Partial versus Total Adrenalectomy by the Posterior Retroperitoneoscopic Approach: Early and Long-term Results of 325 Consecutive Procedures in Primary Adrenal Neoplasias

The retroperitoneoscopic approach is a standardized operative procedure for primary adrenal gland tumors. It allows direct access with a detailed view of the adrenal gland. Thereby, a clear differentiation between normal and neoplastic adrenal tissue is often possible, which permits a planned partial resection of the gland in selected cases. Between July 1994 and November 2003 325 posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomies were performed for primary benign adrenal gland tumors (106 Conns adenomas, 83 pheochromocytomas, 76 Cushings adenomas, 60 nonfunctioning tumors; size: 2.8 ± 1.5 cm; site: 160 right, 165 left) in 318 patients (122 M, 196 F, age: 49.0 ± 14.3 years). In 96 patients 100 tumors were removed by partial adrenalectomy (30 Conns adenomas, 33 pheochromocytomas, 20 Cushings adenomas, 17 nonfunctioning tumors; site: 61 right, 59 left) maintaining tumor-free parts of the adrenal gland. Of this group, 15 patients suffered from bilateral adrenal neoplastic diseases. During the same period, 225 total adrenalectomies (76 Conns adenomas, 50 pheochromocytomas, 56 Cushings adenomas, 34 nonfunctioning tumors; site: 109 right, 116 left) were performed in 224 patients. There was no mortality. Major complications were seen in 1.8%, minor complications in 14.5%. Three conversions were necessary to an open or a laparoscopic approach (2 patients and 1 patient, respectively). There are no differences between the two groups (total versus partial adrenalectomy) with regard to tumor size (2.8 ± 1.6 cm versus 2.8 ± 1.5 cm), operating time (80 ± 44 minutes versus 79 ± 42 minutes), and blood loss (33 ± 71 ml versus 29 ± 31 ml). In all patients with partial adrenalectomy, biochemical healing was proven. Fourteen of 15 patients with bilateral diseases had preservation of adrenocortical function. After a mean follow up of 51 months (range: 7–120 months) local recurrence or relapse of the initial diseases was noticed in 6 patients after total adrenalectomy: in 4 patients with Conns syndrome and bilateral hyperplasia, and in 2 patients with malignant pheochromocytoma and adrenocortical carcinoma, respectively. Our data demonstrate that partial adrenalectomy is a safe procedure not only perioperatively but also in the long-term follow-up.This article was presented at the International Association of Endocrine Surgeons meeting, Uppsala, Sweden, June 14–17, 2004.     

Local staging of rectal cancer: assessment with double-contrast multislice computed tomography and transrectal ultrasound

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) with double-contrast technique and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in staging of rectal carcinoma compared with histopathological confirmation. METHODS: In a prospective study of 92 patients with rectal carcinoma, preoperative MSCT with negative rectal contrast (methylcellulose) and intravenous contrast was performed. Reconstructions in 3 planes were analyzed in a cine mode in picture archiving and communication (PAC) system. Analysis of rectal wall infiltration was performed preoperatively according to a modified tumor, nodes, metastases (TNM)-classification system (< or =T2/T3/T4, N0/N+, UICC/UICC I > I). MSCT imaging findings were compared with the results of TRUS and histopathology in all patients. RESULTS: With interactive multiplanar image viewing, the results of MSCT of depth of rectal wall invasion (T-staging) were as follows: sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy rate were 85%, 87%, 88%, 84%, and 86% (54/63 patients) compared with 59%, 63%, 72%, 48%, and 60% (38/63 patients), respectively, for TRUS staging in the same patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy rate of MSCT for perirectal nodes evaluation was 75%, 85%, 75%, 85%, and 81% (51/63 patients) compared with 55%, 71%, 50%, 74%, and 65% (41/63 patients), respectively, for TRUS in detecting metastatic lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative double-contrast MSCT accurately indicates the exact depth of tumor infiltration and improves lymph node staging. The new technical innovations of MSCT provide superior information for preoperative staging of rectal cancer and may compete with TRUS as the standard preoperative diagnostic method.     

Normalization of multiple hemostatic abnormalities in uremic type 1 diabetic patients after kidney-pancreas transplantation

To evaluate the effects of kidney-pancreas transplantation on hemostatic abnormalities in uremic type 1 diabetic patients, we conducted a cross-sectional study involving 12 type 1 diabetic patients, 30 uremic type 1 diabetic patients, 27 uremic type 1 diabetic patients who had a kidney-pancreas transplant, 12 uremic type 1 diabetic patients who had a kidney-alone transplant, and 13 healthy control subjects. We evaluated platelet and clotting system. Platelets in the group of uremic type 1 diabetic patients were significantly larger than platelets in the other groups. Resting calcium levels were significantly higher in the uremic type 1 diabetic patients and uremic type 1 diabetic patients who had a kidney-alone transplant than in the type 1 diabetic patients who had a kidney-pancreas transplant and control subjects. CD41 expression was significantly reduced in platelets from the uremic type 1 diabetic patients compared with the other groups. Levels of hypercoagulability markers in the type 1 diabetic patients who had a kidney-pancreas transplant and, to a lesser extent, the uremic type 1 diabetic patients who had a kidney-alone transplant but not the uremic type 1 diabetic patients were similar to those of the control subjects. A reduction in natural anticoagulants was evident in the uremic type 1 diabetic patients, whereas near-normal values were observed in the type 1 diabetic patients who had a kidney-pancreas transplant and uremic type 1 diabetic patients who had a kidney-alone transplant. Hemostatic abnormalities were not observed in type 1 diabetic patients who had a kidney-pancreas transplant. This finding might explain the lower cardiovascular death rate observed in type 1 diabetic patients who had a kidney-pancreas transplant compared with uremic type 1 diabetic patients who had a kidney-alone transplant or uremic type 1 diabetic patients.     

Radiotherapy in cT3 prostatic carcinoma: retrospective comparison between neoadjuvant and adjuvant hormonotherapy

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare the clinical outcomes achieved in 2 groups of patients with cT3 prostatic carcinoma undergoing neoadjuvant hormonotherapy and neoadjuvant hormonotherapy plus adjuvant hormonotherapy with external beam radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred patients with cT3N0M0 prostatic carcinoma underwent radiotherapy to pelvic lymph nodes (45 Gy, 1.8 Gy/fraction) with a booster dose (65-70 Gy) to the prostatic cavity. Forty-four patients received neoadjuvant hormonotherapy (goserelin, starting 2 months before radiotherapy and continuing until the end of irradiation); 56 patients received neoadjuvant hormonotherapy plus adjuvant goserelin until disease progression, if present. RESULTS: Patients undergoing adjuvant hormonotherapy as compared to those who received exclusive neoadjuvant therapy showed a higher reduction in PSA level below 1.0 ng/ml (p = 0.0211), a lower incidence of biochemical failures (p = 0.0170), a lower incidence of hematogenous metastases (p = 0.0320) and a trend suggestive of a better disease-free survival (p = 0.0660). At univariate analysis (logrank), Gleason score did not show a significant correlation with any of the end points analyzed. To the contrary, patients with tumor <15 mm showed a better local control (p = 0.0347) and biochemical failure-free survival (p = 0.0102). Furthermore, a trend between initial PSA level and incidence of hematogenous metastases was observed (p = 0.0519). Patients with a posttreatment PSA level <1.0 ng/ml had a lower incidence of metastases (p = 0.0237) and a better survival (p = 0.0178); patients with complete clinical response showed a lower incidence of biochemical failures (p = 0.0469). Radiotherapy doses >70 Gy showed a trend with biochemical failure-free survival (p = 0.0554). At multivariate analysis, a correlation between Gleason score and incidence of metastases (p = 0.0232), and between tumor diameter and local control (p = 0.0178) and biochemical failure-free survival (p = 0.0290) was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cT3N0M0 prostate carcinoma, prolonged hormonotherapy was shown to be significantly correlated with biochemical failure-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival. Furthermore, tumor size had a significant impact on biochemical failure-free survival as well as on local control.     

Future horizons in surgical aortic valve replacement: lessons learned during the early stages of developing a transluminal implantation technique

The aim of this study was to develop a heart valve prosthesis that could be transluminally inserted through the infrarenal aorta in pigs and the femoral artery in humans. Therefore, this valve prosthesis had to be foldable to a diameter of approximately 8 mm, self-expandable when released in the vascular system, and equipped with an anchoring mechanism. For implantation, a suitable catheter delivery system for insertion via the abdominal aorta in pigs also was designed. Furthermore, an operation method, including positioning of the catheter delivery system and deployment of the valved stent under fluoroscopic and echocardiographic control, was developed. A series of different prototypes of the valved stents and catheter delivery systems was produced to optimize design and handling. These prototypes were tested in vitro in a circulation model, and those showing satisfying hemodynamic properties were implanted in pigs as in vivo studies afterwards. The valved stents had a good hemodynamic function in vitro and in vivo with no more than a mild regurgitation or stenosis. Valve movements were satisfying, and the design proved to be generally feasible. However, positioning and anchoring were still difficult; some stents were tilted in the lumen or migrated after implantation.     

Cognitive and emotional alterations in periadolescent mice exposed to 2 g hypergravity field

The development of the nervous system is a dynamic process where epigenetic factors play a fundamental role. Both ground-based and space research indicate that exposure to an altered gravitational environment affects rodent neurobehavioral profile and stage of development as well as duration of exposure appear to be critical for the observed effects. The behavioral profile of adolescent (28-day-old) male and female CD-1 mice upon acute 2 g exposure was characterized and emotional/anxiety responses (plus-maze), as well as spatial learning performance (Morris water-maze), were assessed respectively 24 and 48 h after hypergravity exposure. Behavioral observation indicated a transient mild sickness associated with hypergravity, with a decrease in spontaneous activity. Rotation per se induced an increase in emotional/anxious responses and a deterioration of spatial learning acquisition, while hypergravity specifically improved flexibility of spatial orientation.     

Genetic isolates in Corsica (France): linkage disequilibrium extension analysis on the Xq13 region

Genetic isolates with a history of a small founder population, long-lasting isolation and population bottlenecks represent exceptional resources in the identification of genes involved in the pathogenesis of multifactorial diseases. In these populations, the disease allele reveals linkage disequilibrium (LD) with markers over significant genetic intervals, therefore facilitating disease locus identification. This study has been designed to examine the background LD extension in some subpopulations of Corsica. Our interest in the island of Corsica is due to its geographical and genetic proximity to the other Mediterranean island of Sardinia. Sardinian isolates in which the extension of the background LD is particularly high have been recently identified and are now the object of studies aimed at the mapping of genes involved in complex diseases. Recent evidence has highlighted that the genetic proximity between the populations of Corsica and Sardinia is particularly true for the internal conservative populations. Given these considerations, Sardinia and Corsica may represent a unique system to carry out parallel association studies whose results could be validated by comparison. In the present study, we have analyzed the LD extension on the Xq13 genomic region in three subpopulations of Corsica: Corte, Niolo and Bozio, all located in the mountainous north-center of the island. Our results show a strong degree of LD over long distance for the population of Bozio and to a less extent for the population of Niolo. Their LD extent is comparable to or higher than that reported for other isolates.     

Non-invasive diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection: simplified 13C-urea breath test, stool antigen testing, or DNA PCR in human feces in a clinical laboratory setting?

OBJECTIVES: (1) To compare two stool antigen EIAs (HpSA, FemtoLab) and PCR of ureaseA and cagA in feces, with (13)C-urea breath test (UBT). (2) To ascertain whether a simplified UBT (breath collection time = 10 min) is as reliable as the standard assay (30 min). DESIGN AND METHODS: Helicobacter pylori status was recorded in Group 1 (n = 187) by UBT, H. pylori stool antigen, ureA and cagA PCR in feces. UBT with 10, 20 and 30 min sampling was performed in Group 2 patients (n = 283). RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of HpSA, FemtoLab, and ureA were 67% and 99%, 90% and 96%, 35% and 98%, respectively. cagA results were positive in 16/48 H. pylori-positive, and in 5/100 H. pylori-negative patients. The results of UBT with a 10- and 30-min sampling strictly overlapped. CONCLUSION: UBT with 10 min breath collection and FemtoLab stool antigen assay are the most reliable non-invasive tests to diagnose H. pylori infection.     

Sequential therapy with caspofungin and fluconazole for Candida albicans infection

A sequential therapy of caspofungin (CAS) and fluconazole (FLC) administration for treatment of Candida albicans infection was investigated. Treatment with CAS followed by FLC was as effective as CAS treatment given alone for the same duration. Our data suggest that switching from CAS to FLC is a potentially explorable therapeutic option for treatment of systemic candidiasis.