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Background Body composition measures may predict outcomes of cancer surgery. Whereas low muscle mass shown on preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans has been associated with worse outcomes after surgery for pancreatic cancer, less consideration has been given to low muscle attenuation, reflecting poor muscle quality. Studies relating muscle mass and muscle attenuation with outcomes for patients with periampullary, nonpancreatic cancer are lacking. Methods Skeletal muscle mass and attenuation were assessed in 166 consecutive patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for periampullary, nonpancreatic cancer at a single center between 2000 and 2012. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) was calculated from cross-sectional muscle area on preoperative CT imaging at the third lumbar vertebra level (L3) and normalized for height. The skeletal muscle attenuation index (MAI) was calculated by measuring the average Hounsfield units of the total muscle area at the L3 level. Overall survival (OS) and the rate of major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥3) were extracted from prospectively maintained databases. Results Low SMI was present in 78.3 % and low MAI in 48.8 % of the patients. The multivariate analysis showed lymph node metastasis [hazard ratio (HR) 1.8; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.1–2.9], microscopic radicality (HR 2.0; 95 % CI 1.2–3.4), and low MAI (HR 2.0; 95 % CI 1.2–3.3), but not low SMI to be significantly associated with decreased OS. Low MAI (HR 1.9; 95 % CI 1.0–3.8) was the only independent risk factor for major postoperative complications. Conclusion Skeletal muscle quality, but not muscle mass, predicted survival and major complications after PD for periampullary, nonpancreatic cancer. Preoperative CT-derived body composition measures may stratify patients into risk categories and support shared decision making. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1245/s10434-016-5495-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

In X-linked adrenoleucodystrophy (X-ALD) the peroxisomal beta-oxidation of saturated very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs; carbon length22 atoms) is impaired. These fatty acids accumulate in blood and tissues, in particular in the nervous system, adrenal cortex and testis. Most patients have a primary adrenocortical insufficiency with low levels of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphate ester (DHEA-S), collectively called DHEA(S). Surprisingly, very low plasma levels of DHEA(S) may be found when plasma cortisol and ACTH levels are normal. In animal studies DHEA administration had a peroxisome proliferating effect and induced the expression of peroxisomal enzymes involved in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids.To study the effect of DHEA on fatty acids in X-ALD patients, we conducted a randomized double-blind study in which 14 men (age range 21-63 years) and one boy (12 years) received 50 mg of DHEA or placebo for 3 months, followed by a 1-month wash-out period, then 3 months of placebo or vice versa.A significant rise was seen in the plasma levels of DHEA-S, Delta4-androstenedione and IGF-I. The elevated saturated VLCFAs in plasma and erythrocytes did not change. However, in erythrocytes significant decreases were found in the total amount of fatty acids, in C16:0, C18:0 and in C20:4omega-6, C22:5omega-6, C18:1omega-9, C20:1omega-9 and C20:3omega-9. In plasma, decreases were found for C18:1omega-9 and increases for C20:1omega-9.Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation for 3 months did not lower the elevated plasma levels of saturated very long-chain fatty acids in patients with X-linked adrenoleucodystrophy. Instead, a decrease in saturated and mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids in erythrocytes and plasma was found. An increase of C20:1omega-9 was found in plasma only.

Background—Impeded flow of pancreatic juice due to mechanical obstruction of the pancreatic duct in patients with cancer of the pancreatic head region causes exocrine pancreatic insufficiency with steatorrhoea and creatorrhoea. This may contribute to the profound weight loss that often occurs in these patients.Aims—To investigate whether pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy prevents this weight loss.Patients—Twenty one patients with unresectable cancer of the pancreatic head region with suspected pancreatic duct obstruction, a biliary endoprosthesis in situ, and a Karnofsky performance status greater than 60.Methods—Randomised double blind trial of eight weeks with either placebo or high dose enteric coated pancreatin enzyme supplementation. All patients received dietary counselling.Results—The mean difference in the percentage change of body weight was 4.9% (p=0.02, 95% confidence interval for the difference: 0.9 to 8.9). Patients on pancreatic enzymes gained 1.2% (0.7 kg) body weight whereas patients on placebo lost 3.7% (2.2 kg). The fat absorption coefficient in patients on pancreatic enzymes improved by 12% whereas in placebo patients it dropped by 8% (p=0.13, 95% confidence interval for the difference: –6 to 45). The daily total energy intake was 8.42 MJ in patients on pancreatic enzymes and 6.66 MJ in placebo patients (p=0.04, 95% confidence interval for the difference: 0.08 to 3.44).Conclusions—Weight loss in patients with unresectable cancer of the pancreatic head region and occlusion of the pancreatic duct can be prevented, at least for the period immediately after insertion of a biliary endoprosthesis, by high dose enteric coated pancreatin enzyme supplementation in combination with dietary counselling.

Clinical conditions in which secondary maldigestion associated with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency occur include chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer, partial or total gastrectomy, and pancreatic resection. Maldigestion can cause serious weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and subjective complaints associated with steatorrhea. The various causes of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency may be associated with cause-related changes in gastrointestinal physiology, such as changes in gastrointestinal intraluminal pH, bile acid metabolism, gastric emptying, and intestinal motility. Therefore, to optimize the efficacy of treatment, the management of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency must be individually tailored to account for both the underlying cause and any associated disturbance in gastrointestinal physiology. In addition, the properties of the pancreatic enzyme preparations and adjuvant drugs need to be taken into consideration. This paper reviews the pathophysiological mechanisms of maldigestion in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, discusses the efficacy of different therapy regimens, and gives guidelines for a cause-related and patient-tailored treatment with respect to both drug therapy and dietary counselling.