Stiff man syndrome with invasive thymic carcinoma

Stiff man syndrome is a rare disease characterized by painful chronic spasms in the muscle and skeletal system. This syndrome is an autoimmune neurologic disorder which is associated with thymoma. We treated a 32-year-old male patient with a type C thymoma [based on the World Health Organization classification] who had stiff man syndrome. The patient underwent an extended thymectomy which brought about alleviation of his symptoms

Results of short- and long-segment cardioesophageal myotomy for achalasia

We report the results of a short- and long-segment cardiomyotomy for relief of the symptoms of achalasia. From 1997 to 2009, 41 patients [22 men, 19 women] with achalasia underwent cardiomyotomy. Patients were divided into 2 groups [short-segment group [SSG] and long-segment group [LSG]]. SSG include 22 patients with laparotomy and 8-cm short-segment myotomy and Dor fundoplication. LSG includes 19 patients with thoracotomy and 12-cm long-segment myotomy and Belsey partial fundoplication. Median follow up was 48 months [range: 12-70 months]. Postoperative dysphagia improved in 20 patients in SSG and in 17 patients in LSG [P < 0.001]. Slow emptying sensation improved in 19 patients in SSG and in 16 patients in LSG postoperatively [P < 0.001]. Heartburn was present in 2 patients in SSG and 3 patients in LSG postoperatively [P = 0.179]. Radiologically, barium stasis decreased significantly from 88% to 25% in SSG and from 85% to 30% in LSG. The lower esophageal sphincter [LES] gradient decreased from 32 to 10 mmHg in SSG and from 34 to 14 mmHg in LSG [P < 0.001]. Short-segment cardiomyotomy reduces the LES gradient and relieves obstructive symptoms

Intralobar pulmonary sequestration with aspergilloma and a large aberrant artery in a 35 year old man

A 35 year old man presented with a 4 month history of cough, hemoptysis, malaise, and fever [>38[degree]C] and moderate [6 kg] weight loss. Investigations with CT scan of the chest revealed a cavitary lesion in the lower lobe of the left lung suggesting the presence of a pulmonary aspergillorna, the remaining lung fields being clear. There was no history of any pulmonary infections. Surgical excision of the affected lobe was performed .During surgical exploration we found that the affected lobe receives its blood supply by a large artery from the thoracic aorta. During follow up his clinical status is excellent

Castleman's disease in a 35 year-old woman with a giant mediastinal mass

The patient was a 35 year-old woman with a 10-month history of breathing difficulty, cough and chest pain. An anterior-posterior chest radiograph revealed opacification of the right hemithorax with reduced right lung volumes. As part of diagnostic evaluation, a computed tomography [CT] scan was performed which showed a huge mass in the right anterior mediastinum with extension to the right side of the pleural space. It was resected through postero-lateral thoracotomy. The patient was discharged in a good condition. The pathology report showed hyaline vascular variant of Castleman's disease