Anorectal and Genital Mucosal Melanoma: Diagnostic Challenges, Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Opportunities of Rare Melanomas.

Mucosal melanomas (MM) are rare tumors, being less than 2% of all diagnosed melanomas, comprising a variegated group of malignancies arising from melanocytes in virtually all mucosal epithelia, even if more frequently found in oral and sino-nasal cavities, ano-rectum and female genitalia (vulva and vagina). To date, there is no consensus about the optimal management strategy of MM. Furthermore, the clinical rationale of molecular tumor characterization regarding BRAF, KIT or NRAS, as well as the therapeutic value of immunotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy, has not yet been deeply explored and clearly established in MM. In this overview, focused on anorectal and genital MM as models of rare melanomas deserving of a multidisciplinary approach, we highlight the need of referring these patients to centers with experts in melanoma, anorectal and uro-genital cancers treatments. Taking into account the rarity, the poor outcomes and the lack of effective treatment options for MM, tailored research needs to be promptly promoted.

Malignant Gastric Outlet Obstruction Caused by Duodenal Cervix Metastasis in a Young Woman: Rendezvous Technique.

Background: Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGOD) is an extremely rare expression of advanced extra-gastrointestinal cancer, such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix, and only sixcases are described in the literature.Because of the short life expectancyand the high surgical risk involving these patients, less invasive approaches have been developed over time, such asthe use of an enteral stent or less invasive surgical techniques (i.e., laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy). However, MGOD could make it difficult to perform an endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) for standard endoscopic drainage, so in this case a combined endoscopic-percutaneous technique may be performed. This article, therefore, aims to highlight the presence in the doctor's armamentarium of the "rendezvous technique", few case reports of whichare described in the literature, and, moreover, this article aims to underline the technique'sfeasibility. Case Presentation: The case is that of a 38-year-old woman who presented with MGOD three years after the diagnosis of SCC of the cervix, who successfully underwent the rendezvous technique with the resolution of duodenal obstruction. Endoscopic enteral stenting treatment with the placement of a metal stent (SEMSs) represents the mainstay of MGOD treatment compared withsurgery due to its lower morbidity, mortality, shorter hospitalization and earlier symptom relief. However, in patients with both duodenal and biliary obstruction, a combined endoscopic-percutaneous approach may be necessary because of the difficulty in passing the duodenal stricture or in accessing the papilla through the mesh of the duodenal SEMS. Conclusion: The rendezvous procedure is a technicallyfeasible and minimally invasive approach to the double stenting of biliary and duodenal strictures. It achieves the desired therapeutic result while avoiding the need to perform more invasive procedures that could have a negative impact on the patient'sprognosis.

Ultrasound of Small Bowel Obstruction: A Pictorial Review.

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common condition requiring urgent attention that may involve surgical treatment. Imaging is essential for the diagnosis and characterization of SBO because the clinical presentation and results of laboratory tests may be nonspecific. Ultrasound is an excellent initial imaging modality for assisting physicians in the rapid and accurate diagnosis of a variety of pathologies to expedite management. In the case of SBO diagnosis, ultrasound has an overall sensitivity of 92% (95% CI: 89-95%) and specificity of 93% (95% CI: 85-97%); the aim of this review is to examine the criteria for the diagnosis of SBO by ultrasound, which can be divided into diagnostic and staging criteria. The diagnostic criteria include the presence of dilated loops and abnormal peristalsis, while the staging criteria are represented by parietal and valvulae conniventes alterations and by the presence of free extraluminal fluid. Ultrasound has reasonably high accuracy compared to computed tomography (CT) scanning and may substantially decrease the time to diagnosis; moreover, ultrasound is also widely used in the monitoring and follow-up of patients undergoing conservative treatment, allowing the assessment of loop distension and the resumption of peristalsis.

Ultrasound Signs in the Diagnosis and Staging of Small Bowel Obstruction.

Ultrasound (US) is highly accurate in the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction (SBO). Because the indications for and timing of surgical intervention for SBO have changed over the past several decades, there is a widespread assumption that the majority of patients with simple SBO may be conservatively managed; in this scenario, staging SBO is crucial. This study evaluated the association between morphological and functional US signs in the diagnosis and staging (simple, decompensated and complicated), and the associations and prevalence of US signs correlated with clinical or surgical outcome. The US signs were divided into diagnostic (dilated bowel loops and altered kinesis) and staging criteria (extraluminal free fluid, parietal and villi alterations). We performed a retrospective, single-center cohort, observational study examining the prevalence of morphologic and functional US signs in the staging of simple, decompensated and complicated SBO. The most significant US signs were dilated bowel loops (100%), hypokinesis (90.46%), thickened walls (82.54%) and free fluid (74.60%). By linear regression, free fluid was positively correlated to US staging in both univariate and multivariate analysis; that is, the more advanced the stage of SBO, the more probable the presence of free fluid between the bowel loops. In univariate analysis only, we found a positive correlation between US staging/thickened walls and the prominence of valvulae conniventes. Additionally, the multivariate analysis indicated that parietal stratification and bowel jump kinesis were negative predictors for US staging in comparison to other US signs. In addition, we found significant associations between conservative treatment or surgery and hypokinesis (p = 0.0326), akinesis (p = 0.0326), free fluid (p = 0.0013) and prominence of valvulae conniventes (p = 0.011). Free fluid in particular was significantly less present in patients that were conservatively treated (p = 0.040). We conclude that the US staging of SBO may be crucial, with a valuable role in the initial diagnosis and staging of the pathology, saving time and reducing total radiation exposure to the patient.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Small Bowel Obstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common presentation to the Emergency Department (ED). This study aimed to analyze the accuracy of ultrasound (US) in diagnosing and staging SBO. OBJECTIVES: The main object of this study was to analyze the accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing and staging SBO compared to CT. METHODS: Retrospectively, stable patients with an ultrasonographic diagnosis of SBO who underwent abdominal CT immediately after US and before receiving naso-intestinal decompression, were included. US criteria for the diagnosis of SBO were related to morphological and functional findings. US diagnosis of obstruction was made if fluid-filled dilated small bowel loops were detected, peristalsis was abnormal and parietal abnormalities were present. Morphologic and functional sonographic findings were assigned to three categories: simple SBO, compensated SBO and decompensated SBO. US findings were compared with the results of CT examinations: Morphologic CT findings (divided into loop, vascular, mesenteric and peritoneal signs) allowed the classification of SBO in simple, decompensated and complicated. RESULTS: US diagnostic accuracy rates in relation to CT results were calculated: ultrasound compared to CT imaging, had a sensitivity of 92.31% (95% CI, 74.87% to 99.05%) and a specificity of 94.12% (95% CI, 71.31% to 99.85%) in the diagnosis of SBO. CONCLUSIONS: This study, similarly to the existing literature, suggests that ultrasound is highly accurate in the diagnosis of SBO, and that the most valuable sonographic signs are the presence of dilated bowel loops ad abnormal peristalsis.

Effects of curcumin and its adjuvant on TPC1 thyroid cell line.

Previous studies have demonstrated that different curcumin extracts are able to influence cell metabolic activity vitality in human papillary thyroid carcinoma TPC-1 cells. We continued the study using the most effective extract and adding other nutraceuticals such as piperine and vitamin E, in order to define the possible role of these in modulating the genetic expression of cell markers and to understand the effectiveness in modulating the regression of cancer phenotype. Cells were treated with one extract of curcumin (Naturex® Ultimate Botanical Benefits), with Piperine (Piper Longum, A.C.E.F.) and Vitamin E (Dry Vitamin E-Acetate 50% DC, BASF) alone and in combination, dissolved in the culture medium, for 48 h. Treatment with the different nutraceuticals is able to influence cell cycle regulators (cyclin D1, ß-catenin, p21, p53) and activators or inhibitors of apoptosis (BAX, pro-caspase3, Bcl-2). They are able to influence cell cycle distribution and metabolic activity vitality. The inhibitory effect of curcumin, piperine and vitamin E on cell proliferation involves different markers, and in particular inhibits ß-catenin, cyclinD1 and p53, making them candidates for a possible use in alternative therapies although further studies are needed.

Peritoneal Pulse Granulomas With Spiral Bodies Mimicking Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: A Case Report.

Pulse (hyaline ring) granuloma, a rare entity first described in lung and oral cavity, has been reported under various names before the identification of hyaline rings as fragments of pulses (the edible seeds of legumes). Similar lesions were thereafter described in extra-oral localizations, mainly the gastrointestinal tract, or localizations having potential communication with the gastrointestinal tract. Recently, 2 reports described "spiral bodies" surrounded by foreign body-type multinucleated giant cell reaction in pulse granulomas, corresponding to remnant plant vascular structures (helical xylem elements). In this article, we report a case of a 70-year-old male patient presenting to our hospital for an incisional hernia repair. He had a history of antrectomy 2 years previously for perforated duodenal ulcer complicated with fecal peritonitis. During the hernia repair procedure, multiple peritoneal whitish nodules and one subserosal appendiceal nodule were found. Appendectomy and biopsy of a peritoneal nodule were performed. Microscopic examination showed nodular lesions located in the subserosa to be pulse granulomas. Also surrounded by histiocytes, spiraled thin and rigid foreign bodies were identified. In this article, we report a case of pulse granuloma with spiral bodies complicating perforated duodenal ulcer and mimicking a peritoneal carcinomatosis. We also provide a discussion on the origin of spiral bodies in light of relevant literature.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding: Predictive Factors for Weight Loss and Band Removal After More than 10 Years' Follow-Up in a Single University Unit.

BACKGROUND: Weight loss and overall outcomes following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) are more variable than with other bariatric procedures. Our aim was to investigate the predictive value of certain parameters in a cohort of 794 patients with 10 years' minimum follow-up after LAGB. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 794 patients undergoing LAGB performed by the authors between April 1996 and December 2004. We collected patients' data on weight loss and band-related complications and performed logistic regression modelling and calculated Kaplan-Meier curves for band preservation. RESULTS: The follow-up rate at 10 years was 90.4%. The mean follow-up duration was 15.1 years (range, 120-228 months). Overall band removal with or without conversion or replacement was required in 304 (38.2%) patients. The mean survival time of the band was 148.4 months (95% confidence interval: 138.3-167.4), and there was no difference in the rate of removal by operative technique (p = 0.7). The highest rate of band removal occurred in female patients (p = 0.05), those with BMI > 50 kg/m2 (p = 0.005) and in those <40 years of age (p = 0.04). For patients with the band in situ, the success rate was significantly lower in patients with initial BMI > 50 kg/m2. Conversely, differences in success rate were not statistically significant for age (using 50 years as the cut-off), technique or sex. CONCLUSIONS: Higher rates of removal occurred in women, younger patients and those with BMI > 50 kg/m2. Regardless of these criteria, the rate of band removal for complications rose over time. Patients should be informed of the high risk of the need for band removal long-term.

Contribution of Computed Tomographic Imaging to the Management of Acute Abdominal Pain after Gastric Bypass: Correlation Between Radiological and Surgical Findings.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of first interpretations of computed tomographic (CT) images and blind interpretation using predefined CT signs in patients with previous Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) and acute abdominal pain. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with RYGBP who underwent surgical exploration from January 2009 to December 2014 for acute abdominal pain in our university institution, excluding patients without CT scan and comparing initial CT imaging interpretation with surgical findings. Two blinded radiologist specialists in bariatric imaging evaluated the CT images for seven previously reported CT signs. We then calculated the sensitivity and specificity of these signs and Cohen's kappa inter-observer agreement for diagnosing internal hernia. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients had a recorded CT scan. The original CT interpretation showed that 26/64 (40%) patients had an accurate diagnosis. Cohen's kappa coefficient for concordance between surgical exploration and first interpretation was 0.26. The image review showed an accurate diagnosis was obtained in 51/64 patients (79.6%) and 48/64 (75%) patients for the first and second reader, respectively (Cohen's kappa coefficient = 0.67; 95% confidence interval = 0.52-0.76). The most prevalent sign indicating internal hernia was whirling of the mesentery (sensitivity = 82-91%; specificity = 79-93.1%). CONCLUSIONS: CT is an important diagnostic tool for skilled readers for managing acute abdominal pain in patients with previous RYGBP. Experience in the abdominal and bariatric imaging and the use of predetermined CT image signs provided a high degree of accuracy and confidence. A low threshold for surgical exploration remains the gold standard of appropriate treatment.

[Desmoid tumor of the chest wall foiling surgery]. / Desmoide della parete toracica, ad insorgenza postchirurgica.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The Authors report on a patient personally observed owing to a tumefaction, mimicking a pomelo, located on the posterior chest wall, in the same site of another past surgical operation dating back to four years ago. This tumefaction was clear at the inspection, not aching and hard-elastic at the palpation, mobile synchronously with respiratory movements, but unable to alter respiratory mechanics. CASE REPORT: The patient was subjected to laboratory tests, which showed nothing pathological, and to instrumental tests (RX and TAC of the chest, bony scintigraphy) which showed a roundish solid tumefaction, with no "secondary" interest of bony tissue. In this case, it was executed a posterior-lateral thoracothomy, at the VI intercostal space, in the area circumscribing the past surgical scar. The careful removal of the adhesions between the mass and the costal plane, not without the sacrifice of the periosteum, permitted us the total exeresis. The anatomo-pathological test showed a desmoid fibromatosis (desmoid tumor) extra-abdominal (12.5 x 9 x 5 cm). About this kind of neoplastic masses, the risk of post-surgical relapse is very high; so many Authors consider opportune a radio-chemical adjuvant therapy. In this case, the radical excision allowed the Authors to avoid the post surgery pharmacological treatment and to get no relapses after two years from the operation.

[Inguinal endometriosis]. / Le endometriosi del canale inguinale.

This study was conducted from September 2000 to September 2004 on 8 cases of inguinal canal endometriosis. All the patients presented an inguinocrural tumefaction of variable size. In 3 cases (symptomatic endometriosis), the patient's medical history yielded a preoperative diagnosis. In the other 5 cases (asymptomatic endometriosis) we obtained an incidental intraoperative diagnosis. In 2 of these, concomitant frank inguinocrural disease further hampered the preoperative diagnosis, while in the other 3 cases we were oriented towards an inguinal adeno-lymphatic disease. We found no signs of neoplastic transformation in our case series. The histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of endometriosis in all 8 cases, without any atypical cellular signs. From an analysis of the literature we deduced that the worldwide incidence of endometriosis is about 10% of the female population, though it is known that in the vast majority of cases there are few or no symptoms. Even today, despite the routine use of advanced diagnostic and surgical procedures, endometriosis foci are very often identified only incidentally owing to the greater incidence of asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic forms. The aim of our study is to stress the difficulty in diagnosing asymptomatic endometriosis and, above all, to suggest that, in the presence of a concomitant hernial pathology in a woman of child-bearing age, the diagnostic hypothesis of endometriosis should never be disregarded.

[Giant atypical muscle-involving lipoma of the right thigh: a case report and review of the literature]. / Lipoma atipico gigante intramuscolare della coscia destra: caso clinico e analisi della letteratura.

The clinical case reported here concerns a giant lipoma (22 x 12 x 10 cm; 2740 g) located in the distal region of the right thigh, in a subfascial zone. The patient was referred to our department for a relapse of thrombophlebitis of the right lower limb (occurring about two years earlier) and presented a large tumefaction of the mid third of thigh at objective examination, the presumed onset of which dated back about ten years after a traumatic accident. Ultrasonography confirmed the presence of the tumefaction but did not allow us to identify its origin with certainty. Musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging, however, revealed a gross expansive lesion closely connected to the distal part of the femur, suggesting its probable benign nature. The mass was totally resected without either muscle section or the sacrifice of periosteum. The histological findings indicated an atypical lipomatous tumour. The therapy of giant lipomas is invariably surgical excision. Nevertheless, the high risk of relapse (which is typical of this kind of neoplastic proliferation) despite radical resection, makes a systematic postoperative follow-up necessary.