Clinical impact of FDG PET-CT on management decisions for patients with primary biliary tumours

Objectives: To assess the impact on clinical management of introducing 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) in to the work-up of patients with primary and recurrent biliary malignancy. Methods: Consecutive patients with primary biliary tumours undergoing FDG PET-CT at a single large tertiary referral centre between November 2007 and September 2010 were retrospectively analysed. Findings on FDG PET-CT compared with CT/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and impact on subsequent patient management were evaluated. Impact was divided into: (1) major—detection of occult disease or characterisation of indeterminate lesion(s) on CT/MRI; (2) minor—confirmation of suspected metastases seen on CT/MRI; (3) no impact. Results: One hundred and eleven patients underwent 118 FDG PET-CT scans, including 30 with suspected gallbladder carcinoma and 81 with cholangiocarcinoma. Eighty-nine scans were performed for initial staging, five for restaging following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 24 for suspected disease recurrence. In 33 cases (28 %), FDG PET-CT had a major impact on subsequent patient management (39 % gallbladder carcinoma, 26 % intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and 21 % extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma). FDG PET-CT had a minor impact in 20 cases (17 %) and no impact in 65 cases (55 %). Conclusions: By detecting occult metastatic disease and characterising indeterminate lesions, FDG PET-CT can have a major influence on clinical decision-making in primary and recurrent biliary malignancy

British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for the diagnosis and management of cholangiocarcinoma

These guidelines for the diagnosis and management of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) were commissioned by the British Society of Gastroenterology liver section. The guideline writing committee included a multidisciplinary team of experts from various specialties involved in the management of CCA, as well as patient/public representatives from AMMF (the Cholangiocarcinoma Charity) and PSC Support. Quality of evidence is presented using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) format. The recommendations arising are to be used as guidance rather than as a strict protocol-based reference, as the management of patients with CCA is often complex and always requires individual patient-centred considerations

Complex regional pain syndrome type I: efficacy of stellate ganglion blockade

PubMed ID: 19888550Background: This study was performed to evaluate the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I with stellate ganglion blockade. Materials and methods: We performed three blockades at weekly intervals in 22 patients with CRPS type I in one hand. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the time between symptom onset and treatment initiation. Group 1and 2 patients had short and long symptom-onset-to-treatment intervals, respectively. Pain intensity, using a visual analog score (VAS), and range of motion (ROM) for the wrist joint were assessed before and 2 weeks after treatment and were compared using nonparametric statistical analysis. Results: Treatment produced a statistically significant difference in wrist ROM for all patients (P < 0.001). VAS values showed an overall decrease from 8 ± 1 to 1 ± 1 following treatment, and there was a significant difference in VAS value between groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). Conclusions: We concluded that stellate ganglion blockade successfully decreased VAS and increased ROM of wrist joints in patients with CRPS type I. Further, the duration between symptom onset and therapy initiation was a major factor affecting blockade success. © 2009 Springer-Verlag

Imaging post liver transplantation part II: biliary complications

Biliary complications post liver transplantation are a significant source of morbidity and mortality and early recognition is paramount to the long-term success of the liver graft. Part II of this series will focus on liver transplant biliary anatomy, including the blood supply to the biliary system and potential problems if it is interrupted. The imaging rationale for investigating suspected biliary complications, potential pitfalls, and treatment options will be discussed. The various biliary complications will be illustrated using a collection of cases