In reply: reporting quality of systematic review abstracts published in leading neurosurgical journals: a research on research study

[Excerpt] To the Editor: We would very much like to thank Dr Vilanilam1 for adding their voice to our call for improved reporting of abstracts in leading neurosurgical journals.2 By drawing attention to “categories” of abstract consumers, Vilanilam1 causes us to ponder the varied expected consequences that abstract quality has on different readers. They further extend upon our comments by identifying that abstracts often form the basis of preliminary decisions regarding acceptance, or, otherwise, of submissions for publication in scientific journals,3 and often constitute the only published record of a piece of research.4 When taken with the results of our study, these comments strengthen the rationale for a renewed focus on improving the reporting quality of neurosurgical abstracts

Enteroscopic Management of Ectopic Varices in a Patient with Liver Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis may predispose patients to varices, which have a propensity to bleed and cause significant morbidity and mortality. These varices are most commonly located in the gastroesophageal area; however, rarely ectopic varices may develop in unusual locations outside of this region. Haemorrhage from these sites can be massive and difficult to control; thus early detection and management may be lifesaving. We present a case of occult gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with underlying alcoholic liver disease where an ectopic varix was ultimately detected with push enteroscopy

Functional and Morphologic Endothelial Damage in Rabbit External Jugular Veins Stored in Heparinized Normal Saline

Previous studies have demonstrated that vein storage in normal saline leads to significant mechanical morphological, and biochemical aberrations. However, little information is available regarding the functional damage that occurs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of saline storage on venous smooth muscle and endothelial function. Segments of ten external jugular veins from male New Zealand White rabbits were placed nondistended in either modified Krebs solution at 37 °C (Krebs-stored, KS) or heparinized normal saline at room temperature (saline-stored, SS) for 1 h. Segments 4 mm in length were then simultaneously studied in vitro under isometric tension. There was no difference in maximum tension or sensitivity to either bradykinin or histamine. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation in KS segments was not significantly different from relaxation in a historical cohort of nonstored segments (nonstored 87.4 ± 1.0% vs. KS 84.5 ± 2.0%; p = NS). However, there were significant attenuations in SS segment endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to both acetylcholine (KS 84.5 ± 2.0% vs. SS 76.4 ± 2.7%, p &lt; 0.02) and aden-osine diphosphate (KS 47.9 ± 2.9% vs. SS 40.6 ± 3.7%, p &lt; 0.002). Relaxant responses to sodium nitroprusside (endothelium-independent) were not significantly different in the two groups (KS 94.6 ± 1.6% vs. SS 95.7 ± 2.2%; p = NS). Electron microscopic evaluation of SS segments revealed endothelial cell disruption with cellular edema and loss of intact junctions. These results demonstrate that rabbit external jugular vein storage in normal saline at room temperature for 1 h (1) is associated with significant morphologic damage, (2) impairs endothelial-dependent relaxation, and (3) appears to have no effect on smooth muscle cell function. Additionally, KS-stored (37 °C) veins exhibit a level of endothelium-dependent relaxation that is equivalent to nonstored controls.</jats:p