C-Reactive Protein as a Negative Predictive Marker for Anastomotic Leakage After Minimally Invasive Esophageal Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is commonly used by surgeons to raise suspicion of anastomotic leakage and other infectious complications, but most studies on optimal cut-off values are retrospective with a small sample of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy and optimal cut-off value of CRP for anastomotic leakage in patients following esophagectomy for cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer patients was included in this prospective study. Anastomotic leakage was confirmed if a defect or leakage of oral contrast was seen on a CT scan, by endoscopy or if saliva was draining from the neck incision. Diagnostic accuracy of CRP was assessed by receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis. Youden's index was adopted to determine the cut-off value. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients were included between 2016 and 2018. Postoperative day 5 showed the highest area under the ROC (0.825) and optimal cut-off value of 120 mg/L. This resulted in a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 82%, negative predicting value of 97%, and positive predicting value of 32%. CONCLUSIONS: CRP on postoperative day 5 can be used as a negative predictor for and can be used as a marker to raise suspicion of anastomotic leakage following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. When CRP exceeds 120 mg/L on postoperative day 5, additional investigations should be considered.

Understanding fluorescence time curves during ileal pouch-anal anastomosis with or without vascular ligation.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (ICG-FA) may be of added value during pouch surgery, in particular after vascular ligations as lengthening maneuver. The aim was to determine quantitative perfusion parameters within the efferent/afferent loop and explore the impact of vascular ligation. Perfusion parameters were also compared in patients with and without anastomotic leakage (AL). METHODS: All consenting patients that underwent FA-guided ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) between July 2020 and December 2021 were included. After intravenous bolus injection of 0.1 mg/kg ICG, the near-infrared camera (Stryker Aim 1688) registered the fluorescence intensity over time. Quantitative analysis of ICG-FA from standardized regions of interests on the pouch was performed using software. Fluorescence parameters were extracted for inflow (T0, Tmax, Fmax, slope, Time-to-peak) and outflow (T90% and T80%). Change of management related to FA findings and AL rates were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were included, three patients (14%) required vascular ligation to obtain additional length, by ligating terminal ileal branches in two and the ileocolic artery (ICA) in one patient. In nine patients the ICA was already ligated during subtotal colectomy. ICG-FA triggered a change of management in 19% of patients (n = 4/21), all of them had impaired vascular supply (ligated ileocolic/ terminal ileal branches). Overall, patients with intact vascular supply had similar perfusion patterns for the afferent and efferent loop. Pouches with ICA ligation had longer Tmax in both afferent as efferent loop than pouches with intact ICA (afferent 51 and efferent 53 versus 41 and 43 s respectively). Mean slope of the efferent loop diminished in ICA ligated patients 1.5(IQR 0.8-4.4) versus 2.2 (1.3-3.6) in ICA intact patients. CONCLUSION: Quantitative analysis of ICG-FA perfusion during IPAA is feasible and reflects the ligation of the supplying vessels.

Comparison of Imaging Strategies with Conditional versus Immediate Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography in Patients with Clinical Suspicion of Acute Appendicitis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of conditional computed tomography (CT), i.e. CT when initial ultrasound findings are negative or inconclusive, and immediate CT for patients with suspected appendicitis. METHODS: Data were collected within a prospective diagnostic accuracy study on imaging in adults with acute abdominal pain. All patients underwent ultrasound and CT, read by different observers who were blinded from the other modality. Only patients with clinical suspicion of appendicitis were included. An expert panel assigned a final diagnosis to each patient after 6 months of follow-up (clinical reference standard). RESULTS: A total of 422 patients were included with final diagnosis appendicitis in 251 (60 %). For 199 patients (47 %), ultrasound findings were inconclusive or negative. Conditional CT imaging correctly identified 241 of 251 (96 %) appendicitis cases (95 %CI, 92 % to 98 %), versus 238 (95 %) with immediate CT (95 %CI, 91 % to 97 %). The specificity of conditional CT imaging was lower: 77 % (95 %CI, 70 % to 83 %) versus 87 % for immediate CT (95 %CI, 81 % to 91 %). CONCLUSION: A conditional CT strategy correctly identifies as many patients with appendicitis as an immediate CT strategy, and can halve the number of CTs needed. However, conditional CT imaging results in more false positives. KEY POINTS: • Conditional CT (CT after negative/inconclusive ultrasound findings) can be used for suspected appendicitis. • Half the number of CT examinations is needed with a conditional strategy. • Conditional CT correctly identifies as many patients with appendicitis as immediate CT. • Conditional imaging results in more false positive appendicitis cases.

Challenges and outcome of Wilms' tumour management in a resource-constrained setting.

BACKGROUND: To review the results of Wilms' tumour patients in a tertiary referral hospital in a developing country and to find ways of improving long-term survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and May 2004, 40 patients with Wilms' tumour (WT) were admitted to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital. Their files were reviewed and general physical condition on admission, pre-operative investigations, management and outcome were noted. RESULTS: The mean age of presentation was 4.2 years with an equal distribution between the sexes. The mean BMI was 15 kg/m2 and more than 80% of the patients were either mildly (PCV <33%) or severely anaemic (PCV <24%). All patients presented with abdominal distension. Half of them had additional complaints including abdominal pain, haematuria, dyspnoea, oedema and or weight loss. Thirty-nine out of the forty patients received pre-operative chemotherapy. Of the 36 patients that underwent surgery, 32 underwent total nephrectomy, one a partial nephrectomy, and in three the tumour was irresectable. There were no intra-operative tumour ruptures. Only 15% of the patients completed their post-operative course of chemotherapy. The 1-year survival lies between 25% and 53%. Fifteen of the 36 patients operated were known to have a recurrence. CONCLUSION: The patients presented in an advanced stage of the disease. Survival rates are disappointing and recurrence rates are high. Some improvement in outcome may be expected with the implementation of more aggressive treatment protocols but early diagnosis, completion of treatment regimens are needed. Pro-active follow-up is essential to measure outcome.

Profiles of US and CT imaging features with a high probability of appendicitis.

OBJECTIVES: To identify and evaluate profiles of US and CT features associated with acute appendicitis. METHODS: Consecutive patients presenting with acute abdominal pain at the emergency department were invited to participate in this study. All patients underwent US and CT. Imaging features known to be associated with appendicitis, and an imaging diagnosis were prospectively recorded by two independent radiologists. A final diagnosis was assigned after 6 months. Associations between appendiceal imaging features and a final diagnosis of appendicitis were evaluated with logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Appendicitis was assigned to 284 of 942 evaluated patients (30%). All evaluated features were associated with appendicitis. Imaging profiles were created after multivariable logistic regression analysis. Of 147 patients with a thickened appendix, local transducer tenderness and peri-appendiceal fat infiltration on US, 139 (95%) had appendicitis. On CT, 119 patients in whom the appendix was completely visualised, thickened, with peri-appendiceal fat infiltration and appendiceal enhancement, 114 had a final diagnosis of appendicitis (96%). When at least two of these essential features were present on US or CT, sensitivity was 92% (95% CI 89-96%) and 96% (95% CI 93-98%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Most patients with appendicitis can be categorised within a few imaging profiles on US and CT. When two of the essential features are present the diagnosis of appendicitis can be made accurately.