Preoperative Diagnostic Angiogram and Endovascular Aortic Stent Placement for Appleby Resection Candidates: A Novel Surgical Technique in the Management of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer.

Background. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma of the body and tail usually presents late and is typically unresectable. The modified Appleby procedure allows resection of pancreatic body carcinoma with celiac axis (CA) invasion. Given that the feasibility of this technique is based on the presence of collateral circulation, it is crucial to confirm the presence of an anatomical and functional collateral system. Methods. We here describe a novel technique used in two patients who were candidates for Appleby resection. We present their clinical scenario, imaging, operative findings, and postoperative course. Results. Both patients had a preoperative angiogram for assessment of anatomical circulation and placement of an endovascular stent to cover the CA. We hypothesize that this new technique allows enhancement of collateral circulation and helps minimize intraoperative blood loss when transecting the CA at its takeoff. Moreover, extra length on the CA margin may be gained, as the artery can be transected at its origin without the need for vascular clamp placement. Conclusion. We propose this novel technique in the preoperative management of patients who are undergoing a modified Appleby procedure. While further experience with this technique is required, we believe that it confers significant advantages to the current standard of care.

Colonic explant production of IL-1and its receptor antagonist is imbalanced in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

IBD is associated with an increased activation of intestinal immune cells, which causes overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta. IL-1beta is implicated in mediating the sustained inflammatory response. IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), the naturally occurring inhibitor of IL-1, has been shown to have beneficial effects in experimental models of colitis. In this study we investigated the hypothesis that an imbalance between IL-1 and IL-1Ra exists in IBD by measuring their secretion by explant cultures of colonic biopsies. Freshly homogenized biopsies from involved tissue in IBD patients exhibited significantly lower IL-1Ra/IL-1beta ratios than control and uninvolved IBD mucosal tissue. Using explant cultures, in vitro production of IL-1beta and IL-1Ra increased progressively during the 4-18-h culture periods. IL-1beta secretion was higher in supernatants from involved Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis tissue compared with control tissue, and IL-1beta levels increased with severity of inflammation. IL-1Ra secretion was not elevated in involved IBD samples, but significantly higher levels were released when moderate to severely involved tissue samples were compared with noninflammatory controls. Similar to freshly homogenized tissue, explant studies showed that the IL-1Ra/IL-1beta ratios were significantly decreased in involved IBD tissue, but not in uninvolved CD or inflammatory control specimens. These data support the hypothesis of an imbalance between IL-1beta and IL-1Ra in IBD.

Effectiveness of antigliadin antibodies as a screening test for celiac disease in children.

OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of serologic antigliadin antibody (AGA) testing in predicting celiac disease in children. DESIGN: Prospective clinical assessment. SETTING: Hôpital Sainte-Justine, montreal. PATIENTS: A total of 176 children with possible celiac disease who were referred for duodenal biopsy between January 1992 and June 1995. OUTCOME MEASURES: IgA and IgG AGA titres, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); duodenal biopsy; clinical outcome on a gluten-free diet. RESULTS: Of the 176 children 30 were found to have celiac disease according to the criteria of the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (ESPGAN). The sensitivity and specificity of the IgA AGA titre, as well as its positive and negative predictive values, were 80%, 92%, 67% and 96% respectively; the corresponding values for the IgG AGA titre were 83%, 79%, 45% and 96%. The respective values for IgA and IgG AGA titres combined were 93%, 71%, 43% and 98%. Only 2 of the 30 patients with celiac disease had false-negative results for both IgA and IgG AGA titres. The IgA and IgG AGA titres decreased significantly (p < 0.005) in all 11 patients after being on a gluten-free diet for at least 10 months and reached normal values in 8. CONCLUSION: AGA screening for celiac disease permits better selection of patients for duodenal biopsy and adds specificity to the histologic diagnosis. Such screening cannot replace intestinal biopsy, which remains the gold standard for diagnosis.

Mesalamine in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease: a 10-year experience.

: Mesalamine is an enteric-coated 5-aminosalicylic acid formulation effective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, and in decreasing the relapse rate in Crohn's disease. However, little data are available regarding its use in children and adolescents. To determine the modalities of use, safety, and the optimal dose in this age group, charts of 153 pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with mesalamine were reviewed, representing >150 patient years of use. Among these, more than half of the children diagnosed with Crohn's disease (120 patients) had ileocolonic involvement, and pancolitis predominated in those with ulcerative colitis (33 patients). Patients with ulcerative colitis were diagnosed at a younger age than those with Crohn's disease, and thus mesalamine therapy was initiated earlier. When used as monotherapy, no difference was noted in the average dose used for the treatment of active disease versus maintenance therapy (36 mg/kg/day). However, the average dose used did increase since 1992, for both the treatment of active disease and relapse prevention (43 mg/kg/ day). Overall, 18 patients (11.8%) were withdrawn from mesalamine therapy; however only 8 (5.2%) had objective side effects. Exacerbation of diarrhea was the most common reason for withdrawal. Although reported rarely, no serious adverse reactions such as pancreatitis or hepatic or renal dysfunction were observed. This study suggests that mesalamine is a safe and well-tolerated medication in the long-term treatment of pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.