An Extremely Rare and Aggressive Case of Undifferentiated Carcinoma With Osteoclast-Like Giant Cells of the Pancreas Presenting as a Paraneoplastic Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells (UC-OGC) is a rare tumor type of pancreatic cancer. Paraneoplastic syndromes, an idiopathic inflammatory myositis characterized by various skin manifestations (such as dermatomyositis (DM)), cannot be attributed to the primary tumor itself. Here, we report an unusual case of UC-OGC presenting as a paraneoplastic syndrome, the first reported from Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Gulf states. A 49-year-old Eritrean woman with known DM was referred to our hospital with a left-sided pleural effusion. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a large necrotic splenic mass (~17 × 12.9 × 18.2 cm). The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy with en bloc resection of the mass (splenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, and partial excision of the left hemidiaphragm). Following a histopathological examination of the mass, UG-OGC of the pancreas, presenting as a paraneoplastic syndrome, was diagnosed. To our knowledge, this case is the first to present a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with UC-OGC. The identification of an exceedingly rare tumor presenting atypically as a paraneoplastic syndrome shows the importance of conducting comprehensive examinations of patients with malignancies, emphasizing the need for more reports of similar cases.

Unusual Acute, Massive Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding Secondary to a Proximal Jejunal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: A Case Report.

The most common primary non-epithelial neoplasms of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Ten percent (10%) of GISTs arise from the jejunum. Usually, patients complain of abdominal discomfort, but they may present with complications such as intestinal obstruction or bleeding. This report describes a 35-year-old male who presented with unusually massive, acute lower GI bleeding. After resuscitation and investigations (including a contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen and lower GI endoscopy), the patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and bowel resection of the affected section with anastomosis, and he had an eventful postoperative course. Studies suggest that GI bleeding in GIST occurs due to the ulceration and necrosis of the overlying mucosa caused by the pressure effect of the mass. Small-bowel GISTs are categorized based on their size. Many guidelines have advocated conservative management for small GISTs (<2 cm) that are in the jejunum. This patient has a rare case of a small jejunal GIST with a rare presentation of massive lower GI bleeding. A multidisciplinary approach is useful in managing such cases, and our case showed that laparoscopic intervention is a feasible option in a stable patient with massive lower GI bleeding.

A Rare Case and Presentation of Traumatic Penetrating Aortic Arch Injury: A Case Report and Literature Review.

A penetrating injury to the thoracic aorta is an extremely rare, life-threatening condition, with a high overall mortality rate. The incidence of a penetrating injury to the aortic arch is unknown because the majority of patients die before receiving adequate treatment due to excessive bleeding. Through a literature review, 23 cases of favorable outcomes were found. We report the first case from the Arab Gulf states. We present the extremely rare case of a 23-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with stable hemodynamics after being stabbed in the left supraclavicular region. The investigation revealed that he suffered from aortic arch transection and contrast extravasation. The patient was rushed to the operating room, where a primary repair was performed through a median sternotomy approach. The patient was discharged on the 14th postoperative day without complications. Penetrating chest trauma (aortic arch injury) is uncommon, and it is typically fatal at the scene or time of injury, even in patients who arrive at the emergency department alive or while undergoing surgery. CT aortography should be performed on patients with normal vital signs but abnormal clinical findings suggestive of a vascular injury. For injuries of types II to IV without concomitant injuries, immediate surgical repair is recommended. Aortic arch penetrating injuries continue to be extremely lethal. Emergency surgical repair remains the standard of care and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. However, managing such uncommon injuries remains a formidable challenge. We encourage additional studies.

The attitude and practice of general surgeons toward cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) mandate well-established HIPEC and oncology centers, which are not available in many medical institutions. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward CRS and HIPEC of general surgeons in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: General surgeons (n = 266) from nine hospitals who treat patients with gastrointestinal cancer were surveyed. The responses of surgeons who work in HIPEC and academic centers (Group A) and surgeons working in tertiary and secondary hospitals (Group B) were compared. The survey response rate was 48.1% (128/266). RESULTS: Surgeons in group B treated significantly more patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis per year than surgeons in group A (P = .001). Group B reported having a HIPEC specialist at their hospital, and 71.4% reported that the nearest HIPEC center was within 30 miles, compared to 4.5% of respondents in group A (P = .001). Lack of access to a HIPEC specialist was reported by 15.5% of surgeons in group B and 0% of surgeons in group A (P = .006). HIPEC as a possible therapeutic option for appendiceal cancer was cited by 60.7% of surgeons in group B compared to 84.1% of surgeons in group A (P = .007) and as a therapeutic option for ovarian cancer by 52.4% of surgeons in group B and 81.8% of surgeons in group A (P = .001). CONCLUSION: New strategies are needed to improve the knowledge and implementation of the referral system for HIPEC among general surgeons. Our study was limited by a low response rate.

Vacuum-Assisted Closure in a Patient With Entero-Atmospheric Fistula: A Case Report.

The entero-atmospheric fistula (EAF) is a recognized complication of open abdomen surgeries, which causes significant morbidity and mortality. This usually causes long hospitalizations and may require many surgical operations. While different methods of treatment for EAF are used, all different methods share the same goal, which is a proper closure of the fistula and the open abdomen to avoid recurrence and complications. We report a case of a 48-year-old female with a bowel perforation following an attempted open bilateral ovarian cyst drainage with cyst wall biopsy complicated by entero-atmospheric fistula treated by wound closure with vacuum-assisted pressure. In conclusion, the use of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) to induce spontaneous healing of EAFs can provide a safe acceptable alternative to surgical treatment.