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Simple Summary: Radical pancreatectomies with superior mesenteric vein (SMV) resection without portal-to-superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV) reconstruction are scarcely discussed in the literature. The existing data contain around 15 cases published with unclear oncological results and algorithms of patients' selection. In the present report, we analyzed the short- and long-term results of 19 consecutive pancreatectomies with SMV resection without PV/SMV reconstruction for locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and discussed the role of CT-based preoperative reconstructions and selection criteria for radical and safe surgery in this highly specific group of patients. The "vein definition" for locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (LA PDAC) assumes portal-to-superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV) unreconstructability due to tumor involvement or occlusion. Radical pancreatectomies with SMV resection without PV/SMV reconstruction are scarcely discussed in the literature. Retrospective analysis of 19 radical pancreatectomies for "low" LA PDAC with SMV and all its tributaries resection without PV/SMV reconstruction has shown zero mortality; overall morbidity—56%; Dindo–Clavien—3–10.5%; R0—rate—82%; mean operative procedure time—355 ± 154 min; mean blood loss—330 ± 170 mL; delayed gastric emptying—25%; and clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula—8%. In three cases, surgery was associated with superior mesenteric (n2) and common hepatic artery (n1) resection. Surgery was completed without vein reconstruction (n13) and with inferior mesenteric-to-splenic anastomosis (n6). There were no cases of liver, gastric, or intestinal ischemia. A specific complication of the SMV resection without reconstruction was 2–3 days-long intestinal edema (48%). Median overall survival was 25 months, and median progression-free survival was 18 months. All the relapses, except two, were distant. The possibility of successful SMV resection without PV/SMV reconstruction can be predicted before surgery by CT-based reconstructions. The mandatory anatomical conditions for the procedure were as follows: (1) preserved SMV-SV confluence; (2) occluded SMV for any reason (tumor or thrombus); (3) well-developed inferior mesenteric vein collaterals with dilated intestinal veins; (4) no right-sided vein collaterals; and (5) no varices in the upper abdomen. Conclusion: "Low" LA PDACs involving SMV with all its tributaries can be radically and safely resected in highly and specifically selected cases without PV/SMV reconstruction with an acceptable survival rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper demonstrates the capabilities of the Vega-Les (“Les” is the Russian word meaning “forest”) information system (IS) for forest monitoring. A brief assessment and characteristics of the Earth observation data and main available thematic products about Russian forests available in the system are given. An assessment of the capabilities of the Vega-Les IS for studying local scale forest changes was carried out. The Tungussko-Chunskoye forest management unit (FMU) and the Tunguska nature reserve in the Russian Krasnoyarsk Krai region were chosen as the test area. The analysis of forest cover changes over this area since the beginning of the 21st century, including the changes in the number and extent of wildfires, is presented. As a result, it is concluded that the Vega-Les IS is applicable for remote assessment and monitoring of various characteristics of Russian forests.

μX-ray spectra for Z=9-90 were measured with HPGe detectors and muonic beams of PSI (Villigen, Switzerland) [1]. The results are presented as electronic atlas composed of graphic plots. The atlas is available at JINR site [2].

Importance: Large studies investigating long-term outcomes of patients with bilateral pheochromocytomas treated with either total or cortical-sparing adrenalectomies are needed to inform clinical management., Objective: To determine the association of total vs cortical-sparing adrenalectomy with pheochromocytoma-specific mortality, the burden of primary adrenal insufficiency after bilateral adrenalectomy, and the risk of pheochromocytoma recurrence., Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used data from a multicenter consortium-based registry for 625 patients treated for bilateral pheochromocytomas between 1950 and 2018. Data were analyzed from September 1, 2018, to June 1, 2019., Exposures: Total or cortical-sparing adrenalectomy., Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary adrenal insufficiency, recurrent pheochromocytoma, and mortality., Results: Of 625 patients (300 [48%] female) with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of 30 (22-40) years at diagnosis, 401 (64%) were diagnosed with synchronous bilateral pheochromocytomas and 224 (36%) were diagnosed with metachronous pheochromocytomas (median [IQR] interval to second adrenalectomy, 6 [1-13] years). In 505 of 526 tested patients (96%), germline mutations were detected in the genes RET (282 patients [54%]), VHL (184 patients [35%]), and other genes (39 patients [7%]). Of 849 adrenalectomies performed in 625 patients, 324 (52%) were planned as cortical sparing and were successful in 248 of 324 patients (76.5%). Primary adrenal insufficiency occurred in all patients treated with total adrenalectomy but only in 23.5% of patients treated with attempted cortical-sparing adrenalectomy. A third of patients with adrenal insufficiency developed complications, such as adrenal crisis or iatrogenic Cushing syndrome. Of 377 patients who became steroid dependent, 67 (18%) developed at least 1 adrenal crisis and 50 (13%) developed iatrogenic Cushing syndrome during median (IQR) follow-up of 8 (3-25) years. Two patients developed recurrent pheochromocytoma in the adrenal bed despite total adrenalectomy. In contrast, 33 patients (13%) treated with successful cortical-sparing adrenalectomy developed another pheochromocytoma within the remnant adrenal after a median (IQR) of 8 (4-13) years, all of which were successfully treated with another surgery. Cortical-sparing surgery was not associated with survival. Overall survival was associated with comorbidities unrelated to pheochromocytoma: of 63 patients who died, only 3 (5%) died of metastatic pheochromocytoma., Conclusions and Relevance: Patients undergoing cortical-sparing adrenalectomy did not demonstrate decreased survival, despite development of recurrent pheochromocytoma in 13%. Cortical-sparing adrenalectomy should be considered in all patients with hereditary pheochromocytoma.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death and is one of the most aggressive malignant tumors with an overall 5-year survival rate of less than 4%. Surgical resection remains the only potentially curative treatment but is only possible for 15%-20% of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. About 40% of patients have locally advanced nonresectable disease. In the past, determination of pancreatic cancer resectability was made at surgical exploration. The development of modern imaging techniques has allowed preoperative staging of patients. Institutions disagree about the criteria used to classify patients. Vascular invasion in pancreatic cancers plays a very important role in determining treatment and prognosis. There is no evidence-based consensus on the optimal preoperative imaging assessment of patients with suspected pancreatic cancer and a unified definition of borderline resectable pancreatic cancer is also lacking. Thus, there is much room for improvement in all aspects of treatment for pancreatic cancer. Multi-detector computed tomography has been widely accepted as the imaging technique of choice for diagnosing and staging pancreatic cancer. With improved surgical techniques and advanced perioperative management, vascular resection and reconstruction are performed more frequently; patients thought once to be unresectable are undergoing radical surgery. However, when attempting heroic surgery, a realistic approach concerning the patient's age and health status, probability of recovery after surgery, perioperative morbidity and mortality and life quality after tumor resection is necessary.

Context: Duodenal dystrophy is a rare disease, characterized by the chronic inflammation of the aberrant pancreatic tissue in the duodenal wall., Case Reports: Two middle-aged men were admitted with upper abdominal pain of several months duration, periodic nausea and vomiting after meals, intermittent jaundice and weight loss. A diagnosis of cystic dystrophy of the vertical part of the duodenum without chronic inflammation of the orthotopic pancreas was established in both cases by multi-detector computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and endosonography. Both patients were successfully treated by two modifications of pancreas-preserving duodenal resections with reimplantation of the bile and pancreatic ducts into the neoduodenum., Conclusion: These cases are a good example of a pancreas-preserving approach to duodenal dystrophy treatment and can be an alternative to the Whipple procedure in cases of mild changes of the orthotopic gland.

Context: It is important to recognize arterial variants in the preoperative planning of extended pancreatic resections. The absence of surgical confirmation of radiological data is a limitation of the majority of angiographic or CT-angiographic studies of celiac and mesenteric arterial anatomy., Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the accuracy of CT angiography in delineating the arterial architecture by comparing the resultant 3D images with findings at surgery and determining the frequency of different celiac and mesenteric arterial anatomy variants., Methods: Abdominal CT angiographies of 350 patients were performed on a 64- and 256-MDCT scanner prior to major pancreatic or hepatobiliary surgery. Variants of celiac and mesenteric arterial anatomy were documented as 3D reconstructions. Radiological data were compared to operative photographs during extended pancreaticoduodenectomies and extended distal pancreatectomies in 59 cases., Results: Only 197 patients (56.3%) had the classic arterial anatomy identified at CT angiography. The most common variants were a replaced or accessory right hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery (62 cases, 17.7%) and a replaced or accessory left hepatic artery (43 cases, 12.3%) originating from the left gastric artery. According to a comparison with operative photographs, CT angiography demonstrated 100% accuracy in identifying celiac and mesenteric arterial anatomy variants, stenoses, obstructions and aneurysms of the celiac and mesenteric branches, including those which were hemodynamically significant and which influence the choice and sequence of operative procedures., Conclusion: The celiac and mesenteric arterial anatomy variants are fairly common and are of great significance in planning extended pancreatic resections. Radiological findings were fully corroborated by operative data, which means that CT angiography is a reliable tool for identifying celiac and mesenteric arterial anatomy aberrations and arterial lesions.