Hepatic alveolar hydatidosis — A malignant masquerade

A 43-year-old male presented with clinical features of obstructive jaundice. Biochemical tests and radiologic imaging were suggestive of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with hilar block. Multiple attempts to obtain tissue diagnosis in the form of USG-guided FNAC & tru-cut biopsy failed. Exploratory laparotomy and wedge biopsy confirmed E. multilocularis (alveolar hydatid disease). The patient was managed with albendazole therapy. At 8-month follow-up, the patient was clinically asymptomatic with near normalization of biochemical parameters and significant regression of the lesion as shown by computed tomography. E. Multilocularis infection of the liver is quite rare in the Indian subcontinent and poses a diagnostic dilemma. Nonetheless, despite its rarity, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a patient presents with clinical and radiological features of a space-occupying lesion of the liver while attempts to set pathological diagnosis by FNA/ tru-cut biopsy are inconclusive. Awareness of this emerging infectious disease could prevent a fatal outcome, particularly amongst patients who have been exposure to wild life.     

鼠双微体2与核糖体蛋白L23在胃癌组织中的表达及临床意义

目的:研究胃癌中鼠双微体2(murine double mimute 2,MDM2)与核糖体蛋白L23(ribosomal protein L23,RPL23)的表达及其临床相关性,初步探讨他们在胃癌发生发展中的生物学意义.方法:采用免疫组织化学染色方法检测90例胃癌组织和30例胃癌旁正常组织中MDM2和RPL23蛋白的表达;统计学分析他们表达的相关性及其与临床病理因素、患者生存时间的联系.结果:胃癌组织中MDM2表达阳性率与癌旁对照组比较显著性增高(62.2%vs 40.0%,P0.05),而RPL23蛋白表达显著性降低(30.0%vs 63.3%,P0.05).MDM2和RPL23在胃癌中的表达呈负相关(r=-0.23,P=0.029).多因素分析显示MDM2高表达和RPL23低表达、淋巴结转移、肿瘤入侵深度、肿瘤的大小对胃癌患者生存预后的影响有统计学意义.结论:MDM2、RPL23的表达与胃癌的发生发展具有一定的相关性,针对两者的信号通路或许可作为胃癌预后的标志和新型治疗靶标.     

Amniotic membrane transplantation in the management of shield ulcers of vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

PURPOSE: To report our experience with amniotic membrane transplantation in the management of severe shield ulcers. DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Four patients (seven eyes) with grade 2 (ulcer with opaque base) and grade 3 (plaquelike lesions) shield ulcers not responding to steroid therapy with or without surgical debridement. INTERVENTION: Amniotic membrane transplantation with stromal side down was performed after meticulous debridement of the ulcer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Healing of the ulcer with no epithelial defect. RESULTS: The ulcers healed with disintegration or retraction of the membrane in all patients within 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic membrane transplantation in combination with debridement is an effective surgical modality in the management of severe shield ulcers. Further studies are warranted to confirm the efficacy of amniotic membrane transplantation in the management of shield ulcer and its correct position in the treatment algorithm.     

Free fibula flap in the reconstruction of mandible: a report of six cases

The defects secondary to surgical ablation of the mandible have far reaching consequences. Speech, respiration, mastication, deglutition and cosmesis are severely affected. Restoring these functions is a challenging task. Till the late eighties, myocutaneous flaps were the rule for mandibular reconstruction and free bone was used to restore bony continuity. In spite of the result being predictable the outcome left much to be desired. There was also a fairly regular crop of complications. Acceptable dental rehabilitation was almost non-existent. With the introduction of free flaps as a consequence of the development of the operating microscope, the field of reconstruction was revolutionized.     

Man’s best friend? Infective endocarditis due to Capnocytophaga canimorsus

Infective endocarditis caused by zoonotic microorganisms is an uncommon clinical entity. A 55-year-old man was diagnosed with endocarditis due to Capnocytophaga canimorsus, a commensal bacterium contained in the saliva of dogs, that involved the aortic and tricuspid valves and was complicated by a para-aortic valve abscess and aorta-to-right atrial fistula. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotic therapy and surgical intervention. C canimorsus endocarditis should be considered in patients with culture-negative endocarditis, particularly in immunosuppressed, asplenic or alcoholic individuals who have recently suffered a dog bite or have had close contact with dogs.