Sling left pulmonary artery (SLPA) is often associated with tracheobronchial abnormalities, including bridging bronchus (BB). We report on 3 patients with SLPA: One patient had a narrow trachea, absent right upper lobe and right main bronchus, and BB. The second patient had a long and narrow trachea, with normal segmentation of bronchial tree, abnormal cerebral gyri, and minor facial abnormalities. The third patient, with a normal trachea and main bronchi with BB, had imperforate anus, hemivertebrae, and atrial septal defect (VATER association). Patients with SLPA, those with BB, or those with both SLPA and BB as well as multiple congenital anomalies represent a spectrum of anomalies.

Several studies have shown the hepatoprotective effect of the consumption of coffee and tea, which is mainly attributed to caffeine. Many experimental studies have demonstrated this effect; however, these studies used high caffeine doses that are not related to human consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of low doses of caffeine on carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-treated rats. Low doses of caffeine (CAFF) 5 and 10 mg/kg (CAFF5 and CAFF10) were evaluated in chronic liver damage induced by CCl (0.75 mL/kg) in rats. CAFF treatment was administered once a day and CCl administration was twice weekly for 10 weeks. Liver function tests (biochemical markers) and functional (sleeping time) and histological (hematoxylin-eosin and Masson trichrome stains) parameters were carried out at the end of damage treatment. Daily treatments of CAFF5 and CAFF10 exhibited a hepatoprotective effect supported by a decrease of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (AP) serum activities and bilirubin serum levels compared with control and also restored serum albumin levels and liver glutathione (GSH). Moreover, CAFF prevented CCl-induced prolongation in pentobarbital sleeping time and a decrease of liver fibrosis and cell death. Our results demonstrated that low doses of CAFF exert a hepatoprotective effect against CCl -induced liver damage in rats.

We describe two instances of a previously unrecognized variant of congenital giant pigmented naevus (GPN), presenting as a bulky naevocytic tumour in the perineal region. In both cases the lesion was present at birth and attained massive dimensions. In addition to the characteristic histological patterns found in GPN, which included extensive areas with a neural appearance, these tumours presented an uncommon tendency to form pseudo-follicular structures lined by naevus cells. No features suggestive of malignant transformation were found. Because GPN may associate with an underlying malignancy, accurate diagnosis of this lesion is important in clinical practice.

Ectopia cordis (EC) is a rare congenital malformation characterized by the abnormal position of the heart outside the thorax. Since it is often associated with intracardiac anomalies, an adequate surgical approach requires a precise knowledge of the intra- and extracardiac morbid anatomy. We report 4 cases of EC with a detailed description of intracardiac findings at autopsy. The associated malformations were severe and aggravated the outcome. Intracardiac anomalies are sometimes mild, but can be associated with a severe extracardiac defect.