Sarcoidosis can be presented as cardiac sarcoidosis (CS), which is challenging to diagnose due to its clinical silence. Ventricular arrhythmias and atrioventricular blocks can be fatal and cause sudden death in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis. Five percent of sarcoidosis patients have clinically evident cardiac sarcoidosis. However, autopsy reports and imaging studies have shown a higher prevalence of cardiac involvement. Early recognition is important to prevent such detrimental consequences. Cardiac sarcoidosis is increasingly being diagnosed owing to increased awareness among physicians and new diagnostic tools like MRI and positron emission tomography (PET) scan replacing traditional endomyocardial biopsy. A definitive diagnosis of CS remains challenging due to the non-specific clinical findings that can present similar symptoms of common cardiac disease; therefore, the imaging and biopsies are substantial for diagnosis confirmation. Pharmacological and Implantable devices are two main therapeutic approaches in cardiac sarcoidosis, in which steroids and pacemaker therapy have shown better outcomes. This review summarizes the available data related to the prevalence, prognosis, diagnosis, and management of cardiac sarcoidosis.
Background: Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are a rare group of epithelial neoplasm present in gastrointestinal tract (GI) (67.5%), bronchopulmonary tree (25.3-30%), and in 15% of cases, the primary sites cannot be identified. Although endoscopic screening, improvement in pathological techniques, and early detection have shown improvement in NET survival rates, the prognosis of advanced, metastatic, and poorly differentiated NET is very poor. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of Gastrointestinal and pancreatic (GEPs) NETs grade on overall survival. Method: We searched observational studies describing the overall survival or prognostic factors of primary GEP NETs from May 2011 -May 2021 following PRISMA guidelines. Studies describing the effect of primary grade 3 GEP NETs on overall survival were included. Meta-analysis was performed, and pooled hazard ratio and their 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were obtained. The forest plots were created using random-effects models and sensitivity analysis was performed to account for the heterogeneity. Results: Seven studies with 7692 confirmed patients were included. In our meta-analysis grade 3 GEP NET were associated with higher odds of poor survival (pooled HR: 2.73; 95% CI: 1.36–5.47; p = 0.005), with 92% heterogeneity between studies (p < 0.0001). To account for heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis was performed by removing two outlying studies (Fathi et al. and Foubert et al.) on funnel plots. The results after sensitivity analysis did not change and still showed significant association of grade 3 with poor survival (pooled HR: 4.53; 95% CI: 3.54–5.78; p < 0.00001), with no heterogeneity between studies (p = 0.72; I2 = 0%). Conclusion: Our meta-analysis found that grade 3 GEP NETs are associated with poor survival and additional future studies are needed to identify other risk factors associated with poor survival in GEP NETs to improve mortality.
Background Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors, previously known as inflammatory pseudotumors, are rare soft tissue carcinomas with variable presentation and location. Due to non-specific symptoms and location, the diagnosis of this condition is often clinically challenging. Only a handful of case reports have been published in the literature describing this tumor, and there is still a lack of consensus on pathogenesis, risk factors, and treatment strategy. Most tumors have shown mutation in the anaplastic lymphoma receptor tyrosine kinase (ALK) gene. In this article, we describe a case of ALK-negative malignant inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. Case A 46 years old male with no risk factors presented with a mass in the inguinal region. The ultrasound was suggestive of a mixed echoic mass suggestive of inguinal hernia, which led to surgical repair with resection of the tumor segment. Subsequently, histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed that the mass was an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor which then recurred in a few years and failed to respond to multiple chemotherapy regimens, and over time, it progressively metastasized to the anterior abdominal wall and lungs. The patient is currently receiving palliative chemotherapy and symptomatic treatment. Conclusion This rare soft tissue tumor has not received much attention, and clinicians often miss the diagnosis. We stress that further study should be carried out on these soft tissue tumors, and adequate diagnostic and therapy recommendations should be developed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.