A conservative surgical approach to the treatment of 'locally invasive' lentigo maligna melanoma of the face.

Lentigo maligna has the potential for malignant change, and is managed in many cases by wide local excision. However, there are clinical situations in which aggressive surgical management is inappropriate or unsuccessful. We present three such cases, in which a more conservative surgical approach was adopted and maintained over several decades.     

Traumatic laceration of the radial nerve following supracondylar fracture of the elbow. A case report

Traumatic laceration of the median, ulnar, or radial nerve is an extremely rare complication of supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children. A recent review of the literature disclosed only two reported cases of a laceration involving the radial nerve; a third such injury in an 8-year-old boy is reported in the present paper. Traumatic neuropraxia of one or more of the three adjacent peripheral nerves is a more common complication of supracondylar fracture, with the great majority of these lesions responding to conservative treatment. Vascular compromise secondary to traumatic laceration of the brachial artery is a more frequently observed injury, with an incidence in some series as high as 10%. Clinical findings that suggest vascular injury, therefore, warrant a more aggressive approach, either by arteriography or surgical exploration.     

Reactive nodular fibrous pseudotumor of the gastrointestinal tract and mesentery: a clinicopathologic study of five cases

Although the majority of mesenchymal lesions of the gastrointestinal tract are neoplastic in nature, nonneoplastic reactive processes may involve the gastrointestinal tract and mesentery, causing diagnostic confusion with more aggressive neoplasms, such as fibromatosis or gastrointestinal stromal tumors. In this study, we report a series of fibroinflammatory lesions of the gastrointestinal tract that we think represent a relatively cohesive group of tumors and describe the clinical and pathologic features of this entity, which we have termed "reactive nodular fibrous pseudotumor." The tumors affected five patients (four male and one female patient) who ranged in age from 48 to 71 years (mean 56 years). Two patients presented with acute abdominal pain without a significant past medical history, two had incidental lesions discovered during evaluation for other medical conditions, and one was found to have an abdominal mass. Three patients had a history of abdominal surgery. The tumors were multiple in three patients and solitary in two patients. In four cases, at least one of the tumors involved the small intestine or colon, and the lesion was confined to the peripancreatic soft tissue in one case. The tumors were firm, tan-white, ranged in size from 4.3 to 6.5 cm in greatest dimension, and were grossly well circumscribed. All of the lesions were of low to moderate cellularity and composed of stellate or spindled fibroblasts arranged haphazardly or in intersecting fascicles. Three cases had microscopically infiltrative borders. The stroma was rich in collagen, which was wire-like, keloidal, or hyalinized. Intralesional mononuclear cells were sparse but were more numerous peripherally and frequently arranged in lymphoid aggregates. Immunohistochemical stains demonstrated that all of the tumors stained for vimentin, 80% stained for CD117 or muscle specific actin, 60% stained for smooth muscle actin or desmin, and none of the tumors stained for CD34, S-100 protein, or anaplastic lymphoma kinase-1. Follow-up information was available in all cases: four patients had no residual disease following surgical resection (mean follow-up 16.3 months) and one patient who had an incomplete surgical resection had stable disease at 26 months. In summary, we report a series of distinct intraabdominal fibroinflammatory pseudotumors that we have collectively termed "reactive nodular fibrous pseudotumors." These lesions are uncommon and may infiltrate the bowel wall, thereby mimicking primary bowel neoplasms or intraabdominal fibromatosis. Recognition of these nonneoplastic lesions is important, as they pursue a benign clinical course, but may be confused with other mesenchymal neoplasms that require more aggressive treatment.     

Hamartomas of the internal auditory canal: report of two cases

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: To highlight the clinical, radiological, and surgical findings and therapeutic options for this rare entity, which may mimic a purely intrameatal vestibular schwannoma, and to define the particular aspects of preoperative differential diagnosis and surgical management. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Two patients presented with clinical findings typical of vestibular schwannomas, i.e., tinnitus, hearing loss of 30 dB, and an intrameatal contrast-enhancing lesion on magnetic resonance imaging studies. TECHNIQUE: The lesions were exposed via a suboccipital transmeatal approach, and tumor infiltration of the cochlear and/or facial cranial nerves was identified. In view of the unclear intraoperative histology, surgical management was based on criteria of cranial nerve function. In Patient 1, after nerve decompression by subtotal tumor removal, preserved auditory brainstem responses and facial nerve electromyography indicated functional nerve preservation and facilitated the decision for partial resection. In Patient 2, minimal tumor dissection resulted in complete loss of auditory brainstem response without reversibility. Therefore, a radical tumor removal was performed that sacrificed the cochlear but preserved the facial nerve. CONCLUSION: Symptoms and signs of internal auditory canal hamartomas are congruent with other typical pathological lesions of the internal auditory canal and cerebellopontine angle. Accurate preoperative diagnosis by radiological means is not possible, but careful evaluation of the different signal intensities on magnetic resonance imaging studies may indicate this rare pathological condition. Intraoperative surgical findings of tumor infiltration of the faciocochlear cranial nerve complex may support simple observation. In view of the nonneoplastic characteristic of these lesions, a more conservative approach is justified. The decision should be based on the functional status of the cranial nerves, for which reliable electrophysiological monitoring is indispensable.     

Cysts of the tunica albuginea. Report of 4 cases and review of the literature.

Four cases of benign testicular cysts arising from the tunica albuginea are reported. A review of the literature yielded only 4 more instances of such lesions. Clinically, these cysts may be manifested as a tumor or painful swelling, or are discovered incidentally. In 3 cases a diagnosis of testicular carcinoma was entertained and high inguinal orchiectomies were done. The possibility of a conservative surgical approach, as followed in 1 case, is discussed. These cysts appear in the anterior and lateral aspects of the testis, show ample connection to the albuginea and are lined by a cuboidal epithelium. Gland-like inclusion were found in the fibrous cystic walls and in the albuginea. The histogenesis of these lesions is discussed and evidence for a possible origin in mesothelial rests trapped during development is presented. The differential diagnosis of cystic lesion of the tests is reviewd briefly.     

Right colon diverticulitis

Diverticulitis involving the right colon is uncommon in the Occident; only one case for every 300 cases of appendicitis occurs in Western countries compared to a ratio of 1/40-1/180 in Asia. The preferential localization of diverticula in the right colon among Asiatics is probably due to genetic factors. In Asia as in the West, a right colon diverticulum is more likely to cause hemorrhage than diverticulitis. The peak age of symptoms is 40-45 years and the sex ratio is 1:1. The patient most commonly presents with symptoms suggestive of acute appendicitis, acute localized peritonitis, or, more rarely, a psoas abscess. Clinical exam reveals an inflammatory mass in the right lower quadrant in 30% of cases; diffuse peritonitis, large abscesses, and fistulae are rare. Helical CT scan is the best tool for establishing the diagnosis and also helps to rule out other possible etiologies in the differential diagnosis-particularly a perforated right colon cancer. In noncomplicated cases with convincing evidence for the diagnosis by CT scan, a conservative (non-surgical) treatment with antibiotics is possible; a later stage colonoscopy will rule out other colonic lesions. More commonly, the correct diagnosis is only made after embarking on an appendectomy via a McBurney incision; the surgical strategy thereafter depends on the level of suspicion regarding the diagnosis and the extent and complexity of the diverticulitis. Therapeutic options may be conservative (appendectomy), limited (diverticulectomy, or extensive (ileocecal resection or right hemicolectomy). For complicated disease (abscess, localized perforation), an aggressive surgical approach is warranted. Surgical strategies need to be validated, particularly in the light of the increasing use of the laparoscopic approach for suspected appendicitis.     

Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Maxillary Gingiva

BACKGROUND: Mucosal malignant melanoma arising from the mucosa of the head and neck region is a rare entity, accounting for approximately 0.2% of all melanomas. Most of these lesions (80%) have occurred on the maxillary anterior gingival area, especially on the palatal and alveolar mucosa. OBJECTIVE: Mucosal malignant melanomas are more aggressive than cutaneous melanomas. On the other hand, complex anatomy of this area makes complete surgical excision difficult. Thus, early diagnosis and treatment are important. METHODS: We presented primary malignant melanoma of the maxillary gingiva in two cases. CONCLUSION: In mucosal malignant melanoma, survival rates may be increased by early diagnosis and treatment. The clinician must carefully examine oral cavity, and pigmented lesions should be biopsied. Because some melanomas may be amelanotic, a high index of suspicion is necessary.     

Crohn's disease. Clinical and therapeutical considerations

Crohn's disease is a chronic granulomatous inflammatory condition of the intestinal tract of unknown etiology. Most commonly the disease affects the small bowel, the colon and the rectum. The acute and aggressive forms can evolve fast, mimicking an acute surgical illness, requiring surgical intervention in emergency. Surgical therapeutical option, in this condition, must be determined strictly by establishing a correct intraoperative diagnosis, through macroscopic features and histologic evidence. Because it is an incurable disease with variable evolution, marked by recurrence, that involves repeated surgical intervention, the surgical treatment (often resection), must be most conservative from the small bowel. We present 3 cases of surgical interventions with emergency characteristics (bowel obstruction through fitobezoar, colonic tumors obstruction of colon splenic angle, urachal infected tumors). In these cases the diagnosis was established intraoperatively and the surgical intervention was adapted to the particular cases.     

Current approach to diagnosis and management of retroperitoneal fibrosis

Retroperitoneal fibrosis is characterized by fibrotic lesions around the abdominal aorta and common ileac artery causing ureteral obstruction. Secondary retroperitoneal fibrosis is associated with malignant disease, drugs, exposure to radiation and surgery. In contrast, the majority of retroperitoneal fibrosis is classified into idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis, for which immunological etiology has been suggested. Recently, idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis has been considered to be a spectrum of immunoglobulin G4-related disease, a systemic inflammatory disease, the concept of which has been developed during the past decade. In the management of retroperitoneal fibrosis, assessment of systemic lesions associated with immunoglobulin G4-related disease and the exclusion of secondary retroperitoneal fibrosis is mandatory. Histological examination of retroperitoneal lesions is desired for accurate diagnosis and management. Laparoscopic or open biopsy is often beneficial, although it is more invasive than needle biopsy. Treatment for idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis consists of meticulous glucocorticoid therapy based on that for immunoglobulin G4-related disease, which is expected to be highly effective. Ureteral obstruction is usually managed with conservative procedures, such as ureteral stenting or percutaneous nephrostomy. The goal of treatment for retroperitoneal fibrosis should be freedom from the stent/nephrostomy with withdrawal of the glucocorticoid in addition to salvage of renal function; however, conservative management does not always provide favorable outcomes. In contrast, aggressive surgical treatment, such as ureterolysis, can achieve the goal; however, the procedure is associated with high morbidity. Establishment of a consensus about treatment for idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis, including the optimal indications for the invasive surgical procedure and conservative management, is desired.     

Innovative imaging in urology: fascination and future. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow

In contrast to other countries (e.g., USA) the German urologist routinely utilizes imaging in order to evaluate urological disorders. Ultrasound as a basic tool has acquired importance similar to the physical examination or the patient history. Because of its minimal invasiveness and low cost, it is increasingly utilized as a first-line exam.In correlation with the patient history and laboratory data more invasive imaging studies are performed and in unclear cases or in the preoperative work-up more extensive imaging procedures like computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are utilized. Even in emergency situations the urologist is able to guide interventions under ultrasound or conventional X-ray guidance (e.g., percutaneous drainage of dilated kidney), which resulted in a much lower complication rate of the various procedures. In those cases in which ultrasound is technically infeasible or in unclear cases CT and MRI are used as problem-solving procedures and are able to give the correct diagnosis in a large percentage of cases.After a brief historical overview, newer modalities and innovative techniques are explored and presented. Assuming that these innovative approaches lead to more accurate diagnosis and staging of various neoplastic and nonneoplastic conditions, treatment can be performed in earlier stages of diseases and better stage-adapted treatment can be offered to the patients.     

Management of hepatic hemangiomas: A 14-year experience

Hemangioma is the most common primary tumor of the liver and its diagnosis has become increasingly prevalent. Most of these lesions are asymptomatic and are managed conservatively. Large hemangiomas are often symptomatic and reports of surgical intervention are becoming increasingly frequent. We present our experience, over the last 14 years, with diagnosis and management of 249 liver hemangiomas, with special attention to a conservative strategy. Clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcome are analyzed. Of 249 patients, 77 (30.9%) were symptomatic, usually with right abdominal upper quadrant pain. Diagnosis was based on a radiologic algorithm according to the size and characteristics of the tumor; diagnosis by this method was not possible in only one case (0.4 %). Giant hemangiomas (>4 cm) were found in 68 patients (27.3%) and in 16 were larger than 10 cm. Eight patients (3.2%) underwent surgical treatment; indications were incapacitating pain in 6, diagnostic doubt in 1, and stomach compression in 1. No postoperative complications or mortality were observed in this series. Patients who did not undergo surgery (n = 241) did not present any complication related to the hemangioma during long-term follow-up (mean = 78 months). Hemangioma is a benign course disease with easy diagnosis and management. We propose a conservative approach for these lesions. Resection, which can be safely performed, should be reserved for the rare situations such as untreatable pain, diagnostic uncertainty, or compression of adjacent organs.     

Florid-reactive periostitis of the phalanges: a 2-case report

Florid-reactive periostitis, also known as fibroosseous pseudotumor, is a benign bone lesion. It occurs rarely among pediatric patients. Usually, it affects the phalanges of the hands and feet, where most lesions concern the proximal phalanx. Girls are more commonly affected than boys. The lesion appears benign radiographically but on histologic examination could be mistaken for a variety of malignant lesions, especially osteosarcoma. Therefore, histologic evaluation is a must for distinguishing this benign lesion from malignant and infectious etiologies. We present 2 patients with florid periactive periostitis of the phalanges who were treated in our clinic. After physical and microscopy examination of the soft and bone tissues, we found no evidence of malignant process. Because of a definitive diagnosis and the benign nature of the histologic findings, a conservative treatment, that is, no surgical intervention, with a close supervision of our patients was used. During follow-up observations in both patients, we did not notice any limitations of finger movements or an enlargement of the tumor. These findings confirmed that for cases with no aggressive growth, a conservative treatment may be effective and beneficial for a patient.     

Inflammatory pseudo-tumors of the liver. Apropos of 2 cases]

Inflammatory pseudotumors of the liver (IPTL) are a reaction pathology of most often mysterious etiology. This is an ill-known clinicopathological entity, of which 13 cases only have been reported. The authors report about 2 cases for which an infectious or parasitic etiology can be suggested. They sum up the characteristics of these pseudotumors, which are most often single, solid, preferentially developing in the right liver. The clinical signs of these lesions are pain and fever, associated to jaundice in case of pedicular extension. From a morphological and macroscopic point of view, IPTLs have the features of a primary or secondary malignant tumor. Cytological puncture usually fails. The diagnosis can be based only on an extensive surgical biopsy or the study of the specimen of liver exeresis. Finally, IPTLs are characterized by a spontaneously regressive evolution. This notion justifies a prudent, even conservative surgical attitude.     

Large periocular keratoacanthoma: the case for definitive treatment

Keratoacanthoma can usually be distinguished from squamous cell carcinoma. However, some tumors share certain characteristics of both lesions. There is a large group of actinic keratoacanthomas cytologically identical to squamous cell carcinomas. In locations other than the ocular adnexae, conservative therapy is often recommended for keratoacanthomas since these lesions tend to regress spontaneously. Two patients with large periocular keratoacanthomas illustrate some of the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas related to rapidly growing potentially malignant lesions about the eye. Extensive tissue destruction and possible recurrence following excision favor definitive surgical therapy in these cases.     

Acute and chronic osteochondral talus lesions

Osteochondral lesions of the talus are often not or delayed diagnosticated. They mostly are related to traumatic lesions of the upper ankle joint, where by traumatic distorsion are most common among. The degenerative change classified as osteochondrosis dissecans tali shows in the most cases also an originally traumatic generic. The classification by osteochondrosis dissecans tali in four stages by Berndt and Harty is nowadays accepted. These can be distinguished by means of several diagnostic methods. They are regarded as state-of-the-art of therapy and prognosis. Basically for diagnostic purposis the conventional X-ray in two planes with the right feet-allignement is sufficient. Despite the fact, that Szintigraphy and Computertomography for particular questions are the right tools, the MRI gives the highest amount of information. In the case of low levels of defects (Stage I and II) the conservative therapy is appropriate. In more serious cases (Stage III and IV) the surgical intervention has to be used. Beside the open surgical approach the arthroscopy has a growing importancy. In 60% of cases good long term results can be achieved. Beside some advantage there are some limits compared to the arthrotomy. The efficiency of new therapeutic methods like bone-cartilage-transplantation and chondrocyte-transplantation compared to the conventional wound toilet, microfractures and fragmentrefixation has to be proved by long term studies. The results depend on the stage and the localisation of the osteochondral lesion. In the developed stages III and IV surgical actions as wound toilet, removement of dissecate with microfragmentation respectivaly refixation are indicated, since conservative therapy methods lead undoubtedly to worse results. Generally mostly good and very good results connected with painless and weight bearing could be achieved.     

Simple cysts of the testis in children: preoperative diagnosis by ultrasound and excision with testicular preservation

We report on 2 children with simple cysts of the testis who were treated with excision and testicular preservation. To our knowledge both cases represent the first report of conservative surgery for these lesions in children. In 1 case the diagnosis of a simple intratesticular cyst was made by ultrasound. This patient was followed conservatively until enlargement resulted in excision of the cyst with preservation of the gonad. In the other case the diagnosis was made intraoperatively and simple excision of the lesion with testicular sparing was performed. High resolution real-time ultrasound should be performed routinely for all suspected testicular masses in children. Benign testicular tumors are more common than in adults and ultrasound may permit identification of lesions that can be excised locally with testicular preservation. Should the diagnosis of a simple, small intratesticular cyst be made by ultrasound regular followup may be appropriate. Should enlargement occur surgical excision can be done with the possibility of gonadal preservation.     

Pulmonary hemangioma in the newborn

Two main forms of hamartomas are found in the lung, chondromas and hemangiomas. Hemangiomas occur either as single lesions or as diffuse pulmonary hemangiomatosis, which is a very rare but fatal disorder. The disease frequently manifests asymptomatically, and mainly in adults. Patients most often do not experience any symptoms and the disease manifests as late as in the adult age with cough, hemoptysis, chest pain and fever associated with pneumonitis. Usually, the disease progresses rapidly, and causes secondary veno-occlusive disease leading to pulmonary hypertension or bleeding. Diagnosis is difficult, and radiography often gives no evidence. There is need for an aggressive approach which in most cases is followed only after the onset of severe complications. In newborns these lesions are chiefly detected incidentally at autopsy; visceral hemangiomas do not regress spontaneously. Since an accurate diagnosis depends on open biopsy, conjoint resection can be easily performed in most instances, this may even become a necessity when complications occur. We report about 3 cases of pulmonary hemangiomas in newborn babies who were diagnosed shortly after birth and treated surgically during the first months of life. In 2 cases, surgical treatment cured the patients, 1 case took a fatal caurse. Early diagnosis may allow to restrict the surgical procedure and may in some cases even cure the patient, anyhow it prevents complications.     

Temporal lobe lesions in head injury

Summary In cases of closed head injury temporal lobe lesionse.g. contusion, laceration, pulping, or intracerebral haematoma frequently result in an expanding process. These are frequently associated with an overlying subdural haematoma. Eighty five cases of such lesions from a consecutive series of 1,000 cases of head injury have been analyzed. The lesions are caused by severe injury resulting in loss of concsiousness and skull fracture. Most of them are contre-coup lesions. Clinically they manifest themselves like any other acute or subacute intracranial hematoma. The majority of the patients have contralateral hemiparesis and pupillary abnormalities. Carotid angiography is valuable for diagnosis. These lesions are likely to be missed when exploratory burr holes are made or, are erroneously diagnosed as acute subdural haematoma or brain oedema. Smaller lesions, not showing progressive deterioration, may respond to conservative treatment. However, surgical decompression is essential in most cases. A fronto-temporal osteoplastic craniotomy or a large Scoville trephine hole is essential to deal with these lesions adequately.     

Assessment and management of childhood skeletal malignancies

Primary bone cancers are a rare but life changing diagnosis. Early diagnosis and onward referral to a multidisciplinary team within a dedicated sarcoma centre is associated with the best outcomes. The most common lesions, osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma, are aggressive tumours with a tendency to metastasize to the lungs. Treatment for localized and some metastatic cases generally consists of multi-agent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection and reconstruction prior to further chemotherapy. In spite of advances in surgical technique and chemotherapy regimes, overall five-year survival remains approximately 50–60%.     

Early surgical treatment of cutaneous hemangiomas

Infantile hemangioma appears after the birth as a vascular tumor, which is known for its characteristic evolution in 3 phases: rapid augmentation then stabilization and involution on several years with in the best cases, classical "restitutio ad integrum". Usual surgical attitude is abstention and surgery is proposed only in order to treat sequel. But some particular situations require early surgery for life-threatening lesions or in case of functional impairment. Surgery consists in these cases in a simple volumetric diminution of the tumor with no aim for esthetic improvement. Other kinds of hemangiomas require an early surgical treatment before their complete involution. In some particular locations, deformation or growth delay can occur due to the lesion's development. In some cases, hemangiomas present a delayed involution with minor regression capacity; these are mainly located on the median part of the face and have principally a subcutaneous development. Early surgery can be proposed in order to avoid definitive deformation or growth impairment of adjacent structures. It should be performed before school age and before occurrence of psychological difficulties. Surgery is indicated in a perspective of esthetic improvement. Surgical procedure consists first in modeling excision followed by simple repair technique as linear suture or purse string closure; complex surgical procedures inducing their own sequels are usually inappropriate.