Fibrinogen–platelet ratio and pancreatic cancer

Background : Several prognostic factors were reported in pancreatic cancer. The fibrinogen–platelet ratio (FPR) was reported as a prognostic factor of resectable gastric cancer. In this report, the FPR was evaluated in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. Methods : Between 2004 and 2019, 163 patients with curative resection for pancreatic cancer were enrolled. Cases of non-curative resection were excluded. The FPR was calculated using the preoperative plasma fibrinogen and the platelet counts and the cut-off value was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The patients were divided into high and low FPR groups according to this cut-off value. Results : The cut-off value of FPR was 25.2. Among age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and surgical factors including surgery type, volume of blood loss and surgery time, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Patients in the low FPR group had significantly better overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) compared with the high FPR group (P 300 U / ml, and receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy were independent risk factors for OS and DFS. Conclusions : The FPR might be a prognostic factor for patients with resectable pancreatic cancer

CRP–albumin ratio and pancreatic cancer

Background : The C-reactive protein (CRP)–albumin ratio (CAR) was reported as a prognostic factor of resectable hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to analyse the significance of CAR in resectable pancreatic cancer. Patients and Methods : 163 patients with curative resection for pancreatic cancer were enrolled in this retrospective study. Cases of non-curative resection were excluded. The CAR was calculated with the preoperative plasma CRP and albumin values, with a cut-off value of 0.06, as calculated in a previous report. Results : Patients in the low CAR group had significantly better overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) compared with the high CAR group (P 300 U / ml and receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy were independent risk factors for OS and DFS. High CAR was significantly associated with advanced T stage. Conclusion : The CAR might be a prognostic factor for patients with resectable pancreatic cancer

Brain MRI with Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping: Relationship to CT Attenuation Values

[Background]: Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is used to differentiate between calcification and iron deposits. Few studies have examined the relationship between CT attenuation values and magnetic susceptibility in such materials. Purpose: To assess the relationship among metal concentration, CT attenuation values, and magnetic susceptibility in paramagnetic and diamagnetic phantoms, and the relationship between CT attenuation values and susceptibility in brain structures that have paramagnetic or diamagnetic properties. [Materials and Methods]: In this retrospective study, CT and MRI with QSM were performed in gadolinium and calcium phantoms, patients, and healthy volunteers between June 2016 and September 2017. In the phantom study, we evaluated correlations among metal concentration, CT attenuation values, and susceptibility. In the human study, Pearson and Spearman correlations were performed to assess the relationship between CT attenuation values and susceptibility in regions of interest placed in the globus pallidus (GP), putamen, caudate nucleus, substantia nigra, red nucleus, dentate nucleus, choroid plexus, and hemorrhagic and calcified lesions. [Results]: Eighty-four patients (mean age, 64.8 years 6 19.6; 49 women) and 20 healthy volunteers (mean age, 72.0 years 6 7.6; 11 men) were evaluated. In the phantoms, strong linear correlations were identified between gadolinium concentration and CT and MRI QSM values (R2 = 0.95 and 0.99, respectively; P , .001 for both) and between calcium concentration and CT and MRI QSM values (R2 = 0.89 [P = .005] and R2 = 0.98 [P , .001], respectively). In human studies, positive correlations between CT attenuation values and susceptibility were observed in the GP (R2 = 0.52, P , .001) and in hemorrhagic lesions (R2 = 0.38, P , .001), and negative correlations were found in the choroid plexus (R2 = 0.53, P , .001) and in calcified lesions (R2 = 0.38, P = .009). [Conclusion]: CT attenuation values showed a positive correlation with susceptibility in the globus pallidus and hemorrhagic lesions and negative correlation in the choroid plexus and calcified lesions

Complication of portal vein thrombosis after right hemihepatectomy in a patient lacking the portal vein bifurcation

Absence of portal vein bifurcation is a rare anomaly. We report a patient with this anomaly who underwent right hemihepatectomy for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the procedure was carefully performed with a preoperative three-dimensional simulation and intraoperative cholangiography, postoperative portal vein thrombosis occurred

Outcome of emergency one-stage resection and anastomosis procedure for patients with obstructed colorectal cancer

Purposes : The purpose of this study was to verify the outcome of the emergency one stage resection and anastomosis procedure for patients with obstructed colorectal cancer. Methods : An emergency one stage resection and anastomosis procedure was performed for 40 patients with obstructive colorectal cancer. The outcome was verified and compared dividing into two groups. 17 patients under the age of 70 in (Group A), 23 patients 70 years and over in (Group B). Results : The operative mortality rate in both groups was 0%. As a result, postoperative complications were not significantly different between the two groups. The overall survival rate after a 5-year period in both groups was 41.8%, regarding all patients and the survival curves for the two groups, was not significantly different. The 5 year survival rate in stage II or III showed no differences between the two groups. Conclusion : The one-stage resection and anastomosis of the large bowel could be applied safely to emergency patients, which in turn allows for excellent shortterm operative results in both groups mentioned. This particular procedure should be positively enforced, even in elderly patients in their 70’s

Huge retroperitoneal dedifferentiated liposarcoma presented as acute pancreatitis : Report of a case

A 74-year-old male with abdominal pain was admitted to the emergency room in our hospital. The high value of serum amylase was shown in his blood test. The postcontrast computed tomography (CT) showed the huge retroperitoneal tumor with a thinwalled mass occupying most of the part of the right retroperitoneal space. The tumor spread into the soft tissues around the pancreas ; as a result, the duodenum was compressed and the pancreas was displaced to the right side. The irregular pancreatic outline, obliterated peripancreatic fatty tissue and fluid in the left anterior pararenal space were revealed, so acute pancreatitis was diagnosed. The diagnostic biopsy of retroperitoneal tumor was done, and the pathological findings of retroperitoneal mass revealed dedifferentiated liposarcoma. The medical treatment against acute pancreatitis was performed firstly. After the patient recovered from that, the surgical resection of the tumor with the right kidney and right adrenal gland was completed successfully. The patient remained well, without any evidence of recurrence three months after surgery. However, the histology showed dedifferentiated liposarcoma ; therefore, postoperative regular examination is necessary