Detection of post-traumatic abdominal pseudoaneurysms by CEUS and CT: A prospective comparative global study (the PseAn study)-study protocol

The success of non-operative management in trauma increased with the availability of new-generation CT scan machines, endoscopy, and angiography, becoming the standard of care in hemodynamically stable trauma patients with abdominal solid organ injuries, with a success rate of 78% to 98%. Post-traumatic pseudoaneurysms (PAs) can develop at any region of an injured artery and they may cause delayed bleeding in splenic or hepatic trauma, with an incidence in patients treated with NOM of 2%-27% and 1.2%-6.1% respectively. Diagnosis is made by angiography, contrast-enhanced computer tomography (CT), or Doppler Ultrasound (US) while the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), has increased in recent years although few data are available about CEUS feasibility in the follow-up setting. The PseaAn study has been designed to assess the role of CEUS in the follow-up of abdominal trauma by defining its sensitivity, specificity and predictive values compared with abdominal CT scan. The PseAn study is a multi-centric international diagnostic cross-sectional study initiated by the Level I Trauma Center of the Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital in Milan, Italy. To study the role of CEUS in detecting post-traumatic splenic, hepatic, and renal PAs compared with the gold standard of CT with intravenous contrast at different follow-up time points, and whether it can replace CT scan in the follow-up of solid organ injuries, patients with OIS III and above will undergo a follow-up with both a CEUS and CT scan to detect post-traumatic parenchymal pseudoaneurysm within two to five days from injury. The use of CEUS in the follow-up of abdominal trauma follow-up (particularly blunt trauma) has increased, to minimise the use of ionizing radiation and contrast media and encouraging results have been published during the last decade showing that CEUS is an accurate technique for evaluating traumatic lesions of solid abdominal organs. Conclusions We think that CEUS, which is underused worldwide, is a useful and safe tool that may replace CT scan in follow-up with the major advantage of reduced radiation. Our current study may give stronger evidence to support this view.

A Case Series & Review of Literature of Angiomyolipoma with Medical & Surgical Perspective

The angiomyolipoma of renal origin is a rare benign tumour composed of fat cells, smooth muscle cells, and thick-wall blood vessels. Mostly these are sporadic origin, asymptomatic and benign in nature. Here we present two cases of Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) presenting as fever, pain, perirenal haematoma & frank haematuria. After initial stabilization, evaluated by contrast enhanced computer tomography (CECT) & diagnosed as renal angiomyolipoma because of low Hounsfield areas (10-20HU) suggestive for fat. Patient later underwent angiography with selective angioembolisation. Post intervention period was uneventful and was treated by an oral Everolimus 10 mg daily for a period of one year in first case & partial resection was done in second case. On two year follow-up both patients were doing well & had normal renal function without any recurrence. Embolisation is the emergency treatment of choice for bleeding angiomyolipoma. When preventive treatment is considered a nephron sparing approach by either transarterial embolisation or partial nephrectomy is clearly important. While angiomyolipoma in both kidneys or in solitary functioning kidneys, renal preservation is mandatory in order to avoid need for renal replacement therapy. Also, recently approved drug Everolimus may be considered for patients not suitable for surgery particularly in tumour seen with tuberous sclerosis.

Infected pancreatic necrosis: outcomes and clinical predictors of mortality. A post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study

The identification of high-risk patients in the early stages of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is critical, because it could help the clinicians to adopt more effective management strategies. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study to assess the association between clinical risk factors and mortality among adult patients with IPN. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of mortality. We identified 247 consecutive patients with IPN hospitalised between January 2019 and December 2020. History of uncontrolled arterial hypertension (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.135-15.882; aOR 4.245), qSOFA (p = 0.005; 95% CI 1.359-5.879; aOR 2.828), renal failure (p = 0.022; 95% CI 1.138-5.442; aOR 2.489), and haemodynamic failure (p = 0.018; 95% CI 1.184-5.978; aOR 2.661), were identified as independent predictors of mortality in IPN patients. Cholangitis (p = 0.003; 95% CI 1.598-9.930; aOR 3.983), abdominal compartment syndrome (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.090-6.967; aOR 2.735), and gastrointestinal/intra-abdominal bleeding (p = 0.009; 95% CI 1.286-5.712; aOR 2.710) were independently associated with the risk of mortality. Upfront open surgical necrosectomy was strongly associated with the risk of mortality (p < 0.001; 95% CI 1.912-7.442; aOR 3.772), whereas endoscopic drainage of pancreatic necrosis (p = 0.018; 95% CI 0.138-0.834; aOR 0.339) and enteral nutrition (p = 0.003; 95% CI 0.143-0.716; aOR 0.320) were found as protective factors. Organ failure, acute cholangitis, and upfront open surgical necrosectomy were the most significant predictors of mortality. Our study confirmed that, even in a subgroup of particularly ill patients such as those with IPN, upfront open surgery should be avoided as much as possible. Study protocol registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov (I.D. Number NCT04747990).

Systemic meta-analysis assessing the short term applicability of early conversion to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors in kidney transplant

AIM

To consolidate the present evidence of effectiveness in renal functioning and graft survival following early introduction of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors with or without calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) in renal transplant recipients.

METHODS

We analysed the current literature following PROSPERO approval describing the role of immunosuppressive agent, mTOR inhibitors as an alternative to CNI within six months of renal transplant by searching the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Crossref, and Scopus using MeSH terms.

RESULTS

Six articles of early withdrawal of CNI and introduction of mTOR-inhibitors within six months of renal transplantation were sought. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and serum creatinine were significantly better in mTOR inhibitor group with equivalent survival at 12 mo, even though Biopsy Proven Acute rejection was significantly higher in mTOR-inhibitor group.

CONCLUSION

The evidence reviewed in this meta-analysis suggests that early introduction mTOR-inhibitors substantial CNI minimization. The mTOR inhibitors such as everolimus and sirolimus, due to their complementary mechanism of action and favourable nephrotoxicity profile; better glomerular filtration, lower serum creatinine with equivalent survival. Having said that, due to the higher rejection rate, may influence the use of these regimens to patients with moderate to high immunological risk patients.

Isolated asymptomatic metastasis in the myocardium: a rare scenario in case of carcinoma penis

Penile cancer is a common malignancy in developing countries. It commonly metastasizes to the lymph nodes, lung, liver, and bones. Myocardial metastasis is rare. A 40-year-old male patient presented with ulcerative growth over glans penis. Histologic evaluation of the biopsy sample diagnosed the lesion as squamous cell cancer. Assessment of the stage of the disease revealed cardiac metastasis. Patient received six cycles of chemotherapy. He partially responded, but later succumbed to cardiac failure due to pericardial and pleural effusion.

Radiofrequency assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy for palliative surgical resection of locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Despite careful patient selection and preoperative investigations curative resection rate (R0) in pancreaticoduodenectomy ranges from 15% to 87%. Here we describe a new palliative approach for pancreaticoduodenectomy using a radiofrequency energy device to ablate tumor in situ in patients undergoing R1/R2 resections for locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma where vascular reconstruction was not feasible.

RESULTS

There was neither postoperative mortality nor significant morbidity. Each time the ablation lasted less than 15 minutes. Following radiofrequency ablation it was observed that the tumor remnant attached to the vessel had shrunk significantly. In four patients this allowed easier separation and dissection of the ablated tumor from the adherent vessel leading to R1 resection. In the other two patients, the ablated tumor did not separate from vessel due to true tumor invasion and patients had an R2 resection. The ablated remnant part of the tumor was left in situ.

CONCLUSION

Whenever pancreaticoduodenectomy with R0 resection cannot be achieved, this new palliative procedure could be considered in order to facilitate resection and enable maximum destruction in remnant tumors.

METHOD

Six patients with suspected tumor infiltration and where vascular reconstruction was not warranted underwent radiofrequency-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy for locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Radiofrequency was applied across the tumor vertically 5-10 mm from the edge of the mesenteric and portal veins. Following ablation, the duodenum and the head of pancreas were removed after knife excision along the ablated line. The remaining ablated tissue was left in situ attached to the vessel.

Clinical outcomes of non-operative management and clinical observation in non-angioembolised hepatic trauma: A systematic review of the literature

PURPOSE

Liver is the most frequently injured organ in abdominal trauma. Today non-operative management (NOM) is considered as the standard of care in hemodynamically stable patients, with or without the adjunct of angioembolisation (AE). This systematic review assesses the incidence of complications in patients who sustained liver injuries and were treated with simple clinical observation. Given the differences in indications of treatment and severity of liver trauma and acknowledging the limitations of this study, an analysis of the results has been done in reference to the complications in patients who were treated with AE.

METHODS

A systematic literature review searched "liver trauma", "hepatic trauma", "conservative management", "non operative management" on MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases, EMBASE, and Google Scholar, to identify studies published on the conservative management of traumatic liver injuries between January 1990 and June 2020. Patients with traumatic liver injuries (blunt and penetrating) treated by NOM, described at least one outcome of interests and provided morbidity outcomes from NOM were included in this study. Studies reported the outcome of NOM without separating liver from other solid organs; studies reported NOM complications together with those post-intervention; case reports; studies including less than 5 cases; studies not written in English; and studies including patients who had NOM with AE as primary management were excluded. Efficacy of NOM and overall morbidity and mortality were assessed, the specific causes of morbidity were investigated, and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma classification was used in all the studies analysed. Statistical significance has been calculated using the Chi-square test.

RESULTS

A total of 19 studies qualified for inclusion criteria were in this review. The NOM success rate ranged from 85% to 99%. The most commonly reported complications were hepatic collection (3.1%), followed by bile leak (1.5%), with variability between the studies. Other complications included hepatic haematoma, bleeding, fistula, pseudoaneurysm, compartment syndrome, peritonitis, and gallbladder ischemia, all with an incidence below 1%.

CONCLUSION

NOM with simple clinical observation showed an overall low incidence of complications, but higher for bile leak and collections. In patients with grade III and above injuries, the incidence of bile leak, collections and compartment syndrome did not show a statistically significant difference with the AE group. However, the latter result is limited by the small number of studies available and it requires further investigations.

En bloc liver and pancreas transplantation after total pancreatectomy with autologous islet transplantation

We present a patient with intractable and debilitating pain secondary to chronic pancreatitis who was effectively treated with total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). Islets engrafted into his liver significantly contributed to improved blood glucose control and quality of life. Subsequently, the patient developed alcohol related acute liver failure and en bloc liver and pancreas transplantation was performed to replace the failing liver with engrafted islets. Pancreas transplantation was required to resolve his life-threatening severe hypoglycemic episodes. Herein, we detail an innovative and multidisciplinary management of this complex medical problem.

Piperacillin/tazobactam for surgical prophylaxis during pancreatoduodenectomy: meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pancreatoduodenectomy is associated with an increased incidence of surgical-site infections, often leading to a significant rise in morbidity and mortality. This trend underlines the inadequacy of traditional antibiotic prophylaxis strategies. Hence, the aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the outcomes of antimicrobial prophylaxis, comparing piperacillin/tazobactam with traditional antibiotics.

METHODS

Upon registering in PROSPERO, the international prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42023479100), a systematic search of various databases was conducted over the interval 2000-2023. This inclusive search encompassed a wide range of study types, including prospective and retrospective cohorts and RCTs. The subsequent data analysis was carried out utilizing RevMan 5.4.

RESULTS

A total of eight studies involving 2382 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy and received either piperacillin/tazobactam (1196 patients) or traditional antibiotics (1186 patients) as antibiotic prophylaxis during surgery were included in the meta-analysis. Patients in the piperacillin/tazobactam group had significantly reduced incidences of surgical-site infections (OR 0.43 (95% c.i. 0.30 to 0.62); P < 0.00001) and major surgical complications (Clavien-Dindo grade greater than or equal to III) (OR 0.61 (95% c.i. 0.45 to 0.81); P = 0.0008). Subgroup analysis of surgical-site infections highlighted significantly reduced incidences of superficial surgical-site infections (OR 0.34 (95% c.i. 0.14 to 0.84); P = 0.02) and organ/space surgical-site infections (OR 0.47 (95% c.i. 0.28 to 0.78); P = 0.004) in the piperacillin/tazobactam group. Further, the analysis demonstrated significantly lower incidences of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistulas (grades B and C) (OR 0.67 (95% c.i. 0.53 to 0.83); P = 0.0003) and mortality (OR 0.51 (95% c.i. 0.28 to 0.91); P = 0.02) in the piperacillin/tazobactam group.

CONCLUSION

Piperacillin/tazobactam as antimicrobial prophylaxis significantly lowers the risk of postoperative surgical-site infections, major surgical complications (complications classified as Clavien-Dindo grade greater than or equal to III), clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistulas (grades B and C), and mortality, hence supporting the implementation of piperacillin/tazobactam for surgical prophylaxis in current practice.

Rib Hemangiomas: Intriguing Findings from a Systematic Review of Rare Thoracic Tumors

Background: Bone hemangiomas are rare benign vascular tumors, comprising less than 1% of all bone tumors. They are predominantly found in the vertebral body or skull; rib hemangiomas are particularly rare and are often misdiagnosed as malignant tumors. Given the high malignancy rate of primary rib tumors, understanding rib hemangiomas is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis. Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA standards. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus. Data on patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and clinical presentation were analyzed using STATA/SE 17. Results: From 306 articles, 40 studies including 43 patients met the inclusion criteria. Rib hemangiomas showed a bimodal age distribution, with peaks in patients younger than 30 years (mean age 21.43 ± 5.60 years) and ≥30 years (mean age 59.96 ± 9.70 years). Females were more affected (62.79%) than males (37.21%), with a ratio of 1.69:1. The tumors were most frequently located in mid-thoracic ribs (4-8) and predominantly on the left side of the thorax. The mean tumor size was 7.27 cm, with 76.19% exhibiting osteolytic changes. Clinically, 63.41% of cases were asymptomatic, while symptomatic cases mainly presented with pain. Conclusions: Rib hemangiomas, though rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of thoracic tumors. They present as well-demarcated lytic lesions with distinct imaging features, and they typically require complete surgical excision, which may be aided with preoperative embolization. Their accurate diagnosis involves a combination of radiologic and clinical evaluation. Further studies are needed to understand the disease's pathophysiology and to refine diagnostic and treatment protocols.

Effectiveness and safety of low molecular weight heparin in the management of acute pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest that low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) may play a role in mitigating the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesise existing evidence on the effectiveness and safety of LMWH in the treatment of moderately-severe and severe AP.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the 2020 update of the PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and EMBASE, covering studies published up to February 2024. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (n-RCTs) that reported the differences in the outcomes of AP for patients receiving LMWH in addition to the standard treatment (Intervention), compared to patients managed by standard treatment without LMWH (Control) were eligible. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled relative risk (RR) and mean differences (MD) with the corresponding 95% CI.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were included in the meta-analysis, all published between 2004 and 2022. Eight studies were RCTs, and five were n-RCTs. Data from 13,709 patients (6.971 Interventions and 6.738 Controls) were analysed. The comparison of Intervention and Control groups showed the superiority of LMWH to standard treatments in terms of overall mortality (RR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.31; 0.64, P < 0.0001, I2 = 51%), acute necrotic collections (RR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.09; 0.62, P = 0.003, I2 = 0%), and organ failure (RR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.48; 0.93, P = 0.02, I2 = 78%). The Intervention group showed superior outcomes compared with the Control group for gastrointestinal bleeding (RR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.44; 0.94, P = 0.02, I2 = 0%), length of hospital stay (MD= - 6.08, 95% CI = - 10.08; - 2.07, P = 0.003, I2 = 98%), need for operative interventions (RR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.29; 0.87, P = 0.01, I2 = 61%), and vascular thrombosis (RR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.31; 0.61, P < 0.00001, I2 = 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate to high-quality evidence suggests that early intervention with LMWH could improve the prognosis of non-mild AP in terms of mortality, organ failure, and decreased incidence of vascular thrombosis. In light of our findings, integrating LMWH into the treatment regimen for moderate-severe to severe AP is advocated.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the follow-up of abdominal solid organ trauma: an international survey prior to the PseAn study

BACKGROUND

The blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma follow-up relies on contrast CT scan to detect solid organ injuries. CEUS is not widely used worldwide, despite its accuracy and feasibility in identifying parenchymal and vascular lesions. This survey aims to define the current use of CEUS in Trauma Centers and the expectations of Emergency Surgeons regarding its role.

METHODS

We sent an online questionnaire composed of 10 questions to trauma physicians worldwide during the period of September 2022 to March 2023.

RESULTS

59 participants from 53 different centers answered the questionnaire. 76.2% of the enrolled participants have CEUS available at their Institution, and 49.2% think that it can replace CT scan. Contrast-CT scan remains the preferred option in the follow-up of blunt liver (69.5%), spleen (72.9%) and kidney (76.3%) injuries, followed by CEUS which is used in 18.6% for liver, 20.3% for spleen and 15.3% for kidney injuries. The results are similar for penetrating abdominal trauma, with contrast CT scan being the first-line imaging technique (91.5% for liver, 91.5% for spleen and 88.1% for kidney injuries), followed by CEUS (5.1% for liver, 5.1% for spleen and 6.8% for kidney injuries).

CONCLUSIONS

Our survey shows that CEUS is still underutilized in the follow-up of abdominal trauma, even though many emergency surgeons consider it as a valid alternative to contrast CT scan.

Comparing High- and Low-Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Living-Donor Liver Transplantation to Determine Clinical Efficacy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (CHALICE Study)

INTRODUCTION

Various studies have demonstrated that low-Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) living-donor liver transplant (LDLT) recipients have better outcomes with improved patient survival than deceased-donor liver transplantation (DDLT) recipients. LDLT recipients gain the most from being transplanted at MELD <25-30; however, some existing data have outlined that LDLT may provide equivalent outcomes in high-MELD and low-MELD patients, although the term "high" MELD is arbitrarily defined in the literature and various cut-off scores are outlined between 20 and 30, although most commonly, the dividing threshold is 25. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare LDLT in high-MELD with that in low-MELD recipients to determine patient survival and graft survival, as well as perioperative and postoperative complications.

METHODS

Following PROSPERO registration CRD-42021261501, a systematic database search was conducted for the published literature between 1990 and 2021 and yielded a total of 10 studies with 2183 LT recipients; 490 were HM-LDLT recipients and 1693 were LM-LDLT recipients.

RESULTS

Both groups had comparable mortality at 1, 3 and 5 years post-transplant (5-year HR 1.19; 95% CI 0.79-1.79; p-value 0.40) and graft survival (HR 1.08; 95% CI 0.72, 1.63; p-value 0.71). No differences were observed in the rates of major morbidity, hepatic artery thrombosis, biliary complications, intra-abdominal bleeding, wound infection and rejection; however, the HM-LDLT group had higher risk for pulmonary infection, abdominal fluid collection and prolonged ICU stay.

CONCLUSIONS

The high-MELD LDLT group had similar patient and graft survival and morbidities to the low-MELD LDLT group, despite being at higher risk for pulmonary infection, abdominal fluid collection and prolonged ICU stay. The data, primarily sourced from high-volume Asian centers, underscore the feasibility of living donations for liver allografts in high-MELD patients. Given the rising demand for liver allografts, it is sensible to incorporate these insights into U.S. transplant practices.

A case of ureteric injury postappendectomy presenting as ureterocutaneous fistula

Ureteric injuries, although uncommon, are a potential complication in pelvic and gynaecological surgeries and can have serious implications. The risk is mainly related to the complexity of the surgical procedure and the presence of eventual periureteric pathology. Ureteric injury during appendectomy is rare. The ureter may be damaged by laceration, being crushed, or thermal or ischaemic injury. The retrocaecal appendix, due to its proximity to the ureter, may also get accidentally injured. The most effective measure to prevent iatrogenic injury is to have a sound knowledge of abdominal and pelvic anatomy, meticulous surgical technique and an identification of factors that increase the likelihood of developing such complications.