Pancreatic pseudocyst: recommendations for operative and nonoperative management.

From 1983 to 1990, 76 patients with pancreatic pseudocyst (PP) were managed. Computed tomographic scan (CT) was the primary diagnostic tool (88%). Ethanol accounted for 71 per cent and biliary disease 6 per cent of the occurrence of PP. Thirty-eight patients required surgery and 37 were managed nonoperatively. Forty-four PP complications occurred in 29 patients (4 bleeding, 1 ruptured, 13 gastric outlet obstruction, 10 infected, 6 hyperbilirubinemia, 5 pancreatic ascites, 5 pulmonary insufficiency) at a range of 1 day to 5 weeks from diagnosis; all but one occurred during initial hospitalization. Indications for surgery included complications,12 nonresolution or persistence of symptoms,18 and expansion.9 Internal drainage was accomplished in 40 per cent, (half within 4 weeks of diagnosis), 40 per cent underwent distal resection, and 15 per cent external drainage. There were two deaths in the series. Chronic pancreatitis, gallstone etiology, and gastric outlet obstruction significantly correlated with surgical management of the PP. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was helpful in planning the surgical procedure; 70 per cent of those undergoing ERCP had their operative plan altered. Percutaneous drainage failed in six of eight cases. The authors conclude that nonoperative management is safe and effective in 50 per cent of PP patients, if close radiographic follow-up is maintained until resolution.     

Chondroma of the cervical spine. Case report

The authors report a case of cervical chondroma presenting with a syndrome of spinal cord compression in a 76-year-old woman. Total surgical removal of the lesion was followed by partial neurological recovery. Chondromas of the vertebral column are rarely reported in the literature.     

Osteochondroma of the cervical spine. Case report

Only 1 well-documented case of osteochondroma in the posterior elements of the cervical spine has been previously reported. Although unusual, osteochondroma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of benign appearing tumors in the cervical spine.     

Chondrosarcoma of the cervical spine. Case report.

The authors present a case of chondrosarcoma involving the lateral mass of the C-2 vertebra, treated by an apparent total removal of the tumor. A review of the literature revealed that these patients can be cured in a significant number of cases if a radical removal is accomplished.     

Heterotopic new bone formation in the cervical spine following head injury. Case report

Heterotopic new bone formation, associated with head injuries, usually affects the shoulder, elbow, and hip joints. The authors present a case with an unusual involvement of the cervical spine, confirmed by bone scanning and computerized tomography. Although the etiology of heterotopic new bone formation is not well understood, factors such as minor local trauma and increased release of growth hormone are considered as possible contributors. The role of drugs and surgery is discussed.     

Osteoid osteoma of the cervical spine. Case report

A case of osteoid osteoma involving the cervical vertebral pedicle is presented which reemphasizes the importance of complete removal of the nidus and the dramatic relief of symptoms following excision.     

Second primary malignancies in patients with cancer of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical study of second primary malignancies (SPM) in patients with cancer of the head and neck (HNC).Study design and setting Retrospective study over 48 patients with SPMs culled from 636 with HNC seen in 122 months. The minimum follow-up was 18 months, and the setting for the study was the institutional referral center. RESULTS: There was association between the sites of first and second tumor. The SPMs were diagnosed with a constant rate throughout the period of study. Five year-survival rate was 29%. SPM in an advanced stage either outside of the head and neck or synchronous had poor survival. CONCLUSION: The SPMs are a growing problem with better survival after treatment of the first malignancy. SIGNIFICANCE: Regular follow-up is necessary in HNC patients to improve their survival, giving special attention to the development of SPM.     

Displaced acetabular fractures: indications for operative and nonoperative management

Displaced acetabular fractures are a challenging problem. In contradistinction to most conditions in which surgery is based on specific operative indications, displaced acetabular fractures should be considered an operative problem unless specific criteria for nonoperative management are met. These include a congruent hip joint on the anteroposterior and oblique (Judet) radiographs, an intact weight-bearing surface (as defined by roof arc and subchondral arc measurements on computed tomographic scans), and a stable joint. The final decision about the treatment method must also consider the patients functional demands, expectations, and physical condition and the physicians experience and institutional support for dealing with this type of injury. Displaced both-column fractures with secondary congruence may have better results than other displaced fractures. In older patients, nonoperative management may be effectively utilized. Understanding the current criteria for effective use of nonoperative treatment will help the surgeon make these difficult decisions.     

Intradural extramedullary tuberculoma of the cervical spine. Case report

A case is reported of a 45-year-old man who developed quadriplegia following a trivial motor-vehicle accident. Investigation including computerized tomography (CT) of the cervical spine revealed a large calcified lesion displacing the spinal cord and nerve roots, which proved to be a tuberculoma. The case is unusual in regard to the age of the patient, the size, location, and nature of the lesion, the mode of presentation, and the delineation of the lesion by CT scanning.     

Inflammatory leiomyosarcoma of the head and neck: Case report

Introduction and importancePrimary sarcomas in the head and neck region are rare. Inflammatory leiomyosarcoma was first described in 1995. The case reported herein is the first reported inflammatory leiomyosarcoma occurring in the head and neck.Presentation of caseA 37-year-old male presented with a long history of an asymptomatic slowly enlarging neck mass. Examination revealed a firm mass in the lower third of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a lobulated, well-circumscribed tumour with malignant features. A wide local excision was performed and histopathological examination confirmed an inflammatory leiomyosarcoma.DiscussionInflammatory leiomyosarcoma is a recently described peculiar soft tissue tumour with histological features overlapping conventional leiomyosarcoma, and dense lymphocytic inflammation and immunohistochemical reactivity for both smooth and skeletal muscle markers. These are indolent tumours and wide local excision is curative.ConclusionThis case highlights the importance of considering primary sarcomas in the differential diagnosis of asymptomatic head and neck masses.     

Metastatic cardiac angiosarcoma of the cervical spine. Case report.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report of metastatic cardiac angiosarcoma of the cervical spine. OBJECTIVES: To show that this rare spine tumor behaves in the same manner as an arteriovenous malformation and embolization, which can allow for successful spine surgery, and to discuss the natural history and rarity of this tumor. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Primary angiosarcoma of the heart is a very rare tumor, with fewer than 200 reports in the English literature and nothing reported in the spine literature. RESULTS: The patient in this study initially sought treatment for neck pain, left arm pain, and weakness 17 months after cardiac surgery and subsequent chemotherapy. A cervical computed tomography scan demonstrated a C5 lytic vertebral body tumor with intracannilicular extension and cord compression. An anterior cervical approach was made, but the tumor was too vascular to resect, and surgery was aborted. The C5 vascular vertebral body metastasis subsequently was embolized successfully by an interventional neuroradiologist. Reoperation via an anterior approach with corpectomy, cadaveric fibula, and anterior locking plate internal fixation was successful, producing marked improvement in the patients' symptoms. CONCLUSION: Spinal involvement by primary cardiac angiosarcoma is very rare, and this is only the second operative case ever reported. The vascular nature of this tumor makes it behave in a manner similar to that of a high-flow arteriovenous malformation. Surgery should not be undertaken before preoperative angiography and embolization. The dismal prognosis for this rare malignancy is discussed.     

Intraoperative adjuvant radiotherapy for advanced cancers of the head and neck. Preliminary report

We have reported the early local control and survival results of treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck tumors with intraoperative brachytherapy. All six patients were locally free of disease after curative surgery and intraoperative brachytherapy for 4 months to 1 year, whereas two of eight patients were alive at last follow-up at 7 and 8 months with some complications after palliative surgery and intraoperative brachytherapy. We advocate such a technique not only in hopelessly advanced tumors but also in less advanced tumors, as well as a definitively integrated plan of management. Doses of iodine-125 of up to 15,000 rads are safe and well tolerated, even in the presence of a past history of radiotherapy.