Pancreas
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To introduce a new scoring system based on signs of systemic inflammation on computed tomography (CT) [ExtraPancreatic Inflammation on CT (EPIC) score] and evaluate this score as an early prognostic tool. ⋯ In patients with acute pancreatitis, extrapancreatic inflammation assessed by abdominal CT scan and quantified with the EPIC score allows accurate estimation of disease severity and mortality within 24 h of admission.
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Histological subclassification of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) is important because the malignant potential of each subtype is different. We investigated whether pancreatic juice cytology can be used to define the subtypes of IPMNs preoperatively. ⋯ Most of the cytological findings of IPMNs corresponded to the histological findings. The use of MUC2 immunocytochemistry in IPMN subtyping was also demonstrated. Subtyping of IPMNs is useful for preoperative evaluation in addition to cytomorphological grading.
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Statins are commonly used cholesterol-lowering agents that are noted to suppress tumor cell growth in several in vitro and animal models. ⋯ Statins seem to be protective against the development of pancreatic cancer, and the magnitude of the effect correlates with the duration of statin use.