Direct polymerase chain reaction amplification of formalin-fixed, paraffin-wax-embedded tissue after automated sequential laser microdissection and pressure catapulting.

A robust method to facilitate rapid laser microdissection and pressure catapulting (LMPC) coupled with direct polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) to eliminate the need for extraction of DNA before a PCR-based assay is described. This sequential LMPC-dPCR method is rapid and decreases the number of processing steps, reducing the chance of tissue loss and contamination.

Open mesh repair of incisional hernias with significant loss of domain.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernias develop in up to 13% of laparotomy incisions: the most difficult to repair are complex, multiply recurrent hernias with significant loss of domain (>15-20% of the abdominal contents). METHODS: Retrospective analysis by standard proforma of a series of 52 patients operated on at a single institution between 1996 and 2002. All patients received pre-operative CT and anaesthetic assessment. Patients with significant tissue loss were assessed by a plastic surgeon. Cardiorespiratory status was optimised and trophic skin ulcers treated before operation. RESULTS: Sublay repair was applied in 33 patients, onlay in 16 patients, one patient received inlay repair and two patients the Ramirez abdominoplasty. Additional procedures of stoma closure, muscle flap or abdominoplasty were carried out in 7 patients. Complications occurred in 18 (34.6%) patients, 5 of whom required further surgery for haematoma, infection or fistulisation. One patient died from pulmonary embolism after postoperative complications. Three recurrences were apparent after follow-up of 6 months to 6 years. CONCLUSIONS: Complex incisional hernias are a challenging surgical problem. Careful patient selection and surgical technique with a team involving anaesthetists and plastic surgeons is required. Post-operative management may require facilities in HDU and ITU. Clinical trials are required to identify techniques and materials which give the best results.

Perianal Hodgkin's lymphoma complicating Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: The perianal region is a very rare location for Hodgkin's lymphoma, and clinicians may often neglect the diagnosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. PATIENT PRESENTATION: We present a case of perianal Hodgkin's lymphoma in patient with Crohn's disease who was on long-term immunosuppression and whose symptoms would normally be attributed to Crohn's disease. Diagnosis was based on the morphological appearance of atypical cells in the lamina propria and the immunohistochemical profile of Reed Sternberg and Hodgkin's cells, showing co-expression of CD15 and CD30. CONCLUSION: Perianal complaints in patients with inflammatory bowel disease may be a manifestation of other pathology. Hodgkin's lymphoma could be a progression in the chronically inflamed tissue in this unusual location.