Autoimmune pancreatitis versus pancreaticcancer: a comprehensive review withemphasis on differential diagnosis

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare form of chronic pancreatitis with a discrete pathophysiology occasional diagnostic radiological findings, and characteristic histological features. Its etiology and pathogenesis are still under investigation, especially during the last decade Another aspect of interest is the attempt to establish specific criteria for the differential diagnosis between autoimmune pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, entities that are frequently indistinguishable. DATA SOURCES: An extensive search of the PubMed database was performed with emphasis on articles about the differential diagnosis between autoimmune pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer up to the present. RESULTS: The most interesting outcome of recent research is the theory that autoimmune pancreatitis and its various extra-pancreatic manifestations represent a systemic fibro inflammatory process called IgG4-related systemic disease The diagnostic criteria proposed by the Japanese Pancreatic Society, the more expanded HISORt criteria, the new definitions of histological types, and the new guidelines of the International Association of Pancreatology help to establish the diagnosis of the disease types. CONCLUSION: The valuable help of the proposed criteria for the differential diagnosis between autoimmune pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer may lead to avoidance of pointless surgical treatments and increased patient morbidity.

Current surgical management of pancreatic endocrine tumor liver metastases

BACKGROUND: The management of metastatic disease in pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) demands a multidisciplinary approach and the cooperation of several medical specialties. The role of surgery is critical, even when a radical excision cannot always be achieved. DATA SOURCES: A PubMed search of relevant articles published up to February 2011 was performed to identify current information about PET liver metastases regarding diagnosis and management, with an emphasis on surgery. RESULTS: The early diagnosis of metastases and their accurate localization, most commonly in the liver, is very important. Surgical options include radical excision, and palliative excision to relieve symptoms in case of failure of medical treatment. The goal of the radical excision is to remove the primary tumor bulk and all liver metastases at the same time, but unfortunately it is not feasible in most cases. Palliative excisions include aggressive tumor debulking surgeries in well-differentiated carcinomas, trying to remove at least 90% of the tumor mass, combined with other additional destructive techniques such as hepatic artery embolization or chemoembolization to treat metastases or chemoembolization to relieve symptoms in cases of rapidly growing tumors. The combination of chemoembolization and systemic chemotherapy results in better response and survival rates. Other local destructive techniques include ethanol injection, cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation. CONCLUSION: It seems that the current management of PETs can achieve important improvements, even in advanced cases.

Effect of early propranolol administration on portal hypertensive gastropathy in cirrhotic rats

AIM:To investigate any protective effect of early propranolol administration in the development of portal hypertensive gastropathy in cirrhotic rats. METHODS:For the development of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertensive gastropathy,60 rats underwent ligation of the left adrenal vein and complete devascularization of the left renal vein,followed by phenobarbital and carbon tetrachloride(CCl4) administration.After two weeks of CCl4 administration, the rats were randomly separated into two groups.In group A,propranolol was continuously administered intragastrically throughout the study,whereas in group B normal saline(placebo)was administered instead. Hemodynamic studies and vascular morphometric analysis of gastric sections were performed after complete induction of cirrhosis. RESULTS:Vascular morphometric studies showed higher numbers of vessels in all mucosal layers in the control group.Statistical analysis revealed a significantly higher total vascular surface in the control group compared to the propranolol group,but with no statistically significant difference between the mean vascular surfaces between the groups.Our study clearly shows that the increased mucosal blood flow is manifested by a marked increase of vessel count. CONCLUSION:Early propranolol's administration in portal hypertensive cirrhotic rats seems to prevent intense gastric vascular congestion that characterizes portal hypertensive gastropathy.

Indications for the surgical management of pancreatic trauma: An update

Pancreatic trauma is rare compared to other abdominal solid organ injuries,accounting for 0.2%-0.3% of all trauma patients. Moreover, this type of injury may frequently be overlooked or not readily appreciated on initial clinical examinations and investigations. The organ injury scale determines the severity of the trauma. Nonetheless, there are conflicting recommendations for the best strategy in severe cases. Overall, conservative management of induced severe traumatic pancreatitis is adequate. Modern imaging modalities such as ultrasound scanning and computed tomography scanning can detect injuries in fewer than 60% of patients. However, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) have diagnostic accuracies approaching 90%-100%. Thus, management options include ERCP and stent placement or distal pancreatectomy in cases of complete gland transection and wide drainage only for damage control surgery, which can prevent mortality but increases the risk of morbidity. In the majority of cases, surgical intervention is not required and should be reserved for only severe grade Ⅲ to grade Ⅴ injuries.

Platelet rich plasma effectiveness in bowel anastomoses:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Anastomotic leak constitutes a major problem in abdominal surgery.Technical insufficiency,topical or systemic factors contribute to disrupted healing of the performed bowel anastomosis and result in anastomosis leakage,with detrimental effects on patient postoperative outcomes.Despite the investigation of several factors and the invention of protective materials,the ideal agent to prevent anastomotic leaks is yet to be determined.AIM To study the effect of platelet rich plasma(PRP)on the healing of bowel anastomoses.METHODS A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed,EMBASE,and Scopus databases to identify studies investigating the effect of PRP application on bowel anastomosis.RESULTS Eighteen studies were eligible with a total population of 712 animals including rats(14 studies),rabbits(2 studies)and pigs(2 studies).No postoperative complications were reported following PRP application.Fourteen out of 18 studies reported a statistically significant higher anastomosis bursting pressure in PRP groups compared to control either in healthy animals or animal models with underlying condition or intervention,such as intraperitoneal chemotherapy or peritonitis.Similar results were reported by ten studies in terms of tissue hydroxyproline levels.One study reported significant increase in collagen deposition in PRP groups.PRP application resulted in significantly decreased inflammatory cell infiltration in the presence of peritonitis or intraperitoneal chemotherapy(6 studies).CONCLUSION The application of PRP is associated with improved bowel anastomosis outcomes,especially in animal models having an underlying condition affecting the normal healing process.PRP application seems to augment the normal healing process under these circumstances.However,further studies are needed to investigate the potential role of PRP on bowel anastomosis healing,especially in clinical settings.