Pyogenic Liver Abscess: Contemporary Trends in a Tertiary Institute.

Background: Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening condition. In recent years, advances in diagnostics and management have led to early diagnosis and treatment and decreased mortality. We present recent data from a large series of patients with PLA and examine the trends in the management of PLA over a period of 50 years. Methods: The medical records of all patients admitted to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Israel, between January 2011 and December 2021 with a primary or secondary diagnosis of PLA were reviewed retrospectively. Results: : Ninety-five patients with PLA were identified. Thirty-eight (40%) were female. The median patient age was 66 years (range 18-93). The diagnosis of PLA in all patients was confirmed with abdominal computed tomography (CT). In twenty patients (21.1%), PLA was not diagnosed by the initial abdominal US. Most abscesses were right-sided. Biliary tract origin was the most common underlying cause of PLA (n = 57, 60%), followed by cryptogenic etiology (n = 28, 30%). Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Streptococcus species were most commonly identified. The most common primary treatment modality was percutaneous drainage (PD), which was performed in 81 patients (85.3%). Fourteen patients (14.7%) were treated medically without intervention, and two patients (2.1%) were treated surgically following a failure of PD. Four patients died as a direct result of PLA. Conclusions: Patients diagnosed with PLA are older, the male predominance is less pronounced, and the offending pathogens are likely to originate from the biliary tract. This study questions the utility of abdominal US as the initial diagnostic imaging in patients with suspected PLA (versus CT) and demonstrates improved outcomes for patients with PLA over the years.

Increased Rate of Complete Pathologic Response After Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX for BRCA Mutation Carriers with Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX is a standard-of-care treatment for BRPC patients. Patients with gBRCAm who have demonstrated improved response to platinum-based chemotherapy may have impaired homologous repair deficiency. This study aimed to describe the pathologic complete response rate and long-term survival for patients with germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation (gBRCAm) and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) treated with neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX. METHODS: A dual-center retrospective analysis was performed. Patients who had BRPC treated with neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX followed by curative resection were identified from clinical databases. Pathologic complete response was defined as no viable tumor cells present in the specimen. Common founder Jewish germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation was determined for available patients. RESULTS: The 61 BRPC patients in this study underwent resection after neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX. Analysis of BRCA mutation was performed for 39 patients, and 9 patients were found to be BRCA2 germline mutation carriers. The pathologic complete response rate was 44.4% for the gBRCAm patients and 10% for the BRCA non-carriers (p = 0.009). The median disease-free survival was not reached for the gBRCAm patients and was 7 months for the BRCA non-carriers (p = 0.03). The median overall survival was not reached for the gBRCAm patients and was 32 months for the BRCA non-carriers (p = 0.2). After a mean follow-up period of 33.7 months, all eight patients with pathologic complete response were disease-free. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that gBRCAm patients with BRPC have an increased chance for pathologic complete response and prolonged survival after neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX. The results support the benefit of exposing gBRCAm patients to platinum-based chemotherapy early in the course of the disease. Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX should be considered for BRCA carriers who have resectable pancreatic cancer.

Enhanced Recovery Deviation and Failure After Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Causative Factors and Impact.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is popular and safe. This study aimed to describe the incidence, causative factors, and clinical impact of deviation from and failure of an ERAS protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort analysis of elective PD patients managed according to an ERAS protocol between October 2015 and June 2018 was performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified variables associated with protocol deviation and failure. The relationship between protocol deviation and failure was also explored. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients were identified comprising of 46 females and 51 males. The median age was 68 y (range 17-85). Twenty-one patients (21.6%) suffered serious complications, whereas two (2.1%) died perioperatively. The median length of stay (LoS) was 14 d (6-36). In total, 73 (75.3%) patients deviated, whereas 39 (40.2%) failed the protocol. On univariate analysis, protocol deviation was associated with male gender, surgery time ≥270 min, and prolonged LoS. On multivariate analysis only prolonged LoS remained significant. Only serious complications were associated with protocol failure on multivariate analysis. Protocol deviation was not associated with significant complications nor ERAS protocol failure. CONCLUSIONS: ERAS protocol deviation does not alter the course of those destined to protocol failure. Greater understanding into the causative factors of either protocol deviation or failure may be the only way to personalize care and realize the maximal benefit of ERAS in this specific group of patients.

[INTRACHOLECYSTIC PAPILLARY-TUBULAR NEOPLASM: A NEW PATHOLOGY OF THE GALLBLADDER?]

INTRODUCTION: The clinicopathologic characterization of tumoral intra-epithelial neoplasms of the gallbladder is fairly limited compared to that of similar tumors of the pancreatobiliary system. Until recently, pre-malignant lesions of the gallbladder were mostly reported as adenomas, which were microscopic and therefore regarded as benign and clinically inconsequential, whereas papillary lesions have been largely regarded as a papillary subtype of gallbladder invasive adenocarcinoma. In an attempt to create a unified terminology for these tumors, the term Intracholecystic papillary-tubular neoplasm (ICPN) was proposed to include all exophytic intra-epithelial tumors of the gallbladder measuring ≥1 cm under one category. A few studies which have retrospectively analyzed tumors fulfilling this category found them to be remarkable analogous to the more well-characterized intra-epithelial tumors of the pancreato-biliary system such as IPMN of the pancreas and IPNB of the bile ducts and as such they also represent an 'adenoma-carcinoma' sequence in the gallbladder. Since then a number of case series have been published which attempted to characterize the clinical and pathological features of these tumors and their relationship with invasive carcinoma. In this paper we report three cases of ICPN which represent different stages of the 'adenoma-carcinoma' sequence.

[SARCOPENIA IS AN INDEPENDENT RISK FACTOR FOR DELAYED GASTRIC EMPTYING AFTER PANCREATICODUODENECTOMY].

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is defined as the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle and can be measured using the cross-sectional diameter of the psoas muscle on computed tomography. Sarcopenia has been associated with a variety of post-operative complications. We propose that sarcopenia acts as an independent factor predictive of delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after elective pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of all patients undergoing PD at our tertiary hepatobiliary center was performed for the period December 2014 - March 2017. For each patient, the preoperative cross-sectional diameter of the psoas muscle at the upper border of L4 was calculated. Measurements in the lowest third of gender specific groups were considered to be sarcopenic. The presence of DGE, post-operative pancreatic fistulas (POPF) and major postoperative complications graded as Clavien Dindo III or more were included in the analysis. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were included, 15 (37.5%) of whom were classified as sarcopenic. Comparison between the sarcopenic and non-sarcopenia groups revealed homogeneity in terms of gender, age, BMI and pre-operative albumin levels. DGE occurred in 11 patients (27.5%) of whom 7 were sarcopenic. Significantly more sarcopenic patients suffered from DGE (7/15 vs 4/25, p = 0.042). Major postoperative complications and POPF occurred in 15 patients each (37.5%). Nevertheless, sarcopenia was not significantly associated with POPF or other complications. The presence of sarcopenia was found to have a significant relationship with the incidence of DGE (OR 4.594, 95% CI 1.052-20.057). DISCUSSION: Sarcopenia acted as an independent risk factor predicting DGE after PD but not for POPF or other major postoperative complications.

Intrathecal morphine versus intravenous opioid administration to impact postoperative analgesia in hepato-pancreatic surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Inadequate analgesia following abdominal surgery may affect outcome. Data in patients undergoing liver surgery suggested that postoperative coagulopathy might delay epidural catheter removal. Thus, alternative analgesic techniques should be evaluated. METHODS: We compared the analgesic efficacy of intraoperative intrathecal morphine [single injection 4 µg/kg before skin incision (ITM group, n = 23)] to intravenous opioids [iv remifentanil infusion during surgery followed by i.v. bolus of morphine, 0.15 mg/kg before the end of surgery (IVO group, n = 26)]. Forty-nine adult patients undergoing elective open resection of liver or pancreas lesions in the Tel Aviv Medical Center were randomized into the two analgesic protocols. Postoperatively both groups received i.v. morphine via a patient-controlled analgesia pump. Follow-up was till the 3rd postoperative day (POD). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in demographics and intraoperative data between groups. The primary outcome, pain scores on movement, was significantly worse in the IVO group when compared with the ITM group at various time points till POD3. In the secondary outcomes - need for rescue drugs - the IVO group required significantly more rescue morphine boluses. Complication related to the analgesia and recovery parameters were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that a single dose of ITM before hepatic/pancreatic surgery may offer better postoperative pain control than i.v. opioid administration during surgery. This beneficial effect is maintained throughout the first three PODs and is not associated with a higher complication rate; neither did it influence recovery parameters. ITM provides an appropriate alternative to i.v. morphine during major abdominal surgery.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is associated with high tumor grade and adverse outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is generally associated with increased tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis. We evaluated EMT characteristics in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) tumor specimens and their potential role as biomarkers for malignancy, metastasis, and adverse patient outcomes. METHODS: IPMN surgical specimens were identified and reviewed by two gastrointestinal pathologists. Immunohistochemical analysis of E-cadherin, vimentin, and ZEB-1 was performed. Samples were linked to clinicopathologic and outcome data for these patients. Western blot test was used to evaluate ZEB-1 expression in IPMN samples; 846 human miRNAs were profiled, and EMT-related differentially expressed miRNAs were validated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Fifty-eight IPMN specimens and five normal pancreatic tissue samples were immunohistochemically stained and scored. E-cadherin expression was significantly lower in malignant versus low-grade IPMN (p < 0.05). Vimentin expression was increased in malignant IPMN tumor samples (p < 0.05). EMT was associated with increased lymph node metastasis and decreased survival of malignant IPMN patients (p < 0.05). ZEB-1, an imperative EMT regulator, was exclusively expressed by malignant IPMN tumors. miRNA hierarchical clustering demonstrated grouping of two main IPMN subgroups: low-grade IPMN versus high-grade IPMN and carcinoma. Twenty-four miRNAs were differentially expressed (14 up-regulated, 10 down-regulated). The EMT-regulatory miRNAs, miR-200c and miR-141, were down-regulated (twofold and 1.8-fold decrease, respectively) in malignant versus low-grade IPMN (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EMT may play a role in IPMN tumorigenesis and metastasis. EMT molecular deregulations could be utilized as potential novel biomarkers for the identification of high-risk IPMN patients.

Early and late presentations of graft arterial pseudoaneurysm following pancreatic transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Graft pseudoaneurysm (PSA) following pancreatic transplantation (PT) is a rarely reported complication that has significant morbidity and mortality. Few case reports and small series of this complication exist. METHODS: Retrospective review of files of 106 patients who underwent PT at the Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical center between 1995 and 2010. Accessible asymptomatic patients (n = 35) were referred for graft PSA screening using ultrasound-Doppler. RESULTS: Eight patients developed graft PSA (8 %). All had early posttransplant sepsis. PSA incidence among patients who had perioperative sepsis is 13 %. Three patients developed early postoperative PSA, presenting as massive abdominal bleeding requiring urgent laparotomy and graft resection. Five patients were diagnosed with late-onset graft PSA between 3 months and 11 years posttransplant: clinical presentations were massive gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 2), acute renal failure (n = 1), and asymptomatic finding on screening ultrasound-Doppler (n = 2, 6 % of screened patients). CONCLUSIONS: PSA following PT occurs in 8 % of patients. Perioperative infection is a risk factor. Early PSAs present as massive intra-abdominal bleeding. PSA may develop years posttransplant, may be asymptomatic, but late rupture is possible and presents as gastrointestinal bleeding. We recommend screening of patients at risk with ultrasound Doppler for early detection and treatment of asymptomatic PSAs.

Pancreatic cancer: surgery is a feasible therapeutic option for elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Compromised physiological reserve, comorbidities, and the natural history of pancreatic cancer may deny pancreatic resection from elderly patients. We evaluated outcomes of elderly patients amenable to pancreatic surgery. METHODS: The medical records of all patients who underwent pancreatic resection at our institution (1995-2007) were retrospectively reviewed. Patient, tumor, and outcomes characteristics in elderly patients aged ≥ 70 years were compared to a younger cohort (<70 y). RESULTS: Of 460 patients who had surgery for pancreatic neoplasm, 166 (36%) aged ≥ 70 y. Compared to patients < 70 y (n = 294), elderly patients had more associated comorbidities; 72% vs. 43% (p = 0.01) and a higher rate of malignant pathologies; 73% vs. 59% (p = 0.002). Operative time and blood products consumption were comparable; however, elderly patients had more post-operative complications (41% vs. 29%; p = 0.01), longer hospital stay (26.2 vs. 19.7 days; p < 0.0001), and a higher incidence of peri-operative mortality (5.4% vs. 1.4%; p = 0.01). Multivariable analysis identified age ≥ 70 y as an independent predictor of shorter disease-specific survival (DSS) among patients who had surgery for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n = 224). Median DSS for patients aged ≥ 70 y vs. < 70 y were 15 months (SE: 1.6) vs. 20 months (SE: 3.4), respectively (p = 0.05). One, two, and 5-Y DSS rates for the cohort of elderly patients were 58%, 36% and 23%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Properly selected elderly patients can undergo pancreatic resection with acceptable post-operative morbidity and mortality rates. Long term survival is achievable even in the presence of adenocarcinoma and therefore surgery should be seriously considered in these patients.

Contemporary surgical approach to hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic and therapeutic approach to hilar cholangiocarcinoma and thus the prognosis have changed significantly over the last two decades. Nonetheless, hilar cholangiocarcinoma presents a complex surgical challenge. OBJECTIVES: To assess the outcome of the radical approach for the management of types III and IV hilar cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective single-center study. Preoperative diagnosis was based on ultrasound, computed tomography and selective percutaneous cholangiography without tissue diagnosis. Surgery was radical and included en-bloc liver, extrahepatic biliary tree and hilar lymph nodes resection, followed by biliary reconstruction with hepaticojejunostomy. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (mean age 49 years, range 24-72) were managed accordingly. Anatomic classification of the biliary involvement was Bismuth-Corlette type IIIA (n=4), type IIIB (n=3) and type IV (n=8). The surgical procedures performed included four right hepatic lobectomies, five left hepatic lobectomies and six trisegmentectomies (all extended to the caudate lobe). Complete negative resection margins (RO) were accomplished in 12 cases (80%). Regional lymph node metastases were detected in five cases. There were two perioperative mortalities. Long-term follow-up (mean 30 months, range 6-72) revealed local recurrences in two cases, distant metastases in three, and both local and distant in two cases. Eleven patients are alive and 6 are without evidence of disease. The overall 2- and 5-year survival is 78% and 38% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients the aggressive surgical approach to hilar cholangiocarcinoma is justified and can result in long-term survival.

[Treatment of colorectal liver metastases: surgical resection vs. local ablative therapy].

INTRODUCTION: Surgical resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is the most common indication for hepatic resection at the present time and is considered to be the standard of care. However, advancement in imaging and local ablative therapy (LAT) techniques creates an apparently attractive alternative. The utilization of LAT is increasing for the treatment of CRLM in a non-controlled fashion. METHODS: A systematic and critical review of the Literature was undertaken according to the hierarchy of evidence based medicine (EBM). An analysis was conducted of the potential causes of the premature adoption of LAT as the first line treatment of CRLM. RESULTS: There is no level 1a meta-analysis available. A single Level 1b (randomized control study) is poorly presented; 2b cohort studies with some degree of risk adjustment, present a significant superiority to resection over LAT both in local control and in Long term resuLts. A single level 3a review points out a comparable local control following LAT for lesions smaller than 3 cm, but inferior long-term results, which may be biased by patient selection. Level 3b and 4 series point to different and contradicting results, prohibiting any conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the current knowLedge, LAT cannot replace surgical resection as the treatment of choice for CRLM. The increasing application of LAT in this setting is based on Level 5 evidence and is therefore inappropriate.

Capillaria hepatica (syn. Calodium hepaticum) as a Cause of Asymptomatic Liver Mass.

Capillaria hepatica (syn. Calodium hepaticum) is a parasitic nematode of rodents, rarely infecting humans. An asymptomatic Israeli adult male with extensive travel history was diagnosed with a liver mass on routine post-thymectomy follow-up. Imaging and computer tomography (CT) guided biopsy were inconclusive. Surgical excision revealed an eosinophilic granuloma with fragments of a nematode suspected to be C. hepatica. Molecular methods verified the diagnosis, and the patient was treated empirically. This is the first case of hepatic capillariasis described in Israel, and the first to be diagnosed using molecular methods.

Clinical presentation can predict disease course in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative diagnosis of malignancy within intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas (IPMN) solely by clinical or radiological findings is not always possible. We sought a correlation between preoperative clinico-radiological findings and outcome. METHODS: A prospective database of pancreatic resections for IPMN (2002-2008) and a retrospective pathological revision of all pancreatic cancer specimens (1995-2001) were analyzed. The patients were grouped into asymptomatic with preoperative diagnosis of IPMN (group 1), symptomatic with a preoperative diagnosis of IPMN (group 2), and those with a preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic cancer whose specimen revealed a background of IPMN (group 3). The groups were compared for demographics, clinical presentation, pathological findings, and outcome. RESULTS: Of the 62 patients with IPMN, 19 were in group 1, 23 in group 2, and 20 in group 3. Their median age (range) was 65.6 (46-80), 67 (50-84), and 73.4 (57-86) years, respectively. The clinical presentation for groups 2 and 3 included abdominal pain (56% vs. 32 %), weight loss (8% vs. 52%), obstructive jaundice (4% vs. 57%), pancreatitis (22% and 5%), and new onset of diabetes (14% and 44%). Invasive cancer was found in one patient in group 1 (5.2%), two patients in group 2 (8.7%), and all patients in group 3. IPMN was present in 23 of 217 (10.6%) of all resected pancreatic cancer specimens. Five year survival for patients with invasive disease was 47% and 92% for patients with noninvasive disease (mean follow-up 37.6 months). CONCLUSIONS: Benign IPMN can usually be differentiated from adenocarcinoma preoperatively. The clinical presentation is highly indicative of disease course.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: current indications, patient selection and results.

BACKGROUND: Inserting a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt by means of interventional radiology has become the procedure of choice for decompression of portal hypertension. The indications and criteria for patient selection have been expanded and refined accordingly. OBJECTIVES: To review our experience with TIPS and analyze the results with emphasis on patient selection and indication (conventional vs. atypical). METHODS: In this retrospective analysis in a single center all cases were managed by a multidisciplinary team (comprising liver surgery and transplantation, hepatology, imaging, interventional radiology and intensive care). RESULTS: Between August 2003 and December 2009, 34 patients (mean age 51, range 27-76 years) were treated with TIPS. The cause of portal hypertension was cirrhosis (23 cases), hypercoagulability complicated by Budd-Chiari syndrome (n=6), and acute portal vein thrombosis (n=5). Clinical indications for TIPS included treatment or secondary prevention of variceal bleeding (10 cases), refractory ascites (n=18), mesenteric ischemia due to acute portal vein thrombosis (n=5), and acute liver failure (n=1). TIPS was urgent in 18 cases (53%) and elective in 16. Three deaths occurred following urgent TIPS. The overall related complication rate was 32%: trasient encephalopathy (6 cases), ischemic hepatitis (n=2), acute renal failure (n=2) and bleeding (n=1). Long-term results of TIPS were defined as good in 25 cases (73%), fair in 4 (12%) and failure in 5 (15%). In three of five patients with mesenteric ischemia following acute portal vein thrombosis, surgery was obviated. Revision of TIPS due to stenosis or thrombosis was needed in 7 cases (20%). CONCLUSIONS: TIPS is safe and effective. While its benefit for patients with portal hypertension is clear, the role of TIPS in treatment of portal-mesenteric venous thrombosis needs further evaluation. Patient selection, establishing the indication and performing TIPS should be done by a multidisciplinary dedicated team.

Response to chemotherapy predicts survival following resection of hepatic colo-rectal metastases in patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy.

BACKGROUND: Prognosis of patients following resection of CRC metastases to the liver has traditionally been predicted by clinical risk factors. In the era of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, determination of new prognostic indicators of outcome are necessary. METHODS: This retrospective study includes patients with CRC liver metastases, who received oxaliplatin or irinotecan based neoadjuvant chemotherapy and underwent R0 resection. Patients were followed by CT and PET-CT, before, during and after chemotherapy and surgery. The predictive value of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Clinical Score (MSKCC-CS) and degree of response to chemotherapy (measured by CT and PET-CT), were analyzed by univariate and multivariate COX regression. RESULTS: Included are 54 patients. Overall 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rates 88%, 70%, and 39%. Response to chemotherapy on CT was a significant predictor of survival on univariate (P = 0.03) and multivariate analysis (P = 0.03), whereas MSKCC-CS and response to chemotherapy on PET-CT were not. Multivariate analysis demonstrated response to chemotherapy as a predictor of time to recurrence on CT (P = 0.02) and PET-CT (P = 0.03), while the MSKCC-CS (P = 0.64) was not. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of patients treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the outcome was not predicted by the traditional clinical scoring system, but rather by response to chemotherapy as evaluated by CT and PET-CT.

[Hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery and abdominal organ transplantation, a defined subspecialty, integrated within the surgical division: professional, operative and educational aspects].

INTRODUCTION: EstabLishment of hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery and abdominal organ transplantation as defined subspecialties of general surgery has been boosted over the Last decade. However, the affiliation (independent service vs. integration within the division of surgery), the training course (transplantation vs. surgical oncology) and the referral patterns are still controversial. METHODS: Dedicated HPB and transplantation units were defined within the surgical division of the Tel Aviv Medical Center. The principles of operation included muttidisciplinary expert teams, unified and standard treatment protocols, exposure and involvement of all residents and attending surgeons of the division to patients, decision-making and perioperative care, peer review and periodic publication of clinical results. RESULTS: Between the years 2003-2007, 870 major HPB procedures were performed: 70 Liver transplants (9 from live donors), 100 organ procurements, 165 kidney and kidney-pancreas transplants (30% from Live donors), 250 hepatic resections of various types and indications, 35 complex biliary reconstructions and 250 pancreatectomies. The short- (morbidity and mortality) and long-term (survival and disease free survival) rates are compatible with the reported results from Centers of Excellence around the world. CONCLUSIONS: Operating HPB and transplantation surgery by trained experts and defined professional units, but within an academic surgical division, promotes the achievement of high volume and excellent results together with optimal exposure, education and training of the surgical residents.

Redefining late acute graft pancreatitis: clinical presentation, radiologic findings, principles of management, and prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: To define the incidence, clinical presentation, radiologic findings and principles of diagnosis, and management of acute graft pancreatitis occurring more than 3 months after transplantation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Acute graft pancreatitis is a frequent late complication after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) with enteric drainage that is not well understood. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of data from patients who underwent SPKT with enteric drainage at our institution. All recipients who experienced episodes that met the clinical criteria for late graft pancreatitis were included. We excluded events proven to be anastomotic or duodenal stump leaks. Clinical presentation, laboratory findings, radiologic imaging, course of management, and graft and patient outcome were evaluated and analyzed. RESULTS: Of 79 SPKTs (1995-2007), 11 (14%) recipients experienced 31 episodes of late graft pancreatitis (average number per patient, 3; range, 1-13), occurring an average of 28 months after transplantation (range, 3 months to 8 years). All patients presented with right lower quadrant abdominal peritonitis, fever, and findings compatible with pancreas graft inflammation on computed tomography or ultrasound imaging. Mild hyperamylasemia (>110 IU/L) was found in 82% of cases. Treatment was conservative, including bowel rest, antibiotics, and percutaneous sampling and drainage of abscesses as necessary. Excellent graft and patient survival were achieved. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of late acute graft pancreatitis is clinical, with confirmatory computed tomography or ultrasound imaging. Conservative treatment yields excellent graft and patient survival.

Sarcopenia is associated with a greater incidence of delayed gastric emptying following pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Sarcopenia is the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle and has been associated with a variety of post-operative complications. We propose sarcopenia is associated with delayed gastric emptying (DGE) following elective pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a computerised database maintained in real time of all patients undergoing PD within our hepatobiliary unit was performed. The cross-sectional area of the psoas muscle at the upper border of L3 was calculated and corrected for patient height. The lowest quartile of gender specific groups was considered to be sarcopenic. RESULTS: 61 patients were included, 32 male and 29 female of whom 8 from each group were sarcopenic (26.2%). Although the sarcopenic and non-sarcopenia groups were found to be comparable, significantly more sarcopenic patients were older (75 vs 64 years, p = 0.003), had a lower body mass index (21.9 vs 25.0 kg/m2, p = 0.003) and suffered from DGE (7/16 vs 8/45, p = 0.045). On multivariate analysis, these variables maintained their significance with DGE having an OR of 6.042 (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia is significantly associated with DGE, older age and lower BMI in this specific cohort of patients. Further research into the reversibility of this phenomenon is warranted.

The role and limitations of 18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan and computerized tomography (CT) in restaging patients with hepatic colorectal metastases following neoadjuvant chemotherapy: comparison with operative and pathological findings.

BACKGROUND: Recent data confirmed the importance of 18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the selection of patients with colorectal hepatic metastases for surgery. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy before hepatic resection in selected cases may improve outcome. The influence of chemotherapy on the sensitivity of FDG-PET and CT in detecting liver metastases is not known. METHODS: Patients were assigned to either neoadjuvant treatment or immediate hepatic resection according to resectability, risk of recurrence, extrahepatic disease, and patient preference. Two-thirds of them underwent FDG-PET/CT before chemotherapy; all underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced CT and FDG-PET/CT. Those without extensive extrahepatic disease underwent open exploration and resection of all the metastases according to original imaging findings. Operative and pathological findings were compared to imaging results. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (33 lesions) underwent immediate hepatic resection (group 1), and 48 patients (122 lesions) received preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy (group 2). Sensitivity of FDG-PET and CT in detecting colorectal (CR) metastases was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (FDG-PET: 93.3 vs 49%, P<0.0001; CT: 87.5 vs 65.3, P=0.038). CT had a higher sensitivity than FDG-PET in detecting CR metastases following neoadjuvant therapy (65.3 vs 49%, P<0.0001). Sensitivity of FDG-PET, but not of CT, was lower in group 2 patients whose chemotherapy included bevacizumab compared to patients who did not receive bevacizumab (39 vs 59%, P=0.068). CONCLUSIONS: FDG-PET/CT sensitivity is lowered by neoadjuvant chemotherapy. CT is more sensitive than FDG-PET in detecting CR metastases following neoadjuvant therapy. Surgical decision-making requires information from multiple imaging modalities and pretreatment findings. Baseline FDG-PET and CT before neoadjuvant therapy are mandatory.

Current controversies in the surgical management of colorectal cancer metastases to the liver.

Surgical resection offers the best opportunity for cure in patients with colorectal cancer metastasis to the liver, with 5 year survival rates of up to 58% following resection. However, only a small percentage of patients are eligible for resection at the time of diagnosis and the average recurrence rate is still high. Consequently, research endeavors have focused on methods aimed at increasing the number of patients eligible for surgical resection, refining the selection criteria for surgery, and improving the disease-free and overall survival time in these patients. Improvements in imaging techniques and the increasing use of FDG-PET allow more accurate preoperative staging and superior identification of patients likely to benefit from surgical resection. Advances in the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy allow up to 38% of patients previously considered unresectable to be significantly downstaged and eligible for hepatic resection. Many reports have critically evaluated the surgical techniques applied to liver resection, the concurrent or alternative use of local ablative therapies, such as radiofrequency ablation, and the subsequent use of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients undergoing surgical resection for hepatic metastases.