Spontaneous Diaphragmatic Rupture after Coughing: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature.

Spontaneous diaphragmatic rupture (SDR) is a very rare surgical emergency. A possible explanation for SDR might be a sudden increase of intra-abdominal pressure due to intense coughing, physical exercise, vomiting, or delivery. A 66-year-old male patient presented with recurrent coughing, dyspnoea, and intermittent fever. Although initial CT scan was inconspicuous, a follow-up CT scan revealed SDR of the left hemidiaphragm with herniation of the left colonic flexure, stomach, and parts of the greater omentum. Emergency laparotomy confirmed SDR. The ruptured anterior-lateral part of the diaphragm was closed, and additionally, a composite mesh was applied to reinforce the suture line. A right-sided hemicolectomy with primary anastomosis had to be performed. SDR is a rarity and can cause exceptional clinical features that may lead to inaccurate diagnosis and therapeutic delay. Therefore, of paramount importance, medical practitioners need to be aware of this important differential diagnosis for spontaneous dyspnoea or tachypnea.

Evaluation of radial nerve continuity early after humeral shaft fracture fixation using high-resolution nerve ultrasonography: a pilot study of feasibility.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the feasibility and reliability of high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) of the radial nerve in the early, postoperative period after operative stabilization of humeral shaft fractures. METHODS: This study enrolled patients between September 2015 and April 2018 with a humeral shaft fracture who were assessed with HRUS within 2 weeks after surgery. Based on the ultrasound artifacts, the examiners subjectively defined quality of ultrasound as "bad" or "good." The cross-sectional area of the radial and the posterior interosseous nerve was recorded at predefined locations. The radial nerve was scanned axially in the whole course to identify nerve continuity. RESULTS: Of 44 patients who underwent operations for humeral shaft fracture, HRUS was used to assess 15 patients at an average 4.8 ± 2.6 days (range, 2-11 days) after surgery. The examiners defined ultrasound quality as "good" in 13 of 15 patients (~87%). Primary radial nerve palsy (RNP) was identified in 3 of the 15 patients, and 4 sustained secondary RNP. Nerve continuity was demonstrated by HRUS in every patient. In patients with RNP, nerve continuity was secondarily confirmed by surgical exploration or functional and electrophysiological recovery. CONCLUSION: Early postoperative HRUS of the radial nerve after osteosynthesis of humeral shaft fractures is a feasible and reliable method to identify radial nerve continuity. In case of pathology, this assessment tool can additionally provide valuable information concerning location and etiology of the RNP.

Mantle cell lymphoma-rare differential diagnosis of a tumor in the vermiform appendix.

Although the most common localization of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the gastrointestinal system, the infiltration of the vermiform appendix is a very rare condition. We report a case of mantle cell lymphoma affecting the appendix as an incidental finding due to gynecological surgery. A 57-year-old woman presented with increasing pain in the right lower abdomen since months. During gynecological evaluation an inhomogenous mass in the right ovarian place was noticed and misinterpreted as ovarian tumor. Laparoscopic ovarectomy was planned. The intraoperative situs showed surprisingly a massive enlarged appendix and completely normal ovaries. Since the lesion was suspicious for appendiceal cancer, a right hemicolectomy was performed. Histopathology revealed a non-Hodgkin lymphoma with immunohistochemical proof of blastoid B-cells, a mantle cell lymphoma. Polychemotherapy was administered.

Using a wrap skirt to improve the pelvic examination experience.

INTRODUCTION: The study aims were to analyze the experience of women and their physicians of nakedness when moving between changing room and examination chair and during pelvic examination itself, and to assess the protective benefit of a wrap skirt in alleviating the associated discomfort and vulnerability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We offered 1000 women a wrap skirt for pelvic examination and asked them to complete a post-procedure questionnaire. Physicians were invited to complete a similar but separate questionnaire. Data were analyzed using chi-squared contingency tables. RESULTS: A total of 425 women (43%, age 15-78 years) completed the questionnaire; 51% felt uncomfortable and embarrassed during the examination, Muslim women significantly more so (p < 0.001). Most women (n = 255; 58%) rated the wrap skirt a significant improvement; 69% requested it for future examinations, significantly more so if the physician was male rather than female (66% vs. 54%, p = 0.003). Even the one-third of women experiencing no discomfort reported improvement. Most examiners (n = 45; 56%) found the wrap skirt beneficial; 31 (38%) were unconvinced. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic examination as practiced in many countries, on women naked from the waist down throughout, causes unnecessary embarrassment. A simple protective measure, such as a wrap skirt, significantly alleviates the discomfort and sense of vulnerability associated with nakedness.