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Objective To describe the details of widely invasive parathyroid carcinoma (WIPC) patients admitted in the Endocrinology department of our institute during the last 22 years and to compare their clinical, biochemical, and hormonal profile with minimally invasive parathyroid carcinoma (MIPC) and sporadic parathyroid adenoma patients. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of data from the Indian primary hyperparathyroidism registry. Results Of the 547 primary hyperparathyroidism patients in the registry, 5 (2 men and 3 women) had WIPC (0.9%) and 7 (1 man and 6 women) had MIPC (1.3%), with median ages of 45 (interquartile range, 41-51) years and 47 (interquartile range, 28-48) years, respectively. Among the patients with WIPC, renal manifestations were present in 5 patients, skeletal manifestations in 4 patients, and palpable neck masses in 4 patients. Three patients had distant metastases and 2 had cervical lymph node involvement. All 5 patients had surgical resection of their cancers, with persistent disease in 4 patients, but all patients died within 2 years after surgery. One patient with MIPC had a palpable parathyroid nodule; none had lymph nodal or distant metastases. None of the patients with MIPC died during the median follow-up of 18 (interquartile range, 12-18) months. Patients with WIPC had significantly higher serum calcium level compared with sporadic parathyroid adenoma patients with skeletal and renal manifestations. Conclusion Accurate histopathologic classification of parathyroid carcinoma is important as WIPC is associated with a more aggressive clinical course and a higher risk of mortality than MIPC.

Introduction Knowledge of celiac artery variations is imperative to perform complex hepato-biliary pancreatic surgical procedures to avoid inadvertent complications. Multi-detector computed tomographic (MDCT) angiography aids in detecting these variations preoperatively. Surgical confirmation is considered the gold standard. Aims and objectives Preoperative assessment of celiac artery variations by MDCT angiography and surgical confirmation intraoperatively in resectable hepato-biliary pancreatic cancers. Patients and methods MDCT angiography was performed in 40 patients with clinical evidence of resectable hepato-biliary-pancreatic cancers. Three dimensional (3D) reconstructions were performed to confirm the celiac artery variations. Surgery was performed as per the institute's protocol in all these patients for resection of tumor and confirmation of celiac artery anatomy. Variations were confirmed surgically that were identified through imaging. Results MDCT angiography identified normal trifurcated celiac artery anatomy in 33 (82.5%) patients and variant anatomy in seven (17.5%) patients. The most common variation was a replaced right hepatic artery (r-RHA) from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in four (10%) of patients. A replaced left hepatic artery (r-LHA) from the celiac trunk, a common hepatic artery (CHA) from the abdominal aorta, and an accessory right hepatic artery (ac-RHA) from the proper hepatic artery itself were identified in one (2.5%) patient each, respectively. All these findings were confirmed intraoperatively. There was a 100% statistical correlation between imaging and surgical findings. Conclusion Surgical confirmation of radiological data of celiac artery variations is the gold standard to avoid disastrous complications such as inadvertent vascular bleeds, biliary injuries, and hepatic necrosis. Since the presence of variations warrants the preservation or excision of the arterial system without oncological compromise and minimizing surgical complications.

Context Glial cells missing 2 (GCM2), a zinc finger-transcription factor, is essentially required for the development of the parathyroid glands. Objective We sought to identify whether the epigenetic alterations in GCM2 transcription are involved in the pathogenesis of sporadic parathyroid adenoma. In addition, we examined the association between promoter methylation and histone modifications with disease indices. Methods Messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of GCM2 were analyzed by reverse transcriptase–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry in 33 adenomatous and 10 control parathyroid tissues. DNA methylation and histone methylation/acetylation of the GCM2 promoter were measured by bisulfite sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation–qPCR. Additionally, we investigated the role of epigenetic modifications on GCM2 and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) expression in parathyroid (PTH)-C1 cells by treating with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DAC) and BRD4770 and assessed for GCM2 mRNA and DNMT1 protein levels. Results mRNA and protein expression of GCM2 were lower in sporadic adenomatous than in control parathyroid tissues. This reduction correlated with hypermethylation (P Conclusion These findings suggest the concurrent association of promoter hypermethylation and higher H3K9me3 with the repression of GCM2 expression in parathyroid adenomas. Treatment with DAC restored GCM2 expression in PTH-C1 cells. Our results showed a possible epigenetic landscape in the tumorigenesis of parathyroid adenoma and also that DAC may be a promising avenue of research for parathyroid adenoma therapeutics.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of hypertension in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) varies from 20-80% with data being based on office-based blood pressure measurements. Little is known about ambulatory monitoring of blood pressure (AMBP) in PHPT and changes in blood pressure (BP) variables post-curative parathyroidectomy. Hence, we conducted a prospective study wherein we performed AMBP in apparently normotensive patients with PHPT and reevaluated them 3 months post-curative parathyroidectomy. METHODS Consecutive patients with symptomatic PHPT aged 20 years and above underwent 24 hours AMBP at enrollment and at 3 months after successful parathyroidectomy. Pre- and postoperative BP variables were compared and correlated with serum calcium, creatinine and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels. RESULTS After exclusion, 17 symptomatic PHPT patients were enrolled in the study. AMBP detected hypertension in 4 (23.5%) patients. There was a significant reduction in the average nighttime systolic (P=0.007) and diastolic BP (P=0.034) after parathyroidectomy. However, the average 24 hours systolic/diastolic BP, daytime systolic/diastolic BP and average 24 hours mean arterial pressure did not differ before and after surgery. Non-dipping blood pressure pattern was seen in 53% of patients at presentation and persisted in 50% of cases after successful surgery. None of the biochemical parameters significantly correlated with any BP variable. CONCLUSIONS AMBP can help detect hypertension in patients with PHPT that remains unrecognized with routine office-based blood pressure measurement. In addition, AMBP detects loss of normal dipping pattern in BP that persists in almost half of the patients even after successful parathyroidectomy, perhaps because of permanent vascular damage induced by PHPT.

BACKGROUND Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a systemic disorder characterized by hypercalcaemia and inappropriately elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH). Renal manifestations are one of the main presenting features both in symptomatic and asymptomatic PHPT patients. OBJECTIVES We aimed to compare demographic, clinical and biochemical parameters of PHPT patients with and without renal manifestations and also analysed the influence of curative parathyroidectomy on renal functions. METHODS We retrospectively analysed the data of PHPT patients from the last 25 years (1995- March 2019) and compared the demographic and clinical presentation and biochemical measurements between patients with and without renal manifestations and evaluated the changes in renal functions after 1 year of curative parathyroidectomy. RESULTS Of the total 544 PHPT patients, 299 (55%) including 91 out of 141 (65%) males had renal manifestations. Among renal manifestations, nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis were found in 41.7% and 27.6% PHPT patients, respectively. PHPT patients with renal manifestations had significantly higher creatinine (109.7 vs 79.6 µmol/L; P

The numbers of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy are increasing and considerable percentage is elderly patients. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is a major and complicated surgery. The morbidity and mortality following pancreaticoduodenectomy have significantly reduced in recent times; it still remains unclear in elderly patients. Applications of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery protocol have contributed for this better outcome. In this retrospective study, patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with Enhanced Recovery after Surgery protocol were included and divided into two groups ( 60 years vs ≥ 60 years). The "elderly patients" (≥ 60 years) were defined based on the WHO definition for Indian subcontinent. Outcomes were analyzed in terms of postoperative morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay. Total 103 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy during the study period (January 2012-December 2017). The mean age was 56.6 ± 10.32 years. Fifty-six (54.37%) patients were aged 60 years (young group) and 47 (45.63%) patients were aged ≥ 60 years (elderly group). There was no difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, co-morbidity, preoperative drainage and diagnosis. There was no significant difference in the morbidity and mortality (p 0.05). Delayed gastric emptying was the most common complication which was 25.24% (21% vs 23.41%). Pancreatic fistula rate was 13.59% (8.9% vs 12.76%) and hemorrhage was 4.85% (5.4% vs 4.3%). Mortality was 4.85%. Postoperative hospital stay was comparable (14.7 days vs 15.3 days) (p = 0.164). Pancreaticoduodenectomy is a safe surgical procedure in elderly patients in comparison to young patients. Application of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery protocol can improve the outcome further.

Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia in adults is most commonly caused by insulinomas, which pose a diagnostic challenge to physicians, surgeons, and radiologists and require multimodality imaging for precise localization and staging. PET tracers such as F-FDOPA and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor analogs have been used for imaging insulinomas. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor analogs have recently shown promising results in preoperative localization of these tumors, as all insulinomas express glucagon-like peptide 1 receptors. Ga-DOTA-Exendin PET and MRI done in the present case helped in precise localization and management of the culprit lesion, whereas contrast-enhanced CT and F-FDOPA PET failed to do so.

Acute viral hepatitis as well as typhoid fever is still a significant problem in tropical countries like India. Both have a common route of infection and may cause co-infection. In a patient with symptoms of acute liver failure and/or post icterus persistent high-grade fever with acute abdomen, always suspect co-infection of hepatitis E and typhoid fever in tropical countries and appropriate management can avoid life-threatening complications.

Background: The pandemic has imposed a prodigious limitation on surgical training and has disrupted hospital procedures, hindering continuing medical training. We have established an online classroom platform at our institute to pursue medical education, which has been a new experience for our residents and consultants.Method: Across-sectional survey was conducted in the department of general surgery to know the perception of surgical consultants/registrars and junior residents regarding online classes and conventional teaching methods. Survey was conducted online, wherein questionnaires related to online teaching were circulated to resident surgeons and consultants/registrars.Results: A total of 91 surgery residents and 26 surgical supervisors consisting of faculty members and registrars completed the survey. Junior residents provided encouraging feedback and supported online education in the COVID-19 period; they felt that courses were well discussed, except clinical case presentation. A total of 84.6% of surgery residents and all the surgical supervisors felt that lack of a functional operating theatre impeded their training. Majority of surgical supervisors (66%) were moderately satisfied by the quality of online training, whereas junior residents (79%) were very to extremely satisfied and most (83%) approved online classes in future. Majority of junior residents (90%) found the virtual platform very easy to use, opposite to surgery supervisors.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that online education is a feasible way to train surgical residents. However, since surgical specialties depend heavily on practical experience, it is very important to implement new ways of acquiring practical skills.

PURPOSE Accurate preoperative localization of parathyroid lesion(s) is crucial for successful surgical management of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of ultrasonography (USG) of the neck, Tc-sestamibi (MIBI) imaging with or without SPECT/CT, and F-fluorocholine (FCH) PET/CT imaging in the preoperative localization of parathyroid lesions in patients with PHPT. METHODS Fifty-four consecutive patients with PHPT were included in this prospective study who underwent preoperative localization of the parathyroid lesion(s) using 3 diagnostic modalities followed by surgery. The sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy of the 3 imaging procedures to accurately detect abnormal parathyroid glands were determined using histopathology as criterion standard with postoperative biochemical response confirmation. RESULTS F-fluorocholine PET/CT detected 52 of 54 patients and 52 of 56 lesions with histopathologically proven parathyroid adenomas on patient-based and lesion-based analysis, respectively. Preoperative USG, MIBI, and FCH PET/CT localized abnormal parathyroid gland(s) in 39 (72.2%), 43 (79.6%), and 54 (100%) patients, respectively. The sensitivity and positive predictive value were 69.3% and 87.1% for USG, 80.7% and 97.6% for MIBI, and 100% and 96.3% for FCH PET/CT. The accuracy was 62.9%, 79.6%, and 96.3% for USG, MIBI, and FCH PET/CT, respectively, in patient-wise analysis. In 6 patients with ectopic lesions, FCH PET/CT demonstrated higher sensitivity and accuracy than MIBI and USG (100% vs 66.6% and 16.7%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Among the 3 imaging techniques tested simultaneously, FCH PET/CT was superior for accurate preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas, especially for ectopic or small parathyroid lesions.

Urolithiasis may be the only presenting manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), and early detection of PHPT in such patients may prevent future urolithiasis and other PHPT complications. This study was performed to study the prevalence and predictors of PHPT in patients presenting with urolithiasis.Consecutive patients presenting with urolithiasis were evaluated for clinical and biochemical manifestations of PHPT with serum and urine calcium (Ca), serum intact parathyroid hormone and 25 (OH) vitamin D. We then compared the clinical and biochemical characteristics of PHPT patients presenting with urolithiasis (group A) and without (group B).During the 3-year study period, 381 patients with urolithiasis were seen with a mean age of 38.5 ± 13.9 years. Nineteen of the 381 (5%) patients had histologically proven PHPT (group A). Four patients in group A (21%) and 8 in group B (2%) had nephrocalcinosis (P.0001), multiple stones (≥3), calcific pancreatitis, and neuropsychiatric manifestations were more common in group A (P.0001). Presence of multiple or bilateral stones, and recurrent stone episodes predicted PHPT (odds ratio [OR]: 3.06, confidence interval [CI]: 0.87, 0.7).One out of every 20 patients with urolithiasis had PHPT, which is higher than the prevalence of PHPT in general population. The presence of nephrocalcinosis and multiple, bilateral, and recurrent stone disease increased the risk of PHPT among stone formers.Ca = calcium; CI = confidence interval; iPTH = intact parathyroid hormone; nPHPT = normocalcemic PHPT; OR = odds ratio; PHPT = primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background/Aims The most common primary malignant tumor of liver is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The highest risk of developing HCC is seen in patients of cirrhosis. Ultrasound is used for surveillance in these patients. This study evaluates the role of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of HCC and compares CEUS to contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT). Materials and methods This prospective study included 22 patients with cirrhosis and suspected to have HCC on the basis of gray scale ultrasound or elevated Alpha-fetoprotein. Multiphasic CECT and CEUS were done. On both CECT and CEUS, arterial phase enhancement patterns of the lesions were classified as heterogeneously hyperenhancing, homogeneously hyperenhancing, isoenhancing or nonenhancing. The enhancement patterns of the lesions in portal venous phase were classified as hyperenhancing, isoenhancing, washout or nonenhancing. Presence or absence of neovascularity and peripheral capsule were also noted. The diagnosis of HCC was made as per American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guidelines. Results There was moderate degree of agreement between the two modalities in characterizing the enhancement pattern in arterial phase, as calculated by using kappa test ( k =0.59, P k =0.772, P k =0.38 ( P k =0.328 ( P Conclusion CEUS is comparable to CECT in demonstrating the arterial phase enhancement pattern of HCC and the neovascularity. CEUS was found to be better than CECT in demonstrating the portal venous phase washout and peripheral capsule.

Purpose Minimally invasive parathyroid carcinoma (MIPC) is clinically and biochemically comparable with parathyroid adenoma (PA) though histopathologically differ from PA. MIPC is an intermediate of PA and parathyroid carcinoma (PC). In literature, there is no definite criterion to diagnose MIPC. Our aim was to evaluate and characterize the imaging and biochemical parameters with histological characteristics of MIPC. Methodology Ten patients with MIPC were recruited from (single centre) Indian PHPT registry (www.indianphptregistry.com) from January 2014 to July 2018. Clinical, biochemical, imaging and histological features of MIPC patients were reviewed. Results The mean age of MIPC patients (n = 10; 3 males) was 39.9 ± 11.3 years (range: 17-50). All patients had an elevated preoperative parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level ranging from 427 to 2138 pg/mL (median: 1328). MIBI scan showed intensely avid and enlarged parathyroid tumours in all patients; LIPT in 6, RIPT in 3 and ectopic mediastinal in 1 with mean size of the tumours was 2.8 ± 1.1 cm. The mean of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of MIPC in F-18 fluorocholine PET/CT was 6.7 ± 1.1 (range 6.0-8.3). The mean tumour weight was 12 ± 9.5 g (range: 1.09-28). All MIPC patients had identified capsular invasion in 80% and vascular invasion in 50% only but there was no local invasion, lymph nodal or distant metastasis. The mean Ki-67 labelling index was 3.2 ± 2.7 (range 1.1-10). Conclusion The study concluded that MIPC patients are less aggressive (on the basis of imaging and histopathological findings) and should be differentiated from parathyroid adenoma and carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Mucosa-associated bacteria (MAB) may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic cholecystitis and gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) in patients with gallstone (GS). Prevalence and nature of MAB a high incidence area for GBC is not known. We determine the prevalence and nature of bacteria on the gallbladder (GB) mucosal surface and on the GS surface among patients undergoing cholecystectomy. METHODS: A prospective study was performed among patients undergoing cholecystectomy (94 symptomatic GS, 2 each of Whipple’s surgery, pediatric cholecystectomy & pediatric choledochol cyst) from April, 2017–April, 2018. Clinical and demographic profile was recorded. Immediately after surgery 1 GS and 1 cm(2) GB tissue was inoculated in two separate Robertson cooked meat (RCM) media & cultured on blood & MacConkey agar plates. The nature of bacterial species was identified using MALDI-TOF. RESULTS: The mean age of the study subjects was 44.2±13.67 years and 81% were females. Out of the 94 cases with GS 69 (73%) of GB mucosal samples were culture positive and 38 (40%) of GS were culture positive. Both (GB tissue & GS) were culture positive in 35 (37%) of the patients while both were culture negative in 16 (17%). Similar organisms were found in 17 (18%) and different were found in 14 (15%). Among the patients who were culture positive (n=69) in GB tissue 43 (62%) were Gm negative and 26 (38%) were Gm positive. A similar profile was seen in GS. The commonest Gm negative were E. coli, P. aeruginosa, P. moselli, K. pneumoniae & Gm positive were M. luteus, S. hominis, S. haemolyticus, E. faecium, C. striatum in GS and GB tissue. While the GB sample obtained from Whipple’s surgery & pediatric surgery were found sterile. CONCLUSIONS: There is high prevalence of asymptomatic bacterial infection in the GB mucosal surface & the GS surface among adult patients with symptomatic GS undergoing routine cholecystectomy. The predominant organisms were Gm negative in nature.

Primary abdominal wall mucormycosis rarely occur in immunocompetent, non-diabetic patients but may affectin patients with traumatic injury with contaminated wounds and patients underlying malignancies usually infiltrating into skin. Herein we are reporting a case of primary cutaneous mucormycosis in a 17-year-old male without immunodeficiency or any comorbidity. He was managed with multiple debridement of the wound and intravenous amphotericin B therapy with cumulative dose of 2000 mg of liposomal amphotericin B followed by split skin grafting. We would like to emphasize the importance of high index of suspicionof fungal sepsis and early start of antifungal therapy in this condition can reduce high rate of mortality and management of large wound with split skin grafting in same setting to avoid morbidity.

COVID-19 was declared as a public health emergency of international interest on 30 January 2020; and as a pandemic on 11 March 2020.1 In order to minimise the spread and to optimize the health care resources Indian government announced national lock down with suspension of all routine hospital activities (outpatient clinics, routine surgeries) on March 24, 2020. Only emergency services were allowed along with diversion of all available resources to COVID centre.

During major liver resection, ischemia reperfusion injury occurs resulting in adverse outcome. Animal studies have demonstrated the beneficial effect of statins on hepatic ischemic injury, but no clinical studies have been performed. Twenty consecutive patients undergoing major hepatic resection were included and were randomized into two groups. The study group (n = 10) patients received oral atorvastatin 40 mg for 3 days prior to surgery, including the day of surgery, and the control group (n = 10) received a placebo. Outcomes were assessed at 4, 24, and 72 h by measurement of serum liver enzymes and cytokines—IL-1, IL-6, CRP, and TNF α. The two groups were evenly matched for demographic and perioperative variables. The AST levels were significantly higher in the control group compared with the study group at 4 h (909.60 ± 222 vs. 362.6 ± 129 U/L), 24 h (215.30 ± 86.9 vs. 605.30 ± 186.1 U/L) and 72 h (84.30 ± 32.7 vs. 204.70 ± 67.5) (p

Background: COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-COV-2 has become a pandemic. Outcome of surgical patients infected with COVID-19 is not very clear.Methods: Retrospective analysis of the surgical outcome of COVID-19 infected patients admitted in emergency and elective surgical settings in a designated COVID care center.Results: Total 53 patients were included. Surgery was done in 47.16% (n=25) patients and 52.84% (n=28) patients were managed non-operatively. Overall mortality was 37.7 % (n=20). In operated group it was 52% (n=13) and 25% (n=7) in the non-operative group (p=0.043). The total leukocyte (p=0.018), serum CRP (p=0.031), urea and creatinine level (p=0.025) were higher in the mortality group. Patients aged more than 50 years had a significantly higher mortality compared to less than 50 years (p=0.010). Patients having multiple comorbidities had higher mortality (p=0.159).Conclusions: COVID-19 infection has a definite adverse impact on the outcomes of surgical patients.

Background: Focused parathyroidectomy is the adequate treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism for localised disease. Adequacy of resection is confirmed by the availability of intraoperative parathormone assay (iOPTH). In the absence of availability of iOPTH assay, the radio guided surgery is an option. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of radioguided parathyroidectomy in tertiary care centre in India and to compare the overall success rate, operative time, hospital stay and postoperative outcome between focused open and radioguided parathyroidectomy.Methods: This was a prospective study which included 30 primary hyperparathyroidism patients with a single gland disease localised on Tc99m Sesta MIBI scan. Patients were randomized into two equal groups, and they underwent focused open or radioguided parathyroidectomy. Patients were followed up for three months.Results: All patients achieved biochemical cure as evident by the normalization of serum calcium and parathormone levels after surgery. The mean incision length, and operative time in this study was significantly better for radioguided parathyroidectomy (p=0.0001

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the recommended standard of care for symptomatic gall stone disease. We report our experience of day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy in terms of safety, feasibility and cost factor. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performedon data collected from June 2014 to December 2018 from a single unit at PGIMER, Chandigarh, India. Patients who were graded I and II on the ASA score, accompanied by at least one attendant and able to come to hospital by their own arrangements in case of any problem wereselected for day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Results: Out of 1054, 826 (78.4%) were female and 228 (21.6%) were male patients. Mean age of the study cohort is 43.3 years with minimum and maximum age being 13 and 80 years respectively. GSD with chronic cholecystitis were present in maximum number of patients (875, 83.01%) and GSD with chronic liver disease in minimum number of patients (5, 0.47%). There was no common bile duct injury. A total of 9 (0.85%) patients got converted to open surgery requiring admission. There was no mortality. On evaluating the cost factor, cost saving of Rs. 8200/- was found between DCLC group and private ward patients while of Rs. 365/- between DCLC group and general ward patients. Conclusion: Day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe in carefully selected patients and has the advantage of cost factor. This will help us in increasing patient turnover and thus reducing waiting time for wait listed patients.

Not required for Clinical Vignette.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is relatively common among adults but rarely encountered in children and adolescents. According to the western literature, young PHPT is different from adult PHPT and is associated with more severe hypercalcemia. PHPT in the adult Indian population is different from its western counterpart. Here we present the clinical, biochemical, and surgical characteristics of young patients with PHPT treated at our tertiary care center.PHPT patients were divided into adult (≥25 years) and young (25 years) groups. The clinical, biochemical, hormonal, and histopathologic characteristics and treatment outcomes in the groups were compared.Out of 358 patients, 47 patients were young and 311 patients were adults. The mean ages of the groups were 19 ± 4 and 45 ± 12 years, respectively. The corresponding female-to-male ratios were 1.24:1 and 3.38:1 ( P.05). The nature and frequency of presenting symptoms were comparable between the 2 groups. The most common symptom in young patients with PHPT was bone pain and was not significantly different from adults (57% vs. 61%, respectively). The most common symptom in adult PHPT was fatigue, which was also not significantly different from young patients (63% vs. 53%, respectively), The serum calcium, phosphate, 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels; alkaline phosphatase Z-score; and parathyroid hormone levels were comparable between the 2 groups. Parathyroid adenoma was the most common histopathologic finding, while hyperplasia was rare in both groups.We observed that young PHPT is not markedly different from its adult counterpart in an Indian population.ALP = alkaline phosphatase; Ca = calcium; Cr = creatinine; iPTH = intact parathyroid hormone; 25(OH)D = 25-hydroxyvitamin D; P = phosphate; PHPT = primary hyperparathyroidism; PTH = parathyroid hormone; RR = reference range

Objective: Present a case of an atypical parathyroid adenoma in the mediastinum as a part of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1).Methods: Clinical, laboratory, imaging, and histolopathogic analyses were performed.Results: A 50-year-old man who was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease secondary to bilateral nephrolithiasis was referred for evaluation of incidentally detected hypercalcemia. He had an acromegaloid facies and lipomas over the forehead. Laboratory evaluation revealed hypercalcemia (3.33 mmol/L), hyperphosphatemia, and elevated intact parathyroid hormone level (215 pmol/L). Serum insulin-like growth factor 1 was elevated and growth hormone was non-suppressible on oral glucose load. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the sella showed a pituitary microadenoma. A scan using 99mTc-Sestamibi and combined positron emission and computed tomography using fluorocholine F-18 revealed a mediastinal ectopic parathyroid adenoma, thereby attributing hypercalcemia to primary hyperparathyroidism. A clinical diagnosis of MEN1 was made. Genetic analysis revealed an A>T substitution at cDNA 253 in exon 2 of the MEN1 gene. He underwent median sternotomy and a 3 × 3-cm mass was excised, weighing 14 g. Histopathology showed parathyroid tissue with moderate pleomorphism, pushing margins, fibrous trabeculae, atypical mitoses, and low Ki-67 index, suggestive of atypical parathyroid neoplasm. After surgery the patient became normocalcemic. On follow-up, he is asymptomatic without any evidence of recurrence of primary hyperparathyroidism.Conclusion: Parathyroid involvement in MEN1 is almost exclusively in the form of benign hyperplasia. Atypical parathyroid adenomas and parathyroid carcinomas in MEN1 are very rare, limited to only a few anecdotal case reports to which ours contributes a new case.Abbreviations: CKD = chronic kidney disease;iPTH = intact parathyroid hormone;MEN1 = multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

Incidental intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a rare neoplastic lesion in the explant liver specimens with an approximate incidence of 0.7%. The detection of iCCA is associated with poor prognosis in the posttransplant setting. The occurrence of a subcentimetric iCCA is very rare and poses a major diagnostic challenge to the pathologist. This article presents a rare case of subcentimetric iCCA in a young male in the background of advanced stage chronic liver disease resulting from autoimmune hepatitis possibly with chronic cholangiopathy along with the histomorphological differentials.

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is characterized by inappropriately elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) level despite elevated serum calcium. Insulin resistant is the basic pathophysiology, behind the higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients with PHPT. However, the improvement in insulin resistance (IR) after curative parathyroidectomy (CPTX) has not been established yet, as the study results are conflicting. Materials and Methods: In this prospective interventional study, ten patients with mild PHPT (Group 1) and another ten patients with moderate to severe PHPT (Group 2) were undergone CPTX. The IR was assessed by homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and fasting serum insulin (FSI), before and 3 months after CPTX. Results: There was no significant change of FPG and FSI, before and after CPTX in Group 1 (P = 0.179 and P = 0.104) and Group 2 (P = 0.376 and P = 0.488). Before surgery, HOMA-IR was higher, and QUICKI was significantly lower, in both Group 1 (P = 0.058 and P = 0.009) and Group 2 (P = 0.023 and P = 0.005) as compared to published normal reference mean, with no significant difference between the groups. Three months after surgery HOMA-IR increased further and QUICKI remained unchanged as compared to baseline, in both Group 1 (P = 0.072 and 0.082) and Group 2 (P = 0.54 and 0.56), but statistically insignificant. Conclusion: IR remained unchanged after CPTX in mild as well as moderate to severe PHPT. Asymptomatic PHPT with abnormal IR should not be used as criteria for parathyroidectomy.

Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) is becoming increasingly common endocrinopathy in clinical practice. Nowadays, it is mostly diagnosed in subclinical or early clinical stage. Bony involvement in HPT has seen significant fall in incidence. Brown tumour of bone is exceptionally rare as a first manifestation of primary HPT (PHPT). Its radiological and histopathological features may be mistaken for other bony pathologies. If possibility of underlying HPT is overlooked the disease is bound to recur after surgery adding to morbidity of the patient. Here we present a case of bilateral brown tumour of mandible which was mistakenly treated as giant cell granuloma by surgical curettage. That the patient was harbouring an ectopic parathyroid adenoma with hypercalcemia causing non-specific symptoms was missed by the referring physician. This led to recurrence of the lesion. On subsequent evaluation, a giant mediastinal parathyroid adenoma causing PHPT was detected at our centre and was removed via mini sternotomy approach.

Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is an uncommon vascular tumor, primarily seen in 20–40 years of age. We report the case of a 14-year-old boy with EHE and distant metastases identified on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT), leading to a change in the management plan.18F-FDG PET/CT proved to be useful in identifying the rare sites of metastasis and planning further treatment.

Covered self-expanding metallic stents (cSEMSs) have emerged as effective treatment option for esophageal perforations. However, the large lower esophageal perforations where the cSEMS is placed across gastroesophageal junction have lower healing rates because refluxed gastric contents constantly irritate perforation and also there is increased risk of stent migration. Moreover, gastric mucosa tends to prolapse into lumen of lower end of stent causing its obstruction, leading to seepage of saliva and fluids from upper end of stent even in the patients who are on parenteral nutrition. We present our experience of a novel technique of combined cSEMS and nasojejunal tube (NJT) placement in four patients (two males) with benign large lower esophageal perforations. The NJT was placed through the stent into the jejunum through which patients were given enteral feeding. The stents were placed 5 - 21 days after esophageal perforation with the size of perforation ranging from 4 to 6 cm. As the NJT formed a loop in stomach, it prevented migration of stent. And also its presence in lumen of stent prevented its obstruction by prolapsing gastric mucosa, thereby preventing seepage of saliva and fluids from side of stent. Both stents and NJT were removed after 6 weeks and leak closed in all patients. Combined cSEMS and NJT placement seems to be safe and effective for treating large lower esophageal perforations. NJT placement seems to decrease risk of migration, prevents seepage of fluids and permits early enteral nutrition, thereby improving the healing rates.

Aim: The exact mechanism causing decreased expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) genes in parathyroid adenoma is not known, but methylation of promoter regions is often detected during epigenetic downregulation of gene expression. We investigated whether epigenetic silencing is involved in the decreased expression of VDR and CASR. Experimental Design: Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry confirmed the downregulation of the VDR and CASR genes at transcriptional and translational levels. Bisulfite-converted DNA samples from parathyroid adenomas with control samples were analyzed for methylation in the promoter region of VDR and CASR genes. Results: There was no significant methylation in the promoter regions of VDR and CASR genes in parathyroid adenomatous tissues. Conclusions: Methylation-mediated silencing of VDR and CASR promoter does not appear to be associated with reduced expression, indicating the involvement of other factors in specific suppression of VDR a...

The post-operative course after mesenteric revascularization for chronic mesenteric ischemia is associated with significant morbidity (5%–30%) and mortality (5%–12%), since many of these patients develop significant liver dysfunction, with cholestasis and transaminitis, and a vitamin-K resistant coagulopathy with a fall in platelet count. An elderly male underwent mesenteric revascularization and developed ascites, jaundice, transaminitis and coagulopathy with thrombocytopenia; which gradually recovered over 7–10 days. The post-operative findings are remarkably similar to that seen in portal hyperperfusion, or small for size syndrome (SFSS) after living donor liver transplantation. Mesenteric revascularization results in improved blood blow through the splanchnic circulation, and results in an increased portal blood flow after repair. The portal hyperperfusion may explain the manifestations seen after mesenteric revascularization, including the liver dysfunction, coagulopathy and in extreme cases renal and pulmonary dysfunction.

Primary hyperparathyroidism is caused by parathyroid adenoma in the majority of cases and diagnosis is usually made biochemically. Pre-surgical localization of parathyroid adenoma is essential to limit the extent of surgery and avoid missing them at ectopic sites. Anatomical and functional imaging are used for the localization, but may fail to identify the small and ectopic parathyroid adenoma. We present a case of small sized ectopic parathyroid adenoma at unusual location detected by F-18 fluorocholine (FCH) PET/CT, where other imaging modalities failed. The post-operative histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of ectopic parathyroid adenoma.

Alleviating the agonizing pain of critical limb ischemia (CLI) in patients of Buerger’s disease (BD) has been challenging, due to lack of definitive treatment; “Heparin-Dextran” infusion has been tried in this study. Assessment of clinical improvement and vascular changes following therapy. Patients with CLI admitted to emergency surgical ward were studied prospectively. BD was diagnosed by Shionoya’s criteria, and confirmed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Heparin and Dextran intravenous infusion was administered for 10 days. Severity of rest pain, ischemic changes in the feet, claudication distance and ankle brachial index (ABI) were estimated prior to therapy, at completion and 3 weeks after therapy. Vascular changes were assessed by CT angiography (CTA) performed prior to and 3 weeks after therapy. Twenty consecutive patients were studied. Successful hemodilution reflected by decreased hematocrit (37.4 % to 32.6 %, p

Background: The geographical difference in presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is known. However, there is sparse literature on the influence of age and gender on presentation of PHPT. Aim: To analyze the effect of age and gender on presentation of symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism. Setting and Design: This is a retrospective analysis of data from the primary hyperparathyroidism registry of a north Indian tertiary care teaching institute. Materials and Methods: Analysis of 184 histopathologically proven PHPT patients registered between March 1990 and March 2010 from a single centre of north India. PHPT patients were divided into three different age groups i.e. children and adolescents less than 25 years, adults 25-49 years, and ≥ 50 years. Clinical presentations, biochemical parameters and parathyroid weight were compared between different age groups and gender using appropriate statistical methods. Results: Mean age of patients was 38.5±13.8 years with female: male ratio of 7:3. Rickets as presenting manifestations were seen in one child and adolescent each. Prevalence of renal stones (P=0.03) and gall stones (P=0.02) was higher in the adult groups compared to the younger and older. There was no difference in bone pain (P=0.7), fracture (P=0.3), osteitis fibrosa cystica (P=0.2), fatigue (P=0.6) and other symptoms among different age groups. There was no difference in serum calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25 (OH) D levels among different age groups, however, as expected alkaline phosphatase was higher in adolescents compared to adults (P=0.03). Bone pain and muscle aches (P

CONTEXT: Postoperative sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances were associated with prolonged postoperative convalescence, respiratory, and cardiovascular morbidity. Sleep disturbances have been shown to be due to decreased levels of circulating melatonin after surgery. If this sleep pattern and circadian rhythm are recycled, outcome after surgery could be improved. AIMS: The aim of this study was to observe the effect of melatonin on the quality of sleep in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Hundred patients of LC participated in this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial. Patients were randomized equally into Group A who received 6 mg melatonin tablets 45 min before sleep for 3 days after surgery and Group B who received placebo. RESULTS: Melatonin usage results in decrease in sleep latency (SL) as compared to placebo (13.6 ± 14.95 vs. 20.10 ± 16.18 min, P = 0.04). There was also increased total sleep duration (TSD) on postoperative day (POD) 1 (P = 0.004) and POD 2 (P = 0.001) in Group A. There was a decrease in daytime naps and night awakenings after surgery in Group A though it was not significant statistically. Subjective assessment of sleep on visual analog scale showed reduced sleep scores (P = 0.001 on POD 1 and 2) and decreased pain (P = 0.02 on POD 1) in Group A. Statistically significant difference was not observed in fatigue or general well-being among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Results in this study could demonstrate that melatonin as a single agent could improve the quality of sleep after LC by decreasing SL and increasing TSD.

OBJECTIVE To determine the relationship between anaemia and myelofibrosis in patients with symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and to assess the effect of curative parathyroidectomy on anaemia and marrow fibrosis. DESIGN AND METHODS In this prospective follow-up study of 28 consecutive patients with symptomatic PHPT from January 2005 to June 2006, 15 patients were diagnosed with anaemia (haemoglobin < 130 g/l in males and < 120 g/l in females), eight (53%) of whom were finally recruited for the study. Complete blood cell count, serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, intact PTH and 25-hydroxyvitamin D and bone marrow examination were performed both before and after parathyroidectomy in all (n = 8) patients, but bone marrow examination after surgery was performed only in those who had marrow fibrosis at baseline (n = 6). RESULTS Anaemia was observed in 15 (53.3%) of the 28 patients with symptomatic PHPT. Normocytic normochromic anaemia that is characteristic of PHPT was found in 14 (50%) patients. Eight of the 15 patients with anaemia had a bone marrow examination and marrow fibrosis was observed in six (75%). Both anaemia and marrow fibrosis improved after successful parathyroidectomy, but improvement in anaemia was significant (P = 0.02) only in those with marrow fibrosis at baseline. Marrow fibrosis did not correlate with duration of the disease (P = 0.17), degree of hypercalcaemia (P = 0.53) or serum levels of intact PTH (P = 0.60). CONCLUSIONS Anaemia is common in patients with symptomatic PHPT, and was associated with marrow fibrosis in the majority of the patients who underwent bone biopsy. Both anaemia and marrow fibrosis improved after curative parathyroidectomy, but improvement in anaemia was noticeable only in those who had marrow fibrosis at presentation.

Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine secreting tumors arising from the chromaffin cells of neural crest origin with prevalence of 0.1% to 0.6% in the hypertensive population. We describe our experience with 95 patients with pheochromocytoma from a tertiary care center in north India. Patients diagnosed with pheochromocytoma from 1996 to 2006 were studied. Details of the clinical manifestations, diagnostic workup including 24-hour urinary vanilyl mandelic acid (VMA) and/or urinary epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) along with localization modalities including ultrasonography (USG), CT scan of the abdomen, and meta-iodo benzyl guanidine scan were analyzed. Intraoperative details including fluctuation in blood pressure during surgery, size of the tumor, postoperative events, and follow-up records for the presence /resolution of hypertension, and recurrence of disease were also evaluated. A total of 95 patients (46 men), were diagnosed with pheochromocytoma during the study period. The mean age of these patients was 34 ± 15 years, and the lag time between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 2.5 ± 3.8 years. Eighty percent of the patients had an adrenal pheochromocytoma, whereas 19 (20%) were detected to have paraganglionomas. Two thirds of the patients were suspected to have pheochromocytoma because of hypertension and one of the components of paroxysmal triad. The rest were detected incidentally. Eighty-five patients (89%) were found to be hypertensive with 61 (72%) having sustained and 24 (28%) having labile hypertension. Elevated 24-hour urinary VMA and catecholamines (E/NE) were found in 41 (46%) and 37 (40%) patients. USG localized tumor in 88% and CT scan (adrenal or extra-adrenal) in 99% patients. Eighty-seven patients underwent surgical excision of the tumor. The mean tumor weight was 109 ± 193 g. Nine patients had malignancy as evidenced by distant metastases. At follow-up, 71% were normotensive with recurrence of disease in 11 patients including 9 with metastatic disease. The majority of patients with adrenal pheochromocytoma were young and one-third of them were detected incidentally. The paroxysmal triad was observed in two-thirds of the patients and majority of them had large tumors, which could even be localized by USG. Urinary VMA and catecholamines seems to be a poor tool for screening. Surgery was rewarding in that two thirds of the patients experienced resolution of hypertension.

Summary Objectives To report and explore potential reasons for undetectable or low-normal serum intact PTH levels in patients with surgically verified primary hyperparathyroidism with parathyroid adenomas, review the relevant literature, and offer suggestions for management of such patients occasionally encountered in clinical practice. For future research, to help understand mechanisms underlying ‘undetectable’ or inappropriately low serum intact PTH levels. Methods Serum intact PTH levels were measured pre- and postoperatively by immunochemiluminescent assay (ICMA) and the results were confirmed by at least two repeated measurements on different occasions in each patient. Patients We encountered two unusual patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who had suggestive biochemical and/or clinical features of primary hyperparathyroidism. However, serum intact PTH levels were either very low or undetectable in the context of hypercalcaemia, with no other obvious cause. A 99mTc sestamibi scan showed increased uptake in one of the parathyroid glands, suggesting a single adenoma in each case that was confirmed at surgery. Results In the first patient, from India, mean ± SD serum calcium was 2·6 ± 0·32 mmol/l (reference range 2·12–2·74 mmol/l) with intact PTH of 0·11 pmol/l (reference range 1·1–7·59 pmol/l). In the second patient, from the USA, mean ± SD serum calcium and intact PTH were 2·9 ± 0·07 mmol/l (reference range 2·17–2·51 mmol/l) and 1·35 pmol/l (reference range 1·1–7·59 pmol/l), respectively. Following curative parathyroidectomy, serum calcium levels normalized in both patients. By contrast, serum intact PTH levels, which were either suppressed or very low before surgery, rose into the low-normal reference range in all patients. Conclusions When the clinical suspicion is high, the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism should be pursued despite suppressed or low-normal serum intact PTH levels after carefully excluding other causes of hypercalcaemia. Further research on various intact PTH molecular species secreted by parathyroid adenomas or post-translational changes in the intact PTH molecule that might interfere with in vitro measurements should be undertaken to understand the precise reason(s) for such anomalous findings.

BackgroundPancreatic anastomotic leaks are a major cause of morbidity and mortality following pancreaticoduodenectomy, and no single technique of reconstruction has shown to be superior. The aim of this study was to review the experience of single loop versus isolated Roux loop pancreaticojejunostomy in a series of patients undergoing pancreatic head resection.MethodsA retrospective review involving 111 patients who underwent pancreatic head resections over 13year period (1994–2006) for malignant (n=106) and benign (n=5) disease was performed. Reconstruction of the pancreatic remnant was done using a single loop in 51 patients and by an isolated Roux loop in 60 patients. All pancreatic anastomosis were performed as a duct to mucosa anastomosis, in two layers, with pancreatic stent and closed suction drainage. Pancreatic fistula was defined as drainage of greater than 50ml of amylase rich fluid for more than 7days postoperatively.ResultsThe two groups were comparable as regards to their demographic profiles, preoperative laboratory values and disease status in terms of pathology, pancreatic texture and pancreatic duct diameters. The overall incidence of pancreatic anastomotic leak was 11% (12) and was similar in both the groups; single loop 12% (6) and isolated Roux loop 10% (6). Isolated Roux loop pancreaticojejunostomy was associated with a significant prolongation of operative time (7.25±1.14h vs 6.07±1.12h) (p0.05).ConclusionThere does not appear to be a significant difference in the rates of pancreatic fistula following either method of reconstruction. However, performance of an isolated Roux loop pancreaticojejunostomy entails a prolongation of operative time and more intraoperative requirement of blood transfusions.

Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS) are known to cause distinct types of infections in humans like endocarditis and urinary tract infections (UTI). Surprisingly, there is a lack of genome analysis data in literature against CNS particularly of human origin. In light of this, we performed genome mining and comparative genomic analysis of CNS strains Staphylococcus cohnii subsp. cohnii strain GM22B2, Staphylococcus equorum subsp. strain equorum G8HB1, Staphylococcus pasteuri strain BAB3 isolated from gall bladder and Staphylococcus haemolyticus strain 1HT3, Staphylococcus warneri strain 1DB1 isolated from colon. We identified 29% of shared virulence determinants in the CNS strains which involved resistance to antibiotics and toxic compounds, bacteriocins and ribosomally synthesized peptides, adhesion, invasion, intracellular resistance, prophage regions, pathogenicity islands. 10 unique virulence factors involved in adhesion, negative transcriptional regulation, resistance to copper and cadmium, phage maturation were also present in our strains. Apart from comparing the genome homology, size and G + C content, we also showed the presence 10 different CRISPR-cas genes in the CNS strains. Further, KAAS based annotation revealed the presence of CNS genes in different pathways involved in human diseases. In conclusion, this study is a first attempt to unveil the pathogenomics of CNS isolated from two distinct body organs and highlights the importance of CNS as emerging pathogens of health care sector.

Extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) is a common cause of portal hypertension in the developing countries, and constitutes up to 40% of all patients with portal hypertension.1,2 EHPVO is a common cause of major upper-gastrointestinal bleeding among children.2–4 The most common presentation in children is well-tolerated variceal bleeding and splenomegaly. In adults, EHPVO is often recognised when evaluating for other disorders or with uncommon presentations such as jaundice, pruritus, acute cholecystitis-like syndrome, ascites and so on, resulting from prolonged portal hypertension.5–7 The portal vein in EHPVO is transformed into a cavernoma, which is a bunch of multiple collateral veins around the obstructed portion of portal vein (fig 1). Marked improvements in the management of variceal bleeding in patients with EHPVO have resulted in an improved survival, thus presenting with unusual symptoms in adulthood. Figure 1 Splenoportovenogram showing multiple collaterals (portal cavernoma) replacing the portal vein (arrows) in a patient with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction. The splenic vein is normal (arrowheads). The reasons for EHPVO are obscure in approximately half of the patients. Omphalitis and intra-abdominal sepsis are the common causes in neonates and children. Adults develop EHPVO due to increased blood coagulability, local inflammation, intra-abdominal sepsis, myeloproliferative disorders, underlying cirrhosis, or tumours in the liver, bile ducts or pancreas.7,8,9,10 Gibson et al 11 first reported the relationship between EHPVO and jaundice in 1965. Since then, several cases of obstructive jaundice due to common bile duct (CBD) obstruction caused by cavernomatous transformation of portal vein (portal cavernoma) have been described. Williams et al 12 were the first to report cholangiographic changes caused by choledochal varices. We, for the first time, describe abnormalities on endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) in a prospective study.13 These abnormalities were similar to those of primary sclerosing cholangitis and …

Non-secretory parathyroid adenomas arising in an ectopic parathyroid gland are rare. We report a case of non-functioning anterior mediastinal parathyroid adenoma associated with mediastinal lymphadenopathy caused by sarcoid-like granulamatous inflammation.

This is a retrospective study of the experience with extremity vascular trauma at a tertiary level referral centre in North India where the majority of the population lives in villages and the incidence of high-speed automobile accidents and civilian violence is low. The aim was to study the aetiology, pattern of injuries and the mortality and morbidity rates due to vascular trauma in our population. Data relating to 148 patients presenting with vascular trauma requiring surgical intervention other than amputation between January 1996 and December 2002 were collected retrospectively. There were 132 males and 16 females with a mean age of 39 years presenting to the casualty with a median delay of 9.3 h after injury. Blunt trauma accounted for 84% of the injuries with extremities involved in 88%. The brachial artery was the most common artery injured with the femoral next most common. Repair without graft interposition was done in 74% and autogenous vein grafts were used in 23% of cases. Comparison of our results with those that would have been obtained, had the recommendations of Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) been followed, showed that this scoring system had low sensitivity and specificity for prediction of salvageability of limbs. Eight percent patients died due to associated visceral organ injuries. Complications occurred in 32% patients and amputation was required in 6% of patients after an initial surgical repair mainly due to inadequate functional recovery. Eighty-eight percent of the survivors with salvaged limbs were able to achieve full functional recovery. Judicious selection and appropriate intervention can result in satisfactory limb salvage with good functional outcomes even with delayed presentations.

The aim of this study was to analyze the presentation, characteristics, related investigation, and treatment results of major bile duct injuries (MBDI) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).We performed a retrospective analysis of 27 patients who were treated between January 1995 and December 2002 for MBDI after LC at a single unit in a tertiary center. Major bile duct injury was defined according to the Strasberg classification. All patients underwent magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC), percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC), or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to delineate the biliary anatomy and assess the level of injury. On the basis of the cholangiographic findings, all patients underwent Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy after a waiting period of 8-12 weeks.A total of 29 hepaticojejunostomies were performed in 27 patients. Seventeen patients (63%) presented with biliary fistula and ascites; 10 (27%) presented with obstructive jaundice. In 14 patients (52%) the MBDI was identified during the LC. Twenty patients (74%) had undergone one or more procedure before referral. Eight patients (30%) had E1, five patients (18.5%) had E2, nine patients (33%) had E3, and five patients (18.5%) had E4 injury. Two patients had early anastomotic stricture, for which redo hepaticojejunostomy with access loop was performed.Major bile duct injury after LC commonly presents with biliary fistula and ascites. High-injuries are common after LC. Hepaticojejunostomy repair yields excellent results in these cases.

Background: Vascular complications resulting from i.v. drug abuse constitute a range of clinical problems from simple to serious. In addition, patients who present with these complications frequently have viral infections, which are a hazard to health care workers. Patients and Methods: The present study is a retrospective review of 46 male drug addicts with 52 vascular complications (45 arterial, seven venous). Pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery was the most common complication (n = 35). Fourteen of these patients underwent ligation of the common, superficial and deep femoral arteries above and below the pseudoaneurysm. Twenty-one underwent bipolar ligation of the common femoral artery after complete excision of the pseudoaneurysm. The decision to revascularize was based on the presence or absence of postligation Doppler signal. Arterial reconstruction was performed in five patients. All eight brachial artery pseudoaneurysms were ligated and excised, and deep vein thrombosis was managed with anticoagulation. Results: There was no mortality but three patients had to undergo late amputations of the lower limb after successful salvage following the initial surgery. The median postoperative ankle-brachial indices, after bipolar and triple ligations were 0.51 and 0.46, respectively. Positive blood cultures were present in 30% of patients and tissue cultures were positive in 72%, the most common organism isolated was methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Six patients were positive for viral markers. The median hospital stay was 43 days. Conclusion: Ligation and excision of pseudoaneurysms without revascularization is safe for drug addicts provided it is based on the presence of a postligation Doppler signal.

Objective: To report the effectiveness of a mesoatrial shunt in the treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome caused by combined hepatic vein and inferior vena caval block. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Tertiary care hospital, India. Patients: 10 patients (4 men and 6 women; mean age 28, range 18-45) who had operations for Budd-Chiari syndrome between 1994 and 2000. Intervention: Mesoatrial shunt. Main outcome measures: Graft patency, survival, liver function and symptoms. Results: One patient died. All grafts were patent over a mean follow up period of 40 months (range 6-71). All survivors have normal liver function and were symptom free at the time of writing. Conclusion: Mesoatrial shunt is effective in the treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome caused by combined hepatic vein and vena caval occlusion.