Enio Campos Amico

Osteoclast-Like Giant Cell Tumor of the Pancreas Associated with Mucus-Secreting Adenocarcinoma

Background/Aims: The osteoclast-like giant cell tumor of the pancreas is a rare entity that closely resembles giant cell tumor of the bone, which has also been observed in many other organs. Some tumors also contain areas of ductal adenocarcinoma. Conflicting opinions exist regarding the tumor origin, whether it is mesenchymal or epithelial, neoplastic or reactive. Methods: We report the case of a 69-year-old Brazilian man with a mass in the head of the pancreas, the histological examination of which revealed a predominant component of osteoclast-like giant cells within a background of pleomorphic mononuclear cells with osteoid formation and other areas composed of conventional mucus-secreting adenocarcinoma. Results: Immunohistochemistry showed that carcinoma cells of the usual type expressed epithelial antigens (EMA and cytokeratin) and lysozyme; the giant cells expressed vimentin, CD45, CD68, and lysozyme; and the mononuclear cells expressed macrophage marker (HAM56), vimentin, and lysozyme, and only some of them expressed epithelial markers, CD45, and CD68. Conclusion: Our immunohistochemical findings reveal that the giant cells in this case are of mesenchymal origin may be from the bone marrow cells. We believe that it is important to determine the histogenesis in each case to carry out the pertinent adjuvant therapy.

Tumor sólido-cístico pseudopapilar do pâncreas (tumor de Frantz): estudo de quatro casos

BACKGROUNDnSolid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas is a rare neoplasia of pancreas, with a rate varying from 0.17%-2.7% of non-endocrine tumors of the pancreas. Recently there has been a steady increase in the number of solid-pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas, with more than two thirds of the total cases described in the last 10 years.nnnOBJECTIVEnTo evaluate four patients with Frantzs tumor in a Brazilian institution.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnFour patients with diagnosis of solid-pseudopapillary tumor were analysed in a retrospective analysis from December 2000 to February 2003, clinically and histopathologically. Therapeutical approach and prognosis were also studied.nnnRESULTSnThere were three females and one male with a median age of 27 years (range, 17-42). Dyspeptic symptoms and abdominal palpable mass represented the initial clinical findings. The main localization of the tumor was the pancreatic head (three of four cases). Enucleation was performed in one case, Whipples surgery in two cases, and distal pancreatectomy in one case. Curative resection was possible in all cases confirmed by free margins. Two cases showed venous invasion histopathologically. Immunohistochemical analysis was done in three cases to confirm the diagnosis. In an average of 15-month follow-up, no recurrence has been observed.nnnCONCLUSIONnOur casuistic showed the preference of the tumor to the head of the pancreas, controversial to literature. However, other characteristics were similar to literature reports (clinical, histopathological, immunohistochemical and therapeutics). In addition, a longer postoperative follow-up will be necessary to affirm about prognosis.

IMMEDIATE COMPLICATIONS AFTER 88 HEPATECTOMIES - BRAZILIAN CONSECUTIVE SERIES

ABSTRACT Background: Hepatectomies have been increasingly recommended and performed in Brazil; they present great differences related to immediate complications. Aim: Assessing the immediate postoperative complications in a series of 88 open liver resections. Method: Prospective database of patients subjected to consecutive hepatectomies over nine years. The post-hepatectomy complications were categorized according to the Clavien-Dindo classification; complications presenting grade equal to or greater than 3 were considered major complications. Hepatic resections involving three or more resected liver segments were considered major hepatectomies. Results: Eighty-four patients were subjected to 88 hepatectomies, mostly were minor liver resections (50 cases, 56.8%). Most patients had malignant diseases (63 cases; 71.6%). The mean hospitalization time was 10.9 days (4-43). Overall morbidity and mortality rates were 37.5% and 6.8%, respectively. The two most common immediate general complications were intra-peritoneal collections (12.5%) and pleural effusion (12.5%). Bleeding, biliary fistula and liver failure were identified in 6.8%, 4.5% and 1.1% of the cases, respectively, among the hepatectomy-specific complications. Conclusion: The patients operated in the second half of the series showed better results, which were apparently influenced by the increased surgical expertise, by the modification of the hepatic parenchyma section method and by the increased organ preservation.

Outcomes from mesenteric-portal axis resection during pancreatectomy

Background Due to their complexity and risks, mesenteric-portal axis resection and reconstruction during the pancreatectomy procedure were not recommended back in the early nineties. However, as per technical improvements and the reduction in morbidity and mortality rates, they have been routinely indicated in large medical centers. Aim To show results from cases of patients subjected to mesenteric-portal axis resection during pancreatectomy. Method Patients subjected to mesenteric-portal axis resection during pancreatectomy were prospectively and consecutively assessed. The procedure was indicated according to anatomical criteria defined by imaging exams or intraoperative assessment. Results Ten patients, half of them were male, with mean age of 55.7 years (40-76) were included. The most frequent underlying diseases were pancreatic adenocarcinoma and Frantz tumor. The circumferential resection of the portal vein associated with the superior mesenteric vein with splenic vein ligature (4 cases=40%) and the primary anastomosis of the vascular stumps (5 cases=50%) were, respectively, the most performed types of vascular resection and reconstruction. Surgery time ranged from 480 to 600 minutes (average=556 minutes) and postoperative hospitalization time ranged from 9 to 114 days (average=34.8 days). Morbidity rate was 60%, and clinical pancreatic fistula (grade B and C) was the most common complication (3 cases=30%). Mortality rate was 10% (1 case). Conclusion Mesenteric-portal axis resection is a valid technical procedure. It should be taken into account after a clinical assessment that included not only the patients clinical condition but also the technical and anatomical conditions of the mesenteric-portal axis tumor infiltration as well as life expectancy based on the patients cancer prognosis.

MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF BILE IN PATIENTS WITH BENIGN AND MALIGNANT BILIOPANCREATIC DISEASES AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

BACKGROUNDnBactibilia has several consequences to human health.nnnOBJETIVEnAssessing the bile microbiology of patients with biliopancreatic diseases in order to identify bacteria and their possible infectious complications.nnnMETHODSnRetrospective study of 30 bile culture samples from patients with benign and malignant biliopancreatic diseases. The samples were assessed to set the bile microbiological flora and to search for its possible link with comorbidity, carcinogenesis and postoperative infectious complications.nnnRESULTSnThirty bile samples from patients at mean age ≈57.7 years, mostly female (n=18), were assessed. Bactibilia was found in 12 cases, mostly in patients with benign diseases (n=8), older than 50 years (n=23) and female (n=10). Adenocarcinoma of the duodenal papilla (n=9) and cholelithiasis (n=8) were the most common diseases. Escherichia coli (n=5) and Klebsiella sp (n=3) were predominantly found in patients with benign diseases; and Klebsiella sp (n=2) and Streptococcus sp (n=2) were prevalent in cancer patients. There were postoperative infectious complications in seven cases, five of them in bactibilia-associated patients (P=0.084).nnnCONCLUSIONnBactibilia was found in 12 samples and Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp were most often identified in patients with benign diseases, as well as Streptococcus sp and Klebsiella sp in cancer patients. There was a trend of higher postoperative infectious complication incidence in patients with bactibilia.

Splenic vein graft for the reconstruction of the mesenteric-portal trunk after gastroduodenopancreatectomy

Resection of the confluence of the superior mesenteric and portal veins has been performed most frequently in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, in view of the reported positive results, but it can also be used in cases of benign pancreatic neolpasias when they are strongly adhered to the mesenteric-portal trunk. Nevertheless, there is no study on the best type of venous grafts for reconstruction of the mesenteric-portal trunk when required. The choice of graft depends on the preference of the surgeon or the institution. This technical note critically discusses the use of the splenic vein as an option for mesenteric-portal trunk reconstruction after gastroduodenopancreatectomy.

Solid-Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas: Case Series and Literature Review

The solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas is a rare disease, although since 2000, it has been often identified. The current study aims to present a 10-case series of solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas and a literature review on the topic. The cohort consisted of nine female patients and one male. The mean age in the group was 31.2 year-old. These patients underwent surgical treatment at the University Hospital between May 2007 and July 2014. Since there was a previous systematic literature review on solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas (prior to September 20 th , 2012), a complementary review was done after this period using PubMed’s data base. The search identified 225 studies on this subject, but only 13 were selected for detailed analysis, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. As a result, most of the information about the disease’s epidemiology, clinical manifestations, malignity risk factors, metastasis and relapse were gathered, however, early diagnosis remained a challenge. Radical surgical resection is established as the standard treatment protocol for the disease, it is also recommended to perform metastasectomy, vascular resections and/or resections of other compromised organs in order to ensure therapeutic success in 95% of the cases. However, a post-operative follow up of at least 5 years is required to identify the possibility of relapses. Further studies are still needed mainly to define this disease’s true prevalence among men, protocols for early diagnosis and the possible role of adjuvant therapies. Image: Intraoperative picture demonstrating a SPN in pancreatic head attached to the portal vein.

Serous Pancreatic Cystadenoma with Compression of Wirsung’s Duct

Serous cystadenoma of the pancreas is a common cystic neoplasm typically of benign evolution that rarely communicates with the pancreatic ductal system. We present several images originating from two cases of serous cystadenoma of the pancreas which led toxa0compression and dilatation of Wirsung’s duct. These cases suggest that when the diagnosis of pancreatic microcystic lesion is detected, associated, or not associated with a central fibrous scar and a low carcinoembryonic antigen level in the aspirated fluid, the presence of dilatation of Wirsung’s duct does not exclude the diagnosis of serous pancreatic cystadenoma.

DRAIN AMYLASE ON THE FIRST POSTOPERATIVE DAY OF WHIPPLE SURGERY: WHAT VALUE IS THE BEST PREDICTOR FOR EARLY DRAIN REMOVAL?

ABSTRACT Background: The value of drain amylase on the first postoperative day after pancreatic resections has been described as an efficient predictor of pancreatic fistula. In spite of this, the cut-off point below which the drains can be removed early remains controversial. Aim: Validate the use of the amylase on the 1st postoperative day in the correlation with pancreatic fistula and define the value at which early drain removal is safe. Method: Were included patients undergoing Whipple surgery in the period of 2007 to 2016. Group 1 enrolled the ones who did not develop fistula and those who developed biochemical fistula for less than seven days postoperatively and group 2 included patients who developed persistent biochemical fistula between seven and 21 days and those with grade B and C fistula. Results: Sixty-one patients were included, 41 comprised group 1 and 20 group 2. The incidence of abdominal collections, need for reoperation and time of hospitalization were for group 1 and 2, respectively: 17.1%, 17.1% and 9.5 days, and 65%, 40% and 21.1 days. The median of the amylase from the drain at 1st postoperative day was in group 1 and 2, respectively: 175 U/l and 3172.5 U/l (p=0.001). Using a cut-off of 180 to predict the group to which the patient would belong there was obtained sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 100%, 48.8%, 50% and 100% respectively. Conclusion: It was validated the cut-off value of 180 U/l as appropriate to early drain removal.

HYPERVASCULAR LIVER LESIONS IN RADIOLOGICALLY NORMAL LIVER

ABSTRACT Background: The hypervascular liver lesions represent a diagnostic challenge. Aim: To identify risk factors for cancer in patients with non-hemangiomatous hypervascular hepatic lesions in radiologically normal liver. Method: This prospective study included patients with hypervascular liver lesions in radiologically normal liver. The diagnosis was made by biopsy or was presumed on the basis of radiologic stability in follow-up period of one year. Cirrhosis or patients with typical imaging characteristics of haemangioma were excluded. Results: Eighty-eight patients were included. The average age was 42.4. The lesions were unique and were between 2-5 cm in size in most cases. Liver biopsy was performed in approximately 1/3 of cases. The lesions were benign or most likely benign in 81.8%, while cancer was diagnosed in 12.5% of cases. Univariate analysis showed that age >45 years (p< 0.001), personal history of cancer (p=0.020), presence of >3 nodules (p=0.003) and elevated alkaline phosphatase (p=0.013) were significant risk factors for cancer. Conclusion: It is safe to observe hypervascular liver lesions in normal liver in patients up to 45 years, normal alanine aminotransaminase, up to three nodules and no personal history of cancer. Lesion biopsies are safe in patients with atypical lesions and define the treatment to be established for most of these patients.