Primary epithelial splenic cyst with micro-rupture and raised carbohydrate antigen CA 19-9: a paradigm of management.

Epithelial splenic cysts are rare entities that surgeons might not have previously encountered and their management is based on historical studies. A 21-year-old female presented with a cyst of the spleen that produced a high serum concentration of carbohydrate antigen CA 19-9. A partial splenectomy with the removal of the entire cyst and preservation of splenic parenchyma by laparotomy was performed and the patient made an uneventful recovery. A microscopic rupture of the wall of the cyst and degradation of blood in the fluid of the cyst were confirmed. Eighteen months following surgery a functional splenic parenchyma was documented. There was no episode of infection during this follow-up time. Partial surgical splenectomy with resection of the entire cyst prevents recurrence and preserves splenic function.

Primary epithelial splenic cyst with micro-rupture and raised carbohydrate antigen CA 19-9: a paradigm of management.

Epithelial splenic cysts are rare entities which surgeons may not have previously encountered. Their management is based on historical studies. A 21-year-old woman presented with a cyst of the spleen that produced a high serum concentration of carbohydrate antigen CA 19-9. A partial splenectomy with removal of the entire cyst and preservation of the splenic parenchyma by laparotomy was performed and the patient made an uneventful recovery. A microscopic rupture of the wall of the cyst and blood degradation products in the fluid of the cyst were confirmed. A functional splenic parenchyma was documented 18 months after surgery. There was no infection during follow-up. Partial surgical splenectomy with resection of the entire cyst prevents recurrence and preserves splenic function.

Breast cancer incidence in Greek women in relation to ABO blood groups and Rh factor.

AIM: To investigate the correlation between breast cancer in Greek women and ABO blood groups. MATERIAL-METHODS: In 166 female patients with breast cancer factors such as blood group, histological type, family history, presence or absence of nodal and/or distant metastases were examined. These patients had similar demographic, clinical, surgical, immunohistochemical, laboratory, and follow-up data and this group is representative of general population of women in Greece. RESULTS: The ductal type of breast cancer was differentially distributed in blood groups Rh (+) (P

Hepatitis C. An update.

Hepatitis C is a long-term viral infection affecting the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus HCV. Hepatitis C can be silent for years before symptoms appear, and liver damage occurs. The hepatitis C virus is extremely infectious, which means that only a tiny amount of HCV can cause illness. Hepatitis C is a major public health problem worldwide with far-reaching implications because of the chronicity of the infection that leads to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Clinical considerations of primary hydatid disease of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND: The pancreas is a rare primary location of hydatid disease. The purpose of our study is to gain more insight into this entity and to focus on the management and the diagnostic approach to the disease. METHODS: The medical records of 5 patients with hydatid cysts of the pancreas were reviewed. RESULTS: Four of the cysts were primary, while in 1 case a coexisting cyst was found in the liver. The body and tail of the pancreas were the most common locations. Clinical presentation varied according to the anatomic location of the cyst. Abdominal pain, discomfort and vomiting were the main clinical symptoms. One patient presented with obstructive jaundice, while another patient manifested a mild episode of anaphylactic shock. The indirect hemagglutination test was positive in 3 of 4 cases. A computed tomography scan successfully imaged all cysts and calcification of the cystic wall was found in 3 of 4 cases. All patients underwent surgical therapy. Hydatid cysts in the tail of the pancreas were successfully treated with distal pancreatectomy, while cysts in the body and head of pancreas were treated with proper evacuation, pericystectomy and omentoplasty. The postoperative course was uneventful in all patients except 1 who presented a pancreatic fistula and was re-operated. The mean length of hospitalization after surgery was 11-12 (range 10-13) days, except for the patient who needed to be re-operated. No evidence of cyst recurrence was observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Hydatid cystic masses of the upper abdomen might also originate from the pancreas especially in endemic countries. Surgical excision of the entire cystic lesion remains the optimal treatment, offering hope for a complete cure.