Inflammatory mediators in posttraumatic radiocarpal osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: To identify the mediator profile in healthy, pre-osteoarthritis (OA) and end-stage OA radiocarpal joints. We hypothesized that there would be an increase in soluble mediators in posttraumatic wrist OA. METHODS: We obtained radiocarpal synovial fluid samples from 3 groups of patients: healthy control (n = 12) samples were collected during wrist ganglion resection; pre-osteoarthritic (n = 16) samples, during a 3-ligament tenodesis procedure for complete scapholunate dissociation; and end-stage OA (n = 20) samples in patients with proven radiological OA changes. Using a multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we measured 12 mediators: interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, oncostatin-M, interferon-γ, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, IL-1RA, and osteoprotegerin. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance and Bonferroni-corrected post hoc tests. RESULTS: Mediators IL-6, IL-10, and interferon-γ were increased in OA wrists compared to healthy and pre-OA samples. Tumor necrosis factor-α, oncostatin-M, osteoprotegerin, IL-8, and IL-1RA were detected but not at increased levels in OA wrists. We found no differences between healthy and pre-OA joints in all 12 mediators. Mediators IL-4, IL-7, IL-13, and IL-1ß were not detected in either healthy, pre-OA or end-stage OA samples. CONCLUSIONS: We identified no differences between healthy and pre-OA samples, suggesting no alteration in inflammatory status at the time of the 3-ligament tenodesis procedure. Consequently, mechanical disturbance seems to be the driving force toward OA and OA-associated inflammation in this stage of scapholunate dissociation. Increased levels of interferon-γ, IL-6, and IL-10 confirm inflammatory changes in the mechanically disturbed posttraumatic radiocarpal joint.

Interobserver agreement of the Eaton-Littler classification system and treatment strategy of thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: To determine the interobserver agreement of the Eaton-Littler classification system for radiological osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal (CMC1) joint and the interobserver agreement of the most appropriate treatment modality. METHODS: Forty cases of CMC1 osteoarthritis were independently presented to 5 musculoskeletal-experienced radiologists and 8 hand surgeons. These observers were asked to stage the radiographs according to Eaton and Littler's classification system (stages I-IV). The hand surgeons were also asked to choose their treatment of choice (1, conservative; 2, ligament reconstruction or extension osteotomy; 3, hemitrapeziectomy with interposition; 4, arthrodesis; 5, trapeziectomy; 6, hemiarthroplasty or total arthroplasty). RESULTS: The overall mean interobserver agreement of the radiological classification was in the moderate range of agreement. The hand surgeons' mean interobserver agreement was just slightly better than the radiologists' mean. The mean interobserver agreement of treatment indicated fair strength of agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The moderate interobserver agreement of the radiological classification of Eaton and Littler for staging of CMC1 osteoarthritis questions the efficiency of Eaton and Littler's classification system. The interobserver agreement in choice of treatment shows a fair agreement. These varieties in classification and in choice of treatment indicate the need for evidence-based research to define optimal classification and treatment of CMC1 osteoarthritis.

Brachydactyly, anonychia and a deformed nasal tip in a 16-year-old girl: a case report.

The current report describes a case of a 16-year-old girl with a rare combination of nasal dysmorphology, anonychia and brachydactyly of hands and feet. The combination of hand and nasal malformations suggested a type B brachydactyly. Genetic investigation, however, revealed Cooks syndrome with unexplained facial dysmorphology. Concerning her cosmetic complaints, options for surgical treatment were discussed. It was decided to treat only the nasal deformity by open rhinoplasty, leaving the nail deformities undisturbed.

The use of animal models to study bacterial translocation during acute pancreatitis.

Infection of pancreatic necrosis with intestinal flora is accepted to be a main predictor of outcome during severe acute pancreatitis. Bacterial translocation is the process whereby luminal bacteria migrate to extraintestinal sites. Animal models were proven indispensable in detecting three major aspects of bacterial translocation: small bowel bacterial overgrowth, mucosal barrier failure, and disturbed immune responses. Despite the progress made in the knowledge of bacterial translocation, the exact mechanism, origin and route of bacteria, and the optimal prophylactic and treatment strategies remain unclear. Methodological restrictions of animal models are likely to be the cause of this uncertainty. A literature review of animal models used to study bacterial translocation during acute pancreatitis demonstrates that many experimental techniques per se interfere with intestinal flora, mucosal barrier function, or immune response. Interference with these major aspects of bacterial translocation complicates interpretation of study results. This paper addresses these and other issues of animal models most frequently used to study bacterial translocation during acute pancreatitis.

[Potential role for probiotics in the prevention of infectious complications during acute pancreatitis]. / Potentiële rol voor probiotica bij de preventie van infectieuze complicaties tijdens acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis has a high mortality in case of secondary infection of (peri-)pancreatic necrosis. Bacterial translocation is held responsible for the majority of these infectious complications of severe acute pancreatitis. Prophylactic strategies should therefore be directed at the three most important pathophysiological mechanisms of bacterial translocation: disturbed small-bowel motility and bacterial overgrowth, failure of the mucosal barrier function and a disturbed response of the immune system. In-vitro studies and research in experimental animals have shown that specially selected probiotics exert an effect on these mechanisms and can prevent bacterial translocation. Recently, several randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating prophylactic treatment with enteral probiotics have shown good results. A Dutch multicentre trial, 'Probiotics in pancreatitis trial' (PROPATRIA), is currently underway.

Beneficial effects of ERCP and papillotomy in predicted severe biliary pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Extensive circumstantial evidence indicates that patients with a predicted severe attack of acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) should undergo an endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with papillotomy (ERC/PT). However, in clinical practice this procedure is not always performed. This study was conducted to compare outcome in patients with and without ERC/PT. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-five of 80 patients admitted with ABP had a predicted severe attack (three or more Ranson criteria). Only in 24 of these 35 patients was an ERC/PT performed. RESULTS: In the ERC/PT group, significantly less pancreatic necrosis (8 vs. 64%, p<0.001) occurred, hospital stay was shorter (median 22 +/- 5 vs. 51 +/- 19 days, P=0.08) and mortality was lower (8 vs. 36%, P=0.01). Twenty-three patients (66%) underwent cholecystectomy after a median period of 10 weeks (range 0-26 weeks) after discharge. During the waiting period, in the ERC/PT group, two patients developed acute cholecystitis whereas recurrent ABP and common bile duct stones occurred in one patient each. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a predicted severe attack of ABP, performing ERC/PT is associated with less morbidity and lower mortality.

Colonic involvement in acute pancreatitis. A retrospective study of 16 patients.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of colonic pathology complicating acute pancreatitis is difficult. Several pathogenetic mechanisms have been proposed. The treatment of choice is resection of the affected segment. Current theories on diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment were reviewed. METHOD: Retrospectively, 16 patients with severe acute pancreatitis and colonic complications (1988-2001) were included. Preoperative CT scans and specimens of removed colonic segments were reviewed by a blinded radiologist and pathologist respectively. RESULTS: Sixteen patients underwent partial colectomy for suspected imminent or overt perforation, based on the outer aspect of the colon. Four patients had a macroscopic perforation during surgery. Retroperitoneal spread of the necrotizing process to the colon was seen in all 10 reviewed CT scans. All 14 microscopically examined specimens showed fat necrosis and pericolitis. Of these, 4 had ischemia and 6 showed subserosal hemorrhage. Eight specimens had intact mucosa, submucosa and smooth muscle layers. Eleven patients died. Secondary anastomosis in surviving patients did not induce further mortality. CONCLUSION: Spread of pancreatic enzymes and necrosis is the major cause for colonic pathology in acute pancreatitis. Outside inspection of the colon during surgery is unreliable to detect ischemia or imminent perforation. To prevent colonic complications during follow-up, low-threshold colonic resection seems justified.

Surgical management of acute necrotizing pancreatitis: a 13-year experience and a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The course of acute pancreatitis (AP) is unpredictable and can vary from mild to lethal. Mortality varies from low (<2%) in mild cases to high (20%-70%) in the case of infected pancreatic necrosis. Surgical management has not been investigated in well-designed trials. Based on literature review and retrospective results from our institution, recent insights are summarized and recommendations concerning surgical treatment of AP are given. METHODS: Data of patients who underwent necrosectomy for AP in our hospital in the period 1988-2001 were reviewed. Surgical treatment strategy was divided into open abdomen strategy (OAS) and primary closure with continuous postoperative lavage (CPL). An extensive database literature search was performed to obtain articles on surgical management of AP. Level 5 evidence articles were excluded. RESULTS: In our institution, 38 patients were treated with OAS and 21 with CPL. Mortality was high (47% in the OAS group and 33% in the CPL group). The primary cause of mortality was multiorgan failure. Only 50 manuscripts from the literature search contained useful data. Mortality of patients with OAS and CPL treatment was 27% and 15%. respectively. Fewer cases of gastro-intestinal fistulas. bleeding and re-interventions were reported with CPL. The majority of all survivors regained a good quality of life. CONCLUSION: Mortality of acute necrotizing pancreatitis remains high, despite optimal surgical and medical treatment. Current surgical practice is not based on well-designed clinical trails. Randomized studies are needed to define evidence-based surgery in acute necrotizing pancreatitis.