Swordfish bill injury involving abdomen and vertebral column: case report and review

Background

Penetrating injuries of the abdomen and spinal canal that involve organic material of animal origin are extremely rare and derive from domestic and wild animal attacks or fish attacks.

Case presentation

In this case report we present the unique, as far as the literature is concerned, unprovoked woman's injury to the abdomen by a swordfish. There are only four cases of swordfish attacks on humans in the literature - one resulted to thoracic trauma, two to head trauma and one to knee trauma, one of which was fatal - none of which were unprovoked. Three victims were professional or amateur fishermen whereas in the last reported case the victim was a bather as in our case. Our case is the only case where organic debris of animal's origin remained in the spinal canal after penetrating trauma.

Conclusions

Although much has been written about the management of penetrating abdominal and spinal cord trauma, controversy remains about the optimal management. Moreover, there is little experience in the management of patients with such spinal injuries, due to the fact that such cases are extremely rare. In this report we focus on the patient's treatment with regard to abdominal and spinal trauma and present a review of the literature.

CEA and CA-19.9 serum tumor markers as prognostic factors in patients with locally advanced (unresectable) or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a retrospective analysis

Most pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients present with locally advanced or metastatic disease at diagnosis. in this retrospective study the authors evaluated the prognostic significance of the CEA and CA-19.9 serum tumor markers in advanced (unresectable) pancreatic cancer in correlation to other prognostic factors (demographic data, clinical parameters, treatment modality) and survival time using univariate and multivariate methods, in 215 patients with locally advanced (unresectable) or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. median survival was 29.0 weeks, with 21.9% of patients surviving 36 weeks. Among 24 potential prognostic variables, 19 were associated with shorter survival. Multivariate analysis indicated that ten factors had a significant independent effect on survival: chemotherapy, surgery, tumor localization, elevated C-reactive protein, elevated CeA, CA 19-9 (>30 x nl), jaundice at diagnosis, weight loss >10%, distant metastases, and Karnofsky performance status. Patients who had only palliative therapy had a hazard ratio of 8.94 versus those who underwent palliative surgery and chemotherapy. Although certain clinical, biochemical and biological factors remain important predictors of survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, CA-19.9 serum tumor marker levels retain independent prognostic value for poor survival.

Circulating lymphangiogenic growth factors in gastrointestinal solid tumors, could they be of any clinical significance?

Metastasis is the principal cause of cancer mortality, with the lymphatic system being the first route of tumor dissemination. The glycoproteins VEGF-C and VEGF-D are members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, whose role has been recently recognized as lymphatic system regulators during embryogenesis and in pathological processes such as inflammation, lymphatic system disorders and malignant tumor metastasis. They are ligands for the VEGFR-3 receptor on the membrane of the lymphatic endothelial cell, resulting in dilatation of existing lymphatic vessels as well as in vegetation of new ones (lymphangiogenesis). Their determination is feasible in the circulating blood by immunoabsorption and in the tissue specimen by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Experimental and clinicopathological studies have linked the VEGF-C, VEGF-D/VEGFR3 axis to lymphatic spread as well as to the clinical outcome in several human solid tumors. The majority of these data are derived from surgical specimens and malignant cell series, rendering their clinical application questionable, due to subjectivity factors and post-treatment quantification. In an effort to overcome these drawbacks, an alternative method of immunodetection of the circulating levels of these molecules has been used in studies on gastric, esophageal and colorectal cancer. Their results denote that quantification of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in blood samples could serve as lymph node metastasis predictive biomarkers and contribute to preoperative staging of gastrointestinal malignancies.

Prognostic factors in patients with locally advanced (unresectable) or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Most patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma are diagnosed with locally advanced (unresectable) or metastatic disease. The aim of this study was to investigate possible prognostic factors of survival in such patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two hundred and fifteen patients were studied retrospectively. Twenty-four potential prognostic variables (demographics, clinical parameters, biochemical markers, treatment modality) were examined.

RESULTS

Mean survival was 29.0 weeks. 21.9% survived more than 36 weeks. On multivariate analysis, 10 factors had an independent effect on survival: tumour localisation, metastasis, performance status, jaundice, weight loss, C reactive protein, CEA, CA 19-9, palliative surgery and chemotherapy. Patients managed only with palliative care had a hazard ratio of 8.94 versus those offered a combination of palliative surgery and chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Many factors could be used as predictors of survival in patients with advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. Chemotherapy and palliative surgery are associated with increased survival, and should be offered to all eligible patients.

Open and Laparoscopic Approach in Incisional Hernia Repair with ePTFE Prosthesis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the results of incisional hernia laparoscopic and open surgery, focusing on the morbidity and postoperative implications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A group of 106 (42 men, 64 women) patients suffering from incisional hernias were treated with either a laparoscopic (30) or an open (76) placement of a prosthetic mesh between January 1997 and December 2004. The age and gender of the patients, the size and type of the mesh, operation note, the length of postoperative hospital stay, and morbidity were recorded.

RESULTS

An expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh was used in 103 patients, whereas a polypropylene mesh was used in 3 patients. In the open technique, 3 patients with the ePTFE prosthetic material developed a mesh infection and required a mesh removal, which was easily performed under local anesthesia. Moreover, 2 patients from the same group developed a hernia recurrence. As for the laparoscopic approach, the only complication observed was one hernia recurrence. Finally, it should be mentioned that 1 patient with a polypropylene mesh developed a colocutaneous fistula.

CONCLUSIONS

The benefits of the laparoscopic mesh technique, compared to the open technique, include a shorter hospital stay, less postoperative pain, and possibly, a reduction in wound and mesh complications. Regarding the recurrence rate, the two techniques show similar results.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large adrenal metastasis from contralateral renal cell carcinoma

We present herein the case of a patient with solitary metachronous contralateral adrenal metastasis from renal cell cancer. The patient had undergone left radical nephrectomy and adrenalectomy for localized renal cancer 7 years previously. Laparoscopic transperitoneal right adrenalectomy was performed. The postoperative period was uneventful. Histology showed right adrenal metastasis from renal cancer. At 6-month follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence.

Laparoscopic resection of large adrenal ganglioneuroma

We report on a 23-year-old woman with a right adrenal tumor 13 cm in diameter who was treated by laparoscopy. The patient was asymptomatic, and the tumor was incidentally diagnosed on abdominal ultrasonography. A subsequent computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen confirmed a 12 x 7 x 8-cm homogenous mass of the right adrenal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a solid mass measuring 13 x 7 x 7.5 cm arising from the right adrenal. Laparoscopic complete excision of the mass was accomplished through a transabdominal lateral approach. The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the second postoperative day. Histology was consistent with an adrenal ganglioneuroma. Two years later, there is no evidence of recurrence on abdominal CT scan.

Esophageal Doppler (ODM II) improves intraoperative hemodynamic monitoring during laparoscopic surgery

Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery has been expanded to the elderly and high-risk surgical patients with underlying cardiac and pulmonary disease. However, possible cardiovascular changes during CO2 pneumoperitoneum necessitate close intraoperative monitoring. In this prospective study, 55 patients (mean age 62.52 years, range 26-82) undergoing laparoscopic surgery were included. Patients were categorized into 3 groups of low (group A: 12 patients, mean age 55.5 years), moderate (group B: 22 patients, mean age 59.5 years), and high (group C: 21 patients, mean age 69.71 years) surgical risk according to ASA physical status classification. Similar anesthetic agents and anesthetic techniques were used in the above cases. An esophageal Doppler (ODM II, Abbott Laboratories) was used to measure aortic blood flow velocity and thereby estimating stroke volume (SVe) and cardiac output (COe) throughout anesthesia, in addition to traditional monitoring. After abdominal insufflation (peak intra-abdominal pressure: 13-15 mm Hg) COe values decreased from the initial value after induction of anesthesia by 22%, 20%, and 18% for groups A, B, and C, respectively (P < 0.05). The above values further deteriorated (25%, 28%, and 30% for groups A, B, and C, respectively) in the anti-Trendelenburg positioning of the patient. The peak aortic blood flow velocity (PV) followed the changes, thus indicating that heart muscle contractility is affected during the procedure. Stabilization of the above values was achieved after 20 minutes of CO(2) pneumoperitoneum and improvement was noted only after deflation of the abdomen. Heart rate and blood pressure essentially remained unchanged throughout the procedure, although the final values were increased compared with initial. Insufflation of the abdomen with CO(2) produces measurable effects on the cardiovascular system that require reappraisal of hemodynamic monitoring during anesthesia. ODM II offers a reliable, relatively noninvasive, cost-effective tool for intraoperative monitoring of the hemodynamic changes with a potential for future application for improvement of intraoperative hemodynamic status of patients.

Laparoscopic surgery for adrenal tumors. A retrospective analysis

OBJECTIVE

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has rapidly replaced open adrenalectomy as the procedure of choice for benign adrenal tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term results of 100 consecutive laparoscopic and open adrenalectomies performed during a period of 8.5 years in our Surgical Unit.

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of patients operated on for adrenal tumors was conducted. From May 1997 to August 2005, one hundred adrenalectomies were performed on 95 patients. Five patients underwent either synchronous or metachronous bilateral adrenalectomy. There were 38 men and 57 women, aged 16 to 80 years. The size of tumors in our series ranged from 3.2 to 27 cm. The largest laparoscopically excised tumor was a ganglioneuroma with a diameter of 13 cm.

RESULTS

In 73 patients laparoscopic procedure was completed successfully. In 8 cases the laparoscopic procedure was converted to open. Fourteen patients were treated with open approach. One patient with pheochromocytoma succumbed following pulmonary embolus. In one patient with morbid obesity, Cushing's syndrome, and bilateral adrenal macronodular hyperplasia, the left laparoscopic adrenalectomy was complicated by a low output pancreatic fistula, conservatively treated. All other patients had an uneventful course. Operative time for laparoscopic adrenalectomies ranged from 65 to 180 minutes. The average postoperative hospital stay for laparoscopic adrenalectomy ranged from 1 to 2 days (1.5 days), versus 5 to 20 days for patients who underwent open or converted procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy should be the treatment of choice for all benign adrenal tumors. Laparoscopic resection of large adrenal tumors necessitates experience in open surgery and advanced laparoscopic surgery.

Leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil versus levamisole and 5-fluorouracil as adjuvant chemotherapy in rectal cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of 6-month therapy with leucovorin (LV)+5-fluorouracil (5-FU) versus 12-month therapy with levamisole (LVS)+5-FU, as adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with completely resected Aster-Coller stage B(2) or C(1)/C(2) rectal cancer (RC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and fifty patients with surgically resected RC were enrolled. Seventy patients with stage B(2) and 80 with stage C were randomly assigned to adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-FU+LXx6 months or 5-FU+LVSx12 months. Patient characteristics were equally balanced between the examined groups. Adjuvant chemotherapy consisted of LV 20 mg/m(2) intravenously (i.v.) plus 5-FU 450 mg/m(2) i.v. bolus every week plus LVS tablets 50 mg t.i.dx3 days every 2 weeks for 1 year.

RESULTS

After a median follow up for survivors of 8.7 years (range 1.8-10.5), all of the patients were evaluable. There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups with respect to the recurrence rates (p=0.821). Moreover, there were no significant differences between the two tratment groups in disease-free survival (DFS) (p=0.84) [B(2)(p=0.805) and C (p=0.978)] and overall survival (OS) rates for patients of either stage B(2) or C (p=0.78). Toxicities were more frequent in the 5-FU+LVS versus 5-FU+LV group: myelosuppression (grade 3 leucopenia, 12 versus 4%, p<0.04), diarrhea (grade 0, 60 versus 76%, p<0.02), and liver toxicity (increase of transaminases >3-fold, 12 patients versus 2, p<0.03.). No patient stopped chemotherapy because of toxicity, and there were no treatment-related deaths.

CONCLUSION

Adjuvant chemotherapy in RC with LV+5-FU for 6 months is equally effective and less toxic than LVS+5-FU for 12 months.

Leucovorin and fluorouracil vs levamisole and fluorouracil as adjuvant chemotherapy in rectal cancer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 6-month therapy with leucovorin (LV) + 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) vs 12 months of therapy with levamisole (LVZ) + 5-FU, as adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with completely resected Dukes' stage B2 or C rectal cancer. One hundred and fifty patients with surgically resected rectal carcinoma, were enrolled in the present study; Dukes' stage B2 (n=70) or C (n=80), were randomly assigned to chemotherapy with 5-FU + LV x 6 months or 5-FU + LVZ x 12 months. Patient characteristics were equally balanced between the examined groups. Adjuvant CT consisted of LV 20 mg/m(2) intravenously (i.v.) plus 5-FU 450 mg/m(2) i.v., on days 1-5 every 4 weeks for 6 cycles or 5-FU 450 mg/m(2) i.v. every week plus LVZ 50 mg t.i.d x 3 days for 1 year. All patients received radiotherapy with a three-field technique to a total dose of 45 Gy, over 5 weeks. After a median follow-up of 7.4 years there were no significant differences between the two treatment groups with respect to the recurrence rates (P=0.821). Moreover, there was no difference in disease-free survival for patients stage Dukes' B2 (log-rank p=0.73); median for LV group 90 (8-131) months, and for LVZ group 86.5 (3-129) months. No difference was noted in disease-free survival for patients stage Dukes' C (log-rank p=0.73); median for LV group 60 (17-128) months, and for LVZ group 64 (2-123) months. There was no difference in overall survival for patients stage Dukes' B2 (log-rank p=0.75); median for LV group 90 (22-131) months, and for LVZ group 86 (10-129) months. For stage Dukes' C (log-rank p=0.73); median for LV group 67 (17-128) months, and for LVZ group 64 (5-123) months. Toxicities were as follows in the 5-FU + LVZ vs 5-FU + LV group; myelosuppression (leucopenia grade 3, 12% vs 4%, p<0.04), diarrhea (grade 0, 60% vs 76%, p<0.02), and liver toxicity (increase of transaminases >3-fold, 12 patients vs 2, p<0.03), were more frequent in LVZ group. None of the patients stopped chemotherapy because of the toxicity, and there were no toxicity-related deaths. In conclusion, adjuvant chemotherapy in RC with LV + 5-FU for 6 months is equally effective and less toxic than LVZ + 5-FU for 12 months.

Weekly Gemcitabine for the Treatment of Biliary Tract and Gallbladder Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of weekly administration of gemcitabine treatment in chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced biliary tract and gallbladder cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Gemcitabine at a dose of 800 mg/m2 was administered weekly as a 30-min infusion to patients with previously operated, histologically confirmed, metastatic, or unresectable locally advanced cholangiocarcinoma. Treatment was continued until unacceptable toxicity or disease progression.

RESULTS

A total of 30 patients (median age 66 years; range 54-72 years) were included in the study. A median of 14 (range, 4-33) weekly doses was administered. Out of 30 patients evaluable for response, nine partial responses were observed (30.0%), while a further 11 patients demonstrated stable disease (36.7%). The median time to disease progression was 7 months (range, 5-34). Overall response rate was superior in patients with cancer of the gallbladder (ORR = 35.7%) compared with those patients with biliary duct cancer (ORR = 27.3%). This correlated to a significantly longer time to progression of 6.4 months (95% confidence interval (CI), 5.6-7.1 months) versus 3.6 months (95% CI, 2.9-4.3 months; p = 0.03) and a significantly better overall survival of 17.1 months (95% CI, 15.8-18.5 months) versus 11.4 months (95% CI, 10.2-12.6 months, p = 0.021). Toxicities were generally mild with only one case of grade 3 neutropenia. There were no cases of febrile neutropenia and no treatment-related deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

Weekly administration of gemcitabine provides a safe, well-tolerated, and effective treatment for chemotherapy naïve patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma, particularly with a gallbladder origin.

Two different schedules of irinotecan (CPT-11) in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma relapsing after a 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin combination. A randomized study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of irinotecan as second-line treatment in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (ACC) failing or relapsing after 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus leucovorin (LV) standard chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Irinotecan was randomly administered in two different schedules (once every 3 weeks, and every 10 days) in patients failing prior 5-FU plus LV. Patients were randomized to two treatment groups: group A received irinotecan 350 mg/m2 every 21 days and group B received irinotecan 175 mg/m2 days 1 and 10 every 21 days.

RESULTS

Group A comprised 60 patients: 34 male/26 female, median age 64 years (range 48-70 years), and median Karnofsky performance status (PS) 90. Their metastatic sites included liver (n=47), lymph nodes (n=27), lung (n=14), abdomen (n=14), pelvis (n=8), "other" (n=2), and local recurrence (n=12). Group B comprised 60 patients: 36 male/24 female, median age 62 years (46-70 years), and median PS 90. Their metastatic sites included liver (n=49), lymph nodes (n=29), lung (n=17), abdomen (n=16), pelvis (n=11), "other" (n=2), and local recurrence (n=13). Group A showed the following responses: complete response (CR) 2, partial response (PR) 12, stable disease (SD) 21, progressive disease (PD) 26, overall response rate (ORR) 23%, tumor growth control 58%. Group B showed the following responses: CR 1, PR 14, SD 22, PD 23; ORR 25%; tumor growth control 62%. Toxicities included acute cholinergic syndrome (group A 53%, group B 19%; P<0.0001), late-onset diarrhea grade 1/2 (group A 21%, group B 46%) and grade 3/4 (group A 41%, group B 66%; P<0.0001), nausea and vomiting grade 1/2 (group A 34%, group B 59%) and grade 3/4 (group A 30%, group B 12%; P<0.0001), neutropenia grade 3/4 (group A 27%, group B 28%; P<0.03), with febrile neutropenia seen in only four patients in group A, anemia grade more than 2 (group A 28%, group B 12%; P<0.05), asthenia grade more than 3 (group A 24%, group B 18%; P<0.001), and alopecia grade more than 3 (group A 40%, group B 34%; P<0.2).

CONCLUSIONS

. The present study indicates that, in patients with ACC who have relapsed after 5-FU plus LV, the administration of irinotecan fractionated into two doses every 21 days yields a similar efficacy to, but a much lower incidence of toxicity than, the same total dose of irinotecan administered once every 21 days.

Etoposide added to weekly leucovorin (LV)/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in LV/5-FU pre-treated patients with advanced colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of the weekly combination of etoposide, leucovorin (LV) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) when administered as second-line chemotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory advanced colorectal cancer (ACC), previously treated with weekly LV + 5-FU.

MATERIAL/METHODS

Etoposide was administered at 3 different dose levels (DL), in 3 groups of patients (total=60): DL-I - etoposide 80 mg/m2, 45 min i.v. infusion, DL-II - etoposide 120 mg/m2, and DL-III - etoposide 180 mg/m2. In all three levels etoposide was followed by LV 100 mg/m2 i.v., 1-hour infusion, and 5-FU 500 mg/m2 i.v. bolus. Treatment was administered until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

RESULTS

No patients responded at DL-I, while 2 patients at DL-II and 3 at DL-III had a partial response (PR) (P<0.1). Two patients had stable disease (SD) at DL-I, 8 at DL-II, and 9 at DL-III (P<0.01). More patients progressed at DL-I (n=19) compared to DL-II (n=10) and DL-III (n=8) (p<0.0007). The time to progression was 17, 15, and 14 weeks, respectively, for DL-I, -II, and -III (P=0.9). Median survival was 30, 30, and 32.5 weeks, respectively, for DL-I, -II, and -III (P= 0.27). Toxicity was mainly neutropenia, diarrhea and mucositis at all DLs, significantly more intense in DL-III. No difference was noticed in responses between DL-II and DL-III, but toxicity in DL-III was more severe.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of etoposide with LV+5-FU has limited activity when administered after failure of weekly LV+5-FU in patients with ACC.

Etoposide, leucovorin (LV) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in 5-FU+LV pre-treated patients with advanced colorectal cancer

In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of the weekly combination of etoposide, leucovorin (LV) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) when administered as second-line chemotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory advanced colorectal cancer (ACC), previously treated with weekly LV+5-FU. Etoposide was administered at 3 different dose levels (DLs), in 3 groups of 20 patients each (total: 60); DL-I: etoposide 80 mg/m2, DL-II: etoposide 120 mg/m2, and DL-III: etoposide 180 mg/m2, in 45 min i.v. infusion, and followed in all levels by LV 100 mg/m2 i.v. over 1 hour and 5-FU 500 mg/m2 i.v. bolus. Treatment was administered weekly until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. No patients at DL-I responded, while 2 patients at DL-II and 3 at DL-III had a partial response (PR). Stable disease (SD) rates were as follows; at DL-I: 2, DL-II: 8 and DL-III: 9. More patients in DL-I progressed (n = 19) compared to DL-II (n=10) and DL-II (n = 8) (p < 0.0007). Time to progression was for DL-I, -II, -III: 17, 15, and 14 weeks, respectively. Median survival was DL-I, -II, -III: 30, 30, and 32.5 weeks, respectively. Toxicity consisted mainly of neutropenia, diarrhea and mucositis at all DLs, and was significantly more severe in DL-III. No difference was noted in responses between DL-II and DL-III. The authors conclude that the combination of etoposide with LV+5-FU has limited activity when administered after failure of weekly LV+5-FU in patients with ACC and should not be recommended for further evaluation.

Giant myelolipoma of the right adrenal gland

Adrenal myelolipoma is an unusual, benign and hormonally inactive tumour composed of mature adipose and haematopoietic tissue. In the past, these tumours were accidentally discovered at autopsy. Today, they are found much more frequently and incidentally, mainly because of the widespread use of ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic reasonance imaging. Adrenal myelolipoma is usually unilateral and asymptomatic. The case of a 52-year-old female patient, surgically treated for a symptomatic giant myelolipoma of the right adrenal gland, is reported, together with a review of the literature.

Irinotecan (CPT-11) in patients with advanced colon carcinoma relapsing after 5-fluorouracil-leucovorin combination

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between performance status (PS) and mean dose of irinotecan (CPT-11) in patients with recurrent advanced colorectal cancer relapsing after 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin chemotherapy. Patients who had completed their last chemotherapy course with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin for at least 6 weeks and progressed were included. Based on PS, we administered a starting dose of 250 mg/m(2) in patients with a PS 70-80 (group A), and 350 mg/m(2) for those with a PS > 80 (group B). Of a total of 90 treated patients, all were evaluable, 18 had a partial response (PR) (20%), 39 stable disease (43%), and 15 progressed (37%). No significant difference was noticed between patients with PS > or = 90 or < or = 80 (p = 0.925), or between those who received a mean dose of CPT-11 > or = 300 or < or = 300 (p = 0.602), for response, survival and time to progression. Toxicity was increased in group B as expected, with significant differences for acute cholinergic syndrome (p = 0.02), diarrhea after the first 24 h (p = 0.03) and severe diarrhea (p = 0.03). According to these results, we conclude that response to CPT-11 is independent of its dose, and that a dose of 250 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks might be a cost-effective and less toxic alternative in this setting. However, further adequately powered phase II or III randomized studies might be required in order to confirm this observation.

Jejunogastric intussusception presented with hematemesis: a case presentation and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Jejunogastric intussusception (JGI) is a rare but potentially very serious complication of gastrectomy or gastrojejunostomy. To avoid mortality early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention is mandatory.

CASE PRESENTATION

A young man presented with epigastric pain and bilous vomiting followed by hematemesis,10 years after vagotomy and gastrojejunostomy for a bleeding duodenal ulcer. Emergency endoscopy showed JGI and the CT scan of the abdomen was compatible with this diagnosis. At laparotomy a retrograde type II, JGI was confirmed and managed by reduction of JGI without intestinal resection. Postoperative recovery was uneventful.

CONCLUSIONS

JGI is a rare condition and less than 200 cases have been published since its first description in 1914. The clinical picture is almost diagnostic. Endoscopy performed by someone familiar with this rare entity is certainly diagnostic and CT-Scan of the abdomen could also help. There is no medical treatment for acute JGI and the correct treatment is surgical intervention as soon as possible.

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver in an adult: a review of the literature

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver is an unusual oncologic entity which occurs almost exclusively in infancy and childhood; fewer than 200 cases have been reported. We present the case of a 21-year-old female, who was admitted to our institution with a painful right subcostal mass lasting for 6 months, who had no evidence of generalised disease. Imaging procedures revealed a central solid lesion, 15 cm in diameter, in the right lobe of the liver, with cystic degeneration. The patient underwent a formal right hepatectomy. The pathology report ascertained the presence of a benign mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver.

ACTH-Producing Cholangiocarcinoma Associated with Cushing's Syndrome

A 61-year~old woman was admitted to the hospital with clinical manifestations of Cushing's syndrome. The ACTH level was 1340 pglmL, the urinary free cortisol level > 900 pg/mL, and the serum K+ levels 21 meqlL. The brain/pituitary MRI and thoracic CT scan were normal. Gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and small bowel follow through were normal. Abdominal CT and MRI showed normal adrenals, but dilated gallbladder with numerous gallstones, as well as peripancreatic and hepatoduodenal lymphadenopathy. A large meta-static deposit and three smaller lesions were also seen in the liver. Because of the poor respiratory function tests and the severe hypokalaemia, laparoscopy under local anaesthesia was performed. Following the procedure the patient became gradually jaundiced and thus underwent exploratory laparotomy. Locally advanced cholangiocarcinoma was found, infiltrating the liver hilum, with multiple small bilateral liver metastatic deposits. Acute cholecystitis with pericholecystic abscess was also found. Cholecystostomy as well as gallbladder, liver and hilar node biopsies were performed. Histopathology showed liver adenocarcinoma of bile duct origin, while immunocytochemistry revealed scattered, chromogranin A positive cells, some of them strongly immunoreactive for ACTH. Small clusters of chromogranin A positive cells were also found to be immunoreactive for CRH, but not for ACTH.

Combined epirubicin, 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid vs no treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: a prospective comparative study

The combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid (FA) has demonstrated activity in most gastrointestinal tumors. The addition of epirubicin (EPI) may increase the efficacy of the combination for cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as advanced pancreatic cancer. We examined two groups of patients, explaining the potential benefits and limitations of therapy, and those patients who agreed to undergo chemotherapy formed Group A and the remaining formed Group B. Therefore, the study was a non-randomized prospective comparison between patients receiving chemotherapy and those offered the best supportive care. Group A consisted of 42 patients; 19 underwent Roux-en-Y operation, and 23 were inoperable. Group B consisted of 48 patients who refused chemotherapy; 18 underwent Roux-en-Y operation, and 30 were considered inoperable. Chemotherapy consisted of FA 200 mg/m2/day, 5-FU 600 mg/m2/day both for 5 days, and EPI 35 mg/m2/day before FA-5-FU administration on days 1 and 2, every 28 days. All patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. Objective tumor responses (partial responses) in Group A were seen in 8 patients (19%) (6 women and 2 men), and 6 (14%) had stable disease. The estimated median survival was 27.6 weeks (mean 27.5) for Group A and 22.5 weeks (mean 24) (p=0.01) for Group B. From the onset of therapy, median duration of response was 16.6 weeks and median time to progression 11.8 weeks in Group A. Toxicity consisted primarily of myelosuppression, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, alopecia, and mucositis. In Group A 12/42 patients became free from pain for a median duration of 10 months, 14/42 had improved appetite, and 15/42 had improved performance status in comparison to Group B, where no patients had improved performance status or symptoms. We conclude that the combination of EPI+FA+5-FU has moderate activity and increased toxicity in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.

Aggressive surgical management of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma in puberty

Extensive right hepatectomy and replacement of the invaded inferior vena cava were performed in a 14-year-old girl with fibrolamellar liver carcinoma. Despite the graft thrombosis the patient was discharged on the 50th post-operative day. After 3 years a solitary lung metastasis was resected and the patient remains with no sign of intra-abdominal or intrathoracic recurrence.

[Experiences with surgical therapy of hepatic echinococcosis]

Between January 1984 and December 1990, 56 patients with hydatid liver disease were treated surgically at our Department. Diagnosis was made by using clinical criteria, serology and imaging techniques. Most frequent clinical symptom was abdominal pain or local discomfort (38 patients, 68%). Plain X-ray of the abdomen was helpful in 20 patients (36%), liver ultrasound in 53 (93%) and computerised tumorgraphy in 56 patients, (100%). The immunoelectrophoresis test of "arc 5" was sensitive in 51 patients (91%). Thirty patients (53%) underwent partial resection and omentoplasty, 17 patients (30%) underwent external drainage, two cystic resection (3%), one left lateral lobectomy (2%) and six (11%) underwent omentoplasty and T-tube insertion. Fatal complications did not occur. Four patients developed hepatic abscess (7%), three wound infection (5%), one bowel obstruction (2%) and in five instances (8%) drainage was maintained for more than three months. Of the 49 patients available for follow-up (87%), three (6%) developed recurrent disease.

Fournier's gangrene: still highly lethal

Five patients with necrotizing soft tissue infections of the perineum and scrotum are presented. There were one female and four male patients, aged from 35 to 70 years. Portals of entry were perirectal abscesses in four cases and a scrotal abscess in one case. All patients required extensive surgical debridement and intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics. Operative debridement involved the scrotum, the perineal and inguinal area, the upper thighs and the anterior abdominal wall. One patient required transverse loop colostomy and one loop sigmoidostomy. One patient was reoperated on after inadequate drainage of a perirectal abscess. Three patients were referred to our unit after some delay, while one patient did not seek medical care until after being febrile for 2 weeks. Despite aggressive debridement, this last patient died of fulminant sepsis. Fournier's gangrene, which is not so rare as in generally considered, is still associated with a high mortality, which can be reduced only by improving medical awareness and early treatment both of the primary cause and of necrotizing fasciitis.

[Role of cyclic AMP in gastric secretion. The secretion and mechanism of action of gastrin]

The present study involved evaluation of the role played by cyclic AMP on the secretion and mechanism of action of gastrin in man. On the basis of the results obtained, gastrin secretion induced by an excessive rise in gastric pH is accompanied by a simultaneous increase in plasma cyclic AMP concentrations (p less than 0.05) as well as a tissue cyclic AMP in the region of the fundus (p less than 0.001). By contrast, no significant change was seen regarding antropyloric AMP. As a result, it is felt that cyclic AMP does not play a direct role in the secretion of gastrin by G cells but is a mediator of the mechanism of action of gastrin in terms of the secretion of HCl by the parietal cell.

[Role of cyclic AMP in gastric secretion. Mechanism of action of pentagastrin and cimetidine]

Studies were conducted to explore the effects of pentagastrin, cimetidine, cimetidine with pentagastrin and atropine with pentagastrin, on the gastric acidity and on cAMP accumulation in gastric fundic mucosa in six healthy human beings. Following gastroscopy, gastric juice was collected, and total gastric acidity was measured. Biopsies of fundic mucosa were obtained for estimation of cAMP. All these measurements were taken place before (control) and after the administration of the medicaments. Pentagastrin increased total gastric acidity and cAMP accumulation. Cimetidine decreased both respectively. Combination of cimetidine with pentagastrin and atropine with pentagastrin increased total gastric acidity and cAMP concentration of gastric mucosa. An excellent linear correlation was also found between gastric acidity and fundic mucosal cAMP. These results support the hypothesis of a regulatory role for pentagastrin and cimetidine in total gastric acidity via a cAMP dependent mechanism in gastric mucosa in human. Our findings give a strong indication in Grossman's proposal that the parietal cell has multiple receptors sites.

[Secretion of gastric acid, gastrin and cyclic nucleotides in relation to the action of the vagus nerve]

Changes on levels gastric acidity, on serum gastrin, cAMP and cGMP levels were studied in 18 healthy volunteers after either stimulation (injection of 0.2 IU of soluble insulin/kg body weight to a group of 9 subjects) or stimulation and inhibition (injection of insulin plus atropine per os to the other group of 9 subjects) of the vagus nerve. After vagus nerve stimulation, gastric acid levels, serum gastrin and cGMP were raised and cAMP reduced. After stimulation and inhibition of vagus nerve, gastrin and cAMP were increased, cGMP reduced and gastric acid levels remained unchanged. These findings suggest that the vagus nerve, and more particularly the acetylcholine released from its metaganglionic fibers, stimulate parietal cells provoking acid secretion, and also stimulate G cells with subsequent gastrin secretion through cGMP.

[Indications and long term results after surgical treatment for necrotic acute pancreatitis (author's transl)]

A series of 50 patients with acute pancreatitis, all complicated by necrosis and hemorrhage, is presented. Cases are broken down into 3 main categories depending on clinical and laboratory data. Thirty-nine partial pancreatectomies and 11 excisions of necrotic tissue were performed. Operative mortality is 36%. Causes of death and morbidity were analysed. Are discussed modalities of surgery from clinical and intraoperative findings. Surgical procedure is completed by generous washings of the abdominal cavity followed by continuous drainage. External biliary diversion is assumed by mews of choledocostomy. Surgical procedure is to be adapted to local conditions because a too systemic attitude is dangerous and possibly responsible of over treatment complications. Postoperative clinical behavior is of great importance when one know that reoperatives in such difficult situation are frequent.