A rare case of retained metallic foreign body in liver: case report and review of literature.

Introduction and importance: Foreign bodies in the liver are uncommon but can lead to severe conditions like liver abscess and sepsis. They typically enter through direct penetration, migration from the gastrointestinal tract, or through the blood. Common foreign objects include metal pins, or sewing needles swallowed accidentally. Case presentation: A 25-year-old male presented to our OPD with pain over the right abdomen with a prior history of projectile injury causing laceration over the right anterior abdomen with primary suturing. On radiological investigation, a retained foreign body was revealed. The metallic foreign body was embedded in the liver for 5 months. Removal of the foreign body was performed without any complications. Clinical discussion: Intrahepatic foreign bodies (FBs) in the liver can result from penetrating injuries, iatrogenic causes, or ingestion, particularly in children. Clinical presentations vary, and complications such as abscess formation may occur. Diagnosis involves imaging modalities like X-rays, ultrasonography, and computed tomography (CT) scans. The presented case highlights the importance of meticulous follow-up, as chronic pain manifested despite conservative management. The management of intrahepatic FBs depends on factors like size, location, and symptoms, with conservative approaches for stable patients. Surgical removal remains the mainstay of the treatment. Long-term monitoring is crucial to detect potential complications, and imaging studies play a key role in regular follow-up. Conclusion: Hepatic foreign bodies are rare, and symptoms vary based on size, type, and location, ranging from asymptomatic to complications such as abscess formation. Surgical removal is the main treatment, but in cases of noncomplicated hepatic foreign bodies, close follow-up is necessary.

Richter supraumbilical hernia managed with invagination: a case report.

Introduction and importance: Richter's hernia is an incarceration of the anti-mesenteric border of a segment of bowel through an abdominal wall defect. It primarily affects elderly individuals but can occur at any age, with a slightly increased incidence in females. The increase in laparoscopic and robotic-assisted procedures has led to a rise in Richter's hernias. Case presentation: A 40-year-old male with a history of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and kidney transplantation presented with a 4-day history of supraumbilical swelling and abdominal pain. The swelling was irreducible and accompanied by mild tenderness, and local signs of inflammation were exhibited. Intraoperatively, a 1.5 cm hernia defect was found, with the sac containing omentum and a portion of bowel segment for which invagination with serosal closure with the Mayo double-breasting technique was done. Clinical discussion: Richter's hernia presents with abdominal discomfort, bloating, nausea, and vomiting, with a notable feature being the delayed onset of symptoms due to its partial involvement of the bowel wall. Diagnosis can be achieved through a computed tomography (CT) scan or intraoperative exploration. Management of Richter hernia is contingent upon the patient's clinical condition, physical examination, and suspicion of strangulation. Conclusion: Diagnosis of Richter's hernia demands higher suspicion, particularly in patients with predisposing factors like a history of minimally invasive surgery. Prompt surgical intervention is crucial for reducing mortality and enhancing prognosis, with invagination alone being adequate if ischaemia is confined and mesh placement is unnecessary.

Assessing the comparative efficacy of plasmapheresis and Intravenous immunoglobulin in myasthenia gravis treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness, posing significant challenges to patients' daily lives. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasmapheresis are two prominent immunomodulatory therapies used in MG management, but the choice between them remains a clinical dilemma. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the comparative efficacy of IVIG versus plasmapheresis in MG management. METHODS: We adhered to PRISMA guidelines and prospectively registered the review protocol in PROSPERO. Systematic search across electronic databases identified 14 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Data from these studies were extracted, and assessed risk of bias. Primary outcomes included clinical efficacy, while secondary outcomes encompassed hospitalization, ventilation, antibody titers, and treatment-related complications. Statistical analysis was conducted using R software. RESULTS: The pooled results indicated that patients receiving plasmapheresis had higher odds of any improvement in MG symptoms compared to IVIG. However, change in severity scores did not significantly differ between the two treatments. Hospitalization durations were similar, but IVIG-treated patients tended to have shorter stays. Antibody titers, particularly anti-MUSK antibodies, favored plasmapheresis treatment. Complication rates were comparable between two groups. However, severe complications were more common in plasmapheresis. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive analysis suggests that plasmapheresis may offer superior short-term symptom improvement in MG compared to IVIG, while IVIG may lead to shorter hospital stays and lower complication rates. The choice between these treatments should be tailored to individual patient needs and disease characteristics. Further research is needed to explore long-term outcomes and mortality rates in MG management.

Intrahepatic pancreatic pseudocyst (wayward cyst): A rare presentation of traumatic pancreatitis.

INTRODUCTION: Cystic lesions in the liver are commonly encountered space-occupying lesions having various etiologies such as simple cysts, malignancies, hydatid cysts, and pancreatic pseudocysts. CASE PRESENTATION: An eight-year-old girl initially presented with acute abdominal pain, fever, and a cystic lesion in the upper abdomen. Surgical intervention was performed based on an initial diagnosis of an inflammatory cyst. Later, she developed pleural effusion. Further investigations, unveiled a cystic mass arising from the head of the pancreas, and a pancreatico-pleural fistula. Retrospective analysis revealed a history of trauma that started her illness course. Conservative management involving intercostal tube drainage and octreotide infusion resulted in a favorable outcome. DISCUSSION: Pancreatic pseudocyst is typically results from pancreatitis or trauma but in rare cases, they can have extended to unusual locations such as the liver. This case highlights the varied presentations and complex interplay of symptoms associated with intrahepatic pseudocysts. The initial oversight of trauma in the patient's history underscore the importance of thorough history-taking for an accurate diagnosis. The complexity of this case emphasize the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach in managing such atypical presentations. CONCLUSION: Intrahepatic pseudocysts, especially those resulting from post-traumatic pancreatic pseudocyst, are uncommon and are not typically included in the differential diagnosis of liver lesions. This case highlights the significance of identifying unusual presentation and thoroughly investigating the patient's medical history to make an accurate diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for effective patient management in these complex cases.

Radiolucent foreign body leading to complete small bowel obstruction: a diagnostic dilemma - a case report.

Introduction and importance: Foreign body ingestion leading to luminal obstruction in both the small and large bowels is rare, especially in children. The authors present a case of a 7-year-old patient who presented with a small bowel obstruction caused by an ingested radiolucent foreign body. The previous herniotomy surgery 1 year back led to initial diagnostic confusion, highlighting the need for a broad differential diagnosis. Case presentation: A 7-year-old child with a history of herniotomy presented with symptoms of small bowel obstruction. Radiological imaging revealed a soft tissue mass mimicking a polyp or cystic lesion. During exploratory laparotomy, a cystic structure was discovered in the terminal ileum. The foreign body, identified as a fluid-filled balloon, was inaccessible to endoscopy and was gently maneuvered into the ascending colon. It was punctured and removed during on-table colonoscopy. Clinical discussion: This case underscores the challenges of diagnosing and managing luminal obstruction caused by radiolucent foreign bodies in children. The presence of previous surgery can mislead clinicians, necessitating a broad differential diagnosis. Radiological imaging played a crucial role in identifying the foreign body. Surgical intervention guided by an on-table colonoscopy allowed successful removal. Conclusion: Foreign body ingestion leading to luminal obstruction should be considered, even in cases with previous abdominal surgery. Radiological imaging aids in identification, and timely surgical intervention, guided by on-table colonoscopy, facilitates foreign body removal. Awareness of such cases is essential for optimal care in pediatric patients with luminal obstruction caused by foreign body ingestion.

Presentation, management and outcomes of iliopsoas abscess at a University Teaching Hospital in Nepal.

Objectives: Iliopsoas abscess (IPA) is an uncommon clinical disease and is often missed to diagnose due to vague clinical presentation. Early treatment with drainage and appropriate antibiotic therapy is necessary before sepsis sets in and become lethal. We conducted this study to evaluate clinical features, etiology, management strategies, and outcomes in patients with IPA from a University Teaching Hospital in Nepal. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 32 consecutive IPA cases managed at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Nepal for the period of January 2019 to February 2022 was carried out. Results: The mean age was 42.5 ± 19.1 years (range, 19-75 years) and the male: female ratio was 2.2:1. Two-thirds or more patients presented with fever, limp, fixed flexion deformity and/or low back pain. Ultrasonography (US) was diagnostic in 27 (84.4%) patients. Eighteen (56.3%) patients had primary IPAs, and 14 (43.7%) had secondary IPAs. Thirty (93.7%) patients were managed with US guided percutaneous drainage (PCD) and 2 (6.2%) patients underwent open surgical drainage. Drainage procedures were combined with antibiotics in all patients. Pus culture showed Staphylococcus aureus growing in the majority of cases (10 of 23, 43.5%). The hospital stay was longer in patients treated via surgical drainage compared to those who received PCD: 13 days (range 12-14 days) vs. 6.6 days (range 4-13 days), respectively. Recurrence of abscess was seen in 4 (12.5%) cases and all were successfully managed via a second PCD. There was no mortality. Conclusions: Varying clinical presentation of iliopsoas abscess demand a high index of suspicion for early diagnosis. Initial imaging modality in suspected case of IPA is US. US-guided PCD along with the appropriate antibiotics is a successful frontline treatment of IPAs with shorter hospital stay.

Bacteriological Profile of Surgical Site Infection Following Gastrointestinal Surgery and Their Antibiogram.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection is one of the common complication following abdominal surgery. It causes great morbidity and mortality, further increasing prevalence of multidrug resistant bacteria have made its management very challenging. The current study aims to identify causative agent responsible for surgical site infection and their antibiotic resistance patterns. METHODS: This study was conducted among patients developing surgical site infection following gastrointestinal surgery in Tribhuvan university teaching hospital over a period of one year. The samples were collected and processed according to standard methods. The bacterial pathogens with their antimicrobial susceptibility were determined and resistant pattern like methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and extended spectrum beta lactamase were further detected. RESULTS: A total of 832 patients had under gone gastrointestinal surgery during the study period. Among them, 162 cases (19.5%) developed surgical site infection and 125 cases showed growth in culture. A total of 160 aerobic bacteria were isolated; Escherichia coli (29.9%) was the commonest organism with 40.8% being extended spectrum beta lactamase producer and 47.4% of Staphylococcus aureus were methicillin resistant. About 75.9% (85/112) of gram negative bacteria and 60.4% (29/48) gram positive bacteria were multi drug resistant. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of multi drug resistant bacteria causing surgical site infection is high which needs to be addressed timely. Good surveillance of bacterial antibiogram and rational antimicrobial use is necessary to reduce emergence and spread of resistant bacteria.

Post-operative Pancreatitis as a Predictor of Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula in Patients Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pancreatic fistula remains the single most important determinant of morbidity and mortality following pancreaticoduodenectomy. A new entity was proposed by Saxon Connor "Post-Operative pancreatitis", which is defined by raised serum amylase more than the upper limit of institutional serum amylase value on Post-Operative day 0 or 1. There has been shown to be an association between postoperative pancreatitis and postoperative pancreatic fistula. We have conducted this study to see the incidence of postoperative pancreatitis and its association with postoperative pancreatic fistula. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study. All patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy at a tertiary care center for one and a half years were included. A cut-off value of serum amylase 80U/L was used to make a diagnosis of postoperative pancreatitis. The patients were followed up for one month. Pancreas specific complications were defined according to the definition given by the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery. RESULTS: A total of 49 pancreaticoduodenectomies were done in the given period. The incidence of postoperative pancreatitis was 31(63.3%) and postoperative pancreatic fistula was 19(38.8%). Postoperative pancreatic fistula was seen in 19(61.2%) of patients having postoperative pancreatitis (P<0.001). Post-operative pancreatitis was also significantly associated with post pancreatectomy hemorrhage, increased hospital stay, and mortality. In multivariate analysis, preoperative endoscopic biliary drainage and increased serum amylase on the first postoperative day came out to be an independent predictor of postoperative pancreatic fistula. CONCLUSIONS: Post-operative Pancreatitis was associated with an increased incidence of Post-operative pancreatic fistula and other postoperative complications like Post pancreatectomy hemorrhage and mortality.

Hepatogastric fistula: a complication of pyogenic liver abscess in a patient with the Brugarda syndrome - A rare case report.

Hepatogastric fistula following pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a rare and fatal complication, and only a handful of cases have been reported without co-existing comorbidities of Brugarda syndrome. Case presentation: A 22-year-old male presented to the emergency room with a known case of Brugarda pattern ECG with chief complaints of on-and-off abdominal pain and fever for 2 weeks and shortness of breath for one day. On evaluation, echocardiography showed a clot in the inferior vena cava (IVC) and right atrium (RA), and on computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed a liver abscess with transmural gastric perforation. During, an exploratory laparotomy where a fistula joining the left lobe of the liver and stomach was detected, and an emergency excision was done. The patient was shifted to the ICU and later developed septic shock, which was managed medically. Clinical discussion: Usually, thrombosis of the portal vein and the hepatic vein is a very common complication of a PLA but vascular complications like IVC, RA thrombosis, and hepatogastric fistula have been reported rarely. Our case is peculiar hepatogastric fistulization along with IVC/RA clots in a patient with Brugarda pattern ECG. The typical clinical manifestation of a patient with hepatogenic fistula is absent in our patient and presented with an on-off type of fever, epigastric pain, and shortness of breath and was managed surgically. Conclusion: Hepatogasric fistula, thrombosis of the IVC, and RA are a rare complications of PLA. The patient with Brugarda syndrome is at high risk as its clinical manifestation gets exaggerated during sepsis.

Spigelian hernia: A rare case presentation and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Spigelian hernias are rare abdominal wall defects that occur at the semilunar line lateral to the rectus abdominis muscle. They are located between the muscular layers of the abdominal wall and can be easily overlooked because of abdominal obesity. They are difficult to diagnose because of their location and vague symptoms. The diagnosis has been considerably aided by the introduction of ultrasonography and Computed Tomography. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of 60 years old male who presented with swelling and vague abdominal discomfort in the right lower abdomen and was diagnosed with the help of CT scan in prone position. The patient underwent transabdominal preperitoneal repair laparoscopically. His recovery was uneventful. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Spigelian hernia constitutes about 0.12 to 0.2 % of all abdominal hernias. It commonly occurs in semilunaris line, well-defined defect in the Spigelian aponeurosis at the "Spigelian hernia" belt. Ultrasound scanning is recommended as first line imaging investigation in suspected case. Prompt surgical repair is recommended for spigelian hernia to prevent subsequent strangulation. CONCLUSION: Since spigelian hernia is a rare entity a high index of suspicion is required for accurate diagnosis. Once diagnosis is made, operative management is required to prevent incarceration.

Biliary Cripple and the Spectrum of Complications following Cholecystectomy: A Case Report.

Bile duct injury is a complication seen during cholecystectomy. Here, we highlight the occurrence of bile duct injury (BDI) during an open cholecystectomy who underwent hepaticojejunostomy (HJ), later presenting with a stricture of HJ. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) was performed which led to the development of hepatic artery injury.

Mesenteric Ischemia and Its Need for Timely Recognition and Management.

Mesenteric ischemia is a fatal vascular emergency of the small intestine which, if not diagnosed and treated in time, has a very high mortality rate. Presenting with nonspecific symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, tachycardia, and gastrointestinal bleeds, it can masquerade as other causes of acute abdomen, particularly bowel obstruction. Ideal laboratory tests and markers are still lacking due to complexity in bowel's anatomy, physiology, blood supply, and drainage. We report 10 cases of mesenteric ischemia presented in our center with their demography, laboratory findings, approach to diagnosis, and treatment along with their outcomes at discharge. Out of the ten cases, six cases presented with signs and symptoms of acute bowel obstruction without passage of stool and one with passage of black stool. These seven patients underwent laparotomy, while the remaining three cases who either presented with milder symptoms or refused surgical interventions were managed conservatively. All patients were diagnosed with either acute or chronic mesenteric ischemia based on their operative and/or radiographic findings.

Comparison of POSSUM and SAPS II in Prediction of Postoperative Mortality in Hollow Viscus Perforation.

BACKGROUND: There have been very few studies in the literature assessing various scoring systems to predict mortality in patients with hollow viscous perforation. Scoring systems like POSSUM and SAPS II are among the most widely validated risk predictors. Objective of the study was to compare POSSUM and SAPS II in prediction of mortality in patients undergoing surgery for hollow viscus perforation. METHODS: Prospective observational study was conducted at Department of Surgery, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal, over a period of 18 months. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Institute of Medicine. Informed consent was taken from all the patients. Patients aged less than 16 years, discharged on request and patients in whom no perforation found during surgery were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Among 121 patients enrolled in the study, in-hospital mortality was seen in 19 patients (17.0%). Mean POSSUM score in survivors was 39.7 ± 7.3 and in non-survivors was 52.8 ± 5.8 (p < 0.001). Similarly mean SAPS II score was 16.4 ± 9.7 in survivors and 41.8 ± 6.4 in non-survivors ( p < 0.001). Area under ROC curve was higher for SAPS II (0.964) as compared to POSSUM (0.906) suggesting that SAPS was better. CONCLUSIONS: Both POSSUM and SAPS II provided good discrimination between survivors and non survivors in patients undergoing surgery for hollow viscus perforation. SAPS II showed better sensitivity and specificity than POSSUM in predicting mortality.

Colonic tuberculosis masquerading as ascending colon carcinoma in a patient of FIGO Stage IIB cervical carcinoma following chemo-radiotherapy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Colonic tuberculosis may masquerade colonic carcinoma. Also, intestinal tuberculosis may mimic colonic carcinoma, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, etc. CASE PRESENTATION: A 40 years female was diagnosed with cervical carcinoma FIGO Stage IIB underwent chemo-radiotherapy. She was symptom-free for a few months and then she developed right-sided abdominal pain and abdominal fullness for 4 months. She underwent a colonoscopy that showed ulcerative growth and friable tissue in hepatic flexure of colon and histopathology and immunohistochemistry findings suggested non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or poorly differentiated carcinoma. Then right standard hemicolectomy was performed and histopathology showed tuberculosis. The patient received medications for tuberculosis and the patient improved. CLINICAL FINDINGS AND INVESTIGATIONS: Preoperatively suspected colonic carcinoma in developing countries (where the prevalence of tuberculosis is high) may sometimes come out as colonic tuberculosis in histopathology. The biopsy sample taken from colonoscopy was examined by histopathology, which showed nonspecific results, and the case was mistakenly thought of as colonic carcinoma preoperatively. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: The case underwent right standard hemicolectomy and to the surprise, the excised specimen came out as tuberculosis. The patient received anti-tubercular drugs and the patient is symptomatically better. RELEVANCE AND IMPACT: Colonic tuberculosis can mimic colonic carcinoma. Histopathology will confirm colonic tuberculosis and response to anti-tuberculosis drugs will verify the diagnosis. Though a patient undergoing chemotherapy may develop lymphoma, colonoscopic biopsy may not be conclusive. In any symptomatic patient with colonic stricture, surgery is the treatment of choice.

Efficacy of Disinfectants Against Tropical Race 4 Causing Fusarium Wilt in Cavendish Bananas.

Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), caused by a suite of Fusarium fungi, is among the most devastating plant diseases. The iconic FWB epidemic in the previous century lasted decades and was caused by so-called Race 1 strains that wiped out the dominant 'Gros Michel' banana plantations across Central America. Eventually, it was stopped because the Race 1-resistant 'Cavendish' banana variety replaced 'Gros Michel', which dominates global production (>50%) and trade (>95%). However, presently, the so-called Tropical Race 4 (TR4) threatens plantations of 'Cavendish' and many other banana varieties around the globe. Prevention is the first line of defense against the spread of TR4. Therefore, many disinfection units are installed to prevent the entry of TR4 in banana plantations. These foot and tire baths are filled with disinfectants, but limited knowledge is available on their efficacy. In this project, we evaluated 13 disinfectants commonly used in the Philippines. Our results show that the efficacy of these products depends on the type of fungal spores, the exposure time, and the replenishment frequency of the disinfection units. The resting spores of TR4 were resistant to all but one - unfortunately corrosive - disinfectant. Furthermore, we show that the actual contact time with disinfectants was far below the thresholds determined in laboratory experiments. Finally, muddy disinfection units reduced the efficacy of disinfectants. Taken together, we conclude that practices are inadequate to prevent the dissemination of TR4.

Oncology clinical practice guidelines usage among physicians in Nepal.

OBJECTIVE: Oncology clinical practice guidelines (OCPGs) are systematically developed evidence-based recommendations aimed to guide practitioners in decision making during the diagnosis, management, and treatment of cancer patients under specific circumstances, thereby optimizing clinical outcomes. However, little is known about the implementation of those guidelines in low and middle-income countries including Nepal. This research aimed to identify the type of OCPGs used by Nepalese physicians working in oncology departments and to explore barriers and facilitators affecting their use. METHODS: Using the total population sampling technique, we conducted an online cross-sectional survey from June 2020 to January 2021 among physicians working in the oncology departments of Nepal. Descriptive analyses were conducted to summarize the research findings. RESULTS: Out of 171 physicians approached for the study, 102 (59.6%) responded to the questionnaire. The sizable proportions of the participants were a senior group of physicians with 27.5% being consultants, 14.7% senior consultants, and 16.7% professors. The most commonly used guideline was the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline of the United States (75.5%) followed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology guideline (44.7%). While only 22.6% of physicians reported using OCPGs every time, more than half (56.9%) highlighted that OCPGs are not feasible to implement in Nepal. Insufficient facilities/equipment, physicians' unwillingness to change their usual practice, inability to discuss research with knowledgeable colleagues, and lack of time were commonly cited barriers. CONCLUSION: Findings of our study highlighted that the OCPGs developed in high-income countries may not be feasible for low resource settings like Nepal. Comprehensive local OCPGs should be developed considering the available resources, feasibility, and financial constraints of patients. Furthermore, a constant sharing and learning environment should be created to enhance the knowledge of practicing physicians and to promote the proper implementation of evidence-based findings.

Intra-abdominal propylene suture fragment leading to complete small bowel obstruction: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Propylene sutures are non-absorbable sterile surgical sutures, which when present intra-abdominally act as a foreign body leading to adhesion formation. Post-operative adhesions are a common cause of bowel obstruction, with complete closed loop obstruction presenting as a surgical emergency. CASE DETAILS: A 66-year-old man who had undergone a laparotomy for bowel obstruction two years back, presented to our emergency department with features of complete bowel obstruction. Midline laparotomy revealed propylene suture and intra peritoneal adhesions acting as a constricting band around the jejunum to be the cause. DISCUSSION: Adhesions are common perturbing problem after surgeries. The presence of a foreign body further incites the process of adhesion formation by causing hindrance to the fibrinolysis process. In this case, the adhesive bands acted synergistically with the encircling prolene suture material from the previous surgery in causing a complete loop obstruction. CONCLUSION: Propylene sutures used in routine surgical procedures can migrate intra-abdominally, and lead to adhesion formation. Adhesions along with the non-absorbable suture can cause complete bowel obstruction.

A Ruptured Pseudoaneurysm of an Anomalous Gastroduodenal Artery: A Rare Presentation.

Gastroduodenal artery (GDA) anomalies are a rare entity. Rupture of such anomalies can present with a diagnostic challenge. In this report, we describe a case of ruptured pseudoaneurysm of an anomalous GDA arising directly from the aorta presenting with recurrent abdominal pain and anemia. The diagnosis was made on computed tomography scan which showed acute retroperitoneal fluid collection. Further angiographic intervention highlighted the anomalous GDA arising directly from the aorta.

Jejunal GIST masquerading as an ovarian mass: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare mesenchymal tumors originating in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. Jejunal GIST is the rarest subtype. Large GIST can present with an abdominopelvic mass which can be preoperatively misdiagnosed as a gynecological tumor. CASE HISTORY: A 44-year regularly menstruating woman presented with lower abdominal pain which was diagnosed as a malignant ovarian tumor preoperatively with an MRI. However, intraoperatively, a lobulated mass was present in the abdominal cavity arising from a jejunal portion of the small intestine. With an intraoperative diagnosis of jejunal GIST, the mass was excised and jejunum anastomosed. Histopathology examination report showed GIST which was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry. DISCUSSION: GIST presenting as a large abdominopelvic mass can mimic a gynecological tumor. Contrast-enhanced CT scan is the preferred imaging modality for the evaluation of patients with suspected GIST to determine the extent of the tumor, the presence or absence of metastatic disease alongside evaluation of the possibility of complete resection. Adjuvant imatinib therapy following complete excision can decrease the disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: Gynecologists should keep in mind that primary gastrointestinal tumors can present as a pelvic mass. A proper histopathological examination helps to confirm the diagnosis. Complete surgical removal of the tumor should be obtained as it determines the prognosis of the disease.

Comparison of serum biomarkers cifra 21-1 and ca 19-9 in biliary tract cancers.

BACKGROUND: Biliary malignancy is common in Asia and has high fatality. CA 19-9 has been used in diagnosis of biliary malignancy but can be raised in benign obstructive jaundice as well. CYFRA 21-1 can have an important role in patients with biliary tract cancer. The objective of this study is to compare accuracy of biomarkers CYFRA 21-1 with CA 19-9 for diagnosis of biliary tract cancers and to correlate level of biomarkers with the stage of disease. METHODS: Patients with histopathological diagnosis of biliary tract cancers managed at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal were enrolled in the study. Measurement of serum CK 19 fragments was performed and compared with CA 19-9. Demographic characteristics, physiological variables and laboratory values were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 61 patients included the mean age was 53.41±12.5 years. Amongst the biliary malignancies, carcinoma of the gallbladder was commonest. Most patients (64%) were in the middle age group (40 to 60 years) and presented in advanced stage (Stage III and IV). CYFRA 21-1 had sensitivity of 80.3% and CA 19-9 of 68.9 % for the detection of Biliary Tract Cancers. Comparing the means of CYFRA 21-1 and CA 19-9 for stage of the disease, progressive rise of CYFRA 21-1 with the rise in stage of the disease was observed (p< 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: CYFRA is a more reliable test than CA 19-9 in all stages of biliary malignancy and can assist in distinguishing early and advanced malignancy. In carcinoma of gallbladder, highest CYFRA 21-1 values were observed.