A case of a choledochal cyst associated with a lymphatic infiltration of a hyperplastic gallbladder epithelium

A 4-year-old girl with a congenital choledochal cyst (Todani IV-A, Komi type A) underwent a resection of the dilated common bile duct and gallbladder. Histologic studies of the gallbladder showed a general hyperplastic change associated with cribriform proliferation at the gland base of the gallbladder. In this region, clusters of cribriform glands were found within the lymphatic vessels, compatible with lymphatic infiltration of tumor cells. However, careful histologic studies did not reveal any apparent neoplastic changes in the gallbladder and common bile duct, so a final diagnosis of epithelial atypism with reactive hypertrophy was made. The displacements observed in the lymphatics are just an incidental finding in a proliferative process of the hyperplastic gallbladder epithelium. In the follow-up observation for 3 years, the patient is doing well without evidence of tumor recurrence. These results suggest that a mere lymphatic infiltration of hyperplastic gallbladder epithelium should not be directly considered as evidence of carcinogenesis.     

Reconstruction of a pendulous breast utilizing a shaped expander

Can a breast-shaped skin envelope that is pendulous be formed through the use of a shaped expander? Once formed, can its shape be maintained following the exchange of the expander for a round implant? My colleagues and I set out to answer these questions by constructing a breast-shaped expander by altering a standard round expander. It was introduced through an inframammary incision while performing a Pennisi-Ryan type reconstruction. The expander was placed in a limited pocket beneath the pectoralis major muscle. The lower pole of the expander was left in the subcutaneous plane. The skin expanded into a mature, pendulous breast shape that exhibited a slight degree of ptosis. The shape was maintained following the exchange of the expander for a high-profile round implant. If contracture occurred, the distortion detracted from the initial pleasing shape. We present our experience with the first 15 reconstructions using this method. The best results were seen in delayed reconstruction cases. The method is of no value in cases of primary reconstruction. Lessons learned from this small series of cases are detailed, and complications are discussed. The follow-up for these patients is a minimum of one year from the beginning of expansion.     

Rupture of a congenital diaphragmatic eventration in a child: Report of a case

Diaphragmatic rupture may be traumatic or may occur spontaneously. Spontaneous diaphragmatic rupture is a rare entity seen almost entirely in adults. We report here a case with spontaneous rupture of a congenital diaphragmatic evantration in a child.     

Controlled induction of a pseudarthrosis: a study using a rodent model

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to test the hypothesis that under standardized mechanical and biologic conditions, the process of indirect bone repair in a rodent species could be manipulated to form a reproducible, atrophic, fibrous pseudarthrosis. DESIGN: The model used comprised a mid-diaphyseal, transverse osteotomy in the rat femur, stabilized via a precision miniature external fixator, a constant axial fixation stiffness being defined by a specific frame geometry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The repair process for both 0.5-mm and 3.0-mm gap osteotomies was characterized using radiography, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, histologic assessment of standardized longitudinal sections, and postmortem mechanical testing. RESULTS: Healing of the defect was highly reproducible, bone union being attained at around 5 weeks postoperatively with a 0.5-mm gap. Increasing the gap width to 3.0 mm resulted consistently in a pseudarthrosis. CONCLUSION: These two reproducible patterns of repair can now be used to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms controlling the extent and progression of connective tissue differentiation in indirect bone repair without the additional variable of a nonstandardized mechanical environment.     

Localization of a Colovesical Fistula Using a Retrograde Guide-Wire: Report of a Case

We describe an unconventional method of localizing a colovesical fistula by using a guide-wire, successfully carried out in a 45-year-old man with recurrent dysuria, pneumaturia, and suprapubic tenderness. First, we performed a cystoscopy to establish the fistulous tract in the bladder and passed the guide-wire through it. Next, we performed a colonoscopy, and the guide-wire was identified and brought out through the anus. This created a wire loop through the fistula. The transparietal cathether enabled us to detect the exact fistulous tract at laparotomy, making it possible to resect the inflamed colon and identify and resect the fistulous opening on the vesical wall. This technique allowed for a safer resection and a shorter operation time.     

Knotting of a Ureteric Stent in a Child

Knotting of ureteric stents is an unusual complication of their use and has not previously been reported in a child. We present a case of a 4-year-old that developed symptomatic hydronephroureter following removal of a multilength stent, which had knotted at the proximal loop. The child made a full recovery but knotting must be considered if resistance is encountered during stent removal.     

Interatrial rupture of a non-coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: a rare presentation of a rare disorder

A 65-year-old male was referred to our team after the incidental finding of a large non-coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm on computed tomography (CT)-scan of the thorax. Further imaging with transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) excluded intracardiac shunting. Unusually, the aneurysm had ruptured into the interatrial septum and was seen to be compressing both atria. At operative intervention, a 20 mm defect which had replaced the non-coronary sinus was repaired using a patch graft. An aneurysm of an aortic sinus is a rare disorder, and a rupture of a non-coronary sinus typically results in the formation of a fistulous tract in the right atrium. These images highlight an unusual case of a non-coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm which ruptured into the interatrial septum (IAS), and demonstrate the benefit of multi-modality cardiac imaging in guiding surgical repair.     

Paget disease of a nipple graft following completion of a breast reconstruction with a nipple-sharing technique

Surgical treatment of breast cancer can have a profound impact on patients both physically and psychologically. Postmastectomy breast reconstruction can significantly decrease the psychologic distress that a breast cancer patient experiences. Whereas breast mound reconstruction was initially thought to be sufficient, surgeons and patients have recognized the importance of nipple-areolar reconstruction. The following is a case report of a patient who developed Paget disease of a left nipple graft after left mastectomy and reconstruction with a TRAM flap and nipple sharing from the right breast. This case report provides a unique 14-year retrospective review of a clinical course and to our knowledge is the first reported case in the English literature of Paget disease developing in a nipple reconstructed from the contralateral nipple using the nipple-sharing technique.     

Adrenal myelolipoma: a report of a case

This is a case report of an adrenal myelolipoma, accidentally diagnosed during a work-up for bladder tumor. A 67-year-old male presented with the chief complaint of gross hematuria. He was subsequently diagnosed as having a bladder tumor, which was resected transurethrally and was found to be a transitional cell carcinoma of Grade 2 and Stage pT2. During further examination for metastasis computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a round tumor (approximately 5 cm in diameter) in the left adrenal. A tentative diagnosis was reached based on the scan, and surgery was undertaken to remove the tumor. A well-encapsulated tumor, yellowish and partly dark brown in color and 60 grams in weight, was retrieved. The tumor consisted of mature lipoid cells with myeloid cells scattered among them which verified the pathological diagnosis of adrenal myelolipoma. The present case is the 16th clinical case of adrenal myelolipoma reported in the Japanese literature.     

Torsion of a communicating hydrocele in a child

Among the diseases presenting as acute scrotum, torsion of a communicating hydrocele is extremely rare. A 5-year-old boy was referred with discomfort and swelling of the left scrotum. Operative findings revealed a torsion of a communicating hydrocele. We report a case of torsion with preoperative findings of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. We also emphasize the awareness of this disease as a differential diagnosis of the acute scrotum.     

Reconstruction of a Large Duodenal Defect Created by Resection of a Duodenal Tubulovillous Adenoma Using a Double-Tract Anastomosis to a Retrocolic Roux-en-Y Loop: Report of a Case

Adenomas arising in the duodenum are uncommon. The surgical approach to adenoma of the duodenum remains controversial. We herein report the successful closure of a large defect after a partial duodenectomy for an adenoma. A 60-year-old man developed duodenal adenoma. An upper gastrointestinal roentgenographic series and endoscopy revealed a 2.5-cm tumor located adjacent to the duodenal papilla. The tumor was too large to be removed endoscopically, and therefore it was resected en bloc by a partial duodenectomy. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of benign tubulovillous adenoma. The large duodenal defect created by resection of the tumor was closed with double-tract anastomosis to a retrocolic Roux-en-Y loop. Large duodenal defects represent difficult surgical problems. Closure by direct anastomosis to a Roux-en-Y loop side-to-side is thus considered to be the procedure of choice. Received: August 29, 2001 / Accepted: March 5, 2002     

Nonunion of a Hoffa fracture in a child

The authors report a case of a Hoffa fracture of the lateral femoral condyle that subsequently went on to nonunion in an eight-year-old child. The child presented with symptoms of knee pain and snapping five years after a motor vehicle accident. The nonunion fragment involved most of the lateral femoral condylar articular surface but spared the physis. After treatment by open reduction and limited internal fixation, the nonunion has healed, and the child has virtually full range of motion of the knee and no evidence of growth disturbance.     

Intraperitoneal migration of a mesh plug with a small intestinal perforation: Report of a case

Tension-free hernia repair with a mesh plug shows a low recurrence rate, but in a very few cases it can result in new complications including mesh migration and violation of the peritoneum. This report describes the case of a 79-year-old man who had undergone an inguinal hernioplasty using a polypropylene mesh plug 2 years earlier. He had a laparotomy for bowel ischemia 18 months later, and no evidence of bowel adhesion or a plug protruding through the peritoneum at that time. The patient remained asymptomatic until this admission. He presented with acute abdomen, and an emergency laparotomy revealed a plug-related bowel perforation. The plug had migrated and penetrated the peritoneum, presenting with bowel perforation and adhesions. Although the etiology was not clear, the use of nonabsorbable sutures for plug fixation may be recommended to avoid this complication. Less than 10 cases of mesh migration with bowel complications have been reported, and this is the first case study to demonstrate migration of the plug by serial tomography.     

Surgical resection of a solitary plasmacytoma originating in a rib of a patient with Castleman's disease

Castleman's disease is a rare disorder characterized by lymphoid hyperplasia. It may present as asymptomatic involvement of one lymph node group or as a multicentric disease with systemic features. We report a patient with Castleman's disease who presented with axillary lymphadenopathy associated with a solitary plasmacytoma originating from a rib. The affected rib was surgically resected and radical radiotherapy was subsequently administered to the axillary lymph nodes. In this particular case, a joint surgical and oncologic approach resulted in a successful outcome.     

Laparoscopic repair of a morgagni hernia in a child: a case report

Morgagni hernias are anomalies of the sternal insertions of the diaphragmatic bundles and represent 1% to 4% of all surgically treated diaphragmatic hernias. We present a case of a laparoscopic repair of Morgagni hernia incidentally found in a 4-year-old boy. Primary laparoscopic closure of the defect with interrupted silk sutures was performed. The patient had uneventful recovery and is asymptomatic at 2 months of follow-up. We propose that the laparoscopic approach is feasible and effective treatment of this kind of hernia.     

Prolapse of a simple ureterocele presenting as a vulval mass in a woman

A 48-year-old woman presented with a large vulval mass after prolapse of a ureterocele. Her past excretory urogram showed a filling defect (cobra head appearance) in the bladder related to a single-system ureterocele on the left. The mass was manually reduced back through to the urethra under sedation and a urethral catheter was inserted. The anterior wall of the ureterocele was resected transurethrally for definitive treatment.     

Implantation of a nerve ending into a vein

Neuromas can be painful and physically and psychologically disabling. Among the many methods of treatment available, translocation away from noxious stimuli, such as implantation in muscle or bone, has been used. Veins are easily available and accessible to nerves. The outcome of a nerve ending implanted into a vein and the effects of the implanted nerve on the vein have not been studied. This study evaluated neuroma prevention with a new technique that involves implanting a nerve ending into a vein. The medial branches of the right femoral nerve of 20 rats were transected at midthigh level. The distal segments were excised. The proximal segments were implanted into the femoral vein. The epineurium was sutured to the tunica adventitia using interrupted 10-0 Ethilon sutures. The left side served as controls where the proximal nerve stumps were left lying in their beds. The animals were sacrificed 12 weeks after the operation. Histologic analysis of 12 controls showed neuromas. Twelve implanted nerves showed neuromas that were smaller than those of the controls. The difference was statistically significant. The regenerated nerve fibers were found within the adventitia and muscular wall of the vein. There was no extension of nerve tissue into the vessel lumen and no thrombosis of the vein. Electron microscopic study on the other eight rats showed abnormal large myelinated fibers in the controls and in the implanted nerves. The fibers in the implanted group were degenerated.     

Diverticulum of Kommerell: a review of a series and a report of a case with tracheal deviation compromising single lung ventilation

IMPLICATIONS: Birth defects can affect the great vessels of the aorta and its branches, compressing the upper airway and the swallowing track. Surgical repair of these defects requires manipulating the airway to improve surgical exposure. This is a report of a series of cases with compromised airway resulting from such a birth defect and methods of its management.     

Successful resection of a primary cardiac fibroma in a neonate: report of a case

During the fetal-neonatal period, a primary cardiac tumor may be completely asymptomatic and such tumors may be incidentally discovered by echocardiography. A four-hour-old male was diagnosed to have a cardiac tumor by post-natal echocardiography and was observed closely. Surgery was indicated immediately at the 3 week follow-up examination when the tumor was found to have obstructed the right ventricle outflow. The tumor was resected successfully and its histopathology indicated that it was a fibroma. Follow-up echocardiograms and magnetic resonance imaging 5 months postoperatively demonstrated no evidence of any remaining tumor and his RV function was good.