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We report a case of intestinal schistosomiasis manifesting as colonic intussusception resulting from a mucocele of the appendix, caused by the obstruction of appendiceal outflow by schistosome egg-induced fibrosis. An 81-year-old woman from China presented with a tender right iliac fossa mass and computed tomography (CT) showed intussusception in the ascending colon. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed an appendiceal mass causing intussusception of the cecum into the ascending colon, with the appendix as the lead point, and lymphnode enlargement. We performed a right hemicolectomy for the appendiceal tumor. However, histologic examination revealed schistosoma eggs within the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis propria, and subserosal fat of the appendix, cecum, and ascending colon, and lymph nodes. The absence of dysplasia in the appendiceal mucosa indicated that the mucocele had developed from fibrosis induced by schistosome eggs obstructing the luminal outflow of mucin. Postoperatively, the patient was given praziquantel and recovered well.

Pseudoaneurysm from intravenous drug abuse continues to pose significant challenges to surgeons worldwide, ranging from an accurate diagnosis to the choice of surgery. The aims of surgery must be to achieve adequate débridement and control infection and hemorrhage. Any associated postoperative complications must be identified and dealt with.

Introduction: We present a retrospective descriptive study of cases admitted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital from March 2005 to October 2005 with complications of Subutex abuse. Clinical Picture: A total of 8 patients were studied. Of the 8, 7 were male and one was female. Their complications consist of the following: arterial pseudoaneurysm (2), arterial pseudoaneurysm with infective venous thrombus (1), infective venous thrombus (1), venous thrombus (2), end arterial spasms (1) and sympathetic dystrophy (1). Treatment: For the patient who presented with buprenorphine-associated neuropathy, non-operative treatment with analgesics was given. Conservative medical therapy involving deep venous thrombosis treatment was instituted for the patient with deep venous thrombosis. Repair, restorative bypass and embolectomy surgery were performed for patients who had severe embolic/thrombotic complications. One of the patients who received the above surgery required amputation of his lower limb. Outcome: Of the 8 patients, 4 were treated medically, 3 required surgery and 1 required amputation. Their recoveries were uneventful. Of the 8, 1 absconded and was not followed up with. Conclusion: Parenteral injection of buprenorphine can cause a wide range of vascular complications from simple vascular irritation to severe infective thrombosis and pseudoaneurysms requiring limb amputations. Non-sterile preparation of an injected substance or non-sterile injection sites and the repeated punctures of major vessels are possible culprits in those who are seen to have acute infection of injection sites. Key words: Femoral vein, Heroin, Pseudoaneurysm, Thrombus