LOCALIZATION OF PANCREATIC INSULINOMAS WITH ARTERIAL STIMULATION BY CALCIUM AND HEPATIC VENOUS SAMPLING - PRESENTATION OF A SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE.

CONTEXT: Arterial stimulation and venous sampling (ASVS) is the most sensitive diagnostic method for occult insulinoma localization. We present our experience with this method and modifications used that proved to ensure greater safety and sensitivity with this rare pathology. Relationship between tumour size and changes in peak insulin values and release curves were also tested. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Six consecutive patients with biochemically established diagnosis of endogenous hyperinsulinism underwent preoperative non-invasive diagnostic tests with sensitivities calculated and compared for all methods. Certain modifications were used in ASVS procedure that included hepatic vein catheterization, order of arterial stimulation, time intervals between each stimulation, diagnostic insulin gradient level and the time frame for diagnostic rise of insulin. Peak insulin values and insulin gradients were compared with tumour size in each patient. RESULTS: In all patients, calcium stimulation accurately localized the insulinoma, with higher sensitivity than any other method. A more than 4-fold increase in insulin level was observed in all patients, after injection into the tumour feeding artery, while 2 to 4-fold increase was observed in the tumour neighbouring areas. Tumour size showed an inversely proportional correlation to peak insulin values in each artery that correctly located the tumour. CONCLUSION: ASVS presents the most accurate and safe method for localization of occult insulinomas. A four-fold insulin gradient can be used as a limit for positive preoperative localization in order to secure a higher specificity.

Incidental extra-mammary findings in breast MRI.

AIM: To investigate the frequency, distribution, and nature of incidental extra-mammary findings detected with breast MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Incidental findings were defined as unexpected lesions outside the breast, not previously known or suspected at the time of referral. Five hundred consecutive breast MRI studies performed from June 2010 to September 2012 were reviewed in this retrospective study for which the institutional review board granted approval and waived the requirement for informed consent. MRI findings were compared with subsequent diagnostic procedures in order to differentiate benign from malignant lesions. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-eight incidental findings were found in 107 of the 500 (21.4%) examined patients. The most common site was the liver (61/138; 44.2%), followed by the lung (24/138; 17.4%), mediastinum (22/138; 15.9%), pleural cavity (15/138; 10.9%), bone tissue (9/138; 6.5%), spleen (3/138; 2.2%), major pectoral muscle (3/138; 2.2%), and kidney (1/138; 0.7%). Twenty-five of the 138 (18.1%) incidental findings were confirmed to be malignant, whereas the remaining 113 (81.9%) were benign. Malignant findings were exclusively detected in patients with known breast carcinoma, whereas incidental findings in patients without a history of carcinoma were all benign. Twenty-five of 100 (24.8%) incidental findings among patients with history of breast cancer were malignant. CONCLUSION: Although many of incidental findings were benign, some were malignant, altering the diagnostic work-up, staging, and treatment. Therefore, it is important to assess the entire field of view carefully for abnormalities when reviewing breast MRI studies.

New images in carcinoid heart disease.

Echocardiography was the main imaging technique in the diagnosis and follow up of carcinoid heart disease but in the last decade magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has evolved into a new diagnostic modality. Most of the reported MRI features were similar to those observed by echocardiography - tricuspid and/or pulmonary valve thickening and immobility with consequent valvular dysfunction and right heart enlargement. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing endocardial enhancement of the right cardiac chambers, tricuspid valve and subvalvular apparatus, which corresponds with histologically seen fibrous carcinoid plaques.

An animal model for endoscopic endonasal surgery and dacryocystorhinostomy training: uses and limitations of the lamb's head.

OBJECTIVES: Structured training in endoscopic sinus surgery is essential, considering the serious potential complications. We have developed a detailed endoscopic endonasal surgery training programme, using a lamb's head model. This study aimed to assess the possibilities of using such a model for endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dacryocystography was performed on lamb's head models, which were then meticulously dissected, both macroscopically and endoscopically, to assess the nasolacrimal system. RESULTS: Dacryocystography showed the absence of a lacrimal sac in all the lamb's heads dissected. This result was confirmed by dissection. CONCLUSION: Lamb's heads are excellent models with which to teach endoscopic sinus surgery techniques. However, this study clearly demonstrated the absence of a lacrimal sac in all such models dissected. Thus, this animal model is inappropriate for endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy training.

Treatment of relapsed or refractory aggressive non-hodgkin lymphoma with two ifosfamide-based regimens, IMVP and ICE.

We report the outcomes of 45 patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) treated with a combination of ifosfamide, carboplatinum and etoposide (ICE) and 28 patients treated with a combination of ifosfamide, methotrexate and etoposide (IMVP) during two 5-year periods. The response rate (RR) to ICE was 47%, 2-year overall survival (OS) 31% and 2-year event-free survival (EFS) 22%. These results were similar to those obtained with IMVP (RR 39%, 2-year OS 23%, 2-year EFS 13%; p=0.355 for RR, 0.275 for OS, 0.668 for EFS). Higher IPI scores and refractoriness to treatment were negative prognostic factors, immunophenotype (B vs. T) had no influence on prognosis. Changing from IMVP to ICE does not substantially improve the outcome of patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive NHL. Patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive B-NHL do not have a superior outcome in comparison to those with T-NHL if treated with chemotherapy alone.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of impacted radiolucent stone at the right pyeloureteric junction and oral dissolution therapy in a patient with transplanted liver: a case report.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a safe, effective method to treat urinary lithiasis. The success rate in ESWL depends on stone location, size, number, and fragility as well as calceal anatomy and patency of the urinary tract. An association of calcineurin inhibitors and uric acid urolithiasis has been reported in renal allograft recipients, but the mechanism remains unknown. Herein we have reported the case of 68-year-old male patient who developed cryptogenic cirrhosis and underwent liver transplantation. Seven years after transplantation, the patient was admitted to the hospital with right renal colic. An 8.9-mm radiolucent stone at the pyeloureteric junction was associated with moderate consecutive hydronephrosis. The second stone was located in a lower renal calyx. After a failed attempt at retrograde ureteral stenting, we performed a percutaneous nephrostomy. Antegrade pyelography with following ESWL treatment resulted in disintegration of the obstructive stone at the pyeloureteric junction. Afterward, we performed antegrade placement of a double-J stent. Residual stones in the lower renal calyx were successfully treated with a 3-month course of oral intake of a dissolution agent-potassium sodium hydrogen citrate. In this case, we have discussed ESWL and oral dissolution therapy of radiolucent stones in a hydronephrotic right kidney, which resulted in stone-free disease after 3 months of combined therapy. There was neither clinical nor biochemical damage to the transplanted liver.

[Purulent osteomyelitis with epidural abcess in an adult over a decade after cervical spine injury]. / Eiternde Osteomyelitis mit Epiduralabszess bei einem Erwachsenen mehr als ein Jahrzehnt nach zervikaler Wirbelsäulenverletzung.

Cervical osteomyelitis and epidural abscess are rare and potentially fatal conditions with severe neurological manifestations. Changes on plain radiography and computed tomography are non-specific, while contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging shows high sensitivity and specificity in establishing early diagnosis.

Conservative surgical treatment of low-grade urothelial carcinoma in the renal allograft recipient: a case report.

Development of urothelial carcinoma in a renal allograft is rare. We report the case of 52-year-old male patient who developed chronic renal failure secondary to Balkan endemic nephropathy and underwent renal allotransplantation. The patient who developed low-grade pTa urothelial carcinoma in the left contracted kidney at 3 years after transplantation and underwent nephroureterectomy. Three years later, the same neoplastic process was observed in the renal allograft. Preoperative estimation for allograft tumor recurrence and progression included percutaneous tumor biopsy followed by cytopathological, histological, and cytogenetic analysis. Cytopathology revealed well-differentiated urothelial tumor cells. Histopathologic analysis showed low-grade urothelial carcinoma. Cytogenetic examination demonstrated that the tumor originated from the recipient suggesting a low malignant potential of carcinoma. Based on these findings, we decided to perform a right-side nephroureterectomy and graft-sparing procedure, which resulted in preservation of allograft function. In this report we discussed the prognostic factors, which are the basis for rational therapeutic approaches in these patients.

Osteogenic protein-1 (BMP-7) accelerates healing of scaphoid non-union with proximal pole sclerosis.

We randomly assigned 17 patients with scaphoid non-union at the proximal pole to three treatment groups: (1) autologous iliac graft (n=6), (2) autologous iliac graft + osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1; n=6), and (3) allogenic iliac graft + OP-1 (n=5). Radiographic, scintigraphic, and clinical assessments were performed throughout the follow-up period of 24 months. OP-1 improved the performance of both autologous and allogenic bone implants and reduced radiographic healing time to 4 weeks compared with 9 weeks in group 1. Helical CT scans and scintigraphy showed that in OP-1-treated patients sclerotic bone was replaced by well-vascularised bone. The addition of OP-1 to allogenic bone implant equalised the clinical outcome with the autologous graft procedure. Consequently the harvesting of autologous graft can be avoided.

[Rupture of the spleen and acute pancreatitis after ESWL therapy: a rare complication]. / Milzruptur und akute Pankreatitis nach ESWL-Therapie: eine seltene Komplikation.

INTRODUCTION: ESWL is a safe and efficient method in the therapy of urolithiasis which, however, is not free of complications. CASE REPORT: ESWL was performed in a 54-year-old patient with a stone of 18 mm in size located in one of the upper calyces of the left kidney. Several hours after the ambulatory ESWL treatment the patient was admitted to the emergency room with strong pain in the left lumbar region and the upper abdomen. During examination low blood pressure, tachycardia and low Hb levels were found. Ultrasound and CAT scans revealed a subcapsular rupture of the spleen. Surgery was indicated, and a laparotomy with splenectomy was performed. Ten days after surgery the patient developed acute pancreatitis which was treated conservatively with success. CONCLUSIONS: Although ESWL is a safe method in the treatment of urinary stones with a relatively small number of complications, rare complications like ruptures of the spleen have to be considered. Special attention should be given to patients with kidney stones in the left upper calyces, pathological growth of the spleen, and accompanying diseases such as chronic heart failure or hypertension. In such patients ESWL should not be performed on an outpatient basis.

Prognostic value of bcl-2, p53 and Ki-67 in invasive squamous carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of the markers bcl-2, p53 and Ki67 and their relation to the classical clinical-pathological prognostic factors in invasive squamous cellular carcinoma of the cervix. Since bcl-2 and p53 are implicated in the regulation of programmed cell death, very probably they play a role in carcinogenesis and consequently become prognostic factors.

Eyebrow keyhole approach in vascular neurosurgery.

The authors review their experience in the surgery of intracranial aneurysms via an eyebrow keyhole approach. The eyebrow keyhole approach presumes a skin incision in the lateral two-thirds of the eyebrow followed by small supraorbital craniotomy (15 x 25 mm). Using this approach and an intraoperative endoscope for better visualisation of the aneurysmal neck, the authors operated on thirty-seven patients with forty intracranial aneurysms. There was no mortality, postoperative recovery was fast, and the cosmetic effect was excellent. Advantages and possibilities of this approach are discussed and results are presented. The authors recommend this approach as a minimal invasive surgery procedure in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. When performed by experienced vascular neurosurgeons this approach is neither more difficult for the surgeon nor more dangerous for the patient than any other standard craniotomy procedure. According to the authors' present results, surgery of intracranial aneurysm via an eyebrow keyhole approach is the method of choice when performed by an experienced vascular neurosurgeon.

Quality control program of steroid receptor assays: an international study.

Lyophilized calf uterine cytosol standards were prepared for quality control of estrogen receptor (ER) determination, and lyophilized cytosols and tissue powders were used for quality control of progesterone receptor (PR) analysis. Two series of four samples were analyzed either for ER or PR contents, twice within one month, by 7 laboratories in 5 countries. Coefficient of variation (CV) of the between-laboratory averages assayed in a single run of ER-positive (ER+) and PR-positive (PR+) standards varied from 29.6 to 61.8% and from 32.4 to 76.2%, respectively. All laboratories, with the exception of a single value, could recognize samples of low, medium, an high ER level, as well as a negative sample. Most laboratories evaluated properly also the level of PR samples. The average between-laboratory CV values of protein determination in the relevant standards were 23%.

Estrogen and progesterone receptors as prognostic factors in breast cancer.

The relation between estrogen receptors (ER) and/or progesterone receptors (PgR) and some clinical factors such as tumor size, axillary node involvement, histological tumor grade, and disease-free interval (DFI) in 500 patients with operable (TNM stage I-III) breast cancer was studied. ER-positive (ER+) tumors were commoner in older patients, whereas PgR-positive (PgR+) tumors were similarly distributed within the age groups. The concentration of ER+ protein also increased with age in contrast to PgR+ protein concentration. However, receptor status was not associated with menopausal status independently of age. Axillary node involvement influenced neither ER nor PgR status, but there was a statistically significant relation between tumor size and positivity of ER or PgR. There was no association between histologic tumor grade and either steroid receptor phenotype. DFI was longer in patients with ER+ than those with ER- tumors, independently of axillary nodal status. The positivity of PgR in patients with ER+ tumors contributed to an even longer DFI, suggesting that the combination of ER/PgR is a better indicator of DFI than ER or PgR alone.