Oxidative Damage to the Salivary Glands of Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes-Temporal Study: Oxidative Stress and Diabetic Salivary Glands.

Objective. This study evaluated oxidative damage caused to the salivary glands in streptozotocin-induced diabetes (DM). Materials and Methods. Rats were divided into 4 groups: groups 1 and 2, control rats, and groups 3 and 4, DM rats. 8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), protein carbonyl (PC), 4-hydroxynonenal protein adduct (4-HNE), oxidized and/or MDA-modified LDL-cholesterol (oxy-LDL/MDA), 8-isoprostanes (8-isoP), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured at 7 (groups 1 and 3) and 14 (groups 2 and 4) days of experiment. Results. The unstimulated salivary flow in DM rats was reduced in the 2nd week, while the stimulated flow was decreased throughout the duration of the experiment versus control. OSI was elevated in both diabetic glands in the 1st and 2nd week, whereas 8-isoP and 8-OHdG were higher only in the parotid gland in the second week. PC and 4-HNE were increased in the 1st and 2nd week, whereas oxy-LDL/MDA was increased in the 2nd week in the diabetic parotid glands. Conclusions. Diabetes induces oxidative damage of the salivary glands, which seems to be caused by processes taking place in the salivary glands, independently of general oxidative stress. The parotid glands are more vulnerable to oxidative damage in these conditions.

Percutaneous fine-needle pancreatic pseudocyst puncture guided by three-dimensional sonography.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: At present a pancreatic pseudocyst puncture guided by ultrasonography is a treatment of choice in the majority of hospitals. A classical two-dimensional sonography is usually implemented in these cases. However, its shortcomings, mainly in differential diagnosis, are acknowledged by most physicians. The real time monitoring of a fine-needle pseudocyst procedure by two-dimensional ultrasonography is of questionable reliability. In our study we evaluated the usefulness of three-dimensional sonography in the percutaneous fine-needle pancreatic pseudocyst puncture. METHODOLOGY: We examined fifty-two patients diagnosed as having pancreatic pseudocysts on the basis of clinical symptoms and two-dimensional ultrasonography findings. Then the decision to qualify certain patients for the percutaneous fine-needle aspiration guided by ultrasonography was made on the basis of two- and three-dimensional scan results. The next step in our investigation was to implement color Doppler in order to visualize all blood vessels at the planned biopsy site. Three-dimensional sonography was used to monitor the tip of the needle making its way to the pancreatic pseudocyst and later inside the fluid collection. RESULTS: Pancreatic pseudocysts were diagnosed in all of the 52 cases. Three-dimensional sonography was more precise in visualizing the shape and size than two-dimensional ultrasound scans. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional presentation can better visualize irregular shapes, local thickenings, and calcification of pseudocyst walls than classical two-dimensional ultrasound scans. The use of subtraction in three-dimensional scans of blood vessels increases the safety in performing biopsies. It makes the aspiration of cytologic materials much safer to perform. In our study we have shown that three-dimensional sonography collects extremely useful information about the status of the pseudocyst structure and it should become a complementary method to classical ultrasonography. This technique when used on a routine basis ought to help us change the inclusion criteria for guided biopsies.

[Clinical, morphological and biochemical prognostic factors in acute pancreatitis]. / Kliniczne, morfologiczne i biochemiczne czynniki prognostyczne w ostrym zapaleniu trzustki.

Acute pancreatitis is a potentially lethal disease and mortality depends on severity. The clinical spectrum of acute pancreatitis depends greatly on whether or not pancreatic necrosis is present and to what extend. The effectiveness of any treatment is related to the ability to early predict severity, but there is still no ideal predictive system or biochemical marker. An early enthusiasm over several biochemical markers has diminished because of the costs and impracticability of routine use. Undoubtedly, inflammatory mediators do appear capable of offering greater accuracy, speed and flexibility than older systems but they still require more improvement. Nowadays, prediction of acute pancreatitis severity is based on compilation of methods--clinical assessment, use of multifactor score system, measurement of biochemical markers and computed tomography.

[Malignant or benign thyroid nodules: a diagnostic dilemma]. / Guzki lagodne czy zlosliwe w tarczycy--dylemat diagnostyczny.

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of cysts and cystoid-solid lesions in thyroid carcinomas basing on preoperative ultrasonographic examinations (USG), fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and postoperative histopathological examinations. 661 patients with different thyroid disorders were treated surgically. Carcinoma was found in 46 patients (3.9%). Papillary carcinoma was predominant (n = 34). Of the 46 patients with carcinoma, preoperative USG examination revealed cystic or cystoid-solid lesions in 18 patients (39%). FNAB of this 18 patients was positive in 5 cases, negative in 4 and suspect in 9. In 6 cases the neoplastic lesion was strictly connected with cysts (foci in the wall or in solid masses within the cyst) and in the remaining 12 patients lesions were found in the vicinity of the neoplastic focus. We conclude that malignant neoplasms of the thyroid gland are frequently (in approximately 40%) accompanied by cystic and cystoid-solid lesions, FNAB diagnostic material should be obtained even through several USG-controlled punctures and negative FNAB does not exclude thyroid carcinoma, particularly in nodular-cystoid goitre.

Three-dimensional sonography in the diagnosis of hepatic hemangiomas.

The purpose of the study was to compare power 3-D with conventional 2-D sonography with color and power Doppler in assessment of tumor vascularity in small hepatic hemangiomas. The study group comprised 12 patients (7 males and 5 females) aged 28-60, (mean 44) with diagnosed hemangiomas. In all the patients 2-D and 3-D sonography was performed and their results were compared. Both color and power Doppler 2-D sonography failed to detect blood flow in the tumors. Blood flow signals were detected in 3-D power Doppler sonography. 3-D power Doppler is superior to 2-D color and power Doppler imaging in the detection of blood flow signal in hemangiomas.

Surgical management of chronic pancreatitis.

During the past 21 years 222 patients with chronic pancreatitis have undergone surgery at the Department of General Surgery, Medical School Bialystok. In 117 cases (52.7%) resection was performed and 48 patients (21.6%) had anastomotic procedures and the rest of patients underwent bile duct anastomotic surgery or were re-operated on because of surgical complications. Based on the own clinical experience and the latest data from the world literature diagnostic criteria and indications for surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis are shown below. Good results obtained in 192 cases (86%) strongly support our opinion that resection procedures in chronic pancreatitis are the most effective management however patients should be operated on in specialized centers with good diagnostic bases because a correct diagnosis is essential while choosing the appropriate line of treatment.

[The use of the garamycin sponge in the treatment of infected pseudoarthrosis of the tibia]. / Zastosowanie gabki garamycynowej w leczeniu zakazonych stawów rzekomych goleni.

The use of the Garamycin sponge in the treatment of infected pseudoarthrosis of the tibia has been presented. The study included 6 male patients aged from 27 to 56 years; the sponge filled the defect after resection of the pseudoarthrosis. The method seems to be the one of choice to support adequate surgical intervention grossly contributing to the final positive result.

[Diagnosis and surgical treatment of pancreatic carcinoma]. / Rak trzustki--diagnostyka i leczenie.

The aim of the study was presentation of our experiences in the diagnostics and treatment of pancreatic carcinoma in confrontation with current opinions. Between 1983 and April 1998 308 patients (198 males and 110 females with mean age 61 years) were treated at our department. In 211 cases tumor was primarily localized in the head and in 97 cases (31.5%) in the body or tail of pancreas. The diagnosis was determined on the basis of clinical symptoms and laboratory investigations. Diagnostic accuracy of performed investigations was as following. Ultrasonography-86%, CT-scan-95%, and ERCP-94%. Ultrasonography or CT guided biopsy and serodiagnostics improved detectability of resectionable carcinoma in the last past years. Among 308 patients, 292 underwent surgery. Since 1997 an intraoperative ultrasonography and cholangioscopy of common bile duct and Virsung were performed as a routine. The procedures depended on the localization and the grade of advance of the tumors. UICC classification of pancreatic tumors, pTNM (4th edition 1987) it was used. Only in 25 patients (8%) (tumors pT1a-bN0M0) it was possible to perform radical operation (resection of the pancreas). However in 172 patients (56%) only palliative procedures were done (pT2N1M0). In 95 patients (31%) only laparotomy and biopsy were performed (tumors pT2N1M1). The study shows that although diagnostic methods are improved, the tumors of the pancreas are diagnosed in stages making unable the radical procedures. Only about 10% of carcinomas are resectable. It is caused by with non-characteristic picture of the disease in its early stage.

Ultrasound guided percutaneous fine-needle biopsy of the liver: efficacy of color doppler sonography.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Fine-needle biopsy (FNB) is one of the diagnostic methods for the diagnosis of focal lesions in the liver. The method is relatively fast, inexpensive and safe. Complications after FNB are observed in only a few cases. Color Doppler sonography (CDS) is one way of minimizing the number of FNB complications. The aim of the present study is to evaluate CDS in the monitoring of FNB in the diagnosis of focal lesions in the liver. METHODOLOGY: The patient group consisted of 73 patients: 28 male and 45 female with a mean age of 53.5 years. Initially, all patients were examined using traditional B-mode gray-scale sonography. After visualization of focal lesions in the liver their echostructure and position were analyzed. Color Doppler sonography was the introduced for the visualization of vascularization of the liver. FNB was performed under the guidance of CDS. The cytological specimens obtained were microscopically evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 73 patients, 18 cases were diagnosed with liver abscess, 19 with cysts of the liver, and 36 with malignant tumors. Amongst the patients with malignancy tumors, the tumors were unifocal in 15 cases, and multifocal in 221. Histopathologically, there were primary hepatocellular carcinomas in 22 patients and metastatic tumors in 14 patients. During the first 48 hours after FNB no complications such as subcapsular hematoma or intraperitoneal bleeding were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Introducing CDS for ultrasound guided percutaneous FNB of the liver avoids such complications as bleeding, especially in patients with a high risk of hemorrhage.

[Use of Tienam in treatment of severe acute pancreatitis]. / Zastosowanie Tienamu w leczeniu powiklan ostrego zapalenia trzuski.

Therapeutic results obtained in the management of severe acute pancreatitis (AP) complications are still unsatisfactory, and mortality rate is about 40%. An improvement in treatment effectiveness can be related to successful control of infections and prevention of uncontrollable sepsis. The aim of the study was evaluation of effectiveness of Tienam in the management of severe acute pancreatitis complications. The clinical material included 24 patients, treated for AP between 1994 and 1996. All of the patients were operated on and 19 of them required at least one reoperation. During primary surgery we performed necrosectomy and continuous peritoneal lavage. The analysis of cultures obtained from infected necrotic tissue, pancreatic abscesses and whole blood showed that the infections were caused mainly by Gram-negative bacteria. The highest efficiency in infections control was observed in the case of Tienam (15% resistant strains). The authors emphasize also the increasing role of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans in secondary infections.

[Giant nodular goiter]. / Wole guzkowe olbrzymie.

The paper presents own experience in surgical treatment of nodular goitre with mass exceeding 1000 g. In the analysed material of 1180 strumectomies, three such cases were found. Preparation for surgery included administration of Lugol solution, and possibly anxiolytics. The operation of removal of giant nodular goitre caused no significant technical difficulties. The postoperative course was uncomplicated, and cosmetic effect in remote examination was satisfactory.

Ultrasound vascular imaging with subtraction in evaluation of lung tumor vascularity--a case report.

Ultrasound vascular imaging with subtraction is considered as very useful method to evaluation vascularity of tumor and its relationships to great vessels. Lung tumor was evaluated with power color Doppler ultrasound with and without B-mode scanning. Power color Doppler imaging without B-mode scanning is better depicted tumor internal vascular architecture and its relationships to great vessels then with B-mode. This method makes differentiation of tumor character possibly and interventional procedures more safely.

Evaluation of colour Doppler sonography in lung tumor biopsy.

Between 1986 and 1995, 1800 ultrasound examinations of the chest were done. Addition of colour Doppler imaging improves safety of procedures and allowed to perform ultrasound guided biopsy in 47 patients. On the basis of our experience we state that colour Doppler sonography guided needle aspiration biopsy is useful, sufficient and safety diagnostic method of malignant lung masses, especially peripheral and wall-chest located.

Hyperthyroid goitre treated surgically.

The aim of the study was the comparative analysis of the degree of intensity of male and female hyperthyroidism treated surgically in the years 1990 to 1996. In this period 295 females and 42 males underwent operation for hyperthyroid goitre. Female predominance was noted in hyperthyroidism (ratio 7:1), in Graves' disease (7.4:1) and in toxic nodular goitre (6.3:1). The clinical findings in pre- and postoperative patients, including laboratory, visual diagnosis, and intra- and postoperative complications were evaluated. In the preoperative period, the incidence of the thyreocardiac syndrome was greater in the male. Male hyperthyroidic goitres were more frequently located retrosternally and caused trachea compression. No significant sexual differences were found in routine laboratory tests. Operations for hyperthyroidic male goitres usually caused more intraoperative problems and were connected with greater blood loss. Estimation of cardio-vascular parameters in the early postoperative period showed higher intensification of hyperkinetic circulation and higher mean body temperature in men. Signs of psychosis developed postoperatively in two men. The analysis of patients with hyperthyroidic goitre treated surgically revealed more severe course of male thyreotoxicosis in the perioperative period.

Colour doppler sonography guided percutaneous fine-needle biopsy of the liver.

Between 1992 and 1997, every year, approximately 30,000 examinations of the liver and bile ducts were done. Addition of colour Doppler imaging improves safety of procedures and allowed to perform ultrasound guided biopsy in 73 patients. On the basis of our experience we state that colour Doppler sonography guided percutaneous fine needle biopsy of the liver is useful, sufficient and safety diagnostic method of abscesses, cysts and malignant tumours of the liver.

[The effect of some drugs on the levels of selected cytokines in experimental septic shock]. / Wplyw niektórych leków na stezenia wybranych cytokin w doswiadczalnym wstrzasie septycznym.

The production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, sTNFR-p55, sTNFR-p75 and their pharmacomodulation were evaluated in a model of septic shock induced in CD-1 mice by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). This model of sepsis, which resembles the clinical situation of bowel perforation and peritonitis with subsequent septic shock was compared with that induced by administration of pure endotoxin (LPS). TNF-alpha was detectable in serum, liver, spleen and lungs during the first 4 h, with a peak 2 h after CLP. IL-1 beta was measurable in serum after 24 h, and levels increased significantly in spleen and liver 4 and 8 h after CLP. IL-6 levels increased significantly in serum throughout the first 16 h after CLP. sTNFR-p55 and p75 increased in both models of shock but with different kinetics. Cytokines were also detectable after LPS injection, with kinetics similar to those after CLP but a significantly higher level. Pretreatment with dexamethasone (DEX) and ibuprofen (IBU), significantly reduced survival, while TNF did not affect it. Only pentoxifylline (PTX) significantly increased survival in mice with CLP. However DEX protected the mice from LPS mortality. In conclusion, by inhibiting TNF-alpha with DEX and PTX survival was reduced or unchanged respectively, suggesting that the modulation of this cytokine does not play significant role in sepsis and septic shock induced by CLP, unlike treatment with LPS. The negative effects of IBU suggests a protective role by prostaglandins in sepsis induced by LPS.

[Polymorphism of collagen in duodenal mucosa of ulcers]. / Polimorfizm kolagenu w blonie sluzowej dwunastnicy w chorobie wrzodowej.

Determinations of collagen in specimens of duodenal mucosa taken from 15 patients operated on because of duodenal ulcer with pyloric stenosis were performed. In the ulcer and surrounding tissue, total collagen values were significantly increased when compared with the results in unchanged wall of the duodenum. Collagen polymorphism study showed considerably higher percentage of type I and decreased type III in the ulceration than in control duodenal mucosa. In conclusion, extracellular components of connective tissue may play a role in the formation and course of duodenal ulcer disease.

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of pancreatic carcinoma.

The aim of study was presentation of our experiences in diagnosis and treatment in pancreatic carcinoma in confrontation with current opinions. Between 1984-1995 at our Department was treated 211 patients with carcinoma of exocrine part of the pancreas. It were 137 male and 74 female with mean age 58.9 years. In 151 cases (70.5%) primary seat of tumour was located in the head and in 60 cases (29.5.1%) in the body or tail of pancreas. The diagnosis was determined on the basis of clinical symptoms and laboratory investigation Diagnostic accuracy of X-ray investigations was as follow: Ultrasonography-86%, CT-scan-91%, ERCP-94%. Ultrasonography or CT guided biopsy and serodiagnosis improved detectability of resectionable carcinomas in the last past years. Among 211 patients, 199 underwent surgery. The procedures depended on the localisation and grade of advance of the tumours. UICC classification of pancreatic tumours, pTNM (4th edition 1987) was used. Only in 21 patients (9.9%) (tumours pT1a-b N0M0) was possible to perform radical operation (resection of the pancreas). However in 107 patients (50.7%) were done only paliative procedures (pT2N1M0). In 83 patients (39.3%) only laparotomy and biopsy were performed (tumours pT2N1M1). The study shows that although improvement of the diagnostic methods tumors of the pancreas are diagnosed in stages making unable the radical procedures and only about 10% of carcinomas are resectable. It is relevant with non-characteristic picture of the diseases in its early stages.