Anders Kristoffersson

Port Site Metastases from Gallbladder Cancer after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Results of a Swedish Survey and Review of Published Reports

OBJECTIVE To investigate the incidence of port site metastases from unsuspected gallbladder cancer after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. DESIGN Retrospective national multicentre study, 1991-94. SETTING All 8 university and 24 central hospital, Sweden. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS All 32 hospitals were interviewed by means of a written questionnaire. The registers of all Swedish Oncological Centres and the registers of the National Board of Health and Welfare were checked for reported cases of gallbladder cancer and surgical classification codes for cholecystectomy. To detect laparoscopic interventions incorrectly registered as open operations, all cholecystectomies registered as open were matched against the Swedish Registry of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for the years 1991-93 and all patients records for 1994 were scrutinised. RESULTS Replies were obtained from 30/32 clinics (94%) and 11976 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were done. Of 447 patients with verified gallbladder carcinoma 270 had their gallbladders removed, 55 (20%) laparoscopically. 9 of these (16%) developed port site metastases and 6 died from their disease at a median of 18 months (range 5-22). Two patients are alive, 54 and 45 months after cholecystectomy. One patient has been lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Port site metastases from gallbladder cancer may be more common than previously thought. A laparoscopic procedure should not be done if cancer of the gallbladder is suspected.

Effects of moderate endurance exercise on calcium, parathyroid hormone, and markers of bone metabolism in young women

We investigated the short-term (1 hour-3 days) effects of a 45 minute run on calcium, parathyroid hormone, the carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), and the immunoactive carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen in serum (ICTP) in young females. Fourteen healthy young women, aged 25.2 ± 0.6 years (mean ± SEM) with regular menstruations, participated. The test was outdoor jogging for 45 minutes at an intensity of 50% of VO2 max. Blood samples were collected 15 minutes before the test and 1, 24, and 72 hours after the test. The measured values were adjusted for changes in plasma volume. A significant decrease of ionized calcium was observed at 1 hour (P < 0.001) and 72 hours (P < 0.05) and a significant increase of parathyroid hormone (PTH) was noted 24 (P < 0.01) and 72 hours (P < 0.05) after the test. A significant decrease of PICP at 1 hour (P < 0.05) was followed by an increase after 24 (P < 0.01) and 72 hours (P < 0.001) and a significant increase in ICTP was noted at 24 and 72 hours (P < 0.05). A strong positive correlation was found between serum levels of PICP and ICTP (r = 0.55–0.84; P < 0.05) throughout the experiment. In conclusion, young females showed biochemical signs of increased bone collagen turnover and altered homeostasis of calcium and PTH after a single bout of moderate endurance exercise.

The effects of brisk walking on markers of bone and calcium metabolism in postmenopausal women

Weight-bearing exercise has been shown to maintain or increase bone mass in younger as well as older individuals but the mechanisms by which mechanical loading affects bone metabolism are not known in detail. Twelve postmenopausal women participated in a single bout of brisk walking (50% of VO2 max) for 90 minuttes. Calciotropic hormones and markers of type I collagen formation (PICP) and degradation (ICTP) were measured before the exercise, and 1, 24, and 72 hours following the exercise. Total body bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Brisk walking did not induce any significant changes in the concentrations of ionized calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, or osteocalcin. A significant increase of PICP was noted 24 and 72 hours (P<0.01) after exertion and a significant decrease in the concentration of serum ICTP at 1 hour (P<0.05) was followed by an increase at 72 hours (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the increases in the concentrations of PICP and ICTP at 72 hours. Strong inverse correlations between the basal levels of PTH and BMD (r=−0.78;P<0.01) as well as between osteocalcin and BMD (r=−0.83;P<0.01) were noticed. The changes in serum levels of bone collagen markers indicate an altered bone collagen turnover due to this moderate endurance exercise. The results also support the fact that serum levels of PTH as well as those of osteocalcin are associated with total body BMD in postmenopausal women.

Changes in bone mass and serum markers of bone metabolism after parathyroidectomy

BACKGROUND Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is associated with an increased bone turnover. The simultaneous use of biochemical and bone mass measurements before and after parathyroidectomy is sparsely reported. This study was carried out to evaluate changes in bone mass and markers of bone metabolism in postmenopausal women with PHPT after parathyroidectomy. METHODS Twelve women, mean age of 63 years, were investigated. Measurements of bone mineral density (total body, spine, hip, and forearm bone mineral density) with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were performed before operation and at follow-up at a median of 23 months. Concomitantly, changes in serum intact parathyroid hormone, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP), osteocalcin, carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen, and the immunoactive carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen were recorded. RESULTS At follow-up a significant increase in bone mineral density of the spine (p < 0.05), femoral neck (p < 0.05), Wards triangle (p < 0.05), and trochanter (p < 0.01) was observed. No significant changes in the forearm were registered. Levels of parathyroid hormone, B-ALP, and osteocalcin were elevated and intercorrelated before operation. The serum levels of these parameters decreased significantly after operation. Serum levels of carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen and the immunoactive carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen did not significantly differ from a reference population, and no major changes were observed at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Bone mineral density in the spine and hip is improved after parathyroidectomy in postmenopausal women with primary hyperparathyrodism. Serum levels of B-ALP and osteocalcin are elevated in PHPT and decrease after operation. The clinical usefulness of serum markers of collagen metabolism in investigating bone metabolism in PHPT seems limited.

Effect of pneumoperitoneum induced by carbon dioxide and air on tumor load in a rat model.

Laparoscopic surgery for malignant disease is highly controversial mainly due to the large number of abdominal wall metastases being reported. Previous experimental studies have particularly studied CO2 pneumoperitoneum and its effect on tumor development. The purpose of this study was to compare CO2- and air-induced pneumoperitoneum with regard to intraperitoneal tumor growth. Altogether 39 rats were injected intraperitoneally with 105 colonic tumor cells and randomly allocated into three groups: 13 rats had a pneumoperitoneum created with CO2, 13 with air, and 13 served as controls. Tumor development was determined semiquantitatively by a peritoneal cancer index scale after 12 days. CO2 and air pneumoperitoneum equally increased intraperitoneal tumor growth compared to controls. Pneumoperitoneum induced by CO2 and air seems to increase tumor load, but the mechanisms are not established. This finding supports the hypothesis that insufflation not only by causing tumor cell movements but in fact pneumoperitoneum per se and the used gas are involved in the development of abdominal wall metastases after laparoscopic surgery.

Platelet serotonin 5‐HT2A receptor binding in patients with carcinoid tumor

Background: As carcinoid tumors produce and secrete serotonin, various serotonin markers in blood, plasma and urine have been used as diagnostic tools, and quantification of the urinary excretion of the serotonin metabolite 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) is the method most frequently used. Methods: [3H]lysergic acid diethylamide ([3H]LSD) binding to the platelet serotonin 5‐HT2A receptor was investigated in nine patients with carcinoid tumors. The possible effect of serotonin‐rich food on the receptor binding was also investigated. Results: Bmax for [3H]LSD binding was significantly lower in the carcinoid group than in the control group (mean±SD: 17.6±1.3 vs. 23.9±5.2 fmol/mg protein; p=0.007). Kd for [3H]LSD binding was significantly higher in the carcinoid group than in the control group (median: 1.14 vs. 0.71 nmol/L; p=0.03). Bmax was inversely related to the urinary 5‐HIAA excretion, but the correlation did not reach statistical significance (rs=−0.57; p=0.14). Intake of five bananas per day for one week had no effect on Bmax or Kd in healthy volunteers. Conclusions: The results are consistent with a down‐regulation of the 5‐HT2A receptor as a response to the high serotonin levels found in patients with carcinoid tumors. Intake of serotonin‐rich food does not affect the receptor characteristics. Further studies are needed to determine whether the platelet 5‐HT2A receptor status can be used as a supplement to urinary 5‐HIAA and other biochemical variables in carcinoid tumors.

Coil embolization of major bleeding after femoral fracture: A case report

Successful internal arterial embolization with steel coils in life-threatening bleeding after femoral fracture is described in an older patient.