Traumatic Lateral Abdominal Wall Hernia: A Rare Manifestation of Blunt Trauma.

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) following blunt injury is a rare clinical entity, induced by traumatic disruption of the abdominal wall's muscle and fascia, alongside abdominal organ herniation. A thorough clinical examination and a high level of suspicion are necessary for the diagnosis. We present the case of a 45-year-old individual who presented to the surgical outpatient clinic with a left lateral bulge in his belly caused by a mountaineering accident. After obtaining a thorough history of the mechanism of injury and clinical assessment, abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a significant traumatic left lateral abdominal wall hernia. The patient subsequently underwent an open surgical mesh repair, followed by anatomical and functional restoration of the muscular deficit over the mesh, with an uneventful postoperative course. TAWH constitutes a diagnostic challenge, and in many cases remains untreated for long periods of time. Considering that TAWH occurs in less than 1% of all blunt abdominal trauma, many surgeons are unaware of this rare manifestation. Here we suggest that elective surgery with an open, tension-free polypropylene mesh repair appears to be an appropriate therapeutic option.

Internal Hernia and Volvulus in an Adult Male Caused by Meckel's Diverticulum: A Case Report.

Background: Meckel's diverticulum is a common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract encountered in about 1-3% of the general population. Although most patients remain asymptomatic, a minority will experience serious complications such as acute abdomen, haemorrhage or obstructive ileus. Of all patients presenting with symptoms of obstruction due to Meckel's diverticulum 7-18% is due to volvulus. Case Report: A 39-year-old male with multiple previous episodes of obstructive ileus presented with an acute abdomen. An exploratory laparotomy was performed in order to reveal the cause of the obstruction. An internal hernia with ileal volvulus and a Meckel's diverticulum was found, which was later confirmed by histopathological examination. Conclusion: Meckel's diverticulum is a rare cause of acute abdomen and obstructive ileus which should be considered when the symptoms date back to childhood. The difficulty of preoperative diagnosis dictates the need for exploratory laparoscopy or laparotomy as diagnostic tools.

Laparoscopic resection of giant adrenal malignant tumors, a case series and review of the literature.

Laparoscopic approach for suspected adrenal malignancies remains a controversial issue and it gets more controversial, when managing giant adrenal malignant tumors. The aim of this paper is to present five cases of patients with giant adrenal malignant tumors that underwent laparoscopic transabdominal lateral adrenalectomy in our department between 2010 and 2017. Literature is also reviewed in order to investigate the feasibility of laparoscopic resection in these cases.

Pleurodesis and Immunotherapy in NSCLC; Medical Thoracoscopy or VATS?

Introduction: Immunotherapy is a treatment option for non-small cell lung cancer advanced disease. However; immunotherapy in several patients induces orogonitis and effusion in different cavities. It is up to the treating physician to understand whether there is effusion due to adverse effect or disease progression. Pleurodesis in both cases might be a solution for recurrent pleura effusion. Patients and Methods: Three hundred and thirty seven non-small cell lung cancer patients with adenocarcinoma and pleura effusion during first line immunotherapy treatment underwent medical thoracoscopy or Video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for pleurodesis with talk poudrage. Uniportal medical thoracoscopy was performed under general with dual channel endotracheal tube in one hundred and eleven patients. Video assisted thoracic surgery was performed in one hundred and eighty seven patients and conversion from medical to VATS procedure was done to thirty nine patients. All patients had stage IV disease with pleura involvement and were under first line pembrolizumab treatment with 200mg (PD-L1 ≥ 50%). Results: The quantitative parameters of the study (expression, PY and cycle) were converted to an ordinal scale to facilitate the performance of statistical analysis. All parameters were examined as dependent against the parameter technique acting as independent to detect potential relationships. The results of multi Y versus X relationship revealed no statistically significant effect (p>0.05) of the three levels of technique against any response considered. Thus we can infer, quite safely, that the innovative operation (level 0) does not differ from the other two conventional methods (levels 2 and 3) through all parameters entered in the model. There was no significant difference between the different pleurodesis techniques. Discussion: Immunotherapy is known to induce in a number of patients pleura effusion and pericarditis. However; pleurodesis is efficient when the appropriate method is performed to every patient. Careful assessment in a case by case manner has to be performed for each patient before any procedure is performed.

Convex endobronchial ultrasound: same coin, two faces. Challenging biopsy and staging for non-small-cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer is still diagnosed at a late stage due to lack of early disease symptoms. Despite the development of new diagnostic endoscopic tools, such as radial/convex endobronchial ultrasounds (EBUS) and electromagnetic navigation, most patients are still diagnosed at advanced stage disease. Most of the patients refer to their doctor only if they cough blood or their cough changes character. There are challenging cases in the diagnosis and staging of a patient, such as the one that we will present. We present a case of lung cancer that was diagnosed through a biopsy from the main lesion, with access from the esophagus, through transbronchial needle aspiration with EBUS, under general anesthesia and intubation. Staging with transbronchial needle aspiration with EBUS was also performed at the same session.

Inhaled chemotherapy adverse effects: mechanisms and protection methods.

Lung cancer is still diagnosed at a late stage due to a lack of symptoms. Although there are novel therapies, many patients are still treated with chemotherapy. In an effort to reduce adverse effects associated with chemotherapy, inhaled administration of platinum analogs has been investigated. Inhaled administration is used as a local route in order to reduce the systemic adverse effects; however, this treatment modality has its own adverse effects. In this mini review, we present drugs that were administered as nebulized droplets or dry powder aerosols for non-small-cell lung cancer. We present the adverse effects and methods to overcome them.

Pharmacologic and Non-Pharmacologic Interventions for HIV-Neuropathy Pain. A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis.

Background and Objectives: Among HIV infection symptoms, sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) remains a main cause of suffering, with incidence varying from 13-50%. So far, numerous pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments have been tested, although few evidence-based analgesic options are available. We conducted an up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature in order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for pain control, in patients with HIV neuropathy. Materials and Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus/Elsevier, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), USA Clinical Trials registry, and The International Web of Science up to April 2019. All randomized controlled trials evaluating efficacy and safety of non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies were included. Efficacy was defined as pain reduction during the study period. Safety was estimated from adverse events. A meta-analysis was performed whenever possible. Results: 27 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included for analysis (7 evaluating non pharmacologic interventions, 20 pharmacologic therapies). Non-pharmacologic studies (n = 742) involved seven different therapeutic modalities. Only Acupuncture/Moxibustion showed pain reduction over placebo, Gracely Pain Scale Mean (SD): Acu/Moxa 0.85 (0.12), placebo 1.10 (0.09), p = 0.05. Pharmacologic studies, involving 2516 patients revealed efficacy for capsaicin 8% over placebo (mean difference -8.04 [95% CI: -14.92 -1.15], smoked cannabis (where pooling data for meta-analysis was not possible) and recombinant Nerve Growth Factor. Conclusion: Despite various modalities for pain control in HIV-SN, strongest evidence exists for capsaicin 8% and smoked cannabis, although of low methodological quality. Among non-pharmacologic modalities, only Acu/Moxa gave a marginal beneficial effect in one study, possibly limited by inherent methodological flaws.

Comparison between Magnification Techniques and Direct Vision in Thyroid Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and Objectives: The most common complications after conventional thyroid surgery in adult patients are recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury and hypocalcemia. Magnification techniques (surgical loupes or surgical microscope) are used for identification of RLN and parathyroid glands to diminish these complications although more evidence is necessary to assess their safety and efficacy in comparison with direct vision. Methods and Materials: Electronic databases (Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Scopus) as well as gray literature sources were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the frequency of transient/permanent RLN injury and hypocalcemia after thyroid surgery by using magnification techniques and direct vision for identification of RLN and parathyroid glands until October 17, 2019. The main outcomes were transient/permanent RLN injury and hypocalcemia. For all outcomes, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used. Statistical analysis was performed with RevMan 5.3. Results: Systematic review and meta-analysis included 3 RCTs with 437 patients overall. Magnification techniques did not significantly affect the risk of occurrence of transient RLN injury (OR = 0.38, 95% CI (0.11-1.35), I2 = 0%) and transient hypocalcemia (OR = 0.31, 95% CI (0.09-1.09), I2 = 23%) compared with direct vision. Included RCTs demonstrated only two patients with permanent hypocalcemia and another one with permanent RLN injury, who belonged to the direct vision group. Conclusion: The use of magnification techniques for identification of RLN and parathyroid glands seems to be as safe as direct vision. However, they do not decrease the risk of RLN injury and transient hypocalcemia after thyroid surgery compared with direct vision. Finally, further prospective research should be conducted as the sample among the studies was small.

The role of hypofractionated radiotherapy for the definitive treatment of localized prostate cancer: early results of a randomized trial.

Background: Prostate cancer is considered to have a special biology which could affect the radiation therapy result based on the selected fractionation scheme. We present the preliminary results of a randomized trial comparing conventionally and hypofractionated radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Methods: Patients included in the study had localized prostate cancer (cT1c-T3bN0M0) and were randomly assigned to mild hypofractionated (72 Gy in 32 fractions, arm1) or conventionally fractionated (74 Gy in 37 fractions, arm2) radiation therapy treatment with Volumetric Arc Therapy technique. The treatment was delivered only to the prostate with or without the seminal vesicles according to physician's discretion and hormone therapy was optional according to the disease stage and comorbidities. Here we present the preliminary results of acute toxicity from the gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) system. Results: Between 2015 and 2016, 139 patients were enrolled. 67 patients were treated with conventional fractionation and 72 were treated with hypofractionation. Grade≥ 2 toxicity from GU and GI was observed in 23 and 21 patients (31,9% vs 31,3%, p=0,79) and 15 and 12 (20,8% vs 17,9%, p=0,6) for arm1 and arm2 respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between arms in the incidence of early toxicity. There was no correlation observed between patient characteristics and toxicity from either GU or GI. Conclusions: Hypofractionated radiotherapy appears to be equally tolerated compared to conventional fractionation in the early setting. Longer follow up is needed to assess the late toxicity profile of the patients and any potential differences between the control and experimental arm.

EBUS-TNBA 22G samples: Comparison of PD-L1 expression between DAKO and BIOCARE®.

Introduction: Lung cancer is diagnosed at advanced stage due to lack of early disease symptoms. Currently we have several different biopsy techniques such as; radial endobronchial ultrasound, convex probe endobronchial ultrasound, electromagnetic navigation, ct guided biospy and transthoracic ultrasound biopsy. Novel therapies such as; immunotherapy is being used for non-small cell lung cancer in the everyday clinical practice as first and second line treatment. Programmed ligand-1 is essential in order to administer immunotherapy as first line treatment. Patients and Methods: Two thousands and two patients were included in our study where programmed ligand 1 was evaluated with DAKO technique and BIOCARE®. Cell blocks were obtain with convex probe ebus-tbna 22G needle. Results: The Deming regression between DAKO and BIOCARE clone revealed an amazingly strong linear relationship as the coefficient of determination indicated (R2=0.999) and the variance ratio close to 1 (0.978), proving that both techniques can equally well be substituted for each other. The regression coefficient equals to 1 and the intercept hardly differs from 0 (0.936). In practice, this relationship permits adopting the economically affordable BIOCARE clone for further medical considerations. Conclusion: No statistical difference was observed between DAKO and BIOCARE®, therefore we propose that both techniques can be used in order to investigate the expression of programmed ligand 1 with safety. PD-L1 expression was higher in the central mass instead of the lymphnodes.

Update on current pancreatic treatments: from molecular pathways to treatment.

Pancreatic cancer is still diagnosed at a late stage although we have novel diagnostic tools. Pancreatic cancer chemotherapy treatment resistance is observed and therefore novel treatments are in need. Anti-cancer stem cell therapy, combination of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with immunotherapy, proteins/enzymes and gene therapy are currently under evaluation. Targeted treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors is also administered and novel inhibitors are also under evaluation. In the current review we present recent data from our search within the year 2018.

Intimal sarcoma of the pulmonary artery, a diagnostic enigma.

Heart malignancies are rare and difficult to diagnose at early stage. Usually they are discovered when they present disease symptoms. CT of the thorax with contrast, MRI of the thorax, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) or echocardiography (transthoracic and/or transesophageal) and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-CT (FDG-PET-CT) can be used to diagnose this entity. We present a rare heart sarcoma and our diagnostic algorithm.

Design of a predictive score to assess the risk of developing hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy. A retrospective study.

Background: Temporary hypocalcemia is the most common complication in patients after total thyroidectomy. To date, according to the literature, various predictors of the above complication have been proposed, but none of them seems to be effective enough. Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a reliable predictive tool for biochemical hypocalcemia in the first 48 hrs after total thyroidectomy without central dissection by analyzing several parameters relevant to this operation and to suggest a new score. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on patients who had undergone total thyroidectomy without central neck dissection from October 2017 until January 2018. Data were collected from 36 patients and studied if there was a statistically significant relationship between the risk of hypocalcemia and 10 preselected prognostic factors. Results: The prognostic score was formed, which included the 6 factors that showed a statistically significant relationship. Moreover, an extensive check of the predictive value of the above score was performed. It was found, therefore, that at a value of 3 and above the sensitivity was 100%, the specificity 79.16%, the positive prognostic value (PPV) 70.58% and the negative predictive value (NPV) 100%. Conclusions: High sensitivity of CaReBe'S TiP score makes it feasible to predict patients with postoperative hypocalcemia. High NPV would allow surgeons to exclude patients with a score less than 3 from supplementary calcium medication and achieve a shorter hospitalization for them.

Complete percutaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy by employing the Percuvance Percutaneous Surgical System.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been the gold standard in the treatment of gallbladder disease. More than 50 different techniques of LC have been developed and performed, which seem to offer much in postoperative outcome and cosmesis. However, each has its limitations in practice mainly due to the long learning curve, or lack of appropriate instruments. The current paper studies the application of percutaneous LC employing the Percuvance Percutaneous Surgical System and reports the first documented complete percutaneous LC in the literature. METHODS: Complete percutaneous LC was performed in fifteen patients diagnosed with cholelithiasis, the Percuvance Percutaneous Surgical System from Teleflex was used. All operations were performed with the use of a single 10 mm Hassan Trocar port and a 30o degree camera. RESULTS: Complete percutaneous LC with the use of percutaneous Instruments was applied in all cases. No conversions to open cholecystectomy were reported. Mean operating time was well within the standard for LC. Postoperatively, no complications were observed, while all patients were discharged the next day. Excellent cosmesis and satisfied patients were the long-term results. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous LC with the use of a 10 mm Hassan trocar, bears the potential of being a favorable alternative in cholecystectomy.

Genes' Interactions: A Major Contributor to the Malignant Transformation of Endometriosis.

The genetic and epigenetic factors that contribute to the malignant transformation of endometriosis are still under investigation. The objective of the present study was to investigate the genetic link between endometriosis and cancer by examining and correlating the latest clinical observations with biological experimental data. We collected updated evidence about the genetic relationship between endometriosis and cancers by conducting a comprehensive search of PubMed and Scopus databases, focusing on the papers published between January 2018 and January 2019. New insights into the mechanism of the malignant transformation of endometriosis have been published recently. The use of state-of-the-art techniques and methods, such as the genome-wide association study analysis and the weighted gene co-expression analysis, have significantly altered our understanding of the association between endometriosis and endometriosis-associated cancer development. Interestingly, the interactions formed between genes seem to play a pivotal role in the phenotypic expression of mutations. Therefore, the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms and the function of the expression quantitative trait loci on genes' expression have been the subject of many recent works. In addition, it has been discovered that genes, the mutations of which have been related to the development of endometriosis, play a role as hub genes. This may lead to new areas of research for understanding the mechanism of malignant transformation of the disease. Significant steps forward have been made towards the identification of factors that control the malignant transformation of endometriosis. Still, due to rarity of the event, a better-organized scheme for sampling on a global level should be adopted.

Inhaled Cisplatin for NSCLC: Facts and Results.

Although we have new diagnostic tools for non-small cell lung cancer, diagnosis is still made in advanced stages of the disease. However, novel treatments are being introduced in the market and new ones are being developed. Targeted therapies and immunotherapy have brought about a bloom in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Still we have to find ways to administer drugs in a more efficient and safe method. In the current review, we will focus on the administration of inhaled cisplatin based on published data.

Symptomatic colonic lipomas: Report of two cases and a review of the literature.

Colonic lipomas are the second most common benign tumor of the colon. During a systematic literature search, a lack of review is observed. This study reports two cases of colonic lipomas and also tries to review the clinical and pathologic features of the reported symptomatic lipomas.

Scar tissue to lung cancer; pathways and treatment.

Lung cancer still remains diagnosed at a late stage although we have novel diagnostic techniques at our disposal. However; for metastatic disease we have novel therapies based on pharmacogenomics. Tumor heterogenity provides us different treatments. There are several reasons for carcinogenesis; fibrosis and scar tissue provides an environment that induces malignancy. In the current review we will try and elucidate the pathways involved from scar tissue to carcinogenesis.

Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound assisted conventional transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis of solitary peribronchial pulmonary lesion located in the segmental bronchi.

Background: The diagnosis of peribronchial pulmonary lesions located in the tertiary bronchi, also known as segmental bronchi, as well as, the 4th order and 5th order segmental bronchi is very difficult. Histopathological specimens cannot be easily obtained by endobronchial biopsies (EBBX) due to the patent but small segmental bronchial lumen. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and safety of the novel technique with radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) assisted conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (C-TBNA) in the diagnosis of solitary peribronchial pulmonary lesions located in segmental bronchi from 3th to 5th order. Methods: From December 2014 to December 2015, 16 patients with solitary peribronchial pulmonary lesions in the segmental bronchi from 3th to 5th order confirmed by computed tomography (CT) were enrolled. The lesions were located using radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) to determine the sites of conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (C-TBNA), then, histopathological specimens were obtained using the technique of C-TBNA. The final pathological diagnosis was made based on the findings from the surgical specimens. Statistical analyses were performed for specimen results and complications. Results: On pathological evaluation, 14 of the 16 specimens were malignant, including 8 adenocarcinomas, 4 squamous cell carcinomas, and 2 small cell carcinomas, while 2 were non-malignant diseases. The diagnostic accuracy rate, sensitivity and missed diagnosis rates were 87.5%, 87.5% and 12.5%, respectively. When Combined the results of cytology with histologic samples obtained from C-TBNA the total diagnostic accuracy rate, sensitivity and missed diagnosis rate were 93.75%, 93.75% and 6.25%, respectively. There were 2 cases of bleeding complications >5 mL after C-TBNA, and both were resolved with endobronchial management. Conclusions: The combination of R-EBUS with C-TBNA was advantageous and safe for the diagnosis of solitary peribronchial pulmonary lesions located in the segmental bronchi. However, possible bleeding complications should be anticipated with needle aspiration. Further verification of this combined application should be investigated in larger clinical trials.