The role of percutaneous transhepatic biliary biopsy in the diagnosis of patients with obstructive jaundice: an initial experience.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of percutaneous transhepatic biliary biopsy (PTBB) in patients with suspected biliary obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 18 patients with obstructive jaundice who underwent PTBB. In each patient, three to ten fragments were collected from the lesion. The final diagnosis was confirmed in the pathology report. We also reviewed analyses of the results of laboratory tests performed before the procedure, as well as the Bismuth classification, clinical outcome, complications occurring during the procedure, access route, and materials used. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 100% of the PTBB procedures. Among the 18 patients clinically diagnosed with bile duct stenosis, the pathological analysis confirmed that diagnosis in 17. In one case, the pathological findings were considered false-negative. The predominant tumor was cholangiocarcinoma (seen in 50% of the cases). Sixteen of the procedures (88.9%) were performed without complications. Transient hemobilia occurred in one case, and cholangitis occurred in another. CONCLUSION: PTBB is a safe, viable, simple technique with a high rate of true-positive results for the definitive diagnosis of obstructive jaundice.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a precisão diagnóstica da colangiobiópsia trans-hepática percutânea (CBTP) em pacientes com suspeita de obstrução biliar. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva de 18 pacientes apresentando icterícia obstrutiva foram submetidos a CBTP. Em cada paciente, 3 a 10 fragmentos foram coletados da lesão. O diagnóstico final foi confirmado por relatório anatomopatológico. Adicionalmente, foram registrados a análise laboratorial antes do procedimento, a classificação de Bismuth, o desfecho clínico, as intercorrências durante o procedimento, a via de acesso e os materiais utilizados. RESULTADOS: A CBTP apresentou sucesso técnico em 100% dos casos. Dos 18 pacientes clinicamente diagnosticados com estenose biliar, 17 receberam diagnóstico patológico positivo. Em um caso os achados patológicos foram considerados falso-negativos. O colangiocarcinoma foi a neoplasia predominante (50%). Dezesseis (88,9%) procedimentos foram realizados sem intercorrências. Hemobilia transitória ocorreu em um caso e colangite em outro caso isolado. CONCLUSÃO: A CBTP é uma técnica segura, viável e simples, com alta taxa de verdadeiro-positivos para o diagnóstico definitivo de causas de icterícia obstrutiva.

The role of percutaneous transhepatic biliary biopsy in the diagnosis of patients with obstructive jaundice: an initial experience / Papel da colangiobiópsia trans-hepática percutânea no diagnóstico de pacientes com icterícia obstrutiva: experiência inicial

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of percutaneous transhepatic biliary biopsy (PTBB) in patients with suspected biliary obstruction. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 18 patients with obstructive jaundice who underwent PTBB. In each patient, three to ten fragments were collected from the lesion. The final diagnosis was confirmed in the pathology report. We also reviewed analyses of the results of laboratory tests performed before the procedure, as well as the Bismuth classification, clinical outcome, complications occurring during the procedure, access route, and materials used. Results: Technical success was achieved in 100% of the PTBB procedures. Among the 18 patients clinically diagnosed with bile duct stenosis, the pathological analysis confirmed that diagnosis in 17. In one case, the pathological findings were considered false-negative. The predominant tumor was cholangiocarcinoma (seen in 50% of the cases). Sixteen of the procedures (88.9%) were performed without complications. Transient hemobilia occurred in one case, and cholangitis occurred in another. Conclusion: PTBB is a safe, viable, simple technique with a high rate of true-positive results for the definitive diagnosis of obstructive jaundice.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a precisão diagnóstica da colangiobiópsia trans-hepática percutânea (CBTP) em pacientes com suspeita de obstrução biliar. Materiais e Métodos: Análise retrospectiva de 18 pacientes apresentando icterícia obstrutiva foram submetidos a CBTP. Em cada paciente, 3 a 10 fragmentos foram coletados da lesão. O diagnóstico final foi confirmado por relatório anatomopatológico. Adicionalmente, foram registrados a análise laboratorial antes do procedimento, a classificação de Bismuth, o desfecho clínico, as intercorrências durante o procedimento, a via de acesso e os materiais utilizados. Resultados: A CBTP apresentou sucesso técnico em 100% dos casos. Dos 18 pacientes clinicamente diagnosticados com estenose biliar, 17 receberam diagnóstico patológico positivo. Em um caso os achados patológicos foram considerados falso-negativos. O colangiocarcinoma foi a neoplasia predominante (50%). Dezesseis (88,9%) procedimentos foram realizados sem intercorrências. Hemobilia transitória ocorreu em um caso e colangite em outro caso isolado. Conclusão: A CBTP é uma técnica segura, viável e simples, com alta taxa de verdadeiro-positivos para o diagnóstico definitivo de causas de icterícia obstrutiva.

Chemoembolisation combined with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of primary angiosarcoma of the liver.

Angiosarcoma of the liver is a rare disease; however, it ranks as the third most common primary liver malignancy. Diagnosis is difficult and prognosis is very poor. After the onset of clinical symptoms, the disease often progresses rapidly, decreasing the chances of curative treatment. We report the case of an 83-year-old male patient who presented with postprandial fullness. Upper abdominal ultrasound showed a hypervascular mass in segment 6 of the liver. The results of anatomopathological examination and immunohistochemistry were compatible with the diagnosis of primary angiosarcoma of the liver. Patient refused surgery (haepatectomy), and treatment was then initiated with transarterial chemoembolisation, followed by percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. The patient is currently cured based on clinical and radiological evidence. This case report is the first in the literature to describe the combined use of transarterial chemoembolisation with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of primary angiosarcoma of the liver.

[Pre-operative care for liver disease patients]. / Cuidados pré-operatórios em hepatopatas.

Patients with impaired hepatic functional reserve when submitted to surgeries may have high rates of morbidity and mortality. Pre-existing liver disease should be detected without need for invasive methods. Clinical history and physical examination provide important clues. Laboratory liver function is not necessary unless there are changes in history or physical examination. Liver disease has many effects on surgery and anesthesia. A decrease in oxygenation and increased risk of liver dysfunction can be caused by anesthesia, hemorrhage, hypoxemia, hypotension, vasoactive drugs or the patient's position on the operating table during and after surgery. Emergency surgery is a major predictor of poor prognosis as well as sepsis and reoperations. The nature of liver disease, severity and type of surgery to be performed should take into account for a correct preoperative preparation. Some actions must be taken at preoperative to decrease chances of complications in patients with liver disease undergoing surgical procedures. Very close attention should be given to coagulopathy, encephalopathy, ascites, renal and pulmonary dysfunction, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and esophageal varices. Patients with Child-Pugh score C and MELD>15 should not undergo elective surgery. Patients with Child-Pugh score B and MELD 10 to 15 may undergo minor surgical procedures with care in cases of extreme necessity. Patients with Child-Pugh score A and MELD<10 may be submitted to elective surgery.

Cuidados pré-operatórios em hepatopatas / Pre-operative care for liver disease patients

Cirurgias realizadas em pacientes com reserva funcional hepática reduzida podem apresentar altos índices de morbi-mortalidade. Uma triagem pré-operatória ideal visa detectar a doença hepática pré-existente, sem necessidade de métodos invasivos. A história clínica e o exame físico fornecem pistas importantes. A quantificação da função hepática de rotina não é necessária, a menos que exista alguma alteração na história ou exame físico. A doença hepática causa diversos efeitos na cirurgia e anestesia. A indução anestésica, hemorragias, hipoxemia, hipotensão, drogas vasoativas e até a posição do paciente na mesa cirúrgica podem provocar diminuição na oxigenação e maior risco de disfunção hepática no intra e pós-operatório. A cirurgia de emergência é um grande preditor de mau prognóstico assim como a sepse e as reoperações. Para uma correta preparação pré-operatória, deve-se levar em consideração a natureza da doença hepática, sua gravidade e o tipo de cirurgia a ser realizada. Algumas ações devem ser tomadas no pré-operatório para diminuir as chances de complicações em pacientes portadores de hepatopatias submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos. O combate à coagulopatia, encefalopatia, ascite, disfunção renal e pulmonar, peritonite bacteriana espontânea e varizes de esôfago deve ser precoce e agressivo. Doentes Child-Pugh C e MELD > 15 não devem ser submetidos a cirurgias eletivas. Doentes Child-Pugh B e com MELD de 10 a 15 podem ser submetidos a pequenos procedimentos cirúrgicos em caso de extrema necessidade e com cautela. Finalmente doentes Child-Pugh A e MELD < 10 podem ser operados.

Patients with impaired hepatic functional reserve when submitted to surgeries may have high rates of morbidity and mortality. Pre-existing liver disease should be detected without need for invasive METHODS. Clinical history and physical examination provide important clues. Laboratory liver function is not necessary unless there are changes in history or physical examination. Liver disease has many effects on surgery and anesthesia. A decrease in oxygenation and increased risk of liver dysfunction can be caused by anesthesia, hemorrhage, hypoxemia, hypotension, vasoactive drugs or the patient's position on the operating table during and after surgery. Emergency surgery is a major predictor of poor prognosis as well as sepsis and reoperations. The nature of liver disease, severity and type of surgery to be performed should take into account for a correct preoperative preparation. Some actions must be taken at preoperative to decrease chances of complications in patients with liver disease undergoing surgical procedures. Very close attention should be given to coagulopathy, encephalopathy, ascites, renal and pulmonary dysfunction, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and esophageal varices. Patients with Child-Pugh score C and MELD>15 should not undergo elective surgery. Patients with Child-Pugh score B and MELD 10 to 15 may undergo minor surgical procedures with care in cases of extreme necessity. Patients with Child-Pugh score A and MELD<10 may be submitted to elective surgery.

Effects of sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose membrane on collagen and fibroblast formation in bowel suture healing: experimental study in rats.

PURPOSE: To analyze the effects of sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose membrane on collagen and fibroblast formation in bowel suture healing in rats. METHODS: 48 male Wistar rats, weighing 250 to 343g, were randomized into two groups: group I--bowel suture without applying a biologically absorbable membrane and group II--bowel suture with application of an absorbable membrane. The two groups were divided into subgroups of 3, 14 and 30 days of observation, with 8 rats in each subgroup. All were sacrificed after the end of the observation period. RESULTS: No morbidity or mortality was observed during the experiment. The amounts of collagen in group I were 23.4%, 72.1% and 67.6% and in group II were 22.5%, 52.5% and 51.6%, for the subgroups of 3, 14 and 30 days, respectively. Comparison between groups showed that the 14-day (p = 0.0013) and 30-day (p = 0.0587) subgroups had significant variance, with larger collagen zones in animals in which the membrane was not applied. However, with regard to fibroblasts, group I had 2%, 13% and 8% and group II had 2%, 10% and 8%, for the 3-day (p = 1.0), 14-day (p = 0.3184) and 30-day (p = 0.5995) subgroups, respectively, showing no significant variance. CONCLUSION: The use of the biologically absorbable membrane cause a decrease in collagen formation, while not altering the number of fibroblasts, in bowel suture healing in rats, without increased morbidity and mortality.

Aspectos do câncer gástrico em hospital universitário de Campo Grande, MS / Gastric cancer aspects in a university hospital of Campo Grande, MS, Brazil

O câncer gástrico é a segunda maior causa de morte entre as neoplasias malignas (cerca de 12 por cento de todas as mortes), ficando atrás apenas do câncer de pulmão, apesar do declínio em sua incidência e mortalidade.O objetivo deste trabalho foi traçar o perfil epidemiológico do paciente portador de câncer gástrico, atendido no Hospital Universitário (HU) Maria Aparecida Pedrossian, de campo Grande, MS, a fim de contribuir para a melhoria dos serviços prestados à população. Em estudo retrospectivo, foram colhidos dados referentes ao período entre 1º de janeiro de 2000 e 31 de dezembro de 2002 e analisados os prontuários dos pacientes ( totalizando 145). Identificou-se que 77,24 por cento dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 22,76 por cento do feminino. Quanto à faixa etária, 80,37 por cento dos pacientes atendidos ambulatorialmente e 86,84 por cento dos operados possuíam mais de 50 anos. O adenocarcinoma localizado no antro gástrico foi o mais prevalente e 69,70 por cento das lesões, quando diagnosticadas, eram classificadas como Borrmann III ou IV. O tipo de cirurgia e o tipo de reconstrução do trânsito gastrointestinal mais realizados foram a gastrectomia subtotal (44,64 por cento) e a gastroenteroanastomose tipo Billroth II, respectivamente. Conclui-se que: o câncer gástrico continua sendo uma patologia muito frequente em nosso meio, acomete mais homens, com mais de 50 anos e seu diagnóstico precoce é fundamental para o sucesso do tratamento