Apostolos Gogakos

Massive ovarian oedema: a misleading clinical entity

BackgroundMassive ovarian oedema is a rare non-neoplastic clinicopathologic entity has a higher incidence in women during their second and third life decade. The oedema can be presented in one or both ovaries as a result of partial intermittent torsion of the ovarian pedicle that interferes to the venal and lymphatic drainage of the ovary.Case presentationWe present a clinical case of a 16 year old with massive ovarian oedema and we performed a review of the literature. The pathophysiology of this entity is very complex. We tried to perform a complete review of the literature and focus on the complexity of this entity as far as its pathophysiological backround is concerned and as far as its clinical presentation is concerned.ConclusionsIn conclusion, massive ovarian oedema is a rare, multi disease mimicking clinical entity, with an acute or progressive clinical presentation. It has also to be a part of our differential diagnosis in cases of acute abdominal pain and we have to try to treat her conservatively, in order to preserve fertility.

Burnout syndrome and job satisfaction in Greek residents: exploring differences between trainees inside and outside the country

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study is to investigate the levels of burnout among Greek residents, highlighting potential differences between those practicing at home and abroad, as well as to investigate correlations with demographic, individual and labor factors. METHODS The research was conducted on a sample of 131 residents, using an anonymous questionnaire which included demographic, individual and labor characteristics, Maslachs Burnout Inventory, questions regarding job and life satisfaction levels, working conditions and the impacts of the economic recession. RESULTS Fifty two point seven percent of the sample were training in the Greek National Health Service (N.H.S.), 27.5% in Germany and 19.8% in the United Kingdom. One out of three residents in the Greek system showed high levels of burnout in all three dimensions of the syndrome, while 51.1%, 72.2% and 30.8% of the Greek, British and German team, respectively, appeared burnt out simultaneously in two dimensions. Levels of job and life satisfactions ranged on average, while workload appeared heavy. CONCLUSIONS The occurrence of burnout was associated with gender, specialty, employment characteristics (working hours, autonomy, support etc.), proneness to accidents, country, job satisfaction and quality of life, but was not associated with age or marital status. No correlation was found with susceptibility to medical errors.

Surgical anatomy of the internal thoracic arteries and their branching pattern: a cadaveric study

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study is to review the anatomic characteristics of internal thoracic artery (ITA) and its branches, in order to pursue the extension of its utilization and avoid intraoperative and postoperative complications. METHODS The study was carried out on anterior chest walls obtained during routine autopsies of 50 specimens (30 male, 20 female). Macroscopic and microscopic dissection was performed and the following were studied: origin, length and termination of ITA, size and distance from the sternum, and types of branches. RESULTS From the origin to the termination point, the length of the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) varied from 159 to 220 mm; with a mean of 182.60 mm. The length of the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) varied from 150 to 231 mm; with a mean of 185 mm. Four types of branches were distinguished. The RITA mean diameter was 2.31 mm, measured at the 2(nd) intercostal space, while the distance from the sternum was 12.77 mm, measured at the 3(rd) intercostal space. The LITA mean diameter was 1.98 mm with the distance from the sternum measured at 12.01 mm. CONCLUSIONS ITA has become the primary conduit for cardiac bypass surgery; many studies have generated fundamental anatomical knowledge for its clinical utilization, which is always useful in order to avoid intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery reduces early postoperative stress. A single-institutional prospective randomized study

Background Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been shown to effectively reduce postoperative pain, enhance mobilization of the patients, shorten in-hospital length of stay, and minimize postoperative morbidity rates. The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate neuroendocrine and respiratory parameters as stress markers in cancer patients who underwent lung wedge resections, using both mini muscle-sparing thoracotomy and VATS approach. Methods The patients were randomly allocated into two groups: Group A (n=30) involved patients who were operated on using the VATS approach, while in group B (n=30), the mini muscle-sparing thoracotomy approach was used. Neuroendocrine and biological variables assessed included blood glucose levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, cortisol, epinephrine, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. Arterial oxygen (PaO2) and carbon dioxide (PaCO2) partial pressure were also evaluated. All parameters were measured at the following time points: 24 hours preoperatively (T1), 4 hours (T2), 24 hours (T3), 48 hours (T4), and 72 hours (T5), after the procedure. Results PaO2 levels were significantly higher 4 and 24 hours postoperatively in group A vs group B, respectively (T2: 94.3 vs 77.9 mmHg, P=0.015, T3: 96.4 vs 88.7 mmHg, P=0.034). Blood glucose (T2: 148 vs 163 mg/dL, P=0.045, T3: 133 vs 159 mg/dL, P=0.009) and CRP values (T2: 1.6 vs 2.5 mg/dL, P=0.024, T3: 1.5 vs 2.1 mg/dL, P=0.044) were found increased in both groups 4 and 24 hours after the procedure. However, their levels were significantly lower in the VATS group of patients. ACTH and cortisol values were elevated immediately after the operation and became normal after 48 hours in both groups, without significant difference. Postoperative epinephrine levels measured in group A vs group B, respectively, (T2: 78.9 vs 115.6 ng/L, P=0.007, T3: 83.4 vs 122.5 ng/L, P=0.012, T4: 67.4 vs 102.6 ng/L, P=0.021). The levels were significantly higher in group B. Conclusion This study confirmed that minimally invasive thoracic surgery, by means of VATS, significantly reduces the acute-phase response and surgical stress, while enables better postoperative oxygenation.

Heimlich valve and pneumothorax

The Heimlich valve is a small one-way valve used for chest drainage that empties into a flexible collection device and prevents return of gases or fluids into the pleural space. The Heimlich valve is less than 13 cm (5 inches) long and facilitates patient ambulation. Currently there are several systems in the market. It can be used in many patients instead of a traditional water seal drainage system. The Heimlich chest drainage valve was developed so that the process of draining the pleural cavity could be accomplished in a safe, relatively simple, and efficient manner. This valve system has replaced the cumbersome underwater drainage bottle system. Moreover; the Heimlich valve system connects to chest tubing and allows fluid and air to pass in one direction only. This system functions in any position, and it does not ever need to be clamped, a regulated suction can be attached to it if necessary. The valve drains into a plastic bag that can be held at any level, allowing the patient undergoing chest drainage to be ambulatory simply by carrying the bag. In the current mini review we will present the Heimlich valve system and method of insertion.

Percutaneous tracheostomy—beware of the thyroidea-ima artery

Percutaneous tracheostomy is a minimally invasive operation performed in patients, in order to provide an air passage through the windpipe. A rare cause of severe bleeding during such operation is the injury of the thyroidea-ima artery. This case report presents a patient with hemorrhage after thyroidea-ima injury during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. Surgeons should always be aware of such anatomic variation, in order to prevent urgent sternotomy.

Coexistence of squamous cell tracheal papilloma and carcinoma treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy: a case report

Background Papillomatosis presents, most frequently, as multiple lesions of the respiratory tract, which are usually considered benign. Malignant degeneration into squamous cell carcinoma is quite common, although curative approaches vary a lot in modern literature. Case report We report a case of a 66-year-old male patient with the coexistence of multiple squamous cell papilloma and carcinoma in the upper trachea with severe airway obstruction that was diagnosed through bronchoscopy and treated by performing an urgent tracheostomy, followed by concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. There was no evidence of recurrence after a 12-month follow-up period. Conclusion This study underlines the diagnostic and therapeutic value of bronchoscopy as well as multimodality palliative treatment in such cases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to describe an immediate treatment protocol with tracheostomy and concurrent chemotherapy/radiotherapy in a patient with squamous cell tracheal papilloma and carcinoma.

Double primary non-small cell lung cancer with synchronous small cell lung cancer N2 nodes: a case report

Synchronous multiple primary lung cancer (SMPLC) is rare and very hard to distinguish from metastatic disease. Recent studies indicate the presence of this entity in the lung, with no mention to the involvement of the mediastinum. An extremely rare case of a 68-year-old male with double primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the left upper lobe and N2 positive nodes for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is presented. Modern diagnostic criteria as well as aggressive curative strategies are encouraged, in order to achieve better survival rates for such patients.

Beware of hemopneumothorax following core needle breast biopsy

Minimal diagnostic procedures are conducted regularly by the radiologists for several lesions within the body. The usual methodology is biopsy with a needle, either fine needle aspiration or core biopsy. The guidance is under CT or U/S. Fine needle aspiration has usually small diameter in comparison to the core biopsy. In any case the radiologist will choose the appropriate method based on the site of the lesion and safety of the patient. Pneumothorax and hemothorax are adverse effects that can be managed either on site with the help of a small catheter, however; there are cases where video-assisted thoracic surgery is needed in order to manage a more severe case. In the current study we present such a case where video-assisted surgery was necessary.

Lung cancer induced from chemotherapy a 20 years old case

Lung cancer is diagnosed at a late stage although we have novel diagnostic tools. The association of smoking and other environmental factors are well known. However; there are cases where a malignancy is associated with previous radiation treatment. There is an association between radiotherapy treatment and cancer incidence. We present a case where lung cancer and laryngeal cancer was induced 20 years after radiation therapy of a hogkin lymphoma.