Effects of mesenchymal stem cells and VEGF on liver regeneration following major resection.

PURPOSE: The study aims to determine the effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy and a combination therapy of MSCs transfected with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for liver regeneration after major resection. METHODS: Thirty-eight rats were divided into four groups: group 1: control (sham operation); group 2: control (70 % hepatic resection); group 3: 70 % hepatic resection + systemically transplanted MSCs; and group 4: 70 % hepatic resection + systemically transplanted MSCs transfected with the VEGF gene. MSCs were injected via the portal vein route in study groups 3 and 4. Expression levels of VEGF, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor (TGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) were analyzed in the remnant liver tissue. We investigated the levels of angiogenic factors, VEGF-receptor, angiopoietin-1 (Angpt1) and Angpt2. Biochemical parameters of liver function in blood samples were measured and a histologic assessment of the livers was performed. The postoperative liver weight and volume of each rat were measured 14 days after surgery. RESULTS: The expression levels of all measured growth factors were significantly increased in groups 3 and 4 compared to the control groups. The levels of Angpt1 and Angpt2 correlated with levels of VEGF and thus were also significantly higher in the study groups. There were significant differences between the estimated liver weights and volumes of group 4 and the resected controls in group 2. With the exception of portal inflammation, levels of all histological parameters were observed to be higher in MSC-treated groups when compared with the resected controls in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Transplanted stem cells and MSCs transfected with VEGF significantly accelerated many parameters of the healing process following major hepatic resection. After the injection of MSCs and VEGF-transfected MSCs into the portal vein following liver resection, they were engrafted in the liver. They increased bile duct and liver hepatocyte proliferation, and secreted many growth factors including HGF, TGFß, VEGF, PDGF, EGF, and FGF via paracrine effects. These effects support liver function, regeneration, and liver volume/weight.

Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transfected With Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Maintaining Renal Structure and Function in Rats with Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: Mesenchymal stem cells hold promise for renal disease treatment. Vascular endothelial growth factor may heal tubule-interstitial fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We investigated the protective effect of vascular endothelial growth factor in transfected mesenchymal stem cells in unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal injury in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar Albino rats (32 rats; weight, 250-300 g) were divided into 4 equal groups: group 1, control; group 2, unilateral ureteral obstruction; group 3, unilateral ureteral obstruction and mesenchymal stem cells; and group 4, unilateral ureteral obstruction and vascular endothelial growth factor-transfected mesenchymal stem cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor-transfected mesenchymal stem cells were administered intravenously before onset of unilateral ureteral obstruction. On day 14, the rats were killed and kidneys were retrieved. Tubular necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration, and interstitial fibrosis were evaluated in paraffin blocks. We evaluated green fluorescent protein-positive and vascular endothelial growth factor-positive cells; anti-inflammatory (Prostaglandin E2 receptor) and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist), proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory (interleukin 6), and proinflammatory (MPO) cytokine expression levels; and levels of nitric oxide; transforming growth factor ß1, E-cadherin, and hydroxyproline. RESULTS: Green fluorescent protein-positive cells were negative in the renal parenchyma in groups 1 and 2 and positive in groups 3 and 4. Vascular endothelial growth factor levels were significantly higher in group 4. Transforming growth factor ß1, nitric oxide, and E-cadherin levels were significantly higher in the unilateral ureteral obstruction than control group; however, in the study groups, these values were not significantly different from the unilateral ureteral obstruction group. In stem cell-transplanted tissue samples, EP3, interleukin 1 receptor antagonist, and interleukin 6 levels were elevated, but MPO expression levels were low. Although there were significant differences for tubular necrosis and fibrosis in group 2, there were significant reductions in tubular injury and fibrosis in groups 3 and 4. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic stem cells transplanted into the kidney protected against unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal epithelial-mesenchymal transition and renal fibrosis.

Complications following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: minimal invasive surgical recommendations.

BACKGROUND: ERCP has a complication rate ranging between 4% and 16% such as post-ERCP pancreatitis, hemorrhage, cholangitis and perforation. Perforation rate was reported as 0.08% to 1% and mortality rate up to 1.5%. Besides, injury related death rate is 16% to 18%. In this study we aimed to present a retrospective review of our experience with post ERCP-related perforations, reveal the type of injuries and management recommendations with the minimally invasive approaches. METHODS: Medical records of 28 patients treated for ERCP-related perforations in Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital between March 2007 and March 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Patient age, gender, comorbidities, ERCP indication, ERCP findings and details were analyzed. All previous and current clinical history, laboratory and radiological findings were used to assess the evaluation of perforations. RESULTS: Between March 2007 and March 2013, 2972 ERCPs were performed, 28 (0.94%) of which resulted in ERCP-related perforations. 10 of them were men (35.8%) and 18 women (64.2%). Mean age was 53.36 ± 14.12 years with a range of 28 to 78 years. 14 (50%) patients were managed conservatively, while 14 (50%) were managed surgically. In 6 patients, laparoscopic exploration was performed due to the failure of non-surgical management. In 6 of the patients that ERCP-related perforation was suspected during or within 2 hours after ERCP, underwent to surgery primarily. There were two mortalities. The mean length of hospitalization stay was 10.46 ± 2.83 days. The overall mortality rate was 7.1%. CONCLUSION: Successful management of ERCP-related perforation requires immediate diagnosis and early decision to decide whether to manage conservatively or surgically. Although traditionally conventional surgical approaches have been suggested for the treatment of perforations, laparoscopic techniques may be used in well-chosen cases especially in type II, III and IV perforations.

The preliminary experience in the emergency department of a newly opened penitentiary institution hospital in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Emergency cases become a widespread problem in prisons across Turkey. The opening of a new prison hospital in January 2012 within the catchment of Silivri Penitentiary Institution gave a unique opportunity to treat the inmates quickly. AIMS: The study was to conduct an extensive review for documentation of prisoners' healthcare problems leading to emergency admission following the first year after the opening of Penitentiary Institution Hospital and point to decrease redundant hospital transfers of this individual cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out where 12,325 visits to the Silivri Penitentiary Institution Hospital for emergency visits from the period of 1(st) January 2012 to the 31(st) December 2012 were identified from electronic medical records. After obtaining consent from the local IRB, data including details of the type, cause and nature of the complaints of the illnesses were processed. RESULTS: In the 12-month period, there were 12,325 visits to the emergency department, of which 4328 for surgical conditions (35.1%), 2684 for medical disorders (21.8%), 1867 for sports injuries (15.2%), 1327 for Ear Nose Throat (ENT) problems (10.8%), 827 for psychiatric disorders (6.70%), 396 for violence injury (3.2%), 169 for self harm (1.4%), and 727 for miscellaneous (5.8%). The most common cause of emergency visits was sports injuries, followed by non-specific abdominal pain and ENT problems. Eighteen prisoners re-attended 243 times, ranging from 8 visits to a maximum of 56 visits. CONCLUSION: Inmates in prison have a wide range of complaints, and sometimes these complaints do not suggest an illness. Prison population exhibited substantially higher prevalence rates of diseases than the civilian population. We conclude that this new healthcare system in prisons will prevent redundant hospital transfers and guarantee detainees have access to the same health care that is offered to non-detained population.

Massive Alimentary Tract Bleeding due to Cytomegalovirus Infection in an Elderly Patient.

In recent years, cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been recognized as an important common pathogen in immunocompromized patients. This is due to the increasing number of immunosuppressive medications, intensive cancer chemotherapy use, recurrent transplantations, progressively aging population, and the higher number of human immunodeficiency virus infections. Cytomegalovirus infection especially interests the gastrointestinal tract, anywhere, from the mouth to the anus. Namely, the most commonly affected area is the colon, followed by duodenum, stomach, esophagus and small intestine. The most frequent manifestations of CMV colitis are: diarrhea, fever, gastrointestinal bleeding and abdominal pain. We report here the case of an 82-year-old woman, who was treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma; she was admitted to the emergency department for abdominal pain and diffuse arthralgia, following massive upper- and lower- gastrointestinal bleeding, due to duodenal and colonic ulcers related to CMV infection.

Laparoscopic treatment of gallstone ileus.

Gallstone ileus is a rare complication of cholelithiasis that has high morbidity and mortality. An intestinal obstruction can be caused by migration of a large gallstone through a biliary enteric fistula or by impaction within the intestinal tract. In this study, we present the case of an 81-year-old woman with a mechanical bowel obstruction by a gallstone that was treated by laparoscopy.

Cutaneous necrosis as a result of isosulphane blue injection in mammarian sentinel lymph node mapping: report of two cases.

Skin-sparing mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and synchronous breast reconstruction are widely used in breast cancer surgery nowadays. Difficulties in feeling confident in this technique and postoperative surgical complications are the major obstacles against the widespread usage of this technique. Compared with the other surgical techniques, the complications are hard to treat. Cutaneous necrosis because of methylene blue used for sentinel lymph node mapping in patients who underwent skin-sparing mastectomy and SLNB is already reported in the literature. We present here two cases with cutaneous necrosis because of isosulphane blue injection after skin-sparing mastectomy and SLNB as a rare complication of dye injection.

The effects of aging on lymphocyte subgroups in males and females.

BACKGROUND: Age-associated immune senescence is a catch-all phrase that has been used to describe a plethora of changes to the immune system across the lifespan. Aging is associated with a decline in immune function. Our aim in this study was to investigate how lymphocyte subgroups in peripheral blood are affected by aging among males and females. MATERIAL/METHODS: Study participants were 70 healthy individuals from 3 different age groups, observed from January 2010 to January 2012. The average levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, CD16+/CD56+, CD3+/CD69+, and CD19+/CD69+ were determined for each group and compared in terms of age and sex. RESULTS: We found significant reduction in the level of CD3+T cells related with age, but no significant changes in CD19+ B cell levels (p<0.005). Aging significantly reduces activated B cell (CD19+/CD69+) levels in males (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that there may be differences between males and females in terms of immune senescence.

Is cervical inlet patch important clinical problem?

AIM: In this study we aim to determine the frequency of Inlet Patch (IP) and its association to clinical symptoms and draw attention to be aware of this heterotopic gastric mucosa. METHODS: This study was a prospective case series that IP was detected in the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Patients with laringopharyngeal reflux symptoms underwent endoscopy between March 2009 and July 2012 in two different institutions. All the biopsies were obtained from if there is the IP lesion and antral or/and gastric mucosa. The data was prospectively evaluated. The prevalence was compared with those of patients that did not determine IP in the study period. RESULTS: 3907 upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy was performed while 123 patients consist of 51 male and 72 female was determined as IP. The prevalence of IP in patiens who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was 3.14% in our study. The majority of symptoms of those who had IP were laringopharyngeal reflux symptoms. Heterotopic gastric mucosa was fixed in 114 cases while 28 chronic inflammation, 9 esophagitis, 5 intestinal metaplasia, 4 glicogenic acanthosis were obtained as additional findings in pathological examinations. CONCLUSION: Heterotopic gastric mucosa in the proximal esophagus is a frequent finding if the endoscopist is aware of this entity. The importance of IP is the increasing number of cases of neoplastic transformation. Symptomatic patients should be treated and should be considered of the complications of heterotopic gastric mucosa.

Are there any differences between age groups regarding colorectal surgery in elderly patients?

BACKGROUND: Surgical procedures with curative or palliative intentions in subjects aged over 70 represent a colorectal surgical challenge due to the issue they raise: Benefits versus increased morbidity. In this study, we proposed to compare the impact of surgery with the surgical intervention short-term results and analyze the factors that may influence these results in elderly age groups. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a database containing information about patients who underwent colorectal surgery from January 2008 to December 2013 at the Baskent University Istanbul Research Hospital and the Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital. RESULTS: A total of 265 patients were enrolled and analyzed in this retrospective study. Of these patients operated during the study period, 110 were between 60 and 69 years of age (group 1), 99 were between 70 and 79 years of age and 56 were older than 80 years of age. In total, there were 138 (52%) men and 127 (48%) women that underwent colorectal surgery. Intraoperative complications did not differ between group 1 and group 2, group 2 and group 3; however, some differences were observed between group 1 and group 3 (p = 0.001). Systemic complications were more frequent in group 3 than in groups 1 (p = 0.039) and 2 (p = 0.002). Furthermore, there were no significant systemic complication differences between groups 1 and 2. The mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 9.91 ± 2.65 days in the first group, 9.38 ± 2.44 days in the second group and 11.8 ± 4.35 days in the third group. CONCLUSION: Colon surgery for both malignant and non-malignant diseases can be performed safely in different elderly age groups; thus, age should not be considered as an obstacle in elderly patients undergoing colorectal resection.

The use of ERCP during pregnancy: is it safe and effective?

Cholangitis and pancreatitis are the most gruesome complications that can be potentially fatal for the mother and fetus. The management of bile stone disease complicated with duct stones during pregnancy is challenging. Conservative treatment instead of surgery has always been advocated due to the increased risk for fetal compromise. Minimally invasive therapy with ERCP has been suggested as an effective therapeutic option for the management of pancreaticobiliary diseases during pregnancy. The main topics of discussion are the risks stemming from the endoscopic procedure itself, drugs used for sedation and the adverse effects of radiation exposure on the fetus. In this manuscript, we want to present the efficiency and feasibility of the ERCP for the management of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases in pregnancy.

Jejunal torsion around the right ureter presenting as postoperative bowel obstruction: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Since abdominal radical hysterectomy was first described by Clark and Reis in 1895, it has been commonly used in the primary surgical treatment of carcinoma of the cervix. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a small bowel obstruction due to jejunal torsion to her right ureter mimicking postoperative adhesion ileus. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old Turkish woman was admitted to our emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain, constipation, nausea and vomiting. She had undergone an abdominal radical hysterectomy for cervical carcinoma three years earlier. Computed tomography scans revealed intestinal dilatation, a large amount of free fluid in the abdominal cavity and an area suspicious for jejunal perforation. Because of these radiological findings suggestive of obstruction and bowel ischemia, our patient underwent emergency surgery. Operative findings that showed a jejunal segment was turned around her right ureter so that it was mimicking a fibrous band. CONCLUSIONS: In this current case, we present the first determined complication of radical hysterectomy. According to our case report, surgical oncologists should be aware of this complication and review the surgical technique. It is considered that readaptation of the dorsolateral peritoneal layer after extended pelvic lymph node dissection resulted in fewer complications.

Ganglioneuroma presenting as an adrenal incidentaloma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Ganglioneuromas are rare benign tumors arising from the neural crest tissue and are most commonly located in the posterior mediastinum and retroperitoneum; they are rarely found in the adrenal gland. This tumor is usually asymptomatic and in the majority of cases is detected incidentally. Although the characteristics of adrenal ganglioneuroma on computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have been well described, the exact diagnosis is difficult. Histopathological examination is currently the mainstay of diagnosis. Ganglioneuromas have a very good prognosis with surgical removal. We report the case of a male patient with an incidentally identified adrenal ganglioneuroma with high standardized uptake values in a positron emission tomography scan. CASE PRESENTATION: An 18-year-old Turkish male patient with no previous comorbidities was admitted to our hospital with lower-quadrant pain. He had no significant past medical or surgical history. A physical examination did not reveal any signs and the results of routine laboratory tests were all within the normal ranges. Our patient underwent computed tomography of his abdomen, which showed a relatively homogenous left adrenal tumor measuring 5.2 × 4.3 × 7.1cm. On a positron emission tomography scan, the left adrenal gland disclosed a standardized uptake value of 4.1. Our patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy with left adrenalectomy without any related complications. CONCLUSION: Ganglioneuroma may sometimes be similar to other adrenal malignancies. Careful evaluation with endocrine tests and imaging procedures is necessary to provide an accurate diagnosis. Definitive diagnosis can be made by histological examination. The prognosis is very good with surgical removal.

Minimally invasive 3-field esophagectomy with cervical single-port access.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer include thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy with a cervical single-port assist, which is inadequate for both techniques. This is the first reported series applying this technique to treat esophageal cancer patients in literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2007 to April 2011, 12 cases of laparoscopic and thoracoscopic total esophagectomy with a cervical single-port assist were performed. Indications for minimally invasive esophagectomy included esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, diagnosed preoperatively in nonmetastatic tumors and fewer than 4 lymph nodes by endoscopic ultrasonography. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 440 minutes (range, 347 to 578 min). The mean intensive care stay was 1.6 days (range, 0 to 6 d). The mean hospital stay was 11.8 days (range, 7 to 22 d). Minor complications included atrial fibrillation (n=1), pleural effusion (n=2), and persistent air leaks (n=1), and major complications included cervical anastomotic leak in 1 patient due to technical failure. The 30-day mortality rate was 0. CONCLUSIONS: Video-assisted thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy combined with a cervical single-port assist is a safe and minimally invasive technique for whole esophagus and mediastinal lymph node dissection. This technique allows for the clear visualization of the mediastinum, reducing the risk of surgery-related trauma.

Emergency right hemicolectomy for inflammatory cecal masses mimicking acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Unexpected inflammatory cecal masses of uncertain etiology, encountered in the emergency surgical departments can be indistinguishable, and appropriate operative management of these cases is a dilemma for the surgeons. METHODS: Over a 30-months period between January 2009 and June 2011, a series of 3032 patients who live in sub-urban underwent emergency surgery for clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis and ileocecal resection or right hemicolectomy for inflammatory cecal mass were performed in 48 patients. RESULTS: 28 men and 20 women from suburban between ages 16-73 presented with right iliac fossa pain. The major presenting symptom was pain in the right iliac fossa (100%). On physical examination; tenderness at or near the McBurney point was detected in 44 (91,6%) patients. The range of the leucocyte level was between 8.000 to 24.000 and mean level is 16.000. After initial laparoscopic exploration, ileocecal resection or right hemicolectomy was performed conservatively because of the uncertainty of the diagnosis. Overall 32 patients underwent ileocecal resection and 16 patients underwent right hemicolectomy. Pathology revealed appendicular phlegmon in 18 patients, perforated cecal diverticulitis in 12 patients, tuberculosis in 6 patients, appendiceal and cecal rupture in 4 patients, malign mesenquimal neoplasm in 4 patients, non-spesific granulomatous in 2 patients and appendecular endometriosis in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: Most inflammatory cecal masses are due to benign pathologies and can be managed safely and sufficiently with ileocecal resection or right hemicolectomy. The choice of the surgical procedure depends on the experience of the surgical team.

Obese Patients After Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Complications and The Influence on Body Mass Index and Comorbidities.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study is to present the advantages of LAGB (Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding), its effects on weight loss and influence on comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension. METHODOLOGY: 90 middle-aged obese patients with body mass index [BMI] of 35-50 kg/m2 underwent LAGB between October 2007 and April 2010. RESULTS: There were 33 men and 57 women underwent LAGB. The ages of the cases ranged from 22 to 39 years [mean 29.5 years]. The percentage of decrease on BMI at the 3, 6, 12, 24 month marks were 9.85%, 14.8%, 25.8% and 32.9%, respectively. No early operative complications were recorded. Pouch dilation occured in 6 patients and band erosion-migration was observed in 3 patient. CONCLUSION: LAGB is a safe and effective approach in short-term management of morbid obesity. Weight loss, complications and resolution of comorbidities are comparable with the other obesity procedures.

Comparison of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy for choledocholithiasis: a prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration are safe and efficient methods that have recently been used for the treatment of bile duct stones. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, safety, and surgical outcomes of the laparoscopic common bile duct exploration plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCBDE+LC) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ERCP+LC). METHODS: One hundred twenty patients were prospectively randomized into 2 groups: LCBDE with LC in a single intervention and LC after ERCP. RESULTS: The success rate of the LCBDE+LC group (96.5%) was found to be higher than for the ERCP+LC group (94.4%). Complication rates of the LCBDE+LC and ERCP+LC group were 7% and 11.1%, respectively. Complications requiring ERCP in the postoperative period after LCBDE+LC have been noted in 3.5% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic CBD exploration provides an alternative therapeutic approach that has less morbidity, is cost-effective, and allows earlier recovery with a reduced period of short-term disability.

Effect of growth hormone, hyperbaric oxygen and combined therapy on the gastric serosa.

AIM: To investigate the role of growth hormone (GH), hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and combined therapy on the intestinal neomucosa formation of the gastric serosa. METHODS: Forty-eight male Wistar-albino rats, weighing 250-280 g, were used in this study. The rats were divided into four groups (n = 12): Group 1, control, gastric serosal patch; Group 2, gastric serosal patch + GH; Group 3, gastric serosal patch + HBOT; and Group 4, gastric serosal patch + GH + HBOT. Abdominal access was achieved through a midline incision, and after the 1-cm-long defect was created in the jejunum, a 1 cm × 1 cm patch of the gastric corpus was anastomosed to the jejunal defect. Venous blood samples were taken to determine the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) basal levels. HBOT was performed in Groups 3 and 4. In Groups 2 and 4, human GH was given subcutaneously at a dose of 2 mg per kg/d for 28 d, beginning on the operation day. All animals were sacrificed 60 d after surgery. The jejunal segment and the gastric anastomotic area were excised for histological examination. The inflammatory process, granulation, collagen deposition and fibroblast activity at the neomucosa formation were studied and scored. Additionally, the villus density, villus height, and crypt depth were counted and recorded. The measurements of villus height and crypt depth were calculated with an ocular micrometer. New vessel growth was determined by calculatingeach new vessel in a 1 mm(2) area. RESULTS: In the histological comparison of groups, no significant differences were observed between the control group and Groups 2 and 3 with respect to epithelialization, granulation, fibroblastic activity and the inflammatory process, but significant differences were present between the control group and all others groups (Groups 2-4) with respect to angiogenesis (P < 0.01) and collagen deposition (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Significant differences between the control group and Group 4 were also observed with respect to epithelialization and fibroblastic activity (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). There were significant differences in villus density in all of groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Crypt depth was significantly greater in Group 4 than in the control group (P < 0.05), but no other groups had deeper crypts. However, villus height was significantly longer in Groups 2 and 4 than in the control group (P < 0.05). The comparison of groups revealed, significant difference between control group and Groups 2 and 4) with respect to the levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 (P < 0.01) 3 wk after the operation. CONCLUSION: HBOT or GH and combined therapy augmented on neomucosal formation. The use of combined therapy produced a synergistic effect on the histological, morphological and functional parameters.

Metabolic and inflammatory responses after ERCP.

BACKGROUND: We aim to evaluate the metabolic and inflammatory responses after ERCP procedure in patients who have common bile duct stones. METHODS: Between September 2009 and October 2010, we studied prospectively 50 patients who diagnosed with common bile duct stones. Our study was included patients who had previously been suspected with common biliary duct stone via radiological and biochemical examinations. We investigated parameters of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, Il-8, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α), anti inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13), stress hormones (ACTH, cortisol, growth hormone, aldosterone) and acute phase reactant (CRP). All venous blood samples were taken firstly 1hr before endoscopic intervention as a control. After ERCP procedure, venous blood samples were taken two more times, the first in 1hr, the second in 24 hours. RESULTS: We performed ERCP successfully to 50 patients due to common bile duct stones. All of them had higher serum cytokine levels (p<0.01) after an hour and 24 hours later ERCP than before endoscopic intervention except IL-13 level. A significant increase (p<0,01) was found in ACTH, cortisol, GH and aldosterone levels 1 hour and 24 hours after ERCP, except GH level (p>0.05). CRP level was significiantly increased 1 hour and 24 hours after ERCP. CONCLUSION: ERCP procedure is a kind of invasive attempt as known, also causes, with its effects, systemically inflammatory response in the body. This response, mostly not staying at the local stage, becomes systemic inflammatory response. Therefore, before ERCP is performed, the applications of other non-invasive methods of diagnosis are strongly advised.

A rare adrenal incidentaloma: adrenal schwannoma.

Adrenal schwannoma is an extremely uncommon cause of incidentaloma. It originates from neural sheath Schwann cells of the adrenal gland. We report the case of a left adrenal schwannoma incidentally discovered in a 32-year-old woman during examination of bloated feeling and stomach ache. The patient was incidentally found to have a left adrenal mass of 9 cm on abdominal ultrasonography. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and [(18)F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) were also performed. Metabolic evaluation was unremarkable. Due to the large size of the tumor, left adrenalectomy was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. Histological examination established the diagnosis of schwannoma. This diagnosis was supported by immunohistochemistry of S-100 and vimentin positivity. In conclusion, adrenal schwannoma is an extremely rare entity and can grow considerably in size. The present case report emphasizes that clinicians should be aware of the possibility of retroperitoneal schwannoma. Total excision of benign schwannoma is associated with a favorable outcome. To our knowledge, there are case reports of schwannoma with CT and magnetic resonance imaging findings in the literature, although this is the first schwannoma case with PET-CT imaging.