Case report: From palliative to potentially curative - the advent of immunotherapy providing hope to advanced gallbladder adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: Biliary tract cancers (BTC) are often diagnosed at an advanced stage where prognosis is poor and curative-intent surgery is infeasible. First-line cisplatin-gemcitabine chemotherapy for advanced gallbladder cancer has remained unchanged over more than a decade, but recent developments in immunotherapy such as durvalumab have highlighted promise as a combination treatment regime with current standard chemotherapy. Methods: In this case description, we present a case of locally-advanced gallbladder adenocarcinoma involving the biliary confluence that was initially planned for an extended right hepatectomy after portal vein embolization. Interval imaging revealed peritoneal metastasis, which was confirmed on diagnostic laparoscopy and biopsy. The patient underwent 8 cycles of cisplatin 25 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 chemotherapy on days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle, with durvalumab (Imfinzi®) 1,500 mg immunotherapy on day 1 of every cycle, in accordance with the treatment protocol of the TOPAZ-1 trial. Repeat imaging demonstrated a stable primary lesion with no further evidence of peritoneal disease. The patient subsequently underwent curative-intent conversion surgery with an extended right hepatectomy and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, which were completed through a fully minimally-invasive laparoscopic approach. Results: Final pathological TNM classification was ypT1aN0, with near-complete pathological response to pre-surgical therapy, uninvolved margins (R0 resection) and tumour shrinkage from 2.5 centimetres on pre-operative cross-sectional imaging to 0.5 centimetres on final histology. The patient had an uneventful post-operative course, and was fit for discharge by the fourth post-operative day. He remained well after three months of routine post-operative follow-up, with no significant post-operative complications and biochemical or radiological evidence of disease recurrence. Conclusion: Our case description highlights the immense potential of combination durvalumab immunotherapy with cisplatin-gemcitabine chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced gallbladder adenocarcinoma. The patient's locally advanced disease was initially planned for complex open surgery, prior to discovery of peritoneal metastasis rendering it inoperable. This was successfully down-staged with combination therapy to eventual R0 resection via minimally-invasive surgery. In addition, this case description demonstrates the feasibility of a fully laparoscopic approach with postulated benefits of diagnostic re-evaluation of peritoneal disease, reduced wound pain and shorter length of hospital stay.

"Know That You're Not Just Settling": Exploring Women Athletes' Self-Compassion, Sport Performance Perceptions, and Well-Being Around Important Competitive Events.

Self-compassion, an adaptive self-attitude, is a resource that women athletes use during emotionally difficult times and as a way to reach their potential. The relationship between self-compassion and sport performance, however, is complex. The role and experience of self-compassion within perceived important competitive events are important to explore, as athletes face unique pressures and stressors in these meaningful sport experiences. This collective case study describes women athletes' self-compassion, sport performance perceptions, and well-being around a self-identified important competitive event. Competitive women athletes (N = 9) participated in two one-on-one interviews, before and after their important competitive event. Results from the holistic, functional, and thematic analyses are represented by holistic case descriptions and an overarching theme, Continuing to Excel in Sport, and subthemes, Reframing Criticism and A Determined Approach. In important competitive events, women athletes utilize self-compassion to promote performance perceptions and well-being when preparing, competing, and reflecting to excel in sport.

Várices esofágicas superiores ( Downhill varices ). Presentación de casos y revisión de la literatura / Upper esophageal varices (Downhill varices): Case presentation and literature review

Resumen Se describen 21 casos con hallazgo incidental de várices esofágicas superiores (Downhill varices) en endoscopia de las vías digestivas altas. Además, se detallan algunos datos relevantes de la historia clínica y de los hallazgos endoscópicos. La relación hombres/mujeres fue 1:1 y la edad promedio fue de 67,9 años. La comorbilidad más frecuente fue la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC), seguida de las neumoconiosis, la obesidad y el síndrome de apnea-hipopnea, todas con hipertensión pulmonar (HTP) asociada. Las tres últimas causas no han sido descritas previamente en la literatura sobre várices esofágicas superiores. Ningún paciente tenía antecedente de hemorragia variceal.

Abstract We describe 21 cases with incidental endoscopic findings of upper esophageal varices (downhill varices) and relevant data from patients' clinical histories and endoscopic findings. The male/female ratio was 1:1 and patients' average age was 67.9 years. The most frequent comorbidity was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, followed by pneumoconiosis, obesity and apnea-hypopnea syndrome. All comorbidities had associated pulmonary hypertension. The last three causes have not been previously described in the literature on upper esophageal varices. None of the patients had histories of variceal hemorrhaging.

The effect of perirenal puncture and drainage with urokinase treatment of perirenal hematoma complicated by infection: Two cases' report.

The aim of this study was to discuss the clinical significance of perirenal puncture and drainage with urokinase treatment of perirenal hematoma complicated by infection following surgery for upper urinary tract calculi. Two cases of perirenal hematoma complicated by infection following surgery for upper urinary tract calculi in 2017, and later received perirenal puncture and drainage of perirenal hematoma with urokinase treatment were selected. Puncture and drainage of perirenal hematoma with urokinase treatment were performed without the occurrence of severe complications such as sepsis, septic shock, or secondary bleeding. Both the renal morphology and functions were well restored. Puncture and drainage with urokinase treatment had definite efficacy in the treatment of perirenal hematoma complicated by infection.

Esofagitis necrotizante (esófago negro). Presentación de casos y revisión de la literatura / Necrotizing esophagitis (black esophagus): Presentation of cases and literature review

Resumen La esofagitis necrotizante aguda (esófago negro) es una patología grave poco frecuente, que se caracteriza por presentar pérdida parcial o total del epitelio, con ulceración hasta el esfacelo circunferencial de todas las capas de la mucosa y submucosa. También se evidencia compromiso frecuente de las capas profundas musculares y perforación, con aspecto negruzco al examen endoscópico, que le ha dado su nombre más conocido, el de esófago negro. Se presentan cinco casos ilustrativos concordantes con la descripción de la literatura médica, que luego de ser revisada reportó todos los casos descritos, junto con los factores de riesgo y pronóstico.

Abstract Acute necrotizing esophagitis (black esophagus) is a rare pathology that is characterized by partial or total loss of the epithelium, ulceration up to the circumferential slough of all layers of the mucosa and submucosa, frequent involvement of deep muscle layers, and frequent perforations. Its blackish appearance in endoscopic examinations has given it the name of black esophagus. Five illustrative cases, all concordant with descriptions the medical literature, are presented in this study together with a review of the literature, case descriptions and risk and prognosis factors.

Aorto-Esophageal Fistula After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair: Successful Open Treatment.

We present the case of a 56-year-old patient suffering from an aorto-esophageal fistula after complex treatment of acute Type A dissection including thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of the descending aorta. Open surgical descending replacement using a pericardial patch, as well as esophagectomy, was performed. After a long and complicated hospital stay, the patient finally recovered and was discharged in stable condition. By choosing an aggressive surgical approach the patient survived this devastating complication of TEVAR, which is associated with high mortality.