Evaluation of the gastrointestinal stromal tumors for clinical features, histopathological findings and prognostic criteria: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we reviewed GISTs with all morphological and immunohistochemical findings and assessed the prognostic parameters of these tumors. METHODS: Files of 40 cases with GIST operated between 2002 and 2008 were retrospectively examined in this study. Patients were grouped as patients with and without recurrence within postop 1 year. The patients were grouped based on their localization, gender and age. The cases were stratified as the risk grades based on risk categorization table developed by Fletcher et al. according to the tumor diameter and number of mitoses. The cases were immunohistochemically investigated for CD117, CD34, S100, and Ki-67. RESULTS: Male/female ratio was 25/15. The mean age was 61.55. Mean tumor diameters were statistically significantly higher in the recurrence (+) group than in the recurrence (-) group (p=0.048). The mean number of mitoses was statistically significantly higher in the recurrence (+) group than in the recurrence (-) group (p=0.038). No statistically significant difference was found in histological distribution of the recurrence (-) and recurrence (+) groups (p=0.8795). No statistically significant difference was found in CD34, S100, and Ki-67 distribution of the recurrence (-) and recurrence (+) groups (p=0.862, p=0.609, and p=0.023, respectively). All patients in the recurrence (+) group were in the high-risk group. CONCLUSION: GISTs are studied in a wide range from benign, incidental tumors to malignant tumors with the risk for recurrence and metastasis concerning biological behaviour. GISTs have prognostic parameters, such as tumor localization, tumor diameter, mitotic index, cellularity, and pleomorphism grade.

The Feasibility of Conventional Forward-viewing Endoscope for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients With Altered Gastrointestinal Anatomy.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been commonly used for biliopancreatic diseases of patients with normal gastrointestinal (GI) anatomy with a success rate of >90%. However, this procedure may also be necessary in patients with altered GI anatomy such as Billroth II or Roux-en-Y reconstructions. Performing ERCP in these patients may pose extreme technical challenges, and increase the risk of complications. The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility of ERCP using forward-viewing endoscopy in patients with altered GI anatomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with previous gastric resections and GI anastomosis, who underwent ERCP between 2012 and 2017, were included in this retrospective study. The major indication for ERCP was choledocholithiasis in 19 patients, and the others were acute cholangitis, sphincter Oddi dysfunction, and biliary pancreatitis. The sedation was induced using a combination of midazolam and propofol, and all procedures were performed using a forward-viewing endoscope. RESULTS: Among the 23 patients, 14 were male individuals and 9 were female individuals, with an average age of 62 (range: 58 to 73) years. The median procedure time was 24 (range: 19 to 43) minutes. The success rate of bile duct cannulation was 91.3% (21/23 patients) and that of stone extirpation was 89.4% (17/19 patients with choledocholithiasis). Plastic stents were placed in the 2 patients in whom stone extirpation was not successfully performed. ERCP was repeated in these patients 8 weeks after the initial approach, and stone extraction procedures were successfully completed. The only procedure-related complication was edematous pancreatitis, which was observed in 1 patient (4.7%). The mean length of hospitalization was 2 (range: 1 to 5) days. CONCLUSIONS: Forward-viewing endoscopes can be effectively used in patients with altered GI anatomy by facilitating the access to the papilla and bile duct cannulation without increasing the incidence of complications.

[Torsion of a preperitoneal pedunculated lipoma of anterior abdominal wall mimicking acute appendicitis]. / Akut apandisiti taklit eden karin ön duvari yerlesimli preperitoneal sapli lipom torsiyonu.

Lipoma is the most common benign tumor of adipose tissue. Lipomas can occur almost anywhere in the body, but are rarely found in parietal peritoneum of abdominal wall. Occasionally lipomas are detected incidentally during abdominal surgery for other organ pathologies. Presently described is rare case of torsion of pedunculated lipoma originating in parietal peritoneum of anterior abdominal wall causing abdominal pain that mimicked acute appendicitis in 35-year-old woman.

The Diagnostic and Prognostic Significance of Serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Levels in Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an inflammatory biomarker that is stored in neutrophil granules. Recent studies revealed that NGAL expression increases in tissue samples of patients with inflammatory gastrointestinal system diseases and cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and predictive significance of plasma NGAL levels in various stages of adenoma-carcinoma sequence of colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Eighty cases were included in the study and separated into 3 groups. "Cancer Group" consisted of 27 colorectal cancer patients who underwent curative resection, whereas 24 patients with colorectal adenomatous polyps detected by colonoscopy were classified as the "Polyp Group", and 29 patients with normal colonoscopy findings were classified as the "Control Group". The serum NGAL, CEA and CA19-9 levels and histopathology findings were determined. Results: The mean plasma NGAL levels for control group, polyp group and cancer group were found to be 91.5 ng/ml, 139.6ng/ml and 184.3ng/ml, respectively. Plasma NGAL levels were found to be significantly higher in cancer group compared to the control group (p:0.006). Plasma NGAL levels were detected statistically significant and positive correlated with tumor diameter and number of metastatic lymph nodes (p:0.047, r:%38.6 and p:0.026, r:%42.8, respectively) in cancer group. Conclusions: We are of the opinion that pre-operative plasma NGAL level is a potential diagnostic biomarker for colorectal cancer patients. Although more comprehensive studies are needed for definitive judgments, serum NGAL levels may be used as a diagnostic and/or predictive biomarker for lymph node metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer.

Cyanoacrylate application on colonic anastomosis: is it safe or not?

INTRODUCTION: Major complications of colonic anastomosis include fistula, bleeding, and anastomotic stricture, and the most common one is anastomotic leakage. Many organic or inorganic tissue adhesives are being used such as fibrin glue or cyanoacrylate to strengthen or protect colonic anastomosis. Up to now, a great number of studies have been carried out to investigate the effects of these biomaterials. AIM: To determine the effect of cyanoacrylate application on anastomosis safety. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this experimental study, rats were divided into two groups; a control group and an experimental group. Full-thickness incisions were done on the left colon of the rats, and then end-to-end anastomosis was performed by using 5/0 silk separated sutures. In the experimental group we applied cyanoacrylate over the sutures. The samples were taken on the 7th day. RESULTS: In the control group the average tissue hydroxyproline levels and the average bursting pressures were significantly higher than in the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: The purpose of all the experimental studies is to prevent and reduce anastomotic complications. Despite all the studies that have been done, colonic anastomosis complications continue to be a problem. As a result, we suggest that cyanoacrylate has a negative effect on the healing process of colonic anastomosis.

Diagnostic Value of Hook Wire Localization Technique for Non-Palpable Breast Lesions.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of hook wire localization biopsy for non-palpable breast lesions which were detected by ultrasonography (USG) or mammography (MMG). METHODS: In this retrospective study, USG or MMG-guided hook wire localization technique was performed on 83 patients who had non-palpable breast lesions. Then histopathological examination was performed on surgically removed specimens. All patients' mammograms or ultrasonograms were categorized using Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification. RESULTS: Radiologically, 27 (32.53%) patients were classified as BI-RADS 3, 49 (59.04%) BI-RADS 4, one (1.2%) BIRADS 5 and six (7.23%) BI-RADS 0. Histopathological results were benign in 68 (81.9%) and malignant in 15 (18.1%) patients. Twenty-seven patients were classified as BI-RADS 3 and definitive diagnoses for all were benign. Besides, 49 patients were classified as BI-RADS 4 and histopathologically 14 of them were reported as malignant, and 35 as benign. Sensitivity of MMG was 93% and specificity was 55%. For USG, the sensitivity was 100% and the specificity was 73%. CONCLUSION: In early diagnosis of breast cancer, the validity of the imaging-guided hook wire localization biopsy of non-palpable breast lesions has been proved. The cooperation of surgeon, radiologist and pathologist increases the successfull results of hook wire localization technique.

The association of papillary thyroid cancer with microcalcification in thyroidnodules with indeterminate cytology based on fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Microcalcifications are generally accepted as highly specific for thyroid malignancy, especially for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The aim of this study was to determine the significance of microcalcification within nodules that were classified as being of “indeterminate cytology” (IC) according to fine-needle aspiration biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent thyroidectomy between January 2010 and 2013 were included in the study. Nodules identified as “atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance", "follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm", or "suspicious for malignancy" were categorized as IC. Patients were subcategorized depending on the presence of microcalcification (Group 1) or its absence (Group 2). The relationship between microcalcification and PTC was evaluated in the IC group retrospectively. RESULTS: Indeterminate cytology was detected in 135 (28.5%) of 473 patients. Microcalcification was detected in 27 (20%) of 135 nodules and classified as Group 1, while the remaining 108 (80%) patients were classified as Group 2. According to the final pathology results, PTC was diagnosed in 13 of 27 (48.1%) patients in Group 1 and 29 of 108 (26.8%) patients in Group 2. A statistically significant relation between microcalcification and malignancy was determined in the IC group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Surgery might be considered primarily for patients harboring nodule(s) with IC accompanied by microcalcification due to increased risk of PTC.

Single-site multiport combined splenectomy and cholecystectomy with conventional laparoscopic instruments: Case series and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Conventional laparoscopic procedures have been used for splenic diseases and concomitant gallbladder stones, frequently in patients with hereditary spherocytosis since 1990's. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of single-site surgery with conventional instruments in combined procedures. PRESENTATION OF CASE SERIES: Six consecutive patients who scheduled for combined cholecystectomy and splenectomy because of hereditary spherocytosis or autoimmune hemolytic anemia were included this study. Both procedures were performed via trans-umbilical single-site multiport approach using conventional instruments. All procedures completed successfully without conversion to open surgery or conventional laparoscopic surgery. An additional trocar was required for only one patient. The mean operation time was 190min (150-275min). The mean blood loss was 185ml (70-300ml). Median postoperative hospital stay was two days. No perioperative mortality or major complications occurred in our series. Recurrent anemia, hernia formation or wound infection was not observed during the follow-up period. DISCUSSION: Nowadays, publications are arising about laparoscopic or single site surgery for combined diseases. Surgery for combined diseases has some difficulties owing to the placement of organs and position of the patient during laparoscopic surgery. Single site laparoscopic surgery has been proposed to have better cosmetic outcome, less postoperative pain, greater patient satisfaction and faster recovery compared to standard laparoscopy. CONCLUSION: We consider that single-site multiport laparoscopic approach for combined splenectomy and cholecystectomy is a safe and feasible technique, after gaining enough experience on single site surgery.

Colorectal stenting for palliation and as a bridge to surgery: A 5-year follow-up study.

AIM: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of colonic stents in colorectal tumors causing large bowel obstruction. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 49 patients with colorectal cancer who had undergone colorectal stent placement between January 2008 and January 2013. Patients' symptoms, characteristics and clinicopathological data were obtained by reviewing medical records. The obstruction was diagnosed clinically and radiologically. Histopathological diagnosis was achieved endoscopically. Technical success rate (TSR) was defined as the ratio of patients with correctly placed SEMS upon stent deployment across the entire stricture length to total number of patients. Clinical success rate (CSR) was defined as the ratio of patients with technical success and successful maintenance of stent function before elective surgery (regardless of number of SEMS deployed) to total number of patients. The surgical success rate (SSR) of colorectal stent as a bridge to surgery was defined as the ratio of patients with successful surgical procedures. Unsuccessful surgical outcomes were defined as being due to insufficient colonic decompression. The technical, clinical, surgical success rates and complications after stenting were assessed. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 64 (36 to 89). 44.9% of patients were male and 55.1% were female. Eighteen patients had the obstruction located in the rectum, 15 patients in the rectosigmoid region, 10 patients in the sigmoid region, and 6 patients had a tumor causing obstruction in the proximal colon. Each patient was categorized pathologically as stage 2 (32.7%, 16 patients) or stage 3 (42.9%, 21 patients) and 12 patients (24.4%) had metastatic disease. None of the patients received chemotherapy before stenting. Stenting was undertaken in 37 patients as a bridge to surgery, and in 12 patients stents were used for palliation. Median time to surgery after stenting was 30 ± 91.9 d. All surgery was completed in one single operation and thus no colostomy with stoma was needed. The median overall survival rate of patients with stage 2-3 colorectal cancer was 53.1 mo and stage 4 was 37.1 mo (P = 0.04). Metastatic colorectal patients who were treated palliatively with stents had backbone chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and/or irinotecan-based regimens plus antiangiogenic therapies, especially bevacizumab. Resolution of the obstruction and clinical improvement was achieved in all patients. The technical, clinical and surgical success rates were 95.9%, 100% and 94.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The efficacy and safety of colonic stents was demonstrated both as a bridge to surgery and for palliative decompression. In addition, results emphasize the importance of the skills of the endoscopist in colonic stenting.

Surgical indicators for the operative treatment of acute mechanical intestinal obstruction due to adhesions.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to investigate the predictive factors indicating strangulation, and the requirement for surgery in patients with acute mechanical intestinal obstruction due to adhesions. METHODS: This study retrospectively evaluated the records of patients with adhesive acute mechanical intestinal obstruction. The surgical treatment (group S), conservative treatment (group C), intraoperative bowel ischemia (group I), and intraoperative adhesion only (group A) groups were statistically evaluated according to the diagnostic and surgical parameters. RESULTS: The study group of 252 patients consisted of 113 women (44.8%), and 139 men (55.2%). The mean age was 62.79 ± 18.08 years (range, 20-98 years). Group S consisted of 50 patients (19.8%), and 202 (80.2%) were in group C. Group I consisted of 19 patients (38%), where as 31 (62%) were in group A. In group S, the prehospital symptomatic period was longer, incidence of fever was increased, and elevated CRP levels were significant (P < 0.05). Plain abdominal radiography, and abdominal computerized tomography were significantly sensitive for strangulation (P < 0.05). The elderly were more prone to strangulation (P < 0.05). Fever, rebound tendernes, and urea & creatinine levels were significantly higher in the presence of strangulation (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, and P < 0.05, consecutively). CONCLUSION: Fever, rebound tenderness, urea & creatinine levels, plain abdominal radiography, and abdominal computerized tomography images were important indicators of bowel ischemia. Longer prehospital symptomatic period was related with a tendency for surgical treatment, and the elderly were more prone to strangulation. CRP detection was considered to be useful for the decision of surgery, but not significantly predictive for strangulation.

A retrospective analysis of early and late term complications in patients who underwent application of retention sutures for gastrointestinal tract malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: Complications associated with wound healing after abdominal tumor operations continue to be a significant problem. This study aimed to determine the significance of retention sutures in preventing these complications. For this purpose, early and late term results of patients who underwent application of polydioxanone (PDS) and additional retention sutures for abdominal closure were retrospectively evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical files of 172 patients who were operated due to gastrointestinal tract malignancies in our clinic between January 2007 and January 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients in whom the fascia was repaired only with PDS (Group 1) were compared to patients in whom the fascia was repaired with PDS and retention sutures (Group 2) in terms of age, gender, postoperative evisceration-wound infection (<1 month), incisional hernia (>1 month), incision type, co-morbid factors, and operative time. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age or gender (p=0.680 and p=0.763). No significant difference was detected in terms of postoperative incisional hernia (p=0.064). Evisceration and post-operative wound infection were significantly lower in Group 2 as compared to Group 1 (p=0.008 and p=0.002). Operative time was significantly longer in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p<0.0001). Co-morbid features were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (p<0.0001). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of incision type (p=0.743). CONCLUSION: In the presence of co-morbid factors that disrupt wound healing in surgical patients with gastrointestinal malignancy, retention suture can be safely used as a supplement for optimal wound care.

Comparison of two minimal invasive techniques of splenectomy: Standard laparoscopy versus transumbilical multiport single-site laparoscopy with conventional instruments.

BACKGROUND: Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) splenectomy which is performed on small number of patients, has been introduced with better cosmetic outcome, less postoperative pain, greater patient satisfaction and faster recovery compared to standard laparoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty six patients were included in the study comparing standard laparoscopic splenectomy (LS, 17 patients) transumbilical multiport splenectomy performed with conventional laparoscopic instruments (TUMP-LS, 19 patients). Two groups of patients were compared retrospectively by means of operation time, intra- and postoperative blood loss, perioperative complications, packed red cell and platelet requirements, lenght of hospitalization, pain scores and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: There was no mortality in any of the groups, and no significant differences determined in operative time (P = 0,069), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0,641), patient satisfaction (P = 0,506), pain scores (P = 0,173) and the average length of hospital stay (P = 0,257). Umbilical incisions healed uneventfully and no hernia formation or wound infection was observed during follow-up period (2-34 months). There were no conversions to open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Transumbilical multiport splenectomy performed with the conventional laparoscopic instruments is feasible and could be a logical alternative to classical laparoscopic splenectomy by combining the advantages of single access techniques and standard laparoscopy.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the thyroid with multiple cervical lymph node involvement accompanying metastatic thyroid papillary carcinoma.

A 37-year-old male case was admitted with goiter. Ultrasonography of thyroid showed a 5 cm cystic nodule in the left lobe with a 1.5 cm solid component. Fine needle aspiration biopsy revealed atypia of undetermined significance or follicular lesion. The patient was operated on. The pathological diagnosis was reported as papillary thyroid carcinoma. The immunohistochemical examination showed multiple foci of Langerhans cell histiocytosis involving both lobes. The patient died due to cardiac arrest with respiratory causes in the early postoperative period. Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare primary condition which involves abnormal clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells in various tissues and organs. Thyroid involvement is infrequently seen. Although the etiology is unknown, genetic components may be linked to the disease. It is also associated with a family history of thyroid disease. Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common malignant epithelial tumor of the thyroid gland. Langerhans cell histiocytosis presenting with papillary thyroid carcinoma is rare. The privilege of our case is langerhans cell histiocytosis of the thyroid with multiple cervical lymph node involvement accompanying cervical lymph node metastatic thyroid papillary carcinoma.

Amyloid goiter related with Crohn's disease: A rare association: Amyloid goiter secondary to Crohn's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Amyloid goiter (AG) is characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland as a result of extensive amyloid deposition in a bilateral and diffuse manner. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 58-year-old male patient was diagnosed of Crohn's Disease (CD). He was admitted to our clinic with complaint of respiratory distress and rapid growth swelling in the neck. Ultrasound examination revealed huge multinodular goiter on both sides of thyroid gland. We performed bilateral total thyroidectomy. Pathological evaluation revealed AG. DISCUSSION: Amyloid leads to degeneration in tissues, thereby disrupts the function of the relevant organs. It is important to distinguish AG from other reasons of goiter, particularly thyroid medullary cancer that can cause amyloid deposition in thyroid gland. Secondary amyloidosis frequently involves thyroid gland at microscopic level, but rarely causes goiter. An analysis of current literature revealed that only few cases of AG occurred secondary to CD. Herein we presented a case of AG who has rapidly growing goiter that associated with CD. CONCLUSION: AG must be kept in mind in case of rapidly growing goiter, especially in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.

Covered self-expandable metallic stents could be used successfully in the palliation of malignant cervical esophageal strictures: preliminary report.

PURPOSE: To present the authors' preliminary experience with covered self-expandable metallic stents in the palliation of malignant cervical esophageal strictures. METHODS: Covered self-expandable metallic stents were placed into the cervical esophagus of 6 patients with malignant cervical esophageal strictures under fluoroscopic guidance. RESULTS: Stent placement was technically successful in all patients, and the mean dysphagia score decreased from 3.3 to 0.5 according to the Ogilvie Dysphagia Scoring. Two patients complained of chest pain, which lasted for 24 to 48 hours. Foreign body sensation disappeared spontaneously within a week in all patients, but one. Migration, dysphagia, or obstruction was not observed in any of the patients during the follow-up period (47 d to 8 mo). CONCLUSIONS: According to our limited number of cases, placement of covered self-expandable metallic stents into the cervical esophagus can be performed safely, and significant improvement of dysphagia scores and life quality of patients can be obtained instantly after the procedure.

Serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 5 in Crohn's disease.

AIM: To investigate serum insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 5 (IGFBP-5) levels and intestinal IGFBP-5 expression in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: We analyzed the serum concentrations and intestinal expression of IGFBP-5 in 42 patients with CD, of whom 26 had endoscopically or radiologically proven stricture formation. Nine of the 42 patients had active disease, with a Crohn's disease activity index > 150. Serum IGFBP-5 levels were analyzed in 20 healthy controls matched by sex and age to the CD patients. Serum IGFBP-5 was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intestinal tissue was obtained from patients through endoscopic biopsies. IGFBP-5 expression was detected using immunohistochemistry and was scored semiquantitatively. RESULTS: The median serum IGFBP-5 concentrations of CD patients were significantly lower compared with healthy controls [median 7.2 (IQR: 5.5-11.3) ng/mL vs 11.3 (8.0-44.6) ng/mL, P < 0.001]. There was no significant difference between median serum IGFBP-5 levels in CD patients with or without stricture formation [6.9 (5.5-11.3) ng/mL vs 7.8 (5.3-10.1) ng/mL, P = 0.815]. The serum IGFBP-5 levels were not significantly different between patients with active disease and inactive disease [7.2 (6.5-7.6) ng/mL vs 7.2 (5.5-11.3) ng/mL, P = 0.890]. However, a significant correlation was observed between serum IGFBP-5 levels and platelet count (PLT) (r = 0.319, P = 0.0395). No significant correlation was found between tissue IGFBP-5 immunohistochemical staining intensity scores and serum IGFBP-5 levels. No significant difference was found when comparing the serum IGFBP-5 levels among the patients with different tissue IGFBP-5 staining scores (absent/very weak, weak, moderate or strong). There was a significant correlation between tissue IGFBP-5 staining scores and white blood cell count (r = 0.391, P = 0.01) and PLT (r = 0.356, P = 0.021). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that serum IGFBP-5 concentrations were lower in CD patients compared to healthy controls regardless of disease activity or the presence of stricture formation.

Acute malignant intestinal obstruction accompanied by synchronous multifocal intestinal cancer in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: report of a case.

Acute mechanical intestinal obstruction is one of the most common modes of presentation in patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS). This report presents a case of PJS with malignant acute jejunal obstruction accompanied by synchronous foci of duodenal, jejunal, and ileal cancer originated from hamartomatous polyps. The follow-up endoscopic findings of the patient also revealed severe polyposis of the entire gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach and colon, in addition to the small intestine. Very few cases of multifocal synchronous small intestinal cancer in PJS patients have been reported in the previous literature.