Predictive ultrasound factors of lymphatic invasion in rectal cancer: "extra-corporeal" study.

OBJECTIVE: the accuracy of preoperative endorectal ultrasound in the status evaluation of lymph nodes is around 50-70%, with a lack of eco-morphological patterns of clinical use. Since, accurate local staging is of great value in prognosis and decision-making we decided to analyze the referenced eco-morphological parameters in a try to find a proper predictive tool of clinical help that could improve the accuracy of rectal ultrasound. MATERIAL AND METHOD: the resected specimens of 24 patients that were operated on by radical surgery because rectal cancer, without preoperative radiotherapy were suspended in warm water and ultrasound scanned (360º circular probe with a transducer of 10 Mhz). All suspicious nodes were recorded and marked for the definitive histological report. RESULTS: from the 24 specimens, 318 nodes were imaged(210 benign and 100 involved). All ultrasound parameters analysed were significant but only lobulation, echogenicity and hilar reflection were independent values. An score system was design with the addition of all parameters that showed a sensitivity of 98%and specificity of 99,1%. CONCLUSIONS: our study shows that a careful study of ultra-sound lymph node images can get a high level of accuracy and better help in tailoring the treatment of any particular case.

Effects of long-term treatment with lansoprazole and omeprazole on serum gastrin and the fundic mucosa.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of long-term lansoprazole and omeprazole treatment (6 months) on serum gastrin levels. PATIENTS: Forty duodenal ulcer patients without previous treatment with proton pump inhibitors were randomized to receive either 20 mg/day or omeprazole or 30 mg/day of lansoprazole. Serum gastrin levels were determined on entry and every 2 months. On finalizing the study antral and fundic biopsies were obtained for immunohistochemical analysis of the enterochromaffin-like cell population. RESULTS: Before starting the treatment fasting serum gastrin was similar in both groups (108.7 +/- 60.9 pg/mL omeprazole; 102.7 +/- 56.9 pg/mL lansoprazole). The treatment with either omeprazole or lansoprazole increased serum gastrin levels, but the increase was mild, maximal at 2 months and similar between omeprazole and lansoprazole (113.44 +/- 114.9 pg/mL omeprazole vs 166.1 +/- 117.9 pg/mL lansoprazole; p > 0.05). When serum gastrin levels were individually analyzed by patient, most were below 200 pg/mL and only 3 patients (1 omeprazole/2 lansoprazole) had levels near 500 pg/mL which were not correlated with enterochromaffin-like cell hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with either omeprazole or lansoprazole is safe, at least during 6 months, and results in mild hypergastrinemia. No differences between these two drugs were observed.

Multiple cavernous hemangioma of the kidney.

A case of renal angiomas, located on the tip of the papillae, presented with severe hematuria which required several blood transfusions. Radiological studies including arteriography were negative. The diagnosis was confirmed by intraoperative nephroscopy and histology.