Clinical Diagnosis Technique of Goat Pox Disease

[Objective] The aim was to provide theoretical basis for effective prevention of goat pox disease.[Method] 5 cases of infected goats were diagnosed for goat pox with microbiology examination.The poxes on their skin,rumen,reticulum,omasum,abomasum and submandibular lymph nodes,bronchial lymph nodes,lung and spleen were macroscopically and microscopically observed with pathanatomical and histopathological technique.[Result] Poxes on skin mainly showed ashen hemisphere state and gave prominence to the surface of skin; some cases had hemorrhage in the poxes and showed dark purplish red.Poxes on gastric mucosa showed ashen.Cytoplasmic inclusion body could be all observed in epithelial cells of the poxes and macrphages of lymph node,lung and spleen.[Conclusion] Poxes on skin,lung and the surface of gastric mucosa as well as cytoplasmic inclusion body in the epithelial cells of pox and the macrphages of lymphoid organs were the especial pathochanges of goat pox,which could be taken as the proof of goat pox＇s clinic diagnisis.

Predictive value of D-dimer for portal vein thrombosis after portal hypertension surgery in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis

AIM: To evaluate the predictive value of D-dimer as a predictive indicator of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after portal hypertension surgery in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out in 52 patients who had undergone surgery for portal hypertension in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis. Changes in perioperative dynamic D-dimer were observed. The sensitivity, specifi city, positive predictive values and negative predictive values of D-dimer were calculated, and ROC curves were analyzed. RESULTS: The D-dimer levels in the group developing postoperative PVT was signifi cantly higher than those in the group not developing PVT (P = 0.001), and the ROC semi-quantitative and qualitative analysis of D-dimer showed a moderate predictive value in PVT (semi- quantitative value Az = 0.794, P = 0.000; qualitative analysis: Az = 0.739, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Dynamic monitoring of D-dimer levels in patients with portal hypertension after surgery can help early diagnosis of PVT, as in cases where the D-dimer levels steadily increase and exceed 16 μg/mL, the possibility of PVT is very high.

Total thyroidectomy is safer with identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve

Objective:To investigate the effect of recurrent laryngeal nerve(RLN)identification on the complications after total thyroidectomy and lobectomy.Methods:Total 134 consecutive patients undergoing total thyroidectomy or thyroid lobectomy from January 2003 to November 2004 were investigated retrospectively.Patients were divided into two groups:RLN identified (Group A)or not(Group B).The two groups were compared for RLN injury and hypocalcaemia.Results:The numbers of patients and nerves at risk were 71 and 129 in Group A,and 63 and 121 in Group B,respectively.RLN injury in Group A(0)was sig- nificantly lower than that in Group B(57.9%)patients,75.8%nerves)for the numbers of patients(P=0.016)and nerves at risk (P=0.006).Temporary hypocalcaemia was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B(1424.1%vs 610.3%,P=0.049). Permanent complications in Group B were significantly higher than those in Group A(1320.6%vs 45.6%,P=0.009).Con- clusion:RLN injury was prevented and permanent complications were decreased by identifying the whole course and branches of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during total thyroidectomy.

Retrospective Analysis of Diagnosis by Intraoperative Frozen Section and Routine Paraffin Embedded Tissue in 638 Thyroid Disease Patients

OBJECTIVE To summarize a common pathogenefic condition, the pathologic characteristics shown in frozen section and our experience utilizing 2 different common thyroid diseases （TD）. diagnostic methods in cases of METHODS Data from 638 cases with frozen sections from thyroid tissue were retrospectively analyzed. The intraoperative frozen sections of the patients and postoperative diagnostic results of routine paraffin sections were compared. RESULTS In the 683 patients, the gender ratio of females to males was 2.64 ： 1, and the ratio between the patients with nodular goiter （NG） and the patients with thyroid adenoma was 1.5 ： 1. The oldest age group of patients with thyroid cancer （TC） ranged from 40 to 49 years. Frozen section pathologic examination has been employed more and more in the diagnosis of thyroid diseases, and the detection rate of TC has increased year by year, i.e., the rate increased to 6.45%, 7.58%, 14.55% and 16.57%, respectively, in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Thyroid papillary carcinoma （TPC） was the most commonly seen malignant tumor of the thyroid （MTT）, which accounted for approximately 94.8% of MTTs and 11.44% of the total TDs. Micropapillary carcinoma accounted for 27.4% of TPC, and multifocal carcinomas accounted for 15.58% of TCs. Many of the TCs （19.48%） were complicated by benign diseases such as adenoma, NG and thyroiditis. The coincidence rate of diagnoses made by frozen section and paraffin embedding for thyroid disease was 98.59%. Calcification was rather common in NG and TPC, and there were significant differences in psammoma bodies （PMB） between the calcifications of TPC and NG （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION TPC ranks first in the incidence of MTTs and accounts for 94.8% of all MTTs. About 1/4 of TPCs are micropapillary carcinoma, while 1/5 are accompanied by benign disease, such as adenorna, NG and thyroiditis. PMB are of importance and of significance in the diagnosis of TPC.

Factors associated with time to laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis

AIM: To determine patient and process of care factors associated with performance of timely laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review of 88 consecutive patients with acute cholecystitis was conducted. Data collected included demographic data, co-morbidities, symptoms and physical findings at presentation, laboratory and radiological investigations, length of stay, complications, and admission service (medical or surgical). Patients not undergoing cholecystectomy during this hospitalization were excluded from analysis. Hierarchical generalized linear models were constructed to assess the association of pre-operative diagnostic procedures, presenting signs, and admitting service with time to surgery.RESULTS: Seventy cases met inclusion and exclusion criteria, among which 12 were admitted to the medical service and 58 to the surgical service. Mean ± SD time to surgery was 39.3 ± 43 h, with 87% of operations performed within 72 h of hospital arrival. In the adjusted models, longer time to surgery was associated with number of diagnostic studies and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP, P = 0.01) as well with admission to medical service without adjustment for ERCP (P < 0.05). Patients undergoing both magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and computed tomography (CT) scans experienced the longest waits for surgery. Patients admitted to the surgical versus medical service underwent surgery earlier (30.4 ± 34.9 vs 82.7 ± 55.1 h, P < 0.01), had less post-operative complications (12% vs 58%, P < 0.01), and shorter length of stay (4.3 ± 3.4 vs 8.1 ± 5.2 d, P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Admission to the medical service and performance of numerous diagnostic procedures, ERCP, or MRCP combined with CT scan were associated with longer time to surgery. Expeditious performance of ERCP and MRCP and admission of medically stable patients with suspected cholecystitis to the surgical service to speed up time to surgery should be considered.

Anatomical variations of the cystic duct:Two case reports

Anatomical variations of the cystic duct often occur and may be encountered during cholecystectomy. Knowledge of the variable anatomy of the cystic duct and cysticohepatic junction is important to avoid significant ductal injury in biliary surgery. Here, we present two unusual cases with an anomalous cystic duct, namely, low lateral insertion and narrow-winding of the cystic duct. The first case was a 64-year-old man with cholelithiasis and chronic cholecystitis. During surgery, the entrance of the cystic duct was misidentified as being short and leading into the right hepatic duct. Further exploration showed multiple calculi in the right and common hepatic ducts. Cholecystectomy was completed, followed by T-tube drainage of the common and right hepatic ducts. Postoperative T-tube cholangiography demonstrated that the two T tubes were respectively located in the cystic and common hepatic duct. Six weeks later, the retained stones in the distal choledochus were extracted by cholangioscopy through the sinus tract of the T-tube. The second case was a 41-year-old woman, in which, preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed a long cystic duct, with a narrow and curved-in lumen. The patient underwent open cholecystectomy. Both patients were cured. The authors propose that preoperative ERCP or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and intraoperative cholangiography or cholangioscopy constitute a useful and safe procedure for determining anatomical variations of the cystic duct.

Diagnosis of Seasonal Variations of Tropical Cyclogenesis over the South China Sea Using a Genesis Potential Index

This study examines the seasonal variations of tropical cyclogenesis over the South China Sea (SCS) using a genesis potential (GP) index developed by Emanuel and Nolan. How different environmental factors (including low-level vorticity, mid-level relative humidity, vertical wind shear, and potential intensity) contribute to these variations is investigated. Composite anomalies of the GP index are produced for the summer and winter monsoons separately. These composites replicate the observed seasonal variations of the observed frequency and location of tropical cyclogenesis over the SCS. The degree of contribution by each factor in different regions is determined quantitatively by producing composites of modified indices in which only one of the contributing factors varies, with the others set to climatology. Over the northern SCS, potential intensity makes the largest contributions to the seasonal variations in tropical cyclogenesis. Over the southern SCS, the low-level relative vorticity plays the primary role in the seasonal modulation of tropical cyclone (TC) genesis frequency, and the vertical wind shear plays the secondary role. Thermodynamic factors play more important roles for the seasonal variations in tropical cyclogenesis over the northern SCS, while dynamic factors are more important in the seasonal modulation of TC genesis frequency over the southern SCS.

Preoperative Diagnosis of Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Kidney with Percutaneous Fine Needle Biopsy and Management with Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy: One Case Report and Literatures Review

Introduction Solitary fibrous tumor （SFT） of the kidney is a rare spindle cell neoplasm and all reported SFTs of the kidney were diagnosed through pathological examination and immunohistochemical study after open nephrectomy or open radical nephrectomy. We present a case of SFT of the kidney diagnosed through fine needle core biopsy preoperatively in a 50-year-old female and managed with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Due to the difficulty in discriminating between malignant and benign growth pattern of this tumor entity, a regular follow-up after conservative treatment is mandatory.

Preventive effect of regional radiotherapy with phosphorus-32 glass microspheres in hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after hepatectomy

AIM: To evaluate the preventive effects of phosph-orus-32 glass microspheres (P32-GMS) in the recurrence of massive hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) after tumor resection. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with massive HCCs received local P32-GMS implantation after liver tumors were removed,while the other 38 patients with massive HCCs were not treated with P32-GMS after hepatectomies. The radioactivity of the blood,urine and liver were examined. The complications,HCC recurrence and overall survival rates in the patients were analyzed. RESULTS: P32-GMS implanted in the liver did not cause systemic absorption of P32. There were no significant differences of postoperative complications between the patients with and without P32-GMS treatment. The short-term (six months and 1 year) and long-term (2,3 and over 3 years) recurrence rates in patients who received P32-GMS radiotherapy were signifi cantly decreased,and the overall survival rates in this group were signifi cantly improved. CONCLUSION: P32-GMS implantation in the liver can significantly decrease the postoperative recurrence and improve the overall survival in HCCs patients after hepatectomy. This therapy may provide an innovative method in prevention of HCC recurrence after operation.

Ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head:A focus on current diagnostic and surgical concepts

Complete surgical resection still remains the only possibility of curing pancreatic cancer,however,only 10% of patients undergo curative surgery.Pancreatic resection currently remains the only method of curing patients,and has a 5-year overall survival rate between 7%-34% compared to a median survival of 3-11 mo for unresected cancer.Pancreatic surgery is a technically demanding procedure requiring highly standardized surgical techniques.Nevertheless,even in experienced hands,perioperative morbidity rates(delayed gastric emptying,pancreatic fistula etc.) are as high as 50%.Different strategies to reduce postoperative morbidity,such as different techniques of gastroenteric reconstruction(pancreatico-jejunostomy vs pancreatico-gastrostomy),intraoperative placement of a pancreatic main duct stent or temporary sealing of the main pancreatic duct with fibrin glue have not led to a significant improvement in clinical outcome.The perioperative application of somatostatin or its analogues may decrease the incidence of pancreatic fistulas in cases with soft pancreatic tissue and a small main pancreatic duct(< 3 mm).The positive effects of external pancreatic main duct drainage and antecolic gastrointestinal reconstruction have been observed to decrease the rate of pancreatic fistulas and delayed gastric emptying,respectively.Currently,the concept of extended radical lymphadenectomy has been found to be associated with higher perioperative morbidity,but without any positive impact on overall survival.However,there is growing evidence that portal vein resections can be performed with acceptable low perioperative morbidity and mortality but does not achieve a cure.

Bile duct injuries associated with laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy: Sixteen-year experience

AIM: To summarize the experience in diagnosis, management and prevention of iatrogenic bile duct injury (IBDI). METHODS: A total of 210 patients with bile duct injury occurred during cholecystectomy admitted to Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital from March 1990 to March 2006 were included in this study for retrospective analysis. RESULTS: There were 59.5% (103/173) of patients with IBDI resulting from the wrong identification of the anatomy of the Calot’s triangle during cholecystectomy. The diagnosis of IBDI was made on the basis of clinical features, diagnostic abdominocentesis and imaging findings. Abdominal B ultrasonography (BUS) was the most popular way for IBDI with a diagnostic rate of 84.6% (126/149). Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) could reveal the site of injury, the length of injured bile duct and variation of bile duct tree with a diagnostic rate 100% (45/45). According to the site of injury, IBDI could be divided into six types. The most common type (type 3) occurred in 76.7% (161/210) of the patients and was treated with partial resection of the common hepatic duct and common bile duct. One hundred and seventy-six patients were followed up. The mean follow-up time was 3.7 (range 0.25-10) years. Good results were achieved in 87.5% (154/176) of the patients. CONCLUSION: The key to prevention of IBDI is to follow the "identifying-cutting-identifying" principle during cholecystectomy. Re-operation time and surgical procedure are decided according to the type of IBDI.

Cloning Envelope Gene of Dengue Virus Type 3 （Indonesia D3-1703 Strain） into pYES2/CT Vector

The global burden caused by dengue has increased dramatically in recent decades. Dengue Fever and its severe clinical manifestation, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome, have become international public health problem endemic in more than 100 countries, risking 2.5 to 3 billion world populations in tropical and subtropical region. Envelope （E） protein of dengue virus has been proposed as the most important antigen that enables it as vaccine candidate or diagnostic materials. Recombinant protein E production is desirable for dengue vaccine and diagnostic development, especially in Indonesia, where dengue is epidemic. Cloning E gene in an expression vector is essential as an initial method to produce dengue E antigens. The purpose of this research was to clone E gene of dengue virus type 3 （Indonesia D3-1703 strain） into Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression vector pYES2/CT. The cloning method used was the in vitro ligation protocol. First, the cDNA from dengue virus type 3 strain （D3-1703） was generated. Then the polymerase chain reaction （PCR） amplification product of E gene cassette from this cDNA was obtained. The E gene cassette was ligated into linearized pYES2/CT resulting a recombinant vector named pYES2/CT-E. The cloned E gene was verified by restriction enzyme digestion and PCR. Sequencing analysis at its 5＇ end showed that the E gene was inserted at the right open reading frame. In conclusion, the results showed that for the first time the E gene originated from an Indonesian dengue virus type 3 strain was successfully cloned within the yeast expression vector pYES2/CT. In the future, this clone could be expressed and provided as materials for dengue vaccine and diagnostic kit, specific for Indonesian dengue virus strain.

Giant hepatobiliary cystadenoma in a male with obvious convex papillate

Hepatobiliary cystadenoma that is most often found in is an uncommon lesion middle-aged women and difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Here, we report a case of giant hepatobiliary cystadenoma in a male patient with obvious convex papillate. On the basis of imaging examinations, the patient was diagnosed as hepatobiliary cystadenoma prior to operation. Left hepatectomy was performed and the patient was symptom-free during a 6-too follow-up period, suggesting that imaging examination is the major diagnostic method of hepatobiliary cystadenoma, and operation is its best treatment modality.

Value of CT-guided core-needle biopsy in diagnosis and classification of malignant lymphomas using automated biopsy gun

AIM: To evaluate the value of CT-guided core-needle biopsy in diagnosis and classification of malignant lymphomas.METHODS: From January 1999 to October 2004, CT-guided core-needle biopsies were performed in 80 patients with suspected malignant lymphoma. Biopsies were performed with an 18-20 G biopsy-cut (CR Bard, Inc., Covington, GA,USA) needle driven by a spring-loaded Bard biopsy gun.RESULTS: A definite diagnosis and accurate histological subtype were obtained in 61 patients with a success rate of 76.25% (61/80). Surgical sampling was performed in 19 patients (23.75%) with non-diagnostic core-needle biopsies. The success rate of CT-guided core-needle biopsy varied with the histopathologic subtypes in our group.The relatively high success rates of core-needle biopsy were noted in diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL, 88.89%) and peripheral T-cell NHL (90%). However,the success rates were relatively low in anaplastic large cell (T/null cell) lymphoma (ALCL, 44.44%) and Hodgkin's disease (HD, 28.57%) in our group.CONCLUSION: CT-guided core-needle biopsy is a reliable means of diagnosing and classifying malignant lymphomas,and can be widely applied in the management of patients with suspected malignant lymphoma.

OVERVIEW FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF GALLBLADDER CARCINOMA

Objective. To improve the recognition of diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder cancer. Methods. Retrospective analysis of 52 cases of gallbladder carcinoma in our hospital from 1988 to 1998. Results. Preoperative diagnostic rate was 90.3%, of which 12 cases (23%) were early stage of carcinoma. The total operation resection rate was 55.8%, for which only 17.8% were advance stage of carcinoma. Conclution.The early diagnosis is the key factor of increasing treatment successful rate. The following are the symptoms that raise our special attention to carcinoma of gallbladder: (1) Age over 50 have recurrent cholecystitis and with past history of gallstone; (2) Congenital malformation of bile duct; (3) Local thickening and irregularity of gallbladder wall; (4) Polypoid lesion larger than 1cm inside gallbladder; (5) Atrophic gallbladder; (6) Intraluminal stone of gallbladder does not move when change in body position; (7) Regional lymph node enlargement.

Incidental gallbladder cancer during laparoscopic cholecystectomy:Managing an unexpected finding

AIM:To evaluate the impact of incidental gallbladder cancer on surgical experience.METHODS:Between 1998 and 2008 all cases of cholecystectomy at two divisions of general surgery,one university based and one at a public hospital,were retrospectively reviewed.Gallbladder pathology was diagnosed by history,physical examination,and laboratory and imaging studies [ultrasonography and computed tomography(CT)].Patients with gallbladder cancer(GBC) were further analyzed for demographic data,and type of operation,surgical morbidity and mortality,histopathological classification,and survival.Incidental GBC was compared with suspected or preoperatively diagnosed GBC.The primary endpoint was diseasefree survival(DFS).The secondary endpoint was the difference in DFS between patients previously treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy and those who had oncological resection as first intervention.RESULTS:Nineteen patients(11 women and eight men) were found to have GBC.The male to female ratio was 1:1.4 and the mean age was 68 years(range:45-82 years).Preoperative diagnosis was made in 10 cases,and eight were diagnosed postoperatively.One was suspected intraoperatively and confirmed by frozen sections.The ratio between incidental and nonincidental cases was 9/19.The tumor node metastasis stage was:pTis(1),pT1a(2),pT1b(4),pT2(6),pT3(4),pT4(2);five cases with stageⅠa(T1 a-b);two with stageⅠb(T2 N0);one with stage Ⅱa(T3 N0);six with stage Ⅱb(T1-T3 N1);two with stage Ⅲ(T4 Nx Nx);and one with stage Ⅳ(Tx Nx Mx).Eighty-eight percent of the incidental cases were discovered at an early stage(≤Ⅱ).Preoperative diagnosis of the 19 patients with GBC was:GBC with liver invasion diagnosed by preoperative CT(nine cases),gallbladder abscess perforated into hepatic parenchyma and involving the transversal mesocolon and hepatic hilum(one case),porcelain gallbladder(one case),gallbladder adenoma(one case),and chronic cholelithiasis(eight cases).Every case,except one,with a T1b or more advanced invasion underwent Ⅳb + Ⅴ wedge liver resection and pericholedochic/hepatoduodenal lymphadenectomy.One patient with stage T1b GBC refused further surgery.Cases with Tis and T1a involvement were treated with cholecystectomy alone.One incidental case was diagnosed by intraoperative frozen section and treated with cholecystectomy alone.Six of the nine patients with incidental diagnosis reached 5-year DFS.One patient reached 38 mo survival despite a port-site recurrence 2 years after original surgery.Cases with non incidental diagnosis were more locally advanced and only two patients experienced 5-year DFS.CONCLUSION:Laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not affect survival if implemented properly.Reoperation should have two objectives:R0 resection and clearance of the lymph nodes.

Triple non-invasive diagnostic test for exclusion of common bile ducts stones before laparoscopic cholecystectomy

AIM: To evaluate the impact of a preoperative "triple non-invasive diagnostic test" for diagnosis and/or exclusion of common bile duct stones. METHODS: All patients with symptomatic gallstone disease, operated on by laparoscopic cholecystectomy from March 2004 to March 2006 were studied retrospectively. Two hundred patients were included and reviewed by using a triple diagnostic test including: patient's medical history, routine liver function tests and routine ultrasonography. All patients were followed up 2-24 mo after surgery to evaluate the impact of triple diagnostic test. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were identified to have common bile duct stones. Lack of history of stones, negative laboratory tests and normal ultrasonography alone was proven to exclude common bile duct stones in some patients. However, a combination of these three components (triple diagnostic), was proven to be the most statistically significant test to exclude common bile duct stones in patients with gallstone disease. CONCLUSION: Using a combination of routinely used diagnostic components as triple diagnostic modality would increase the diagnostic accuracy of common bile duct stones preoperatively. This triple non-invasive test is recommended for excluding common bile duct stones and to identify patients in need for other investigations.

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided trucut biopsy for the preoperative diagnosis of peripancreatic castleman's disease: A case report

Castleman＇s disease （CD） of the pancreas/peripancreas is extremely rare. The recently introduced, endoscopic ultrasonography （EUS）-guided trucut biopsy （TCB） is a useful diagnostic rnodality for obtaining tissue samples from peripancreatic lesions. However, its role in diagnosing CD remains unknown. We report a case of localized, peripancreatic, hyaline-vascular CD biopsied using EUS. The pathology results were initially interpreted as an extranodal, marginal-zone B-cell lyrnphoma. However, polyrnerase chain reaction （PCR） study for the IgH gene rearrangement revealed a polyclonal pattern. We also reviewed the relevant literature. To our knowledge, this is the first illustrated report on EUS-TCB findings of CD with its pathology results of EUS-TCB mimicked a B-cell lymphoma.

Bleeding duodenal hemangioma: Morphological changes and endoscopic mucosal resection

Recently, the development of endoscopic procedures has increased the availability of minimally invasive treatments; however, there have been few case reports of duodenal hemangioma treated by endoscopic mucosal resection. The present report describes a case of duodenal hemangioma that showed various endoscopic changes over time and was treated by endoscopic mucosal resection. An 80-year-old woman presented with tarry stools and a loss of appetite. An examination of her blood revealed severe anemia, and her hemoglobin level was 4.2 g/dL. An emergency upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. A red, protrusive, semipedunculated tumor (approximately 20 mm in diameter) with spontaneous bleeding on its surface was found in the superior duodenal angle. Given the semipedunculated appearance of the tumor, it was suspected to be an epithelial tumor with a differential diagnosis of hyperplastic polyp. The biopsy results suggested a telangiectatic hemangioma. Because this lesion was considered to be responsible for her anemia, endoscopic mucosal resection was performed for diagnostic and treatment purposes after informed consent was obtained. A histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed dilated and proliferated capillary lumens of various sizes, which confirmed the final diagnosis of duodenal hemangioma. Neither anemia nor tumor recurrence has been observed since the endoscopic mucosal resection (approximately 1 year). Duodenal hemangiomas can be treated endoscopically provided that sufficient consideration is given to all of the possible treatment strategies. Interestingly, duodenal hemangiomas show morphological changes that are influenced by various factors, such as mechanical stimuli.

Feasibility of confocal endomicroscopy in the diagnosis of pediatric gastrointestinal disorders

AIM： To evaluate the feasibility and utility of confocal laser endomicroscopy （CLE） in the description of normal gastrointestinal （GI） mucosa and in the diagnosis of GI disorders in children, in comparison to histology.METHODS： Forty-four patients （19 female） median age 10.9 years （range 0.7-16.6 years） with suspected or known GI pathology underwent esophago-gastro- duodenoscopy （OGD） （n = 36） and/or ileocolonoscopy （IC） （n = 31） with CLE using sodium fluorescein and acriflavine as contrast agents. Histological sections were compared with same site confocal images by two experienced pediatric and GI histopathologists and endoscopists, respectively.RESULTS： Duodenum and ileum were intubated in all but one patient undergoing OGD and IC. The median procedure time was 16.4 min （range 7-25 rain） for OGD and 27.9 min （range 15-45 min） for IC. A total of 4798 confocal images were compared with 153 biopsies from the upper GI tract from 36 procedures, and 4661 confocal images were compared with 188 biopsies from the ileocolon from 31 procedures.Confocal images were comparable to conventional histology both in normal and in pathological conditions such as esophagitis, Helicobacter pylori gastritis, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, colonic heterotopia, and graft versus host disease.CONCLUSION： CLE offers the prospect of targeting biopsies to abnormal mucosa, thereby increasing diagnostic yield, reducing the number of biopsies, decreasing the burden on the histopathological services, and reducing costs.