Reoperation after cholecystectomy. The role of the cystic duct stump

The so-called "Postcholecystectomy Syndrome" may be due to various pathological biliary causes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of the cystic duct stump syndrome and if so, how often a long (greater than 1.5 cm) cystic duct stump was an indication for reoperation on the bile ducts after cholecystectomy in our patients. Three hundred and twenty two patients underwent a second operation on the bile ducts after cholecystectomy in the last ten years. In 35 patients (10.8%) a striking findings was a long cystic duct stump (greater than 1.5 cm). In 24 of these patients, a pathological finding, in addition to the long cystic duct stump, was found on exploration. Out of these 24 patients there were 14 with common bile duct stones; 6 with stenosis of the sphincter of Oddi; 3 with chronic pancreatitis and in one patient hepatitis was the cause of the symptoms. From the remaining 11 patients 8 had a stone in a partial gall bladder or cystic duct stump. One patient had a fistula between the cystic duct stump and duodenum and one a suture granuloma. There was only one patient where a 1.5 cm long cystic duct stump remnant was the only pathological finding. Four years after reoperation this patient is still suffering from the same intermittent gastrointestinal symptoms. We conclude that the cystic duct stump is hardly ever a cause for recurrent symptoms in itself. Total excision of the cystic duct does not eliminate the existence of postcholecystectomy symptoms.     

Cost of care of patients with cystic fibrosis in The Netherlands in 1990-1.

BACKGROUND: Research on the cost of care of patients with cystic fibrosis is scarce. The aim of this study was to estimate the costs using age-specific medical consumption from real patient data. METHODS: The age-specific medical consumption of patients with cystic fibrosis in The Netherlands in 1991 was estimated from a survey of medical records and a patient questionnaire. A distinction was made between costs of hospital care, hospital and non-hospital medication, and home care. Costs per year were obtained by multiplying the yearly amount of care and the costs per unit. RESULTS: On average the annual cost of a patient with cystic fibrosis in 1991 was 10,908 pounds (hospital care 42%, medication 37%, home care 20%). The cost of care of cystic fibrosis in The Netherlands, with approximately 1000 patients, is estimated at 10.9 million pounds per year, which is 0.07% of the total health care budget. The cost of care of a patient up to the age of 35 is estimated at 614,587 pounds. When year-to-year survival is taken into account and future costs are discounted to the year of birth with a yearly discount rate of 5%, the cost of care of a patient with cystic fibrosis is estimated at 164,365 pounds for 1991. This estimate will be used in a prospective evaluation of screening for cystic fibrosis carriers. CONCLUSIONS: The cost of care of patients with cystic fibrosis estimated by age-specific medical consumption of real patients is higher than that estimated by non-age-specific medical consumption and/or expert opinions.     

Cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: Is preoperative diagnosis possible?

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors rarely undergo cystic degeneration leading to a radiologic appearance, which is often interpreted as a pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma or pseudocyst. We reviewed our experience with 38 neuroendocrine tumors, four of which were cystic, and 24 other cystic pancreatic tumors (mucinous cystadenoma [n = 5], cystadenocarcinoma [n = 6], serous cystadenoma [n = 3], solid/cystic papillary neoplasm [n = 3], intraductal papillary mucinous tumor [n = 6], and mucinous adenocarcinoma [n = 1]) managed operatively between 1990 and 2000. This review was undertaken to identify clinical and pathologic features useful for preoperative diagnosis of cystic neuroendocrine tumors. Two of the four patients with cystic neuroendocrine tumors presented with abdominal pain, one patient was asymptomatic, and one patient had hypoglycemia. Three of the four cystic neuroendocrine tumors were identified by CT scan, and none were biopsied preoperatively. Preoperative diagnoses included mucinous cystadenoma in two patients (n = 2), pancreatic cystic neoplasm in one patient, (n = 1) and insulinoma in one patient (n = 1). All four cystic neuroendocrine tumors were benign and were completely resected (distal pancreatectomy [n = 2], enucleation [n = 2]). Cystic neuroendocrine tumors are difficult to diagnose preoperatively because the majority of these tumors are nonfunctional, and CT does not differentiate these tumors from other cystic neoplasms. Cystic neuroendocrine tumors represent a subgroup of pancreatic cystic and neuroendocrine tumors with malignant potential. Their high resectability rate further supports the role of surgical exploration and resection in the treatment of pancreatic cystic neoplasms. Presented at the Third Americas Hepatopancreatobiliary Congress, Miami, Fla., February 22–25, 2001.     

Laparoscopic resection of an intra-abdominal cystic mass: a cystic mesothelioma

The clinical features of a patient with an intra-abdominal cystic mass do not lead to a specific diagnosis. Aspiration is usually ineffective because the mass recurs and cytologic investigation is often non-diagnostic. Conservative management is unsuccessful because symptoms often persist. Surgical management of cystic masses is required for definitive management and pathologic diagnosis. A laparoscopic approach to the diagnosis and treatment can provide essential anatomic information and a complete resection with minimal morbidity. A laparoscopic technique using 3 trocars and maintaining the integrity of the mass allows complete excision and removal of large intra-abdominal cystic masses as reported in a 43-year-old patient with a large intra-abdominal cystic mass identified as a benign cystic mesothelioma.     

Retroperitoneal Cystic Lymphangioma

An interesting and rare differential diagnosis for a retroperitoneal cystic mass is cystic lymphangioma. A case of a patient presenting with a multicystic mass in the retroperitoneum that was identified as a cystic lymphangioma is reported. These tumours are commonly confused with other cystic masses in the retroperitoneum.     

Knowledge of adult patients with cystic fibrosis about their illness.

BACKGROUND: Adult patients need to understand their illness if the locus of control is to move from doctor to patient. Previous studies have shown important misconceptions and gaps in patients' knowledge about cystic fibrosis. METHODS: Patients were invited to complete a multiple choice questionnaire covering all major aspects of cystic fibrosis. The questionnaire score was compared with a predicted score derived from the consultant, cystic fibrosis fellow, nurse, and physiotherapist ratings of patient knowledge. Data were obtained to provide a comprehensive patient profile and disease severity score. Both scores were tested for any associations with patient characteristics. RESULTS: Although patients had good general knowledge about the aspects of cystic fibrosis that impacted most on their daily lives--that is, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems--important gaps and misconceptions in these areas were still present. Knowledge and understanding of genetic and reproductive issues and the less common complications of cystic fibrosis were only moderate. Older more severely affected patients, and those who had more contact with the hospital caring team, had better multiple choice questionnaire knowledge scores. Professional carers were poor judges of the knowledge of individual patients. CONCLUSIONS: Important gaps persist into adult life in the knowledge patients with cystic fibrosis have about their illness. Objective assessment of these deficits is required so that each patient can be counselled according to his or her needs.     

Retroperitoneal lymphangioma

Lymphangiomas are rare cystic tumours that may present as cystic masses in the retroperitoneum. Retroperitoneal lymphangiomas account for approximately 1% of all lymphangiomas. Confusion with other cystic tumours of the retroperitoneum including those arising from the liver, kidney and pancreas is common. A case of a retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma occurring in a 41-year-old woman raising interesting diagnostic and management issues is reported. The patient presented with vague abdominal pain and persistent nausea. Radiological imaging demonstrated a large multiloculated thin-walled cyst involving the upper retroperitoneum. Surgical resection was complete, revealing a benign cavernous lymphangioma. The patient made a complete recovery and was disease-free 30 months postoperatively.     

Small cell carcinoma of the cystic duct: A case report

Small cell carcinoma usually involves the lung and rarely affects the biliary tract, especially the cystic duct. In this article we report a case of small cell carcinoma of the cystic duct in a 46-year-old Japanese man. The patient presented with abdominal pain and jaundice. Imaging showed a small nodule in the cystic duct invading the common bile duct with dilatation of the proximal biliary tree. The hepatic artery and portal vein were free from invasion. Extended right hepatic lobectomy, cholecystectomy, and resection of the extrahepatic proximal bile ducts were performed together with lymph node dissection under the tentative diagnosis of carcinoma of the cystic duct. Histopathologic examination of the resected specimen revealed small cell carcinoma arising in the cystic duct and extending into the common bile duct. The postoperative clinical course was uneventful, and the patient is doing well without any signs of recurrence 1 year after the operation. To our knowledge this is the first documented case of a small cell carcinoma arising in the cystic duct.     

Adult Wilms'' tumor mimicking hemorrhagic renal cyst

A 36-year-old man presented with macroscopic hematuria associated with right flank pain. Examination of the patient revealed a cystic mass in the right kidney. Because the mass had increased in size, enucleation of the mass was performed. Histopathological findings revealed nephroblastoma, therefore, radical nephrectomy was performed. We believe the pathogenesis of the cystic formation to be a process in which a tumor that had developed in the pericalyceal region spontaneously ruptured, exuding urine into the perinephric space, forming a cystic mass. The patient is alive with no evidence of disease 24 months after the operation.     

Postcholecystectomy syndrome in the laparoscopic era

sWe describe the management of a cystic duct remnant calculus in a 45-year-old male patient who had undergone a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and re-presented with abdominal pain and jaundice. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was utilized to confirm the diagnosis of an impacted calculus within the remnant cystic duct along with several small retained common bile duct stones. Four sequential endoscopic procedures successfully removed all retained common bile duct calculi to alleviate the biliary obstruction; however, we were unable to treat the cystic duct remnant calculus endoscopically. The patient finally underwent successful laparoscopic excision of a 2.5-cm cystic duct remnant containing its impacted calculus. It remains unclear if cystic duct remnant calculi may become more prevalent as a cause of postcholecystectomy syndrome in future due to the large numbers of laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed in the past 2 decades.     

Massive renal and retroperitoneal hemorrhage in a case of acquired renal cystic disease with atypical epithelial cell proliferation

We present a case of acquired renal cystic disease in a patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus who was dialysis dependent for 5 years. Renal hemorrhage and neoplastic transformation of the cyst epithelium are the two major complications of acquired renal cystic disease, and were present in this patient. The full clinical significance of the acquired renal cystic lesion is still unclear, although the possibility of renal tumors and massive renal and retroperitoneal hemorrhage should be considered in the long-term dialysis population.     

Sarcoidosis in an adult with cystic fibrosis.

Sarcoidosis in an adult patient with cystic fibrosis lung disease was diagnosed on the basis of pulmonary function and radiographic data. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of new diffuse interstitial infiltrates or hilar adenopathy in a patient with cystic fibrosis; biopsy of lung, lymph node, or skin lesions and interleukin-2 receptor levels may help to obtain a diagnosis.     

Adrenal hemorrhage in the newborn with evidence of bleeding in utero

A case is reported of adrenal hemorrhage in a newborn with evidence of bleeding while in utero. The patient had a large cystic mass on ultrasound at 36 weeks of gestation. Abdominal computerized tomography after birth also revealed the cystic mass above the left kidney, which became smaller with peripheral calcification when he was 5 months old. Thus, adrenal hemorrhage was presumed. The cystic mass had disappeared on followup ultrasound when the patient was 8 months old. This case suggests that adrenal hemorrhage can occur even before delivery.     

Baker’s cyst connected to popliteal artery cyst

A patient with compression of the left popliteal artery by cystic adventitial disease is presented. The adventitial cyst was connected to a Baker's cyst. The patient suffered severe ischemia only after heavy exercise, because the mucous fluid of the Baker's cyst shifted into the popliteal artery cyst when the Baker's cyst was compressed. The etiology of cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery in this patient is discussed.     

Pleurectomy for spontaneous pneumothorax in cystic fibrosis

Five cases of cystic fibrosis complicated by eight pneumothoraces are described. These cases come from a group of 49 patients who have attended the Brompton Hospital between 1964 and 1969 for management of their cystic fibrosis. Three of the patients, who had a total of six pneumothoraces, were managed by pleurectomy. Spontaneous pneumothoraces were a terminal event in a fourth patient, and an incidental finding which required no specific management in a fifth patient. The possible aetiology of the pneumothorax in cystic fibrosis is discussed with particular consideration of the known alveolar hypoplasia and overdistension and the abnormality of the visceral pleura. The results of pleurectomy in three patients are discussed both in relation to the successful avoidance of further pneumothoraces and in the notable absence of a restrictive ventilatory defect. In view of the relative success of pleurectomy we suggest that this treatment should be considered for any patient with cystic fibrosis who develops a spontaneous pneumothorax.     

Solid and cystic tumor of the pancreas: a case report

A case of a solid and cystic tumor of the pancreas occurring in a 15 year-old girl is reported. This patient was admitted with epigastric and left upper quadrant pain and vomiting. A mass was detected in the pancreas on CT scan and the patient was referred for surgery. A distal pancreatectomy was performed. A pathological diagnosis of solid and cystic tumor of the pancreas was made and the patient was discharged uneventfully.     

A case of mistaken identity: giant cystic pheochromocytoma

A 39-year-old Marshall Islands woman was referred for evaluation of an abdominal mass. Medical history was significant only for pulmonary tuberculosis and scrofula. The patient denied a personal or family history of pancreatic or endocrine disease. Physical examination revealed normal vital signs and a 12-cm mildly tender left upper quadrant mass. A computed tomography scan revealed an 11-cm cystic mass contiguous with the distal pancreas and closely associated with the hilum of the spleen and the left kidney. Based on these findings and the patient's history, a cystic neoplasm of the pancreas was suspected, and she was subsequently taken to the operating room for exploration. Intraoperatively, the patient became markedly hypertensive with manipulation of the mass, requiring intravenous nitroprusside. Histopathological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of cystic pheochromocytoma (PCC). The patient's postoperative course was uncomplicated. Cystic PCCs may not present with the classic prodromal symptoms associated with solid PCCs. This case represents the complex and unsuspected presentation of an extremely rare functional cystic neoplasm. A high index of suspicion for cystic PCC is necessary when confronted with cystic lesions in the vicinity of the adrenal glands. Failure to recognize cystic PCC before resection may lead to uncontrollable hypertension in the operating room, with potentially serious consequences.     

Solid and Cystic Tumor of the Pancreas: a Case Report

A case of a solid and cystic tumor of the pancreas occuring in a 15 year-old girl is reported. This patient was admitted with epigastric and left upper quadrant pain and vomiting. A mass was detected in the pancreas on CT scan and the patient was referred for surgery. A distal pancreatectomy was performed. A pathological diagnosis of solid and cystic tumor of the pancreas was made and the patient was discharged uneventfully.     

Multiple cystic pulmonary hamartomas.

A patient with multiple cystic hamartomas presented with a pneumothorax and later developed a cystic myxomatous vaginal polyp. This and three of the cysts were resected. She remains well 13 years later. Multiple cystic hamartomas are uncommon and may be misdiagnosed as pulmonary metastases.     

Cystic dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts.

Two cases of cystic dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary tree in Black patients are described. Both patients presented with extremely short histories of abdominal pain, and one patient had an associated jaundice. Biliary tree pathology was confirmed by physical examination and biochemical investigation in one patient while in the second patient cystic dilatation of the biliary tree was an incidental finding.