Spontaneous cyst-cutaneous fistula: an extremely rare presentation of hydatid liver cyst.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Vania Stafyla.
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Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is defined as a papillary thyroid cancer measuring less than 10mm in its greatest diameter. It is the most common form of thyroid cancer, detected in up to 36% in autopsy studies. The wide availability and use of neck ultrasonography in the evaluation of carotid arteries and of the thyroid resulted in an increased detection of PTMC. PTMC is often multifocal. The diagnosis is usually based on a combination of clinical examination, laboratory investigations, and specialized radiological techniques (mainly neck ultrasonography combined with fine-needle aspiration cytology). A common scenario is the diagnosis of PTMC as an incidental finding following thyroidectomy for a presumably benign thyroid disease. Despite some controversy, most authors agree that PTMC should be treated by total or near-total thyroidectomy, provided it can be performed safely. Because of its many and major advantages, in our clinical practice, total or near-total thyroidectomy is the procedure of choice for the management of PTMC. Given the high incidence of PTMC as an incidental finding and the frequent multi-focality, we also favor total or near-total thyroidectomy for the surgical management of nodular thyroid disease (multinodular goiter or dominant presumably benign thyroid nodule/s). Despite some controversy, we perform central neck lymph node dissection electively, in the presence of cervical lymphadenopathy. Radioiodine ablation therapy may be used as an adjuvant therapy. Prognostic factors (such as tumor multicentricity, positive lymph nodes, capsular or vascular invasion) or scoring systems (such as the AMES) can be used to select patients for radioiodine adjuvant therapy. Suppression therapy is needed after surgical management. Despite the potential for neck lymph node and even distant metastases, the biological behavior of PTMC is in general benign and the prognosis is very good.
We present a patient with biliary peritonitis following a T-tube removal. The patient underwent laparotomy; a rupture of the fistulous tract around the T-tube was found. A Nelaton catheter was inserted through this opening and advanced toward the biliary tree and secured in place by a suture ligature. Postoperative course was uneventful.
BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been accepted as an alternative to laparotomy, and has become the standard treatment of benign gallbladder diseases. However, it has been noticed that (following LC) the serum level of certain liver enzymes raises markedly in patients who had preoperatively normal liver enzyme values. METHODS: We measured serum values of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, bilirubin, and international normalized ratio (INR) in 72 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 36 consecutive patients who underwent open cholecystectomy (OC). During laparoscopic surgery, the intra-abdominal pressure was maintained at 14 mmHg of CO2. To assess liver function, serum liver enzymes were measured before operations and at 1,3,7, and 10 days postoperation. RESULTS: Mortality was nil. Twenty-four hours after the procedure, ALT and AST increased statistically significantly in the LC group (ALTLC24: 87.1+/-24.2 U/L P<0.001; ASTLC24:82.8+/-19.1 U/L, p<0.001)--whereas in the OC group, 24 hours after the procedure, the serum value of ALT and AST was above the upper normal limits in only in one patient. A further increase in serum ALT and AST value was observed in the LC group (ALTLC72: 99.3+/-19.5 U/L, p<0.001; ASTLC72H: 103.5+/-21.6 U/L, p<0.001) 72 hours after the operation. The mean value of ALT and AST in the OC group was within normal limits 72 hours after the procedure. Slow return to normality occurred 7-10 days after the procedure in the LC group. CONCLUSION: Alterations in hepatic function occur after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appear to be clinically insignificant. CO2 pneumoperitoneum seems to be the main reason for theses changes but other factors may also contribute. We also measured the values of ALP, GGT, INR and bilirubin. No statistically significant increase was noticed in any groups between the preoperative and postoperative values of these enzymes.
The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical relevance of incidental parathyroidectomy during thyroid surgery. Prospective analysis of data in patients following thyroidectomy, specifically regarding the presence of parathyroid parenchyma in the thyroidectomy specimens, the underlying thyroid pathology, and the presence of postoperative hypocalcemia (biochemical/clinical). The clinical records of 158 patients who underwent thyroid surgery during a 2-year period were reviewed. Pathology reports were carefully reviewed for the nature of the underlying thyroid disease, the presence, number, and size of incidentally resected parathyroid gland(s), their location, and possible parathyroid pathology. Serum calcium levels were measured preoperatively, on the day of surgery, and on postoperative days 1, 2, and 7 or even later as needed. Two groups of patients were studied: a group with incidental parathyroidectomy following thyroidectomy (group A) and a group without incidental parathyroidectomy after thyroidectomy (group B). Total/near-total thyroidectomy was the procedure of choice and was performed in 154 patients; total lobectomy and contralateral subtotal lobectomy was performed in the other 4 patients. Elective central neck lymph node dissection was performed in four patients with neck lymphadenopathy. Inadvertently removed parathyroid tissue was found in 28 cases (17.7 %); in 6 of these patients (21%) the parathyroid tissue was intrathyroidal. The percentage of women in group A was significantly higher than in group B (93% vs. 58.5%, P = 0.0002). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (A and B) regarding the preoperative (presumed) diagnosis, the histologic diagnosis of thyroid disease (benign versus malignant), the type/extent of surgery, or the presence of thyroiditis. Biochemical and clinical hypocalcemia was observed in 6 (21%) and 2 (7%) patients in group A, respectively, and in 30 (23%) and 8 (6%) patients of group B, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference regarding the occurrence of postoperative hypocalcemia (clinical/biochemical) between the two groups (P = 0.33). Incidental parathyroidectomy is not uncommon following thyroidectomy and in a significant percentage of cases it may be due to the intrathyroidal location of the parathyroid glands. Incidental parathyroidectomy was not found to be associated with postoperative hypocalcemia (biochemical/clinical). Incidental parathyroidectomy may be considered as a potentially preventable but clinically minor complication of thyroid surgery.
BACKGROUND: Fibroadenoma is a benign breast tumor that is effectively treated by local excision. Although uncommon, breast fibroadenoma may harbor breast carcinoma, either in situ or invasive. CASE: We present a 27-year-old woman who presented for the management of an apparently benign mass in the right breast. The clinician and ultrasonographic characters of the mass were indicative of a breast fibroadenoma. A local excision of the mass was performed. Histology showed the presence of LCIS within the fibroadenoma. After a detailed discussion with the patient about the available management options, the conservative approach (which includes local excision/biopsy only and regular follow-up) was preferred. CONCLUSION: LCIS within a breast fibroadenoma is a rare entity. Carcinomas arising within a fibroadenoma have the same biological behavior as those arising independently and, therefore, their management should be the same. Close surveillance following local excision/biopsy is the preferred management for LCIS within a fibroadenoma.
Myoid hamartomas of the breast are extremely rare breast lesions, with a poorly understood pathogenesis. A 60-year-old woman presented with a palpable mass in the right breast. Breast ultrasonography and mammography showed the presence of a breast lesion with benign characters, but were not diagnostic. A local excision of the mass was performed; histology revealed that the tumor was composed of epithelial and stromal cells. Histological and immunohistochemical findings established the diagnosis of myoid hamartoma. The patient is well 4 years later without tumor recurrence. Breast myoid hamartomas are exceptionally rare benign lesions; complete surgical excision achieves cure.