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Introduction: Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are essential processes for the formation of blood and lymphatic vessels that allow tumour growth and spread. The binding of VEGF and VEGF-C factors with their receptors (VEGFR2, VEGFR3) in endothelial cells triggers signals that regulate these processes. We compared preoperative serum VEGF and VEGF-C levels with samples obtained after completion of surgery and adjuvant treatment in patients with gastric cancer. In addition, we determined the prognostic value and relationship to survival of serum VEGF and VEGF-C levels., Methods: We used a prospective cohort study of 59 gastric cancer patients who underwent surgery. Serum VEGF and VEGF-C were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) the day before surgery and 6 months later, after completion of adjuvant treatment., Results: Serum VEGF values decreased after treatment in patients with resectable tumours (mean ± SD) (405.42 ± 298.38 vs. 306.38 ± 212.47 pg/ml; p < 0.01), poorly differentiated and undifferentiated tumours (G3, G4) (438 ± 339.71 vs. 322.47 ± 210.71 pg/ml; p = 0.01), locally advanced gastric tumours (T4 stage) (424.27 ± 323.08 vs. 333.62 ± 221.72 pg/ml; p = 0.03) and tumours with a greater number of involved regional lymph nodes (N3) (442.38 ± 311.52 vs. 337.4 ± 203.64 pg/ml; p = 0.04). Serum preoperative VEGF values over 761 pg/ml were associated with shorter patient survival. The mean overall survival time for patients with serum VEGF levels higher than 761 pg/ml was 7 ± 2.99 months (95 % CI 1.14-12.86) while for patients with serum VEGF levels of less than 761 pg/ml was 21.18 ± 2.88 (95 % CI 15.54-26.83) The mean disease-specific survival time for patients with serum VEGF levels higher than 761 pg/ml was 6.25 ± 2.53 months (95 % CI 1.29-11.21) while for patients with serum VEGF levels of less than 761 pg/ml was 27.57 ± 3.45 (95 % CI 20.80-34.35). Multivariate analysis identified preoperative serum VEGF levels as an independent prognostic factor (HR = 0.144; p = 0.03)., Conclusions: Serum VEGF levels decreased after the completion of treatment in patients with resected tumours, suggesting VEGF tracking may be useful in monitoring progression. Preoperative measurement of serum VEGF may help us identify patients with a poor prognosis.

Introduction: Up to 45% anatomical variations are found in hepatic arterial system. Identifying these anatomical anomalies before or during surgery would prevent additional morbidity in performing a duodenopancreatectomy. They are routinely identified before surgery using CT imaging, but on certain occasions they are not reported and are only discovered during the surgical operation. The initial retroperitoneal access by the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) will avoid a fairly useless intervention if there is superior mesenteric artery invasion, and will identify the anatomical variations originating in the superior mesenteric artery. These anomalies acquire importance in that their unnoticed injury could lead to severe vascular compromise and/or perioperative bleeding., Objectives: To analyse celiac-mesenteric anomalies of the hepatic artery before duodenopancreatectomy using the information from multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) using a non-standardised method, a standardised method with multidimensional reconstruction, and maximum intensity projection (MIP), after initial surgical access to the SMA., Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of the clinical, histopathological and surgical variables was conducted on patients with an indication for duodenopancreatectomy in our Department from 2008 until April 2010. A study was performed on the reports made after image acquisition by MDCT. A blind, three-dimensional, MIP reconstruction was performed on all the patients to identify arterial anomalies. A description is given of hepatic artery anomalies after initial access to the SMA., Results: A total of 61 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 65 ± 11 years, with 33 (54%) males and 28 (46%) females. Vascular anomalies, right hepatic artery (RHA) (SMA) substitute (subst), 5 (8%); RHA (SMA) accessory (acc), 4 (7%); left hepatic artery (LHA) (left gastric artery) (LGA) acc 3 (5%); common hepatic artery (CHA) (SMA) subst 3 (5%); RHA (SMA) acc+LHA (LGA) acc2 (3%); CHA (aorta) subst, 1 (2%); RHA+RGA+2 LHA (celiac trunk), 1 (2%); and CHA (SMA)+LHA (LGA) acc., Conclusion: On being able to identify arterial anomalies with a mixture of preoperative radiological and methodological criteria, with three-dimensional reconstruction, MIP, and initially performing a dissection of the superior mesenteric artery could avoid duodenopancreatectomies that may not benefit the patient and compromise bleeding., (Copyright © 2011 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Background: Small bowel tumors comprise 25% of gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasms, of which only between 0.2 and 1% correspond to gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). GI bleeding is the most common presentation of GIST, being responsible in 1% of the cases. This type of neoplasm can also be the origin of an intussusception, which is an infrequent process during adult age, representing only 5% of all intestinal obstructions., Clinical Case: We report a case of a patient who arrived at the emergency department due to abdominal pain and lower GI bleeding. The diagnostic process was not conclusive. After an exploratory laparotomy, the diagnosis was GI bleeding and intussusception due to GIST., Conclusions: Surgery must be the last diagnostic and therapeutic resource, but it is sometimes necessary to localize bleeding and intestinal obstruction site.

Focal nodular hyperplasia is a benign liver tumor that usually follows an asymptomatic course. Hemorrhage of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia is exceptional and occurs in tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic adenoma. We report the case of a woman with spontaneous rupture and hemorrhage of focal nodular hyperplasia. Hemodynamic stabilization was achieved by selective hepatic arterial embolization. Elective hepatic resection was subsequently performed. This clinical course is extremely rare. We describe the therapeutic management of these complications using hepatic transarterial embolization, which could avoid potentially harmful aggressive treatments.

The presentation of a hepatic subcapsular hematoma as a complication following the carrying out of an extracorporeal renal shock wave lithotripsy is fairly uncommon. We would like to describe the case of a patient who showed after extracorporeal renal post-lithotripsy intense abdominal symptoms and in which the presence of any prior hepatic pathology was ruled out, alterations in the blood coagulation system as well as anomalies in the execution of the extracorporeal lithotripsy as etiological mechanisms. We carried out a bibliographical review due to the rarity of the process described.

Objective: Cystic tumors of the adrenal gland are uncommon, but are being increasingly more frequently diagnosed during routine radiological evaluation as "incidentalomas". We discuss the differential diagnosis, therapeutic approach and the existing controversies concerning the management of this tumor type., Methods: Two additional cases of adrenal pseudocyst in two women aged 47 and 38 years are presented. In one case the tumor was discovered incidentally, whereas the other case presented with acute pain arising from intracystic hemorrhage., Results: The fist patient had a cystic tumor of 8 cm with some inner walls. Fine needle aspiration biopsy revealed a benign cystic lesion of the right adrenal gland. At laparotomy, an 8.5 x 4.5 cm multiloculated cystic lesion was excised. The second patient presented with abdominal pain due to intracystic hemorrhage. A Doppler US did not disclose any vessel inside the lesion. We performed a lumbotomy and excised a 7.5 x 6 cm cystic tumor located in the right adrenal gland. Both lesions were diagnosed as adrenal pseudocyst; the second case was a hemorrhagic one., Conclusions: The therapeutic approach in adrenal cystic tumors can be based upon the radiological and cytological findings since malignant cystic tumors are uncommon. A clear liquid and a negative cytology practically discard malignant tumors. Furthermore, cystic adenocarcinomas are usually large and the cystic liquid is cloudy with abundant cellularity. Surgical treatment is justified in the symptomatic, big or complex tumors (mixed, non-homogeneous).