Surgical Management and Clinical Outcomes of Extracranial Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysms.

INTRODUCTION: Extracranial carotid artery (CA) pseudoaneurysms are uncommon and can cause embolic stroke, compressive symptoms, or (rarely) can rupture. It is of paramount importance to treat this entity to avoid life-threatening complications. In this study, the authors described a cohort of patients that required open surgical repair. METHODS: This article reported the authors' experience with open surgical repair of extracranial CA pseudoaneurysms by presenting a retrospective review of data at their institution from 2016 to 2022. RESULTS: Of 8 patients that underwent open repair, 6 were male and 8 were female. The most common etiology was traumatic (penetrating trauma in 4 patients, iatrogenic injury in 2, and blunt trauma in 1) and 1 was infective. All patients presented with a neck mass, and 5 had compressive symptoms. Primary repair was performed in 4 patients, interposition graft using an autologous vein in 2, and patch repair in 2. None of the patients experienced perioperative mortality or stroke; nor did they develop any complications over a median follow-up period of 30 months. CONCLUSION: This report demonstrated that large-size extracranial pseudoaneurysms, whether traumatic or infective etiology, can be safely repaired using an open surgical approach.

Assessment of skin and associated soft tissue changes with ultrasonography in chronic venous disease.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic venous disease (CVD) is accompanied by a spectrum of skin changes. The aim of this study was to assess skin changes in CVD in different classes of the classifications such as the Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification using ultrasound (US). METHODS: This study was conducted from July 2020 to July 2021 after obtaining approval from Institutional Ethical Committee. Patients with chronic venous insufficiency were enrolled after taking informed consent. Assessment of cutaneous layer (CL), subcutaneous layer (SCL), dermo-hypodermal junction (D-HJ), and other significant US findings were noted. RESULTS: Ninety-eight limbs were evaluated. Most common skin finding was dermal edema in 59 (60.2%) legs. Other findings included infiltrates, CL thickening, hyper echogenicity and thickening of SCL, anechoic lacunae, disappearance of D-HJ, and epidermal loss or change in thickness of epidermis. Notably, US detected dermal edema in 15 and infiltrates in five C2 legs (normal on inspection). CONCLUSION: US evaluation of skin changes adds insight to clinical assessment and may reveal skin changes in legs affected with CVD that may appear normal on clinical examination.

Association of CT Findings With Perineural Invasion in Gallbladder Cancer: Preliminary Assessment.

Perineural invasion (PNI) indicates a worse prognosis for patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC). This preliminary retrospective study included 19 patients with GBC who under-went contrast-enhanced CT in the 4 weeks before undergoing surgical resection. GBC showed PNI on pathologic assessment in eight of 19 patients. On CT, wall thickening morphology had sensitivity of 75.0% and specificity of 81.8% for PNI; soft-tissue stranding around the celiac plexus had sensitivity of 62.5% and specificity of 100.0% for PNI.

Gallbladder reporting and data system (GB-RADS) for risk stratification of gallbladder wall thickening on ultrasonography: an international expert consensus.

The Gallbladder Reporting and Data System (GB-RADS) ultrasound (US) risk stratification is proposed to improve consistency in US interpretations, reporting, and assessment of risk of malignancy in gallbladder wall thickening in non-acute setting. It was developed based on a systematic review of the literature and the consensus of an international multidisciplinary committee comprising expert radiologists, gastroenterologists, gastrointestinal surgeons, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, and pathologists using modified Delphi method. For risk stratification, the GB-RADS system recommends six categories (GB-RADS 0-5) of gallbladder wall thickening with gradually increasing risk of malignancy. GB-RADS is based on gallbladder wall features on US including symmetry and extent (focal vs. circumferential) of involvement, layered appearance, intramural features (including intramural cysts and echogenic foci), and interface with the liver. GB-RADS represents the first collaborative effort at risk stratifying the gallbladder wall thickening. This concept is in line with the other US-based risk stratification systems which have been shown to increase the accuracy of detection of malignant lesions and improve management.

Spontaneous Intra-abdominal Hemorrhage in a Hemophilia A Patient Masquerading as Intra-abdominal Pseudotumor.

Spontaneous intra-abdominal hemorrhage is very rare in hemophilia A patients. High index of suspicion is necessary for successful management. Surgical intervention may be required in cases of diagnostic uncertainty and for adequate hemostasis. Here we report a case of spontaneous hemorrhage in the peritoneal cavity in hemophilia A patient, who was managed with surgery and factor VIII supplementation. Patient did well in the postoperative periods.

Ex-vivo repair for multiple and intraparenchymal renal artery aneurysms.

A 45-year-old woman with known hypothyroidism and no other comorbidities was incidentally found to have multiple right renal artery aneurysms. The largest aneurysm measured 5 x 4.5 cm and arose from an inferior segmental branch while two smaller aneurysms arose from an upper segmental branch of the right renal artery. We performed an ex-vivo repair with reverse saphenous vein graft under cold preservation followed by orthotopic kidney auto-transplantation. Her postoperative course was unremarkable and at 1-year follow-up her right kidney is preserved. In this article, we report successful treatment of complex multiple right renal artery aneurysms and describe the surgical technique used for successful repair.

Uma mulher de 45 anos com hipotireoidismo conhecido e sem outras comorbidades teve achado incidental de múltiplos aneurismas da artéria renal direita. O maior aneurisma media 5 x 4,5 cm e tinha origem no ramo segmentar inferior, juntamente com dois pequenos aneurismas originários do ramo segmentar superior da artéria renal direita. Realizamos o reparo ex vivo com enxerto reverso de veia safena, sob preservação a frio, seguido de autotransplante renal ortotópico. O pós-operatório ocorreu sem intercorrências, e a paciente teve o rim direito preservado no seguimento de 1 ano. Neste artigo, relatamos o tratamento bem-sucedido de múltiplos aneurismas complexos da artéria renal direita e descrevemos a técnica cirúrgica utilizada para o reparo bem-sucedido.

Ex-vivo repair for multiple and intraparenchymal renal artery aneurysms / Reparo Ex Vivo de Aneurismas Intraparenquimatosos Múltiplos da Artéria Renal

Abstract A 45-year-old woman with known hypothyroidism and no other comorbidities was incidentally found to have multiple right renal artery aneurysms. The largest aneurysm measured 5 x 4.5 cm and arose from an inferior segmental branch while two smaller aneurysms arose from an upper segmental branch of the right renal artery. We performed an ex-vivo repair with reverse saphenous vein graft under cold preservation followed by orthotopic kidney auto-transplantation. Her postoperative course was unremarkable and at 1-year follow-up her right kidney is preserved. In this article, we report successful treatment of complex multiple right renal artery aneurysms and describe the surgical technique used for successful repair.

Resumo Uma mulher de 45 anos com hipotireoidismo conhecido e sem outras comorbidades teve achado incidental de múltiplos aneurismas da artéria renal direita. O maior aneurisma media 5 x 4,5 cm e tinha origem no ramo segmentar inferior, juntamente com dois pequenos aneurismas originários do ramo segmentar superior da artéria renal direita. Realizamos o reparo ex vivo com enxerto reverso de veia safena, sob preservação a frio, seguido de autotransplante renal ortotópico. O pós-operatório ocorreu sem intercorrências, e a paciente teve o rim direito preservado no seguimento de 1 ano. Neste artigo, relatamos o tratamento bem-sucedido de múltiplos aneurismas complexos da artéria renal direita e descrevemos a técnica cirúrgica utilizada para o reparo bem-sucedido.

Erodes and bleeds, fistulises and obstructs: Bouveret's syndrome.

One of the rare complications of cholelithiasis is gallstone ileus which occurs in <5% of patients. Among them, <3% develop Bouveret's syndrome: gastric outlet obstruction by a large gallstone in the pylorus or duodenum. One large review of 128 patients showed it to present at a mean age of 74.1 ± 11.1 years with a mean gallstone size of 4.6 ± 1.5 cm, with nausea or vomiting in 86%, abdominal pain in 71% and haematemesis in 15%. The diagnosis is usually clear on oesophagogastroduodenoscopy or abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography. We present a case with massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding, due to erosion of a cystic artery pseudoaneurysm.

Comparison of Intraperitoneal Nebulization of Ropivacaine with Ropivacaine-Fentanyl Combination for Pain Control Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Intraperitoneal local anesthetic nebulization is a new and novel technique for providing pain relief following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We compared the analgesic efficacy of intraperitoneal ropivacaine-fentanyl nebulization with ropivacaine nebulization alone for providing pain relief following laparoscopic cholecystectomy Materials and Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 75 American Society of Anesthesiologists I/II patients, 18-60 years old, scheduled to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. Patients were randomly allocated to one of the three groups of 25 patients each to receive intraperitoneal nebulization using normal saline (group I), 30 mg of 0.75% ropivacaine (group II), or 30 mg of 0.75% ropivacaine with 100 µg fentanyl (group III). Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain during rest and movement, shoulder pain, nausea or vomiting, and sedation were recorded for 48 hours postoperatively. Time to providing first rescue analgesia and 48-hour tramadol consumption were also noted. RESULTS: Significantly greater number of patients in the placebo group had overall VAS >30 both at rest and during movement. Greater number of these patients also complained of postoperative shoulder pain and had significantly more tramadol consumption in the postoperative period. Furthermore, patients in the ropivacaine-fentanyl group demanded first dose of rescue analgesic significantly later than the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Nebulization results in better and uniform dispersion of analgesic drug intraperitoneally. Following laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgeries, ropivacaine nebulization of intraperitoneal cavity, with or without fentanyl, provides highly effective postoperative analgesia, with decreased incidence of shoulder pain. Furthermore, addition of fentanyl to ropivacaine prolongs the duration of analgesia.

68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in Primary Hepatic Neuroendocrine Tumor.

Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the liver are a diagnostic challenge. We present a rare case of primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor in which Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging played an important role in the diagnosis and follow-up.

FLT PET/CT Is Better Than FDG PET/CT in Differentiating Benign From Malignant Pancreatobiliary Lesions.

PURPOSE: F-fluorothymidine (FLT), unlike FDG, is incorporated exclusively into DNA and is considered a specific marker of cell proliferation. The role of FLT PET/CT scan in differentiating benign from malignant pancreatobiliary tumors is unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five suspected pancreatobiliary tumors on contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) scan in 23 patients were evaluated by FDG PET/CT and FLT PET/CT scans. The histopathology or fine-needle aspiration cytology was considered as criterion standard for the diagnosis. Surgeons were blinded to FLT PET/CT results. Management decision was guided by clinical and CECT scan and FDG PET/CT. RESULTS: Five of 23 patients had metastatic disease on CECT imaging. The remaining 18 underwent exploratory laparotomy. Two of them had synchronous lesions. Histopathology/fine-needle aspiration cytology confirmed malignancy in 17 lesions and benign disease in the remaining 8 lesions. All 8 benign lesions were negative on FLT PET/CT. Seven of the 8 benign lesions were clinically diagnosed as malignancy on CECT and FDG PET/CT. The specificity, positive predictive value, and accuracy were higher for FLT PET/CT (100%, 100%, and 92%) compared with CECT (12.5%, 70.83%, and 72%) and FDG PET/CT (12.50%, 69.57%, and 68%). However, the sensitivity of FLT PET/CT (88.24%) was similar to CECT (100%) and FDG PET/CT (94.12%). CONCLUSIONS: Molecular-based FLT PET/CT is a better imaging than FDG PET/CT in differentiating benign from malignant lesions in the pancreatobiliary region. It has a potential to bring down the incidence of preventable radical resection in suspected pancreatobiliary tumors.

Thrombocytosis and Raised CRP Levels Predicts Advanced Stage in Esophageal Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The significance of thrombocytosis and raised C-reactive protein (CRP) as prognostic markers in esophageal cancer is unclear. METHODS: We prospectively studied 50 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer and analyzed the relation of preoperative platelet count and CRP levels with the clinico-pathological characteristics and stage of the disease. The platelet count of 319 × 10(9)/L for thrombocytosis and CRP level >6 mg/dl were taken as cut-off values. RESULTS: The incidence of thrombocytosis as well as raised CRP level was 50 %. Eighty percent of patients with thrombocytosis had raised CRP levels. None of patients with early disease (stage I) had thrombocytosis while patients with advanced stage were associated with thrombocytosis, 81.81 % in stage III and 100 % in stage IV (p < 0.001). The incidence of elevated CRP levels has shown progressive linear co-relation with the stage of carcinoma, i.e., 0 % in pathological stage I, 16.67 % in stage II, 45.45 % in stage III, and 100 % in stage IV disease (p = 0.011). Patients with thrombocytosis and patients with raised CRP were associated with pathological nodal metastases in 84.61 % cases (p 0.005) and 61.53 % (p 0.030), respectively. CONCLUSION: Thrombocytosis alone or in combination with raised CRP had progressive linear relation with the stage of esophageal carcinoma.

Comparison of preoperative oral acetazolamide and intraperitoneal normal saline irrigation for reduction of postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

PURPOSE: Visceral and shoulder tip pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy is mainly due to carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation. Various methods have been adopted to eliminate residual CO2. We compared the postoperative analgesic efficacy of intraperitoneal normal saline (30 mL/kg) irrigation with preoperative oral acetazolamide administration in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients between 20 and 60 years of age were included in this prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Patients in Group I received placebo, Group II patients received preoperative oral acetazolamide (5 mg/kg), and Group III patients received intraperitoneal irrigation with 30 mL/kg of normal saline. Intravenous paracetamol (1 g) was administered every 6 hours for postoperative analgesia. Parietal and visceral pain scores at rest, on movement, and on coughing and shoulder tip pain were recorded using a visual analog scale after arrival in the postanesthesia care unit, at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery. Rescue analgesia was provided with an intravenous fentanyl (1 µg/kg) bolus whenever the visual analog scale score was ≥4. RESULTS: Compared with Group I, Group III patients had significantly lower visceral pain scores at all time intervals except at 12 hours. Group III patients also recorded significantly lower visceral pain scores than Group II from 2 to 24 hours. There was no significant difference in shoulder tip pain. The total dose of fentanyl used was significantly less in Group III. CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal normal saline irrigation is more effective than acetazolamide in reducing postoperative visceral pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and has significant opioid-sparing effect. However, its effect on shoulder pain is comparable to that of acetazolamide.

Spontaneous esophageal-pleural fistula.

Spontaneous esophageal-pleural fistula (EPF) is a rare entity. We describe a case in a middle-aged female who presented with severe retrosternal chest pain and shortness of breadth. Chest computed tomography showed right EPF and hydropneumothorax. She was managed conservatively keeping the chest tube drainage and performing feeding jejunostomy. A brief review of the imaging finding and management of EPF is discussed.

Gastro cutaneous fistula after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A case report.

A young lady presented with a nonhealing epigastric sinus after 2 years of laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed outside. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and contrast study confirmed its communication with the stomach. At relaparoscopy, the fistula was identified, dissected, and stapled with endo-GIA stapler. Patient made an uneventful postoperative recovery and she is well after 20 months of surgery. It may be concluded that laparoscopic cholecystectomy can lead to the development of gastrocutaneous fistula that can be managed by relaparoscopy and stapling the tract with endo-GIA devices.

External duodenal fistula following closure of duodenal perforation.

AIM: Retrospective analysis of experience with management of external duodenal fistula (EDF) without using total parenteral nutrition (TPN). METHOD: Medical records of 31 patients with EDF following closure of duodenal ulcer perforation, treated over a 7-year period (1994-2001), were studied. Twenty-one patients (68%) had evidence of sepsis at presentation or during the course of treatment. None could afford TPN for optimum time. All patients received hospital-based enteral nutrition through nasojejunal tube, besides supportive medical treatment and/or surgery. Peritonitis or failure to insert nasojejunal tube for enteric alimentation led to early surgery. RESULTS: Two patients died of septicemia and multi-organ failure within 48 hours of admission. Fourteen patients (48.3%) initially received conservative treatment (Group I); six of them later required surgery. Fifteen patients (51.7%) underwent early surgery due to peritonitis (n=9) or failure to establish enteral feeding (n=6) (Group II); wound infection, intra-abdominal abscess and septicemia were more common in these patients than those in Group I. Survival rate was higher in Group I than in Group II (86% versus 40%; p< 0.05). Septicemia and gastrectomy were the independent factors associated with high mortality. CONCLUSIONS: EDF can be satisfactorily managed without TPN. Successful placement of enteral feeding line, supportive treatment and delayed surgery can achieve survival in 85% of patients. Minimum intervention is recommended when early surgery is performed in peritonitis or to establish enteral feeding line.