Hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis: a possible role of antiretroviral therapy with entecavir

In most cases clinical profile of acute hyperlipidemic pancreatitis is a preexisting lipoprotein abnormality associated to second risk factors such as alcohol abuse, diabetes mellitus or medications that can induce hypertrygliceridemia. We report a case of a young male affected by chronic hepatitis B virus infection admitted to Emergency Department due to acute abdominal pain, vomiting and fever. The patient was in antiretroviral treatment with entecavir; moreover he was affected by diabetes mellitus and he presented a past history of alcohol abuse. Laboratory tests demonstrated hyperglycemia, severe metabolic acidosis and hypertriglyceridemia, whereas abdominal computed tomography scan revealed peripancreatic edema: hyperlipidemic pancreatitits was supposed and the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit. Considering its possible role in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis, entecavir was interrupted and total of 3 sections of plasmapheresis were performed, allowing clinical resolution and prevention of pancreatic damage. The possible pathogenetic role of entecavir is discussed.     

Respiratory complications in acute pancreatitis

The analysis of 12 cases of severe hemorrhagic pancreatitis shows the importance of the detection of an early hypoxemia, which should be treated as soon as possible by a sufficient oxygenation. If the arterial p02 does not improve one should not delay the moment of endotracheal intubation with PEEP.     

Erythropoietin: a possible cytoprotective cytokine in acute necrotizing pancreatitis

Background/purpose  Despite decades of research and clinical trials, a specific therapeutic treatment for acute pancreatitis (AP) has yet to be developed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of erythropoietin on the severity of taurocolic acid-induced acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Methods  Forty-seven male Wistar albino rats were randomized into seven experimental groups. In group I, animals were sham-operated (n = 5). In groups II, III, IV, IIepo, IIIepo, and IVepo, AP was induced by sodium taurodeoxycholate treatment (n = 7). In groups II, III, and IV, 1 ml normal saline and in groups IIepo, IIIepo, and IVepo, 1000 U/kg body weight erythropoietin (EPO) was administered intramuscularly immediately after the induction of AP. Animals were killed at 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively. Histopathological and biochemical evaluations were performed. Results  The serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tissue levels of malondialdehyde were found to be significantly lower in EPO-administered groups when compared with the levels in groups without EPO treatment. The severity of pancreatic edema, acinar necrosis, inflammation, and perivascular infiltrate were reduced in all the EPO groups compared with the no-treatment groups. Conclusions  Our findings may reflect the possible cytoprotective effect of EPO in acute necrotizing pancreatitis.     

Acute respiratory failure in acute pancreatitis.

The respiratory complications of acute pancreatitis are discussed, with particular reference to the incidence, pathophysiology and management of acute respiratory distress.     

Enalapril-associated acute renal failure in renal transplants: possible role of cyclosporine

Acute deterioration of renal function occurred shortly after the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, enalapril, was administered to two renal transplant patients who were also receiving cyclosporine. Renal function recovered completely in both cases upon discontinuation of enalapril. Neither patient had evidence of transplant artery stenosis or chronic rejection, conditions known to predispose to renal failure during ACE inhibitor therapy. The possibility that afferent vasoconstriction induced by cyclosporine may have predisposed these patients to renal failure from enalapril is discussed.     

The role of Chiba-needle cholangiography in the diagnosis of possible acute pancreatitis with cholelithiasis.

In patients with suspected severe acute pancreatitis and known or suspected cholelithiasis, it may be extremely difficult to exclude the diagnosis of gangrenous cholecystitis or obstructive cholangitis by nonoperative means. Since early intra-abdominal surgery has, in our experience, led to markedly increased morbidity in patients with gallstone pancreatitis, non-operative visualization of the biliary tree by percutaneous transhepatic Chiba-needle cholangiography (PTCNC) has been evaluated in 14 patients with suspected acute pancreatitis in whom life-threatening acute biliary disease could not be excluded by other nonoperative means. The final diagnosis was acute pancreatitis in nine patients (Group A) (mean serum amylase 3242 SU%) and acute biliary disease with hyperamylasemia in five patients (Group B) (mean serum amylase 2084 SU%). PTCNC made visualization of the biliary system possible in all patients and excluded the diagnosis of cystic duct or common duct obstruction in each case. Following PTCNC, potentially hazardous early laparotomy was avoided in eight of nine Group A patients. Biliary surgery was undertaken on day 3 to 13 in four Group B patients. When early laparotomy may be needed to evaluate or treat possible life-threatening acute biliary disease but is considered undesirable because of possible acute pancreatitis. PTCNC appears to be a safe and effective nonoperative method of obtaining precise anatomical delineation of the biliary tree.     

Superoxide dismutase and catalase: a possible role in established pancreatitis

The mechanism of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis may involve the production of free radicals in excess of the capacity of endogenous intracellular scavengers. These radicals destroy the cellular membranes, releasing digestive enzymes and cellular proteins into the interstitium. Thereafter, a cascade of events, including polymorphonuclear infiltration and complement activation, leads to pancreatic destruction. The present study demonstrates that superoxide dismutase and catalase reduce the ultrastructural and biochemical injury associated with cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in rats. Pretreatment with superoxide dismutase and catalase 30 minutes before injury did not appear to be protective, presumably because the half-life of intravenous superoxide dismutase is only 6 minutes. This and similar studies suggest a potential clinical role for free radical scavengers in acute established pancreatitis.     

Severe acute pancreatitis: role for laparoscopic surgery

Minimally invasive surgery is a new and promising treatment modality in the management of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Aim of our study was the evaluation of our first experiences with laparoscopic surgery in the management of patients with SAP. METHODS: A total of 65 patients complied with Atlanta recommendations for SAP and were included into this retrospective study. Indications for laparoscopic surgery were SAP presented with intraabdominal or retroperitoneal exudates and detected by ultrasound (US) and/or contrast enhanced computer tomography (CT) scan, and the presence of acute calculous cholecystitis when 3 to 5 days of conservative treatment did not show clinical improvement and surgical treatment was considered. Patients with improvement after initial therapy received conservative therapy only. Bacteriological cultures were done for abdominal exudates and necrotic tissue obtained during surgery. RESULTS: Totally, 39 patients were operated and 26 were treated conservatively only. Laparoscopic surgery was started in 31 patients and completed in 26 patients. The overall conversion rate was 16.1 %. Laparoscopic drainage of the intraabdominal exudate was done in 26 patients including drainage of the lesser sac in five of them. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 25 cases and laparoscopically assisted jejunostomy in 6 cases were performed as a part of the procedure. Conventional surgery was the primary procedure in 8 patients. Peripancreatic abscess formation was observed in one case one month after laparoscopic procedure and was cured with conventional surgical drainage. Bile leakage from the cystic stump was successfully treated with endoscopic papillotomy in one case. All patients survived after laparoscopic procedures. Overall complication rate was 7.7 % and mortality reached 3.1 %. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic drainage of the abdominal cavity, drainage of the lesser sac and revision of the retroperitoneal compartment can be safely carried out as an alternative to the conventional surgical approach. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and/or jejunostomy may be additionally performed if indicated.     

重症急性胰腺炎肠粘膜屏障功能的损害及预防

重症急性胰腺炎(severe acute pancreatitis,SAP)是临床上常见的危急重症,其中胰腺和胰周感染是SAP的主要死因,即使在发病早期救治成功,也常在疾病的第二、三周发生胰腺及其它器官继发感染,导致死亡[1].胰周脓肿的发生率虽不超过SAP的5%,但死亡却占SAP死亡患者的80%以上.     

The role of surgery in the management of acute pancreatitis.

Surgical intervention in acute pancreatitis may have varied goals. Early laparotomy may be required for diagnostic purposes. There is, however, no convincing evidence that attempts to reduce the morbidity of severe pancreatitis by early operative pancreatic drainage, early formal pancreatic resection, or early biliary procedures have been effective. In fact, they may be harmful. Peritoneal lavage by catheter induced under local anesthesia may ameliorate early cardiovascular and respiratory complications in some patients. Preliminary experience suggests that early operative debridement of devitalized pancreatic tissue with postoperative lavage may be helpful in selected patients. Patients with infections of devitalized pancreatic or peripancreatic tissue require operative debridement and drainage or packing. Other complications such as colonic necrosis or pseudocysts also require operative treatment. Rarely do patients require operation to relieve protracted pancreatitis. Patients with gallstone-associated pancreatitis should usually undergo surgical correction of their cholelithiasis as soon as their pancreatitis has subsided.