Morbid obesity in women is associated to a lower prevalence of thyroid nodules

BACKGROUND

Few studies have recently showed functional and morphological changes of the thyroid gland in relation to obesity. To our knowledge, no data are available about the prevalence of thyroid nodules in female obese patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of thyroid nodules in morbidly obese women.

METHODS

One hundred eight consecutive female obese patients were selected from those referred to our medical and surgery outpatients providing that following criteria were satisfied: (1) affected by morbid obesity (body mass index (BMI) >40 kg/m(2)); (2) no previous diagnosis of thyroid disease; (3) biochemically proven euthyroid state at the time of recruitment. Ninety-seven control subjects, constituted by normo-weight and/or slightly overweight (BMI ≤ 30 kg/m(2)) women, should satisfy the above criteria 2 and 3. All the subjects were submitted to ultrasound investigation.

RESULTS

The two groups of patients displayed no differences for age and fT4 levels. Obese patients clearly showed a lower prevalence of thyroid nodules [odds ratio 0.294, 95% confidence interval 0.206-0.382]. A single nodule was found in 23% of obese patients as compared to 65% of control subjects (p < 0.0001). No difference for age (year) was found between obese and non-obese subjects with nodules (40.5 ± 8.2 vs. 44.2 ± 8.9, respectively, p = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data clearly show a significantly lower prevalence of thyroid nodules in morbidly obese patients. Further studies are needed to confirm and to understand this first observation.

Increase of colonic mast cells in obstructed defecation and their relationship with enteric glia

BACKGROUND

Mast cells are involved in visceral hypersensitivity and motor activity of the gastrointestinal tract. However, there is almost no information concerning mast cells in constipated patients.

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to investigate mast cells distribution in all colonic layers in controls and severely constipated patients with obstructed defecation.

METHODS

Full-thickness specimens from colons of patients undergoing surgery for obstructed defecation due to refractoriness to other therapeutic interventions (n = 11), compared to controls, were obtained and the number of mast cells (evaluated by specific monoclonal antibodies) were counted in the whole viscus and in the various colonic segments (cecum, ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid).

RESULTS

Compared to controls, constipated patients had significantly higher numbers of mast cells, both as an overall number and in single colonic segments. This increase was especially evident in the mucosa and submucosa. Mast cells were homogeneously represented in the various segment of the large bowel, in both controls and patients. Degranulated mast cells were found to be close to enteric glial cells and glial filaments.

CONCLUSIONS

Colonic mast cells are increased in obstructed defecation patients. This might represent a vicariating mechanism to the impaired colonic propulsive activity of these patients.

Colonic mast cells in controls and slow transit constipation patients

BACKGROUND

There is recent evidence that mast cells may play important roles in the gut, especially concerning visceral hypersensitivity and motor activity. However, most data are only available for clinical conditions characterised by diarrhoea, where MC have chiefly investigated in the mucosal layer of the colon and there is almost no information concerning constipation.

AIM

To investigate mast cells distribution in all colonic layers in controls and severely constipated patients.

METHODS

Full-thickness specimens from colons of patients undergoing surgery for slow transit constipation (n=29), compared with controls, were obtained and the number of mast cells (evaluated by specific monoclonal antibodies) counted as a whole and in single colonic segments (caecum, ascending, transverse, descending and sigmoid).

RESULTS

Compared with controls, constipated patients revealed significantly higher number of mast cells, both as overall number and in single colonic segments. The distribution of mast cells resulted fairly homogeneous in the various segment of the large bowel, in both controls and patients, and no significant difference in the percentage of degranulated cells was found between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Colonic mast cells display a homogeneous distribution within the viscus. This cell population is shown to increase in severely constipated patients, which might represent a mechanism trying to compensate for the impaired propulsive activity of these patients.

Effects of Weight Loss on Structural and Functional Alterations of Subcutaneous Small Arteries in Obese Patients

Structural alterations of subcutaneous small resistance arteries, as indicated by an increased media:lumen ratio, are frequently present in hypertensive and/or diabetic patients and may represent the earliest alteration observed. In addition, media:lumen ratios of small arteries have a strong prognostic significance. However, no data are available about the structure of small resistance arteries of obese patients, particularly after weight loss. We have investigated 27 patients with severe obesity. Twelve of them were normotensive, and 15 were hypertensive. All of the obese patients underwent bariatric surgery. We compared results obtained with those observed in 13 normotensive lean controls and in 13 hypertensive lean patients. All of the subjects and patients underwent a biopsy of subcutaneous fat during surgical intervention. In 8 obese patients, a second biopsy was obtained after consistent weight loss, during a surgical intervention for abdominoplasty. Subcutaneous small resistance arteries were dissected and mounted on a wire myograph, and structural parameters were measured. A concentration-response curve to acetylcholine was performed to evaluate endothelial function. Obese patients, independent from the presence of hypertension, show the presence of an increased media:lumen ratio and media cross-sectional area, together with an impaired endothelial-dependent vasodilatation. After surgical correction of obesity and consistent weight loss, a significant improvement of microvascular structure and of some oxidative stress/inflammation markers were observed. In conclusion, our data suggest that the presence of obesity is associated with structural alterations of subcutaneous small resistance arteries, mainly characterized by hypertrophic remodeling. Weight loss may improve microvascular structure.

Comparison of three distinct methods for the detection of circulating tumor cells in colorectal cancer patients

The detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has considerable utility in the clinical management of patients with solid cancers. However, the phenotypic heterogeneity of CTCs and their low numbers in the bloodstream of patients means that no standardized detection method currently exists for these cells. This, together with differences in pre-analytical sample processing, has led to the collection and accumulation of inconsistent data among independent studies. Here, we compare the ability of three methods to detect CTCs in the blood of colorectal cancer patients. Specifically, different aliquots of the same blood sample were screened for the presence of CTCs by a multimarker RT-PCR assay, the standardized CellSearch assay and dHPLC-based gene mutation analysis. In the population tested, none of the blood samples analysed appeared to be positive by all three methods. Of the samples, 75% were positive for the presence of CTCs by the RT-PCR method. Only 20% were positive by the CellSearch assay, while 14.3% of samples displayed gene mutations consistent with the presence of CTCs when the dHPLC method was applied. The samples which were positive for CTCs by the CellSearch assay did not overlap with those that were positive by dHPLC. Interestingly, however, all of these samples were positive when assessed by RT-PCR. Conversely, of the samples that resulted negative by RT-PCR analysis, none appeared to be positive by either of the other methods. These data, therefore, indicate that of the three methods tested, the multimarker RT-PCR assay provides maximal probability of CTC detection. Here, we present the preliminary results of an ongoing clinical study. Future follow-up involving detection of CTCs in the blood of colorectal cancer patients using these three distinct methods will allow us to verify whether either a single method, or a combination of different assays, is necessary to uncover further prognostic significance of circulating tumor cells.

Rectum-sparing surgery may be appropriate for biallelic MutYH-associated polyposis

PURPOSE

The risk of cancer or severe polyposis of the rectal stump after total colectomy for MutYH-associated polyposis is scarcely defined. To evaluate this risk, we describe the findings of endoscopic surveillance of the rectal stump in a series of patients with biallelic MutYH mutations and polyposis.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, observational, multicenter case series derived from 2 familial cancer registries. Biallelic, germ-line MutYH mutations were found in 14 patients with no adenomatous polyposis coli gene mutations. Eleven of them underwent total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis and yearly proctoscopic surveillance thereafter. Phenotype and histology of rectal polyps were recorded at diagnosis and during follow-up. Development of adenomas and carcinomas during endoscopic surveillance of the rectal stump was observed.

RESULTS

At diagnosis, 6 patients had attenuated polyposis (10-100 adenomas), 5 patients had classical polyposis, 8 patients had colon carcinoma, and no patient had rectal carcinoma. The mean number of rectal polyps at diagnosis was 2.64 ± 2.11 (range, 0-6). No patients had rectal cancer. The most frequent MutYH mutations were Y165C/Y165C and G382D/G382D in 6 and 2 patients, respectively. During surveillance of the rectal stump after surgery (median duration, 5 y; range, 2-23 y), no patient developed rectal cancer. The mean number of adenomas per proctoscopy was 1.23 ± 2.19 (range, 0-10 adenomas per proctoscopy). This study was limited by the small size and retrospective nature of the case series.

CONCLUSION

Total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis may be appropriate for patients with MutYH-associated polyposis, provided that they have no rectal cancer or severe rectal polyposis at presentation and that they undergo yearly endoscopic surveillance thereafter.

Enteric neuroglial apoptosis in inflammatory bowel diseases

BACKGROUND

Enteric nervous system abnormalities have been described in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. However, the mechanisms responsible for these abnormalities remain to date largely unknown.

AIMS

We investigated the potential role of apoptotic phenomena in enteric neurons and enteroglial cells in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Full-thickness surgical specimens of 19 patients undergoing surgery for medically refractory disease (9 from the ileum of patients with Crohn's disease, 10 from the colon of patients with ulcerative colitis) were assessed for the presence of enteric neurons and enteroglial cells and for their apoptosis by two immunohistochemical methods, one also able to distinguish apoptosis from necrosis. The results were compared with those obtained in control specimens.

RESULTS

Concerning Crohn's disease, the ileal segments displayed a significant increase of apoptotic enteric neurons and enteroglial cells in both the submucous and the myenteric plexus compared to controls. In patients with ulcerative colitis, compared to controls, apoptotic phenomena were significantly reduced in enteric neurons, whereas they were increased in the enteroglial cell population (submucous and myenteric plexus).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with inflammatory bowel disease apoptotic phenomena involve both enteric neurons and enteroglial cells, and may play a role in the abnormalities of the enteric nervous system. The importance of these findings in the pathophysiology of these conditions remains to be determined.

Hereditary multiple exostoses and juvenile colon carcinoma: A case with a common genetic background?

A case of obstructing colon cancer is described in a 31-year-old patient affected by hereditary multiple exostoses. The association of these two rare conditions, which has never been described previously, and their early onset prompt us to discuss the clinical and genetic elements of a potential common pathogenic scenario.

[Extraintestinal manifestations in Crohn's disease: risk factors and influence of intestinal surgery]

BACKGROUND

Extraintestinal manifestations significantly affect the quality of life of patients with Crohn's disease. The aim of the present study is to define the risk factors for extraintestinal manifestations and the relative influence of intestinal surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a cohort of 223 patients with Crohn's disease we analyzed the association between demographic/clinico-pathological factors and extraintestinal manifestations. In addition, we evaluated their association with the timing of appearance of the extraintestinal manifestations with respect to the intestinal surgery.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven patients (25.6%) developed 91 extraintestinal manifestations. Demographic and clinico-pathological variables significantly associated with extraintestinal manifestations were: female gender (OR 2.84, 95% CI: 1.37-5.90) and colonic involvement (OR 2.68, 95% CI: 1.06-6.76). In patients not undergoing surgery and in patients with extraintestinal manifestations present only before surgery, the latency period between the onset of Crohn'S disease and extraintestinal manifestations were 3.7 +/-8.2 and 2.1 +/- 6.3 years, respectively. In patients developed extraintestinal manifestations only after surgery, the latency between surgery and extraintestinal manifestations was 12.0 +/-10.0 years. In 5 patients with early onset of extraintestinal manifestations, these did not regress or recur after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Female gender and colonic involvement are confirmed as risk factors for the development of extraintestinal manifestations in Crohn's disease. Surgical treatment of the intestinal disease represents a therapeutic option for patients with extraintestinal manifestations, as it seems to prevent or delay these manifestations in most cases.

Colonic lymphoid follicles and NOD2/CARD15 mutational status in Crohn's disease

Background

Interactions between the colonic lymphoid system and the genetic background in Crohn's disease are unexplored. This study analysed variations of colonic lymphoid follicles (CLFs) according to the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) and caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 15 (CARD15) gene in patients with Crohn's disease.

Methods

CLFs were characterized by histology and immunohistochemistry in the specimens of 41 patients undergoing colonic resection for Crohn's disease. Variants of the NOD2/CARD15 gene were assessed by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography and confirmed by DNA sequencing.

Results

Eleven patients had a heterozygous variant of the NOD2/CARD15 gene. The uninvolved colon of mutants had significantly lower CLF density (0·9 versus 2·7 follicles per cm2; P &lt; 0·001) and proportion of those with a germinal centre (9 versus 22 per cent; P = 0·040) than in non-mutants. In active disease, CLF density increased similarly in patients with and without the mutation. The proportion of extramucosal CLFs was higher in mutants than in non-mutants (34 versus 22 per cent; P = 0·030). No significant difference between groups was recorded for cellular profile and proliferation.

Conclusion

Patients with Crohn's disease and the NOD2/CARD15 mutation show a remodelling of CLFs in both uninvolved and actively inflamed intestines. These subjects may have a defective immune response by organized lymphoid structures.

APACHE II, POSSUM, and ASA scores and the risk of perioperative complications in patients with colorectal disease

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to assess the role of the ASA, POSSUM and APACHE II score systems for predicting the complications in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal diseases.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 539 patients undergoing colorectal surgery between January 1996 and December 2006. The accuracy of ASA, POSSUM and APACHE II score systems for predicting perioperative complications has been analysed.

RESULTS

Total postoperative morbidity was 15%, overall perioperative mortality was 1.5%. APACHE II and POSSUM predicted with the same accuracy the perioperative complications (0.65 and 0.68, respectively), while ASA score system revealed a poorer predicting accuracy (0.56). POSSUM predicted death rate more accurately compared to the APACHE II classification (1.6% vs. 10.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

APACHE II and POSSUM score systems may be useful tools helping surgeons to identify patient groups at high risk for complications. The ASA classification resulted less accurate, probably because related to the anesthesiologist's knowledge.

Does extralaryngeal branching have an impact on the rate of postoperative transient or permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy?

BACKGROUND

This prospective study assessed the prevalence of the extralaryngeal branching of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and its impact on the incidence of postoperative transient or permanent RLN palsy.

METHODS

Total or hemithyroidectomy was performed in 115 patients, with a total of 195 RLNs displayed. The RLN extralaryngeal branches were routinely identified and preserved. The postoperative course of each patient was evaluated. Outcomes of patients with and without branching RLN were compared.

RESULTS

In all, 36 of 195 (18.5%) nerves showed extralaryngeal branching: 27 cases (25.5%) on the right and 9 on the left side (10.1%; p = 0.0088).Trifurcation of the RLN was identified in two dissections (1%). Bilateral bifurcations were observed in 3 of 80 (3.7%) patients. We reported four (2.1%) unilateral permanent RLN palsies, eight cases of unilateral transient nerve palsy (4.1%), and one bilateral transient RLN injury (0.6%). The comparative analysis of postoperative outcomes between branched and nonbranched RLNs revealed that the anatomical variation was more frequently associated both with unilateral permanent RLN palsy (relative risk, 13.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-123.73; p = 0.0204) and unilateral transient RLN palsy (relative risk, 7.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.84-29.4; p = 0.0061). The only case of bilateral transient RLN injury was associated with a nonrecurrent inferior laryngeal nerve.

CONCLUSIONS

Branched RLNs represent a risk factor both for transient and permanent nerve palsy after surgery. Awareness of this anatomical variation and its routine investigation are essential during thyroid surgery to limit its relevant impact on postoperative RLN injury rate.

The changing impact of age on colorectal cancer surgery. A trend analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the changing influence of age on the outcomes of colorectal cancer surgery in a retrospective trend analysis.

METHODS

Data on 985 patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery were collected during 1975-1984 and 1995-2004. Variables and outcomes of patients aged < 65, 65-74, 75-84 and 85+ years were compared with intra- and interdecade analyses. Endpoints of the study were postoperative mortality, 5-year overall and cancer-related survivals.

RESULTS

The rate of elderly patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery increased significantly from 1975-1984 to 1995-2004. Distribution of American Society of Anesthesiology score and cancer stage remained unchanged over time. The rate of palliative procedures decreased over time, most significantly in the older age groups. In 1995-2004 the palliation rate was similar across all age groups. The rate of emergency surgery also decreased, but it remained higher in older age groups. Operative mortality rate decreased over time across all age groups, but age-related differences were still observed in the 1995-2004 series. Cancer-related survival after curative surgery increased from 58% in 1975-1984 to 64% in 1995-2004 in 75+ years patients, while it increased from 56% to 78% in patients aged 74 years or younger.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients with colorectal cancer benefited substantially from healthcare progress during the last 30 years. The reduction of palliative procedures and the decline in operative mortality document the efficacy of not restricting the access to radical surgery for these patients.

Modifiable risk factors in colorectal surgery: central role of surgeon's volume

BACKGROUND

Our objective was to inform the ongoing debate regarding selective referral of colorectal cancer patients to high-volume surgeons in order to improve outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

We evaluated data on patients treated by colorectal-dedicated surgeons (first study-group) and non specialized surgeons (second study-group). Particular attention has been paid to patients selection in order to collect two study-groups with similar demographic and clinical characteristics, differing only as regards providers' surgical experience in the colorectal field. We focused on postoperative mortality and 5-year overall and cancer-specific survival. We also analyzed resection rates of the primary tumor and colostomy rates for patients with stage I to III rectal cancer, and use of (neo)adjuvant (chemo)radiation therapy for patients with stage II-III rectal cancer by surgeon's volume.

RESULTS

The analysis of these 2 study-groups shows better results for patients treated by colorectal-trained surgeons (high-volume surgeons) for each parameter taken into account: lower postoperative mortality (OR 0.32; 95% CI:0.7-0.1; p = 0.04), increased 5-year overall and cancer specific survival (rising from 41.2% and 46.4% to 56% and 61.2% respectively; OR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3-2.6; p < 0.005). Patient treated by non specialized surgeons are more likely to receive a permanent colostomy (abdominoperineal resection: APR) (OR 5.9; 95% CI: 3.3-10.7) and to undergo a non-resective procedure (OR 4.8; 95% CI: 1.9-12)(p < 0.005). No difference was found between the 2 study-groups in the use of (neo)adjuvant (chemo)radiation therapy for patients with stage II-III rectal cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis suggests that surgeon's volume does impact on outcomes for patients undergoing surgery due to colorectal cancer.

Enteric nervous system abnormalities in inflammatory bowel diseases

Various studies have described abnormalities of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in tissue samples from patients with chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The distribution of density of the different cell types of the ENS was however not studied in a systematic way. The aim of this study was to examine the density of neurons, enteroglial cells and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the different plexuses of the ENS in samples from patients with Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) and controls. Tissue samples from 16 patients with CD (ileum) and 16 patients with UC obtained in involved and non-involved areas were studied using immunohistochemistry with antibodies directed against neuron-specific enolase, S100, C-Kit and CD3. Sections were analysed blindly by two pathologists and the number of positive cells was counted for each type. Overall, an increase was noted for neuronal cell bodies, enteroglia and ICC in the deep muscular plexus in CD. In uninvolved areas of CD patients, the number of enteroglial cells was decreased. In UC, an increase of ICC in the muscularis propria and enteroglial cells was observed in diseased tissue. The study confirms the presence of abnormalities of the different cells of the ENS in IBD. The presence of lesions in samples from uninvolved areas, such as a reduction of enteroglia, supports a pathogenetic role of the ENS.

[Comparision between a bilio-pacreatic diversion with or without gastroresection after 2 years of follow-up in the treatment of the pathological obesity]

Malabsorptive bariatric procedures have a long history beginning with jejunoileal bypass, which was first performed in 1950s. The biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) has gained more prominence in Europe since its introduction by Scopinaro in 1976 The BPD has been modified and popularized by Hess in the United States and Marceau in Canada to include a sleeve gastrectomy and duodenal switch in order to decrease the incidence of marginal ulceration and iron deficiency anemia. Moreover the common channel was lengthened to 100 cm to decrease the incidence of long-term malnutrition. More recently Vassallo and coll. introduced a BPD associated with a transitory vertical gastroplasty (TGR). Aim of this study is to compare the results after 2 years follow-up in 15 obese patients who underwent the classical Scopinaro's BPD (group A) and 15 obese patients operated on BPD associated with TGR (group B).The mean preoperative BMI was 47.9 in the Group A and 48.6 in Group B. The BMI trend was after 6, 12 and 24 months: 39.1, 37.2, 33.1 in Group A and 37.3, 35.5, 31.4 in Group B. We observed in BPD+TGR one case of acute pancreatitis and 3 case of gastric paralysis in group A. No mortality was registered. Patients treated by BPD+TGR had better results in terms of weight loss and metabolic complications.

[The obstructive sleep apnea in bariatric surgery]

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a well known risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Medical therapy is not effective for morbid obesity. Bariatric surgery is therefore a reasonable option for weight reduction for patients with clinically severe obesity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

283 obese patients were operated on from 1999 until 2005 in our Institution and they were examined with a history, physical examination and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Obese patients with a ESS score > or = than 10 were evaluated with a Polysomnography (PSG).

RESULT

61 patients (21.5%) resulted with a ESS > or = than 10. An obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome was identified in 52 patients (85.2%). These patients were treated by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for 3 months before the surgical treatment. After 1 year follow-up (100% of patients) we observed a reduction in OSAS patients: ESS < 10 in 77.5% and PSG negative in 80.3%.

CONCLUSION

This study considered the value of ESS to select obese patients with a high risk of OSA. We did not observe any association between grade of obesity and risk of OSA. Bariatric surgery reduced the prevalence of OSA already after 1 year of follow-up and the preoperative treatment of OSA (3 months CPAP) reduced the post-operative morbidity.

[Neurological and psychiatric disorders in primary hyperparathyroidism: the role of parathyroidectomy]

The clinical presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT), previously constantly characterized by bone and renal diseases, has been changing during last years. Several Studies report psychic and behavioural symptoms mostly vague and aspecific, particular in elderly patients, such as asthenia, anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, amnestic and cognitive disturbances, severe psychosis. In case history hereby reported 11.8% of the patients affected by pHPT (16 out of 136 cases operated from 1983 to October 2006) who underwent to parathyroidectomy, presented only neuro-cognitive and/or psychiatric symptoms. A relevant association has been found between clinical presentation and age: patients showing neuro-cognitive and psychiatric disturbances were older compared to those suffering from the classical bone and kidney disease. No significant correlation neither with serum calcemia nor with PTH serum levels and severity of the symptomatology was demonstrated A statistically significant reduction of the anxious-depressive disturbances one month post surgery has been found (p < 0.05), and an improvement, though not significant, of the neuro-cognitive and psychiatric alterations was registered (p > 0.1). The Authors believe neuro-cognitive or psychic manifestations is not to be neglected, mainly in geriatric patients: frequently the aspecific symptomatology is not referred as hypercalcemia due to pHPT Neuro-psychic symptomatology should be considered an indication for surgical treatment.

Emergency surgery for complicated colorectal cancer. A two-decade trend analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Emergency procedures for colorectal cancer have worse outcomes than elective resections. Temporal trends in emergency surgery are analyzed by comparing two decade-related series of colorectal cancer patients.

METHODS

The clinical data of 985 patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery were collected during two decades (1975-1984 and 1995-2004). Rates of emergency surgery, operative mortality, 5-year cancer-related and overall survival were compared retrospectively.

RESULTS

The rate of emergency surgery decreased from 81 out of 513 cases (16%) during 1975-1984 to 41 out of 471 cases (9%) during 1995-2004 (p = 0.005). Over the same time, the rate of curative resections in emergency increased from 46% (37/81 cases) to 76% (31/41 cases) (p < 0.001), while patient and tumor characteristics remained similar. Operative mortality after emergency procedures decreased from 14% (11 deaths) to 5% (2 deaths) and cancer-related survival increased from 21 to 42% (p = 0.03). However, when excluding palliative procedures, survival after emergency surgery increased from 52 to 58%, while after elective treatment it increased from 56 to 78% (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Frequency and operative mortality of emergency colorectal cancer surgery decreased substantially from 1975-1984 to 1995-2004. No significant improvement in long-term survival was observed when curative emergency resections only were considered. Further efforts are needed to reverse the diverging trend of long-term outcomes between emergency and elective curative procedures.

[Surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism: our experience]

The Authors report their experience on 136 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Nephrolitiasis was proven in 56 patients (41.3%), 20 patients (14.7%) were asyntomatic. Acute primary hyperparathyroidism was detected in 12 cases (8.8%). The preoperative localization of the diseased glands permits to minimize the procedure in terms of length and region of incision, extent of exploration and morbidity. 91.3% of the lesions were single adenoma, 7.3% double adenomas and 1.4% hyperplasia in MEN 1. The intraoperative PTH assay, performed in 90 patients (66.2%), showed a sensibility of 93.4%. Surgical treatment was successful in 93.4% of cases ( 127/136 patients), increasing to 97.0% (132/136patients) if only recurrent hyperparathyroidism was considered, with no mortality and morbidity of 4.4%.

[Our experience in selecting patients for bariatric surgery]

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the parameters applied in Authors' experience for the selection of candidates undergoing bariatric surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis has been performed of 447 patients who underwent bariatric surgery from December 1998 to December 2006 at the 1st Service of General Surgery of Spedali Civili of Brescia - Abdominal Surgical Department of University of Study of Brescia; 317 patients underwent a mal-absorptive procedure, 35 a gastro-restrictive procedure and 10 had a conversion from a gastro-restrictive procedure to a mal-absorptive one.

RESULTS

At 7 years of follow-up the Authors observed that the excess weight loss was 74.1% +/- 6.2 for mal-absorptive procedures and 42.3% +/- 2.6 for gastro-restrictive procedures. At 2 years of follow-up a progressive weight resumption was observed in the 20% of patients who had a gastro-restrictive procedures.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Optimal clinical outcome were achieved confirming the belief that a strict and rigorous selection of the patients and the applied therapeutic algorithm have to be followed; though even more selective criteria can be suggested such as the preventive BIB. The clinical results supported our preference of mal-absorptive procedures (317 of 352 surgical performances, excepting the 10 conversions with an obliged surgical choice).

[Takayasu's arteritis in Crohn's disease: a case report]

The authors describe a case of Crohn's disease associated with Takayasu's arteritis. The coexistence of these two diseases has been previously reported in 28 subjects. The late onset of Crohn's disease, particularly in relation to that of the arteritis, and colonic involvement were peculiar features of the present case. Aetiopathogenetic theories regarding the association are discussed after reviewing previous case reports.

Colonic neuropathological aspects in patients with intractable constipation due to obstructed defecation

One of the most frequent subtypes of constipation is represented by obstructed defecation, and it has recently been reported that these patients may have colonic motor abnormalities in addition to alterations of the anorectal area. However, it is unknown whether these patients display abnormalities of the enteric nervous system, as reported in other groups of constipated subjects. For this reason, we evaluated the neuropathologic aspects of the enteric nervous system in a homogeneous group of patients with obstructed defecation. Colonic specimens from 11 patients (nine women, age range 39-66 years) undergoing surgery for symptoms refractory to any therapeutic measure, including biofeedback training, were obtained and examined by means of conventional histological methods and immunohistochemistry (NSE, S100, c-Kit, formamide-mAb, Bcl-2, CD34, alfa-actin). Analysis of the specimens showed that the enteric neurons were significantly decreased only in the submucosal plexus of patients (P<0.0001 vs controls), whereas the enteric glial cells of constipated patients were reduced in both the myenteric (P=0.018 vs controls) and the submucosal plexus (P=0.004 vs controls). No difference between patients and controls were found concerning c-Kit and CD34 expression, and the number of apoptotic neurons. These findings support the concept that at least a subgroup of patients with obstructed defecation and severe, intractable symptoms display abnormalities of the enteric nervous system, mostly related to the enteric glial cells. These findings might explain some of the pathophysiological abnormalities, and help to better understand this condition.

[Accuracy and acceptability of surveillance tests after total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis]

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Surveillance of the rectal stump after total colectomy for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or chronic ulcerative colitis (CUC) is empirically based on periodic outpatient visit with digital exploration and proctoscopy. Exfoliative cytology is supported as a complementary tool of investigation. The aim of present study is to compare accuracy and acceptability of the above mentioned tests.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty patients who underwent total colectomy were prospectively enrolled, including 12 FAP patients, 16 CUC patients, 12 patients with slow-transit constipation. Each patient underwent digital exploration of the rectum, proctoscopy with eventual biopsy and rectal lavage with exfoliative cytology. Diagnostic accuracy rates were calculated for the dysplastic/polypoid and inflammatory findings. A structured questionnaire was used in order to evaluate patient acceptability of each test.

RESULTS

Sensitivity and specificity for inflammatory lesions was higher using proctoscopy and biopsy (1000% and 100%, respectively) than using exfoliative cytology (87% and 92%, respectively) or digital exploration (870% and 880%, respectively). Sensitivity and specificity for dysplastic/polypoid lesions was higher using proctoscopy and biopsy (91% and 100%, respectively) than using exfoliative cytology (50% and 83%, respectively) or digital exploration (50% and 97%, respectively). Mean acceptability score of proctoscopy (3.29) was substantially lower than those of digital exploration (4.29), and of exfoliative cytology (4.38). Only 2.5% of patients preferred proctoscopy on alternative tests.

CONCLUSIONS

At present, proctoscopy with biopsy remains the most accurate test for surveillance of the rectal stump, however a significant proportions of patients consider it scarcely acceptable. A negative impact on surveillance protocol compliance is consecutively anticipated.

Prognostic value of circulating KRAS2 gene mutations in colorectal cancer with distant metastases

While tissue KRAS2 mutations have been extensively investigated, the role of circulating mutant KRAS2 gene in patients with colorectal carcinoma remains obscure. The aim of the present study was to explore the prognostic significance of circulating KRAS2 gene mutational status in subjects undergoing primary treatment for colorectal cancer. Codon 12 KRAS2 mutations were examined in DNA samples extracted from the serum of 86 patients with colorectal cancer and were compared with the KRAS2 status of their primary tumors. Tissue and serum KRAS2 status was compared with other clinicopathological variables (including CEA and CA 19-9 levels) and with cancer-related survival. KRAS2 mutations were found in tissue samples of 28 patients (33%); serum KRAS2 mutations were detected in 10 of them (36%). Serum KRAS2 status was significantly associated with Dukes' stage D (p=0.001) and with preoperative CA 19-9 levels (p=0.01). At multivariate analysis, cancer-related survival was associated with Dukes' stage (p<0.0001), CEA level (p=0.02), and mutant circulating KRAS2 (p=0.01). All 7 stage D patients with serum KRAS2 mutations died of the disease within 24 months of primary treatment; cancer-related survival was significantly better in 9 stage D patients without serum KRAS2 mutations, with 5 patients (56%) alive after 24 months and 1 patient (13%) alive after 44 months. Residual disease after surgery was evident in all 7 stage D patients with mutant circulating KRAS2, and in 5 out of 9 stage D patients without serum mutations. Serum KRAS2 status may impact substantially on the management of stage D colorectal carcinoma, since it appears to cor-relate with prognosis in this patient subgroup.