Preemptive endoluminal vacuum therapy to reduce anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy: a game-changing approach?

Endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) is an accepted treatment for anastomotic leakage (AL) after esophagectomy. A novel concept is to use this technology in a preemptive setting, with the aim to reduce the AL rate and postoperative morbidity. Preemptive EVT (pEVT) was performed intraoperatively in 19 consecutive patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy, immediately after completion of esophagogastrostomy. Twelve patients (63%) were high-risk cases with severe comorbidity. The EVT device was removed routinely three to six (median 5) days after esophagectomy. The endpoints of this study were AL rate and postoperative morbidity. There were 20 anastomoses at risk in 19 patients. One patient (5.3%) experienced major morbidity (Clavien-Dindo grade IIIb) unrelated to anastomotic healing. He underwent open reanastomosis at postoperative day 12 with pEVT for redundancy of the gastric tube and failure of transition to oral diet. Mortality after 30 days was 0% and anastomotic healing was uneventful in 19/20 anastomoses (95%). One minor contained AL healed after a second course of EVT. Except early proximal dislodgement in one patient, there were no adverse events attributable to pEVT. The median comprehensive complication index 30 days after surgery was 20.9 (IQR 0-26.2). PEVT appears to be a safe procedure that may have the potential to improve surgical outcome in patients undergoing esophagectomy.

Sexual dimorphism in developmental and diet-dependent circulating retinol binding protein 4.

OBJECTIVE: Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) transports vitamin A (Retinol) in the blood and contributes mechanistically to the linkage between obesity, insulin resistance and associated comorbidities including type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary artery and neoplastic diseases. Circulating RBP4 levels have variably been associated with body mass and gender differences. Many of these differences have been demonstrated after limited dietary interventions, and/or at single unique time points. This study investigated the impact of sex and age as biologic variables as well as high versus low fat diets on development of obesity, RBP4 levels and insulin resistance in C57BL/6J mice. METHODS: Male and female C57BL/6J mice were fed for 400 days with either low or high fat diets. Female mice were also evaluated on same diets after ovariectomy or sham ovariectomy. Mice were monitored for changes in weight, circulating levels RBP4, glucose and insulin at 100-day intervals and also by 2-hour glucose tolerance tests. RESULTS: All mice on low or high fat diets gained weight. Mice on high fat diets showed significantly greater weight gain than those on low fat. Male mice showed significantly greater weight gain compared with females on corresponding diet. Male mice compared with females already showed significantly higher RBP4 levels even before starting diets. Sex differences were maintained for more than 1 year. Gender differences in RBP4 were associated with significant differences in development of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Male compared with female C57BL/6J mice show significant gender differences in circulating RBP4 levels from 6 weeks of age, extending more than 1 year. Gender differences in RBP4 may be mechanistically associated with protection against glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Targeting RBP4 pathways could be useful to disrupt gender differences in insulin resistance and disparities in comorbidities.

Endoscopic and histopathologic reflux-associated mucosal damage in the remnant esophagus following transthoracic esophagectomy for cancer-5-year long-term follow-up.

Gastroesophageal reflux is a common problem following esophagectomy and reconstruction with gastric interposition. Despite a routine prescription of proton pump inhibitors, reflux-associated mucosal damage in the remnant esophagus is frequently observed. Purpose of this study is to evaluate mucosal damage in the esophageal remnant during long-term follow-up and to compare the prevalence of this damage between the subgroups of esophageal squamous cell and adenocarcinoma. All patients undergoing transthoracic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy were prospectively entered in our IRB approved database. All patients underwent a routine check-up program with yearly surveillance endoscopies following esophagectomy. Only patients with a complete follow-up were included into this study. Endoscopic and histopathologic mucosal changes of the remnant esophagus were analyzed in close intervals. A total of 50 patients met the inclusion criteria, consisting of 31 adenocarcinomas (AC) and 19 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Mucosal damage was already seen 1 year after surgery in 20 patients macroscopically (43%) and in 21 patients microscopically (45%). At 5-year follow-up the prevalence for macroscopic and microscopic damage was 55% and 60%, respectively. The prevalence of mucosal damage was higher in AC patients than in SCC patients (1y-FU: 51% [AC] vs. 28% [SCC]; 5y-FU: 68% [AC] vs. 35% [SCC], P < 0.05). Newly acquired Barrett's esophagus was seen in 10 patients (20%) with two of those patients (20%) showing histopathologic proof of neoplasia. This study shows a high prevalence of reflux-associated mucosal damage in the remnant esophagus one year out of surgery and only a moderate increase in prevalence in the following years. Mucosal damage was more frequently seen in AC patients and the occurrence of de-novo Barrett's esophagus and de-novo neoplasia was high. Endoscopic surveillance with targeted biopsies seems to be an indispensable tool to follow patients after esophagectomy appropriately.

Demographic screening for MRSA may compromise the effectiveness of ring fencing on a joint replacement unit.

Ring fencing of joint replacement (JR) units has been reported to reduce infections and is recommended by health authorities in Australia and the UK. It has not been determined whether a demographic risk assessment is adequate to prevent the admission of patients colonized with meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to ring-fenced units. As such, 250 admissions to the JR unit of a suburban Sydney hospital were screened, and MRSA colonization was identified in 2.8% of patients complying with the demographic risk assessment. Demographic risk assessment is not an adequate substitute for physical MRSA screening, and undermines the effectiveness of ring-fencing procedures.

The cag PAI is intact and functional but HP0521 varies significantly in Helicobacter pylori isolates from Malaysia and Singapore.

Helicobacter pylori-related disease is at least partially attributable to the genotype of the infecting strain, particularly the presence of specific virulence factors. We investigated the prevalence of a novel combination of H. pylori virulence factors, including the cag pathogenicity island (PAI), and their association with severe disease in isolates from the three major ethnicities in Malaysia and Singapore, and evaluated whether the cag PAI was intact and functional in vitro. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect dupA, cagA, cagE, cagT, cagL and babA, and to type vacA, the EPIYA motifs, HP0521 alleles and oipA ON status in 159 H. pylori clinical isolates. Twenty-two strains were investigated for IL-8 induction and CagA translocation in vitro. The prevalence of cagA, cagE, cagL, cagT, babA, oipA ON and vacA s1 and i1 was >85%, irrespective of the disease state or ethnicity. The prevalence of dupA and the predominant HP0521 allele and EPIYA motif varied significantly with ethnicity (p < 0.05). A high prevalence of an intact cag PAI was found in all ethnic groups; however, no association was observed between any virulence factor and disease state. The novel association between the HP0521 alleles, EPIYA motifs and host ethnicity indicates that further studies to determine the function of this gene are important.

[Surgical anatomy of the carpal tunnel]. / Chirurgische Anatomie des Karpaltunnels.

The carpal tunnel is the pathway between the flexor compartment of the distal forearm and the midpalmar space of the hand. It contains all the long finger and thumb flexor tendons including the median nerve. In cases of a discrepancy between the volume of the carpal tunnel in relation to its contents, high pressures in this region can result. There is a risk that the median nerve will be sustained by compression. The carpal tunnel is covered by the flexor retinaculum. Length and width of the retinaculum correspond to the extension of the tunnel. Radial und ulnar osseous walls can narrow the tunnel diameter as well as an prominent capitate bone at the floor. The median nerve normally courses the tunnel radially near the middle of the flexor retinaculum far reaching straight to the midpalmar region. Several deviations of its tunnel course, atypical divisions, accessory branches and variations of the ramification of the thenar branch of the median nerve are described.

[Distal clavicle edema]. / Distales Klavikulaödem.

PURPOSE: Distal clavicle marrow edema: frequency, MRI in the early stage and macroscopic correlation to the bone marrow distribution and to evaluate frequency and diagnostic criteria of a posttraumatic clavicula disorder with an edema pattern on MRI. An additional macroscopic study of the clavicle should elucidate anatomic peculiarities which could explain the reaction of the distal clavicle. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 285 MRI of traumatized patients were analyzed for edema pattern of the distal clavicle. Pattern A edema within the clavicle and the acromion was distinguished from pattern B edema within the clavicle only. Dissection in 20 cadavers should reveal vascular peculiarities and the bone marrow distribution within clavicle and acromion or vascular peculiarities. RESULTS: In 38 patients (13,3%) we found edema within the distal clavicle. Pattern A was found in 28 (9,8%) and pattern B in 10 patients (3,5%). Pattern A was usually associated with swelling of the AC joint (27 out of 28). Other injuries were not evident. 18 cadavers showed hematopoietic marrow within the distal clavicle and fatty marrow within the acromion. CONCLUSION: The distal clavicle can frequently react with edema pattern after trauma without evidence for another injury. Distinguish in cases with and cases without synovitis of the AC joint could have impact on therapy. A peculiar vascular supply of the distal clavicle could not be found.

[Humeroradial plica: frequency and visualization on MRI]. / Plica humeroradialis: Inzidenz und MR-tomographische Darstellbarkeit.

PURPOSE: To determine frequency and size of a humeroradial plica and correlate it with degenerative changes, and to determine frequency of the visualization of a synovial fold on MR-Images (T1-weighted spin-echo and STIR sequences) and correlate it with degenerative changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two elbow specimens were dissected and studied for humeroradial synovial folds (small, medium, large) and degenerative changes (absent, medium, strong), and 88 elbow MR-images were analyzed for a synovial fold (not visible, small, large) and degenerative changes (absent, medium, strong). Comparison was performed using the chi (2) test. RESULTS: Dissections revealed a synovial fold in all cases. The sizes were small in n = 13 (31 %), medium in n = 24 (57 %), and large in n = 5 (12 %). Degenerative changes were absent in n = 9 (21.4 %), medium in n = 29 (69 %), and strong in n = 4 (9.6 %). On MRI the synovial fold was not visible in n = 67 (76 %), small in n = 12 (14 %), and large in n = 9 (10 %). Degenerative changes on MRI were absent in n = 65 (74 %), medium in n = 15 (17 %), and strong in n = 8 (9 %). The size of the fold correlated positively with degenerative changes in the specimen but not with degenerative changes on MRI. The T1-SE sequence was superior to the STIR sequence in revealing the synovial fold. DISCUSSION: A humeroradial plica is a regular finding, but visualized by MRI in only approximately 20 %, probably due to its variable size. Its visualization succeeds best with T1-spin-echo sequences.

[The anatomy of the ulnocarpal complex]. / Die Anatomie des ulnokarpalen Komplexes.

The ulnocarpal complex (triangular fibrocartilage complex; TFCC) represents an intricate system of structures which secures motion guidance, stability and pressure transmission in the ulnocarpal compartment of the wrist joint. Anatomically, this complex consists of the ulnocarpal disc (triangular disc), palmar and dorsal radioulnar ligaments, ulnolunate, ulnotriquetral and ulnocapitate ligaments, ulnocarpal meniscus homologue, ulnar recess (prestyloid recess), ulnocarpal collateral ligament and tendon sheath of the extensor carpi ulnaris. The distal radioulnar joint and the interosseous membrane of the forearm, which lie close together, also belong functionally to the ulnocarpal complex. Together with the proximal radioulnar joint, they permit rotational movements of the hand (pronation and supination). This review highlights all components of the ulnocarpal complex systematically. Distinctive characteristics involving size, as well as variations, are listed, and their functional meaning analyzed. The accumulated knowledge serves as a basis for possible interventions both at the ulnocarpal complex and the distal radioulnar joint.

Hoffa's recess: incidence, morphology and differential diagnosis of the globular-shaped cleft in the infrapatellar fat pad of the knee on MRI and cadaver dissections.

We frequently observed a fluid-like indentation at the inferior posterior margin of Hoffa's fat pad of the knee and sought to establish the incidence and differential diagnostic criteria of this cleft. In total, 133 MRI studies and 35 cadaver specimens were analyzed for the location, size, and shape of clefts at the inferior posterior margin of Hoffa's fat pad. The incidence of a fluid-like ovoid cleft on MR images was 13.5% and in cadavers 14.3%. The cleft was located just below the insertion of the infrapatellar synovial fold (plica synovialis infrapatellaris, ligamentum mucosum). More linear-shaped indentations at the posterior margin were visible in all patients and cadavers due to the horizontal course of the alar folds. A fluid-filled indentation within the inferior posterior margin of Hoffa's fat pad has to be expected in more than 10% of knee studies and should not be confused with tumors like ganglion cysts. We term this cleft the infrahoffatic recess. One hypothesis of its origin concerns the embryological regression process of the infrapatellar membrane into the infrapatellar synovial fold. It should not be confused with linear clefts due to the alar folds.

[The Architecture of the Fibrous Complex between the Palmar Aponeurosis and the Flexor Retinaculum]. / Zur Architektur des palmaren Faserkomplexes zwischen Palmaraponeurose und Retinaculum flexorum1.

Summary. During cadaver dissections of 34 adult human hands (fixed in formaldehyd solution), we examined a fibrous complex at the distal end of the flexor retinaculum. This fibrous complex was first mentioned by Legueu and Juvara (1892). It is located always ulno-dorsally to the attachment of the palmaris longus tendon into the palmar aponeurosis. Measurements of this special connective tissue show a mean length of 18.6 mm, a mean height of 4.3 mm and a mean width of 3.1 mm.Also, we looked for the fibrous complex in six adult plastinated transverse sections and in 12 fetal hands where it occurred in a constant way. We also found a very close topographic relationship between these oblique criss-crossed fibers and the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve. This nerve regularly gives some ulnar branches to the fibrous complex. The clinical relevance of the fibrous complex is discussed in relationship to a carpal tunnel syndrome. The described transverse fibers of the connective tissue complex are in danger as well as the ulnar branches of the palmar cutaneous nerve when releasing the flexor retinaculum during operation.

[Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the bursa around the knee joint]. / Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) der Bursae um das Kniegelenk.

INTRODUCTION: Since fluid filled bursae lead to visible structures on MR images it is important to establish criteria to recognize them and to differentiate them from tumorous fluid-like structures. With this study the bursae around the knee joint were analyzed for potential differential diagnostic criteria such as localisation, size and shape. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a retrospective study of 133 MR exams the frequency, localization and morphology were registered. The frequency of occurrence was correlated with the frequency of an effusion by means of the chi 2 test. RESULTS: The most frequently recognized bursae were bursa subtendinea musculi gastrocnemii medialis (54.9%), bursa musculi semimembranosi (21%), and bursa infrapatellaris profunda (18.8%). 8 different bursae were identified in complete. Size roanged from 2 to 18 mm. The shape was round and ovoid. The bursa subtendinea musculi gastrocnemii medialis and bursa musculi semimembranosi correlated with the occureance of an effusion. CONCLUSION: Bursae around the knee are frequently visualized as asymptomatic fluid like structures. Knowledge of the typical localization, size and contour is important for identification and differentiation diagnosis against ganglia, cysts or joint recesses.

[Functional anatomy and biomechanics of the wrist joint]. / Funktionelle Anatomie und Biomechanik der Handwurzel.

The osteoligamentous guidance of the carpal bones is similar to a ring under tension. Axial load of the wrist passes through the radiocarpal compartment of the proximal carpal joint on to the forearm. Hand motions in the carpal region produce variable changes of bone position. From that many deformities in cases of carpal instabilities could be explained.

[The metacarpal ligament of the thumb. Topography and functional significance of a heretofore unknown fiber tract of the thumb and its anatomic relationship to the internal interosseus muscle]. / Das Ligamentum metacarpale pollicis. Topographie und funktionelle Deutung eines bisher unbekannten Faserzuges am Daumen und seine Lagebeziehungen zum M. interosseus internus.

During cadaver dissections of the thenar muscles of 81 human hands, we found a distinct ligament at the palmar side of the first metacarpal in 58% ([symbol: see text] 47 hands). This not previously described ligament crosses the princeps pollicis artery regularly. The ligament arises from the base of the first metacarpal bone in 83%. Sometimes (in 15%) it arises from the trapezium or from the middle portion of the first metacarpal bone in one case. The primary insertion of this ligament is the ulnar sesamoid. We have named these fibres "metacarpal ligament of the thumb". It could be classified into five different types. We think that this ligament is helpful in the stabilisation of the ulnar sesamoid. Besides it fixes the princeps pollicis artery to the metacarpal bone and therefore it is possible that it could compress the artery. Maybe the "metacarpal ligament of the thumb" is a rudiment of the interosseous muscles of the thumb or of the deep head of the flexor pollicis brevis muscle or of the oblique head of the adductor pollicis muscle. There is a very close topographic relationship between this ligament and the "internal interosseous muscle" of the thumb which was described by Schmidt and Lanz (1992) and which was mentioned by Henle (1858), who named it "M. interosseus volaris primus" for the first time. We could isolate this muscle in 69%.

[The normal bone marrow and its variations in MRT]. / Normales Knochenmark und seine Variationen in der MRT.

Physiology and age-dependent changes of human bone marrow are described. The resulting normal distribution patterns of active and inactive bone marrow including the various contrasts on different MR sequences are discussed.

[The nutritive vascular canals. The magnetic resonance differential diagnosis of carpal cystic lesions?]. / Nutritialgefässkanäle. Magnetresonanztomographische Differentialdiagnose karpaler zystischer Läsionen?

PURPOSE: To find and describe potential MRI criteria of nutrient vessel canals of carpal bones. METHODS AND MATERIAL: 16 wrists of 13 patients with pain and radiographic depiction of cystic changes within the lunate were examined. The MRI protocol included coronal and sagittal T1- and T2-weighted SE sequences (4 mm slices, 120 FOV, 256 x 256 matrix) as well as coronal STIR images. Final diagnosis was confirmed by surgery (n = 5) and follow up. 10 cadaveric ossa lunata were studied to describe size, number, location and shape of nutrient vessel canals. RESULTS: Ganglion cysts (n = 6) showed characteristic signs. In ulnar impaction syndrome (n = 1) small cystic lesions in the lunate were surrounded by a sclerotic rim and located near the proximal ulnar surface. In Kienböck's disease (n = 3) cystic components were irregular and surrounded by bone marrow edema. Nutrient vessel canals (n = 7) imaged as 1 to 3 small cystic lesions within the palmar or dorsal subchondral region. CONCLUSION: MRI can aid in differential diagnosis of cystic carpal lesions. Nutrient vessel canals may not be mistaken for pathologic cystic lesions. Carpal ganglion cysts show distinct diagnostic pattern.

[Pulleys of the tendon sheath of the flexor pollicis longus muscle]. / Die Verstärkungsbänder der Sehnenscheide des M. flexor pollicis longus.

The fibrous wall of the flexor tendon sheath of the thumb is reinforced by pulleys similar to those in the fingers. As cited in the literature, there are two annular pulleys A 1 and A 2 and one oblique pulley. On the basis of our investigations, this distribution was found only in 10%. In 90%, the proximal (A 1) and the distal pulley (A 2) can be seen. However, between these two annular pulleys a Y-shaped fiber complex can be dissected at the level of the base and the shaft of the proximal phalanx. This complex can be further divided into an annular part (proximal) and an oblique part (distal). The annular part is associated with the tendon insertion of the adductor pollicis muscle. The oblique part arises distal from the annular part from the ulnar side of the tendon sheath, running to the radial side of the proximal phalanx interwoven with the interphalangeal joint capsule and the palmar plate. Some fiber strands continually pass into the cutaneous ligaments of Cleland. Thin accessory pulley fibers were found between the annular pulley A 1 and the annular part of the Y-shaped fiber complex in 9.5% and in 20.6% between the oblique part and the annular pulley A 2.

[Surgical anatomy of the distal radio-ulnar joint and the ulno-carpal joint compartment]. / Chirurgische Anatomie des distalen Radioulnargelenkes und des ulnokarpalen Gelenkkompartimentes.

Variations in length ratios of both radius and ulna directly influence the profiles of the distal radioulnar joint. During pronation and supination, joint surface incongruity of the two forearm bones permits rotational and translational movements. The ulnocarpal discuss is the central part of the ulnocarpal complex. Together with radioulnar and ulnocarpal ligaments, the ulnocarpal meniscus, the tendon sheath of the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle, the ulnar collateral ligament, and accessory fiber strands the complex guides movements such as pronation and supination and stabilizes the proximal and distal carpal joint.

Competitive binding of viral E2 protein and mammalian core-binding factor to transcriptional control sequences of human papillomavirus type 8 and bovine papillomavirus type 1.

The promoter P7535 of human papillomavirus type 8 and the promoter P7185 of bovine papillomavirus type 1 are negatively regulated by viral E2 proteins via the promoter proximal binding sites P2 and BS1, respectively. Mutations of these E2 binding sites can reduce basal promoter activity. This suggests binding of a transcription-stimulating factor and may indicate that repression by E2 is due to competitive binding of viral and cellular proteins. A computer search revealed putative binding sites for core-binding factor (CBF; also referred to as PEA2, PEBP2, or AML), overlapping with P2 and BS1. Binding of recombinant CBF proteins to these sites was confirmed by band shift analysis. Competition of CBF and E2 protein for DNA binding was shown for both human papillomavirus type 8 and bovine papillomavirus type 1. The importance of CBF-E2 competition in E2-mediated repression could be demonstrated by comparing the E2 effect on P7185 activity in two cell lines containing different amounts of endogenous CBF. In cells with large amounts of CBF, E2 repressed P7185 wild-type constructs to the basal promoter activity of a mutant (50%) that could not bind this protein any more. In contrast, in a cell line containing small amounts of CBF, the promoter activities of constructs with wild-type and mutated CBF binding sites hardly differed and specific repression by E2 was not detectable.