Studies have suggested that perineural invasion (PNI) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) serve as independent prognostic factors in colorectal cancer (CRC). Currently, little is known regarding the combination of PNI and LVI as prognostic factors, independent of stage. We hypothesized that this combination was a better prognostic marker than either PNI or LVI alone, and that S100 staining would detect PNI not seen with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Surgical pathology slides were retrospectively reviewed for 151 stages I to IV CRC patients who had surgery between January 1, 2008 and December 8, 2008 at 3 Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals in New Jersey. PNI and LVI were detected by H&E staining and a subset of 127 patient samples were additionally examined for PNI by S100 staining. Correlation between staining characteristics and patient outcomes was assessed using the Pearson χ2 tests and the Fisher exact tests. Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methods. Of the 151 cases reviewed, 30.5% were positive for PNI and 35.1% were positive for LVI by H&E. The use of S100 staining for PNI enabled its detection in 27 additional cases. Median time from patient diagnosis to death was significantly shorter for patients who were positive for both PNI and LVI (P<0.001). PNI and LVI were individual markers for poor survival in CRC patients and their combined presence had an even worse outcome. Failure to detect PNI on H&E can be overcome by S100 staining.

Background Venous thromboembolism is a significant clinical event, with an annual incidence of 1–2 per 1000 population. Risk factors include recent surgery, prolonged immobility, oral contraceptive use, and active cancer. Inherited risks include protein C and S deficiencies, antithrombin deficiency, factor V Leiden mutation and prothrombin. These factors can be tested to guide therapy, but current evidence suggests that testing for inherited thrombophilia is not recommended in most inpatient settings. In the era of high value care, hypercoagulable testing for VTE creates a financial burden for the hospital and patients. We performed a retrospective chart review of hypercoagulable orders on VTE patients at our institution. Methods Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. A total of 287 adult patients admitted over a 3-month period with the diagnosis of VTE were included. Patients were identified via ICD-10 codes and data were collected from electronic medical records. Patient characteristics, provoked versus unprovoked VTE, and relative contraindications for hypercoagulability work-up were analyzed. Our primary outcome was to assess the appropriateness of thrombophilia testing in VTE patients based on screening guidelines. Our secondary outcome was to analyze the cost burden of ordering these tests. Results A total of 287 patients were included in our data analysis. Patient risk factors for VTE were malignancy, previous DVT, immobilization, surgery 3 months prior, and central line placement. Fifty-seven of 287 patients had at least one hypercoagulable test ordered during hospitalization which did not adhere to guidelines. Misuse of testing occurred during active thrombosis, active anticoagulation, presence of risk factors, first episode of VTE, and malignancy. The cost of ordering these 5 thrombophilia tests totaled over $40,000. Conclusion In our study, numerous patients were tested without compliance to standard recommendations, which created financial and value-based burdens on our health care system. Increased awareness among clinicians is thus warranted to ensure high value care.

Hemophilia is a bleeding diathesis that is most commonly congenital and causes a tendency for significant bleeding during procedures and often manifests as hemarthrosis. However, more rarely, hemophilia can be acquired. Our paper focuses on acquired hemophilia A (AHA), which is caused by the development of an autoantibody (an inhibitor) to factor VIII. A 61-year-old man with a past medical history of type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypothyroidism, and obstructive sleep apnea presented to the emergency department with severe right lower extremity pain and swelling of 2-day duration. He was found to have compartment syndrome and underwent emergent fasciotomy of his right leg. After surgery he still had significant bleeding, despite transfusions and administration of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) by the surgical team. He was later diagnosed with AHA, but was not adequately responsive to factor VII, factor VIII, steroids nor rituxan and unfortunately had his right lower extremity amputated. He had a prolonged hospital course, which included Streptococcus bovis bacteremia and a code stroke for which head computed tomography (CT) showed probable metastasis. It was acknowledged he had probable metastatic colon cancer, which was not confirmed as the patient transitioned to hospice care. Rather than hemarthrosis, patients with AHA tend to have bleeding in soft tissue or the gastrointestinal tract. AHA can have underlying causes, such as malignancy. AHA associated with malignancy is associated with poorer outcomes and tends to improve with treatment of the underlying malignancy. Therefore, it is important to quickly identify these patients and screen them for underlying etiologies.