An innovative technique of chest wall stabilization and reconstruction in traumatic flail chest: The figure-of-eight suture with polypropylene mesh and musculofascial flap.

Surgical stabilization of the flail chest is challenging and has no established guidelines. Chest wall integrity and stability are the main factors that ensure the protection of intrathoracic organs and an adequate respiratory function. Here, we report a novel chest wall reconstruction technique in a 45-year-old man with a traumatic left flail chest and open pneumothorax diagnosed both clinically and radiographically. Rib approximation and chest wall reconstruction was done using intercostal figure-of-eight suture and polypropylene mesh with vascularized musculofascial flap. The patient improved gradually and was discharged after three weeks of total hospital stay. He returned to regular working after a month with no evidence of respiratory distress or paradoxical chest movement. Follow-up visit at one year revealed no lung hernia or paradoxical chest movement. This is a novel, feasible and cost-effective modification of chest wall reconstruction that can be adopted for thoracic wall repair in case of open flail chest, which needs emergency surgical interventions even in resource constraint settings.

Demography, Spectrum, and Characteristics of Symptoms Associated With Post-operative Relief After Cholecystectomy.

Background Cholecystectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures, and it is indicated for symptomatic gallstone disease. Symptoms of gallstone disease vary; many patients complain of the persistence of symptoms post-operatively. Hence, it is imperative to know the characteristics of symptoms that predict post-operative resolution. Methodology A prospective cross-sectional study was performed at a tertiary care centre. Patient demography and pre-operative symptoms were noted. Post-operative persistence or relief of symptoms was also documented. The occurrence of any new symptoms was noted. Data were collected at three and six months after surgery. Results Pain was the most common (85%) symptom. The mean frequency of pain was 2.45 per year (range 0-10). The mean duration of pain was 39.7 minutes (range 15-90 minutes). The right hypochondrium (39%) and the epigastric region (42%), along with 8% of patients who experienced pain in both places, were the most frequent locations of pain. The radiation of pain to the right-side scapula is present in 48% of patients. The pain persisted after one-week follow-up in 28 (34%) of patients, 26 (22%) at the end of one month, and 18 (21%) at the end of six months. Dyspepsia was unresolved in 25%, 20%, and 13% of individuals after one week, one month, and six months, respectively. Upper abdominal discomfort was still persistent in 29%, 26%, and 24% of study subjects at the time of follow-up periods, respectively. Similar persistence is found in symptoms of post-prandial fullness and nausea, where unresolved complaints of post-prandial fullness were present in 18%, 13%, and 10% of patients, respectively, and 26%, 14%, and 10% of patients complained of nausea. Conclusion The persistence of symptoms such as upper abdominal discomfort, dyspepsia, post-prandial fullness, and nausea is present, which gradually decreases in severity and presentation over the course of time after the surgical procedure. Some symptoms present after surgery, such as flatulence. Such persistent symptoms might lead to a decreased outcome in terms of patient satisfaction. Patients with atypical pain or dyspepsia need to be counselled pre-operatively regarding the poor resolution of such symptoms.

Association of hormonal and reproductive risk factors with breast cancer in Indian women: A systematic review of case-control studies.

The incidence of breast cancer in India has seen a rapid increase in recent years. Hormonal and reproductive risk factors for breast cancer have been affected by socioeconomic development. Studies on breast cancer risk factors in India are limited by the small sample size and specific geographical area. The current systematic review was carried out to assess the association of hormonal and reproductive risk factors with breast cancer in Indian women. A systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane database of systematic reviews were done. Relevant case-control studies published in peer-reviewed indexed journals were analyzed for hormonal risk factors such as age at menarche, menopause, and first childbirth; breastfeeding; abortion; and oral contraceptive pills use. Younger age (<13 years) at menarche was associated with high risk (odds ratio 1.23-3.72). Other hormonal risk factors with strong association were age at first childbirth and menopause, parity, and duration of breastfeeding. Abortion and the use of contraceptive pills did not have a clear association with breast cancer. Hormonal risk factors have a higher association in premenopausal disease and estrogen receptor-positive tumors. There is a strong association between hormonal and reproductive risk factors and breast cancer in Indian women. The protective effect of breastfeeding is related to the cumulative duration of breastfeeding.

A Study on Clinico-Pathological Profile of Breast Cancer Patients and Their Correlation With Uterine Fibroids Using Hormone Level and Receptor Status Assessment.

Purpose: To study the clinico-pathological profile of breast cancer patients and the prevalence of uterine fibroids in them, their hormonal levels and hormone receptor status. Patients and methods: 52 patients with breast cancer who attended AIIMS Bhopal from November 2018 to January 2020 were selected, with their clinical details, triple assessment and other investigations for further management being performed and recorded. The presence of uterine fibroids was assessed using ultrasound of the abdomen, and for patients who had undergone hysterectomy, previous medical records were examined to ascertain the history of uterine fibroids. Serum levels of estrogen and progesterone were assessed using chemi-luminescent micro-particle immune assay (CMIA). Results: The mean age of patients was 50.35 ± 10.87 years. 36.54% of our patients had uterine fibroids, of whom 15.38% had undergone hysterectomy for the same, and 21.15% was detected on ultrasound of the abdomen during evaluation. Among patients with uterine fibroids, 84.2% were hormone receptor-positive, while in patients without uterine fibroids, only 57.6% had positive receptors. (P = 0.049). Among premenopausal patients, there was a statistically significant difference in serum progesterone values between patients with and without uterine fibroids. Conclusion: The prevalence of uterine fibroids in our study group of breast cancer patients was found to be high. The role of estrogen and progesterone in the pathophysiology of both diseases and the common risk factors involved may biologically explain this finding. Breast cancer and other estrogen associated disorders may hold future research prospects.

Synchronous Luminal A Ductal Carcinoma In Situ in a Recurrent Benign Phyllodes Tumor Diagnosed Preoperatively: An Unusual Presentation of a Rare Neoplasm.

Phyllodes tumor (PT) is a rare benign tumor of the breast with a propensity to recur and metastasize. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) within PT is an extremely rare finding and is usually diagnosed postoperatively. We present a case of a 36-year-old female with a recurrent lump in her left breast diagnosed as a benign PT. Preoperatively, aspiration cytology revealed DCIS within the known case of recurrent PT. Emergency left modified radical mastectomy was performed due to an uncontrolled sudden hemorrhage from the tumor. Postoperatively, hormonal therapy was started based on immuno-histopathological findings. DCIS in PT is not encountered frequently and hence no standard management protocol exists for such cases, but when detected by histopathology, the clinical management and prognosis have to undergo a complete change. Preoperative diagnosis and proper individualized management by a multidisciplinary team that ensures clear surgical margins and planned adjuvant therapy play a crucial role in preventing the recurrence of DCIS within PT.

An elderly woman with multilobulated breast mass presenting as a diagnostic dilemma: A rare case report.

A breast mass in women often presents a diagnostic challenge due to the diversity in the diagnosis. We herein report a rare variant of breast carcinoma, an invasive apocrine carcinoma (AC), in an elderly woman where the breast mass clinically mimicked phyllodes tumour. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed the tumour as triple-negative and also negative for androgen receptor (AR). Gross cystic disease fluid protein (GCDFP-15) was strongly and diffusely positive. It is an exceptional finding. It implies its significance as a diagnostic marker of AC of the breast. The accurate diagnostic criteria of AC are still lacking. Patients with breast lumps offer unique challenges and enormous responsibility to primary and family care physicians.

Quadruple Score: A Novel Scoring System for Diagnosing Breast Lump - A Retrospective Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Triple test was a breakthrough in the initial screening of breast cancer due to its high sensitivity, but it has few limitations. To overcome those limitations, we developed a novel quadruple score which included physical examination, ultrasound, mammography, and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). AIM: The aim of this study was to test the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value of a novel quadruple score for the initial screening of breast cancer. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective study was conducted on 320 patients having breast lump to the Breast Cancer Outpatient Department of AIIMS, Bhopal. The physical examination findings, breast sonography findings, mammography, and FNAC findings were recorded in the set pro forma, these were later analyzed, and a cumulative scoring was done categorizing patients in the benign, dubious, and malignant category according to the QTS score. These findings were then validated and compared by histopathology. RESULTS: Statistical results show a positive covariance σ suggesting the positive relation between them; also, the correlation coefficient was 0.9996 suggesting a strong linear correlation. On comparing the accuracy of all four variables as physical examination, USG, mammography and FNAC individually and QTS, the accuracy of QTS was highest i.e 99.44%. CONCLUSION: QTS is accurate and reliable diagnostic approach for evaluation of breast lumps. By using the quadruple scoring system, management of palpable breast lump will become more streamlined, providing a platform for managing discordant results, which can be followed universally.

Evaluating the Effect of Ormeloxifene on Multiple Fibroadenomas and Mastalgia.

INTRODUCTION: Most common benign breast conditions presenting in the breast clinics include fibroadenomas and mastalgia, both these conditions cause considerable anxiety in the patients. Among other treatment modalities, the hormonal drug treatments are gaining popularity. Ormeloxifene (centchroman) is an antiestrogenic drug which is shown to have effect in reducing the pain in mastalgia patients and the size of fibroadenoma. OBJECTIVES: Ormeloxifene is selective antiestrogen and a nonsteroidal drug. It has a discerning antiestrogen action and hence is useful for the treatment of mastalgia and multiple small fibroadenomas. Hence, the objective of our study was to assess the effect of Ormeloxifene (centchroman) on multiple fibroadenoma and mastalgia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with benign breast disease attending our surgery outpatient department from June 2016 to July 2017. Patients were started on Ormeloxifene 30 mg on alternate days for a period of 3 months. Patients were followed up to 6 months after the inception of the study. Parameters recorded include the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and ultrasonography for breast lump size. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included in the study. We found very good response in the mastalgia; the VAS scores in these patients dropped from 10 to 3 in 90% in the 1st week of introduction of the drug, and at the end of 1 month, almost all of the patients were painless. Overall final response was noted in terms of complete dissolution and change in the size was noted in 34% partial response in 46 %, no changes in 17 % and increase in size of fibroadenoma was noted in only one case. CONCLUSION: Novex is proved to be safe drug for the treatment of mastalgia and fibroadenoma. Its results were great in mastalgia group. At the end of 6 months, the number of surgeries (if needed) decrease and there is considerable improvement in the patient satisfaction rate.

An Integrated Surgical Management for Giant Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans of Anterior Abdominal Wall.

Giant dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a very rare dermal sarcoma whose diagnosis and management are important because of the high local recurrence but low metastatic potential. Complete surgical excision of giant DFSP in a single stage is difficult but has a high cure rate. A 47-year-old man presented with a gradually increasing large (18 x 15 x 7 cm) DFSP in the epigastrium. A 3 cm circumferential wide local excision (WLE) with microscopic tumor-free margin confirmed by frozen section was performed. Immediate single staged tension-free primary closure of resultant defect was done on the principle of abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) in ventral hernia repair. This technique of anterior component separation and bridge meshplasty is functional, avoids multiple surgeries, is cost-effective, and can be done in a resource-limited setting in developing countries. A multidisciplinary and integrated surgical approach to treat giant DFSP over epigastrium, by three-dimensional WLE and immediate AWR with anterior component separation technique (CST) and bridging meshplasty, can be of immense help in managing such rare cases in developing countries.

Pyonephrosis by Prevotella disiens and Escherichia coli coinfection and secondary peritonitis in an obstructive uropathy patient: A case report and review of the literature.

Pyonephrosis is an uncommon condition that is associated with suppurative destruction of the renal parenchyma. Upper urinary tract obstruction by renal stones plays an important role in its aetiology. The majority of pyonephrosis is reported to be caused by aerobic bacteria but the role of anaerobes, especially black-pigmented gram-negative anaerobes, namely, Prevotella and Porphyromonas in renal infections, remain poorly defined. In view of the rarity of the event, a case of pyonephrosis by Prevotella disiens and Escherichia coli coinfection complicated by secondary peritonitis in an obstructive uropathy patient is hereby presented. An attempt is being made to review the literature on the infective aetiologies of renal abscess with special reference to anaerobes.

A bael (Aegle marmelos) in rectum presenting with bowel obstruction in an elderly man.

A case of bowel obstruction resulting from bael fruit (Aegle marmelos) in the rectum is described in an Indian Hindu elderly man. To our knowledge, this is probably the first reported case with such a presentation in available literature. Dilemma at unsuspecting clinical history and finding of clinical examination and imaging evaluation made the case more interesting and challenging to manage. The case also highlights the need for awareness, education about prevailing unregulated practice of traditional herbal medical therapy leading to disastrous consequences.

Fine needle aspiration of nodular cystic swelling showing a rare melanized fungus Medicopsis romeroi: A case report.

A young woman on long term corticosteroid therapy presented with a discrete hyperpigmented nodular cystic swelling on her upper thigh to the buttock region. There was history of discharging sinuses however at presentation the lesion was painless nondischarging. The lesion was subjected to fine-needle aspiration. The cytological smears on routine and special stains showed branching, septate fungal hyphae present extracellularly and intracellularly. The background showed dense mixed inflammation and granulomatous inflammation. The aspirated material was further subjected to culture. A nonsporulating melanized fungus was obtained and a culture isolate was sent for molecular characterization. Medicopsis romeroi, a rare melanized fungus belonging to the order Pleosporales was isolated on Internal transcribed spacer sequencing.

Hidradenocarcinoma: A Rare Sweat Gland Neoplasm Presenting as Small Turban Tumor of the Scalp.

Hidradenocarcinomas are very rare malignant sweat gland tumors that possess an infiltrative and/or low metastatic potential. Here we describe an interesting case of hidradenoma on the fronto-parietal region of the scalp of an elderly female, part of which had developed carcinomatous changes, infiltrating up to the pericranium. She developed intense itching, pain, spontaneous ulceration and rapid increase in the size of the tumor correlating with the expression of malignant behavior of the neoplasm. An initial incision biopsy suggested features of benign poroid hidradenoma, while the histology from the excised tumor exhibited a fairly well circumscribed epithelial neoplasm in dermis consisting of interconnected nodules as well as differentiated ducts, the neoplastic cells showing mild pleomorphism of nuclei, mitotic figures and abundant pale cytoplasm. Clefts, sclerotic stroma and foci of necrosis en mass were also seen. The final diagnosis was a well differentiated and slow growing hidradenocarcinoma. The tumor recurred locally despite total excision.