Laparoscopic Management in Morgagni Hernia - Short Series and Review of Literature.

Morgagni hernia occurs after a congenital retrosternal diaphragmatic defect; it is a rare form of diaphragmatic hernia (1-3% of cases). In general, this pathology is diagnosed in children; in adults it is frequently discovered in emergency or incidentally. Methods: We prospectively evaluated a series of 8 patients admitted to First Surgical Clinic, St. Spiridon Hospital, Iasi during the period 2011-2017. Results: Out of 8 patients, 6 were operated on, one patient refusing surgery (followed periodically); the patient who was 91 years old had serious associated diseases that made surgery contraindicated. Symptomatology was nonspecific: in 5 cases Morgagni hernia was discovered during the exploration of an associated pathology, either with cardiopulmonary symptoms of dyspnea or palpitations. In 2 cases, the clinical aspect suggested an occlusive syndrome (the herniated organ is usually the transverse colon). The laparoscopic approach was used in all cases: two conversions were recorded due to the tight adherences of the herniated viscera (gastric, colon, epiplon). In 4 cases, the surgical cure of hernia was performed by suture and in 2 cases with prosthesis: dual mesh in one case and polypropylene mesh in another case. We did not register morbidity and the mean postoperative stay was 4 days (range 2-6 days). Conclusions: Hernia Morgagni betrays a rare pathology. The most common is asymptomatic but in complicated cases it is a cause of acute surgical abdomen. Surgical treatment is indicated even for asymptomatic cases due to serious complications Morgagni hernia may develop. The laparoscopic approach is ideal, as reduction of viscera in the abdomen is easy and the defect will be repaired by suturing or using a prosthesis, depending on its size.

CHRONIC CAFFEINE'S EFFECTS ON BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS.

CONTEXT: Memory deficits, anxiety and depression are often associated with diabetes, worsening diabetic patients' prognosis. Caffeine, a worldwide used psychoactive substance, is a candidate for improving these conditions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the behaviour in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats and to evaluate the behavioural effects of caffeine administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg BW streptozotocin (n=10), while control rats received the vehicle (n=9). After six weeks, behavioural tests for anxiety, memory and depression were performed: elevated plus maze (EPM) test, novel object recognition (NOR) test and forced swimming test (FST), respectively. The tests were repeated after further 2 weeks of continuous caffeine administration (20 mg/kg BW/day in drinking water). RESULTS: Diabetic rats manifested a high anxiety level, showed by a reduced exploratory activity compared to control rats (p<0.05) and long-term memory impairment, spending more time near the old object in NOR test. Caffeine administered for 2 weeks did not modify glycemic values in either group, and attenuated the behavioural changes observed in the EPM test. Also, in NOR test for long-term memory, caffeine administration induced an increased time spent with the novel object than with the old one in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that chronic caffeine administration has an anxiolytic effect in diabetic rats and improves long-term memory in both diabetic and control rats.

The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as a Prognostic Factor in Epithelial and Lymphatic Neoplasia.

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 is a zinc-dependent extracellular matrix remodeling endopeptidase directly involved in the local invasion mechanisms and in metastasis. The current review aims to evaluate the expression of MMP-9 and its prognostic value in the most common epithelial and lymphatic neoplasia of the pelvic-abdominal region. We included 19 studies published between January 1st, 1995 and July 31st 2015, involving a total of 1523 patients. The analysis indicate that MMP-9 is valid marker of poor survival in epithelial and lymphatic neoplasia.

Extended magnetic reconnection at the Earth's magnetopause from detection of bi-directional jets

Magnetic reconnection is a process that converts magnetic energy into bi-directional plasma jets; it is believed to be the dominant process by which solar-wind energy enters the Earth's magnetosphere. This energy is subsequently dissipated by magnetic storms and aurorae. Previous single-spacecraft observations revealed only single jets at the magnetopause--while the existence of a counter-streaming jet was implicitly assumed, no experimental confirmation was available. Here we report in situ two-spacecraft observations of bi-directional jets at the magnetopause, finding evidence for a stable and extended reconnection line; the latter implies substantial entry of the solar wind into the magnetosphere. We conclude that reconnection is determined by large-scale interactions between the solar wind and the magnetosphere, rather than by local conditions at the magnetopause.

Dowling-Degos disease.

Dowling-Degos disease (DDD) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited pigmentary disorder of the flexures with a reticulate aspect and with presence of prominent comedone-like lesions and pitted scars. The diagnosis includes acanthosis nigricans as well as other reticulate pigmentary disorders classified into: dyschromatrosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH), dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria (DUH) and reticulate acropigmentation of Kitamura (RAPK). We present a 35-year-old woman, which presented with flexural hyperpigmentation considerate as acanthosis nigricans. At a close clinical and histopathological examination, we obtained sure data for Dowling-Degos disease, with a possible familial history of this disease in her son. We review the literature data concerning this disease.

Ileal iterative spontaneous perforation from foreign body granuloma: problems of histopathologic diagnosis.

Spontaneous ileal perforation is a very rare cause of peritonitis. It occurs, in most of the cases, as a complication of Crohn's disease or intestinal tuberculosis. We present the case of a 23-year-old female patient with multiple surgical interventions during the last year, for iterative ileal spontaneous perforation with generalized peritonitis of which cause was initially assigned to intestinal tuberculosis. Actual episode of generalized peritonitis was determined once again by an ileal perforation of 5 mm at 70 cm from the ileo-cecal valve situated on a suture scar. Distally, a bowel stricture and a non-complicated Meckel's diverticulum were also noted. We performed an enterectomy including all three aforementioned lesions with end-to-end anastomosis. The histopathologic report revealed granulomatous giant-cellular inflammation in the margins of the perforation. The tuberculous etiology was questioned because of the negativity of the PCR-test and multiple recidives of perforation under specific anti-tuberculous medical therapy. The discovery of some rests of non-resorbable suturing material in a granuloma on an ancient enterorraphy scar in the resected specimen, finally established the cause. The granulomatous giant-cellular inflammation of foreign body is a rare cause of ileal perforation. The histopathologic differential diagnosis is difficult needing correlation with clinical data. Usage of resorbable suture material avoids that risk.

Tuberous sclerosis complex: report of two intrafamilial cases, both in mother and daughter.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem syndrome characterized by neurological symptoms and tumors in multiple organs including kidney, brain, skin, eyes, heart and lung. Kidney and brain are the two most frequently affected organs in TSC. TSC is an autosomal disorder with extensive clinical variability. We described TSC in a family at a mother and her daughter. We emphasized the importance of Computed Tomography in the discovery of some asymptomatic organic involvement as bilateral renal angiolipoma in the mother.

Loco-regional advanced colorectal cancer: diagnostic and therapeutic features.

The objective of this study is to analyze the main diagnostic and therapeutic aspects in locally advanced colorectal cancers, related to recent advances published in the medical literature. The paper analyzes 2nd Surgical Clinic cases of advanced colorectal cancers over a five year period: 224 such patients operated on, with 79.9% tumor resectability (64.4% with radical intent); in 12.94% extended resections were necessary in order to achieve primary tumor removal. Overall morbidity and mortality rate were 52.23% and 7.14%, respectively. In conclusion it has been emphasized that improvements are necessary to be made in order to achieve a good staging of disease and, as therapeutic feature, in locally advanced cases extended resections may be perform with acceptable risks for the patients.

Sjögren's syndrome associated with chronic hepatitis C - the benefit of the antiviral treatment.

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection (CHCV) has high prevalence of immunological abnormalities. Extrahepatic manifestations (EHM) have been reported in association with CHCV infection, whose heterogeneity makes difficult any correlation between the two disorders. Among extrahepatic symptoms of C virus hepatitis, sicca syndrome is also registered. Sjögren's or sicca syndrome (SS) is a chronic, slowly progressive disease, with inflammatory-immune mediation characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the lachrymal and salivary glands. A distinct primary form and a secondary one, occurring when presented in the context of an autoimmune or hepatic disease have been described. We present a case of SS in a patient with CHCV, commenting a possible link between primary SS and the CHCV, as well as the similarities and the distinctions among these conditions. Our conclusion is that CHCV can induce SS with some clinical particularities like presence of pericapillary and not pericanalicular lymphocytic infiltrate without destroying the salivary glands, in the absence of SS-A/SS-B antibodies. The favorable evolution of SS under IFN therapy is an argument for an authentic relation. Further studies are necessary to determine if CHCV is an etiological agent of SS or of it can induce a pseudo-sicca syndrome, characterized by a simple glandular inflammation consisting mainly in a simple lymphocytic adenitis.

Type Ib indolent mastocytosis with systemic involvement: cutaneous mastocytosis and gastrointestinal involvement at young girl.

A 21-year-old young girl presents with intense abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea in the context of a cutaneous eruption formed by erythematous and papulous elements with brown violet aspect, very pruriginous, occasioned by the preparation of some fishmeal. Similar eruption debuted from childhood from the age of 4 year became rare with age. Since 3 years, the patient presents more intense digestive manifestation. The therapy with H2 antagonist (loratadine) and a mast cell stabilizer is beneficial over the digestive symptoms and in the same time cancel the pruritus and the erythema of the cutaneous lesions that remain hyperpigmented. The histopathological examination of a cutaneous lesion confirms the diagnosis of mastocytosis and the endoscopic examination discovers a duodenal ulcer and an erosive gastritis. The systemic mastocytosis is a rare disease, often associated with an urticaria pigmentosa, with difficult diagnosis in his absence. That's why, in patients with macular or nodular pigmented cutaneous lesions appeared in infancy and early childhood and which urticate in a characteristic manner when the skin is firmly rubbed, a cutaneous biopsy is necessary.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: case report and literature review.

Periorificial lentiginosis, also knew as Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS), is an autosomally dominant inherited condition determined by a mutation localized at 19p13.3 responsible for mucocutaneous pigmentation and gastrointestinal polyps. Skin- and mucosal pigmentation may be present at birth but usually occur in early childhood, and occasionally may develop later. Round, oval or irregular patches of brown or almost black pigmentation 1 to 5 mm diameter, irregularly distributed over the oral mucosa, gums, hard palate and lips (especially the lower) are observed. The pigmented maculae on the face, encountered especially around the nose and mouth are smaller. Polyps may appear in the stomach, small bowel or colon, with hamartomatous aspects on histology. Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding and chronic fecal blood loss may appear during the course of disease. There is a higher risk of intestinal and extraintestinal cancers in those patients. We present the case of an 18-year-old young girl accusing since the age of 3 slight intermittent episodes of bloating and abdominal pain without a particular localization, as well as mild iron-deficiency anemia. Physical examination revealed pigmented lesions suggesting PSJ on the palatine and jugal mucosa while endoscopy found a lot of polyps in stomach and a few, isolated in the colon, all having the same hamartomatous pattern. The presence in early infancy of small, well-demarcated and dark-brown to blue-black lentigines on the lips, buccal mucosa and perioral skin, should alert the clinician to PJS.

Correlations between CD34 Immunolabelled Blood Vessels and CD34 mRNA Expression in Colorectal Cancer.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the correlation between microvessel density of CD34 immunolabelled blood vessels and CD34 mRNA gene expression in colorectal cancer tissue. MATERIAL/METHODS: Standard immunohistochemistry and gene expression was perform on samples collected from 76 patients with colorectal cancer in order to determinate the number of CD34 immunolabelled blood vessels and the relative quantity of CD34 mRNA. RESULTS: For the study group, the mean CD34 immunolabelled microvascular density (MVD) was of 307/mm2, and the mean CD34 gene expression value for colon cancer was 2.303. The low p value (<0.001) of the Spearman correlation test showed a significant direct correlation between CD34 MVD and CD34 gene expression for the entire study group. CONCLUSIONS: CD34 gene`s expression can be looked at as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer.

[Septic complications in acute appendicitis. Problems of diagnosis and treatment]. / Complicatiile septice perioperatorii în apendicita acuta. Probleme de diagnostic si tratament.

AIM: diagnostic improvement in complicated acute appendicitis (AA) by implementing the new sepsis concepts and modern imaging procedures; optimization of treatment with decreasing postoperation morbidity and mortality and improving the cost-efficiency indicator. 1495 cases of AA admitted between 2000 and 2004 have been assessed retrospectively and among them 306 (20.46%) had complications. On admission 80.43% patients were diagnosed with AA, 17.50% with acute abdominal syndrome and 2.07% with chronic appendicitis. On discharge there were 1158 (77.45%) cases of inflammatory AA and 306 (20.46%) cases of complicated AA (perforation, gangrene, peritonitis, plastron abscess). TREATMENT: 98.26% of patients under-went operation and 1.73% did not. SURGICAL PROCEDURES: standard appendicectomy in 1407 (95.77%) cases; laparoscopic appendicectomy in 30 (2.04%) cases; extraperitoneal approach in 15 (1.02%) cases; associated with surgical interventions on other organs in 75 (5.10%) cases. POST-OPERATORY MORBIDITY:128 (41.08%) cases out of 306; septic parietal complications in 102 (33.33%) cases; intraperitoneal complications in 26 (8.49%) cases. POST-OPERATORY MORTALITY: 6 deaths in patients aged over 68. AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IN HOSPITAL: 4 days for uncomplicated AA and 14.6 days for complicated ones. Perioperative septic complications are the result of evolution of late diagnosed disease, unjustified postponing of operation, surgical technique, patient health condition.

[Differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Diagnosis and therapeutic aspects]. / Carcinomul tiroidian diferentiat. Aspecte diagnostice si terapeutice.

The significant increase in incidence of thyroid cancer in the last decade, augmented the interest in reevaluation of treatment and diagnosis methods. Those aspects let us into making this retrospective study regarding the differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The clinical material consist in 70 C.T. patients, of which 54 (77.14%) C.T.D. patients, ages between 17-80 year old, sex ratio W/M 3.5/1.9. Preoperatively malignancy diagnosis was made by FNAC in 38.88%, intraoperatively by extemporaneous pathological exam 42.59%, postoperatively by paraffin exam 18.51%. Papillary CTD 30 (55.55%), follicular 20 (41.25%), Hürthle cells carcinoma 4 (7.2%). From the therapeutical point of view, the elective procedure of thyroidectomy was dictated by the histological type, staging and specific prognostic factors. There was 41 (75.9%) patients with total thyroidectomy (T.T), with a specific morbidity of 7 (12.96%) and 5-years survival rate of 88.88%. Preoperatively diagnosis of C.T was suspected through clinic, ultrasonography and scintigraphy arguments and confirmed by FNAC. The non conclusive cases were diagnosed intraoperatively by extemporaneous exam or postoperatively by paraffin exam. In most cases total thyroidectomy remains the essential surgical procedure. Also clinical, imaging and biological postoperative monitoring as well as suppress and substitution hormonotherapy are mandatory.

Portal cavernomatous transformation leading to variceal hemorrhage in Sturge-Webber syndrome. A rare, but possible association.

UNLABELLED: Sturge-Weber syndrome is a rare disorder consisting of a port-wine nevus in the distribution of the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve and central nervous system malformations. Facial cutaneous vascular malformation, seizures, and glaucoma are among the most common symptoms and signs. The syndrome results from malformation of the cerebral vasculature located within the pia mater, most commonly over the occipital region. These malformations led to venous hypertension and subsequent hypoperfusion on the underlying cortex, causing chronic cerebral ischemia, atrophy, calcification and neurological deterioration. We describe 18-years-old young girl hospitalized for upper digestive hemorrhage that revealed a cavernomatous transformation of portal vein. At the same time, she presents extensive congenital, bilateral port wine stains on the face, epilepsy and glaucoma of the right eye. Computer tomography showed intracranial vascular abnormalities with calcifications, particularly in the right occipital lobe. The clinical presentation and imagistic assessment confirmed the diagnosis of Sturge-Weber syndrome associated with upper non-cirrhotic portal hypertension generated by a malformation of portal vein. CONCLUSIONS: Upper digestive hemorrhage is a quite rare eventuality in the Sturge-Webber syndrome. Moreover, portal tract malformations with cavernomatous transformation are exceptionally cited in the literature. Despite this rare association, abdominal investigation, as well as computed cranial tomography should be performed in all cases of children that present a facial cutaneous vascular malformation.

Bone abnormalities occurring in the follow-up of the patients with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), also called von Recklinghausen disease or peripheral neurofibromatosis, is a common autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multiple neurofibromas, "café au lait" spots and Lisch nodules of the iris with a variable clinical expression. Osseous anomalies appeared in the patients with NF1 including dysplasia, scoliosis and pseudoarthrosis. We propose a research of the osseous involvement at 11 patients, seven female and four male with ages from 9 to 60 at which the cutaneous aspect has the complete form, hyperpigmented spots and cutaneous neurofibromas and only more than six "café au lait" spots. All the patients suffered radiological exams, CT- and MRI-scan. The results were different from case to case from the extreme severe deformations, especially at the children, to clinical unapparent osseous involvement, incidental found or with occasion of our investigation. CONCLUSIONS. The patients with NF1 has osseous abnormalities specific of the disease, like dysplasia, scoliosis, pseudoarthrosis, often gentle but sometimes extremely severe. The most severe osseous involvement are presented in the cases when these development early in the childhood. Other times the osseous abnormalities are clinical asymptomatic, their finding been clinical incidental. We want to have a separate mention for the maxillary and mandible involvement, which according to our information is not a rare form.

[Severity factors of acute renal failure in severe acute pancreatitis]. / Factori de gravitate in insuficienta renala acuta din pancreatitele acute severe.

AIM: assessment of the severity factors of the acute renal failure (ARF) in the severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). 28 (32.55%) severe acute pancreatitis with acute renal failure (19 males and 9 females, aged between 30 and 67), treated by hemodialysis, selected from 86 severe acute pancreatitis with acute renal failure, admitted in the Hemodialysis Department of ICU in the last 6 years, were analyzed. The severity of the pancreatitis was assessed using the following criteria: clinico-biologic scores (Ranson > 3 and APACHE II > 8), the CT-scan (Balthazar score D and E and CTSI > 4), the presence of the organ and system dysfunctions assessed by Tran and Cuesta criteria and the presence of the abdominal compartment syndrome (abdominal pressure > 25 mm Hg). 8 dialyzed cases (28.5%) were operated on: 2 cholecystostomy, 2 cholecystectomy+choledocho-lithotomy+T tube drainage, 4 exploring laparotomy + drainage. RESULTS: The following severity factors were identified: 1. the association of the ARF with other system and organ dysfunctions, the highest mortality rate being provided by the following associations: ARF + more than 3 organ and system dysfunctions and ARF + ARDS in assisted ventilated patients; 2. the abdominal compartment syndrome with abdominal pressure > 25 mm Hg; 3. severe sepsis and altered biological status of the patients. We registered a general mortality rate of 53.57% (15 deaths) and a postoperative mortality rate of 75% (6 deaths from 8 operated patients). CONCLUSIONS: 1. Summing up the pathologic changes proper to the acute pancreatitis (enzymes and mediators releasing) with sepsis and abdominal compartment syndrome worsens the humoral and metabolic syndrome of the ARF. 2. The simultaneous presence of other organ and system dysfunctions makes the ARF in SAP one of the most severe forms. 3. ARF with anuria + ARDS in assisted ventilated patients and ARF + more than 3 associated organ and system dysfunctions are the clinical forms with the highest mortality rate. 4. The abdominal compartment syndrome is an important severity factor of the ARF because of its direct impact against the kidney and the organ and system dysfunctions which produces and worsens.

[Gastric volvulus--complication of a large paraesophageal hiatal hernia]. / Volvulusul gastric--complicatie posibila in herniile hiatale paraesofagiene mari.

The authors present the case of a patient with a large paraesophageal hiatal hernia complicated with organo-axial gastric volvulus. We discuss problems of diagnosis and therapeutical options.

[The pancreatic pseudocyst--late complication of the severe acute pancreatitis. Therapeutic options]. / Pseudochistul de pancreas, complicatie tardiva a pancreatitelor acute severe. Posibilitati si optiuni terapeutice.

AIM: the assessment of the therapeutical methods in the pancreatic pseudocyst occurred after severe acute pancreatitis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 30 (33.3%) pancreatic pseudocysts (18 men and 12 women aged between 28-64) occurred in the evolution of 90 severe acute pancreatitis in the last 5 years (2000-2004) were analyzed. The diagnosis was established on the clinical and imaging aspects on average 1 month after the onset of the severe acute pancreatitis. The treatment was different, depending on size, anatomo-clinical form, pseudocyst age, presence of complications and the biological status of the patient. 14 uncomplicated pseudocysts, with the diameter less than 6 cm, were treated conservatively, until their complete resorption. 6 cases were operated on (2 cysto-gastrostomy, 1 cysto-jejunostomy and 3 external drainage). We performed percutaneous external CT guided drainage in 2 cases and endoscopic drainage in other 8 cases (trans-papillary-trans-ductal drainage 3 cases and endoscopic US guided drainage in 5 cases: transgastric 2, transduodenal 2 and transesophageal 1). RESULTS: 28 (93.3%) cases had a fair evolution (complete resorption in 14 uncomplicated pseudocysts after 3-6 weeks of conservative treatment). We registered 2 gastro-duodenal bleeding during endoscopic US guided drainage, which required operation (haemostasis cysto-gastrostomy). Mortality rate was 0. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The pseudocyst is the main late complication of the severe acute pancreatitis (33.3% in our study). 2. The uncomplicated pseudocysts with the diameter less than 6 cm, benefit of the conservative treatment and monitoring in progress until their complete resolution. 3. There are 3 therapeutical methods for the pseudocysts more than 6 cm in diameter and/or complicated: the percutaneous external US/CT guided drainage, the endoscopic drainage and surgery. 4. The option for the drainage procedure must take into account the morphological and evolutionary aspects of the pseudocyst, the age and biological status of the patient.

[Postoperative biliary peritonitis--diagnosis and treatment difficulties]. / Peritonitele biliare postoperatorii--dificultati de diagnostic si tratament.

AIM: To point out the severity of the postoperative biliary peritonitis (PBP) and to established the most proper ways of diagnosis and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 14 PBP (6 males and 8 females, age between 42 and 76 years) admitted in the last 14 years were analyzed. The PBP occurred after biliary surgery in 13 cases and after gastro-duodenal surgery in 1 case. The delay between the first operation and the establishing of the diagnosis and reoperation varied between 24 hours and more than 3 days. All the patients were operated on; the operation had to fulfill 2 main objectives: the treatment of the peritonitis and to solve the biliary lesions. RESULTS: 6 patients had a fair evolution. We registered 8 complications with a morbidity rate of 57,14% and 2 deaths with a mortality rate of 14,3%. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Postoperative biliary peritonitis is one of the most severe complications of the biliary and gastro-duodenal surgery, due to preoperative unrecognized biliary lesions or occurring as postoperative accidents or complications. 2. The clinical picture, deeply modified by the complex postoperative treatment makes the early diagnosis very difficult and leads to a delay of the re-operation. 3. The treatment is exclusively a surgical one, with two main objectives: the biliary lesion repair and the treatment of the peritonitis. 4. The postoperative biliary peritonitis are charged by a high postoperative morbidity and mortality rate, the delay of the diagnosis and the time of reoperation being the main risk factor.