Mandeep Kang

Predictors of Surgery in Patients With Severe Acute Pancreatitis Managed by the Step-Up Approach.

Background:Initial management of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is conservative. As a step-up approach, percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) with saline irrigation is reported to be effective. Factors leading to surgery are unclear. Methods:In this ongoing prospective study, 70 consecutive patients with SAP were recruited. As a step-up approach, all patients initially received medical management and later underwent PCD and surgery as per the indication. Results:Of the 70 consecutive patients with SAP, 14 were managed medically, 29 managed with PCD alone, whereas 27 required surgery after initial PCD. Sepsis reversal was achieved with PCD alone in 62.5%. The curative efficacy of PCD alone was in 27 patients (48%). Overall mortality in the whole group was 24%. On univariate analysis, factors significantly affecting surgical intervention included initial acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score, APACHE II score at first intervention, sepsis reversal by PCD within a week, number of organs failed, organ failure within a week of the onset of disease, number of bacteria isolated per patient, renal failure, respiratory failure, Escherichia coli, computerized tomography severity index score at admission, parenteral nutrition requirement before or after radiological intervention, maximum extent of necrosis of more than 50% of the pancreas, and extrapancreatic necrosis. On multivariate analysis, renal failure (P = –0.03), APACHE II score at first intervention (P = –0.006), and the number of bacteria isolated per patient (P = –0.01) remained independent predictors of surgery. An APACHE II score of more than 7.5 at first intervention (PCD) had the ability to predict surgery with a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 69%. Conclusions:PCD reversed sepsis in 62% and avoided surgery in 48% of the patients. Reversal of sepsis within a week of PCD, APACHE II score at first intervention (PCD), and organ failure within a week of the onset of disease could predict the need for surgery in the early course of disease.

Image-guided percutaneous drainage of thoracic empyema: Can sonography predict the outcome?

Abstract. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of image-guided percutaneous catheter drainage (IGPCD) of thoracic empyemas, and to correlate the outcome of IGPCD with the pre-procedural sonographic appearance. One hundred three patients (74 males and 29 females) with thoracic empyema (age range 1 month to 70 years, median age 28 years) underwent IGPCD. In 63 (61.17 %) patients, IGPCD was the primary treatment modality; in 40 (38.84 %) patients it was used after unsuccessful intercostal chest tube drainage (ICTD). Ultrasound was the main modality used for guidance; CT guidance was used in only 7 patients (6.8 %). Eight- to 12-F pigtail catheters or 10- to 14-F Malecot catheters were used. The outcome was correlated with the pre-procedural US appearance (anechoic, complex non-septated or complex septated) of the empyema. The IGPCD technique was successful in 80 of 102 patients. Based on the US appearance, IGPCD was successful in 12 of 13 (92.3 %) patients with anechoic empyemas; 53 of 65 (81.54 %) patients with complex non-septated empyemas, and in 15 of 24 (62.5 %) patients with complex septated empyemas. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) was seen in the outcome of IGPCD in the three categories. Twenty-two patients required further treatment: ICTD (n = 9; 2 of them later also underwent surgery); and surgery (n = 15). The duration of catheter drainage ranged from 2–60 days. No major complications were encountered. Percutaneous catheter drainage of thoracic empyemas with imaging guidance ensures accurate catheter placement with a high success and a low complication rate. Pre-procedural US can predict the likelihood of success of IGPCD.

CT-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of spinal lesions.

Purpose: A retrospective study of CT-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) of spinal lesions performed over a period of 6 years was carried out with the aim of assessing the safety and efficacy of the procedure and to analyse the various approaches used. Material and Methods: Ninety-three FNABs were performed in 87 patients, 4–70 years of age, under CT guidance. Lytic or mixed vertebral lesions with or without a paraspinal soft tissue component were included in the study. the approach depended on the anatomic region and part of the vertebra involved. Results: A definite cytological diagnosis was obtained in 77 patients (88.5%); of these, 47 patients had benign lesions and 30 patients had neoplasms. the most common pathologies encountered were tuberculosis (n=33) and metastases (n=17). There were 10 inconclusive FNABs; these showed blood only, necrotic material or scanty material insufficient for diagnosis. There were no procedure-related complications. Conclusion: CT-guided FNAB is a safe and effective technique for the evaluation of spinal lesions and is helpful in planning therapy. Choosing the appropriate approach results in a low complication rate.

Role of multidetector CT angiography in the evaluation of suspected mesenteric ischemia

OBJECTIVE To assess the role of multidetector CT angiography (MDCTA) in the diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) and to compare the diagnostic utility of axial images with reconstructed images. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this Institute Review Board approved prospective study, MDCTA was performed on 31 patients who presented with the clinical suspicion of AMI (25M; 6F, age range: 16-73 years). Axial and reconstructed images of each patient were evaluated independently by two radiologists for evidence of bowel wall thickening, abnormal mucosal enhancement, bowel dilatation or obstruction, mesenteric stranding, ascites, solid organ infarcts, pneumatosis intestinalis or porto-mesenteric gas, and mesenteric arterial or venous occlusion. MDCT findings were correlated with the surgical findings and clinical outcome. Patients were later divided into two groups: a study group of patients with proven AMI and a control group of patients with an alternate diagnosis, for the purpose of statistical analysis. RESULTS AMI was correctly diagnosed in all 16 patients on MDCTA (100% sensitivity and specificity) of whom nine patients underwent surgical exploration. Three patients expired before surgery and the remaining 5 patients were proven based on positive clinical and laboratory findings. Mesenteric arterial occlusion was seen in 7 patients while 5 patients had portomesenteric venous thrombosis. Reconstructed images using minimum intensity projection, volume rendering and multiplanar volume reconstruction were found to perform better for the detection of vascular abnormalities and improved the diagnostic confidence of both radiologists in the evaluation of bowel and mesenteric abnormalities. CONCLUSION MDCTA is an effective non-invasive modality for the diagnosis of mesenteric ischemia.

Multidetector CT angiography in pulmonary sequestration

Purpose: To evaluate the role of multidetector CT angiography in the diagnosis and preoperative assessment of pulmonary sequestration with angiographic or surgical correlation. Methods: Eight patients (5 males, 3 females) in the age range of 2 days to 35 years suspected of having pulmonary sequestration on the basis of clinical history and chest radiographs were included in the study. All patients underwent CT angiography (4 or 16 slice) and MPVR, MIP and 3D volume rendered images were generated. The axial images were also reviewed at soft tissue and lung window settings to evaluate the parenchymal changes. Results: CT angiography showed five pulmonary sequestrations on the left and three on the right, located in the basal segments (n = 7) or paravertebral region (n = 1). Aberrant systemic arterial supply was demonstrated in all cases: from the descending thoracic aorta (n = 2); abdominal aorta (n = 3) and celiac axis (n = 3). Venous drainage into inferior pulmonary veins was demonstrated in 4 patients. The angioarchitecture depicted on CT angiography was confirmed on surgery in five patients and by DSA in two patients who subsequently underwent embolization using PVA particles and/or coils. Conclusion: The ability of CT angiography to simultaneously image the arterial supply, venous drainage and parenchymal changes in a single examination makes it the imaging modality of choice for the diagnosis and preoperative assessment of pulmonary sequestration.

Ilio-psoas abscess in the paediatric population : treatment by US-guided percutaneous drainage

Background. Image-guided percutaneous drainage has been shown to be a safe and effective alternative to surgery in the management of psoas abscess in adults and adolescents. There is little information on its use in children. Objective. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of US-guided percutaneous needle aspiration and catheter drainage of ilio-psoas abscesses. Materials and methods. A retrospective review of 14 children with 16 ilio-psoas abscesses (10 pyogenic and 4 tuberculous) who were treated by US-guided percutaneous needle aspiration (n = 5) or catheter drainage (n = 9) along with appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Results. Percutaneous treatment was successful in 10 of the 14 patients; all showed clinical improvement within 24–48 h of drainage and subsequent imaging demonstrated resolution of the abscess cavities. Surgery was avoided in all of these ten patients except one, who underwent open surgical drainage of ipsilateral hip joint pus. Of the other four patients, two had to undergo surgical drainage of the ilio-psoas abscesses after failure of percutaneous treatment, one improved with antibiotics after needle aspiration failed to yield any pus, and one died of continuing staphylococcal septicaemia within 24 h of the procedure. There were no procedural complications. Conclusions. Percutaneous drainage represents an effective alternative to surgical drainage as a supplement to medical therapy in the management of children with ilio-psoas abscesses.

Endoscopic transpapillary drainage for external fistulas developing after surgical or radiological pancreatic interventions.

Background and Aims:  External pancreatic fistulas (EPFs) are a therapeutic challenge. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic transpapillary nasopancreatic drainage (NPD) in patients with EPF.

Endoscopic Management of Pancreatic Injury Due to Abdominal Trauma

Context There is limited experience with pancreatic endotherapy in patients with pancreatic injury due to trauma. Objective To retrospectively evaluate our experience of endoscopic management of pancreatic trauma. Patients Eleven patients (10 males and 1 female; mean age: 21.8±11.9 years) with pancreatic trauma. Intervention Endoscopic therapy. Patients with pseudocyst and a gastroduodenal bulge were treated with endoscopic transmural drainage. Pseudocysts without bulge or patients with external pancreatic fistula were treated with transpapillary drainage. Results Seven patients (6 males, 1 female) were treated for symptomatic pseudocyst and 4 patients (all males) were treated for persistent external pancreatic fistula. Three patients with external pancreatic fistula had partial disruption of pancreatic duct (head: 2 cases; tail: 1 case) and were successfully treated with bridging pancreatic stent (2 cases) or bridging nasopancreatic drain (1 case) with resolution of external pancreatic fistula in 4 to 6 weeks. Of seven patients presenting with symptomatic pseudocyst (size range: 4-14 cm), two patients were successfully treated with cystogastrostomy and there has been no recurrence over a follow up of 20 and 16 months, respectively. Five patients underwent transpapillary drainage. Three patients had partial disruption and two had complete disruption. In the former, a bridging nasopancreatic drain was placed in one patient and stent in two patients. All three patients had resolution of pseudocyst within 8 weeks and there has been no recurrence over a follow-up of 11 to 70 months. In two patients with complete disruption, non-bridging stent did not resolve the pseudocysts and required surgery. Conclusion Pancreatic injury due to trauma can be effectively treated endoscopically.

MDCT venography in the evaluation of inferior vena cava in Budd-Chiari syndrome

ObjectiveTo assess the role of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) venography in the evaluation of the inferior vena cava (IVC) in Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), its accuracy as compared to digital subtraction venography (DSV) and the potential of this technique to replace venography for the definitive diagnosis of BCS.MethodsTwenty-five suspected cases of BCS were prospectively enrolled in this study and underwent both MDCT venography and DSV. Two observers independently evaluated and graded both the axial and reformatted MDCT images for the presence, site, degree and length of IVC narrowing. The collateral pathways and the hepatic veins were also assessed in all cases. The degree of correlation between MDCT venography and DSV was expressed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (Rs).ResultsThere was excellent correlation between MDCT venography and DSV in predicting the presence of stenosis and in grading the degree and length of IVC stenosis (Rs=0.58, p<0.05). Four patients had presence of a web within the IVC and the reconstructed MDCT venography images detected the flap of the membrane in all of them. In three cases of complete obstruction the cranial extent of the obstruction could be determined on the reconstructed MDCT venography images, while double catheter access through the femoral and jugular routes was needed to determine the same on DSV. MDCT venography was significantly more informative in depicting the presence and site of both intrahepatic and extrahepatic collaterals as compared to DSV.ConclusionMDCT venography, in the present study, accurately provided information of both conventional CT and IVCgraphy, in the evaluation of the IVC in a non-invasive way. It helped overcome the shortcomings of CT in the evaluation of IVC and was better than DSV for the evaluation of collaterals, calcification and complete IVC obstruction. We suggest that CT venography can be used as a frontline investigation for the diagnosis of IVC obstruction and for planning surgery or percutaneous endovascular intervention.

Clinical, biochemical, and radiologic parameters at admission predicting formation of a pseudocyst in acute pancreatitis.

Goals To evaluate clinical, biochemical, and radiologic parameters at admission, which predict the development of acute pseudocyst (AP) after acute pancreatitis. Background There is limited data on factors that predict the development of AP. Study Seventy-five consecutive patients with AP were prospectively enrolled and subjected to clinical, laboratory, and radiologic investigation. The patients were followed up for a period of 4 weeks and then investigated radiologically for the development of AP. Results After exclusion, 65 patients (44 males) were studied. The median age was 37 years (40.9±15.5 y). Etiology of acute pancreatitis was alcohol in 24 patients, gallstones in 18, both in 4, drugs in 4, pancreas divisum in 2, postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 1, trauma in 1, and idiopathic in 11 patients. On admission, acute fluid collections were observed in 34 (52.31%) patients. Necrosis was noted in 38 (58.46%) patients (<30% necrosis, 30% to 50% necrosis, and >50% necrosis was observed in 36.8%, 26.3%, and 36.8% patients, respectively). On follow-up, 34 (52.3%) patients developed a pseudocyst. On univariate analysis, the factors significantly associated with pseudocyst formation were male sex, palpable mass, blood sugar greater than 150 mg/dL, necrosis, sepsis, acute fluid collections, presence of ascites, pleural effusion, a high grade of pancreatitis, and a high computed tomography severity index (CTSI) score. Multivariate regression analysis showed that male sex, presence of a palpable abdominal mass, ascites, and a high CTSI score were associated with the development of AP. Conclusions Male sex, palpable mass, ascites, and a high CTSI score at admission can predict the development of a pseudocyst after an attack of acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis patients with these parameters at admission should be closely followed for the development of a pseudocyst.