Valeriu Surlin

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts: Medium-term assessment of outcomes and complications

Objective: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage is a widely used treatment modality for pancreatic pseudocysts (PPC). However, data on the clinical outcome and complication rates are conflicting. Our study aims to evaluate the rates of technical success, treatment success and complications of EUS-guided PPC drainage in a medium-term follow-up of 45 weeks. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was conducted for 55 patients with symptomatic PPC from December 2005 to August 2010 drained by EUS. Medium-term follow-up data were obtained by searching their medical history or by telephonic interview. Results: A total of 61 procedures were performed. The symptoms that indicated drainage were abdominal pain (n = 43), vomiting (n = 7) and jaundice (n = 5). The procedure was technically successful in 57 of the 61 procedures (93%). The immediate complication rate was 5%. At a mean follow-up of 45 weeks, the treatment success was 75%. The medium term complications appeared in 25% of cases, which included three cases each of stent clogging, stent migration, infection and six cases of recurrence. There was no mortality. Conclusion: EUS-guided drainage is an effective treatment for PPC with a successful outcome in most of patients. Most of the complications require minimal invasive surgical treatment or repeated EUS-guided drainage procedures.

Imaging tests for accurate diagnosis of acute biliary pancreatitis

Gallstones represent the most frequent aetiology of acute pancreatitis in many statistics all over the world, estimated between 40%-60%. Accurate diagnosis of acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) is of outmost importance because clearance of lithiasis [gallbladder and common bile duct (CBD)] rules out recurrences. Confirmation of biliary lithiasis is done by imaging. The sensitivity of the ultrasonography (US) in the detection of gallstones is over 95% in uncomplicated cases, but in ABP, sensitivity for gallstone detection is lower, being less than 80% due to the ileus and bowel distension. Sensitivity of transabdominal ultrasonography (TUS) for choledocolithiasis varies between 50%-80%, but the specificity is high, reaching 95%. Diameter of the bile duct may be orientative for diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) seems to be a more effective tool to diagnose ABP rather than endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), which should be performed only for therapeutic purposes. As the sensitivity and specificity of computerized tomography are lower as compared to state-of-the-art magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) or EUS, especially for small stones and small diameter of CBD, the later techniques are nowadays preferred for the evaluation of ABP patients. ERCP has the highest accuracy for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis and is used as a reference standard in many studies, especially after sphincterotomy and balloon extraction of CBD stones. Laparoscopic ultrasonography is a useful tool for the intraoperative diagnosis of choledocholithiasis. Routine exploration of the CBD in cases of patients scheduled for cholecystectomy after an attack of ABP was not proven useful. A significant rate of the so-called idiopathic pancreatitis is actually caused by microlithiasis and/or biliary sludge. In conclusion, the general algorithm for CBD stone detection starts with anamnesis, serum biochemistry and then TUS, followed by EUS or MRCP. In the end, bile duct microscopic analysis may be performed by bile harvested during ERCP in case of recurrent attacks of ABP and these should be followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Incidental intraoperative discovery of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor associated with chronic pancreatitis

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are a rare entity with an incidence between 2 per million to 5 per 100 000. Association with pancreatitis (acute or chronic) is rare and is considered to be determined by the tumoral obstruction of pancreatic ducts, but sometimes occurs without any apparent relationship between them. Non-functional neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors are usually diagnosed when either very large or metastatic. Small ones are occasionally diagnosed when imagery is performed for other diagnostic reasons. Intraoperative discovery is even rarer and poses problems of differential diagnosis with other pancreatic tumors. Association with chronic pancreatitis is rare and usually due to pancreatic duct obstruction by the tumor. We describe the case of a patient with a small non-functioning neuroendocrine tumor in the pancreatic tail accidentally discovered during surgery for delayed traumatic splenic rupture associated with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis. The tumor of 1.5cm size was well differentiated and confined to the pancreas, and was resected by a distal splenopancreatectomy.ConclusionsSurgeons should be well aware of the rare possibility of a non-functional neuroendocrine tumor in the pancreas, associated with chronic pancreatitis, surgical resection being the optimal treatment for cure. Histopathology is of utmost importance to establish the correct diagnosis, grade of differentiation, malignancy and prognosis.Virtual slidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here:http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2114470176676003.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery in uterine pathology

OBJECTIVE The feasibility and safety of robotic surgery have been demonstrated by numerous comparative studies. The aim of our study was to compare several parameters related to robotic surgical procedures in uterine pathology, and to analyse clinico-biological parameters that may influence the post-operative evolution of the patients. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective analysis of 100 patients with uterine pathology who had undergone robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery at the Santa Chiara Hospital, Pisa, Italy, between 2008 and 2010. RESULTS Duration of surgery, docking, hysterectomy, uterine suture, blood loss, and days of hospitalisation significantly improved in parallel with the increasing experience of the surgical team. Paradoxically, the length of myomectomy increased in the same time interval, probably due to operating on more complex clinical cases with this procedure as the surgical teams experience grew. None of the robotic surgeries was converted to laparotomy. No intra- or post-operative complications were noted. CONCLUSION Since robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery is becoming the preferred surgical technique for uterine pathology treatment, more clinical studies and development of protocols are essential to increase the quality of surgical treatment.

Expression of Pentraxin 3 and Thrombospondin 1 in Gingival Crevicular Fluid during Wound Healing after Gingivectomy in Postorthodontic Patients

Background. Wound healing is a tissue repair process after an injury, and two of its main components are inflammation and angiogenesis, in which course a cascade of mediators is involved. The aim of this research was to evaluate the involvement of Pentraxin 3 and Thrombospondin 1 in wound healing after periodontal surgery (gingivectomy) for gingival overgrowth during orthodontic treatment with or without magnification devices, by assessing their levels in GCF. Methods. From 19 patients with gingival overgrowth as a result of fixed orthodontic treatment, the overgrown gingiva was removed by gingivectomy, from one half of the mandibular arch without magnification and from the other under magnification. Pentraxin 3 and Thrombospondin 1 were determined from gingival crevicular fluid by ELISA tests. Results. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) and correlations between levels of the two biomarkers were analyzed. Statistically significant differences were established between levels of the two biomarkers at different time points, with significant positive correlation at the point of 24 hours. Conclusions. Within the limitations of this study, the results seem to sustain the involvement of Pentraxin 3 and Thrombospondin 1 in the processes of inflammation and angiogenesis in wound healing of patients with postorthodontic gingivectomy. The dynamics of Pentraxin 3 and Thrombospondin 1 levels could suggest a reduced inflammation and a faster angiogenesis using microsurgery.

Tu1961 Evaluation of Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells Expression Using Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy and Molecular Biology Techniques

masses (EUS 23.3%, MRI 10.0%, CT 10.0%), side branch dilations (EUS 4.1%, MRI 0.0%, CT 0.0% ), parenchymal abnormalities (EUS 15.1%, MRI 6.3%, CT 1.1% ), and PD abnormalities (EUS 4.1%, MRI 0.0%, CT 1.1% ). Patients that had positive screening had a higher median age (57 vs 49), smoking history (30.6 vs 16.9%), and alcohol usage (50 vs 35.2%) than patients without abnormalities. Among HRI subgroups, more patients with initial pancreatic abnormalities on screening came from the Familial PC group (38.9 vs 16.9%). On the first follow-up imaging examination, EUS had greater accuracy at detecting all lesion types compared to MRI and CT (EUS 31.8%, MRI 8.0%, CT 4.3%), and all lesion sub-types that included cystic masses (EUS 18.2%, MRI 8.0%, CT 4.3%), side branch dilations (EUS 10.4%, MRI 0%, CT 0%), PD abnormalities (EUS 10.4%, MRI 0%, CT 0%), and other lesions (EUS 10.4%, MRI 0%, CT 0%). With regards to HRI characteristics, they also tended to be from the Familial PC HRI subgroup than other HRI groups (36.3% vs 28.8%). Conclusion: EUS appears to have a higher diagnostic yield compared to CT and MRI at detecting cystic masses, side branch dilations, parenchymal and PD abnormalities on initial screening and all pancreatic abnormalities on follow-up.