En bloc corpectomy for late gastrointestinal stromal tumor metastasis: a case report and review of the literature

Spinal metastases of gastrointestinal stromal tumors are rare; however, the incidence has been increasing since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which have improved overall survival. Due to the ...

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Testicular adrenal rest tumour in an adult patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

Late presentations of testicular adrenal rest tumours (TART) are rarely seen in males with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and are often misdiagnosed as primary testicular germ cell tumours. We report a case of bilateral TART in an adult patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia who had defaulted treatment. He presented with a gradually increasing swelling of the left testis and genital examination revealed a large hard indurated swelling of both epididymes more prominent on the left side. As imaging was inconclusive, a biopsy was performed which showed features in favour of TART rather than Leydig cell neoplasm and he had good response to steroids. Histopathological evaluation is helpful in cases where there is a strong need for excluding a malignancy. Optimal steroid replacement is the treatment of choice and leads to regression of the lesion in the majority.

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Cholecystocolonic fistula with a giant colonic gallstone: the mainstay of treatment in an acute setting

Abstract

A cholecystoenteric fistula (CEF) is a rare complication of cholelithiasis with cholecystitis. Cholecystocolonic fistulas (CCFs) account for 8–26.5% of all CEFs. CCFs can cause colonic bleeding, obstruction or perforation, with such complications being mainly reported in the narrower sigmoid colon. Colonic biliary ileus, or obstruction due to the colonic gallstone impaction, is extremely rare in the proximal colon and its best management is yet to be elucidated. We present the case of a 73-year-old male patient with multiple comorbidities and previous abdominal surgeries who presented with hematochezia and intestinal obstructive symptoms. Imaging revealed a giant 5 × 7 cm² gallstone in the proximal transverse colon. Laparotomy and stone extraction via colotomy were performed. Complicated proximal colonic gallstones are exceedingly rare with several operative and non-operative treatments already described. A time-saving surgery in a patient with serious comorbidities is reasonable when compared to a more extensive procedure including enterolithotomy, cholecystecomy and fistula closure.

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Tracheopleural fistula after thoracoscopic esophagectomy: novel therapeutic approach with pericardial and intercostal muscle flaps

Abstract

Tracheal rupture following thoracoscopic esophagectomy is a dangerous event requiring primary repair with flap reinforcement. If the injury is not diagnosed during the surgery, morbidity and mortality increase significantly. Meanwhile, primary repair in such cases is not feasible due to the inflammation and difficulty in approximating the defect. Here, we report a case of tracheal injury during thoracoscopic esophagectomy with primary repair failure. We successfully repaired the injury by covering the defect first by a pericardial flap, then reinforcing it with an intercostal muscle flap. To our knowledge, there are few reports of such novel surgical techniques.

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A giant duodenal diverticulum causing Lemmel syndrome

Abstract

An 80-year-old female, with a known periampullary giant duodenal diverticulum, presented to the emergency department with general deterioration. While not clinically icteric, her laboratory investigations revealed an obstructive jaundice. MRCP demonstrated mild distension of the gallbladder with several calculi. There was intra- and extra-hepatic biliary dilatation to the level of the ampulla. A giant fluid and air filled periampullary duodenal diverticulum measuring ~8 cm in the long axis was noted. The CBD was dilated to the level of this diverticulum and the cause of the patient's biliary dilatation and obstruction. A rare pancreaticobiliary complication of duodenal diverticula is Lemmel syndrome. Lemmel syndrome is defined as an obstructive jaundice caused by a periampullary duodenal diverticulum compressing the intra-pancreatic portion of the common bile duct with resultant dilatation of the extra- and intra-hepatic bile ducts. Recognition of this condition is important, as delayed diagnosis can result in unnecessary further investigations.

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The relationship between seizure in electroconvulsive therapy and pupillary response using an automated pupilometer

Abstract

Objectives

Seizure duration and morphology, postictal suppression, and sympathetic nervous system activation are all recommended as assessments of adequate seizure in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). However, blood pressure and heart rate are not typically assessed as part of sympathetic nervous system activation because of the administration of anesthetic or cardiovascular agents during ECT. Although the pupils are known to reflect to the activity of autonomic nervous system and the degree of brain damage, previous studies have not examined the relationship between seizure of electroconvulsive therapy and pupillary response.

Methods

We conducted 98 sessions of ECT with 13 patients, divided into two groups according to seizure quality: (1) adequate or (2) inadequate. Pupillary light reflex [% constriction = (maximum resting pupil size {MAX} − minimum pupil size after light stimulation)/MAX × 100] was measured using a portable infrared quantitative pupilometer before anesthesia induction and immediately after electrical stimulation.

Results

The number regarded as adequate was 67 times and as inadequate was 31 times. Maximum pupil size at the control and immediately after electrical stimulation was similar between the adequate and inadequate groups. Pupillary light reflex was similar at the control between both groups, but significantly smaller immediately after stimulation in the adequate group (2.5 ± 3.6%) compared with the inadequate group (10.6 ± 11.5%). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that pupillary light reflex (> 5.5%) predicted adequate seizure.

Conclusions

The current findings suggest that pupillary constriction immediately after ECT could provide a helpful method for assessing the efficacy of ECT.

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Heated humidified high-flow nasal oxygen prevents intraoperative body temperature decrease in non-intubated thoracoscopy

Abstract

Purpose

In patients receiving non-intubated video-assisted thoracic surgery (NIVATS), transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange (THRIVE) has been applied instead of oxygen mask for better oxygenation. However, the THRIVE effects on intraoperative temperature decrease have not been investigated.

Methods

Pre- and postoperative temperatures, measured by an infrared tympanic ear thermometer, taken before sending patients to the operation room and immediately upon their arrival in the postoperative anesthesia unit, were collected from medical records of patients who received NIVATS either with oxygen mask or THRIVE. Intraoperative temperature decrease, calculated by preoperative temperature minus postoperative temperature, was compared between different groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with intraoperative temperature decrease.

Results

Records of 256 adult patients with forced-air warming were retrospectively analyzed. 172 patients of them received THRIVE and 84 patients received oxygen mask. Preoperative temperatures were comparable between groups (THRIVE: 36.25 ± 0.46 °C; mask: 36.30 ± 0.39 °C, p = 0.43). Postoperative temperatures were significantly higher in patients using THRIVE than those using oxygen masks (36.05 ± 0.59 vs 35.87 ± 0.62 °C, p = 0.025). Significantly less intraoperative temperature decrease was shown in THRIVE group (THRIVE: 0.20 ± 0.69 °C; mask: 0.43 ± 0.69 °C, p = 0.04). According to the multiple linear regression analysis, significant temperature decrease was associated with the advanced age (β_age = 0.01) but not the anesthetic duration. Using THRIVE was correlated with significantly less body temperature decrease (β_TRIVE = − 0.24).

Conclusions

THRIVE effectively prevents intraoperative temperature decrease during NIVATS, especially in old patients.

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