Diagnostic value of ascites immunohistochemistry in carcinomatosis of unknown origin.

We present the case of a patient diagnosed with carcinomatosis when admitted urgently for an occlusive condition. It is the immunohistochemistry that clarifies which is the primary tumor. Sigma neoplasia was initially suspected to recur due to operative findings. It was surprising that the primary tumor was of pulmonary origin. It became known thanks to the immunohistochemical cytology of the ascetic fluid.

Multisocietal European consensus on the terminology, diagnosis, and management of patients with synchronous colorectal cancer and liver metastases: an E-AHPBA consensus in partnership with ESSO, ESCP, ESGAR, and CIRSE.

BACKGROUND: Contemporary management of patients with synchronous colorectal cancer and liver metastases is complex. The aim of this project was to provide a practical framework for care of patients with synchronous colorectal cancer and liver metastases, with a focus on terminology, diagnosis, and management. METHODS: This project was a multiorganizational, multidisciplinary consensus. The consensus group produced statements which focused on terminology, diagnosis, and management. Statements were refined during an online Delphi process, and those with 70 per cent agreement or above were reviewed at a final meeting. Iterations of the report were shared by electronic mail to arrive at a final agreed document comprising 12 key statements. RESULTS: Synchronous liver metastases are those detected at the time of presentation of the primary tumour. The term 'early metachronous metastases' applies to those absent at presentation but detected within 12 months of diagnosis of the primary tumour, the term 'late metachronous metastases' applies to those detected after 12 months. 'Disappearing metastases' applies to lesions that are no longer detectable on MRI after systemic chemotherapy. Guidance was provided on the recommended composition of tumour boards, and clinical assessment in emergency and elective settings. The consensus focused on treatment pathways, including systemic chemotherapy, synchronous surgery, and the staged approach with either colorectal or liver-directed surgery as first step. Management of pulmonary metastases and the role of minimally invasive surgery was discussed. CONCLUSION: The recommendations of this contemporary consensus provide information of practical value to clinicians managing patients with synchronous colorectal cancer and liver metastases.

Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor abscess.

A 70-year-old male with a large abscessed GIST is reported. Symptoms, laboratory results, diagnostic imaging and surgical field information are provided. It is a rare initial presentation of a GIST which we believe to be academically interesting.

Adenosquamous cancer of the pancreas: A multicenter retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Adenosquamous cancer of the pancreas (ASCP) is an aggressive, infrequent subtype of pancreatic cancer that combines a glandular and squamous component and is associated with poor survival. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective observational study carried out at three Spanish hospitals. The study period was: January 2010-August 2020. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed, as well as an analysis of global and disease-free survival using the Kaplan-Meier statistic. RESULTS: Of a total of 668 pancreatic cancers treated surgically, twelve were ASCP (1.8%). Patient mean age was 69.2±7.4 years. Male/female ratio was 1:1. The main symptom was jaundice (seven patients). Correct preoperative diagnosis was obtained in only two patients. Nine pancreatoduodenectomies and three distal pancreatosplenectomies were performed. 25% had major complications. Mean tumor size was 48.6±19.4mm. Nine patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Median survival time was 5.9 months, and median disease-free survival was 4.6 months. 90% of patients presented recurrence. Ten of the twelve patients in the study (83.3%) died, with disease progression being the cause in eight. Of the two surviving patients, one is disease-free and the other has liver metastases. CONCLUSION: ASCP is a very rare pancreatic tumor with aggressive behavior. It is rarely diagnosed preoperatively. The best treatment, if feasible, is surgery followed by the standard chemotherapy regimens for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Pancreas-Preserving Total Duodenectomy: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The management of the pancreas in patients with duodenal trauma or duodenal tumors remains a controversial issue. Pancreas-preserving total duodenectomy (PPTD) requires a meticulous surgical technique. The most common indication is familial duodenal adenomatous polyposis (FAP). The aims of this study are to carry out a systematic review of the literature on the indications for PPTD and to highlight the risks and benefits compared with other more aggressive procedures. SUMMARY: A systematic literature review was performed following PRISMA recommendations of studies published in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library until May 2019. Thirty articles describing 211 patients were chosen. The mean age was 48 years. The surgical indication in 75% of patients was FAP. The mean operating time was 329 min and mean intraoperative bleeding 412 mL. Postoperative morbidity rate was 49.7% (76% Clavien-Dindo 97.8%. Key Messages: PPTD is indicated for patients with benign and premalignant duodenal lesions without involvement of the pancreatic head. It is a feasible procedure offering an alternative to other more aggressive procedures in selected patients. Mortality is below 1.5%.

Intrapancreatic accessory spleen versus a neuroendocrine pancreas tumor: a diagnostic challenge.

The intrapancreatic accessory spleen is a congenital entity whose differential diagnosis is mainly raised with neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas. Keeping in mind this unfrequent entity and careful interpretation of the imaging tests, especially magnetic resonance imaging, can give us the key to make a correct definitive diagnosis. Successful diagnosis is important in order to try to avoid diagnostic pancreatectomies that could carry out severe morbidity.

Metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocarcinoma.

The term "metabolic syndrome" refers to a group of alterations comprising central obesity reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, elevated triglyceride concentrations, arterial hypertension, and hyperglycemia. This syndrome has established itself as one of the epidemics of the 21st century. Among its causative agents are insulin resistance, leptin and adiponectin, changes in microbiota, and epigenetics. Its incidence in the European population is estimated to be around 25%. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome; its prevalence parallels that of obesity, and it has increased exponentially in recent decades. Recently, several publications have linked metabolic risk factors with the onset and development of hepatocarcinoma, and so it is essential to determine whether patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease should follow a protocol for hepatocarcinoma screening. At present, the worldwide incidence of hepatocarcinoma in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease without cirrhosis is only 2.7%. Screening for hepatocarcinoma in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis is mandatory, but the low incidence of hepatocarcinoma in patients without cirrhosis does not justify the systematic monitoring of this patient population. Current efforts are based on identifying subgroups of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and a higher-than-average risk of developing hepatocarcinoma.

Radical surgery in hepatic hydatidosis: analysis of results in an endemic area.

INTRODUCTION: radical surgery in hepatic hydatidosis is associated with less morbidity and recurrence than conservative surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a retrospective observational study of patients with liver hydatid cyst surgery was performed. Seventy-one patients with 90 cysts were included between 2007 and 2017, and radical surgery was performed in 69.01 %. RESULTS: there was no difference in morbidity, mortality, biliary leakage or recurrence according to surgery. Complicated cysts were associated with a longer hospital stay and morbidity. CONCLUSION: decision-making should consider age, comorbidity, cyst characteristics and available resources. Radical surgery should be applied whenever feasible as it achieves better results with an adequate selection of patients.

Influence of sarcopenia in major pancreatic surgery. A systematic review of the literature.

Post-operative morbidity of pancreatectomies occurs in up to 40-50% of patients, even in modern series. There is a need to find a simple scale in order to identify patients with increased risk of developing major post-operative complications after pancreatic resections. Many studies have been published on sarcopenia and surgical outcomes. Aspects of sarcopenia are presented, along with a systematic review using PRISMA guidelines, in order to search for articles about sarcopenia and pancreatic surgery. The impact of sarcopenia on morbidity and mortality in pancreatic resections is still unclear. The studies presented have been carried out over long periods of time, and many of them compare patients with different diseases. There are also different definitions of sarcopenia, and this can influence the results, as some of the reviewed articles have already shown. It is necessary to unify criteria, both in the definition and in the cut-off values. Prospective studies and consensus on sarcopenia diagnosis should be achieved.

Readmission rates after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: are they affected by ERCP prior to surgery?

AIM: the aim of this study was to assess the reasons for and the time of hospital readmissions after cholecystectomy, according to whether an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed. METHOD: all patients that underwent cholecystectomy at the Service of Digestive Diseases and General Surgery of the Hospital Universitario de Guadalajara between January 2011 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent cholecystectomy and were readmitted to any hospital service within 90 days of surgery were included. The following cases were excluded: patients that underwent cholecystectomy in combination with other procedures, an active oncological pathology at the time of cholecystectomy, admissions previously scheduled for another unrelated pathology and those with tumor histology in the cholecystectomy specimen. RESULTS: of a total of 1,714 patients, 80 were readmitted within 90 days of discharge after cholecystectomy, which equates to a readmission rate of 4.6%. The performance of an ERCP prior to surgery was associated with an increase in postoperative morbidity (40% vs 21.54%). A prior ERCP reduced the rate of biliary complications during the 90 days after cholecystectomy. Furthermore, there was an increase in the number of days prior to readmission in these cases, with a mean period of 22 days with ERCP vs seven days without ERCP. CONCLUSION: patients in our series who required an ERCP prior to cholecystectomy had a greater postoperative morbidity. However, those that did not require ERCP had more biliary complications and were readmitted earlier.

Elevated parathyroid hormone levels after successful parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism: a clinical review.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is traditionally deemed to be successful if serum calcium levels return to normal 6 months after parathyroidectomy. Regular monitoring of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the follow-up of patients after parathyroidectomy for PHPT has drawn attention to the presence of a normocalcemic group of patients with elevated PTH (NCePTH) during the post-operative period. The etiological factors and mechanisms underlying this condition, its consequences, and the possibility of treatment are the object of this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an unlimited PubMed search updated on March 31, 2017, which yielded 1628 results. We selected 37 articles, 33 of which included cases of NCePTH in their series and 23 performed statistical studies to assess factors associated with NCePTH. RESULTS: The maximum mean prevalence of NCePTH in the various series was 23.5%, ranging from 3 to 46%. Many factors were associated with NCePTH. The most important were higher pre-operative PTH, low pre-operative 25 (OH) D3, lower pre-operative creatinine clearance and greater adenoma weight. The origin of NCePTH may be multifactorial, since several factors were implicated in the etiology. NCePTH does not seem to be related to an increase in PHPT recurrence, although this possibility should not be dismissed. Vitamin D deficiency should be corrected. Treatment with calcium supplements seems to be clearly beneficial. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NCePTH is high. The causes of secondary hyperparathyroidism should be investigated carefully. Patients require treatment and long-term follow-up.

An intrahepatic cavoportal collateral pathway due to a liver hydatid cyst obstructing the inferior vena cava.

Congenital or acquired obstruction of the inferior vena cava may lead to the development of collateral pathways with tributary vein to portal system. We present a patient with intrahepatic cavoportal collateral pathway due to hepatic hydatid cyst.

Groove pancreatitis.

Groove pancreatitis is a type of chronic pancreatitis that affects the area between the pancreatic head, the duodenum and the common bile duct and can simulate, mask or coexist with pancreatic carcinoma. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic masses or duodenal stenosis. It is a rare disease but is probably underdiagnosed. Several names are used to refer to it in the literature, a fact that makes it difficult to extract precise information.Here we present an exhaustive review of the relevant literature on the entity and discuss its clinical features, diagnosis and therapy.