Fulminant Extra- And Intracranial Arteriovenous Thrombosis And Non-aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Following COVID-19 Infection.

PURPOSE: Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with increased risk of stroke and intracranial hemorrhage. This first report of fulminant panvascular arteriovenous thrombosis with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in a post-COVID-19 infection is attributed to extensive arteriovenous inflammation leading to arterial rupture following vasculitis. CASE REPORT: We report a rare case of extensive extra- and intra-cranial cerebral arteriovenous thrombosis following COVID-19 infection, presenting as fatal non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The clinical course, biochemical and radiological evaluation is discussed. The other possible etiological differentials which were analysed and ruled out during case management are also detailed. CONCLUSION: A high degree of suspicion for COVID-19 induced coagulopathy leading to extensive non- aneurysmal, non-hemispheric SAH and malignant intracranial hypertension should be entertained. Our experience and previous reports on non-aneurysmal SAH in such patients show a poor prognosis.

Computed Tomography-Guided Catheter Aspiration and Thrombolysis of Hypertensive Basal Ganglionic Hematomas: Technique and Short-Term Outcome Comparison.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive techniques of hematoma evacuation with or without the use of thrombolytic agents to lyse the clots have shown promising outcomes compared to open surgical evacuation. However, there is a dearth of literature in developing nations. The objective in this study was to evacuate spontaneous hypertensive basal ganglionic hemorrhages using computed tomography (CT)-guided catheter insertion, hematoma aspiration, and lysis with thrombolytic agents and analyze the efficacy and outcomes. METHODS: Ten patients with spontaneous basal ganglionic hemorrhage underwent CT-guided clot catheter insertion, followed by aspiration of hematoma and clot lysis using 25,000 IU urokinase instilled every 12 hours. Details including symptoms, clinical and radiologic findings, efficacy of the technique, functional outcomes during follow-up, length of stay, and cost were recorded. Relevant details for 12 age- and sex-matched conservatively treated patients were compared. RESULTS: Functional outcome in the catheter group at 6 months was better than the medically managed group, with improved mean Glasgow Outcome Scale score (0.4 vs. 0.08), reduced modified Rankin scale score (-0.8 vs. -0.25), and reduced National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (-6.8 vs. -1.5 points). However, it was not statistically significant. Average hematoma volume reduction in the catheter group was 83.14%. In the medically managed group, 2 of 12 patients (16.6%) had hematoma expansion, 6 patients (50%) developed hydrocephalus, and 2 patients (16.6%) died. In the catheter group, 4 of 10 patients (40%) developed mild pneumocephalus that resolved. CONCLUSIONS: The evacuation of hypertensive basal ganglionic hematomas is feasible with basic neurosurgical instruments and existing resources (e.g., CT scan) with improved functional outcome compared with conservative treatment alone.

Angioglioma of the Spinal Cord.

BACKGROUND: Angiogliomas are rare low-grade glial tumors with significant vascular components. These tumors are usually seen in the brain, and spinal cord angiogliomas have not been reported in the literature until now. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 15-year-old boy with an angioglioma of the medulla and cervicodorsal spine, which was completely excised through a combined suboccipital craniotomy and cervicodorsal laminotomy. The patient experienced excellent clinical recovery after the surgery, and follow-up contrast magnetic resonance imaging showed complete excision of the tumor. CONCLUSION: The fact that increased vascularity in a glioma does not always indicate a higher grade is confirmed by the unique histology of angiogliomas. These tumors can present with intratumoral bleeding. Awareness of these entities is extremely important. Complete excision can be attempted, and the postoperative prognosis is very good.

Small Bowel Carcinoids: A Single Surgeon's Experience in Southern India.

INTRODUCTION: Small bowel carcinoid tumours are indolent neuroendocrine tumours usually seen in the 6(th) and 7(th) decades. Most often, they are silent with non-specific symptoms. They generate serotonin, provoking a desmoplastic reaction in the mesentery leading to bowel ischemia and obstruction. While CECT abdomen can help raise suspicion and show regional spread, elevated 24-hour urinary 5-HIAA levels, histopathology and immunohistochemistry for Chromogranin A are confirmatory. AIM: To analyse a single surgeon's experience of clinical features and diagnosis of carcinoid tumours of the small intestine. SETTING AND DESIGN: Retrospective study conducted at MS Ramaiah Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen cases of carcinoid of the small bowel presenting to our institution over a 9-year period between December 2005 and November 2014 comprised the study. This included 10 males to 4 females aged 43 to 67 years (Mean: 54.4 years). The patients were investigated using x-ray abdomen, barium study, CECT abdomen, colonoscopy and 24-hour urinary 5- HIAA levels. All patients were surgically treated and histological examination of the resected tumours and immunohistochemistry for Chromogranin A was performed. RESULTS: Twelve patients with ileal carcinoids presented with long standing intestinal colic and sub-acute obstruction. Two patients with jejunal carcinoids had epigastric pain. X-ray abdomen was suggestive of small bowel obstruction in 12 patients. CECT abdomen done in 6 patients, showed ileal narrowing causing proximal dilatation; and cocooining of ileal loops at ileo-caecal junction in 2 cases. Ten patients underwent segmental resection-anastomosis of the tumour-bearing intestine while 4 patients underwent a right hemicolectomy. Lymph node spread was seen in 8 patients of whom 4 had liver metastases. Histopathology and Chromogranin A positivity confirmed the diagnoses. Postoperatively, 24-hour urinary 5-HIAA was mildly elevated in 2 patients. 12 patients were disease free at mean follow up of 4.3 years. 2 patients died due to inanition at 3 and 5 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Carcinoid tumours of small intestine are uncommon in southern India. But they should be considered as differential diagnosis when intestinal tuberculosis is suspected in the elderly presenting with intestinal colic or sub-acute obstruction. They are associated with good prognosis after adequate resection.

Spectrum of breast disease in an urban general surgical centre in India.

BACKGROUND: Breast diseases are rising in incidence especially in developing countries. However, most research focuses on breast cancer. Analysing the spectrum of breast disease will enable establishment of efficient breast clinics within an existing general surgery out-patient department with minimal additional investment or personnel whilst providing quality care. OBJECTIVES: To study the spectrum of breast disease in an urban general surgical centre in India. To use a `Clinic-within-a-Clinic' model to provide affordable care and accurate early diagnosis to patients with breast disorders. MATERIALS & METHODS: A prospective study was conducted over 1 year at M. S. Ramaiah Hospital, Bangalore by a single general surgical unit. 903 patients who presented to the OPD with a variety of breast-related symptoms were included in the study (896 women and 7 men). Relevant history was taken; the patients were then examined and investigated according to our protocol and patterns were recognized. RESULTS: Benign breast disease formed the majority of the cases (640 patients, 70.87%). The 21-30 years age group had the most patients (272 patients, 30.12%). ANDI was the commonest diagnosis (522 patients, 57.8%). 92 patients (10.18%) were diagnosed with cancer. More than 50% of these were less than 50 years of age. Majority of the patients (511 patients, 56.58%) could be managed conservatively. The cost of diagnosis and treatment was found to be a small fraction of that in specialized breast units of western countries using our `Clinic-within-a-clinic' model. CONCLUSION: Research on the demographic and clinical pattern of breast disease can help establish and efficient, effective and affordable diagnostic and therapeutic systems in developing nations.

Non-operative management of a grade IV pancreatic injury.

Isolated pancreatic transection with ductal disruption in blunt abdominal trauma is extremely rare. We report the case of a 14-year-old boy who suffered pancreatic transection at the junction of body and head of the pancreas; yet remarkably recovered after initial conservative management. He was periodically examined clinically and underwent regular abdominal ultrasonography. Nearly 6 months later, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with pancreatic duct stenting, pancreatic sphincterotomy and cystogastrostomy for the pseudocyst diagnosed during the follow-up period was performed. Acute surgical management of pancreatic transection is fraught with high mortality and morbidity. Through this effort, we highlight the successful role of non-operative management of a haemodynamically stable patient with grade IV pancreatic injury, thereby avoiding radical surgery in the acute stage and preserving exocrine and endocrine function.

Primary peritoneal hydatidosis.

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infestation caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. Echinococcosis occurs worldwide and can affect multiple organs. The liver (75%) and the lungs (15%) are the most common sites of occurrence followed by the spleen, kidney, bones and brain. Peritoneal hydatidosis commonly occurs secondary to a ruptured hydatid cyst of the liver or the spleen. Primary peritoneal hydatidosis is an extremely rare entity accounting for just 2% of all intra-abdominal hydatid disease. Most patients remain asymptomatic for years before presenting with vague abdominal symptoms such as non-specific pain, abdominal fullness, dyspepsia, anorexia and vomiting. We successfully treated a 55-year-old woman with primary peritoneal hydatidosis. The role of imaging and immunological tests in the diagnosis is highlighted. The patient was managed by a combination of preoperative and postoperative antihelminthic therapy along with laparotomy, cyst deroofing, toileting and omentoplasty. The patient is asymptomatic at 1-year follow-up.

Inflammatory pseudotumour of the spleen: a diagnostic dilemma.

Inflammatory Pseudotumour (IPT) of the spleen is an extremely rare benign lesion of the spleen. It presents as a well-circumscribed mass which is usually solitary and composed of foci of inflammatory cells, mainly plasma cells and lymphocytes in a fibroblastic stroma. We report the case of a 24 year old male who complained of pain in the abdomen, with one episode of vomiting. An ultrasound scan of the abdomen and a contrast enhanced abdominal CT scan showed the presence of a cystic lesion in the spleen. Following a splenectomy, however, it was histologically found to be an IPT of the spleen.