Two-stage surgery for large sacrococcygeal chordomas: How I do it.

Sacrococcygeal chordoma is a malignant, slow-growing, and locally aggressive bone tumor. A wide surgical margin is recommended to prevent local recurrence and metastasis. This disease tends to cause massive defects when rectal resection and sacrectomy are required. Therefore, soft tissue reconstruction is required and a pedicled vertical rectus abdominis muscle flap (VRAM) is a viable option. Important anatomical landmarks, advantages and limitations are discussed and the procedure is described step by step. This case report presents a two-stage operation with an anterior rectal resection and VRAM flap harvest followed by a complementary posterior approach with sacrectomy and soft tissue reconstruction: approach and results. The wound completely healed in six weeks. Three years after surgery, no local recurrence or distal metastasis was detected. This two-stage strategy presents a viable and safe option for large sacrococcygeal chordomas.

Acute diverticulitis with extraluminal air: is conservative treatment sufficient? A single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Acute diverticulitis with extraluminal air constitutes a heterogeneous condition whose management is controversial. The aims of this study are to report the failure rate of conservative treatment for diverticulitis with extraluminal air and to report risk factors of conservative treatment failure. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed from an institutional review board-approved database of patients admitted with acute diverticulitis with extraluminal air from 2015 to 2021 at a tertiary referral center. All patients managed for acute diverticulitis with covered perforation (without intraabdominal abscess) were included. The primary endpoint was failure of medical treatment, defined as a need for unplanned surgery or percutaneous drainage within 30 days after admission. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients (61% male, mean age 57 ± 17 years) were retrospectively included. Ten patients had failure of conservative treatment (11%). These patients were significantly older than 50 years (n = 9/10, 90% versus n = 47/83, 57%, p = 0.007), associated with cardiovascular disease (n = 6/10, 60% versus n = 10/83, 12%, p = 0.002), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of 3-4 (n = 4/7, 57% versus 6/33, 18%, p = 0.05), under anticoagulant and antiplatelet (n = 6/10, 60% versus n = 11/83, 13%, p = 0.04) and steroid or immunosuppressive therapy (n = 3/10, 30% versus 5/83, 6%, p = 0.04), and with distant pneumoperitoneum location (n = 7/10, 70% versus n = 14/83, 17%, p = 0.001) compared with those with successful conservative treatment. On multivariate analysis, only distant pneumoperitoneum was an independent risk factor of failure (odds ratio (OR) 6.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) [2-21], p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Conservative treatment with antibiotics for acute diverticulitis with extraluminal air is safe with a success rate of 89%. Patients with distant pneumoperitoneum should be carefully monitored.

Endovascular therapies for hepatic artery stenosis post liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate primary patency at 12 months after endovascular therapies in hepatic artery stenosis. METHODS: A retrospective review of all endovascular interventions for hepatic artery stenosis (HAS) after liver transplantation that occurred between June 2013 and November 2020 was performed at a single institution in France. Follow up occurred from 1 month to 4 years (median 15 months). The treatment consisted of dilation with a balloon or stent. We analyzed short-term (technical success and complications) and long-term outcomes (liver function, arterial patency, graft survival at 12 months (GS), and reintervention). We also compared percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PBA) with stent placement. PBA alone was used if < 30% residual stenosis of the hepatic artery was achieved. Stenting was performed if there was greater than 30% residual stenosis and in the case of complications (dissection or rupture). RESULTS: A total of 18 stenoses were suspected on the basis of routine surveillance duplex ultrasound imaging (peak systolic velocity > 200 cm/s, systolic accelerating time > 10 ms and resistive index < 0.5), all of which were confirmed by angio CT, but only 17 were confirmed by angiography. Seventeen patients were included (14 males, mean age 57 years; and three females, mean age 58 years). Interventions were performed in 17 cases (95%) with PBA only (5/17), stent only (5/17) or both (4/17). Immediate technical success was 100%. Major complications occurred in 1 of 17 cases (5.8%), consisting of target vessel dissection. The analysis of the three (groups PBA only, stent only or both) showed the same procedural success (100%), GS (100%) and normal liver function after the procedures but different rates of complications (20% vs. 0% vs. 0%), arterial patency at 12 months (60% vs. 80% vs. 85%) (p = 0.4), early stenosis (40% vs. 80% vs. 0%) or late stenosis (60% vs. 20% vs. 100%) and requirement for reintervention (40% vs. 20% vs. 14%) (p = 0.56). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that PBA, stent, or both procedures show the same primary patency at 12 months. It is probably not a definitive answer, but these treatments are safe and effective for extending graft survival in the context of graft shortages.

Immediate preoperative renal artery embolization in the resection of complex renal tumors (UroCCR-48 Reinbol study).

PURPOSE: We evaluated the feasibility and outcomes of immediate preoperative renal artery embolization (IPRAE) before complex nephrectomy for locally advanced RCC ± inferior vena cava thrombus (IVCT). METHODS: A comparative retrospective (2007-2017) multicenter study which included 145 patients with locally advanced RCC ± IVCT: 99 radical nephrectomies vs. 46 radical nephrectomies with IPRAE identified in the prospective UroCCR national database (CNIL DR 2013-206; NCT03293563). IPRAE was performed under local anesthesia the day of nephrectomy (< 4 h prior to nephrectomy). The primary endpoint was peroperative blood loss (mL). Secondary outcomes were: tolerance of embolization (pain visual scale), success rate of IPRAE defined by complete devascularization of the kidney, perioperative complications according to Clavien score and postoperative GFR. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of IPRAE and the control groups were similar. Tumor staging was 14% T2b, 41% T3a, 27% T3b, 13% T3c, 6% T4. The success rate of IPRAE was 98%. Median artery embolizated per patient was 2 (Agochukwu and Shuch in World J Urol 32:581-589, 2014; Marshall et al. in J Urol 139:1166-1172, 1988; Yap et al. in BJU Int 110:1283-1288, 2012;Gill et al. in J Urol. 194:929-938, 2015; Wang et al. in Eur Urol 69:1112-1119, 2016). No severe complications occurred after IPRAE. Postembolization syndrome was reported in 7% (Clavien I-II). Mean peroperative blood losses in the IPRAE and control groups were: 726 ± 118 ml and 1083 ± 114 ml (P = 0.03). In a multivariate analysis that included: age, Karnofsky index, IPRAE (yes vs. no), IVCT (yes vs. no), tumor size and synchronous metastasis, no IPRAE and IVCT were significantly associated with increased peroperative bleeding. CONCLUSION: IPRAE before nephrectomy for locally advanced and/or IVCT tumors was well tolerated, was associated with lower peroperative bleeding and did not increase the incidence or severity of postoperative complications.

Prevention of biliary fistula after partial hepatectomy by transcystic biliary drainage: randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Biliary fistula is one of the most common complications after hepatectomy. This study evaluated the effect of transcystic biliary drainage during hepatectomy on the occurrence of postoperative biliary fistula. METHODS: This multicentre RCT was carried out from 2009 to 2016 in nine centres. Patients were randomized to transcystic biliary drainage or no transcystic drainage (control). Patients underwent hepatectomy (more than 2 segments) of non-cirrhotic livers. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of biliary fistula after surgery. Secondary endpoints were morbidity, postoperative mortality, duration of hospital stay, reoperation, readmission to hospital, and complications caused by catheters. Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 310 patients were randomized. In intention-to-treat analysis, there were 158 patients in the transcystic group and 149 in the control group. Seven patients were removed from the per-protocol analysis owing to protocol deviations. The biliary fistula rate was 5·9 per cent in intention-to-treat and 6·0 per cent in per-protocol analyses. The rate was similar in the transcystic and control groups (5·7 versus 6·0 per cent; P = 1·000). There were no differences in terms of morbidity (49·4 versus 46·3 per cent; P = 0·731), mortality (2·5 versus 4·7 per cent; P = 0·367) and reoperations (4·4 versus 10·1 per cent; P = 1·000). Median duration of hospital stay was longer in the transcystic group (11 versus 10 days; P = 0·042). The biliary fistula risk was associated with the width and length of the hepatic cut surface. CONCLUSION: This randomized trial did not demonstrate superiority of transcystic drainage during hepatectomy in preventing biliary fistula. The use of transcystic drainage during hepatectomy to prevent postoperative biliary fistula is not recommended. Registration number: NCT01469442 ( http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

ANTECEDENTES: La fístula biliar es una de las complicaciones más comunes después de la hepatectomía. Este estudio evalúa el efecto del drenaje biliar transcístico durante la hepatectomía en la aparición de una fístula biliar postoperatoria. MÉTODOS: Este ensayo prospectivo aleatorizado y multicéntrico (Clinical Trial NCT01469442) con dos grupos de estudio (grupo transcístico versus grupo control) se llevó a cabo de 2009 a 2016 en 9 centros. Los pacientes fueron sometidos a una hepatectomía (≥ 2 segmentos) en hígados no cirróticos. El resultado principal fue la aparición de una fístula biliar después de la cirugía. Los resultados secundarios fueron la morbilidad, la mortalidad postoperatoria, la duración de la estancia hospitalaria, la reintervención, la necesidad de reingreso y las complicaciones causadas por los catéteres. Se realizaron análisis por intención de tratamiento y por protocolo. RESULTADOS: Un total de 310 pacientes fueron randomizados. Por intención de tratamiento, 158 pacientes fueron aleatorizados al grupo transcístico y 149 al grupo control. Siete pacientes fueron excluidos del análisis por protocolo por desviaciones del protocolo. La tasa de fístula biliar fue del 5,9% en el análisis por intención de tratamiento y del 6,0% en el análisis por protocolo. Esta tasa fue similar para el grupo transcístico y para el grupo control: 5,7% versus 6,0% (P = 1). No hubo diferencias en términos de morbilidad (49,4% versus 46,9%, P = 0,731), mortalidad (2,5% versus 4,7%, P = 0,367) y reintervenciones (4,4% versus 10,1%, P = 1). La mediana de la duración de la estancia hospitalaria fue mayor para el grupo transcístico (11 versus 10 días, P = 0,042). El riesgo de fístula biliar se correlacionó con el grosor y la longitud de la transección hepática. CONCLUSIÓN: Este ensayo aleatorizado no demuestra la superioridad del drenaje transcístico durante la hepatectomía para prevenir la fístula biliar. No se recomienda el uso de drenaje transcístico durante la hepatectomía para prevenir la fístula biliar postoperatoria.

Efficacy and Safety of Everolimus and Mycophenolic Acid With Early Tacrolimus Withdrawal After Liver Transplantation: A Multicenter Randomized Trial.

SIMCER was a 6-mo, multicenter, open-label trial. Selected de novo liver transplant recipients were randomized (week 4) to everolimus with low-exposure tacrolimus discontinued by month 4 (n = 93) or to tacrolimus-based therapy (n = 95), both with basiliximab induction and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium with or without steroids. The primary end point, change in estimated GFR (eGFR; MDRD formula) from randomization to week 24 after transplant, was superior with everolimus (mean eGFR change +1.1 vs. -13.3 mL/min per 1.73 m2 for everolimus vs. tacrolimus, respectively; difference 14.3 [95% confidence interval 7.3-21.3]; p < 0.001). Mean eGFR at week 24 was 95.8 versus 76.0 mL/min per 1.73 m2 for everolimus versus tacrolimus (p < 0.001). Treatment failure (treated biopsy-proven acute rejection [BPAR; rejection activity index score >3], graft loss, or death) from randomization to week 24 was similar (everolimus 10.0%, tacrolimus 4.3%; p = 0.134). BPAR was more frequent between randomization and month 6 with everolimus (10.0% vs. 2.2%; p = 0.026); the rate of treated BPAR was 8.9% versus 2.2% (p = 0.055). Sixteen everolimus-treated patients (17.8%) and three tacrolimus-treated patients (3.2%) discontinued the study drug because of adverse events. In conclusion, early introduction of everolimus at an adequate exposure level with gradual calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) withdrawal after liver transplantation, supported by induction therapy and mycophenolic acid, is associated with a significant renal benefit versus CNI-based immunosuppression but more frequent BPAR.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor: A multivariate analysis of factors influencing survival.

BACKGROUND: The outcomes of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are extremely diverse, and determining the best strategy, optimal timing of therapy and the therapeutic results depend on understanding prognostic factors. We determined the clinical, radiological and histological factors associated with survival and tumor recurrence for patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. METHODS: From January 1, 1991 to December 31, 2011, 127 patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor underwent pancreatectomy. The variables including clinical characteristics, surgical data and pathological findings were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: There were 103 patients with non-functional tumors (81%). Sixty-four patients (50%) underwent left pancreatectomy, 51 (42%) patients underwent pancreatico-duodenectomy, 12 (9%) patients underwent enucleation and 2 patients (1%) underwent central pancreatectomy. Forty-eight patients (38%) had synchronous liver metastases. Six patients (5%) required portal vein resection, and 19 (15%) patients required enlarged "en-bloc" resection of adjacent organs. The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 48% and 2.3%, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 94%, 84%, and 74%, respectively. In multivariate analyses, synchronous liver metastases (p = 0.02) and portal vein resection (p < 0.01) were independent prognostic factors of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Synchronous liver metastases and portal vein resection were found to be independent factors influencing survival.

Hepatic angiomyolipoma: what management?

An 80-year-old woman was referred for the surgical treatment of a 110-mm right hepatic tumor. The biopsy revealed an adenoma, and a right hepatectomy was performed. Histopathology indicated a major fat component with epitheliod cells, immunoreactivity for HMB45, Melan A, and smooth muscle actin, describing a hepatic epithelioid angiomyolipoma (AML). The AML belongs to the group of tumors with a Perivascular Epithelioid Cell differentiation. Its diagnosis is based on imaging and biopsy, and therefore might be difficult. Hepatic AML are mainly benign tumors; however, some tend to behave in a malignant manner. In case of histological proof, close clinical and radiological monitoring can be proposed if its size is less than 5 cm and no pejorative histological features are found. Nevertheless, follow-up is still required if resection is performed in search of recurrence or metastatic spread.

Minimal portal vein stenosis is a promising preconditioning in living donor liver transplantation in porcine model.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The main hindrance in promoting living donor liver transplantation remains the morbi-mortality risk for the donor. Considering the opposed remodeling influence of portal and hepatic artery flows, our working hypothesis was to identify a lobar portal vein stenosis capable of inducing a contralateral liver mass compensatory enlargement, without the downstream ipsilateral atrophic response. METHODS: Twenty-four pigs entered this study. Six of them were used to establish hemodynamic changes following a progressive left portal vein (LPV) stenosis, in blood flow, pressure and vessel diameter of the LPV, main portal vein and hepatic artery. Sixteen pigs were divided into 4 groups: sham operated animals, 20% LPV stenosis, 50% LPV stenosis, and 100% LPV stenosis. Daily liver biopsies were collected until post-operative day 5 to investigate liver regeneration and atrophy (Ki67, STAT3, LC3, and activated caspase 3) according to the degree of LPV stenosis. Finally, changes in liver volumetry after 20% LPVS were investigated. RESULTS: A 20% LPV stenosis led to dilatation of the hepatic artery and a subsequent four-fold increase in hepatic arterial flow. Concomitantly, liver regeneration was triggered in the non-ligated lobe and the cell proliferation peak, 5 days after surgery, was comparable to that obtained after total LPV ligation. Moreover, 20% LPV stenosis preconditioning did not induce left liver atrophy contrary to 50 and 100% LPV stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: A 20% LPV stenosis seems to be the adequate preconditioning to get the remnant liver of living donor ready to take on graft harvesting without atrophy of the future graft.

Regression of new-onset diabetes mellitus after conversion from tacrolimus to cyclosporine in liver transplant patients: results of a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: New-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) has important implications for long-term outcome following liver transplantation. AIM: To evaluate the impact of conversion from tacrolimus to cyclosporine in liver transplant patients presenting NODM. METHOD: In a 12-month pilot study, 39 liver transplant patients with NODM were converted from tacrolimus to cyclosporine. Most patients (59%) were receiving antidiabetic therapy (18% insulin, 41% oral) and all patients had received dietary advice prior to the study. RESULTS: At month 12, NODM had significantly resolved (FBG<7 mmol/L without treatment) in 36% of patients (95% CI 20.8-51.0%). In the 16 patients not receiving antidiabetic drugs at baseline, mean FBG decreased from 8.1 mmol/L to 6.6 mmol/L (P=0.008) and mean HbA(1c) decreased from 6.4 to 6.0% (P=0.05). Steroids were stopped rapidly in the nine patients receiving steroids at inclusion but NODM resolution was observed in only one of these nine patients. No significant factors were identified that could have affected NODM resolution. There were three episodes of biopsy-proven acute rejection (7.7%), no graft losses and one death. Overall, cyclosporine tolerance was good with no significant change in creatinine clearance at month 12. Total cholesterol increased from 4.6 mmol/L to 5.1 mmol/L (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that liver transplant patients with NODM may benefit from conversion to cyclosporine from tacrolimus through improved glucose metabolism. Confirmation in a prospective, randomized comparative study is required.

Liver transplantation in a patient treated by sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor currently used in the palliative treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. In patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma, sorafenib could be suggested as neoadjuvant therapy to control tumor growth during waiting time for liver transplantation. However, up to now, safety of liver transplantation in patients undergoing sorafenib treatment is not known. Herein, we report a case of successful liver transplantation in a patient treated by sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma. In this patient, liver transplantation was performed safely and histological examination of explanted liver evidenced complete necrosis of the largest tumor nodule.

Noble gas (argon and xenon)-saturated cold storage solutions reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model of renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Following kidney transplantation, ischemia-reperfusion injury contributes to adverse outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a cold-storage solution saturated with noble gas (xenon or argon) could limit ischemia-reperfusion injury following cold ischemia. METHODS: Sixty Wistar rats were randomly allocated to 4 experimental groups. Kidneys were harvested and then stored for 6 h before transplantation in cold-storage solution (Celsior®) saturated with either air, nitrogen, xenon or argon. A syngenic orthotopic transplantation was performed. Renal function was determined on days 7 and 14 after transplantation. Transplanted kidneys were removed on day 14 for histological and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: Creatinine clearance was significantly higher and urinary albumin significantly lower in the argon and xenon groups than in the other groups at days 7 and 14. These effects were considerably more pronounced for argon than for xenon. In addition, kidneys stored with argon, and to a lesser extent those stored with xenon, displayed preserved renal architecture as well as higher CD-10 and little active caspase-3 expression compared to other groups. CONCLUSION: Argon- or xenon-satured cold-storage solution preserved renal architecture and function following transplantation by reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury.

[Mesenteric venous ischemia secondary to portal stenosis following liver transplantation]. / Ischémie mésentérique veineuse révélatrice d'une sténose portale après transplantation hépatique.

We report a case of portal vein stenosis six months after previous orthotopic liver transplantation. The patient presented with mesenteric venous ischemia. He underwent successful percutaneous transhepatic portal vein angioplasty and stent placement.

[Abdominal cystic tumor revealing lymphangioleiomyomatosis]. / Tumeurs kystiques rétropéritonéales compliquées révélatrices d'une lymphangioléiomyomatose.

We report the case of a 39 year-old woman with many years of intermittent abdominal pain who was found to have cystic masses evocative of cystic lymphangioma involving the posterior mediastinal and retroperitoneum. Worsening abdominal pain led to a recommendation for laparoscopic unroofing and decompression of the cysts. During the postoperative period, hemorrhagic shock required reintervention with excision of the tumoral mass. Pathologic examination revealed lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). On the 15th postoperative day, the patient developed a chylopneumothorax which required prolonged chest tube drainage. The presence of multiple polycystic lesions in the pulmonary parenchyma supported the diagnosis of diffuse LAM with primary extrapulmonary presentation. This diagnosis should be considered preoperatively since it modifies the treatment: a complete excision of the cystic lesions seems to be necessary in order to prevent bleeding and lymphatic extravasation.

[Radical surgery in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma]. / Chirurgie radicale des cholangiocarcinomes périphériques.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results of surgical treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated by the same team. Between 1988 and 2005, 75 patients underwent surgery for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. There were 53 resections including three additional interventions for recurrence. Twenty-seven exploratory laparotomies showed non resectable tumors and two were followed by a liver transplantation at the beginning of the study. Major hepatectomy was performed in 85% of resections while hepatectic resection was extended to an adjacent organ in 40%. A lymphadenectomy was performed in 32 cases. Mortality was 7.8% (two massive pulmonary embolisms, one mutiple organ failure after transplantation and one post-operative peritonitis). Global morbidity was 47%. Resectability was 66%. In case of surgical resection, the median survival rate was 18 months versus 4 months without resection (p<0.001). Actuarial survival rates at 1 year, 3 years and 5 years were 69, 31 and 27% respectively. Positive nodes decreased the survival rate (13 months versus 20 months, p=0.01). A positive margin (R1 or R2 resection) did not significantly decrease the survival rate (18 months versus 15 months). In conclusion, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a tumor that often requires a major or an extended hepatectomy. Complete resection is an acceptable and reasonable goal, whatever the patient's age. This radical surgical approach can prolong survival. Palliative surgery is not an option if incomplete resection is predicted.

[Desmoplastic small round-cell tumor: two cases of diffuse abdominopelvic infiltration]. / Tumeur desmoplastique à petites cellules rondes: deux cas d'atteinte abdominopelvienne diffuse.

Desmoplastic small round-cell tumors are a rare malignant tumor that affects male children and young adults. It frequently presents as a large abdominal mass with widespread peritoneal involvement at diagnosis. We report two cases of desmoplastic small round-cell tumors, with diffuse infiltration in the abdomen and pelvis in two adult caucasian males. The first case-report is a middle-aged man and the second a young adult man with early recurrence and diffuse metastatic lymph nodes. Both tumors have a distinct morphology, a polyphenotypic differentiation and a t(11;22) (p13;q12) translocation. The prognosis remains poor and leads to death in most cases, despite surgical resection, radiotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy.

Fortuitous discovery of common bile duct stones: results of a conservative strategy.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of fortuitously discovered stones in the common bile duct is about 5%. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of spontaneous clearance of asymptomatic stones in the common bile duct discovered fortuitously during cholecystectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Intraoperative cholangiography was performed in all patients undergoing cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallbladder stones. If a filling defect of the common bile duct was discovered, a transcystic drain was inserted. Surgical or endoscopic extraction was not proposed initially. A control cholangiogram was performed on the second postoperative day then during the sixth postoperative week. If a stone persisted at the sixth week, endoscopic extraction was undertaken. RESULTS: Cholecystectomy was performed in 124 patients with symptomatic gallstones and no signs predictive of stones in the common bile duct. A stone was found fortuitously in the common bile duct in 12 patients. The control cholangiogram was normal in two of these patients on day two (16.7%) and in six others (50%) at the six-week control. All 12 patients remained free of symptoms suggesting the presence of a stone in the common duct. Presence of the drain had no impact on quality-of-life. Endoscopic extraction was finally performed for four patients (33.3%) to remove a stone from the common bile duct. CONCLUSION: Early surgical or endoscopic extraction of stones in the common bile duct should not be undertaken systematically in asymptomatic patients. Spontaneous asymptomatic clearance of the common bile duct is observed in about half of patients.

A national survey of acute hepatitis E in France.

BACKGROUND: Few data are available on the incidence, risk factors and contamination pathways involved in acute indigenous hepatitis E in developed countries. AIMS: To draw up an overall picture of hepatitis E cases, to confirm whether or not the majority of the cases were indigenous and to attempt to identify the risk factors and contamination pathways involved in hepatitis E. METHODS: This study was performed in the framework of a national network (ANGH) including 96 participating centres. The 19 centres with at least one case of acute HEV reported a total number of 53 cases. RESULTS: A decreasing South-to-North geographic gradient was observed. A nonspecific clinical profile was observed in many cases. Acute hepatitis E was of indigenous origin in 90% of the patients. The most relevant and/or frequent possible risk factors among the 47 indigenous metropolitan cases were water consumption from a personal water supply, uncooked shellfish consumption and the recent acquisition of a pet pig. CONCLUSIONS: This national survey confirmed that acute indigenous hepatitis E is an emerging disease in developed countries such as France, and suggests that various risk factors are responsible for acute indigenous hepatitis E contamination in non-endemic countries.

[Anatomic variants of the biliary tree with MR Cholangiography: feasibility and surgical applications]. / Variations anatomiques des voies biliaires en cholangio-IRM: faisabilité et intérêt chirurgical.

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of MR Cholangiography for evaluation of anatomic variants of the biliary tree before biliary surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study group consisted of 45 consecutive patients (29 males, 16 females; mean age 57 years), who were referred for MR evaluation of malignant (n=26) and benign (n=19) cholangiopancreatic diseases. MR Cholangiography studies were independently reviewed by two radiologists. RESULTS: Anatomic variants of the biliary tree were observed in 9 patients (20%); 6 variants involved the biliary confluence and 4 the cystic duct (one patient had both). Anatomic variants involved principally the right posterior duct: 1 (2,2%) drainage of right posterior duct into left hepatic duct; 2 (4,4%) triple confluence of right posterior duct, right anterior duct, and left hepatic duct, and 3 (6,6%) aberrant drainage of right posterior duct into common hepatic duct. Observed cystic duct anomalies included: 2 (7,44%) low insertion of the cystic duct into the common hepatic duct and 3 (11,1%) medial insertion of the cystic duct into the common hepatic duct. CONCLUSION: MR Cholangiography accurately shows anatomic variants of the biliary tree. Noninvasive preoperative evaluation of the biliary anatomy may be important for the detection of anatomic variants that may increase the complexity of hepatic surgical procedures and biliary interventions.