Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have demonstrated that elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios (PLRs) are associated with the presence of various malignancies. The present study evaluated various hematologic parameters and their association with renal tumor biopsy pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:The clinical, hematologic, and pathologic parameters were obtained through a retrospective review of 475 diagnostic biopsy specimens of small renal masses from January 2001 to December 2013. The complete blood counts closest to and before the biopsies were obtained. The biopsy pathologic findings were divided into 3 groups: benign, primary renal malignancy, and nonrenal malignancy. The hematologic parameters were compared among the 3 groups. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed for the parameters that were significantly different among the groups. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess whether the clinical and hematologic parameters were associated with benign or malignant pathologic findings. RESULTS:Hematologic parameters were available for 462 cases (97%). Pathologic examination of the biopsy specimens demonstrated benign, primary renal malignancy, and nonrenal malignancy in 114 (25%), 337 (73%), and 11 (2%) patients, respectively. The PLR was significantly (P = .010) different among the 3 groups and was significantly (P = .013) greater in those with nonrenal malignancies than in those with primary renal malignancies. Using a cutoff for the PLR of 202.9 gave a sensitivity of 63.6% and specificity of 82.2% for detecting a nonrenal malignancy. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The hematologic parameters did not differ significantly between benign and primary renal malignant masses undergoing biopsy. The PLR might be useful as a simple and inexpensive marker to help distinguish nonrenal malignancies in the workup of a small renal mass.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To investigate the radiological features, diagnosis and management of screen-detected lobular neoplasia (LN) of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:392 women with pure LN alone were identified within the prospective UK cohort study of screen-detected non-invasive breast neoplasia (the Sloane Project). Demography, radiological features and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures were analysed. RESULTS:Non-pleomorphic LN (369/392) was most frequently diagnosed among women aged 50-54 and in 53.5% was at the first screen. It occurred most commonly on the left (58.0%; p = 0.003), in the upper outer quadrant and confined to one site (single quadrant or retroareolar region). No bilateral cases were found. The predominant radiological feature was microcalcification (most commonly granular) which increased in frequency with increasing breast density. Casting microcalcification as a predominant feature had a significantly higher lesion size compared to granular and punctate patterns (p = 0.034). 326/369 (88.3%) women underwent surgery, including 17 who underwent >1 operation, six who had mastectomy and six who had axillary surgery. Two patients had radiotherapy and 15 had endocrine treatment. Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ (23/392) presented as granular microcalcification in 12; four women had mastectomy and six had radiotherapy. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Screen-detected LN occurs in relatively young women and is predominantly non-pleomorphic and unilateral. It is typically associated with granular or punctate microcalcification in the left upper outer quadrant. Management, including surgical resection, is highly variable and requires evidence-based guideline development.

A widespread approach to investigating the dynamical behaviour of complex social systems is via agent-based models (ABMs). In this paper, we describe how such models can be dynamically calibrated using the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF), a standard method of data assimilation. Our goal is twofold. First, we want to present the EnKF in a simple setting for the benefit of ABM practitioners who are unfamiliar with it. Second, we want to illustrate to data assimilation experts the value of using such methods in the context of ABMs of complex social systems and the new challenges these types of model present. We work towards these goals within the context of a simple question of practical value: how many people are there in Leeds (or any other major city) right now? We build a hierarchy of exemplar models that we use to demonstrate how to apply the EnKF and calibrate these using open data of footfall counts in Leeds.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:Oncocytomas are benign tumors often diagnosed incidentally on imaging. Small case series have suggested that the growth kinetics of oncocytomas are similar to those of malignant renal tumors. Biopsy material may be insufficient to exclude a diagnosis of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. We evaluated and compared the growth rates of oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma to improve our understanding of their natural history. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:This was a single center, retrospective study of patients diagnosed with lesions suggestive of oncocytoma or chromophobe renal cell carcinoma between 2003 and 2014. The growth rates were estimated using a mixed effect linear model. Patient and lesion characteristics were tested using a similar model for association with growth rate. RESULTS:Of the 95 lesions (oncocytoma 81, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma 14) included in the analysis 98% were diagnosed on biopsy. The annual growth rate was 0.14 cm and 0.38 cm for oncocytoma (median followup 34 months) and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (median followup 25 months), respectively (p=0.5). Baseline lesion size was significantly associated with growth (p <0.001). The majority of oncocytomas (74%) and chromophobe renal cell carcinomas (67%) followed up to the 3-year mark had grown. Of these, 8 underwent surgery (6 in the chromophobe renal cell carcinoma group). The initial diagnosis was confirmed in all. Overall 5 patients died, all of nonrenal related causes. CONCLUSIONS:Although the majority of oncocytic renal neoplasms will grow with time, surveillance appears to remain safe. Patients opting for this strategy should be made aware that a diagnosis of oncocytoma following biopsy is associated with some degree of uncertainty due to the difficulty of differentiating them from other oncocytic renal neoplasms.

Innovative technologies for digital imaging and telecommunications are changing the way we deliver health care. Telepathology collaborations are one example of how delivering remote pathology services to patients can benefit from leveraging this change. Over the years, several academic and commercial teleconsultation networks have been established. Herein, we review the landscape of these international telepathology efforts and highlight key supportive factors and potential barriers to successful cross-border collaborations. Important features of successful international telepathology programs include efficient workflows, dedicated information technology staff, continuous maintenance, financial incentives, ensuring that all involved stakeholders are satisfied, and value-added clinical benefit to patient care. Factors that plague such telepathology operations include legal/regulatory issues, sustainability, and cultural and environmental issues. Pathologists, vendors and laboratory accreditation agencies will need to embrace and capitalize on this new paradigm of international telepathology accordingly.