ABSTRACT
Diverticula of the choledochus, better known as Todani type II cysts, are very rare and represent a predominantly pediatric pathology. Their identification by radiological methods, even if occasional, requires clinical doctors to request a surgical consultation, even for asymptomatic subjects, to proceed with their removal, given the risk of associated neoplasms. The laparoscopic approach for surgical treatment of these cysts has been recently introduced with excellent results. Due to the poor clinical records, currently there are neither shared protocols about their management nor long-term follow-up of operated patients. We report a case of an adult female suffering for years from biliary colic due to the presence of a duodenal diverticulum associated with microlithiasis' cholecystitis, who was laparoscopically treated, with excellent results in terms of symptomatic regression, reduced hospitalization, and no surgery-related complications.
ABSTRACT
The selective blockage of platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) by specific antibodies coated into expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts may diminish neointimal hyperplasia. Sixty pigs were divided into two groups (n = 30 each) and then further divided into five subgroups. Group 1 had a bilateral iliac artery ePTFE interposition graft precoated with Matrigel. Three subgroups (A, B, and C) received a specific monoclonal antibody against PDGF-BB, bFGF, or TGF-beta1. One (D) received all antibodies, and one served as control (nonimmune immunoglobulin G [IgG] isotypes) (E). Group 2 had a bilateral iliac artery endothelial cell (EC)-seeded ePTFE interposition graft precoated with Matrigel. Three subgroups (A, B, and C) received a specific antibody against PDGF-BB, bFGF, or TGF-beta1. One (D) received all antibodies, and one served as control (nonimmune IgG isotypes) (E). Light microscopy and immunohistochemical stain showed that neointimal hyperplasia formation was significantly reduced in subgroups D compared to the others (p < 0.05). In subgroups D, the different precoating influenced neointimal hyperplasia formation. It was more pronounced in the prosthesis precoated with EC and Matrigel (p < 0.05). In organ culture, the amount of PDGF-BB, bFGF, and TGF-beta1 release was reduced in subgroup D animals compared to the others (p < 0.05). In subgroups D, the release of PDGF-BB, bFGF, and TGF-beta1 depended on ePTFE seeding. A higher amount of these growth factors was released in the prostheses precoated with EC and Matrigel (p < 0.05), and the bromodeoxyuridine labeling index confirmed higher incorporation in this subgroup (p < 0.001). The combined use of locally administered anti-PDGF-BB, bFGF, and TGF-beta1 monoclonal antibodies reduces neointimal hyperplasia formation.