Pancreas
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Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common inflammatory disorder of the pancreas resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality. Aggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation generally is recommended in all patients with AP and remains the cornerstone of management of these patients. However, the optimal rate, type, and the goal of resuscitation remain unclear. ⋯ An early elevated hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen, or creatinine should prompt clinicians to institute more intensive early resuscitation measures. Crystalloids are the currently recommended fluids for management of these patients. Current studies are underway to determine the optimal end points of fluid resuscitation that determine outcome.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Validity of the urinary trypsinogen-2 test in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.
A simple urinary trypsinogen-2 test was evaluated for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. ⋯ This simple, rapid, easy, and noninvasive urinary trypsinogen-2 test can diagnose or rule out most cases of acute pancreatitis.
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The decision to perform pancreas-preserving procedures or standard resections for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) is often based on the perceived risk of malignancy, including potential nodal involvement. We sought to identify clinicopathological factors that predict nodal disease. ⋯ Lymph nodes are not evaluated in many major pancreatic resections for PNET, and preoperative prediction of nodal metastasis is difficult, even when tumor size is considered. Consequently, many patients may be understaged and undergo potentially inadequate resection. Inconsistent lymph node sampling may explain conflicting conclusions in the literature regarding the prognostic value of lymph node involvement in PNET patients.
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The natural history of branch duct-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMNs) of the pancreas remains unclear. We conducted a retrospective long-term follow-up study for malignant transformation (MT) of BD-IPMNs focusing on morphological changes. ⋯ Malignant transformation of BD-IPMN is not rare. The observation of morphological changes of main pancreatic duct and nodules, mainly on contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasonography, is practical and useful for predicting MT of BD-IPMN itself.
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Previous reports suggested that the urine trypsinogen 2 (U-TRP2) test might be a valuable method for the diagnosis of postoperative pancreatitis after pancreatic surgery. We hypothesize that the elevation of U-TRP2 level after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) could be associated with the occurrence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). ⋯ Elevation of U-TRP2 level is an independent risk factor for POPF after PD. Elevated U-TRP2 level might be the consequence of the postoperative pancreatitis, and postoperative pancreatitis may play an important role in the pathogenic mechanism of POPF after PD.