Our study shows that EUS-CD using the AXIOS™ and the Hot AXIOS™ devices is a safe procedure, with high technical and clinical success rates.

No abstract

High loosening rates of the trapezium components of trapeziometacarpal total joint prostheses have been reported. The purpose of this study was to compare the primary press fit fixation of two different, uncemented cup designs (MOTEC and Elektra) with the primary fixation of a cemented polyethylene cup (DLC) in a pig bone model. We did a push out test to measure the maximal load strength of the implants and a low-pressure cyclic loading test combined with radiostereometric analysis to measure the micromotion of the implants. There was no significant difference in fixation strength between the two uncemented screw cup designs or between the two uncemented screw cups and the cemented polyethylene cup. However, we found that threading of the bone before insertion of the Electra screw cup weakens the primary fixation strength of the implant. The results indicate that focus should be on the insertion technique as well as on the cup design of uncemented trapezium cup implants. Further studies of trapezium implant migration in a clinical setting are needed.

BackgroundMalignant ascites is a pathological condition caused by intra- or extra-abdominal disseminated cancer. The object of treatment is palliation. In search of an effective and minimally invasive palliative treatment of malignant ascites placement of a permanent intra peritoneal catheter has been suggested.PurposeTo evaluate our experiences with treatment of malignant ascites by implantation of a permanent PleurX catheter.Material and MethodsA retrospective study was conducted, comprising 20 consecutive patients with terminal cancer, who had a permanent PleurX catheter implanted because of malignant ascites in the period from February to November 2014. Using the patients’ medical records, we retrieved data on patients and procedures.ResultsThe technical success rate was 100%. Catheter patency was 95.2%, one catheter was removed due to dislocation. Ten patients (50.0%) experienced minor adverse events. No procedural difficulties were reported and there was no need for additional treatment of malignant ascites after catheter implantation. Median residual survival after catheter implantation was 27 days.ConclusionImplantation of a permanent PleurX catheter is a minimally invasive and effective procedure with only minor adverse events and a high rate of catheter patency in patients with malignant ascites caused by terminal cancer disease.

AIMTo evaluate the liver regeneration capacity (LRC) after partial hepatectomy (PH) in experimental non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).METHODSFifty-four female rats were fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet (HFCD, 65% fat, 1% cholesterol) or standard diet (STD) for 16 wk. A 70% PH was performed and the animals were euthanised before PH or 2 or 5 d post-PH. LRC was evaluated using: The total number of Ki-67 positive hepatocytes in the caudate lobe, N(Ki-67, lobe) evaluated in a stereology-based design, the regenerated protein ratio (RPR), prothrombin-proconvertin ratio (PP), and mRNA expression of genes related to regeneration.RESULTSThe HFCD NASH model showed significant steatosis with ballooning and inflammation, while no fibrosis was present. Mortality was similar in HFCD and STD animals following PH. HFCD groups were compared to respective STD groups and HFCD animals had a significantly elevated alanine transaminase at baseline (P < 0.001), as well as a significantly elevated bilirubin at day 2 after PH (P < 0.05). HFCD animals had a higher N(Ki-67, lobe) at baseline, (P < 0.0001), day 2 after PH (P = 0.06) and day 5 after PH (P < 0.025). We found no significant difference in RPR or PP neither 2 or 5 d post-PH. Expression of liver regeneration genes (e.g., hepatic growth factor) was higher at both day 2 and 5 post-PH in HFCD groups (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONNASH rats had a preserved LRC after hepatectomy when compared to STD rats. The methods and models of NASH are essential in understanding and evaluating LRC.