Transitional carcinoma with extensive invasion of the bony orbit in a dog

A 12-year-old male English Pointer was examined due to a soft-tissue swelling at the medial canthus of the right orbital region, which was causing facial deformity. The dog had epiphora, purulent nasal discharge, epistaxis, dyspnea, and progressive weight loss. An intraoral mass was observed near the right maxillary premolars. Neoplastic disease was diagnosed based on ancillary tests, which included blood work, skull and intraoral radiographs, ocular ultrasonography and computed tomography. Histopathology revealed transitional carcinoma involving the nasal and oral cavities, maxilla, bony orbit and retrobulbar space. Nasal tumors represent approximately 2% of all tumors diagnosed in this species. Transitional carcinoma is the second most common type of malignant epithelial tumor in the nasal sinuses. This case illustrates the extensive destruction of the soft and bony tissues of the face, including the bony orbit that this type of tumor can cause.

[Surgical therapy of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas]

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) of the pancreas constitute an increasingly recognized entity of cystic pancreatic tumors which are characterized by mucin production and epithelial growth within the pancreatic ducts and show a wide spectrum of morphologic variants. They may arise in the main pancreatic duct, its major side branches or in both (mixed type). Furthermore, IPMNs are considered as precursor lesions to pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, it is not clear what the time course of such potential neoplastic transformation might be and whether all lesions progress to malignant tumors. As currently no diagnostic test can reliably differentiate between benign and malignant tumors the majority of newly diagnosed IPMNs should be surgically resected. According to current treatment guidelines (Sendai criteria), only asymptomatic side branch IPMNs of less than 3 cm in diameter without suspicious radiologic features, such as nodules, thickness of the cystic wall or size progression, should be treated conservatively without the need for surgical resection. Recently, this approach has become controversial due to a relevant number of reported Sendai negative IPMNs which revealed malignant transformation on final histological examination. The focus of this review is on the surgical treatment of IPMNs with regard to the current state of knowledge.

[Pancreatic necrosis: pro surgical therapy]

Currently, patients with severe necrotizing pancreatitis rarely need interventional or surgical treatment. However, in case of pancreatic infection and septic complications they should be treated with the step up approach, primarily with an interventional or endoscopic drainage. If further clinical deterioration occurs necrosectomy is indicated. This should ideally be postponed until the third or fourth week after onset of pancreatitis to optimize surgical conditions including demarcation of the necrosis. Open necrosectomy with postoperative continuous lavage is a valid treatment option with low mortality, low morbidity and good long-term outcome. In recent years, several minimally invasive techniques for necrosectomy have been developed and are alternative approaches in about 70% of cases. In most cases, the retroperitoneoscopic approach is used, although the endoscopic transgastric route is also being used more and more frequently. While the reduced operative trauma should theoretically also reduce the onset of postoperative organ failure, no study has actually proven this.

Clinical significance of liver ischaemia after pancreatic resection

BACKGROUND

Liver ischaemia after pancreatic resection is a rare but potentially serious complication. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of postoperative liver ischaemia after pancreatic resection.

METHODS

All consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic resection between January 2007 and August 2008 in the Department of Surgery in Heidelberg were identified retrospectively from a prospectively collected database and analysed with a focus on postoperative hepatic perfusion failure. Laboratory data, computed tomography (CT) findings, symptoms, therapy and outcome were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 762 patients underwent pancreatic resection in the study period. Seventeen patients (2·2 per cent) with a postoperative increase in liver enzymes underwent contrast-enhanced CT for suspected liver perfusion failure. The types of perfusion failure were hypoperfusion without occlusion of major hepatic vessels (6 patients) and ischaemia with arterial (5) and/or portal vein (6) involvement. The overall mortality rate was 29 per cent (5 of 17 patients). Therapy included conservative treatment (7), radiological or surgical revascularization and necrosectomy or resection of necrotic liver tissue (10). Outcome varied from full recovery (4 patients) to moderate systemic complications (6) and severe complications (7) including death. Simultaneous involvement of the portal vein and hepatic artery was always fatal.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative liver perfusion failure is a rare but potentially severe complication following pancreatic surgery requiring immediate recognition and, if necessary, radiological or surgical intervention.