Laparoscopic ultrasound enhances standard laparoscopy in the staging of pancreatic cancer.

Objective: To define the role of laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) in the staging of pancreatic tumors.

Summary Background Data: Laparoscopy has recently been established as a valuable tool in the staging of pancreatic cancer. It has been suggested that the addition of LUS to standard laparoscopy could improve the accuracy of this procedure.

Preoperative galactography increases the diagnostic yield of major duct excision for nipple discharge.

Background: Although most nipple discharge is due to a benign etiology, approximately 10-15% is due to breast carcinoma. The standard management of nipple discharge includes major duct excision, and although this procedure may eliminate future nipple discharge, a specific etiology is not always found. This study investigates the utility of preoperative galactography in targeting the causative lesion.

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas--a review.

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are rare entities, representing approximately 5% to 10% of all pancreatic malignancies. Seventy-five percent to 90% of all cystic lesions of the pancreas are pancreatic pseudocysts. Thus cystic neoplasms of the pancreas can be easily misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated by drainage.

The Value of Laparoscopic Staging in Upper Gastrointestinal Malignancy.

The goal of the clinical staging of malignant disease is to accurately define the extent of disease, direct appropriate therapy and avoid unnecessary intervention. Recent reports have suggested that laparoscopy can play a useful and complementary role in the staging of abdominal malignancy. This paper reviews the recent experience with laparoscopy in the staging of patients with upper gastrointestinal malignancy.

Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis is detrimental during endotoxemia.

Background: Increased production of nitric oxide has been implicated as a mediator during septic shock and sepsis syndrome. Inhibition of nitric oxide production could be beneficial during endotoxemia to improve the individual's hemodynamic status and possibly outcome.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of nitric oxide inhibition on macrophage function and survival in a murine sepsis model.