Clinical study on magnesium and calcium level in the blood during the acute pancreatitis.

The aim of this clinical study was to determine whether during the course of mild gallstone pancreatitis (I degree), which is the most common form of acute pancreatitis, there occur blood magnesium and calcium concentration disruptions. Testing was performed on 20 patients suffering from mild pancreatitis during 5 days of illness. Results were compared with a group of 110 healthy individuals (first-time blood donors). The average plasma magnesium ion concentration (PMg++) was lowest in the first day of illness and gradually goes up during the following 4 days. The highest levels, exceeding 11 per cent basal values, were observed during the fifth day of acute pancreatitis. Similar changes of blood cells magnesium ion concentration (BCMg++) were observed. The lowest level was found during the first day and after this it increased slightly to reach average levels. The most stable was plasma calcium ion concentration (PCa++) which did not indicate any variations. Blood donors results: PMg++ mean 0.95 +/- 0.17 mmol/L (range 0.65-1.41 mmol/L), BCMg++ -2.85 +/- 0.42 mmol/L (1.58-3.62 mmol/L), PCa++ -2.51 +/- 0.28 mmol/L (2.03-2.99 mmol/L). The observed differences in magnesium concentration were statistically significant only for the group examined (p < 0.001) and did not differ in a statistically significant sense from the control group values (Cohran-Cox test with p < 0.001). Previous studies have shown that, among individuals with mild gallstone pancreatitis, there is half the bile magnesium ion concentration and the same bile calcium ion concentration as among individuals with gallstones, who have not suffered from pancreatitis. Lack of permanent blood ion changes during the course of this form of the disease shows that the general circulating pool is unchanged. This magnesium deficiency pertains specifically to bile. However during the course of acute pancreatitis and lack of oral magnesium supply the pool of body reserves may be depleted. Magnesium also shows pharmacodynamic action as a tranquilliser, a vasodilator, a cytoprotective agent, an anticoagulant, an antioxidant and a myorelaxant. All these influences are beneficial in acute pancreatitis treatment. Therefore, despite visible features of magnesium deficit in the organism, it seems reasonable to supply the daily need by adding 2 amp. 25 per cent magnesium sulphate (total 40.5 mmol) during parenteral fluids infusion. Such a procedure was carried out for our patients and the results will be presented in a separate publication.

[Actinomycosis of the pelvic organs in a woman]. / Promienica narzadów miednicy u kobiety.

A case of female patient operated for a tumour in pelvis is presented. The patient was critically emaciated. Macroscopic examination suggested inoperable neoplasma. Histologic examination of the collected specimen has shown actinomycosis. The patient used intrauterine device for one year. Antibiotics produced complete improvement.

[Disturbances of blood flow in the large bowel during acute pancreatitis]. / Zaburzenia ukrwienia jelita grubego w przebiegu ostrego zapalenia trzustki.

Cases of vascular complications in the large bowel in acute pancreatitis are reported. In the light of own observations and a literature review the author classifies the complications into early (with in 3 days after onset of acute pancreatitis) and late (after more than 3 days). Depending on the mechanism of intestinal ischaemia the cases were divided into: 1) cases of thrombosis of great mesenteric vessels, 2) occlusion of mesenteric vessels caused by compression (inflammatory infiltration or abscess), 3) circulation disturbances in the intestinal wall. Despite the rarity of these complications they should be considered in the analysis of the course of acute pancreatitis, in the prognosis and in operation decisions.

[Study of magnesium levels in the blood and urine in acute pancreatitis]. / Badanie poziomów magnezu we krwi i w moczu w przebiegu ostrego zapalenia trzustki.

The magnesium concentration in the body fluids has been determined in 39 patients with mild acute pancreatitis having no ethanol etiology. The results obtained have been compared with that in 30 healthy blood donors. The normal magnesium concentration in the blood plasma has been stated during the first day of treatment in the patients studied. During the treatment the magnesium concentration in the blood plasma showed only minor fluctuations and increased slightly only in the fifth day of the disease. The magnesium concentration in erythrocytes of the patients studied was slightly, not significantly, elevated and did not change during the subsequent days of treatment. The magnesium excretion in the urine increased during the fifth days of the disease.