Double pigtail cystogastric stent in the management of pancreatic pseudocyst.

We describe placement of a double pigtail cystogastric stent in 5 patients with pancreatic pseudocyst using real-time ultrasonography and fluoroscopy as guidance techniques. This was done as a two-step procedure. First, a transgastric drainage catheter was placed for a period of six days. All the patients continued to have high drainage output and the cyst size decreased, as seen sonographically. Simultaneous barium meal and sinogram were then done to measure the distance between the posterior gastric wall and the cyst. A polyurethane double pigtail stent of appropriate size was then introduced to achieve cystogastric drainage. The cyst resolved in all the patients by four weeks to six weeks, when the stent was removed endoscopically. There was no recurrence of pseudocyst during follow-up for 6 months to 13 months. None of the patients suffered any complication. Cystogastric drainage using a double pigtail stent is an easy and safe alternative to surgical cystogastrostomy.     

肝胰十二指肠器官簇移植术后的免疫抑制治疗

目的探讨肝胰十二指肠器官簇移植术后的免疫抑制治疗的合理用药方案。方法收集本中心共实施的10例肝胰十二指肠器官簇移植手术病例,其中5例为上腹部肿瘤伴腹腔多发转移病灶患者接受了肝脏、胰腺及上消化道全切除术后行器官簇移植,5例乙型肝炎后肝硬化失代偿期合并2型糖尿病患者予以单纯肝切除术后行器官簇移植。10例患者均采用巴利昔单抗＋他克莫司＋激素＋霉酚酸酯四联免疫抑制方案,对患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果10例患者手术顺利,术后肝脏、胰腺及十二指肠功能恢复良好。5例肿瘤患者最长存活326d,3例死于多器官功能衰竭,2例死于肿瘤复发。5例肝硬化合并糖尿病患者除1例于术后4周死于移植物抗宿主病（GVHD）外,其余4例均存活,最长生存时间已超过21个月。随访期内及至患者死亡,10例患者均未发生排斥反应。结论采用巴利昔单抗＋他克莫司＋激素＋霉酚酸酯四联免疫抑制方案可以有效预防肝胰十二指肠器官簇移植术后排斥反应的发生。     

Kidney,Pancreas and Liver Allocation and Distribution in the United States

Kidney transplant and liver transplant are the treatments of choice for patients with end‐stage renal disease and end‐stage liver disease, respectively. Pancreas transplant is most commonly performed along with kidney transplant in diabetic end‐stage renal disease patients. Despite a steady increase in the numbers of kidney and liver transplants performed each year in the United States, a significant shortage of kidneys and livers available for transplant remains. Organ allocation is the process the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) uses to determine which candidates are offered which deceased donor organs. OPTN is charged with ensuring the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of organ sharing in the national system of organ allocation. The policy has changed incrementally over time in efforts to optimize allocation to meet these often competing goals. This review describes the history, current status and future direction of policies regarding the allocation of abdominal organs for transplant, namely the kidney, liver and pancreas, in the United States.     

Malignant potential in incidental pancreatic cysts

Although pancreatic cysts are being diagnosed with greater frequency, a uniform agreement on management is still lacking. This is mainly because accurate and reliable preoperative determination of the exact pathology of a pancreatic cyst remains elusive. Although ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration represents a significant advancement in our ability to characterize pancreatic cysts preoperatively, significant limitations persist. In this article, we review the roles of clinical characteristics, imaging features and biochemical markers in the correct classification of incidental pancreatic cysts. The correct diagnosis and management of these cysts still hinges, to a large extent, on clinical experience and multidisciplinary cooperation.     

MRI of the pancreas: Problem solving tool

Advances in MR hardware and pulse sequence design over the years have improved the quality and robustness of MR imaging of the pancreas. Today, MRI is an indispensible tool for studying the pancreas and can provide useful information not attainable with other noninvasive or minimally invasive imaging techniques. In the present review, specific cases are reviewed where the strengths of MRI demonstrate the utility of this imaging modality as a problem solving tool. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:1037–1051. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v on the Incidence of Clostridium difficile Infection in High Risk Patients Treated with Antibiotics

Background: Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (LP299v) has been used in order to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms during antibiotic exposure. However, it remains controversial whether or not probiotics are effective in the prevention of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) among patients receiving antibiotics. The aim of this study was to analyze the CDI among patients receiving antibiotics and hospitalized in the period before and after starting routine use of LP299v as a prevention of this infection. Methods: Among 3533 patients hospitalized in the nephrology and transplantation ward during a two-year period, 23 patients with CDI were diagnosed and enrolled in this retrospective study. Since November 2013, prevention of CDI with oral use of LP299v was performed in all patients treated with antibiotics and who were at a high risk of developing CDI. The observation period was divided into two twelve-month intervals before and after initiation of the use of LP299v as a prophylactic against CDI. Results: A significant (p = 0.0001) reduction of the number of cases of CDI was found after routinely using LP299v (n = 2; 0.11% of all hospitalized patients) compared with the previous twelve-month period of observation (n = 21; 1.21% of all hospitalized patients). Conclusions: Routine use of LP299v during treatment with antibiotics may prevent C. difficile infection in the nephrology and transplantation ward.     

Somatostatin receptor 1–5; expression profiles during rat development

Background

Somatostatin acts through five receptor subtypes (SSTRs 1–5). We aimed to investigate SSTRs mRNA expression and protein distribution in whole rat embryos, with special emphasis on the pancreas.

Material and methods

Rat embryos were collected on embryonal days 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, and at birth. Presence of SSTRs was investigated with RT-PCR techniques and immunohistochemistry.

Results

There was no SSTR5 mRNA expression in the whole rat embryos. All SSTR1–5 proteins were observed at embryonal day 10, but the localization varied between the different subtypes. From day 11 to birth SSTRs protein presence increased with time in major structures such as skin and cartilage. It remained similar over time in the heart and liver. In the fetal pancreas mRNA expression of SSTR2 and 4 was detected at day 14, and there was an increase up to birth. Only SSTR1 protein co-localized to a higher extent with the islet hormones studied. SSTR2 was present in all islet endocrine cells except for β-cells. In contrast, the immunostaining for SSTR3–4 was co-localized with insulin and PP, and, finally, SSTR5 with glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide. In mRNA isolated from whole rat embryos SSTR1-2 and SSTR4 expression showed a peak at day 14, while SSTR3 mRNA was not present until day 15.

Conclusion

The present data suggest a role for SSTRs during the development of the rat embryo. Subsequent functional studies may elucidate regulatory roles of specific SSTRs for the growth and differentiation of the pancreas as well as other organs.     

六味地黄汤水提醇溶部位对2型糖尿病大鼠胰岛及肾脏组织形态结构的影响

目的 研究六味地黄汤水提醇溶部位对2型糖尿病大鼠胰岛及肾脏的影响.方法 采用高糖、高脂饲料喂养4周后,再行腹腔注射小剂量链脲佐菌素(STZ)且空腹血糖(FBG)≥16.7 mmol/L的大鼠建立2型糖尿病动物模型,将其随机分为空白组、模型组、罗格列酮组和六味地黄汤水提醇溶部位组,观察给药1个月后大鼠空腹血糖(FBG)和大鼠胰岛、肾脏组织的形态结构.结果 六味地黄汤水提醇溶部位能降低2型糖尿病大鼠FBG值(P＜0.01),对其受损的胰岛及肾脏有修复作用.结论 六味地黄汤水提醇溶部位能够修复2型糖尿病大鼠的胰岛及肾脏,胰岛及肾脏是具干预2型糖尿病作用的靶位之一.     

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells: a rare case report and review of the literature

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells (UCPOGC) is an extremely rare non-endocrine pancreatic tumor. To date, some cases have been reported, however, histogenesis and biologic behavior of UCPOGC remain controversial. We report a case of an UCPOGC in a 54-year-old female, who presented with a three-month history of recurrent abdominal pain without any incentive. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a large cystic mass of 10.5 × 9.3 cm in the body and tail of the pancreas compressing the adjacent bowel loop and stomach. The preliminary diagnosis was considered as a malignant tumor of body and tail of the pancreas. The patient had open distal pancreatic mass resection with splenectomy and according to the results of histopathological and immunohistochemical studies, the diagnosis of an UCPOGC was established.