The diagnostic value of Rosemont and Japanese diagnostic criteria for 'indeterminate', 'suggestive', 'possible' and 'early' chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal data are lacking to support consensus criteria for diagnosing early chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: Retrospective single centre study of the initial evidence for chronic pancreatitis (CP), with reassessment after follow-up (January 2003-November 2016). RESULTS: 807 patients were previously diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis. This diagnosis was rejected in 118 patients: 52 had another pathology altogether, the remaining 66 patients formed the study population. 38 patients with 'normal' imaging were reclassified as chronic abdominal pain syndrome (CAPS), and 28 patients had minimal change features of CP on EUS (MCEUS) but never progressed. Strict application of the Japanese diagnostic criteria would diagnose only two patients with early CP and eleven as possible CP. Patients were more likely to have MCEUS if the EUS was performed within 12 months of an attack of acute pancreatitis. 40 patients with MCEUS were identified, including an additional 12 who progressed to definite CP after a median of 30 (18.75-36.5) months. Those continuing to consume excess alcohol and/or continued smoking were significantly more likely to progress. Those who progressed were more likely to develop pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, require pancreatic surgery and had higher mortality. CONCLUSION: There needs to be more stringent application of the systems used for diagnosing chronic pancreatitis with revision of the current terminology 'indeterminate', 'suggestive', 'possible', and 'early' chronic pancreatitis. All patients with MCEUS features of CP require ongoing clinical follow up of at least 30 months and all patients with these features should be strongly counselled regarding smoking cessation and abstinence from alcohol.

Natural history of SPINK1 germline mutation related-pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to describe genetic, clinical and morphological features in a large, multicentre European cohort of patients with SPINK1 related pancreatitis, in comparison with patients with idiopathic pancreatitis (IP). METHODS: All SPINK1 mutation carriers with pancreatic symptoms from two French and one English centers were included. Patients with IP were included in a control group. Genetic, clinical, radiological and biochemical data were collected. FINDINGS: 209 and 302 patients were included in the SPINK1 and control groups (median follow-up: 8.3 years (3.7-17.4) vs 5.3 (2.5-8.8)). The median age at onset of symptoms was 20.1 years (17.5-22.8) in the SPINK1 group versus 41.2 (35.2-45.2). The age of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) onset in the SPINK1 group was 49.5 (44.5-54.6) years vs. 65.2 (62.1-68.3), p < 0.001. SPINK1 patients with EPI were 5.3%, 14.7%, 28.3% and 52.4% at 20, 30, 40 and 50 years. Diabetes occurred 37.7 (33.3-42.1) years following the onset of symptoms in the SPINK1 group vs. 30.6 (17.3-43.8) (p = 0.002). SPINK1 patients with diabetes were 7.8%, 13.4%, 26.3% and 43.4% at 30, 40, 50 and 60 years. Seven patients (3.3%) developed pancreatic cancer in the SPINK1 group (versus 3 (0.99%), p = 0.1), at a median age of 60 vs 66 years. The cancer risk was 0.8% before 50 years, 11.9%, 27.7%, 51.8% at 60, 70 and 80 years and was 12 times higher than in controls (Cox HR 12.0 (3.0-47.8), p < 0.001). INTERPRETATION: SPINK1 related pancreatitis is associated with earlier onset and pancreatic insufficiencies. p.N34S SPINK1 may well be associated with cancer.

Transperitoneal Enucleation of a Kidney Transplant Allograft Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Development of malignancy after solid-organ trans?lant is a well-known long-term complication of immunosuppressive therapy. Thus far, there are no specific oncologic recommendations regarding management of de novo tumors in transplanted kidneys. Here, we present the case of a 63-year-old male patient who developed a de novo renal cell carcinoma 6 years after the transplant procedure. The patient underwent nephron-sparing surgery with transperitoneal enucleation of the tumor. We discuss the decision-making process and the operative challenges that we faced. We conclude that this technique should be considered as a therapeutic strategy for selected patients so that transplant nephrectomy can be avoided.

Small bowel diaphragm disease mimicking malignancy.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can produce diaphragm disease where multiple strictures develop in the small bowel. This typically presents with anaemia and symptoms of small bowel obstruction. The strictures develop as a result of circumferential mucosal ulceration with subsequent contraction of rings of scar tissue. We report a case of a 47-year-old woman with a 6-month history of NSAIDs abuse who presented with subacute small bowel obstruction 1 year after stopping NSAIDs. CT and MRI showed multiple ileal strictures with florid locoregional lymphadenopathy. A malignant diagnosis such as lymphoma was considered likely as florid mesenteric lymphadenopathy has not been previously reported in diaphragm disease. Laparotomy with small bowel resection was therefore performed. Histology showed diaphragm disease with the enlarged mesenteric nodes having reactive features. Gross locoregional lymphadenopathy should not deter a diagnosis of diaphragm disease in cases of multiple small bowel strictures where there is a strong history of NSAIDs use.

Safety of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with implanted cardiac prostheses and metallic cardiovascular electronic devices.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with implanted cardiac prostheses and metallic cardiovascular electronic devices is sometimes a risky procedure. Thus MRI in these patients should be performed when it is the only examination able to help with the diagnosis. Moreover the diagnostic benefit must outweigh the risks. Coronary artery stents, prosthetic cardiac valves, metal sternal sutures, mediastinal vascular clips, and epicardial pacing wires are not contraindications for MRI, in contrast to pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Appropriate patient selection and precautions ensure MRI safety. However it is commonly accepted that although hundreds of patients with pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators have undergone safe MRI scanning, it is not a safe procedure. Currently, heating of the pacemaker lead is the major problem undermining MRI safety. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are currently neither "MRI-safe" nor "MRI-compatible" pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. In this article we review the international literature in regard to safety during MRI of patients with implanted cardiac prostheses and metallic cardiovascular electronic devices.

Retained subintimal pellet in a carotid artery.

A shotgun pellet is depicted in the present image in a carotid artery under the intima, which remained intact without local complications for up to six months. There is lack of data regarding the natural history of such a carotid pellet, but the experience from the myocardium is that, in the absence of infection, completely embedded missiles are usually asymptomatic, tolerated well and may be left in place.