Tuberculous pancreatic abscess in HIV-positive patients. A report of 3 cases and a review of the literature.

Three cases of tuberculous pancreatic abscess (TPA) in HIV-positive patients are reported. Pancreatic tuberculosis (PTB) is a rare pathological entity with nonspecific symptomatology that presents a diagnostic challenge. Ultrasound or computed tomography-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is recommended, as this may be diagnostic and negate the need for operative intervention.

Appendicitis among African patients at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, South Africa: a review.

This retrospective study of 645 black patients, carried out over a five year period, showed that appendicitis is twice as common in males as in females and that it occurs predominantly in young people (median age 20 years). The classical presentation of periumbilical pain (16%) was outnumbered by right iliac fossa pain (36%) and non-specific pain (27%). The majority perforated (43%) and appendiceal inflammation was second commonest (37%). The negative appendicectomy rate was 8.8% and there was a diagnostic error of 14%. Mortality was two per cent mainly from patients complicated by peritonitis. Hospital stay was 7 +/- 7 days, with the longest stay following peritonitis. A diagnosis of appendicitis should always be entertained in an African patient presenting with an acute abdomen and, where the diagnosis is in doubt, a laparotomy should be performed.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus--an unusual presentation with malignant ascites. A case report.

A 58-year-old black woman was admitted to hospital with abdominal pain and gross ascites and was found on examination to have a tumour in the pouch of Douglas and subsequently to have squamous carcinoma of the oesophagus. The patient was treated non-operatively by repeated ascitic taps and intubation of the oesophagus.