Utility of endoscopic ultrasound in idiopathic acute recurrent pancreatitis.

Idiopathic acute recurrent pancreatitis (IARP) is defined as at least two episodes of acute pancreatitis with the complete or near-complete resolution of symptoms and signs of pancreatitis between episodes, without an identified cause. There is a paucity of information about the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in IARP. OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic yield of EUS in IARP. DESIGN: A retrospective study was performed in patients with IARP evaluated by EUS between January 2009 and December 2016. Follow-up assessments of acute pancreatitis recurrence were carried out. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients with 102 EUS procedures were included. EUS was able to identify the cause of IARP in 55 patients (75.3%). The most common findings were chronic pancreatitis in 27 patients (49.1%), followed by lithiasic pathology in 24 patients (43.6%), and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm in four patients (7.3%). A directed treatment against EUS findings had a protective tendency associated with the final resolution of recurrence. There were no complications reported. CONCLUSION: EUS performed in patients with IARP helped to identify a possible cause in 2/3 of the cases. The majority of patients have a treatable disease.

Pancreatogenic Diabetes, 2 Onset Forms and Lack of Metabolic Syndrome Components Differentiate It From Type 2 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: We compared pancreatogenic (DM3c) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: We compared age-, sex-, and diabetes mellitus duration-matched DM3c cases (n = 142) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 142). Pancreatogenic diabetes was considered when it appeared after the diagnosis of pancreatitis or after pancreatic surgery. RESULTS: Pancreatogenic diabetes presented lower body mass index (BMI) [odds ratio (OR), 1.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13-1.28; P < 0.001], worse glycemic control (OR, 1.196; 95% CI, 1.058-1.35; P = 0.004), required insulin more frequently (OR, 4.21; 95% CI, 2.57-6.93; P = 0.0001), had more hypoglycemic episodes (OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 1.64-8.16; P = 0.001) but lower frequency of dyslipidemia (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.26-0.68; P = 0.001) and arterial hypertension (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.32-0.86; P = 0.01). Pancreatogenic diabetes cases on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy had lower glycosylated hemoglobin (8.52% vs 9.44%; P = 0.026), serum carotenes (79.1 vs 116.1; P = 0.03), and BMI (23.4 vs 26.1; P = 0.0005) than those not on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Pancreatogenic diabetes onset occurred earlier in necrotizing pancreatitis and after pancreatic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatogenic diabetes presents with low BMI and lacks metabolic syndrome components. The type of pancreatic disease or surgery defines its onset time.

A Nondilated Main Pancreatic Duct Predicts Type 2 Autoimmune Pancreatitis: Comparative Study of Resected Pancreatic Head Masses.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pancreatitis (CP), pancreatic cancer (PCa), and autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) often present as a pancreatic mass. Accurate diagnosis is not always possible; up to 8% of surgical procedures are performed in benign pancreatic masses presumed to be malignant. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare clinical and imaging characteristics of resected focal type 2 AIP, CP, and PCa and identify factors that could improve preoperative differential diagnosis. METHODS: Charts from patients that underwent pancreatic resection under suspicion of PCa between 2000 and 2014 were reviewed. Clinical and imaging data were recorded. Subjects were grouped as type 2 AIP, CP, and PCa. RESULTS: We included 79 cases; 41 men, mean age of 57.3 years/old ± 15.6 SD. Pathology report was type 2 AIP (20%), CP (10%), and PCa (70%). According to international consensus criteria for AIP 11 cases were deemed probable type 2 and 5 as unspecific pancreatic mass. A nondilated main pancreatic duct (MPD) was associated with AIP (OR 9.3; 95% CI 3.05-28.7), p < 0.001; obstructive jaundice (OR 28.5; 95% CI 8.18-79.5); and a dilated MPD (OR 5.21; 95% CI 1.9-14.6) suggested malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of undetermined pancreatic focal mass, a nondilated MPD suggests the diagnosis of type 2 AIP.

Sound Localization Test in Presence of Noise (Sound Localization Test) in Adults without Hearing Alteration

Abstract Introduction Even people with normal hearing may have difficulties locating a sound source in unfavorable sound environments where competitive noise is intense. Objective To develop, describe, validate and establish the normality curve of the sound localization test. Method The sample consisted of 100 healthy subjects with normal hearing, > 18 years old,who agreed to participate in the study. The sound localization testwas applied after the subjects underwent a tonal audiometry exam. For this purpose, a calibrated free field test environment was set up. Then, 30 randompure tones were presented in 2 speakers placed at 45° (on the right and on the left sides of the subject), and the noise was presented froma 3rd speaker, placed at 180°. The noise was presented in 3 hearing situations: optimal listening condition (no noise), noise in relation to 0 dB, and noise in relation to - 10 dB. The subject was asked to point out the side where the pure tone was being perceived, even in the presence of noise. Results All of the 100 participants performed the test in an average time of 99 seconds. The average score was 21, the medium score was 23, and the standard deviation was 3.05. Conclusion The sound localization test proved to be easy to set-up and to apply. The results obtained in the validation of the test suggest that individuals with normal hearing should locate 70% of the presented stimuli. The test can constitute an important instrument in the measurement of noise interference in the ability to locate the sound.

Free Field Word recognition test in the presence of noise in normal hearing adults / Teste de reconhecimento de palavras em campo livre na presença de ruído em indivíduos adultos normo-ouvintes

Abstract Introduction: In ideal listening situations, subjects with normal hearing can easily understand speech, as can many subjects who have a hearing loss. Objective: To present the validation of the Word Recognition Test in a Free Field in the Presence of Noise in normal-hearing adults. Methods: Sample consisted of 100 healthy adults over 18 years of age with normal hearing. After pure tone audiometry, a speech recognition test was applied in free field condition with monosyllables and disyllables, with standardized material in three listening situations: optimal listening condition (no noise), with a signal to noise ratio of 0 dB and a signal to noise ratio of −10 dB. For these tests, an environment in calibrated free field was arranged where speech was presented to the subject being tested from two speakers located at 45°, and noise from a third speaker, located at 180°. Results: All participants had speech audiometry results in the free field between 88% and 100% in the three listening situations. Conclusion: Word Recognition Test in Free Field in the Presence of Noise proved to be easy to be organized and applied. The results of the test validation suggest that individuals with normal hearing should get between 88% and 100% of the stimuli correct. The test can be an important tool in measuring noise interference on the speech perception abilities.

Resumo Introdução: Em situações ideais de escuta, indivíduos com audição normal conseguem fazer e reconhecer a fala facilmente. Porém, na presença de ruído competitivo, é comum as pessoas sentirem dificuldades de compreensão, principalmente se tiverem perda auditiva. Objetivo: Apresentar a validação do teste de reconhecimento de palavras em campo livre na presença do ruído em indivíduos adultos normo-ouvintes. Método: A amostra foi composta por 100 sujeitos hígidos, com audição normal e maiores de 18 anos. Depois da audiometria tonal foi aplicado teste de reconhecimento da fala, com monossílabos e dissílabos, em campo livre, com material padronizado, em três situações de escuta: condição ótima de audição (sem ruído), com ruído em relação de 0 dB e com ruído em relação de −10 dB. Para tanto, montou-se um ambiente de teste em campo livre calibrado, no qual a fala foi apresentada ao indivíduo em teste com duas caixas acústicas a 45° e o ruído em uma terceira a 180°. Resultados: Todos os participantes tiveram resultados de logoaudiometria em campo livre entre 88 e 100% nas três situações de escuta. Conclusão: O teste de reconhecimento de palavras em campo livre na presença do ruído mostrou-se de fácil organização e aplicação. Os resultados obtidos na validação do teste sugerem que indivíduos com audição normal devem acertar entre 88 e 100% dos estímulos apresentados. O teste pode configurar um instrumento importante na mensuração da interferência do ruído sobre as habilidades de percepção de fala.

EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts offers similar success and complications compared to surgical treatment but with a lower cost.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Pancreatic pseudocysts (PPC) are a complication that occurs in acute and chronic pancreatitis. They comprise 75% of cystic lesions of the pancreas. There are scarce data about surgical versus endoscopic treatment on PPC. The aim of this study was to compare both treatment modalities regarding clinical success, complication rate, recurrence, hospital stay and cost. METHODS: Retrospectively, data obtained prospectively from 2000 to 2012 were analyzed. A PPC was defined as a fluid collection in the pancreatic or peripancreatic area that had a well-defined wall and contained no solid debris or recognizable parenchymal necrosis. Clinical success was defined as complete resolution or a decrease in size of the PPC to 2 cm or smaller. RESULTS: Overall, 64 procedures in 61 patients were included: 21 (33%) cases were drained endoscopically guided by EUS and 43 (67%) cases were drained surgically. The clinical success of the endoscopic group was 90.5 versus 90.7% for the surgical group (P = 0.7), with a complication rate of 23.8 and 25.6%, respectively (P = 0.8), and a mortality rate of 0 and 2.3% for each group, respectively (P = 0.4). The hospital stay was lower for the endoscopic group: 0 (0-10) days compared with 7 (2-42) days in the surgical group (P < 0.0001). Likewise, the cost was lower in the endoscopic group (P < 0.001). The recurrence rate was similar in both groups: 9.5 and 4.5% respectively (P = 0.59). The two recurrences found in the endoscopic group were associated with stent migration, and the recurrence in the surgical group was due to the type of surgery performed (open drainage). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic treatment of PPC offers the same clinical success, recurrence, complication and mortality rate as surgical treatment but with a shorter hospital stay and lower costs.

Diagnostic yield of endoscopic ultrasound in patients with hypoglicemia and insulinoma suspected.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Noninvasive imaging techniques have shown limitations to identify insulinomas. In few studies reported so far, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has proven to be able to locate lesions. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of computed tomography versus EUS for the detection of insulinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective manner prospectively collected data were analyzed. Patients with hypoglucemia and hyperinsulinemia were included. Diagnostic yield was measured in relationship to sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy. Surgical specimens were considered the gold standard. RESULTS: Sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy of EUS was 100%, 95.4% and 95.4%, respectively. In the case of CT the sensitivity was 60%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 7%, and accuracy were 68%. CONCLUSIONS: EUS is useful in the preoperative assessment of patients with hypoglycemia and serum hyperinsulinemia.

Serous Cystadenomas Follow a Benign and Asymptomatic Course and Do Not Present a Significant Size Change During Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Serous cystadenoma is a benign pancreatic cystic neoplasm. Conservative management is favored. We studied the clinical characteristics and course of serous cystadenoma in patients undergoing surgery or conservative management only at an academic referral center. METHODS: Patients presenting with serous cystadenoma in the years 2000-2013 were selected. Hospital records were evaluated for patient and serous cystadenoma characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients with serous cystadenoma were identified. Mean age at diagnosis was 63 years and 82% were women. Diagnosis was incidental in 59%, and 18% presented with unspecific abdominal pain, 14% unexplained weight loss, 4.5% gastrointestinal obstructive symptoms, and 4.5% cholangitis. Location was pancreas body 36%, head 32%, tail 23%, and uncinate 9%. Mean serous cystadenoma diameter at diagnosis was 37 ± 23 mm. After diagnosis five patients underwent surgery. Initial size was similar between surgical and follow-up groups (p = 0.9). Four cases were lost to follow-up; 13 continued conservative management with a mean follow-up time of 54 ± 27 months. The initial and last serous cystadenoma size in the follow-up group remained similar (p = 0.9). Six cases presented significant tumor growth during follow-up (p > 0.05). All patients remained asymptomatic throughout follow-up. No malignancy or serous cystadenoma-related death occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Size change of serous cystadenoma was minimal and patients remained asymptomatic during follow-up. Surgery should be limited to symptomatic and selected cases.

Follow-up of patients with pseudotumoral chronic pancreatitis: outcome and surveillance.

AIM: To follow up patients with pseudotumoral chronic pancreatitis (PCP) to assess their outcome and identify an optimal surveillance interval. METHODS: Data obtained prospectively were analyzed in a retrospective manner. Patients with clinical evidence of chronic pancreatitis (abdominal pain in the epigastrium, steatorrhea, and diabetes mellitus), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) criteria > 4, and EUS-fine needle aspiration (FNA) were included. A pseudotumor was defined as a non-neoplastic space-occupying lesion, a cause of chronic pancreatitis that may mimic changes typical of pancreatic cancer on CT or endoscopic ultrasound but without histological evidence. A real tumor was defined as a neoplastic space-occupying lesion because of pancreatic cancer confirmed by histology. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with chronic pancreatitis were included, 26 (74.2%) of whom were men. Nine (25.7%) patients were diagnosed with pseudotumoral chronic pancreatitis and two (2/35; 5.7%) patients with pseudotumoral chronic pancreatitis were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on follow-up. The time between the diagnosis of pseudotumoral chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic adenocarcinoma was 35 and 30 d in the two patients. Definitive diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma was made by surgery. In the remaining six patients with pseudotumoral chronic pancreatitis, the median of follow-up was 11 mo (range 1-22 mo) and they showed no evidence of malignancy on surveillance. In the follow-up of patients without pseudotumoral chronic pancreatitis but with chronic pancreatitis, none were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. According to our data, older patients with chronic pancreatitis are at risk of pseudotumoral chronic pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: According to characteristics of patient, detection of PCP should lead a surveillance program for pancreatic cancer with EUS-FNA in < 1 mo or directly to surgical resection.

[Immunoglobulin G4-associated to multiorganic lymphoproliferative disease]. / Enfermedad linfoproliferativa multiorgánica asociada a inmunoglobulina G4.

We report a case of a woman with lymphoproliferative multiorganic immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) related disease with extensive involvement showing dacryoadenitis, sialoadenitis, parotiditis, pancreatitis, pneumonitis, lymphadenopathy and immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Serum elevation of acute phase reactant, polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, positivity for antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor was found. Hystologically plasma cell infiltration was demonstrated on glandular and lymphatic tissue and immunochemistry was positive for IgG4 in > 30%. Immunosuppressive treatment with steroids and azathioprine was given with an excellent clinical response, the marked radiologic evidence of improvement and the decrease in inflammatory makers that conducted to symptom remission are shown in the text.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease in morbid obesity: the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition in obesity. The impact of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) on GERD is poorly known. We studied the effect of the RYGBP on GERD in patients with morbid obesity (MO). METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients with MO (BMI > 40 kg/m(2)) were studied before and 6 months after RYGBP. GERD symptoms were evaluated with Carlsson-Dent questionnaire (CDQ). All the patients underwent esophageal manometry and ambulatory 24-h pH-metry. Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables, and Wilcoxon test was used for numerical variables. A p value under 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There were 16 women (80%) and 4 men (20%) with mean age 38.9 +/- 6.9 years included in this study. BMI was 48.5 +/- 6.2 kg/m(2) and 33.2 +/- 4.5 kg/m(2) before and after RYGBP, respectively. Mean weight reduction was 42.5 +/- 9.7 kg (p < 0.001). Reflux symptoms measured by CDQ and esophageal acid exposure improved significantly after RYGBP. The percentage of time of pH < 4 was 10.7 +/- 6.7 before and 1.6 +/- 1.2 after the surgical procedure (p < 0.001). LES basal pressure before and after the RYGBP was 18 +/- 11 and 20.1 +/- 5.6 mmHg (p = 0.372), and the esophageal body amplitude was 104.2 +/- 47.2 and 75.1 +/- 36.2 mmHg, respectively (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: RYGBP improves GERD symptoms and reduces esophageal acid exposure in patients with MO.

Factors that influence outcome in non-invasive and invasive treatment in polycystic liver disease patients.

AIM: To evaluate the factors that influence outcome of both non-invasive and invasive treatment of polycystic liver disease. METHODS: Analysis of clinical files of patients with complete follow-up from July 1986 to June 2006. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (male, 7; female, 34), 47.8 +/- 11.9 years age, and 5.7 +/- 6.7 years follow-up, were studied. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) elevation (15% of patients) was associated with the requirement of invasive treatment (IT, P = 0.005). IT rate was higher in symptomatic than non-symptomatic patients (65.4% vs 14.3%, P = 0.002), and in women taking hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) (P = 0.001). Cysts complications (CC) were more frequent (22%) in the symptomatic patients group (P = 0.023). Patients with body mass index (BMI) > 25 (59%) had a trend to complications after IT (P = 0.075). Abdominal pain was the most common symptom (56%) and indication for IT (78%). Nineteen patients (46%) required a first IT: 12 open fenestration (OF), 4 laparoscopic fenestration (LF) and 3 fenestration with hepatic resection (FHR). Three required a second IT, and one required a third procedure. Complications due to first IT were found in 32% (OF 16.7%, LF 25%, FHR 66.7%), and in the second IT in 66.7% (OF 100%). Follow-up mortality rate was 0. CONCLUSION: Presence of symptoms, elevated AP, and CC are associated with IT requirement. HRT is associated with presence of symptoms and IT requirement. Patients with BMI > 25 have a trend be susceptible to IT complications. The proportions of complications are higher in FHR and second IT groups. RS is more frequent after OF.

[Bone marrow infiltration as an early sign of gastric cancer]. / Infiltración a médula ósea como manifestación temprana de carcinoma gástrico.

The symptomatic infiltration to bone marrow by gastric carcinoma is an extremely infrequent condition even so as an early manifestation. Very few reports exist in the worldwide literature about it. In this paper we report a case of a 47 years woman who was attended in our Institute because of the presence of thrombocytopenia, anaemia, fever involuntary weight loss and linfadenopathy, and also dyspepsia. Through her diagnostic evaluation the diagnosis of an occult gastric cancer was established. The aim of this report is to present the clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics of this unusual presentation of gastric cancer; and also we present a brief literature review of the cases that had been reported and their clinical implication.

Clinical characteristics of a group of adults with nodular lymphoid hyperplasia: a single center experience.

AIM: To describe the clinical and histological characteristics of a group of adults with small-bowel nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (NLH). METHODS: Patients were searched for five years in pathology records of our institution. The biopsy material was reassessed using strict histopathological criteria. Clinical data were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: Small-bowel NLH was diagnosed in 18 cases. The female: male ratio was 2:1. The most frequent symptoms were diarrhea (72%), involuntary weight loss (72%) and abdominal pain (61%). Nine patients (50%) had immunodeficiency. Small-bowel bacterial overgrowth was found in three (17%) cases. At small-bowel NLH diagnosis, three (17%) had associated lymphoma: two intestinal and one extra-intestinal lymphomas. In two patients with villous atrophy and anti-endomysial antibodies the diagnosis of celiac disease was established. Giardia lamblia infection was found in only one patient with hypogammaglobulinemia (Herman's syndrome). CONCLUSIONS: NLH is uncommon in adult patients. Associated diseases are immunodeficiency and lymphoid tissue malignancies.

[Epidemiology of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis]. / Epidemiología de la colecistitis xantogranulomatosa.

OBJECTIVE: In order to study patients with a diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC), we analyzed their demographics, epidemiology and clinical data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the clinical records of XGC during a period of 6 years, obtaining demographic, epidemiologic and clinical data. RESULTS: Of a total of 1425 cholecystectomies performed between January 1991 and December 1996, we found 35 cases of XGC (2.4%). Twenty six (74%) were women (median age: 44 years), 60% were from a low socioeconomic group, 34% has a history of alcoholism and smoking, and 25 patients (71%) had a blood type of O positive. Thirteen patients (37%) presented obstructive jaundice, 11 had dilatation of the choledocus and were treated with ERCP. Of the 35 cholecystectomies, 15 were urgent and 20 elective. Eight were operated laparoscopically and two were converted because of firm adhesions. We had 5 transoperative complications. DISCUSSION: Pre-operative XGC diagnosis is difficult, often mistaken for gall bladder cancer. The incidence in our study (2.4%) is higher than reports in industrialized countries (0.7-1.8%), with a female predominance. The most frequent clinical presentation is that of chronic cholecystitis, but we found a high percentage of patients with obstructive jaundice. We had 0% mortality and 26% morbidity, and no association was found between XGC and gallbladder cancer.

Nonanatomic thoracoscopic wedge resection for diffuse lung disease and indeterminate pulmonary nodule.

Video technology has revolutionized thoracoscopy dramatically, considerably increasing its indications. The clinical charts of patients who underwent a video-thoracoscopic procedure during a 6-year period were reviewed. Any patient in whom lung wedge resection for diffuse disease or an indeterminate nodule was performed met the inclusion criteria. Early and long-term outcomes were analyzed. A total of 310 thoracoscopic procedures were performed in the 250 patients reviewed. Of these patients, 60 presented with diffuse lung disease and 71 with an indeterminate pulmonary nodule. The total morbidity among diffuse disease patients was 5% (one intercostal vessel hemorrhage and two air leaks). Overall mortality for this group was 11% and was related to previous respiratory status and underlying disease. Patients not requiring preoperative mechanical ventilation ended up requiring it postoperatively, for a crossover rate of 23%. There was no morbidity or mortality in patients who did not require mechanical ventilation. The therapeutic impact index (defined as the total number of patients divided by the patients in whom initiation or withdrawal of specific treatment was due to the biopsy result) for diffuse lung disease was 0.9. Regarding lung nodule resection, early morbidity was present in one patient, who developed a persistent air leak. Late morbidity was present in three patients, who developed persistent intercostal pain. Total morbidity was 5.6%. No mortality was observed for this group. Nonanatomic wedge resection via video-thoracoscopy for diffuse pulmonary disease and indeterminate lung nodule is feasible using minimally invasive methods. Morbidity and mortality are related to the underlying disease and the respiratory status; they are not necessarily due to the procedure.