Pancreaticobiliary reflux in patients with and without cholelithiasis: is it a normal phenomenon?

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticobiliary reflux is a pathologic phenomenon occurring in patients with gallstones. However, the occurrence of pancreaticobiliary reflux has not been studied in patients without gallstones. The objective of the present study was to measure the bile levels of amylase and lipase in patients without gallstones submitted to cholecystectomy as part of another surgical procedure, and to compare these values with the bile levels of amylase and lipase of patients submitted to cholecystectomy for gallstone disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective observational and comparative study was designed. A sample of 136 consecutive patients was included. Amylase and lipase levels were measured in bile. At our institution, normal plasma concentrations of amylase are 28-100 IU/l and lipase 13-60 IU/l. Normal values for pancreatic enzyme concentrations in bile have not been established. Therefore, bile amylase and lipase concentrations exceeding normal plasma concentrations were deemed to be elevated. RESULTS: Of the patients in the present study, 103 (76%) had gallstones and 33 (24%) had healthy gallbladders without gallstones. According to normal plasma levels for amylase and lipase, these enzymes in bile were elevated in 83.5% patients with gallstones, compared to elevated levels of amylase in 6% patients and lipase in 3% patients without gallstones (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Pancreaticobiliary reflux is a common phenomenon in patients with gallstones and an uncommon phenomenon in patients with healthy gallbladders without gallstone disease.

Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) incidentally found and resected during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

The incidence of incidental pathology found during laparoscopic bariatric surgery has been estimated to be around 2%, and gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) have been found in 0.8% of patients, constituting a rather uncommon finding. Safe laparoscopic resection of gastric GISTs is an established procedure and has been described associated to gastric Roux-en-Y bypass for morbid obesity. We discuss one case of a gastric GIST incidentally discovered during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity. The procedure was performed via laparoscopy, and the patient recovered without any complication. Currently, the patient has lost weight according to what was expected, is asymptomatic, and free of disease.

[Adenocarcinoma and intestinal duplication of the ileum. Report of one case]. / Adenocarcinoma en duplicación intestinal del íleon: Caso clínico.

Gastrointestinal duplications are uncommon developmental abnormalities that occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract. We report a 36 year-old female admitted to the emergency room due to abdominal pain. Computed abdominal tomography demonstrated small bowel loops surrounding a tubular cystic structure and peritoneal free fluid. The surgical exploration revealed multiple malignant implants covering the visceral and parietal peritoneum and infiltrating completely the omentum. At the ileal mesentery we found a tubular cystic whitish tumor measuring 12 cm of diameter and 15 cm on length. A complete resection of the tumor was not considered an option due to the extensive peritoneal dissemination. Thirty-four days after the operation the patient died. The histopathology of the cystic wall was compatible with the architecture of intestinal wall extensively infiltrated by a moderately differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma; a mucosal lining in parts atrophic and in parts infiltrated or replaced by adenocarcinoma was observed. A well structured muscular layer was recognized, and the myenteric plexus was identified.

[Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1. Report of one case]. / Tumor del estroma gastrointestinal (GIST) en una paciente con neurofibromatosis tipo 1.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is an autosomic dominant condition affecting the central nervous system and presenting a disposition towards development of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). We report a 38 year-old female patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 that required emergency surgery due to a perforated GIST originating in the fourth duodenal portion. The GIST, and the fourth duodenal portion, were excised and a primary duodenum-jejunal anastomosis was performed. The pathological study showed a partially necrotic solid-cystic tumor with 1 to 2 mitoses per 50-high-power fields. The cells stained positively to CD 117, CD34 and Desmin, and were negative to S-100, Vimentin, and Smooth Muscle a-Actin. The patient is currently asymptomatic and under follow-up during the last 11 months after surgery.

Linfangioma esplénico gigante: Caso clínico / Gigantic cystic splenic lymphangioma: Report of one case

Splenic lymphangiomas are benign primary simple or multiple tumors. They are incidentally diagnosed in children and people younger than 20 year-old. We report a 26-year-old female presenting with a history of five months of abdominal pain localized over the left upper hemi abdomen. A computed tomographic abdominal scan demonstrated a cystic tumor of 16 cm diameter originating from the spleen. Hydatic serology was negative and all blood tests were normal. At surgery, a spienic cyst was found and almost all the cystic wall was excised, leaving only a small portion attached to the spleen. The pathological report described spienic parenchyma with endothelial lining over the internal side of the cyst. Immunohystochemical stains of the endothelial cells were positive for VIII Factor and D2-40 that are specific for lymphatic endothelium, yielding the final diagnosis of a cystic spienic lymphangioma.

Adenocarcinoma en duplicación intestinal del íleon: Caso clínico / Adenocarcinoma and intestinal duplication of the ileum: Report of one case

Gastrointestinal duplications are uncommon developmental abnormalities that occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract. We report a 36 year-old female admitted to the emergency room due to abdominal pain. Computed abdominal tomography demonstrated small bowel ¡oops surrounding a tubular cystic structure and peritoneal free fluid. The surgical exploration revealed multiple malignant implants covering the visceral and parietal peritoneum and infiltrating completely the omentum. At the Heal mesentery we found a tubular cystic whitish tumor measuring 12 cm of diameter and 15 cm on length. A complete resection of the tumor was not considered an option due to the extensive peritoneal dissemination. Thirty-four days after the operation the patient died. The histopathology of the cystic wall was compatible with the architecture of intestinal wall extensively infiltrated by a moderately differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma; a mucosal lining in parts atrophic and in parts infiltrated or replaced by adenocarcinoma was observed. A well structured muscular layer was recognized, and the myenteric plexus was identified.

Tumor del estroma gastrointestinal (GIST) en una paciente con neurofibromatosis tipo 1 / Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1. Report of one case

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is an autosomic dominant condition affecting the central nervous systema and presenting a disposition towards development of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). We report a 38year-old female patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 that required emergency surgery due to a perforated GIST originating in the fourth duodenal portion. The GIST, and the fourth duodenal portion, were excised and a primary duodenum-jejunal anastomosis was performed. The pathological study showed a partially necrotic solid-cystic tumor with 1 to 2 mitoses per 50-high-power fields. The cells stained positively to CD 117, CD34 and Desmin, and were negative to S-100, Vimentin, and Smooth Muscle a-Actin. The patient is currently asymptomatic and under follow-up during the last 11 months after surgery (Rev Méd Chile 2009; 137:1197-200).

Is hyperbilirubinaemia in appendicitis a better predictor of perforation than C-reactive protein? - a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To compare the performance for the prediction of perforated appendicitis of total bilirubin versus C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count, the time period of symptoms' evolution, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). METHODS: Prospective observational study, applying receiver operating characteristics curve analysis to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the tested variables. RESULTS: The period of symptom's evolution was prolonged (105.2 ± 79.3 hours vs. 38.6 ± 17.5 hours), and CRP levels were higher in perforated appendicitis (176 ± 82.6 mg/l vs. 80 ± 76 mg/l). Most patients with perforated appendicitis had a SIRS score higher than 3 points. CRP (>76.7 mg/l), the time period of symptoms' evolution (>34.5 hours), and SIRS (3 points or more), were the best cutoff values to predict perforated appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS: Perforated appendicitis may be suspected based on CRP, SIRS and the time period of symptoms' evolution. We do not recommend the use of total bilirubin to predict perforation in appendicitis.

[Gigantic cystic splenic lymphangioma. Report of one case]. / Linfangioma esplénico gigante. Caso clínico.

Splenic lymphangiomas are benign primary simple or multiple tumors. They are incidentally diagnosed in children and people younger than 20 year-old. We report a 26-year-old female presenting with a history of five months of abdominal pain localized over the left upper hemi abdomen. A computed tomographic abdominal scan demonstrated a cystic tumor of 16 cm diameter originating from the spleen. Hydatic serology was negative and all blood tests were normal. At surgery, a spienic cyst was found and almost all the cystic wall was excised, leaving only a small portion attached to the spleen. The pathological report described spienic parenchyma with endothelial lining over the internal side of the cyst. Immunohystochemical stains of the endothelial cells were positive for VIII Factor and D2-40 that are specific for lymphatic endothelium, yielding the final diagnosis of a cystic spienic lymphangioma.

The relationship of Mirizzi syndrome and cholecystoenteric fistula: validation of a modified classification.

BACKGROUND: Mirizzi syndrome and cholecystoenteric fistula with or without gallstone ileus are late complications of gallstone disease. We previously suggested that the natural history of Mirizzi syndrome may not end with just a cholecystobiliary fistula and that the continuous inflammation in the triangle of Calot area may result in a complex fistula involving the biliary tract and the adjacent viscera. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship of Mirizzi syndrome with cholecystoenteric fistulas. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients older than aged 18 years submitted to emergency or elective cholecystectomy from 1995 to 2006. Of 5,673 cholecystectomies performed during that period, we found 327 (5.7%) patients with Mirizzi syndrome and 105 (1.8%) patients with cholecystoenteric fistula. Ninety-four (89.5%) patients with cholecystoenteric fistula also had an associated Mirizzi syndrome. RESULTS: Cholecystoenteric fistula was associated with Mirizzi syndrome (p < 0.0001), increased age was associated with Mirizzi syndrome and cholecystoenteric fistula (p < 0.0001), and female gender was associated with Mirizzi syndrome (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: When during surgery for gallstone disease a cholecystoenteric fistula is encountered, the possibility of an associated Mirizzi syndrome must be considered. The findings of this study confirm the association of Mirizzi syndrome with cholecystoenteric fistula.

Incisional hernia after McBurney incision: retrospective case-control study of risk factors and surgical treatment.

BACKGROUND: Few reports have dealt with incisional hernias originating at a McBurney incision after appendectomy. The purpose of the present study was to identify risk factors for development of incisional hernia at a McBurney incision, and to describe our experience with the treatment of this kind of hernia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 4,862 files of patients older than 15 years of age operated on for acute appendicitis. Some 4,523 (93%) of that group were operated on through a McBurney incision, and 34 (0.7%) of them developed incisional hernia. To identify risk factors for development of incisional hernia we used binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The following risk factors were identified: female gender (p = 0.011), diabetes (p < 0.0001), peritonitis, abscess or phlegmon as the cause of the first operation (p = 0.009), wound infection (p = 0.034), seroma (p = 0.023), the use of catgut to suture the aponeurosis (p < 0.0001), and interrupted suture to the aponeurotic layer (p = 0.046). Twenty-two hernias were repaired with Mayo-herniorrhaphy and 12 with a subaponeurotic polypropylene prosthesis. Recurrences developed in 3 patients, none in hernias repaired with prosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of incisional hernia after a McBurney incision for acute appendicitis was very low; we recommend the repair of this uncommon incisional hernia with current standard tension-free prosthetic techniques.

Coristoma pancreático en la vesícula biliar: Reporte de dos casos / Pancreatic choristoma in the gallbladder: Report of two cases

Pancreatic choristoma is the ocurrence of normal pancreatic tissue in an abnormal location without any anatomic continuity with the main body of the gland. Although heterotopia is uncommon in the gallbladder and biliary tract, anecdotic cases of gastric mucosa, liver, adrenal gland and pancreas among other tissues have been described. We report an eight year-old male and a 22 year-old female, electively operated for symptomatic cholelithiasis. On pathology, a nodule identified as a pancreatic endocrine and exocrine choristoma, was found in the gallbladder wall of both patients. We employed immunohistochemistry to characterize this choristoma. Tubular and epithelial structures were immunoreactive to cytokeratins 7, 8, 18, 19 and 20 and to CA19-9. Exocrine activity was documented by immunoreactivity to al-antitrypsin and al-chemotrypsin. Other immunohistochemical markers such as insulin and somatostatin were positive identifying endocrine activity.

Predictive value of white blood cell count and C-reactive protein in children with appendicitis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Few studies have addressed the predictive value of white blood cells (WBCs) and C-reactive protein (CRP) at different cutoff values in appendicitis. Our purpose was to determine the cutoff values for WBC and CRP at different periods during clinical evolution of appendicitis and to establish their use for the diagnosis of appendicitis and differentiation of simple from perforated appendicitis. METHODS: We studied 198 patients operated on for appendicitis, which were further divided into 4 subgroups according to the time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed for CRP and WBC; the best cutoff points were used to calculate the sensitivity and specificity to discriminate patients with and without appendicitis and patients with simple and perforated appendicitis. RESULTS: White blood cell and CRP individually and together had a high sensitivity to differentiate patients with and without appendicitis. The specificity of WBC and CRP taken individually and together to differentiate patients with simple and perforated appendicitis was high, but the sensitivity was low. CONCLUSIONS: White blood cell and CRP could be used to support the clinical diagnosis of appendicitis, and, depending on the time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis, to differentiate patients with and without appendicitis and discriminate simple from perforated appendicitis.

Coristoma hepático en la pared de la vesícula biliar: report of one case / Hepatic choristoma in the gallbladder wall

El tejido hepático heterotópico es una condición poco común que se identifica con mayor frecuencia durante la exploración quirúrgica del abdomen por otras indicaciones. Describimos un caso de tejido hepático heterotópico localizado en la pared externa de la vesícula biliar de un paciente masculino de 47 años de edad, en el cual se realizó una colecistectomía laparoscópica porcolelitiasis sintomática. El reporte histopatológico informa de cambios crónicos en la pared vesicular y leve infiltrado linfocitario difuso en el corion de la mucosa y muscularis mucosae sin compromiso inflamatorio o infiltración por otros tejidos. El nodulo hepático compromete solo la serosa y mide 12x8x6 mm, la arquitectura es típica del parénquima hepático con su arquitectura lobulillar conservada y leve hiperemia centrolobulillar difusa. Aún cuando el coristoma hepático de nuestro paciente constituye un hallazgo inesperado, es importante destacar las implicaciones patológicas de este tejido y el potencial de malignidad asociado al mismo.

Primary tumors of jejunum and ileum as a cause of intestinal obstruction: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Small-bowel tumors are rare and account for 1-2% of all gastrointestinal neoplasms. Most of these tumors are found at surgery indicated for other diagnosis or intestinal obstruction. The rarity, unclear presentation and diagnostic difficulty of these tumors stimulated our interest to review our experience with emergency surgery for intestinal obstruction secondary to jejunoileal tumors. METHODS: We reviewed 17 patients operated on for intestinal obstruction secondary to benign and malignant primary tumors of jejunum and ileum at our institution the last 10 years. RESULTS: The series comprised 8 male and 9 female patients, most of them younger than 49 years of age. The most frequent tumors found were GIST (36%) followed by lymphomas (24%) and adenocarcinomas (18%). Most tumors (65%) were located in the ileum. Mean survival for patients with malignant tumors was 19.5+/-13 months, and for patients with benign tumors 72+/-20 months (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Jejunoileal tumors present frequently in patients younger than 49 years of age. Ileal tumors are more likely to develop intestinal obstruction than jejunal tumors. Emergency surgery for these patients precludes a complete and negative margin resection and constitutes a risk factor for residual disease and short-term survival.

Are the outcomes of emergency Lichtenstein hernioplasty similar to the outcomes of elective Lichtenstein hernioplasty?

BACKGROUND: The safe use of polypropylene prosthesis for the repair of complicated inguinal hernias has been established even when small bowel resection was required. Few reports have completely addressed this subject; none have compared the outcomes of emergency and elective Lichtenstein hernioplasty. METHODS: From January 2001 to December 2003, 343 patients were electively operated for inguinal hernia and 62 for complicated inguinal hernia. A follow-up period of 17-57 months using the Quantitative and Qualitative Measurement Instrument for evaluation of Lichtenstein hernioplasty outcomes (QQMI) was completed for 48 emergency patients and 326 elective patients. RESULTS: The mean QQMI score showed that most patients felt that the outcomes of their surgery were very good or excellent. Mean QQMI score for elective surgery was 10.1 and 9.5 for emergency surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of emergency Lichtenstein hernioplasty were inferior to the outcomes of elective Lichtenstein hernioplasty.

Occult pancreaticobiliary reflux in gallbladder cancer and benign gallbladder diseases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It was proposed that occult pancreaticobiliary reflux (OPBR) was associated with precancerous mucosal changes in the gallbladder, hence the importance of this disorder. There are no published reports investigating the incidence of OPBR in patients operated on for the entire spectrum of benign gallbladder diseases and gallbladder cancer. Our aim was to determine the incidence of OPBR and measure the levels of active pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase) in gallbladder bile of patients undergoing cholecystectomy for benign and malignant gallbladder diseases. METHODS: One hundred eight patients with normal pancreaticobiliary junction evidenced by operative cholangiography were included in the study. RESULTS: According to gallbladder bile amylase and lipase levels, 84.2% and 89% patients respectively had OPBR. OPBR was present in all gallbladder cancer patients; in these patients the biliary levels of amylase and lipase were significantly higher than the levels found in patients with benign gallbladder pathology (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: OPBR could lead to inflammatory changes of the biliary epithelium and progress towards the development of precancerous mucosal changes and gallbladder cancer. The reason why such high levels of pancreatic enzymes are regurgitated into the biliary tree of patients with gallbladder cancer should be clarified.

Rol del recuento de leucocitos y de la proteína C reactiva en niños con apendicitis / White blood cell count and C reactive protein for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children

Introducción. Pocos estudios han evaluado el valor predictivo del recuento de leucocitos (RL) y de la proteína C reactiva (PCR) en diferentes puntos de corte en niños con apendicitis. El objetivo de este estudio es el de determinar los puntos de corte para RL y PCR en diferentes periodos de tiempo dentro de la evolución clínica de la apendicitis y establecer su utilidad en el diagnóstico de apendicitis y en la diferenciación entre apendicitis simple y perforada. Material y Método. Estudiamos 198 pacientes operados por apendicitis, dividiéndolos en 4 grupos de acuerdo al periodo de tiempo entre el inicio de los síntomas hasta el diagnóstico. Se construyeron curvas ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) para evaluar los valores de RL y PCR, los mejores puntos de corte fueron utilizados en el cálculo de la sensibilidad, especificidad y exactitud diagnóstica de estos exámenes para discriminar entre pacientes con y sin apendicitis y entre pacientes con apendicitis simple y perforada. Resultados. El RL y la PCR individualmente y asociadas, tienen una elevada sensibilidad para diferenciar entre pacientes con y sin apendicitis. La especificidad del RL y la PCR individualmente y asociadas para diferenciar entre pacientes con apendicitis simple y perforada es elevada pero la sensibilidad es baja. Conclusiones. El RL y la PCR pueden utilizarse para apoyar el diagnóstico clínico de apendicitis y dependiendo del tiempo entre el inicio de los síntomas y el diagnóstico, diferenciar pacientes con y sin apendicitis y discriminar entre apendicitis simple y perforada.

Background: White blood cell count (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) at different cutoff values may have a predictive value for the diagnosis of appendicitis in children. Aim: To determine the value of WBC and CRP for the diagnosis of appendicitis and for the differentiation of simple from perforated appendicitis. Material and Methods: We studied 198 patients (aged 2 to 14 years, 96 males) operated for appendicitis divided in 4 groups according to the lapse between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis (12 hours or less, 13 to 24 hours, 25 to 48 hours and more than 48 hours). The gold standard for the diagnosis was the pathological study of the surgical piece. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed for CRP and WBC; the best cutoff points were used to calculate the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy to discriminate patients with and without appendicitis, and patients with simple and perforated appendicitis. Results: At a cut off point ranging from 14600 to 15400 cells/mm³, the sensitivity and specificity of WBC to differentiate children with an without appendicitis ranged from 0.9 to 1 and from 0.2 to 0.4 respectively, in the different groups of children studied. The sensitivity and specificity for CRP, at a cut off point ranging from 4.7 and 9.8 mg/dl, ranged 0.9 to 1 and from 0.2 to 0.4 mg/dl respectively, in the different groups. Sensitivity and specificity values did not change significantly when both WBC count and PCR were considered together. The specificity of WBC and CRP, individually or together, to differentiate patients with simple and perforated appendicitis is high but the sensitivity is low. Conclusions: WBC and CRP have a good sensitivity but a low specificity for the diagnosis of appendicitis. For the differentiation between simple and perforated appendicitis, these laboratory values have a high specificity but a low sensitivity.

[Pancreatic choristoma in the gallbladder: report of two cases]. / Coristoma pancreático en la vesícula biliar: reporte de dos casos.

Pancreatic choristoma is the occurrence of normal pancreatic tissue in an abnormal location without any anatomic continuity with the main body of the gland. Although heterotopia is uncommon in the gallbladder and biliary tract, anecdotic cases of gastric mucosa, liver, adrenal gland and pancreas among other tissues have been described. We report an eight year-old male and a 22 year-old female, electively operated for symptomatic cholelithiasis. On pathology, a nodule identified as a pancreatic endocrine and exocrine choristoma, was found in the gallbladder wall of both patients. We employed immunohistochemistry to characterize this choristoma. Tubular and epithelial structures were immunoreactive to cytokeratins 7, 8, 18, 19 and 20 and to CA19-9. Exocrine activity was documented by immunoreactivity to al-antitrypsin and al-chemotrypsin. Other immunohistochemical markers such as insulin and somatostatin were positive identifying endocrine activity.

Outcomes of Lichtenstein hernioplasty for primary and recurrent inguinal hernia.

INTRODUCTION: The Lichtenstein hernioplasty for the repair of primary inguinal hernia in male patients is well established and constitutes the current gold standard. However a gold standard technique for the repair of recurrent inguinal hernia has not been established. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of Lichtenstein hernioplasty for the repair of primary inguinal hernia and recurrent inguinal hernia, applying for that purpose the Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement Instrument (QQMI). METHODS: We studied 75 recurrent inguinal hernia patients and 287 primary inguinal hernia patients with a follow-up period ranging from 60 to 107 months. RESULTS: The final QQMI score demonstrated that most patients in both groups reached scores between 8 and 11 points, with a significant difference in the maximum score (11 points) favoring primary hernia patients. CONCLUSIONS: All evaluated parameters showed better outcomes in primary hernia patients. Applying the QQMI, we have demonstrated that the outcomes of Lichtenstein hernioplasty are not similar between primary and recurrent inguinal hernia; there is a tendency toward better outcomes for primary inguinal hernia patients, although the Lichtenstein hernioplasty stands as a safe option for repair of recurrent inguinal hernias.