Melanoma of anal canal

Melanomas are primarily tumours of the skin, but rarely occur at other sites like retina and anal canal. Anorectal melanoma is an uncommon condition associated with a very poor prognosis. The patient usually presents with per rectal bleed or mass. These are often misdiagnosed on presentation. Diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy. Treatment is abdominoperineal resection or wide local excision if tumour free margins can be obtained. We present a case of a 60 years old female who presented to the outpatient department with per rectal mass and bleed since 4 to 5 months and was diagnosed with melanoma anal canal on biopsy. CT scan abdomen and pelvis was done. Patient underwent abdominoperineal resection as wide local excision with sphincter saving was not possible due to the location and extent of tumour as seen on CT scan. Patient had an uneventful recovery after the procedure.

Hydatid cyst of broad ligament: a rare case report

Hydatid cyst is a parasitic disease caused by tapeworm Echinococcus. It affects the liver and lung most commonly, but may rarely affect fallopian tube, broad ligament and other structures. One such peculiar case is where a 17 years old female presented with a rapidly growing cystic mass in lower abdomen, clinically suspicious of ovarian mass or mesentric cyst. Investigations failed to identify the nature. On laparotomy, excision of the mass was done. Suprisingly histopathological examination identified the lesion as hydatid cyst arising from the broad ligament. Patient responded well to surgical excision followed by albendazole administration. Female genital tract hydatidosis is a rare entity and in most cases the involvement is secondary. Primary hydatid disease of female genital tract is even very rarer and generates considerable diagnostic difficulty.