ABSTRACT
Epididymal leiomyosarcomas are rare malignant tumors of smooth muscle origin. We present a case of a low-grade tumor with negative margins managed with a high-radical inguinal orchiectomy. Our review of the literature suggests that low-grade and localized tumors with negative margins can be managed with simple epididymectomy and imaging surveillance.
ABSTRACT
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, with the most common metastatic sites in bone, regional lymph nodes, liver and thorax. It is most commonly diagnosed in the early stages with clinical findings of enlarged prostate on digital rectal exam and positive prostate specific antigen. Distant metastases associated with prostate cancer commonly occur to bone. It is imperative to be cautious in assuming primary breast, lung or head and neck malignancy in patients presenting with lymphadenopathy in the upper aerodigestive pathways. Cervical lymphadenopathy due to prostate cancer is becoming more prevalent since previously reported. Here we present a case of prostate cancer recurrence found through metastasis to supraclavicular lymph nodes and we also highlight homeobox protein CDX2 as a potential clinico-pathological marker in metastatic prostate cancer.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To quantify patients' knowledge of their iodinated contrast allergies; and to compare this data to literature estimates of patient knowledge of other medication allergies. METHODS: Using a key word search of 15,715 patients undergoing a total of 19,043 CT studies over a six-month period, a cohort of 307 adult patients claiming prior allergic reaction to iodinated intravenous contrast was identified. A patient questionnaire with the CT studies inquired about the specifics of their contrast allergy, including the symptoms of their prior allergic reaction; when and where the reaction occurred; and if patients could name the contrast agent to which they claim to be allergic. RESULTS: In the cohort of 307 patients claiming a prior allergic reaction to iodinated contrast, 86.6% could describe their prior allergic reaction symptoms. Only 36.8% could provide an approximate year of the reaction, with an additional 6.5% claiming that their reactions were remote, for a total of 43.3% providing some information when their reaction occurred. 56.7% provided no information on the year of their reaction. 40.7% named either the facility or the city where the reaction occurred, while 59.3% could not. Only 5 of 307 (1.6%, p < 0.00001) could name the contrast agent to which they believed they were allergic. CONCLUSION: Other studies have reported inconsistencies, limited documentation, and limited ability to confirm patients' pharmacologic allergies, estimating that patients prior to pharmacist consultation are approximately 60-70% accurate in listing their drug allergies by name. Nevertheless, patients' knowledge of their iodinated contrast allergies is markedly more limited when compared to expected patient knowledge of medication allergies in general.
Subject(s)
Drug Hypersensitivity , Adult , Cohort Studies , Contrast Media/adverse effects , Documentation , Drug Hypersensitivity/epidemiology , HumansABSTRACT
Polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) is a synthetic substance previously used as an injectable material for augmentation mammoplasty. Current literature has demonstrated that the average time from PAAG injection to the onset of complication ranges from 6 to 39 months. We present a unique case report describing the onset of complications 18 years after PAAG augmentation mammoplasty. To the best of our knowledge, the presentation of a healthy female who experienced unprovoked expansion of breast tissue >15 years after polyacrylamide injection has not been previously reported in surgical literature. This suggests that serious complications of PAAG injection may occur later than the literature has previously described. Importantly, this case is the first demonstration of the successful surgical removal of polyacrylamide 18 years after injection. Additionally, this case also provides a histopathological analysis of breast capsules which showed evidence of an extensive chronic inflammatory reaction to polyacrylamide, consistent with previous reports.
ABSTRACT
Definitive draining seton (DDS) alone is an accepted treatment for complex refractory anal fistulas in Crohn's disease (CD). We evaluated the long-term success of DDS in CD patients. DDS was defined as draining seton placed definitively for at least 12 months. Primary end point was clinical response (CR) defined as a lack of induration, pain, swelling, abscess recurrence, or unintended dislodgement. The study cohort of 23 patients had a median age of 29 (range; 9-61) years and included 14 males (61%). Reasons for DDS included anal stenosis (n = 9; 39%), active proctitis (n = 9; 39%), and/or anal canal ulceration (n = 9; 39%). Median number of setons was 2 (range; 1-6) and 65% had multiple fistula tracts. Almost all patients (n = 22; 96%) were on a biologic postoperatively. At 12-month follow-up, only 39% (n = 9) had a CR. The remaining 14 patients failed due to new abscess formation (n = 6; 26%), new fistula formation (n = 6; 26%), and seton dislodgement (n = 2; 9%). Six (26%) patients required fecal diversion. No patients required proctectomy. DDS for complex CD fistula results in a mediocre CR with many patients developing recurrent abscess/fistula or requiring diversion despite biologic therapy.