Extrahepatic 90Y Complication; Gastric Ulcer Secondary to 90Y Therapy for Liver Metastasis Despite Negative Preprocedural Imaging.

Transarterial radioembolization using yttrium-90 (90Y) therapy has become a standard modality of treatment for primary and metastatic liver malignancies due to its high efficacy rate and relatively low risk of adverse effects compared to other forms of locoregional and systemic therapies. Non-target distribution of radio embolic beads and adjacent structure radiation are the two most common adverse effects. However, these are rarely encountered due to thorough imaging and mapping studies prior to 90Y therapy. We present the case of a 66-year-old male who developed a radiation-induced gastric ulcer following 90Y therapy with negative pre-procedural imaging and mapping who was retrospectively found to have an accessory artery from the left hepatic artery to the gastric antrum.

Veress needle insertion simulation model: A simple new module for advanced surgical skill training.

Introduction: Training on Veress needle (VN) insertion cannot be done by observation without practicing tactile feedback. In this study, a simple and reproducible VN insertion training model was created. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of using the proposed model in simulating actual real-life surgical experiences. Methods: The proposed VN insertion training model is made of three layers of synthetic rubber and plastic materials, simulating the tensile strength and texture of the three abdominal wall muscle layers. Surgeons and senior residents with experience in minimally invasive procedures were asked to practice VN insertion on this model, each completing the procedure three times. Participants were then asked to record their comments and answer six questions regarding their experience practicing on the model. Results: Ten surgeons and four senior residents participated in this study. All participants agreed or strongly agreed that the model simulates the surgery experience regarding the shape and overall structure, tactile feedback and confirmation of complete/successful insertion. Twelve participants (86%) agreed or strongly agreed that the pressure/force needed for VN insertion was like real surgery experience and that the overall experience with using this model is similar to the real surgical experience. Almost all participants (93%) agreed or strongly agreed that the model is a valuable resource for training before practicing the procedure on real patients. Conclusions: The VN insertion training model provides a valuable training opportunity on a demanding surgical skill. It is simple, reproducible and closely simulates surgery.

Inaccuracy of surgical irrigation fluid temperature hand assessment.

INTRODUCTION: Fluids are often used for irrigation during surgical procedures. The temperature of the fluid directly affects the exposed tissue and body temperature. The recommended practice is to use euthermic fluids to be homeostatic and optimise patient care. Hand checking the fluid temperature by surgeons and scrub practitioners is the commonly used method. This subjective measurement leaves room for error and can lead to inaccuracies. The purpose of the study is to assess the accuracy of the currently used method of checking irrigation fluids temperature by hand immersion. METHOD: Two sets of fluids were prepared. One was made at 37°C and the other was 30°C. Participants immersed their hands in the containers and then report if each of the two sets is (1) appropriately warm for irrigation, (2) too cool and (3) too warm. Data were collected and interpreted. RESULTS: Results showed that about half of participants in our study perceived normal physiologic fluid temperature as too hot for use in irrigation, 30°C fluid was perceived as appropriate and physiologic by about a quarter of participants. CONCLUSIONS: Perception of surgical irrigation fluid temperature by hand immersion is inaccurate. Standard objective methods of measuring the temperature are recommended.

Surgical Management of Advanced Achalasia With Sigmoid Esophagus: A Case Report.

The surgical management of achalasia with sigmoid esophagus involves multiple significant challenges due to the difficulty in endoscopic assessment, esophageal motility disorders, and potential complication and recurrence rates. We report a 34-year-old female with worsening dysphagia and malnourishment due to advanced achalasia. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed an esophageal dilation, tortuosity, and distal blockage with undigested food. Esophagram demonstrated the typical bird beak appearance with a tortuous dilated esophagus. She underwent a laparoscopic Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication with no complications. She was discharged on the second postoperative day, tolerating clear liquids, and then a normal diet within six weeks. Several treatment options exist for the surgical management of a sigmoid esophagus with achalasia, but there is no clear gold standard. In our case, Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication provided favorable results, but treatment should be individualized for each case.

Prepyloric gastric diverticulum case report: A rare anatomic abnormality with limited clinical consequences.

INTRODUCTION: and Importance: Gastric diverticula (GDs) are typically formed on the posterior wall due to congenital or acquired causes. Although diverticula are not uncommon throughout the gastrointestinal tract, GDs are the least common type, and their presence in the prepyloric area is extremely rare. GDs are frequently asymptomatic but can present with serious complications that require surgical intervention in rare cases. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old woman with a history of morbid obesity, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus (DM) presents with acute onset left upper quadrant (LUQ) abdominal pain. Based on presenting symptoms, an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed to evaluate possible causes of abdominal pain. Interestingly, EGD revealed a moderately sized (3 cm) prepyloric diverticulum with a small polyp surrounded by normal gastric tissue. Biopsying of the intra-diverticular polyp revealed no abnormal pathology. Further assessment with Computerized Tomographic (CT) scan identified the diverticulum but with no other related gastric or gastrointestinal changes or pathology. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The diverticulum was excluded as a cause of the pain. Hence, a conservative management approach was followed with no change in status for the following three months of observation. The patient continued to report non-specific symptoms but denied further episodes of abdominal pain or serious symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: GDs present with a wide variety of symptoms making the diagnosis difficult without thoroughly examining the entire anatomic region of potential pathology. Although GDs are rare, they are easily identified via EGD or imaging modalities. However, long-term follow-up information is needed to understand this clinical entity's behavior fully.

Lymphocytes: potential mediators of postischemic injury and neuroprotection.

Antigen-nonspecific inflammation appears to contribute to postischemic brain injury. Because there is a breach in the integrity of the blood-brain barrier after stroke, the immune system encounters novel central nervous system (CNS) antigens that allow for the development of a CNS antigen-specific autoimmune response. The nature of the immune response generated on antigen encounter is determined by the microenvironment at the site of antigen encounter. For instance, a systemic inflammatory response, such as that which would accompany an infection, could alter the microenvironment in such a way as to promote the initiation of deleterious autoimmunity. If patients who develop an infection in the immediate poststroke period are predisposed toward a CNS autoimmune response, it might help to explain why infection after stroke is associated with increased disability. We present data to support this hypothesis and to show that the breach in the blood-brain barrier can also be capitalized on to modulate the immune response to create a neuroprotective environment after stroke.

Sensitization to brain antigens after stroke is augmented by lipopolysaccharide.

After stroke, the blood-brain barrier is transiently disrupted, allowing leukocytes to enter the brain and brain antigens to enter the peripheral circulation. This encounter of normally sequestered brain antigens by the systemic immune system could therefore present an opportunity for an autoimmune response to brain to occur after stroke. In this study, we assessed the immune response to myelin basic protein (MBP) in animals subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Some animals received an intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 mg/kg) at reperfusion to stimulate a systemic inflammatory response. At 1 month after MCAO, animals exposed to LPS were more likely to be sensitized to MBP (66.7% versus 22.2%; P=0.007) and had more profound and persistent neurologic deficits than non-LPS-treated animals. Exposure to LPS was associated with increased expression of the costimulatory molecule B7.1 early after stroke onset (P=0.009) and increased brain atrophy 1 month after MCAO (P=0.03). These data suggest that animals subjected to a systemic inflammatory insult at the time of stroke are predisposed to develop an autoimmune response to brain, and that this response is associated with worse outcome. These data may partially explain why patients who become infected after stroke experience increased morbidity.