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Background In patients with colorectal liver metastases, the possibility for radical liver resection can be limited by oxaliplatin-induced sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). This study investigates the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to improve the outcome of liver resections in pigs with SOS. Materials and methods SOS was induced in all animals (n=20) on day 0. Animals in the experimental group (n=8) received allogeneic MSC on day 7. Liver resection was performed in all animals on day 14 and the animals were observed until day 28. Ultrasound volumetry, biochemical analysis and histological examination of liver parenchyma was performed during the follow-up period. Results Six animals from the control group died prematurely, while all animals survived in the experimental group. According to histology, biochemical analysis and ultrasound volumetry, there were no significant differences between the groups documenting the effect of MSC. Conclusion Single dose allogeneic MSC administration improved survival of animals with SOS undergoing partial liver resection. Further experiments with different timing of liver resection and MSC administration should be performed to investigate the effect of MSC in more detail.

The first objective of our study was to determine the radiation exposure received by patients during tin-filtrated ultra-low-dose computed tomography (TFULDCT) of sacroiliac joints and to compare those to conventional X-ray doses. For comparison, we added a cohort examined by low-dose CT (LDCT) without tin filtration. The second objective was to compare the results of TFULDCT and X-ray in the detection of sacroiliitis.Our retrospective study covered 45 patients, who were examined for suspected axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA). The first group underwent TFULDCT as well as conventional radiography (CR); the second group underwent LDCT only without tin filtration. Effective doses of TFULDCT, LDCT and CR were calculated by an experienced medical physicist. TFULDCT and CR were independently evaluated by three investigators, who decided on the presence or absence of rheumatoid inflammatory bone changes. The results were statistically evaluated.In our cohort, the median effective dose for TFULDCT was 0.11 mSv, range (0.06-0.40 mSv), for LDCT 0.5 mSv (0.29-0.89 mSv), and for CR 0.25 mSv (0.06-1.87 mSv). We proved that TFULDCT produces a significantly lower percentage of uncertain results (23.3%; 95% CI: 11.3-41.6%) than CR (66.7%; 95% CI: 48.3-81.1%).Tin filtration helps to reduce CT radiation exposure to values lower than those resulting from CR. TFULDCT offers better overall diagnostic performance than CR. Our results prove that TFULDCT can replace CR in the diagnosis of sacroiliitis in the radiographical stage of AxSpA.

Background: In clinical medicine, little is known about the use of allografts for portal vein (PV) reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Portal and caval systems are physiologically different, therefore the properties of allografts from caval and portal systems were studied here in a pig model. Materials and Methods: PD with PV reconstruction with allogeneic venous graft from PV or inferior vena cava (IVC) was performed in 26 pigs. Biochemical analysis and ultrasonography measurements were performed during a 4-week monitoring period. Computer simulations were used to evaluate haemodynamics in reconstructed PV and explanted allografts were histologically examined. Results: The native PV and IVC grafts varied in histological structure but were able to adapt morphologically after transplantation. Computer simulation suggested PV grafts to be more susceptible to thrombosis development. Thrombosis of reconstructed PV occurred in four out of five cases in PV group. Conclusion: This study supports the use of allografts from caval system for PV reconstruction in clinical medicine when needed.

Our research evaluated the ability of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast enhanced computer tomography (CECT), performed 48 h after radiofrequency ablation (RFA), to detect residual tumor tissue. As recently published studies have evaluated periprocedural CEUS performed within 24 h after procedure and their results were not satisfactory, it seems that postponing the control test by one day could increase the sensitivity of both methods.We evaluated 33 patients with 37 lesions, who met the criteria for our study. The criteria were 1) the treated lesion is sonographically viewable and 2) the patient underwent both CEUS and CECT control 48 h after treatment and additional follow-up 3 months later by CECT. Presence of residual tumor tissue and the size of necrosis were recorded and compared to the results of 3-months CECT.Nine residues were present in our group. CEUS and CECT showed similar sensitivity (66.7% and 77.8%, respectively) and identical specificity (both 96.4%) for detection of residual tumor tissue. CEUS significantly underestimated the size of necrosis in comparison to CECT (on average by 2.4 mm, P=0.0005). Over the 3-months follow-up period the size of necrosis decreased in all patients (on average by 7.2 mm, P0.0001).The quality of tumor residue detection in 48-h CEUS was comparable to that of 48-h CECT. This finding suggests the CEUS being a feasible substitute for CECT. Both methods show reasonable sensitivity; therefore this timing seems to be appropriate for the first post-treatment control while also allowing for early retreatment if residual tumor tissue is found.