Surgical rarities: case report of appendicular diverticulitis and literature review.

Appendicular diverticulosis is a rare condition observed in about 0.004-2% of all appendectomy specimens. Risk of perforation/bleeding is high and a relevant association with mucinous neoplasms is known. Appendectomy is indicated even in case of occasional finding. We present the case of a 22-year-old man who entered the Emergency Room for pain in right iliac fossa. Blood tests showed only a slight increase in C-reactive protein. Abdominal ultrasound (US) evidenced an appendix with thickened walls and a rounded fluid-filled hypoechoic lesion at its distal tip. Laparoscopic appendectomy confirmed the presence of mucocele. Postoperative course was uneventful and the patients discharged on postoperative day 3. Histological examination indicated diverticulitis/peridiverticulitis of the appendix and acute suppurative appendicitis. No perforation of the diverticula was detected. No neoplastic epithelium/mucous material was observed. In our case, preoperative US proved to be a useful alternative to computed tomography for the diagnosis.

Cutaneous metaplastic synovial cyst in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: report of a second case.

A cutaneous metaplastic synovial cyst is a rare entity that is probably caused by trauma or surgery. We report the second case of cutaneous metaplastic synovial cyst in a child with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. His father is also affected with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and his diagnosis is substantiated by the demonstration of reduced synthesis of collagen type V.

Clear cell sarcoma (malignant melanoma of soft parts) and sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Clear cell sarcoma of the tendons and aponeuroses is an aggressive, rare soft tissue tumour that occurs predominantly in the extremities of young adults. Although it appears to be histogenetically related to melanoma, its clinical behaviour resembles soft tissue sarcoma. Prognosis is reported to be poor due to the great propensity of regional and distant metastases. The risk of metastases to regional lymph nodes is very high. We describe a case of clear cell sarcoma of the hand and evaluate the feasibility of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) technique in this kind of tumour. Up to now, there are no reports that describe the use of SLNB in clear cell sarcoma. The SLNB technique was carried out with success and the sentinel lymphnode was easily identified. Histological examination of the lymphnode allowed identification of metastatic cells and thus provide for radical lymphadenectomy. We maintain that SLNB can be successfully used for this type of tumour although this result should be evaluated and confirmed by larger case studies.

Valor prognóstico da morfometria no carcinoma folicular da tireóide / Prognostic value of morphometry in follicular thyroid carcinoma

Tendo em vista a escassa literatura a respeito de correlação entre a histometria dos carcinomas de tireóide e o prognóstico desses tumores, objetivou-se, nesta pesquisa, correlacionar parâmetros histométricos do carcinoma folicular da tireóide com o tempo de sobrevida após tratamento. Em carcinomas foliculares da tireóide de 60 pacientes foram realizadas medições no núcleo das células malignas (área, perímetro, diâmetro máximo, diâmetro mínimo) e calculados índices (razão dos diâmetros, fator de forma e índice de atividade mitótica). Esses parâmetros foram correlacionados com o tempo de sobrevida. Por outro lado, parâmetros clínicos e patológicos (sexo, idade, extensão local, comprometimento linfonodal, grau de diferenciação celular) também foram correlacionados com o prognóstico. Foram realizados cálculos autuariais e análise estatística uni e multivariada. Constatou-se que a sobrevida foi significantemente influenciada por variáveis clínicas e patológicas, tais como a idade dos pacientes e a extensão loco-regional do tumor. Nenhuma correlação estatisticamente significante pôde ser demonstrada entre parâmetros morfométricos e sobrevida, apesar dos resultados sugerirem associação entre o tamanho do núcleo das células malignas e a agressividade do tumor