Visualization of the fat planes between the pancreas and the adjacent organs and blood vessels using multi-detector computed tomography.

PURPOSE: To explore individual variations in visibility of the fat planes between the pancreatic parenchyma and adjacent organs and blood vessels using the multi-detector-computed tomography (MDCT). METHODS: Abdominal contrast-enhanced MDCT examinations of 520 consecutive adult individuals were retrospectively analysed by exploring the presence of visible fat planes between the healthy pancreas and the following surrounding structures: stomach, descending duodenum (D2), splenic, portal, superior mesenteric vein (SV, PV, SMV), inferior vena cava (IVC), and coeliac trunk, common hepatic and superior mesenteric artery (CT, HA and SMA). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rS) was used to assess the correlation of individual gender, age, body mass and BMI, and visible fat planes towards particular surrounding structures. RESULTS: Fat planes between the pancreatic parenchyma and surrounding structures was visible as follows: stomach in 76%, D2 11.7%, SV 51.5%, PV 0%, SMV 28.8%, IVC 80.8%, CT 99.4%, HA 90.4% and SMA in 100% participants. The presence of visible fat planes significantly correlated (p < 0.001) with body mass for stomach (rS = 0.367), D2 (rS = 0.247), SV (rS = 0.355), SMV (rS = 0.384) and IVC (rS = 0.259); BMI for stomach (rS = 0.292), SV (rS = 0.248), SMV (rS = 0.290) and IVC (rS = 0.216); age for D2 (rS = 0.363), SV (rS = 0.276) and SMV (rS = 0.409); and male gender for stomach (rS = 0.160) and SV (rS = 0.198). CONCLUSION: Fat planes around the pancreatic parenchyma in the MDCT scan was almost always visible towards the adjacent magistral visceral arteries and IVC, always invisible towards the PV, and variably visible towards the SV, SMV, stomach and duodenum depending on the individual body mass, BMI, age and gender.

Estimation of the relative liver perfusion using two methods of radionuclide angiography in the patients with hemodynamic disorders in the portal system.

The aim of this study is the assessment of the relative arterial and venous contribution to the total liver blood flow (hepatic perfusion index-HPI), with two methods (S1 and S2), and estimation of their value. With this correction, HPI nonsignificantly increases (p>0.05) in all the groups of patients, with a very high correlation between the HPI (S1) and HPI (S2) values (p<0.01). In comparison to the portal perfusion in controls, values were significantly (p<0.01) lower in chronic active hepatitis and liver cirrhosis and differed between themselves (p<0.01). In the groups of cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices, sclerosated esophageal varices, recanalized umbilical vein, portal thrombosis and cavernous portal vein, portal perfusion was lower (p<0.01) than in controls, chronic active hepatitis and liver cirrhosis without collaterals. Both angioscintigraphic methods are useful for the estimation of the disturbances in the portal system. Because of the more exact estimation of the liver perfusion, S2 is recommended.

99mTc-red blood cells SPECT and planar scintigraphy in the diagnosis of hepatic hemangiomas.

The aim of the study is the assessment of the value of SPECT (single photon emission computerized tomography) using 99mTc-labeled red blood cells in the detection of liver hemangioma, in comparison to planar imaging. With planar red blood cell scintigraphy, sensitivity of the method was 76%, specificity 98%, positive predictive value 98% and negative predictive value 79%. With SPECT, sensitivity of the method was 95%, specificity 98%, positive predictive value 98% and negative predictive value 94%. The smallest lesion detected by planar red blood cell scintigraphy was 1.2 cm, and with SPECT red blood cell scintigraphy 0.8 cm. The use of 99mTc-labeled red blood cells SPECT improved the sensitivity much more in smaller lesions (0.8 to 2 cm), than in bigger ones (2-5 cm). SPECT with radiolabeled red blood cells significantlyy improves the results of scintigraphic findings, especially in the small lesions.

[Endometriosis in cesarean section surgical scar].

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside of uterine cavity. It may occur in the abdominal wall scar after the operation in which uterus was opened. In cesarean section scar it occurs in 0.4%. It is in 2/3 patients characterised with triad of: tumor, periodic pain associated with menses and history of cesarean section. The mechanism of endometriosis occuring in the cesarean scar is felt to be secondary to iatrogenic transplantation of endometrium or extrauterine decidual tissue into the incision during the cesarean section. CASE OUTLINE: Forty years old patient with tumor 4,5x4 cm that appeared in abdominal wall scar one year after second cesarean section, followed by periodic pain and macroscopic changes associated with menses. First diagnosis was granuloma in the surgical scar, but as she had periodic simptoms, diferential diagnosis was endometriosis. Hormonal therapy with contraceptiv drugs was ordered. As it was no improvement she was operated. The surgical excision of the tumor including fascia and muscle tissue was done. Sample revealed endometrium after histopathologic examination. Patient was complitely recoverd and without relepse of simptoms during followup to date. CONCLUSION: When there is a tumor in the cesarean section scar or scar after the operation in which uterus or ovarial tube was opened, followed with periodical pain and macroscopic changes associated with menses, endometriosis should be considered. Surgical excision of the tumor is sufficient and patohistological examination confirms diagnosis.

[Endoscopic ultrasonography in choledocholithiasis].

Diagnosis of choledocholithiasis is still difficult to establish and presents a great challenge in gastroenterology and surgery of biliary tract, since it requires expensive and sophisticated examining techniques. 10 to 15% of patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis were presented with choledocholithiasis as well. By EUS is possible to establish a diagnosis of choledocholithiasis with accuracy of 90 to 100% and precisely estimate dimensions of revealed stones. The main purpose of this survey is to present a great importance and many advantages of EUS as a contemporary diagnostic method. All patients were examined by Olympus equipment for endoscopic ultrasound with radial probe working with the frequency of 7,5 and 12 MHz at the Department for Endoscopic Ultrasound of the Clinic for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Center of Serbia. They were previously diagnosed with choledocholithiasis by ERCP method. We examined 16 patients, which were selected by estimated risk for cholelithiasis. We have tried to evaluate the importance of diameter of choledochus, defined by common ultrasonography, as well as values of alkaline phosphatase and serum ?GT. We defined 3 groups of patients: group no.1, with 2 patients presented with a low risk for choledocholithiasis; group no.2, with 6 patients with a moderate risk for choledocholithiasis, and group no.3, with 8 patients presented with significant risk for cholelithiasis. According to obtained results, EUS presents the most effective method for detecting of choledocholithiasis, which is sometimes even more efficient than ERCP. After choledocholithiasis is previously revealed by EUS, it is much easier to decide if some invasive method such as EPT or precut papillotomy has to be used. EUS is always recommended as a diagnostic method when it is necessary to avoid some expected complications, such as pancreatitis.

[Assessment of the degree of maturity in the wall of pancreatic pseudocysts in relation to choice of surgical procedure].

The aim of this study is to present our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts. A pancreatic pseudocyst is an incapsulated collection of pancreatic juice, enclosed by nonepithelial elements, containing a high concentration of pancreatic enzymes, bicarbonates and necrotic detritus. It is a common complication of acute pancreatitis and trauma of the pancreas. In the period between 1996 and 2001, 53 surgical procedures were performed for pancreatic pseudocyst at the Institute for Digestive Diseases (First Surgical University Hospital), 35 male patients (67%) and 17 female patients (33%) underwent surgery. In 39 (75%) patients the method of choice was cystojejunostomy by Roux. In 4 cases distal pancreatectomy for pseudocysts localized within the pancreatic tail was performed, complete pseudocyst excision only was performed in one case and complete pseudocyst excision combined with cystojejunostomy was also performed in one case. Cystogastrostomy and drainage in one case and partial cystectomy and drainage also in one case. Surgical internal drainage is the method of choice for the treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts, involving low morbidity and mortality rates.

Spectrophotometric method for polyphenols analysis: prevalidation and application on Plantago L. species.

The prevalidation strategy was applied to evaluate UV-vis spectrophotometric procedure with Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent for polyphenols determination. Favourable prevalidation characteristics verified this procedure as a valuable tool in polyphenols analysis and it was successfully applied for determination of total polyphenols and tannins in leaves, stems and flowers of Plantago L. species growing in Croatia. The results showed the variety of total polyphenols content between different plant parts (leaves: up to 10.15%; stems: up to 4.34% and flowers: up to 5.56%). The content of tannins in stems was from 0.28% to 1.00%, while leaves and flowers contained tannins in concentrations of 2.26% and 2.21%, respectively. The results of polyphenols determination were evaluated by using multivariate analysis (UPGMA and PCA) as a contribution to elucidation of relations between different taxa of genus Plantago L.

Detection of gastrointestinal and abdominal infections by 99mTc-ciprofloxacin.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the study is detection and evaluation of the abdominal and gastrointestinal infective foci using 99mTc-ciprofloxacin (Laboratory for radioactive isotopes, Vinca). METHODOLOGY: In total 21 patients with clinical suspicion on abdominal or gastrointestinal infection were investigated. In all the patients, planar liver/spleen scintigraphy was performed. Ciprofloxacin chloride (3.5 mg) was mixed with 555 MBq of 99mTc in 3 mL of physiological solution and incubated for 20 min. After slow i.v. injection in a cubital vein, dynamic acquisition (1 f/min) was performed during the first 60 min in the position of interest, followed by static acquisition (500,000 imp) anterior and posterior view, abdomen and pelvis after 1 h and 4 h in all patients. When necessary, additional scintigrams were acquired after 24 h. In all the patients with negative or equivocal findings of planar scintigraphy, emission computerized tomography (SPECT) was performed (60 positions, 6 degrees). Interpretation was made by three independent observers. Additional data were provided using clinical findings, ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, laboratory analyses, and surgical or microbiological confirmation of infection. RESULTS: There were eleven true-positive findings, seven true negative, two were false negative while one was false positive due to intestinal obstruction. Sensitivity was 79%, specificity 91%, positive predictive value 92%, negative predictive value 77%, accuracy 84%. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, scintigraphy with radiolabeled ciprofloxacin is a useful method for detection and assessment of exact localization of abdominal and gastrointestinal infections.

[Cesarean section combined with splenectomy in severely resistant immune thrombocytopenia]. / Carski rez kombinovan sa splenektomijom u teskoj rezistentnoj imunoj trombocitopeniji.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) associated with pregnancy often involves considerable risk both for mother and child, and usually worsens in the third trimester of gestation. Pregnancy and delivery are especially difficult in patients with severe ITP (platelet count below 20 x 10(9)/L), who are resistant to prednisone and high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIgG). In those cases we applied cesarean section (CS), to prevent intracranial haemorrhage due to fetal/neonatal ITP, and splenectomy at the same time as an effective therapeutic strategy for ITP. We present 5 patients (4 with chronic ITP and 1 with ITP associated with HIV infection), aged 21-35 years, with severe ITP (platelet count 2-10 x 109/L), resistant to prednisone (1-2 mg/kg), and 2/3 were resistant to IVIgG (0.4 g/kg x 5 d). Four patients with severe resistant ITP were supported with 1-2 doses of platelets from cell separator before CS and 1-3 dose during splenectomy. One patient increased platelet count to 55 x 109/L after treatment with IVIgG and splenectomy following CS were done without platelet transfusion. Splenectomy was performed immediately after CS in all patients, and two of them were hysterectomised (one with HIV infection). After splenectomy, platelet count was normalised in all patients, and they had no haemorrhage, wound haematoma formation or any adverse events. But ITP relapsed in 2/5 patients after 1-2 months. Two newborns had severe thrombocytopenia, which solved spontaneously after 3 days in one or after treatment with IVIgG in other. We propose that splenectomy following cesarean section should be considered as approach for delivery and treatment option for mothers with severe resistant ITP.

[Surgical treatment of hematologic disorders of the spleen]. / Hirursko lecenje hematoloskih oboljenja slezine.

Splenectomy--the surgical removal of spleen is being performed in cases of: traumatic spleen rupture, as part of other surgical procedures, number of hematological, infectious and metabolic disorders. During the years 1988.-2001., there were 396 splenectomies performed at the First surgical clinic, for the cause of: autoimmune disorders 187 (47.34%), lymphoproliferative diseases 89 (22.59%). Hodgkin disease 35(8.94%), myeloproliferative disease 39 (9.95%), as part a of "staging" laparotomy 37(9.34%), other hematological disorders 7(2.20%). The spleen of [table: see text] 244 patients weighted 500-1500 g(61.62%), in 56 patients (14.14%) weighted less than 500 g, and in 96 patients (24.24%) spleen weighted more than 1500 g. Patients with thrombocytes less than 40,000/l 16 (4.04%) were perioperativly treated with fresh thrombocytes. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were registered in 54 (13.64%), i.e. 8 (2.02%) patients. Delayed results depended on primary disorder, comorbidities and supportive therapy. In this article, the particularities of the operative procedure were discussed, as well as importance of cooperation of surgeon and hematologist in perioperative treatment.

[Intraoperative and postoperative complications of splenectomy]. / Intraoperativne i postoperativne komplikacije splenektomije.

Spleen is being surgically removed because of trauma, in diagnostic and-or therapeutical purposes because of the benignant and malignant diseases. The percentage of morbidity during and after splenectomy is relatively low. During surgery might occur bleeding, trauma of the pancreatic tail, stomach, lineal flexure of the colon, left hemidiafragm, left suprarenal gland and upper pole of the left kidney, which must be correspondingly reclaimed during the same intervention. In the early postoperative period, postoperative bleeding, subfrenic abscess, pulmonal atelectasis, bronchopneumonia and left pleural extravasations might occur. Especially is important notification of these events in due time and adequate conservative and surgical treatment. After splenectomy, there is an increase of the number of trombocytes, which might lead to the tromboembolic complications. In the prevention of these complications in the postoperative period prolonged antiagregation therapy is suggested. Postsplenectomy sepsis is very late, general complication of splenectomy, which occurs because of the lower immunity in the child age. To prevent these complications, partial splenectomies, reimplantations of the spleen, prolonged application of the penicillin medicines after splenectomy and antipneumococcal vaccine are performed.

[Autotransplantation of the spleen]. / Autotransplantacija slezine.

Auto transplantation of the spleen can be performed in the patients with traumatic rupture of the spleen, in whom spleen could not be conserved in the other way. The right indication for this method is isolated rupture of the spleen (concvasation or complete devascularisation). This method is not recommended in the endangered patients, patients with previous disease of the spleen as well as in the patients with the perforation of the other abdominal organs at the same time. Auto transplantation was performed in 12 patients with isolated splenic rupture and hematoperitoneum, 11 men and one woman. The majority of patients are younger. In 8 patients, autotransplant was placed into big omentum, in three into lipomatous tissue surrounding left kidney, and in one into anterior abdominal wall. In all the patients from this group, following analysis were taken: MCV (middle volume of erythrocytes), HTC, Hb, Le, Glucose, urea, creatinin, sodium, potassium, alkali phosphatasis, target cells, Howell Jolly's bodies, Heinz's bodies, IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, C4, T3, T4, T8, B, segmentated, eosinophiles, lymphocytes, reticulocytes, thrombocytes, fibrinogen, PT, APTT, aggregation of thrombocytes and aggregation of thrombocytes on collagen. The same parameters were taken in 12 patients with surgery similar to splenectomy and in 12 after splenectomy. After splenectomy, there was decrease of the immunologic defending abilities of the organism because of the loss of the childrens function of the spleen, decreased level of the opsonines and tutsin, which leads to the impaired phagocytosis, decreased concentration of IgM and T and B lymphocytes, while in patients after auto transplantation the results were physiological. The most important thing in the assessment of the function of the autotransplanted spleen is scintigraphic investigation using 99mTc-denaturated red blood cells. In our study, auto transplant function was assessed in 10/12 patients by scintigraphy. Five years after surgery, no one patient was proved to have postsplenectomic sepsis.

[Manifestations of visceral and ocular symptoms of toxocariasis in a 6-year-old boy]. / Pojava visceralne i okularne klinicke slike toksokarijaze kod sestogodisnjeg decaka.

In the past 10 years we have examined 137 cases of toxocariasis, predominantly in children. Three cases were with unilateral ocular involvement. The article reviews a 6-year-old boy with left side strabismus and granulomatous chorioretinitis. Laboratory examinations revealed blood eosinophylia 24% and IgG against Toxocara canis larvae in titer 1:320 by indirect immunofluorescent assay. In epidemiologic anamnesis we concluded that about 4, 5-year-long geophagia was the source of infection.

[Metastasis of malignant melanoma in the small intestine--case report]. / Metastaze malignog melanoma u tanko crevo--prikaz slucaja.

Small bowel metastases of the malignant melanoma are usually discovered in 2-5% of the patients with malignant melanoma of the skin during the life. They are usually being diagnosed with a complication on the small bowel, such as occlusion, bleeding, anemia and perforation of the intestine. Authors show three patients with metastases of the malignant melanoma in the small bowel, which lead to invagination, subocclusion and anemia due to bleeding. In all the patients, resection of the small bowel was performed with termino-terminal anastomosis. One of them lived 7, the other 4 months after the surgery and is in pretty well condition, while third patient was not controlled at all.