[Bleeding from aortointestinal fistula]. / Krváicení z aortointestinální píste'le.

INTRODUCTION: Aortointestinal fistula is a patological communication between the aorta and the gut. Two groups of these fistulas are described. The primary fistulas originated as complications of aneurysma of the abdominal aorta and the secondary fistulas as a consequence of reconstruction of the abdominal aorta or the iliac arteries. CASE REPORT: A case report of 69-year-old man operated for aneurysma of abdominal aorta with implanted aortal prosthesis is described. Four years after the surgery he complained for bleeding into the digestive tract. The only the small lesions of the stomach were found during endoscopy. A strong attack of bleeding which followed later recquired a laparotomy where aortoileal fistula located in distal anastomosis between the aorta and the prosthesis was found. Despite of the intensive care patient died because of haemorhagic shock. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Based on literature review and also based on the own experience author concludes that every patient with intraabodominal pulsating resistance, or with known diagnosis of the abdominal aorta aneurysma, or with aortal prosthesis who presents with features of the sepsis or bleeding into the digestive tract is suspicious from presence of aortointestinal fistula. The patient should be immediately examined by spiral CT with contrast and operated.

[Intraperitoneal placement of composite implants--polyester mesh coated with polyurethane in experimental study]. / Intraperitoneální aplikace kompozitního implantátu - polyesterové sít'ky potazené polyuretanem v experimentu.

INTRODUCTION: Polyester and polypropylene are currently the most frequently materials for repair of abdominal wall hernias. Most of the mesh materials used intraperitoneally in repair of hernias lead to considerable adhesion formation, as well as the resultant bowel obstruction and intestinal fistula formation. Some newer composite products can reduce risk of adhesion formation. The aim of this experimental study is testing properties of patch, composite structure, characterised by the association of a non-woven textile structure made from polyester multifilaments, and a fine coat of polyurethane on one side, placed intraperitoneally in rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment was carried out with 21 laboratory rats. Laboratory animals were divided into 3 groups - 7 animals in a group. In the first group the check-up laparotomy was realized the 7th day, in the second group the 14th day and in the third group the 28th day after the intraperitoneal implantation of a composite mesh. All animals were sacrificed and adhesion scoring and histological evaluation of tissue specimens with implanted mesh were done. RESULTS: A macroporous polyester mesh component supported an early and huge fibrous proliferation with a good adhesion onto the abdomen wall. On the other hand, a microporous polyurethane layer led to the creation of a fibrous pocket. During the check-up laparotomy, the larger adhesion of omentum to the fibrous layer, covering the polyurethane side of implanted mesh, were located in most laboratory rats - in all the groups. CONCLUSION: We can presume that the protective polyurethane layer does not eliminate risk of adhesion formation in rat.

[Haemosuccus pancreaticus]. / Haemosuccus pancreaticus.

Haemosuccus pancreaticus is a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. The blood is passing into the pancreatic duct through the route between an aneurysm of an artery close to the pancreas and pancreatic duct. The blood goes to the gastrointestinal system through Vater's papilla and the patient becomes anemic. The authors describe their own clinical observations. In the presented paper the pathogenesis of the disease as well as difficulties of diagnosis are discussed. The possible ways of treatment are mentioned, too. It is necessary to consider haemosuccus pancreaticus in patients with proved chronic pancreatitis and in patients with ethylic anamnesis. Duodenoscopy, ERCP and especially angiography help to set the diagnosis. For the treatment it is recommended to perform the embolization of the bleeding artery or an operation such as pancreas resection, artery ligation or alternatively a drainage operation.

[Cooperation between a surgeon and an interventional radiologist in cases of internal bleeding]. / Spolupráce chirurga a intervencního radiologa pri vnitrních krváceních.

INTRODUCTION: Internal bleeding still remains a serious condition, which must be urgently diagnosed and treated. In the Faculty Hospital in Hradec Králové the diagnosis of the internal bleeding source and its consequent treatment is managed under cooperation between a surgeon and an interventional radiologist. A CASE-REVIEW: In the case-review section of this report, a total number of five patients with serious cases of internal bleeding, the source of which was diagnosed and treated under cooperation between the above mentioned specialists is presented. The patients concerned suffered from the following: a trauma to the liver parenchyma, posttraumatic arterioportal shunts, an intraheparic aneurysm, a relaps of the uterine carcinoma with hemorrhaging into the colon and the vagina, bleeding into retroperitoneum. In all the cases the lesion was successfully treated and the hemorrhage was managed. DISCUSSION: Exact location of the bleeding artery during an arteriogragraphic examination is a prerequisite of a successful treatment of the condition. Both, the absorbable materials which allow gradual recanalization of the embolized vessel, and the non-absorbable materials may be used to conduct embolization of the affected vessel. It is necessary to haemodynamically stabilize the patient prior to the procedure. CONCLUSION: In many cases, the cooperation between a surgeon and an interventional radiologist allows for the source of the internal bleeding to be located and managed. It is indicated in certain cases of benign and malignant disorders and in some cases of the parenchymatose organs trauma.

[Mesenchymal extraperitoneal tumors in the elderly]. / Mezenchymální extraperitoneální nádory u senioru.

Incidence rates of solid tumors increase with age in our population. Epithelial tumors are the most frequent tumors of the old age. On the contrary, extraperitoneal mesenchymal tumors are rare. Surgical treatment remains the most important and the most effective therapeutic modality to manage solid tumors. The risk level of the surgical treatment in the elderly is influenced by many factors, which may often be substancially reduced. Therefore, the elderly should not be excluded from curative surgical procedures on their calendary age basis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma presenting with bone metastasis.

Bone metastasis is an unusual complication of hepatocellular carcinoma. We report here 2 cases of patients with bone metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma at presentation. Patient No. 1 with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma was admitted with a bone metastasis in the rib. The patient was treated with hepatic arterial chemotherapy and rib resection. Patient No.2 was known to have an asymptomatic liver mass of uncertain histology for a year when he presented with back pain. Because of signs of spinal compression, laminectomy was performed, and the diagnosis of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma was established. The presence of bone metastases in hepatocellular carcinoma at presentation is extremely rare. More frequently, bone lesions are observed after successful treatment of the primary liver tumor. Both surgery and radiotherapy are used as palliative treatment in bone metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma. The treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma presenting with bone metastasis by bone resection and intraarterial chemotherapy seems to be of limited impact on patient survival because of dissemination of micrometastases in other organs and the frequent presence of other comorbid conditions. However, effective palliation using this multimodality approach is feasible. Hepatocellular carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bone metastases.

[Infectious aneurysm of the abdominal aorta caused by Salmonella: diagnosis, endovascular therapy]. / Infekcní salmonelové aneuryzma brisní aorty: diagnostika, endovaskulární lécba.

The authors present a case of an infected abdominal aortic aneurysms by means of a minimally invasive endovascular method using a stent graft. This patient had already been treated by TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) for repeated varicose bleeding due to liver cirrhosis. Standard surgical therapy of infected abdominal aneurysms and about advantages and possibilities of endovascular treatment with stent grafts are discussed. Regular follow-up of the patient and long-term antibiotics therapy are important for accurate assessment of an implanted stent graft into the infected abdominal aorta. Endovascular stent graft combined with antibiotic therapy may be an alternative to conventional open surgery in managing infected infrarenal abdominal aneurysms.

Immunoscintigraphy and intra-operative radioimmunodetection in the treatment of colorectal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Intra-operative radioimmunodetection of malignant involved lymph nodes follows the pre-operative immunoscintigraphy in the treatment of patients with colorectal carcinoma. The aims of this clinical study were to determine the sensitivity of the method, to compare the results in study when using Oncoscint and CEA-Scan and to evaluate the importance of the method of surgery and postoperative adjuvant therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 121 patients with colorectal tumours (106 primary and 15 recurrent) were operated on using radioimmunoguided surgery (RIGS). The study compared results of pre-operative immunoscintigraphy, intra-operative radioimmunodetection and postoperative histological examination. Histological investigation used classical H&E staining. In histologically negative and RIGS positive cases the immunohistochemical investigation was supplemented. Two radiopharmaceuticals were used Oncoscint CR 103 (MAb B72.3, Satumomab Pendetide), labelled with 111In in 56 patients and CEA-Scan (IMMU 4-Fab' fragments MAb against CEA, Arcitumomab), labelled with 99mTc in 65 patients. RESULTS: The relationship between RIGS positive results and histological examination was statistically assessed after 38 operations and the most acceptable RIGS evaluating index was determined. All subsequent results were evaluated by this index. Immunoscintigraphy of tumour was positive in 112 cases (92.6%). Fifty-five RIGS positive cases of malignant infiltrated lymph nodes were confirmed by 43 histologically positive examinations (78%). In this group 9 cases were discovered only by immunohistochemistry. Sixty-six remaining RIGS negative results were confirmed in 62 (94%) cases by negative histology. CONCLUSIONS: Both immunoscintigraphy and RIGS enable one to make a more accurate diagnosis. While treating the primary disease the use of RIGS may help in assessment of necessary extent of operation performance and in staging of the disease by revealing occult lymph nodes involved. Pre-operative immunoscintigraphy seems to be a useful diagnostic method for detection of tumour recurrence. When comparing two radiopharmaceuticals used, CEA-Scan seems to be more suitable for diagnostic studies, but using the Oncoscint for tumour recurrence detection had some specific benefit, too.

Intraarterial chemotherapy of malignant melanoma metastatic to the liver.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prognosis of malignant melanoma metastatic to the liver is poor. The aim of the present report was to analyze retrospectively the effectiveness of regional chemotherapy and biologic therapy in patients with hepatic metastases of malignant melanoma. METHODOLOGY: Seven patients with hepatic metastases of malignant melanoma were treated by intraarterial administration of the combination of cisplatin, vinblastine and dacarbazine, or melphalan, with or without interleukin-2, interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma. RESULTS: The median survival of 4 patients with metastatic involvement initially limited to the liver is 19+ months in contrast to a median survival of 5 months in patients with concurrent extrahepatic disease. Intraarterial administration of cytokines led to an initial decrease in circulating lymphocyte numbers, with subsequent return to pretreatment levels, and to an increase in urinary neopterin, a marker of immune activation. CONCLUSIONS: Regional intraarterial administration of chemotherapy with or without cytokines may be effective for controlling hepatic metastases of malignant melanoma in patients with disease limited to the liver, but little benefit is evident in patients who present with concurrent extrahepatic disease.

Regional administration of irinotecan in combination with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases--a pilot experience.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Regional chemotherapy represents an effective approach for the control of isolated liver metastases of colorectal cancer. Fluoropyrimidines have been the basis of systemic and regional chemotherapy of this disease for several decades, but recent studies have demonstrated that the addition of irinotecan (CPT-11) ameliorates the results of systemic treatment. METHODOLOGY: Fifteen patients with isolated liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma were treated with regional administration of CPT-11 in combination with 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid (5-FU/FA). CPT-11 (100-200 mg, mean: 93 +/- 25, range: 51-125 mg/m2) was administered weekly in combination with 5-FU (1000-2000 mg, 857 +/- 182, range: 538-1301 mg/m2) and FA (100-350 mg). Peripheral blood leukocyte phenotype was examined during the treatment in selected patients. RESULTS: One patient achieved complete response, 4 patients had partial response, 7 patients had stable disease, 1 patient progressed and 2 patients were not evaluable. The response rate was 38% in evaluable patients, and a more than 50% decrease in serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels was observed in 12 out of 14 patients. The treatment was generally well tolerated. All patients, except one, are currently alive at mean follow-up of 11 +/- 6 (median: 10, range: 5-24) months. The therapy is still being continued in 8 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly CPT-11/5-FU/FA is highly effective in the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer limited to the liver, even after failure of previous 5-FU/FA. The present regimen should be tested as a first line treatment in phase III trial.

[Subadventitial rupture of the internal carotid artery]. / Subadventiciální ruptura vnitrní karotidy.

The author describes the case of a 21-year-old patient who contracted an injury of the internal carotid by collision with the tip of a metal rod. The injury led to the development of a sub-adventitial rupture of the carotid artery and its subsequent thrombosis. The patient was admitted to the Clinic 12 hours after he lost consciousness. CT examination of the brain did not reveal malacia. The patient was operated--resection of the injured portion of the carotid artery was performed, carotid thrombectomy and reconstruction of the artery. After surgery the patient improved rapidly and gradually his condition returned to normal.

[History and perspectives in treatment of arterial aneurysms]. / Historie a perspektivy lécby arteriálních aneuryzmat.

The authors give an account of therapeutic trends of arterial aneurysms. As a basis they use a retrospective picture of the history and analysis of the contemporary state of treatment.

[The spiral Z-stent with a knit dacron coating in endoluminal therapy of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta]. / Spirální Z stent potazený dacronovým úpletem v endoluminální terapii aneuryzmatu brisní aorty.

The authors present their own experience with construction, experimental testing and clinical application of endoluminal grafts. In the first part of the project, a new selfexpandable stentgraft was constructed on the basis of spiral Z stent. Spiral Z stent was covered by ultrathin polyester sleeve. Next, stentgraft was tested on animal model of abdominal aortic aneurysm. On the basis of experimental results endoluminal grafting of AAA was started in Czech Republic.

Inguinal hernioplasty according to Lotheissen and McVay.

Inguinal hernioplasty represents one of the most frequently performed operation in surgery. In the article the author describes the technique of inguinal hernioplasty according to Lotheissen and McVay. He has an excellent experience when using this procedure. This communication tried to focus the attention of surgical community on this method.

[Aberrant mammae, personal experience]. / Mamma aberrata, nase zkusenosti.

The authors present information of a group of 63 patients (60 women and 3 men) treated in 1976-1998 where supernumerous aberrant or accessory mammary gland tissue was found. The diagnosis in the majority of the patients was based on histological examination. The tissue of an aberrant mammary gland is subject to the same physiological influences as the mamma proper and can be affected by the same pathological processes--benign and malignant. This is the reason why the authors recommend early extirpation.

Dissection of the infrarenal aorta treated by stent graft placement.

Aortic dissection is primarily localized in the thoracic aorta. Dissection of the abdominal aorta is exceedingly rare, especially in the absence of a blunt abdominal trauma. Two cases of a primarily infrarenal aortic dissection were diagnosed by US, CT and angiography. The patients were treated by stent graft placement. The stent grafts were introduced via a femoral arteriotomy through the introducer sheath and were placed so that they occluded entry and reentry of aortic dissection. The stent graft placement caused total obliteration of a false channel of the dissection immediately after endoprosthesis deployment. The patients were followed-up by CT and angiography at 16 and 3 months after surgery without complication.

Juxtarenal aortic aneurysm associated with a horseshoe kidney. Transfemoral endoluminal repair.

Horseshoe kidney complicates aortic aneurysm surgery in 1 of 200 cases. A patient with asymptomatic juxtarenal aortic aneurysm associated with a horseshoe kidney was successfully treated by stent graft placement. The kidney was supplied by 4 renal arteries. The proximal uncovered part of the stent graft was anchored across the origin of 1 renal artery. Another renal artery, arising from the aneurysmal sac, was occluded by the covered part of the stent graft. A kidney infarction developed postoperatively, which did not affect renal function or blood pressure. The patient was discharged from the hospital in good condition. Follow-up computed tomography and angiography confirmed a satisfactory result of the endovascular treatment.

Juxtarenal aortic aneurysm: endoluminal transfemoral repair?

Endoluminal transfemoral repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm by a stent graft placement requires a segment of the nondilated infrarenal aorta of at least 15 mm long for safe stent graft attachment. The possibility of endoluminal treatment of a juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with partially covered spiral Z stent was assessed in experiment and in three clinical cases. In the experiment, the noncovered spiral Z stent was placed into the abdominal aorta, across the origins of renal arteries and mesenteric arteries, in six dogs. In the clinical cases, a partially covered stent graft was attached in 3 patients with the juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (of the group of 12 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm). The stent grafts were attached with proximal uncovered parts across the origins of the renal arteries. In experiment, the renal artery occlusions or stenoses were not observed 36 months after stent placement, and in clinic, 3 patients with the juxtarenal aortic aneurysm were successfully treated by stent graft placement. There were no signs of flow impairment into the renal arteries 14 months after stent graft implantation. This approach can possibly expand the indications for endoluminal grafting in the treatment of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms in patients who are at high risk for surgery.

[Activation of the immune system in colorectal carcinoma and its assessment]. / Aktivace imunitního systému u kolorektálního karcinomu a moznost jeho stanovení.

The immune system of the patients with colorectal cancer is activated. Urinary neopterin is an index of this systemic immune activation, reflecting the circulating activity of interferon-gamma. We have measured urinary neopterin excretion in 34 patients with colorectal cancer. This excretion was significantly higher in our patients compared to reference group (325 +/- 267 vs 169 +/- 62 mumol/mol creatinine, neopterin concentrations were considerably higher in Dukes' stage D disease compared with Dukes' stage B and C disease/561 +/- 372 vs 188 +/- 47 and 250 +/- 142 mu/mol creatinine. Increased neopterin detected the presence of metastatic disease with 90% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity. Authors conclude that urinary neopterin measurement may be useful in the staging of colorectal cancer.

[Polyester-covered spiral Z stent. Initial clinical experience with endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms]. / Polyesterom pot'ahovaný spirálový Z stent. Prvé klinické skúsenosti s endovaskulárnou liecbou aneuryzmy aorty.

The authors present their initial clinical experience with endovascular treatment of an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta using of a polyester covered spiral Z stent. Since May 1995 they treated by the endoluminal route 13 patients with aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and 1 patient with thoracic aneurysm. In patients with a subrenal aneurysm (n = 10) the stent graft was anchored below renal arteries origins. In patients with a juxtarenal aneurysm (n = 3) the stent graft was anchored across the renal arteries origins. All patients were followed up by angiography, computed tomography and ultrasonography. In one patient with a subrenal aneurysm dislocation of the stent graft during implantation occurred. In the remaining patients it proved possible to exclude the aneurysm successfully. One patient with an juxtarenal aneurysm died 6 days after surgery. The cause of death was not associated with the aneurysm or surgery. In patients with juxtarenal aneurysms the authors did not observe changes of renal functions or occlusion of the renal artery in the course of 12 months.