Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors: diagnosis and treatment.

Carcinoid tumors are malignancies originating from neuroendocrine cells, most commonly encountered in the gastrointestinal tract, in a rate of 64%, with the majority affecting the ileum. Certain genetic syndromes sometimes include carcinoid tumors in their phenotype. These malignancies may be rather asymptomatic, although occasionally they behave aggressively. They are typically diagnosed due to the effects of a locally advanced disease, or when producing symptoms because of hormone secretion (carcinoid syndrome). A better understanding of their molecular biology and behavior is demanded so that these tumors to be diagnosed precociously and managed effectively.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the appendix: an update.

Adenocarcinoid arising in the vermiform appendix is a rarity. The diagnosis of appendiceal adenocarcinoma has never been made preoperatively and is frequently an incidental finding at the time of operation for unrelated conditions. Because of the rarity of the disease, its natural history is poorly understood. Benefits from adjuvant radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination have not been reported. Most studies emphasize survival outcome based on surgical technique. There are few data and, consequently, much debate on the appropriate management of these lesions. The aim of this article is to review this entity and to assess and report new data, through a study of the literature.

Wilkie syndrome. What is this?

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is extremely rare and is characterized by postprandial epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite, with subsequent weight loss, which aggravates the condition of the patients. The syndrome is caused by compression of the third part of the duodenum in the angle between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. This review updates etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of the superior mesenteric artery syndrome. Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is clearly defined and frequently associated with a wide range of predisposing conditions and surgical procedures.

Insulinoma: a rare neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor.

Insulinomas are functional endocrine tumors originating from the pancreatic b-cells. In 1902 Nicholls described the first adenoma of pancreatic islets, while the first insulinoma was described in 1927 in Mayo Clinic, which was dissected two years later in 1929 in Toronto. The first enucleation of insulinoma took place in a St. Jouis hospital in 1931, and after four years, in 1935, Whipple described the classic diagnostic triad: symptoms of fasting hypoglycemia or fatigue, blood glucose levels under 50 mg/dl and disappearance of symptoms after glucose administration.

Hydatid disease of the urinary tract: an update.

Hydatid disease constitutes an endemic zoonosis caused by different species of the cestode Echinococcus. The main organs affected are the liver and the lungs. Echinococcosis of the urinary tract is an extremely rare medical condition, met in 2-4% of cases. This pathologic entity has to be included in the differential diagnosis of occupying lesions of the urinary tract at any age, especially among patients in endemic areas. Meticulous laboratory and imaging control when taking into consideration the suspicion for the disease, can guarantee an accurate diagnosis and successful outcome.

Intrahepatic bile duct rupture of hydatid cyst: a severe complication for the patient.

In most cases of echinococcal disease the liver is the mainly affected organ. The clinical manifestations are defined by the size and the localization of the hydatid cyst. The appearance of complications, such as purulence and rupture of the cyst, aggravate the patients' clinical condition. Intrabiliary rupture, although rare, carries severe health risks; timely diagnosis and appropriate management of this entity are vital for the patient's survival.

Abdominal compartment syndrome: effects on organ function.

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) constitutes a critical clinical situation presenting a remarkable incidence being the causal factor of variable abdominal and extra-abdominal pathology, thus a rising issue of interest in intensive medical care over the past decade. Moreover, ACS as a condition potentially leading to Multiple Organ Failure (MOF), its better understanding could provide more effective management resulting to limitation of MOF incidence and mortality.