Mesenteric ischaemia: an overview of diagnostic and therapeutic best practice.

Mesenteric ischaemia is relatively uncommon, but is an important diagnosis to remember as it can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Improvements in clinical imaging technology have made rapid diagnosis and treatment possible, but this relies on awareness of the condition. This article summarizes current best practice in diagnosis and management of mesenteric ischaemia to guide the clinician.

The appendix: a spectrum of benign and malignant disease.

This article discusses the radiological appearances and subsequent management of a diverse spectrum of benign and malignant appendiceal pathologies, including those masquerading as acute appendicitis.

Intrasaccular caecal adenocarcinoma presenting as enlarging right inguinoscrotal hernia.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer and inguinal hernias are both common surgical pathologies in the elderly but rarely co-exist. Where the conditions overlap, there can be difficulties in both diagnosis and treatment. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 78 year old man with unexplained iron deficiency anaemia was investigated for gastrointestinal cancer. He was found to have enlarging bilateral inguinoscrotal hernias. CT colonoscopy revealed a herniated caecal carcinoma contained within the scrotum. An open excision was performed. DISCUSSION: Iron deficiency anaemia without obvious bleeding is associated with colorectal cancer and should be thoroughly investigated. Asymptomatic inguinal hernias are often ignored by patients. However, a change in an existing hernia may be associated with neoplasia. CONCLUSION: Dual pathology raises new difficulties in assessment, investigation and management of colorectal cancer.

Reconstruction of the perineum following anorectal cancer excision.

PURPOSE: Most patients with anal cancer receive chemoradiotherapy as first-line treatment. Persistent/recurrent tumours will subsequently require an abdomino-perineal resection (APR). A proportion of the 20,000 new cases of rectal carcinoma diagnosed in the UK each year receive neo-adjuvant chemoradiation and then an APR. Healing of the irradiated perineal bed is compromised, resulting in high morbidity. Reconstruction of the perineam with well-vasularised tissue is thought to enhance healing. This study investigates a series of 18 patients who underwent APR for anorectal cancer with flap reconstruction of their perineum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all anorectal cancers requiring an APR and flap reconstruction was performed. Casenotes were reviewed and documentation made of risk factors putting them at increased risk of wound complications. Length of stay, morbidity and outcome variables including primary flap healing were recorded. RESULTS: Between November 2000 and October 2007, 18 cases were performed (M/F = 7:11), six for anal cancer and 12 for low rectal tumours. Pre-operative treatment was chemoradiotherapy in 14 (78%), radiotherapy alone in two (11%) and none in two (11%). Perineal reconstruction consisted of 14 vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps, three free latissimus dorsi flap and one transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. Mean hospital stay was 21.8 days (10-54 days). Complete healing was noted in 16 cases with the remaining two continuing to improve under current follow-up. There were no flap losses. CONCLUSIONS: Despite most patients being treated with pre-operative radiotherapy, we have had significant success in obtaining primary healing of the perineal defect after APR.

Can magnetic resonance imaging predict circumferential margins and TNM stage in rectal cancer?

INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to assess whether preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans were able to predict 1) pathologic tumor and node stage, and 2) those patients with a pathologically clear circumferential resection margin. METHODS: Patients with histologically proven carcinoma of the rectum were staged preoperatively using magnetic resonance imaging. Histologic specimens from patients undergoing mesorectal excision were reported according to the Royal College of Pathologists minimum dataset. Agreement between radiologic staging of tumor, local lymph nodes and circumferential resection margin involvement, and pathologic reporting was assessed by means of the Kappa statistic. RESULTS: After exclusions (10 radiotherapy, 3 failed scans, 10 no surgery, 9 local surgery), 40 patients remained. Magnetic resonance imaging correctly staged the tumor in 20 patients, understaged in 12, and overstaged in 8. Statistically, there was poor correlation between pathologic and radiologic tumor staging (Kappa, 0.18; 95 percent confidence interval, -0.13 to 0.42). Magnetic resonance imaging correctly staged node status in 27 patients, overstaged in 9, and understaged in 4. Statistically, there was poor correlation between pathologic and radiologic node staging (Kappa, 0.38; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.08-0.64). Magnetic resonance imaging correctly reported the status of the circumferential resection margin in 39 patients and understaged 1. Statistically, there was good correlation between pathologic and radiologic reporting of circumferential resection margin involvement (Kappa, 0.66; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.03-1). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans provide poor predictive data as to subsequent pathologic tumor and node stage. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging does produce reliable prediction of clear circumferential resection margins and provides valuable information in assessing whether patients can proceed to surgery without the need for preoperative radiotherapy.