Incidental parasitic infections in surgically removed appendices: a retrospective analysis

Numerous parasitic infections can cause inflammation of the appendix and can mimic appendicitis clinically. The diagnosis is generally achieved only after surgery. However early diagnosis through stool examination may prevent life-threatening complications. This study investigated the presence of parasitic infections in surgically removed appendices as an etiology of acute appendicitis. A retrospective study included patients who had undergone surgery for acute appendicitis over a period of three years from Jan 2012 to Dec 2014. Demographic data, laboratory investigations, operative data and pathological findings, presence and type of parasites were retrieved. The results showed that out of 1536 patients with appendectomy done, 938 [61.1%] were males and 598 [38.9%] were females. Parasitic infection was demonstrated only in 0.4% [6 patients]. Mean average age of these patients was 12 years. Enterobius vermicularis was present in 4 patients [66% of the parasitic affection] and Schistosoma mansoni in 2 patients [34% of the parasitic affection]. Other etiologies were acute suppurative appendicitis [94.1%], chronic appendicitis [3.1%], tumors [0.3%], tuberculosis [0.2%] and actinomycosis [0.1%]. Appendix was found normal in 2% of patients underwent appendectomy

Solitary pulmonary nodules: value and pathologic correlation of MSCT bronchus sign

To evaluate the relationship between solitary pulmonary nodules [SPN] and bronchi and its value in predicting the pathologic nature of the SPN. We performed preoperative volumetric targeted ultra-thin sections using multi-slice computed tomography [MSCT], and by reconstructing multiplanar reconstructions [MPR], curved multiplanar reconstructions [CMPR] and surface-shaded display [SSD] images of its adjacent bronchus in fifty two patients with SPN [35 malignant and 17 benign] and correlated the findings with those of macroscopic and microscopic specimens. With this CT protocol, the third to seventh-order bronchi were shown continuously and very clearly in all patients. CT findings were consistent with those of specimens. CT demonstrated the relationship between the SPN and bronchi in 31 [88.6%] malignant and 13 [76.5%] benign nodules. Ultra-thin section with MSCT can improve the demonstration of the patterns of tumor-bronchus relationships, which can reflect the pathological changes of the nodules to some extent and can help to differentiate malignant from benign tumors