Varicoceles: the diagnostic dilemma

Clinical examination of the scrotum remains the most commonly used technique to diagnose varicoceles. However, scrotal anatomy (eg, thick scrotum, scarring, hydrocele) in some men may make physical examination alone unreliable. In these situations, imaging (eg, ultrasound, Doppler imaging, venography) may be used to diagnose a varicocele. The dilemma is that there are no widely accepted or used criteria to diagnose a varicocele based on imaging. This paper reviews the different imaging techniques used and the accuracy of each in diagnosing a varicocele.     

Cutaneous tuberculosis: a diagnostic dilemma

Cutaneous tuberculosis continues to be one of the most difficult conditions to diagnose. It is a challenge particularly in developing countries due to the lack of resources. The authors define the classification and clinical manifestations considered predictive of its diagnosis.     

Urethral diverticula: a diagnostic dilemma

OBJECTIVE: To review the urethral diverticula encountered in a tertiary-referral urogynaecology unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The case-notes of all women who had a diverticulectomy between March 1996 and May 2001 were reviewed. Demographic details, symptoms at presentation, duration of symptoms before diagnosis, investigations, operative details, postoperative complications and symptoms at follow-up were considered. RESULTS: In all, 18 women had had a urethral diverticulectomy. The median (range) time from presentation to diagnosis was 9.5 (2-96) months. The symptoms before surgery were variable; after surgery there were significant improvements in the symptoms of frequency, terminal dribbling and recurrent urinary tract infections (P < 0.05). There was no improvement in urgency, urge incontinence, nocturia and stress incontinence. Eleven of the 18 diverticula were palpable on vaginal examination. Video cysto-urethrography was used in 15 women and the diverticulum was seen in 14. In addition, seven women had additional lower urinary tract pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Urethral diverticula have no classical presentation; they often present with many symptoms and it is important that the diagnosis is not overlooked. Video cysto-urethrography is a good diagnostic test and allows the simultaneous evaluation of function of the whole of the lower urinary tract.     

Duodenal gastrinoma: a diagnostic dilemma

Preoperative assessment and localization is crucial in the management and outcome of patients with duodenal gastrinoma. Localization can be challenging because of small size and variable location. We describe our experience of managing 1 such patient by localizing the lesion during the preoperative period. Side-viewing endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy determined the exact location of the tumor, which was confirmed during surgery on palpation, endoscopic transillumination, and duodenotomy. Antrectomy was performed, and the patient was asymptomatic after 8 months of follow-up and did not require antisecretory medications. His serum gastrin levels returned to normal during the postoperative period.     

Spinal pseudomeningocoele: a diagnostic dilemma

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To describe the difficulty in diagnosing spinal pseudomeningocoele. SETTING: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. CASE REPORT: A case of progressive sacral swelling in a paraplegic man who sustained spinal cord injury 14 years ago is presented. Although his clinical features were suggestive of pseudomeningocoele, we were unable to confirm the diagnosis preoperatively. CONCLUSION: Traumatic spinal pseudomeningocoele is very rare. Even with the available modern diagnostic imaging techniques, it is still difficult to diagnose a spinal pseudomeningocoele.     

The diagnostic dilemma of renal angiomyolipoma

The diagnosis of renal angiomyolipoma has always been difficult to make preoperatively. When the clinical and radiologic features are highly suggestive of an angiomyolipoma, the surgeon may resort to open renal frozen-section biopsy in an attempt to avoid unnecessary radical nephrectomy. The authors report two cases of renal angiomyolipoma that highlight the diagnostic problems of the tumour and the difficulty in differentiating it from renal adenocarcinoma. This is a major problem for urologists in centres where facilities for computerized axial tomography are unavailable.     

Peripelvic abscesses: a diagnostic dilemma

Acute hematogenous peripelvic infections are common in tropical climates. However, in more temperate regions, this is a rare and often overlooked diagnosis. Because of the subtle and subacute nature of the symptoms, the diagnosis is often delayed. We report our experience with nine children treated for a hematogenous peripelvic infection. The hospital and clinic charts were reviewed of nine consecutive patients with the diagnosis of a peripelvic abscess. Patients ranged in age from 2 to 13 years. Symptoms were present from 5 to 20 days. The most consistent symptom was a hip-flexion pseudocontracture (eight patients). The initial diagnosis was correct in only three patients. Computed tomography (CT) scan was diagnostic in all nine patients, providing diagnosis and localization. Seven of the nine patients underwent irrigation and debridement followed by a variable course of intravenous (i.v.) and oral antibiotics. All seven had rapid resolution of their symptoms. Two patients were treated with i.v. antibiotics alone, one of whom had a recurrence of symptoms. All nine patients had microbiologic confirmation of the infecting organisms [seven at surgery, one from blood cultures, one from sacroiliac (SI) joint aspiration]. Eight of the nine were infected by Staphylococcus aureus and one by group A Streptococcus. All had complete resolution of their symptoms at follow-up. Although acute retrofascial abscesses are rare in temperate climates, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis in the child with lower abdominal or hip pain. CT scan was the most helpful diagnostic test in these patients. Surgical drainage resulted in the most consistent results in this small series of patients.     

Granulomatous mastitis — a diagnostic dilemma

Granulomatous lobular mastitis is a rare benign breast disease. It is characterized by chronic, non-caseating granulomatous lobulitis. It may be misdiagnosed as a carcinoma of the breast and may lead to mastectomy. Diagnostic criteria include-A) Granulomatous infl ammation with multinucleated giant cells, epithelioid histiocytes. B) It is centered on lobules with minor ductal and periductal infl ammation. C) It nearly always follows the pregnancy. A case of GLM, which was treated with local excision and postoperative steroid therapy is being reported to increase awareness amongst surgeons and pathologist.     

The diagnostic dilemma of diaphragm injury

Prompt diagnosis of acute traumatic injury to the diaphragm remains a challenge when the admission chest X-ray is unrevealing and immediate laparotomy or thoracotomy is not indicated. Diagnostic delay may contribute to significant morbidity and mortality. A retrospective review of our 15-year experience with diaphragm injury (DI) revealed 13 patients (nine male/four female; mean age, 40 +/- 34 years) who sustained injuries to the left (77%) and right (23%) diaphragm respectively as a result of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) (69%), penetrating trauma (30%), and pedestrian-versus-car accidents (1%). Nine (69%) patients with timely diagnosis of DI underwent laparotomy for suggestive chest X-rays or other indications for immediate exploration. Four (31%) patients sustaining blunt trauma had DI missed on initial evaluation; all patients had initial radiographic evaluations of the chest and abdomen which ascribed abnormalities to intrathoracic pathology. In the one-day delay the diagnosis (right sided) was made at exploratory laparotomy for persistent abdominal pain. This 74-year-old patient, who also had sustained a duodenal injury, succumbed to sepsis. In the 17-day delay the patient had two chest CT scans and multiple bronchoscopies yet failed to wean from the ventilator before exploratory laparotomy which revealed the diagnosis. The third patient sustained multiple injuries after a MVC and underwent multiple imaging studies and back stabilization before discharge. Ten years later, after multiple negative gastrointestinal workups for abdominal pain a contrast study finally diagnosed herniated transverse colon in the left chest. This patient underwent successful repair via laparotomy. The fourth delayed diagnosis was made in a 72-year-old women who had been involved in an MVC 8 years earlier and had sustained multiple back fractures. She is scheduled for exploration in the near future. DI particulary after blunt trauma and on the right side may be missed in the absence of other indications for immediate surgery because radiographic abnormalities of the diaphragm particularly on the right are often attributed to thoracic pathology or may be absent initially. A high index of suspicion for DI may help lead to an earlier diagnosis especially when the patient's clinical condition fails to improve.     

Decisions to operate: the ASA grade 5 dilemma

INTRODUCTION

Deciding to operate on high risk patients suffering catastrophic surgical emergencies can be problematic. Patients are frequently classed as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade 5 and, as a result, aggressive but potentially lifesaving intervention is withheld. The aim of our study was to review the short-term outcomes in patients who were classed as ASA grade 5 but subsequently underwent surgery despite this and to compare the ASA scoring model to other predictors of surgical outcome.

METHODS

All patients undergoing emergency surgery with an ASA grade of 5 were identified. Patient demographics, indications for surgery, intraoperative findings and outcomes were recorded. In addition to the ASA scores, retrospective Portsmouth Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity (P POSSUM) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores were calculated and compared to the observed outcomes.

RESULTS

Nine patients (39%) survived to discharge. ASA grade was a poor predictor of outcome. P POSSUM and APACHE II scores correlated significantly with each other and with observed outcomes when predicting surgical mortality. The median stay for survivors in the intensive care unit was nine days.

CONCLUSIONS

In times of an ageing population, the number of patients suffering catastrophic surgical events will increase. Intervention, with little hope of a cure, a return to independent living or an acceptable quality of life, leads to unnecessary end-of-life suffering for patients and their relatives, and consumes sparse resources. The accuracy and reliability of ASA grade 5 as an outcome predictor has been questioned. P POSSUM and APACHE II scoring systems are significantly better predictors of outcome and should be used more frequently to aid surgical decision-making in high risk patients.     

Unusual knee swelling: a diagnostic dilemma

Haemangioma is a common benign soft tissue tumour. Intramuscular haemangiomas are rare but pose quite a diagnostic challenge. An intramuscular haemangioma can be confused with other soft tissue swellings including abscess. We present a case report of swelling around the knee in an adolescent patient, which was ultimately diagnosed and treated as intramuscular haemangioma of the quadriceps muscle.     

Cecal diverticulitis: A continuing diagnostic dilemma

Cecal diverticulitis is a rare entity and remains a difficult diagnostic problem. A retrospective review was undertaken of 16 patients (11 men, 5 women; average age, 33.2 years) with a pathologic diagnosis of cecal or right colon diverticulosis who received treatment from 1979 to the present. Preoperative symptoms were difficult to distinguish from appendicitis. The majority complained of right lower quadrant pain and tenderness. Diagnostic studies were not helpful. Preoperative diagnosis was appendicitis in 88% (14 of 16) and correct in 1 patient (6%). At exploratory celiotomy, the surgeon was able to make the diagnosis of cecal diverticulitis in 9 (60%) of the 15 patients in whom the correct diagnosis had not been made preoperatively. Neoplasm was suspected in 5 patients, and an appendiceal abscess was suspected in 1. Treatment was colectomy in 9 and local excision in 4 patients. In 3 patients, the inflamed diverticulum was left in situ at initial exploration; all underwent later excision, one of these urgently for sepsis. No patient died; however, one anastomotic leak requiring reoperation occurred. On the basis of this experience, we recommend excisional therapy in all cases in which the intraoperative diagnosis is certain. Suspicion of a neoplastic process continues to prompt colectomy in an emergency setting.

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Resumen La diverticulitis cecal es una entidad clínica rara que continúa siendo un problema diagnóstico difícil. Se realizó la revisión retrospectiva en 16 pacientes (11 hombres, 5 mujeres; promedio de edad 33.2 años) con el diagnóstico patológico de diverticulosis cecal o del colon derecho, tratados entre 1979 y el presente. Los síntomas preoperatorios fueron difíciles de diferenciar de apendicitis; la mayoría presentaba dolor, espontáneo y a la palpación, sobre el cuadrante inferior derecho del abdomen. Los estudios diagnósticos no fueron de ayuda. El diagnóstico preoperatorio fue apendicitis en 87% (14 de 16) de los casos, y correcto en 1 paciente (6%). En la celiotomía exploratoria el cirujano pudo establecer el diagnóstico en 9 (60%) de 15 pacientes en quienes el diagnóstico correcto no fue establecido preoperatoriamente. Se sospechó neoplasma en 5, y absceso apendicular en 1. El tratamiento consitió en colectomía en 9 y resección local en 4. El divertículo inflamado fue dejado in situ en la exploración inicial en 3; en todos se practicó resección local más tarde, uno de ellos de urgencia por sepsis. Ningún paciente murió; sin embargo, se presentó una falla anastomótica que requirió reoperación. Con base en esta experiencia, nosotros recomendamos resección en todos los casos en los cuales hay certeza en cuanto al diagnóstico intraoperatorio. La sospecha de un proceso neoplásico continúa motivando la colectomia en la situatión de emergencia.

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Résumé La diverticulite cécale est une entité rare qui pose un délicat problème diagnostique. On a fait l'étude rétrospective de 16 patients (11 hommes, 5 femmes; âge moyen 33.2 ans) qui, avec un diagnostic de diverticulose du caecum ou du côlon droit confirmé par l'examen anatomopathologique, ont été traités de 1979 à aujourd'hui. La plupart d'entre eux se plaignaient de douleur spontanée et provoquée dans la fosse iliaque droite. Les investigations à visée diagnostique n'ont pas donné de résultats. Le diagnostic avant l'intervention était appendicite pour 87% des patients et juste chez un (6%). A la laparotomie exploratrice, le chirurgien est arrivé à poser le diagnostic de diverticulite cécale chez 9 (60%) des 15 patients pour lesquels le bon diagnostic n'avait pas été suggéré avant l'intervention. Une néoplasie était évoquée pour 5 patients et un abcès appendiculaire pour un. Le traitement a été la colectomie pour 9 patients et l'excision locale pour 4. Chez 3 patients, le diverticule inflammatoire a été laissé en place à la première intervention; tous ont eu une excision par la suite, l'un d'entre eux en urgence pour sepsis. Il n'y a pas eu de mort; mais une fuite anastomotique dans un cas a nécessité une nouvelle intervention. D'après ces données, nous recommandons l'exérèse pour tous les cas où le diagnostic peropératoire est sûr. Soupçonner un processus néoplasique conduit à la colectomie en urgence.