Aggressive pancreatic resection for primary pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor: is it justifiable?

BACKGROUND: Benign and malignant pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are rare, and long-term outcome is generally poor without surgical intervention. The aim of the study was to assess whether aggressive pancreatic resection is justifiable for patients with PNET. METHODS: All consecutive patients who had undergone major pancreatic resection from January 1997 through January 2005 were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: There were 33 patients (16 male and 17 female) with a mean age of 53 years. Five patients had multiple endocrine neoplasms syndrome, and 1 patient had von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. There were 20 benign (9 functional) and 13 malignant (6 functional) neoplasms. Mean tumor size was 4.2 cm, and multiple tumors were noted in 10 patients. Eight patients (25%) underwent pancreticoduedenectomy, and 25 patients (76%) underwent distal pancreatectomy (extended distal pancreatectomy in 4 and splenectomy in 20 patients). Regional lymph node involvement was present in 10 patients (30%), and 6 patients (18%) had liver metastasis. Four patients (12%) underwent concurrent resection of other organs because of disease extension. Median intraoperative blood loss was 500 mL. Perioperative morbidity was 36%, and mortality was 3%. Symptomatic palliation was complete in 93% (14.15 patients) and partial in 1 patient because of nonresectable hepatic disease. Median hospital stay was 11.5 days. After median follow-up of 36 months, there were no local recurrences. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates for patients with benign versus malignant neoplasms were 100% vs. 92%, 89% vs. 64%, and 89% vs 36% (P = .01), respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease progression rates for patients with malignant neoplasms were 13%, 63%, and 100%, respectively (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive pancreatic resection for PNET can be performed with low perioperative mortality and morbidity. Unlike available nonoperative therapy, this approach offers an excellent means of symptomatic palliation and local disease control. In patients with malignant PNET, metastatic recurrence is not uncommon and will usually require additional multimodality therapy. When possible, an aggressive approach to PNET is justified to optimize palliation and survival.     

Improving B mode ultrasound evaluation of breast lesions with real-time ultrasound elastography--a clinical approach

Ultrasound elastography using the extended combined auto-correlation method of tissue elasticity allows for real-time strain image visualisation using a free-hand probe with concurrent conventional B mode imaging. Four hundred and fifteen consecutive women with 550 breast lesions confirmed on B mode ultrasound were assessed with elastography using the elasticity score. There were 119 malignant and 431 benign lesions. The elastography sensitivity was 78.0%, specificity was 98.5% and overall accuracy was 93.8%. The median score for malignancy was 5 and that for benign lesions was 2. There was good correlation with B mode BIRADS category. 98.6% of lesions with an elasticity score of 2 or below (95%CI=96.8-99.4) were benign. BIRADS 3 lesions with an elasticity score of 2 or below may be re-classified as BIRADS 2 lesions. We found that 15.3% of BIRADS 2 and 3 lesions with an elasticity score of 3 were malignant. Real-time ultrasound elastography is user-friendly with a high accuracy rate, thereby improving B mode ultrasound assessment.     

Diabetes mellitus is an independent predictor of obstructive coronary artery disease in patients presenting with atrial fibrillation and elevated troponin

Atrial fibrillation can present with symptoms of myocardial infarction and elevated troponin, even in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought to determine the characteristics that predict underlying obstructive CAD. Obstructive CAD was far more likely in those with troponin elevation. In those with elevated troponin, diabetes mellitus was an independent predictor of obstructive CAD.     

To pack or not to pack? A contemporary review of middle ear packing agents

Middle ear packing agents are used in otologic surgery to provide support to the middle ear structures, maintain aeration of the middle ear, and promote hemostasis. However, there is currently a lack of standardization regarding the use of different types of packing agents. The choice of materials and how they are used remain controversial. In fact, some have recently advocated for no packing. In view of this, this review focuses on the types of materials available, a brief historical account of each material, characteristics of an ideal packing agent, and a discussion on the techniques of insertion to optimize surgical outcomes.