Liver decompensation is a frequent cause of treatment discontinuation and prognostic factor in intermediate-advanced HCC.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: With the advent of new therapeutic options for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for intermediate or advanced stages of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC), regional real-world data regarding prognostic survival factors are of significant importance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted in Latin America including BCLC B or C patients since 15th May 2018. We report here the second interim analysis focusing on prognostic variables and causes of treatment discontinuation. Cox proportional hazard survival analysis was performed, estimating hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: Overall, 390 patients were included, 55.1% and 44.9% were BCLC B and C at the time of study enrollment. Cirrhosis was present in 89.5% of the cohort. Among the BCLC-B group, 42.3% were treated with TACE with a median survival since the first session of 41.9 months. Liver decompensation before TACE was independently associated with increased mortality [HR 3.22 (CI 1.64;6.33); P<.001]. Systemic treatment was initiated in 48.2% of the cohort (n=188), with a median survival of 15.7 months. Of these, 48.9% presented first-line treatment discontinuation (44.4% tumor progression, 29.3% liver decompensation, 18.5% symptomatic deterioration, and 7.8% intolerance), and only 28.7% received second-line systemic treatments. Liver decompensation [HR 2.9 (1.64;5.29); P<.0001], and symptomatic progression [HR 3.9 (1.53;9.78); P=0.004] were independently associated with mortality after first-line systemic treatment discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: The complexity of these patients, with one-third presenting liver decompensation after systemic therapies, underlines the need for multidisciplinary team management and the central role of hepatologists.

Fístula arteriovenosa post-TIPS, un reto diagnóstico: reporte de caso / Post-TIPS arteriovenous fistula, a diagnostic challenge: case report

La hipertensión portal es una de las principales complicaciones de la cirrosis. El papel de la derivación portosistémica transyugular intrahepática (TIPS, por sus siglas en inglés), ha ganado aceptación como tratamiento efectivo en la hipertensión portal. En los últimos años su técnica se ha ido perfeccionando, disminuyendo la morbimortalidad relacionada con este procedimiento. Describimos un caso de un paciente masculino con cirrosis Child-Pugh 8 y MELD 16, con antecedente de descompensación por sangrado variceal recurrente y trombosis parcial de la vena porta, con un gradiente de presión venosa hepática (GPVH) de 20 mmHg, por lo que es llevado a TIPS como profilaxis secundaria, con un gradiente final post-TIPS de 6 mmHg. Posterior al procedimiento, presentó evolución tórpida con deterioro de las pruebas de bioquímica hepática. Se realizó una angiografía demostrando permeabilidad del TIPS sin progresión de la trombosis portal, y hallazgos anormales inespecíficos de la arteria hepática. Se decidió realizar una arteriografía selectiva, demostrando un pseudoaneurisma de la rama derecha de la arteria hepática y una fístula arteriovenosa de la arteria hepática a las colaterales portales. Se realizó embolización selectiva de la fístula con evolución satisfactoria del paciente.

Portal hypertension is a life-threatening complication of cirrhosis. The role of transyugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has gained acceptance as an effective treatment for portal hypertension. In the past few years, its technique has been improved, decreasing the mortality related with the procedure. We describe a case of a male with Child-Pugh 8 and MELD 16 cirrhosis, with previous decompensation of recurrent variceal bleeding and partial thrombosis of the portal vein. TIPS was performed due to a hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) of 20 mmHg. The final measure showed HVPG of 6 mmHg. After the procedure, he presented a torpid evolution with deterioration of liver function tests. An angiography was performed demonstrating patency of the TIPS without progression of portal thrombosis and nonspecific abnormal findings of the hepatic artery. Selective arteriography was performed and revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the right branch of the hepatic artery and an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) from the hepatic artery to portal collaterals. Embolization was performed to treat the fistula with satisfactory evolution of the patient.

Pelvic Venous Congestion Secondary to a Circumaortic Renal Collar in an Adolescent Female: Report of a Case.

We report a 13-year-old girl who presented with a recurrent abdominal pain that started after her menarche. The abdominal palpation revealed tenderness over the left ovarian point. The laboratory study, ultrasonography, and abdominal X-ray were normal. The computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a double left renal vein with a retroaortic component, an increased left parauterine circulation, and ipsilateral ovarian vein engorgement. A diagnostic and therapeutic phlebography allowed a selective catheterization of a group of pelvic varicose veins draining to the left ovarian and to the internal iliac veins. There were no complications during the procedure and the symptoms disappeared 2 days later. Circumaortic left renal vein may cause hematuria, proteinuria, pelvic congestion syndrome, and massive hemorrhage during surgery. A conservative treatment is recommended for patients without gynecourological/renal symptoms or with mild hematuria. The endovascular treatment by gonadal venous embolization is safe and effective.

Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation: Prognostic and predictive factors of survival in a Latin American cohort.

BACKGROUND & AIM: Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation (LT) has a poor prognosis, and the adjusted effect of different treatments on post-recurrence survival (PRS) has not been well defined. This study aims to evaluate prognostic and predictive variables associated with PRS. METHODS: This Latin American multicenter retrospective cohort study included HCC patients who underwent LT between the years 2005-2018. We evaluated the effect of baseline characteristics at time of HCC recurrence diagnosis and PRS (Cox regression analysis). Early recurrences were those occurring within 12 months of LT. To evaluate the adjusted treatment effect for HCC recurrence, a propensity score matching analysis was performed to assess the probability of having received any specific treatment for recurrence. RESULTS: From a total of 1085 transplanted HCC patients, the cumulative incidence of recurrence was 16.6% (CI 13.5-20.3), with median time to recurrence of 13.0 months (IQR 6.0-26.0). Factors independently associated with PRS were early recurrence (47.6%), treatment with sorafenib and surgery/trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Patients who underwent any treatment presented "early recurrences" less frequently, and more extrahepatic metastasis. This unbalanced distribution was included in the propensity score matching, with correct calibration and discrimination (receiving operator curve of 0.81 [CI 0.72;0.88]). After matching, the adjusted effect on PRS for any treatment was HR of 0.2 (0.10;0.33); P < .0001, for sorafenib therapy HR of 0.4 (0.27;0.77); P = .003, and for surgery/TACE HR of 0.4 (0.18;0.78); P = .009. CONCLUSION: Although early recurrence was associated with worse outcome, even in this population, systemic or locoregional treatments were associated with better PRS.

Colombian experience in the treatment of hepatitis C with direct-acting antiviral agents

There are few published real-world studies on hepatitis C in Latin America. This paper describes a cohort of Colombian subjects treated with direct-acting antiviral agents. A total of 195 patients from 5 hepatology centers in 4 Colombian cities were retrospectively studied. For each patient, serum biomarkers were obtained, and Child-Pugh, MELD, cirrhosis and fibrosis stage were calculated. Additionally, viral load was quantified at initiation, end of treatment and at 12 weeks of completion. Adverse effects were recorded. Patients with liver transplant were compared with non-transplanted patients in terms of serum biomarkers. The patients had received 9 different regimes. The most prevalent viral genotype was 1b (81.5%). Overall, 186 patients (95.4%) attained sustained virologic response. When comparing transplanted vs. non-transplanted patients, those in the non-transplanted group were more likely to have cirrhosis (52.6% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.0004). Pre-treatment viral load was higher in the transplant group (1 743 575 IQR = 1 038 062-4 252 719 vs. 345 769 IQR = 125 806-842 239; p < 0.0001) as well as ALT and AST levels (82.5 IQR 43.5-115.5 vs. 37.0 IQR = 24.7-73.3; p = 0.0009 and 70 IQR = 41-140 vs. 37 IQR = 24-68; p = 0.004 respectively). Adverse events were reported by 28.7% of the patients; asthenia (5.6%) was the most prevalent. Our results are comparable with those from other countries in terms of therapy and biomarkers. However, our cohort reported less adverse events. Further research is needed in the region.

Existen pocas publicaciones de evidencias del mundo real sobre hepatitis C en América Latina. En este estudio presentamos una cohorte colombiana de pacientes tratados con agentes antivirales de acción directa. Fueron analizados retrospectivamente 195 pacientes seleccionados en 5 centros de hepatología en 4 ciudades de Colombia. Dos tercios fueron mujeres y la mitad tenía ≥ 62 años. De cada uno se cuantificaron biomarcadores séricos, escala de Child-Pugh, MELD y grado de cirrosis y fibrosis. Se cuantificó carga viral al inicio, al final y a las 12 semanas después de completado el tratamiento. Se comparó la frecuencia de efectos adversos de medicamentos en trasplantados vs. no trasplantados. Los pacientes recibieron 9 esquemas de tratamiento diferentes. El genotipo más prevalente fue 1b (81.5%). La respuesta viral sostenida fue alcanzada por 186 pacientes (95.4%). El grupo no trasplantado tenía mayor frecuencia de cirrosis (52.6% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.0004). En los trasplantados, la carga viral pre-tratamiento era mayor (1 743 575 IQR = 1 038 062-4 252 719 vs. 345 769 IQR = 125 806-842 239; p = < 0.0001) igual que la ALT y la AST (82.5 IQR 43.5-115.5 vs. 37.0 IQR = 24.7-73.3; p = 0.0009 and 70 IQR = 41-140 vs. 37 IQR = 24-68; p = 0.004 respectivamente). El 28.7% refirió efectos adversos, siendo el más prevalente la astenia (5.6%). Nuestros resultados fueron comparables a los de estudios publicados en términos de terapia y biomarcadores pero nuestra cohorte presentó menos efectos adversos. Se requiere más investigación en la región.

[Endoscopic-radiologic rendezvous for biliary obstruction management. Case report and literature review]. / Rendezvous radiológico-endoscópico para manejo de obstrucción biliar. Reporte de casos y revisión de la literatura.

Biliary obstruction of different origin is a common clinical problem, with significant impact on the patients quality of life and poses a permanent risk of cholangitis. The management of these patients has evolved over time, makes collection of various technological developments and involve clinicians, surgeons, gastroenterologists, and interventional radiologists. Were port four cases of biliary obstruction that despite the significant demographic and clinical differences between them could be successfully managed approach in the biliary tract with the technique of radiological endoscopic Rendezvous.

[Colonic metastases from carcinoma of the lung, an unusual presentation. Case report and literature review]. / Metástasis a colon de un carcinoma de pulmón, una presentación inusual. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

The symptomatic metastasis of the colon from a pulmonary cancer is rare; however, the global incidence of pulmonary cancer is 12.9%. It is an infrequent site of metastasis, with a prevalence of less than 0.5% in patients with pulmonary cancer. One of the most common manifestation is intestinal obstruction. We present a case report of a patient with an acute lower intestinal bleeding from multiple metastasis lesion of the colon as the initial manifestation of a non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Metástasis a colon de un carcinoma de pulmón, una presentación inusual: Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Colonic metastases from carcinoma of the lung, an unusual presentation: Case report and literature review

Las metástasis sintomáticas al colon de un carcinoma de pulmón son raras, a pesar de ser una neoplasia que representa el 12,9% de la incidencia mundial de cáncer. El colon es un sitio infrecuente de metástasis, con una prevalencia reportada menor al 0,5% en pacientes con carcinomas de pulmón, existiendo en la literatura mundial pocos casos. Es inusual que sea la forma de presentación de este tipo de neoplasia. Con respecto a las manifestaciones clínicas que se reportan pueden cursar con obstrucción intestinal como síntoma cardinal. Se presenta el caso de un paciente que curso con hemorragia de vías digestivas bajas como manifestación inicial de múltiples lesiones metastásicas a colon de un carcinoma de pulmón de célula no pequeña.

The symptomatic metastasis of the colon from a pulmonary cancer is rare; however, the global incidence of pulmonary cancer is 12.9%. It is an infrequent site of metastasis, with a prevalence of less than 0.5% in patients with pulmonary cancer. One of the most common manifestation is intestinal obstruction. We present a case report of a patient with an acute lower intestinal bleeding from multiple metastasis lesion of the colon as the initial manifestation of a non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Rendezvous radiológico-endoscópico para manejo de obstrucción biliar: Reporte de casos y revisión de la literatura / Endoscopic-radiologic rendezvous for biliary obstruction management: Case report and literature review

La obstrucción biliar de diverso origen constituye un problema clínico frecuente, con importante impacto sobre la calidad de vida de los pacientes y que plantea el riesgo permanente de colangitis. El manejo de estos pacientes ha evolucionado en el tiempo, haciendo acopio de diversos desarrollos tecnológicos e involucrando a clínicos, cirujanos, gastroenterólogos y radiólogos intervencionistas. Reportamos aquí cuatro casos de pacientes con obstrucción biliar que, a pesar de las importantes diferencias demográficas y etiológicas, pudieron ser exitosamente manejados, abordando la vía biliar con la técnica de Rendezvous radiológico endoscópico.

Biliary obstruction of different origin is a common clinical problem, with significant impact on the patients´ quality of life and poses a permanent risk of cholangitis. The management of these patients has evolved over time, makes collection of various technological developments and involve clinicians, surgeons, gastroenterologists, and interventional radiologists. Were port four cases of biliary obstruction that despite the significant demographic and clinical differences between them could be successfully managed approach in the biliary tract with the technique of radiological endoscopic Rendezvous.

The state of sexual health services at U.S. Colleges and Universities.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the array of sexual health care services provided at US colleges and universities. PARTICIPANTS: During 2014-2015, 885 colleges were surveyed about their provision of sexual health services. METHODS: 55% of colleges responded. Data were weighted and stratified by minority-serving institutions (MSIs), 2-year and 4-year institutions. RESULTS: 70.6% of colleges reported having a health center (HC), of which 73.0% offered STI diagnosis/treatment (4 years vs. 2 years; 77.9% vs. 53.1%) and contraceptive services (70.1% vs. 46.4%), all p < .001. HCs less frequently offered LARC (19.7%), express STI testing (24.4%) and self-collection (31.4%). Condoms were available on 66.8% of campuses. HPV vaccination was available at more 4-year colleges (73.7% vs. 48.5%, p < .003) and non-MSIs (74.4% vs. 58.5, p = .019). Regarding MSM-targeted services, 54.6% offered pharyngeal and 51.8% rectal STI testing. CONCLUSIONS: 2-year colleges may require additional support with providing sexual health care. Improvements could entail increasing express testing, extra-genital STI testing, and LARC.

Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Noncirrhotic Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy.

Fibrolamellar hepatocarcinoma is an infrequent liver tumor, currently considered to be a variant different from hepatocarcinoma. The differences lie in genomic alterations, a greater prevalence of fibrolamellar hepatocarcinoma in young patients, and its lack of association with underlying liver disease. The clinical presentation is unspecific, with symptoms ranging from abdominal pain, malaise, and weight loss to atypical manifestation which include hyperammonemic encephalopathy. We present the case of a 33-year-old woman with no prior medical history who presented with a coma and a diagnosis of inoperable fibrolamellar hepatocarcinoma requiring a cadaver donor transplant. While she was on the waiting list, she received hemofiltration and ammonium benzoate treatment, with progressive improvement in her state of consciousness.

Síndrome de Budd-Chiari agudo secundario a cirrosis alcohólica. Manejo intervencionista y descripción de una complicación / Acute Budd-Chiari Syndrome Secondary to Alcoholic Cirrhosis. Interventional Management and Description of a Complication

El síndrome de Budd-Chiari (SBC) es una patología poco frecuente y potencialmente fatal si no se diagnostica y se trata a tiempo. Se describe un caso de SBC secundario a obstrucción de la vena cava inferior intrahepática y venas suprahepáticas izquierda y media, con manejo intervencionista (colocación de endoprótesis en la vena cava) y posterior complicación con migración de la endoprótesis a la arteria pulmonar

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is an infrequent and potentially fatal disease if not diagnosed and treated early. We describe a case of BCS secondary to obstruction of intrahepatic inferior cava vein and left and middle suprahepatic veins, with interventional management (stent placement in the cava vein) and subsequent complication with stent migration to the pulmonary artery.

Factores pronósticos asociados con mortalidad en pacientes cirróticos con sangrado varicoso en dos hospitales de Bogotá, Colombia / Prognostic Factors Associated with Mortality in Cirrhotic Patients with Bleeding Varices at Two Hospitals in Bogotá D.C. Colombia

Antecedentes: el 90% de los pacientes cirróticos desarrollará várices esofágicas, y en algún momento de su vida, el 30% de ellos sangrará. Objetivo: identificar los factores pronósticos asociados con mortalidad en cirróticos con sangrado digestivo varicoso. Método: se presenta una cohorte retrospectiva de pacientes con sangrado digestivo varicoso en un período de 30 meses. Resultados: se presentan 63 pacientes (33 hombres y 30 mujeres), de 56 años (desviación estándar DE 16 años) de edad media. El 52,4% tenía una clase funcional Child-Pugh B. El promedio de hospitalización fue de 10 días. De estas, 12 (19%) fallecieron; el choque hipovolémico (p = 0,033) y la transfusión de glóbulo rojos (p = 0,05) estuvieron relacionados con la mortalidad. En el análisis bivariado, la variable más relacionada con la mortalidad fue el compromiso funcional hepático Child-Pugh C (p = 0,00). Las comparaciones de las variables numéricas encontraron que el valor de creatinina; media 1,74 mg/dL (p = 0,043); y la duración de la hospitalización; media de 10 días (p = 0,057); fueron superiores en los pacientes fallecidos. En los análisis bivariados, las variables Child-Pugh C (Exp(B) = 0,068; p = 0,002) y creatinina (Exp(B) = 0,094; p = 0,034) se mantuvieron estadísticamente relacionadas con el desenlace de interés. Conclusiones: la mortalidad del paciente con sangrado varicoso en este estudio es comparable con los estándares internacionales actuales. La enfermedad hepática avanzada y una función renal deteriorada están relacionadas con mayor mortalidad, razón por la cual los pacientes con predictores de mortalidad presentes durante la descompensación por sangrado varicoso ameritan una vigilancia estrecha e intervenciones tempranas para evitar desenlaces negativos

Background: Ninety percent of cirrhotic patients will develop esophageal varices, and bleeding will occur in 30% of these patients at some point in their lives. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify prognostic factors associated with mortality in cirrhotic patients with bleeding varices. Method: We present a retrospective cohort study of patients with bleeding digestive varices over a period of 30 months. Results: This study included 63 patients (33 men and 30 women) whose average age was 56 years (SD: 16 years). 52.4% of these patients’ Child-Pugh classification was B. The average stay in the hospital was 10 days. Twelve (19%) died. Hypovolemic shock (p = 0.033) and red blood cell transfusion (p = 0.05) were related to mortality. Bivariate analysis showed that the variable most closely related to mortality was hepatic impairment with Child-Pugh C classification (p = 0.00). Comparisons of numerical variables found that the creatinine value (Mean: 1.74 mg/dl, p = 0.043) and length of hospital stay (mean time:10 days, p = 0.057) were higher in patients who died. In the bivariate analysis, Child-Pugh C (Exp (B) = 0.068, p = 0.002) and creatinine (Exp (B) = 0.094, p = 0.034) remained statistically related to the outcome of interest. Conclusions: Mortality from bleeding varices in the patients in this study is comparable to current international standards. Because advanced liver disease and impaired renal function are associated with increased mortality, patients with bleeding varices who have predictors for mortality during decompensation due to bleeding warrant close monitoring and early interventions to avoid negative outcomes

Colitis ulcerativa grave en paciente con infección por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana: reporte de caso / A Case Report of Severe Ulcerative Colitis in an HIV Patient

Se presenta el caso de un paciente con colitis ulcerativa (CU) grave de nueva aparición y diagnóstico simultáneo de infección por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Dos enfermedades inmunológica y fisiopatológicamente opuestas, que raramente se asocian. Incluso se plantea que en la infección por VIH, la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII) puede ser menos agresiva. El diagnóstico se convierte en un reto, dado el espectro de enfermedades que pueden afectar el colón en el contexto de infección por VIH. Asimismo, el tratamiento es controversial teniendo en cuenta que el uso de inmunomoduladores o biológicos bloquean otro componente del sistema inmune que podría potenciar el estado de inmunosupresión en este grupo de pacientes. La historia natural, el tratamiento y el pronóstico, continúan siendo un desafío para la evidencia actual.

We present the case of a patient with severe de novo ulcerative colitis (CU) and a simultaneous diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. These two immunologically and pathophysiologically opposing diseases are rarely found in association, and it has even been suggested that inflammatory bowel disease (IAS) may be less aggressive in HIV infections. The diagnosis is challenging, given the spectrum of diseases that can affect the colon in the context of an HIV infection. Treatment is similarly controversial considering that the use of immunomodulators or biological block another component of the immune system that could enhance the state of immunosuppression in this group of patients. Natural history, treatment and prognosis remain a challenge for currently available evidence

Efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy and surgical rescue for locally advanced hepatoblastomas: 10 year single-center experience and literature review.

AIM: To report our experience with long-term outcomes after multimodal management therapy. METHODS: An observational retrospective study was performed containing seven patients with hepatoblastoma (Hbl) treated in our institution, a tertiary referral center, from 2003 to 2011. Demographic, preoperative, surgical, and outcome variables were collected. A survival analysis and a review of the current literature related to combination neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgical resection on Hbl were performed. RESULTS: The median age at surgery was 14.4 mo, with a male to female ratio of 4:3. Pretext staging at diagnosis was as follows: stage I, 4 cases; stage II, 2 patients; and stage III, 1 case. Mean pretreatment tumor volume was 735 cm(3). Five out of seven patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy according to SIOPEL-3 or SIOPEL-6 protocols. Tumor volume and alpha-fetoprotein levels significantly dropped after neoadjuvant therapy. Surgical procedures performed included hemihepatectomies, segmentectomies and atypical resection. All patients received chemotherapy after surgery. Median postoperative hospital stay was 8 d. All patients were alive and disease-free after a median follow-up period of 23 mo. With regards to the literature review, seventeen articles were found that were related to our search. CONCLUSION: Our series shows how multimodal management of Hbl, exhaustive control and a meticulous surgical approach leads to almost 100% complete resection with optimal postoperative results.

Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Although laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) are the most common bariatric procedures performed in the past decade, little is known about their long-term (>5 years) outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective outcome study investigated 148 consecutive patients from a single practice who underwent LAGB from November 2000 to March 2002. The group was matched with 175 consecutive patients who underwent LRYGB from June 2000 to March 2005. Follow-up data for 5 years or longer was available for 127 LAGB patients (86%) and 105 LRYGB patients (60%). RESULTS: After an initial 4 years of progressive weight loss, body mass index (BMI) loss stabilized at 5-7 years at approximately 15 kg/m(2) for the LRYGB patients and at about 9 kg/m(2) for the LAGB patients with band in place (P < 0.01). At 7 years, the excess weight loss (EWL) was 58.6% for LRYGB and 46.3% for LAGB with band in place (P < 0.01). By 7 years, 19 LAGB patients (15%) had had their bands removed, bringing the failure rate for LAGB (including patients with less than 25% EWL) to 48.3% versus 10.7% for LRYGB (P < 0.01). By 10 years, 29 (22.8%) of the bands had been removed, bringing the total LAGB failure rate to 51.1%. In 10 years, 67 LAGB (52.8%) and 43 LRYGB (41%) adverse events had occurred. However, over time, the LRYGB group experienced 9 (8.6%) serious, potentially life-threatening complications, whereas the LAGB group had none (P < 0.001). One procedure-related death occurred in the LRYGB group. CONCLUSIONS: Over the long term, LRYGB had an approximate reduction of 15 kg/m(2) BMI and 60% EWL, a significantly better outcome than LAGB patients experienced with band intact. The main issue with LAGB was its 50% failure rate in the long term, as defined by poor weight loss and percentage of band removal. Nevertheless, LAGB had a remarkably safe course, and it may therefore be considered for motivated and informed patients.

Emergency adrenalectomy due to acute heart failure secondary to complicated pheochromocytoma: a case report.

Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine producing tumors arising mostly from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla. The most common clinical presentation is hypertension, mainly in the form of paroxymal episodes. Cardiovascular manifestations include malignant arrhythmia and catecholamine cardiomyopathy, mimicking acute coronary syndromes and acute heart failure.There are reports of pheochromocytomas presenting as acute coronary syndrome and rapidly leading to cardiogenic shock; the failure of intensive medical treatment in these cases has prompted the need for emergency adrenalectomy as the only remaining option. We report on a case of complicated pheochromocytoma presenting as cardiogenic shock, in which emergency adrenalectomy was performed following a total lack of response to intensive medical treatment.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome in a patient with Charcot Marie Tooth disease.

The extrinsic compression of the third part of the duodenum as it passes through the aorto-mesenteric angle is known as the superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS). This syndrome is a rare mechanical cause of upper intestinal obstruction, with a reported incidence of between 0.2% and 0.78%. Clinical manifestations of SMAS may be chronic or acute; chronic symptoms include intermittent gastric pain, fullness and occasional episodes of postprandial vomiting, while acute symptoms include incoercible vomiting, oral intolerance, mainly epigastric abdominal distension and abdominal pain. Surgery is recommended only when initial conservative treatment fails. Here, we report what appears to be the third published case of SMAS associated with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy or Charcot Marie Tooth disease.