Biochemical markers for non-invasive assessment of disease stage in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

AIM: To evaluate different biochemical markers and their ratios in the assessment of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) stages. METHODS: This study included 112 patients with PBC who underwent a complete clinical investigation. We analyzed the correlation (Spearman's test) between ten biochemical markers and their ratios with different stages of PBC. The discriminative values were compared using areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: The mean age of patients included in the study was 53.88 ± 10.59 years, including 104 females and 8 males. We found a statistically significant correlation between PBC stage and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) to platelet ratio (APRI), ALT/platelet count, AST/ALT, ALT/AST and ALT/Cholesterol ratios, with the values of Spearman's rho of 0.338, 0.476, 0.404, 0.356, 0.351 and 0.325, respectively. The best sensitivity and specificity was shown for AST/ALT, with an area under ROC of 0.660. CONCLUSION: Biochemical markers and their ratios do correlate with different sensitivity to and specificity of PBC disease stage. The use of biochemical markers and their ratios in clinical evaluation of PBC patients may reduce, but not eliminate, the need for liver biopsy.

Modalities of testing Helicobacter pylori in patients with nonmalignant bile duct diseases

AIM: This paper describes the procedure of detection ofHelicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) in bile specimens in patientssuffering from benign diseases of biliary ducts (lithiasiswith/without nonspecific cholangitis).METHODS: The group of 72 patients entering the studyconsisted of 32 male and 40 female (45 % and 55 %,respectively). Bile was obtained during ERCP in 68 patients,and during cholecystectomy in 4 patients. A fast urease test(FUT) to determine the existence of H. pylori in gastricmucosa was carried out for all the patients during theendoscopic examination. The existence of genetic materialof H. pylori was determined by detection of ure A gene bythe method of nested PCR. The results of this reaction wereshown by electrophoresis on l0 g@ L-1 agarose gel in a bandof 256 bp.RESULTS: The majority of the patients included in our studyhad biliary lithiasis without signs of cholangitis (48 patients,67 %), whereas other patients were complicated bycholangitis (17 patients, 24 %). Seven patients (9 %) hadnormal ERCP, forming thus the control group. In the groupof patients with lithiasis 26 patients (54.2 %) had positivePCR of H. pylori in bile and among the patients withassociated cholangitis positive PCR was detected in 9patients (52.9 % ). Among the seven patients with nornalERCP only one (14 %) had positive PCR of H. pylori. Ahigh percentage of H. pylori infection of gastric mucosawas observed (57 patients, 79 % ) : It was also observed thatits slightly higher positivity was in the patients with distinctbile pathology: 81% FUT positive patients in the group withcholedocholithiasis alone and 76 % in the group withcholedocholithiasis associated with cholangitis. Seventy-onepercent of the patients with regular findings had positive FUT.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of H. pylori infection both inbile and in gastric mucosa in patients with benign diseasesof biliary ducts does not show a statistically significantdifference in relation to the prevalence of the same with thepatients with normal ERCP. The existence of H. pyloriinfection possibly does not play a role in pathogenesis ofbenign biliary diseases.

Probiotics against neoplastic transformation of gastric mucosa:Effects on cell proliferation and polyamine metabolism

Gastric cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide, accounting for about 10% of newly diagnosed neoplasms. In the last decades, an emerging role has been attributed to the relations between the intestinal microbiota and the onset of both gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal neoplasms. Thus, exogenous microbial administration of peculiar bacterial strains(probiotics) has been suggested as having a profound influence on multiple processes associated with a change in cancer risk. The internationally accepted definition of probiotics is live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. The possible effects on the gastrointestinal tract following probiotic administration have been investigated in vitro and in animal models, as well as in healthy volunteers and in patients suffering from different human gastrointestinal diseases. Although several evidences are available on the use of probiotics against the carcinogen Helicobacter pylori,little is still known about the potential cross-interactions among probiotics, the composition and quality of intestinal flora and the neoplastic transformation of gastric mucosa. In this connection, a significant role in cell proliferation is played by polyamines(putrescine, spermidine, and spermine). These small amines are required in both pre-neoplastic and neoplastic tissue to sustain the cell growth and the evidences here provided suggest that probiotics may act as antineoplastic agents in the stomach by affecting also the polyamine content and functions. This review will summarize data on the most widely recognized effects of probiotics against neoplastic transformation of gastric mucosa and in particular on their ability in modulating cell proliferation, paying attention to the polyamine metabolism.

Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1,D-lactate and diamine oxidase in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

AIM:To study the levels of serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), plasma D-lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and the potential clinical signif icance.METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with IBD and 30 healthy controls were included in this study. The concentration of sICAM-1 was detected with enzyme-linked immu-nosorbent assay, the level of D-lactate and DAO was measured by spectroscopic analysis, and the number of white blood cells (WBC) was determined by routine procedure.RESULTS:The levels of sICAM-l, DAO, and WBC in IBD patients were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.01). sICAM-l in IBD patients was found to be closely related to the levels of DAO and D-lactate (212.94±69.89 vs 6.35±2.35, P=0.000), DAO 212.94±69.89 vs 8.65±3.54, P=0.000) and WBC (212.94±69.89 vs 7.40±2.61, P=0.000), but no signif icant difference was observed between patients with ulcerative colitis and patients with Crohn's disease. The post-treatment levels of sICAM-l, D-lactate and WBC were significantly lower than before treatment (sICAM-l 206.57±79.21 vs 146.21±64.43, P=0.000), (D-lactate 1.46±0.94 vs 0.52±0.32, P=0.000) and (WBC 7.24±0.2.33 vs 5.21±3.21, P=0.000).CONCLUSION: sICAM-1, D-lactate and DAO are closely related to the specific conditions of IBD, and thus could be used as a major diagnostic index.

CYP11B2 expression in HSCs and its effect on hepatic fibrogenesis

INTRODUCTIONIt has been reported that renin-angiotensin systemexists in tissue and aldosterone can be synthesizedin extra-adrenal tissue including heart,bloodvessels and brain.Recent studies have broughtrich evidences in favour of aldosterone as a strongstimulator of fibrogenesis and mitogenesis.

Chronic functional constipation is strongly linked to vitamin D deficiency

BACKGROUND Few studies have examined intestinal motility disorders, which are disabling conditions associated with chronic functional constipation, whose pathogenesis is actually not well-defined.AIM To investigate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and functional chronic constipation associated to intestinal motility disorders.METHODS We performed a prospective case-control study, from May-June to November2017. Glucose/lactulose breath tests, radiopaque markers(multiple capsule techniques) and wireless motility capsule analysis were used to assess colonicand oro-cecal transit time, after excluding small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth condition. Then, we measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with intestinal motility disorders and we further evaluated the influence of intestinal motility disorders on psychological symptoms/quality of life using validated questionnaires, the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of life(IBS-QOL), the Short Form Health Survey 12, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale 14(HADS-14 A and HADS-14 D).RESULTS We enrolled 86 patients with chronic functional constipation associated to intestinal motility disorders and 86 matched healthy subjects. Patients with intestinal motility disorders had lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels(P < 0.001), and they showed a significant impairment of all health-related quality of life and psychological tests(IBS-QOL, Short Form Health Survey 12-Physical Component Summary, Short Form Health Survey 12-Mental Component Summary, HADS-14 A and HADS-14 D), as compared to the control group(P < 0.001), which significantly correlated with low vitamin D levels(r =-0.57, P < 0.001; r = 0.21, P = 0.01; r =-0.48, P < 0.001; r =-0.57, P < 0.001; r =-0.29, P < 0.001, respectively). At multivariate analysis vitamin D low levels remained a significant independent risk factor for the occurrence of intestinal motility disorder(odds ratio = 1.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.14-1.26, P < 0.001).CONCLUSION Vitamin D deficiency, anxiety and depression symptoms are commonly associated with chronic functional constipation induced by intestinal motility disorders. Vitamin D serum levels should be routinely measured in these patients.

Mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix associated with adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon and hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver:Report of a case

附录的粘蛋白的包囊腺瘤是一个稀罕条件并且与附录的普通名字粘液囊肿代表三个实体之一。它被腔的膀胱的膨胀在它内与粘液的壅滞描绘。组织病理学说地，粘液囊肿被划分成三个组：焦点或弥漫的粘膜增生，粘蛋白的包囊腺瘤和粘蛋白的包囊腺癌。这个条件经常与另外的瘤形成被联系，特别冒号和卵巢的腺癌。我们这里描述与腹的不快，便秘，在凳子的新鲜的血和经常的泌尿介绍了的 57 岁男性病人。他有与结肠的腺癌和肝的肝细胞癌联系的附录的一个大包囊腺瘤。病人经历了正确 haemicolectomy， S 字形的冒号切除术和肝的部分切除术。现在， 3 年以后，他没有疾病恶化的证据。根据这，我们在这些病人强调精确外科手术前的诊断的需要和整个腹部的 intraoperative 探索。

Primary gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: Clinical data predicted treatment outcome

AIM: To determine clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of gastric lymphoma after chemotherapy and immuno-chemotherapy. METHODS: Thirty four patients with primary gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma (Ann Arbor stages Ⅰ to Ⅳ) were enrolled. All had upper gastric endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, CT and H pylori status assessment (histology and serology). After anti-H pylori treatment and initial chemotherapy, patients were re-examined every 4 mo. RESULTS: Histological regression of the lymphoma was complete in 22/34 (64.7%) and partial in 9 (26.5%) patients. Median follow up time for these 31 responders was 60 mo (range 48-120). No regression was noted in 3 patients. Among the 25 (73.5%) H pylori positive patients, the eradication rate was 100%.CONCLUSION: Using univariate analysis, predictive factors for overall survival were international prognostic index (IPI) score, hemoglobin level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and platelet numbers (P < 0.005). In addition to this, Cox proportion hazard model differentiate IPI score, ESR, and platelets as predictors of survival.

Cystic lymphangioma of the pancreas

Lymphangioma of the pancreas is an extremely rare benign tumour of lymphatic origin,with fewer than 60 published cases. Histologically,it is polycystic,with the cysts separated by thin septa and lined with endothelial cells. Though congenital,it can affect all age groups,and occurs more frequently in females. Patients usually present with epigastric pain and an associated palpable mass. Complete excision is curative,even though,depending on the tumour location,surgery may be simple or involve extensive pancreatic resection and anastomoses. The authors present a 49-year-old woman in whom a polycystic septated mass,35 mm x 35 mm in size,was discovered by ultrasonography (US) in the body of the pancreas during investigations for epigastric pain and nausea. At surgery,a well circumscribed polycystic tumor was completely excised,with preservation of the pancreatic duct. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. Histology confirmed a microcystic lymphangioma of the pancreas. Immunohistochemistry showed cystic endothelial cells reactivity to factor Ⅷ -RA (++),CD31 (+++) and CD34 (-). Postoperatively,abdominal pain disappeared and the patient remained symptomfree for 12 mo until now. Although extremely rare,lymphangioma of the pancreas should be taken into consideration as a differential diagnosis of a pancreatic cystic lesion,especially in women.

Human papillomavirus in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Colombia and Chile

AIM: To examine the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) specimens collected from Colombia and Chile located in the northern and southern ends of the continent, respectively. METHODS: We examined 47 and 26 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded ESCC specimens from Colombia and Chile, respectively. HPV was detected using GP5+/GP6+ primer pair for PCR, and confirmed by Southern blot analysis. Sequencing analysis of L1 region fragment was used to identify HPV genotype. In addition, P16INK4A protein immunostaining of all the specimens was conducted. RESULTS: HPV was detected in 21 ESCC specimens (29%). Sequencing analysis of L1 region fragment identified HPV-16 genome in 6 Colombian cases(13%) and in 5 Chilean cases (19%). HPV-18 was detected in 10 cases (21%) in Colombia but not in any Chilean case. Since Chilean ESCC cases had a higher prevalence of HPV-16 (without statistical significance), but a significantly lower prevalence of HPV-18 than in Colombian cases (P = 0.011) even though the two countries have similar ESCC incidence rates, the frequency of HPV-related ESCC may not be strongly affected by risk factors affecting the incidence of ESCC. HPV-16 genome was more frequently detected in p16 positive carcinomas, although the difference was not statistically significant. HPV-18 detection rate did not show any association with p16 expression. Well-differentiated tumors tended to have either HPV-16 or HPV-18 but the association was not statistically significant. HPV genotypes other than HPV-16 or 18 were not detected in either country. CONCLUSION: HPV-16 and HPV-18 genotypes can be found in ESCC specimens collected from two South American countries. Further studies on the relationship between HPV-16 presence and p16 expression in ESCC would aid understanding of the mechanism underlying the presence of HPV in ESCC.

Eradication of H pylori infection in a rural population: One-day quadruple therapy versus 7-day triple therapy

瞄准：比较有标准 7-d 的四倍的治疗增加两倍的一天为在中国的一张农村人口的 H pylori 根除的治疗。方法：396 个病人与的一个总数(13 ) pylori 被分配进二的为 H 阳性的 C 脲呼吸测试组织：239 个病人收到了一天四倍的治疗(amoxicillin 2000 mg qid；灭滴灵 500 mg qid；枸橼酸铋 900 mg qid 和 lansoprazole 60 mg 从前每日) 并且 157 个病人收到了 7-d 标准三元组治疗(amoxicillin 1000 mg 出价；clarithromycin 500 mg 出价和 lansoprazole 30 mg 出价) 。所有病人经历了一(13 ) 六个星期估计 H pylori 感染的根除的 C-UBT 术后疗法。结果：229 个病人完成了一天治疗(95.8%) ， 148 个病人完成了 7-d 治疗(94.2%) 。一天治疗根除了在 64 个病人(27.95%) 的 H pylori 感染。相反， 103 个病人(69.59%) 是在 7-d 治疗以后否定的 H pylori (P 【 0.01 ) 。结论：这个预研项目建议与 7-d 标准治疗相比没有在 H pylori 感染的治疗的一天治疗的有益的效果。

Right liver lobe/albumin ratio:Contribution to non-invasive assessment of portal hypertension

瞄准：学习价值生物化学并且在存在的预言和食道的静脉曲张的尺寸的 ultraso-nographic 参数。方法：学习包括经历了一个完全的生物化学的工作在上面的选择肝脏硬化症的病人，上面内视镜的 digestive 和 ultrasonographic 考试。白朊 / 权利肝脑叶直径和血小板计数 / 脾直径比率是计算的。在食道的静脉曲张的计算比率和存在和度之间的关联被评估。结果：94 个题目(62 男性， 32 女性) ，与 52.32 +/- 的吝啬的年龄 13.60 年，被学习。孩子呸班 A 占了 42.6% ，班 B 37.2% ，而班 C 20.2% 。，食道的静脉曲张(OE ) 没被上面的消化内视镜检查法在 24.5% 表明我在 22.3% 病人，被发现的 OE 等级在 33.0% 分级 II，在 16.0% 分级 III，并且分级在 4.3% 的 IV。正确的肝脑叶直径 / 白朊比率的吝啬的价值是 5.51 +/- 1.82 (从 2.76 ～ 11.44 的范围) 当吝啬的血小板计数 / 脾直径比率是 1017.75 +/- 时 729.36 (从 117.39 ～ 3362.50 的范围) 分别地。统计上重要的关联被枪兵在 OE 等级和计算比率之间的测试证明。P 价值是 0.481 并且 -0.686, 分别地。结论：正确的肝脑叶直径 / 白朊和血小板计数 / 脾直径比率是提供对食道的静脉曲张，并且他们与肝肝硬化在病人分级的存在的决心恰当的精确信息的非侵略的参数。

Adenosquamous carcinoma arising within a retrorectal tailgut cyst: Report of a case

Retrorectal, developmental tail gut cysts, include dermoid cysts, rectal duplication cysts and retrorectal cyst-hamartomas. Retrorectal cyst-hamartomas (RCH) are derived from remnants of the tail gut, the most caudal part of the embryonic hind gut, which normally involutes by the 8th wk of embryonic development (3-8 mm stage). They have specific radiological and histopathological features that distinguish them from other similar formations (dermoid cysts, enteric duplication cysts and teratomas). We report a patient with adenosquamous carcinoma arising within RCH, who underwent complete resection of the cyst through anterior laparotomy, and reached complete (recurrencefree for 14 mo, so far) functional recovery. The cyst was incidentally discovered during hysterectomy 12 years ago.Diagnostic, therapeutic and histopathological aspects of this rare case are discussed. The mentioned period between diagnosis and surgical treatment suggests that RCH, given enough time, can develop malignant degeneration, and should be resected at the time of diagnosis.

Color Doppler sonography and angioscintigraphy in hepatic Hodgkin's lymphoma

AIM:To estimate the characteristics of Color Doppler findings and the results of hepatic radionuclide angiography (HRA) in secondary Hodgkin's hepatic lymphoma.METHODS:The research included patients with a diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma with metastatic focal lesions in the liver and controls.Morphologic characteristics of focal liver lesions and hemodynamic parameters were examined by pulsed and Color Doppler in the portal,hepatic and splenic veins were examined.Hepatic perfusion index (HPI) estimated by HRA was calculated.RESULTS:In the majority of patients,hepatomegaly was observed.Lesions were mostly hypoechoic and mixed,solitary or multiple.Some of the patients presented with dilated splenic veins and hepatofugal blood flow.A pulse wave was registered in the centre and at the margins of lymphoma.The average velocity of the pulse wave was higher at the margins (P>0.05).A continuous venous wave was found only at the margins of lymphoma.There was no linear correlation between lymphoma size and velocity of pulse and continuous wave (r=390,P<0.01).HPI was significantly lower in patients with lymphomas than in controls (P<0.05),pointing out increased arterial perfusion in comparison to portal perfusion.CONCLUSION:Color Doppler ultrasonography is a sensitive method for the detection of neovascularization in Hodgkin's hepatic lymphoma and estimation of its intensity.Hepatic radionuclide angiography can additionally help in the assesment of vascularisation of liver lesions.

Perigastric extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma: A case report

Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is a neoplasm of undifferentiated small round cells, which occurs in the bones and deep soft tissues of children and adolescents. We present a rare case of a 44-year-old woman with gastric ES presenting with epigastric pain and weight loss. Ultrasound and computed tomography scans indicated a solid/cystic mass in the pancreatic tail. At laparotomy, the tumor was found attached to the posterior surface of the stomach, completely free from the pancreas, with no lymphadenopathy or local metastases. The polynodal, partly pseudocystic, dark-red soft tumor was excised. Histopathology revealed an anaplastic small-round-cell tumor with strong membranous CD99 immunoexpression. Additionally, there was patchy immunostaining for S-100 protein, vimentin, protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 and neuron-specifi c enolase, and weak focal CD117 cytoplasmic immunoreactivity. The patient had no adjuvant chemotherapy; her postoperative recovery was uneventful, and she remains symptom-free, and without any sign of recurrence at 20 mo. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the third ever case of gastric ES.

Expression of cytokeratins in Helicobacter pylori-associated chronic gastritis of adult patients infected with cagA+strains:An immunohistochemical study

瞄准：为了与长期的胃炎在成年病人的胃的上皮调查不同 cytokeratins (CK ) 的表示，与 Helicobacter pylori (H pylori ) 感染了 cagA+ 紧张。方法：CK 7 的表示， 8， 18， 19 和 20 在 84 个病人的窦的胃的活体检视组织化学地是学习免疫。所有 CK 是在 cagA+H pylori 胃炎(57 个案例) 染色的免疫， non-H pylori 胃炎(17 个案例) 和正常胃粘膜(10 个案例) 。结果：在 cagA+ H pylori 胃炎， CK8 从表面上皮可比较地被表示到正常的窦粘膜到深腺。CK18 和 CK 19 的分发是未改变的，即表示的 transmucosal，而是紧张在与正常相比的小凹的区域是不同的胃粘膜。Cytokeratin 18 免疫反应在与 H pylori 否定的胃炎和控制相比的 H pylori 积极的胃炎的小凹的上皮是显著地更高的。相反，在 CK19 免疫反应的减少发生在 H pylori 积极的胃炎的小凹的上皮。在没有 H pylori 感染的正常、煽动的窦粘膜， CK20 在表面上皮和上面的小凹的区域强烈 / 中等并且同类地被表示，但是在 H， pylori 导致了胃炎在小凹的区域的表示的重要减少被注意。通常，在正常窦的粘膜和 H pylori 否定的胃炎，， CK7 的表示没被观察在关于半 cagA+ ， H 感染 pylori 的病人，节制颈的焦点的 CK7 免疫反应，卷的腺区域被登记，特别在区域与更严重煽动性渗入。结论：在 CK 7 的表示的改变， 18， 19 和 20 在感染 cagA+ 紧张的成年病人和 CK8 的正常表示发生在 H 联系 pylori 的长期的胃炎的窦粘膜。在不同 cytokeratins 表示力量的改变贡献在 H 感染 pylori 的胃粘膜观察的上皮的紧密的连接变弱。

Low red blood cell levels of deglycating enzymes in colorectal cancer patients

AIM: To investigate Glyoxalase Ⅰ and fructosamine-3-kinase (FN3K) activity in red blood cells from patients with colorectal adenomas and cancer. METHODS: Thirty three consecutive subjects with one or more histologically confirmed colorectal adenomatous polyps, 16 colorectal cancer patients and a group of 11 control subjects with normal colonoscopy were included in the study. Glyoxalase Ⅰ and FN3K activities were measured in red blood cells using a spectrophotometric and radiometric assay, respectively. RESULTS: A significant reduction in both Glyoxalase Ⅰ and FN3K activity was detected in patients with tumors compared to patients with adenomas and the controls. Erythrocyte Glyoxalase Ⅰ activity in colorectal cancer was approximately 6 times lower than that detected in patients with adenoma (0.022 ± 0.01 mmol/min per milliliter vs 0.128 ± 0.19 mmol/min per milliliter of red blood cells, P = 0.003, Tukey's test). FN3K activity in red blood cells from patients with colon cancer was approximately 2 times lower than that detected in adenoma patients (19.55 ± 6.4 pmol/min per milliliter vs 38.6 ± 31.7 pmol/min per milliliter of red blood cells, P = 0.04, Tukey's test). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that deglycating enzymes may be involved in the malignant transformation of colon mucosa.

Metastatic melanoma to the common bile duct causing obstructive jaundice:A case report

Metastatic melanoma to the common bile duct is very rare with only 18 cases reported so far. We report a 46 year old women who, 18 mo after excision of a skin melanoma, developped a painless progressive obstructive jaundice. At operation a melanoma within the distal third of the common bile duct was found. There were no other secondaries within the abdomen. The common bile duct, including the tumor, was resected and anastomosed with Roux-en-Y jejunal limb. The patient survived 31 mo without any sign of local recurrence and was submitted to three other operations for axillar and brain secondaries, from which she finally died. Radical resection of metastatic melanoma to the common bile duct may result in lifelong relief of obstructive jaundice. It is safe and relatively easy to perform. In other cases, a less aggressive approach, stenting or bypass procedures, should be adopted.

Tuberculous lymphadenitis as a cause of obstructive jaundice:A case report and literature review

Obstructive jaundice secondary to tuberculosis (TB) is extremely rare. It can be caused by TB enlargement of the head of the pancreas, TB lymphadenitis, TB stricture of the biliary tree, or a TB mass of the retroperitoneum. A 29-year-old man with no previous history of TB presented with abdominal pain, obstructive jaundice, malaise and weight loss. Ultrasonography (US), computer tomography (CT) scan and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were suggestive of a stenosis of the distal common bile duct (CBD) caused by a mass in the posterior head of the pancreas. Tumor markers, CEA and CA19-9 were within normal limits. At operation, an enlarged, centrally caseous lymph node of the posterior head of the pancreas was found, causing inflammatory stenosis and a fistula with the distal CBD. The lymph node was removed and the bile duct resected and anastomosed with the Roux-en Y jejunal limb. Histology and PCR based-assay confirmed tuberculous lymphadenitis. After an uneventful postoperative recovery, the patient was treated with anti-tuberculous medication and remained well 2.5 years later. Though obstructive jaundice secondary to tuberculous lymphadenitis is rare, abdominal TB should be considered as a differential diagnosis in immunocompromised patients and in TB endemic areas. Any stenosis or fistulation into the CBD should also be taken into consideration, and biliary bypass surgery be performed to both relieve jaundice and prevent further stricture.

Abdominal neurenteric cyst

Neurenteric cysts are extremely rare congenital anomalies,often presenting in the first 5 years of life,and are caused by an incomplete separation of the notochord from the foregut during the third week of embryogenesis. They are frequently accompanied with spinal or gastrointestinal abnormalities,but the latter may be absent in adults. Although usually located in the thorax,neurenteric cysts may be found along the entire spine. We present a 24-year-old woman admitted for epigastric pain,nausea,vomiting,low grade fever and leucocytosis. She underwent cystgastrostomy for a loculated cyst of the distal pancreas at the age of 4 years,which recurred when she was at the age of 11 years. Ultrasound and computer tomograghy(CT) scan revealed a 16 cm × 15 cm cystic mass in the body and tail of pancreas,with a 6-7 mm thickened wall. Laboratory data and chest X-ray were normal and spinal radiographs did not show any structural abnormalities. The patient underwent a complete cyst excision,and after an uneventful recovery,remained symptom-free without recurrence during the 5-year follow-up. The cyst was found to contain 1200 mL of pale viscous fluid. It was covered by a primitive single-layered cuboidal epithelium,along with specialized antral glandular parenchyma and hypoplastic primitive gastric mucosa. Focal glandular groups resemblingthose of the body of the stomach were also seen. In addition,ciliary respiratory epithelium,foci of squamous metaplasia and mucinous glands were present. The wall of the cyst contained a muscular layer,neuroglial tissue with plexogenic nerve fascicles,Paccini corpuscle-like structures,hyperplastic neuroganglionar elements and occasional psammomatous bodies,as well as fibroblast-like areas of surrounding stroma. Cartilagenous tissue was not found in any part of the cyst. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of neurogenic elements marked by S-100,GFAP,NF and NSE. The gastric epithelium showed mostly CK7 and EMA immunoexpression,and the respiratory epithelium revealed a CK8 and CK18 immunoprofile without CK 10/13 positive elements,though neither CEA or AFP positive cells were found. To our knowledge,this is the first reported case of an abdominally located neurenteric cyst with no associated spinal anomalies.