Analysis of selected pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with multiple injuries in the early period after trauma.

INTRODUCTION: Severe trauma causes damage to the protective barriers of the organism, and thus activates immunological reaction. Among substances secreted during this process pro-inflammatory cytokines are of high importance. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: Severe trauma causing multiple injuries is more likely to lead to particularly intensive inflammatory reaction, which can sometimes lead to serious complications, even life-threatening. The aim of the study is to determine those parameters which may serve as predictors of infectious complications and to enable estimation of the patient's immunological status before the decision to introduce elective procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population included patients with multiple trauma treated in the Department of Trauma Surgery of the Medical University of Gdansk. The severity of injuries was evaluated with commonly used numerical scales (Revised Trauma Score - RTS, Injury Severity Score - ISS, Glasgow Coma Scale - GCS). Blood samples were collected on the first, second, and fifth day after injury. Evaluated parameters: C-reactive protein (CRP), the level of cytokines: IL-8, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF, IL-12p70, and IL-10. Control population: individuals without injury. RESULTS: Evaluation of IL-6, IL-8, and CRP levels in patients with multiple trauma in the early period after injury (2-3 days) could be considered as a predictor of delayed infection (5-10 days). CRP level, being cheap and commonly accessible, can be used in clinical practice enabling identification of patients at higher risk of infectious complications and introduction of appropriate treatment and prevention. The analysis of the mentioned parameters may contribute to choosing an appropriate management strategy, including "timing" depending on the patient's biological status.

Metachronous adenocarcinoma in a gastric tube after radical surgery for oesophageal cancer.

In recent years the prognosis for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients has improved. Together with this improvement, the occurrence of second primary carcinoma, especially gastric carcinoma, in tubes constructed from the stomach after oesophagectomy must be taken into account. We report a case of a patient who had this clinical presentation, which was revealed not in the normal follow-up, but in a consecutive operation carried out because of an anastomotic problem.

Heart laceration during oesophagectomy for the treatment of oesophageal carcinoma.

Oesophagectomy remains an acceptable treatment option for oesophageal cancer. However, it is associated with relatively high morbidity with potentially devastating complications, especially for patients who have undergone previous thoracic surgery. The majority of these complications, however, can be minimised by prevention and early recognition. In this report we present a case of a patient whose right ventricle was injured during the oesophagectomy. We try to analyse the reasons for this complication and establish an algorithm of preoperative planning for such cases.

Unusual simultaneous multifocal rupture of oesophagus, stomach and diaphragm after blunt trauma.

An unusual case of simultaneous multifocal rupture of the oesophagus, stomach and diaphragm after blunt trauma is described. The characteristic computed tomography scans (with intraluminal contrast application) of the ruptured oesophagus are shown, and successful management is presented.

Mucormycosis complicating lower limb crash injury in a multiple traumatised patient: an unusual case.

Necrotising skin and soft tissues infections are most commonly bacterial in origin. However, saprophytic fungi of the class Zygomycetes, family Mucoraceae, can cause highly aggressive infections (mucormycoses) mainly in immunocompromised patients. Severe trauma is one of the major risk factors for mucormycosis. Fungal traumatic wound infection is an unusual complication associated with crash limb injury. This report describes a case of serious necrotising soft tissue infection caused by Mucor sp following primary fungal environmental wound contamination in a multiply injured patient. Despite undelayed diagnosis and proper treatment (surgical debridement and limb amputation, amphotericin B therapy) the patient presented a fatal outcome.

Double gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) of the stomach.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), within its definition, is a gastrointestinal (GI) mesenchymal tumour containing spindle cells and showing CD 117 immunopositivity. The incidence of GISTs is estimated at 10-20/million. GISTs occur typically in people over 50 years of age. Over 95% of primary GISTs are solitary. Rarely, GISTs are multifocal and occur in young adults and children. A case of a 60-year-old women with double GIST of the stomach is reported here. The patient approached her general practitioner because of stomach ache, chronic diarrhoea and weight loss. Ultrasonography showed an abdominal tumour. During gastroscopy a submucosal tumour in the antral part of the stomach was found. Computed tomography revealed a pathological lesion between the stomach and the liver and an intramural tumour of the stomach. Two stomach tumours were found, and a Bilroth I gastrectomy was performed. Histopathological examination showed GIST in both tumours. This case shows that multifocal GISTs of the stomach can arise in older patients.

Mixed hydroblast and missile injury with abdominal eventeration: case report.

Gunshot injuries are quite common nowadays. Increasing numbers of high-pressure injection injuries are also being observed with a good correlation with industrial progress. High-pressure devices produce pressures and velocities of fluid streams similar to those generated in firearms. However, no missile plays a part in high-pressure injection injuries. We present the unusual case of mixed missile and hydroblast injury, which has not yet been reported. Physical characteristics, typical patterns of injury and the possibility of infectious complications are shown. The importance of educating workers about safety precautions is emphasised.