Diagnostic Inflammation Biomarkers for Prediction of 30-Day Mortality Rate in Acute Cholangitis.

Background: Acute cholangitis (AC) is an acute inflammation and infection of the biliary tract, a potentially life-threatening infection, which is usually associated with biliary tree obstruction and impairment of bile flow from the liver to the duodenum. AC is classified by severity from mild, moderate to severe infection (grade I to III, respectively). Methods: This study recruited a retrospective cohort from Jan 2015 to July 2018. Overall, 294 patients of age ≥ 18 years with AC were enrolled. The study was conducted according to the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. Demographic and laboratory data were collected for analysis. T-Bilirubin and other laboratory results were collected and analyzed using independent T-test and ANOVA for continuous values and multivariate COX regression for survival analysis for identifying independent factors for early mortality. The cut-off threshold of T-bilirubin was determined by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: There were 213 male and 81 female patients and mean age ± SD of patients was 49.57 ± 16.1 and 56.12 ± 20.18 respectively. 31.9% patients were found older than 60 years of age and 35% patients were found between 30-45 years of age. T-bilirubin and length of hospital stay (LOS) were found statistically significant (P < 0.05) in relation to mortality in AC patients. The area under ROC curve for T-bilirubin level (P = 0.017, OR = 1.010) was 0.717 (95% CI, 6.25-168.9) and this is consistent with the Cut-off point for more than or equal to 38.6 µmol/L (2.26 mg/dL). Conclusions: In this study, T-bilirubin level is found to be significantly related to short-term mortality in AC. Further studies are still needed with larger cohorts to shed more light on these findings. Highlights: Herein, we report a retrospective observational study aiming to evaluate biomarkers contributing to mortality in AC and to determine the cut-off diagnostic levels that could be easily used in emergency setting. Overall, 294 patients of age ≥ 18 years with AC were enrolled. The study was conducted according to the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki and approved by Institutional Review Board (IRB) with approval: MRC-01-20-823 at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). Demographic and laboratory data were collected for analysis. Total-Bilirubin and other laboratory results were collected and analyzed using independent T-test and ANOVA for continuous values and multivariate COX regression for survival analysis for identifying independent factors for early mortality. The cut-off threshold of T-bilirubin was determined by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. There were 213 male and 81 female patients and mean age ± SD of patients was 49.57 ± 16.1 and 56.12 ± 20.18 respectively. 31.9% patients were found older than 60 years of age and 35% patients were found between 30-45 years of age. T-bilirubin and length of hospital stay (LOS) were found statistically significant (P < 0.05) in relation to mortality in AC patients. The area under ROC curve for T-bilirubin level (P = 0.037, OR = 1.010) was 0.717 (95% CI, 6.25-168.9) and this is consistent with the Cut-off point for more than or equal to 38.6 µmol/L (2.26 mg/dL).

Role of intraoperative cholangiography for detecting residual stones after biliary pancreatitis: still useful? A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) may detect residual stones in the common bile duct (CBD) after acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP). The aim of the present study is to analyze the utility of IOC in detecting residual stones in patients undergoing cholecystectomy for ABP and if complications are related with this procedure. METHODS: Demographic and clinical factors were assessed in patients with mild ABP who underwent IOC during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Factors assessed included preoperative size of the CBD on ultrasonography, presence of stones in the gallbladder and the CBD, and IOC results. For the statistical analysis, χ2 or Fisher's exact tests to compare proportions and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test for analysis of values with abnormal distribution were used. RESULTS: The study included 113 patients, 82 males (72.6%) and 31 females (27.4%), of mean age 46.9 ± 14.7 years (range 18-86 years). All preoperative laboratory indicators were elevated. The group of the patients with stones in the CBD diagnosed by IOC was divided in patients with diameters <0.8 mm and with diameters ≥0.8 mm of the CBD diagnosed preoperatively with ultrasound. The laboratory tests do not demonstrate difference statistically significative between these two groups. The group of the patients without stones in the CBD diagnosed by IOC was also divided in patients with diameters <0.8 mm and with diameters ≥0.8 mm of the CBD. Also in these two groups, the statistical analysis of the laboratory tests does not demonstrate significative difference. Most procedures were performed by specialists (64.6%), and all patients underwent IOC. IOC showed stones in 84/113 patients (74.3%). A comparison of patients with and without stones at IOC showed similar mean times from hospitalization to surgery (5.9 days [range 2-12 days] vs. 6.1 days [range 2-23 days]), from surgery until hospital discharge (2.0 days [range 0-4 days] vs. 2.2 days [range 0-11 days]), and overall length of stay (7.9 days [range 3-19 days] vs. 8.3 days [range 3-23 days]) (P > 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: IOC is useful to diagnose residual CBD stones, without increasing complications related to the procedure itself.

The enigma of primary and secondary encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis (EPS) describes a variety of diseases that are frequently confused with different names and different etiopathogeneses. The aim of this article is to report personal experience of focusing on correct classification and the status of current diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed. Age, sex, ethnic origin, past medical history, symptoms and their duration, radiological tools and signs, laboratory tests, preoperative diagnosis, surgical approach, intraoperative findings, pathological findings, hospital stay, morbidity and mortality were studied. RESULTS: A total of seven patients, including six males and one female, aged from 24 to 72 years were observed. Four patients had recurrent abdominal colic pain for 3 months, 1, 2 and 9 years; two patients also reported recurrent attacks but without any specification of the duration. All seven patients presented at the emergency department with abdominal pain that was mainly diffused over the entire abdomen. Six patients were submitted to a CT scan. Only in two patients was the diagnosis of EPS made preoperatively. All seven patients were submitted to open surgery. The hospital stay was between 4 and 60 days. One patient had morbidity, and one patient died of MOF. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, the correct identification of EPS is more easily possible than in the past, but the diagnosis is still a challenge. Surgery must be performed as soon as possible to avoid a poorer quality of life.

Rare occurrence of metastasis from lung cancer to the anus: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Anal metastases from lung cancer are infrequent, and there are only 10 published cases. Life expectancy is no longer than 1 year after diagnosis because of the typically advanced stage of disease. Treatment, which is typically inefficient, is administered with the intent to cure or avoid local complications. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a patient with non-small cell lung cancer presenting with perianal metastasis mimicking an abscess. CONCLUSIONS: Because perianal masses may be misdiagnosed, patients with lung and other cancers should be evaluated for metastatic disease.