Giant median raphe cyst of the penis with diffuse melanosis of its epithelial lining

Diffuse melanosis of the epithelial lining of an unusually large median raphe cyst of the penis is reported. Its light microscopic and ultrastructural features are described. The findings are discussed in the context of the published literature of genitourinary melanosis.     

Different types of median raphe cysts in the penis

We report a case of different types of median raphe cysts in the penis. The literature is reviewed and the origin of these cysts is discussed.     

The Sistrunk median cervical cyst operation using a cecal foramen pointer

The cecal foramen pointer was invented for a Sistrunk median cervical cyst operation. The instrument consists of three elements, namely: The cecal foramen holder, the giraffe shaped connector and the pointer needle. First of all, the cecal foramen is held by the holder which is reconstructed from hemostatic forceps. The one end of the connector is joined to the holder's handle. Then the other end of the connector comes along the patient's chin, in front of the neck. The cyst and mid-portion of the hyoid bone are dissected, followed by coring out of the thyroglossal duct toward the cecal foramen. In the coring out process, the pointer needle is pierced through the tunnel of the connector's opposite end, so that the needle top reaches to the bottom of operative wound. Then the needle shows exactly the direction to the cecal foramen and the distance from the bottom of the wound to the cecal foramen. By using this instrument the operation was successfully performed for a case of a recurrent median cervical cyst with a complete fistula to the cecal foramen.     

Median raphe cyst in the scrotum, mimicking a serous borderline tumor, associated with cryptorchidism after orchiopecxy

Median raphe cyst (MRC) is a benign lesion occurring predominantly in the ventral surface of the penises of young men and is an embryological developmental anomaly of the male genitalia. Serous borderline tumors (SBT) are found most frequently in the female ovary and only several cases with SBT of the male genitalia have been reported. We describe a case of MRC with features of SBT, which appeared in the scrotum of a 9-year-old boy after orchiopexy and was associated with surgery for cryptorchidism. The cyst arose on the right testicular tunica and consisted of cystic components with intracystic papillae lined by stratified epithelial cells, some of which showed mild cytological atypia and sporadic mitosis. These epithelial cells expressed CA 125, CA 19-9, carcinoembryonic antigen, estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor. Although no cases of MRC with characteristics of SBT in association with the rete testis has been described, the current report gives additional information for follow-up of cryptorchidism.     

Neurilemmoma of median nerve

Neurilemmomas constitute one of the most common tumors of peripheral nerves. Rarer amongst them is their occurrence in median nerve in the region of arm. A sixteen-year-old female presented with painless mass in right arm which was non-tender on palpation with positive Tinel''s sign and no motor or sensory deficit in the affected arm. Ultrasound examination revealed an eccentrically arising mass of size 19 × 11 mm along median nerve. MRI study revealed a mass homogenously isointense on T1 weighted images and hyperintense in T2 weighted images placed eccentrically in relation to median nerve in arm. Excisional biopsy under loupe magnification was carried out which revealed the mass to be neurilemmoma. This slowly growing benign tumor of peripheral nerves with an incidence of 5% with 14% involvement of Median nerve can be enucleated from the nerve with little or no damage. In spite of advanced imaging studies the mass cannot be differentiated preoperatively from another peripheral nerve sheath tumor neurofibroma. Both these tumors although bearing some clinical and imaging resemblance carry different intraoperative findings, histopathological features and post-operative results.     

Submammary median sternotomy

A vertical skin incision is used as routine approach for sternotomy. The resulting scar is often disappointing and the top is visible and unpleasant, especially for young women. In 35 women ranging from 10 to 48 years (mean 29.2 years), median sternotomy was performed via a submammary skin incision. In all cases an open heart surgical procedure was performed. Adequate exposure of the heart was achieved in every case and there were no technical problems related to this approach, no hospital mortality or major complications. The cosmetic result is excellent and this approach is certainly justified in open heart surgery for young women.     

Split median nerve

Carpal tunnel syndrome is encountered frequently in the every day practice for many orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons. However, the rate of recurrence or incomplete relief is high and difficult to treat. This may be related to the high percent of anomalies of the median nerve and its surrounding tissues. A case of a split median nerve entrapped by an abnormally inserted palmaris longus muscle is presented. The case is discussed and a conclusion of safer standard surgical release is recommended, especially in doubtful cases.     

Epidermal Maturation Arrest

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous wound repair involves a complex and temporal integration of cytokines, formed blood components, extracellular matrix, and parenchymal cells. The normal healing process can be impeded at any step along its path by a variety of factors. OBJECTIVE: We present four cases of abnormal wound repair in patients whose defects were left to heal by second intention following Mohs micrographic surgery. In particular, these patients experienced an unusual delay in healing with an apparent arrest of epidermal maturation. RESULTS: Each appeared to respond to a topical steroid and/or ibuprofen. The intent of this therapy was to inhibit products of the arachadonic acid cascade or other cytokines that may have been hindering normal epidermal differentiation. CONCLUSION: We present four case reports, a brief review of epidermal reconstitution in wounds, and a possible explanation for why our therapy may have hastened wound repair in our patients.