DUODENUM-PRESERVING PANCREATIC HEAD RESECTION FOR CHRONIC PANCREATITIS, BENIGN AND PREMALIGNANT TUMORS OF THE PANCREAS

Objective. To report the institutional experience of the evolution of duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR) as a surgical treatment for chronic pancreatitis with an inflammatory tumor as well as cystic and benign, premalignant neoplasms and neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreatic head. Methods. DPPHR is associated with preservation of gastric antrum, common bile duct and duodenum/upper jejunal loop, contrary to Kausch-Whipple resection, which is a multivisceral procedure, including duodenectomy. Duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection was first established in clinical setting in Berlin in 1969. Results. For chronic pancreatitis with an inflammatory infiltrat in the pancreatic head, duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection has become a standard surgical treatment with worldwide acceptance. In a series of 603 patients with chronic pancreatitis following DPPHR, the frequency of pancreatic fistula was 3.3 %, intra-abdominal abscess 2.8 %, hemorrhage 2.8 %, frequency of reoperation 5.6%, in-hospital mortality 0.82 % and 90-day rehospitalisation 8 %. DPPHR for benign and premalignant cystic neoplasms of the pancreatic head is used predominantly for IPMN, MCN and SPN tumors. In a review of international publications comprising 503 patients, the general morbidity was 38.2 %, severe surgery-related complications 12.7% of them pancreatic fistula B+C 13.6 %, resurgery 2.7 % and 90-day mortality 0.4 %. When pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors of pancreatic head are treated with DPPHR, a local lymph node dissection is additionally recommended. The long-term morbidity following DPPHR revealed new onset of diabetes mellitus and exocrine dysfunctions in only 5-7 % of patients. Conclusion. Kausch-Whipple resection is associated with considerable high metabolic complications. Duodenum-sparing pancreatic head resection for inflammatory tumor, benign and premalignant neoplasms, and neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreatic head has the advantage of the duodenum preservation and maintenance of the pancreatic endocrine and exocrine functions.

Antemortem diagnosis of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis in a patient with previously resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a case report

Background Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is a rare manifestation of a number of systemic diseases, which include advanced malignancy and hypercoagulable states. Case summary We present a 67-year-old woman who had presented with chest pain and heart failure. Eight years ago, she had a successful Whipple resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Echocardiography revealed mitral valve vegetations with negative blood cultures. She had multiple infarcts in the kidney, spleen, and brain. She was found to have a mass in the left 8th rib, consistent with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma on biopsy. Ultimately, a diagnosis of NBTE was made after excluding other causes for her presentation. Because of her general poor condition, she expressed the wish for palliative care and later died 28 days after presentation. Discussion This case illustrates the possibility of NBTE in patients successfully treated for pancreatic adenocarcinoma and highlights the consideration of this relatively rare differential in patients with a previously treated malignancy presenting with heart failure.

IgG4-Related Disease as Mimicker of Malignancy

Background: IgG4-related disease is an immune-mediated disease that may present as a tumefactive lesion in nearly any organ. These mass lesions often resemble malignancy both clinically and radiologically, and some patients undergo unnecessary surgical resection. We performed a retrospective single center study examining how many patients with IgG4-RD were initially believed to havemalignancy,with particular attention to those who underwent potentially avoidable surgical procedures. Methods: 63 patients with biopsy confirmed IgG4-Related Disease based on International Consensus Criteria were included. Clinical, laboratory, radiological and histological data were collected and analyzed.Results: Over 60% of patients (38/63) were initially thought to have a malignancywhen they initially presented with symptomatic IgG4-RD. The most common types of malignancy suspected were lymphoma (18/38) and pancreatic cancer (11/38). Of the 38 patients with suspected malignancy, 14 underwent an invasive intervention either to alleviate the severity of their symptoms or as treatment for their presumed malignancy.These included Whipple resection/attempted Whipple (3), nephrectomy (3), bile duct resection and reconstruction (1), removal of other abdominal/retroperitoneal masses (3), and stenting of obstructed organs (4).Conclusion: IgG4-RD should be on the differential diagnosis of patients with mass lesions, in particular those with pancreatic masses and obstructive jaundice, extensive lymphadenopathy, or retroperitoneal masses. Oncologists and other physicians involved in cancer care should be aware of the various manifestations and diagnostic approach to IgG4-RD in order to provide accurate diagnosis and minimize unnecessary invasive procedures.

Granular Cellular Tumor: A Disease to know and to recognize

We report here a rare case of granular cell tumor (GCT) operated on with diagnosis of bile duct cancer. All clinical, biological, morphological, operative and histological characteristics are described in this observation. We have done a whipple resection and postoperative course was uneventful. The patient is alive and well at postoperative month. This is the rare disease which must be known by the surgical community to choose the adequate surgery.

Case Report of Exercise to Attenuate Side Effects of Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer

Treatments for pancreatic cancer can have debilitating side effects including fatigue, weight loss, and cardiac toxicity, resulting in functional loss and psychological distress. Exercise has been proposed as a therapy to counteract physical and psychological detriments. The case: A 47-year-old male undergoing chemotherapy for stage 3 locally advanced pancreatic cancer. He was cycling during hospital chemotherapy infusions (6 fortnightly cycles of FOLFIRINOX: 5-FU 2, 400 mg/m2, over 48 h: irinotecan 180 mg/m2, oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2, no 5-FU bolus) plus 12 weeks of twice weekly aerobic and resistance exercise. Over 12 weeks, body composition was maintained, and physical function improved, with specific increases in muscular strength of up to 50% and aerobic capacity improving by 9%. Moreover, quality of life, fatigue, psychological distress, and sleep quality improved by 38, 113, 50, and 9%, respectively. Additionally, the participant experienced more severe side effects in week 6, when he did not cycle to a high intensity during hospital infusion and had less total weekly exercise. After cycle 6 (week 11), chemotherapy was halted, and a Whipple resection procedure was successfully performed. It can be concluded that regular aerobic and resistance exercise plus exercise during infusion can attenuate expected decline in physical and mental health with pancreatic cancer treatment and may reduce treatment side effects and have favourable effects on prognosis.