Malignant Tumors Misdiagnosed as Liver Hemangiomas.

Background and Aim: To derive lessons from the data of patients who were followed for various periods with the misdiagnosis of liver hemangioma and eventually found to have a malignancy. Material and Methods: The records of 23 patients treated between 2003 and 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Twelve patients were men and 11 were women; median (range) age was 55 (35-80). The principal diagnostic modality for the initial diagnosis was ultrasonography (n:8), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n:13), and computed tomography (CT) (n:2). At our institution, MRI was performed in 16 patients; the diagnosis was made with the available MRI and CT studies in five and two patients, respectively. In other words, the ultrasonography interpretations were not confirmed on MRI; in others, the MRI or CT examinations were of low quality or they had not been interpreted properly. Fifteen patients underwent surgery; the other patients received chemotherapy (n:6) or chemoembolization (n:2). The misdiagnosis caused a median (range) 10 (0-96) months delay in treatment. The final diagnoses were hepatocellular carcinoma in 12 patients, cholangiocarcinoma in four patients, metastatic mesenchymal tumor, metastasis of colon cancer, metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma, sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma, angiosarcoma, thoracic wall tumor, and metastatic tumor of unknown primary in one patient each. Conclusions: High-quality MRI with proper interpretation and judicious follow up are vital for the accurate differential diagnosis of liver lesions.

The Effect of L-Hook Dissection and Scissors Dissection on Liver Injury in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomies.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is generally performed with the help of monopolar cautery. We aimed to reveal the effect of monopolar cautery use on liver damage in this study. METHOD: Data of patients who underwent elective cholecystectomy between January 2016 and April 2020 were collected retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical technique as hook dissection (HD) and scissor dissection (SD). The amount of increase in the preoperative and postoperative alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values of the patients was compared between the two groups. FINDINGS: Over 970 patients were included in the study. The changes in pre-post ALT and AST values were statistically significantly different between the HD (n=469) and SD (n=501) groups (p<0.001; p0.001). ALT (26 (-25, 338)) and AST (27 (-23, 444)) changes in the HD method were statistically significantly higher than ALT (11 (-16, 371)) and AST (10.8 (-37, 617)) changes in the SD method. RESULTS: ALT and AST values increase after all laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Although the increase in ALT and AST in the HD patients is statistically significant when compared to the SD group, both methods of laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed because they do not cause permanent liver injury.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Rectus Sheath Hematoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors for developing rectus sheath hematoma (RSH). STUDY DESIGN: An observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of General Surgery, Hitit University School of Medicine, Erol Olcok Training and Research Hospital, Turkey; from January 2018 to April 2020. METHODOLOGY: Patients with RSH were studied. Those with other pathologies in rectus sheath, and repeat studies, were excluded. Demographic data, presenting symptoms, comorbidities, medications administered containing anticoagulant drugs, imaging results, laboratory findings, coagulation parameters, length of hospital stay, treatments administered, type of RSH, morbidity, mortality and risk factors of increased bleeding diathesis, were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 61 studied patients, 56 (91.8%) had at least one chronic disease, and 77% were receiving anticoagulation therapy. RSH size was significantly larger for patients taking acetylsalicylic acid than for patients taking other anticoagulants, and an RSH area less than 1,924 mm2 was associated with increased length of hospital stay. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that a unit increase in gender was associated with a 1.5-fold increase in the risk of greater RSH size, and that female gender was associated with a 45.3-fold risk of increase in the risk of RSH. Notably, if up to 4 units of erythrocyte suspension replacement is not applied for conservative treatment of RSH, RSH size may increase by 23.5 times. CONCLUSION: Risk factors of RSH include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, asthma, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, prior abdominal surgery, female sex, older age, anticoagulant drug use and cancer-related immunosuppression. Key Words: Rectus sheath hematoma, Conservative treatment, Anticoagulant treatment.

Can the C-reactive protein-to-plasma albumin ratio be an alternative scoring to show mortality and morbidity in patients with colorectal cancer?

BACKGROUND: This study aims to demonstrate the sensitivity and specificity of C-reactive protein to plasma albumin (CRP/ALB) ratio in predicting morbidity and mortality in patients operated for colorectal cancer followed up in the intensive care unit by comparing it with current scoring systems. METHODS: The data of patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer and hospitalized in the intensive care unit between 2015-2018 with available data were retrospectively analyzed in this study. The CRP/ALB ratio, the physiological and operative severity score for the enumeration of mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) prepared for both gastrointestinal and colorectal surgery, and the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI-CRC) scoring system prepared for colorectal patients, were compared to determine their success in predicting mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: A total of 119 patients were included in this study. Mortality was observed in nine patients and morbidity was observed in 38 patients. When compared with P-POSSUM, which is the only scoring system showing morbidity, the CRP/ALB ratio was found to have a high prediction accuracy. The C reactive protein to plasma albumin ratio values was found to have lower power than P-POSSUM, CR-POSSUM and ACPGBI-CRC. CONCLUSION: Although scoring systems are useful in predicting morbidity and mortality in colorectal patients, they are difficult to use in practice since they include many parameters. that the findings obtained in this study suggest that the CRP/ALB ratio, which can be calculated without any additional cost, may help the clinician predict mortality and especially morbidity.

Comparison of Primary Midline Closure, Limberg Flap, and Karydakis Flap Techniques in Pilonidal Sinus Surgery.

BACKGROUND Pilonidal sinus (PS) is a common disease of the sacrococcygeal-natal region. There are many treatment options, but there is still no consensus on the ideal treatment. We compared the results of our PS patients who were treated with primary midline closure (PMC), Limberg flap repair (LFR), and Karydakis flap (KF). MATERIAL AND METHODS The data for 924 PS patients from 2013 to 2017 were retrospectively examined. Demographic data, surgical procedures, schedules, and recurrence rates were examined. RESULTS The mean age was 28.4 years (14-77 years), 82.5% were male (n=762), and 17.5% were female (n=162). PMC was performed on 53.7% (n=496) of the patients, 32.5% (n=300) received LFR, and 13.9% (n=128) underwent KF. PMC was the first choice among females but LFR was the first choice in recurrent patients. The recurrence rate was 10.8% in the PMC group, 8% in the LFR group, and 3.1% in the KF group. In Short Form Survey-36 (SF-36) scores, the best cosmetic outcomes were observed in cases of PMC (p<0.05). Overall, wound dehiscence (WD) was observed in 7.5%, surgical site infection (SSI) in 2.4%, and seroma in 8.5% of all patients. The KF group had the lowest complication rates (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS According to the results of this study, the reason for preferring PMC among women is cosmetic concerns. PMC still remains important for treatment, but it should be noted that the recurrence rates due to inadequate excision are mostly observed in cases of PMC. Considering their low recurrence rates, LFR or KF should be considered first. When low recurrence rates, patient comfort, and cosmetic results are evaluated together, KF in particular emerges as a method preferred by physicians and patients.

Different manifestation of a familiar diagnosis: From anuria to acute appendicitis.

The differential diagnosis of anuria in emergency department (ED) is broad. Secondary to intraabdominal mass pressure or infections, symptoms of micturation difficulties or disuria accompanying to back pain may arise with the interruption of sacral nerve stimulation. Here, we report a patient who admitted to ED with back pain and anuria and diagnosed acute appendicitis (AA) after advanced investigation despite of not to have any abdominal pain. A 36-year-old man admitted to our ED with a 6-h history of back pain and urination difficulty. 750mL of clear urine output was observed after bladder catheterization. Abdominal computerized tomography with intravenous contrast was used and revealed acute appendicitis. The patient consulted with a general surgeon and hospitalized for operation. After the operation, back pain was disappeared, and spontaneous micturition was seen. This case not only represents an uncommon manifestation of AA, but also alerts us to the importance of anatomical considerations when interpreting disease extent with imaging. In the differential diagnosis of back pain and urination difficulty, the rare possibility of AA should be taken into account. Because the presence of unusual findings, such as those associated with the urinary tract or lumbosacral pathologies, may further obscure the diagnosis and delay appropriate therapy.

Correlation between the serum and tissue levels of oxidative stress markers and the extent of inflammation in acute appendicitis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the serum and tissue levels of markers of impaired oxidative metabolism and correlate these levels with the histopathology and Alvarado score of acute appendicitis patients. METHOD: Sixty-five acute appendicitis patients (mean age, 31.4±12.06 years; male/female, 30/35) and 30 healthy control subjects were studied. The Alvarado score was recorded. Serum samples were obtained before surgery and 12 hours postoperatively to examine the total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, paraoxonase, stimulated paraoxonase, arylesterase, catalase, myeloperoxidase, ceruloplasmin, oxidative stress markers (advanced oxidized protein products and total thiol level) and ischemia-modified albumin. Surgical specimens were also evaluated. RESULTS: The diagnoses were acute appendicitis (n = 37), perforated appendicitis (n = 8), phlegmonous appendicitis (n = 12), perforated+phlegmonous appendicitis (n = 4), or no appendicitis (n = 4). The Alvarado score of the acute appendicitis group was significantly lower than that of the perforated+phlegmonous appendicitis group (p = 0.004). The serum total antioxidant status, total thiol level, advanced oxidized protein products, total oxidant status, catalase, arylesterase, and ischemia-modified albumin levels were significantly different between the acute appendicitis and control groups. There was no correlation between the pathological extent of acute appendicitis and the tissue levels of the markers; additionally, there was no correlation between the tissue and serum levels of any of the parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The imbalance of oxidant/antioxidant systems plays a role in the pathogenesis acute appendicitis. The Alvarado score can successfully predict the presence and extent of acute appendicitis.

Correlation between the serum and tissue levels of oxidative stress markers and the extent of inflammation in acute appendicitis

OBJECTIVES: To determine the serum and tissue levels of markers of impaired oxidative metabolism and correlate these levels with the histopathology and Alvarado score of acute appendicitis patients. METHOD: Sixty-five acute appendicitis patients (mean age, 31.4±12.06 years; male/female, 30/35) and 30 healthy control subjects were studied. The Alvarado score was recorded. Serum samples were obtained before surgery and 12 hours postoperatively to examine the total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, paraoxonase, stimulated paraoxonase, arylesterase, catalase, myeloperoxidase, ceruloplasmin, oxidative stress markers (advanced oxidized protein products and total thiol level) and ischemia-modified albumin. Surgical specimens were also evaluated. RESULTS: The diagnoses were acute appendicitis (n = 37), perforated appendicitis (n = 8), phlegmonous appendicitis (n = 12), perforated+phlegmonous appendicitis (n = 4), or no appendicitis (n = 4). The Alvarado score of the acute appendicitis group was significantly lower than that of the perforated+phlegmonous appendicitis group (p = 0.004). The serum total antioxidant status, total thiol level, advanced oxidized protein products, total oxidant status, catalase, arylesterase, and ischemia-modified albumin levels were significantly different between the acute appendicitis and control groups. There was no correlation between the pathological extent of acute appendicitis and the tissue levels of the markers; additionally, there was no correlation between the tissue and serum levels of any of the parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The imbalance of oxidant/antioxidant systems plays a role in the pathogenesis acute appendicitis. The Alvarado score can successfully predict the presence and extent of acute appendicitis. .

Rectal eversion and double-stapled ileal pouch anal anastomosis in familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery is the only treatment option for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Aim of surgery in FAP is to minimize colorectal cancer risk without need for permanent stoma. There are especially two operation options; Total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) and total proctocolectomy with ileo-pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). We report here a patient with FAP who had resection via rectal eversion just over the dentate line under direct visualization and ileoanal-J pouch anastomosis by double-stapler technique. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 40 yr. old female patient with FAP underwent surgery. Firstly, colon and the rectum mobilized completely, and then from the 10 cm. proximal to the ileo-caecal valve to the recto-sigmoid junction total colectomy was performed. Rectum was everted by a grasping forceps which was introduced through the anus and then resection was performed by a linear stapler just over the dentate line. A stapled J-shaped ileal reservoir construction followed by intraluminal stapler-facilitated ileoanal anastomosis. Follow up at six months anal sphincter function was found normal. DISCUSSION: There is only surgical management option for FAP patients up to now. Total colectomy with IRA and restorative proctocolectomy with IPAA is surgical options for FAP patients that avoid the need for a permanent stoma. Anorectal eversion may be used in the surgical treatment of FAP, chronic ulcerative colitis and early stage distal rectal cancer patients. CONCLUSION: J-pouch ileoanal anastomosis can safely be performed by rectal eversion and double stapler technique in FAP patients.