Perianal complications in puerperium and associated risk factors

Introduction: Puerperium is defined as the period of about 6 weeks after childbirth during which the mother's reproductive organs return to their original nonpregnant condition. Perianal problems, including constipation, hemorrhoids, and fissure, are among the most common digestive complications among women in puerperium, observed in about 30 to 50 percent of women. Considering this great prevalence and the paucity of similar research in this aspect in an Indian population, the present study was done to assess the prevalence of perianal problems seen in puerperium and the risk factors associated with it. Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study done over the span of 3 years on 902 puerperal women. A self-structured questionnaire covered detailed history and per-rectal and proctoscopy examination. Patients were followed up telephonically for regression of perianal problems post management. Results: The total prevalence of all the perianal problems in puerperium encountered in the present study, out of 902 subjects, was 36.3% (327 subjects). The perianal problems encountered were fissure in 185 patients (20.5%) followed by hemorrhoids in 110 patients (12.2%), perianal episiotomy infections in 25 patients (2.8%), and perineal tears in 7 patients (0.8%). On comparative analysis, positive family history, macrosomia, past history of perianal diseases, and second stage of labour > 50 minutes showed a higher prevalence in the perianal disease group as compared with the healthy group. Out of these, positive family history of perianal diseases (p= 0.015) and past history of perianal diseases (p= 0.016) were statistically significant. The percentage of multipara with hemorrhoids was more when compared to primipara (p= 0.01), patients who had a past history of any perianal disease have a higher chance of hemorrhoids during puerperium (p= 0.00). Patients with constipation in pregnancy have higher chance of hemorrhoids in pregnancy (p= 0.00). Patients who had a past history of any perianal disease had higher chance of fissure during puerperium (p= 0.00). A total of 27.74% of the study subjects with macrosomic babies had fissure in their puerperal period which on comparison with patients with non macrosomic babies was only 19.22%, which was statistically significant (p= 0.02). Conclusion: Constipation, hemorrhoids, and anal fissures are the most common perianal problems in postpartum period causing significant reduction in the quality of life of those afflicted with them. (AU)

Giant non-functioning adrenocortical carcinoma: an unusual tumour presentation

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare tumour with incidence of 1 per million all over the world. Age distribution is bimodal with peaks occurring at 5-20 years and 40-50 years. Tumours greater than 9 cm commonly involve inferior vena cava (IVC) or right side of heart. 80 percent of the carcinomas are functional. We describe a case report of a rare tumour of a non-functioning adrenocortical carcinoma in a 40 year old female having incidence of 0.5/million world over with no extra-adrenal spread at presentation without IVC or right heart involvement in spite of having a large size of 12 cm. Patient underwent successful surgical extirpation with adjuvant radiotherapy with regular follow ups and disease free survival since the surgery. It is imperative to determine hormone levels in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with adrenal masses. The possibility of adrenocortical carcinoma should not be ruled out in a functioning/non-functioning tumour. All solid incidentalomas on computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) greater than 5 cm in size should be removed surgically with adjuvant therapy consideration after histopathological reporting.

Large retroperitoneal dermoid cyst in a 55 year old lady: a rare case report

Retroperitoneal cysts are usually rare asymptomatic lesions but may present with unspecific symptoms depending on the size, location and complications such as hemorrhage, infection, or rupture. A 55-year-old lady presented with complaints of non-obstructed umbilical hernia. CT scan of abdomen and pelvis was done suggestive of a large cystic non-enhancing thin walled lesion of size 27×15 cm in right lumbar region. Intraoperatively, there was a large mesenteric cyst from retroperitoneum of size 25×15 cm, extending from right iliac fossa up to right hypochondrium. A confirmatory diagnosis of dermoid cyst was made following histopathology. Retroperitoneum is a rare site for dermoid cyst. Retroperitoneal cysts which develop within the retroperitoneal space are rare intra-abdominal tumours with an incidence of 1 per 1,40,000. The incidence of recurrence for retroperitoneal cysts is higher than with other forms of cysts because their proximity to major blood vessels and other organs makes them difficult to completely excise. Surgical resection is indicated to establish a diagnosis and prevent eventual complications. Complete excision of tumour is necessary due to the risk of malignancy. After complete surgical resection the 5 years survival rate is nearly 100%.