This book is oriented towards clinicians and scientists in the field of the management of patients with liver tumors. As many unresolved problems regarding primary and metastatic liver cancer still await investigation, I hope this book can serve as a tiny step on a long way that we need to run on the battlefield of liver tumors.
Go to the bookEdited by Alexander Julianov
Part of the book: Liver Tumors
Primary cystic echinococcosis of the pancreas is rare, even in endemic regions. The clinical presentation depends on the affected part of the pancreas and the presence of local complications, but there are no specific symptoms, which can be a clue to diagnosis. Imaging studies usually reveal avascular lesions in the pancreas that are most frequently misdiagnosed as pseudocysts or neoplastic cystic tumors. The treatment options vary from evacuation and drainage to formal resection of the pancreas, with no evidence of the best treatment strategy. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of the current knowledge of the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of primary cystic echinococcosis of the pancreas. Acute thrombosis of the splenic artery which leads to massive splenic infarction and abscess, a previously unreported initial manifestation of cystic echinococcosis of the pancreas is also presented, as well as the first use of intraoperative pancreaticoscopy to clear the mean pancreatic duct from membranes of the parasite.
Part of the book: Echinococcosis
Pancreaticoduodenectomy is still the only treatment option that offers a chance to cure patients with pancreatic cancer and malignant periampullary tumors. Pancreaticojejunal anastomosis is the preferred method of reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy. However, because of the high incidence of anastomotic leak and subsequent severe consequences, pancreaticojejunal anastomosis still remains the Achilles’ heel of the operation. Several technical modifications of pancreaticojejunal anastomosis exist, but none completely eliminates anastomotic leak, postoperative pancreatic fistula, or severe complications. Therefore, considerable efforts have been made to study and develop surgical options that can mitigate the severity and avoid fatal consequences of postoperative pancreatic fistula. This chapter presents and discusses some of the existing and emerging surgical strategies devoted to mitigating the catastrophic consequences of pancreatic anastomotic leaks.
Part of the book: Pancreatic Cancer