Spontaneously Ruptured Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) of the Jejunum Mimicking Acute Appendicitis

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are characterized with diverse clinical presentations, including acute and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, presence of an intra-abdominal mass, anorexia, and intestinal obstruction. A 60-year-old obese woman presented as an acute abdominal emergency with right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain and tenderness, nausea and leukocytosis, all mimicking acute appendicitis. Laparotomy revealed a spontaneously ruptured GIST of the jejunum, which was localized to the RLQ due to postoperative adhesions following previous two cesarean sections and cholecystectomy. Complete surgical resection was performed, followed by an uneventful early postoperative course

Smjernice za liječenje stenoze karotidne arterije [Guidelines for treatment of carotid artery stenosis]

Carotid artery stenosis is a risk factor for developing a stroke. Large randomized studies have shown that carotid endarterectomy (CEA) plays a significant role in preventing a stroke. Carotid endarterectomy decreases the risk of stroke and increases the quality of life after surgery. During the past decades carotid artery stenting (CAS) has evolved as a less invasive way of treating extracranial artery stenosis. Carotid artery stenting is supposed to be less invasive but equally successful and durable (randomized studies are expected to support this statement). Carotid artery stenting is being performed by vascular surgeons, general surgeons, neurosurgeons, cardiologists, radiologists etc1. In addition to these guidelines we provide indications for CEA (especially within 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms) and indications for the treatment of restenosis after CEA or CAS. Indications were presented and accepted by the members of the Croatian Society for Vascular Surgery (CSVS) during the meeting in Vodice in May, 2016. Making of these guidelines is not financially supported. The guidelines are primarily intended for vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists to provide a unified stance in the treatment of patients with a significant narrowing of the internal carotid artery

GUIDELINES FOR TREATMENT OF CAROTID ARTERY STENOSIS

Stenoza unutarnje karotidne arterije povećava rizik od moždanog udara. Velike randomizirane studije pokazale su da karotidna endarterektomija (engl. carotid endarterectomy – CEA) ima važnu ulogu u prevenciji moždanog udara te da se kod operiranih bolesnika smanjuje rizik i dugoročno poboljšava kvaliteta života. Tijekom posljednjeg desetljeća metoda postavljanja stenta u karotidnu arteriju (engl. carotid artery stenting – CAS) razvila se kao način liječenja ekstrakranijalne stenoze karotide. Ideja je da se karotidna endarterektomija zamijeni manje invazivnim postupkom koji je poštedniji za bolesnika, a s jednakim rezultatima liječenja (što tek treba potvrditi randomiziranim studijama). Zahvat izvode liječnici različitih specijalnosti poput vaskularnih kirurga, općih kirurga, neurokirurga, kardiologa, radiologa i sl.1 Stoga su smjernice namijenjene potonjima radi zauzimanja jedinstvenog stajališta o liječenju bolesnika sa znatnim suženjem unutarnje karotidne arterije. Dodatak smjernicama jest dio koji se odnosi na CEA-u do 2 tjedna nakon moždanog udara te indikacija za liječenje restenoze nakon CEA-e ili CAS-a. Članovi Hrvatskog društva za vaskularnu kirurgiju (HDVK) prihvatili su izložene smjernice na stručnom sastanku HDVK u Vodicama u svibnju 2016. god. Njihova izrada nije bila financijski potpomognuta. Smjernice su namijenjene ponajprije vaskularnim kirurzima i interventnim radiolozima koji provode invazivno liječenje bolesnika sa znatnim suženjem unutarnje karotidne arterije radi zauzimanja jedinstvenog stajališta.Carotid artery stenosis is a risk factor for developing a stroke. Large randomized studies have shown that carotid endarterectomy (CEA) plays a significant role in preventing a stroke. Carotid endarterectomy decreases the risk of stroke and increases the quality of life after surgery. During the past decades carotid artery stenting (CAS) has evolved as a less invasive way of treating extracranial artery stenosis. Carotid artery stenting is supposed to be less invasive but equally successful and durable (randomized studies are expected to support this statement). Carotid artery stenting is being performed by vascular surgeons, general surgeons, neurosurgeons, cardiologists, radiologists etc1. In addition to these guidelines we provide indications for CEA (especially within 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms) and indications for the treatment of restenosis after CEA or CAS. Indications were presented and accepted by the members of the Croatian Society for Vascular Surgery (CSVS) during the meeting in Vodice in May, 2016. Making of these guidelines is not financially supported. The guidelines are primarily intended for vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists to provide a unified stance in the treatment of patients with a significant narrowing of the internal carotid artery

Low-dose Computed Tomography in a Pregnant Woman with a Ruptured Pseudoaneurysm of the Abdominal Aorta

Imaging the pregnant patient presents a unique challenge to radiologist due to the risk of radiation to the conceptus (embryo/fetus). A rare case of a successfully recognized and treated pseudoaneurysm (PA) of the abdominal aorta is to be presented. The pseudoaneurysm occurred in the third trimester and had a favorable outcome for the mother and the baby. Emergent abdominal ultrasound (US) is the first modality in diagnostic algorithm for the rupture of aortic aneurysm in a pregnant woman. It provides the most rapid diagnostic information, although intestinal gas and abdominal tenderness may limit its accuracy. To confirm the findings, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or CT angiography (CTA) can be used. In our case, the diagnosis was established using a color Doppler ultrasonography of the abdomen and was later confirmed by a low dose CT scan of the abdominal aorta. MRA in such cases have some disadvantages. At many health centers, the monitoring of patients with acute ruptures is more difficult in the MR suite than at the CT scanner. MRA angiographic images are also subject to degradation by multiple artifacts, and the visualization of the distal vasculature is suboptimal and inferior to the one done by CTA. Due to fetal movements, a small quantity of fresh blood can be overlooked by MR. MRA is often not available on a 24-hours basis, and the time required for making a diagnosis can preclude the use of MRA in an unstable patient. For this reason, we used a low dose CTA protocol to confirm the diagnosis. Low dose scanning protocols in CT can obtain sufficient diagnostic information while reducing the risk of radiation. A particular focus is put on the outline of new concepts for dose management and optimization. We used new approaches based on tube current modulation. The birth was induced by an urgent Caesarean section followed by a resection of a pseudoaneurysm and a reconstruction of the aorta with an end-to- end vascular prosthesi

Atherosclerotic lesions of supra-aortic arteries in diabetic patients

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence and localization of stenotic atherosclerotic lesions of supra-aortic arteries in diabetic patients according to age and sex. Angiograms obtained by digital subtraction angiography were analyzed in 150 diabetic patients (study group) and 150 non-diabetic patients (control group) with symptoms of cerebral ischemia. Diabetic patients were found to have a significantly higher prevalence of stenotic atherosclerotic lesions of the internal carotid artery. Lesions of the large supra-aortic arteries were significantly more common in the left than in the right side of the neck (p < 0.001), but the difference between the diabetic and the non-diabetic group did not reach statistical significance. Hemodynamic conditions were found to be more important than diabetes for the occurrence of atherosclerotic lesions in these arteries. Changes in the proximal segment of the left common carotid artery were the most common finding in diabetic patients, hence attention should be paid to this localization on control examinations

Spontaneously Ruptured Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) of the Jejunum Mimicking Acute Appendicitis

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are characterized with diverse clinical presentations, including acute and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, presence of an intra-abdominal mass, anorexia, and intestinal obstruction. A 60-year-old obese woman presented as an acute abdominal emergency with right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain and tenderness, nausea and leukocytosis, all mimicking acute appendicitis. Laparotomy revealed a spontaneously ruptured GIST of the jejunum, which was localized to the RLQ due to postoperative adhesions following previous two cesarean sections and cholecystectomy. Complete surgical resection was performed, followed by an uneventful early postoperative course

ISKRA GUIDELINES FOR ANTIMICROBIAL PROPHYLAXIS IN SURGERY – CROATIAN NATIONAL GUIDELINES

Smjernice za perioperativnu profilaktičku primjenu antimikrobnih lijekova (u nastavku teksta Smjernice) sastavljene su na inicijativu Interdisciplinarne sekcije za kontrolu rezistencije na antibiotike (ISKRA) Ministarstva zdravstva i socijalne skrbi RH. Pri sastavljanju Smjernica primijenjena je tzv. metodologija AGREE (engl. Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation), što podrazumijeva konsenzus svih zainteresiranih stručnih društava. Izradi Smjernica pristupilo se kako bi se unaprijedila primjena antimikrobnih lijekova u kirurškim strukama. Podaci opservacijskih studija pokazuju da upravo u kirurškim strukama primjena antimikrobnih lijekova ne zadovoljava, a kako oko 50% propisanih lijekova u kirurškim strukama otpada na perioperativnu profilaksu, ovakve smjernice značajno bi mogle popraviti trenutačno nezadovoljavajući trend i smanjiti infekcije u kirurških bolesnika te usporiti selekciju rezistentnih bakterija. U uvodnom dijelu Smjernica prikazani su principi perioperativne profilakse. Navode se prednosti i rizici profilakse te čimbenici koji određuju učinkovitost profilakse. U svrhu lakšeg snalaženja kirurške su struke podijeljene na osnovna operativna područja. U svakom je području prvo navedena specifičnost područja, a zatim slijede tablice koje su jednoobrazno strukturirane i uz svaki navedeni kirurški zahvat stoji najvjerojatniji uzročnik infekcije, prvi izbor profilaktičkog lijeka, alternativa, napomena za pojedini kirurški zahvat i na kraju razina preporuke. Smjernice ne obuhvaćaju perioperativnu profilaksu u imunokompromitiranih bolesnika niti perioperativnu profilaksu u djece. Smjernice ne obuhvaćaju sve moguće kirurške zahvate i procedure, ali mogu služiti kao osnova za postupak za većinu takvih zahvata koji se izvode u našim bolnicama. Na kraju Smjernica opsežan popis literaturnih referenci omogućava zainteresiranima da se orijentiraju i o detaljima koji zbog ograničenog prostora nisu mogli biti navedeni u tekstu Smjernica. Predviđeno je da se Smjernice revidiraju za 3 godine.The development of the Guidelines for perioperative prophylactic use of antimicrobial agents (further on Guidelines) was initiated by the Interdisciplinary Section for Antibiotic Resistance Control (ISKRA) of the Croatian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in accordance with the principles of AGREE (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation) methodology which means that the guidelines are the result of a consensus between all involved professional societies. Guidelines were composed in order to improve antibiotic use in surgical professions. Data obtained from observational studies have shown that the use of antimicrobials in surgical professions is unsatisfactory, and since around 50% of all prescribed drugs in surgical professions refer to perioperative prophylaxis, such guidelines could significantly improve current negative trend and reduce the occurrence of infections in surgical patients as well as slow down the selection of resistant bacteria. In the introductory part of the guidelines, principles of perioperative prophylaxis are presented. The advantages and risks of prophylaxis are listed as well as factors that determine prophylaxis effectiveness. For easier orientation, surgical professions have been divided into basic surgical fields. In each field, the specificity of the field has been described followed by uniform structured tables and with every listed surgical procedure there is the most probable cause of infection, the drug of choice for prophylaxis, alternative drug, remark for particular surgical procedure and finally the grade of recommendation. The Guidelines do not cover perioperative prophylaxis in immunocompromised patients nor perioperative prophylaxis in children. The Guidelines do not cover all possible surgical interventions, but can be used as a basis for most surgical procedures performed in our hospitals. At the very end of these Guidelines, a comprehensive list of references enables all those interested to find further information and details about this topic. The revision of the Guidelines is planned in three years’ time