Spontaneous non-aneurysmal popliteal artery dissection managed without operative treatment: A case report and literature review.

OBJECTIVES: Primary arterial dissection in peripheral arteries of the extremities is exceedingly rare. Isolated dissection of peripheral arteries (femoropopliteal or popliteal) primarily has been reported in aneurysmal arteries. Spontaneous dissection limited to a non-aneurysmal popliteal artery was first described in 1999 by Rabkin et al. METHODS: We report a case of a non-aneurysmal popliteal artery dissection to emphasize its rare condition. RESULTS: A 61-year-old man consulted because of sudden onset of pain and cramps in his left leg after walking 60 metres. A high-resolution duplex ultrasonography could identify a dissection of a non-aneurysmal popliteal artery. Computed tomography angiography could confirm the diagnosis. An operative repair was scheduled 3 weeks later and the patient was put on antiplatelet medication (acetylsalicylic acid 80 mg 1x/day) in the meantime. After 3 weeks the dissection was resolved spontaneously and the patient didn't undergo surgery. Check-ups remained reassuring and we scheduled a duplex ultrasonography within one year. Antiplatelet medication was continued. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous dissection limited to a non-aneurysmal popliteal artery is extremely rare. Diagnosis can be made by duplex ultrasonography and/or CT angiography. Treatment options consist of conservative management or operative treatment. Operative treatments consist of an open repair with bypass or interposition graft or minimal invasive endovascular stent grafting. A standardized protocol for conservative treatment in this specific condition is not available. Annual follow-up of these patients is essential.

Giant colonic diverticulum: case report of a rare surgical condition.

INTRODUCTION: Diverticular disease is a common disorder of the colon with an extremely rare presentation: giant colonic diverticulum (GCD). GCD is defined as a diverticulum measuring 4 cm or larger and affects the sigmoid colon in 90% of the cases. PATIENTS: We report on a case of a 74-year-old woman with a GCD. METHODS: We present a case report of a 74-year-old woman with a GCD. A brief review of the literature concerning clinical presentation, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, pathogenesis, histological classification and treatment of GCD will be discussed. RESULTS: Our patient was treated according to the available information in the literature. The outcome was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: GCD is a rare presentation of diverticular disease. Because of the risk of serious complications, a correct diagnosis and treatment is essential. The investigations of choice include a plain abdominal X-ray and an abdominal CT scan. Surgical treatment is the treatment of choice with preferably a colectomy with en-bloc resection of the diverticulum.

Martius flap reconstruction for rectovaginal fistula after stapled hemorrhoidopexy (Longo operation): a case report.

PURPOSE: A rectovaginal fistula (RVF) is a rare disease. It's an epithelium-lined abnormal communication between rectum and vagina. It represents approximately 5% of all anorectal fistulas. RVF may have different causes. METHODS: We present a case of a 58-year-old woman with a rectovaginal fistula after stapled hemorrhoidopexy (Longo operation). RESULTS: A 58-year-old woman presented herself in our department with vaginal fecal discharge and vaginitis almost one month after a stapled hemorrhoidopexy was performed in another hospital. On vaginal examination, a large dorsal defect was palpated at four cm. On rectal examination, the stapler line was palpable at four cm and just distal to this stapler line, a large defect could be palpated. A lower gastrointestinal tract radiography was performed and identified a RVF. The patient was put on antibiotics and two operations were planned. First, a temporary ileostomy was created. After healing of the vaginitis, reconstructive surgery with anatomic fistula repair in combination with the interposition of healthy, vascularised tissue was performed. In this case, we chose the Martius flap. The operation as well as the postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: Cases of postoperative RVF have been increasingly reported since the introduction of stapled hemorrhoidopexy. Patients with RVF can have a varying degree of symptoms. Diagnosis is primarily based on the patient's medical history together with a clinical examination. There are many surgical approaches for RVF. Anatomic fistula repair alone is associated with lower success rates compared with combined procedures with the adjunctive interposition of healthy, vascularised tissue.