Detection of High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia by Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy in Women Diagnosed with Low-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Cytology.

The authors attempt to address the importance of timely detection and management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) to prevent cervical cancer. The study focused on the potential of electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as an adjunct to colposcopy, aiming to enhance the accuracy of identifying high-grade cervical lesions. Colposcopy, a widely used technique, exhibited variable sensitivity in detecting high-grade lesions, which relies on the expertise of the operator. The study's primary objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of combining colposcopy with EIS in detecting high-grade cervical lesions among patients initially diagnosed with low-grade CIN based on cytology. We employed a cross-sectional observational design, recruiting 101 women with abnormal cervical cytology results. The participants underwent colposcopy with acetic acid and subsequent EIS using the ZedScan device. The ZedScan results are categorized into color-coded probability levels, with red indicating the highest likelihood of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) occurrence. Results revealed that ZedScan exhibits a sensitivity rate of 89.5% and a specificity rate of 84% for detecting high-grade lesions. Colposcopy, on the other hand, recorded a sensitivity rate of 85.5% and a specificity rate of 92%. The agreement rate between ZedScan and biopsy is 79.2%, as indicated by a kappa coefficient of 0.71, while the agreement rate between colposcopy and biopsy is 74.3%, with a kappa coefficient of 0.71.

Fertility outcomes after treatment with intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) administration has been added to the therapeutic protocols of cancers, confined to the abdominal cavity. Since, a survival benefit in patients treated with adjuvant IPC has been demonstrated, fertility questions are raised in these patients. A comprehensive search of the English literature of PubMed/MEDLINE, EmBase and Google Scholar databases was conducted, from their inception until April 2021, following the MOOSE guidelines. Twelve out of 473 studies were included in the final review and analysis. After treatment with IPC for peritoneal carcinomatosis, 19 women, who underwent fertility-sparing surgery, with 20 successful pregnancies were reported. The mean interval time between IPC and pregnancy was 38.4 months (range 9-168 months). In 16 cases, conception was spontaneous, three required in vitro fertilisation, whereas one pregnancy was achieved through intrauterine insemination. Mean disease-free survival was 76 months (range 24-177 months). Childbearing is a feasible approach in selected patients, after treatment with IPC. When future pregnancy is desirable, a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, gynaecologists, oncologists and reproductive specialists is required, to inform the patient thoroughly about the fertility preservation alternatives, without endangering patient's survival.

Prolapse of a large pedunculated uterine myoma.

We report a rare case of a large prolapsed pedunculated uterine myoma measuring 15 cm in its greater diameter. In order to make a surgical procedure safe and feasible, appropriate clinical predictors should be taken into account and pre- and intraoperative preparations be available to the surgeon's armamentarium.

MicroRNAs Determining Carcinogenesis by Regulating Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor Genes During Cell Cycle.

AIM: To provide a review considering microRNAs regulating oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes during the different stages of cell cycle, controlling carcinogenesis. METHODS: The role of microRNAs involved as oncogenes' and tumor suppressor genes' regulators in cancer was searched in the relevant available literature in MEDLINE, including terms such as "microRNA", "oncogenes", "tumor suppressor genes", "metastasis", "cancer" and others. RESULTS: MicroRNAs determine the expression levels of multiple cell cycle regulators, such as cyclins, cyclin dependent kinases and other major cell cycle activators including retinoblastoma 1 (RB- 1) and p53, resulting in alteration and promotion/inhibition of the cell cycle. CONCLUSION: MicroRNAs are proven to have a key role in cancer pathophysiology by altering the expression profile of different regulator proteins during cell division cycle and DNA replication. Thus, by acting as oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, they can either promote or inhibit cancer development and formation, revealing their innovative role as biomarkers and therapeutic tools.

Evaluation of plasma and tissue expression levels of Endothelins (ET-1, Big ET-1) and VEGF in lobular neoplasia of the breast.

PURPOSE: The endothelin system is involved in the evolution of multiple malignancies, participating in cancer cell proliferation, tumor invasion and angiogenesis. Our purpose was to simultaneously assess endothelin expression in the systemic circulation of patients with lobular neoplasia (LN) of the breast and to investigate its correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) specimen expression levels as well as clinicopathologic findings. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data regarding 60 women examined in a single breast unit. Thirty of these women underwent stereotactic biopsy and were diagnosed with LN and the remaining 30 were healthy controls. Circulating levels of endothelin (ET)-1 and Big ET-1 were measured using ELISA, while tissue expression of ET-1 and VEGF in biopsy specimens were assessed using qualitative immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The plasma levels of Big ET-1 were significantly increased in patients with LN compared to healthy controls. There was no significant difference in the plasma levels of ET-1 between the patient groups. In patients with LN, plasma expression of ET-1 and Big ET-1 did not correlate with ET-1 or VEGF tissue expression status, neither existed a relationship between tissue expressions of ET-1 and VEGF. CONCLUSIONS: Our results imply that Big ET-1 is a potential biomarker for LN. Further investigation of the endothelin system role in LN seems a promising research field.

Large cyst of the vaginal wall in pregnancy.

Large vaginal cysts during pregnancy are rare and can mislead Obstetricians to a false diagnosis, that of "Protruding membranes". Aspiration of the cyst can be easily performed, resulting in the collapsing of the cyst and an uneventful vaginal delivery can be conducted.

Anatomical variation of the trajectory of the brachiocephalic artery encountered during parathyroid adenoma excision. A rare case report and a surgical challenge.

INTRODUCTION: The brachiocephalic trunk (BCT), also known as the "anonymous artery" constitutes the first branch of the aortic arch that bifurcates at the level of the right sternoclavicular joint into the RCCA and the RSA. Anatomical variations of the origin and the trajectory of BCT are of vital clinical significance since they constitute major risk-factors of hemorrhage when performing tracheotomy, surgeries at the anatomic area of the neck as in the presented case. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 64-year-old Caucasian female proceeded to our institution with signs and symptoms of PHPT. Imaging studies performed identified a large mass localized posterior to the right thyroid lobe. During the operation, surgeons incidentally detected anterior to the trachea aberrant trajectory of the BCT. The operation was uneventful. A meticulous review of the literature was conducted as well. DISCUSSION: Anatomical anomalies of the origin and the trajectory of BCT are vaguely described in the literature. However, these anatomic variations constitute major risk-factors of accidental bleeding and subsequent complications when performing surgeries of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, tracheotomy and invasive radiological interventions. CONCLUSION: Deep knowledge of such variations of the trajectory of the BCT in addition to detailed exposure of the operative field constitute the cornerstone in order surgeons to perform a safe intervention.

The potential of less radical surgery without parametrectomy. Are we safe?

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether omission of parametrial removal in low risk patients with early stage cervical cancer is safe, taking into account the favorable prognostic characteristics that are usually used in recent studies debating a more conservative treatment in such patients. METHODS: A comprehensive search conducted in PubMed and MEDLINE databases. RESULTS: In low risk patients with favorable prognostic factors such as tumor size ≤2 cm, depth of stromal invasion ≤10 mm and no LVSI, there are 5% of patients having positive pelvic lymph nodes. Although parametrial involvement is associated with positive pelvic lymph node metastasis, there are studies which report patients with negative pelvic lymph node involvement with parametrial metastases. This indicates that although negative pelvic lymph nodes in low risk patients is a favorable criterion among of those previously reported for conservative treatment, does not eliminate the possibility of parametrial involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Although specific favorable prognostic characteristics may indicate less radical treatment for low risk patients with early stage cervical cancer, more research is needed to estimate the risk of parametrial involvement in low risk patients without pelvic node involvement.

Anatomic variation of the relation between the inferior mesenteric artery and the bifurcation point of abdominal aorta during lower anterior resection: A rare case report.

INTRODUCTION: Identification and ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is a crucial surgical step when performing lower anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer. Anatomic variations of the relation between the IMA and the bifurcation point of abdominal aorta (AA) encumber surgical maneuvers and are of great clinical importance. PRESENTATION OF CASE: An unusual anatomic variation of the relation between IMA and the bifurcation point of AA was unexpectedly detected during LAR to a 69-year-old Caucasian female patient. The operation was uneventful. A meticulous review of the recent literature was conducted as well. DISCUSSION: Variations of the mesenteric vascular supply are mainly identified incidentally, during the operation. In particular, variations of IMA are extremely uncommon in the literature. However, such kind of congenital variations, are not as rare as considered and their presence encumbers surgical maneuvers and increases the potentiality of intraoperative injury and hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Surgeons' deep knowledge and unceasing awareness concerning probable anatomic variations of the relation between the IMA and AA, combined with detailed exposure of the operative field and of the relationship between these adjacent arteries constitute the cornerstone of a safe operation.

Middle colic vein draining to splenic vein: a rare anatomic variation encountered during a right hemicolectomy.

Right or subtotal colectomy either open or laparoscopic may be a challenging operation owing to technical difficulties. One of these, is to identify a safe and adequate dissection plane, ligating and dissecting lymph nodes around middle colic vessels. The purpose of this study was to depict a rare anatomic variation of middle colic vein (MCV) draining to splenic vein. We report the case of a 55-year-old male patient, who was subjected to a right hemicolectomy for an adenocarcinoma in the ascending colon. During dissecting the transverse mesocolon from the greater omentum, for complete mesocolic excision (CME), we encountered that the MCV drained in the splenic vein. With respect of this rare anatomic variability, CME was completed without hemorrhage. Our aim is to depict that deep knowledge of MCV anatomy and its variations is of paramount importance to achieve CME and to avoid dangerous or massive bleeding.

Margin-free excision of small solid breast carcinomas using the Intact Breast Lesion Excision System®: is it feasible?

BACKGROUND: The Breast Lesion Excision System® (BLES®) is a stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy device that utilizes radiofrequency in order to excise non-palpable mammographic lesions for pathologic diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of BLES® in performing complete, margin-free excisions of small solid carcinomas. METHODS: Our retrospective study of prospectively enrolled patients included 50 cases of non-palpable, BIRADS ≥ 4, solid by means of mammography and sonography, lesions. All these patients underwent a BLES® breast biopsy procedure from June 2010 to June 2014 and had a malignant diagnosis. According to each patient's pathologic diagnosis, appropriate surgical treatment was recommended. Postoperatively, surgical specimens were histologically analyzed, aiming to determine whether residual malignant disease was present in the specimen cavity formatted by BLES®. RESULTS: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) was diagnosed in 5 patients and invasive carcinoma (IC) in 45 patients, at primary BLES® pathology report. Tumor-free resection margins (< 0.5 and < 1 mm) were accomplished in only 8/24 subcentimeter cases (33.3%). Absence of residual disease upon surgical excision was confirmed in 23/24 subcentimeter cases (95.8%) and 2/26 of the cases measuring > 1 cm (7.69%). Statistical analysis revealed that mammographic size was the only significant prognostic factor for complete excision (i.e., with no residual disease in the biopsy cavity) of a malignant lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that it is possible, when using the BLES® device, to completely excise small (≤ 10 mm) breast carcinomas that appear radiologically as solid lesions. This subset of patients should be investigated regarding the therapeutic potential of this method.

Giant condyloma acuminatum-malignant transformation.

Giant condyloma acuminata are associated with malignant transformation in up to 50% of cases, high recurrence rate, and poor prognosis. Treatment strategies have included wide local excision, abdominopelvic resection, and addition of radiotherapy and adjuvant and/or neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy.

Aberrant subvesical bile ducts identified during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A rare case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Aberrant subvesical bile ducts are a scarce anatomical variation, consisted by a network of bile ducts located in the peri-hepatic capsule of the gallbladder fossa. These rare ducts are usually discovered intraoperatively and their presence poses the risk of bile injury and clinically significant bile leak. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Aberrant subvesical bile ducts were unexpectedly identified in a young woman during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. These three ducts were clipped carefully for avoidance of bile duct injury and subsequent bile leak. The operation was uneventful. A meticulous review of the recent literature was conducted as well. DISCUSSION: This unusual anatomical variation of the biliary tract is mainly discovered during the operation. Thus, surgical injury of these ducts is nearly inevitable and it provokes the severe complication of bile leak. Bile injury represents the most crucial and life-threatening postoperative complication of cholecystectomies. Surgeons in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen should be constantly aware of this rare anatomical variation. CONCLUSION: Aberrant subvesical bile ducts are associated with a high risk of surgical bile duct injury. Nevertheless, meticulous operative technique combined with surgeons' perpetual awareness concerning this peculiar anatomical aberration leads to a safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Left-sided gallbladder (Sinistroposition) encountered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A rare case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: True Left-sided gallbladder (LSG) is a rare anatomical variation with a prevalence of 0.3%. Mainly discovered during the operation, its surgical approach in the laparoscopic setting may be challenging even for an experienced surgeon. PRESENTATION OF CASE: LSG was unexpectedly discovered in a young man during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. There were no pre-operative indications of this sinistroposition. The laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed with minor surgical modifications and it was uneventful. A meticulous review of recent literature about LSGs was conducted as well. DISCUSSION: LSG is a scarce anatomical aberration that is difficultly identified pre-operatively. Surgeons should be aware of this aberration and of its accompanying anatomical variations in order to perform a safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy. CONCLUSION: Surgeons, by placing the patient to left-side up position, are able to expose the Calot's triangle and possible accompanying anatomical anomalies and thus perform a safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy without difficult surgical modifications.

Serum irisin levels are lower in patients with breast cancer: association with disease diagnosis and tumor characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Irisin is a recently discovered myokine, involved in the browning of white adipose tissue. To date, its function has been mainly associated with energy homeostasis and metabolism, and it has been proposed as a promising therapeutic target for obesity and metabolic diseases. This is the first study investigating the role of irisin in human breast cancer. METHODS: Participants included one hundred and one (101) female patients with invasive ductal breast cancer and fifty one (51) healthy women. Serum levels of irisin, leptin, adiponectin and resistin were quantified in duplicates by ELISA. Serum levels of CEA, CA 15-3 and Her-2/neu were measured on an immunology analyzer. The association between irisin and breast cancer was examined by logistic regression analysis. The feasibility of serum irisin in discriminating breast cancer patients was assessed by ROC curve analysis. Potential correlations with demographic, anthropometric and clinical parameters, with markers of adiposity and with breast tumor characteristics were also investigated. RESULTS: Serum levels of irisin were significantly lower in breast cancer patients compared to controls (2.47 ± 0.57 and 3.24 ± 0.66 µg/ml, respectively, p < 0.001). A significant independent association between irisin and breast cancer was observed by univariate and multivariate analysis (p < 0.001). It was estimated that a 1 unit increase in irisin levels leads to a reduction in the probability of breast cancer by almost 90%. Irisin could effectively discriminate breast cancer patients at a cut-off point of 3.21 µg/ml, with 62.7% sensitivity and 91.1% specificity. A positive association with tumor stage and marginal associations with tumor size and lymph node metastasis were observed (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our novel findings implicate irisin in breast cancer and suggest its potential application as a new diagnostic indicator of the presence of disease.

Posttraumatic transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia: report of a case and review of the literature.

Intercostal hernias are rare, and usually occur following injuries of the thoracic wall. The scope of this report is to present a case of a 53-year-old obese patient that developed a transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia. The patient presented with a palpable, sizeable, reducible mass in the right lateral thoracic wall, with evident bowel sounds in the area, 6 months after a motor-vehicle accident. On computed tomography (CT), the hernia sac contained part of the liver and part of the ascending colon. A surgical repair of the defect was performed, using a prosthetic patch. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful and she remains recurrence free at 12 months after surgery. Intercostal hernias should be suspected following high-impact injuries of the thoracic wall, and CT scans will facilitate the diagnosis of intercostal hernia. We consider the surgical repair of the defect, with placement of a prosthetic mesh, as the treatment of choice to ensure a favorable outcome.

Thermal damage of the specimen during breast biopsy with the use of the Breast Lesion Excision System: does it affect diagnosis?

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic vacuum assisted breast biopsy (VABB) procedures remain of key importance in the diagnostic evaluation of suspicious non-palpable mammographic lesions. The Breast Lesion Excision System(®) (BLES) is an image-guided percutaneous biopsy method that utilizes radiofrequency (RF) in order to retrieve an intact-tissue biopsy specimen. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of RF application on the tissue specimen and the possible interference with the histopathologic results. METHODS: In this study we included 265 patients with suspicious non-palpable mammographic lesions who underwent 273 stereotactic VABB procedures using the BLES. All biopsies were performed by the same surgical-radiology team under local anesthesia. The specimen thermal damage was classified according to the pathology report in 3 categories: Severe (extensive thermal damage or inability to diagnose), medium (ability to diagnose but either circumferential damage >1.5 mm or diffuse areas of thermal damage) and mild (circumferential thermal damage <1.5 mm but >0.5 mm). RESULTS: Radiofrequency-associated thermal damage of the specimen was observed in 14 cases (5.13 %), and was classified as severe in 5, medium in 5, and mild in 4 specimens. Within the group of RF damaged specimens, we found a significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation between fat cell content and classification of thermal damage. CONCLUSIONS: Although thermal damage is of concern during BLES breast biopsy, the incidence is low, and the outcome of the histopathologic assessment is not affected even in severely damaged specimens. Increased thermal damage seems to correlate with higher fat cell content of the specimen.

Bilateral aberrant origin of the inferior thyroid artery from the common carotid artery.

The thyroid gland is mainly supplied by the superior and inferior thyroid arteries, with the latter being its principal arterial supply in adults. The inferior thyroid artery usually arises from the thyrocervical trunk, and less frequently from the subclavian artery. Rarely, it may originate from the vertebral artery or the common carotid artery. In the present report, we describe a unique case of a 56-year-old patient, undergoing total thyroidectomy and level VI lymph node dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma, with aberrant origin of both inferior thyroid arteries from the common carotid arteries.

Subcutaneous splenosis of the abdominal wall: report of a case and review of the literature.

Splenosis is a common benign condition that occurs after splenic rupture via trauma or surgery. The mechanism behind splenic cell autotransplantation begins with the splenic rupture, either from trauma or surgical removal. Splenosis is usually found incidentally and, unless symptomatic, surgical therapy is not indicated. Subcutaneous splenosis is an extremely rare form of splenosis, mostly observed in abdominal surgical scars. We report a case of subcutaneous splenosis, as well as a comprehensive review of the literature. In our case, a 43-year-old woman who had splenectomy after traumatic splenic rupture at the age of 7 years old presented for plastic reconstruction of her postoperative scar. Upon surgery, two asymptomatic subcutaneous nodules were incidentally discovered. The presence of splenic tissue was confirmed by the histological study. The nodules were not excised, as the patient was not symptomatic.

Complications of percutaneous stereotactic vacuum assisted breast biopsy system utilizing radio frequency.

OBJECTIVE: The Breast Lesion Excision System (BLES) is a novel, automatic breast biopsy device that utilizes radiofrequency to excise suspicious non-palpable mammographic lesions. The purpose of the present prospective study is to report and evaluate the complications of this new technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a two year period, we used the BLES device in 132 consecutive patients (134 procedures) with non-palpable mammographic lesions. The inclusion criteria consisted of suspicious microcalcifications, solid lesions and asymmetric density. In order to retrieve an intact biopsy specimen, we used the 12mm, 15mm or 20mm tissue basket under local anesthesia, depending on the size of the lesion. Complications were recorded and classified as immediate if occurring during or shortly after the procedure, or late, if occurring in the post-procedure days. RESULTS: The procedure was considered successful in all cases, with mammographic confirmation of appropriate excision of the targeted lesion. Although, in a single case the basket initially failed to deploy. Immediate complications were encountered in 11 patients, with minor hemorrhage being the most common (n=6). 17 patients suffered late complications, in seven of whom delayed wound healing was observed. Overall, 27 patients suffered Grade 1 complications (20.14%), one patient experienced a Grade 2 complication while no patients encountered Grade 3-5 complications. CONCLUSIONS: According to our experience, the BLES device is an efficient and safe breast biopsy method, with low complication rates, which are minor in their majority. It appears to be a very promising alternative to other, minimally invasive, breast biopsy techniques.