Metastatic neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor - Case report

Rationale.Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare neoplasms that develop from the endocrine tissues of the pancreas. They have a better overall prognosis than pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, all commonly used classification systems reflect a separation between more indolent, well-differentiated tumors and far more aggressive poorly differentiated types that behave clinically more like small-cell carcinoma of the lung. Objective.To present the case of a 62-year-old man with an aggressive pancreatic NET, with liver, splenic and bone metastases who underwent multidisciplinary treatment including several lines of chemotherapy, somatostatin analogs and radiotherapy. Methods and Results.The patient is a smoker and an occasional drinker, known with type two diabetes mellitus (DM), receiving insulin therapy. He was diagnosed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in January 2015 with a locally invasive pancreatic body mass, intraabdominal adenopathies and liver nodules, suggestive of metastases. Histopathological diagnosis was obtained through liver biopsy: neuroendocrine tumor with a 10-15% Ki67 proliferation index. Palliative chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and capecitabine was started in March 2015. In June 2015, Sandostatin LAR was added. In March 2016, he had progressive disease. Subsequently, in September 2016, bone metastasis was found within the T10 vertebra. He underwent radiotherapy for multiple bone metastases in February 2017. Progressive disease was again found during a CT examination in May 2017. His performance status has gradually worsened since then and he died in July 2017. Discussion.As a group, well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic NETs are generally indolent malignancies with prolonged natural history. Intermediate-grade NETs have a slightly worse prognosis than low-grade tumors. Abbreviations: NETs - neuroendocrine tumors, NEC - neuroendocrine carcinoma, CT - computed tomography, MRI - magnetic resonance imaging, DM - diabetes mellitus, WHO - World Health Organisation, HCV - hepatitis C virus, CEA - carcinoembryonic antigen, AFP - alpha-fetoprotein, 5-HIAA - 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid, IHC - immunohistochemistry, EUS - endoscopic ultrasonography, EUS FNA - endoscopic ultrasonography with fine needle aspiration, CgA - chromogranin A, PRRT - peptide receptor radioligand therapy.

Adalimumab and Infliximab in Crohn's disease - real life data from a national retrospective cohort study

AIM

to compare the efficacy and safety of Adalimumab(ADA) and Infliximab(IFX), in a large Romanian population and to identify predictors of response. Methods We performed a national retrospective cohort study including 265 patients (136 ADA, 129 IFX) between 2008-2014. Binary logistic regression was performed with the statistical program Minitab.

RESULTS

Patients were half women, with a median age of 36, a median disease duration of 2.5 years, 80% received Azathioprine. Mean therapy duration was 20 months in ADA group and 36 months in IFX group. Complete response to Adalimumab respectively Infliximab was recorded in 77%vs.65%, secondary loss of response in 18%vs.28%, statistically comparable. We failed to identify predictors of response. In 79.2%of patients with secondary loss of response to ADA, the dose was escalated, 12.5% were switched to Infliximab. In 70%of patients that lost response to IFX, the dose was increased, 30% were switched to Adalimumab.

CONCLUSIONS

Adalimumab and Infliximab have similar efficacy, with a complete response rate of~70%. In case of secondary loss of response to IFX, the best solution is to switch to ADA, with 83% response rate, while in case of secondary loss of response to ADA, increasing the dose leads to 84 % response rate.

Nutritional risk screening and prevalence of malnutrition on admission to gastroenterology departments: a multicentric study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

There is little awareness and a lack of data on the prevalence of hospital malnutrition in gastro-enterology departments. Since part of these patients are referred for surgical treatment and poor nutritional status is a known risk factor for perioperative morbidity, we conducted a prospective study aimed to screen for the nutritional risk and assess the prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition in gastro-enterology departments in Romania.

METHODS

We included patients consecutively admitted to 8 gastroenterology units over a period of three months in our study. Nutritional risk was evaluated using NRS 2002. Malnutrition was defined using BMI ( 20 kg m2) or and 10% weight loss in the last six months.

RESULTS

3198 patients were evaluated, 51.6% males and 48.4% females, with the mean age of 54.5 Â+- 14.3 years. Overall percentage of patients at nutritional risk was 17.1%, with the highest risk for patients with advanced liver diseases (49.8%), oncologic (31.3%), inflammatory bowel diseases (20.2%), and pancreatic diseases (18.9%). The overall prevalence of malnutrition was of 20.4%, higher for advanced liver diseases (39.4%), inflammatory bowed diseases (30.6%), oncologic (26.8%) and pancreatic diseases (23%). Independent risk factors for malnutrition were younger age (p 0.0001), female gender (p 0.0001), a higher (A ≥ 3) NRS (p 0.0001), presence of neoplasm (p 0.0001), of advanced liver disease (p=0.0003) and a reduction of 25% of dietary intake (p 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

One in five patients admitted to gastroenterology units could benefit from prompt nutritional intervention. Correction of nutritional status is mandatory before any surgical procedure. Emphasis on nutritional evaluation at admission and beginning of nutritional therapy where needed are particularly required in patients with advanced liver diseases, digestive neoplasms, inflammatory bowel diseases and pancreatic diseases.

ABBREVIATIONS

NRS= nutritional risk score, BMI = body mass index, IBD = inflammatory bowel diseases.

Outcome of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma -- a single center experience

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Liver transplantation (LT) is a promising treatment for patients with liver cirrhosis associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of our study was to evaluate our experience regarding the clinical and pathological staging of HCC in patients who underwent LT, as well as recurrence free and overall survival.

METHODS

From January 2006 to December 2011, 38 patients with diagnosis of HCC, underwent LT in our Center. Demographic, clinical, imaging and pathologic information were recorded. A Cox proportional hazards survival analysis was performed in order to identify significant predictors of tumor recurrence and patient's death after LT.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients (47.4%) in our study group were within Milan criteria. The mean follow-up was 22 months and the recurrence rate of HCC after LT was 13.2%. The 1, 3- year recurrence free survival rates were 85%, 74.3% respectively. The 1 and 3-year overall survival rates were 83.5% and 63.6% respectively. No significant predictor for HCC recurrence was identified in our study group by survival analysis, taking into account 13 different variables. As independent predictors of patient'ss death after LT for HCC however, the presence of diabetes mellitus (p=0.001), presence of more than 3 HCC nodules (p=0.03) and tumor recurrence after LT (p=0.03) were identified by multivariate Cox proportional hazards survival analysis.

CONCLUSION

In our cohort HCC recurrence rate after LT was 13.2%. Diabetes mellitus, presence of more than 3 HCC nodules and HCC recurrence were significant predictors of poor overall survival after LT.

Noninvasive clinical model for the diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in overweight and morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Liver biopsy, an invasive method, is the gold standard for differentiate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) from other stages of fatty liver disease. A noninvasive test to diagnose NASH and disease severity before surgery and also for monitoring disease status after bariatric surgery (BS) will be an important medical challenge.

AIM

To create a noninvasive biomarkers model for the diagnosis of NASH in overweight, obese and morbidly obese patients (MOP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty patients (mean BMI= 47.81kg/m2) were admitted after exclusion of other causes of liver disease. Liver biopsies were obtained at the time of the bariatric surgery or by percutaneous liver biopsy and graded using Kleiner score. Continuous variables were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum test and for prediction of NASH we used logistic regression.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis showed that BMI, ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), HOMA-R, hs-CRP, M30, M65, leptine and adiponectine levels remained independent predictors for NASH (p less than 0.02). Using AUC analysis, we established the following cutoff levels being indicative of NASH: BMI ė 47 kg/m2, ALT ė 32 IU/mL, AST ė 25 IU/mL, ALP ė 85 IU/mL, HOMA-IR ė 4, M65 ė 389 U/L. Adiponectine less than 13.5 mg/L. A NASH-score, calculated as the sum of these 7 parameters, at a cutoff level of 4 points, can accurately predict NASH (sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 93.94% and AUC of 0.9576).

CONCLUSIONS

We propose a noninvasive model for NASH diagnosis in MOP that should be validated prospectively. Using this noninvasive score, NASH would be predicted without the risks of liver biopsy.

Pre-liver transplantation, cardiac assessment

Liver transplantation (LT) is a stressful condition for the cardiovascular system of patients with advanced hepatic disease. The underlying hemodynamic and cardiac status of patients with cirrhosis is crucial to determine which patients should became recipients. In addition to advanced age and the presence of comorbidities, there are specific cardiovascular responses in cirrhosis that can be detrimental to the LT candidate. Patients with cirrhosis requiring LT usually demonstrate increased cardiac output, a compromised ventricular response to stress, low systemic vascular resistance and bradycardia. Post-transplant reperfusion may result in cardiac death due to a multitude of causes, including arrhythmia, acute heart failure and myocardial infarction. This review examines screening strategies for transplant candidates and details the prognostic value of common test used to identify ischemic heart disease, heart failure, portopulmonary hypertension. There are discused evidence-based recommendations for their evaluation and management.

Inflammatory myoglandular colorectal polyps: a series of seven cases and review of literature

INTRODUCTION

Inflammatory myoglandular polyp is an unusual but distinct, non-neoplastic type of colorectal polyp, commonly with a distal localization at the recto-sigmoidian level. It was first described in 1992 by Nakamura and his colleagues and it is considered to have few particular histological features.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We report a series of seven cases (two male and five female patients) of myoglandular polyps with different localization from 15 to 40 cm from anus. Only four out of seven cases presented with rectal bleeding, the others polyps we incidentally discovered.

RESULTS

The polyps varied between 4 and 30 mm in the maximum diameter. Grossly, they had firm consistency and smooth reddish surface. Histological examination of the specimens revealed hyperplastic glands with occasional cystic dilatation, proliferation of smooth muscle with no regular distribution, a variable amount of granulation tissue (usually minimal) and no evidence of epithelial dysplasia. All the lesions were removed endoscopically without any complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory myoglandular polyps are distinct histopathological entities, with insufficiently investigated pathogenesis that can include local trauma, mucosal prolapse or ischemia. Being benign they can be removed endoscopically, surgical treatment being reserved in selected cases.

Accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound elastography used for differential diagnosis of focal pancreatic masses: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) elastography represents a new imaging procedure that might characterize the differences of hardness and strain between diseased tissue and normal tissue. The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of EUS elastography for the differentiation of focal masses in chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study group comprised 258 patients with focal pancreatic masses included prospectively at 13 participating centers. Qualitative analysis of the diagnoses made by two expert doctors using all recorded video clips was performed in order to test the interobserver variability. A post-processing software analysis was used to examine the EUS elastography videos by calculating average-hue histograms of individual elastography images. The quantitative information was used to calculate intra-observer variability and the accuracy of the method.

RESULTS

Qualitative analysis of the recorded videos revealed a kappa value of 0.72. Intra-observer variability analysis revealed that the single measure intraclass correlation ranged between 0.86 and 0.94. The average-hue histogram analysis of the data indicated a sensitivity of 93.4 %, a specificity of 66.0 %, a positive predictive value of 92.5 %, a negative predictive value of 68.9 %, and an overall accuracy of 85.4 %, based on a cut-off value of 175. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was 0.854 ( P < 0.0001) with a confidence interval of 0.804 - 0.894.

CONCLUSION

The value of quantitative analysis of EUS elastography recordings was proven by good reproducibility of the videos, as well as good parameters of the AUROC analysis. (Clinical Trials.gov identifier: CT00909103).

Prognostic and predictive potential molecular biomarkers in colon cancer

An important objective in nowadays research is the discovery of new biomarkers that can detect colon tumours in early stages and indicate with accuracy the status of the disease. The aim of our study was to identify potential biomarkers for colon cancer onset and progression. We assessed gene expression profiles of a list of 10 candidate genes (MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-7, DEFA 1, DEFA-5, DEFA-6, IL-8, CXCL-1, SPP-1, CTHRC-1) by quantitative real time PCR in triplets of colonic mucosa (normal, adenoma, tumoral tissue) collected from the same patient during surgery for a group of 20 patients. Additionally we performed immunohistochemistry for DEFA1-3 and SPP1. We remarked that DEFA5 and DEFA6 are key factors in adenoma formation (p<0.05). MMP7 is important in the transition from a benign to a malignant status (p <0.01) and further in metastasis being a prognostic indicator for tumor transformation and for the metastatic potential of cancer cells. IL8, irrespective of tumor stage, has a high mRNA level in adenocarcinoma (p< 0.05). The level of expression for SPP1 is correlated with tumor level. We suggest that high levels of DEFAS, DEFA6 (key elements in adenoma formation), MMP7 (marker of colon cancer onset and progression to metastasis), SPP1 (marker of progression) and IL8 could be used to diagnose an early stage colon cancer and to evaluate the prognostic of progression for colon tumors. Further, if DEFA5 and DEFA6 level of expression are low but MMP7, SPP1 and IL8 level are high we could point out that the transition from adenoma to adenocarcinoma had already occurred. Thus, DEFA5, DEFA6, MMP7, IL8 and SPP1 consist in a valuable panel of biomarkers, whose detection can be used in early detection and progressive disease and also in prognostic of colon cancer.

[An experimental model of transgastric ooforectomy using a porcine model]

INTRODUCTION

Transabdominal routes for surgery entail general anaesthesia with its inherent risks and complications (prolonged hospital stay, abdominal incisions that may be difficult in obese patients). Minimally invasive procedures require shorter hospitalization, have shorter recovery periods, less postoperative discomfort, and lower morbidity and complications. The purpose of this study was to use a porcine model to determine the feasibility and the safety of organ resection (oophorectomy and tubectomy).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

10 Big White pigs between 25-30 kg underwent transgastric ooforectomy. The first 5 cases were performed in a hybrid procedure (laparoscopic-NOTES) in order to have a better control and supervise the maneuvers done by the mobile endoscope and to guide in the abdominal cavity.

RESULTS

Adnexectomy was possible in all ten experiments. Full operative time (from starting endoscopy to complete gastrectomy closing) was 180 min to 270 min. The gastric defect closing was the most difficult manoever lasting from 10 min with OTSC clips to 100 using endoloops and clips. The animals have tolerated well the experiments and there have been no remarkable incidents during our 10 experments. In only one case a bleeding from gastotomy required electric coagulation.

CONCLUSION

Transgastric ooforectomy in an experimental model is a procedure that requires advanced laparoscopical and endoscopical skills. Our early results are promissing. Its application in humans needs further confirmation of the method.

[Liver transplantation--indications, surgical technique, results--the analysis of a clinical series of 200 cases]

INTRODUCTION

Initially considered experimental, liver transplantation (LT) has become the treatment of choice for the patients with end-stage liver diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between April 2000 and October 2009, 200 LTs (10 reLTs) were performed in 190 patients, this study being retrospective. There were transplanted 110 men and 80 women, 159 adults and 31 children with the age between 1 and 64 years old (mean age--39.9). The main indication in the adult group was represented by viral cirrhosis, while the pediatric series the etiology was mainly glycogenosis and biliary atresia. There were performed 143 whole graft LTs, 46 living donor LTs, 6 split LTs, 4 reduced LTs and one domino LT RESULTS: The postoperative survival was 90% (170 patients). The patient and graft one-year and five-year survivals were 76.9%, 73.6% and 71%, 68.2%, respectively. The early complications occurred in 127 patients (67%). The late complications were recorded in 71 patients (37.3%). The intraoperative and early postoperative mortality rate was 9.5% (18 patients).

CONCLUSIONS

The Romanian liver transplantation program from Fundeni includes all types of current surgical techniques and the results are comparable with those from other international centers.

[Insulinoma of the pancreas: analysis of a clinical series of 30 cases]

Insulinoma is the most frequent neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor and is the main cause for hypoglicemia due to endogenous hyperinsulinism. We performed an analysis of a clinical series in order to study the clinical and biological spectrum of presentation, the preoperatory imagistic diagnosis and results of the surgical approach. Between 1986-2009, 30 patients with symptoms suggesting an insulinoma were hospitalized in our department. Preoperatory localization of insulinomas was possible in 16 patients. The most sensitive imagistic methods were ecoendoscopy and magnetic resonance. Intraoperatory ultrasound was performed in 16 patients and its sensitivity in detection of insulinomas was 93%; the combination between intraoperative ultrasound and manual exploration of pancreas by the surgeon reached a 100% sensitivity. Before the intraoperatory ultrasound was used the tumor excision was predominantly done by extensive pancreatic resection, while after this was available in our centre more conservative (enucleo-resection) procedures were chosen. In 1 patient the resection was done by laparoscopy, and in 1 patient by robotic surgery. The dimensions of the tumor were less than 2 cm in most of the patients; 2 had nesidioblastosis and 2 had multiple insulinomas; all 28 patients proved to have benign insulinomas at histological specimens. Following surgery, the symptoms disappear in all patients. The most common complication following extensive pancreatic resections was acute pancreatitis, while after enucleation pancreatic fistula occurred more frequently.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to small dimensions, the preoperative diagnosis of insulinomas is usually difficult, ecoendoscopy being the most sensitive method. Intraoperative ultrasound is essential for insulinoma localization and for chosing the optimal type of excision. Enucleation is the resection method to be chosen whenever this it is technical possible. In benign insulinomas the prognosis is excellent, surgical resection being curative in all cases.

MELD exceptions and new predictive score of death on long waiting lists for liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Cirrhosis related complications, considered MELD exceptions, proved to add prognostic value to the MELD score in predicting waiting list mortality.

AIM

To identify the predictive value for death on a long waiting list (WL) for the complications of liver disease.

METHODS

During 2004-2007, 372 consecutive adult patients were listed for liver transplantation (LT). To identify the potential predictors of patient death, univariate and multivariate Cox's proportional hazards regression model was used.

RESULTS

In the univariate survival analysis the following variables were significant: spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, refractory ascites, hyponatremia, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, initial and current MELD score, initial and current Child-Pugh score. The independent predictors of death on our WL were: refractory ascites (p=0.002) and hepatorenal syndrome (p=0.002). Based on a logistic regression analysis a new score has been developed: Score = 1/(1+ exp(-(-4.38 + 1.34 x Refractory ascites + 0.9 x Hepatorenal syndrome + 0.15 x Current MELD). The c-statistic for the new score for prediction of death on the WL was 0.85 compared to 0.80 for current MELD score.

CONCLUSION

Refractory ascites and hepatorenal syndrome should add valuable points to the current MELD in order to better prioritize for LT patients included on long WL.

ABBREVIATIONS

Liver transplantation (LT), Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), waiting list (WL), United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), standard deviation (SD), receiver operating characteristic (ROC), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP), hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG).

Stem cells therapies for gastrointestinal and liver diseases

Stem cells therapies represent a new field of biomedical science which could provide in the future the cure for diseases until now incurable. The present paper reviews current knowledge on key biological properties of stem cells with focus on hepatic and gastrointestinal stem cells and current applications of stem cells therapies in gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Potential clinical applications for stem cells therapies have been suggested from animal model trials in acute liver failure, inherited metabolic liver disease and endstage liver disease (cirrhosis). Hematopoietic autologous stem cells transplantation has already been successfully performed in patients with severe inflammatory bowel disease or patients with refractory celiac disease with aberrant T cells. Future stem cells therapies for gastrointestinal postoperative or Crohn's disease fistulas are currently under investigation. More research is needed for perfecting stem cells harvesting protocols from different sources, in vitro expansion and differentiation protocols which can be used in phase II and III clinical trials.

First year experience of robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery with 153 cases in a general surgery department: indications, technique and results

BACKGROUND

Robotic surgery was developed in response to the limitations and drawbacks of laparoscopic surgery. Since 1997 when the first robotic procedure was performed various papers pointed the advantages of robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, this technique is now a reality and it will probably become the surgery of the future. The aim of this paper is to present our preliminary experience with the three-arms "da Vinci S surgical system", to assess the feasibility of this technique in various abdominal and thoracic procedures and to point out the advantages of the robotic approach for each type of procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 18 January 2008 and 18 January 2009 153 patients (66 men and 87 women; mean age 48,02 years, range 6 to 84 years) underwent robotic-assisted surgical procedures in our institution; we performed 129 abdominal and 24 thoracic procedures, as follows: one cholecystectomy, 14 myotomies with Dor fundoplication, one gastroenteroanastomosis for unresectable antral gastric cancer, one transthoracic esophagectomy, 14 gastrectomies, one polypectomy through gastrotomy, 22 splenectomies,7 partial spleen resections, 22 thymectomy, 6 Nissen fundoplications, one Toupet fundoplication, one choledocho-duodeno-anastomosis, one drainage for pancreatic abscess, one distal pancreatectomy, one hepatic cyst fenestration, 7 hepatic resections, 29 colonic and rectal resections, 5 adrenalectomies, 12 total radical hysterectomies and pelvic lymphadenectomy, 3 hysterectomies with bilateral adnexectomy for uterine fibroma, one unilateral adnexectomy, and 2 cases of cervico-mediastinal goitre resection.

RESULTS

147 procedures were robotics completed , whereas 6 procedures were converted to open surgery due to the extent of the lesion. Average operating room time was 171 minutes (range 60 to 600 minutes, Median length of stay was 8,6 days (range 2 to 48 days). One system malfunctions was registered. Post-operatory complications occurred in 14 cases. There were no deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary experience suggests that robotic surgery is feasible and worth of clinical application. The best indications for robotic surgery are the procedures that require a small operating field, a fine a precise dissection (suitable for pelvic and gastric lymphadenectomy, nerve sparing in total mesorectal excision) and safe intracorporeal sutures.

Confocal laser endomicroscopy and ultrasound endoscopy during the same endoscopic session for diagnosis and staging of gastric neoplastic lesions

INTRODUCTION

Confocal LASER endomicroscopy (CLE) is a newly developed endoscopic technique which allows subsurface in vivo histological assessment during ongoing endoscopy and targeted biopsies. Ultrasound endoscopy (EUS) is a useful tool in staging upper GI malignant lesions. We describe for the first time the use of both techniques during the same endoscopic session, in a pilot study, in order to increase the diagnostic yield of histological assessment and provide the staging of the gastric neoplastic lesions thus decreasing the time to therapeutic decision.

AIMS & METHODS

CLE has been performed with the Pentax EG-3870CIK confocal endomicroscope after a 5 ml intravenous 10% fluorescein injection; EUS has been performed subsequently, during the same endoscopic Propofol sedation session, using a standard radial EUS-scope.

RESULTS

Eleven patients have been investigated, 4 females, 7 males, mean age 59.7 +/- 12.3 years. The indication of CLE/EUS exploration was the presence of a gastric polypoid lesion in 37% of cases, atypical gastric ulcer in 27% of patients, gastric lymphoma 18%, suspicion of gastric cancer recurrence after resection 9% and infiltrating type gastric cancer 9%. Histological assessment after targeted biopsy has established the diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma in 55% of cases, gastric lymphoma in 18% of cases, gastric adenoma, gastric GIST and gastric foveolar hyperplasia in 9% of cases respectively. CLE has allowed targeted biopsies in 81.8% of cases. In 2 patients - one case with suspected recurrent gastric cancer after surgery and one case of gastric lymphoma, CLE has indicated normal gastric mucosa. The EUS evaluation has shown TO lesion in two cases, T1 in 3 cases, T2 in 3 cases, T3 in one case. The EUS evaluation showed in one gastric lymphoma patient a lesion interesting the mucosa and submucosa with regional adenopathy and a submucosal lesion with regional adenopathy in the other gastric lymphoma case. The therapeutic decision was surgery in 73% of cases, chemotherapy and follow-up in 18% of cases and follow-up in 9% of cases. No complications were registered during the CLE/EUS explorations.

CONCLUSION

CLE and EUS can be successfully associated during the same endoscopic session, for upper GI neoplastic lesions allowing targeted biopsies for histological assessment and disease staging for optimal therapeutic decision.

[Difficulties in diagnosis and surgical treatment of the angiodysplasia of the gastrointestinal tract]

BACKGROUND

Angiodysplasia (AD) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a rare cause of surgical GI bleeding. It frequently poses difficult problems in diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this study is to find answers to these problems for a better management of the AD patients.

MATERIALS

From 1982 to 2006 a total of 75 patients suffering of AD of the GI tract were operated in our center. They represent about 3.6% of total patients operated for GI bleeding in the same period. The age of the patients was between 9 and 81 years old, with two peaks: one between 21 and 40 years old and the other between 51 and 70 years old. The localisation of the lesions was: righ colon +/- ileum 31 patients (41.33%), stomach 13 patients (17.33%), jejunum 6 patients (8%), descendent colon +/- sigmoid 5 patients (6.66%), rectum 4 patients (5.33%), pan-colonic 4 patients (5.33%), sigmoid colon 2 patients (2.66%), cecum + transverse colon 2 patients (2.66%), ileum 2 patients (2.66%), sigmoid colon + jejunum 1 patient (1.33%), cecum + sigmoid colon 1 patient (1.33%), cecum +/- sigmoid colon + jejunum 1 patient (1.33%), jejunum + ileum 1 patient (1.33%), pan-colonic + rectum 1 patient (1.33%). According to Moore classifications 29 patients were type 1 (38%) and 45 patients were type 2 (60%). In one patient AD was associated with Crohn disease (type 4 Fowler).

RESULTS

The main symptom in AD was repetitive GI bleeding, of various amplitude, often obscure in origin, the patients having many hospital entries. The medical examination that give us the best help was selective angiography which was positive in 34 of 40 patients (85%). Upper and lower endoscopy were give to 50 surgical patients, being diagnostic in 32 (64%). Histopathologic examinations confirm the diagnosis of AD in all cases, without using injection techniques. All patients were operated for symptomatic AD. Other 11 patients non included in this study were find to have angiodysplastic lesions on operatory specimens for other diseases. The main indications for operative in AD were: continuing digestive hemorrhage of growing amplitude with detected source (54 patients = 72%), inefficient endoscopic and angiographic hemostasis (8 patients = 10.66%) and patients with massive bleeding without any preoperative evaluation (13 patients = 17%). Intraoperative exploration produced little information because of the mucosal and submucosal localisation of the lesions. Operative panendoscopy was the most rewarding investigation. Various types of resections were practiced depending on the site(s) known or presumed of the lesions. Perioperative morbidity was 23% (21 patients), rebleeding being in 4 patients (5.33%). Perioperative mortality was 12% (9 patients) a consequence of advanced age, comorbid conditions and frequent extreme emergency of the operations.

CONCLUSIONS

Although rare as a cause of surgical digestive bleeding, AD poses often difficult problems of diagnosis and treatment. In patients with GI bleeding, without evident cause, multiple investigated, especially elderly but not always, we must think of an AD.

[D2 lymph node dissection in gastric cancer surgery: long term results--analysis of an experience with 227 patients]

AIM

The main objective of the study was to evaluate the postoperative mortality and 5 year survival in gastric cancer patients undergoing a minimum of D2 lymphadenectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on 1170 patients operated for gastric adenocarcinoma in the Department of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation of Fundeni Clinical Institute, between 1997 and April 2005. Only 443 patients underwent a curative resection, from which 216 patients had D1 resection and in 227 cases a D2 or D3/D4 lymphadenectomy was performed. Information about survival was available for 189 patients of those who had a D1 resection and for 210 of those who underwent a D2 or D3/D4 lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS

Postoperative mortality was 6.5% in the group of curative resection, with 9.2% for D1 and 3.9% for D2/D3 D4. Five year survival according to Kaplan Meier curves was 32 % in the D1 group vs. 51,8% in D2/D3-D4 (p <0.0001). Significant differences were noted in the median survival-- D2/D3-D4 group 63 months vs. 28 months in D1 group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data support the gastric resection with a minimum of D2 lymphadenectomy in the radical surgery of gastric cancer. However, an accurate interpretation of the statistical interpretation between the different groups of patients is difficult, mainly because of the retrospective character of the study.

[Pulmonary embolism--complication of proximal deep venous thrombosis in colorectal cancer. Diagnosis and management]

We present the case of a 57 years old male, without cardiovascular history, with colorectal cancer and proximal deep venous thrombosis, who develops a massive pulmonary embolism. The surgical treatment consists in embolectomy of right ventricle, pulmonary trunk, left and right pulmonary artery. The specifics of the case is discussed: etiology and prevention of pulmonary embolism (caval filter) and treatment: the contraindications of thrombolytic therapy and the indications and perspectives of surgical treatment.

Predictors of death on the waiting list for liver transplantation characterized by a long waiting time

The number of patients dying while on the liver transplantation (LT) waiting list (WL) has continued to increase in recent years as a result of severe shortage of organs. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the existing models that predict death on the WL and to determine the independent predictors of death. The study cohort comprised 152 adult patients listed for LT in our centre over a period of 2 years (January 2001 to January 2003). The 12-month survival rate has been calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. The survival analysis performed by Cox proportional hazard model has evaluated the three parameters which compose the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Forty-four patients (28.9%) died while listed for LT. The survival rate was 92% at 3 months, 80% at 6 months and 69% at 12 months. Median survival was not reached. MELD score was found to be an excellent predictor of death at 12 months on our WL--c-statistic (area under curve) 0.84. In our survival analysis, only international normalized (prothrombin) ratio (INR) and serum creatinine were identified as an independent predictors of death (P < 0.0001). A new simplified version of the MELD score, which does not include serum bilirubin, is proposed and its c-statistic as predictor for death on the WL at 12 months is 0.86, as good as the original MELD score, when evaluated on our list. There is a fourfold increase in mortality on our WL for LT between 3 and 12 months after the inclusion. A simplified version of the MELD score, using only serum creatinine and INR might be taken into account when predicting 12 months mortality on WL with longer waiting time, but it has to be confirmed by other prospective studies.

[Orthotopic liver transplantation in adult patients with cadaveric grafts. Experience of the Fundeni Center of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation]

We analyze the experience of the Center of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation from the Fundeni Clinical Institute (Bucharest, Romania) regarding orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in adult recipients, with whole liver grafts from cadaveric donors, between April 2000 (when the first successful LT was performed in Romania) and December 2004. This series includes 37 OLTs in adult recipients (16 women and 21 men, aged between 29-57 years--average 46 years). Other two LT with whole liver cadaveric grafts and two reduced-size LT were performed in children; also, in the same period, due to the acute organ shortage, other methods of LT were performed in 28 patients (21 living donor LT, 6 split LT and one "do mino" LT), that were not included in the present series. The indications for OLT were HBV cirrhosis--10, HBV+HDV cirrhosis--4, HCV cirrhosis--11, HBV+HCV cirrhosis--2, biliary cirrhosis--5, Wilson disease--2, alcoholic cirrhosis--1, non-alcoholic liver disease--1, autoimmune cirrhosis--1. With three exceptions, in which the classical transplantation technique was used, the liver was grafted following the technique described by Belghiti. Local postoperative complications occurred in 15 patients (41%) and general complications in 17 (46%); late complications were registered in 18 patients (49%) and recurrence of the initial disease in 6 patients (16%). Intrao- and postoperative mortality was 8% (3/37). There were two patients (5%) who died because of immunosuppressive drug neurotoxicity at more than 30 days following LT. Four patients (11%) died lately because of PTLD, liver venoocclusive disease, recurrent autoimmune hepatitis and liver venoocclusive disease, myocardial infarction, respectively. Thirty-four patients survived the postoperative period (92%); according to Kaplan-Meier analysis, actuarial patient-survival rate at month 31 was 75%.

[Upper digestive haemorrhage of a rare cause: benign duodenal schwannoma]

The upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common cause of admission to hospital. Neurogenic tumors of the duodenum are extremely rare and represent an unusual cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The treatment is endoscopic or surgical total excision. In case of ulcerated large tumors situated periampullary pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple's or Traverso-Longmire's) represents an efficient solution. In addition, their high index of malignancy justifies this trend. We present a case of schwannoma of the second portion of the duodenum with several episodes of upper GI bleeding treated by Trasverso-Longmire pancreaticoduodenectomy.

[Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in the treatment of esophageal squamous carcinoma:Preliminary results in a series of 15 patients]

The purpose of this study is to analyze the experience of the Center of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation from Fundeni Clinical Institute (Bucharest) regarding the results of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in the squamous carcinoma of the esophagus. During 01.01.2001-09.07.2003, 15 patients with squamous carcinoma of the esophagus were treated using neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RCT); 13 patients (86%) underwent esophageal resection (in 2 patients resection was not possible due to the mediastinal invasion). Complete histological response (the lack of malignant tissue on the esophagectomy specimens) was noted in 5 cases. The morbidity and mortality rates were 48%, respectively 6%. RCT increases the resectability in esophageal cancer and decreases the postoperative morbidity and mortality.

[Liver transplantation--considerations over 8 cases operated in the year 2000]

In the year 2000, at the Department for General Surgery and Liver Transplantation from The Fundeni Clinical Institute Bucharest, seven OLTs and one living-related transplantation were performed in 6 adults and 2 children. Postoperative complications were: bile leakage, hemoperitoneum, lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, parietoabdominal hematoma. There was only one postoperative death due to septic complications in the 18th p.o.d. and one late death due to pneumonia of unknown origin. After the results in the year 2000 there was an increased number of donors and referrals. We consider that now in Romania this is an established program that will continue depending on the number of donors and financing.

[Post-caustic esophageal stenosis]

This study treats the last 13-year experience of the Surgical Department from the Fundeni Hospital Bucharest (Romania) regarding the surgery of the postcaustical esophageal stenoses. The series is composed of 25 patients (10 males and 15 women), with ages between 19 and 58 years. The patients were admitted in our unit at an interval between 2 months and 20 years from the caustical ingestion. In 20 cases we preferred seriate procedures (gastrostomy or jejunostomy as a first operation, followed after 2 months to 20 years by a reconstructive procedure). The reconstructive operation was accompanied by resection of the stenotic esophagus in 15 cases (60%); in 10 cases we performed a bypassing (without resection) presternal esophagoplasty. Resection of the esophagus implied a combined abdomino-thoracic approach in 10 cases and an cervico-thoraco-abdominal approach in 5 (depending upon the extent of the lesions). The early postoperative course was complicated by anastomotic leakage's in 5 patients (20%) and by pulmonary complications in another 5 (20%) cases. There were no postoperative deaths. The late follow-up showed a good functional result in 24 patients with medium weight gain of 2.6 kilograms and a normal social reintegration. In conclusion, we consider that the esophagus resection in postcaustical stenoses is indicated when there are no counterindications, with a low morbidity when it is performed in specialized surgical services.

Effects of proton and gamma radiation on lymphocyte populations and acute response to antigen

BACKGROUND

The clinical use of proton radiation in the management of cancer, as well as benign disorders, is rapidly increasing. The major goal of this study was to compare the effects of proton and gamma (60Co) radiation on cell-mediated and humoral immunological parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were exposed to a single dose of 3 Gray (Gy) protons or gamma-rays and intraperitoneally injected 1 day later with sheep red blood cells (sRBC). On 4, 10, 15, and 29 days after exposure, subsets from each group were euthanised; nonirradiated controls (with and without sRBC injection) were included. Body and relative spleen weights, leukocyte counts, spontaneous blastogenesis, lymphocyte populations, and anti-sRBC titers were evaluated.

RESULTS

The data showed significant depression (p < 0.05) in nearly all assays on days 4 and 10 after irradiation. B lymphocytes (CD19+) were the most radiosensitive, although reconstitution back to normal levels was observed by day 15. T cell (CD3+) and T helper cell (CD4+) recovery was evident by day 29, whereas the T cytotoxic cell (CD8+) count remained significantly below normal. Natural killer cells (NK1.1+) were relatively radioresistant. Anti-sRBC antibody production was slow and low titers were obtained after irradiation. No significant differences were noted between the two types of radiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, the data show that whole-body irradiation with protons or gamma-rays, at the dose employed, results in marked, but transient, immunosuppression. However, at the time points of testing and with the assays used, little or no differences were found between the two forms of radiation.

Long esophageal stricture in Crohn's disease: a case report

Crohn's disease of the esophagus is rare, and it is very unusual for it to be located only in the esophagus. We report a case of Crohn's disease confined to the esophagus in a 26-year-old female. The patient was admitted because of progressive dysphagia, odynophagia and weight loss. A barium-swallow examination showed an irregular narrowing of the esophagus below the level of the aortic arch which was 15 cm long, with marginal ulcers and a pseudopolypoid appearance of the mucosa; a computed tomographic scan of the thorax revealed a thickened esophageal wall. Esophagoscopy revealed an esophageal stricture 25 cm distal to the incisor teeth, 2 mm in diameter, with "punched out" ulcers and pseudopolypoid mucosa. Endobiopsy specimens showed chronic lymphocytic infiltration into the corion in the absence of neutrophils, basal-cell hyperplasia and elongation of the stromal papillae. The patient underwent an esophagectomy through a combined cervico-abdominal approach followed by a cervical esogastrostomy. The specimen was 18 cm long, the thickness of the wall was 1.7 cm with fibrosis involving all layers of the esophageal wall and a cobblestone appearance of the mucosa. A heavy lymphoplasmocytic infiltrate extended from the mucosa deep into the muscularis, fibrosis and granulomas were found transmurally. Crohn's disease of the esophagus is a rare and specific entity which can present in various ways; strictures resembling those from reflux esophagitis or a tumor are common. Diagnosis may be suggested by the presence of a chronic lymphocytic infiltrate with or without non-caseating granulomas, and no histologic evidence of chronic reflux esophagitis.

Esophageal tumor with an unusual histological appearance: a case report

An unusual esophageal tumor in a 58-year-old man complaining of dysphagia and weight loss is herein described. Esophageal radioscopy and endoscopy visualized a huge polypoid tumor which was occluding the esophagus. After esophageal resection, the histological examination revealed miscellaneous benign cells (squamous, columnar fat cells, cartilaginous cells, and glandular structures) and two different malignant areas (spindler sarcomatous cells and squamous cells). There was no malignant invasion in the stalk, in the adjacent esophageal wall, or in the periesophageal tissue, and there were no malignant adenopathies. The postoperative course was favorable for one year, until the patient developed pain in the right superior back. A sarcomatous relapse was diagnosed by fine-needle biopsy under CT guidance, and the patient subsequently received radiation therapy.

Fatal intestinal hemorrhage complicating ileal lymphoma after cyclosporine for unresponsive celiac disease

Unresponsive celiac disease may benefit from immunosuppressive therapy. Malignant small intestinal lymphoma is the most serious complication of celiac disease, also being noted as a complication of immunosuppressive therapy. The diagnosis of small intestinal lymphoma complicating celiac disease is notoriously difficult. Perforation is the most common complication of small intestinal lymphoma, frank hemorrhage being unusual. We report a case of massive, fatal hemorrhage from small intestinal lymphoma complicating unresponsive celiac disease treated with cyclosporine. The patient was presented with severe diarrhea and nutritional deterioration. Unresponsive celiac disease was diagnosed on the basis of clinical and histologic criteria with no response while on a gluten-free diet, corticotherapy and octreotide acetate injections. Cyclosporine therapy was advised. The patient had a remarkable clinical response. After 3 months from the start of the cyclosporine therapy, the patient returned with massive intestinal bleeding. The patient underwent emergency surgery diagnosing an enteropathy-associated lymphoma. We conclude that cyclosporine therapy for unresponsive celiac disease should be considered in select, severely ill patients only after a full-thickness biopsy of the small intestinal wall to disclose a latent super-imposed lymphoma, which course may be accelerated by immunosuppressive therapy.