Ovarian Causes of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP)-A Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare, progressive, slowly growing, inadequately understood neoplasm with a 5-year progression-free survival rate of as low as 48%. It is characterized by varying degrees of malignancy and the production of mucinous and gelatinous structures. Typically, the development of pseudomyxoma peritonei is associated with the rupture of appendiceal mucinous tumors and other gastrointestinal or ovarian mucinous tumors. The goal of our literature review was to identify various aspects that characterize the ovarian causes of pseudomyxoma peritonei.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The authors performed an extensive literature search between 1 February 2024 and 2 March 2024 on the following databases: Pubmed, Scopus, Oxford Journals, and Reaxys, and the findings were summarized into seven main clinical and paraclinical situations.

RESULTS

According to our research, the main instances in which pseudomyxoma peritonei can be triggered by an ovarian cause are the following: (1) mucinous cystadenoma; (2) mucinous ovarian cancer; (3) colon cancer with ovarian metastasis; (4) malignant transformation of an ovarian primary mature cystic teratoma; (5) appendiceal mucocele with peritoneal dissemination mimicking an ovarian tumor with peritoneal carcinomatosis; (6) mucinous borderline tumor developing inside an ovarian teratoma; and (7) the association between a mucinous bilateral ovarian cancer and a colonic tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, we aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the ovarian causes of pseudomyxoma peritonei, including its epidemiology, imagery characteristics, symptoms, current treatment, and promising future therapies, in the hopes of finding feasible solutions, as a lack of understanding of this mucus-secreting malignant disease increases the risk of delayed diagnosis or uncontrolled deterioration.

Tips and Tricks for a Successful Literature Review as Part of Medical Career Development

The literature review is a direct consequence of the increased volume of scientific information, becoming a necessity not only for the medical field. Such material, properly done, is of great use to any professional who wishes to keep abreast of the latest knowledge and concepts. The proposed goal is to help and guide resident doctors, doctoral students, and young researchers in understanding the concepts that are the basis of conducting a literature review and acquiring the generally accepted methodology for conducting it. The selection of information sources, accessing databases, the concept of peer-review, indexing and the impact factor are clearly presented as elements that cannot be neglected in the valorisation of scientific information sources. The structure of a literature review must consider the generally accepted format for such an article, with each chapter having its own importance. Depending on the quality and heterogeneity of the results obtained after analysing the collected data, the review can be structured narratively or systematically, the homogeneity of the results allowing the application of statistical study methods (meta-analysis). Although it seems difficult, conducting a literature review is easier and faster than developing an original study based on experimental or clinical scientific research. The literature review can be carried out in comfortable conditions, online, regardless of location and is a welcome support in the development of the professional and scientific career.

Indocyanine Green (ICG) and Colorectal Surgery: A Literature Review on Qualitative and Quantitative Methods of Usage

Background: Due to its many benefits, indocyanine green (ICG) has gained progressive popularity in operating rooms (ORs) globally. This literature review examines its qualitative and quantitative usage in surgical treatment. Method: Relevant terms were searched in five international databases (1. Pubmed, 2. Sciencedirect, 3. Scopus, 4. Oxfordjournals, 5. Reaxys) for a comprehensive literature review. The main benefits of using ICG in colorectal surgery are: intraoperative fluorescence angiography; fluorescence-guided lymph node involvement detection and the sentinel technique; the fluorescent emphasis of a minute liver tumour, counting just 200 tumour cells; facilitation of fistula diagnosis; and tumour tattooing. This methodology can also be used with quantitative characteristics such as maximum intensity, relative maximum intensity, and in-flow parameters such as time-to-peak, slope, and t1/2max. This article concludes that fluorescence surgery with ICG and near-infrared (NIR) light is a relatively new technology that improves anatomical and functional information, allowing more comprehensive and safer tumour removal and the preservation of important structures.

Analysis of Efficacy-To-Safety Ratio of Angiogenesis-Inhibitors Based Therapies in Ovarian Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(1) Background: Among new anti-angiogenesis agents being developed and ever-changing guidelines indications, the question of the benefits/safety ratio remains unclear. (2) Methods: We performed a systematic review combined with a meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials (12,081 patients), evaluating overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and toxicity (grade ≥ 3 toxic effects, type, and number of all adverse effects. (3) Results: The analysis showed improvement of pooled-PFS (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.64-0.78; I² = 77%; p < 0.00001) in first-line (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.78-0.93; p = 0.0003) or recurrent cancer (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.56-0.70; p < 0.00001) and regardless of the type of anti-angiogenesis drug used (Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, VEGF-receptors (VEGF-R) inhibitors or angiopoietin inhibitors). Improved OS was also observed (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.90-0.99; p = 0.03). OS benefits were only observed in recurrent neoplasms, both platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant neoplasms. Grade ≥ 3 adverse effects were increased across all trials. Anti-angiogenetic therapy increased the risk of hypertension, infection, thromboembolic/hemorrhagic events, and gastro-intestinal perforations but not the risk of wound-related issues, anemia or posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome. (4) Conclusions: Although angiogenesis inhibitors improve PFS, there are little-to-no OS benefits. Given the high risk of severe adverse reactions, a careful selection of patients is required for obtaining the best results possible.

Subepidermal Low-Echogenic Band-Its Utility in Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review

High-frequency ultrasonography (HF-USG) is a relatively new imaging method that allows the evaluation in a non-invasive manner of the skin layers and skin appendages. It is a diagnostic tool with increasing usefulness in numerous dermatological pathologies. High reproducibility, non-invasiveness and short diagnostic time make this method an increasingly used tool in dermatological practice. The subepidermal low-echogenic band is a relatively newly described parameter that seems to be a marker not only of intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging, but also of inflammatory processes taking place at the skin level. This systematic review aims to evaluate the role that SLEB has in the diagnosis and monitoring of the treatment of some inflammatory and non-inflammatory dermatological conditions, as well as its utility as a disease marker.

Evaluating Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with HER2 Inhibitors: Could a Combination of Radionuclide Ventriculography and Cardiac Biomarkers Predict the Cardiac Impact?

(1) Background: The aim of our study was to determine whether monitoring cardiac function through RNV and cardiac biomarkers could predict the cardiac impact of combined therapy with trastuzumab, pertuzumab and docetaxel, which are regularly used nowadays to treat HER2-positive breast cancer. (2) Methods: This prospective monocentric study included 22 patients, diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer, who had their LVEFs and cardiac biomarkers evaluated both at the beginning of their treatment and after 6 months. Among all of the enrolled patients, two blood specimens were collected to assess circulating cardiac biomarkers. RNV was performed in each patient after "in vivo" radiolabeling of the erythrocytes. The obtained results were then statistically correlated. (3) Results: The average LVEF decrease between the two time points was approximately 4%. Of the five biomarkers we considered in this paper, only NT-proBNP correlated with the LVEF values obtained both in the baseline study and after 6 months of follow-up (r = -0.615 for T0 and r = -0.751 for T1, respectively). ST2/IL-33R proved statistically significant at the T1 time point (r = -0.547). (4) Conclusions: A combination of LVEF, NT-proBNP and ST2/IL-33R assessment may be useful for early detection of cardiac impairment in breast cancer patients treated with trastuzumab, pertuzumab and docetaxel.

Psoriasis Management Challenges Regarding Difficult-to-Treat Areas: Therapeutic Decision and Effectiveness

Psoriasis is not optimally controlled in spite of newly developed treatments, possibly due to the difficulty of objectively quantifying the disease's severity, considering the limitations of the clinical scores used in clinical practice. A major challenge addresses difficult-to-treat areas, especially in the absence of significant body surface involvement. It is controversial whether the severity evaluation of patients with several affected areas (having at least one difficult-to-treat area) should be done differently from current methods. Scores used for special areas (PSSI, NAPSI and ESIF) allow an accurate assessment of disease severity in difficult-to-treat areas, but the issue of whether to integrate these scores into PASI, BSA or DLQI remains. The review's purpose resides in providing an overview of the main current issues in determining psoriasis severity in patients with psoriasis in difficult-to-treat areas and suggesting possible solutions for the optimal integration of the area assessment in current scores: severity can be either established according to the highest calculated score (PASI or PSSI or NAPSI or ESIF) or by adding a correction factor in the calculation of PASI for special areas.

Differential Diagnosis of Abdominal Tuberculosis in the Adult-Literature Review

Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health issue that affects mostly, but not exclusively, developing countries. Abdominal TB is difficult to detect at first, with the incidence ranging from 10% to 30% of individuals with lung TB. Symptoms are non-specific, examinations can be misleading, and biomarkers commonly linked with other diseases can also make appropriate diagnosis difficult. As a background for this literature review, the method used was to look into the main characteristics and features of abdominal tuberculosis that could help with differentiation on the PubMed, Science Direct, and Academic Oxford Journals databases. The results were grouped into three categories: A. general features (the five forms of abdominal tuberculosis: wet and dry peritonitis, lymphadenopathy, lesions at the level of the cavitary organs, lesions at the level of the solid organs), B. different intra-abdominal organs and patterns of involvement (oesophageal, gastro-duodenal, jejunal, ileal, colorectal, hepatosplenic, and pancreatic TB with calcified lymphadenopathy, also with description of extraperitoneal forms), and C. special challenges of the differential diagnosis in abdominal TB (such as diagnostic overlap, the disease in transplant candidates and transplant recipients, and zoonotic TB). The study concluded that, particularly in endemic countries, any disease manifesting with peritonitis, lymphadenopathy, or lesions at the level of the intestines or solid organs should have workups and protocols applied that can confirm/dismiss the suspicion of abdominal tuberculosis.

Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumour with an Aggressive Behaviour

Neuroendocrine tumors are rare epithelial neoplasms with the specific biological characteristics which can make the diagnosis and treatment questionable, and, which in general, have a good prognosis. In recent decades, the incidence of rectal neuroendocrine tumors has increased due to the accessibility of colonoscopy and the introduction of screening programs for colorectal tumors. We present the case of a 55-year-old patient who presented for rectal bleeding started 6 months before. At the moment of the hospital admission, the general state of the patient was good, and the clinical and paraclinical examination confirmed the diagnosis of stage IV rectal tumor. The pathology examination could not distinguish between a non-differentiated carcinoma and a neuroendocrine tumor. The diagnosis of Rectal neuroendocrine tumor with an aggressive behaviour was established via immunohistochemistry (ki 67 index of 75-80%, G3 grading). Due to the high aggressiveness of the tumor, the patient had a rapid evolution towards a severe state and the onset of liver failure did not allow the systemic anti-tumor treatment. In conclusion, we can state that in the case of rectal neuroendocrine tumors, the stage of the disease and the ki67 index have an important prognostic value, and it is crucial for both the diagnosis and tumor aggressiveness to have an immunohistochemical examination. Even though, in general, they are small well-differentiated tumors with a rather good prognosis, there are forms with tumors of greater dimensions and with metastases and severe prognosis.

Complexation of β-cyclodextrin with dual molecular probes bearing fluorescent and paramagnetic moieties linked by short polyether chains

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and fluorescence spectroscopies provide molecular-level insights on the interaction of paramagnetic and fluorescent species with the microenvironment. A series of dual molecular probes bearing fluorescent and paramagnetic moieties linked by flexible short polyether chains have been synthesized. These new molecular probes open the possibility to investigate various multi-component systems such as host-guest systems, polymeric micelles, gels and protein solutions by using EPR and fluorescence spectroscopies concertedly. The EPR and fluorescence spectra of these compounds show that the dependence of the rotational correlation time and fluorescence quantum yield on the chain length of the linker is not linear, due to the flexibility of the polyether linker. The quenching effect of the nitroxide moiety on the fluorescence intensity of the pyrene group varies with the linker length and flexibility. The interaction of these dual molecular probes with β-cyclodextrin, in solution and in polymeric gels, was evaluated and demonstrated by analysis of EPR and fluorescence spectra.

Postnatal Treatment in Antenatally Diagnosed Meconium Peritonitis

Meconium peritonitis is a rare prenatal disease with an increased rate of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period. Distinctive features revealed by prenatal and postnatal ultrasoundmay be present: abdominal calcifications, ascites, polyhydramnios, meconium pseudocyst, echogenic mass and dilated bowel or intestinal obstruction. Establishing clear postnatal treatment and prognosis is difficult because of the heterogeneity of the results obtained by ultrasound. The aim of the study is to determine how prenatal diagnosis of meconium peritonitis is associated with perinatal management and further evolution. Clinical results are different depending on the presence of antenatal diagnosis of meconium peritonitis and its form, which can be mild or severe. Surgical treatment and management of meconium peritonitis depend on the clinical presentation of the newborn. Meconium peritonitis diagnosed prenatally differs from that of the newborn, not only concerning the mortality rates but also through reduced morbidity and overall better prognosis.

Pancreaticojejunostomy - Risk Anastomosis after Cephalic Pancreaticoduodenectomy

INTRODUCTION

The authors bring to attention pancreaticojejunalanastomosis (PJA) performed after cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy(CPD). This type of anastomosis is renowned forits high risk of complications. Among these complications, pancreatic fistula (PF) is distinguishable due to a significant frequency, averaging 10%. It is perhaps the most unsafe type of anastomosis in digestive surgery, due to its pancreatic partnership. Performing a sealed APJ can be considered a great achievement: a digestive lumen is set in contact with a brittleparenchymal structure, centred by a delicate excretory channel, difficult to anastomose in itself.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We studied two distinct groups of patients undergoing CPD. A first group - 58 cases operated on between 1967 and 1983, and the second one - 70 cases operated on between 1984 - 2013. In all cases we performed PJA; by in-continuity loop technique in the first group, and with separate loop in the second group. In the second group we used a variant own technique that does not allow anastomotic loss of pancreatic fluid. Thus, a decline in the incidence of PF from 20% to 8% was obtained, the final percentage corresponding to group two. Of the 8% of patients with PF losses were recorded strictly at pancreatic level, with no bile or food contamination. Stenting was recorded for biliary- and pancreaticojejunal anastomoses in group two.

DISCUSSIONS

The percentage of PF after CPD did not show anynotable revival when comparing the 1980s period to the present. Also, mortality due to FP is approaching 40%, adaunting figure. The multitude of technical options for restoring bowel movement after CPD, over 80 procedures, further confirms the lack of safety and trust in relation to PJA.The authors bring forward several surgical gestures addressing PJA, gestures capable of providing an 8% frequency of PF,percentage which we consider to be reasonable.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors consider PJA stenting mandatory.Placing an isolated PJA on the short branch of the "Y", separate from the biliary and food flow, prevents the formation of a complex fistula. The proposed technique does not require a"duct - to - mucosa" type or "telescoping" type pancreaticojejunalanastomosis.

Clinical and Paraclinical Criteria of Patient Selection for the Non-operative Treatment in Completely Responsive Rectal Cancer (after Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy)

INTRODUCTION

Neoadjuvant radiotherapy is included in the treatment protocols for rectal tumors in stages = T3. The use of neoadjuvant radiotherapy allowed the limit of surgical oncologic safety margin to decrease with 1-2 cm and the abdominoperineal resection to be able to be performed in tumors situated at 4 cm from the anal verge. This modification of the treatment strategy increased the use of low, ultra low and colo-anal anastomoses.

GOAL

Through the analysis of these types of anastomoses and of the disadvantages of the abdomino-perineal resection, we aimed at performing a study on the patients which responded completely to radiotherapy by taking into account the criteria of oncologic safety and the sparing of the patients from surgical complications.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We performed a retrospective study on 171 patients with rectal cancer treated in the 1st Clinic of Surgery from the Bucharest Oncology Institute between October 2007 and December 2013.

RESULTS

141 patients received radiotherapy, out of which 9 responded completely. 5 of those 9 were not operated on and after variable clinical and paraclinical follow up (2-6 years),they did not present with local recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Not performing surgery in the patients with rectal cancer with a complete response to radiotherapy is a good solution and must be taken after a correct information of the patient about rectal surgery with the condition of strictly observing the selection criteria of the patients.

Return to sports after autogenous osteochondral mosaicplasty of the femoral condyles: 25 cases at a mean follow-up of 9 years

INTRODUCTION

Autogenous osteochondral mosaicplasty is the most common cartilage restoration technique in standard clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the return to sports 9 years after mosaicplasty of the femoral condyles.

HYPOTHESIS

The long-term results of an osteochondral autograft show that patients can regain their pre-injury activity level.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study is based on a series of 25 patients with a mean age of 28.9 years (range, 16-44 years) who had stage 3 or 4 chondral lesions of the femoral condyles (according to the ICRS or ICRS-OCD scores). The origin of the lesion was osteochondritis dissecans (13 knees), osteochondral fracture sequelae (ten knees), or aseptic osteonecrosis (two knees). The average size of the lesion was 2.11 ± 0.9 cm(2). Ten patients (40%) had an associated procedure during the osteochondral autograft. The patients were assessed clinically (IKDC and Lysholm-Tegner scores) and radiographically by a reviewer independent of the team of operators.

RESULTS

All patients were re-examined at a mean follow-up of 9 years (range, 6-15 years), with 84% satisfied or very satisfied with the procedure. The average IKDC was 74.5 ± 18.5 points. The average Lysholm score was 87.3 ± 11.6 points. The average Tegner score ranged from 6.35 ± 1.53 points prior to surgery to 5.60 ± 1.64 points after surgery (P = 0.001). The average loss was 0.64 points for patients whose presurgery Tegner score was greater than or equal to 7 (P = 0.019) and 0.3 points if lower than 7. The radiologic evaluation of 21 patients showed complete osteointegration of the grafts in 90% of cases.

CONCLUSION

The results of the femoral condyle mosaic autografts are satisfactory, a mean of 9 years after surgery. The most active patients lowered their activity level while the more sedentary did not have to adapt their lifestyle.

"Difficult" Colorectal Polyps - Therapeutic Approach

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic polypectomy is the gold standard in the treatment of colorectal polyps. The importance of polypectomy rests primarily on the fact that polyp-type lesions present a high risk of malignant degeneration, colorectal polyps being able, if left unattended therapeutically, to generate a colorectal cancer (CRC) - a lesion with a far more negative prognosis. Although preferable, endoscopic polypectomy of colorectal polyps is not always possible, multiple factors generating difficulties in performing this therapeutic measure.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We performed a retrospective study in the First Surgical Clinic of the "Prof. Dr. Alexandu Trestioreanu" Bucharest Oncology Institute, spanning a period of 3 years (2008-2011), in which time 224 patients were diagnosed by colonoscopy with colorectal polyps, of whom 222 patients benefited from endoscopic polypectomy. The aim of the study was to identify "difficult" polyps and to identify the criteria for endoscopic surgery versus classic surgery as a therapeutic indication.

RESULTS

Presence of "difficult" polyps was observed in 37.56% of the patients diagnosed with colorectal polyps. In over 88% of cases endoscopic polypectomy was possible, and for the remaining patients classic surgery was the therapeutic solution opted for.

CONCLUSIONS

Presence of "difficult" polyps generates inconveniences in performing endoscopic polypectomy, increasing the risk of postoperative complication occurrence, as well as the duration of the operation. If the criteria for characterizing polyps as "difficult" are relatively well-established, the choice between endoscopic and classic surgery as a therapeutic measure is left at the free will of the operating surgeon, with the exception of situations in which classic surgery is resorted to for oncological reasons.

Morbidity after Ultra Low Anterior Resection of the Rectum

Anterior resections of the rectum, used as an alternative to amputation of the rectum, are performed more and more frequently, being presently indicated for neoplasms located ata distance of 7 to 4 cm from the anus. Complications of low and ultra low anterior resections are not at all negligible, and local neoplastic recurrence rate is significantly higher than after amputation of the rectum. However, literature data recommends low and ultra low anterior rectal resections, even if sometimes the method indications are pushed to the limit or the interventions are performed at the patient's request, in order to avoid permanent colostomy. The authors of this article aim to outline a true picture of the changes caused by anterior resections of the rectum, low and ultra low, so that, without denying the merits of these resections, the entire postoperative pathology that occurs in these patients is depicted and understood. Ultra low rectal resections, up to 3-4 cm from the anus, bring important morphological and functional changes to the act of defecation and to anal continence. These changes in colo-anal bowel movement have a much higher incidence than postoperative genitourinary disorders. Another important aspect emerging from the present study is related to the increased incidence of anastomotic disunity, stenosis and various degrees of incontinence, complications that often can only be solved by completion of rectum amputation and permanent colostomy. In addition, the functional outcomes of these ultra low resections are not always at the level expected by the patient. Also, in terms of surgical performance, the higher share of specific complications of the procedure raises questions with regard to the technique. For all these reasons the authors consider it necessary to review the lower limit to which an anterior rectal resection can descend.

The configuration of biomolecular markers in cancer of the uterine cervix. Personalized therapy. Monitoring and prognosis

INTRODUCTION

The paper deals with the diagnosis of some aggressive forms of uterine cervix cancers, resistant to radio chemotherapy, using biomolecular markers.For this study, the destruction of tumours in stages II-IIIBis carried out by hyperthermia induced by different sources of energy. The aimed targets are toembed a quick and simple technique of haemostas isused in bleeding uterine cervix tumours associated with acute an aemiain the treatment protocols and to identify biomolecular criteria revealing tumour aggressiveness and treatment response.

METHOD

The proposed method consists in radio frequency ablation (RFA) applied touterine cervix bleeding tumours with acute secondary anaemia. Studying 16 patients displaying aggressive cancer forms resistant to radio chemotherapy treated by the above mentioned method, we assessed that the commonly present markers: Ki67, p53 and Bcl-2, may be a substantial indication of such cases. Aggressiveness and treatment resistance was defined based on clinical and paraclinical investigations.

RESULTS

RFA haemostasis achieved in approximately 20 m inproved the efficiency of this method. A secondary important effect was local tumour volume decrease, resulting in the improvement of radio-chemotherapy responsiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

Once an aggressive and radio-chemotherapy resistant cancer is diagnosed,the quantitative, qualitative and associative presence of the biomolecular markers mentioned herein before, could influence the personalised treatment attitude (radiofrequency, neoadjuvant chemotherapy), which onthe long term, may increase patient survival and life quality improvement.

Surgical treatment in stenosing rectal cancer

INTRODUCTION

Rectal cancer represents an important health issue, which involves multidisciplinary treatment, posing a major surgical challenge, both in terms of diagnosis and treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Between 2009-2013, we analysed 83 patients with stenosing rectal cancer operated on at the Clinic of General Surgery II of Colentina Clinical Hospital and at the Clinic of General Surgery I of "Prof. Dr. Al. Trestioreanu"€ Oncology Institute, in Bucharest. Gender distribution was: 51 males and 32 females. Average age was 65 years old. The most frequently encountered symptoms were colicky abdominal pain and rectorrhagia. 25 patients presented intestinal occlusion phenomena at admission, the other 58 cases being in subocclusive stage.

RESULTS

In occlusive stages: 17 patients presented with resectable tumour, while 8 patients had locally advanced neoplastic forms (€œfrozen pelvis€), left iliac colostomy with tumour biopsy being the chosen approach. In subocclusive stages: 5 cases had unresectable tumours for which left iliac anus with tumour biopsy was performed; 53 cases presented with resectable tumour, for which the Hartmann procedure (12 patients) and left iliac colostomy with tumour biopsy (41 patients) were performed. Depending on the histopathological result, patients were submitted to radio- and chemotherapy.Tumour resection was possible in 70 cases (84.33%), only 34 of these (40.96%) being with radical intent.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment for stenosing rectal cancer is multimodal,represented by surgical approach, radio- and chemotherapy. The rationality behind surgery as a first therapeutic gesture in the given study group was represented by the need to treat occlusive type complications, patients benefitting subsequently from radio- and chemotherapy. The opportunity of a second surgical intervention, with the objective to remove the tumour, was established based on the therapeutic response to radio- and chemotherapy.

Endometriosis still a challenge

Endometriosis is a debilitating disease with features of chronic inflammation. Endometriosis appears to be one of the most common benign gynecological proliferations in premenopausal women since it is estimated that 10-15% of reproductive aged women suffer from pelvic endometriosis. The biology of endometriosis is unclear. Despite its prevalence, this disease remains poorly understood and current studies prove that there is no relationship between the extent of the disease and its symptomatology. There is no blood test available for the diagnosis of endometriosis. Up to this point, there is no single very successful option for the treatment of endometriosis. Due to the relatively poor efficacy of hormonal therapy for endometriosis, several other experimental therapies are currently undergoing clinical trial.

Laparoscopic treatment for complicated acute appendicitis in children, junior athletes

BACKGROUND

We present our experience in the first 20 cases of complicated acute appendicitis in children, junior athletes, managed laparoscopically.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

We selected our first 20 patients, aged between 3 and 17 (median age 10), with complicated acute appendicitis treated laparoscopically. We analysed the intra and postoperative complications, operative time, length of hospitalization and their return period to previous training.Four cases were excluded from the study because they were converted to open appendectomy (OA).

RESULTS

One case developed a parietal abscess at the place of insertion of the suprapubic trocar and was treated locally.There were no cases with intraabdominal abscesses to require drainage. Fever on the 3rd postoperative day appeared in one patient which required reassessment of the antibiotic treatment. Length of hospitalization was between 4 and 8 days.The athletes resumed their sports activity after 10 - 12 days.

CONCLUSION

Complicated acute appendicitis (generalized peritonitis, localized abscess, perforated abscess), was once a contraindication for laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). Today LA is the first choice of surgical treatment for most of the surgeons. Due to the limited number of patients we have operated on laparoscopically up to this present paper we cannot draw a statistically significant conclusion, but the good results are encouraging us to continue using this approach as the first line treatment in children and more over for those who need a rapid return to intense physical activity.

The place of radiofrequency ablation in the multimodal treatment of cervical cancer. Our experience

INTRODUCTION

Genital cancers benefit from standardized treatment plans which include: surgery and radio chemotherapy.Lately, treatments involving thermal ablations have entered the clinical use, as they destroy the tumors by the use of different energy sources. Our study aims at establishing a precise role of RFA in current treatment protocols of cancer of the uterine cervix.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We performed a 5-year (2008-2013)prospective study in which we analyzed the use of RFA inpatients treated for cancer of the uterine cervix at our clinic.RFA was used, on selective criteria, in bleeding tumors of the uterine cervix in patients with acute secondary anaemia(Hb=7-11g dl). The results revealed the haemostatic role of the method, RFA being the only non surgical method through which one can achieve quick haemostasis (20 min.). 61 patients were clinically observed, with ages between 39 and 73, and the number of procedures performed was 61.

CONCLUSION

RFA is useful in the treatment of cancers of the uterine cervix, in all stages of the disease, and it achieves quick haemostasis. RFA can be considered an additional treatment option in neoadjuvant tumor palliation. The method can be associated with surgery and radio chemotherapy. Its assets are low specific morbidity (1,6%) and mortality (0%). We consider that RFA is on its way to an important place in oncology treatment protocols.

Therapeutic approach in locally advanced colon tumours (T4NxM0) - clinical experience in 18 consecutive cases

INTRODUCTION

Surgery holds a central seat in the treatment of colon cancer, its objective being R0 resection. Chemotherapy and an appropriate oncological follow-up complete the treatment.

AIM

To establish an adequate therapeutic conduct in patients with advanced colon tumours, with no hepatic metastases.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

retrospective study on a group of 150 patients with colon neoplasm treated in the First Surgery Clinic of the Bucharest Oncology Institute in Bucharest,between 01 01 2008 -01 03 2013.

RESULTS

18 patients presented locally extended colon tumours which required multivisceral resections. Patients with hepatic metastases were excluded from the study. The most frequently affected organs were: the small bowel and the internal genital organs, followed by the urinary bladder, spleen, duodenum and diaphragm muscle. Patients were oncologically followed-up according to current protocols and submitted to chemotherapy.When a maximum response was reached in R2 patients or when recurrence occurred in R0 and R1 patients, surgical intervention was required. When necessary, the operation was performed by multidisciplinary teams. 5 patients died due to local recurrence, disease progression, metastatic disease, and also due to comorbidities.

CONCLUSION

Treatment applied by oncological committees and multidisciplinary surgical teams, along with correct oncological follow-up and surgical reintervention when maximum response to chemotherapy was reached in R2 or when recurrences occurred in R0 and R1 patients represents the adequate therapeutic conduct in patients with locally advanced colon tumours.

Differential diagnosis of abdominal wall defects - omphalocele versus gastroschisis

A newborn with abdominal wall defect is one of the most dramatic cases in neonatology, but also a challenge for pediatric surgeons. This article describes the fundamental concepts of two major abdominal wall defects - gastroschisis and omphalocele - including options and principles of prenatal and postnatal care. Although these birth defects of the abdominal wall are always grouped together, they are two separate and distinct entities, with many differences in terms of pathology and associated anomalies; this explains the different therapeutic approach and results. For a correct management of the newborn with this anomaly, it is essential to understand the similarities and differences between gastroschisis and omphalocele. This article emphasises the similarities between these two parietal defects, highlighting the differences as well.

Morphological and immunohistochemical criteria of tissue response to radiotherapy in rectal cancer

AIM

Given the context that rectal tumours respond to a certain degree to radiotherapy, a necessity arises for estimating a tumour's capacity to react to radiation from the very moment of diagnostic biopsy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We have histologically and immunohistochemically analysed tissues coming from 52 patients with rectal adenocarcinomas.

RESULTS

Of the studied parameters, the ones presenting significant variation under radiotherapy in terms of statistics(p 0.05) were: colloid type (p=0.001), EGFR in the tumour(p=0.00045), EGFR in the normal epithelium (p=0.0017),VEGF in the tumour (p=0.0132) and VEGF in the tumour stroma (p=0.030).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study follows the same trends as the medical literature we have consulted regarding the variation of EGFR and VEGF with radiotherapy, and the distinct note of our study relies in the observation that normal stroma in case of rectal tumors also reacts to radiotherapy, sometimes more aggressively than the tumor itself, especially in which concerns the nerve and muscle fibers.

Considerations on gastroschisis repair

BACKGROUND

Although primary closure of the gastroschisis is possible in many cases, there have been various strategies published and materials used to cover the eviscerated bowel when the abdominal wall defect cannot be closed in one step, providing bowel protection and reduction of heat and fluid loss. There have been suggestions of coverage materials such as skin graft, lyophilized dura mater graft, free flap corium and meshed skin graft (1,2).

PURPOSE

We highlight an alternative repair method of gastroschisis in those cases where there is a disproportion between the amount of eviscerated organs and the hypoplastic abdominal cavity. If in this case primary closure of the abdominal wall is chosen, the difference in volume can cause a significant increase in intraabdominal pressure.

METHOD

In some cases, when complete primary closure was not possible, we used an alternative method to repair the parietal defect using umbilical cord patch.

RESULTS

This technique creates a mesothelial surface in contact with the bowel. Remote tracking of these patients showed excellent results.

CONCLUSIONS

This technique is easy to apply and very useful for infants with gastroschisis especially when primary closure is not possible. The use of autologous material, in this case as the umbilical cord, has several advantages, including wide availability, a lower rate of infection and significantly reduced costs.

A primary hydatid cyst in the abdominal wall -- case report

INTRODUCTION

A solitary primary hydatid cyst in the abdominal wall is an exceptional entity, even in countries where the Echinococcus infection has a high rate, being considered an endemic disease.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of a 70-year-old Caucasian man who presented to our clinic with a slow-growing painless parietal mass in the abdominal wall, right flank area. The diagnosis of cystic mass was established at the ultrasound exam. There were no findings that could describe a hydatic cyst. The punction at the surgical intervention revealed a "clear, stone liquid like"; due to the high risk of major injury of the abdominal wall, we performed partial resection of the outer cystic wall, proligerous membrane removal and drainage. The patient had an uneventful post-operative recovery. The histopathology confirmed the suspected diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Hydatid cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of every abdominal intraparietal cystic mass, especially in regions where the disease is endemic. The best treatment is the total excision of the cyst preserving an intact wall (complete cystectomy). Otherwise, removing the proligerous membrane with partial pericyst's resection (partial pericystectomy) and drainage should be considered.

True and false incomplete duplications of the common bile duct and their impact on therapy

The congenital anomalies of the common bile duct (CBD) represent a real challenge for the surgeon, and not recognizing them may have two consequences: either generate incomplete or incorrect surgical solutions, or, even worse, lead to iatrogenic pathology. The association between the anomalies of the CBD and biliary lithiasis, biliary cancer or other hepatobiliopancreatic pathology may lead to a pre/perioperative diagnosis; frequently, the incertitude persists. We present 2 cases: one with an incomplete duplication of the CBD and the other with a false duplication. We wish to underline the sovereign value of cholangio-MRI with 3 D reconstructions in the diagnosis and description of the anatomy of the biliary ducts, superior, in some cases, to the intraoperative cholangiography or ERCP.

Evaluating the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer with monoclonal antibodies

The ability to tailor biologic therapy based on the status of tumor biomarkers and monoclonal antibodies has become very important in the last years. The role of tumor biomarkers in treating colorectal cancer, specifically the K-RAS gene, was identified. K-RAS had a higher interest after Lievre and colleagues reported at the 2008 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting, their analysis of K-RAS mutations in tumors from patients who did not appear to benefit from cetuximab therapy, providing additional data involving K-RAS mutant tumors and their lack of response to cetuximab, as part of first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. Furthermore, other trials evaluated the K-RAS status and the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, the treatment of refractory metastatic cancer and dual-antibody therapy in the first-line treatment of colorectal cancer. Patients with mutant K-RAS colorectal tumors have no benefit from cetuximab, no matter the type of chemotherapy regimen.

The 10 years' experience in the laparoscopic treatment of benign pathology of the eso gastric junction

In the era of mini invasive surgery, the surgical approach of the esogastric junction occupies an important role, which regards both the results and the complete, long-term patient satisfaction.The main benign pathology of the esogastric pole includes hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, cardiospasm, oesophageal diverticula. The present study is based on the experience of our clinic in the laparoscopic treatment of esogastric pathology that contains 85 patients in 10 years. Out of these, 15 were operated on for cardiospasm, 29 for hiatal hernia and 41 for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The investigation protocol consisted in barium swallows and endoscopy, both pre and postoperatively. The results obtained allowed us to underline the superiority of the surgical treatment over the medical one. Likewise, medical literature reports rates of success of 90% in antireflux surgery. The latter is conditioned by correct determination of the reflux causes and by the choice of the adequate time to perform the surgery, in concordance with the local anatomical conditions. As far as the two techniques used (complete or partial fundoplication) are concerned, there were no significant differences in the postoperative evolution of the patients, but we have to mention, nevertheless, the increased incidence of dysphagia after Nissen. The data presented confirm the superiority of laparoscopic surgery over the classic one, due to the superior aesthetic result, the shortened admission time -with reduced costs and rapid social reinsertion.

[Hypospadias--one-stage repair]

The tubularised incised plate (TIP) is a common surgical technique used in the treatment of hypospadias. The study includes 52 urethroplasties, performed between 2007-2010. We performed Mathieu urethroplasty in 12% of the cases, Duplay urethroplasy in 88% of the cases and we used the Snoodgrass technique in 82% of the cases. The hospital stay varied between 3-8 days after surgery. We included in the study 32 patients with distal penile hypospadias, 8 with proximal hypospadias and 12 with midshaft hypospadias. To prevent fistula formation it is important to perform well sealed sutures, to interpose subcutaneous tissue between the urethroplasty and the cutaneous sutures, not to overlap the urethral and cutaneous sutures. The incidence of urethral fistula after the Duplay procedure was higher then after the Mathieu procedure, but the cases operated by the Duplay technique were manier and more difficult. The complications were more frequent in the cases with proximal hypospadias than in the cases with distal hypospadias, as well as the reintervention rate but not related to the surgical techniques. We present elements of diagnostic, embriology and etiopathogeny of hypospadias.

[Posterior urethral valves--diagnosis and primary treatment considerations]

Posterior Urethral Valves--PUV are the most common cause of bladder outflow obstruction in male infants, representig about 10% of prenatally detected hydronephrosis. The medical records of 27 patients, admitted and treated in the pediatric urology department of "Maria Sklodowska Curie" Emergency Hospital for Children, Bucharest, between 2001-2010 where reviewed. The aim of the study is to discuss the endoscopic valve ablation as the first choice treatment of PUV. Twenty-six, (96%) of ouer patients are alive, having now different ages, with serum creatinine levels < 0.8 mg/dl, at successive controls. One patient, lyear 11 mounths old, died in the pediatric nephrology department after right nephrec-tomy and left ureterostomy, 9 mounth before. Mortality rate in PUV patients has significantly decreased in the last 30 years, from 50% to less than 10% of patients. Nonetheless, morbidity related to PUV still represent an heavy burden for these patients and their doctors. Urodynamic studies help in understanding the pathophysiology of valve bladder and its effect on the urinary tract at long term follow-up.

[Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in children]

INTRODUCTION

Although vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a relatively common disease, in present there are different opinions regarding its approach by paediatric urologist, nephrologist and paediatrician. European Society for Paediatric Urology, European Association of Perinatal Medicine in collaboration with paediatric nephrologists developed--based on multicentric studies--a consensus approach for this disease. An efficient alternative is represented by endoscopic treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2002 to December 2008 a number of 58 children, confirmed after mictional cistography with the diagnosis of VUR grade II - V, went endoscopic subureteral injection of dextranomer/ hyaluronic acid (Deflux). The reflux was unilateral in 21 cases and bilateral for the rest of 37. From 95 ureters, VUR was considered grade II - V in 15(15,79%), 45(47,37%), 28(29,47%) and 7(7,37%) cases. Follow-up and evaluation were based on mictional cistography and ultrasound examination.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Reflux remitted after the first, the second or the third injection in 63(66,31%), 13(13,68%) and 1(1,05%) of the ureters. These results confirm the fact that endoscopic subureteral injection of an adequate material confers semnificative advantages. High rate of success, absence of postoperative complications, reduced period of hospitalization sustain this kind of treatment that is indicated in all grades of reflux.

[The role of minimally invasive surgery in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors in children]

The paper aims to define the actual place and benefits of the minimal invasive techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors in children. There are reviewed the indications, limits and complications of this method in digestive tract, liver, pancreatic, adnexal, testicular and renal tumors, in lymphomas, as well as in tumors with intra-thoracic location. The benefits of the minimal access approach, such as the decrease of the parietal complications as well as the negative impact of the surgical act upon the body have a particular significance in pediatric cancer patients. Their quicker recovery allows an early subsequent initiation of the chemo- or/and radiotherapy. Within the complex treatment of tumors in children, the minimal invasive surgery has a diagnostic value through inspection and directed biopsy. The laparoscopic inspection decreases the number of non-therapeutic laparotomies in non-operable patients with tumors that were not preoperatively diagnosed using imaging methods. The laparoscopic resection of the tumors within oncological limits is possible in the localized types (stage I). As a particular aspect of the laparoscopic approach in children, it is worth mentioning the difficulties related to the necessity of using adequate-size instruments and to the less favorable relation between the size of the tumor and the diminished working space.

[Colectomy in emergency surgery]

Unlike the standardised surgery of the right sided colic emergencies there is still a matter of debate on the emergency approach of the left colon and rectum. Between 1998 - 2007 on 32 patients (15 males, 17 females) we performed the single stage radical procedure total or subtotal colectomy. In the same period we performed 372 emergency operations for low intestinal occlusion. The patients had ages between 24 - 86 years, the admittance diagnosis was intestinal occlusion. The postoperative diagnosis was left colic carcinoma (n=23), strangulated hernia (n=2) strangulated incisional hernia (n=2), sigmoid volvulus (n=3) and synchronous colic carcinoma (n=2). All cases were submitted to surgery in the first 24 h of admission. Despite the presence of liver metastasis at the time of surgery in 2 patients, this had not contraindicate the radical procedure. 21 patients (65.62%) had a good evolution. The others 11 (34.38%) had postoperative complications: 2 anastomotic leakage (6.25%), 7 parietal infections (21.87%) and 2 death (6.25%). The total colectomy offers oncological radicality and satisfactory functional results. The disadvantage consists in postoperative diarrhea, gradually decreased with time.

[Intestinal tuberculosis--cause of acute surgical abdomen]

Tuberculosis, in its various forms, remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries in immunodeficitary patients. The indicatives of epidemiology of tuberculosis show that Romania presents a fresh outbreak of the disease in the last few years. The purpose of this paper is to present from the various forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, the intestinal tipe which have a high incidence. The authors describe theirs preliminary experience of intraoperative small and large bowel emergencies resections in a short period (1 year) of three young patients (between 30 and 40 years old) with history of pulmonary tuberculosis. The pathology was complex (bowel obstructions, peritonitis) and so were the surgical operations (resections, devirations). The patients showed short and long term good results.

[Nebivolol treatment in essential arterial hypertension]

Nebivolol is a lipophilic beta 1-blocker. It is devoid of intrinsic sympathomimetic or membrane stabilising activity but appears to have nitric oxide-mediated vasodilatory effects. Nebivolol 5 mg once daily is well tolerated in patients with hypertension. Adverse events are infrequent, transient and mild to moderate. Those reported most often include headache, fatigue, paraesthesias and dizziness. Several studies reported no signs of orthostatic hypotension with Nebivolol.

Diurnal behaviour of some salivary parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus (protein concentration, amylase activity, density)--note I

The study was carried out on 31 diabetic patients of both sexes hospitalised in the Clinical Hospital of Diabetes and Nutritional Diseases "Dr. I. Cantacuzino". They were divided in 2 groups: patients with insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) and noninsulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) and compared with a group of control non-diabetic subjects. Total mixed saliva was sampled in the morning (07:30-08:00) and in the afternoon (17:30-18:00) without stimulation and tested for amylase activity, proteins and density. The study revealed that the density and the amylase activity have the same diurnal behaviour for the diabetic patients and healthy control subjects either. The only difference was the amplitude of maximal activity (in the morning for density and in the afternoon for the amylase activity). Salivary proteins have a similar diurnal behaviour for both diabetic groups (maximal values in the morning and minimal values in the afternoon) in contrast to healthy control subjects that presented less obvious diurnal changes.

Diurnal behaviour of some salivary parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus (flow rate, pH, thiocianat, LDH activity)--note II

The study was performed on 31 diabetic patients of both sexes, divided in 2 groups: group I--17 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) and group II--14 patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) and compared with a control group of 16 non-diabetic subjects. Mixed saliva was sampled without stimulation during 2 periods of the day: 07:30-08:00 before breakfast and 17:30-18:00 before dinner. We determined: salivary flow rate, pH with Merck indicator and, after homogenization, the thiocianat with the FeCl3 method and LDH activity (the Norbert method adapted in our laboratory for saliva). Our study showed the same diurnal changes in flow rate and salivary pH in both diabetic and control groups: minimal values in the morning and maximal ones in the afternoon. In non-smoking diabetic patients the salivary thiocianat had maximal values in the morning and minimal ones in the afternoon; similar behaviour, but less obvious was observed in smoking diabetic patients and in the control group regardless of the smoking habit. LDH activity showed unsignificant diurnal variations in the diabetic patients. In the control group we found a significant decrease of LDH activity in the afternoon. The discussion is about the implication of these salivary parameters in the pathology of oral cavity: gingivitis, periodontitis and caries in diabetic patients.

Evidence for tuberculous infection in Romanian HIV-positive children by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

The pandemic spread of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) represents a serious world problem. The diagnosis of TB in developing countries remains difficult, particularly in patients with concomitant HIV infection. Anergia to tuberculin frequently occurs in HIV-positive patients with pulmonary or extrapulmonary disease, and radiographic images are atypical or nondiagnostic. Children are often in an even more unfavorable situation: they cannot expectorate, and the biological samples required for bacteriological examination and culture are more difficult to obtain. We present in this work the correlation between the presence of serum antimycobacterial antibodies [as demonstrated by an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)] in 41 out of 279 HIV-infected children, and clinical, bacteriological, radiological, and pathological data that support the diagnosis of TB in these children. The prevalence of antimycobacterial antibodies in our group of HIV-positive children was 23.3%. In only 4 of the total cases investigated could the diagnosis of TB not be supported by the results of standard tests for TB. The control group showed an insignificant interference from bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination.

[Neurological manifestations on collagenoses]

Collagen diseases are precipitated by very different etiologic factors, but have a common pathogenic mechanism--autoimmune, which evolves chronically and progressively involving new territories. The initial and main pathologic lesions are vascular arterial ischemic (and, according to the prevalently involved territory, the type of disease results: PAN--medium-sized and small arterioles; scleroderma--small arterioles and capillaries), and the secondary ones are the result of ischemia with plurivisceral involvement. Neurological dysfunctions were detected in about 50% of collagen diseases diagnosed during a 25 year interval in the IIIrd Medical Clinic of Iaşi. The neurological manifestations were inaugural in 10% (in SLE) to 46.4% (in PAN) of the cases, the remainder occurring during the course of collagenosis, more commonly at 3-5 years and before death. Peripheral nervous system involvement (mainly polyneuritis) has prevailed, the central nervous system involvement being more rare and often fatal. Long-term corticosteroid therapy was followed by full or partial remission of peripheral nervous dysfunctions, but had transient effects or was ineffective on the central nervous ones.