Diathermy versus scalpel in midline abdominal incision: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Our study aimed to compare the midline abdominal incision with scalpel and diathermy.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane were searched through January 2024 following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO, ID: CRD42024516771), and only randomized controlled trials were included. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q test and the I heterogeneity index.

Vitamin D Deficiency Reduces Postthyroidectomy Protracted Hypoparathyroidism Risk. Is Gland Preconditioning Possible?

Context: Hypoparathyroidism is the most frequent complication after total thyroidectomy (PT-hypoPTH). After 1 year, most patients recover parathyroid function; however, the implicated physiologic dynamics remain unknown. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is the main cause of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Atlas of PD-L1 for Pathologists: Indications, Scores, Diagnostic Platforms and Reporting Systems.

Background: Innovative drugs targeting the PD1/PD-L1 axis have opened promising scenarios in modern cancer therapy. Plenty of assays and scoring systems have been developed for the evaluation of PD-L1 immunohistochemical expression, so far considered the most reliable therapeutic predictive marker.

Methods: By gathering the opinion of acknowledged experts in dedicated fields of pathology, we sought to update the currently available evidence on PD-L1 assessment in various types of tumors.

Relevance of pneumoperitoneum in the conservative approach to complicated acute diverticulitis. A retrospective study identifying risk factors associated with treatment failure.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relevance of pneumoperitoneum on the success rate of non-operative management (NOM) of patients with complicated acute diverticulitis (AD), and the risk factors associated with failure.

Methods: Observational retrospective cohort study of patients attended at the emergency department for AD from January 2015-August 2019. Patient demographics, blood tests, radiological data and initial treatment strategies were registered.

Uterine PEComa with aggressive behavior: A review with an additional case of spontaneous vaginal expulsion.

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) is a rare mesenchymal tumor originating from perivascular epitheloid cells showing melanocytic and smooth muscle differentiation. The uterus represents the second most common site of origin. A 49 years woman presented to our Hospital for a vaginal spontaneous expulsion of a mass suggestive for malignant mesenchymal tumor.

CROCC-mutated rhabdoid colorectal carcinoma showing in intercellular spaces lamellipodia and cellular projections revealed by electron microscopy.

Background: Rhabdoid colorectal carcinoma (RC) is a rare lesion localized to the proximal colon of patients with a mean age at diagnosis of around 70 years. This tumor shows an aggressive behavior with an overall survival period shorter than 12 months. The diagnostic hallmark is the presence of rhabdoid cells.

Oil Red O Is a Useful Tool to Assess Donor Liver Steatosis on Frozen Sections During Transplantation.

Unlabelled: Oil Red O is a useful tool to assess donor liver steatosis on frozen sections during transplantation. Steatosis is a frequent finding in liver evaluation during transplantation, accounting for 9% to 26% of biopsied donor liver. The degree of macrovesicular steatosis is classified as mild, moderate, and severe; the latter is considered an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation because it is associated with poor allograft outcome.

Histology of portal vascular changes associated with idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension: nomenclature and definition.

Idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) is a rare vascular liver disease that has attracted new interest in recent years. It is characterised by clinical signs of portal hypertension in the absence of cirrhosis or severe fibrosis and any known cause of portal hypertension. As much uncertainty exists about INCPH pathophysiology, and no definite diagnostic tests are available, liver biopsy is an essential tool for achieving a definite diagnosis.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure 2018: a need for (urgent) liver biopsy?

'Acute-on-Chronic-Liver Failure (ACLF)' entered hepatology practice by the end of the 20th century. Although we lack precise and universally agreed definitions, acute decompensation of chronic liver disease with jaundice and deranged clotting, multi-organ failure and high, short-term mortality are hallmarks of the syndrome. Timely recognition and and treatment, including urgent liver transplantation, may save the life of certain patients.

Fast Chromotrope Aniline Blue Special Stain Is a Useful Tool to Assess Fibrosis on Liver Biopsy During Transplantation.

Background: Assessment of potential liver allograft donors with frozen sections has clinical relevant consequences for the transplant recipient. Several clinical risk factors have been identified that increase the risk of transplantation failure and it is critical for the pathologist to become familiar with the histologic criteria for donor liver suitability. In this setting an accurate and reliable assessment of fibrosis is crucial.

iPathology cockpit diagnostic station: validation according to College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center recommendation at the Hospital Trust and University of Verona.

Background: Validation of digital whole slide images is crucial to ensure that diagnostic performance is at least equivalent to that of glass slides and light microscopy. The College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center recently developed recommendations for internal digital pathology system validation. Following these guidelines we sought to validate the performance of a digital approach for routine diagnosis by using an iPad and digital control widescreen-assisted workstation through a pilot study.

Neurological complications prevalence and long-term survival after liver transplantation.

Introduction: Neurological postsurgical complications are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality occur in transplant recipients impacting their survival.

Methods: We analyzed the medical records of 269 patients who underwent transplantation between 2000 and 2011, after application of the exclusion criteria Neurological complications were examined according to the period in which they appeared: immediate (1-30 day) early (31-180 days), and late (after 180 days). The survival analysis was based on the first complication.

TNM staging system of colorectal carcinoma: a critical appraisal of challenging issues.

Context: Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and death among gastrointestinal tumors and ranks fourth after lung, breast, and ovarian cancers. Despite a continuous refinement of the T (tumor), N (node), and M (metastasis) staging system to express disease extent and define prognosis, and eventually to guide treatment, the outcome of patients with colorectal cancer may vary considerably even within the same tumor stage. Therefore, the need for new factors, either morphologic or molecular, that could more precisely stratify patients into different risk categories is clearly warranted.

Venous invasion detection in colorectal cancer: which approach, which technique?

Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed human malignancies and is a major cause of death worldwide. A high-quality macroscopic examination and histopathology report enables correct tumour staging, affects patient prognosis, and provides indications for further therapy. Although venous invasion is a stage-independent indicator of poor prognosis that identifies high-risk patients for visceral metastases, it is not a stage-influencing factor.

Tumor deposits are encountered in advanced colorectal cancer and other adenocarcinomas: an expanded classification with implications for colorectal cancer staging system including a unifying concept of in-transit metastases.

The seventh edition of the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors is due to be published soon. In the current version dating back to 2002, tumor deposits, which are metastatic lesions commonly encountered in the routine histopathological examination of advanced colorectal cancer specimens, are classified according to their shape with different implications for staging. So distinguished, these lesions are considered either as metastatic lymph nodes (N category) or as vascular invasions (T category).