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Spigelian hernia is an uncommon hernia of the abdominal wall, often not easily diagnosed. Three cases of Spigelian hernia are reported. In the first patient it was an incidental discovery, in the second one hernia was complicated by strangulation of the small bowel, in the third patient hernia was symptomatic without complications. In all the patients, in their previous clinical history, an operation for hernia or other abdominal pathologies was observed. These patients were treated surgically, using direct reconstruction of the abdominal wall in two cases, while a non-absorbable mesh was positioned in the preperitoneal space in the third patient. The anatomopathological and clinical features of Spigelian hernia are described and the problems in diagnosis discussed; in addition, the importance of surgical cure in incidental hernia is underlined.

Background: Diverticula are localized in the right colon with a rate of 6.7-14% in Western countries. Two types of diverticula have been described in the right colon, on the basis of etiologic and pathological features: multiple diverticula and solitary diverticulum of the caecum. The most common clinical presentation of the right-sided colonic diverticula is an acute inflammatory complication, which is difficult to distinguish from other causes of right iliac fossa pain., Methods: A survey of the literature is presented and personal experience relative to 4 cases of acute diverticulitis of the right colon observed over a 10-year period is described., Results: In all the patients the preoperative diagnosis was acute appendicitis. In two cases the poor clinical conditions of the patients were associated with the free perforation of a solitary caecal diverticulum and diffuse faecal peritonitis. A temporary caecostomy was therefore required. In two cases a localized inflammatory mass was found around a perforated solitary diverticulum of the caecum. An ileocaecal resection was performed., Conclusions: The purpose of this study is to emphasize the epidemiological, etiologic and clinical features of right-sided colonic diverticula, and the diagnostic and therapeutic management of their complications.

Two cases of Mirizzi's syndrome are reported. The syndrome consists of: external compression of the common bile duct due to a benign lesion (Type I)--presence of a cholecystobiliary fistula with impacted stones and partial or total obstruction of the hepatic duct (Type II). Clinical signs are non-specific and suggest at first sight an obstructive jaundice. Ultrasonography shows dilatation of the upper biliary tract with narrowing of the biliary tract below the dilatation. ERCP often proves mandatory for diagnosis. Therapeutical procedures are reported.

The authors present a case report of hemobilia resulting from the rupture of a cystic artery pseudoaneurysm into the biliary tract. They analyse the international literature and stress aethiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis and therapeutic aspects.