Primary Mammary Angiosarcoma: Literature Review.

Angiosarcomas of the breast are extremely rare, highly aggressive tumors of vascular origin comprising 0.04% of all malignant neoplasms of the breast. They can be classified into primary mammary angiosarcomas and cutaneous (secondary) angiosarcomas. Primary angiosarcomas, owing to their unusual clinical presentation, are diagnosed late. In addition, the available literature to date lacks sufficient evidence to establish standard treatment guidelines for this group of tumors, thereby resulting in poor prognosis. In medical database, most available papers concern secondary angiosarcomas, with only a few case reports of primary angiosarcomas. The aim of this paper is to review what is known hitherto about the presentation, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic modalities for primary mammary angiosarcomas.

Systemic Melioidosis With Ruptured Splenic Abscess.

Melioidosis is a severe systemic disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, commonly found in soil, ground water, and ponds of endemic regions. It is transmitted to humans via percutaneous inoculation while working in these areas without protective clothing and footwear giving rise to the disease which has a high case fatality rate. It has a wide range of clinical manifestations, varying from asymptomatic infection to localized abscess formation to fulminating disease with multiple organ involvement and even death. Currently, there are no known pathognomonic features or specific criteria which can lead to a confident diagnosis of melioidosis. The gold standard diagnostic test is culture sensitivity of blood, pus, or bodily fluids, which itself has a low sensitivity. Imaging findings are not specific and can mimic other bacterial infection. However, awareness of these radiographic manifestations in multiple organs can raise the possibility of diagnosis and lead to more early proper treatment and thereby lower the high mortality associated with this disease. We here present a rare case of systemic melioidosis with ruptured splenic abscess managed laboriously with antibiotics and splenectomy and wish to review the literature.

Comparison of Different Scoring Systems in Predicting the Severity of Acute Pancreatitis: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas mostly due to alcohol or gallstones. Various scoring systems were involved in identifying the severity of the disease. The standard single score to identifying the severity remains uncertain. Methodology This prospective observational study was carried out for two years in a tertiary care center from South India. The diagnosis of AP was made based on Atlanta criteria, and a total of 164 patients were included. All patients were assessed by acute physiology and chronic health evaluation ll (APACHE II), bedside index for severity in AP (BISAP), modified Glasgow score (MGS), and Ranson score on admission and 48 hours after admission scores. Procalcitonin was done in all patients with AP. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen was done in 69 patients who had features of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic accuracy were calculated for each score, and procalcitonin for CT documented severe patients and organ failure patients together. Results A total of 164 patients were included in this study. CT abdomen showed a modified CT severity index (MCSI) ≥8 in all 69 (100%) patients. APACHE II score could predict SAP based on CT findings in 44 patients (63.76%), BISAP score in 22 patients (31.88%), MGS in 55 patients (79.71%), Ranson score at admission in 31 patients (44.92%), Ranson score 48 hours after admission in 44 patients (63.76%), and procalcitonin on admission in 69 patients (100%) when cut-off used as per the literature. APACHE II score could predict SAP in cases of AP (n=164) in 52 patients (50%), BISAP score in 27 patients (26%), MGS in 79 patients (76%), Ranson score at admission in 34 patients (33%), and Ranson score 48 hours after admission in 61 (59%) patients when cut-off was used as per the literature. This study demonstrated that Ranson score on admission had a good area under the curve (AUC). AUC (0.8483), APACHE II (AUC 0.7708), and Ranson score 48 hours after admission (AUC 0.8167) had a fair accuracy. BISAP (AUC 0.6399) and MGS (AUC 0.6486) had poor accuracy for the prediction of severity in AP based on receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. Conclusion Among the scoring system compared, MGS had the highest sensitivity for predicting the severity of AP. However, Ranson score on admission had better diagnostic accuracy for predicting severity, organ failure, and mortality based on ROC curves. Procalcitonin had the best sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and diagnostic accuracy for association with severity in AP.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of Sigmoid Colon: Unusual Cause of Intestinal Obstruction.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMFTs) are rare solid mesenchymal tumors frequently noted in children and young adults. It is characterized by variable clinicopathological and etiopathogenetic features. They are commonly reported in the lungs and occurrence in the colon is extremely rare. Here, we report a case of IMFT in the sigmoid colon confirmed histopathologically after surgical resection. A 40-year-old lady presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation for four days. On abdominal examination, there was tenderness in the left iliac fossa region with localized guarding. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) showed a sigmoid colonic mass lesion with few enlarged perilesional lymph nodes. Colonoscopy demonstrated circumferential ulceration with irregular margin associated with luminal narrowing noted 55 cm from the anal verge and scope could not negotiate beyond, biopsies were taken. Later, the biopsy came as descriptive in nature. Hence, we proceeded for surgery and intra-operatively we have found there was circumferential thickening in the sigmoid colon for about size 8 cm of which was abutting the left lateral parietal wall. We have done sigmoid colon resection with adequate margins and postoperatively patient did well. Finally, the histopathology report suggested an IMFT sigmoid colon.

An Uncommon Presentation of Leiomyoma Cecum as a Subcutaneous Abscess of the Right Flank.

Cecal leiomyomas are rare benign tumors of smooth muscle arising from the colonic muscularis mucosa or muscularis propria. They are usually asymptomatic in nature and, if symptomatic, may present as pain in the abdomen, intestinal obstruction, or bleeding. In some cases, leiomyoma can cause free perforation leading to peritonitis. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and colonoscopy were the diagnostic modalities used for evaluation. It is extremely unusual for a benign lesion of the cecum to present as a ruptured subcutaneous abscess. A 40-year-old man presented to the surgical emergency with complaints of right loin swelling and dull aching pain for one week. The patient did not have any significant medical history. Examination revealed a 5×5 cm swelling in the right anterior lumbar region. Blood investigations revealed anemia with leukocytosis. An abdominal CECT revealed a 9×6 cm heterogeneous enhancing mass lesion arising from the cecum with hypodense areas abutting the anterior abdominal wall and tracking into the intermuscular plane. The patient underwent surgical exploration, and a 9×6 cm growth arising from the cecum with a localized abscess tracking into the intermuscular plane in the right anterior abdominal wall and forming a subcutaneous abscess was intraoperatively found. A right hemicolectomy with ileocolic anastomosis was done, with external drainage of the subcutaneous abscess. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed a leiomyoma of the cecum with abscess. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of cecal leiomyoma to rupture into the subcutaneous space and present as a flank abscess.

A Prospective Study on the Diagnostic Value of Hyperbilirubinemia as a Predictive Factor for Appendicular Perforation in Acute Appendicitis.

Background Appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergency in general surgical practices. Early and prompt diagnosis is necessary to avoid life-threatening complications associated with it. The diagnosis is mainly clinically aided by imaging techniques. The physiological obstruction of the bile flow associated with appendicular pathology leads to hyperbilirubinemia, which can be used as a predictive factor of appendicular perforation. Method This prospective study was conducted in the department of general surgery in Madras Medical College and Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital, Chennai, from January 2012 to November 2012. A total of 378 patients with the features of acute appendicitis or appendicular perforation admitted in the emergency surgical ward were included. Results Out of 378 of the study population, 18% had appendicular perforation and 82% had acute appendicitis. Out of 67 perforations, 60 patients have hyperbilirubinemia (90%) whereas out of 311 patients with appendicitis, only 89 (29%) of them had elevated bilirubin. Hyperbilirubinemia with a cutoff point of 0.9 mg% for appendicitis patients has a sensitivity of 89.6%, specificity of 71.4%, a positive predictive value of 27%, and a negative predictive value of 96.9%. Hyperbilirubinemia with a cutoff point of >1.3 mg% for appendicular perforation has a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 89%, a positive predictive value of 93%, and a negative predictive value of 96%. Conclusions Hyperbilirubinemia with bilirubin levels more than 1.3 mg% are highly predictive of appendicular perforation and, hence, aid in prompt diagnosis. This can be combined with a clinical diagnosis and imaging for an accurate and precise diagnosis.

Comparison of Endoscopic Variceal Ligation with Endoscopic Sclerotherapy for Secondary Prophylaxis of Variceal Hemorrhage: A Randomized Trial.

Background Though endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is commonly being used and has overcome the disadvantages of sclerotherapy (ST), still sclerotherapy is used as a therapeutic procedure for bleeding esophageal varices in the present institute. Hence, the study was done to see the advantages of EVL over ST. Methods Patients with portal hypertension and bleeding esophageal varices underwent banding if found to have grade 3 or 4 varices. They were randomized to EVL group, where they were reviewed after two weeks for any residual varices for which repeat banding was done and endoscopic sclerotherapy (EST) group, where ST was done until the varices were obliterated or reduced to grade 1. The efficacy, complications, recurrent bleeding rate and recurrence of varices were compared. Results A total of 60 patients were included, 30 in each group. In EVL group, four sessions were needed to eradicate the varices in 73% of patients while it was five sessions in EST group (46% patients) (p-value = 0.0001). The mean number of sessions needed in EVL and EST group was 3.73 and 5.36, respectively. The average time taken for eradication of varices was 78.6 and 134.6 days in EVL and EST group, respectively (p-value = 0.004). Complications were higher in EST group (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion EVL alone was effective than ST in terms of the number of sessions needed for eradication of varices and total duration required to completely obliterate them. The complications were less in EVL group with no significant difference in recurrent bleeding rate and recurrence of varices between the groups.

Rare Abdominopelvic Actinomycosis Causing an Intestinal Band Obstruction and Mimicking an Ovarian Malignancy.

Actinomyces israelii, a commensal of the bronchial and gastrointestinal tracts, is responsible for the majority of actinomycostic infections in humans. Actinomycosis has widely varying clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic states to infiltrative mass lesions that mimic malignant abdominopelvic disease. Described as one of the most misdiagnosed diseases, actinomycosis poses challenges to accurate preoperative diagnosis. A 67-year-old woman with no significant medical history presented with features of acute intestinal obstruction. Computed tomography revealed a terminal ileal stricture causing intestinal obstruction and a right ovarian mass lesion. On laparotomy, a granular mass (2×2 cm) at the base of the mesentery and a right ovarian hard nodular growth (3×3 cm) were found that were connected by a dense fibrotic band, causing ileal obstruction with a transitional zone that was 10 cm proximal to the ileocecal junction. The mesenteric granular mass was excised together with the dense fibrotic band, and a right salpingo-oophorectomy was also undertaken. On postoperative histopathological examination, band formations by dense inflammatory tissue with neutrophilic infiltration were observed; moreover, there were sulfur granules that showed a positive reaction on Periodic Acid Schiff staining. The resected ovarian parenchyma showed infiltration by bacterial colonies with Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon and evoked dense neutrophilic infiltration. The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was placed on penicillin therapy for a year. Abdominopelvic actinomycosis should constitute part of the differential diagnosis when evaluating mass lesions, especially in elderly women with a history of intrauterine device (IUD) use.

Adult Cystic Lymphangioma of the Parotid Gland: An Unwonted Presentation.

Cystic lymphangioma of the parotid gland is an uncommon congenital lymphatic malformation. Its occurrence in patients of advanced age is infrequent. Patients usually present with painless soft swelling, often having experienced a long duration of symptoms. Lymphangioma among the salivary glands frequently involves the parotid gland. When evaluating cystic lesions of the parotid gland, cystic lymphangioma should be included in the differential diagnosis in addition to Warthin's tumor, branchial cyst, cystic pleomorphic adenoma, and cystic mucoepidermoid tumor. Ultrasonography (USG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are useful in diagnosing cystic lymphangioma and help to identify the lesion. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) may show lymphocytes, salivary epithelial cells, and rarely, endothelial cells. FNAC is often inconclusive; this was the case in our investigation of the cystic lesion presented here of a 50-year-old woman who presented with a slowly growing swelling and a dull aching pain over the right parotid region for the past two years. On examination, there was a non-tender, cystic swelling of 5×5 cm in the right parotid region causing lifting the earlobe. There was no cervical lymphadenopathy or any facial nerve palsy associated with the swelling. USG of the parotid gland revealed a cystic lesion in the superficial lobe of the parotid. Results of FNAC performed on the lesion were inconclusive. The patient was posted for surgery and the cyst was excised. Final histopathology of the lesion gave the diagnosis of cystic lymphangioma of the parotid gland. The patient was kept under follow up for six months to watch for any local recurrence, but none occurred.

A Masquerading and Unconventional Cause of Dynamic Intestinal Obstruction: Strangulated Obturator Hernia.

Obturator hernia is an extremely rare type of abdominal wall hernia occurring mostly in elderly, thin females. It is characterized by the herniation of intra-abdominal contents through the obturator foramen. Symptoms are often nonspecific, and the patient usually presents with an acute or subacute intestinal obstruction. A high index of suspicion is needed in such females presenting with abdominal distention and positive Howship-Romberg signs. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis are often necessary to arrive at a diagnosis, and immediate surgical intervention is recommended. The high postoperative morbidity and mortality are often attributed to a delay in the diagnosis and in initiating treatment. We present a case of a 65-year-old lady with strangulated obturator hernia who underwent emergent, lower midline laparotomy with resection and anastomosis of the small bowel and purse-string repair of the hernial defect.

Distal Pancreas and Spleen-preserving Central Pancreatectomy in a Locally Aggressive Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of Pancreas: A Novel Extended Warshaw Technique.

Central pancreatectomy (CP) is a well-described procedure done for neck and proximal body tumors of the pancreas. It can be done for benign lesions where an adequate length of normal distal pancreas will be left leading to organ preservation. The currently described benefit of the procedure is decreased long-term morbidity due to retention of both the spleen and the preservation of functioning pancreas. This is usually dependent on the preservation of distal pancreatic vascularity by splenic artery preservation. Many studies have described splenic preservation by Warshaw technique by safeguarding the short gastric (SGA) and left gastroepiploic (LGEA) vessels in case of distal pancreatectomy. However, distal pancreatic preservation during CP with splenic vessels ligation is not given a significant mention in the current literature in relation to Warshaw technique. Here, we present a 19-year-old girl diagnosed with an exophytic solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreatic body that was selected for central pancreatectomy. In view of splenic vessels involvement, she underwent ligation of the splenic vessels and splenic preservation was based on the LGEA and SGA. Distal pancreas was anastomosed with a roux en loop of jejunum and intra-operatively, we were able to demonstrate the back flow in the splenic vessels. Postoperative computed tomography showed adequate enhancement of the spleen along with retrograde blood flow into the distal splenic artery with enhancement of the distal pancreas. Her postoperative period went uneventful. Thus CP with extended Warshaw technique is a safe and feasible procedure where indicated.

Unusual Presentation of Tuberculous Thyroid Abscess in a Background of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in a Chronic Hepatitis B Carrier.

Tuberculosis of thyroid gland is a very rare disease. It has variable presentations and may be sometimes associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. We report a case of 45-year-old male, with left sided painless neck swelling, with a purulent discharging sinus over it associated with night sweats and loss of appetite. Thyroid imaging disclosed heterogeneous enhancement of left lobe of thyroid gland with internal vascularity and coarse calcifications. Core needle biopsy revealed caseous necrosis and AFB positivity. Patient had thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroglobulin antibody positivity and the rest of thyroid function tests were normal. Patient had positive Mantoux test, hepatitis B surface Ag, and low viral DNA. The patient was diagnosed as being a case of tuberculous abscess of thyroid gland and was put on antitubercular therapy for 2 months. Patient subsequently underwent left hemithyroidectomy when there was no response. Histopathological examination revealed tuberculosis of thyroid gland. A final diagnosis of tuberculous abscess of thyroid gland in a background of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in a chronic HBV carrier was made. Therefore, although rare tuberculosis of thyroid should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis of thyroid swelling.