Gallbladder Neuroendocrine Tumors: Is There a Need for a Specific Approach?

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the gallbladder or the biliary tree are rare. Most of the current guidelines and protocols are derived from the experience of managing lung small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma or gastrointestinal NETs. But, the overall outcome of gallbladder NETs (GB-NETs) seems worse than similarly staged lung NETs and adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder. This may be due to its rarity and lack of literature for a focused approach toward its treatment. Hence, the need for a specifically designed approach might help improve results of treatment for these rare tumors. We share our experience of 2 patients with GB-NETs and their 5-year outcome.

A Prospective Review of Preoperative Nutritional Status and Its Influence on the Outcome of Abdominal Surgery

Aim

To assess the incidence of malnutrition in a surgical gastroenterology unit and analyze its impact on postoperative complication rates.

Method

Data were prospectively accrued from patients admitted for emergency or elective surgery to the gastrointestinal surgery unit at Jaslok Hospital between May 2013 and May 2014. The nutritional status was preoperatively assessed by using anthropometric parameters like body mass index (BMI), midarm circumference (MAC), and tissue skinfold thickness (TSFT). In addition, a subjective global assessment scale (SGA), serum albumin, and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) were used. Patients with BMI <18.5, MAC <24 cm in males and <22 cm in females, and TSFT <10 mm were considered malnourished. Patients with serum albumin between 3 and 3.5 g/dl were considered mild, 2.4-2.9 g/dl was moderate, and <2.4 g/dl were severely malnourished. Patients with ALC between 1200 and 2000/cm were labelled mild, between 800 and 1199/cm were moderate, and <800/cm were severely malnourished. As per SGA, well-nourished had less than 5% weight loss or if more than 5%, with recent gain and improved appetite, mild/moderately malnourished had 5% to 10% weight loss with no gain, mild subcutaneous fat loss, and those severely malnourished had more than 10% weight loss, severe subcutaneous fat loss, and muscle wasting. Postoperative complications were graded as per the Clavien-Dindo classification. Patients with grades 1 and 2 complications were labelled as minor and the rest as major.

Result

Men in the age group of 40-60 years comprised the majority of the study population. The most frequent reason for admission was cholelithiasis. The overall incidence of malnutrition was 22.16%. Out of the 96 patients who had complications, 45 had minor and 41 had significant complications. Amongst the well-nourished, the incidence of complications was 26.62% of which the majority were minor complications. Severely malnourished patients had a high complication rate (63.38%); 32% out of the 63.38% developed significant complications. The majority of the patients suffering from severe malnutrition belonged to the sub-group with chronic pancreatitis and carcinoma of the pancreas. According to the chi-square analysis of the data, ALC, serum albumin, and SGA correlate with the postoperative complication rate with a p-value <0.05 as significant. On the contrary, BMI, MAC, and TSFT did not correlate with postoperative complications.

Conclusion

Preoperative malnutrition is common among patients undergoing abdominal surgeries in the urban private health care sector. Although there have been studies that have analyzed the incidence of malnutrition in patients undergoing oncological surgeries, there is limited literature on malnutrition among patients subjected to gastrointestinal surgeries. We conclude that simple bedside nutritional assessment tools like serum albumin, absolute lymphocyte count, and SGA can accurately identify malnourished patients preoperatively and are good predictors of postoperative complications. Hence, it is imperative to assess and attempt to improve the nutritional status of the patients preoperatively.

Undiagnosed Hepatic Tuberculosis Presenting With Intraabdominal Rupture and Hemoperitoneum, Requiring Urgent Hepatic Resection

Tuberculosis (TB) affecting the liver is unusual, and isolated liver TB presenting as a liver abscess more so, even in countries where the disease is endemic. As clinical symptoms and imaging are not typical, a high index of suspicion is necessary for diagnosis. We present here a lady who was admitted with fever and chills. Ultrasound imaging showed a liver abscess. She developed bleeding into the abscess cavity, necessitating an emergency right liver resection. Final histology confirmed mycobacterial granulomatous infection of the liver. Isolated hepatic abscess of tubercular origin is a rare cause of hemorrhage but should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Suspicious features on computerized tomography (CT) scan should prompt microbiological assessment of aspirate from the abscess, establishing the diagnosis, so appropriate treatment can be started, avoiding such complications.

Minimally invasive and endoscopic versus open necrosectomy for necrotising pancreatitis: a pooled analysis of individual data for 1980 patients

OBJECTIVE

Minimally invasive surgical necrosectomy and endoscopic necrosectomy, compared with open necrosectomy, might improve outcomes in necrotising pancreatitis, especially in critically ill patients. Evidence from large comparative studies is lacking.

DESIGN

We combined original and newly collected data from 15 published and unpublished patient cohorts (51 hospitals; 8 countries) on pancreatic necrosectomy for necrotising pancreatitis. Death rates were compared in patients undergoing open necrosectomy versus minimally invasive surgical or endoscopic necrosectomy. To adjust for confounding and to study effect modification by clinical severity, we performed two types of analyses: logistic multivariable regression and propensity score matching with stratification according to predicted risk of death at baseline (low: <5%; intermediate: ≥5% to <15%; high: ≥15% to <35%; and very high: ≥35%).

RESULTS

Among 1980 patients with necrotising pancreatitis, 1167 underwent open necrosectomy and 813 underwent minimally invasive surgical (n=467) or endoscopic (n=346) necrosectomy. There was a lower risk of death for minimally invasive surgical necrosectomy (OR, 0.53; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.84; p=0.006) and endoscopic necrosectomy (OR, 0.20; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.63; p=0.006). After propensity score matching with risk stratification, minimally invasive surgical necrosectomy remained associated with a lower risk of death than open necrosectomy in the very high-risk group (42/111 vs 59/111; risk ratio, 0.70; 95% CI 0.52 to 0.95; p=0.02). Endoscopic necrosectomy was associated with a lower risk of death than open necrosectomy in the high-risk group (3/40 vs 12/40; risk ratio, 0.27; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.88; p=0.03) and in the very high-risk group (12/57 vs 28/57; risk ratio, 0.43; 95% CI 0.24 to 0.77; p=0.005).

CONCLUSION

In high-risk patients with necrotising pancreatitis, minimally invasive surgical and endoscopic necrosectomy are associated with reduced death rates compared with open necrosectomy.

Case-based discussion: an unusual manifestation of diaphragmatic hernia mimicking pneumothorax in an adult male

Diaphragmatic hernia is an important cause of emergency hospital admission associated with significant morbidity. It usually results from congenital defect or rupture in the diaphragm due to trauma. Prompt and appropriate diagnosis is necessary in patients with this condition, as surgical intervention by either abdominal or thoracic approach may be necessary. Here, we report a case of left-sided diaphragmatic hernia presenting with sudden onset of breathlessness, respiratory distress and left-sided chest pain radiating to the abdomen, mimicking pneumothorax, treated successfully with surgical intervention.

Three level risk assessment for pancreatic fistula formation after distal pancreatectomy with a strategy for prevention

BACKGROUND

Distal pancreatectomy (DP) has a high post-operative morbidity predominantly due to pancreatic fistula though the mortality is very low. Data on distal pancreatectomy was reviewed to analyse the risk factors that contribute to this morbidity.

METHODS

Thirty three patients underwent distal pancreatectomy with sutured closure of the remnant, over a 5-year period between May 2006 and April 2011. Pancreatic fistula (PF) was defined according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula definition. Patient and surgical risk factors were subdivided as those reflecting a poorer pre-morbid status, those associated with increased complexity of surgery and those related to pancreas gland and were analyzed for incidence of pancreatic fistula.

RESULTS

Indications for DP included 16 (51.5%) pancreatic tumours, 13 (39.4%) chronic pancreatitis and 3 (9.1%) trauma. Spleen was preserved in 12 patients (36.4%). There was no mortality while the morbidity rate was 45.5% (n = 15). Incidence of pancreatic fistula was 30.3% (n = 10); eight were grade A (80%) and two were grade C (20%). Incidence of clinically significant pancreatic fistulae was 6.1%. PF was significantly more common if the pancreatic duct was not identified (p = 0.024) was significantly less with extensive peri-pancreatic adhesions (p = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

Identification and ligation of main pancreatic duct can help reduce the incidence of pancreatic fistulae. The identification of patients at high risk of developing a PF helps to implement prevention strategies.

Pancreatic glucagonoma with pancreatic calcification

BACKGROUND

Glucagonoma is an uncommon type of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor [NET] which is characterized by diabetes mellitus, necrolytic migratory erythema, depression and deep vein thrombosis. The typical rash is often misdiagnosed and the diagnosis is delayed by 7-8 years. Pancreatic NETs and other pancreatic tumors are known to show calcifications within the tumor but calcification of the remaining normal pancreas is very uncommon. It occurs when there is ductal obstruction leading to acute or chronic pancreatitis.

CASE REPORT

We present a case of glucagonoma with coexistent pancreatic calcification.

CONCLUSION

Glucagonoma should be suspected in a diabetic patient with migratory rash. Pancreatic tumor should be suspected in patient with idiopathic focal pancreatitis.

Major hemobilia--experience from a specialist unit in a developing country

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Hemobilia is a rare but potentially life threatening problem, which can be difficult to diagnose and treat. In the last few decades there has been a change in the etiologic spectrum and management of this problem in the West. The aim of this study was to analyze the etiology, clinical features, management and outcome of major hemobilia in a tertiary referral centre from western India.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was undertaken on 22 patients (16 males, 6 females; mean age 39 years, range 13 to 74) who presented with major hemobilia over a 5-year period.

RESULTS

The etiology was iatrogenic in 13 patients (percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage 8, post laparoscopic cholecystectomy 3, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography 1, and liver biopsy 1), liver trauma in 6 and liver tumors in 3 patients. Twenty patients presented with gastrointestinal bleeding (melena 20 patients, hemetemesis with melena 8 patients), 5 with jaundice and 8 had fever. Abdominal angiography was performed in 20 patients. Angiography revealed pseudoaneurysm of the right hepatic artery or its branches in 14 patients, left hepatic artery in 2, an arterio-biliary fistula in 1, tumor blush in 1 and the source could not be located in 2 patients. Seventeen of the 22 patients were treated with radiological intervention, 3 required surgery (liver resection for tumors 2, laparotomy for venous collateral bleeding of portal cavernoma 1) and two were managed conservatively. Radiological intervention involved embolisation with coils and/or glue in 16, and chemoembolisation in 1 patient. Sixteen of 17 patients responded to embolisation. Overall there were two deaths.

CONCLUSION

The spectrum of hemobilia seen in India is now similar to that in the developed world with iatrogenic causes being the commonest. Interventional radiology can treat a majority of patients reducing the need and morbidity associated with surgery.

Analysis of the delayed approach to the management of infected pancreatic necrosis

AIM: To analyze outcomes of delayed single-stage necrosectomy after early conservative management of patients with infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) associated with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 2009, data from patients with SAP who developed IPN and were managed by pancreatic necrosectomy were analyzed.

RESULTS: Fifty-nine of 61 pancreatic necrosectomies were performed by open surgery and 2 laparoscopically. In 55 patients, single-stage necrosectomy could be performed (90.2%). Patients underwent surgery at a median of 29 d (range 13-46 d) after diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Sepsis and multiple organ failure accounted for the 9.8% mortality rate. Pancreatic fistulae (50.8%) predominantly accounted for the morbidity. The median hospital stay was 23 d, and the median interval for return to regular activities was 110 d.

CONCLUSION: This series supports the concept of delayed single-stage open pancreatic necrosectomy for IPN. Advances in critical care, antibiotics and interventional radiology have played complementary role in improving the outcomes.

Stent angioplasty of narrowed portocaval shunt in Budd Chiari syndrome: a case report

BACKGROUND

Hepatic vein thrombosis (Budd-Chiari Syndrome) is a rare disorder resulting from an obstruction to the outflow of blood from the liver. Early decompression is needed to prevent liver dysfunction and death. Radiological intervention includes angioplasty of stenosis and webs and the placement of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPPS). Side-to-side portacaval shunt (SSPCS) remains the gold standard for achieving good long-term results.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 37-year old lady underwent side-to-side portacaval shunt for Budd Chiari syndrome. She had early shunt blockage and this was successfully treated with the placement of a metallic stent across the shunt.

CONCLUSION

At five years, she remains asymptomatic, with normal liver functions, no ascites, and normal flow through the stent on Colour Doppler examination.

Reversal of severe hepato-pulmonary syndrome in congenital hepatic fibrosis after living-related liver transplantation

We report a 5-year-old girl with congenital hepatic fibrosis who presented with clubbing and cyanosis. Partial pressure of oxygen was 40 mmHg with oxy-gen saturation of 70% on room air, which improved to 128 mmHg and 92% on inhalation of 100% oxygen. Macroaggregated albumin scan showed 58% shunting to the brain, suggestive of severe hepatopulmonary syndrome. Echocardiogram and pulmonary angiogram ruled out pulmonary hypertension. Four weeks after living-related liver transplantation, she had normal blood gases and reduction in shunting to 7% on macroaggregated albumin scan.

Treatment of symptomatic polycystic liver disease with resection-fenestration

Polycystic liver disease with severe symptoms is difficult to treat. We report a 35-year-old man with advanced disease, who had a successful outcome after resection and fenestration.

Predicting early mortality following percutaneous stent insertion for malignant biliary obstruction: a multivariate risk factor analysis

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous stent placement is an accepted method of palliation in malignant biliary obstruction. Factors predicting early mortality after this procedure have not been identified.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of 141 patients with malignant biliary obstruction who underwent percutaneous stent placement for biliary decompression to identify the risk factors associated with early mortality (< or = 30 days).

RESULTS

Of 14 clinicopathological and laboratory variables analysed blood urea, albumin, haemoglobin and alkaline phosphatase were found to be significant on univariate analysis. The age and gender of the patient along with cancer type, level of obstruction, presence of pyrexia and bilirubin level had no influence on early mortality. Stepwise logistic regression identified the haemoglobin level and blood urea to be independently significant in predicting early mortality. Overall 30-day mortality was 20.5% (29/141). Patients with blood urea over 4.3 mmol/l and a haemoglobin less than 10.9 g/dl had a mortality rate of 52% (12/23) compared with 14% (17/118) in the remainder. Using these two variables a regression equation has been derived which allows calculation of the probability of survival at 30 days after the percutaneous procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Laboratory variables in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice can be used to predict mortality following percutaneous stent insertion.

Experimental study of a novel fibrin sealant for achieving haemostasis following partial hepatectomy

BACKGROUND

Ensuring adequate haemostasis is a major difficulty in the field of liver surgery. This study aimed to evaluate a novel fibrin sealant (Vivostat), designed for autologous preparation, in a porcine model of partial hepatectomy.

METHODS

Thirty-six Large White Landrace pigs underwent partial left hepatectomy by finger fracture under portal vascular inflow occlusion. Animals were randomized to treatment of the resected surface with either fibrin sealant (Vivostat, n = 12) or regenerated oxidized cellulose gauze (Surgicel, n = 12), or were left untreated (controls, n = 12). Blood loss from the resection margin was measured at 2-min intervals for 10 min, and the time to haemostasis was recorded. Following complete haemostasis the animals recovered for 7 days.

RESULTS

Median (range) blood loss in the control group was 94.3 (17.3-467.0) g, and was significantly reduced with Vivostat (13.8 (5.5-150.9) g) and Surgicel (22.8 (5.8-67.3) g). Median (range) time to haemostasis in controls (31 (12-52) min) was also significantly reduced by Vivostat (8 (0-32) min) and Surgicel (10 (0-19) min) (both P < 0.001 versus controls, Kruskal-Wallis test).

CONCLUSION

The novel fibrin sealant, Vivostat, is as effective as Surgicel cellulose gauze in achieving haemostasis after porcine partial hepatic lobectomy.

Results of choledochojejunostomy in the treatment of biliary complications after liver transplantation in the era of nonsurgical therapies

Advances in radiological and endoscopic techniques have allowed many biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) to be managed without surgery. The influence of nonsurgical management on the outcome of patients requiring surgical revision has not been addressed. We reviewed our 10-year experience (October 1988 to January 1998) of Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy (CDJ) to treat biliary complications after OLT. Forty-six patients underwent CDJ for biliary complications (32 men, 14 women; age, 22 to 65 years; median, 60 years). Biliary reconstruction at the time of OLT was duct to duct in 41 patients, primary CDJ in 3 patients, and gall bladder conduit in 2 patients. T-tubes were used only in patients with gallbladder conduit. The indication for CDJ was biliary leak (23 patients), stricture (20 patients), biliary stones (2 patients), and biliary sludge (1 patient). Two patients (4.3%) had associated hepatic artery thrombosis. The bile leaks were diagnosed at a median of 29 days post-OLT (range, 2 to 65 days) and strictures at a median of 2 years (range, 33 days to 6.5 years) post-OLT. Before surgery, 25 patients (54%) underwent an attempt at radiological or endoscopic therapeutic intervention that failed. Median follow-up was 5 years (range, 9 months to 10 years). Early complications occurred in 12 patients (26%); the most common was chest infection (4 patients). There were 3 perioperative deaths (6%); 1 death was directly related to surgery. Late complications, mainly anastomotic strictures, occurred in 10 patients (22%), half of which were successfully treated by biliary balloon dilatation. The complication rate post-CDJ was less in those who underwent a failed nonsurgical approach than those proceeding straight to surgery (9 of 25 patients; 36% v 13 of 21 patients; 62%; P =.21, not significant). The procedure-related mortality for surgical revision of biliary complications after OLT is low, but early and late complications are common. A failed attempt at nonsurgical management does not increase the complications of reconstructive surgery. Strictures after CDJ should be considered for biliary balloon dilatation.

Results of percutaneous plastic stents for malignant distal biliary obstruction following failed endoscopic stent insertion and comparison with current literature on expandable metallic stents

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic stenting is an effective method of relieving biliary obstruction in patients with unresectable malignancy. If this fails, optimal management is controversial. Percutaneous insertion of plastic or mesh metal stents has been advocated.

AIM

To review the outcome of percutaneous plastic stents and compare this with contemporary data from the literature on mesh metal stenting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Over a period of six years, 400 patients had attempted endoscopic stenting for distal malignant biliary obstruction which failed in 54 (13.5%). These 54 patients were treated with percutaneously placed plastic stents.

RESULTS

Percutaneous stenting was technically successful in 48 patients (89%). Early complications occurred in 13 patients (24%), the commonest being acute cholangitis in seven (12%). There was no procedure-related mortality but a 30-day mortality of 11 % (n = 6). Ten patients (18%) required re-admission after 30 days for stent block (mean period 4 months). Forty-seven patients (87%) were followed up until death. The median survival for the patients undergoing palliative stenting was 3 months (5 days to 17 months).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that percutaneous plastic stents can be used safely and effectively in patients who have failed endoscopic stenting.

Multidisciplinary approach to biliary complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Bile leaks and bile duct strictures are major complications of cholecystectomy which increased in incidence after the introduction of laparoscopic surgery. The management and outcome of these complications following the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy was reviewed.

METHODS

Eighteen patients of median age 45 (range 22-70) years were treated between January 1992 and December 1995. Six patients had a common hepatic duct (CHD) stricture, four following a failed previous repair. Nine patients had bile leaks from bile duct transection (four), cystic stump (four) or segment V duct (one). Two patients had partial bile duct damage with primary sutured repair at time of cholecystectomy. One patient had recurrent haemobilia from a hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm.

RESULTS

Cystic stump or segment V leaks were treated successfully by endoscopic stenting (median follow-up 42 months). Roux loop biliary reconstruction was carried out in nine patients: two CHD strictures, three of the four failed primary CHD repairs and four bile duct transections. All had normal liver function test results at median follow-up of 30 months. The two patients with partial duct injuries repaired at initial surgery required no further intervention. The right hepatic artery aneurysm was successfully embolized. There have been no deaths or major complications of endoscopic, radiological or surgical intervention.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic stenting successfully treats cystic stump and segment V duct leaks. Duct strictures, including failed initial repairs and transections, have a good outcome with Roux-en-Y loop reconstruction.

Primary squamous carcinoma of liver: presentation as liver abscess

Primary keratinizing squamous carcinoma of the liver has been reported as arising in a hepatic cyst, in association with prolonged cholestasis or chronic biliary sepsis. We describe the occurrence of such a tumor without predisposing factors, with presentation similar to that of hepatic abscess.

Assessment of pancreatic duct damage following trauma: is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography the gold standard?

A 12-year-old girl was admitted as an emergency with blunt pancreatic trauma. Computed tomography (CT) showed an intact pancreas. She failed conservative treatment. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) demonstrated division of the pancreatic duct at the neck of pancreas. At laparotomy, however, there was complete necrosis of the pancreatic head. She recovered well following enteric drainage of the body of pancreas. CT and ERCP are considered the optimal imaging for pancreatic trauma but the findings may be misleading.

Abdominal cocoon--the cauliflower sign on barium small bowel series

We report a case of abdominal cocoon encasing the small bowel diagnosed pre-peratively on radiology. Barium small bowel series showed the ileal loops clumped together as within a sac, giving a cauliflower-like appearance on sequential films. At surgery, the membrane enclosing the loops was thin and flimsy.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in diabetic foot

To study the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in chronic diabetic foot lesions, a prospective controlled study was undertaken. Thirty diabetics with chronic foot lesions were randomised to study group (conventional management and 4 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy) and control group (conventional management). The patients were assessed for average hospital stay, control of infection and wound healing. The control of infection spread was quicker. Positive cultures decreased from initial 19 to 3 in study group as against from 16 to 12 in the control group. (p < 0.05). This difference was most pronounced for Escherichia coli. Also, the need for major amputation was significantly less in the study group (n = 2) as against the control group (n = 7) (p < 0.05). The average hospital stay was not affected. We conclude that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be safely used and is beneficial as an adjuvant therapy in chronic diabetic foot lesions.