Isolated giant ileal neurofibroma sans neurofibromatosis

Neurofibromas are benign neoplasms that are usually seen in hereditary disorders such as von Recklinghausen's disease [neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)]. The occurrence of isolated ileal neurofibroma in patients without the classic manifestations of NF1 or multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes is an extremely rare entity . We report one such case of isolated ileal neurofibroma in a 60 year old woman without any other stigmata of NF. It may be the initial manifestation of NF1 or MEN 2b or malignant transformation, all of which necessitate further follow-up of these patients.

Relative value of immunohistochemistry in detection of mycobacterial antigen in suspected cases of tuberculosis in tissue sections.

Background: The diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) depends on identifi cation of the infecting organism. The diagnosis presents as a challenge due to its diverse clinical presentation and low yield of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in tissue sections. Aim: The aim of the present study is immunohistochemical localization of tubercle bacilli or their components that persist in the granulomas, but have lost the property of staining with acid-fast stain, assess the advantage of immunostaining over conventional Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) staining and further to study the staining pattern on immunohistochemistry (IHC). Materials and Methods: The study population comprised 100 suspected cases of TB. Tissue sections from these were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin, ZN and IHC staining using polyclonal antibody to Mycobacterium tuberculosis followed by a comparative analysis of the results. Cases of lepromatous leprosy were used as a positive control. Results: Acid-fast bacilli were identifi ed by ZN stain in 23% of cases. IHC identifi ed 72% cases. In the present study, IHC had higher sensitivity (95.56%) and negative predictive value (96.43%), but lower specifi city (35.06%) and positive predictive value (30.56%) than ZN stain which had the sensitivity, specifi city, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of 30.56%, 96.43%, 95.65% and 41.56% respectively. Conclusion: Immunohistochemistry is a simple and sensitive technique for localization of tubercle bacilli and their components on tissue sections. It can be easily incorporated in routine histopathology laboratory and serve as an effi cient diagnostic adjunct to conventional ZN staining. This will help reduce the practice of prescribing empirical antitubercular treatment based on clinical suspicion alone.

Abdominal cocoon in a young man / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND: Intestinal obstruction remains a common problem encountered in the surgical emergency, and usually occurs secondary to adhesions, obstructed herniae or tubercular strictures. However, at times, rare causes of obstruction can also be encountered. METHODS: A 24-year-old male patient presented with recurrent episodes of intestinal obstruction that was found to be secondary to an abdominal cocoon on laparotomy. RESULTS: The patient underwent adhesiolysis of the cocoon, and remains well on a follow-up. Histopathological report of the cocoon wall revealed fibrocollagenic tissues with a mixed inflammatory infiltrate, without any evidence of tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal cocoon can be a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in male patients. Adhesiolysis of the cocoon membrane releases the obstruction and gives good results.

Free tubercular perforation of the ileum / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND:Peritonitis secondary to small bowel perforation is a common surgical emergency seen across the globe.METHODS:A young male patient presented with ileal perforation that was repaired primarily. He recovered uneventfully after the operation.RESULTS:Histopathology of the margins of the perforation revealed tuberculosis. A search for evidence of a primary focus of tuberculosis was unsuccessful. The patient was started on anti-tubercular therapy and he was followed up with good results.CONCLUSION:This present case underscores the importance of biopsy specimens taken from the margins of patients with ileal perforation to avoid the misdiagnosis of such condition.

Traumatic lumbar hernia / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND: Trauma has various presentations ranging from common injuries that are easily managed to uncommon presentations such as traumatic hernia that may be missed. METHODS: Despite being operated for fracture of the femur after a road traffic accident, a 50-year-old female patient remained undiagnosed with a right sided traumatic lumbar hernia for nearly six months after the accident. In this period, the patient underwent incision and drainage thrice for swelling in the right flank which was diagnosed as an infected hematoma by a doctor. RESULTS: The patient underwent surgery for repair of traumatic lumbar hernia by combined fascia lata graft and mesh hernioplasty. She remains well on follow-up. CONCLUSION: This case underscores the need for awareness of this entity for correct diagnosis and appropriate management that are the key to avoiding complications.

Herniation of colon following transhiatal esophagectomy.

We report a 38-year-old man with intestinal obstruction following transhiatal esophagectomy for carcinoma esophagus; it occurred secondary to herniation of the transverse colon through the esophageal hiatus into the mediastinum. The patient is asymptomatic after reduction of the hernia and repair of the disphragmatic hernia.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the colon presenting with intestinal obstruction.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours are the commonest mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, the stomach and small intestine being the favored sites. They rarely occur in the colon and rectum and esophagus. The diagnosis is difficult, especially in the rarer sites, since there are no pathognomic features to suggest GIST on preoperative clinical examination and investigations, and only a detailed histopathological analysis of the specimen reveals their true nature. The case of a young female patient who presented with intestinal obstruction due a GIST of the transverse colon is reported. The relevant literature is briefly reviewed.

Non-biliary mishaps during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: The most important complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) are biliary tract injuries. Non-biliary complications can be equally devastating, but have received less attention in literature. METHODS: The case files of 1748 patients who underwent LC over a period of seven years (1997-2003) in our department were retrospectively reviewed to identify non-biliary complications and their management. RESULTS: Nine patients (0.5%) sustained significant non-biliary injury while undergoing LC. The commonest was duodenal perforation during dissection of the Calot's triangle (3 cases). Other complications included diaphragmatic injury (2 cases), and small bowel injury while inserting the umbilical port, right external iliac artery injury during insertion of Veress needle, portal vein injury during dissection, and liver laceration while using a delivery system to extract the gall bladder (1 each). All these complications were detected and managed intra-operatively. During the same period, 10 patients sustained biliary injury. CONCLUSION: Intra-operative non-biliary injuries during LC occur as frequently as biliary injuries, and can be life-threatening and difficult to manage.

Coexisting tuberculosis and carcinoma of the colon: a report of two cases and a review of the literature.

Tuberculosis and carcinoma of the colon rarely coexist. We report 2 such cases and review the available literature. Since the potential for misdiagnosis is high in such patients and a preoperative diagnosis of coexistence is usually not possible, important questions regarding the management of patient with a diagnosis of either colonic cancer on tuberculosis need to be addressed.

Spontaneous auto-amputation of the foot in a case of diabetes, atherosclerosis and gangrene.

Auto-amputation is the spontaneous separation of non-viable tissue from viable tissue, and is usually associated with dry gangrene, occurring in the distal portions of the lower extremities. A 68-year-old female presented with dry gangrene of both feet and subsequent loss of the right foot and digits on the left foot over a period of one and half years. After about six months disarticulation of the right foot from the ankle joint resulted. She gradually lost the digits of the left foot two months later. She had pallor and showed absence of popliteal and distal pulses on both sides. The left foot showed absence of the digits with exposed 3rd and 4th metatarsals and some areas of gangrene and sloughing. Her Hb was 5.4 g/dl and random blood sugar was 340 mg%. Doppler study of the lower limbs showed blockage at the level of the superficial femoral artery on the right side and a patent popliteal artery on the left. She was managed conservatively as she was unwilling for surgical intervention.