Though congenital anomalies of the pancreas and pancreatic duct are relatively uncommon and they are often discovered as an incidental finding in asymptomatic patients, some of these anomalies may lead to various clinical symptoms such as recurrent abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Recognition of these anomalies is important because these anomalies may be a surgically correctable cause of recurrent pancreatitis or the cause of gastric outlet obstruction. An awareness of these anomalies may help in surgical planning and prevent inadvertent ductal injury. The purpose of this article is to review normal pancreatic embryology, the appearance of ductal anatomic variants and developmental anomalies of the pancreas, with emphasis on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography and multidetector computed tomography.

Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammatory disease of the pancreas that may also involve surrounding tissues or remote organs. The Atlanta classification of acute pancreatitis was introduced in 1992 and divides patients into mild and severe groups based on clinical and biochemical criteria. Recently, the terminology and classification scheme proposed at the initial Atlanta Symposium have been reviewed and a new consensus statement has been proposed by the Acute Pancreatitis Classification Working Group. Generally, imaging is recommended to confirm the clinical diagnosis, investigate the etiology, and grade the extend and severity of the acute pancreatitis. Ultrasound is the first-line imaging modality in most centers for the confirmation of the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and the ruling out of other causes of acute abdomen, but it has limitations in the acute clinical setting. Computed tomography not only establishes the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, but also enables to stage severity of the disease. Magnetic resonance imaging has earned an ever more important role in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. It is especially useful for imaging of patients with iodine allergies, characterizing collections and assessment of an abnormal or disconnected pancreatic duct. The purpose of this review article is to present an overview of the acute pancreatitis, clarify confusing terminology, underline the role of ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging according to the proper clinical context and compare the advantages and limitations of each modality.

The origins, numbers, diameters, and courses of the bronchial arteries can vary substantially among individuals. Multidetector computed tomographic angiography enables a detailed road map of the bronchial arterial system to interventional radiologists and thoracic surgeons.

IntroductionModern surgical management of chronic venous insufficiency is possible since the development of catheter-based minimally invasive techniques, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and the application of colour Doppler sonography. RFA technology requires the use of tumescent anaesthesia, which prolongs the operating time. Instilling tumescent anaesthesia percutaneously below the saphenous fascia is the steepest part of the learning curve. In our study, we compared operative and postoperative results of tumescentless RFA and RFA with tumescent anaesthesia, to investigate the necessity of tumescent anaesthesia.MethodsA total of 344 patients with Doppler-confirmed great saphenous vein insufficiency underwent RFA between January and December 2012. Patients were divided into two groups according to anaesthetic management. Group 1 consisted of 172 patients: tumescent anaesthesia was given before the ablation procedure, and group 2 contained 172 patients: a local hypothermia and compression technique was used; no tumescent anaesthesia was administered. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used and ecchymosis scores of the patients were recorded. Clinical examinations were performed at each visit and Doppler ultrasonography was performed in the first and sixth month.ResultsMean ablation time was significantly lower in group 2 compared to group 1 (7.2 vs 18.9 min; p < 0.05). Skin burn and paresthesia did not occur. The immediate occlusion rate was 100% for both groups. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of VAS and ecchymosis scores. All patients returned to normal activity within two days. The primary closure rate of group 1 was 98.2% and group 2 was 98.8% at six months, and there was no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05).ConclusionEliminating tumescent infusion is a desirable goal. Tumescentless endovenous RFA with local hypothermia and compression technique appears to be safe and efficacious. Our technique shortens the operation time and prevents patient procedural discomfort.

BackgroundWe evaluated the vasodilatory effects of two antioxidants, vitamins C (ascorbic acid) and E (α-tocopherol), on radial artery and endothelium-dependent responses in patients awaiting coronary artery bypass surgery.MethodsThe study was performed in three groups. The first group took 2 g of vitamin C orally (n = 31, vitamin C group), the second group took 2 g of vitamin C with 600 mg of vitamin E orally (n = 31, vitamins C + E group), and the third group took no medication (n = 31, control group). After baseline measurements were taken of the radial artery lumen diameter, flow volume and lumen area in the non-dominant radial artery, occlusion was maintained for five minutes with a pressure cuff placed around the arm. The measurements were taken again at the time of deflating the cuff, and 60 seconds later. The measurements were repeated after medication in two of the groups and after placebo in the third group.ResultsWe compared values of the vitamin C group with those of the vitamins C + E group, and found that the latter were higher than those of the vitamin C group but not statistically significant. In the control group, there was no statistical difference.ConclusionVitamin C or its combination with vitamin E significantly enhanced endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in the radial circulation of patients with coronary artery disease. Its combination with vitamin E was superior to vitamin C administration alone for endothelial enhancement but this difference was not statistically significant. We hypothesised that vitamin C or its combination with vitamin E may be used as antioxidants for arterial graft patency in patients undergoing coronary artery surgery.

There is a strong relationship between thoracic aortic atherosclerosis and CAD. However, the relationship between EAT volume and CAD is not significant. The presence of aortic atherosclerosis can be used as an additional marker together with traditional cardiovascular risk factors for predicting CAD.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of oral, intra muscular and transdermal diclofenac sodium for pain treatment in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and their effect on postoperative opioid consumption. Methods: Following informed consent, 90 ASA I-II patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into three groups. Group PO got oral diclofenac sodium 1 hour before the operation, Group IM 75 mg diclofenac sodium intra muscular and Group TD diclofenac sodium patch 6 hours before the operation. Patients were not premedicated. Routine anaesthesia induction was used. After the operation in post anaesthesia care unit tramadol HCl infusion was delivered by intravenous patient controlled analgesia (iv PCA). Ramsey Sedation Score (RSS), Modified Aldrete’s Score System(MASS) and Visual Analog Scale Pain Score (VAS) was used for postoperative evaluation. Postoperative opioid consumption was recorded. Results: Demographic characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative hemodynamics of the patients were similar between groups. Postoperative VAS were lower at all time points in Group IM and Group TD than in Group PO. Lowest Postoperative RSS were in Group IM and the highest were in Group PO, and the difference between groups was significant. There was no significant difference in Postoperative MASS between groups. Postoperative tramadol consumption was statistically different between groups. Tramadol consumption in Group IM and Group TD was lower than Group PO. Postoperative nausea and vomiting was not observed. Local complications related to transdermal and intra muscular applications was not reported. Conclusion: In patients undergoing ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a noninvasive application transdermal diclofenac sodium is as effective as intramuscular diclofenac sodium and can be preferred in postoperative pain treatment.

Venous ulcers that occur due to chronic venous insufficiency are seen on the upper medial malleol of the ankle. Treatment of venous ulcers is protracted and generally the success rate is low. Co-morbid factors play an important role in the success of treatment of venous ulcers. In this case report, we demonstrate successful venous ulcer treatment in a morbidly obese patient with co-morbid conditions.