Ovarian cysts in newborns

Before the introduction of ultrasonography (US), ovarian cysts in newborns were thought to be rare. With the extended use of real-time US, prenatal detection has increased. There is still considerable controversy regarding the best treatment of these neonatal findings. A total of 27 instances in 24 consecutive newborns of antenatally-diagnosed ovarian cysts were reviewed for US data, management, and outcome to assess the ante- and postnatal evolution of the cyst and establish appropriate therapy. The cysts detected during pregnancy were studied by repeated postnatal US studies. In 10 children (2 with bilateral cysts) the cyst evolved spontaneously toward regression. Fourteen patients were operated upon; 10 had complex and 4 (in 1 bilateral) had simple cysts. Cystectomy was employed when possible to preserve the ovarian parenchyma (3 cases); in the remaining cases oophorectomy was performed. Histologically, the cysts were of follicular origin or necrosis made a diagnosis impossible. US was found to be a helpful diagnostic tool for simple ovarian cysts, but could not reliably distinguish between benign and malignant tumors if a sonographically complex lesion was present. Based on our experience, surgical management of ovarian cysts should be reserved to complex masses. Simple cysts can be monitored safely by close US follow-up; surgery is indicated if the cyst fails to regress after several months or becomes symptomatic. Accepted: 9 March 2000     

Cauterization Versus Fibrin Glue for Aerostasis in Precision Resections for Secondary Lung Tumors

Background: Aerostasis control in multiple resections for metastatic pulmonary diseases is a real problem. Long-term air leaks prolong postoperative hospitalization and result in an additional financial burden on the healthcare system. We focused our study on the evaluation of fibrin glue (Tissucol) as an effective means to minimize or prevent air leaks.Methods: We initiated a case-control study whereby 100 patients underwent precision resections for lung metastases. The subjects were divided into 2 groups, both with 50 patients: group 1 was treated with fibrin glue and group 2 with cauterization. Evaluation parameters consisted of the following: air leak duration, expected complications, drain time, and in-hospital stay.Results: In group 1, air-leak time was 2.68 ± 1.72 days, versus 7.80 ± 8.52 for group 2 (P < .001). In group 1, there were 2% complications, whereas in group 2 there were 28% (P < .001). Drain time was 4.54 ± 1.83 days for group 1 and 9.54 ± 8.35 for group 2 (P < .001). In-hospital stay was 6.54 ± 1.83 days for group 1 and 11.54 ± 8.35 for group 2 (P < .001).Conclusions:In the group treated with fibrin glue, we observed significant advantages. Our experience shows that the use of fibrin glue can improve aerostasis control in nonanatomical resections with high risk of air leak.Presented at the 55th Annual Cancer Symposium of the Society of Surgical Oncology, Denver, Colorado, March 14–17, 2002.     

Conversion from tacrolimus to cyclosporine--a based immunosuppression following liver transplantation

We examined the frequency, reasons and outcome after conversion from Tacrolimus to Cyclosporine A. From August 1989 to December 1992, 1000 consecutive liver transplantation patients were studied, which included 834 adults (age>18 yr.) and 166 children with mean follow-up of 77 months (range 56 to 96). A prospectively populated electronic database was queried to identify patients that underwent conversion, the clinical indication and outcomes. Thirty-seven out of 834 adult recipients (4.43%), mean age of 48.4+/-12.9 years, 19 male (51.35%) and 18 females (48.64%) required conversion from Tacrolimus to Cyclosporine A baseline immunosuppressive therapy. No pediatric patient required conversion. The mean time interval from liver transplantation to Cyclosporine A conversion was 443.45+/-441.44 days (range 22 to 1641). The clinical indications for conversion included: 20 neurological (54%), 6 gastrointestinal (16%), 5 hematological (14%), and 6 other (16%) scenarios. Seven of the 37 patients (18.9%) died. The causes of death were multi-organ failure (2), sepsis (2), pancreatitis (1), hepatic failure due to relapse of ethanol abuse (1), and unknown cause (1). Nine out of 37 patients (24.32%) had to be reconverted to Tacrolimus (mean 282.22+/-499.79 days; range 15 to 1583 day with a median of 135) after institution of Cyclosporine A; none showed recurrence of the original symptoms. The reasons for these re-conversions were acute cellular rejection (44%, n=4), chronic rejection (11%, n=1), increased hepatic enzymes (33%, n=3) and progressively worsening neurological symptoms (11%, n=1). The frequency of conversion from Tacrolimus to Cyclosporine A was 4.43%. Conversion is safe and efficacious if done in a controlled setting. Additionally, re-conversion to Tacrolimus for lack of efficacy of Cyclosporine A did not appear to be associated with a recurrence of the condition that caused the initial switch.     

Isolated tonsillar sarcoidosis manifested as asymmetric palantine tonsils

Sarcoidosis is a chronic systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Isolated sarcoidosis of palatine tonsils in the absence of other systemic localizations is very rare, and only a few cases have been described in literature. We report a case of a 69-year-old woman presenting an asymptomatic unilateral enlargement of palatine tonsils. The pathologic report of the tonsillectomy specimen revealed the presence of noncaseating granulomatous lesions compatible with sarcoidosis. The research of acid-fast bacilli on the biopsy material using the Ziehl-Neelsen stain was negative, and no cultural growth was documented. Further investigations confirmed the diagnosis and excluded other systemic localizations of the disease. In our experience, asymmetric tonsils caused by sarcoid disease should be taken into consideration for the differential diagnosis in tonsillar enlargement. With this report, we underline the possibility of an isolated localization of sarcoidosis in palatine tonsils manifested as asymmetric enlargement, and we point out the value of histopathologic examination after tonsillectomy in selected cases. Once sarcoid lesions are found in tonsillar specimens, further investigations are mandatory to confirm the diagnosis, to detect an eventual multisystemic disease, and to exclude a possible association with malignancy.     

Bilateral breast reconstruction with the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap: the importance of patient positioning

This report of 2 patients demonstrates that bilateral breast reconstruction with the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap is facilitated by simultaneous elevation of the flaps in the prone position and simultaneous insetting of the flaps in the supine position. Operative time, blood loss, and position changes are minimized using this technique.     

Perforated gastric ulcer in an asthmatic treated with theophylline and steroids. Case report and literature review

We presented a patient with status asthmaticus treated with a combination of theophylline and prednisone who developed a perforated gastric ulcer. The relative etiologic significance of the stress of status asthmaticus, administration of theophylline, or corticosteroids is open to question. The literature, except for anecdotal reports, does not support a significant increase of ulcers in asthmatic patients on either theophylline or steroids. A study following large patient groups on theophylline and a combination of theophylline and steroids might clarify the risk of ulcer formation in patients being treated with these medications for asthma.     

Changing epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection: a comparative seroepidemiological study (1979 vs 1989) in north-east Italy.

A comparative seroepidemiological study (1979 vs 1989) on HAV infection, was carried out in children and adolescents from North-East Italy. Anti-HAV was tested in 850 subjects 6 to 8 years of age and the results were compared to those observed in 1979, in 462 subjects of the same age range and from the same geographical area. Overall anti-HAV prevalence was 1.9% (ranging from 0.5 to 5.2) in 1989 vs 32.5% (ranging from 7.8 to 70.7) in 1979. This dramatic decline of HAV infection in children and adolescents reflects the improved sanitation standard of our country but, on the other hand, indicates that the number of non-immune adults is increasing, with a higher risk of symptomatic infection in the near future.