Impact of perineural invasion on the outcome of patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery

Purpose To analyze the prognostic value of variables of the primary tumor in patients with synchronous liver metastases in colorectal cancer (CLRMs) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery. Methods/Patients From a prospective database, we retrospectively identified all patients with synchronous CLRMs who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and liver resection. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we identified the variables associated with tumor recurrence. Overall survival and disease-free survival were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method with differences determined by the Cox multiple hazards model. Results were compared using the log-rank test. Results Ninety-eight patients with synchronous CLRMs were identified. With a median follow-up of 39.8 months, overall survival and disease-free survival at 5 and 10 years were 53%, 41.7%, 29% and 29%, respectively. Univariate analysis identified three variables associated with tumor recurrence: location in the colon (p = 0.025), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.011) and perineural invasion (p = 0.005). Multivariate analysis identified two variables associated with worse overall survival: perineural invasion (HR 2.36, 95% CI 1.162–4.818, p = 0.018) and performing frontline colectomy (HR 3.286, 95% CI 1.256–8.597, p = 0.015). Perineural invasion remained as the only variable associated with lower disease-free survival (HR 1.867, 95% CI 1.013–3.441, p = 0.045). Overall survival at 5 and 10 years in patients with and without perineural invasion was 68.2%, 54.4% and 29.9% and 21.3%, respectively (HR 5.920, 95% CI 2.241–15.630, p < 0.001). Conclusions Perineural invasion in the primary tumor is the variable with most impact on survival in patients with synchronous CLRMs treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery (AU)

A Controlled Thermoalgesic Stimulation Device for Exploring Novel Pain Perception Biomarkers.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a new device for identifying physiological markers of pain perception by reading the brain's electrical activity and hemodynamic interactions while applying thermoalgesic stimulation. METHODS: We designed a compact prototype that generates well-controlled thermal stimuli using a computer-driven Peltier cell while simultaneously capturing electroencephalography (EEG) and photoplethysmography (PPG) signals. The study was performed on 35 healthy subjects (mean age 30.46 years, SD 4.93 years; 20 males, 15 females). We first determined the heat pain threshold (HPT) for each subject, defined as the maximum temperature that the subject can withstand when the Peltier cell gradually increased the temperature. Next, we defined the painful condition as the one occurring at temperature equal to 90% of the HPT, comparing this to the no-pain state (control) in the absence of thermoalgesic stimulation. RESULTS: Both the one-dimensional and the two-dimensional spectral entropy (SE) obtained from both the EEG and PPG signals differentiated the condition of pain. In particular, the SE for PPG was significantly reduced in association with pain, while the SE for EEG increased slightly. Moreover, significant discrimination occurred within a specific range of frequencies, 26-30 Hz for EEG and about 5-10 Hz for PPG. CONCLUSION: Hemodynamics, brain dynamics and their interactions can discriminate thermal pain perception. SIGNIFICANCE: The possibility of monitoring on-line variations in thermal pain perception using a similar device and algorithms may be of interest to study different pathologies that affect the peripheral nervous system, such as small fiber neuropathies, fibromyalgia or painful diabetic neuropathy.

Análisis de la morbilidad postoperatoria en pacientes con adenocarcinoma gástrico tratados según protocolo de quimiorradioterapia preoperatoria y cirugía / Analysis of postoperative morbidity in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma treated using a protocol of preoperative chemoradiotherapy and surgery

Introducción El impacto del tratamiento neoadyuvante sobre las complicaciones postoperatorias en el cáncer de estómago es motivo de controversia. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la morbilidad y la mortalidad postoperatoria en un grupo de pacientes a los que se les había aplicado un protocolo de quimiorradioterapia preoperatoria, así como identificar posibles factores de riesgo que se asocian al desarrollo de complicaciones. Material y métodos Entre junio de 2005 y junio de 2008, pacientes diagnosticados de adenocarcinoma gástrico localmente avanzado se intervinieron en nuestro Centro tras haber seguido un protocolo de quimiorradioterapia preoperatoria. Se recogieron prospectivamente los datos sobre morbilidad y mortalidad postoperatoria y se analizaron las variables dependientes relacionadas con los pacientes, con el tipo de intervención y las características tumorales. Resultados Se evaluaron 40 pacientes. La morbilidad y la mortalidad global fue del 32,5% (13 pacientes) y del 2,5% (un paciente), respectivamente. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron la neumonía en el 12,9% y la sepsis por catéter en el 9,7% de los pacientes. Los factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de complicaciones fueron el índice de masa corporal (>25kg/m2) y la inclusión en la resección del páncreas o del bazo. Conclusiones El tratamiento preoperatorio con quimiorradioterapia en pacientes con cáncer de estómago localmente avanzado no incrementa la incidencia de complicaciones postoperatorias. La condición preoperatoria del paciente (índice de masa corporal) y la extensión de la cirugía del bazo y del páncreas son factores pronósticos de complicaciones postoperatorias precoces (AU)

Introduction The impact of neoadjuvant treatment on the postoperative complications in stomach cancer is a subject of controversy. The aim of this study is to analyse the post-surgical morbidity and mortality in a group of patients who were treated using a chemoradiotherapy protocol before surgery, as well as to identify the possible risk factors that may be associated with the development of complications. Material and methods Patients diagnosed with locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma between June 2005 and June 2008 were operated on in our Centre after having followed a preoperative chemoradiotherapy protocol. Data on postoperative morbidity and mortality were collected retrospectively and the dependent variables associated with the patients, the type of intervention and the tumour characteristics were analysed. Results A total of 40 patients were evaluated. The overall morbidity and mortality was 32.5% (13 patients) and 2.5% (1 patient), respectively. The most frequent complications were pneumonia in 12.9% and sepsis due to the catheter in 9.7% of the patients. The risk factors for the development of complications were the body mass index (BMI 25kg/m2) and the inclusion of the pancreas and/or spleen in the resection. Conclusions Preoperative treatment with chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced stomach cancer does not increase the incidence of post-surgical complication. The preoperative condition of the patient (BMI) and extending the surgery to the spleen and pancreas are prognostic factors of early postoperative complications (AU)

[Analysis of postoperative morbidity in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma treated using a protocol of preoperative chemoradiotherapy and surgery]. / Análisis de la morbilidad postoperatoria en pacientes con adenocarcinoma gástrico tratados según protocolo de quimiorradioterapia preoperatoria y cirugía.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of neoadjuvant treatment on the postoperative complications in stomach cancer is a subject of controversy. The aim of this study is to analyse the post-surgical morbidity and mortality in a group of patients who were treated using a chemoradiotherapy protocol before surgery, as well as to identify the possible risk factors that may be associated with the development of complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma between June 2005 and June 2008 were operated on in our Centre after having followed a preoperative chemoradiotherapy protocol. Data on postoperative morbidity and mortality were collected retrospectively and the dependent variables associated with the patients, the type of intervention and the tumour characteristics were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were evaluated. The overall morbidity and mortality was 32.5% (13 patients) and 2.5% (1 patient), respectively. The most frequent complications were pneumonia in 12.9% and sepsis due to the catheter in 9.7% of the patients. The risk factors for the development of complications were the body mass index (BMI 25 kg/m(2)) and the inclusion of the pancreas and/or spleen in the resection. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative treatment with chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced stomach cancer does not increase the incidence of post-surgical complication. The preoperative condition of the patient (BMI) and extending the surgery to the spleen and pancreas are prognostic factors of early postoperative complications.

Analysis of early postoperative morbidity among patients with rectal cancer treated with and without neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The impact of neoadjuvant treatment and their subsequent early complications in the treatment of rectal cancer has not been adequately assessed. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate early postoperative morbidity and mortality among patients with rectal cancer treated with adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy followed by surgery, compared with patients treated with surgery alone. We also identified independent risk factors associated with early major complications. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2004, 273 consecutive patients underwent treatment for rectal cancer. A total of 170 patients (group A) received preoperative radiotherapy with a total of 45-50.4 Gy (180 cGy per day) and 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy, followed by surgery; 103 patients (group B) were treated with surgery alone. Dependent variables related to patients, treatment, radiotherapy, and tumor were analyzed. RESULTS: Both groups were similar with regard to age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, and tumor location but not for ileostomy (27% in group A vs. 6.8% in group B). The number of complications was similar in both groups (43.1% in group A vs. 44.6% in group B). No differences in wound infection (8.2% vs. 7.8%), intra-abdominal abscess (4.7% vs. 4.9%), anastomotic dehiscence (4.2% vs. 3.8%), postoperative hemorrhage (3.5% vs. 3.9%), urinary complications (6.5% vs. 4.9%), paralytic ileus (8.9% vs. 9.7%), or general complications (7.1% vs. 9.6%) were found. The global mortality in the first 30 days after surgery was .7%. An ASA score of III-IV and surgery duration longer than 3 hours were identified as independent prognostic factors for early complications. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chemoradiation in patients with rectal cancer treated with surgery is not associated with a higher incidence of early postoperative complications. The patient's preoperative clinical condition and lengthy surgery time are prognostic factors for early complications.

Pancreatectomía central en tumores benignos del cuello del páncreas / Central pancreatectomy in benign tumors of the neckof the pancreas

El tratamiento quirúrgico de los tumores benignos del cuello del páncreas ha sido clásicamente la enucleación o la pancreatectomía estándar. La pancreatectomía central se ha propuesto por su menor tasa de complicaciones y por la posibilidad de preservar la función endocrina y exocrina. Entre enero de 1999 y marzo de 2003 se realizaron en nuestro centro 3 pancreatectomías centrales por patología benigna en el cuello del páncreas. En todos los casos se realizó tomografía computarizada, ecografía intraoperatoria y estudio anatomopatológico. El examen de las piezas quirúrgicas mostró 2 cistoadenomas mucinosos y 1 cistoadenoma seroso. Ninguno de los pacientes presentó complicaciones quirúrgicas mayores, recurrencia local de la enfermedad o diabetes, con un seguimiento medio de 34 meses. Podemos decir, por tanto, que la pancreatectomía central es una técnica útil para un grupo seleccionado de pacientes con lesiones benignas en el cuello del páncreas o de bajo grado de malignidad (AU)

The surgical treatment of benign tumors of the neck of the pancreas usually consists of enucleation or formal pancreatectomy. Central pancreatectomy has been put forward because it has fewer major complications and can preserve endocrine and exocrine function. Between January 1999 and march 2003, three patients with benign tumors of the neck of the pancreas underwent central pancreatectomy. all patients underwent computed tomography scans, intraoperative ultrasound and frozen-section analysis. pathologic examination showed two mucinous cystadenomas and one serous cystadenoma. after a mean follow-up of 34 months, none of the patients has shown major complications or local recurrence, or has developed diabetes. In conclusion, central pancreatectomy is a useful technique for selected benign or low-grade malignant pancreatic tumors of the neck of the pancreas (AU)

Nonmelanoma skin cancer after liver transplantation. Study of risk factors.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is a frequent complication after liver transplantation, but the risk factors of posttransplant NMSC have not been well defined. In a prospectively followed series of 170 liver transplant recipients, we assessed the incidence of NMSC, compared it with the expected incidence in the general population, and investigated which risk factors were related to NMSC. After a median follow-up of 62 months, 27 patients developed 43 NMSC. The relative risk of NMSC was 20.26 (95% confidence interval: 14.66-27.29) as compared with sex- and age-matched population. In univariate analysis, older age, male sex, Child-Turcotte-Pugh A or B at transplantation, treatment with mycophenolate mofetil, skin type, and total pretransplant sun burden were associated to the development of NMSC. In multivariate analysis, only skin type and total sun burden were independently related to NMSC. In conclusion, risk of posttransplant NMSC may be estimated combining skin type and an easy estimation of total sun burden. No individual immunosuppression regimen seems to be related to a higher risk of NMSC.

De Novo neoplasia after liver transplantation: an analysis of risk factors and influence on survival.

Immunosuppression increases the risk of posttransplant malignancy and it may increase posttransplant mortality. The finding of factors related to the development of posttransplant malignancy may serve as a guide to avoid those risk factors and to develop strategies of posttransplant surveillance. The incidence and risk factors of malignancy were studied in 187 consecutive liver transplant recipients surviving more than 3 months. None of the 12 patients surviving less than 3 months had de novo neoplasia. The impact of malignancy on survival was studied in a case-control study. After a median follow-up of 65 months, 49 patients developed 63 malignancies: 25 patients had 35 cutaneous neoplasias and 27 patients had 28 noncutaneous malignancies. The 5- and 10-year actuarial rates of cutaneous neoplasia were 14 and 24% and the rates of noncutaneous neoplasia were 11 and 22%, respectively. Risk factors for the development of cutaneous malignancy were older age and Child-Turcotte-Pugh A status. Risk factors for the development of noncutaneous malignancy were older age, alcoholism, and smoking. Cutaneous neoplasia had no effect on survival, whereas patients with noncutaneous malignancy had a significant reduction of survival. The overall relative risk of cutaneous and noncutaneous neoplasia, as compared with the general population were 16.91 (95% confidence interval: 11.78-23.51) and 3.23 (95% confidence interval: 2.15-4.67), respectively. The relative risk of cancer-related mortality (after excluding recurrent malignancy) was 2.93 (95% confidence interval: 1.56-5.02). Multivariate analysis showed that noncutaneous malignancy was an independent risk factor for posttransplant mortality. In conclusion, liver transplant recipients have a higher risk of cancer-related mortality than the general population. This increased risk is due to the development of noncutaneous neoplasia. Older age, alcoholism, and smoking increase the risk of de novo noncutaneous neoplasia.

[Central pancreatectomy in benign tumors of the neck of the pancreas]. / Pancreatectomía central en tumores benignos del cuello del páncreas.

The surgical treatment of benign tumors of the neck of the pancreas usually consists of enucleation or formal pancreatectomy. Central pancreatectomy has been put forward because it has fewer major complications and can preserve endocrine and exocrine function. Between January 1999 and march 2003, three patients with benign tumors of the neck of the pancreas underwent central pancreatectomy. all patients underwent computed tomography scans, intraoperative ultrasound and frozen-section analysis. pathologic examination showed two mucinous cystadenomas and one serous cystadenoma. after a mean follow-up of 34 months, none of the patients has shown major complications or local recurrence, or has developed diabetes. In conclusion, central pancreatectomy is a useful technique for selected benign or low-grade malignant pancreatic tumors of the neck of the pancreas.

Invaginación yeyunogástrica tras gastrectomía subtotal y gastroyeyunostomía en Y de Roux / Jejunogastric invagination after subtotal gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy

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Herpes zoster after liver transplantation: incidence, risk factors, and complications.

Herpes zoster is the consequence of the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster infection. Immunosuppression may be a predisposing factor for herpes zoster. We have retrospectively assessed the risk of herpes zoster, the risk factors for its occurrence, and its evolution in a population of 209 consecutive liver transplant recipients. Herpes zoster developed in 25 (12%) of patients. One-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year actuarial rates of herpes zoster were 3%, 10%, 14%, and 18%, respectively. In a case-control study, patients developing herpes zoster were younger, received a higher number of immunosuppressive drugs, and were more frequently receiving mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine. In multivariate analysis, the only factor related to herpes zoster occurrence was treatment with mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine. Eight patients (31%) developed postherpetic neuralgia. In conclusion, herpes zoster is a relatively common complication after liver transplantation. It is related to immunosuppressive therapy. Postherpetic neuralgia develops in one third of patients with posttransplant herpes zoster.

Liver transplant recipients older than 60 years have lower survival and higher incidence of malignancy.

Older age is not considered a contraindication for liver transplantation, but age-related morbidity may be a cause of mortality. Survival and the incidence of the main post-transplant complications were assessed in 111 adult liver transplant recipients. They were divided in two groups according to their age (patients younger than 60 years, n=54; patients older than 60 years, n=57) and both groups were compared. Older patients were more frequently transplanted for hepatitis C (p= 0.03) and hepatocellular carcinoma (p= 0.05) and their liver disease was less advanced (Child-Pugh and MELD scores were significantly lower; p=0.004 and p=0.05, respectively). After transplantation, older patients had a significantly lower survival (p=0.02). Higher age was independently associated with mortality (hazard ratio for each 10-year increase: 2.1; 95% confidence interval: 1.1- 4.0; p=0.02). The incidence of de novo neoplasia and nonskin neoplasia were higher in older patients (p=0.02 and p =0.007, respectively). Malignancy was the cause of death in one patient younger than 60 years and in 12 patients older than 60 years (p =0.002). In multivariate analysis, a higher age and smoking were independently associated with a higher risk of dying of de novo neoplasia. In conclusion, older liver transplant recipients have a significantly lower survival than younger patients. Malignancy is responsible for this decreased survival.

Paraganglioma extraadrenal localizado por PET y extirpado por vía laparoscópica / Extra-adrenal paraganglioma localized by PET and extirpated by laparoscopy

Los paragangliomas son tumores derivados del sistema neuroendocrino, muy poco frecuentes, cuya incidencia estimada es de alrededor de unos 0,2-0,5 casos por 100.000 habitantes/año. El 60-70 por ciento de los paragangliomas son funcionantes, localizándose en su mayoría en el espacio retroperitoneal, sobre todo en las glándulas suprarrenales, constituyendo los feocromocitomas. Un porcentaje muy escaso tienen una localización extraadrenal. La mayoría son tumores únicos. El tratamiento de estos tumores consiste en la extirpación quirúrgica debido a la clínica, sobre todo de hipertensión arterial (HTA), que producen y a la posibilidad de malignización. Presentamos el caso de un paciente diagnosticado por tomografía de emisión de positrones (PET) de paraganglioma extraadrenal localizado en la confluencia de las venas cava y renal derecha, al que se realizó extirpación del mismo mediante abordaje laparoscópico transabdominal (AU)