Clinicopathological Data and Treatment Modalities for Pancreatic Somatostatinomas

BACKGROUND/AIM

Somatostatinomas (SSomas) constitute a rare neuroendocrine tumor. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current published literature about pancreatic SSomas and report epidemiologic and clinicopathologic data for this entity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A combined automated and manual systematic database search of the literature was performed using electronic search engines (Medline PubMed, Scopus, Ovid and Cochrane Library), until February 2020. Statistical analysis was performed using the R language and environment for statistical computing.

RESULTS

Overall, the research revealed a total of 36 pancreatic SSoma cases. Patient mean age was 50.25 years. The most common pancreatic location was the pancreatic head (61.8%). The most frequent clinical symptom was abdominal pain (61.1%). Diagnostic algorithm most often included Computed Tomography and biopsy; surgical resection was performed in 28 cases. Out of the 36 cases, 22 had been diagnosed with a metastatic tumor and metastasectomy was performed in 6 patients with a worse overall survival (OS) (p=0.029). In total, OS was 47.74 months.

CONCLUSION

Patients with metastatic disease did not benefit from metastasectomy, but the sample size was small to reach definite conclusions. However, further studies with longer follow-up are needed for a better evaluation of these results.

Brief Report on a Novel Reconstruction Technique Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy

MINI-ABSTRACT

Although pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has significantly improved and is considered a safe procedure, it is still associated with increased rates of morbidity. The aim of the present study is to evaluate an alternative reconstruction technique following PD. This technique uses an isolated hepaticojejunal anastomosis and presents low postoperative morbidity rates.

Clinical evidence, diagnostic approach and challenging therapeutic modalities for malignant melanoma of the anorectum

Primary anorectal malignant melanoma (ARMM) is a rare, aggressive tumour that accounts for approximately 1.2% of all melanomas. This rare entity represents less than 5% of anorectal malignant tumours and 0.05-1% of all malignant colorectal neoplasms. The incidence increases with age while there is a higher prevalence in Caucasians. ARMM is often asymptomatic or presents with no disease-specific evidence so that it can mimic other rectal disorders, malignant or benign. Colonoscopy is obligatory as a diagnosing mean for ARMM. Furthermore, endoscopic ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can be utilized for the evaluation of tumour infiltration and lymph node metastases. Moreover, diagnostic establishment of ARMM requires an undeniable demonstration of essential melanocytic features in histology and immunohistochemistry. Even though the standard of treatment remains surgical resection, the choice between wide local excision and abdomino-perineal resection is still controversial. Recently, there have been recommendations regarding new techniques which could be utilized for the surgical treatment of ARMM. Newer treatments that have been proposed such as immune-checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies need further validation. A multicenter study would allow clarification of the most appropriate therapeutic strategy for this uncommon nosological entity.

Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to significantly affect the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs), who stand in the frontline of this crisis. It is, therefore, an immediate priority to monitor rates of mood, sleep and other mental health issues in order to understand mediating factors and inform tailored interventions. The aim of this review is to synthesize and analyze existing evidence on the prevalence of depression, anxiety and insomnia among HCWs during the Covid-19 outbreak.

METHODS

A systematic search of literature databases was conducted up to April 17th, 2020. Two reviewers independently assessed full-text articles according to predefined criteria. Risk of bias for each individual study was assessed and data pooled using random-effects meta-analyses to estimate the prevalence of specific mental health problems. The review protocol is registered in PROSPERO and is available online.

FINDINGS

Thirteen studies were included in the analysis with a combined total of 33,062 participants. Anxiety was assessed in 12 studies, with a pooled prevalence of 23·2% and depression in 10 studies, with a prevalence rate of 22·8%. A subgroup analysis revealed gender and occupational differences with female HCPs and nurses exhibiting higher rates of affective symptoms compared to male and medical staff respectively. Finally, insomnia prevalence was estimated at 38·9% across 5 studies.

INTERPRETATION

Early evidence suggests that a considerable proportion of HCWs experience mood and sleep disturbances during this outbreak, stressing the need to establish ways to mitigate mental health risks and adjust interventions under pandemic conditions.

Global burden of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers

Provision of PPE, placing experienced HCWs mostly in organisational positions, increasing testing, minimising exposure by adjusting shift schedules, and providing food and sleep facilities could be some restorative measures to protect HCWs from #COVID19 https://bit.ly/2zcVARW.

Human Papilloma Virus infection and breast cancer development: Challenging theories and controversies with regard to their potential association

Breast cancer (BC) remains the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide. Recognized predisposing factors may be absent in the majority of affected patients, which has aroused a stronger interest in identifying risk parameters that contribute to BC pathogenesis. Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is strongly associated with malignancies, such as cervical cancer, oropharyngeal cancer and anal cancer. Various surveys have linked HPV to the development of BC. Relevant variations in HPV identification among BC samples may be attributed to differences in study design, the populations involved and the HPV detection techniques applied, which are still controversial with conflicting opinions and results that deny the causative association between HPV infection and BC development. Furthermore, the role of HPV, a potential cause of human BC, has recently received more attention because of the possible restriction of disease progression using an HPV vaccine. The aim of this review was to evaluate both the aspects supporting and those against the theory of BC related to HPV infection. Recent literature has been also assessed in order to provide an update on the current concepts of relevant association.

Superior mesenteric venous thrombosis as a first manifestation of Antithrombin III deficiency in the postoperative course of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a case study of 2 patients from 1211 bariatric patients

Superior mesenteric venous thrombosis (SMVT) following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a rare, potentially life-threatening complication, which presents either isolated, or as a part of portal/mesenteric/splenic vein thrombosis. Distinction between them possibly confers an important clinical and prognostic value. Antithrombin III (ATIII) deficiency causes an hypercoagulable state which predisposes to SMVT. We report the clinical presentation and treatment of two patients among 1211 LSGs (incidence = 0.165%) that presented with isolated SMVT and ATIII deficiency in an Academic Bariatric Center. Both patients had an unremarkable past medical history; none was smoker or had a previously known thrombophillic condition/thrombotic episode. Mean time of presentation was 15.5 days after LSG. Despite aggressive resuscitative and anticoagulation measures, surgical intervention was deemed necessary. No mortalities were encountered. Coagulation tests revealed ATIII deficiency in both patients.

Successful management of adhesion related small bowel ischemia without intestinal resection: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Intraabdominal adhesions develop spontaneously or after an inflammatory process or surgical procedure in the abdomen. They are the most common cause of small bowel obstruction (SBO). SBO occasionally leads to intestinal ischemia (InIs) which can be a life-threatening condition that requires management as soon as possible. We herein report a case of SBO with InIs presented in our institution and treated without intestinal resection.

CASE SUMMARY

A 34-year-old man presented at the emergency department after a 12-h-onset diffuse abdominal pain, bloating and nausea. He had a history of traumatic right hepatectomy 11 years ago as well as adhesiolysis and resection of a long part of small bowel 2 years ago. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed dilated loops that led to the diagnosis of SBO. Due to deteriorating lactic acidosis, the patient was operated. Torsion of the small bowel around an adhesion led to 2.30 m of ischemic ileum. After the application of N/S 40 °C for 20 min, the intestine showed signs of improvement and it was decided to avoid resection and instead temporary close the abdomen with vacuum-pack technique. At the second-look laparotomy 48 h later, the intestine appeared normal. The patient was discharged on the 8th post-op day in excellent condition.

CONCLUSION

In case of SBO caused by adhesions, extreme caution is needed if InIs is present, as the clinical signs are mild and you should rely for diagnosis in CT findings and lactate levels. Conservative surgical approach could reverse the effects of InIs, if performed quickly, so that intestinal resection is avoided and should be used even when minimum signs of viability are present.