The Genetics of Food Allergy

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Food allergy likely arises from a complex interplay between environmental triggers and genetic susceptibility. Here, we review recent studies that have investigated the genetic pathways and mechanisms that may contribute to the pathogenesis of food allergy.

Recent Findings

A heritability component of food allergy has been observed in multiple studies. A number of monogenic diseases characterized by food allergy have elucidated pathways that may be important in pathogenesis. Several population-based genetic variants associated with food allergy have also been identified.

Summary

The genetic mechanisms that play a role in the development of food allergy are heterogeneous and complex. Advances in our understanding of the genetics of food allergy, and how this predisposition interacts with environmental exposures to lead to disease, will improve our understanding of the key pathways leading to food allergy and inform more effective prevention and treatment strategies.

http://ift.tt/2DASUKW

The Genetics of Food Allergy

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Food allergy likely arises from a complex interplay between environmental triggers and genetic susceptibility. Here, we review recent studies that have investigated the genetic pathways and mechanisms that may contribute to the pathogenesis of food allergy.

Recent Findings

A heritability component of food allergy has been observed in multiple studies. A number of monogenic diseases characterized by food allergy have elucidated pathways that may be important in pathogenesis. Several population-based genetic variants associated with food allergy have also been identified.

Summary

The genetic mechanisms that play a role in the development of food allergy are heterogeneous and complex. Advances in our understanding of the genetics of food allergy, and how this predisposition interacts with environmental exposures to lead to disease, will improve our understanding of the key pathways leading to food allergy and inform more effective prevention and treatment strategies.

http://ift.tt/2DASUKW

Nature and role of surgical margins in transoral laser microsurgery for early and intermediate glottic cancer

Purpose of review Summarize recent findings regarding the impact of margin status on oncologic outcomes and organ preservation, as well as evaluate possible management policies of close and positive margins after transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) for Tis-T2 glottic carcinomas. Recent findings Impact of margin status on survival rates remains controversial, whereas some authors found close and positive margins to be independent risk factors for recurrence and poorer survival rates, others did not find any significant variations compared with negative ones. A common trend can be observed in performing a watchful waiting policy or second look TLM in patients with close-superficial and positive single-superficial margins. Further treatment seems preferable in case of deep and positive multiple superficial margins. Summary Positive margins are present in up to 50% of patients treated by TLM, even though a high rate of false positivity, reaching 80%, has been described. Close and positive single superficial margins seem to be linked to higher recurrence rates compared with negative margins, even though watchful wait and see policy, especially when performed by adjunctive visual aids like Narrow Band Imaging, maintains good final oncological and organ preservation outcomes. Further treatments are required in case of deep margin positivity. Correspondence to Ivana Fiz, MD, Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Katharinenhospital, Kriegsbergstrasse 60, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany. Tel: +49 162 31 81 826; fax: +49 0711 278 33 209; e-mail: ivana.fiz.orl@gmail.com Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Salivary duct carcinoma

Purpose of review The review puts new information on geno- and phenotype of salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) in the perspective of the updated 2017 WHO classification. Recent findings The proportion of SDC is increasing. This may be because of a true rise in incidence, but certainly to better diagnostic tests and changed WHO definitions. In this light, a substantial proportion of carcinoma expleomorphic adenoma is now attributed to the category of SDC. 'Low-grade SDC' and 'SDC in-situ' of the former WHO classification, are now named low-grade and high-grade intraductal carcinoma (IDC), respectively. Recent series quantify biologic aggressiveness: perineural growth, vascular invasion, and extracapsular extension in lymph node metastasis are each observed in two out of three patients with SDC. Most patients die within 3 years, but once 5-year disease-free survival is reached, further disease activity is exceptional. The typical molecular biological profile with high human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and androgen receptor expression is increasingly successfully exploited in clinical trials for advanced SDC. Summary The aggressive SDC is increasingly diagnosed. Despite intensive combined surgery and radiation therapy, many patients recur, for whom new bullets, targeting the molecular biological mechanisms, are the subject of ongoing clinical trials. Correspondence to Vincent Vander Poorten, MD, MSc, PhD, Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, and Section Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Tel: +3216332342; fax: +3216332335; e-mail: vincent.vanderpoorten@uzleuven.be Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Image Guidance Technologies for Interventional Pain Procedures: Ultrasound, Fluoroscopy, and CT

Abstract

Chronic pain is a common medical condition. Patients who suffer uncontrolled chronic pain may require interventions including spinal injections and various nerve blocks. Interventional procedures have evolved and improved over time since epidural injection was first introduced for low back pain and sciatica in 1901. One of the major contributors in the improvement of these interventions is the advancement of imaging guidance technologies. The utilization of image guidance has dramatically improved the accuracy and safety of these interventions. The first image guidance technology adopted by pain specialists was fluoroscopy. This was followed by CT and ultrasound. Fluoroscopy can be used to visualize bony structures of the spine. It is still the most commonly used guidance technology in spinal injections. In the recent years, ultrasound guidance has been increasingly adopted by interventionists to perform various injections. Because its ability to visualize soft tissue, vessels, and nerves, this guidance technology appears to be a better option than fluoroscopy for interventions including SGB and celiac plexus blocks, when visualization of the vessels may prevent intravascular injection. The current evidence indicates the efficacies of these interventions are similar between ultrasound guidance and fluoroscopy guidance for SGB and celiac plexus blocks. For facet injections and interlaminar epidural steroid injections, it is important to visualize bony structures in order to perform these procedures accurately and safely. It is worth noting that facet joint injections can be done under ultrasound guidance with equivalent efficacy to fluoroscopic guidance. However, obese patients may present challenge for ultrasound guidance due to its poor visualization of deep anatomical structures. Regarding transforaminal epidural steroid injections, there are limited evidence to support that ultrasound guidance technology has equivalent efficacy and less complications comparing to fluoroscopy. However, further studies are required to prove the efficacy of ultrasound-guided transforaminal epidural injections. SI joint is unique due to its multiplanar orientation, irregular joint gap, partial ankylosis, and thick dorsal and interosseous ligament. Therefore, it can be difficult to access the joint space with fluoroscopic guidance and ultrasound guidance. CT scan, with its cross-sectional images, can identify posterior joint gap, is most likely the best guidance technology for this intervention. Intercostal nerves lie in the subcostal grove close to the plural space. Significant risk of pneumothorax is associated with intercostal blocks. Ultrasound can provide visualization of ribs and pleura. Therefore, it may improve the accuracy of the injection and reduce the risk of pneumothorax. At present time, most pain specialists are familiar with fluoroscopic guidance techniques, and fluoroscopic machines are readily available in the pain clinics. In the contrast, CT guidance can only be performed in specially equipped facilities. Ultrasound machine is generally portable and inexpensive in comparison to CT scanner and fluoroscopic machine. As pain specialists continue to improve their patient care, ultrasound and CT guidance will undoubtedly be incorporated more into the pain management practice. This review is based on a paucity of clinical evidence to compare these guidance technologies; clearly, more clinical studies is needed to further elucidate the pro and cons of each guidance method for various pain management interventions.

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The Impact of Skeletal Muscle Depletion on Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Skeletal muscle depletion and sarcopenia have been reported as poor prognostic factors for several types of cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of skeletal muscle depletion and sarcopenia on the outcomes in head and neck cancer patients. Methods: Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated from January 2013 to June 2014 were included in this study. The pretreatment cross-sectional area of skeletal muscle at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) was measured by computed tomography image analysis using the ImageJ software. L3 skeletal muscle index (SMI) and fat-free mass (FFM) were calculated. Results: Eighty-five patients with HNSCC were included. The cut-off value of sarcopenia was set at SMI #x3c;46.7 cm²/m² (males) and 30.3 cm²/m² (females). The cut-off value of FFM was set at 42.3 kg (males) and 30.6 kg (females). Patients with a low SMI (sarcopenia) and low FFM had a significantly poorer prognosis than others, especially those who received definitive radiotherapy. Sarcopenia and low FFM are independent factors for poor prognosis in patients with HNSCC. Conclusion: The skeletal muscle area at L3 should be calculated when considering treatment options for head and neck cancer.
ORL 2018;80:1–9

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Association of Optic Nerve Head Drusen with Best Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy: A Case Series

Purpose: To report the association of optic nerve head (ONH) drusen with Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD). Methods: Chart review. Patients: Five patients from 3 families. Results: Multimodal imaging and ophthalmic examination demonstrated findings consistent with ONH drusen, in association with BVMD, in 5 patients. Conclusion: We report the association of BVMD with ONH drusen in 5 patients. This combination has previously been reported only once. We recommend that patients with a diagnosis of BVMD undergo autofluorescence and ultrasound imaging of the optic nerve to help facilitate this diagnosis, as some ONH drusen can be buried.
Case Rep Ophthalmol 2018;9:76–86

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