A Comprehensive Review on Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Presentation, Pathophysiology and Management.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a group of heterogeneous tumors with neuroendocrine differentiation that can arise from any organ. They account for 2% of all malignancies in the United States. A significant proportion of NEN patients experience endocrine imbalances consequent to increased amine or peptide hormone secretion, impacting their quality of life and prognosis. Over the last decade, pathologic categorization, diagnostic techniques and therapeutic choices for NENs-both well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs)-have appreciably evolved. Diagnosis of NEN mostly follows a suspicion from clinical features or incidental imaging findings. Hormonal or non-hormonal biomarkers (like serum serotonin, urine 5-HIAA, gastrin and VIP) and histology of a suspected NEN is, therefore, critical for both confirmation of the diagnosis and classification as an NET or NEC. Therapy for NENs has progressed recently based on a better molecular understanding, including the involvement of mTOR, VEGF and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), which add to the growing evidence supporting the possibility of treatment beyond complete resection. As the incidence of NENs is on the rise in the United States and several other countries, physicians are more likely to see these cases, and their better understanding may support earlier diagnosis and tailoring treatment to the patient. We have compiled clinically significant evidence for NENs, including relevant changes to clinical practice that have greatly updated our diagnostic and therapeutic approach for NEN patients.

Clinical outcome of established diagnostic and treatment modalities of COVID-19-associated myocarditis: a systematic review.

Despite the significant research and development of COVID-19 diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, the virus still poses a concern, particularly to groups that are already vulnerable. Several individuals experienced cardiac problems like myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and pericarditis after they had recovered from the infection. Early diagnosis and timely management of sequelae are part of the therapy. However, there are gaps in the knowledge of the diagnostic and definitive treatment options for COVID-19 myocarditis. This review focuses on myocarditis associated with COVID-19. Objective: This systemic review provides the most recent overview of myocarditis caused by COVID-19, including clinical manifestations, diagnostic techniques, available treatments, and outcomes. Methods: The PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect servers were used to conduct a systematic search in compliance with the PRISMA guidelines. Boolean search terms included "(COVID-19)" OR "(COVID19)" OR "(COVID-19 VIRUS INFECTION)" AND "(MYOCARDITIS)". The results were tabulated and analyzed. Results: A total of 32 studies, including 26 case reports and 6 case series, were included in the final analysis, and 38 cases of COVID-19-associated myocarditis were analyzed. Middle-aged men constituted the most affected population (60.52%). Dyspnoea (63.15%), chest pain or discomfort (44.73%), and fever (42.10%) were the prevalent presentations. ST-segment abnormalities were reported in 48.38% of cases on electrocardiography testing. Leucocytic infiltration (60%) was the frequent finding obtained on endomyocardial biopsy. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging yielded myocardial oedema (63.63%), and late gadolinium enhancement (54.54%) as the most common findings. Reduced ejection fraction (75%) was the frequent result obtained on echocardiography. Corticosteroids (76.31%) and immunomodulators (42.10%) were the well-established in-hospital medications. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (35%) was the most common intervention used to support the treatment. The frequent in-hospital complications were cardiogenic shock (30.76%), followed by pneumonia (23.07%). The mortality rate was 7.9%. Conclusion: Early detection and timely management of myocarditis are essential to reduce the risk of developing further complications. It is crucial to emphasize the need to evaluate COVID-19 as a possible cause of myocarditis in populations that are young and healthy to avoid fatal consequences.

COMPLICATIONS OF LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY: AN EXPERIENCE OF 247 CASES.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy needs lot of training and experience in developing countries like Pakistan. After the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy several studies have been conducted to evaluate the complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to establish the efficacy and safety of the procedure. The aim of this study was to determine the complications of laparoscopic-cholecystectomy in a teaching hospital during the learning process. METHODS: This descriptive case series was conducted in the department of General Surgery at Social Security Teaching Hospital, Islamabad, from October 2012 to February 2015. Patients of more than 15 years of age having symptomatic gallstones were included. Patients with dilated common bile duct (>8 mm in diameter), jaundice, acute cholecystitis, mass at porta hepatis and positive hepatitis B or C virology were excluded. RESULTS: A sample of 247 consecutive patients was studied. Of them, 218 (88.26%) were females and 29 (11.74%) were males. Their age ranged from 15 to 73 years (mean 45.37). Six (2.43%) patients developed epigastric port site wound infection. Four patients (1.62%) had bleeding. There was bile leakage in 2 (0.82%) patients postoperatively. Two patients (0.82%) had collection (haematoma) in pouch of Morrison. One patient (0.41%) had duodenal injury. Eighteen (7.29%) laparoscopic procedures were converted to open cholecystectomy. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 1.8 days. CONCLUSION: Complication rate is high in early learning phase of laparoscopic surgery which can be reduced with proper training of surgeons and they should perform these procedures under supervision of experienced laparoscopic surgeons during their learning phase.