Acute Chyloperitoneum with Small Bowel Volvulus: Case Series and Systematic Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Chyloperitoneum arises from lymph leakage into the abdominal cavity, leading to an accumulation of milky fluid rich in triglycerides. Diagnosis can be challenging, and mortality rates vary depending on the underlying cause, with intestinal volvulus being just one potential acute cause. Despite its rarity, our case series highlights chyloperitoneum associated with non-ischemic small bowel volvulus. The aims of our study include assessing the incidence of this association and evaluating diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Material and Methods: We present two cases of acute abdominal peritonitis with suspected small bowel volvulus identified via contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Emergency laparotomy revealed milky-free fluid and bowel volvulus. Additionally, we conducted a systematic review up to 31 October 2023, identifying 15 previously reported cases of small bowel volvulus and chyloperitoneum in adults (via the PRISMA scheme). Conclusions: Clarifying the etiopathogenetic mechanism of chyloperitoneum requires specific diagnostic tools. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be useful in non-emergency situations, while contrast-enhanced CT is employed in emergencies. Although small bowel volvulus infrequently causes chyloperitoneum, prompt treatment is necessary. The volvulus determines lymphatic flow obstruction at the base of the mesentery, with exudation and chyle accumulation in the abdominal cavity. Derotation of the volvulus alone may resolve chyloperitoneum without intestinal ischemia.

Intestinal Perforation in a patient with peritoneal carcinomatosis from colon cancer treated with Regorafenib. Description of a case and review of the literature.

Regorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor approved for treatment of patients with metastatic Colo-Rectal Cancer (mCRC) and Gastro-Intestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) progression after the administration of other tyrosine-kinase inhibitors such as imatinib and sunitinib. Only a handful of severe side effects such as intestinal perforations and fistulas have been described in the literature in patients undergoing multikinase inhibitor treatment. We report a case of a patient with peritoneal mCRC who experienced an intestinal perforation during the administration of Regorafenib and review the literature. A 48-year-old man with previously resected sigmoid colon cancer and peritoneal metastatic disease under Regorafenib treatment presented to our Emergency Department with severe abdominal pain and asthenia. Abdominal X-ray and contrast-enhanced computed tomography examination revealed an intestinal perforation. The patient underwent emergency surgery which demonstrated acute diffuse peritonitis, necrosis, and perforation of a distal ileal loop affected by peritoneal metastatic disease. The necrosis of peritoneal implants on bowel walls could be regarded as a potential factor leading to intestinal perforation in metastatic colorectal cancer patients undergoing Regorafenib treatment complaining of severe abdominal pain and asthenia. Surgeons, radiologists and oncologists should always keep in mind this rare adverse event during Regorafenib administration. Appropriate diagnostic tests and treatments should be carried out.

Relationships between serum levels of vitamins and papillary thyroid cancer: a single center case-control study.

Background: Vitamins are involved in various human physiological and biochemical mechanisms due to their antioxidant properties and their ability to enhance the immune response. Deficiency of some serum vitamins has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of developing cancer, including thyroid cancer. However, medical literature dealing with cholecalciferol supplementation was not able to show the potential of this intervention in cancer prevention. The aim of this paper is to highlight the association between lower serum vitamins levels and papillary thyroid cancer occurrence. Methods: This case-control study was conducted between September 2018 and October 2019. Cases were defined as patients with histologically diagnosed papillary thyroid cancer who underwent thyroidectomy were retrospectively recruited and serum levels of various vitamins were assessed by examining their relationships with clinical, pathological and molecular data (n=51). Controls matched on sex and thyroid surgery were randomly selected from the same population (n=49). Results: In this study, serum concentrations of vitamins A and E in neoplastic patients were significantly lower than in controls (1.40 vs. 1.78, P<0.003 and 23.9 vs. 29.1, P<0.003, respectively). Serum concentrations of vitamin D and methylmalonic acid were borderline significantly low (15.6 vs. 17.9, P=0.06 and 100.3 vs. 110.4, P=0.055, respectively), while homocysteine was statistically similar in the two groups. Furthermore, serum vitamin levels were compared with the pathological characteristics of cancer patients, and vitamin D concentrations were significantly lower in BRAF-positive than in BRAF-negative neoplastic patients (8.2 vs. 16.0, P=0.021). On the other hand, no significant differences were observed in the correlation between serum levels of vitamins and other pathological characteristics, in particular with regard to lymph node metastases. Conclusions: In conclusion, albeit with the analysis of a limited sample, this study highlighted the phenomenon that deficiencies in vitamins A and E can be associated with a higher frequency of occurrence of papillary thyroid cancer.

Percutaneous trans-stomal jejunostomy: a new technique.

AIM: We propose a new technique for feeding a malnourished patient with a "high" double-barrel jejunostomy (at about 60 cm from the Treitz Ligament). The procedure aims to restore an adequate nutritional state maintaining a correct diet for 24 h a day, without complications and without interfering with the normal activity of the nurses caring for the stoma. METHOD: Using local anesthesia, we introduced a Reverdin needle through the efferent loop of jejunostomy and externalized it through the skin, medially from jejunostomy of about 10 cm. Using this guide, we inserted an enteral feeding tube with a blunt tip and then introduced it through the efferent loop to reach about 40 cm distantly into the bowel. RESULTS: The stoma output decreased from 3 to 1.5 L/day; kidney status was restored to normal function. CONCLUSION: The main advantages are the minimal invasiveness of the implantation procedure, the possibility of nutrition during all 24 h, and the easy management by nurses.

Health economics aspects of kidney transplantation in Sicily: a benchmark analysis on activity and estimated savings.

Background: International and national registries consistently report substantial differences in kidney transplant (KT) activity despite demonstrable clinical and financial benefits. The study aims to estimate the financial resources gained by KT and produce a benchmark analysis that would inform adequate strategies for the growth of the service. Methods: We analyzed the KT activity in our region between 2017 and 2019. The benchmark analysis was conducted with programs identified from national and international registries. The estimate of financial resources was obtained by applying the kidney transplant coefficient of value; subsequently, we compared the different activity levels and savings generated by the three KT programs. Findings: The KT activity in the region progressively declined in the study years, producing a parallel reduction of the estimated savings. Such savings were substantially inferior when compared to those generated by benchmark programs (range €18-22 million less). Interpretation: The factors influencing the reduced KT activity in the study period with the related "foregone savings" are multiple, as well as interdependent. Organ donation, access to the transplant waiting list, and KT from living donors appear to be the most prominent determinants of the observed different levels of activities. International experience suggests that a comprehensive strategy in the form of a "task force" may successfully address the critical areas of the service reversing the observed trend. The financial impact of a progressively reduced KT activity may be as critical as its clinical implications, jeopardizing the actual sustainability of services for patients with end-stage kidney disease.

Development of Histologically Verified Thyroid Diseases in Women Operated for Breast Cancer: A Review of the Literature and a Case Series.

BACKGROUND: The possible relationships between breast and thyroid diseases have been reported in the literature. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the occurrence of histologically verified thyroid pathologies in women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and, after mastectomy/quadrantectomy complemented by oncological treatment, were thyroidectomized based on their periodic thyroid evaluation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our series consist of 31 women with a mean age of 62.9 ± 10.9 years (range, 45-81) treated for breast cancer (18 right-sided, 11 left-sided, and 2 bilateral), of whom 29 were thyroidectomized, since two women who developed Graves' disease refused thyroidectomy. These 31 women belong to a cohort of 889 women who referred to the Breast Surgery Unit of our university hospital during the period January 2010 through December 2020. RESULTS: The mean time interval between breast cancer and thyroid pathologies was 48.1 ± 23.4 months (range, 12-95). The final diagnosis at histopathology was infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma in 26 women (with 2/26 patients having bilateral carcinoma) and infiltrating lobular breast carcinoma in the other 5 women. Ten of the twenty-nine thyroidectomized women (34.5%) had a thyroid malignancy on histology: five papillary carcinomas, three papillary micro-carcinomas and two follicular carcinomas. Two of the five women with papillary carcinoma also had histological evidence of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis/Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which was also detected in another five women with benign thyroid diseases. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that breast cancer survivors should be made aware of the possible increased risk of thyroid pathologies (including thyroid malignancy) so that they can undergo screening and follow-up.

CO2 pneumoperitoneum effects on proliferation and apoptosis in two different neuroblastoma cell lines.

PURPOSE: The proto-oncogene MYCN is considered a transcription factor involved in the regulation of neuroblastoma (NB) cell biology. Since minimally invasive-surgery represents a debated treatment of NB, we investigated CO2 effects on proliferative activity and apoptotic pathway in two NB cell lines, SH-SY5Y (MYCN-non-amplified) and IMR-32 (MYCN-amplified). METHODS: SH-SY5Y and IMR-32 were exposed to CO2 (100%) at a pressure of 15 mmHg for 4 h and then moved to normal condition for 24 h. Cell proliferation, caspase 3 activity and transcript levels of BAX, BCL-2, cyclin B, cyclin D and MMP-2 were evaluated. RESULTS: CO2 exposure caused a decrease in cell proliferation associated to increases in BAX/BCL-2 ratio and caspase 3 activity in SH-SY5Y, while opposite effects have been found in IMR-32. CO2 exposure induced a decrease of cyclin B1 in SH-SY5Y, while an increase in cyclin B1 and D1 was observed in IMR-32. A slight up-regulation of MMP-2 expression in SH-SY5Y and a significant increase of 2.2 folds in IMR-32 was observed (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CO2 exposure may cause different effects on various NB cell lines, likely due to MYCN amplification status. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to highlight the role of laparoscopy on NB behaviour.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C viral infections in hospitalized patients with increased liver enzyme levels and with no known history of hepatic disease.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Identification of asymptomatic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers is fundamental to reach the World Health Organization objective to eradicate viral hepatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HBV and HCV prevalence among patients hospitalized for a non-liver-related disease but showing increased liver enzyme values. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients without history of hepatic disease but showing increased amino-transferase and/or gamma-glutamil-transpeptidase levels at admission to the Internal Medicine and Surgery divisions of the Messina University Hospital from 1st January to 31st December 2019 ("study group") were tested for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibody. Analogously, HBsAg and anti-HCV were tested for in all the individuals with normal liver enzyme values consecutively admitted from October 1st to December 31st, 2019 ("control group"). RESULTS: Of the 332 "study group" patients, 13 (3.9%) were anti-HCV positive versus 5/306 (1.6%) patients of the "control group" (p=0.008). HCV RNA was detected in 11/13 and in 0/5 anti-HCV patients of the "study group" and "control group", respectively (p=0.001). HBsAg was detected in 5 (1.5%) "study group" patients and in none of the "control group" (p=0.03). Prevalence of diabetes, arterial hypertension, and dyslipidaemia was comparable between the two groups, whereas 75/332 (22.3%) patients of the "study group" and 34/306 (11.1%) patients of the "control group" drank > 2 alcohol units/day (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Testing HBsAg and anti-HCV in subjects showing increased liver enzyme values may represent an efficacious tool to identify asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis virus infections.

Status of Alternative Approaches for Thyroidectomy: Is There Any Evidence to Substitute in Place of Conventional Surgery?

Over the past 20 years, various alternative cervical minimally invasive (partly endoscopically assisted) and extracervical endoscopic (partly robot-assisted) approaches have been developed. All of these alternative access methods aim at optimizing the cosmetic results. In principle, the indication for the use of alternative access procedures does not differ from that for conventional surgery. Nonetheless, appropriate experience in traditional thyroid surgery and suitable patient selection, taking into account thyroid volumes and the underlying pathology, are important prerequisites. General contraindications for an alternative approach are large goiter with symptoms of compression, advanced thyroid carcinoma, recurrent interventions or previous radiotherapy in the operating area. The alternative surgical approaches to the thyroid can be divided into cervical minimally invasive, extracervical endoscopic (robot-assisted) and transoral procedures. This article gives an overview of the clinically used alternative approaches in thyroid surgery. The desire for an optimal cosmetic result should not be prioritized over patient safety. Only a few alternative procedures (minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy, transaxillary robot-assisted thyroidectomy) can currently be viewed as a useful addition to conventional thyroid surgery, even when in responsible, experienced hands for a selected group of patients.

A critical view of safety in left colectomy surgery: A case of renal artery injury.

INTRODUCTION: The standardization of the laparoscopic approach in left hemicolectomy was facilitated by the vascular anatomy of the left colon, which has few anatomical variants. The current technique for left hemicolectomy consists in approaching the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), after identification of the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV), from above (craniocaudal) or from below (caudocranial). The type of approach is decided on the basis of the vascular window between the IMV and IMA. However, vascular abnormalities of adjacent organs can call into question the steps of the standardized technique. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a case of iatrogenic left renal artery injury caused during left laparoscopic hemicolectomy due to an abnormality of the renal vessels. The artery originated from the aorta more caudally than usual with respect to the normal population. DISCUSSION: What happened made us question the security of the standardized approach in practice, especially in patients with vascular anomalies. The use of advanced imaging programs, such as 3D reconstruction, can help to prevent iatrogenic damages, but not all hospitals have such technology, especially in rural areas. CONCLUSION: We propose, to further decrease the risk of iatrogenic injuries, a "critical view of safety" for left colic surgery, in which, before any potential arterial resection, a careful craniocaudal and caudocranial dissection of the Toldt-Gerota plane could be useful in identifying the IMA at the center of this plane. Moreover, a preoperative imaging study is of paramount importance in all surgical procedures.

Laparoscopic assisted ERCP in patient with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Choledocholithiasis in Roux-en-Y patients is a therapeutic challenge for both surgeons and endoscopists. In fact, typical procedures, such as ERCP, can't be performed due to the altered anatomy of the patient. Nowadays, procedures on this kind of patient are performed not only in specialized bariatric centers, but, due to the increasing number of patients undergoing bariatric surgery, are starting to become more common even in smaller and non-specialized centers that don't possess the same expertise and technology. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 33-year-old patient, who had already undergone bariatric surgery, and presented to our department with a diagnosis of choledocholithiasis. Due to the altered anatomy the patient was treated through a laparoscopic assisted ERCP. DISCUSSION: A review of the need and proper timing for a cholecystectomy in this kind of patient, in order to prevent choledocholithiasis, is discussed. Moreover, a review of the literature regarding the possible treatments of this pathology in bariatric patients underlines the presence of other treatments, beyond the one performed in our department, that can be performed even in small non-specialized centers. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic cholecystectomy is not recommended in bariatric surgery. Laparoscopic assisted-ERCP is a safe and feasible intervention which is to be preferred, even if B-ERCP and EDGE are two valid alternatives.

Lymph Node Dissection Morbidity in Thyroid Cancer: An Integrative Review.

Cervical lymphadenectomy is a common procedure for thyroid cancer. Some of the complications are congruent with the complications of thyroid surgery, in particular recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis and hypoparathyroidism as well as bleeding and wound infection. Specific complications of lateral cervical lymph node dissection are injuries to the accessory, phrenic and hypoglossal nerves, and the cervical plexus trunk and injuries, the salivary glands, and the lymphatic system, especially the ductus thoracicus. Most of these complications are very rare with an incidence of <1%. Profound anatomical knowledge and a careful dissection technique make a decisive contribution to minimizing complications.

Technique of neuromonitoring during pelvic peritonectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Pelvic peritonectomy can induce anorectal and urogenital dysfunctions. To reduce this type of complications during the procedure, we propose to use intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). CONTENT: Stimulation with a bipolar probe allows the identification of the obturator and ilioinguinal and pudendal nerves. At the end of the cytoreductive surgery, the motor and somatosensory evoked potentials must be evaluated to confirm the preservation of pelvic innervation. SUMMARY: The use of IONM during pelvic peritonectomy is technically feasible, and it can help to preserve pelvic nerves. OUTLOOK: Obviously, its definitive value remains to be elucidated.

Usefulness of PET-CT scan in recurrent thyroid cancer.

The aim of this paper is to discuss the risk of recurrence in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer and emphasize the importance of risk-group stratification, early recurrence identification and application of new imaging modalities, what is the PET-CT. Moreover, follow-up of patients with thyroid carcinoma should be carried out by specialized teams throughout life. Therefore, interdisciplinary case discussions in tumor conferences may improve the use of multimodal therapy especially in patients with poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas. After baseline follow-up, if there is a suspicion of thyroid carcinoma, early PET-CT should be used for early detection and appropriate planning. Fortunately, due to the good localization possibility, the PET-CT enables a focused surgical procedure with avoidance of an unnecessary tumor search and thereby a reduction of the risk of injury of neighboring structures which is a concern with reoperative neck surgery.

An unusual case of gastric volvulus through Bochdalek hernia A case report and review of the recent literature.

INTRODUCTION: Bochdalek Hernias are one of the most common types of diaphragmatic hernia, a congenital pathology diagnosed during the neonatal period. In adulthood, diagnosis of a Bochdalek hernia is rare and its complications may be fatal. CASE REPORT: We report an unusual case of a 60-year-old woman who presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to a Bochdalek hernia with herniation of stomach and spleen into the chest with a gastric volvulus. Endoscopy showed a strong suspicion of ischemic suffering of the stomach walls, therefore the patient was subjected to urgent laparotomy. The content was reduced, the stomach was congested but viable and the diaphragmatic hernia defect was closed with interrupted sutures. DISCUSSION: Bochdalek hernia in an adult may present with a myriad of abdominal symptoms, such as recurrent abdominal pain, postprandial fullness, and vomiting. The hernia size varies and the content of the hernial sac may differ in each case. The sac may contain multiple viscera including the small bowel, colon, stomach and spleen. As in our case, strangulation of the herniated stomach can occur and this condition can lead to gastric perforation, sepsis and even DEATH. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the severity of this condition, accurate diagnosis and timely surgical treatment is mandatory to reducing morbidity and mortality. KEY WORDS: Bochdalek hernia, Gastric volvulus.

Metastatic melanoma of the small bowel. Report of a case and review of literature.

AIM: Malignant melanoma incidence is rapidly growing worldwide. The small bowel is well known to be a preferred site for melanoma metastases. In 60% of patients who died of disseminated melanoma, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract was affected, but only 1% to 4% of GI metastases were clinically diagnosed ante mortem. CASE REPORT: In this case we describe a report of a 71 years old male admitted to the hospital with a combination of two possible complications of GI metastatic melanoma: obstruction and GI bleeding. Past medical history reveals a malignant cutaneous melanoma excised 5 years before. DISCUSSION: Symptoms of small bowel involvement are frequently unspecific which leads to a late diagnosis often made only after complications, such as intestinal obstruction, massive gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation. In most cases, the diagnosis of melanoma metastasis was made only after surgery, which proved to be life-saving. We have searched literature for these complications and their relative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Modern imaging techniques are recommended in order to obtain an early diagnosis. Surgical resection is the only treatment in patients with resectable metastatic intestinal melanoma. KEY WORDS: Acute abdomen, Metastatic melanoma, Small-bowel, Surgery.

Therapeutic strategies for perforated jejunal diverticulitis. A case report.

AIM: The jejuno-ileal diverticulosis is an unusual disease which affects elderly people and its complications can be fatal due to delayed diagnosis. The most frequent complication of jejunal diverticulitis is the perforation. CASE REPORT: In this report we describe a case of elderly patient presenting with acute abdominal pain and fever. The patient underwent to an urgent exploratory laparotomy that revealed a perforated small bowel diverticulum. An intestinal resection with primary anastomosis was performed. DISCUSSION: Jejunal diverticulosis often presents with non-specific symptoms like intermittent abdominal pain, dyspepsia, bloating or abdominal fullness and constipation. When, instead, it incurs a complication, it presents with an acute abdominal pain. The most frequent complication of jejunal diverticulitis is the perforation, followed by acute intestinal obstruction and diverticular bleeding. The diverticular perforation is associated with a high mortality, especially among elderly patients. Nowadays the mortality is reduced because of the improvement of the diagnostic, pharmaceutical and surgical protocols. CONCLUSIONS: With this report we want to discuss about different therapeutic approaches for perforated jejuno-ileal diverticula, which depends on the severity of the disease and the general clinical condition of the patient. KEY WORDS: Acute abdomen, Surgery, Jejunal Diverticulitis.

Cystic lymphangioma of the pancreas: a hard diagnostic challenge between pancreatic cystic lesions-review of recent literature.

Lymphangiomas are rare congenital benign tumors arising from the lymphatic system. The incidence of this disease in the pancreas is extremely rare, accounting for less than 1% of these tumors. Before introducing the review we reported a case of a 67-year-old woman with cystic lymphangioma of the pancreas. We reported the radiological investigations carried out preoperatively and the treatment performed. The review tries to identify the features described in literature of the pancreatic lymphangioma. We have performed a PubMed research of the world literature between January 1st 2000, to November 31st 2017, using the keywords [Lymphangioma pancreas], [diagnosis], [CT lymphangioma] and [MRI lymphangioma]. We have found 158 articles, of which about 100 were case reports. Based on our search criteria, we have identified 31 pancreatic lymphangioma in literature reporting their imaging characteristics. According to our report and to several authors in literature the diagnosis of cystic pancreatic lymphangioma should be considered as a differential diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs). The role of imaging exams (CT and MRI) can help to identify and suspect this possibility of diagnosis. The endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) can have a potential role to reach the correct diagnosis.