A model for analysis of antibiotic usage in low-income settings.

OBJECTIVES: Quantification of antibiotic usage is an important component of antimicrobial stewardship programmes. We aimed to estimate institutional antibiotic usage and costs using methodology and metrics applicable to low-income settings without electronic health records. METHODS: The DDD per 100 patient-days (DDDs/100 PDs) of antibiotics used in a calendar year was calculated retrospectively from ward registers and inpatient drug records in general surgical wards of a tertiary hospital. The antibiotics were categorized using the Access, Watch, Reserve classification. The annual expenditure on antibiotics was estimated from price lists of the state medication procurer. RESULTS: Annual usage of IV co-amoxiclav, cefuroxime and metronidazole was significantly higher than other antibiotics and certain wards showed outlier use of the same. The IV formulations of co-amoxiclav (5-fold), metronidazole (3-fold) and ciprofloxacin (2-fold) were used in excess of the oral formulation. Proportionate antibiotic usage based on the AWaRe category did not vary significantly between wards. Two wards were outliers for annual expenditure/100 PDs. IV clindamycin and meropenem combined accounted for 43.8% of expenditure on antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated intra-institutional variations of annual antibiotic usage and related costs. The metric DDD/100 PDs and the methodology used here are suitable for intra- and inter-institutional analyses of antibiotic usage, particularly in low-income settings.

Right hepatectomy with a cholangiojejunostomy and hepaticojejunostomy for unilobar Caroli's syndrome.

Caroli...s syndrome is a rare entity. It is characterized by multi-cystic dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts with congenital hepatic fibrosis. Here we describe a 43-year-old female with unilobar Carolis syndrome presented recurrent episodes of cholangitis. She subsequently had a right hepatectomy and complex bilio-enteric anastomoses which included a cholangiojejunostomy. This case illustrates a safe and novel surgical strategy employed to manage a patient with unilobar Caroli...s syndrome.

Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 in Sri Lankan Gastric Carcinoma Patients with Clinicopathological Association and Survival.

BACKGROUND: HER2 protein expression indicates adverse prognosis in gastric adenocarcinoma (GCa). GCa HER2 positivity ranges from 10 to 22.8%. Similar data are scarce in South Asia and unavailable in Sri Lanka. AIM: To evaluate HER2 protein expression, its clinicopathological relationship and survival in a Sri Lankan GCa cohort. METHODS: One hundred consecutive GCa patients were recruited prospectively for 2 years. Histological diagnosis was confirmed on endoscopic biopsies/gastrectomy specimens. Clinicopathological and overall survival data were collected. HER2 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry. 2+ and 3+ scores were considered positive. HER2 expression and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed by Chi-squared test and multivariate analysis with logistic regression using SPSS-21. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used for survival analysis. RESULTS: Study includes 56 biopsies and 44 resections. Male/female ratio was 1.9:1. Mean age of diagnosis was 61.1 years (range 32-82). Majority tumors were proximally located (58%). HER2 positivity was 9%. Even though intestinal subtype predominated HER2 positivity was mostly among diffuse variant (14.8%). In multivariate analysis, mitotic count >5/hpf, high nuclear grade and tumor necrosis were significantly associated with HER2 positivity, while poor differentiation, signet cells, extracellular mucin, perineural invasion and pathological nodal metastasis (all p < 0.05) showed a correlation in univariate analysis. Mean follow-up duration was 37.4 weeks (range 0-104). HER2 positivity was associated with a significantly lower median overall survival (p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: GCa HER2 positivity was 9%, associated with a lower median overall survival. Adverse histological features had a positive correlation with HER2 positivity. These histological features could direct patients for confirmatory HER2 testing in limited resource settings.

Pancreatic desmoplastic small round cell tumour--a rare presentation of painful obstructive jaundice.

CONTEXT: Pancreatic desmoplastic small round cell tumour (DSRCT) is an extremely rare malignancy of which very few reports exist. It follows an aggressive course and has a dismal prognosis. CASE REPORT: A twenty-four-year-old male presented with a one-month history of rapidly progressive obstructive jaundice associated with abdominal pain suggestive of a biliary colic. Contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) of the abdomen revealed a pancreatic head mass. He underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy and is disease free one year after surgery. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of a pancreatic head DSRCT, discovered in a young male investigated for a short history of painful obstructive jaundice.

Large epidermoid cyst of the spleen causing massive splenomegaly: A case report.

Splenic cysts are uncommon and are classified as primary cysts or secondary cysts based on the presence or absence of an intact epithelial lining, respectively. Epidermoid cysts have an epithelial lining of stratified squamous epithelium and have been reported in normal and intra-pancreatic accessory spleens. An 18-year-old girl presented with a symptomatic, uncomplicated splenic cyst causing massive splenomegaly and symptoms due to mass effect. Peripheral cytopaenias and lymphoproliferative neoplasm were excluded. Preoperative computed tomography was suggestive of a large splenic cyst causing massive splenomegaly and marked loco-regional pressure effects. Open splenectomy was performed and histology confirmed an epidermoid cyst with no features of malignancy. Splenic epidermoid cysts are a rare cause of massive splenomegaly. Surgical intervention is recommended due to symptoms and the risk of complications.

Severe hyponatraemia due to high output external biliary drainage corrected with bile refeeding: A case report.

Hyponatraemia is an uncommon complication of external biliary drainage. We report on a 62-year-old male with hilar cholangiocarcinoma who developed refractory severe hyponatraemia despite sodium replacement during preoperative external biliary drainage. Nasojejunal bile refeeding restored sodium levels to normal.

Parenchymal-sparing hepatectomy for multiple bilobar colorectal liver metastases in a Jehovah's witness: a case report.

Parenchymal-sparing hepatectomy (PSH), though technically challenging, is emerging as a choice of treatment for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). PSH in Jehovah's witness (JW) patients, for whom transfusion is not an option, involves complex surgical and medicolegal issues. A 52-year-old JW male with synchronous, multiple, bilobar liver metastases from a rectal adenocarcinoma was referred following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. At surgery, 10 metastatic deposits were observed and confirmed by intraoperative ultrasonography. Parenchymal-sparing non-anatomical resections were performed using a cavitron ultrasonic aspirator with the application of intermittent Pringle maneuvres. Histology confirmed multiple CRLMs with tumor-free resection margins. PSH is increasingly employed for CRLMs to preserve residual liver volume and minimize morbidity without compromising oncological outcomes. It is technically challenging, especially in the presence of bilobar, multi-segmental disease. This case illustrates the feasibility of performing complex hepatic surgery in special patient groups by meticulous planning and preparation involving multiple specialties and the patient.

Two squamous cell carcinomas of the skin in a patient with Lynch syndrome.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Although synchronous and metachronous tumours of the bowel are well known associations of Lynch syndrome, the association of skin malignancies in such patients are extremely rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 40-year-old Sri Lankan man with a strong family history of colorectal cancer had an extended right hemicolectomy for a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Two months after surgery, he developed two discrete ulcerative skin lesions in the chin and occipital region which excision biopsy confirmed to be squamous cell carcinoma. After more than two years of follow-up, patient remains disease free. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The Muir Torre variant of Lynch syndrome is characteristically associated with sebaceous adenomas and carcinomas, though occurence of squamous cell carcinomas are rare. In reported cases, defective mismatch repair genes associated with Lynch syndrome may suggest an increased predisposition for squamous cell carcinomas. CONCLUSION: Patients with Lynch syndrome should be educated on the importance of seeking an early medical consult for new skin lesions and raising awareness of this rare phenomenon for physicians involved in follow up is important.

Intrahepatic gallbladder duplication mimicking a hepatic cyst: A case report.

Gallbladder duplication is a rare anomaly of the biliary tree. Implications of misdiagnosis include unwarranted surgery and morbidity such as when liver resections are done suspecting cystic intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct. The use of appropriate imaging, when suspected, facilitates diagnosis and avoids adverse surgical outcomes. We describe a case of an intrahepatic duplicate gallbladder containing calculi detected incidentally during a Focused Assessment Sonography for Trauma after a blunt trauma.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 gene expression positivity determined by silver in situ hybridization/immunohistochemistry methods and associated factors in a cohort of Sri Lankan patients with gastric adenocarcinoma: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Positive human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) expression and its predictive clinicopathological features remain unclear in Sri Lankan gastric cancer (GC) patients. Here, we aimed to determine GC HER2 status predictors by analyzing associations between clinicopathological features and HER2 expression using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and silver in situ hybridization (SISH). METHODS: During this 4-year prospective study, clinicopathological data were collected from participants in the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. HER2 IHC and SISH were performed using commercial reagents. Using chi-square tests, associations of HER2-IHC/SISH with clinicopathological features were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, 145 GC patients were included, 69 had gastrectomies and 76 had biopsies. Positive HER2 expression by IHC was associated with age <60 years, high T stage (assessed pathologically in resections and radiologically in biopsies), high nuclear grade, tumor necrosis, mitosis >5/high-power field, with additional perineural invasion and lymphovascular invasion in resections. These features, excluding lymphovascular invasion but including male sex, were associated with HER2 expression by SISH. CONCLUSIONS: Age <60 years, high nuclear grade, tumor necrosis, and perineural invasion are associated factors of HER2 status. These could be used to triage GC patients for HER2 status testing in limited resource settings where IHC/SISH analysis is costly.

Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Distal Common Bile Duct: A Case of a Rare Type of Cholangiocarcinoma.

Introduction: Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is a rare subtype of the conventional adenocarcinoma of the bile duct. The clinico-pathological characteristics of this entity are poorly understood partly due to its rarity. Case Summary: A 67-year-old ASA II male presented with obstructive jaundice subsequently complicated by cholangitis. CT abdomen showed dilatation of the intra and extrahepatic biliary tree. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed a stricture with a mucosal growth at the ampulla of Vater. He had a pancreaticoduodenectomy and the distal common bile duct tumour identified in the specimen was on histology an adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the extrahepatic bile duct. Discussion: ASCs are considered to have more aggressive tumour biology compared to adenocarcinomas. The presence of a squamous component at the invasive front relates to its poor prognosis. Surgery is the curative option, but with a high propensity for early recurrence and distant metastases. The scarcity of reports on the clinicopathological course of ASC have resulted in a lack of standardised care pathways. Conclusion: A better understanding of the clinicopathological characteristics, biological behaviour and disease progression of ASC will aid therapeutic options and prognostication.

Multi-system Klebsiella sepsis: A tale of destruction form lung to eye.

Klebsiella pneumoniae, found in the gastrointestinal flora is a causative agent of hospital-acquired infections. Although isolated organ infections are common, reports of multi-system involvement are rare. We report on a susceptible patient presenting with disseminated Klebsiella infection with concurrent multi-organ disease involving the lung, liver, prostate and eye. He recovered after prolonged therapy but suffered from permanent sequalae. Early diagnosis and aggressive therapy is facilitated by awareness and a high degree of suspicion in at-risk patient groups.

Double gallbladder-intraoperative finding at laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Literature review.

Duplication of the gallbladder is a rare entity. It is often appreciated at surgery and has a higher propensity for complications and conversion to open surgery. We report a case of laparoscopic recognition and removal of a duplicated gallbladder opening into the bile duct through separate cystic ducts, in a young male presenting with biliary colics. Both cystic ducts were clipped and divided, and cholecystectomy completed laparoscopically. Although uncommon, awareness of this anomaly may contribute to minimising iatrogenic bile duct injuries.

Idiopathic gross dilatation of the pancreatic duct with exocrine insufficiency in a patient with type 1 neurofibromatosis.

Pancreatic duct dilatation occurs in conditions including chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic carcinoma and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. Although several pancreatic benign and malignant tumours have been reported in association with type 1 neurofibromatosis, an association with gross pancreatic duct dilatation or ectasia has not been previously published. We report on a patient with type 1 neurofibromatosis found to have idiopathic gross pancreatic duct dilatation and exocrine insufficiency. A 51-year-old female with type 1 neurofibromatosis presented with weight loss and steatorrhoea. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed a possible cystic lesion in the head of the pancreas, a grossly dilated main pancreatic duct and minimal thinned out pancreatic parenchyma. Endosonography confirmed diffuse dilatation of the pancreatic duct with no evidence of a separate cystic neoplasm. Endosonography-guided aspiration revealed non-mucinous, clear fluid with high amylase and normal carcinoembryonic antigen levels. The patient was prescribed pancreatic enzyme supplementation and showed symptomatic improvement. Associations between type 1 neurofibromatosis and pancreatic duct ectasia or chronic pancreatitis have not been reported, and this finding may be coincidental. Clinical presentation in conjunction with multimodal imaging and biochemical and cytological fluid analysis did not reveal the aetiology of the ectatic duct system and attenuated glandular tissue in this patient which is most likely congenital.

Infarct Like Necrosis of Colorectal Liver Metastasis Without Chemotherapy: A Rare Phenomenon.

Usual type necrosis (UN) and infarct like necrosis (ILN) occur in CRLMs. ILN is a rare form of necrosis in colorectal liver metastases which is usually seen following chemotherapy. De novo occurrence of ILN is a very rare phenomenon. ILN in CRLM without adjuvant chemotherapy following colorectal resection was not described previously. We describe the presence of complete ILN in a solitary metachronous liver metastasis from right colonic adenocarcinoma without prior chemotherapy.

Acute Gastrointestinal Bleed from a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour Impersonating an Arteriovenous Malformation of the Jejunum.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are neoplasms which originate from the mesenchymal tissue of the gastrointestinal tract. We report on a GIST presenting with acute gastrointestinal bleeding that mimicked an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) on imaging and at surgery. A 61-year-old female presented with a short history of melaena and severe anaemia. After resuscitation, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a profusely bleeding varix in the proximal jejunum which was treated with glue injection. Contrast-enhanced CT showed a heterogeneous lesion in the proximal jejunum with strong arterial phase enhancement, supplied by a branch of the superior mesenteric artery and drained by a prominent tributary of the superior mesenteric vein, suggestive of an AVM. The mass was resected, and histology revealed a GIST with no evidence of an AVM or angiodysplasia. A GIST may be considered, though imaging suggests a diagnosis of an AVM in patients presenting with acute gastrointestinal bleeds. In such circumstances, surgical resection and pathological assessment will be confirmatory.

Total Pancreatectomy for Malignant Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN) Complicated by Gastropancreatic Fistulae.

BACKGROUND: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) of the pancreas complicated by fistula formation to adjacent organs are an uncommon phenomenon. We present an IPMN of the pancreas with malignant transformation and multiple fistulae to the stomach and duodenum. Case Presentation. A 50-year-old female was referred for investigation of recent epigastric pain and a past history of recurrent pancreatitis. Imaging with computed tomography showed a gross dilatation of the entire pancreatic duct with a heterogeneous enhancement of the periductal parenchyma. A passage of oral contrast was noted from the greater curvature and pylorus of the stomach into the dilated duct suggestive of fistulae formation. Gastroduodenoscopy demonstrated these fistulae in the stomach and the proximal duodenum and an exophytic growth at the ampulla obliterating the view of ampullary opening. Endosonography- (EUS-) guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) showed cells with high-grade atypia. A total pancreatectomy, distal gastrectomy, and splenectomy were performed, and recovery was uneventful. Histology revealed a ductal adenocarcinoma arising from an intestinal type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with high-grade dysplasia. A year and a half after surgery, she is healthy with good glycaemic control and nutritional status. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance investigating patients for the aetiology in recurrent acute pancreatitis and their follow-up. Awareness of cystic pancreatic neoplasms including IPMN is important to avoid misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. Referral of these patients to centres with facilities for multidisciplinary input and specialised management is strongly recommended.

Seeking the unseen: Localization and surgery for an occult sporadic insulinoma.

Insulinomas are rare pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours and the commonest cause for endogenous hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycemia. Small tumours are not easily detected by conventional cross-sectional imaging making localization prior to surgical removal a challenge. Selective arterial calcium stimulation is an invaluable adjunct to localization in such circumstances. This is further supplemented by intraoperative ultrasonography. A 39-year-old male was referred with features of Whipple's triad of 10 months duration. Clinical and biochemical evaluation including C-peptide and serum insulin levels during supervised hypoglycemia concluded endogenous hyperinsulinaemia as the underlying aetiology. Contrast CT and MRI of the abdomen failed to localize the tumour. Selective arterial calcium stimulation localized the lesion in distal pancreas. During the surgery, tumour was further localized to the tail of the pancreas using intraoperative ultrasonography and enucleated. Histology confirmed an insulinoma and patient made an unremarkable recovery and was well more than a year after the surgery.

Acute kidney injury due to high-output external biliary drainage in a patient with malignant obstructive jaundice: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Persistent high output is a rare but potentially serious complication of percutaneous biliary drainage. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old Sinhalese woman with a palliative self-expanding metal stent placed for an inoperable hilar cholangiocarcinoma presented with worsening obstructive jaundice. Ultrasonography showed intrahepatic duct dilatation with the self-expanding metal stent in situ. Since this was indicative of a blocked stent, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram-guided internal biliary stenting through the self-expanding metal stent was attempted and failed. Therefore, an external biliary drain was left in the dilated biliary system. Post procedure, she developed a high biliary output of 3-4 liters per day and went into oliguric acute kidney injury with metabolic acidosis, most probably due to inadequate fluid replacement and hypovolemia. CONCLUSION: Although the mechanism by which this occurs in some cases is unclear, early identification and prompt fluid resuscitation prevent acute kidney injury. The adoption of new strategies for internal drainage of long complex strictures will both prevent and ameliorate this problem.

Nonhealing scrotal ulceration-an unusual manifestation of TB epididymo-orchitis: case report and review of literature.

The clinical presentation of genitourinary tuberculosis (TB) may be variable and a high index of suspicion is required for a timely diagnosis, especially in endemic areas. Recurrent scrotal ulcers associated with epididymo-orchitis even without other constitutional symptoms should alert the clinician of a possible diagnosis of TB.