Yusuf Yagmur

Unusual histopathological findings in appendectomy specimens: A retrospective analysis and literature review

AIM To document unusual findings in appendectomy specimens. METHODS The clinicopathological data of 5262 patients who underwent appendectomies for presumed acute appendicitis from January 2006 to October 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Appendectomies performed as incidental procedures during some other operation were excluded. We focused on 54 patients who had unusual findings in their appendectomy specimens. We conducted a literature review via the PubMed and Google Scholar databases of English language studies published between 2000 and 2010 on unusual findings in appendectomy specimens. RESULTS Unusual findings were determined in 54 (1%) cases by histopathology. Thirty were male and 24 were female with ages ranging from 15 to 84 years (median, 32.2 ± 15.1 years). Final pathology revealed 37 cases of enterobiasis, five cases of carcinoids, four mucinous cystadenomas, two eosinophilic infiltrations, two mucoceles, two tuberculosis, one goblet-cell carcinoid, and one neurogenic hyperplasia. While 52 patients underwent a standard appendectomy, two patients who were diagnosed with tuberculous appendicitis underwent a right hemicolectomy. All tumors were located at the distal part of the appendix with a mean diameter of 6.8 mm (range, 4-10 mm). All patients with tumors were alive and disease-free during a mean follow-up of 17.8 mo. A review of 1366 cases reported in the English literature is also discussed. CONCLUSION Although unusual pathological findings are seldom seen during an appendectomy, all appendectomy specimens should be sent for routine histopathological examination.

Phytocontact dermatitis due to Ranunculus arvensis mimicking burn injury: report of three cases and literature review

Ranunculus arvensis (corn buttercup) is a plant species of the genus Ranunculus that is frequently used in the Far East to treat rheumatic diseases and several dermatological disorders. In Turkey, the plant is seen in the eastern and southeastern Anatolian highlands, which are underdeveloped areas of the country. Herein, we report three patients who used Ranunculus arvensis for the treatment of arthralgia and osteoarthritis. A distinctive phytodermatitis developed on the right thumb in one patient (48-year-old male), on the anterior aspect of both knees in another patient (70-year-old female) and all around both knees in a third (59-year-old female). The patients were treated with topical antibiotics and daily wound dressing, and none of them experienced any complications. Ranunculus arvensis was confirmed as the cause of the phytodermatitis in the three cases. Poultices of plants applied to the skin demonstrate beneficial effects on many dermatological and rheumatic diseases; however, they have several adverse effects that should not be ignored. In this study, we also present a review of 25 cases reported in the literature.

Giant Meckel's diverticulum: An exceptional cause of intestinal obstruction.

Meckels diverticulum (MD) results from incomplete involution of the proximal portion of the vitelline (also known as the omphalomesenteric) duct during weeks 5-7 of foetal development. Although MD is the most commonly diagnosed congenital gastrointestinal anomaly, it is estimated to affect only 2% of the population worldwide. Most cases are asymptomatic, and diagnosis is often made following investigation of unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding, perforation, inflammation or obstruction that prompt clinic presentation. While MD range in size from 1-10 cm, cases of giant MD (≥ 5 cm) are relatively rare and associated with more severe forms of the complications, especially for obstruction. Herein, we report a case of giant MD with secondary small bowel obstruction in an adult male that was successfully managed by surgical resection and anastomosis created with endoscopic stapler device (80 mm, endo-GIA stapler). Patient was discharged on post-operative day 6 without any complications. Histopathologic examination indicated Meckels diverticulitis without gastric or pancreatic metaplasia.

Mesenteric Inflammatory Pseudotumor: A Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review

PurposeThis study aims to provide an overview of the literature on mesenteric/omental inflammatory pseudotumors (IPTs).MethodologyWe present a new case of mesenteric IPT. We also conducted a systematic search of the English-language medical literature using PubMed, Medline, Google, and Google Scholar related to mesenteric or omental IPTs. The following search terms were used in various combinations: inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, IPT, mesentery, and omentum. The search included articles published in the English language between January, 1978 and April, 2014. Studies were excluded if the full text was unavailable or missing information prohibited comparisons.ResultsA total of 30 reports concerning 36 patients with inflammatory pseudotumors meeting the aforementioned criteria were included. The patients were aged from 10 months to 68 years (mean, 19.98 ± 20.5 years); 12 were female (16.75 ± 16.97 years; range, 10 months to 68 years) and 24 were male (21.6 ± 21.9 years; range, 18 months to 63 years). Detailed clinical and pathologic characteristics of 36 patients with IPTs are provided in Table 1.ConclusionIPTs may be definitively diagnosed only by histopathological examination and are most effectively treated by resection with negative surgical borders. No consensus has yet been reached regarding when nonsurgical treatment options are most appropriate in management of these lesions. IPTs often recur locally, while distant metastases are very rare. Postoperative close surveillance is essential to detect recurrences early.

Coexistence of abdominal cocoon, intestinal perforation and incarcerated Meckel's diverticulum in an inguinal hernia: A troublesome condition.

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare disease entity, in which the small intestine becomes encased and mechanically obstructed by a dense, fibrotic membrane. The disorder is characterized as either primary (idiopathic) or secondary to other causes. The idiopathic cases of SEP, which lack any identifiable etiology according to clinical, radiological and histopathological findings, are also reported under the designation of abdominal cocoon syndrome. The most frequent presenting symptoms of all SEP cases are nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention and inability to defecate, all of which are associated with the underlying intestinal obstruction. Persistent untreated SEP may advance to intestinal perforation, representing a life-threatening condition. However, preoperative diagnosis remains a particular clinical challenge, and most diagnoses are confirmed only when the typical fibrous membrane encasing the small intestine is discovered by laparotomy. Here, we report the clinical presentation of an 87-year-old male with signs of intestinal obstruction and the ultimate diagnosis of concurrent abdominal cocoon, right incarcerated Meckels diverticulum, and gastrointestinal perforation in laparotomy.

Breast ecchymosis: Unusual complication of an antidepressant agent

INTRODUCTION Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is safely used for treatment of psychosomatic disorders. Despite being associated with a low side effect profile, it has been reported to cause hematological side effects including vaginal bleeding, epistaxis, purpura, hematuria, intracranial bleeding, and rectal bleeding. Isolated breast ecchymosis is one of exceedingly rare SSRI-induced hematological abnormalities. PRESENTATION OF CASE In this case study, we report a case of left breast ecchymosis in a 75-year-old woman that developed in conjunction with use of the SSRI fluoxetine. DISCUSSION The use of SSRIs has surged over the past decades due to increased diagnosis and focus on clinical management of depression and anxiety disorders, especially in developed nations. The low side effect profiles of the eight currently marketed SSRI agents has further promoted their use in the general population. While the most commonly reported side effects are mild and relatively tolerable, a risk of SSRI-related abnormal bleeding exists and may represent a life-threatening side effect. The most frequent SSRI-related bleeding manifestation is ecchymosis, but cases of isolated breast ecchymosis are exceedingly rare and to date only one report of SSRI-induced breast ecchymosis is included in the publicly available literature. CONCLUSION Three factors may have played a role in lack of reports describing SSRI-induced breast ecchymosis in literature. First, SSRIs indeed very seldom cause breast ecchymosis; second, physicians are not aware of such a causal relationship; and third, physicians find this side effect not worth to publish.

Bochdalek hernia: A rare case report of adult age

Introduction Bochdalek hernia is the most common type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia and constitutes 85% of cases. Bochdalek hernia (BH) in adults is extremely rare. We present a BH case in an adult patient and discuss the literature. Presentation 22-year-old female patient with abdominal pain, occasional cramps, dysphagic problems, constipation, shortness of breath and choking for about 2 years applied to our clinic. Diagnosis A defect about 5 cm in the left hemidiaphragm posterior area and herniation of intra-abdominal fat plan in the left hemithorax was seen in intravenous and oral whole abdominal CT. Treatment Patient was operated laparoscopically. Transverse colon and a large portion of the omentum entering into hemidiaphragm were pulled in to intraperitoneal area carefully. Approximately 10 × 8 cm intraabdominal mesh was fixed to the defect area with the help of laparoscopic tacker. Conclusion Adult BH is very rare and when confronted laparoscopic treatment with mesh fixation can be performed safely.

Unusual location of hydatid cysts: a case report and literature review.

Hydatid cysts develop most frequently in the liver and lungs, but they are occasionally found in other organs. Hydatid cysts in the axillary space are an extremely rare event in areas where the disease is endemic, and are still common in many countries, including Turkey. A 73-year-old man presented to our clinic with a painful axillary mass. Thoracoabdominal computed tomography revealed multilocular cystic masses localized in the left axillary space, with minimal invasion of the peripheral soft tissue and no pulmonary or hepatic involvement. An echinococcal indirect hemagglutination test was negative. The masses were dissected through their stalks and removed completely. Macroscopic and microscopic examination of the specimens confirmed hydatid cysts. This case report demonstrates that hydatid cysts should be considered as a possible cause for palpable lesions in the axillary region or chest wall, especially in endemic locations.

Giant Splenic Artery Pseudoaneurysm: A Case Report and Literature Review

Splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs) are the third most frequent intra-abdominal aneurysm, following abdominal aorta and iliac artery aneurysms. SAAs are classified according to their involvement of arterial wall layers: true aneurysms involve all 3 layers (intima, media, and adventitia), and pseudoaneurysms involve only one or two. Herein we present a new case of giant pseudo SAA. A 65-year-old female patient with a pancreatic mass and iron deficiency was referred to our clinic for further investigation. Abdominal ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced CT and magnetic resonance imaging showed a lesion resembling a subcapsular hemangioma in the spleen, and aneurysmatic dilation of the splenic artery with a diameter of >5 cm. The large size of the aneurysm and the clinical findings were indications for surgical treatment. The patient underwent en bloc resection of the spleen, distal pancreas, and aneurysmatic segment of the splenic artery. The patient remains complication-free 2 months after the operation. Spontaneous rupture is the most important life-threatening complications of giant SAAs. Therefore, all symptomatic patients with SAA should be treated, as well as asymptomatic patients with lesions ≥2 cm, who are pregnant or fertile, have portal hypertension, or are candidates for liver transplantation. Despite advances in endovascular techniques, conventional abdominal surgery remains the gold standard for treatment.

Actinomyces-induced inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the colon: A rare cause of an abdominal mass: Akbulut et al. inflammatory myofibroblastictumor due to actinomyces spp.

Highlights • Abdominal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMFT) macroscopically appear as mass lesions that grow slowly and sometimes cause destruction of adjacent structures. The exact diagnosis can only be made with histopathological examination of permanent tissue. Resection with negative surgical borders is the most suitable surgical technique. The same principles also apply to IMFT developing on the basis of actinomycosis because it is quite difficult to predict at the preoperative period that the lesion developed secondary to actinomycosis. The diagnosis is almost always made with histopathological examinations. Affected patients should receive prolonged antibiotherapy once the diagnosis is confirmed.