Hong Kong consensus recommendations on the management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

This project was undertaken to develop the first set of consensus statements regarding the management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in Hong Kong, with the goal of providing guidance to local clinicians. A multidisciplinary panel of experts discussed issues surrounding current PDAC management and reviewed evidence gathered in the local context to propose treatment recommendations. The experts used the Delphi approach to finalise management recommendations. Consensus was defined as ≥80% acceptance among all expert panel members. Thirty-nine consensus statements were established. These statements cover all aspects of PDAC management, including diagnosis, resectability criteria, treatment modalities according to resectability, personalised management based on molecular profiling, palliative care, and supportive care. This project fulfils the need for guidance regarding PDAC management in Hong Kong. To assist clinicians with treatment decisions based on varying levels of evidence and clinical experience, treatment options are listed in several consensus statements.

Detection of significant liver fibrosis in Chinese psoriasis patients receiving methotrexate: a comparison between transient elastography and liver histology.

INTRODUCTION: Methotrexate (MTX) is effective for treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, but its potential hepatoxicity remains a concern. Liver biopsy, the gold standard for detecting MTX-induced liver injury, is invasive and carries considerable risk. Transient elastography (TE) offers a non-invasive alternative for detecting advanced liver fibrosis. This study investigated the performance of TE in detecting MTX-induced liver fibrosis among Chinese psoriasis patients, compared with liver biopsy. METHODS: This study included adult patients with clinical psoriasis. Liver stiffness measurement using TE was performed in patients receiving MTX. Exclusion criteria were known liver cirrhosis, positive viral hepatitis carrier status, or conditions influencing TE performance. Liver biopsy was performed when liver stiffness was ≥7.1 kilopascals (kPa) or when the total cumulative dose (TCD) of MTX was ≥3.5 g. RESULTS: A total of 228 patients were screened; among 34 patients who met the inclusion criteria, nine (26.5%) had significant liver fibrosis (Roenigk grade ≥3a). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.76 (95% confidence interval=0.59-0.93; P=0.021), indicating that TE had satisfactory performance in detecting liver fibrosis. A cut-off value of 7.1 kPa of liver stiffness yielded 100% sensitivity and 68% specificity. Liver fibrosis was not correlated with the TCD of MTX or the duration of MTX use; it was significantly correlated with obesity and diabetes status (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, waist circumference ≥138 cm, and glycated haemoglobin level ≥7.8%). CONCLUSION: Transient elastography is reliable and superior to the TCD for detecting liver fibrosis in Chinese psoriasis patients receiving MTX. Liver biopsy should be reserved for high-risk patients or patients with liver stiffness ≥11.7 kPa on TE.

Rare cause of jaundice in a post liver transplant patient.

A hepatitis B virus carrier suffering from acute flare of chronic hepatitis B infection underwent deceased-donor liver transplantation. He was put on the immunosuppressive agent tacrolimus. On routine follow-up, he was found to have abnormal liver function. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen did not show any dilatation of the biliary system. Liver biopsy showed scattered microabscesses, and a microgranuloma was detected. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was performed and a biliary anastomotic stricture (BAS) was noted. In addition, the Chinese liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis, was discovered. Balloon dilatation and stenting were performed. The patient was given a course of praziquantel. His liver function improved and normalized. We present the case of a liver transplant recipient with cholangitis caused by C. sinensis infestation and infection and biliary obstruction resulting from BAS.

Clinical relevance of cranial nerve injury following carotid endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: The benefit of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) may be diminished by cranial nerve injury (CNI). Using a quality improvement registry, we aimed to identify the nerves affected, duration of symptoms (transient vs. persistent), and clinical predictors of CNI. METHODS: We identified all patients undergoing CEA in the Vascular Study Group of New England (VSGNE) between 2003 and 2011. Surgeon-observed CNI rate was determined at discharge (postoperative CNI) and at follow-up to determine persistent CNI (CNIs that persisted at routine follow-up visit). Hierarchical multivariable model controlling for surgeon and hospital was used to assess independent predictors for postoperative CNI. RESULTS: A total of 6,878 patients (33.8% symptomatic) were included for analyses. CNI rate at discharge was 5.6% (n = 382). Sixty patients (0.7%) had more than one nerve affected. The hypoglossal nerve was most frequently involved (n = 185, 2.7%), followed by the facial (n = 128, 1.9%), the vagus (n = 49, 0.7%), and the glossopharyngeal (n = 33, 0.5%) nerve. The vast majority of these CNIs were transient; only 47 patients (0.7%) had a persistent CNI at their follow-up visit (median 10.0 months, range 0.3-15.6 months). Patients with perioperative stroke (0.9%, n = 64) had significantly higher risk of CNI (n = 15, CNI risk 23.4%, p < .01). Predictors for CNI were urgent procedures (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.1, p < .01), immediate re-exploration after closure under the same anesthetic (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.0, p < .01), and return to the operating room for a neurologic event or bleeding (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4-3.8, p < .01), but not redo CEA (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.5-1.9, p = .90) or prior cervical radiation (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.3-2.5, p = .80). CONCLUSIONS: As patients are currently selected in the VSGNE, persistent CNI after CEA is rare. While conditions of urgency and (sub)acute reintervention carried increased risk for postoperative CNI, a history of prior ipsilateral CEA or cervical radiation was not associated with increased CNI rate.

Recovery and rehabilitation after stroke.

The incidence of stroke is about 1.5 to 2.5 per 1000 population per year. Stroke is among the commonest diagnoses on the list of yearly bed-days in Canadian hospitals. Recovery after stroke is often a lengthy and complex process in which doctors, nurses, therapists and family members are closely involved, yet little information is available about the use of therapy in stroke rehabilitation. This article discusses the mechanisms of recovery, the natural history of recovery of physical and social function, and the role of rehabilitation in treating acute stroke patients.

Identification of type C viruses by electron microscopy.

The cores of a small proportion of the particles in purified preparations of type C viruses are characterized by two concentric shells that have a "double-ring" appearance in specimens prepared for electron microscopy by negative staining or thin sectioning techniques. This distinctive feature allows such particles to be recognized as viral in impure preparations. Detectability of double-ring particles is considerably enhanced by treating the specimens with a non-ionic detergent before fixation and negative staining. The limit of detectablity of type C virus (identified by the double-ring feature) in the presence of a large excess of nonviral particulates of similar size and density was assessed.