Doppler Ultrasonography - An Important Tool in Managing Patients With Varicocele and Secondary Infertility.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Doppler ultrasound was successfully implemented as part of the diagnostic plan of medical emergencies in scrotal pathology. This study aimed to investigate whether it could play an important role in managing not only varicocele, but patients with secondary infertility as well. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The current study included 135 patients with varicocele and infertility. Surgery was performed in 18 cases with painful varicocele, 15 cases with testicular hypotrophy, and 48 cases with infertility. RESULTS: Among cases with infertility who underwent surgery, aged between 19 and 36 years old, 80% showed a significant improvement in the spermogram after curing the varicocele. In patients over 36 years of age, only 42% had some improvement in the spermogram after surgery. In addition, after surgery, antispermatic antibodies showed a significant decrease in all patients. CONCLUSION: Varicocele and secondary infertility are a well-known pathology. While the role of Doppler ultrasonography is established in varicocele diagnosis, we found an important pool of patients with secondary infertility and asymptomatic varicocele that would not have been diagnosed in the absence of Doppler ultrasound investigations. Since the best results in fertility were observed in patients younger than 36 years of age, we reiterate the importance of Doppler ultrasonography in addressing infertility.

Resection of a Large Celiac Trunk Aneurysm Followed by Cadaveric Graft Reconstruction - A Case Report.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Celiac artery aneurysms represent rare eventualities which remain symptomatic for a long period of time; however, once diagnosed, it should be carefully monitored due to the high risk of developing life-threatening complications. When it comes to the types of therapeutic strategies, both endovascular and surgical therapies can be taken in consideration. CASE REPORT: Depending on the patency of the collateral network, simple ligation or graft placement should be performed. The aim of the current paper is to report the case of a patient diagnosed with a celiac trunk aneurysm who was successfully submitted to resection in association with iliac graft placement between the abdominal aorta and the common hepatic artery. CONCLUSION: Whenever celiac artery aneurysm is diagnosed, it should be closely monitored and treated, resection and reconstruction being a feasible method in order to avoid the development of a life-threatening complication.

Synchronous arterial resection in pancreatic cancer: A case report.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies affecting people worldwide. As it is frequently diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease, the 5-year overall survival rate is <10%. Advanced stages are usually characterized by the local invasion of the superior mesenteric axis, celiac axis and portal vein and are considered a sign of unresectable cancer. The association between venous resections and survival outcomes has been widely reported. The effect of arterial invasion remains unclear as only isolated cases have been reported thus far. The present study investigated the preliminary experience in the field of arterial resection for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Between January 2018 and January 2020 arterial resection was successfully associated with pancreatoduodenectomy in four cases. The mean age at the time of surgery was 48 years, and in all cases the indication of resection was represented by pancreatic head adenocarcinoma. Different types of venous resections were required in all cases. Postoperative reoperation was required in one case, while histopathological studies confirmed microscopic negative resection margins in all but one case. In selected cases, combined pancreatoduodenectomy with venous and arterial resection may be required to increase the chances of radical surgery.

Major Hepatectomy En Bloc with Cava Vein Resection for Locally Invasive Caudate Lobe Hepatocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Locally advanced liver tumours with vascular invasion have been considered for a long period of time as unresectable lesions, so the patient was further deferred to oncology services for palliation. However, improvement of the surgical techniques and the results reported so far came to demonstrate that extended hepatic and vascular resections might be safely performed in such cases and might significantly improve the long-term outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 61-year-old patient was diagnosed with a caudate lobe tumour invading the inferior cava vein and the right hepatic pedicle. RESULTS: The patient was successfully submitted to surgery, and an extended right hepatectomy en bloc with cava vein resection was performed; the continuity of the cava vein was re-established by the placement of a synthetic graft. The postoperative outcome was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: Although initially considered as a formal contraindication for resection, vascular invasion of the greater vessels should not preclude surgery if complete resection is achievable.

Distal Pancreatectomy With Celiac Axis Resection for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Body Cancer - A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Locally advanced pancreatic cancer invading the surrounding vascular structures has long been considered as unresectable and, therefore, patients were usually submitted to palliative chemotherapy. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 44-year-old male investigated for weight loss and abdominal pain and diagnosed with a locally advanced pancreatic tumor invading the celiac axis. An endoscopic ultrasound was performed and a biopsy was retrieved demonstrating the presence of a moderately differentiated pancreatic adenocarcinoma. After discussing with the patient the risks and the benefits of performing an extended surgical procedure, the patient consented to distal pancreatectomy en bloc with celiac axis resection. Postoperatively, the patient was submitted to low-molecular-weight heparin therapy for 3 weeks followed by oral anticoagulant for 2 months. Histopathological studies confirmed the presence of a moderately differentiated pancreatic adenocarcinoma invading the celiac axis and described negative resection margins. CONCLUSION: Although celiac axis invasion has been considered for a long period of time as a sign of unresectable disease due to the high rates of perioperative complications, it seems that in selected cases, surgery can be safely performed with curative intent, especially if negative resection margins are achieved.

Determination of whether HIPEC is beneficial in patients with synchronous peritoneal and liver metastases from colorectal cancer (Review).

Peritoneal carcinomatosis, as well as the presence of liver metastases from colorectal cancer, has been long considered as the sign of a systemic disease, transforming the patient into a candidate for palliation and best supportive care. However, in recent decades, progress in the field of medical and surgical oncology has allowed scientists worldwide to produce curative therapeutic strategies for these cases such as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) or extended liver resection. In addition, the association of these two therapies has also been performed with encouraging results. The aim of the current study was to review articles published thus far in regard to the association of these two therapeutic strategies, in order to identify which cases can benefit the most, which is the most efficient agent or combination of agents, and whether these types of therapy should be performed as monotherapy or as a two-stage procedure.

Extended Venous Resections for Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Head Adenocarcinoma-A Retrospective Studies of Nine Cases.

BACKGROUND: pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies and a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The only chance to improve the long-term outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer is surgery with radical intent. METHODS: in the present paper, we aim to describe a case series of 9 patients submitted to radical surgery for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. RESULTS: in all cases, negative resection margins were achieved. The types of venous resection consisted of tangential portal vein resection in four cases, circumferential portal vein resection with direct reanastomosis in one case and circumferential resection with graft placement in another four cases; postoperatively, one patient developed a vascular surgery-related complication consisting of graft thrombosis and thus necessitated prolonged anticoagulant therapy. CONCLUSIONS: extended venous resections can be a safe and efficient way to maximize the benefits of radical surgery in locally advanced, borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.

Fat-forming Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Kidney - A Case Report and Literature Review.

Fat-forming solitary fibrous tumors arising from the kidney are extremely rare, with only few cases reported so far. We report the case of a 49-year-old patient investigated for lumbar pain and diagnosed preoperatively with a large retroperitoneal tumor destroying the right kidney. The patient was submitted to surgery, the tumor being resected en bloc with right nephrectomy. The histopathological studies demonstrated the presence of a hemangiopericytoma-like tumor with adipocytary component; the immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the presence of cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34), while human melanoma black (HMB45) staining was negative. Therefore, the diagnostic of fat-forming solitary fibrous tumor of the kidney was established. The postoperative outcome was uneventful, the patient being discharged on the sixth postoperative day. In conclusion, although fat-forming solitary fibrous tumor of the kidney is a very rare entity, this diagnosis should be taken into consideration whenever a large retroperitoneal mass with high adipose content and renal invasion is described at the preoperative studies.

Normal Size Ovary Carcinoma Syndrome with Inguinal Ovarian Cancer Lymph Node Metastases - A Case Report and Literature Review.

Inguinal lymph node mass as the first sign in patients with ovarian cancer represents a rare situation, with only few cases being reported so far. We present the case of a 46-year-old patient who presented for the apparition of bilateral inguinal tumoral masses in the absence of any other pathological signs. The biopsy revealed the presence of an adenocarcinoma with probable genital origin; however, neither the gynaecological examination nor the computed tomography demonstrated the presence of any suspect lesion. The patient was submitted to a positron emission computed tomography which revealed a high capitation in both adnexal areas as well as at the level of the inguinal lymph nodes. The patient was submitted to surgery, the frozen section of the adnexas confirming the ovarian origin of the tumor. Complete cytoreduction to no residual disease was successfully performed. At one-year follow-up the patient is free of any recurrent disease.

Association of Diaphragmatic Surgery as Part of Cytoreductive Effort in Advanced Stage Ovarian Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Diaphragmatic surgery in advanced-stage ovarian cancer has been considered since long time to increase the rates of postoperative complications. However, improvement of surgical techniques and perioperative management of these patients has lead in the last decade to a safe association of such procedures as part of debulking process. The aim of the current paper was to report our experience regarding the role of diaphragmatic resections as part of debulking surgery for advanced stage ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2014 and 2016 diaphragmatic surgery was performed in 22 cases with advanced stage ovarian cancer. RESULTS: Diaphragmatic surgery consisted of diaphragmatic peritoneal resection in 10 cases, full thickness diaphragmatic resections in four cases and coagulation of peritoneal nodules in eight cases. In all but two cases debulking surgery to no residual disease was achieved. Other upper abdominal resections consisted of splenectomy - in four cases, liver resections - in three cases, glissonian capsule resections - in eight cases, distal pancreatectomy - in one case and partial gastrectomies in two cases. The postoperative outcomes were similar irrespective of type of diaphragmatic surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: Diaphragmatic surgery is a crucial procedure which can be safely associated as part of debulking surgery for advanced stage ovarian cancer.

Multiple Visceral Resections for Synchronous Left and Transverse Colon Adenocarcinoma with Gastrocolic-cutaneous Fistula - Case Report and Literature Review.

Synchronous adenocarcinomas of the colon represent a rare situation, characterized by the presence of at least two colonic malignancies separated by at least 4-cm distance, in the absence of submucosal spread. Gastrocolic-cutaneous fistulas also represent a rare complication associated with the presence of colonic or gastric adenocarcinomas. We present the case of a 61-year-old patient who presented for abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss and cutaneous exteriorization of purulent liquid. Intraoperatively, a large centro-abdominal tumor with gastroduodenal, pancreatic and colonic invasion was found in association with a synchronous left colonic tumor. The tumors were resected en bloc with distal gastrectomy, cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy, segmental enterectomy, subtotal colectomy and upper abdominal lymph node dissection. The histopathological studies revealed the presence of two synchronous colonic tumors: one located on the transverse colon, with pancreatic, duodeno-jejunal and gastric invasion and gastrocolic-cutaneous fistula, and a second one located on the left colon. Both tumors proved to be moderately differentiated colonic adenocarcinomas. At 1-year follow-up the patient remains free of any recurrent disease.

Clinical and pathological features of splenic metastasis from cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Isolated splenic metastases from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix are rare, with few cases reported in the literature. We review here the main clinical and pathological findings in these patients, with emphasis on histopathological features. Because they are so rare, complex follow-up protocols for patients diagnosed with cervical SCC should exist because, if detected and treated, solitary splenic metastases seem to have a better prognosis than splenic metastases as part of a disseminated disease.

Large cell neuroendocrine cervical tumor treated by radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy: A case report and literature review.

Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the uterine cervix are rare, but extremely aggressive, gynecological malignancies that are associated with an overall poor prognosis. The present study reports the case of a 41-year-old patient diagnosed with large cell neuroendocrine cervical tumor. A radical total hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy, pelvic and lymph node dissection was performed. The post-operative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on post-operative day 8.

Endometrial Carcinoma Associated with Ovarian Granulosa Cell Tumors--A Case Report.

Ovarian granulosa cell tumors represent uncommon neoplasms with estrogen-secreting capacity. Due to their association with persistently increased levels of estrogen, modifications of the endometrial tissue ranging from hyperplasia to malignant degeneration may be encountered. We present the case of a 65-year-old patient who presented for post-menopausal vaginal bleeding. The endometrial biopsy raised the suspicion of an atypical endometrial hyperplasia and the patient was submitted to surgery. Histopathological studies of the specimen of total hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy revealed the presence of a well-differentiated endometrial carcinoma associated with a granulosa cell tumor of the ovary. In conclusion whenever a modified aspect of the endometrium is found preoperatively, attention should be given on other possible underlying modifications and a radical approach should be taken in consideration.

Multiple visceral resection for giant non-secretory adrenocortical carcinoma in an elderly patient: a case report.

Adrenocortical carcinomas are rare tumors in adults. They can be hormonally active and detected by a hormonal excess, or be non-secretory tumors. In the latter case, they become symptomatic after a long period of growth, usually after they have already invaded the surrounding tissues. In these cases, multiple visceral resections are sometimes required in order to obtain a complete R0 resection. We present the case of a 65-year-old patient who was addressed to our service for a giant abdominal tumor with compression phenomena in whom we performed a complete resection en bloc with left nephrectomy and adrenalectomy, distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, left colectomy and para-aortic lymph node dissection. The early postoperative course was uneventful, the patient was discharged eight days after surgery. The histopathological findings revealed an adrenocortical carcinoma with no lymph node metastases.

Morphological changes during acute experimental short-term hyperthermia.

Wistar rats have been exposed to progressively higher temperatures for 30 minutes to 40.5 degrees Celsius. The animals were sacrificed 30 minutes after cessation of exposure. Harvested organs (heart, lung, liver, pancreas, kidneys, and adrenal gland) show numerous vascular lesions. Massive red blood cells extravasation and vascular stasis partially fragments the myocardial fibers. Pulmonary capillary dilatation and red blood cells intra-alveolar extravasation cause a hemorrhagic alveolitis that tends to a red hepatization. The liver responds by dilating centrolobular veins, vessels in port area and by granulo-vacuolar dystrophy. Pancreas seems less affected. Vascular hyperemia is discrete while in kidney the vascular spaces are narrowed and the proximal and distal tubules cloudy intumescent appears. In suprarenal gland appear many interstitial capillary dilatation and blood cells extravasation among cell nests of medulla. All these changes induce functional organ failure.

Morphological study of congenital megaureter.

Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract are frequent. They can be detected once every 500 ultrasonography fetal examinations. Causes that determine a dilated ureter compared to the rest of the urinary tract are still partly unknown. If concerning the exploration and the clinical diagnosis of these anomalies important progresses have been made, the morphological research is still able to bring forth data that, together with genetic researches, may help reveal the pathogeny of the disease and may ease the planning of the screening genetic tests for early diagnosis. Material and methods. During the surgical operations realized in order to recalibrate the ureter, ureter fragments have been harvested, colored with 1% tionin, in sections thinner then 1 micron and examinated through immersion, ob. 100x. Other fragments have been prepared and examinated through electronic microscope. We have followed the structural modifications of the muscular tissue, nervous tissue, connective tissue and the rapports between these components. Results. Congenital megaureter presents qualitative and quantitative anomalies of the connective tissue and muscular tissue, and also structural modifications of the nervous tissue. Connective tissue. We have noticed the abundance of the connective tissue in congenital megaureter. Connective tissue, with an important representation of typical elements, such as fibroblasts, mastocytes and plasmocytes is partly hyalinated, dissociating muscular fiber bundles and nervous fiber bundles. Connective tissue/muscular tissue report is evidently increased. Muscular tissue. Muscular fibers are hypoplasic, smooth endoplasmic reticulum is present in the tubular form, rare mitochondria are vacuolized. Dense corps are increased in number, plasmatic membranes are folded. Sarcoplasm contains vacuolized organites. The nuclei are rigged with visible nucleoli. Nervous structures. We have noticed varied alterations of the axons and myelin. In some axons there are multiple cavities that may produce the opacifiation of the entire axonal structure. The proliferation of the myelin sheath under the nodular form or vortex form produces the destruction of the axonal structure. Mitochondria are condensed, partially vacuolized. The modifications in the axonal structure and those of the myelin sheath determine modifications of the nervous excitability and conductibility. All the lesions we have pointed out in congenital megaureter participate in compromising of the peristaltic. Nervous and muscular structures lesions indicate a process of incomplete development of the ureter. They are structures that do not achieve functional maturation. We may consider congenital megaureter as a digenesis with hypoplasia.

The histological changes of digestive organs in experimental decreases of hepatic venous outflow at the rat.

The hepatic venous outflow may be diminishing in right-sided heart diseases, constrictive pericarditis, obstruction of suprahepatic veins or an inferior vena cave. It was created an experimental model by obstruction of the suprahepatic veins lumen and inferior vena cave, too, at the adult Wistar rats. The animals were sacrificed in the 30 days after operation. At the iterative laparatomy it was found the liver more increased in volume, a little amount of ascites in peritoneal cavity, oedema of the digestive organs walls. Liver and stomach fragments were prelevated and were processed for optic microscopy and electronic microscopy. The morphological study using by usual technics has highlighted vascular stasis in gastric submucosa. In liver it is standed out the pericentrolobular vascular stasis, inflammatory lymphoplasmocytic infiltrate around the end of hepatic vein. In the gastric submucosa have found vascular stasis, and within the chorion mucosa, the high capillary hyperemia. There is a discreet vacuolar feature on epithelium surface of the gastric mucosal in pyloric region. In the other layers, at rats the epithelium multistratum keratinizated of the stomach is without changes, in this region is maintaining the hyperemia in mucosal chorion.