Pancreaticoduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm is one kind of rare splanchnic artery aneurysm. Hemorrhage from the lesion could be life-threatening. We present a case which color Doppler ultrasound and computed tomography angiography (CTA) only showed pancreatic pseudocyst on the background of chronic pancreatitis at first, but contrast-enhanced ultrasound detected blood flow in the pseudocyst and a pancreaticoduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm was worked up several days after. Finally, the pancreaticoduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm was confirmed by digital subtracted angiography. It might suggest the potential advantage of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in evaluating this kind of disease in comparison of CTA.
Adult ; Aneurysm, False ; diagnostic imaging ; Duodenum ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Pancreas ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in surface microcirculation of pancreas after high-voltage electric burn (HEB).

METHODSThirty rabbits were divided into electrical injury (E) group and control (C) group in a simple random method, with 15 rabbits in each group. Rabbit model of HEB was reproduced from E group with TC-30-20KVA type voltage regulator and YDJ-10KVA type experimental transformer. Rabbits in C group were shamly burned with the same equipment as in E group but not electrified. Intravenous blood of rabbits in both groups was drawn 15 mins before HEB and 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 h after to determine the levels of serum amylase and blood glucose. The morphology of the pancreas microvessels and its surrounding tissues, and the dynamic changes in microvascular blood flow were observed with WX-9 microscope and its image analytical system.

RESULTSThe level of serum amylase of rabbits in E group increased gradually and peaked (849 +/- 39) U/L at 8 post HEB h (PHH), which decreased gradually reaching the nadir (153 +/- 21) U/L at 8 PHH in C group (P < 0.05). The blood glucose levels of rabbits in E group and C group increased gradually, with the former level obviously higher than the latter (P < 0.05). Arteriole, venule and capillary network on the surface of pancreatic lobules of rabbits in both groups were clearly seen and well-distributed in the natural way before HEB. In E group, arterioles of rabbits contracted at 0 PHH, and increased gradually in caliber size at 1 PHH; venules of rabbits were unevenly thickened at 2 PHH, and dilated at 8 PHH; the capillaries were contracted or with interrupted flow or completely obstructed at 0 PHH, and their thickness were uneven at 2 PHH, showing exudation at 8 PHH. There was no obvious change of microvessels in rabbits in C group at each time point. There was no exudation and bleeding around the microvessels on the pancreas surface of rabbits in both groups before HEB. In E group exudation was observed around microvessels at 1 PHH, bleeding was observed at 2 PHH and became obvious at 4 PHH; exudation and diffuse bleeding from capillaries were observed at 8 PHH. There was no exudation and bleeding in rabbits in C group as observed at each time point. Before HEB, blood flow speed in microvessels of rabbits in 2 groups was similar to each other (P > 0.05), and no erythrocyte aggregation or microthrombus was found in both groups. In E group, blood flow speed slowed down at 0 PHH as compared with that before HEB, it accelerated at 1 h and slowed down later; erythrocyte aggregation in venules and capillaries was found at 0 PHH, and it aggregated gradually. No above-mentioned change was found in C group.

CONCLUSIONSHEB produces microcirculation disturbance and functional disturbance of pancreas.

Animals ; Burns, Electric ; blood ; pathology ; Female ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Pancreas ; blood supply ; pathology ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical value of color Doppler in monitoring graft flow in patients who underwent simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation.

METHODSTotally 18 patients received color Doppler ultrasonography on day 1, 3, and 7 after SPK. Volumes and arteriovenous velocities of the kidney and pancreas grafts were recorded, and resistance index (RI) was calculated.

RESULTSColor Doppler ultrasound clearly displayed the modality, size, and flow of the kidney and pancreas grafts. Compared with the single kidney grafts, the modality, volume, and arteriovenous velocity of kidney grafts in SPK was not significantly different. Although the volume of pancreas graft was remarkably larger than the normal control pancreas early after transplantation, no difference in artery velocity was found between pancreas graft and normal pancreas. The spectrum of the portal vein in pancreas grafts showed the typical spectrum of iliac veins.

CONCLUSIONColor Doppler ultrasound is sensitive in monitoring the graft flow of SPK recipients and can be used to identify postoperative vascular complications and evaluate tissue perfusion.

Humans ; Iliac Vein ; diagnostic imaging ; Kidney ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Kidney Transplantation ; Pancreas ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Pancreas Transplantation ; Portal Vein ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to provide better understanding as to how the "double" vascular arcades, in contrast to other intestinal marginal vessels, develop along the right margin of the pancreatic head. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In human fetuses between 8-30 weeks, we described the topographical anatomy of the vessels, bile duct, duodenum as well as the ventral and dorsal primordia of the pancreatic head with an aid of pancreatic polypeptide immunohisto-chemistry. RESULTS: The contents of the hepatoduodenal ligament crossed the superior side of the pylorus. Moreover, the right hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery ran along the superior aspect of the pancreatic head. An arterial arcade, corresponding to the posterior pancreaticoduodenal arteries, encircled the superior part of the pancreatic head, whereas another arcade, corresponding to the anterior pancreaticoduodenal arteries, surrounded the inferior part. The dorsal promordium of the pancreas surrounded and/or mixed the ventral primordium at 13-16 weeks. Thus, both arterial arcades were likely to attach to the dorsal primordium. CONCLUSION: The fetal anatomy of the pancreaticoduodenal vascular arcades as well as that of the hepatoduodenal ligament were quite different from adults in topographical relations. Thus, in the stage later than 30 weeks, further rotation of the duodenum along a horizontal axis seemed to be required to move the pylorus posterosuperiorly and to reflect the superior surface of the pancreatic head posteriorly. However, to change the topographical anatomy of the superior and inferior arterial arcades into the final position, re-arrangement of the pancreatic parenchyma might be necessary in the head.
Arteries/*embryology ; Duodenum/anatomy & histology/*blood supply/*embryology ; Female ; Fetus/*blood supply ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Pancreas/anatomy & histology/*blood supply/*embryology ; Pregnancy

Arterial pseudoaneurysm is rare but potentially a catastrophic complication of pancreatitis because it can cause massive gastrointestinal bleeding. Since surgical treatment of arterial pseudoaneurysm has a high mortality, percutaneous angiographic embolization of bleeding artery has recently been advocated as the alternative therapy. Acute hemorrhage into the peritoneal cavity or pseudocyst complicating chronic pancreatitis was frequently reported. However, multiple pseudoaneurysmal hemorrhage without pseudocyst complicating acute pancreatitis are extremely rare. Here, we present a case of multiple pseudoaneurysmal hemorrhage secondary to acute pancreatitis, which were managed successfully by percutaneous angiographic embolization.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aneurysm, False/*complications ; Duodenum/blood supply ; Hemorrhage/etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Pancreas/blood supply ; Pancreatitis/*complications ; Stomach/blood supply

Aneurysm of gastroduodenal artery (GDA) is rare. Most reported cases are due to pancreatitis and atherosclerosis; however, those following pancreatic trauma have not been reported. We encoun- tered GDA aneurysm in a patient of blunt abdominal trauma, who had pancreatic contusion and retroduodenal air on contrast enhanced computed tomography of abdomen. Emergency laparotomy for suspected duodenal injury revealed duodenal wall and pancreatic head contusion, mild hemo- peritoneum and no evidence of duodenal perforation. In the postoperative period, the patient developed upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage on day 5. Repeat imaging revealed GDA aneurysm, which was managed successfully by angioembolization. This case highlights, one, delayed presen- tation of GDA aneurysm after blunt pancreatic trauma and two, its successful management using endovascular technique.
Abdominal Injuries ; complications ; Adult ; Aneurysm ; etiology ; Duodenum ; blood supply ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Humans ; Male ; Pancreas ; injuries ; Stomach ; blood supply ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating ; complications

OBJECTIVETo investigate the perfusion characteristics of normal pancreas and insulinoma on multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT).

METHODSTotally 21 subjects with suspected insulinoma were enrolled. Sixteen-slice spiral CT was used for perfusion scan following a standard contrast-enhanced scan. The surgical and pathological outcomes were collected for comparison. Perfusion characteristics, including blood flow (BF), patlak blood volume (pBV), time to peak (TTP), permeability, and peak enhancement (PE) of insulinomas and normal pancreas parenchyma were analyzed based on the MSCT data sets subsequently.

RESULTSBenign insulinoma was pathologically confirmed in 12 out of the 21 subjects, while the remaining 9 subjects were normal. Technical failures were experienced in 2 (9.5%) subjects. In both normal and tumor-suffered subjects (n = 19), perfusion parameters of normal pancreatic parachyma were measured as follows: BF (p) = 104. 9 +/- 28.9, pBV (p) = 166.4 +/- 41.8, TrP (p) = 133.3 +/- 24.4, Permeability (p) = 81.3 +/- 24.4, and peak enhancement (p) = 121.3 +/- 31.1. In subjects with insulinoma (n = 11), perfusion parameters of tumor tissue were measured as follows: F (i) = 206.5 +/- 42.2, BV (i) = 315.9 +/- 79.0, TFP (i) = 123.2 +/- 18.8, Permeability (i) = 102.5 +/- 54. 8, and peak enhancement (i) = 221.3 +/- 48.5. Results of F, BV, and peak enhancement in these two kinds of tissue showed significant differences (P < 0.01), while there were no significant difference (P > 0.05) in TTP and permeability between normal pancreatic parenchyma and insulinoma.

CONCLUSIONSBenign insulinoma has perfusion characteristics of increased blood flow and blood volume, but its TTP is consistent with normal pancreas and has normal permeability. MSCT allows further understanding of the blood flow of the normal pancreas and its benign tumor insulinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Insulinoma ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Perfusion ; Regional Blood Flow ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

The role of PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide), a peptidergic transmitter, in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis is not yet clear. This experiment was conducted to examine the action of exogenous PACAP on rat pancreas and on the course of experimental acute pancreatitis. The results showed that 5-30 microg/kg of PACAP slightly raised the serum amylase level, induced pancreatic edema (23.88% +/- 2.532%-25.86% +/- 1.974% of experiment groups versus 29.21% +/- 5.657% of control group), inflammatory cell infiltration, vacuolization of acinar cells, and occasionally fatty and parenchymal necroses. 15-30 microg/kg of PACAP aggravated cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis; the pancreatic edema became more marked (13.45% +/- 2.045%-17.66% +/- 4.652% of expreiment groups versus 21.83% +/- 3.013% of cerulein group, P<0.05), the serum amylase level became higher; and ascites, pancreatic bleeding, fatty and parenchymal necroses, and extensive vacuolization of acinar cells appeared. For sodium taurocholate-induced pancreatitis, 5-10 microg/kg of PACAP mildly attenuated the pancreatic edema, reduced the serum amylase level (1986.91 +/- 710.97-2944.33 +/- 1182.47 IU/L vs 3690.87 +/- 2277.99 IU/L, P<0.05), whereas it caused multifocal hemorrhage and prominent necrosis in pancreas. Except the cerulein-induced pancreatitis groups, other groups were found to have reduced pancreatic functional capillary density (FCD); when pancreatic edema was taken into consideration and calibrated FCD was introduced (FCD weighted against pancreatic wet/dry ratio), all groups revealed increases in pancreatic functional capillaries when compared with normal control. In conclusion, PACAP is proinflammatory in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis, PACAP plus cerulein can induce acute hemorrhagic/necrotizing pancreatitis, and the action of PACAP on cerulein-induced panceatitis may differ from that on sodium taurocholate-induced one. In this experiment, pancreatic FCD was underestimated due to pancreatic edema.
Amylases ; blood ; Animals ; Capillaries ; pathology ; Ceruletide ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Pancreas ; blood supply ; Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo develop a new treatment for advanced pancreatic carcinoma.

METHODSTwenty-nine patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma (12 patients with liver metastasis at the same time) were randomly divided into two groups. In group A (n = 11), patients underwent bilio-enterostomy and/or gastro-enterostomy combined with systemic chemotherapy after surgery. In group B (n = 18), patients underwent bilio-enterostomy and/or gastro-enterostomy combined with peripancreatic arterial ligation and arterial infusion regional chemotherapy. Twenty-four patients were followed up for 3 - 18 months. The palliation of clinical symptoms, changes in carcinoma size by B ultrasound (BUS) and CT scan, survival period and serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were observed and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSSymptoms were alleviated in most patients in group B, and BUS and CT scan showed that tumor volume decreased in group B. The response rate was 66.7% in group B and 18.2% in group A (P < 0.01). The mean survival period was 4.8 +/- 0.6 months in group A and 12.5 +/- 1.2 months in group B (P < 0.01); there were significant differences between the two groups. The decrease in serum CEA was 54% in group A and 60% in group B; the difference was not significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPeripancreatic arterial ligation combined with arterial infusion regional chemotherapy is effective against both pancreatic carcinoma and with liver metastases. It can alleviate clinical symptoms, postpone the growth rate of tumor and prolong the survival period.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; Arteries ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Ligation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitomycin ; administration & dosage ; Pancreas ; blood supply ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; blood supply ; mortality ; therapy

Pancreatic arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are extremely rare diseases frequently complicated by gastrointestinal hemorrhage. While surgical resection of affected lesion is preferred for the treatment of pancreatic AVM, angiographic intervention can be used as an alternative treatment, especially in surgically high-risk patients. We experienced a patient with pancreatic AVM manifested by hemobilia and biliary sepsis. Superior mesenteric and common hepatic arteriography showed pancreaticoduodenal AVM composed of nidus supplied by numerous fine feeding arteries and of draining veins encircling the common bile duct (CBD). Hemobilia was controlled by transportal coil embolization of draining veins of AVM around the CBD. Herein, we report this case with the review of literatures.
Arteriovenous Malformations/pathology/*therapy ; Duodenoscopy ; *Embolization, Therapeutic ; Hemobilia/etiology/pathology/*therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas/*blood supply ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed