Chronic loose stools following right-sided hemicolectomy for colon cancer and the association with bile acid malabsorption and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

AIM: Patients treated with right-sided hemicolectomy for colon cancer may suffer from long-term bowel dysfunction, including loose stools, urgency and faecal incontinence. The underlying causes are poorly understood. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the aetiology of chronic loose stools among patients with right-sided hemicolectomy curatively operated for cancer. METHOD: Cases with chronic loose stools (Bristol stool type 6-7) after right-sided hemicolectomy were compared with a control group of patients with right-sided hemicolectomy without loose stools. All patients underwent a selenium-75 homocholic acid taurine (SeHCAT) scan to diagnose bile acid malabsorption (BAM) and a glucose breath test to diagnose small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Gastrointestinal transit time (GITT) was assessed with radiopaque markers. In a subgroup of patients, fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) was measured in fasting blood. SIBO was treated with antibiotics and BAM was treated with bile acid sequestrants. RESULTS: We included 45 cases and 19 controls. In the case group, 82% (n = 36) had BAM compared with 37% (n = 7) in the control group, p < 0.001. SIBO was diagnosed in 73% (n = 33) of cases with chronic loose stools and in 74% (n = 14) of controls, p = 0.977. No association between BAM and SIBO was observed. GITT was similar in cases and controls. No difference in median FGF19 was observed between cases and controls (p = 0.894), and no correlation was seen between FGF19 and SeHCAT retention (rs 0.20, p = 0.294). Bowel symptoms among cases were reduced after treatment. CONCLUSION: BAM and SIBO are common in patients having undergone right-sided hemicolectomy for cancer. Chronic loose stools were associated with BAM but not with SIBO.

C-11 methionine positron emission tomography scans improve the preoperative localization of pathologic parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Preoperative localization of pathologic parathyroid glands is essential in the preparation of a parathyroidectomy. We evaluated the use of a C-11 methionine positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan in a 7-year period in selected patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. The indications to perform a C-11 methionine positron emission tomography/computed tomography were either persistent primary hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy or inconclusive preoperative localization on ultrasound and sestaMIBI. METHODS: A group of 36 patients was referred for a C-11 methionine positron emission tomography/computed tomography. Biochemical data, pathology, and results of sestaMIBI were collected retrospectively. The primary hyperparathyroidism patients were divided into two groups. In group 1 (N = 17), the C-11 methionine positron emission tomography/computed tomography was performed before parathyroidectomy. In group 2 (N = 19), the C-11 methionine positron emission tomography/computed tomography was performed after unsuccessful parathyroidectomy and before a reoperation. RESULTS: Overall, in 30 of the 36 patients (83%), C-11 methionine positron emission tomography/computed tomography identified a true-positive pathologic parathyroid gland confirmed by an experienced pathologist, consistent with a positive predictive value of 91%. In group 1, 94% of the patients (N = 16) had pathologic parathyroid tissue identified by C-11 methionine positron emission tomography/computed tomography. This resulted in a clinical benefit in 13 patients (76%). In group 2, the benefit was slightly lower, as 74% of the patients (N = 14) had a true-positive C-11 methionine positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan resulting in a clinical benefit in nine patients (47%). CONCLUSIONS: In two selected groups of patients planned for an initial operation or reoperation of primary hyperparathyroidism and inconclusive conventional imaging, we found C-11 methionine positron emission tomography/computed tomography to give parathyroid surgeons a clinical benefit in the majority of cases, electing the patients for unilateral surgery.

Preoperative dual-phase parathyroid imaging with tc-99m-sestamibi: accuracy and reproducibility of the pinhole collimator with and without oblique images.

BACKGROUND: Previously, we have found that the additional use of a pinhole collimator in parathyroid scintigraphy resulted in a decrease in the number of incorrect side localizations and an increase in reproducibility compared with that of using a parallel-hole collimator alone. PURPOSE: The aim was to investigate whether the addition of anterior oblique views to parathyroid scintigraphy (PS) with a pinhole collimator could further enhance the diagnostic ability and reproducibility. The level of preoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) as a potential predictor of the usefulness of the supplementary views was also studied. METHOD AND MATERIAL: Forty-seven patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) underwent dual-phase PS using a combined protocol with parallel-hole and pinhole collimators. The pinhole collimator was used in the anterior as well as right and left anterior oblique positions. Thyroid pertechnetate scans were undertaken in the same positions. Two observers assessed the images independently. RESULTS: By adding oblique views, the gain in correct side localization occurred in all cases but one was seen in patients with rapid washout. The level of PTH could not predict these patients. The observer agreement on correct side localizations rose significantly from 81% to 94%. CONCLUSION: The addition of oblique views to the imaging protocol using the pinhole collimator for parathyroid and thyroid scintigraphy in primary HPT results in an increase in observer agreement and the number of correct side localizations in patients with rapid washout of MIBI. The preoperative level of PTH cannot, however, predict these patients.

Monitoring Kidney Function in Neuroendocrine Tumor Patients Treated with (90)Y-DOTATOC: Associations with Risk Factors.

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is an established treatment for progressive neuroendocrine tumours with nephrotoxicity as the limiting factor. It is therefore important to monitor kidney function changes after PRRT treatment. We aimed to investigate kidney function by different methods and during a 4-hour and a 24-hour amino acid (AA) infusion protocol. We measured the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) in 28 patients before and 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after (90)YDOTATOC therapy. We used standardized (51)Cr-EDTA plasma clearance (Cr-GFR) and estimated GFR (eGFR) by the simplified 4 variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease based on serum creatinine values. Further, we determined GFR in 15 patients treated with a 4-hour infusion of AA compared to 13 patients with a 24-hour infusion at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after therapy. Pre-existing risk factors associated with kidney failure were seen in 82% of the patients. We observed a significant reduction in Cr-GFR up to 12 months after PRRT (mean loss 27 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (32%)). The eGFR continuously overestimated the Cr-GFR with a bias of 8%. There was no significant difference between the two AA protocols, however, the 24-hour AA protocol tended to reduce mean Cr-GFR loss 12 months post therapy. Pre-existing risk factors for kidney failure were highly prevalent in this patient cohort, and kidney function after PRRT treatment is best monitored by (51)Cr-EDTA plasma clearance. Further, the use of a 24-hour AA kidney protection protocol seems to reduce the loss of kidney function in these patients.