Choledochal cyst: case reports and current concepts

Choledochal cyst is an unusual but serious condition which most commonly affects Oriental people. Recent experience of three patients with this condition in whom diagnosis was made by ultrasound examination is reported. Cholangiography (ERCP or PTC) was performed in two of the cases to define the anatomy. All three cases were successfully managed by cyst excision and biliary reconstruction by Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. The rationale for and importance of cyst excision are discussed.     

Replication of Marburg virus in human endothelial cells. A possible mechanism for the development of viral hemorrhagic disease.

Marburg and Ebola virus, members of the family Filoviridae, cause a severe hemorrhagic disease in humans and primates. The disease is characterized as a pantropic virus infection often resulting in a fulminating shock associated with hemorrhage, and death. All known histological and pathophysiological parameters of the disease are not sufficient to explain the devastating symptoms. Previous studies suggested a nonspecific destruction of the endothelium as a possible mechanism. Concerning the important regulatory functions of the endothelium (blood pressure, anti-thrombogenicity, homeostasis), we examined Marburg virus replication in primary cultures of human endothelial cells and organ cultures of human umbilical cord veins. We show here that Marburg virus replicates in endothelial cells almost as well as in monkey kidney cells commonly used for virus propagation. Our data support the concept that the destruction of endothelial cells resulting from Marburg virus replication is a possible mechanism responsible for the hemorrhagic disease and the shock syndrome typical of this infection.     

Crisis debriefing of a jury after a murder trial

The importance of crisis debriefing for those involved in major accidents, violent crimes, and natural disasters has been demonstrated. Similar debriefing may be warranted for jurors exposed to disturbing material in criminal cases. The authors describe a debriefing session for jurors after the murder trial of a man whose truck had collided with a school bus, killing 27 people. The graphic evidence of the accident, the high levels of emotion of the survivors and the victims' relatives, and the intense community and national attention to the trial placed the jurors under considerable stress. The debriefing enabled the jurors to express their feelings of anger, guilt, and frustration and to begin to accept their role in the event.     

GS23PPAEDIATRIC SURGERY PERFORMED BY GENERAL SURGEONS IN A PROVINCIAL NEW ZEALAND (NZ) HOSPITAL

Purpose To perform an audit of paediatric surgical patients in a provincial general surgical unit. Methodology Data was prospectively recorded using a standardized proforma on all children aged up to 15 yrs, seen between 11th December 2005 and 11th December 2006. Results There were 209 admissions (194 children), median age 8 yrs (6 wks–15 yrs) with 153 (73%) acutes. 37 children (18%) were under 2 yrs. Male : female ratio was 3 : 2. Procedures (n = 119) were appendicectomy (35), inguinal herniotomy (30), skin procedures (29), endoscopy (10), testicular (10) and others (5). The commonest acute and elective operations were appendicectomy and inguinal herniotomy respectively. 51% of operations were acute. There were 10 tertiary hospital transfers (5%) for burns (4), pyloric stenosis (3), intussusseption (1), neonatal inguinal hernia (1) and pyoderma gangrenosum (1). Median age of transfers was 11 months (6 wks–14 yrs). Complications were wound infection (1), post‐operative ileus (2) and infarcted ovary (1). Conclusion There are increasing moves towards centralization in paediatric surgery. 1 With only 4 paediatric tertiary centres in NZ, many general surgeons routinely perform paediatric surgery. A large number of children presented to our surgical department. Around half of these children required surgery and half of operations were acute. There is still a significant need for general paediatric surgery in the provinces and hence close collaboration with specialist paediatric surgeons.     

Fracture risk in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.

To assess fractures in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), the precursor of multiple myeloma, we followed 488 Olmsted County, MN, residents with MGUS in a retrospective cohort study. There was a 2.7-fold increase in the risk of axial fractures but no increase in limb fractures. The pathophysiologic basis for the increased axial fractures should be determined. INTRODUCTION: Multiple myeloma is often preceded by monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Fractures are common in myeloma as a result of lytic bone lesions, generalized bone loss, and elevated bone turnover from excessive cytokine production. Whether fractures are also increased in MGUS is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a population-based retrospective cohort study, 488 Olmsted County, MN, residents with MGUS first diagnosed in 1960-1994 (52% men; mean age, 71.4 +/- 12.8 years) were followed for 3901 person-years; follow-up was censored at progression to myeloma. The relative risk of fractures was assessed by standardized incidence ratios (SIRs), and risk factors were evaluated in proportional hazards models. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, 200 patients experienced 385 fractures. Compared with expected rates in the community, statistically significant increases were seen for fractures at most axial sites, for example, vertebrae (SIR, 6.3; 95% CI, 5.2-7.5). There was a slight increase in hip (SIR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.2) but not distal forearm fractures (SIR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.4-1.5). The relative risk (SIR) of any axial fracture was 2.7 (95% CI, 2.3-3.1) compared with only 1.1 (95% CI, 0.9-1.4) for all limb fractures combined. In a multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of any subsequent fracture were age (hazard ratio [HR] per 10-year increase, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2-1.6) and corticosteroid use (HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2-2.6); greater weight at diagnosis (HR per 10 kg, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.8-0.9), and IgG monoclonal protein (HR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5-0.97) were protective. Baseline monoclonal protein level, a determinant of myeloma progression, did not predict fracture risk. Thus, the risk of axial, but not peripheral, fractures is increased among MGUS patients even before progression to myeloma. The pathophysiologic basis for this should be determined because elevated bone turnover, for example, might be treatable.