Stent-related iliac artery and iliac vein infections: two unreported presentations and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: To discuss the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of stent-related infections on the basis of 2 new cases and historical review. CASE REPORTS: Two previously unreported cases of vascular stent infection are presented with a summary of cases from the literature. One case involved an iliac artery stent infection secondary to a remote bacteremia 6 months after stent placement. The other case was an early iliac vein stent infection, a previously unreported site of this complication. Both cases were diagnosed by use of computed tomography and were treated surgically after medical management failed. Both patients survived. CONCLUSIONS: A high index of suspicion is necessary for the diagnosis of stent infections, and an aggressive treatment is usually necessary for survival. Prophylactic antibiotics should definitely be considered in cases involving repeat interventions and prolonged catheterization, as well as before bacteremia-inducing therapies.

Management of resectable rectal cancer: an update.

Successful management of rectal cancer entails adequate assessment of patient related risk factors (co-morbid conditions, body habitus, anal sphincter function) and tumor characteristics (level, stage, and histo-morphologic features), and adequate knowledge of available diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. This report provides an update on sonographic assessment, operative management, neo-adjuvant therapy, and follow up of resectable potentially curable rectal cancer.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: report of a case.

Metastasis to the pancreas from a distant primary cancer is uncommon, most cases being detected in the advanced stages of disease, often multiple in number, and diffusely displayed beyond surgical salvage. A solitary metastasis in the head of the pancreas is rarely encountered and although potentially amenable to surgical resection, surgeons are hesitant to perform pancreaticoduodenectomy for metastatic disease. Renal cell carcinoma is one malignancy with a propensity to metastasize to the pancreas. We report herein the case of a solitary pancreatic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma successfully treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy in a middle-aged man. A discussion on the indications and effectiveness of performing pancreaticoduodenectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma is also presented.

AsGM1+ NK cells prevent metastasis of invading LD-MCA-38 tumor cells in the nude mouse.

BACKGROUND: Although the liver is a potent tumor cell killing organ it is frequently the site of lethal metastases often signifying the endstage for patients with colorectal cancers. Enhancing hepatic-associated immunity remains elusive until the interactions among hepatic nonparenchymal cells (NPC) are deciphered. We sought to modulate the cellular components of the hepatic immune system of mice with anti-NK and anti-T-cell-neutralizing antibodies in order to determine the cell type most efficacious in preventing liver metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Liver-derived murine colon adenocarcinoma (LD-MCA-38) cells were injected into the ileocolic vein (ICV) of immunocompetent and immunodeficient C57BL/6 mice. Mice were pretreated 1 day prior to tumor cell injection with one of three antibodies: anti-AsGM1, Anti-NK1.1, or Anti-Thy1.2. On Day 21 laparotomy was performed to determine the extent of hepatic tumor foci. The number of hepatic tumor foci was recorded and compared by the Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: Mice pretreated with anti-AsGM1 or Anti-NK1.1 developed a massive increase in the number of hepatic tumor foci and decreased survival compared to the control treated mice. Pretreatment with anti-Thy1.2 antibody resulted in a significant decrease in the number of hepatic tumor foci. LD-MCA-38 tumor cells were unable to colonize the liver of C57BL/6 athymic nude mice; however, anti-AsGM1 antibody abolished this antimetastatic effect. There was no difference in the extent of hepatic metastasis and survival between immunodeficient C57BL/6 bg/bg and their conventional littermates bg/+. CONCLUSION: AsGM1+ NK cells exhibit a significant antitumor response in the absence of T-cells. The concept of stimulating NK cell activity and suppressing T-cell function may enhance liver-associated immunity and serve as a deterrent for blood-borne tumor cells metastasizing to the liver.

Unilateral male breast masses: cancer risk and their evaluation and management.

Breast cancer is an uncommon cause of breast enlargement in the adult male. Overall, it accounts for <1 per cent of all male cancers. Although most male breast carcinomas are clinically apparent, distinguishing early breast cancer from gynecomastia, the most common cause of male breast enlargement, is considered a difficult task. To overcome this difficulty, many surgeons proceed directly to surgery as their initial diagnostic test. Although appropriate in some cases, the infrequent occurrence of male breast cancer and the diagnostic accuracy of mammography and fine-needle aspiration cytology suggest a modification of our present management. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of breast cancer in men with unilateral breast masses and to propose a treatment algorithm for unilateral male breast masses. The medical records of 36 male patients who underwent subcutaneous mastectomy for a unilateral breast mass at the Buffalo Veterans Administration Medical Center between 1989 and 1996 were retrospectively reviewed. Data was collected on a standard data form. The median age was 63-years-old (range, 22-82). Gynecomastia was diagnosed in 30 patients (83%), lipoma in 4 patients (11%), invasive breast cancer in 1 patient (3%), and melanoma in situ in 1 patient (3%). Of the 30 patients with gynecomastia, 60% (18 patients) gave a history of a medical condition or use of medications known to cause gynecomastia, compared with 16 per cent (1 of 6) of the patients without gynecomastia (P = 0.08). Half of the patients with gynecomastia presented with an asymptomatic mass compared with 67 per cent of the patients without gynecomastia (P = not significant). The median duration of symptoms for patients with gynecomastia was 3 months. Men with unilateral breast masses have a low incidence of breast cancer. A male patient with a palpable unilateral breast mass consistent with gynecomastia on the basis of historical, physical and mammographic findings does not require surgical biopsy unless other clinical indications prevail. Lack of symptoms (pain) related to the mass is probably not helpful in deciphering gynecomastia from breast cancer.

Results of immunoscintigraphy using a cocktail of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies in the detection of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: External immunoscintigraphy using a single monoclonal antibody has been employed successfully to localize primary, recurrent, and occult colorectal carcinoma. This prospective study investigated the accuracy and sensitivity of external immunoscintigraphy when the combination or "cocktail" of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies, CYT-103 (an IgG1a) and CYT-372 (an IgG2b) directed against TAG-72 and CEA, respectively, is given to patients with known or suspected colorectal cancer. METHODS: Eleven patients enrolled in this open label phase I/II study underwent preoperative external immunoscintigraphy after intravenous cocktail administration of two indium 111-labeled monoclonal antibodies (MoAb), CYT103 and CYT372. Antibody dose ranged from 0.2 mg (five patients) to 1.0 mg (six patients), each antibody radiolabeled with 2.5 mCi of indium 111, delivering a total dose of 5 mCi per patient. Planar and SPECT images were performed 2 to 5 days postinjection. Suspected lesions were surgically resected within 2 weeks of injection. RESULTS: A total of 23 lesions (sites) were identified in the eleven patients, 19 of which were confirmed by pathology (hematoxylin and eosin [H&E]). Cocktail immunoscintigrams identified 16 of the 19 confirmed lesions. Computed tomography (CT) scan detected 9 of the 19 lesions. The sensitivities of cocktail immunoscintigraphy and CT scan for the detection of colorectal cancer were 84% and 64%, respectively. The positive predictive value for immunoscintigraphy was 94%. The antibody scans detected six occult, previously unsuspected lesions. Cocktail immunoscintigraphy changed the surgical management in four of the 11 (36%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of In 111 CYT-103 and CYT-372 improved the sensitivity of external immunoscintigraphy for the detection of colorectal cancer compared to that obtained with a single MoAb imaging. Cocktail antibody imaging may enhance the staging and management of patients with cancers of colon and rectum.

Justification for visceral angiography prior to pancreaticoduodenectomy.

The hepatic arterial anatomy is aberrant in almost 50 per cent of all individuals. The most common anomalies include the right hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery (25%) and the left hepatic artery arising from the left gastric artery (25%). Anomalies of the common hepatic artery, usually a branch of the celiac artery, are rare. A replaced common hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery occurs in 2.5% of the entire population. Injury to hepatic blood supply is more common in the presence of aberrant arterial anatomy. Knowledge of aberrant arterial anatomy in patients about to undergo pancreaticoduodenectomy can lead to measures to preserve the vessels, and avoid fatal hepatic injury. We present a patient with a replaced common hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery successfully treated with a standard pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The anomalous vessel was identified on visceral angiography, performed as part of the initial preoperative evaluation. At the time of laparotomy, the artery followed a course atypical for replaced hepatic arteries, lying medial to the common bile duct, and closely mimicking the gastroduodenal artery that would normally be divided during a Whipple procedure. This case emphasizes the importance of preoperative visceral angiography and the margin of safety it can provide when that knowledge is used in the operative strategy. Visceral angiography should be considered routine before pancreaticoduodenectomy, particularly in surgical residency training programs.

Staging of primary colorectal carcinomas with fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose whole-body PET: correlation with histopathologic and CT findings.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in patients with primary colorectal carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients with biopsy-proved (n = 44) or high clinical suspicion for (n = 4) colorectal cancer underwent whole-body PET after intravenous administration of 10 mCi (370 MBq) of FDG. FDG PET results were correlated with computed tomographic (CT), surgical, and histopathologic findings. RESULTS: PET depicted all known intraluminal carcinomas in 37 patients (including two in situ carcinomas) (sensitivity, 100%), but findings were false-positive in four of seven patients without cancer (three with inflammatory bowel conditions, one who had undergone polypectomy). Specificity was 43% (three of seven patients); positive predictive value, 90% (37 of 41 patients); and negative predictive value, 100% (three of three patients). No FDG accumulation was noted in 35 hyperplastic polyps. FDG PET depicted lymph node metastases in four of 14 patients (sensitivity, 29%). Results were similar to those obtained with CT (true-positive, two of seven patients [sensitivity, 29%]; true-negative, 22 of 26 patients [specificity, 85%]). FDG PET depicted liver metastases in seven of eight patients and was superior to CT, which depicted liver metastases in three patients (sensitivity of 88% and 38%, respectively). FDG PET and CT, respectively, correctly depicted the absence of liver metastases in 35 and 32 patients (specificity, 100% and 97%; negative predictive value, 97% and 86%). CONCLUSION: FDG PET has a high sensitivity and specificity for detection of colorectal carcinomas (primary and liver metastases) and appears to be superior to CT in the staging of primary colorectal carcinoma.

Anal duct/gland cyst: report of a case and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this communication is to report a case of anal duct/gland cyst and review cases of perianal and presacrococcygeal mucus-secreting cysts reported in the literature with emphasis on their histopathologic features. METHOD: Our patient presented with coccydynia. An extraluminal retrorectal tumor was felt on rectal examination. A computerized tomographic scan demonstrated a presacrococcygeal mass closely related to the anorectal junction. The tumor and the coccyx were excised using a posterior approach. Cases of perianal and presacrococcygeal mucus-secreting cysts reported in the literature were reviewed. RESULTS: In our case, the tumor proved to be an anal duct/gland cyst. Some of the reported cases of presacrococcygeal glandular cysts had histopathologic features suggestive of anal duct/gland origin. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of anal duct/gland cyst is based on routine histologic features, histochemical characteristics of mucus, and/or the presence of a communication with an anal duct or crypt. Based on these criteria, some of the reported cases of mucus-secreting cysts occurring around the anorectum may prove to be anal duct/gland in origin.

Low density lipoproteins and Lovastatin modulate the organ-specific transendothelial migration of primary and metastatic human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines in vitro.

Tumor cell arrest and tumor migration are two of the critical steps in the metastatic cascade. We hypothesized that these steps may be facilitated by the low density lipoprotein (LDL)-induced activation of microvessel endothelial cells (MVEC). The purpose of our study was to investigate the biological effects of an LDL-enriched milieu and the effects of the anticholesterol drug Lovastatin on metastatic behavior. The SW480 and SW620 are primary and metastatic human colonic adenocarcinoma cell lines derived from the same patient. We investigated the effect of LDL on adhesion and migration of the two tumor cell lines across human brain, lung, liver and dermal endothelial monolayers. Adhesion and migration assays were done before and after pretreatment of the MVEC or tumor cells with LDL (100 microg/ml) for 24 h. Although metastatic SW620 cells were more adherent to MVEC compared with primary SW480 cells, LDL pretreatment of SW480 and SW620 cells did not affect tumor cell adhesion to MVEC. In contrast, tumor cell migration was significantly increased across endothelial monolayers when MVEC were pretreated with LDL. Transendothelial cell migration was not significantly affected by pretreatment of the tumor cells with LDL. Lovastatin is an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. It has been shown to have anti-tumor activity in vitro. We investigated the effect of Lovastatin on tumor cell kinetics and tumor cell migration across MVEC. Growth curves and migration assays were done before and after pretreatment of the tumor cells with Lovastatin (30 microg/ml). Migration assays were also done after treatment of unstimulated or LDL-stimulated MVEC (100 microg/ml) for 24 h with Lovastatin. Lovastatin inhibited the in vitro growth of the metastatic SW620 cell line to a greater extent than the invasive SW480E cell line. On the other hand, pretreatment of tumor cells with Lovastatin (30 microg/ml) did not suppress transendothelial tumor cell migration of tumor cells. Finally, Lovastatin given to mice effectively suppressed the number of MCA-26 tumor colonies in the liver of Balb/c mice compared with untreated mice.

Small bowel obstruction secondary to enterolith impaction complicating jejunal diverticulitis.

A case of small bowel obstruction secondary to enterolith impaction in the presence of jejunal diverticular disease is described. Only 27 cases of small bowel obstruction by enterolith expelled from small bowel diverticula have been reported in the literature. The reported incidence of jejunal diverticulosis in the general population ranges from 0.02 to 7.1%. Most patients are asymptomatic, but 10% develop complications requiring surgical intervention. Surgical treatment is an enterotomy and stone extraction or manually crushing and milking the stone distally into the colon. Small bowel resection and anastomosis or laparoscopic-assisted small bowel resection are indicated for the treatment of diverticulitis, bowel perforation, or multiple diverticuli. Jejunal diverticular disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mechanical small bowel obstruction without an obvious cause, especially in the elderly population.

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava: a clinicopathologic review and report of three cases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We operated on three patients with leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava. METHODS: Complete excision was possible in all three patients. RESULTS: One patient developed widespread metastasis at 23 months, one patient is alive with no evidence of disease at 70 months, and one patient is alive at 15 months. The third patient had subcutaneous and pulmonary metastases at the time of presentation, which are radiologically nondetectable at present following postoperative chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The clinicopathologic features, prognostic factors, and treatment of 130 cases found in a comprehensive literature search and our three cases are reported.

Forequarter amputation with fasciocutaneous deltoid flap reconstruction for malignant tumors of the upper extremity.

BACKGROUND: Malignant tumors of the upper extremity involving a considerable portion of the medial axillary wall may require forequarter amputation to achieve gross resection of tumor. These resections frequently leave a large defect, often requiring a split thickness skin graft or free flap to close the wound. To address this problem of wound closure, we have modified our technique and devised a reconstructive component as part of our forequarter amputation procedure. METHODS: The medical records of seven patients who underwent forequarter amputation and fasciocutaneous deltoid flap reconstruction between 1982 and 1994 were reviewed. RESULTS: All the amputation sites were completely closed with a fasciocutaneous deltoid flap without the use of additional skin grafts or free flaps. After a median follow-up of 12 months, there were no local recurrences. Three patients (43%) are alive and disease free 5, 12, and 19 months after their forequarter amputation. One patient is alive with disease after 14 months. The remaining three patients died of their disease. CONCLUSION: The fasciocutaneous deltoid flap is technically easy to perform, provides wound coverage without the use of skin grafts, and is especially useful for tumors involving the media axillary wall and in patients with previous axillary radiation.

Basal cell carcinoma arising in a fistula-in-ano.

Fistula-in-ano can be complicated by malignant degeneration. A case of basal cell carcinoma identified in the curettage specimen of a fistulotomy is reported. The clinicopathologic features of cases reported in the literature are reviewed.

Levamisole regulates the proliferation of murine liver T cells through Kupffer-cell-derived cytokines.

We have previously shown that levamisole increases the cytotoxic, cytostatic, and proliferative activity of murine nonparenchymal liver cells (NPC) in vitro. We have also shown that the nonadherent subpopulation of NPC, which are composed predominantly of T lymphocytes, is very responsive to this agent when administered to mice. Kupffer cells or immigrant macrophages are also responsive to levamisole but to a lesser extent. These findings prompted us to investigate changes in cytokine production by NPC following-treatment of mice with levamisole (25 mg/kg, i.p.), which may help explain the observed alterations in the immune functions of these cells. We found that levamisole treatment of mice causes a threefold increase in production of interferon (IFN) alpha/beta by adherent NPC (more than 80%-90% Kupffer cells) in vitro. When IFN alpha/beta was added to cultured cells, it decreased the proliferative capacity of liver T cells in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, the addition of anti-IFN alpha/beta was shown to augment levamisole-induced proliferation of unfractionated NPC and Kupffer cells. NPC production of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in vitro was also increased threefold following treatment of mice with levamisole. IL-6 added in vitro to cells significantly augmented levamisole-induced proliferation of liver T cells while anti-IL-6 reduced proliferative activity to control levels. These findings suggested that IFN alpha/beta, IL-6, and IL-1 play important regulatory roles in controlling the proliferative response of murine liver-associated T lymphocytes to levamisole. Finally, the proliferation of bone marrow cells was increased in mice given 5-fluorouracil (5FU). On the other hand, the proliferation of NPC was dramatically suppressed when 5FU was administered. However, the proliferation of these cells was restored when levamisole was given after 5FU.