Cervical cystic hygroma/lymphangioma: an acquired idiopathic late presentation.

Lymphangiomas or cystic hygromas are relatively uncommon congenital malformations of the lymphatic system which usually present in the first years of childhood. Presentation in adult life is rare. We present a case of cervical adult cystic hygroma and discuss radiological and histopathological features as well as the management of these neck masses.

Study of natural radionuclide concentrations in an area of elevated radiation background in the northern districts of Bangladesh.

The activity concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials in soil samples from an elevated radiation background area of three northern districts of Bangladesh were determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The outdoor and indoor external effective dose rates and the radiation hazard indices from these soil activities were evaluated. The dose rates were found to be about four times higher than the reported world average value. The concentration of natural radionuclides, derived radium equivalent activities and the representative level indices were also found to be higher. Recommendations on radiological and dosimetric measures have been suggested with an aim of minimising the harmful effects of ionising radiation to the population of the area concerned.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the appendix.

Thirteen cases of primary appendicular adenocarcinoma are reported. This rare tumour usually presents as acute appendicitis. The correct diagnosis is rarely entertained before or during surgery. The main treatment choice lies between appendicectomy alone and appendicectomy followed by right hemicolectomy. There are anatomical reasons for advising the latter and survival figures from the literature tend to support this preference. The cases reported here indicate that in the period 1972-1984, in the North West Region, there was a slight preference for appendicectomy alone. The additional procedure of right hemicolectomy did not confer any clear-cut survival advantage.

Primary pulmonary artery sarcoma: intra-operative similarity to pulmonary embolus.

An infarcted right lower lobe, thought to be due to a thrombotic pulmonary embolus, was resected in a 48 year old man. Subsequent examination of the lobe unexpectedly showed the infarction to be secondary to a primary sarcoma of the pulmonary artery.