Thrombocytopenia in association with a wandering spleen

An ectopic, so-called wandering spleen is an uncommon occurrence. We present the case of a young woman who presented with abdominal pain and was found to have an enlarged spleen, located in the lower abdomen and pelvis. The possibility of lymphoma was entertained because of concomitant findings of thrombocytopenia and a possible mesenteric mass. The mass was subsequently found at laparotomy to be the tail of the malpositioned pancreas, and the thrombocytopenia resolved with splenectomy. Review of the literature indicates that lymphoma is an uncommon finding in wandering spleens, that wandering spleens are enlarged in most cases, and that thrombocytopenia, while uncommon, can be seen, in particular when associated with torsion of an elongated splenic pedicle. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Line it up—Inadvertent placement of nasogastric tube in pleural space resulting in iatrogenic empyema

Dobhoff tubes, used for post‐pyloric feedings, have a weighted metal end with a small diameter that enhances their flexibility to traverse the gastrointestinal tract. Unfortunately, the metal stylet can iatrogenically perforate surrounding structures in patients with diminished cough and gag (1), and extreme caution should be considered before its utilization.     

Ageing increases risk of lower eyelid malposition after primary orbital fracture reconstruction

Lower eyelid malposition (LEM) is a common sequela after orbital fracture reconstruction. This study aimed to analyse the development of LEM, specifically ectropion and entropion, following primary orbital fracture reconstruction, to identify predictive factors for LEM, and to assess the effect of the eyelid complication on patients’ daily lives. The retrospective cohort comprised patients who had undergone orbital floor and/or medial wall fracture reconstruction for recent trauma. Demographics, fracture type and site, surgery and implant-related variables, follow-up time and number of visits, type and severity of LEM, subsequent surgical correction, and patient satisfaction, were analysed. The overall occurrence of LEM was 8%, with ectropion in 6% and entropion in 2% of patients. Older age, complex fractures, transcutaneous approaches, preoperative traumatic lower lid wounds, and implant material were associated with the development of LEM. Of all patients, 3% needed surgical correction of LEM. Six of the 13 patients (46%) who developed LEM required surgical correction. The transconjunctival approach and patient-specific implants should be preferred, especially in elderly patients and those with more complex fractures. LEM often requires subsequent surgical correction, and the treatment period is substantially prolonged, with multiple extra visits to the clinic.     

Laparoscopically-assisted transabdominal oocyte retrieval in an infertility patient with ovarian malposition

Infertility patients with malpositioned ovaries have considerable difficulty conceiving naturally because of extended fallopian tubes and ovarian malposition; such patients turn for help to assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. For most of these patients, ovarian malposition prevents transvaginal oocyte retrieval, so the transabdominal approach for oocyte retrieval is required. One of our infertility patients presented with ovarian malposition, and laparoscopy-assisted transabdominal oocyte retrieval was performed. We performed a Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) long protocol with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) ovarian stimulation, and used a standard transvaginal probe through the anterior abdominal wall for ovarian imaging and monitoring of the growing follicles. The patient underwent laparoscopically-assisted transabdominal oocyte retrieval—9 oocytes were recovered, and 5 were fertilized, and 2 embryos were transferred to the patient’s uterus. The patient became pregnant and a gestational sac was detectable by transvaginal ultrasonography, but she spontaneously miscarried. The patient then received several laparoscopically-assisted transabdominal oocyte retrievals and finally became pregnant following a thawed embryo transfer during a hormone replacement cycle, and now her pregnancy is going well.     

Concordant Ventriculoarterial Connections with Parallel Arterial Trunks in the Setting of Isomerism of the Right Atrial Appendages

We describe an autopsied specimen, from an infant who died in 1967, in which concordant ventriculoarterial connections coexisted with parallel arterial trunks, usually described as “anatomically corrected malposition.” Based on their shape, the extent of the pectinate muscles, and the absence of a coronary sinus, we diagnosed isomeric right atrial appendages. Despite this, the arrangement of the remaining thoracic and abdominal organs, as well as the patterns of venous drainage, was almost completely mirror imaged.     

过度背伸腰椎手法治疗腰椎间盘突出症临床研究

依据手法治疗前后临床资料及X线影像学的变化 ,研究过度背伸手法临床疗效机理。对 35例腰椎间盘突出症患者采用过度背伸腰椎手法治疗前后的临床资料及CT片和腰椎动力位X线片进行研究 ,并与对照组 36例推拿治疗前后资料相对照。结果 ,合并腰椎小关节错位及腰椎失稳分别在腰椎间盘突出症中占 6 5 71%及48 5 7%。过度背伸手法治疗后腰椎小关节错位整复率 6 9 5 7% ,腰椎失稳整复率 5 8 82 % ;对照组整复率分别为33 33%、16 6 7%。腰椎小关节错位及腰椎失稳在腰椎间盘突出症的病理变化中起重要作用 ,过度背伸腰椎手法 ,通过整复腰椎小关节错位及治疗腰椎失稳 ,建立新的椎间平衡 ,减轻对神经根及硬膜囊的压迫