Effect of vitamin C administration on neutrophil apoptosis in septic patients after abdominal surgery.

Objective: To investigate the effect of parenteral administration of vitamin C on neutrophil apoptosis by determining Fas receptor expression and caspase-3, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and Bcl-2 levels in neutrophils from septic abdominal surgery patients.

Study Design: Twenty septic abdominal surgery patients were studied in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial. A group of healthy volunteers (n = 10) constituted a reference group for baseline parameter values.

[Xiphoid metastasis from duodenal cancer].

Duodenal cancer has a low prevalence in the general population. Metastases from this neoplasm usually affect the lymph nodes, liver or lung. Bone metastases from duodenal cancer are highly infrequent and xiphoid localization is exceptional.

[Mirizzi syndrome and gallbladder cancer].

Mirizzi syndrome (MS) has a low incidence in patients with gallbladder disease. The coexistence of gallbladder cancer seems to be more frequent in patients with MS than in those with gallstones only. We present two patients with MS type II and gallbladder cancer (stages T4N1M0 and T3NxMx).

Model for end-stage liver disease score-based allocation of donors for liver transplantation: a spanish multicenter experience.

Background: Prioritizing the liver transplant waiting list (WL) is subject to great variability. We present the experience of four transplant centers in Andalusia (Southern Spain) with a new consensus model of WL management based on the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score.

Methods: The initial criteria for local prioritizing were: a) cirrhosis with MELD score > or =24, and b) all hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) admitted to the WL.

[Hepatocarcinoma in noncirrhotic liver].

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) usually develops in patients with liver cirrhosis or chronic liver disease. These tumors are highly infrequent in patients without precipitating factors. We present a series of four patients with nonfibrolamellar HCC arising in healthy liver.

[Benign solid liver tumors].

Benign solid liver tumors are a heterogeneous group of lesions (adenoma, focal nodular hyperplasia, hemangioma, etc.) with highly varied epidemiological characteristics. Advances in diagnostic methods have improved preoperative diagnosis.

[Duodenal adenocarcinoma].

Introduction: Duodenal adenocarcinoma is an infrequent neoplasm. Consequently, there are no large series that would allow conclusions to be reached on its diagnosis and treatment.

Patients And Method: A retrospective study (1999-2003) of five patients diagnosed with duodenal adenocarcinoma in our service was performed.

[Distal pancreatectomy: one technique with several indications].

Introduction: Distal pancreatectomy (DP) is performed for various pancreatic processes. This procedure has become less frequent since it ceased to be systematically used in oncologic gastric surgery and it is now performed mainly in patients with chronic pancreatitis. We present a series of patients who underwent DP and discuss technical features and surgical indications.

[Surgical treatment of liver metastases from breast cancer].

Introduction: A small number of patients with breast cancer develop liver metastases (LM) as the sole site of regional dissemination. In these patients, surgical resection seems to be the best therapeutic option. We present our experience of LM from breast cancer and discuss the indications for resection.

Signet-ring-cell carcinoma of the Vater's ampulla.

Context: Most tumors affecting Vater's Ampulla are adenocarcinomas and other histological variants are less frequent. A review of the literature revealed only seven previously reported cases of signet ring cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. The presence of this kind of tumor has no clear histological explanation.