging masses despite chemotherapy.

In men who otherwise seem to have responded to chemotherapy for nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs), enlarging masses can represent benign tissue rather than residual or recurrent malignancy. One hundred eighty-five men with negative serum tumor markers after first-line chemotherapy for NSGCT underwent surgical resection of residual masses within 6 months after completing therapy. Radiologic examinations revealed 14 patients who had 17 masses (10 retroperitoneal, five pulmonary, two mediastinal) that had enlarged despite therapy. Fourteen (82%) of the masses were teratomas (13 mature, one immature), two (12%) were necrotic tissue, and one (6%) was a mature teratoma with sarcomatous transformation. All 12 retroperitoneal and mediastinal teratomatous masses were at least partially cystic at posttherapy computed tomography. Seven of the 14 patients had a differential response to therapy: Some masses regressed while others enlarged. Enlarging masses in patients with negative serum tumor markers after chemotherapy for NSGCT frequently represent mature teratomas. Complete surgical resection of such masses usually is curative and identifies patients with residual malignancy who require further therapy.

Adolescent↗

Adjunctive surgery after chemotherapy for nonseminomatous germ cell tumors: recommendations for patient selection.

One hundred eighty-five patients who underwent surgery within 6 months of completing chemotherapy were identified from 360 patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) treated with Memorial Hospital front-line cisplatin- or carboplatin-based combination chemotherapy protocols between 1979 and 1988. Clinical, pathologic, and radiologic features were correlated with the pathologic findings at surgery. The size of a residual retroperitoneal mass, the degree of shrinkage that occurred with chemotherapy, and the presence of teratomatous elements in pretreatment pathology specimens were each correlated with the pathologic findings of retroperitoneal resections after chemotherapy. Multivariable logistic regression analysis of those undergoing retroperitoneal resections identified the size and shrinkage of the residual mass and the prechemotherapy lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alphafetoprotein (AFP) levels as the best predictors of finding only necrotic debris. No factors could be found, however, that could selectively exclude patients who had residual viable malignancy or teratoma in the retroperitoneum. Of 39 patients with residual retroperitoneal masses measuring less than or equal to 1.5 cm in maximal diameter, three had residual malignancy and five had teratoma resected. No factors were identified for residual lung or mediastinal masses that could be used to select a group of patients who could safely avoid surgery. If serum markers have normalized after chemotherapy for NSGCT, resection of all residual abnormalities on imaging studies of the retroperitoneum, lungs, and mediastinum is recommended. In addition, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) is recommended for all patients with initial bulky metastases (greater than or equal to 3 cm in diameter) in the retroperitoneum, irrespective of the findings of postchemotherapy computed tomography (CT).

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

The chief residency in radiology. Results of a survey of A3CR2 members.

Detailed questionnaires were sent to the 192 members of the American Association of Academic Chief Residents in Radiology (A3CR2) to learn about the logistics of chief resident selection, the responsibilities of the chief resident, the attitudes and perceptions of the chief resident about his or her position, and suggestions for improving the chief residency. Completed questionnaires were returned by 149 (78%) chief residents from 111 different residency programs. The results show that radiology residents have a greater voice in selecting their chief residents than in the past. The number and types of responsibilities given to the chief resident at different institutions vary considerably. Although only 62% of respondents felt that being chief resident was worth their time and effort, 88% would accept the position again. The most commonly voiced suggestion was for greater input from the chief resident during the formulation of policies that affect the residents. Based on these results and a review of previous reports about the chief residency in other specialties, several proposals are offered for increasing the effectiveness of the radiology chief residency.

Adult↗

Superior sulcus tumors: CT and MR imaging.

Thirty-one patients with superior pulmonary sulcus tumors underwent a total of 32 sets of computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examinations before receiving therapy. Prospective, independent, and blinded interpretations of the studies were compared with both the surgical findings (15 patients) and the patient's clinical symptoms (17 patients). Thin-section (5-mm) coronal and sagittal MR images proved more accurate than CT scans (.94 accuracy with MR imaging, .63 with CT) in evaluation of tumor invasion through the superior sulcus. The improved accuracy of MR imaging in this region appears almost certainly to be related to the improved display of the anatomy of the superior sulcus on thin-section coronal and sagittal images.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Gastrostomy tube pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis developed in a child following inadvertent placement of a gastrostomy tube balloon in the descending duodenum. After a gastrostomy tube is inserted, radiologic confirmation of correct tube position is recommended to help avoid this rare iatrogenic complication.

Acute Disease↗

Air-fluid level in axillary vein simulating abscess.

Demonstration of an air-fluid level in the body wall on a computed tomography examination usually suggests the presence of an abscess or a postoperative fluid collection. However, the small amount of air that frequently is injected during intravenous contrast administration may result in a similar computed tomography appearance.

Abscess↗

The diaphragm: anatomic, pathologic, and radiologic considerations.

The diaphragm, by virtue of its complex anatomy and multiple ligamentous connections to both thoracic and abdominal structures, is more than a simple partition between the chest and abdomen. Cross sectional images of the diaphragm and peridiaphragmatic processes can be confusing unless the radiologist is aware of the normal structure of the diaphragm, its attachments to the body wall, and the multiple ligaments that attach to the diaphragm.

Adult↗

Calcification in untreated mediastinal lymphoma.

Calcification was demonstrated radiographically within newly diagnosed lymphoma of the mediastinum in two patients. These patients and those in other isolated reports show that radiographic examinations may, rarely, reveal calcification in lymphomatous tissue prior to treatment.

Adolescent↗