Extraosseous Ewing sarcomas (EESs) are rare tumours originating from soft tissues. Their clinical picture depends mainly on the primary site of the sarcoma. Patient characteristics and outcomes seem to be different in EES compared to patients with skeletal Ewing sarcoma, with implications for patient care and prognosis. However, multimodality therapeutic strategies are recommended for all types of the Ewing tumour family. The available diagnostic tools include ultrasonographic evaluation and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging as well as histopathologic and immunohistochemical tissue examination. Several histologic and genetic biomarkers have been established, although their utilization needs to be further tested by larger prospective studies. Regarding localized disease, the recommended treatment remains surgery. However, chemotherapy can be added to achieve improved survival, with neoadjuvant regimens showing more promising results than adjuvant regimens. Radiotherapy is an option to obtain local control, although its complications have reduced its utilization. In metastatic or recurrent disease, systematic chemotherapy improves survival.
Introduction. Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is an uncommon surgical entity. We report a case of aggressive disease with an unusual clinical presentation and we analyze current data on diagnosis and management of PMP. Case Presentation. A 71-year-old male patient presented with intermittent diarrhea and loss of appetite during the last two months, without any other classic symptoms of PMP. The clinical examination was misleading due to patient's obesity. The radiological evaluation revealed ascites of the abdomen and possible mucocele of the appendix, whereas the laboratory exams showed high values of specific tumour markers. The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy for definite diagnosis. Biopsies and immunohistochemical examination confirmed the diagnosis of an aggressive and extended peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis (PMCA). The patient was programmed for adjuvant systematic chemotherapy, which was not completed due to progression of the disease. Conclusions. Progressed PMP can present with unspecific symptoms that mislead diagnosis. Cytoreductive surgery in combination with systematic chemotherapy could be appropriate for aggressive PMCA, even with an unfavourable prognosis.
Spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma (SRSH) is an uncommon medical emergency in the elderly. We present a case of SRSH with an atypical clinical presentation and discuss literature regarding diagnosis and proper management. A 75-year-old female patient was transferred to the emergency department due to acute dyspnoea and confusion. Her medical history revealed a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, and no coughing or use of anticoagulants. The clinical examination showed tenderness of the left lower abdomen, although palpation was misleading due to patient's obesity. Laboratory investigations showed light anaemia. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a large rectus sheath hematoma of the left abdominal wall. Despite further deterioration of the patient, conservative management including bed rest, fluid replacement, blood products transfusion, and proper analgesia was successful. No surgical intervention was needed. Prompt diagnosis and management of SRSH plays significant role in the prognosis, especially in elder patients. Independently of size and severity, conservative management remains the first therapeutic choice. Only by failure of supportive management, progressive and large hematoma or uncontrollable hemodynamic patients, interventional management including surgery or less invasive newer techniques is indicated.
INTRODUCTIONPseudocysts of the spleen are usually asymptomatic and associated with a history of trauma, infection or infarction. In this report, we present two uncommon cases of solitary, oversized pseudocysts of the spleen.PRESENTATION OF CASETwo patients (cases A and B), with symptoms of abdominal pain, were investigated. The laboratory and ultrasound examination confirmed the diagnosis of a large, non-parasitic splenic cyst in both cases. Computed tomography described an oversized pseudocyst occupying almost the entire splenic parenchyma in both cases and in patient A, the cyst was located in the splenic hilum. The medical history revealed a previous abdominal injury only in case A. The two patients underwent an open total splenectomy. The pathology examination verified the diagnosis of a non-parasitic splenic pseudocyst.DISCUSSIONBoth patients presented with symptoms, in contrast to the majority of patients with splenic cysts. The medical history of patients with splenic pseudocysts does not always reveal the cause of the pseudocyst formation. Any type of spleen-sparing procedure is not easy to perform in cases of surgical and anatomical difficulty, because of recurrence and the risk of intractable bleeding from the spleen.CONCLUSIONPartial splenectomy is the recommended method for parenchymal preservation, but total splenectomy is preferred when the splenic cyst is oversized or cannot be excised with safety.
Introduction: Rupture of the diaphragm is almost always due to major trauma. Diaphragmatic injuries are rare (5-7%), usually secondary to blunt, or more rarely to penetrating, thoracic or abdominal trauma. No single investigation provides a reliable diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture when a patient first arrives at hospital. Almost 33% are suspected on initial chest x-ray, but the percentage is lower in patients who are immediately intubated. Mortality in patients with diaphragmatic rupture following blunt abdominal trauma is generally associated with coexistent vascular and visceral injuries that could be rapidly fatal. It's mandatory that the right diagnosis is reached as soon as possible given that mortality is influenced by the time elapsing between trauma and diagnosis.
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