Laparoscopic Treatment for Torsion of the Gallbladder in a 7-year-old Female

A 7-year-old girl was diagnosed with viral enteritis and was admitted to our hospital. Sudden right upper quadrant tenderness appeared 2 days after admission. Ultrasonography revealed a large thick-walled cystic gallbladder and an inflammation-induced hyperechoic cystic duct. The long axis of the gallbladder was in a horizontal rather than a vertical alignment. Computed tomography demonstrated a markedly enlarged gallbladder with a slightly thickened wall and an enhanced twisted cystic pedicle. The diagnosis of gallbladder torsion led to laparoscopic detorsion and cholecystectomy. The gallbladder was gangrenous and was rotated counterclockwise with the attachment of the mesentery to the inferior surface of the liver. Although it occurs more rarely in children than in adults, torsion of the gallbladder must be considered in the differential diagnosis of an acute abdomen. Early diagnosis and immediate laparoscopic intervention can help to achieve an excellent patient outcome.     

Laparoscopic resection of an omental cyst with pedicle torsion

Omental cysts are the least-common variety of all types of intra-abdominal cystic lesions. In the past, transabdominal laparotomy with excision of the cyst was the treatment of choice. With the advent of laparoscopic surgery, it has become possible to resect the cyst without the need for a large incision in the abdomen. We report a case of a 15-year-old girl who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy for recurring abdominal pain of 2 years' duration. The procedure revealed a huge cyst lying above the omentum with its pedicle rising from the greater curvature of the stomach. The pedicle was noted to have twisted eight times in a clockwise direction. The cyst was resected by laparoscopic means using three trocars. The postoperative course was uneventful. As presented in this case, we believe that a laparoscopic approach is an attractive alternative for the management of omental cystic lesions.     

Riesiges intrathorakales benignes Teratom

Mature teratoma are rare, usually benign germ cell tumors. We report a case of a 41-year-old woman who received a chest X-ray due to inspiratory sharp left thoracic pain with flu-like infection. The x-ray showed an unclear cardiac dilatation. After echocardiographic clarification, a chest CT was performed. This showed a left thoracic, polycystic tumor (11?×?13?×?17?cm). The tumor could be resected in toto. The histological examination revealed a mature cystic teratoma. Due to the risk of rupture, infiltration or malignancy each thoracic teratoma should be radically resected surgically.     

Torsion of a Wandering Spleen Presenting with Acute Abdomen: a Case Report

Wandering spleen is a rare condition characterized by increased splenic mobility due to the absence or laxity of its suspensory ligaments that may present as acute abdomen when it is twisted on its pedicle. Herein we report a case of torsion of a wandering spleen in a 17-year-old male patient with communicating hidrocephalus and ventricu-loperitoneal shunt. The patient presented with suspicious clinical findings of acute abdomen, a laparotomy was performed and the infarcted spleen was removed. Although wandering spleen is a rare clinical entity, the possibility of torsion should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen.     

Torsion of a wandering spleen presenting with acute abdomen: a case report

Wandering spleen is a rare condition characterized by increased splenic mobility due to the absence or laxity of its suspensory ligaments that may present as acute abdomen when it is twisted on its pedicle. Herein we report a case of torsion of a wandering spleen in a 17-year-old male patient with communicating hidrocephalus and ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The patient presented with suspicious clinical findings of acute abdomen, a laparotomy was performed and the infarcted spleen was removed. Although wandering spleen is a rare clinical entity, the possibility of torsion should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen.     

Mesenteric cyst: an unusual presentation

A 5-year-old boy presented with the history of a small lower abdominal swelling since childhood which increased in size and became painful following a fall. Examination revealed a mobile, globular, cystic intraabdominal mass in the lower abdomen. Ultrasonography of the abdomen suggested a 7.5 × 5.5 cm cystic lesion, separate from the bladder, containing an echogenic mobile mass. Intra venous urography excluded any abnormality of the kidneys, ureters and bladder. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a sigmoid mesenteric cyst protruding out of one of the mesenteric leaves and attached to it by a narrow stalk. The excised cyst was found to be thin walled and unilocular. It was internally lined with fibrinous exhudate and contained serous fluid and a solid spherical blood clot. The child had an uneventful postoperative recovery. Histopathology of the cyst wall showed maturing granulation and fibrous tissue with hemosiderin laden macrophages and lymphoid aggregates consistent with the diagnosis of a lymphagioma with chronic inflammatory changes and evidence of past hemorrhage.     

Hepatic mensenchymal hamartoma of an infant

An 8-month-old boy was found to have a solitary hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma. Histologically, the lesion appeared as a large island of loose mesenchymal tissue with few cystic bile ducts and liver cells. Electronmicroscopy showed microvilli on the surface of tumor cells and desmosomes between the cells. Immunohistochemical studies showed that alpha-fetoprotein was localized in the proliferating liver cells and bile ductal epithelium of this neoplasm. This case is the 17th case of hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma reported in Japan.     

Intestinal strangulation caused by a mucocele of the appendix: report of a case

Intestinal strangulation caused by a mucocele of the appendix is extremely rare and difficult to diagnose. It is not usually suspected pre-operatively. This report presents a case of intestinal strangulation due to a mucous containing cystic lesion that was wrapped around the base of a loop of the small bowel. An 89-year-old female was transferred after an acute onset of abdominal pain. A physical examination revealed severe tenderness with guarding in the right upper quadrant. CT of the abdomen showed a loop of dilated small bowel with edema on the right side of the abdominal cavity suggesting a closed loop obstruction. In addition, a low-density thin-walled mass measuring 5?cm in diameter was also seen in the pelvis. Intestinal strangulation was suspected and emergency laparotomy was thus performed. A loop of terminal ileum 25?cm in length was strangulated by a dilated appendix, and ileocecal resection was performed. The resected appendix measured 9?×?3?cm in size and contained mucus. A histopathological examination showed a mucous containing cystic appendix without mucin-producing, neoplastic epithelial cells. A mucocele of the appendix can present in various ways and it is important to recognize this entity at the time of surgery.     

Acute abdomen secondary to intra-abdominal hibernoma

The hibernoma is a rare benign tumor derived of embrionary fat seen in adult, which is usually localized in scapular and interscapular region. It express as a slowing growth bulk without symptoms. The authors present a 2 years old boy with acute abdomen requiring urgent laparotomy, that shows a tumor connected to mesocolon by a vascular pedicle that had undergone torsion. No other similar case published been found. The treatment is surgical resection although recurrences have been reported due to incomplete resection.     

Mature teratoma arising from an intraabdominal testis in a 2-month-old boy: case report and review of intraabdominal testicular tumors in children

Tumors arising in an undescended testis are rare in infants. We report a mature teratoma in an intraabdominal testis of a 2-month-old boy. He presented with a large left-sided abdominal mass and nonpalpable left testis. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography showed a well-defined, sizable cystic tumor with focal calcification in the lower abdomen. Tumor markers were all within normal limits. Surgical resection revealed a large tumor arising from an intraabdominal left testis, and histologic analysis identified a mature teratoma. The tumor was completely removed, and there was no recurrence at follow-up 3 years later. The histologic condition of prepubertal intraabdominal testicular (IAT) tumors is quite different from that of testicular tumors in childhood descended testes and postpubertal IAT tumors. A total of 30 cases of IAT tumors in children, including our case, were reviewed to elucidate this issue.     

Cystic Lymphangioma of the Gallbladder: Report of a Case

Abdominal lymphangioma is usually diagnosed within the first 2 years of life and is extremely rare in adults. The most common location of abdominal lymphangioma is the mesentery, but there are sporadic reports of its development in the gallbladder. A 66-year-old woman was found to have a cystic lesion near the gallbladder. Preoperative studies, including endoscopic ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, showed a tumor with multilocular cystic structure, originating in the gallbladder fossa. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy, and the mass was resected en bloc with the gallbladder, as there was no evidence of malignancy on intraoperative ultrasonography. Macroscopically, the tumor was a multilocular cystic mass, 6 × 3 × 2 cm in size, with a rough, sponge-like appearance. Histologically, the cystic tumor was diagnosed as a lymphangioma, originating in the gallbladder. To our knowledge, only three other cases of a cystic lymphangioma originating in the gallbladder have been reported in the medical literature of the world.     

Multiple jejunal gastrointestinal stromal tumors and Neurofibromatosis type 1: A rare association

Introduction and importanceThe association between gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), mesenchymal tumor arising from the interstitial cells of cajal and Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), an autosomal dominant disease has been reported in the literature. GIST in NF1 patients are multiple and located in the small intestine. Tumorigenesis in NF1 associated GIST is different to that of sporadic GIST and hence the treatment. Here we report a rare case of an NF1 patient with multiple jejunal GISTs.Case presentationWe here present a rare case of a 57-year-old male diagnosed with NF1 30 years back, presented in our emergency department with complaints of black, tarry stools later diagnosed to have multiple GIST in jejunum. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the abdomen showed a large 10.1 × 7.33 × 6.2 cm heterogeneous, exophytic, solid mass with cystic areas originating from the jejunum. The microscopic examination of the specimen showed spindle shaped tumor cells while immunohistochemistry showed CD117 (c-KIT) and DOG-1 positivity. The primary treatment was complete surgical excision of the tumor.Clinical discussionThe incidence of GISTs in NF1 patient is around 6–7%; however, concomitant presence of multiple GISTs is rare. CECT of abdomen along with histopathological and immunohistochemistry studies are diagnostic. The management of GIST includes surgical and adjuvant therapy methods based on the tumorigenesis and recurrent risk stratification.ConclusionEarly clinical suspicion and imaging aids in early detection of the tumor in patients with NF1 presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms. Postoperatively, screening for recurrence with radiology is of utmost importance.     

Giant biliary mucinous cystadenoma mimicking mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver in a child: A case report

IntroductionBiliary cystadenomas (BCAs) are rare benign tumors with malignant potential. They are most commonly found in middle-aged women and are quite infrequently reported in children. Even with advanced imaging, diagnosing and distinguishing BCA from other cystic liver lesions remain challenging.Case presentationA 5-year-old boy was brought in by his parents to our hospital with abdominal swelling that had been persistent for a year, along with loss of appetite and weight loss. On examination, the abdomen was distended and dull on percussion. We considered mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver (MHL) as the top differential after an abdominal CT scan with contrast showed a multi-loculated cystic tumour. For both definitive diagnosis and therapy, the patient underwent exploratory laparotomy with excision of the cystic mass. Surprisingly, histopathology examination of the resected specimen revealed biliary mucinous cystadenoma (BCA).ConclusionSince conservative methods are associated with high recurrence rates, biliary mucinous cystic neoplasms require a high index of suspicion and should be handled with total surgical resection. In the post-operative phase, periodic surveillance imaging is recommended due to the risk of recurrence and malignant transformation.     

Heterotopic gastrointestinal mucosa and pancreatic tissue in a retroperitoneal tumor

We believe that this is the first report of a retroperitoneal tumor consisting of heterotopic gastrointestinal mucosa and pancreatic tissue. The patient was a 19-year-old woman with the chief complaint being occasional back pain. Abdominal computerized tomography demonstrated a 3.1 × 2.5 × 3.2-cm low-density solid and cystic lesion adjoining the left renal vein between the aorta and inferior vena cava. Angiography revealed that the inferior vena cava was displaced by the hypovascular tumor. The retroperitoneal lesion was diagnosed preoperatively as a benign tumor such as a neurogenic neoplasm or lymphangioma. At laparotomy, a cystic tumor was found, which existed behind the inferior vena cava and renal vessels, and contained reddish-brown fluid, suggesting hemorrhage in the past. The cut surface of the tumor showed a unilocular cyst with partially hypertrophic wall. Histopathological examination revealed a cystic tumor lined with heterotopic gastric and duodenal mucosa, with pancreatic tissue in the muscularis propria. In addition, evidence of bleeding from the gastric mucosa was observed in the cystic tumor. External secretion from these tissues could have triggered the hemorrhage and expanded the tumor, possibly resulting in the back pain.     

Carcinoid in a gastrointestinal duplication

This is a report of a 12-year-old boy having gastric duplication with foci of carcinoid. He complained of right abdominal pain. Physical examination showed a cystic mass in the right abdomen. It was excised operatively. The mass was a duplication cyst composed of gastric mucosa with a muscle layer. Foci of carcinoid was detected in the muscle layer. The tumor cells involved nerve fibers but did not extend to the subserosa. Postoperative blood serotonin and histamine levels were normal. The patient is healthy without signs of recurrence 17 months after operation. This is the second case of gastrointestinal duplication with foci of carcinoid. The findings indicate that careful histologic examination is necessary to determine the exact nature of the cyst.     

Primary pancreatic hydatid disease in a child: case report and review of the literature

A 9-year-old boy was admitted with acute abdomen, and a cystic mass in the pancreas was coincidentally detected by ultrasonography. Definitive diagnosis of hydatid disease of the pancreas could be made only at operation, and surgical therapy was effective.     

Intra-abdominal mucinous adenocarcinoma of urachal origin: report of a case

Intra-abdominal mucinous cystic tumors can be difficult to diagnose preoperatively. We report a case of histologically diagnosed primary urachal adenocarcinoma: a rare type of bladder tumor. This case report is interesting for clinicians. The patient was an 86-year-old man who presented with acute abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) showed a large cystic mass with calcification, near the apex of the urinary bladder. Laparotomy revealed a large intra-abdominal cystic mass adherent to the anterior abdominal wall and superior to the urinary bladder. We performed laparoscopic-assisted resection and partial cystectomy. The cystic mass measured approximately 15 × 14 × 11 cm and contained mucinous material. Histological examination revealed that it extended to the muscle of the bladder wall and that its epithelium was composed of atypical cells with increased papillary morphology. The mucinous material was glycoprotein with degenerative fatty tissue, and calcification was recognized partly in the specimen. Thus, we comprehensively diagnosed a mucinous cystic adenocarcinoma of urachal origin.     

Torsion of a benign cyst arising from the tunica vaginalis testis

We describe a rare case of torsion of a benign cyst originating from the parietal layer of tunica vaginalis. This case presented with acute scrotum. Surgical exploration revealed a cyst arising from the parietal layer of tunica vaginalis of which the pedicle was twisted. When a cystic mass is detected in the scrotum of boys with acute scrotum, torsion of a cyst in the cavum tunica vaginalis testis should be considered.     

Reduction of Morbidity With a Reverse-Flow Sural Flap: A Two-Stage Technique

The reverse sural flap has often been used for cutaneous coverage of the distal region of the leg and ankle. When the flap is performed in 2 stages, the vascular pedicle is exteriorized and later resected. Our goal was to assess the reverse sural flap performed in 2 stages regarding its viability and low morbidity along the flap-donor area. Eleven patients with cutaneous coverage loss found in the area between the distal third of the leg and ankle underwent cutaneous coverage surgery with a reverse-flow sural flap with an exteriorized pedicle, without violation of the skin between the base of the flap pedicle to the margin of the wound. After a minimum period of 15 days with flap autonomy, the pedicle was resected. The flap dimensions, its viability before and after the pedicle ligature, and the distance from the intact skin between the flap base and the margin of the wound were evaluated. Any losses were measured as a percentage of the total flap size. The respective length and width of the flap were a mean average of 7.45?cm × 4.18?cm. All the flaps survived. Partial loss of the flap occurred in 3 patients, ranging from 20% to 30%. The mean average distance of the intact skin between the pedicle base and the margin of the wound was 5.59?(range 4 to 8) cm. Our results showed that the 2-stage reverse sural flap ensures good flap survival and low morbidity.     

Late return of function after intrathoracic torsion of the spleen in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

A case of late presentation of a left posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia in a four-year-old boy is reported. Shortly after incidental diagnosis of the diaphragmatic hernia, he was admitted with acute abdominal symptoms and laparotomy was performed. The stomach, small intestine, part of the colon, and the spleen were intrathoracic. There was a 720 degree torsion of the splenic pedicle. After reduction, the spleen was placed in the abdomen. At scintiscans 12 days and 14 weeks after operation, no certain splenic function was demonstrated, but at follow-up up 21/2 years later the splenic scan was normal.