Breast Phyllodes Tumor: A Tumor With Unpredictable Clinical Behavior.

Phyllodes tumors are uncommon biphasic breast tumors with a wide range of clinical behaviors. The distinction between a phyllodes tumor and a fibroadenoma can be difficult. The diagnosis of phyllodes tumor should be suspected in all women who present with a rapidly growing breast lump. Based on the histological characteristics, the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies phyllodes tumors as benign, borderline, or malignant. The risk of recurrence and metastatic potential varies based on histological features. Wide excision or mastectomy is the standard of care ensuring histologically clear margins. Despite the grading criteria defined by the WHO, the management of phyllodes tumors continues to be a challenge. We report the case of a 48-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with a large and ulcerated phyllodes tumor of the left breast. The tumor size did not allow conservative surgery. The final diagnosis of a borderline phyllodes tumor was made, and, in this case, the patient did not undergo adjuvant treatment.

IL-5 Serum and Appendicular Lavage Fluid Concentrations Correlate with Eosinophilic Infiltration in the Appendicular Wall Supporting a Role for a Hypersensitivity Type I Reaction in Acute Appendicitis.

Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency, but its aetiology is not fully understood. We and others have proposed that allergic responses play significant roles in its pathophysiology. Eosinophils and Interleukin (IL)-5 are involved in a hypersensitivity type I reaction. Eosinophil infiltration is common in the allergic target organ and is dependent on IL-5. In the presence of an allergic component, it is expected that the eosinophil count and IL-5 local and systemic concentrations become elevated. To address this hypothesis, we designed a prospective study that included 65 patients with acute appendicitis (grouped as acute phlegmonous or gangrenous according to the histological definition) and 18 patients with the clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis, but with normal histological findings (control group) were enrolled. Eosinophil blood counts and appendicular wall eosinophil infiltration were determined. IL-5 levels in blood and appendicular lavage fluid were evaluated. Appendicular lavage fluid was collected by a new methodology developed and standardized by our group. Appendicular wall eosinophil infiltration was higher in acute phlegmonous appendicitis than in gangrenous appendicitis (p = 0.000). IL-5 blood levels were similar in both pathologic and control groups (p > 0.05). In the appendicular lavage fluid, the higher levels of IL-5 were observed in the phlegmonous appendicitis group (p = 0.056). We found a positive correlation between the appendicular wall eosinophilic infiltration and the IL-5 concentrations, in both the blood and the appendicular lavage fluid, supporting the IL-5 reliance in eosinophil local infiltration. We observed the highest presence of eosinophils at phlegmonous appendicitis walls. In conclusion, the present data are compatible with a hypersensitivity type I allergic reaction in the target organ, the appendix, during the phlegmonous phase of appendicitis.

Meckel's Diverticulum: The "Great Mimic" but Often a Forgotten Cause of Acute Abdomen during Pregnancy.

Meckel's diverticulitis is an extremely rare event during pregnancy. Its diagnosis is often difficult and can result in higher maternal and fetal morbimortality. We describe a case of a 40-year-old healthy pregnant woman at 33 weeks of gestation who presented with abdominal pain and tender abdomen, leukocytosis, and elevated PCR. The imagiological exams were not conclusive. After an urgent caesarean section due to worsening of clinical status and nonreassuring fetal well-being, a laparotomy revealed a distended, necrotic, and perforated Meckel's diverticulum.