Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava Associated with Right Aberrant Subclavian Artery Detected during Totally Implantable Vascular Access Device Insertion.

Introduction Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a rare vascular malformation, with several cases reported in the English literature. The diagnosis is made incidentally, during cardiovascular imaging or when a catheter is placed in the left jugular or subclavian vein. They are without associated hemodynamic alterations, except if they have left atrial drainage or an associated dilation of the coronary sinus. If necessary, long-term PSLVC catheterization with right atrial drainage is safe. Case Presentation We report the case of 40-year-old man, admitted for placement of totally implantable vascular access device (TIVAD) on the same day of his first chemotherapy. A disease localized to the right neck made it impossible to puncture on the right. During the puncture of the left internal jugular vein, the diagnosis of PLSVC was made. Postoperative investigations confirmed the diagnosis and showed the presence of the right superior vena cava to which it was connected by the left brachiocephalic vein. They also confirmed the drainage of PLSVC into the coronary sinus. In addition, they demonstrated the presence of an associated right aberrant subclavian artery of direct aortic origin. Chemotherapy was administered safely and the port was removed 9 months after insertion without any problem. Conclusion This is one of the rare cases reported in the English literature of PLSVC diagnosed during TIVAD insertion and the first to report an associated vascular malformation. We publish it to encourage physicians to think about this differential diagnosis and to carefully perform the appropriate investigations before using the port.

Splenic epithelial cyst mistaken with Hydatid cyst: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Cystic lesions of the spleen are infrequent and usually diagnosed incidentally. These lesions are rare and their differential diagnosis is very wide. Splenic epithelial cysts are the most common type of primary splenic cyst (4%). Surgical treatment is indicated for cysts larger than 5 cm or symptomatic. Nowadays, spleen preserving surgery is the gold standard treatment considering the immunologic role of the spleen and the increased risk of post-splenectomy infections. CASE PRESENTATION: A 17 year old girl presented to the outpatient clinic with moderate left upper quadrant abdominal pain of 2 weeks duration with loss of appetite and denied fever, chills, sweating and jaundice. Abdominal examination showed tender splenomegaly. The abdominal imaging (Ultrasound, CT SCAN, MRI) was suggestive of hydatid cyst of the spleen, for which she received Albendazole for 1 month and then operated by laparotomy with partial resection and un-roofing of the splenic cyst. The pathology report showed a splenic epithelial cyst (SEC). CONCLUSION: SEC is a rare pathology that could mimic splenic hydatid cyst. The clinical and radiological pictures may be commonly misleading and non-conclusive. Definitive diagnosis is made on histopathology. Spleen conserving surgery, when possible, is the preferred modality for treatment.

Small bowel obstruction secondary to left paraduodenal hernia: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Internal hernias are uncommon and are defined by the protrusion of a viscus through intraperitoneal defects. Left paraduodenal hernias (LPDH) are the most common type of congenital internal hernia (CIH). We report a clinical case of a patient with a small bowel obstruction (SBO) due to a LPDH. CASE PRESENTATION: An elderly patient, with negative surgical history, presented to the emergency room with abdominal pain and vomiting. Clinical and radiologic investigations were consistent with SBO due to an internal hernia. During laparotomy, a large LPDH containing dilated small bowel loops was identified. The hernia contents were reduced and the opening was closed with non-absorbable sutures. The post-operative course was uneventful without signs of recurrence at follow up. DISCUSSION: LPDH result from absence of retroperitoneal fixation of the descending colon mesentery. Usually, patients are asymptomatic and LPDH are incidental findings detected on imaging and/or during laparotomy. However, LPDH may lead to acute SBO therefore a high index of clinical suspicion and preoperative imaging is crucial to make an early diagnosis. CONCLUSION: CIH is a rare condition due to embryologic developmental abnormalities. Their diagnosis is based on pathognomonic findings on computed tomography scanner (CTscan). Surgical treatment is the mainstay treatment. Delay diagnosis of strangulated CIH is associated with significant morbidity andmortality.

Different laparoscopic treatment modalities for splenic artery aneurysms: about 3 cases with review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: The first laparoscopic treatment of splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) was performed in 1993. Since then, many papers have been published mentioning different laparoscopic treatment modalities, including splenectomy, aneurysmectomy, ligation or even occlusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An updated literature review of the English medical literature using the following MeSH, 'Lapaorscopic splenic artery aneurysm', 'laparoscopic aneurysectomy', 'Laparoscopic Splenic artery Aneurysm Ligation' and 'Laparoscopic Splenic artery aneurysm excision' was done. Also three cases performed at our institutions are discussed, in terms of techniques, morbidity, mortality and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: About eight case series and 16 case reports were retrieved from the literature. Different techniques were described by the authors, including splenectomy, aneurysmectomy, splenic aneurysm ligation or even occlusion. Few morbidity cases were reported and none of the authors has mentioned a single mortality case. In our three cases, the postoperative course was uneventful, with good long-term results. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the variations in the adopted operative techniques, the laparoscopic approach seems to be harmless. However, no treatment algorithm or consensus has been published.

A late unusual complication after an open cholecystectomy: Amputation neuroma of the CBD causing obstructive jaundice.

INTRODUCTION: Cholecystectomy is one of the most frequently done procedures in general surgery. There are few reports of amputation neuromas following this procedure. This presentation describes a case of obstructive jaundice due to amputation neuroma in a patient with a history of cholecystectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: We report about a 53 y o lady who presented with obstructive jaundice, 8 years following open cholecystectomy. Paraclinical investigations were in favor of cholangicarcinoma, however the final pathology revealed an amputation neuroma of the CBD. DISCUSSION: Amputation neuromas are rarely seen in the era of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. They are benign reparative lesions of the CBD following surgery or manipulation of the extra hepatic biliary tree. It is very difficult to diagnose them pre-operatively. Surgical resection is the first choice of treatment. CONCLUSION: Traumatic neuromas should always be among the differential diagnosis, when assessing a CBD mass in patients with a previous history of open cholecystectomy or surgery to the gastrointestinal tract.

Bowel obstruction secondary to an ectopic pancreas in the small bowels: About 2 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Ectopic pancreas is most commonly found in the jejunum and stomach. Most patients remain asymptomatic, and the diagnosis is usually made at autopsy or incidentally. We report here 2 cases of intestinal occlusion, secondary to an ectopic pancreatic tissue. Both cases were managed successfully by laparoscopy and laparotomy with subsequent segmental intestinal resection. CASE PRESENTATIONS: Case 1 - An elderly patient presented to the ER because of intestinal occlusion. Paraclinical investigations were consistent with occlusion, with ileal suffering signs on CT-scan. After laparotomy and segmental intestinal resection were done, histopathalogy showed evidence of ectopic pancreas obstructing the intestinal lumen. Case 2 - A young man presented to the ER with acute onset of epigastric pain. signs of peritoneal irritation. Ct-scan showed evidence of small bowel intussusception. Exploratory laparoscopy was done, and confirmed the diagnosis. The intussusceptum was at the level of the proximal jejunum. The suffering intestinal part was exteriorized and then resected. Histopathology was consistent with an ectopic pancreas. DISCUSSION: Symptomatic ectopic pancreas is extremely rare. Symptoms may include, bleeding, intestinal occlusion and intussusception. Few similar cases have been reported in the literature, and the current ones are to be added. CONCLUSION: As mentioned above, ectopic pancreatic tissue rarely causes symptoms. We presented 2 cases that presented 2 possible complications secondary to this pathology. Both cases were managed successfully.