Mesenchymal Hamartoma of the Liver: Complete Excision Always Necessary.

Mesenchymal hamartoma (MH) is not an uncommon tumor of the liver in the age group of 2-10 years. It is the second most common benign liver tumor in children. Previously considered a developmental anomaly, newer insights into other theories of origin including toxic-metabolic, ischemic, and a true neoplastic process are in progress. Previous understanding of a purely benign nature of the tumor is being overridden by a real malignant transformation. Complete excision of the tumor with clear margins is recommended to achieve a long term cure. A thorough understanding of the natural history of these tumors and skillful surgical treatment are indispensable elements of care.

Positive Peritoneal Lavage Cytology -Implications for Staging and Management of Gastric Cancer.

The survival rates of gastric cancer patients with cytology-positive peritoneal lavage fluid without macroscopic dissemination (CY+/P-) is the same as that of patients with overt peritoneal metastasis.The 5-year survival rate of such patients is only 2%. The current study aims to highlight its significance in the staging of gastrointestinal malignancies and its implications for patient care. Prospective nonrandom analysis of peritoneal wash cytology in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies was conducted in the department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad from January 2012 to June 2013. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA variance analysis was performed to estimate incidence, risk factors and the effect of surgery in causing peritoneal dissemination of malignancy. A total of 60 patients with operable gastric cancer underwent peritoneal lavage for evaluation of malignant cells. The incidence of Positive peritoneal lavage cytology was 8.3% (5/60).Four patients with positive lavage fluid belong to T3 stage (11.7%, p-0.309).Poorly differentiating and mucinous tumors had a higher incidence of positive cytology (18.1% and 25%).None of the patients with positive cytology had positive resection margin. Tumors with advanced T stage, lymph nodal involvement, lympho-vascular and perineural invasion have higher incidence of positive peritoneal cytology. Surgical handling has a negligible effect in peritoneal dissemination of tumor. Large scale studies are warranted to validate the findings and define it's role in management of gastric cancer.

Predictors of successful non-operative management of grade III & IV blunt pancreatic trauma.

INTRODUCTION: Although surgery is the preferred treatment for grade III&IV pancreatic trauma, there is a growing movement for non-operative management. in blunt pancreatic trauma. Very few studies compare operative versus non-operative management in adult patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was performed from 2004 to 2013 in the department of gastrointestinal surgery, NIMS, Hyderabad. Comparative analysis was performed between patients who failed versus those who were successfully managed with non-operative management. RESULTS: 34 patients had grade III/IV trauma out of which 8 were operated early with the remaining 26 initially under a NOM strategy, 10 of them could be successfully managed without any operation. Post-traumatic pancreatitis, Necrotizing pancreatitis, Ileus, contusion on CT, surrounding organ injuries are independently associated with failure of NOM on a univariate analysis. On multivariate logistic regression presence of necrosis& associated organ injury are factors that predict failure of NOM independently. Development of a pseudocyst is the only significant factor that is associated with a success of NOM. CONCLUSIONS: Non-operative measures should be attempted in a select group of grade III&IV blunt pancreatic trauma. In hemodynamically stable patients with a controlled leak walled off as a pseudocyst without associated organ injuries and pancreatic necrosis, NOM has a higher success rate.

Marginal zone lymphoma of the breast-A diminished role for surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Primary breast lymphoma by definition is localized to one or both the breasts with or without involvement of regional lymph nodes with no other extra mammary site involvement. Role of surgery in the treatment armamentarium is less well defined. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 62year old post-menopausal lady was found to have 1.2×1.2×0.6cm mass in the left breast on diagnostic mammography. Core needle biopsy reveals marginal zone lymphoma. Complete staging work-up was performed which was negative for regional spread and metastatic foci. She was diagnosed to have a localized stage IE extra nodal low grade marginal zone lymphoma of the MALT type involving breast. She received radiotherapy to the breast and is in remission at follow up after one year. DISCUSSION: Accurate diagnosis requires adequate tissue biopsy either by a core needle or a surgical biopsy for histopathologic evaluation and immunophenotyping. Immunohistochemically the tumors are positive for pan B-cell markers (CD 19, CD 20, CD22, and CD 79a) and lack T cell markers. For stage IE Marginal zone lymphoma radiotherapy alone and for stage IIE combined chemo-radiation offers the best possible control of the disease. Progression free survival for MZL is better than diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. CONCLUSION: At present the best evidence support radiotherapy in localized disease and combined chemo-radiation in advanced disease. Role of surgery is minimal and is seen in case of diagnostic dilemma. Rarity of the diagnosis precludes large scale prospective studies making therapeutic decisions difficult and challenging.