Cystic Echinococcosis of the Liver: Correlation Between Intra-Operative Ultrasound and Pre-Operative Imaging.

Background: Imaging plays an essential role in the management of hepatic hydatid cysts (HCE). The objective of our study was to determine the correlation between pre-operative ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and intra-operative ultrasound (IOUS) in studying the characteristics and complications of HCE. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive, and analytical study conducted in the General Surgery Department of Habib Bourguiba Hospital in Sfax. The study included patients with HCE who underwent conservative surgery between April 2017 and June 2022. Results: We enrolled 49 patients with 94 cysts. At the end of our study, IOUS allowed for better detection of HCE (98.8%) regardless of the number of cysts per patient. IOUS and CT were accurate in studying the location of cysts (κ = 1), whereas pre-operative abdominal ultrasound was less efficient (κ = 0.870). IOUS was the best examination for detecting exocysts (κ = 0.961), studying daughter cysts (κ = 0.823), and exploring vascular relations, but it was less effective (κ = 0.523) in detecting calcifications. Regarding classifications, ultrasound and CT had similar results. However, IOUS was most reliable in differentiating between CE3b and CE4 types (κ = 0.653). Ultrasound, CT, and IOUS were not sensitive in detecting latent HCE suppurations and cystobiliary fistulas. Conclusions: Performing IOUS is essential to prevent recurrences and reduce post-operative morbidity.

Viability predictive factors of the daughter vesicles in hepatic cystic echinococcosis.

INTRODUCTION: Management of cystic echinococcosis (CE) requires knowledge of certain aspects related to the survival of Echinococcus granulosus. The viability of daughter vesicles (DV) is a determining factor in guiding therapeutic indications, particularly for transiently active Cysts type CE3b. PURPOSE: To determine the predictive factors of DV viability and its impact on the therapeutic management of CE3b type. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective pilot study with an analytical aim on patients with cystic echinococcosis of the liver type CE2 and CE3b, operated in the General Surgery Department of Habib-Bourguiba Academic Hospital, Sfax-Tunisia for 22 months from March 2018 until December 2019. The unit of the study is the DV. A parasitological study of the DV was done in the parasitology laboratory. RESULTS: During the study period, 27 (40.9%) of 66 operated CE Disease from 21 patients containing 248 DV were explored. The median viability of DV protoscoleces was 16.7%. In bivariate analysis, factors for viability of DV protoscoleces were: fever, acute cholangitis, hyperbilirubinemia, left liver location, rock water and bilious echinococcal fluid (EF), cyst size ≥ 43 mm, Intracystic pressure ≥ 35 mmHg, DV size ≥ 6.5 mm, volume, number of DV/cyst ≥ 5, and opaque wall (p < 0.05). Predictive factors for the Non-viability of DV were: CE3b type, purulent EF, gelatinous EF. In multivariate analysis, only CE2 type, cyst size ≥ 43 mm, number of DV/cyst ≥ 5 and DV size ≥ 6.5 mm were factors significantly associated with the viability of DV protoscoleces. CONCLUSION: CE3b cysts without the criteria of viability of DV protoscoleces may become candidates for the 'Wait-and-Watch' procedure.

Is moderate-intensity interval training more tolerable than high-intensity interval training in adults with obesity?

Interval training (IT) has been shown to be a time-effective alternative to traditional training programmes in the management of obesity. Nevertheless, studies comparing the effects of different IT intensities on inflammation, muscle and liver damage, and perceptual responses in people with obesity are relatively scarce. This study aimed to compare the acute effects of two different IT protocols matched by the mean load and duration on biochemical and perceptual responses in sedentary adults with obesity. Twenty-two volunteers (age = 33.40 ± 10.01 years, BMI = 38.29 ± 7.09 kg/m²) were randomized to perform two conditions: moderate-intensity IT (MIIT) 5 × 3 min (70% of peak power output (PPO))/2 min (45%PPO) and high-intensity IT (HIIT) 8 × 1 min (90%PPO)/2 min (45%PPO). Blood samples were drawn before and after exercise for biochemical and haematological measurements. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed during and after exercise. Perceptual pain was evaluated before, throughout and after exercise. C-reactive protein, white blood cells and neutrophils increased only after HIIT (p < 0.001, for all). Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase increased in both HIIT and MIIT (p < 0.001, for all), without any difference between sessions. HIIT induced a greater increase of blood lactate compared to MIIT (p < 0.05). Pain and RPE scores were higher during HIIT vs. MIIT (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). MIIT induced fewer immune system perturbations and less muscle pain and was perceived as more tolerable compared to HIIT session. Therefore, MIIT could be used as a first step to promote body adaptations before starting a HIIT programme in sedentary people with obesity.

Laser utility in the treatment of hemorrhoidal pathology: a review of literature.

Hemorrhoidal disease is a common reason for consultation in proctology. It can be treated in several ways (medical, endoscopic, and surgical). Laser treatment has been described since 1960 and has developed in recent years. The purpose of this literature review was to study the results of laser treatment of hemorrhoids and to compare them with those of surgical methods. We performed a systematic search of the literature by querying the Medline, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases. Retrospective studies and case reports were excluded. We selected 11 studies both techniques HeLP (hemorrhoid laser procedure) and LHP (laser hemorrhoidoplasty procedure). The total number of patients was 1179 including 1059 patients treated with laser and 120 treated surgically within the context of comparative studies. The age of the patients varies between 18 and 74 years old. HeLP laser treatment was significantly superior to surgical treatment in terms of postoperative pain (p < 0.001), hemorrhoidal disease downgrading (p < 0.001), and postoperative satisfaction (p < 0.001). Similarly, LHP laser treatment was significantly superior to surgical treatment in terms of operative duration (p < 0.00001), intraoperative bleeding (p < 0.00001), postoperative pain at H12 and H24 (p < 0.00001 and p = 0.0003), and postoperative bleeding rate (p < 0.001). The laser represents a revolution in the field of proctology mainly in the treatment of hemorrhoidal pathology. It is a safe, effective, and less painful mini-invasive technique. More rigorous studies will be needed to better evaluate this technique.

Predictive factors of occult cystobiliary fistula after conservative surgical treatment of the hepatic hydatid cyst A retrospective study of 105 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of our study was to determine the predictive factors of their occurrence during conservative surgical treatment of the hepatic hydatid cyst (HHC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective review of patients who had undergone conservative surgical treatment of the HHC during 6 years. Univariate analyzes were used to determine the predictive factors of an occult cystobiliary fistula (CBF). RESULTS: This current study included 105 patients. Concerning the predictive factors of an CBF regardless of its pattern of evolution, we noted that the presence of fistula was statistically correlated with the a cyst size (bigger than 8.65 cm ; p = 0.003) and with advanced age (p=0.035). Interestingly enough, the correlation to a degenerated cyst (p=0.069) were of little significance. CONCLUSION: The size of the cyst greater than 8.65 cm and the advanced age are the risk factors of CBF according to our study. KEY WORDS: Biliary Fistula, Diagnosis, Echinococcosis, Hepatic, Prevention and control.

Correlation of radiological findings with surgical findings in hepatic hydatid disease. A prospective study of 79 cases.

OBJECTIVES: The liver is the most frequent anatomic location of hydatid disease. Imaging modality nowadays are numerous and increasingly efficient. The objective of our study is to precise the correlation between Ultrasonography, computed tomography and intraoperative findings on the different characteristics of hepatic hydatid cyst. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study including all hepatic hydatid cyst operated in 2015. We evaluated statistically, by calculating the coefficient K or the intraclass correlation coefficient, the concordance between Ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) and intraoperative findings on the different characteristics of hepatic hydatid cyst. RESULTS: In our study, we included 48 patients with 79 hepatic hydatid cysts. It was concluded that Ultrasonography performs better than CT in the study of type of cyst, pericyst, relationships with portal vein and main bile duct. While CT is better than echography in terms of number, localizations of cyst, relationship with the vena cava inferior, other localizations and the remaining liver, both examinations remain limited in the determination of pericyst characteristics and the identification of biliary fistula. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography and CT cannot provide accurate data for the study of pericyst and biliary fistula, hence requiring prospective studies of the place of MRI and intraoperative echography in this domain. KEY WORDS: Diagnostic, Imaging, Echinococcosis, Hepatic, Intraoperative Care.

An uncommon cause of acute bowel obstruction: the left para-duodenal hernia.

Internal hernias of the abdomen are uncommun. They represent less than 1% of bowel obstruction cases. The left paraduodenal hernia is the most frequent type of internal hernias. We report a case of 77 year-old woman consulting for bowel obstruction evolving since two days. The abdominal computed tomography revealed a retroperitoneal small bowel contained in a peritoneal sac. The surgical exploration confirmed the diagnosis of a left internal paraduodenal hernia by showing incarcerated jejunal loops in a paraduodenal hernia through a narrow opening to the left of the angle of Treitz. A surgical reduction of the hernia and closure of the hernia neck were performed. The follow-ups were uncomplicated. Through this observation and a literature review, we try to recall the clinical and radiological characteristics of this disease and to clarify the therapeutic modalities. KEY WORDS: Computer tomography Internal hernia, Paraduodenal hernia, Small bowel obstruction.

Should we treat white line hernias by laparoscopy? About a prospective study of 42 cases.

UNLABELLED: We report a prospective study of 42 cases of primary uncomplicated umbilical and epigastric hernia operated by laparoscopy with a 1 year mean follow-up. The purpose of our study is to investigate the contribution of laparoscopy in the treatment of in terms of results in the short and medium term. Early surgical morbidity was 14.3%. There was no mortality. At 6 months of the intervention, 28.5% of patients have kept umbilical pain. At 1 year of intervention, 2 patients have kept umbilical chronic pain. No case of recurrence was noted. In conclusion, the laparoscopic approach should be reserved for cases of large hernias and for recurrent and incisional hernias. KEY WORDS: Epigastric hernia, Laparoscopy, Mesh, Umbilical hernia.

Relationships of peak leg power, 1 maximal repetition half back squat, and leg muscle volume to 5-m sprint performance of junior soccer players.

Performance over very short distances (1-5 m) is important in soccer. We investigated this in 23 male regional-level soccer players aged 17.2 +/- 0.7 years, filming body markers to determine the average velocity and acceleration over the first step (V(S) and A(S)) and the first 5 m (V(5), A(5)). Data were related to scores on a force-velocity test, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and 1 maximal repetition (1 RM) half back squat. Leg and thigh muscle volumes were also assessed anthropometrically. V(5) was positively correlated with leg and thigh muscle volumes (r = 0.61, p < 0.05; r = 0.43, p < 0.05, respectively), SJ power (absolute and relative to body mass, r = 0.45, p < 0.05; r = 0.43, p < 0.05, respectively), absolute force-velocity leg power (r = 0.49, p < 0.05), and 1 RM half back squat (r = 0.66, p < 0.001). The use of dimensional exponents did not change coefficients materially. V(S) was also correlated with leg muscle volume and 1 RM back half squat (r = 0.56, p < 0.01; r = 0.58, p < 0.01, respectively) and more weakly with force-velocity leg power and SJ force (r = 0.49, p < 0.05; r = 0.46, p < 0.5, respectively). However, the CMJ was unrelated to velocity or acceleration. Sprinting ability is correlated with measures of power and force such as the force-velocity test, SJ, and 1 RM half back squat; such measures thus offer useful guidance to soccer coaches who wish to improve the short-distance velocity of their players.