Intracranial actinomycosis in juvenile patients Case report and review of the literature

A case of actinomycotic brain infection in a juvenile patient is described. Cases of actinomycosis affecting the head and neck are rare, particularly in juvenile patients. In this case complete resolution of the infection was achieved by means of surgical treatment and prolonged antibiotic therapy. The authors emphasize the importance of a combined approach for treatment of this unusual brain infection and stress the difficulties involved in the diagnosis of this pathology. Received: 3 November 1997     

The value of different methods of treatment of brain abscess in the CT era

Summary 67 cases of brain abscess were analyzed retrospectively. As 2 comatose patients died on admission before any treatment was started, the results are based on 65 treated patients. Different methods of treatment included: total removal in 36 patients, drainage in 14, aspiration in 6 and conservative treatment in 9. Management mortality was 18,5% and was almost not dependent on the method of treatment (except aspiration) being lowest in the drainage group. The mortality was significantly higher in patients with serious impairment of consciousness on admission.Follow-up examination after 1 to 11 years was performed in 47 out of 53 discharged patients and revealed in 25 of them (53%) full recovery. 10 additional cases (21%) are independent. The best early and long term results were obtained in patients by drainage and medical treatment.Chronic epilepsy developed in 34% of patients with supratentorial lesions. The risk of epilepsy was lowest in the group of patients treated by drainage.The authors present the opinion that removal of brain abscess is necessary only in exceptional cases.     

A new operational approach for the piriform sinus fistula

It has been well documented that piriform sinus fistulae often cause suppurative thyroditis; however, when a piriform sinus fistula does not present this symptom, making a correct diagnosis is very difficult. We have experienced 11 cases of a piriform sinus fistula. The conventional operational approach was performed in the initial eight patients, among which there were four recurrences in two patients. Therefore, a new operational approach was introduced for the three most recent cases and one recurrent case. First, the existence of the internal orifice of the fistula is confirmed with a laryngoscope, after which a transverse incision on the neck is made and the abscess dissected. The side wall of the piriform sinus is then opened with the help of a laryngoscope and the bottom part of the mucosa of the sinus transected with the internal orifice of the fistula, after which the fistula is removed en bloc with the bottom part of the sinus and abscess cavity. Using this operation, we experienced no complications and there has been no recurrence so far.This paper was presented at the 23rd Annual Meeting of Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgeons, June 1990 in Kona, Hawaii.     

Vesicocutaneous fistula: An unusual complication of inguinoscrotal hernia

Involvement of the urinary bladder in an inguinal hernia is common, but massive bladder hernia is rare. Most urinary bladder herniations are discovered and repaired during surgery. We report a case of large incarcerated inguino-scrotal hernia, which was reduced only to present as a scrotal abscess and vesicocutaneous fistula; an unusual complication. The patient was managed conservatively due to underlying comorbidities.     

Fallopian tube carcinoma presenting as tubo-ovarian abscess: a report of two cases with literature review

Preoperative diagnosis of fallopian tube carcinoma is difficult, with fewer than 5% being diagnosed preoperatively. We describe tubal carcinoma, presenting as a tubo-ovarian abscess in two 47-year-old women. Both patients presented with abdominal pain, pelvic mass, and fever. Both patients were treated as having a tubo-ovarian abscess but failed to respond to therapy. During surgery a metastatic right tubal carcinoma was found. A definite operation was performed in both patients. Three additional cases of fallopian tube carcinoma, presenting as acute pelvic inflammatory disease, were found while reviewing the English literature. Actually all these three cases presented as tubo-ovarian abscess because of the existence of tender pelvic mass. Carcinoma of the fallopian tube should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tubo-ovarian abscess in those who failed to respond to a previously unreported clinical presentation.     

磁共振弥散加权成像在脑脓肿与坏死囊变性脑肿瘤鉴别诊断中的价值

目的　评价磁共振弥散加权成像 (diffusiionwieghtedimaging ,DWI) ,在脑脓肿与坏死囊变性脑肿瘤鉴别诊断中的价值。方法　 12例经手术病理 ( 10例 )或临床随访 ( 2例 )证实的脑脓肿和 5 0例经手术病理证实的坏死囊变性脑脓肿 (其中星形细胞瘤 2 8例、脑转移瘤 10例、血管母细胞瘤 6例、听神经瘤 6例 ) ,在术前或治疗前接受了常规MRI检查及DWI。结果　脑脓肿 (脓腔 )在DWI上表现为明显的高信号 ,而脑肿瘤坏死囊变区表现为低信号。结论　DWI对脑脓肿与坏死囊变性脑肿瘤的鉴别诊断具有重价值 ,应与常规MRI序列一起列为基本序列。     

耳源性脑疝25例临床分析

耳源性脑疝25例,抢救成功者19例。采用单纯脑脓肿穿刺抽脓抢救脑疝6例,仅1例成功;开颅减压术抢救脑疝20例,18例抢救成功。本组临床实践和文献报道都说明耳源性脑疝一旦发生应即刻行开颅减压术,能卓有成效地抢救生命     

腹膜后脓肿的诊断和治疗

目的探讨腹膜后脓肿的病因,诊断和治疗。方法回顾性分析了1990-2004年诊断和治疗腹膜后脓肿33例的临床资料。结果急性坏死性胰腺炎后20例,胆囊切除胆总管探查术后4例,十二指肠损伤2例,阑尾穿孔3例,肾结石4例。超声检查确诊80%(20/25),CT检查确诊100%(22/22)。经腹部腹膜后脓肿切开置管引流25例,手术1~4次不等,后腰部切开引流8例。手术后并发应激性胃粘膜损伤致消化道出血7例,成人呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)5例,急性肾功能衰竭3例,死亡4例。治愈时间1~6个月,平均3.5个月。结论及时明确诊断,进行有效引流并加强营养支持是治疗成功的关键。     

Betropharyngeal abscesses: Revisited

Retropharyngeal abscesses were fairly common in preantibiotic era but the advent of antibiotics has reduced the overall incidence of these abscesses. They still continue to occur specially in developing world and carry significant morbidity and even mortality if not managed properly. The prevalence of this abscess in the young children pose a bigger challenge, as the examination of oral cavity is difficult. Emphasis is placed on the age, sex, type, and duration of symptoms, bacteriology, methodology of diagnosis, therapy and complications. With proper antibiotic cover and surgical management, majority of patients today survive without major residual squeal. Hereby we present a series of 15 cases of retropharyngeal abscess.     

一期切开挂线术治疗肛周脓肿305例

采用一期切开挂线术治疗肛周脓肿３０５例，全瓿期治愈，无发生肛瘘及并发症者。作者认为手术成功的关键是正确处理内口及原发灶，良好通畅的切口引流以及合理的术后处理，对提高疗效，防止复发有重要意义。