Introduction and backgroundThree dimensional (3D) printing has gained popularity in the medical field because of increased research in the field of haptic 3D modeling. We review the role of 3D printing with specific reference to liver directed applications.MethodsA literature search was performed using the scientific databases Medline and PubMed. We performed this in-line with the PRISMA [20] statement. We only included articles in English, available in full text, published about adults, about liver surgery and published between 2005 and 2015. The 3D model of a patient's liver venous vasculature and metastasis was prepared from a CT scan using Osirix software (Pixmeo, Gineva, Switzerland) and printed using our 3D printer (MakerBot Replicator Z18, US). To validate the model, measurements from the inferior vena cava (IVC) were compared between the CT scan and the 3D printed model.ResultsA total of six studies were retrieved on 3D printing directly related to a liver application. While stereolithography (STL) remains the gold standard in medical additive manufacturing, Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), is cheaper and may be more applicable. We found our liver 3D model made by FFF had a 0.1 ± 0.06 mm margin of error (mean ± standard deviation) compared with the CT scans.Conclusion3D printing in general surgery is yet to be thoroughly exploited. The most relevant feature of interest with regard to liver surgery is the ability to view the 3D dimensional relationship of the various hepatic and portal veins with respect to tumor deposits when planning hepatic resection.Systematic review registration number: researchregistry1348.

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Mesothelial inclusion cyst is a rare benign tumour that has only 130 cases reported in the literature. Accurate diagnosis and optimal management of this condition remains uncertain. We report a 51-year-old African gentleman, whom presents with abdominal pain and constipation. A computed tomography scan was performed and revealed a large cystic lesion in the right paracolic gutter. The differential diagnosis included appendiceal mucinous neoplasm, cystic tuberculosis and duplication cyst. A laparotomy was performed due to his symptoms and size of the cyst. Macroscopically, the tumour had a size of 25 × 10 × 10 cm and revealed a necrotic lymph node. It was resected en bloc with the appendix and an ileocolic anastomosis performed. Histology revealed a diagnosis of mesothelial inclusion cyst and acute appendicitis. The patient recovered well and had no recurrence at 2-year follow-up.

Introduction Motor vehicle crashes are common causes of blunt abdominal trauma in the 21st century. While splenic trauma occurs very frequently and thus there is a well-established treatment paradigm, traumatic pancreatic injuries are relatively infrequent, occurring in only 3–5% of traumas. This low incidence means physicians have reduced experience with this condition and there is still ongoing debate with regards to the best practice in managing pancreatic trauma. During severe trauma, the pancreas can be injured as a consequence of blunt and penetrating injury. This has an estimated mortality rate ranging from 9 to 34%. Methods A systematic review was performed using three scientific databases: Embase, Medline and Cochrane and in-line with the PRISMA statement. We included only articles published in English, available as full text and describing only adults. Keywords included: pancrea*, trauma, blunt, operative management and non-operative management. Results Three studies were found that directly compared operative versus non-operative management in blunt pancreatic trauma. Length of stay, mortality and rate of re-intervention were lower in the non-operative group compared to the operative group. However, the average grade of pancreatic injury was lower in the non-operative group compared to the operative group. Discussion Our results revealed that patients who undergo non-operative management tend to have lower grade of injuries and patients with higher grade of injury tend to be managed in an operative fashion. This could be likely due to the fact that higher grade of pancreatic injuries is often accompanied by other injuries such as hollow viscus injury and therefore require operative intervention. Conclusion Non-operative management is a safe approach for low-grade blunt pancreatic trauma without ductal injuries. However, more evidence is required to improve our understanding and treatment plans. We suggest a large international multicentre study combining data from multiple international trauma centres to collect adequate data.

Rare finding of a large parathyroid adenoma with thyroid aplasiaA 63-year-old lady presented with asymptomatic hypercalcaemia due to primary hyperparathyroidism. The previous history includes hypothyroidism since the age of 6 (on a total thyroxine replacement of 900 mcg/week), anterior mediastinal cyst, vitamin D deficiency and osteoarthritis.Routine blood examination performed by general practitioner (GP) found a serum calcium level of 3.06 mmol/L. Further workup showed parathyroid hormone (PTH) of 26 nmol/L and osteoporosis in the lumbar spine.Parathyroid scintigraphy with 99mTc-sestamibi (Fig. 1) revealed an methoxyisobutylisonitrile-avid right lower neck lesion with persistent uptake on delayed views, possibly within the right thyroid lobe. Computed tomography and ultrasound suggested an enlarged heterogeneous right thyroid lobe with cystic areas and absence of the left lobe.