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Introduction: Although the liver and lung are the most frequently affected organs in cystic echinococcosis, the cysts may develop in any viscera and tissues. Breast is a rare primary localization with few cases described in the literature. We present an updated and systematic review and discuss the possible mechanisms of spreading, diagnostic and treatment options., Materials and Methods: We performed a literature search in PUBMED using the key words ‘hydatid disease’, ‘cystic echinococcosis’ and ‘breast echinococcosis’ without time limitation. Only studies reporting breast cystic echinococcosis were included., Results: Overall, 121 cases with cystic echinococcosis and 2 with alveolar echinococcosis were reported. A total of 52 cases were included in the analysis. The mean size of cysts was 5.5 cm (range 1.7-12). The most common clinical presentation was painless lump presented from 4 months to 19 years before the final diagnosis. Most cases had isolated breast CE, few cases had synchronous localizations – femoral, thigh and lung, and previous liver CE. Most were active CL and CE1-2 cysts (72%). Ultrasound was used in 83%, followed by mammography (35%). Fine needle aspiration was reported in 27 cases with positive finding in 59%., Conclusions: In cases with cystic breast lesions from endemic regions we recommend the US as a gold standard. CT and MRT are more accurate but expensive tools without the potential to change the surgical tactic. In contrast to the other localizations of CE, complete excision of the cysts is the best diagnostic and treatment approach., (This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Aim: The aim of the present work was to perform an up-to-date review of the literature on endoluminal negative pressure therapy for colorectal anastomotic leak., Method: An electronic search in PubMed and Google Scholar and a manual search without language restrictions were performed on 25 January 2019. Only original series reporting endoluminal negative pressure therapy in colorectal anastomotic leaks were included. The primary outcome was the success rate (complete closure of the abscess cavity). The secondary outcomes were the rates of complications and stoma closure., Results: Nineteen series with a total of 295 cases were analysed. The median distance of the anastomosis from the anal verge and the size of the abscess were 5.65 cm (4.9-10) and 6.0 cm (5-8.1) respectively. In 84.5% (78%-91%) the stoma was created at the first intervention. Neoadjuvant therapy was performed in 48.6% (3%-60%). Median 7 sponges (2-34) were used with median negative pressure 150 mmHg (125-700) for a median of 31 days (14-127). The success rate was 85.4% (80%-91%) with ileostomy closure in 72.6%. Complications were observed in 19% (13%-25%): abscesses 11.5% and anastomotic stenosis 4.4%. Laparotomy was required in 15% of the complications. The stoma was the only significant predictor for the success of the therapy (0.007, SE 0.004, P = 0.040)., Conclusions: The initial experience looks promising with an 85% success rate, which precludes risky re-resections with redo anastomosis or Hartmann's procedure. Despite the good initial results, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn because of the small sample size and the lack of high-quality comparative studies., (Colorectal Disease © 2019 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.)

Background: Currently, the open abdomen technique is the widely recognised method for treatment of life-threatening trauma, intra-abdominal sepsis, abdominal compartment syndrome and wound dehiscence. The techniques for temporary closure using negative pressure have gained increasing popularity. Although negative pressure wound therapy has been proved as an effective method in trauma, the results in diffuse peritonitis are contradictory., Methods: Overall, 108 patients with diffuse peritonitis and open abdomen were prospectively enrolled from January 2006 to December 2013--69 treated with mesh-foil laparostomy without negative pressure and 49 with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC(®)) The primary endpoints were the rate of primary fascial closure and mortality. The secondary outcomes were the rate of complications--enteroatmospheric fistulas, intra-abdominal abscesses, wound infection and necrotising fasciitis, intensive care unit (ICU) and overall hospital stay., Results: VAC was associated with higher overall (73% vs 53%) and late primary fascial closure rates (31% vs 7%), lower rates of necrotising fasciitis (2% vs 15%, p=0.012), intra-abdominal abscesses (10% vs 20%), enteroatmospheric fistulas (8% vs 19%), overall mortality (31% vs 53%, p<0.05), shorter ICU (6.1 vs 10.6 days, p=0.002) and hospital stay (15.1 vs 25.9 days, p=0.000)., Conclusions: The results clearly suggest the obvious advantage of VAC in comparison to the temporary abdominal closure without negative pressure in the cases with severe diffuse peritonitis. However, to a large extent, our results might be attributed to the combination of VAC with dynamic fascial closure., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/)

External fistulization or subcutaneous rupture of liver echinococcal cyst (EC) is found occasionally with total of 15 cases reported in the literature. We report a case of 60-year-old female previously misdiagnosed as fistulizated osteomyelitis of the 11(th) rib. At computed tomography scan, non-vital EC was noted in the third liver segment. Under suspicion of external fistulization of perforated EC the patient underwent one-stage operation-pericystectomy and complete fistula excision. A retrospective analysis of the reported cases in the literature was performed with special references to classifying this rare entity. The main purpose of this report is to highlight the possibility of such a diagnosis when cutaneous fistula occurs in a same anatomic area with hydatid EC, even that cyst is proven to be calcified. We emphasize the role of a swift and radical surgical procedure including complete fistula excision to prevent secondary dissemination and post-operative complications.

In the past decades considerable improvements in diagnostic imaging procedures, surgical technique and perioperative intensive care treatment have lead to a significant decrease in perioperative mortality and morbidity after pancreatic resection. This lead to an expansion of the indications for pancreatoduodenectomy. Little data exist in the literature on emergency pancreatoduodenectomy in non-trauma patients. We present a 43-year-old woman with extensive bleeding from papilla of Vater after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with papillosphincterotomy. During the surgical exploration a tumor mass on the head of the pancreas was observed and a pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. On day 7 after the operation pancreatic leakage was observed and conservative therapy was administrated. Two weeks later the patient was released from the hospital in good health. Emergency pancreatoduodenectomy may be considered in institutions with extensive experience in these procedures, where cooperation of the invasive gastroenterologists and the abdominal surgeons, long experience of the surgeon and intensive reanimation care are present.

Mesenteric cystic lymphangiomas (MCLs) are rare benign cystic tumours of unknown aetiology, most often seen in paediatric patients. The clinical presentation is diverse, ranging from an incidentally discovered abdominal cyst to symptoms of acute abdomen. A 20-year-old male presented with generalised abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting of several hours duration following heavy lifting. Emergency laparotomy revealed a 15 x 10 x 8-cm pedicled cystic mass of the mid-ileal mesentery, causing a volvulus. The cyst and a 20-cm gangrenous intestinal segment were resected with anastomosis. The postoperative course was uncomplicated. MCLs should be included in the differential diagnosis of cystic intra-abdominal lesions. Even when asymptomatic and discovered incidentally, they must be treated surgically because of the potential to grow, invade vital structures and develop life-threatening complications.

A number of investigations advocate various classification systems for liver hydatid cysts. However, none permits predicting the treatment outcome or making clinical decisions regarding medical treatment; open surgery; punction, aspiration, injection, reaspiration (PAIR); or laparoscopy. An international hydatid disease registry employing an uniform nomenclature and consistent reporting methods would allow more rational comparison of different management strategies. TN(R)C (topography, nature, recurrent, complication) classification is a comprehensive system based on four criteria: location (T), natural history (N), recurrence (R) and complications (C) of the cyst. This pictorial review illustrates the classification and puts accent of its clinical usefulness. The TN(R)C classification provides a standardized description formula of every liver hydatid cyst, permitting multiple comparisons and analyses.

Only two cases of appendicitis in strangulated obturator hernia have been previously reported. In the present case, an 83-year-old woman had fatal anaerobic myonecrosis of the thigh that resulted from gangrenous appendicitis in the right obturator foramen. Early diagnosis, prompt surgical intervention, and perioperative resuscitation are critical for survival in a case of appendicitis in a strangulated obturator hernia with thigh sepsis, especially when it occurs in an elderly, emaciated female patient.

Isolated infection and/or gangrene of the round and falciform liver ligaments is among the rarest causes of acute abdomen. The diagnosis is based on demonstrating localized or patchy inflammatory or gangrenous changes in the ligaments without apparent etiology. We report the case of an 18-year-old male who presented with a 24-hour history of generalized abdominal pain and distention, nausea, and vomiting. With a preoperative diagnosis of probable perforated duodenal ulcus and generalized peritonitis the patient underwent emergency surgery. Multiple patchy gangrenous areas of the round and falciform ligaments were found starting from the umbilicus up to the hepatic hilum. The ligaments were resected in toto. The patient's postoperative course was unremarkable. No apparent etiology of the condition was found. We provide the first extensive review of the world literature. Isolated infection and/or gangrene of the round and falciform liver ligaments should be suspected in patients with upper abdominal complaints when imaging studies demonstrate ligament abnormality, tumor, or fluid. Treatment is only surgical. Depending on surgeon's expertise, patient's condition, and severity and extent of disease either open or laparoscopic surgery may be performed.

Background: We present our experience with a unique type of foreign body that was specifically designed to arrest in its passage and cause perforation of the gastrointestinal tract., Study: Between 1994 and 1999, nine male prisoners from the same jail presented after ingestion of "crosses." A cross is constructed from the two halves of a standard paperclip that are tied together with a rubber band. The resulting construction is elastic: the two branches can be pulled to lie parallel, but they assume their original position once released. The cross is wrapped into paper with its branches parallel and ingested. After release from the wrapper, it "opens" and causes bowel perforations., Results: All patients underwent emergency surgery for foreign body removal and treatment of peritonitis. A total of 19 crosses were removed from the patients. Six (32%) were found in the stomach; five, in the duodenum (28%); three, in the jejunum and ileum (16%); and one, in the pylorus and colon. There was no morbidity or mortality., Conclusions: Foreign bodies of this type never pass distally. The ultimate key to success in the management of patients who have ingested crosses is emergency surgical intervention.

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the small intestine. A case of Meckel's diverticulum duplication is described, believed to be the first report of this kind in the literature.

We describe a unique case of combined thoracic and subcutaneous splenosis.

Background/aims: Idiopathic perforation of the small intestine is extremely rare. The definition depends on the absence of any detectable pathology that could be responsible for the perforation. This study was undertaken to outline the criteria for determination of the condition., Methods: Case report and review of the literature., Results: A 50-year-old male patient underwent surgery including laparostomy and planned reexplorations for multiple recurrent small intestinal perforations of unknown origin; the patient made an uneventful recovery. Extensive investigations were carried out to search for any pathology that could explain the occurrence of perforations, but yielded no results., Conclusions: Further studies will possibly give more information concerning idiopathic perforation of the small intestine, provided that judicious criteria for its determination are applied., (Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Gaining access to deeply located hydatid cysts of the liver using conventional surgical techniques may be accompanied by significant intra- and postoperative complications. In addition, obliteration of the cyst cavity is still a matter of controversy. We developed a novel method for easy access to deep hydatid cysts using a water jet dissector (Parenchimotom 01, TOSA, Pleven, Bulgaria). At pressure of 20 Bar using a 0.2 mm nozzle, a corridor is created through the liver parenchyma overlying the cyst; vessels and biliary duct are thus clearly displayed as linear structures traversing the corridor and are ligated and divided under direct visual control. The fibrous capsule of the cyst is spared by the jet. Following endocystectomy performed in the ordinary manner, the cyst cavity is filled with gelatin sponge; a passive tube drain is placed in contact with the liver incision. In allowing for a selective dissection of the liver parenchyma, the jet makes safe access to deeply located hydatid cysts possible. On the other hand, the gelatin sponge induces good fibroblast response and assists in rapid and effective obliteration of the residual cavity. This novel technique works well in our hands but more extensive studies are necessary before its final acceptance.