Background. Mucocele of the appendix is a rare condition, the pathological classification and management strategy of which have not been standardized yet. Aim. To report on our management of appendiceal mucocele, highlighting the pitfalls and possible means for avoiding them. Materials and Methods. Our registries were reviewed to retrieve cases of appendiceal mucocele, encountered in the period from July 2008 to May 2013. Results. We had 9 cases, three males and sex females, with a median age of 62 years. Abdominal ultrasound (US) and computerized axial tomography scan (CT) suspected the diagnosis in only one case each. Open appendectomy was done in two cases of mucinous cystadenoma with no further surgery performed, despite the positive margin in one. Laparoscopic appendectomy was done in three cases: mucinous cystadenoma in one case which needed no further surgery, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma with pseudomyxoma peritonei in another, and low grade mucinous tumour in a third case, and all needed subsequent right hemicolectomy. Exploratory laparotomy was done in three cases: of these, synchronous right hemicolectomy was done in one case of mucinous cystadenoma/?mucinous tumour of uncertain malignant potential; in the other two cases, appendectomy only was done for mucinous hyperplasia with carcinoid tumour of the appendix in one case and mucinous cystadenoma/?mucinous tumour of uncertain malignant potential in another. The 9th case was discovered upon laparoscopy for cholecystectomy; when pseudomyxoma peritonei arising from an appendiceal mucocele was found, laparoscopic appendectomy with peritoneal biopsy was then performed instead. Histopathologic diagnostic uncertainty was present in two cases of mucinous cystadenoma where mucinous tumour of uncertain malignant potential was an alternative possibility. Perioperative colonoscopy was performed in only one case and our follow-up programme was defective, with the longest period being 180 days. Conclusion. Mucocele of the appendix should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions in the right lower abdomen. Owing to its rarity, it continues to intrigue the surgeon as well as the radiologist and pathologist alike. For mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, right hemicolectomy is usually needed, whereas for hyperplasia and cystadenoma, appendectomy usually suffices if the resection margins are free. For mucinous tumours of uncertain malignant potential and low grade mucinous tumours as well as pseudomyxoma peritonei, the decision is not as simple. As for laparoscopic surgery, no solid proof exists with or against its safety. Although not yet standardized, perioperative colonoscopy and regular follow-up to detect early recurrences should probably be part of the management plan.
INTRODUCTION Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is indispensable in everyday surgical practice.Despite this, as an invasive procedure, it has its own mortality and morbidity, the most feared of which is periduodenal perforations. Our experience with ERCP related periduodenal perforations and its treatment strategies are presented. Additionally, a rarely encountered subtype is highlighted. METHODS Patients who underwent ERCP and sustained a periduodenal perforation between August 2008 and October 2011 were reviewed. RESULTS During the period from August 2008 to October 2011, 597 ERCP procedures were performed in our hospital. Ten of these patients (3 male, 7 female) had a perforation. The mean patient age was 56.6 years. During the procedure, injury was suspected in four patients; it passed unnoticed in the remaining six. The decision to operate or follow a conservative policy was based on a combination of clinical and radiological findings. Operative intervention was required in three patients, with one mortality, while conservative treatment was followed in the remaining seven. A laparotomy was performed early in two patients whereas it was performed after an initial period of conservative treatment in one. The presence of periduodenal fluid collection, contrast extravasation or free intraperitoneal air were decisive factors for performing laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS ERCP-related periduodenal perforations include different categories. Certain types require operative repair while others should be treated conservatively. The choice of the management approach should be individualised, depending on the clinical picture and radiological findings. Although rare, these are potentially serious complications that may end fatally. Early recognition and appropriate intervention is the only way to avert a fatal outcome.
HighlightsGiant schwannoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of massive pelviabdominal masses.In the presence of severe symptoms, attempted surgical resection without a preoperative biopsy may be warranted.In such cases, total tumour resection, or at least debulking, will be beneficial.
Pancreatic pseudocysts are the most common cystic lesions of the pancreas and may complicate acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, or pancreatic trauma. While the majority of acute pseudocysts resolve spontaneously, few may require drainage. On the other hand, pancreatic cystic tumors, which usually require extirpation, may disguise as pseudocysts. Hence, the distinction between the two entities is crucial for a successful outcome. We conducted this study to highlight the fundamental differences between pancreatic pseudocysts and cystic tumors so that relevant management plans can be devised. We reviewed the data of patients with pancreatic cystic lesions that underwent intervention between June 2007 and December 2010 in our hospital. We identified 9 patients (5 males and 4 females) with a median age of 40 years (range, 30–70 years). Five patients had pseudocysts, 2 had cystic tumors, and 2 had diseases of undetermined pathology. Pancreatic pseudocysts were treated by pseudocystogastrostomy in 2 cases and percutaneous drainage in 3 cases. One case recurred after percutaneous drainage and required pseudocystogastrostomy. The true pancreatic cysts were serous cystadenoma, which was treated by distal pancreatectomy, and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, which was initially treated by drainage, like a pseudocyst, and then by distal pancreatectomy when its true nature was revealed. We conclude that every effort should be exerted to distinguish between pancreatic pseudocysts and cystic tumors of the pancreas to avoid the serious misjudgement of draining rather than extirpating a pancreatic cystic tumor. Additionally, percutaneous drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst is a useful adjunct that may substitute for surgical drainage.
Diaphragmatic rupture is a serious complication of thoracoabdominal trauma. The condition may be missed initially. We describe the clinical course of a patient who sustained blunt abdominal trauma in a car accident. His diaphragmatic injury passed unnoticed, to present two years later with left tension viscerothorax, a rarely reported and hardly recognised entity. Nasogastric tube insertion aborted the emergency situation and the hernia was repaired successfully in a semielective setting.
Gallstone ileus affects primarily elderly women. In many instances, no history of previous biliary disease is discernible. Although it has been known since the 17th century, gallstone ileus continues to present in such an intriguing way that, more often than not, the diagnosis is made intraoperatively. A 68-year-old woman, presented with abdominal pain and vomiting. She had a slightly distended and mildly tender abdomen, and the bowel sounds were normal. There was an irreducible, slightly tender right femoral hernia. Plain X-rays of the abdomen were normal and an ultrasound showed a contracted fibrotic gall bladder with small stones. Laparoscopy failed to detect an obstructing gallstone, which was discovered in a second laparotomy. Cholecystectomy and fistula closure were carried out in the same sitting. A retrospective review of a preoperative Gastrografin study showed clear radiological evidence of the condition. Gallstone ileus tends to be forgotten as a cause of bowel obstruction or abdominal pain in elderly women. With this in mind, careful interpretation of a Gastrografin study might provide the diagnosis preoperatively. In relatively fit patients, cholecystectomy and fistula closure could be safely added to the emergency enterolithotomy.
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