[Laparoscopy in patients with colonic diverticulitis. Results of a prospectic data base]. / Resezioni coliche laparoscopiche per malattia diverticolare. Risultati da un database prospettico.

AIM OF STUDY: To evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic surgery in patients affected by colonic diverticulitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective database was established in 1998 at our department to evaluate the results of laparoscopic treatment for diverticular disease. Contraindications to laparoscopic approach were: intestinal obstruction, faecal peritonitis, previuos major abdominal operations, presence of abdominal mass. Parameters evaluated were: indications to operation, age, sex, weight, type of operation, associated operations, operation time, conversion rate, mortality, post-operative complications, postoperative hospital stay, return to normal bowel function, time of removing nasogastric tube and time of restarting oral feeding. RESULTS: From 1998 to 2005, 109 patients operated for diverticular disease were registered. The operation was performed in 17 cases (15.5%) with open technique, in 20 cases (18.5%) throught video-assisted approach with extracorporeal anastomosis and in 72 cases (66%) with laparoscopic approach making intracorporeal anastomosis. The conversion rate was 10.8%. Mortality was 0%. In videolaparoscopic group mean operating time was 177 minutes, major complications were 4 (6.3%), minor complications were 6 (9.5%) and mean hospital stay was 7.8 days. In videoassisted group minor operation time was 158 minutes, complications were 9 (47.3%) and mean hospital stay was 10.1 days. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic approach to diverticular disease of the colon is, in selected cases, a safe, feasible and effective procedure.

IGF-1 and IGF-1BP3 in gastric adenocarcinoma. Preliminary study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a mitogenic and anti-apoptotic factor, mainly produced by the liver, which regulates cell proliferation. Most serum IGF-1s are bound with IGF-1BP3. Plasma IGF-1 values are positively related to cancer risk (breast, colon, and lung cancer) and seem to have a prognostic significance in prostatic cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between IGF-1, IGF-1BP3 and gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY: IGF-1 and IGF-1BP3 serum levels were measured in 26 consecutive patients (M/F = 15/11, mean age 65 yrs) with histologically proven gastric adenocarcinoma from January 1999 to December 2000. Blood samples were collected at baseline, before surgery with radical intent (total and subtotal gastrectomies + D2 lymphadenectomy), and then at 14th and 50th postoperative days. These values were compared to a control group of healthy people. RESULTS: At baseline was observed a significant increase of IGF-1 serum levels in cancer patients versus control group (p < 0.001). All gastric cancer patients showed IGF-1 over normal limits. After surgery there was a significant decrease of IGF-1 levels (14th day vs. baseline, p = 0.001) that was still present in late postoperative period (50th day). At baseline IGF-1 values were not related to tumor extension or nodal involvement status. Otherwise in postoperative period IGF-1 significantly decreased in earlier stages (N0; T < or = 2) but not in more advanced ones (N+; T > 2). At baseline, IGF-1BP3 values were increased compared to control group but did not significantly decrease after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: IGF-1 values in gastric cancer patients are increased compared to control group, without stratification for stage and nodal status. Moreover radical surgery, with complete tumor ablation, induces a significant decrease in IGF-1 levels, without reach normal limits. Besides at baseline abnormally higher IGF-1BP3 values were observed, suggesting an alteration in IGF-1 and IGF-1BP3 system.

The dynamic optical breast imaging in the preoperative workflow of women with suspicious or malignant breast lesions: development of a new comprehensive score.

Purpose. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of DOBIComfortScan in patients with Breast Imaging Reporting suspect breast lesions (BI-RADS) 4-5 breast lesions. Materials and Methods. One-hundred and thirteen patients underwent DOBIComfortScan examination before surgery. Twelve parameters were taken into consideration to define DOBI findings. Results. Twenty-seven radical mastectomies, 47 quadrantectomies and 39 wide excisions, were performed. Overall, 65 invasive cancer, 9 in situ carcinoma and 39 nonmalignant lesions, were observed. Ten out of 12 considered parameters resulted significantly in association with histology at discriminant analysis. A summation score of 30.5 resulted to be the best cut off at ROC analysis, giving a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 87%, respectively, and a positive predictive value of 92.2%. Finally the following DOBI-BI-RADS model was developed: malignant B5 ≥ 38 score); possibly malignant (B4 = 25 - 37 score); benign but the possibility of malignancy cannot be excluded (B3 = 20 - 24 score); benign (B2 < 20 score). Conclusion. definition of other parameters permits to improve the accuracy of this procedure. Further studies are warranted to define the potential role of DOBIComfortScan in breast cancer imaging.