[Ileal intussusception due to a voluminous inflammatory fibroid polyp. A case report and review of the literature]. / Intussuscezione ileale da voluminoso polipo infiammatorio fibroide. Descrizione di un caso clinico e revisione della letteratura.

An inflammatory fibroid polyp is a rare benign submucosal lesion frequently located in the gastric antrum but it may be found anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract with maximal incidence in the fifth and sixth decades of life. The main histological characteristics are diffuse inflammatory infiltrate with eosinophils, high vascularisation and a myofibroblastic component. Its localisation in the small bowel can cause intestinal invagination in adults, a condition, that occurs most frequently in childhood where, however, it is generally not related to a pathological lesion. The diagnosis may often be delayed because of its non-specific symptoms and most cases are diagnosed at emergency laparotomy, although CT scans can furnish useful preoperative information. In the majority of cases, the treatment of choice is surgical resection. Reduction performed prior to resection proves controversial in patients with colic intussusception because of the high incidence of malignancy. We report a case of a 37-year-old man who had undergone emergency surgery for acute ileum intussusception associated with a voluminous inflammatory fibroid polyp. The case described emphasises that patients with bowel obstruction pose a complex and difficult challenge to surgeons as regards the choice of the correct diagnostic work-up and optimal therapeutic management.

[Case report of a cervical thoracic duct cyst]. / Su di un caso di cisti del dotto toracico in regione cervicale.

After a number of anatomical considerations regarding the thoracic duct and the diseases that may affect it, the authors report that, in the literature, such cystic lesions of an iatrogenic nature are extremely rare in the cervical area. After discussing the diagnostic methods for a correct preoperative diagnosis, they address the surgical technique they used for removal of the lesion.

[Retroperitoneal giant schwannoma: a case report and review of the literature]. / Schwannoma gigante retroperitoneale: presentazione di un caso clinico e revisione della letteratura.

Schwannomas are rare tumours that originate in the neural sheath and account for only a small percentage of all retroperitoneal tumours. They are usually solitary, circumscribed and encapsulated lesions eccentrically located on proximal nerves or spinal nerve roots. Presentation is typically varied and non-specific, ranging from abdominal pain, an abdominal mass or an incidental finding. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult and laboratory tests are usually unremarkable. We report the case of a 66-year-old female presenting with abdominal pain in her left flank and with an ultrasonographic diagnosis of a left kidney mass. She was diagnosed as suffering from a giant retroperitoneal schwannoma after surgical exploration and complete excision. The role of CT scan and CT-guided needle biopsy is emphasised, in that ultrasonography and fine needle aspiration alone do not provide sufficient information regarding aetiology and malignancy. Radical surgical excision is curative but recurrences may occur. Careful follow-up is needed.

[The value of diagnostic ultrasound for detecting occult inguinal hernia in patients with groin pain]. / Il valore dell'ecotomografia nell'identificazione dell'ernia inguinale occulta in pazienti con inguinodinia.

The value of diagnostic ultrasound for detecting occult inguinal hernia in The aim of this study was to demonstrate the accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing occult hernia in patients with recurrent inguinal pain and a negative clinical examination. Over a period of three years, a total of 51 patients were referred for ultrasound examination with clinically suspected occult inguinal hernia. Patients with positive US scans were offered surgery, while those with negative US findings were offered further imaging or other diagnostic tests. The ultrasound examination of the inguinal region was conducted using a 5-10 MHz linear probe. The scan was performed with the patient in the supine and erect positions, in a relaxed state, as well as during coughing and during a Valsalva manoeuvre. Overall, ultrasound diagnosed 20 inguinal hernias and all 20 patients with positive scans underwent surgery. Surgery confirmed the ultrasound diagnosis in 19 patients, only 1/20 having no hernia at operation (100% ultrasound sensitivity and 96.9% specificity). Patients undergoing surgery showed complete symptom resolution at a three-month follow-up. This study confirms that ultrasound is capable of accurately diagnosing groin hernia and this may justify its use in patients with chronic groin pain due to a suspected occult hernia.