Endoscopic Removal of Duodenal Perforating Fishbone - A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Accidental ingestion of foreign bodies is common in clinical practice. While perforation of the ileum and jejunum due to the ingested foreign body is common, duodenal perforation is rare. In this report, our experience with this rare entity is shared. CASE REPORT: Here we present a 31-year-old patient with gastrointestinal tract perforation at the second part of the duodenum due to an ingested fishbone. The patient was admitted to the emergency room with abdominal pain. Right upper quadrant tenderness was detected at physical examination, and leukocytosis on the laboratory test results. Ultra-sonography was not diagnostic, however, computerized tomo-graphy showed an ingested foreign body in the second part of the duodenum. A fishbone perforating the duodenum was retrieved by endoscopy. The patient was managed non-operatively, and discharged without any problems on the third day after endoscopy. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic removal and non-operative management may be feasible in carefully selected patients with duodenal perforated fishbone ingestion.

Oncostatin-M as a novel biomarker in colon cancer patients and its association with clinicopathologic variables.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate preoperative serum oncostatin M (OSM) concentration as a diagnostic marker in colon cancer patients and its association with clinicopathologic variables. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Preoperative serum OSM concentrations were measured in 100 colon cancer patients and 70 healthy volunteers by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Serum OSM concentrations were significantly higher in colon cancer patients than in controls (p < 0.001). Serum OSM concentrations increased significantly with higher T stage (p < 0.001) and were significantly higher in patients with increased tumor burden, lymphovascular involvement, and lymph node and distant metastasis (p < 0.001 for each). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that elevated OSM concentration was associated with colon cancer and its clinicopathologic variables, including invasion and metastasis. These findings indicate that serum OSM may serve as a novel biomarker in the diagnosis of colon cancer.

The role of preoperative serum levels for Dickkopf-related protein 1 as a potential marker of tumor invasion in patients with stage II and III colon cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To determine and correlate preoperative serum levels of CEA and Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1) in stage II and III colon cancer and so identify the patients at high risk for early relapse. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients with stage II (n = 50; median age: 53 years, 31 males) and III (n = 50; median age: 57 years, 32 males) colon cancer and 50 controls (median age: 53.9 years, 25 males) were included. Serum levels for CEA and DKK-1 were recorded in each subject. RESULTS: Mean (SD) levels for serum CEA and DKK-1 were significantly higher in stage III patients than in stage II patients and controls (p < 0.001 for each). There was a significant correlation between serum levels of CEA and DKK-1 in stage II (r = 0.71, p < 0.001) stage III (r = 0.62, p < 0.001) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative serum levels for DKK-1 seem to be a potential marker in prediction of tumor invasion and relapse in stage II-III colon cancer.

Factors affecting the prognosis of patients with colorectal liver metastasis.

PURPOSE: To determine factors affecting the survival of colorectal cancer patients developing liver metastasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 850 colorectal cancer patients who had been operated on between 1995 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed and patients who developed liver metastases were selected. Patients' demographics and data regarding the characteristics and management of primary tumors and liver metastases were assessed. Survival data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard method to identify factors affecting prognosis of such patients. RESULTS: 154 (18.1%) patients developed liver metastasis; however, only 60 patients (39 males and 21 females; median age: 61 (31-77) years) had complete follow-up data, of whom 28 had undergone metastasis resection. The median survival time of patients who underwent resection and who did not was 42 (22-118) vs. 13 (2-52) months (p < 0.001). Curative resection of the primary tumor (p = 0.32; Exp(B) = 2.93), metastases that were less than 5 in number and localized to one of the right or left lobes (p = 0.004; Exp(B) = 3.38), and surgical resection of the metastases (p = 0.001 ; Exp(B) = 3.76) were independent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with colorectal liver metastases that are less than 5 and confined into one lobe, could benefit from metastasis surgery most if the primary tumor is resected.

The expression frequency of common fragile sites and genetic predisposition to colon cancer.

The expression frequency of common fragile sites induced by aphidicolin (Apc), bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), and caffeine was evaluated on prometaphase chromosomes obtained from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 32 patients with colon cancer, 30 of their clinically healthy family members and 30 age-matched normal controls. The proportion of damaged cells (P < 0.001), the mean number of chromosomal aberrations and the expression frequencies of fragile sites were significantly higher in the patient and relative groups compared to the control group. Our findings show an increased genetic instability in patients with colon cancer and their first-degree relatives. In addition, common fragile sites can be used as a suitable marker for determining genetic predisposition to cancer.

The expression of fragile sites in lymphocytes of patients with rectum cancer and their first-degree relatives.

Fragile sites are non-staining gaps and breaks in specific points of chromosomes. These sites also include acentric fragments, triradial figures and several rearrangements. Although this issue has been controversial recently, they may be related to structural chromosomal rearrangement in some neoplasms. In this study, the expression of fragile sites induced by aphidicolin (Apc), 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and caffeine was investigated on prometaphase chromosomes obtained from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 36 patients with rectum cancer, 30 first-degree relatives and 30 normal healthy controls. The results of the structural chromosome aberrations determined in patients and their first-degree relatives were significantly higher than those in control subjects (P<0.001). We determined aphidicolin type common fragile sites (1p36, 1p31, 1p21, 1q21, 1q25, 1q44, 2p24, 2q21, 2q33, 2q37, 3p14, 5q21, 5q33, 13q13, 14q24, 16q23 and 18q21). When the rates of sites such as 1p21, 1q25, 2q33, 3p14, 5q21 and 14q24 in patients and in their first-degree relatives were compared with the control group, the difference was statistically significant. Our results indicated an increased genetic instability in patients with rectum cancer and their first-degree relatives. Therefore, the increase of fragile site expression may be an important marker showing genetic predisposition to rectum cancer.

High expression of multidrug resistance-1 (MDR-1) and its relationship with multiple prognostic factors in gastric carcinomas in patients in Turkey.

Drug resistance remains a major problem in the treatment of gastric cancer. In Turkey, gastric carcinoma is the second most common cancer and, because the rate of early diagnosis is low, chemotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of the disease. We aimed to investigate expression of the multidrug resistance-1 gene (MDR-1) and its relationship with multiple prognostic factors in gastric cancers. Between 1996 and 1998, a total of 55 patients (37 men and 19 women; median age 55 years) were studied. Sections from specimens of gastric carcinomas were immunohistochemically stained to detect P-glycoprotein (which is associated with MDR-1 expression). We found MDR-1 expression in 48 (87%) of the patients. None of the multiple prognostic factors, including histological type of tumour, correlated with expression of MDR-1. Patients who had low MDR-1 expression had better survival. We conclude that the expression of MDR-1 in gastric cancer is high in Turkey, and this may be related to poor prognosis.

Non-traumatic colorectal perforations.

Over a 6 year period, between January 1992 and December 1997, 30 patients with non-traumatic colorectal perforations undergoing laparotomy were reviewed. The aim of this study was to evaluate predictions on the prognosis using the Mannheim Peritonitis Index (MPI) and to evaluate the risk of this complication. The mean age of the patients was 56.4 years (range 16-88 years). The male:female ratio was 19:11. All patients showed signs of peritonitis and underwent emergency operations. In 50% (15) of the patients, tumor was the cause. According to the MPI scoring, there were 18 patients with an MPI score of 26 or less and 12 patients with an MPI score of 27 or more. For patients with a score less than 27 the mortality rate was zero (0/18) and for score greater than 26, 66.6% (8/12). Overall mortality was 26.6% (8/30). Of 15 patients with perforated colorectal cancers, four patients died (26.6%). The mortality rate for benign perforations was 26.6% (4/15) also. In conclusion, colorectal cancers are the most common cause of the non-traumatic colorectal perforations. Patients with an MPI score greater than 26 represent the highest risk group.

Total thyroidectomy or lobectomy in benign nodular disease of the thyroid: changing trends in surgery.

METHODS: Over a 23-month period (January 1994-December 1995) in the era of fine needle aspiration (FNA), 344 thyroid surgery operations were performed for benign diseases of the thyroid. Of these 55 total thyroidectomies or lobectomies were evaluated. Mean age was 43.6 + 9.7 and the female/male ratio was 47/8 (5.8). All cases were operated on with the consensus of the surgery + endocrinology + pathology council according to a protocol based on FNA, thyroid function tests, scintigraphy and ultrasound. Suspected FNA or suspected nodules during the surgery were verified by frozen section also. Of these 55 benign nodules, 7 (12.7%) had total bilateral, 48 (87.3%) unilateral lobectomies. RESULTS: Postoperatively 3 cases (5.8%) of seroma, one transient hypoparathyroidism (1.8%) and one unilateral vocal cord paralysis (1.8%) were seen as complications. CONCLUSIONS: In our center, FNA cytology has been a routine procedure since 1992. Surgery for benign thyroid disease has been reduced 50% since than. This study was started after two years of the FNA procedure. Resident nodules are the most common cause of recurrence in nodular thyroid disease, so some cases need radical surgery when it is decided to operate. Morbidity of surgery for recurrent disease is unacceptably high and is comparable to lifelong supplement therapy.

Is it necessary to retrieve dropped gallstones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

BACKGROUND: An experimental study was planned to evaluate the effect of bile alone and bile in combination with gallstones on intraperitoneal adhesion and abscess formation in the peritoneal cavity of the rat. METHODS: One hundred Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to ten groups (n: 10). Groups 1-3 received a 1-ml intraperitoneal injection of saline, sterile bile, and infected bile. Groups 4-10 underwent a lower 5-mm midline abdominal incision. In groups 5, 7, and 9, a single gallstone (3-mm diameter) was placed in the right upper quadrant and injected with sterile saline, sterile bile, and infected bile, respectively. In groups 6, 8, and 10, four gallstones (3-mm diameter) were placed in the right upper quadrant together with sterile saline, sterile bile, and infected bile, respectively. Group 4 only underwent a 5-mm midline incision. All animals were sacrificed at the end of 4 weeks and the peritoneal cavity was carefully examined to investigate adhesions and abscess formation. The adhesions were graded according to Nair's gross pathologic grading of adhesions. The Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test (KW) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: No intraabdominal lesions were noted in groups 1-3. The adhesion score was increased by number of stone and infected bile (G4: 3, G5: 3, G6: 11, G7: 7, G8: 10, G9: 15, G10: 18). But there was only a significant difference between the groups that received sterile saline+single stone (G5) and that receiving infected bile+four stones (G10) (KW: 24.3 P < 0.05). There was abscess formation in three rats in group 9 and two in group 10. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, infected bile in combination with multiple stones increases the gross grading of adhesion and intraabdominal abscess formation. Thus, in cases with multiple stones and infected bile, the dropped stones should be retrieved and the peritoneal cavity should be copiously irrigated during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Ocular findings in familial adenomatous polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) lesions are predictive congenital phenotypic markers for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). This prospective screening study aims at assessing the incidence and significance of these lesions in FAP patients and their family members. METHODS: Sixty-two members from three families including five patients with the diagnosis of FAP have been ophthalmologically surveyed. All RPE lesions were documented with fundus photography and fluorescein angiography was performed in 13 subjects. Sigmoidoscopy and/or radiological examination were performed annually in 9 family members with typical RPE lesions during 4 years to allow early diagnosis of FAP. RESULTS: Typical RPE lesions were present in five FAP patients and 15 family members. Telangiectatic dilatations in the retinal periphery with small dot-like hemorrhages were detected in 6 subjects from 3 families These lesions were particularly evident on fluorescein angiography. Annual colon analysis showed polyps in 3 out of 9 subjects who were positive for RPE lesions. CONCLUSION: RPE lesions are valuable as a clinical marker in predicting FAP. The co-existing peripheral vascular alterations which have not been reported before, are probably related to FAP.

The value of herniography in football players with obscure groin pain.

From January 1985 to May 1994, herniography was performed in 60 football players with groin pain but without clinical signs of hernia. Herniographic examination revealed 62 occult inguinal hernias in 51 cases, nine cases were normal. Fifty of these 51 cases were operated on. Surgery was postponed until the end of the league in one case. There was only one false positive examination. The herniographic and operative diagnoses corresponded well in the other 49 cases. There were three minor complications which have related to the needle sigmoid colon puncture, all of them were managed conservatively. There was no technical failure. These results indicate that herniography is a safe and valuable method to identify non palpable herniations causing groin pain of unknown origin in football players.

Effect of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on bacteremia in experimental peritonitis.

Bacteria transfer to the blood from the peritoneum is thought to be augmented when the diaphragmatic stomata are activated by an increased intra-abdominal pressure. Therefore, it may be expected that the increase in intra-abdominal pressure during laparoscopic surgery can augment the absorption of bacteria from the peritoneum to the blood. The present study examines the effect of pneumoperitoneum on bacteremia in experimental Escherichia coli peritonitis in rabbits. Twenty-four rabbits were divided into three groups. 10(9) colony forming units of E. coli were inoculated intraperitoneally into group 1 (n = 8). Group 2 (n = 8) received an identical bacterial inoculum and underwent a midline laparotomy at the 2nd hour. Group 3 (n = 8) also had an identical bacterial inoculum which was followed by 15 mm Hg CO2 pneumoperitoneum for 1 h at the 2nd hour. In all groups, the growth value (GV) was measured in the 3rd- and 6th-hour blood cultures using the Bactec NR 730 system. There was no difference in the 3rd- and 6th-hour GVs (p > 0.05) among the three groups. In conclusion, pneumoperitoneum with 15 mm Hg CO2 in experimental E. coli peritonitis did not increase the bacteremia when compared with the control and laparotomy groups.

Colorectal cancer in young adults.

The study was carried out to promote a greater awareness of the potential for colorectal cancer in young adults under 40 years of age. During the 8 years between 1986 and 1993, 237 patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum were operated at the Uludag University Hospital. Of these 237 cases, 46 patients under 40 years old were reviewed retrospectively. They accounted for 19.4% of the total number of patients with carcinoma of the colon and rectum operated during the same period. Rectal bleeding was the most common presenting symptom. The mean duration of time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 5.8 months. The rectosigmoid area was the most frequently involved site (80%). Seventy-six percent of the patients had Dukes' stage C or D tumors. Forty-eight percent of the tumors were either poorly differentiated or mucinous. The cumulative survival rate at 5 years was 43.4%. Patients under 40 years old with carcinoma of the colon and rectum are usually symptomatic and have advanced disease at the time of presentation. Although colorectal cancer is usually a disease of older patients it is becoming more common in younger populations.

Colonic actinomycosis: report of a case and review of the literature.

Abdominal actinomycosis is a rare entity which presents some difficulty in establishing a correct preoperative diagnosis. We report herein the case of a 41-year-old woman who developed abdominal actinomycosis involving the left colon and the surrounding retroperitoneum. The patient, who had an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) in situ, presented with left flank pain and the signs and symptoms of an intraabdominal mass, which was initially diagnosed as a neoplasm originating from the left colon or the retroperitoneal space. Thus, a left colectomy was performed, but the histopathological pathological diagnosis revealed abdominal actinomycosis. We evaluated the diagnosis and treatment of this disease in light of the knowledge acquired from the available literature on this rare entity.