3D navigation in surgery of Eagle syndrome.

NTRODUCTION: Eagle's syndrome is a rare condition caused by the elongation of the styloid process (> 4 cm) or calcification of the stylohyoid ligament. Patients with Eagle's syndrome typically present various clinical symptoms, such as headache, facial pain, neck pain, pulsating pain, sore throat, foreign body sensation, dysphagia, dysphonia, cough, voice changes, otalgia or vertigo. 3D printing refers to processes in which successive layers of material are formed from 3D computer tomography data to synthesize a three-dimensional object. This new diagnostic technique of rapid prototyping technology led to innovative new applications in biomedicine. OBJECTIVE: The primary goal for this case study was to find out, whether the nowadays so popular 3D technology aids in the treatment of the Eagle syndrome or other similar craniofacial abnormalities during the surgical procedure. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a patient who initially presented a combination of symptoms like headache, sore throat, neck pain, which exacerbated with the movement of the head. This case report provides a brief review of the diagnosis and surgical management of the Eagle's syndrome with the help of 3D model navigation. CONCLUSION: Eagle's syndrome is difficult to diagnose due to its wide variability in symptoms. The inherent accuracy and other properties of 3D printing have allowed it to have exciting applications in anatomy education and surgery, with great benefit to the maxillofacial surgery. With the assistance of 3D technology, it is much easier for the surgeon to plan the surgical approach and the surgery, and significantly reduce the operation time (Fig. 3, Ref. 22).

Is the prevalence of the medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws underestimated, evaluation in oncological and non-oncological disease.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in Slovak population and compare the literature findings, whether the prevalence of MRONJ is underestimated. BACKGROUND: Antiresorptive drugs significantly increase quality of life, although during therapy, or in post-treatment period, osteonecrosis of the jaws might occur as a severe adverse effect. Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is a severe problem that has been observed in the past few years. METHODS: This multi-centric study evaluates the prevalence in Slovak population, assesses the values from 4 largest centres of maxillofacial surgery in Slovakia (1166 patients with MRONJ) and provides the comparison of literature review. RESULTS: Between 2010-2015, there was increasing number of newly diagnosed patients with MRONJ (1166 overall MRONJ patients) annually, except 2012 (mean growth of 123.88 %). This finding was supported by a statistical analysis of the rising tendency of prevalence in literature, where there was a significant difference in prevalence of non-oncologic patients before and after 2010 t(15) = 2.725, p = 0.016. The 6-year prevalence was 1.34 % in population with antiresorptive drugs intake, for osteoporosis 0.47 %, for breast cancer 4.10 %, prostate cancer 3.99 % and multiple myeloma 21.26 %. CONCLUSION: This study considers that there is a significant rising tendency of MRONJ in non-oncological patients, what could be caused by underestimation of the risk for development MRONJ in these patients. There should be a better cooperation and information among dentists and doctors indicating the antiresorptive treatment and strong emphasis on primary prevention before the initial treatment even in non-oncological patients (Tab. 5, Fig. 7, Ref. 69).

Plasmocytoma, multiple myeloma and plasma cell neoplasms in orofacial region.

A neoplastic proliferation of B cell lymphocyte is called plasma cell neoplasms, results from malignant plasma cells transformation in bone marrow. The authors present a clinical study and overview of this pathology in maxillofacial region for six years (Tab. 2, Ref. 14).

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.

OBJECTIVES: A number of treatment modalities are available in the management of oral cavity cancer. These are surgery (operation OP), irradiation (radiotherapy RT), chemotherapy (CHT), or complex therapy performed as a combination of the later three methods with various survival rates. A multidisciplinary team approach in every individual case is required. BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Authors analysed retrospectively a group of 622 patients (553 men, 69 women), mean age 58.6 years (range 23-88 years) hospitalised in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty Hospital and Faculty of Medicine Comenius University in Bratislava within the years 1992-2001 with primary untreated histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity (beside cancer of the lip and salivary glands). Gender, age, location and TNM staging of the disease, clinical and histopathological evaluations of the neck lymph nodes and relationship to the treatment modalities were recorded. The authors compared some parameters of the results obtained during their previous study within the years 1977-1986 (453 patients). RESULTS: The number of cases with squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity increased by 37.31% in total as well as that of cases with advanced disease, especially stage IV (318 patients = 56.6%) increased by 7.6%. In the studied group there occurred cases that were clinically falsely negative by NO (11.04%) as well as falsely positive by N1 (39.1%) when examined by palpation of lymph nodes. The overall 5-year survival rate remained at the same level (55.4 %), the early and late stages did not change the survival rate at the 5th year (I = 75.1%, II = 69.9%, III = 47.5%, IV = 25.1%). Regarding the complexity of treatment, the best 5-year survival rates showed the complex three-modal therapy (CHT + OP + RT = 23.5%), comparing to the dual (OP + RT or CHT + RT = 19.4%) and mono-modal therapy (OP or RT alone = 17.2%). In the complex therapy, the mean disease-free interval improved (30.2 vs 39.4 months) due to a change in the sequence of therapy modalities. CONCLUSION: The increase in the number of cases with advanced disease has a warning trend. The reasons of this trend remain unclear. In spite of the fact that the overal 5-year survival was found not to improve, the quality of life regarding the mean disease-free interval in the group of patients under the complex treatment is considered to be a positive result (Tab. 3, Fig. 4, Ref. 27). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

Recovery of exocrine pancreas six months following pancreatitis induction with L-arginine in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

The aim of the present work was to investigate the laboratory and morphologic alterations in the pancreas 6 months after pancreatitis induction with L-arginine (Arg) in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. The amylase content of the pancreas was significantly decreased in the Arg-treated groups vs. the control group. No significant changes were observed in the DNA, soluble protein and lipase contents of the pancreas. In the STZ-treated groups, the serum glucose level was significantly elevated, whereas the serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI) level was significantly decreased vs. the control group. In these treated groups, the amylase content of the pancreas was also significantly decreased, but that of trypsinogen was significantly elevated vs. the control group. Histologic sections revealed periductal fibroses, adipose tissue and tubular complexes in the Arg-treated rats, but centroacinar hyperplasia was not observed in these groups. No alterations were observed on histological examination in the diabetic rats vs. normal rats 6 months following pancreatitis induction. In conclusion, a major restitution of the pancreatic enzyme content, but moderate histologic alterations were detected 6 months following pancreatitis induction with Arg. The diabetic state appeared to shift the normal pancreatic enzyme content (decreased amylase and increased trypsinogen) in this long-term study, but not to modify the recovery of the exocrine pancreas 6 months following Arg-induced pancreatitis.

The pathogenesis of L-arginine-induced acute necrotizing pancreatitis: inflammatory mediators and endogenous cholecystokinin.

This study was aimed at an assessment of the role of oxygen-derived free radicals, cytokines and endogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) in the pathogenesis of L-arginine (Arg)-induced acute pancreatitis in rat. We measured the levels of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase and superoxide dismutase (Mn- and Cu, Zn-SOD) in pancreatic tissue, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and CCK, and evaluated the protective effect of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol and a novel CCK receptor antagonist KSG-504. Acute pancreatitis was induced in male Wistar rats by injecting 2x 250 mg/100 g body weight of Arg intraperitoneally in an 1-h interval, as a 20% solution in 0.15 M NaCl. Control rats received the same quantity of glycine. 200 mg x kg(-1) allopurinol 30 min before the first Arg treatment or 50 mg x kg(-1) KSG-504 30 min before and 6, 18 and 36 h after the first Arg injection was administered subcutaneously. Rats were killed at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h following Arg administration, and acute pancreatitis was confirmed by a serum amylase level elevation and typical inflammatory features observed microscopically. The serum level of amylase reached the peak level at 24 h after the Arg injection (30,800 +/- 3,813 versus 6,382 +/- 184 U x L(-1) in the control) and normalized at 48 h. The tissue concentration of MDA was significantly elevated at 24 h, and reached the peak value at 48 h (5.00 +/- 1.75 versus 0.28 +/- 0.05 nM x mg(-1) protein in the control). The catalase and Mn-SOD activities were significantly decreased throughout the study, while the GPx activity was significantly reduced at 6 and 12 h, and the Cu, Zn-SOD activity was significantly lower at 12 h after the Arg injection as compared with the controls. Both the TNF-alpha and the IL-6 levels were already elevated significantly at 12 h and peak at 24 h versus the controls (19.1 +/- 7.9 U x mL(-1) and 57.6 +/- 11.2 pg x mL(-1) versus 3.1 +/- 0.8 U x mL(-1) and 15.2 +/- 3.1 pg x mL(-1), respectively). No significant changes in plasma CCK levels were observed. Allopurinol treatment markedly reduced the serum amylase elevation (12.631 +/- 2.257 U x L(-1) at 24 h), prevented the increase in tissue MDA concentration (0.55 +/- 0.09 nM x mg(-1) protein at 48 h) and significantly ameliorated the pancreatic edema, necrosis and inflammation at 48 h after Arg administration. KSG-504 administration did not exert any beneficial effect on the development of histopathological changes neither modified the serum amylase or cytokine levels. Oxygen-derived free radicals and cytokines are involved, while endogenous CCK does not seem to play a role in the pathogenesis of Arg-induced acute pancreatitis.

Exocrine pancreatic function in rats after acute pancreatitis.

The present studies were performed to evaluate pancreatic exocrine function in rats during the early stage of acute pancreatitis in two models: one is edematous pancreatitis induced by four subcutaneous injections of 20 micrograms/kg body weight of cerulein at hourly intervals and the other is hemorrhagic pancreatitis induced by retrograde infusion of 0.4 ml/kg body weight of 3% sodium taurocholate (NaTc) into the pancreatic duct. Secretory studies were performed in vivo under urethane anesthesia at various times after induction of acute pancreatitis. Basal pancreatic fluid secretion was significantly elevated after induction of acute pancreatitis in both the cerulein and the NaTc models, reaching the peak level on postpancreatitic days 1 and 3, respectively. In both models of rats, a stepwise increasing dose of cerulein was unable to cause a further increase in fluid secretion above the basal level, whereas it caused a dose-dependent increase in protein output in both models, although the responsiveness and the sensitivity were markedly reduced compared with the controls. In contrast to cerulein, secretin caused a dose-dependent increase in fluid secretion in both models of pancreatitis. In cerulein-induced postpancreatitic rats, secretin also caused a dose-dependent increase in protein output and bicarbonate concentration, but it had only a small effect at certain doses in NaTc-induced postpancreatitic rats. These results indicate that basal pancreatic fluid secretion was greatly increased but the secretory response to cerulein stimulation was reduced in acute pancreatitis early after the onset but was not reduced to secretin stimulation and that protein output and bicarbonate concentration were reduced depending on the severity of pancreatitis (NaTc-pancreatitis > cerulein-pancreatitis.

Evaluation of pancreatic exocrine function by secretin-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.

AIM: To assess the feasibility and usefulness of secretin-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (S-MRCP) for evaluation of pancreatic exocrine function. METHODOLOGY: S-MRCP was performed in 20 patients with mild (n = 8) or severe (n = 12) chronic pancreatitis (according to the grade of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency indicated by the Lundh test) and in 10 volunteers without pancreatic disease. MRCP images were evaluated before and 10 minutes after the intravenous administration of 0.5 IU/kg secretin. The changes in pancreatic tissue T2 signal intensity and duodenal filling after the injection of secretin were determined by means of S-MRCP. The S-MRCP findings were then compared with those of the Lundh test. RESULTS: The pancreatic T2 signal intensity showed a significant elevation after secretin administration in the volunteers and in the patients with mild or severe chronic pancreatitis. This elevation was significantly lower in patients with mild and severe chronic pancreatitis than in the volunteers (66.85+/-15.77 and 24.45+/-5.85 vs. 200.0+/-45.07, respectively). After administration of secretin. the diameter of the duodenum was significantly increased in all three groups. This duodenal filling was significantly reduced in patients with mild or severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency as compared with the volunteers (4.12+/-1.33 and 1.70+/-0.77 vs. 15.38+/-1.73, respectively). There was no significant difference in pancreatic T2 signal intensity changes or in duodenal filling in patients with mild or severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. There were significant correlations between the pancreatic T2 signal intensity changes and the duodenal filling and the results of the Lundh test (r = -0.616 and -0.78). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the administration of secretin increases the T2 signal intensity of the pancreatic tissue and the diameter of the duodenum to different extents in normal subjects and in patients with chronic pancreatitis. This suggests that S-MRCP can provide information of value in the assessment of an exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Pancreatic secretory responses in L-arginine-induced pancreatitis: comparison of diabetic and nondiabetic rats.

The aim of this work was to study cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8)-stimulated pancreatic secretion after the induction of pancreatitis with L-arginine (ARG) in rats with or without streptozotocin (STZ) diabetes. One, 3, 7, and 14 days after pancreatitis induction, rats were surgically prepared with pancreatic duct and femoral vein cannulae under urethane anesthesia. Graded doses of CCK-8 ranging from 9 to 2,400 ng/kg/30 min were administered intravenously. In the control group, the step-wise increasing doses of CCK-8 resulted in a characteristic dose-response curve for the pancreatic volume, protein and amylase secretion (maximal volume, protein and amylase output at 600 ng/kg/30 min of CCK-8: 157 +/- 20.2 microl/30 min, 28.3 +/- 1.18 mg/30 min, and 3,750 +/- 92 IU/30 min, respectively). In rats with pancreatitis, the pancreatic volume (both basal and maximal) and amylase secretion were significantly elevated on day 1 versus the control group; then on days 3,7, and 14, the pancreatic secretory volume and amylase were progressively and significantly decreased versus the control group. However, the protein output was continuously decreased versus the control group on days 1, 3, 7, and 14. In diabetic rats, the maximal volume and protein and amylase output were all significantly decreased versus the control group throughout the experiment. In the diabetes + pancreatitis group, the maximal volume and protein and amylase output were all significantly increased versus the diabetes group on days 1, 3, 7, and 14. These results indicate that in the early phase of ARG-induced pancreatitis, the pancreatic secretion is characterized by increases in secretory volume and amylase, with a simultaneous decrease in protein output. Simultaneous diabetes seems to moderate the CCK-8-stimulated secretory changes in both the early and late phases after ARG-induced pancreatitis.

Effect of a liquid meal given as a bolus into the jejunum on human pancreatic secretion.

Major features of pancreatic secretion stimulated by a meal depend on intestinal phase mechanisms. However, an intrajejunal (i.j.) meal infusion is widely used for the treatment of inflammatory pancreatic diseases when the resting of the gland is desired. This study was undertaken to compare the effects of an intragastric (i.g.) and an i.j. complete fluid (Lundh) test meal on pancreatic enzyme secretion. Eight men (mean age, 43 years; range, 31-48) free from pancreatic disease were studied. Pancreatic secretion was measured via a multiple-lumen tube by aspiration of the duodenal juice. After a fasting period, the Lundh test meal was placed in the stomach or the upper jejunum. After the i.g. administration of the test meal, the aspirated duodenal juice was reinfused into the jejunum. The effect of atropine infusion (0.5 microg/kg/h) on the pancreatic enzyme secretion was studied. The pancreatic amylase, trypsin, and lipase outputs were determined. The plasma levels of cholecystokinin (CCK) and of gastrin were measured by bioassay and radioimmunoassay, respectively. The trypsin, amylase, and lipase secretions increased significantly after either an i.g. or an i.j. test meal intake. The trypsin, amylase, and lipase outputs were significantly decreased during the i.j. perfusion as compared with i.g. administration. The gastrin levels increased significantly after i.g., but remained unchanged after i.j. administration. The CCK release attained its maximum 40 and 60 min after the i.g. and i.j. test meal, respectively. However, the CCK release was significantly lower during the i.j. administration as compared with i.g. perfusion. An atropine infusion significantly reduced the i.g. and i.j. test meal-stimulated enzyme outputs. An i.j.-administered meal stimulates the pancreatic enzyme secretion, but this effect is significantly lower than that which occurs on i.g. administration. The i.j. meal-stimulated secretion of pancreatic enzymes is subject to both cholinergic and peptidergic regulation. The deficiency of gastrin and the delayed and decreased CCK release are believed to account for the reduced enzyme output.

Role of endogenous cholecystokinin and cholecystokinin-A receptors in the development of acute pancreatitis in rats.

Recent studies provide significant evidence that cholecystokinin (CCK) is involved in the induction and development of acute pancreatitis in experimental animals. However, the results obtained with specific CCK-A (peripheral) receptor antagonists are still controversial. The present studies were undertaken to evaluate the involvement of endogenous CCK and the CCK-A receptors in the development of severe acute pancreatitis induced in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats that have a selective defect in the CCK-A receptor. Three models of severe acute pancreatitis were induced by retrograde intraductal infusion of 4% sodium taurocholate, by the closed duodenal loop, or by a single intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg/100 g body weight of L-arginine in OLETF rats and control Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats. Plasma CCK levels rose up to 4- to 14-fold over the preloading values after the onset of acute pancreatitis in all three models in both groups of rats. However, histologic alterations as well as the magnitudes of increase in serum amylase and lipase activity and the pancreatic wet weight were significantly less in the OLETF rats than those in the LETO rats. In addition, 72 h after the onset of arginine pancreatitis, massive destruction of pancreatic parenchyma with a significant reduction in serum amylase and lipase activities and pancreatic wet weight was observed in the LETO rats, whereas these changes were not seen in OLETF rats. These results suggest that endogenous CCK and CCK-A receptors play a role in the development of severe acute pancreatitis in rats.

Oxidative stress changes in L-arginine-induced pancreatitis in rats.

The important role of oxygen radicals in acute experimental pancreatitis was demonstrated by study of the changes in the antioxidant system in the blood, liver, kidney, and pancreas of rats after the administration of a large quantity of L-arginine (L-Arg). The changes in lipid peroxidation and in reduced and oxidized glutathione were followed, as well as the activities of peroxide-decomposing enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and H2O2-producing superoxide dismutases. The results demonstrated that "oxidative stress" develops and acute pancreatitis appears rapidly after L-Arg treatment. Oxidative stress symptoms are expressed 24 h after the final treatment. Slow restitution of the studied antioxidant system can be demonstrated as early as after 48 h.

Continuous enteral feeding has an attenuating effect on the exocrine pancreas in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Recent clinical observations suggest that continuous enteral feeding (CEF) may exert a beneficial effect in the management of inflammatory pancreatic diseases. Its effects on the exocrine pancreas, however, remain only partially investigated. AIM: To examine the effects of CEF on the exocrine pancreas in rats. METHODOLOGY: Eight male Wistar rats were intrajejunally cannulated, and CEF was started on postoperative day 6. In 10 control animals, laparotomy was followed by intragastric feeding (GF) with the same nutriment (Osmolite, Abbott) from postoperative day 6. The daily discharge was 24 kcal in both groups. After 5 days of feeding, the pancreas was removed; its weight and its protein, DNA, trypsin, and lipase contents were determined; and the exocrine pancreas was also examined for structural changes. RESULTS: The results revealed no significant difference in body weight loss between the two groups of animals, whereas the pancreas weight/body weight ratio was lower (p < 0.01) in the CEF group. The pancreatic protein, DNA, and enzyme contents were decreased (p < 0.01) after CEF as compared with the values for the GF group. Histologic examinations demonstrated clear decreases in acinar size and in the zymogen content of the pancreas in the CEF animals. CONCLUSION: This study clearly indicates that CEF reduces the enzyme production of the pancreas.

Effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide on acute and chronic effects of morphine.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which has been observed in different parts of the nervous system, is known to modify pain sensitivity to different stimuli in rats and mice. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible interaction of CGRP with morphine on nociception in adult male NMRI mice after central administration of the peptide. CGRP (20 or 200 ng) did not itself modify pain sensitivity in the tail-flick test and did not affect the acute antinociceptive action of a single dose of morphine in the same test. However, CGRP suppressed the development of rapid tolerance to morphine in a dose-dependent manner, but had no action on the development of chronic tolerance to morphine and on manifestations of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal syndrome.

[Comparative study of the role of CA 19-9, CA 72-4 and CEA tumor antigens in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and other gastrointestinal malignant diseases]. / A CA 19-9, CA 72-4 és a CEA tumorantigének összehasonlító vizsgálata a pancreascarcinoma és az egyéb emésztöszervi malignus betegségek diagnózisában.

The diagnostic value of CA 19-9, CA 72-4 and CEA was evaluated in 291 patients (including 39 with pancreatic cancer, 32 with gastric cancer, 36 with colorectal cancer and 40 with chronic pancreatitis). These markers were determined in the serum by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CA 72-4) or microparticle enzyme immunoassay (CA 19-9 and CEA) methods. In serodiagnostic evaluations relating to pancreatic cancer, CA 19-9 proved superior to CA 72-4 and CEA (sensitivity: 79.5 vs. 56.5 and 62.5%; specificity: 84.1 vs. 77.9 and 77.2%; diagnostic accuracy: 85.9 vs. 75.8 and 75.7%, respectively). For gastric carcinoma, CA 72-4 appeared the most sensitive: 53.1% of all patients were identified with a specificity of 78.9% and a diagnostic accuracy of 75.4%. In the diagnosis; of colorectal cancer, CEA exhibited the highest sensitivity (63.9%) and diagnostic accuracy (76.2%). Elevated CA 19-9 levels were obtained in only 7.7% of patients with chronic pancreatitis. Tumor marker determination is useful in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal malignancies: the marker of choice in pancreatic cancer is CA 19-9, in gastric cancer it is CA 72-4 and in colorectal cancer it is CEA. CA 19-9 is effective in discriminating between pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis.

[Endoscopic therapy of pancreas divisum]. / A pancreas divisum endoscopos kezelésének lehetóségei.

Pancreas divisum is the most frequent congenital ductal anomaly of the pancreas: it occurs in 5-10% of the population. In the majority of patients, this congenital anomaly is of no clinical importance. In a certain subset of patients, however, pancreas divisum is clinically important as a cause of abdominal pain, acute recurrent pancreatitis or chronic obstructive pancreatitis. The authors, experience on endoscopic drainage of the minor papilla is reported. In the history of patient 1., three episodes of recurrent pancreatitis and permanent upper abdominal pain were explored. ERP revealed a pancreas divisum and a mild irregularity and dilation of the dorsal pancreatic duct. A 7 F stent (length: 6 cm) was implanted in the dorsal pancreatic duct following a papillotomy on the stenotic minor papilla. A repeated Lundh test revealed a 58% improvement in the exocrine pancreatic function. No recurrence of pancreatitis has been observed in spite of the moderate continuous abdominal pain. In patient 2., ERP demonstrated a pancreas divisum and a severely dilated dorsal pancreatic duct as causes of the previous permanent abdominal pain. An 8 F stent (length: 5 cm) was inserted through the minor papilla without endoscopic sphincterotomy. A significant improvement in exocrine pancreatic function (70%) ensued. No abdominal pain has since been observed. In conclusion, dorsal pancreatic duct stenting (mainly in cases involving a dilated pancreatic duct) seems to have a beneficial effect in patients with both recurrent acute pancreatitis or chronic obstructive pancreatitis evoked by pancreas divisum.

[Diagnostic value of fecal elastase test in pancreatic exocrine deficiency]. / A széklet elasztáz-teszt diagnosztikus értéke exokrin pancreas-elégtelenségben.

The diagnostic value of the estimation of faecal elastase-1, the new noninvasive direct pancreatic function test was evaluated in a total of 35 patients. Twenty one patients were diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis and categorized according to grades of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency based on the Lundh test, 14 patients in the control group had gastrointestinal disorders. Faecal elastase 1 was measured by ELISA method. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of elastase determination was 71.4%, 92.8%, 88.2%, 81.2% and 83.7%, respectively in chronic pancreatitis. In the severe exocrine pancreas insufficiency group (n = 14), the sensitivity was 85.7%, while in the group with mild insufficiency (n = 7) the sensitivity was only 42.8%. The determination of faecal elastase is useful in the diagnosis of severe exocrine pancreas insufficiency, but it is not sensitive enough in the mild form of the disease.

[Cardiovascular complications of pancreatis diseases]. / Pancreasbetegségekhez társuló cardiovascularis eltérések.

Under physiological conditions, the pancreas scarcely influences the function of the cardiovascular system, although the hormones produced in the healthy pancreas (insulin, glucagon and somatostatin) affect the myocardial contractility in pharmacological doses. Among the diseases of the pancreas, the pancreatic tumours (insulinoma, glucagonoma and vipoma), furthermore the acute and chronic pancreatitis involve cardiovascular complications, which influence the outcome of the disease. Although the clinical picture is dominated by the metabolic changes of the excessively produced hormones in pancreatic tumours, the cardiac and vascular effects of the hormones may be considerable. In acute necrotizing pancreatitis, enzymes released from the pancreas and inflammatory mediators transform acute necrotizing pancreatitis into "multiple organ disease"; one of the important forms of this disease is the cardiovascular shock syndrome. One of the best-known complications of chronic pancreatitis is the pancreoprive diabetes mellitus, and beside that other, nonspecific cardiac alterations (e.g. ECG-changes) may occur.

[Effect of continuous enteral feeding on pancreas exocrin function in rats]. / Folyamatos enteralis táplálás hatása a hasnyálmirigy exocrin múködésére patkányban.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of continuous enteral feeding (CEF) on the exocrine pancreas in rats. Eight male Wistar rats were intrajejunally cannulated and CEF was started on postoperative day 6. In 10 control animals, laparotomy was followed by intragastric feeding (GF) with the same nutriment (Osmolite, Abbott, 254 mosm/l) from postoperative day 6. The daily discharge was 24 kcal in both groups. After five days of feeding, the pancreas was removed, its weight and its protein, DNA, trypsin and lipase contents were determined. The results revealed no significant difference in body weight loss between the two groups of animals, whereas the pancreas weight/body weight ratio was lower (p < 0.01) in the CEF group. The pancreatic protein, DNA, trypsin and lipase contents were decreased (p < 0.01) after CEF as compared with the values for the GF group.