No abstract

Whilst imaging of poor prognostic features in rectal cancers has assisted pre-operative treatment stratification, such features have yet to be evaluated in colonic cancers. This study aims to develop criteria for identifying poor prognostic features in colonic tumours and assess the accuracy of CT prediction against histopathology. Criteria were developed for predicting T-stage and N-stage, the presence of extramural vascular invasion and involvement of the retroperitoneal surgical margin (RSM). These criteria were tested on 33 patients with colonic cancer who underwent pre-operative high-resolution CT of their tumour. Two radiologists (Obs 1 and Obs 2) identified independently these poor prognostic features and the results were compared with the final histopathological results. Histological agreement and interobserver variation were calculated using the kappa test. Accuracy of CT prediction of tumour extension beyond muscularis propria was 82% (Obs 1) and 70% (Obs 2). Correct prediction of RSM involvement was 76% (95% confidence interval (CI): 57.8-88.9%) and 79% (95%CI: 61.1-91%) for Obs1 and Obs 2, respectively, with significant agreement between observers (kappa = 0.455, p = 0.050). Prognosis was correctly predicted using CT in 82% (95%CI: 61.5-81.2%) (Obs1) and 85% (95%CI: 68.1-94.9%) (Obs2) with moderate agreement (kappa = 0.459, kappa = 0.527, respectively) with histology. In conclusion, CT has potential as the imaging modality of choice in the pre-operative prediction of poor prognostic features in colonic cancers and could play a role in future treatment stratification.

Originally thought to be limited to mesothelial-lined surfaces, solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) has now been reported in numerous extrathoracic sites. The female genital tract is among the rarest reported sites involving SFT, and only a handful of cases have been described. Although features pointing to a more malignant biological behavior have been described, these tumors remain unpredictable in their clinical course. We present a case of primary SFT originating in the vulva of a 45-year-old woman, only the fourth such case and only the ninth case of primary SFT of the female genital tract. The tumor presented as a 60-mm, well-circumscribed, painless lump and comprised bland spindle cells in a collagenized stroma with hypercellular and hypocellular foci. Immunohistochemically, the spindle cells were strongly positive for CD34, Bcl 2, and vimentin, with focal positivity for CD99. Immunohistochemical staining for MNF116, desmin, smooth muscle actin, ER, PR, and S100 was negative. There has been no recurrence after 6 months. We discuss the principal differential diagnoses of spindle cell mesenchymal tumors of the vulva and review the previously published cases of primary SFTs originating in the female genital tract. We also stress the importance of informing clinicians involved in these cases of the potential for an unpredictable clinical outcome.

Introduced into clinical practice in the 1960s, the analgesic fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine. Various methods of administration exist including the transdermal Duragesic patch system, widely used in chronic pain and palliative care settings. Numerous, often imaginative methods of abuse of fentanyl patches have been reported; the majority of fatal fentanyl overdose cases resulting from deliberate abuse or suicide. We describe the accidental overdose of a young black male with sickle cell/beta-thalassemia who had been using the Duragesic system for almost 2 years.At autopsy the macroscopic findings were of nonspecific opiate overdose with congested heavy lungs. Histopathological examination revealed severe sickling of red blood cells in the lungs (acute chest syndrome). Toxicological examination revealed blood and urine fentanyl levels of 40 microg/L and 400 microg/L (10 fold and 100 fold higher than therapeutic levels). The mast cell tryptase was also significantly elevated at 76 microg/L, (Normal 2-14 microg/L). We discuss the relevance of these findings with regard to the cause of death, and stress the need to consider fentanyl when confronted with nonspecific signs of opiate overdose as it is not detected in routine toxicological drug screens.