Meckel's diverticulum is the most prevalent congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract. This anomaly is due to the incomplete obliteration of the omphalomesenteric duct during the 7th week of gestation and is classically located 2 feet proximal to the ileocecal valve. Variations of this congenital malformation have been recorded based on location, size, and form. While most of the population may be asymptomatic, clinical manifestation, including gastrointestinal bleed and intestinal obstruction, can emerge. Despite the frequency of Meckel's diverticulum, it is commonly misdiagnosed due to its mimicry of appendicitis. This article aimed to review this derailment of embryological development.

Occipital neuralgia is a debilitating disorder first described in 1821 as recurrent headaches localized in the occipital region. Other symptoms that have been associated with this condition include paroxysmal burning and aching pain in the distribution of the greater, lesser, or third occipital nerves. Several etiologies have been identified in the cause of occipital neuralgia and include, but are not limited to, trauma, fibrositis, myositis, fracture of the atlas, and compression of the C-2 nerve root, C1-2 arthrosis syndrome, atlantoaxial lateral mass osteoarthritis, hypertrophic cervical pachymeningitis, cervical cord tumor, Chiari malformation, and neurosyphilis. The management of occipital neuralgia can include conservative approaches and/or surgical interventions. Occipital neuralgia is a multifactorial problem where multiple anatomic areas/structures may be involved with this pathology. A review of these etiologies may provide guidance in better understanding occipital neuralgia.

These variations are common in the general population and can lead to inadvertent ligation of biliary ducts or aberrant vessels. Therefore, it is important for the hepatobiliary surgeon to be aware of these vascular anomalies to avoid operative complications.

Introduction Grisel's syndrome (GS) is a rare otolaryngologic condition that involves rotatory subluxation of the atlantoaxial joint in the absence of trauma. Sir Charles Bell was the first to describe this condition in 1830. However, it was named after Pierre Grisel, a French ENT specialist who in 1930 described three such cases in children. Methods Using standard search engines, we reviewed the most recent literature regarding GS with special attention to its pathogenesis, natural history, and recent treatment options. Results Although defined over 80 years ago, the exact pathogenesis leading to GS is still not completely understood. Nevertheless, it occurs mainly as a complication of upper respiratory tract infections and/or surgical interventions in the head and neck. Most recent studies postulate that the spread of septic emboli from such infection nidus via the pharyngovertebral veins to the periodontoid vascular plexus could be the most likely cause. The diagnosis of GS is made by both clinical assessment as well as radiologic confirmation with either CT scan or MRI. Our review found out that most authors favor immobilization with a soft collar and antibiotics over surgical correction in the initial management of GS. Surgery is reserved for severe and refractory cases. Conclusion GS remains a rare, but potentially lethal children condition. Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial to its management and prognosis.

An obturator hernia is an infrequent but significant cause of intestinal obstruction. The incidence of obturator hernias is between 0.05 and 1.4% of all hernias. The mortality rate can be as high as 70% when acutely incarcerated due to the difficulty in diagnosis and delay in surgical treatment Three progressive stages of obturator herniation have been classified and can be one of three different varieties depending on the pathway the herniated sac follows. Knowledge of the anatomy and pathogenesis of obturator herniation is essential in diagnosis and treatment. The most common clinical presentation is intestinal obstruction (90%) and this is often seen in elderly, emaciated, multiparous women with predisposing conditions. Other classic signs, though not always present include obturator neuralgia, the Howship-Romberg sign and the Hannington-Kiff sign. Computed tomography scan is the most favored diagnostic imaging method. The abdominal surgical approach is most preferred when a diagnosis is uncertain and laparoscopy should be employed in elective early surgeries. This aim of this article is to review the diagnosis and treatment of obturator hernia by describing the anatomy, embryology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management currently in use. Increased awareness and proper management of this condition will result in decreased morbidity and mortality.

Ectopia cordis (EC) is a rare congenital anomaly associated with the heart positioned outside of the thoracic cavity either partially or completely. The ectopic heart can be found along a spectrum of anatomical locations, including the cervical, thoracic and abdominal regions and in most cases, it protrudes outside the chest through a split sternum. Although the first case of EC was identified during the early 1600s only 91 cases have been reported since then in the literature. This review will discuss the history and prevalence of EC, its etiology, morphology, presentation and symptoms, complications, diagnosis, treatment and management and prognosis.

Betulinic acid, a very promising anti-melanoma agent, has very low water solubility that causes low bioavailability. To overcome this inconvenience, a highly water-soluble cyclodextrin was used (octakis-[6-deoxy-6-(2-sulfanyl ethanesulfonic acid)]-γ-cyclodextrin). The complex was physico-chemically analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods and then in vitro tested for its antiproliferative activity by the MTT assay and by cell cycle analysis. Finally, the complex was tested in vivo using an animal model of murine melanoma developed in C57BL/6J mice, where it caused a reduction in tumor volume and weight. The study revealed the beneficial influence of betulinic acid inclusion into the cyclodextrin in terms of antiproliferative activity and in vivo tumor development.

Usually the celiac trunk divides into three branches: left gastric artery, common hepatic artery, and splenic artery. The anatomical variations of the branching pattern are quite common. On a series of 1,500 cases examined by multidetector‐row computed tomography (MDCT) (64‐slice MDCT system; SOMATOM Sensation, Siemens Medical Solutions, Forchheim, Germany), we highlighted two cases of absence of the celiac trunk. The left gastric, splenic, and common hepatic arteries arising independently from the abdominal aorta. This anatomical variation of the unpaired branches of the abdominal aorta are due to developmental changes in the ventral segmental arteries. Knowledge of the anatomical variations of the celiac trunk is essential for clinical practice.