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Biomedical subjects

H S Walia

Publications and source records attributed to H S Walia.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Cholesterol granuloma of the peritoneum.

Cholesterol granulomas are common in the mastoid region but have rarely been reported in other areas. The authors report the case of a 40-year-old man who had a cholesterol granuloma of the peritoneum. They discuss the morphology of the condition and the difficulties of diagnosis. It is likely that chronic or recurrent inflammation plays a major role in the pathogenesis and that, when dealing with such lesions preoperatively or intraoperatively, a radical approach may not be necessary.

Adult

Abdominal tuberculosis.

Forty-two cases of abdominal tuberculosis seen between June 1984 and June 1988 at Amiri Hospital in Kuwait were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical diagnosis was correct in only 35%. Nine patients presented as an emergency, but in none was a diagnosis of tuberculosis considered. Abdominal pain and tenderness were the commonest clinical findings; "doughy abdomen" and a mass in right iliac fossa were uncommon. Thus, symptoms were vague, signs nonspecific and investigations nonpathognomonic. In spite of this, abdominal tuberculosis should be considered in any patient who has obscure abdominal symptoms, weight loss and lethargy. Laparoscopy and colonoscopy with biopsy for histologic and bacteriologic study led to a definitive diagnosis in 66% of cases, obviating the need for exploratory laparotomy in many. Histologic examination was the surest way to establish the diagnosis.

Abdomen

Rational approach to therapy in splenic abscess.

Intrasplenic abscess is an uncommon but potentially lethal condition. Seven cases of splenic abscess were seen between 1985 and 1988. There are no specific clinical findings; symptoms and signs of fever, abdominal pain and tenderness were present in all seven cases but were only helpful in diagnosing splenic abscess in three cases. Computed tomographic scanning probably at present offers the most direct way of evaluating the spleen and making an early diagnosis. Splenectomy was done in three cases and antibiotics were used in four cases with equally successful results. Contrary to the prevalent opinion, we believe that medical management is an important addition to the surgeon's armamentarium and offers a viable alternative in selected cases of splenic abscess. A successful outcome is dependent on a high degree of clinical alertness, an aggressive diagnostic approach and prompt effective treatment.

Abscess

Eosinophilic enteritis with perforation.

A case of eosinophilic granuloma of the gastrointestinal tract with free perforation is described. The authors believe this is the first such case to be published. The patient, a 60-year-old woman, had no history of allergy. At laparotomy, 100 ml of pus was aspirated. A 42-cm section of small bowel, containing multiple punched-out ulcers, was excised. The mucosa and submucosa of the operative specimen were edematous; there was a moderate inflammatory infiltrate containing numerous eosinophils and neutrophils. The lesion appeared to represent a local reaction to some antigen with resultant eosinophilic infiltration.

Enteritis

Fungal mastitis. Case report.

Fungal (cryptococcal) mastitis in a young woman seemed to be a systemic manifestation of the infection, since it recurred contralaterally within 4 months. Diagnostic problems are discussed. Only two previous reports of deep mammary mycosis were found. In addition to excision, ketoconazole is recommended to prevent recurrence or serious complications.

Adult

Acute pancreatitis in a low alcohol-consuming community.

The case records 50 patients with abdominal pain and hyperamylasemia were studied in detail. Ten cases of gallstone induced hyperamylasemia, in which no evidence of pancreatitis was found at operation, were excluded. The etiological factors in the remaining group of forty cases of acute pancreatitis, in a community practicing alcohol abstinence, were reviewed. Both alcoholic and idiopathic pancreatitis were insignificant factors in the etiology of acute pancreatitis. Eighty percent of cases of acute pancreatitis were due to biliary tract disease. A younger age-group and female preponderance, as well as biochemical evidence of cholestasis, was observed in this group. An inverse relationship between preoperative serum amylase levels and the severity of the disease was noted. A more aggressive diagnostic work-up is, however, warranted to identify these cases, for which early surgery is advocated. There was no mortality in operated cases of biliary pancreatitis.

Acute Disease

Gall-bladder interposition: a rare anomaly of the extrahepatic ducts.

Abnormalities in bile ducts pattern occur frequently enough to merit importance during cholecystectomy. A patient with anomalous insertion of both hepatic ducts into the gall-bladder with the cystic duct replacing the common bile duct is described. This case, and related anomalies of the bile ducts, are sufficiently important for us to ascertain their location and pattern prior to removal of the gall-bladder. Inadvertent injury to a normal or aberrant bile duct can result in morbidity and even mortality. Knowledge of the embryogenesis of these anomalies helps in the understanding of the location and pattern of these malformations. Almost all of these unusual bile duct arrangements can be recognised by following the rules of meticulous dissection and accurate knowledge of these anatomical aberrations.

Adult