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Cureus Jun 2024We report a case of a 22-year-old female with pedal edema, hypokalemia, and hypertension. On suspicion of hyperaldosteronism, further workup was pursued, which only...
We report a case of a 22-year-old female with pedal edema, hypokalemia, and hypertension. On suspicion of hyperaldosteronism, further workup was pursued, which only revealed a low serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and an inappropriately normal cortisol level after a 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test, suggestive of primary hypercortisolism. CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed a left adrenal mass. Based on the clinical findings and biochemical abnormalities, we were expecting this tumor to be aldosterone-secreting, but both serum aldosterone and renin levels were normal in our patient. Eventual surgical resection confirmed initial suspicions of malignancy, as it was found to be adrenal cortical carcinoma. This case highlights the unusual presentation of this rare but aggressive endocrinologic neoplasm and the importance of its prompt diagnosis and treatment.
PubMed: 38827415
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61481 -
Cureus May 2024Appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (AMNs) are uncommon gastrointestinal tumors characterized by mucus accumulation in the appendix. Patients may complain of acute...
Appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (AMNs) are uncommon gastrointestinal tumors characterized by mucus accumulation in the appendix. Patients may complain of acute appendicitis-like symptoms with other alarming features, but approximately half of the cases of AMNs are found incidentally on imaging. Early diagnosis and management of these neoplasms are important to prevent malignant progression and complications such as bowel obstruction and pseudomyxoma peritonei. We report a case of a 28-year-old female who initially presented with vomiting and acute left lower abdominal pain radiating to the left flank. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a 1.5 mm stone in the left ureteral vesicular junction and a 2.3 x 2.4 x 5.2 cm cystic tubular mass at the base of the cecum, suspicious of an appendiceal mucocele. An elective laparoscopic appendectomy was performed on this admission, which was converted to a right hemicolectomy due to the pathologic finding of a focally high-grade AMN on intraoperative frozen specimen pathology. This report aims to provide an example of a case of an incidental AMN and how it was diagnosed and managed surgically. AMNs are rare tumors that originate from the appendix and can pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to their diverse clinical presentations and variable histopathological features. The majority of cases of AMNs are discovered in middle-aged individuals (40-50 years of age) after an appendectomy is performed and examined by pathology. This case report aims to describe a rare presentation of a 28-year-old female patient with an incidental finding of AMN on a CT scan of the abdomen while being worked up for suspected nephrolithiasis. We will provide a comprehensive overview of a unique presentation of AMN, highlighting its clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach, and management strategies. We present the case of a 28-year-old female patient who presented to the emergency department with complaints of acute left lower quadrant abdominal pain radiating to the left flank and vomiting. After an initial assessment and workup, which included lab investigations and imaging, a diagnosis of unilateral hydronephrosis due to a calculus of the ureterovesical junction was made. However, there was also suspicion of an appendiceal mucocele, as evidenced by a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis. On admission day one, under the care and management of the urology team, she passed the stone with complete resolution of the presenting symptoms. On hospital day two, she underwent an elective laparoscopic appendectomy followed by a right hemicolectomy due to findings of high-grade mucinous neoplasm on the resected frozen specimen near the base of the appendix. AMN was an incidental finding based on CT imaging and macroscopic findings, which was later confirmed by histopathological assessment and report.
PubMed: 38826949
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59540 -
Hip & Pelvis Jun 2024Hip fractures are associated with increased mortality. The identification of risk factors of mortality could improve patient care. The aim of the study was to identify...
PURPOSE
Hip fractures are associated with increased mortality. The identification of risk factors of mortality could improve patient care. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors of mortality after surgery for a hip fracture and construct a mortality model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A cohort study was conducted on patients with hip fractures at two institutions. Five hundred and ninety-seven patients with hip fractures that were treated in the tertiary hospital, and another 147 patients that were treated in a secondary hospital. The perioperative data were collected from medical charts and interviews. Functional Assessment Measure score, Short Form-12 and mortality were recorded at 12 months. Patients and surgery variables that were associated with increased mortality were used to develop a mortality model.
RESULTS
Mortality for the whole cohort was 19.4% at one year. From the variables tested only age >80 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists category, time to surgery (>48 hours), Charlson comorbidity index, sex, use of anti-coagulants, and body mass index <25 kg/m were associated with increased mortality and used to construct the mortality model. The area under the curve for the prediction model was 0.814. Functional outcome at one year was similar to preoperative status, even though their level of physical function dropped after the hip surgery and slowly recovered.
CONCLUSION
The mortality prediction model that was developed in this study calculates the risk of death at one year for patients with hip fractures, is simple, and could detect high risk patients that need special management.
PubMed: 38825823
DOI: 10.5371/hp.2024.36.2.135 -
International Journal of Surgery Case... Jul 2024Cystic lymphangioma is rare benign tumor that results from a lymphatic system malformation. The mesenteric location is even more uncommon.
INTRODUCTION
Cystic lymphangioma is rare benign tumor that results from a lymphatic system malformation. The mesenteric location is even more uncommon.
CASE REPORT
We report the case of a menopausal 63-year-old woman who presented with a persistent painful well-defined mass of the pelvis. On ultrasound and computed tomography, the mass appeared as thick-walled unilocular homogenous cyst in favor of an ovarian cystadenoma. During laparotomy, the misdiagnosis was confirmed as the tumor was found to be embedded in the mesentery of the ileum. Subsequent histopathological examination confirmed the benign cystic lymphangioma diagnosis.
DISCUSSION
Mesenteric cystic lymphangioma is rare peritoneal tumor of the adult. Clinically, it often masquerades as other abdominopelvic masses like ovarian cysts. Differential diagnosis is often challenging because of the overlapping clinical abdominal presentation and radiological features. Histopathological is the gold standard in diagnosing mesenteric cystic lymphangioma. Surgery is the mainstay treatment, and the recurrence rate is low if negative surgical margins are achieved.
CONCLUSION
Mesenteric cystic lymphangioma often mimics more frequent and potentially malignant lesions. It is essential for surgeons to remain vigilant for the possibility of this diagnosis when evaluating abdominopelvic cystic masses.
PubMed: 38824741
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109846 -
International Journal of Surgery Case... Jul 2024Wandering spleen (WS) is a rare clinical condition found in less than 0.5 % of splenectomies and is characterized by ectopic location of the spleen within the abdomen...
INTRODUCTION
Wandering spleen (WS) is a rare clinical condition found in less than 0.5 % of splenectomies and is characterized by ectopic location of the spleen within the abdomen or pelvis. It is always caused by excessive mobility brought on by the ligamentous laxity of its peritoneal attachments. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography are the key imaging modalities for inquiry of WS.
CASE PRESENTATION
We report the case of a 47-year-old woman who presented with painless abdominal swelling since the age of 6 years. An abdominal examination revealed a palpable, firm, mobile mass in the right lower abdomen approximately 15 × 15 cm in dimensions. A contrast CT scan of the abdomen revealed the absence of the spleen in the left upper quadrant. The patient was managed conservatively and followed for five years with favourable outcome.
DISCUSSION
Failure of the dorsal mesogastrium to merge with the posterior abdominal wall in the second month of embryonic development is one of the reasons for WS. The nonsurgical conservative approach is limited to patients who are high-risk surgical candidates and have minimal symptoms and no complications.
CONCLUSION
The good clinical outcome of our patient suggests that conservative non-surgical approach may be a reasonable alternative to unwarranted surgical intervention in selected clinically stable patients who have no evidence of splenic torsion or infarction, avoiding the possible complications of surgery.
PubMed: 38823227
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109834 -
International Journal of Surgery Case... Jul 2024Xanthogranulomatous appendicitis (XGA) is a rare condition involving chronic inflammation of the appendix that is often difficult to distinguish from malignancy using...
INTRODUCTION
Xanthogranulomatous appendicitis (XGA) is a rare condition involving chronic inflammation of the appendix that is often difficult to distinguish from malignancy using imaging because of the formation of a heterogeneous mass with indistinct borders. Herein, we present a case of XGA with unusual clinical manifestations.
PRESENTATION OF CASE
A 78-year-old female patient underwent radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma with extended right hepatic lobectomy and biliary reconstruction. Three years postoperatively, she presented with an irregular mass in the right lateral pelvis, which was observed on computed tomography. The patient had not experienced recent clinical symptoms and did not present with abdominal tenderness. Routine blood tests did not indicate an increased inflammatory response; however, carcinoembryonic antigen levels continued to increase. Although disseminated recurrence of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and appendiceal carcinoma were suspected, XGA was diagnosed via laparoscopic appendectomy.
DISCUSSION
XGA generally presents with symptoms of acute or chronic appendicitis, and is diagnosed incidentally during surgery. Hilar cholangiocarcinoma has a high recurrence rate, even after radical resection, and disseminated recurrence usually requires chemotherapy. In the present case, XGA was not suspected preoperatively because of the lack of physical symptoms and increased levels of tumor markers during follow-up for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. There have been no reports of XGA with such a confusing clinical course, thus confirming the difficulty in preoperatively diagnosing XGA.
CONCLUSION
The preoperative diagnosis of XGA is difficult to differentiate from malignancy because of its clinical and imaging findings. We diagnosed the patient with XGA using laparoscopic surgery.
PubMed: 38823225
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109800 -
World Journal of Gastrointestinal... May 2024Da Vinci Robotics-assisted total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery for rectal cancer is becoming more widely used. There is no strong evidence that robotic-assisted...
BACKGROUND
Da Vinci Robotics-assisted total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery for rectal cancer is becoming more widely used. There is no strong evidence that robotic-assisted surgery and laparoscopic surgery have similar outcomes in elderly patients with TME for rectal cancer.
AIM
To determine the improved oncological outcomes and short-term efficacy of robot-assisted surgery in elderly patients undergoing TME surgery.
METHODS
A retrospective study of the clinical pathology and follow-up of elderly patients who underwent TME surgery at the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology at the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine was conducted from March 2020 through September 2023. The patients were divided into a robot-assisted group (the R-TME group) and a laparoscopic group (the L-TME group), and the short-term efficacy of the two groups was compared.
RESULTS
There were 45 elderly patients (≥ 60 years) in the R-TME group and 50 elderly patients (≥ 60 years) in the L-TME group. There were no differences in demographics, conversion rates, or postoperative complication rates. The L-TME group had a longer surgical time than the R-TME group [145 (125, 187.5) 180 (148.75, 206.25) min, = 0.005), and the first postoperative meal time in the L-TME group was longer than that in the R-TME (4 3 d, = 0.048). Among the sex and body mass index (BMI) subgroups, the R-TME group had better outcomes than did the L-TME group in terms of operation time ( = 0.042) and intraoperative assessment of bleeding ( = 0.042). In the high BMI group, catheter removal occurred earlier in the R-TME group than in the L-TME group (3 4 d, = 0.001), and autonomous voiding function was restored.
CONCLUSION
The curative effect and short-term efficacy of robot-assisted TME surgery for elderly patients with rectal cancer are similar to those of laparoscopic TME surgery; however, robotic-assisted surgery has better short-term outcomes for individuals with risk factors such as obesity and pelvic stenosis. Optimizing the learning curve can shorten the operation time, reduce the recovery time of gastrointestinal function, and improve the prognosis.
PubMed: 38817284
DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v16.i5.1271 -
World Journal of Clinical Cases May 2024Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate from smooth muscle cells of the uterus. It is the most common gynecological disorder, affecting up to 80% of women of...
BACKGROUND
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate from smooth muscle cells of the uterus. It is the most common gynecological disorder, affecting up to 80% of women of reproductive age. Uterine fibroids can cause various symptoms such as abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, infertility, and pregnancy complications. The treatment options for uterine fibroids include medical therapy, surgical intervention, and minimally invasive techniques.
AIM
To compare ovarian function of women with uterine fibroids who did or did not undergo uterine artery embolization (UAE).
METHODS
This prospective cohort study enrolled 87 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids who underwent UAE, and 87 women with the same symptoms who did not undergo UAE but received conservative management or other treatments. The two groups were matched for age, body mass index, parity, and baseline characteristics of uterine fibroids. The primary outcome was ovarian function that was evaluated by serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), as well as ovarian reserve tests, such as antral follicle count (AFC) and ovarian volume (OV). The secondary outcome was fertility that was evaluated based on the menstrual cycle, ovulation, conception, pregnancy, and delivery. The participants were followed-up for 36 months and assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after treatment.
RESULTS
The study found that the most common minor complication of UAE was postembolization syndrome in 73.6% of women, resolving within a week. No significant differences were observed between the UAE group and the control group in serum levels of reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, E2, AMH) and ovarian reserve indicators (AFC, OV) at any point up to 36 months post-treatment. Additionally, there were no significant differences in conception, pregnancy, or delivery rates, with the average time to conception and gestational age at delivery being similar between the two groups. Birth weights were also comparable. Finally, there was no significant correlation between ovarian function, fertility indicators, and the type or amount of embolic agent used or the change in fibroids post-treatment.
CONCLUSION
UAE resulted in significantly positive pregnancy outcomes, no adverse events post-treatment, and is a safe and effective treatment for uterine fibroids that preserves ovarian function and fertility.
PubMed: 38817222
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i15.2551 -
SAGE Open Medical Case Reports 2024Intrauterine device is a widely used contraceptive method. However, it may translocate to other sites within the pelvic cavity, including the intestines and the bladder....
Intrauterine device is a widely used contraceptive method. However, it may translocate to other sites within the pelvic cavity, including the intestines and the bladder. This contraceptive method has failure rate between 1 and 3 out of 100 women/year. The use of intrauterine device also slightly increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy upon its failure. The combination of intrauterine device translocation and contraceptive failure is rare. We present such a case. A 29-year-old woman (Gravida 4, Para 2) presented with a complaint of abdominal pain and presence of blood spotting over the last 7 h. She tested positive for pregnancy. Upon arrival, her vital signs were normal, but she was moderately obese with a body mass index (BMI) of 38.8 kg/m. She displayed tenderness during abdominal examination and cervical motion tenderness. Her blood test results showed no significant abnormalities. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a translocated part of intrauterine device to the cervix and transvaginal ultrasound confirmed the presence of a hypoechoic complex structure in the left adnexa, measuring 53 mm, alongside free fluid in Morrison's pouch. An emergency laparotomy was performed, revealing a normal uterus and a ruptured left fallopian tube with approximately 800 cc of blood in the abdomen.
PubMed: 38812838
DOI: 10.1177/2050313X241258840 -
Cureus Apr 2024A 38-year-old nulliparous woman with severe obesity (BMI 66) and hypertension presented with constipation, fatigue, weakness, and poor appetite that had progressively...
A 38-year-old nulliparous woman with severe obesity (BMI 66) and hypertension presented with constipation, fatigue, weakness, and poor appetite that had progressively worsened over the prior two to three weeks. Upon admission, the patient was found to have significant hypercalcemia, leukocytosis, and lactic acidosis. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed an adnexal mass with extensive lesions throughout her pelvis, abdomen, and chest. An ultrasound-guided omental core biopsy was performed, which was confirmatory for metastatic ovarian small cell carcinoma. Given her poor prognosis and clinical status, chemotherapy was likely to provide minimal benefit and ultimately the patient decided to pursue a comfort-oriented plan of care and passed away on day 9 of admission.
PubMed: 38807834
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59214