Symptomatic liver cyst: Special reference to surgical management

We conducted a retrospective study of 14 patients with symptomatic liver cysts to evaluate current therapeutic interventions for this condition. Abdominal pain (n = 7) or abdominal mass (n = 5) were the most frequent presentations. Three patients also had renal cyst. Percutaneous aspiration with ethanol sclerotheraphy was carried out in 4 patients and all cysts so treated diminished in size, with relief of the symptoms. One patient was treated by aspiration only and re-retension occurred. Cystectomy was performed in 2 patients, unroofing in 5, and fenestration in 2 patients. All patients gained relief of symptoms, with no recurrence of symptoms. Computed tomography revealed that the cysts were diminished or were no longer observable after all the treatments. Our experience indicates that unroofing, fenestration, and cystectomy are safe and suitable procedures for treatment of the condition. Ethanol sclerotherapy may be a feasible alternative to surgical intervention in selected patients. Received for publication on July 23, 1997; accepted on Dec. 25, 1997     

Volume of tarsal bones in congenital clubfoot

To elucidate the growth of the tarsal bones in congenital clubfoot, relative to the growth of these bones in the unaffected feet and compared to growth in the feet of normal volunteers, we used a computed tomography (CT) scanner to measure the volume of all tarsal bones. The subjects of the study were 10 adults (7 men and 3 women) with unilateral congenital clubfoot (average age 20 years and 1 month). As controls, we examined 11 healthy volunteers. We calculated the ratio of the volume of each tarsal bone to the total bone volume and the ratio of the volume of each tarsal bone in clubfoot to the corresponding bone in the unaffected foot. The volume ratio of each tarsal bone was compared between clubfeet and unaffected feet because the differences of each tarsal bone ratio between the normal foot group and unaffected foot group were not significant. In the clubfeet (n=10), the talus and the medial cuneiform bones were smaller than those in the unaffected feet (n=10) but the cuboid bone was larger. The growth of the navicular did not differ from as that in unaffected feet. Our results suggested hypoplasia on the medial side of the foot in adult patients with congenital clubfoot. The 3 patients who had undergone medial release showed particularly marked hypoplasia of the medial side. In congenital clubfoot cases with severe deformities who had undergone wide soft-tissue release operations, there were clear growth suppressions in the talus and the medial cuneiform. We could not determine whether the cause of the growth suppression was the hypoplastic nature of tarsal bones themselves or the surgical obstacles to tarsal bone growth.     

A Rare Case of Biliobiliary Fistula

Abstract: Biliobiliary fistula is a rare clinical entity. The case of a 72 year old female, who presented with epigastric pain and jaundice, is detailed herein. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed two stones, one each in the common bile duct and the gallbladder. Continuous endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) was performed to relieve obstructive jaundice. Further study with contrast medium administered via the ENBD tube revealed a fistula between the neck of the gallbladder and the common bile duct. The cystic duct was intact. A stone was considered to have migrated into the common bile duct through the fistula. A diagnosis of biliobiliary fistula, Corlette type I was made. However, in this particular case, a biliobiliary fistula was noted at a site below the junction of the cystic duct and common bile duct. Removal of the gallbladder stones was followed by cholecystectomy. The common bile duct was then repaired by utilizing a T-tube. No evidence of malignancy was recognized in the resected gallbladder specimen. In the one year to date since surgery, the patient has been asymptomatic and without signs of biliary disease.     

BILIARY HYPERPRESSURE IN RAT EXTRAHEPATIC CHOLESTASIS ALTERS HORSERADISH PEROXIDASE BILIARY EXCRETION

1. The authors investigated the effect of two extrahepatic cholestasis models (one by bile duct ligation and the other by choledocho-jugular fistula) on the hepatic clearance of horseradish peroxidase in male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into four groups. 2. In groups A (n = 5 rats) and B (n = 5), bile duct ligation was performed, while a choledocho-jugular fistula was created in groups C (n = 5) and D (n= 7). A 10 mg intravenous bolus of horseradish peroxidase was injected after 24 h (groups A and C), 48 h (groups B and D) or 1 h (Group E; five sham-operated rats). Serum and bile samples were then serially collected for 2 h. 3. In all groups, serum horseradish peroxidase levels increased soon after injection and then rapidly decreased, the curves being similar. Biliary excretion increased for 30 min and then slowly decreased. The highest horseradish peroxidase biliary concentrations and outputs were found in Group B followed by Group A; both groups had significantly higher levels than Group E. No difference was found between horseradish peroxidase biliary excretion of groups C and D and that of sham-operated rats. 4. When each group was considered separately, sampling times correlated with the corresponding ratios of bile/ plasma HRP. Significant differences were found between the relative slopes of groups A, B and E, but not between those of groups C, D and E. 5. In conclusion, bile duct obstruction greatly affects the plasma-bile transfer of fluid phase markers, such as horseradish peroxidase, while single retention, caused by choledocho-jugular fistula, has no influence. The increased biliary hyperpressure related to the duration of cholestasis may account for the degree of horseradish peroxidase transfer which, in turn, probably depends on an enhanced paracellular passage.     

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.     

AN UNUSUAL CAUSE OF RECTOVAGINAL FISTULA

An unusual case of rectovaginal fistula is reported. An 81 year old woman presented to the geriatric team with a request to review her faecal incontinence. It was discovered that she had a predilection for placing foreign objects in her vagina. In this instance a carbonated drink top had formed a rectovaginal fistula.     

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.     

低位无肛术术中完整保留瘘口组织的必要性和可行性

目的探讨低位肛门直肠畸形术术中保留瘘口组织的必要性和可行性。方法对67例无肛前庭及会阴瘘患儿的临床资料进行回顾性分析。其中女童无肛前庭瘘59例,男童无肛会阴瘘8例。年龄3个月~16岁,平均10个月。患儿多以排便困难或肛门位置异常就诊。4例无肛前庭瘘患儿曾在婴儿期行瘘口后切术。患儿均采用完整保留瘘口的前矢状入路肛门成形术治疗。结果患儿术后3及6个月常规来院复诊,最长随访8年。65例(97.0%)患儿会阴部矢状切口一期愈合,会阴及肛门外观良好;另2例(男、女各1例)术中直肠破损患儿,自修补处穿孔导致会阴部矢状切口感染(占直肠破损修补术的40%),最终形成直肠会阴瘘,但肛门外观良好。67例均采用肛门功能临床评分标准评估患儿排便功能,64例(95.5%)患儿排便功能良好,总评分为5~6分;另3例(男1例,女2例)顽固便秘,需开塞露协助排便。结论低位无肛术中完整保留瘘口组织非常必要。     

Off-pump resection of a coronary arterial fistula using the Harmonic Scalpel

Off-pump surgery was performed in a patient with post-infarction angina complicated with aneurysmal coronary-pulmonary arterial fistula. Epicardial echocardiography localized the artery feeding the fistula in the myocardium, which had not been revealed by visual inspection, palpation, or transesophageal echocardiography. The patient underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting concomitant with aneurysmectomy. The feeding arteries were dissected easily using a Harmonic Scalpel and ligated. The flow in the aneurysm disappeared immediately and aneurysmectomy was performed without bleeding.     

上矢状窦旁脑膜瘤致上矢状窦阻塞时侧支静脉通路的意义

目的 分析上矢状窦旁脑膜瘤致上矢状窦(SSS)阻塞时其侧支静脉通路的建立情况，确定其在肿瘤切除术中的意义。方法 总结归纳86例上矢状窦旁脑膜瘤行MRA及DSA检查时的静脉系表现。结果 27例发生SSS完全阻塞，59例部分阻塞。18例在阻塞的SSS周围出现了由表浅皮层静脉所形成的侧支静脉环；通过表浅皮层静脉与蝶顶窦及小脑幕静脉系建立端—端吻合的16例；通过与Troland或Labbe静脉建立吻合的14例；通过大脑镰与下矢状窦吻合的9例；通过脑膜静脉并经板障静脉引流到颈外静脉系的17例；混合型12例。结论 上矢状窦旁脑膜瘤致SSS阻塞时，肿瘤周围存在广泛侧支静脉通路，术中应注意保护。脑DSA及MRA检查对术前了解SSS通畅性及侧支静脉通路建立有帮助。