Torsion of wandering spleen.

Wandering spleen is characterized by ectopic localization of spleen owing to the lack or weakening of the major splenic ligaments. In present study, two cases with torsion of wandering spleen were reported. The first case was a 30-year-old female who was admitted to emergency department with acute abdominal pain and vomiting. Abdominal Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a round solid hypodense mass that was located in the left hypochondriac region of abdomen. At laparotomy, the patient was found to have torsion of a wandering spleen with complete infarction and pancreatic tail infarction. Splenectomy and distal pancreatectomy were performed. The second patient was a 19-year-old female. She was admitted to emergency department with abdominal pain. Axial computed tomography (CT) showed pelvic mass that indicated a possibility of a wandering spleen. The wandering spleen was removed with its long pedicle because of infarction. Torsion of wandering spleen must be considered in differential diagnosis of acute abdomen when a palpable painful abdominal mass is present on physical examination, and the spleen is absent in its normal anatomical location on radiological examination (Fig. 4, Ref. 8). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

Effect of intraoperative irrigation with alteplase on adhesion formation associated with intraperitoneal chemotherapy (experimental study).

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of intraoperative irrigation with alteplase, a tissue plasminogen activator, for the prevention of adhesion formation associated with intraperitoneal chemotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats, in which serosal injury was induced in the right uterine horn and ipsilateral parietal peritoneum, were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 (n = 10) had intraoperative intraperitoneal irrigation with alteplase following the standard operation. Group II (n = 10) had irrigation with normal saline, while the rats in Group III (n = 10) and Group IV received no peritoneal irrigation. All rats, except for those in Group IV, received intraperitoneal (IP) paclitaxel plus carboplatin chemotherapy on the seventh postoperative day, and all rats were sacrificed seven days after chemotherapy. Total adhesion scores in the induced standard defects were calculated by evaluating percentage of adhesion formation, as well as the severity and degree of the adhesions. The scores were compared among the groups. RESULTS: Comparison of the severity, percentage, degree and total score of adhesions among the groups demonstrated that subjects in Group I, where intraoperative alteplase irrigation was used, had fewer adhesion components (severity, percentage, degree) and a lower total adhesion score when compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Adhesion components and the total adhesion score in Group IV, which did not receive chemotherapy, were found to be significantly lower when compared to Groups II and III (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative Alteplase irrigation may reduce adhesion formation associated with intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Thus, intraperitoneal chemotherapeutic agents may be ensured to reach all peritoneal surfaces easily.

Uterine metastasis from infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast in a patient receiving tamoxifen.

The established relationship between tamoxifen and the development of endometrial cancer causes differential diagnostic problems between metastatic and primary uterine neoplasms. A 45-year-old woman underwent modified radical mastectomy because of left-breast cancer. She presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding 6 years later, while still on tamoxifen therapy. The endometrial curettage revealed undifferentiated adenocarcinoma. She underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salphingoopherectomy as well as pelvic and periaortic lymphadenectomy. Microscopic examination revealed neoplastic cells which formed sheets and duct-like structures in the endometrium. The pattern was not that of a primary endometrial tumour and an immunohistochemical staining was performed using human breast gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP-15) which was found out to be positive in the tumour cells. A diagnosis of metastatic ductal carcinoma of the breast in the uterus was rendered. Uterine metastasis should be kept in mind in patients with a history of breast cancer who are on tamoxifen therapy.

Risk factors for meconium aspiration syndrome in infants born through thick meconium.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). METHOD: A cohort study was conducted of 70 consecutive singleton pregnancies complicated with thick meconium-stained amniotic fluid delivered at > or = 37 weeks' gestation. Cases were randomized either for elective abdominal delivery or spontaneous vaginal delivery after 20 min of external fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring. Risk estimation analysis for MAS was performed calculating relative risks (RR) and odds ratios (OR). RESULTS: The presence of meconium below the vocal cords (RR=7.3, 95% CI=2.6-20.3), non-reassuring FHR tracings (RR=3.0, 95% CI=1.2-7.5), Apgar score < or = 6 at 5 min (RR=3.8, 95% CI=1.7-8.4) and an umbilical cord plasma erythropoietin (UCPer) level > 50 mlU/ml (RR=5.0, 95% CI=2.1-12.0) were found to be significant risk factors for MAS. The presence of meconium below the vocal cords (OR=33.4, 95% CI=3.6-303.7) and non-reassuring FHR tracings (OR=12.2, 95% CI=1.3-111.7) remained as significant risk factors at the end of the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Non-reassuring FHR tracings and the presence of meconium below vocal cords are associated with an increased risk for MAS in infants born through thick meconium.

Labor induction post-term with 25 micrograms vs. 50 micrograms of intravaginal misoprostol.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of 25 microg vs. 50 microg of intravaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening and labor induction beyond 41 weeks' gestation. METHODS: The study population consisted of 120 women not in active labor with a gestational age >41 weeks, singleton pregnancy with vertex presentation, reactive fetal heart rate tracing, amniotic fluid index >/=5, and Bishop score <5. Women were randomized to receive either 25 microg (n=60) or 50 microg (n=60) of intravaginal misoprostol. The dose was repeated every 4 h (maximum number of doses limited to six) until the patient exhibited three contractions in 10 min. The main outcome measure was the induction-vaginal delivery interval. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to the induction-vaginal delivery interval (685+/-201 min in the 25 microg group vs. 627+/-177 min in the 50 microg group, P=0.09). The proportion of women delivering vaginally with one dose of vaginal misoprostol was significantly greater in the 50 microg group (0/49 vs. 41/47, P<0.001). There were no differences in the rates of cesarean and operative vaginal delivery rates, or in the incidences of tachysystole and hyperstimulation syndrome in the two treatment groups. Neonatal outcomes were also similar. CONCLUSIONS: Intravaginal administration of 25 microg of misoprostol appears to be as effective as 50 microg for cervical ripening and labor induction beyond 41 weeks' gestation.