Islet auto transplantation following total pancreatectomy: a long-term assessment of graft function.

Unlabelled: Total pancreatectomy is considered the final resort in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis; however, here we show that simultaneous islet autotransplantation can abrogate the onset of diabetes.

Methods: : In Leicester, 46 patients have now undergone total pancreatectomy with immediate islet auto transplant, and they have received a median of 2246 islet equivalent (IEQ)/kg body weight (range, 405-20,385 IEQ/kg body weight).

Results: : Twelve patients have shown periods of insulin independence, for a median of 16.

Orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease: association with cognitive decline?

Background: Orthostatic hypotension is common in Lewy body disorders and may be related to disease progression and the spread of Lewy body pathology. We therefore hypothesize that PD patients with orthostatic hypotension (OH) have a different cognitive profile compared to PD patients without OH.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 175 PD patients.

Percutaneous splanchnic nerve radiofrequency ablation for chronic abdominal pain.

Background: Splanchnic nerve block is a useful alternative to coeliac plexus block in the management of patients with chronic upper abdominal pain. The predictable relationship of the splanchnic nerves to other structures allows for accurate needle placement and hence a low risk of iatrogenic damage. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses a high frequency alternating current to heat tissues leading to thermal coagulation.