Sonographic and Histological Morphometry of the Uterine Cervix—An Assessment of Laparoscopic and Other lntrafascial Hysterectomy Techniques

New abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy techniques, such as classic intrafascial serrated edged macro-morcellator (SEMM) hysterectomy (CISH), by pelviscopy/laparoscopy or laparotomy, and intrafascial vaginal hysterectomy (IVH), are both essentially supravaginal techniques. It has been claimed that they give a prophylaxis against cervical stump carcinoma by coring out the cervix with the SEMM. We set out to answer two questions: 1) How can vaginosonography help to choose an adequate SEMM diameter so that the cervical mucosa and transformation zone are completely removed, and 2) How often do cervical glands remain after the coring out procedure? We were able to show a good correlation between sonographic and histological morphology by giant and serial sections. In 253 CISH operations, resection of both endocervix and transformation zone was complete in 92.9%. Dysplasias were always removed completely; only 18 cervical cores exhibited healthy glands (retention cysts) in the resection margin. Therefore, CISH procedures should be able to prevent most of the cervical stump carcinomata that follow traditional supravaginal hysterectomy, but only long-term follow-up will give the final proof

Intrafascial Supracervical Hysterectomy Without Colpotomy and Transuterine Mucosal Resection by Pelviscopy and Laparotomy

Between September 1991 and December 1993, 253 patients were operated on using the Classical Intrafascial SEMM (Serrated Edged Macro Morcellator) Hysterectomy (CISH) technique. One hundred fifty-two patients were assigned to pelviscopic CISH and 101 to laparotomic CISH. Uterine leiomyomas with menstrual disorders and pressure symptoms topped the list of indications with 61%. In all cases, initially transuterine mucosal resection and coring of the cervicouterine cylinder were carried out followed by the intrafascial supracervical dissection of the uterus. The size of the uterus played a decisive role in selecting the cases for CISH technique either by pelviscopy or laparotomy. The cervicouterine mucosal cylinders were cored using the Calibrated Uterine Resection Tool (CURT). Cervical thickness and diameters were measured preoperatively by transvaginal sonography for facilitating the use of a specific-sized CURT. After removal of this cylinder, hemostasis in the area was secured by coagulating with an endocoagulation device. The advantage of this technique is that the pelvic floor integrity remains intact, and because uterine arteries and ureters were not touched, the so called “complication zone” is thus avoided

Frequency of K-ras Mutations in Pancreatic Intraductal Neoplasias Associated with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Chronic Pancreatitis: A Meta-Analysis

Molecular analyses have demonstrated mutations in the K-ras gene at codon 12 in the majority of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). In order to determine whether the K-ras mutation rate increases parallel to the grade of dysplasia in duct lesions, we performed a meta-analysis of the studies published between 1988 and 2003 that provide information on K-ras mutations in hyperplastic and dysplastic duct lesions in the pancreas. The described duct lesions were reclassified according to the nomenclature for pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), and the molecular methods for detecting K-ras were reviewed. In PanIN lesions from pancreata of patients with PDAC, there was a stepwise increase in K-ras mutations that correlated with the grade of dysplasia of the PanIN lesion. K-ras mutations were found in 36%, 44%, and 87% of PanIN-1a, 1b, and 2–3 lesions, respectively (trend statistic P < .001). Mutation-enriched polymerase chain reaction (PCR) resulted in higher rates of K-ras mutations in PanIN than plain PCR did. The incidence of K-ras mutations in PanIN lesions associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP) or normal pancreas was low (around 10%). In CP, K-ras mutations were only found after a disease duration of 3 years. The correlation of the incidence of K-ras mutations with the grade of dysplasia in PanIN and the occurrence of these mutations in CP with a duration of more than 3 years underlines the importance of this genetic change for the development of PDAC

Case report: intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas with unique clear cell phenotype

Abstract: Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas are very rare tumors characterized by intraductal tubulopapillary growth, ductal differentiation, scant intracellular mucin production and cellular dysplasia. Here, we report the first case of an intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas with clear cell morphology. The tumor was detected during the diagnostic work-up of acute pancreatitis in a 43- year old female. Histological examination revealed a tumor with the typical architecture of an intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas with tumor cells showing abundant clear cytoplasm and Di-PAS negativity. Immunohistochemistr