Comparison of the diagnostic yield of rapid versus non-rapid onsite evaluation in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology of solid pancreatic lesions.

Background: The role of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of pancreatic lesions is debatable. In this study, we aimed to compare the diagnostic yield of ROSE vs. non-ROSE in solid pancreatic lesions. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included patients undergoing EUS-FNA of solid pancreatic lesions from 2019-2021. Patients with cystic lesions, those undergoing fine-needle core biopsy, those undergoing repeat procedures, and patients with non-diagnostic smears with less than 6-month follow up were excluded. The diagnostic yield, need for repeat procedures and number of passes required with and without ROSE were analyzed in these patients. Results: Of the 111 patients included, 56 underwent ROSE. The majority of lesions were malignant in both groups (79.6% ROSE vs. 75% non-ROSE). The diagnostic yield was 96.4% in the ROSE group and 94.5% in the non-ROSE group. Repeat samples were needed in 1 ROSE and 2 non-ROSE patients. The median number of passes made was significantly fewer in the ROSE group (3.5, interquartile range - 3,4) compared with the non-ROSE group (4, interquartile range - 3,5) P=0.01. However, the frequency of procedure-related complications was similar in both groups. Conclusion: The utilization of ROSE during EUS-FNA of solid pancreatic lesions does not affect the diagnostic yield or the need for repeat samples, but reduces the number of passes needed for acquiring samples.

Rodenticidal hepatotoxicity: Raised plasma Von Willebrand factor levels predict in-hospital survival and preliminary report of the outcome of Von Willebrand factor reducing management protocol.

BACKGROUND: High Von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels may predispose to multi-organ failure in acute liver failure (ALF). In rodenticide-induced hepatotoxicity patients, we analyzed if plasma VWF levels predicted survival and also the outcome of VWF lowering by N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) infusions, and plasma exchange (PLEX). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data. Hepatotoxicity was classified as uncomplicated acute hepatitis (UAH), acute liver injury (ALI), and ALF. ALF patients, if not opting for liver transplantation, had PLEX and NAC; ALI patients received NAC ± FFP (PLEX, if worsening); UAH patients had NAC. Plasma VWF antigen was measured (normal, 50% to 150%). In-hospital survival was analyzed as discharged alive or died/discharged in a terminal condition (poor outcome). RESULTS: Twenty-four consecutive rodenticide-induced hepatotoxicity patients (UAH in 1, ALI in 20, ALF in 3) from December 2017 to January 2019 were studied. Baseline VWF levels were 153%, 423 (146-890)% median (range), and 448 (414-555)% in UAH, ALI, ALF patients; model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores were 11, 24 (12-38), 36 (32-37) and in-hospital survival rates were 100%, 85%, 67%, respectively. VWF levels were higher in patients with poor outcome (555 [512-890]%) than in those discharged alive (414 [146-617]%) (p-value = 0.04). The area under the receiver operating curve of the VWF level, MELD score, and sequential organ failure assessment score to predict survival was 0.92, 0.84, and 0.66, respectively. Of 4 patients meeting criteria for liver transplantation (none had transplantation), 3 (75%) survived. CONCLUSIONS: High VWF levels predict poor outcome in rodenticide-induced hepatotoxicity. VWF reduction may be useful in such patients.

Amelioration of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by statins.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of simvastatin (SIM) and rosuvastatin (RST) on cisplatin (CIS)-induced nephrotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult female Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control group (Group 1) received 0.5% sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, group 2 and group 3 received SIM and RST for 10 days, respectively, and group 4 was injected single dose of CIS (7 mg/kg, i.p.). Group 5 and 6 were treated with SIM (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and RST (10 mg/kg, p.o.) for 10 days, respectively. All groups received cisplatin on the 5(th) day of treatment. Renal function tests like serum creatinine, urea, BUN, albumin, calcium, uric acid and magnesium, serum lipids, and markers of oxidative stress such as renal malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured. All tissues were investigated for histopathological changes. RESULT: CIS reduced the renal function, which was reflected with significant increase in serum urea, BUN, serum creatinine, uric acid and also significant decrease serum calcium, magnesium, albumin levels. In addition, cisplatin caused renal tubular damage with a higher MDA level, depletion of SOD and CAT activity, and elevation of serum lipids. SIM or RST ameliorate CIS induced renal damage due to improvement in renal function, oxidative stress, suppression of serum lipids, and histological alteration. CONCLUSIONS: This finding suggests that simvastatin and rosuvastatin may have a protective effect against cisplatin-induced kidney damage via amelioration of lipid peroxidation as well as due to improvement of renal function, and lipid-lowering effects.