To demonstrate that the lipid volume fraction in liver steatosis can be accurately estimated with in vivo hydrogen-1 magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy, the authors developed a calibration procedure based on in vitro MR spectroscopy of lipid extracts from steatotic liver specimens. The lipid volume fractions determined with the calibration procedure were compared with the results of histomorphometry and with calibrated computed tomographic (CT) data. The volume fraction of fat determined with MR spectroscopy was in good agreement with the CT results, whereas histomorphometry underestimated the amount of hepatic fat. The results indicate that determination of the fat volume fraction in steatotic liver can be achieved noninvasively with MR spectroscopy.

IRB 00006477.

No abstract

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation was feasible, safe, and efficacious, although non-significant results were obtained as a result of the underpowered data due to the difficulty in recruiting patients. Additional multicenter RCTs are needed in the future.

The combined LC and IntraERCP approach had the greatest odds to be the safest and appears to be the most successful. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy plus LBCDE appears to reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis but may be associated with a higher risk of biliary leak.

The aims of this study were to identify the indications to perform a total pancreatectomy and to evaluate the outcome and quality of life of the patient who underwent this operation. A retrospective analysis of a prospective database, regarding all the patients who underwent total pancreatectomy from January 2006 to June 2009, was carried out. Perioperative and outcome data were analyzed in two different groups: ductal adenocarcinoma (group 1) and non-ductal adenocarcinoma (group 2). Twenty (16.9%) total pancreatectomies out of 118 pancreatic resections were performed. Seven (35.0%) patients were affected by ductal adenocarcinoma (group 1) and the remaining 13 (65.0%) by pancreatic diseases different from ductal adenocarcinoma (group 2) [8 (61.5%) intraductal pancreatic mucinous neoplasms, 2 (15.4%) well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas, 2 (15.4%) pancreatic metastases from renal cell cancer and, finally, 1 (7.7%) chronic pancreatitis]. Eleven patients (55%) underwent primary elective total pancreatectomy; nine (45%) had a completion pancreatectomy previous pancreaticoduodenectomy. Primary elective total pancreatectomy was significantly more frequent in group 2 than in group 1. Early and long-term postoperative results were good without significant difference between the two groups except for the disease-free survival that was significantly better in group 2. The follow-up examinations showed a good control of the apancreatic diabetes and of the exocrine insufficiency without differences between the two groups. In conclusion, currently, total pancreatectomy is a standardized and safe procedure that allows good early and late results. Its indications are increasing because of the more frequent diagnose of pancreatic disease that involved the whole gland as well as intraductal pancreatic mucinous neoplasm, neuroendocrine tumors and pancreatic metastases from renal cell cancer.

Even if the number of patients compared is underpowered, the laparoscopic approach in the treatment of PDAC seems to be safe and efficacious. However, additional prospective, randomised, multicentric trials are needed to correctly evaluate the laparoscopic approach in PDAC.

Comparable survival was seen after MIDP and ODP for PDAC, but the opposing differences in R0 resection rate, resection of Gerota's fascia, and lymph node retrieval strengthen the need for a randomized trial to confirm the oncological safety of MIDP.