Early derangement of INR predicts liver failure after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection, where appropriate, remains one of the best treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however outcomes can be compromised by the development of liver failure. We reviewed our experience of liver resection for HCC patients to identify factors that may predict the development of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) and survival. METHODS: A single centre retrospective cohort study. Data was collected between 1999 and 2017 from all patients undergoing HCC resection in a tertiary university hospital from electronic medical records. PHLF was defined as per the International Study Group for Liver Surgery criteria. Variables with p < 0.15 on univariate analysis were included in a multivariate binary logistic regression model. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to determine correlations with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), and variables with p < 0.15 on univariate analysis selected for a step-down Cox proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS: Overall, 120 patients underwent liver resection within the study period, of which 22 (18%) developed PHLF. Patients with normal INR ≤1.20 at day 2 did not develop PHLF whereas patients with INR >1.60 were at significant risk. Resection of multiple tumours (odds ratio 21.63, p = 0.002) and deranged postoperative day 2 INR>1.6 (odds ratio 21.05, p < 0.0001) were identified as independent prognostic markers of PHLF. CONCLUSION: The use of INR measurement at day 2 predicts PHLF and may enable us to objectively identify and stratify patients who may be eligible for enhanced recovery programs from those who will merit close monitoring in high dependency areas.

A rational approach to postoperative surveillance for resected non-functional pancreatic neuro-endocrine tumours.

BACKGROUND: Non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NF-PNETs) are rare and have highly variable outcomes. Current guidelines recommend surveillance for NF-PNETs <2 cm. Patients who ultimately have surgical resection are at risk of disease recurrence, and data to support postoperative surveillance protocols are lacking. The aims of this study were to i) identify post-operative predictors of recurrence and ii) risk stratify patients at risk of recurrence. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent surgery for NF-PNETs between 2002 and 2015 were identified retrospectively. Data were collected on demographics, pre-operative laboratory results and histopathological tumour characteristics. Statistical analyses were based on penalised Cox-regression modelling and a decision-tree model. Comparison of the variables identified was performed using ROC curves to identify the most sensitive and specific variable associated with disease recurrence. RESULTS: We identified 73 patients (38 males) with a median age of 61.5 years (range: 31-79). The median period of follow-up was 49 months (5-131). During follow up, 10 deaths (13.9%) were recorded and disease recurrence occurred in 12 patients (16.4%). The Kaplan-Meier predicted 1-,3- and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 98.6% (95% CI = 95.9, 100%), 85.4% (76.9-94.8%) and 72% (58.7-88.2%) respectively. Cox multivariate analysis identified poor tumour differentiation (WHO G3 grade) and lymph node ratio (LNR) as independent predictors for recurrence (p < 0.05). A simple criterion of 'tumour grade G3 or LNR ≥0.1' was found to be sensitive and specific in detecting disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: Our results have identified a simple and sensitive criterion for risk stratifying post-resection surveillance. Prospective validation in larger patient cohort is now warranted.

Spontaneous diaphragmatic rupture following robotic prostatectomy.

Robotic surgery is an established therapy for localised prostate cancer and is replacing conventional laparoscopic prostatectomy in developed countries. Port-site hernia is a recognised, albeit small, risk following laparoscopic or robotic surgery. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of the right hemidiaphragm following robotic prostatectomy.

Cadmium telluride nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon as adsorbent for removal of sunset yellow.

Adsorption is a promising technique for decolorization of effluents of textile dyeing industries but its application is limited due to requirement of high amounts of adsorbent required. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of cadmium telluride nanoparticles loaded onto activated carbon (CdTN-AC) for the removal of sunset yellow (SY) dye from aqueous solution. Adsorption studies were conducted in a batch mode varying solution pH, contact time, initial dye concentration, CdTN-AC dose, and temperature. In order to investigate the efficiency of SY adsorption on CdTN-AC, pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intra-particle diffusion kinetic models were studied. It was observed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model fits better than other kinetic models with good correlation coefficient. Equilibrium data were fitted to the Langmuir model. Thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy, entropy, activation energy, and sticking probability were also calculated. It was found that the sorption of SY onto CdTN-AC was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The proposed adsorbent is applicable for SY removal from waste of real effluents including pea-shooter, orange drink and jelly banana with efficiency more than 97%.

Acute sigmoid volvulus in a West African population.

BACKGROUND: Acute sigmoid volvulus is one of the commonest causes of benign large bowel obstruction. Its incidence varies considerably from one geographic area to another. OBJECTIVE: To review the management of acute sigmoid volvulus in a relatively high prevalence area. METHODS: All adult patients with acute sigmoid volvulus seen at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) Banjul, between September 2000 and January 2005 were studied. Information obtained for analysis from the records included age, sex, clinical features, test results, and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients, 45 (93.8%) males and three (6.3%) females, with a male: female ratio of 14.3:1, age range of 19 to 78 years and mean age of 45.8 +17.6 years, underwent treatment for acute sigmoid volvulus. Twenty-one (43.8%) of the patients were aged 40 to 59 years. Two (4.2%) had rectal tube detortion followed by elective sigmoidectomy and primary anastomosis on the same admission, while 24 (50%) had emergency laparotomy at which bowel decompression, one-stage resection and primary anastomosis without on-table lavage was done. The rest of the patients, 22 (45.8%) had gangrenous sigmoid colons at laparotomy and consequently had Hartmann's procedure done. Fourteen patients (29.1%) developed wound infection and five (10.4%) had prolonged ileus that was managed conservatively. There was no anastomotic leak. The mean hospital stay was 11.1 days. There were five deaths giving a mortality rate of 10.4%. CONCLUSION: Acute sigmoid volvulus in the Gambia is almost exclusively a male disease. Sigmoid colectomy and primary anastomosis can be carried out safely in those with viable colon without on-table colonic lavage.

Adrenocortical oncocytoma: Review of imaging and histopathological implications.

Oncocytomas are rare tumours of the adrenal glands whose malignant potential is difficult to assess with certainty. We report a case of an adrenal oncocytoma and present a review of the literature particularly with regards to the radiological and histopathological features and their impact on the management.Adrenal oncocytomas are usually identified incidentally on imaging and can achieve large sizes. They should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any large upper abdominal lesion including those apparently arising from the liver as in this case report. MRI scan appears to be the ideal imaging modality to characterise such lesions. There seems to be little benefit in biopsying these masses and surgery remains the most optimal management. It remains difficult to predict metastatic behaviour based on histological findings and so long term surveillance is advisable.

Acute Sigmoid Volvulus in a West African Population

BACKGROUND: Acute sigmoid volvulus is one of the commonest causes of benign large bowel obstruction. Its incidence varies considerably from one geographic area to another. OBJECTIVE: To review the management of acute sigmoid volvulus in a relatively high prevalence area. METHODS: All adult patients with acute sigmoid volvulus seen at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) Banjul; between September 2000 and January 2005 were studied. Information obtained for analysis from the records included age; sex; clinical features; test results; and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients; 45 (93.8) males and three (6.3) females; with a male: female ratio of 14.3:1; age range of 19 to 78 years and mean age of 45.8 +17.6 years; underwent treatment for acute sigmoid volvulus. Twenty-one (43.8) of the patients were aged 40 to 59 years. Two (4.2) had rectal tube detortion followed by elective sigmoidectomy and primary anastomosis on the same admission; while 24 (50) had emergency laparotomy at which bowel decompression; onestage resection and primary anastomosis without on-table lavage was done. The rest of the patients; 22 (45.8) had gangrenous sigmoid colons at laparotomy and consequently had Hartmann's procedure done. Fourteen patients (29.1) developed wound infection and five (10.4) had prolonged ileus that was managed conservatively. There was no anastomotic leak. The mean hospital stay was 11.1 days. There were five deaths giving a mortality rate of 10.4. CONCLUSION: Acute sigmoid volvulus in the Gambia is almost exclusively a male disease. Sigmoid colectomy and primary anastomosis can be carried out safely in those with viable colon without on-table colonic lavage

Tuberculosis of the breast: experience of a UK breast clinic serving an ethnically diverse population.

Tuberculosis (TB) of the breast is an uncommon disease in the West but its incidence is likely to increase. Five cases of breast tuberculosis are presented. The diagnosis and management of this condition are discussed.

A Qualitative Analysis of the Transition from Theory to Practice in Undergraduate Training in a PBL-Medical School.

In spite of numerous curricular innovations, the problems medical students encounter in making the transition from theoretical training to clinical training remain unresolved and the problem has received scant attention in the literature. We performed a qualitative study to explore students' perceptions and attitudes regarding this transition in undergraduate medical training. Twenty fifth-year students of the Maastricht Medical School participated in focus group discussions about the transition from the preclinical phase to the clinical phase of the curriculum. All focus group discussions were videotaped, literally transcribed and qualitatively analysed using content analysis. The results suggest that students have difficulty in bridging the gap between the theoretical and clinical phase of the curriculum. The problems they experience arise largely from professional socialisation processes. However, students also find it difficult to apply theoretical knowledge in clinical practice. Students find contacts with real patients highly motivating. In the clinical phase their learning changes from passive acquisition of knowledge to more active learning.Since the problem-based learning approach is supposed to enhance application of basic science concepts to clinical problems, it is surprising that students experience difficulties in applying their knowledge in practice. To facilitate the transition from theory to practice in the Maastricht Medical School some curricular changes could be introduced, such as early patient contacts to motivate students and help them learn usable knowledge. Furthermore, the advantages of a problem-based preclinical curriculum to student learning should be fully exploited. Finally, the assessment system must be congruent with the educational programme, because examinations have a powerful effect on student learning.