Metastatic gallbladder adenocarcinoma in a cat

Biliary neoplasms are uncommon in cats and affect older animals. A 12-year-old female crossbreed cat showed prostration, lethargy, apathy, and severe jaundice. Ultrasonography showed distention of the gallbladder associated with severe obstruction of the bile ducts with thickening of the biliary wall, forming amorphous masses of irregular contour and heterogeneous appearance directed to the lumen measuring up to 2 cm. Necropsy showed a gallbladder with a yellowish and soft nodule measuring 3 × 3 cm, compressing the extrahepatic bile duct, occluding the passage of bile. There were also firm, yellowish multifocal to coalescing nodules in the liver, ranging from 0.5 to 1 cm, affecting 10% of the organ, in addition to lungs with firm, yellowish multifocal nodules ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 cm, affecting 20% of the organ. Histologically, gallbladder and bile ducts had malignant epithelial neoplastic proliferation, which was organized into multiple papillary and ductal projections, separated by moderate fibrovascular stroma compatible with gallbladder adenocarcinoma. The liver and lungs also contained neoplastic structures with a ductal appearance and papilliform projections identical to those observed in the gallbladder. The immunohistochemical examination (IHC) showed intense positive staining of epithelial neoplastic cells for pan-cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) and no staining for vimentin (Clone V9). The diagnosis of gallbladder adenocarcinoma with metastasis in the liver and lungs was established based on the clinical, macroscopic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings.(AU)

Pathophysiological connections between gallstone disease, insulin resistance, and obesity.

Obesity and cholesterol gallstone disease (GSD) are frequently coexisting diseases; therefore and considering the current worldwide obesity epidemics, a precise understanding of the pathophysiological relationships between GSD and insulin resistance (IR) is important. Classically, obesity has been understood as a risk factor for GSD and the gallbladder (GB) viewed as a simple bile reservoir, with no metabolic roles whatsoever. However, consistent evidence has showed that both GSD and cholecystectomy associates with fatty liver and IR, raising the possibility that the GB is indeed an organ with metabolic regulatory roles. Herein, we review the pathophysiological mechanisms by which GSD, IR, and obesity are interconnected, with emphasis in the actions of the GB as a regulator of bile acids kinetics and a hormone secreting organ, with metabolic actions at the systemic level. We also examine the relationships between increased hepatic lipogenic in IR states and GSD pathogenesis. We propose a model in which GSD and hepatic IR mutually interact to determine a state of dysregulated lipid and energy metabolism that potentiate the metabolic dysregulation of obesity.

Ultrasound Assessment of Hepatobiliary and Splenic Changes in Patients With Dengue and Warning Signs During the Acute and Recovery Phases.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether abdominal ultrasound (US) with a gallbladder (GB) contractility study or motor function test can be used as a diagnostic tool in patients with dengue and warning signs in acute and recovery phases. METHODS: Fifty-one individuals in the acute phase of dengue presenting with warning signs (dengue group) and 49 healthy individuals without a history of dengue or hepatobiliary disease (control group) were studied with abdominal US and a GB contractility study. RESULTS: Statistical differences in US measurements of the liver (right lobe, P = .012; left lobe, P = .001) and spleen (P = .008) dimensions, GB wall thickness (P < .001), and the GB emptying fraction (P < .001) were observed in dengue during the acute phase compared with the control group. After 60 days, abdominal US of the dengue group showed a statistical difference in liver (right lobe, P < .001; left lobe, P = .078) and spleen (P < .001) dimensions, GB wall thickness, and the GB emptying fraction (P < .001) compared with the results obtained during the acute phase. Furthermore, a statistical difference in the spleen volume and GB emptying fraction (P < .001) was observed when comparing dengue after clinical recovery and the control group. Abdominal pain in patients with dengue was positively associated with hepatomegaly (P = .031), splenomegaly (P = .008), increased GB wall thickness (P = .016), and a reduced GB emptying fraction (P = .038) during the acute phase and with splenomegaly (P = .001) and a reduced GB emptying fraction (P = .003) after clinical recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal US with a GB motor function test can be used as a diagnostic tool in patients with dengue during acute and recovery phases.

Effect of cholecystectomy on hepatic fat accumulation and insulin resistance in non-obese Hispanic patients: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent worldwide. Experimental studies have shown that cholecystectomy (XGB) increases hepatic fat content in mice and appears associated to NAFLD in large retrospective population-based studies. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the effects of XGB on hepatic fat content (HFC) and insulin resistance (IR) in non-obese, middle aged Hispanic subjects. METHODS: Twenty-six gallstone patients undergoing elective XGB and 16 control subjects with normal livers and gallbladders at ultrasonography were prospectively followed 24 months for changes in HFC and IR. Clinical, biochemical determinations and hepatic imaging were performed at baseline and 24 months after surgery. MRI technique quantified HFC in four hepatic segments. IR was assessed by the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA-IR) index. RESULTS: Initial body mass index (BMI) was 25.6 ± 0.4 and 24.3 ± 1.0 in the control and XGB groups of subjects, respectively. Serum insulin level increased from 8.1 ± 0.7 to 10.0 ± 1.9 (µU/ml) 24 months after surgery in XGB patients (p < 0.05); no significant changes were detected in control individuals. Median HOMA-IR index increased from 1.31 (interquartile range, 1.01-1.68) to 2.20 (interquartile range, 1.57 - 2.60) 24 months after XGB, (p < 0.003). Median HOMA-IR index of control subjects remained unchanged at the end of the study. Serum apoB concentration increased from 61.5 ± 3.4 to 79.0 ± 7.8 (µg/ml) in XGB patients (p < 0.03). Serum apoB levels remained within normal ranges in both periods of the study in control subjects. HFC significantly increased in 2 of the 4 segments 24 months after XGB: right posterior hepatic lobe (from 5.3 ± 0.2% to 6.0 ± 0.2%, p > 0.04) and right anterior hepatic lobe (from 5.8 ± 0.2% to 6.6 ± 0.3%, p < 0.02). The average HFC of the four hepatic segments studied slightly increased from 5.4 ± 0.2 to 5.8 ± 0.3 2 years after XGB (p < 0.03). No significant changes were found in HFC in the control subjects at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Elective XGB increases HFC, HOMA-IR index and serum apoB concentration. These results support the notion that XGB is a risk factor non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and other IR - associated disease conditions.

Colecistite alitiásica aguda: revisão de literatura / Acute acalculous cholecystitis: literature review

A colecistite alitiásica aguda (CAA) trata-se de uma inflamação da vesícula biliar sem a evidência de cálculos biliares. É estimado que ocorra em 2-15% de todos os casos de colecistite aguda e geralmente se associa a condições de saúde críticas, como pós-operatório, trauma recente grave e queimaduras. A etiologia da CAA é multifatorial e sua patofisiologia ainda permanece pouco compreendida. Os principais mecanismos de doença propostos incluem lesão por isquemia-reperfusão, resposta inflamatória sistêmica e estase biliar. O diagnóstico, que costuma ser difícil, é baseado em dados clínicos, laboratoriais, radiológicos e peroperatórios. As manifestações costumam ser inespecíficas, tais como dor em quadrante superior direito, febre, náusea, vômitos, icterícia, leucocitose e função hepática alterada. Os achados de imagem na ultrassonografia (US) e tomografia computadorizada (TC) incluem aumento da espessura da parede e do volume da vesícula biliar, barro biliar, fluido pericolecístico e presença de gás intramural. A combinação de pelo menos três desses achados é necessária para o diagnóstico de CAA. A sensibilidade e especificidade dos métodos de imagem são variáveis, entretanto, considera-se que a TC é superior à US. O tratamento de escolha é colecistectomia, com crescente preferência para utilização da via percutânea. O tratamento clínico associado inclui melhora dos parâmetros hemodinâmicos com drogas vasoativas e medicamentos antimicrobianos. A taxa de mortalidade costuma ser alta (10-67%), independentemente do tratamento instituído. Tal fato é atribuído às condições mórbidas pré-existentes que costumam acompanhar o quadro e contribuem para a rápida progressão da doença para gangrena e perfuração. (AU)

Acalculous cholecystitis (AC) is an acute infiamatory disease of the gallbladder without the evidence of biliary stones. It accounts for 2-15% of all cases of acute cholecystitis and is generally associated with critically ill patients, post-operatory, recente trauma and burns. AC etiology is multifactorial and still obscure. The main mechanisms include ischemia/ reperfusion lesions, systemic infiamatory reaction and biliary stasis. The diagnosis may be difficult, being based on clinical, labaratorial, radiographic and peroperatory features. Clinical manifestations, although inespefics, are right hypochondrial pain, fever, nausea, vomit, jaundice, leukocytosis and high liver enzymes. Ultrasound and tomography aspects are thickening of the gallbladder wall with pericholecystic fluid, biliary sludge and emphysematous cholecystitis. The combination of three or more of those aspects is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of AC. The sensibility and specificity of the radiological exams are insconstant, but the tomography is considered superior to ultrasound. The definitive therapy is cholecystectomy. Associated clinical approach include the use of vasoactive drugs and antibiotics. Mortality is high (10-67%), mainly because of the comobidity diseases. (AU)

Excreção urinária de glicosaminoglicanos em crianças com bexiga neurogênica secundária a mielomeningocele / Urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans in children with neurogenic bladder secondary to myelomeningocele

A excreção urinária de glicosaminoglicanos (GAG) está alterada em várias patologias do trato urinário; o padrão de excreção pode estar associado com o estado da doença. A excreção urinária de GAG em crianças com bexiga neurogênica (BN) secundária a mielomeningocele (MMC) pode também estar alterada, mas até a presente data não há detalhamento epidemiológico dos pacientes e não se correlacionou o padrão de excreção com grau de disfunção vesical. Analisamos a excreção urinária de um grupo bem definido de crianças de 17 pacientes com MMC, 10 meninos e 7 meninas (média de idade +- DP de 4,6 +- 2,9 anos) foram obtidas durante o exame cistométrico. As amostras do grupo controle foram obtidas de 18 crianças normais, 13 meninos e 5 meninas (6,9 +- 2,2 anos). Todas as crianças não estavam com infecção urinária, tinham função renal normal e não estavam sob tratamento farmacológico. A quantificação do GAG urinário total foi expressa em ug de ácido hexurônico/mg de creatinina e a proporção dos diferentes tipos de GAGs sulfatados foi obtida por eletroforese em gel de agarose. A avaliação cistométrica foi realizada utilizando aparelho de urodinâmica Dynapack modelo MPX816 (Dynamed, São Paulo, Brasil), a partir da qual o escore cistométrico foi calculado de acordo com procedimento recente publicado [14]. Não observamos diferença significativa na excreção urinária de GAG total entre meninos e meninas tanto no grupo com MMC (0,913 +- 0,528 vs 0,867 +- 0,434, p>0,05) como no grupo controle (0,546 +- 0,240 vs 0,699 +- 0,296, p>0,05). Os resultados mostraram também que a excreção de GAG urinário não se correlacionou com a idade tanto no grupo com MMC (r = -0,28, p>0,05) como no grupo controle (r = -0,40, p>0,05). Entretanto, a comparação dos dois grupos mostrou que o grupo com MMC excretava 52% a mais de GAG total que o grupo controle (0,894 +- 0,477 vs 0,588 +- 0,257, p<0,04). Nesses pacientes a excreção de GAG total não se correlacionou com a complacência vesical...

Urinary glycosaminoglycan (GAG) excretion is altered in a number of urinary tract disorders, and the excretion pattern may be associated with disease state and/or outcome. GAG excretion in children with neurogenic bladder secondary to myelomeningocele (MMC) may be affected, but existing data lack more detailed demographics and does not correlate excretion pattern with severity of bladder dysfunction. Here we analyzed GAG excretion in a well defined group of children with MMC and correlated the results with cystometric score. Urine specimens from 17 patients (10 boys, 7 girls) mean age +- SD, 4.6 +- 2.9 years) were obtained during cystometry. Control specimens were from 18 normal children (13 boys, 5 girls) (6.9 +- 2.2 years). All children were free from urinary infection, had normal renal function, and were not under pharmacological treatment. Total urinary GAG was assayed as ug hexuronic acid/mg urinary creatinin e, and sulfated GAGs were determined by agarose gel electrophoresis. Cistometry was done using a Dynapack MPX816 (Dynamed, São Paulo, Brazil), from wich a cystometry score was calculated according to a recent procedure [14]. There were no significant differences in total GAG excretion between male and female individuals in the MMC (0.913 +- 0.528 vs 0.867 +- 0.434, p>0.05) and control (0.546 +- 0.240 vs 0.699+- 0.296, p>0.05) groups. Also, urinary GAG did not correlated with age in the MMC (r = -0.28, p>0.05) and control (r = -0.40, p>0.05) groups. However, MMC patients excreted 52% more GAG than controls (0.894 +- 0.477 vs 0.588 +- 0.257, p<0.04). In these patients, total GAG excretion was not associated with vesical complicance alone (r = -0.18, p>0.05), but was significantly and negatively correlated (r = -0.56, p<0.05) with cystometric score. On average, MMC patients with worst scores (<9) excreted 81% more GAG than those with better scores (>9) (1.157 +- 0.467 vs 0.639 +- 0.133, p<0.04). Chondroitin sulfate prevailed in both groups...

Estudo quantitativo da matriz extracelular e células do músculo liso de bexigas urinária após traumatismo raquimedular / Quantitative study of the extracellular matrix and smooth muscle cells of the urinary bladder after spinal cord injury

Lesões na inervação do trato urinário inferior ocasionado por traumatismo raquimedular afetam geralmente o músculo detrusor e o esfíncteres uretrais. Estas alterações acarretam problemas basicamente de incontinência urinária e aumento da pressão intravesical, decorrente deste traumatismo, trazendo consequências para o funcionamento do sistema urinário superior. Quantificar os elementos fibrosos da matriz extracelular e fibras musculares das bexigas neurogênicas hiper-reflexas comparando-as com bexigas normais. Foram utilizadas 6 amostras de bexigas neurogênicas de indivíduos que foram submetidos a cirurgia de reparação por cistoenteroplastia realizados pelo serviço de urologia do Hospital Municipal Souza Aguiar, estas amostras foram fixadas imediatamente em solução tamponada de formalina a 10%. O controle com amostras iguais as do estudo extraída de cadáveres cuja causa morte não relacionava-se ao sistema urogenital macroscópicamente. O material foi submetido as seguintes técnicas histoquímicas: H&E, van Gieson e Resorcina Fucsina resorcina de Weigert com prévia oxidação pela oxona. Imunohistoquímica: anti-elastina. A observação dos cortes corados pelo van Gieson demonstrou uma diminuição significativa do músculo liso de 13% e aumento do colágeno em 72% e as fibras do sistema elástico um aumento de 101%. Conclusão. Nas bexigas neurogênicas hiper-reflexas o músculo detrusor e os elementos fibrosos da matriz foram profundamente modificados. As fibras do sistema elástico foram as mais afetadas.

Lesions on lower urinary tract innervations caused by spinal cord injuries usually affect the detrusor muscle and urethral sphincter. Beside the smooth muscle fibers the collagen fibers and elastic system fibers, fibrous components of the extracellular matrix of the bladder wall, are strongly related to vesicle bladder compliance. For this reason the aim of this work is to quantify the fibrous elements of the extracellular matrix and muscle fibers of the neurogenic bladder hyperreflexia. Samples of neurogenic bladder were obtained from six men who had previously undergone surgical repair. The control group samples (n=6) were similarly obtained from patients whose deaths were not related to the urogenital system. The samples were stained using the following histochemical techniques: H&E, Van Gieson, Weigert and Sirius Red. Sections stained with Sirius Red were observed under polarization light microscopy to characterize possible different kinds of collagen. Immunohistochemical technique was used to characterize and quantify the elastic system fibers. Quantification analysis was performed by stereological methods. An increase of 72% of the collagen was observed. Nevertheless, the most significant difference observed was the raising of 101% of the elastic system fibers. Contrary the smooth muscle fibers showed a decrease of 13%. In the neurogenic bladder with detrusor hyperreflexia the fibrous elements of the extracellular matrix and smooth muscle fibers were greatly modified. The elastic system fibers seem to be the most affected in this disease.

Gallbladder motility in children with chronic constipation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate gallbladder motility in constipated children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on pediatric patients with refractory constipation examined in a pediatric gastroenterology unit of a teaching hospital between January 2005 and August 2006. All of the patients seen during the period were included (age range, 2-16 years). The control group, matched for sex and age, was selected among patients seen at the same basic health units where patients were seen before being referred to pediatric gastroenterologists. A gallbladder contractility index was calculated based on fasting and postprandial gallbladder areas, using an ultrasonographic method. Ultrasonography studies were performed prospectively and blindly by the same physician. Measurements obtained in patients were compared with those obtained in controls. RESULTS: A total of 132 constipated children and the same number of healthy controls were included in the study. Median and mean fasting gallbladder areas were similar in patients and controls. Postprandial gallbladder areas were larger in the patient group, mean +/- SD = 594.8 +/- 206.4 mm, median, 562.5 mm, than in the control group, mean +/- SD = 541.1 +/- 156.1 mm, median, 530.5 mm; P = .031. Logistic regression showed that the risk of a contractility index <25% was 5.2 times greater in patients (odds ratio [OR] 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5-10.81) than in controls. Age was found to be a protective factor (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.71-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Gallbladder motility disorder was identified in a group of children with severe constipation. This finding may contribute to the understanding of functional constipation in children.

Low serum levels of ghrelin are associated with gallstone disease.

AIM: To explore the role of ghrelin in gallstone disease. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study in 150 subjects, 38 with gallstones (cases) and 112 controls. We also did a real-time PCR-RT study in twenty gallbladder samples each. Body mass index (BMI), serum insulin, ghrelin, and serum lipids were measured. Logistic regression analyses (univariate and multivariate) were conducted to estimate the probability of gallstone disease associated with serum ghrelin concentrations. RESULTS: Cases were statistically different from controls in gender distribution (P = 0.01), age (53 vs 44 yr, P = 0.002), BMI (28 vs 25; P = 0.004), and glucose (5.26 vs 4.98 mmol/L; P = 0.05). The prevalence of ghrelin serum levels above the third tercile was lower in subjects without metabolic syndrome (P < 0.05). In a multivariate model, we found a protective effect, when ghrelin values were higher than the median value (OR = 0.27, 95%CI 0.09-0.82, P = 0.02). Twenty (20%) gallbladder specimens expressed ghrelin mRNA. CONCLUSION: Serum ghrelin concentrations are associated with a protective effect of GD.

Colecistite acalculosa aguda: Relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Acute acalculous cholecystitis: case report amd literature review

A colecistite acalculosa aguda é apresentação incomum das doenças das vias biliares. O tratamento deve ser imediato devido ao grande risco de necrose e perfuração. Os autores relatam um caso de colecistite acalculosa aguda perfurada

Tratamento clínico e cirúrgico da pancreatite biliar aguda / The clinic and surgical treatment of acute gallstone pancreatitis

Pancreatite Aguda (PA) é patologia relativamente comum, que na maioria das vezes evolui de forma benigna, mas em cerca de 10-20 por cento dos casos pode manifestar-se de forma severa, levando à alta morbimortalidade. Sua estratificação em riscos, bem como sua abordagem terapêutica, permanecem como um desafio ao clínico ou cirurgião. O objetivo dessa revisão bibliográfica é discutir a fisiopatologia, diagnóstico, classificação clínica e, principalmente, o tratamento da Pancreatite Blliar Aguda (PBA), a mais freqüente em nosso meio

Duplicação da vesícula biliar / Double gallbladder

A duplicação da vesícula biliar é uma anomalia congênita rara, com prevalência, em autópsias, de aproximadamente 1:4.000 (1). A ultra-sonografia é atualmente o método de diagnóstico por imagem de escolha para a investigação de alterações da vesícula. Várias alterações podem simular a duplicação da vesícula biliar durante uma investigação pela ultra-sonografia, incluindo cisto de colédoco, vesícula em barrete frígio, divertículo de vesícula, adenomiomatose focal, septações, vasos aberrantes, má rotação intestinal associada a bridas de Ladd e coleções líquidas perivesiculares (2-4). Apresentamos mais um caso e uma revisão da literatura

Morphological and demographic associations of biliary symptoms in subjects with gallstones: findings from a population-based survey in Rosario, Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Gallstone disease is a frequently encountered disorder in subjects living in Rosario. The reasons for the presence or absence of symptoms are unknown. AIMS: To determine associations between biliary symptoms and ultrasonographic features of gallbladder and gallstones. SUBJECTS: A random study was conducted on 1,173 subjects, inhabitants of 20 years and older, in the city of Rosario, Argentina. METHODS: High-resolution abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed. Biliary pain was defined based on previously published definitions. RESULTS: Gallstones were found in 149 subjects (101 female, 48 male) of whom 51% of females and 35% of males with cholelithiasis were symptomatic. Mean age was 53 years in symptomatic and 55 in asymptomatic subjects. Gallbladder size was normal in 97% of symptomatic and in 96% of the asymptomatic participants. There were no significant differences between the groups as far as concerns size and gallstone number. Impacted stones were observed in 10% of symptomatic and in none of the asymptomatic subjects (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects' age and gender, gallstones size and number, as well as ultrasonographic features of gallbladder and biliary tract did not differ significantly between symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. Only impacted stones were significantly more frequent in symptomatic subjects.

Exactitud diagnostica de la ecografia en patologia vesicular / Diagnostic accuracy of echography in gall-bladder pathology

La ecografía es la herramienta más útil en el estudio de pacientes con sospecha de patología vesicular. El objetivo de la investigación era determinar la exactitud de la ecografía en el diagnóstico de enfermedades vesiculares, para evaluarlo con base en lo descrito en la literatura. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes que debido a patología vesicular fueron sometidos a cirugía por el grupo de cirujanos generales de la Clínica Rafael Uribe Uribe de Cali, entre el 1º de julio y el 31 de diciembre del 2000. Se comparó la descripción del médico radiólogo en el informe de ecografía con la descripción del cirujano en la nota operatoria.Se calculó la sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo y negativo, eficiencia de las ecografías realizadas en la Clínica Rafael Uribe Uribe (198) y las efectuadas fuera de ella (187), en el diagnóstico de colecistolitiasis, colecistitis, colección perivesicular, otras anomalías vesiculares, dilatación y cálculos en la vía biliar

Linfoma de baixo grau associado a tecido linfóide da mucosa primário da vesícula biliar / Primary low-grade lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue of the gallbradder

Os autores descrevem um caso de linfoma primário associado a tecido linfóide da mucosa da vesícula biliar, devido a sua raridade na literatura médica. Um paciente do sexo masculino, de 77 anos de idade, apresentou-se com colelitíase e coledocolitíase. Foram realizadas colecistectomia aberta e coledocoduodenostomia. O exame histológico da vesícula biliar demonstrou esta doença incomum. Logo após a chegada do laudo anatomopatológico, os exames clínico e de estadiamento não revelaram doença em lugar algum. Vários aspectos desta patologia são discutidos