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Objective To describe the sonographic features of peritoneal pseudocysts (PPCs)

Corona mortis (CMOR) is an anastomotic branch between the external iliac or inferior epigastric vessels and the obturator artery or vein, or any vascular connection between the obturator and the external iliac systems in general with high anatomic variability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the type of anastomosis, if arterial, venous or both and the other subtypes of CMOR. Twenty-five laparoscopic procedures of bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy for gynecological oncologic procedures (50 half pelvises) were performed. CMOR was located in 15 half pelvises on the right side (60 %), in 7 half pelvises on the left side (28 %), in 3 patients it was evidenced bilaterally. CMOR was dissected in 26/50 (52 %) half pelvises. Venous anastomosis was more frequently (46 %) followed by both venous and arterial vessels; in only 8 % (2/26) an arterial communication was observed. 83 % of venous anastomosis were single communications. One isolated arterial anastomosis was evidenced in two patients. In the cases of both arterial and venous anastomosis, one venous and one arterial vessel in 5/6 (83 %) were detected, and one type of anastomosis with one arterial and two venous vessels. Our data suggest that venous CMOR is usually present in higher frequency than the arterial one, followed by the combined type with arterial and venous connections. The isolated venous anastomosis resulted the frequent subtype.

BackgroundEpithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecological cancer. Several hospitals throughout the region provide primary treatment for these patients and it is well know that treatment quality is correlated to the hospital that delivers. The aim of this study was to investigate the management and treatment of EOC in a Region of the North Italy (Emilia-Romagna, Italy).MethodsA multidisciplinary group made up of 11 physicians and 3 biostatisticians was formed in 2009 to perform clinical audits in order to identify quality indicators and to develop Region-wide workup in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM). The rationale was that, by setting up an oncogynecology network so as to achieve the best clinical practice, critical points would decrease or even be eliminated. Analysis of cases was based on the review of the medical records.Results614 EOC patients treated between 2007 and 2008 were identified. We found only 2 high-volume hospitals (≥ 21 patients/year), 3 medium-volume hospitals (11–20 operated patients/year), and 7 low-volume hospitals (≤ 10 operated patients /year). Only 222 patients (76.3%) had a histological diagnosis, FIGO surgical staging was reported only in 206 patients (70.9%) but not all standard surgical procedures were always performed, residual disease were not reported in all patients. No standard number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles was observed.ConclusionsThe differences in terms of treatments provided led the multidisciplinary group to identify reference centers, to promote centralization, to ensure uniform and adequate treatment to patients treated in regional centers and to promote a new audit involving all regional hospitals to a complete review of the all the EOC patients.