Evaluation of the role of laparoscopic ultrasonography in the staging of oesophagogastric cancers.

Introduction: The role of laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) during staging laparoscopy for pancreatic cancers is established but remains debatable in evaluating oesophagogastric cancers.

Methods: A retrospective consecutive case series consisting of patients undergoing staging laparoscopy in two centres (centre A and B) was carried out over a 5-year period (2000-2005). Patients in centre B underwent LUS following laparoscopic assessment using a 7.

Fatal and life threatening rupture of splenic artery aneurysms in children with portal hypertension.

Aneurysms of the splenic artery (SAAs) are a rare complication of portal hypertension in adults. Although the risk of rupture is small, associated mortality is high. Furthermore, circulatory changes that occur following liver transplantation (OLT) may increase the risk of SAA rupture.

The effects of chemotherapeutics on cellular metabolism and consequent immune recognition.

Awidely held view is that oncolytic agents induce death of tumor cells directly. In this report we review and discuss the apoptosis-inducing effects of chemotherapeutics, the effects of chemotherapeutics on metabolic function, and the consequent effects of metabolic function on immune recognition. Finally, we propose that effective chemotherapeutic and/or apoptosis-inducing agents, at concentrations that can be achieved physiologically, do not kill tumor cells directly.

Outcome, survival, and costs in patients undergoing intubation for carcinoma of the esophagus.

Background: In this prospective study a consecutive series of 70 patients undergoing insertion of a Wilson-Cook endoprosthesis for palliation of esophageal carcinoma was examined.

Methods: The tube was inserted endoscopically using intravenous sedation and a pulsion technique.

Results: The patients had a mean (SEM) age of 70.