Validation of a Novel BCM Model for Recurrence Risk Prediction after Mucosectomy of Colorectal Lateral Spreading Tumors in a European Cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Piecemeal endoscopic mucosal resection (pEMR) is the best approach to resect large lateral spreading tumors (LST, > 20 mm width). However, it is associated with early recurrence (ER) and late recurrence (LR). This study aims to assess the risk factors associated with ER and LR and to validate different predictive scores (SMSA, SERT, and BCM) in identifying the risk of ER and LR after LST resected by pEMR in a European cohort. METHODS: Retrospective observational cohort study, based on a prospectively collected database, of large LST submitted to pEMR. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients were included in the study and the incidence rates of ER and LR were 22% and 8%, respectively. The lesion's size, SERT, and BCM scores were independent predictor factors of ER (p-value < 0.05), while the lesion's site and BCM score were independent predictor factors of LR (p-value < 0.05). For the prediction of ER, the SERT score (cut-off > 1) presented the highest AUROC (0.758 vs 0.697 from BCM and 0.647 from SMSA). Regarding LR, the BCM model (cut-off > 2) presented the highest AUROC (0.817 vs 0.708 from SERT and 0.691 from SMSA). CONCLUSIONS: We present the first external validation of the three scores mentioned in an European cohort. SERT and BCM scores had an acceptable performance in predicting ER and LR. However, the BCM model was the only score that proved to be an independent predictor of both ER and LR, proving to be valuable for both applications.

Celiac artery aneurysms.

Celiac artery aneurysms are extremely rare vascular lesions that are frequently asymptomatic. When present, clinical manifestations are often vague and unspecific. The most serious complication of celiac artery aneurysms is rupture with a mortality rate up to 100%. Elective surgical repair, with a mortality rate of 5%, is recommended except when operative risks contraindicate abdominal surgery. The authors present three clinical cases of celiac artery aneurysms treated by open surgery and discuss the surgical options adopted.

[Leg ulcer clinic at Santa Marta Hospital]. / Consulta de úlcera de perna do Hospital de Santa Marta.

Leg ulcers constitute a highly prevalent pathology in society, and are particularly common in the Angiology and Vascular Surgery outpatient clinic. The prevalence of these patients in this Department result from the fact that 70% of them display superficial and/or deep venous insufficiency of the lower limbs. To address this problem and optimize the therapeutic approaches available to the Chronic Leg Ulcer (CLU) patients, the Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery has created, in March 2005, an appointment specific to CLU patients. An evaluation protocol was developed, including ulcer characterization, standardization of the conservative treatment, followed by surgical intervention, whenever required. The results obtained were evaluated 18 months after the onset of this protocol. Analysis of the results revealed that the majority of the patients responded positively to the new therapeutic approach, with closure of the ulcer in 43% of the patients and a significant improvement detected for an additional 30%. Furthermore, it was observed that a detailed evaluation of these patients should be regarded as a whole, followed by a standardized and targeted approach, resulting in a particularly successful approach on the treatment of this pathology.