Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) severely impacts morbidity and mortality in surgical patients with sepsis. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) have an important role in pathophysiology of sepsis but they have been unexplored in SA-AKI. We aimed to investigate the role of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in septic surgical patients with SA-AKI and to evaluate them as diagnostic biomarkers of SA-AKI. This prospective observational study compared 53 major abdominal surgery patients with sepsis divided into SA-AKI (n = 37) and non-SA-AKI (n =16) group to 50 controls without sepsis matched by age, gender, comorbidities and type of surgery. Blood and urine samples from septic patients were collected on admission to ICU and 24, 48, 72 and 96 h later and once from the controls. The levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1, urea and creatinine were measured. MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio and disease severity scores, such as Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), were calculated. Septic patients with SA-AKI had higher serum TIMP-1 levels and lower serum MMP-9 levels and lower MMP-9/TIMP ratio, compared to septic patients without SA-AKI and controls. The levels of these biomarkers did not change significantly over time. MMP-9, TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio correlated with urea, creatinine, NGAL, and SOFA scores. Moreover, using the area under ROC curve, we showed that TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio, but not MMP-9, were good diagnostic biomarkers of SA-AKI. We report for the first time the potential diagnostic value of TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in SA-AKI.Keywords: acute kidney injury; biomarker; matrix metalloproteinase-9; sepsis; tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 Tohoku

Granular cell tumors (GCT) are rare benign tumors. Less than 1% of GCTs involve the extrahepatic biliary tree. Most researches favour a Schwann cell origin. Patient, caucasion, female, 31-year-old presented with 4 month history of painless jaundice and pruritus. US and CT revealed dilatation of intrahepatic biliary tree and surgery was performed. Firm tumor mass was found above the conjunction of cystic duct and common hepatic duct (CHD) that caused obstruction and gallblader empyema. The patient underwent radical surgical procedure because Klatskin tumor was clinically suspected. Patohystology and immunohistochemistry confirmed granular cell tumor. Eight years after surgery the patient is wellbeing without symptoms. To our knowledge 69 cases of GCT of the extrahepatic biliary tree have been reported and none of the acute acalculous cholecystitis case acompanied by GCT of CHD. Granular cell tumors are rarely diagnosed preoperatively. Wide resection offers the best chance for cure.

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BackgroundDevelopment of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) has a strong impact on the course of disease. Number of patients with this complication increases during the years due more aggressive fluid resuscitation, much bigger proportion of patients who is treated conservatively or by minimal invasive approach, and efforts to delay open surgery. There have not been standard recommendations for a surgical or some other interventional treatment of patients who develop ACS during the SAP. The aim of DECOMPRESS study was to compare decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure and percutaneus puncture with placement of abdominal catheter in these patients.MethodsOne hundred patients with ACS will be randomly allocated to two groups: I) decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure or II) percutaneus puncture with placement of abdominal catheter. Patients will be recruited from five hospitals in Belgrade during two years period. The primary endpoint is the mortality rate within hospitalization. Secondary endpoints are time interval between intervention and resolving of organ failure and multi organ dysfunction syndrome, incidence of infectious complications and duration of hospital and ICU stay. A total sample size of 100 patients was calculated to demonstrate that decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure can reduce mortality rate from 60% to 40% with 80% power at 5% alfa.ConclusionDECOMPRESS study is designed to reveal a reduction in mortality and major morbidity by using decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure in comparison with percutaneus puncture with placement of abdominal catheter in patients with ACS during SAP.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NTC00793715

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The preservation of the ICBN significantly improved the functional effect of the axillary dissection for breast cancer by reducing sensory loss, while there was no difference in pain intensity and duration. Although we did not prove that the preservation of LTV prevents breast edema after conservative surgery for breast cancer, we think that more complex analysis, including parameters such as the extent of resection of breast tissue, the dimension and constitutional characteristics of the breast, tumor location, obesity, and further developments in surgical technique, would reveal at least discrete improvements in the functional results of this surgical approach.

Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma, originally described in the lung. The tumor rarely occurs in extrapulmonary sites like the gastrointestinal tract, and only few examples have been described in the ampulla of Vater. A new case of large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater in a 60-year-old man is reported. After pancreatoduodenectomy, macroscopic examination revealed ulcerated tumor in the region of the ampulla of Vater. Microscopically, the tumor exhibited organoid, predominantly nested growth pattern, consisting of large, polygonal cells with pleomorphic nuclei. Average number of mitoses was 36 per 10 high-power fields. Small and large areas of necrosis were identified. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for synaptophysin, chromogranin A, PGP 9.5, neuron-specific enolase, pancytokeratin, CK8 and somatostatin and negative for CK7, CK20, S-100, TTF-1, HMB-45, CD117, E-cadherin and regulatory peptides. Ki-67 proliferative index was 41%. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) analysis showed almost identical results for HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3--60, 60.3 and 61%, respectively. Two months after surgery, liver metastases occurred, confirming highly aggressive behavior of large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Echinococcal disease of the psoas has been very rarely reported, sometimes associated with paraspinal disease and often with vertebral involvement. Cystic or complex retroperitoneal tumour, pyogenic abscess of the psoas and even tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Treatment of choice is surgery. The greatest danger for the patient is dissemination and anaphylactic reaction. Also, compression of adjacent organs may produce significant morbidity.