Narrow band imaging: Important tool for early diagnosis, management, and improved outcomes in gastrointestinal lesions.

BACKGROUND: Narrow band imaging-magnifying endoscopy (NBI-ME) is used to identify changes in mucosal or vascular pattern observed on GI endoscopy in real time on the basis of optical image enhancement.It has a significant role in early detection of dysplasia, premalignant, and Malignant lesions along with its depth of invasion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Upper and lower GI endoscopy performed in 1742 patients who presented with gastrointestinal symptoms at this tertiary center over 5 years out of which 1623 were evaluated with both NBI-ME and histopathology. Real time endoscopic assessment was performed. Targeted biopsies were taken for comparative analysis. RESULTS: Of the 1742 patients, 119 were excluded from the study. 807 underwent upper GI endoscopy and 816 underwent lower GI endoscopy. Mean age of presentation was 38 +/- 2.7 years. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of NBI-ME for neoplastic esophageal lesions were 96.3%, 90.6%, 91.1%, 96.03%, respectively. For Barrett's esophagus it was 95.4%, 90.7%, 86.1%, and 90.7%; For gastric neoplastic lesions the values were 96.1%, 91.04%, 83.8%, and 97.9%. For colorectal it was 96.7%, 91.3%, 88.0%, and 97.7%. Overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of NBI-ME for neoplastic lesions (both upper and lower GI) were 96.2%, 91.0%, 96.2%, and 97.2%. Of the 1623 patients, 951 received medical management with regular surveillance and 672 patients with high-grade dysplasia, premalignant, and malignant conditions underwent interventions in form of either endoscopy or surgery. CONCLUSION: NBI-ME has a greater role and can be considered as an effective tool in making early diagnosis and guiding optimum treatment.

Randomised prospective study of using intraoperative, intraincisional and intraperitoneal ropivacaine for the early discharge of post-laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients as a day case in a cost-effective way in government setup of low-income and middle-income countries: Opening new horizons.

BACKGROUND: Pain is the main reason for staying overnight at hospital after an uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy. OBJECTIVES: A randomised prospective study was planned to compare the efficacy of intraincisional and intraperitoneal use of 0.2% ropivacaine so that patients undergoing an uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be discharged as a day case in a cost-effective way. METHODS: 191 patients were operated by elective four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. They were randomised into three groups after triple blinding according to location of 0.2% ropivacaine use. All patients were given ~23 mL of solution (drug or normal saline depending on the group), 20 mL of which was given at intraperitoneal location and ~1 mL/cm of incision intraincisionally. Pain scores (Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R)) were evaluated at 4 and 8 hours postoperatively. Only those patients with a VAS ≤3, NRS ≤3 and FPS-R ≤2, no requirement of rescue analgesia, no shoulder pain, ambulated at least once, passed urine and taking oral sips were offered discharge as a day case. RESULTS: 31% of patients in intraperitoneal group (n=62) could be discharged as a day case as compared with 48% in intraincisional group (n=68) (p>0.05) and 89% in combined group (n=61) (p<0.05, with respect to both other groups). CONCLUSION: The combined use of intraincisional and intraperitoneal ropivacaine is a cost-effective way of discharging approximately 9 in 10 patients as a day case. This study is unique as this is the first study in which only a local anaesthetic has been used to predict discharges as a day case.

Randomized controlled study of intraincisional infiltration versus intraperitoneal instillation of standardized dose of ropivacaine 0.2% in post-laparoscopic cholecystectomy pain: Do we really need high doses of local anesthetics-time to rethink!

BACKGROUND: Earlier studies done to compare the efficacy of use of local anesthetics at intraperitoneal location versus intraincisional use had utilized equal amount of drugs at the two locations, usually 10-20 ml. Using this large amount of drug in the small space of intraincisional location as compared to similar amount of drug in large intraperitoneal space created an inadvertent bias in favor of patients receiving the drug intraincisionally so these patients naturally experienced less pain. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To conduct a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study by standardizing dose of local anesthetic, to compare the effectiveness of intraperitoneal against intraincisional use of ropivacaine 0.2% for post-laparoscopic cholecystectomy pain relief. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 294 patients underwent elective 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were triple blindly randomized. All patients received ~ 23 ml of solution, of which 20 ml was given intraperitoneally (1 ml/cm; 16 ml along right hemi-dome and 4 ml in gall bladder fossa) and ~ 3 ml intraincisionally (1 ml/cm of length of incision). Solution was either normal saline or drug (0.2% ropivacaine) depending on the group [controls (n = 86), intraperitoneal group (n = 100), and intraincisional group (n = 108)]. 5 different pain scales were used for assessment of overall pain. Pain scores were assessed at 5 points of time. RESULTS: Patients in intraincisional group showed significantly less overall pain and rescue analgesia requirement (p < 0.05). Intraincisional group showed significantly less overall pain (p < 0.05) as compared to intraperitoneal group; however, use of rescue analgesia was comparable in the two groups (p > 0.05); and shoulder pain was significantly less in intraperitoneal group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The intraincisional use of injection ropivacaine at its minimum concentration of 0.2% in minimal doses of 1 ml/cm at the end of procedure provides significantly more post-operative analgesia as compared to intraperitoneal group and controls. However, for controlling shoulder pain, the use of intraperitoneal ropivacaine is desirable.

Decreased expression of MGMT in correlation with aberrant DNA methylation in esophageal cancer patients from North India.

O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase, DNA repair gene, has been found to be involved with the pathogenesis of the esophageal cancer. DNA hypermethylation and other factors have been suggested to downregulate O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase. In this communication, the methylation status of O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase gene and the corresponding O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase protein expression in esophageal cancer from North India has been studied. In all, 80 samples of tumor tissue along with adjacent normal tissue as controls were analyzed for messenger RNA level of O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase gene, protein expression, and subcellular localization. The messenger RNA expression was studied using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, protein expression, and its subcellular localization by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. DNA methylation was assessed through methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. Clinicopathological parameters were recorded and correlated with the O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase expression. O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase messenger RNA expression was found to be downregulated in 65% cases (52/80). The expression of O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase at the protein level was also found to be absent in 65% (52/80) cases. In all, 52 cases had low or no expression of the protein, whereas out of those 28 remaining cases, 11.25% (09/80) cases had high O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase protein expression. The absence of O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase protein coincided with the methylated cases in 84% (38/45), whereas in 07 cases, out of the 45 methylated, O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase protein was present. The aggressive esophageal cancer patients having methylated O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase had more than 50% cases with no/mild expression of the O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase protein ( p > 0.001). Loss of O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase protein was very frequent in the incidence of esophageal cancer from North Indian patients, and methylation of the promoter region of O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase was significantly associated in its downregulation.

Suprapubic Fecal Fistula Due To Richter's Inguinal Hernia: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

We encountered a 55-year-old man, who presented with an orifice in the suprapubic region, through which fecal material was discharged. On physical examination, the patient was unstable. After resuscitation, thorough evaluation, and laboratory and imaging investigations, he underwent an exploratory laparotomy. The ileum was entrapped at the deep inguinal ring, and there was some pus in the pelvic cavity. The purulent material was cleaned, and anastomosis was done after the resection of the defective ileal segment. In view of the rarity of this presentation and the paucity of published articles, this case is reported here.

Borderline phyllodes tumor arising in ectopic breast tissue in the axilla: Report of a rare case with brief review of literature.

Development of a neoplasm in an ectopic breast is uncommon, while the development of phyllodes tumor in an ectopic breast in the axilla is even rarer. We report a rare case of a 51-year-old female who presented with a complain of swelling and pain in the right axilla with no associated complaints in other organs. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested a possibility of metastatic lymphadenopathy. Complete excision of the right axillary mass was performed and sent for histopathological examination which was examined thoroughly and sections were given. On microscopic examination, stromal proliferation in a leaf-like pattern with mild stromal atypia and focal permeation of borders were seen, and a diagnosis of Ectopic borderline phyllodes tumor in axilla was made, which is extremely rare and needs to be differentiated from its close differentials like fibroadenoma and periductal stromal sarcoma.

Three Cases of Appendiceal Mucocele: From Diagnosis to Management.

Appendiceal mucocele is an appendicular dilatation secondary to the intraluminal accumulation of mucous material. Adequate pre-operative diagnosis and surgical resection remains the standard management. Here, we present three cases of appendiceal mucocele. In the first case, a 60-year-old female presented with signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis and was admitted and operated. An inflamed distended globular cystic mass of appendix measuring 10 × 6 × 4 cm with a wide base was found and the patient underwent right hemicolectomy. In the second case, a 30-year-old male with symptoms and signs of acute appendicitis was admitted to the emergency department. An open surgery was performed and a distended, tense, and inflamed appendix without perforation of size 6 × 1 × 1 cm was discovered and removed. The diagnosis of mucocele appendix was suspected and confirmed by postoperative dissection of the specimen and histopathology. In the third case, a 25-year-old female patient was subjected to diagnostic laparoscopy in view of non-specific pain abdomen. A diagnosis of mucocele of appendix was made intraoperatively and removed using a specimen bag. Appendiceal mucocele with acute presentation is a rare pathology that clinically resembles acute appendicitis. Preoperative detailed investigations to reach a definitive diagnosis are critical for adequate surgical resection and overall outcome.

Association of Her-2 Expression and Clinicopathological Parameters in Colorectal Carcinoma in Indian Population.

BACKGROUND: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) is an oncogenic gene and a well-established therapeutic target in several cancers including breast and ovary. AIM: The present study aimed to compare HER-2 expression status with histological grades as well as Clinicopathological parameters including age, bleeding per rectum, pain/burning sensation in defecation and exercise. METHODS: Her-2 status was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: Results of the study shows that 40.96% patients were Her-2 positive for expression and a statistically significant difference (p-value = 0.004) was observed in histological grades where most of the cases were of grade II. We also observed a significant difference in histological grades with gender (p-value = 0.04), as well as in both the age groups ≤ 55 years and > 55 years (p-value = < 0.0001). Patients with the bleeding rectum and pain/burning sensation in defecation had grade II/III tumours (93.4%, 88.7%) respectively. A significant association was observed between bleeding per rectum and pain/burning sensation in defecation. About 95% of patients with pain/burning sensation in defecation had bleeding per rectum. CONCLUSION: To conclude, Her-2 can be a potential prognostic marker in CRC. The role of age, tumour grade and bleeding per rectum/burning sensation in defecation are of significant worth. Thus, CRC cases of high grades can be screened for HER-2/neu positivity so that they can be subjected to mAb-based individualised therapy.

Frequency of I655V SNP of HER-2/neu in colorectal cancer: a study from India.

The present study was conducted to determine the prognostic significance of I655V SNP (rs1136201) is a genetic one in HER-2 oncoprotein in cases of colorectal cancer (CRC). We conducted a case-control study analysing 83 subjects (naïve primary CRC cases) who underwent CRC biopsy/colectomy and included 57 healthy control subjects. Analysis of HER-2 polymorphism was done by PCR-RFLP technique. The mean age was found to be 55.9 years; median age was 56 years and mode age was 54 years with a range of 43 (30-73). Males constitute 63 (75.9%) and females constitute 20 (24.1%) of patient population. According to gradewise distribution, 12 (14.45%) patients were of Grade I, 53 (63.85%) of Grade II, and 18 (21.68%) were of Grade III. We found out that out of 83 patients, 52 (62.65%) were of homozygous wild type (A/A; Ile/Ile); 27 (32.53%) were of heterozygous type (A/G; Ile/Val) and 4 (4.81%) were of homozygous mutant type (G/G; Val/Val). Allelic frequency of Ile (A) was found out to be 0.79 and that of Val (G) is 0.21 and were not significantly different from the healthy control population. Fischer's exact p value obtained was 0.86.

Evolution of Various Components of Pain After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Importance of Its Prognostication for Effective Pain Control Using a Local Anesthetic and for Making a Valid Practical "Discharge Criteria" Model Predicting Early Discharge of Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Pain continues to be the most important limiting factor affecting the early discharge of patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Our aim was to conduct a randomized case controlled study to predict the evolution of various components of postoperative pain by using ropivacaine 0.2% at intraperitoneal and intraincisional locations; and to further use this information to make a model predicting early discharge of patients. METHODS: Two hundred forty-four patients underwent elective four-port LC. Patients were triple blindly randomized. All patients received ∼23 mL of solution, of which 20 mL was given intraperitoneally and ∼3 mL was given intraincisionally. Solution was either normal saline or drug (0.2% ropivacaine) depending on the group (controls [n = 77], intraperitoneal group [n = 80], and intraincisional group [n = 87]). Five different pain scales were used for assessment of overall pain. Only those patients with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ≤3, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ≤3, Visual Descriptor Scale (VDS) ≤ "Slight Pain," Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) ≤2, and Activity Tolerance Scale (ATS) ≤ "Can Be Ignored" along with absence of use of rescue analgesia and shoulder pain were considered for "Discharge Criteria." RESULTS: Incisional component of pain was found to be the main component of pain that predominated in the immediate postoperative period. However, it declined rapidly over 12 hours and was then dominated by the visceral component. Shoulder component peaked around the eighth postoperative hour. Seven percent of patients in controls could be discharged at the 12th postoperative hour and 18% at the 24th hour. In the intraperitoneal group, 18% and 61% patients could be discharged at the 12th and 24th hour, respectively, as compared with 57% and 78% in the intraincisional group using the "Discharge Criteria." "Discharge Criteria" was 100% effective in predicting patients' acceptance to go home. CONCLUSION: The effect of local anesthetic at intraincisional and intraperitoneal sites is additive with drug catering to different components of pain. We recommend using the "Abbreviated Discharge Criteria" routinely in practice to check for patients' eligibility to be discharged.

Primary cecal pathologies presenting as acute abdomen and critical appraisal of their current management strategies in emergency settings with review of literature.

BACKGROUND: The importance of cecal pathologies lie in the fact that being the first part of the large intestine, any disease involving the cecum affects the overall functioning of the large bowel. Primary cecal pathologies presenting as acute abdomen have not been described in any previous study in terms of presentation, management, and outcome. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify the reported causes of primary cecal pathologies presenting as acute abdomen and the various causes presenting in our setting, the to discuss morbidity and mortality associated with cecal pathologies, and to critically analyze the various management modalities employed in an emergency setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected data of all adult patients admitted to our unit in the last 10 years for acute abdomen, in whom cecal pathology was identified as the primary offending agent. RESULTS: Our analysis of 43 patients revealed cecal perforation secondary to amebic colitis along with the simultaneous presence of liver abscess to be the most common primary cecal entity met in practice as acute abdomen. Other pathologies that were encountered included volvulus, diverticulitis, and idiopathic typhlitis. Primary acute cecal pathologies are associated with high mortality rates (≈42%). Delay in diagnosis seems to be the most important factor contributing to high mortality as these conditions are commonly misdiagnosed as appendicular pathology. Most of our patients were managed by conservative colonic resection with proximal diversion. This seems to be a more plausible option in current practice in an emergency setting (mortality rate ≈ 36%) as hemicolectomy is associated with proportionately higher mortality rates (67%). CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion, timely and adequate pre-operative workup, optimal resuscitation, and surgical conservatism with proximal diversion might help in early accurate identification of these conditions and possibly improved outcome.

The role of laboratory investigations in evaluating abdominal tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major health problem in developing countries like India. Abdominal TB is defined as an infection of the peritoneum, or hollow or solid abdominal organs with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The gastrointestinal tract is one of the most frequent sites of extrapulmonary involvement in TB. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of laboratory investigations in the diagnosis of abdominal TB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 300 patients admitted to various departments of our hospital from November 2005 to October 2007. Detailed histories and thorough clinical examinations together with relevant hematological, biochemical, cytological, radiological, and histopathological investigations were carried out in suspected cases of Koch's abdomen. RESULTS: Erythrocyte sedimentation rates with positive results were seen in 79.3% patients. Serological test enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed on only 30 patients and was found to be positive for IgG, and IgM in 25 cases with a sensitivity of 83%. Thirteen out of 15 cases were positive for adenosine deaminase done on ascitic fluid. The results of the two patients who underwent Mtb polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were consistent with TB. Out of 21 image-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) cases, 10 (48%) of the positive cases showed caseating necrosis while 7 (33%) had noncaseous necrosis. Stain for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) was performed on all cases and was positive in 42 cases (38.8%). Lymph node biopsy was done in 95% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Serological investigations have a limited value, while PCR is a highly specific test. Since cost restricts its use, only two patients in our study could afford it. BACTEC is more sensitive and faster than culture techniques for the diagnosis of mycobacterial infections. FNAC is a reliable, cost effective alternative, and 81% diagnostic yield in the present study suggests that ultrasound guidance is a useful tool. Histopathological evaluation with positive AFB staining remains the gold standard for diagnosing abdominal TB. However, although the demonstration of AFB in aspirates and tissue sections is a definitive diagnostic method for TB, the positivity for AFB is variable.

A study of tumour growth based on stoichiometric principles: a continuous model and its discrete analogue.

In this paper, we consider a continuous mathematically tractable model and its discrete analogue for the tumour growth. The model formulation is based on stoichiometric principles considering tumour-immune cell interactions in potassium (K (+))-limited environment. Our both continuous and discrete models illustrate 'cancer immunoediting' as a dynamic process having all three phases namely elimination, equilibrium and escape. The stoichiometric principles introduced into the model allow us to study its dynamics with the variation in the total potassium in the surrounding of the tumour region. It is found that an increase in the total potassium may help the patient fight the disease for a longer period of time. This result seems to be in line with the protective role of the potassium against the risk of pancreatic cancer as has been reported by Bravi et al. [Dietary intake of selected micronutrients and risk of pancreatic cancer: An Italian case-control study, Ann. Oncol. 22 (2011), pp. 202-206].

Lifestyle and gallstone disease: scope for primary prevention.

OBJECTIVE: To study the antecedent risk factors in the causation of gallstone disease in a hospital-based case control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases (n = 150) from all age groups and both sexes with sonographically proven gallstones were recruited over a duration of 3 months from the surgical wards of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Modes of presentation were also noted among cases. Age- and sex-matched controls (n = 150) were chosen from among ward inmates admitted for other reasons. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed for selected sociodemographic, dietary, and lifestyle-related variables. RESULTS: Females had a higher prevalence of gallstone disease than males (P < 0.01). Among males, the geriatric age group (<60 years) was relatively more susceptible (28%). Prepubertal age group was least afflicted (3.3%). Univariate analysis revealed multiparity, high fat, refined sugar, and low fiber intakes to be significantly associated with gallstones. Sedentary habits, recent stress, and hypertension were also among the significant lifestyle-related factors. High body mass index and waist hip ratios, again representing unhealthy lifestyles, were the significant anthropometric covariates. However, only three of these, viz., physical inactivity, high saturated fats, and high waist hip ratio emerged as significant predictors on stepwise logistic regression analysis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Gallstone disease is frequent among females and elderly males. Significant predictor variables are abdominal adiposity, inadequate physical activity, and high intake of saturated fats; thus representing high risk lifestyles and yet amenable to primary prevention.

Septic disruption of lactiferous ducts with heterogeneous carcinoma of the breast in a lactating woman.

This report documents the diagnostic histopathological features of heterogeneous breast carcinoma following sepsis and disruption of the lactiferous ducts in a lactating woman and discusses the pathogenesis. Sections from the nipple revealed disrupted collecting lactiferous ducts presenting with intraduct precarcinoma and carcinoma of the epidermoid type, and attached reparative sprouts lined by lactiferous cells. Breast lobules showed generalised benign adenotic change with various foci of carcinoma microscopically identifiable as intraduct primitive lactiferal ectodermal carcinoma, lactating carcinoma, primitive neuroendocrine carcinoma and myoepithelioid granulomatous carcinoma. The findings led to the conclusion that the lactiferous ducts are susceptible to sepsis and disruption, which may predispose a patient to breast carcinoma. The pattern of carcinoma suggested that lactiferous epithelial cells behaved colonially, with different metaplastic changes, precarcinoma and carcinoma.

Kikuchi-fujimoto disease: diagnostic dilemma and the role of immunohistochemistry.

UNLABELLED: Kikuchi-Fujimoto (KD) disease is the rare differential diagnoses of chronic cervical lymphadenopathy of unknown etiology. The findings of histopathology may be overlapping, in such condition immunohistochemistry has a definite role to play. Since Tubercular lymphadenopathy is the commonest cause for chronic cervical lymphadenopathy in developing and tropical country like India. Occasionally it is misdiagnosed, ignoring the other rare condition like KD if immunohistochemistry is not taken into consideration to differentiate. As a result the morbidity increases and cost of antitubercular treatment (ATT) in wrong diagnosed case is enormous. We report a similar case of misdiagnoses, non responsive to ATT, finally diagnosed as a case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, did well after recommended treatment. KEYWORDS: Necrotizing lymphadenitis; Chronic cervical lymphadenitis; Immunohistochemistry.