Isolated pulmonary metastases in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a review of current evidence.

Despite recent advances in cancer therapeutics, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a lethal disease with a 5-year overall survival of only 10%. Since either at or within a few months of diagnosis, most patients with PDAC will present with metastatic disease, a more individualized approach to select patients who may benefit from more aggressive therapy has been suggested. Although studies have reported improved survival in PDAC and isolated pulmonary metastasis (ISP) compared to extrapulmonary metastases, such findings remain controversial. Furthermore, the added benefit of pulmonary metastasectomy and other lung-directed therapies remains unclear. In this review, we discuss the metastatic pattern of PDAC, evaluate the available evidence in the literature for improved survival in PDAC and ISP, evaluate the evidence for the added benefit of pulmonary metastasectomy and other lung-directed therapies, identify prognostic factors for survival, discuss the biological basis for the reported improved survival and identify areas for further research.

Treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast: Is postoperative radiation getting its due credit?

INTRODUCTION: The role of postoperative radiation (PR) in treating mammary ACC is poorly defined. This study evaluated the impact of PR on survival outcomes for mammary ACC and the extent of utilization. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for mammary ACC from 2005 to 2015 in SEER database were analyzed. KM analyses of OS and DSS were done for PR versus no PR. Cox hazard regression models were used to determine predictors of OS and DSS. RESULTS: Of the 488 patients, 244 underwent PR. The PR group was younger, but other variables were similar between the 2 groups. OS was better for PR (p = 0.029). 10-year DSS was better for PR group by an absolute value of 6 % but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.537). Age, radiation, nodal metastasis, and grade III/IV were independent predictors of OS while grade III/IV and AJCC stage III/IV independently predicted DSS. CONCLUSION: PR improves OS for mammary ACC, but this study did not show increased utilization. Radiation should be considered after surgery for mammary ACC, particularly for patients with independent predictors of OS.

Understanding esophageal neurofibroma: A case series and systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Esophageal neurofibroma is a rare benign esophageal neoplasm. With very few cases documented in the literature, not much is known about the demographics and clinicopathologic features of this tumor. This study was aimed at presenting a case report of an esophageal neurofibroma, and to conduct a systematic review of published cases. METHOD: This review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Literature search was conducted through PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Databases from inception until May 2020 for all histologically confirmed cases of esophageal neurofibroma. RESULTS: 28 cases, including the newly reported case, were included in the review. The mean age at diagnosis was 53.3 years ±12.1. 53.6% were male. Dysphagia was the most common presenting symptom (53.6%). Most of the reported cases involved the upper esophagus (39.3%). The most utilized diagnostic test was esophagogastroduodenoscopy (57.1%). The mean tumor size was 6.1 cm ± 5.1. Preoperative biopsy was done for 9 cases, out of which seven were negative or inconclusive. In 17 cases (60.7%), immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of the resected tumor was not performed. S100 was the most utilized IHC stain. Enucleation (39.3%) was the most common treatment, followed by esophagectomy (28.6%). CONCLUSION: Esophageal neurofibroma should be considered in the setting of dysphagia caused by a subepithelial tumor. Accurate preoperative histologic diagnosis by using a well-defined biopsy algorithm, in conjunction with IHC analysis, will favor less aggressive surgical treatment and surveillance of asymptomatic lesions. Minimally invasive surgical treatment is feasible and should be considered when the expertise is available.

Gluteal liposarcoma presenting as sciatic hernia: A case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Lipomatous tumors herniating through the sciatic foramen are extremely rare with less than 6 cases reported in the existing literature. We report a case of gluteal well differentiated liposarcoma that presented as sciatic hernia. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 66-year-old female presented with persistent pain in the right gluteal region. Physical examination coupled with CT/MRI scans identified a firm mass extending into the right pelvic side via the sciatic foramen. It measured approximately 18.9 cm × 13 cm × 22.8 cm. The tumor was resected via transgluteal approach. Immunohistochemical and microscopic features were consistent with well-differentiated liposarcoma. DISCUSSION: Although sciatic hernias associated with intraabdominal contents have been recorded less than 100 times in the literature, instances where gluteal lipomatous tumors manifest as sciatic hernias are even more rare. In this case the gluteal liposarcoma was successfully identified utilizing CT/MRI scanning followed by a transgluteal excision of the mass. CONCLUSION: While sciatic hernias are rare, lipomatous/liposarcomatous tumors presenting as sciatic hernias are extremely rare. This case report highlights a combination of rare phenomena. The information presented adds to the current evidence that will guide accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of future cases.

Typical carcinoids, goblet cell carcinoids, mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinomas, neuroendocrine carcinomas and adenocarcinomas of the appendix: a comparative analysis of survival profile and predictors.

BACKGROUND: Goblet cell carcinoids (GCC) and other atypical neuroendocrine tumors (NET) of the appendix as well as appendiceal adenocarcinoma are usually managed with the same algorithm as colon cancers. This study investigates clinicopathological features that are predictive of survival outcomes for appendiceal NET and adenocarcinoma. Survival profiles for the histologic subtypes of appendiceal NET and adenocarcinoma were compared. METHODS: A retrospective review of appendiceal NET and adenocarcinoma for patients who are 18 years and above in the SEER database from 2010 to 2014. RESULTS: Females outnumbered males in a 1.3 to 1 ratio in the NET subgroup and 1.1 to 1 ratio in the adenocarcinoma group. The mean age at diagnosis for all NET was 50.3±17 years while that of adenocarcinomas was 60.8±14.1 years. Within the NET subgroups, the mean ages for typical carcinoids (TC), GCC, NEC and MANEC were 42.9±17.3, 56.7±13.7, 45.6±17.4 and 59.7±12.8 years, respectively. Overall survival for adenocarcinoma was 86.3%, 73.5%, 65.7%, and 57.6% for 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year OS, respectively. For NET, TC showed better survival profile with 1- and 4-year overall survival of 97.4% and 95.7%, respectively while MANEC had the worst survival outcome with 1- and 4-year OS of 88.6% and 62.2%, respectively. GCC had a better 1-year OS compared to NEC (95.5% versus 92.9%) but showed slightly worse 4-year OS (82% versus 84.8%). Age at diagnosis (HR 1.03), African-American race (HR 1.47) and stage IV disease (HR 9.58) were independent predictors of survival for appendiceal adenocarcinoma. For NET, advanced age at diagnosis, advanced disease stage and the African-American race were identified as negative independent predictors of survival. CONCLUSIONS: While prior studies have suggested that atypical NET (GCC, NEC and MANEC) are more likely to present at more advanced stages, this study showed that most cases of GCC, MANEC and NEC were diagnosed at stages I and II. Appendiceal adenocarcinoma, on the other hand, presented mostly at stage IV. With respect to OS, atypical histologic subtypes of NET have worse outcome compared to TC. Although better OS was noted for GCC, NEC and MANEC when compared to adenocarcinoma, this benefit was lost in stage IV disease where adenocarcinoma recorded better 1- and 4-year OS. Prospective and randomized studies which provide granular details of treatment are needed to better define treatment algorithm for appendiceal NET.

A rare combination of giant right retroperitoneal schwannoma and right adrenal oncocytoma as an incidental finding.

Adrenal oncocytomas and retroperitoneal schwannomas are two groups of very rare tumors with distinct histologic features. Both tumors are usually incidentally found and are mostly benign. Optimal management is usually with surgical resection. We report a unique case of a 74-year-old woman who was incidentally found to have these two exceptionally rare tumors at the same time. She was successfully managed with surgical resection of the retroperitoneal schwannoma and adrenalectomy for the adrenal oncocytoma and both diagnoses were confirmed with histopathology and immunochemistry.

A case report of an incidental Brenner tumor found after resection of a large ovarian mucinous neoplasm.

INTRODUCTION: Brenner Tumors are rare adenofibromas that are most commonly benign and discovered in post-menopausal women. PRESENTATION OF CASE: This is a case report of a 57-year-old female with three months of progressively worsening abdominal pain due to a large abdominal mass discovered on CT scan. Surgical removal of the mass revealed a giant mucinous tumor of the ovary with an associated Brenner tumor that was discovered incidentally. DISCUSSION: Although the Brenner tumor was accurately identified in the intraoperative frozen section evaluation, the mucinous tumor was underdiagnosed by frozen section as benign when permanent section revealed borderline mucinous cystadenoma. This finding did not change the treatment course for this particular patient as she had expressed personal preference for total abdominal hysterectomy. However, underdiagnosis of frozen sections of ovarian tumors is not rare. It is unclear whether an associated Brenner tumor increases malignancy potential. CONCLUSION: Further investigation is required to determine whether associated Brenner tumors found during frozen section are more highly associated with malignancy and could therefore change intraoperative and overall decision making.

Malignant adnexal tumors of the skin: a single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Malignant adnexal tumors of the skin (MATS) are rare. We aimed to measure the survival of patients with MATS and identify predictors of improved survival. METHODS: A retrospective review of MATS treated at our institution from 1990 to 2012. RESULTS: There were 50 patients within the time period. Median age was 59.5 years (range 22-95); primary site was the head and neck (52%); most common histologic subtypes were skin appendage carcinoma (20%) and eccrine adenocarcinoma (20%); and the vast majority were T1 (44%). Most patients (98%) underwent surgical treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation were administered to 8 and 14% of patients, respectively. Recurrence rate was 12%. Median OS was 158 months (95% CI, 52-255). OS and recurrence-free survival at 5 years were 62.4 and 47.4% and at 10 years 56.7 and 41.5%, respectively. Five-year and 10-year disease-specific survival (DSS) was 62.9%. Age > 60 years was an unfavorable predictor of OS (HR 12.9, P < .0008) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR 12.53, P < .0003). Nodal metastasis was a negative predictor of RFS (HR 2.37, P < 0.04) and DSS (HR 7.2, P < 0.03) while treatment with chemotherapy was predictive of poor DSS (HR 14.21, P < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Younger patients had better OS and RFS. Absence of nodal metastasis translated to better RFS and DSS. Lymph node basin staging is worth considering in the workup and treatment.

Metaplastic Carcinoma of the Breast Is More Aggressive Than Triple-negative Breast Cancer: A Study From a Single Institution and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to describe our experience with metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC), evaluate its clinical outcome compared with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and provide a through and comprehensive review of the literature to date. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed MBC cases (n = 46) from our institution. The following variables were recorded: tumor histologic subtype, Nottingham grade, tumor size, lymph node status, Tumor, Node, Metastases stage, biomarkers profile, patient's age and race, therapy modality (chemotherapy and radiation), and survival (disease-free survival [DFS] and overall survival [OS]). The clinical and pathological data for TNBC (n = 508) cases were extracted from the breast cancer database. To compare the survival between MBC and TNBC, a subgroup of MBC cases (n = 40) were matched with TNBC cases (n = 40) on the basis of known prognostic confounders. RESULTS: There were 17 of 46 (37%) cases with mesenchymal differentiation, 12 (26.1%) squamous cell carcinoma, 14 (30.4%) spindle cell carcinoma, and 3 (6.5%) mixed type. MBC presented at a more advanced stage than TNBC (P = .014) and was more likely to recur (34% vs. 15.5%; P = .004). More MBC patients died from disease than TNBC (29% vs. 16%; P = .05). In the multivariate analysis, MBC had approximately twice the risk of local recurrence than TNBC (95% confidence interval, 1.01-3.83; P = .05). MBC patients had worse DFS and OS than the matched TNBC patients (P < .001 and P = .033, respectively). A review of the literature comparing MBC versus TNBC is presented. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that MBC is clinically more aggressive than TNBC. Further studies might help delineate the differences between these 2 entities.

Pleomorphic hyalinizing angiectatic tumor arising in the groin: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Pleomorphic hyalinizing angiectatic tumors are a rare group of tumors that are currently classified as benign tumors of unknown differentiation. To our knowledge, less than 100 cases have been reported in literature. We report a case that presented in the groin - an uncommon location for this rare tumor. CASE REPORT: A 75 year-old female presented with a seven-year history of painless right groin mass with rapid growth of 2 year duration. On physical examination, a firm and mobile mass was identified in the right groin. It measured 12cm×8cm, with no clinically palpable lymph nodes. Microscopic and immunohistochemical features were consistent with pleomorphic hyalinizing angiectatic tumor. DISCUSSION: Pleomorphic hyalinizing angiectatic tumor is a rare soft tissue tumor usually diagnosed using microscopic and immuohistochemical analysis to allow for differentiation from other soft tissue tumors. It is treated by wide local excision.

Duodenal Adenocarcinoma: Profile and Predictors of Survival Outcomes.

Duodenal adenocarcinoma is rare. We aimed to evaluate survival outcome and prognostic factors for survival in patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma in recent years, marked by advancement in chemotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers. All patients treated for duodenal adenocarcinoma at our institution between January 2000 and July 2013 were reviewed. Thirty-nine patients were identified: 27 operative patients [21(53.8%) curative and 6 (15.4%) palliative operations] and 12 nonoperative patients [primary systemic chemotherapy, 4 (10.3%), palliative radiotherapy, 1 (2.6%), and no treatment, 7 (17.9%)]. Curative resections included 13 pancreaticoduodenectomies and eight segmental resections. Median overall survival (OS) for entire cohort was 14.4 months. Median OS and one-, three-, and five-year OS were operative group (41.4 months; 79.1%, 50.6%, and 10.6%, respectively); nonoperative group (7.4 months; 25.0%, 8.3%, and 0%, respectively); curative surgery (45.4 months; 92.9%, 62.5%, and 16.7%, respectively) and palliative surgery (5.4 months; 33.3%, 16.7%, and 0%, respectively). Female gender (P = 0.04), curative resection (P = 0.03), nodal metastasis (P = 0.047) and advanced T stage (P = 0.047) were predictive of OS. Two factors were independently predictive of OS--female gender and curative resection. Overall survival still hinges on curative resection. This favors early detection. Adjuvant treatment modalities such as chemotherapy and radiation require further investigation.

Novel adjuvant therapies for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Contemporary adjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer patients following surgical resection includes chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy. However, the median survival remains approximately 20 months despite multi-modality treatment using gemcitabine or fluoropyrimidine systemic chemotherapy. Adjuvant randomized trials are currently underway to evaluate cytotoxic combinations found to be active in advanced disease including FOLFIRINOX, gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine/capecitabine. Immunotherapy using genetically engineered cell-based vaccines had shown promise in resected pancreatic cancer patients during early phase trials, and algenpantucel-L vaccine is currently being evaluated in adjuvant setting in a randomized trial. This review focuses on novel adjuvant therapies currently in clinical evaluation.

Molecular Targets in Biliary Carcinogenesis and Implications for Therapy.

UNLABELLED: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) encompass a group of invasive carcinomas, including cholangiocarcinoma (intrahepatic, perihilar, or extrahepatic), and gallbladder carcinoma. Approximately 90% of patients present with advanced, unresectable disease and have a poor prognosis. The latest recommendation is to treat advanced or metastatic disease with gemcitabine and cisplatin, although chemotherapy has recorded modest survival benefits. Comprehension of the molecular basis of biliary carcinogenesis has resulted in experimental trials of targeted therapies in BTCs, with promising results. This review addresses the emerging role of targeted therapy in the treatment of BTCs. Findings from preclinical studies were reviewed and correlated with the outcomes of clinical trials that were undertaken to translate the laboratory discoveries. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Biliary tract cancers are rare. Approximately 90% of patients present with advanced, unresectable disease and have a poor prognosis. Median overall and progression-free survival are 12 and 8 months, respectively. Because chemotherapy has recorded modest survival benefits, targeted therapies are being explored for personalized treatment of these cancers. A comprehensive review of targeted therapies in biliary tract cancers was undertaken to present emerging evidence from laboratory and/or molecular studies as they translate to clinical trials and outcomes. The latest evidence on this topic is presented to clinicians and practitioners to guide decisions on treatment of this disease.

Feasibility of minimally invasive esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemoradiation.

BACKGROUND: The impact of preoperative chemoradiation treatment (CRT) on outcomes after esophagectomy is still debated. The choice of surgical approach can also be influenced by this treatment modality, including the performance of minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE), a technically demanding procedure. We sought to examine the outcomes of MIE after CRT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive MIEs performed at two institutions from June 2004 to January 2010. We analyzed the effect of CRT on perioperative results, including pulmonary complications, oncological outcomes, length of stay, and mortality. RESULTS: In total, 126 patients were eligible for the study. Six patients (4.8%) were converted from MIE to an open approach and were excluded from the analysis. Of the 120 patients, 98 were male (82%), mean age was 62 ± 13 years (range, 22-88 years), and 58 underwent CRT (48%) (Group 1). Comparing both groups, the incidence of pneumonia (9 versus 11), recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (3 versus 5), anastomotic leaks (4 versus 9), number of harvested lymph nodes (16 ± 9 versus 18 ± 9), and R0 resection margins (53/58 versus 61/62) was comparable (Group 1 versus Group 2, respectively; P=not significant). There was a trend toward more pleural effusions in Group 1 (10 versus 4, P=.09). Median length of stay was comparable between both groups (10 ± 11 versus 11 ± 7 days). There were three operative deaths, exclusively in Group 1 (P=.11). CONCLUSIONS: MIE can be safely performed after CRT in the management of esophageal cancer, with a low conversion rate. Outcomes seem comparable regardless of preoperative CRT.

Feasibility of purely laparoscopic resection of locally advanced rectal cancer in obese patients.

BACKGROUND: Totally laparoscopic (without hand-assist) resection for rectal cancer continues to evolve, and both obesity and locally advanced disease are perceived to add to the complexity of these procedures. There is a paucity of data on the impact of obesity on perioperative and oncologic outcomes for totally-laparoscopic rectal cancer resection (TLRR) for locally advanced disease. METHODS: In order to identify potential limitations of TLRR, a single-institution database was queried and identified 26 patients that underwent TLRR for locally advanced rectal cancers (T3/T4) over a three-year period. Patients were classified as normal-weight (NW, body mass index (BMI)=18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2), overweight (OW, BMI=25 to 29.9 kg/m2) and obese (OB, BMI >/= 30 kg/m2). Perioperative outcomes, lymph node harvest and margin status were assessed. RESULTS: Seven patients were classified as NW (26.9%), 12 as OW (46.2%) and 7 as OB (26.9%). Age, tumor stage, gender and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores were similar. OB had more co-morbidities (median 3.0, range 0.0 to 5.0 vs. 2.0, range 0.0 to 3.0 for NW and 1.0, range 0.0 to 3.0 for OW). Five patients had tumors <5 cm from anal verge (NW=2; OW=1; OB=2). A median of 19.0, range 9.0 to 32.0; 20.0, range 9.0 to 46.0 and 19.0, range 15.0 to 31.0 lymph nodes were retrieved in the NW, OW and OB, respectively (Not Significant (NS)). Median node ratios for NW, OW and OB were 0.32, 0.13 and 0.00, respectively. All groups had negative proximal and distal margins. Radial margins were negative for 100% of NW, 83.3% of OW and 85.7% of OB (NS). Conversion rates were 14.3% for NW, 16.7% for OW & 0% for OB (NS). NW, OW and OB had complication rates of 28.3%, 33.3% and 14.3%, respectively. Median operative time, median estimated blood loss and median length of hospital stay were similar for all groups. CONCLUSION: The perceived limitation that obesity would have on TLRR was not demonstrated by the analyzed data. Although our findings are limited by the modest sized cohort, the results suggest that it is reasonable to offer TLRR to obese patients with rectal cancer.

Impact of the surgical technique on pulmonary morbidity after esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary complications occur frequently after esophagectomy. Although multifactorial, these complications could be influenced by surgical technique. We sought to compare the respiratory complications of patients undergoing esophagectomy through different approaches, and identify technical risk factors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive esophagectomies performed at 2 institutions from January 2002 to January 2009. Primary outcome measures included postoperative ventilatory requirements, pneumonia, effusion requiring intervention, length of stay, and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 220 esophagectomies were performed through 6 different approaches: 79 minimally invasive (MIE) with neck anastomosis, 20 MIE with chest anastomosis, 37 transhiatal, 33 McKeown, 36 Ivor Lewis, and 15 left thoracoabdominal. Patients who underwent MIE were more likely to be extubated in the operating room (p<0.01) and had fewer pleural effusions (p<0.01). A thoracotomy was associated with a higher incidence of tracheostomy (p=0.02) and pleural effusions (p=0.02). Neck anastomoses were negatively associated with early extubation (p=0.04) and predicted recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (p=0.04), but were not associated with pneumonia or other pulmonary complications. Multivariate analysis showed that pneumonia was independently associated with advancing age (p=0.02), lack of a pyloric drainage procedure (p=0.03), and less significantly with MIE (p=0.06, fewer events). Surgical approach was not a significant predictor of length of stay or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing MIE are less likely to remain intubated. Omission of a pyloric drainage procedure or performance of thoracic or neck incisions appear to be important determinants of respiratory complications. Technical aspects of the procedure in addition to the surgical approach influence important respiratory outcomes.

Survey of opinions on operative management of adhesive small bowel obstruction: laparoscopy versus laparotomy in the state of Connecticut.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to know the opinions of general surgeons registered in the state of Connecticut about their use of laparoscopic lysis of adhesions (LLA) to manage adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) compared with open lysis of adhesions (OLA) in terms of safety, contraindications, and outcomes. METHODS: A questionnaire was designed to gather the opinions of general surgeons registered in Connecticut on this topic. The questionnaire was administered electronically and through the mail. RESULTS: Of the 205 general surgeons to whom the questionnaire was sent, 87 completed it (42% response). The respondents were evenly distributed throughout Connecticut. Of these respondents, 9% were university teaching hospital faculty, 55% were community teaching hospital based, and 36% were community nonteaching hospital based. The answers to the questions were expressed as percentages and differences between groups tested using Fisher's exact test, with the significance level set at a P value less than 0.05. According to their self-reports, 60% of the respondents used LLA in their practice, with 38% of this group using LLA for less than 15% of their adhesive SBO cases. Compared with surgeons out of training less than 15 years, a greater number of surgeons out of training more than 15 years considered LLA to be safer (P = 0.03) and to have better outcomes (P = 0.04) than OLA. More surgeons in academic/teaching settings considered LLA to be safe than did surgeons in nonacademic/nonteaching settings (P = 0.04), and more members of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)/Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS) considered LLA to be safe than nonmembers (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Many surgeons do not perform LLA for reasons that differ from those in the surgical literature, which supports LLA. Surgeons recently trained or with membership in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) societies are more likely to use LLA. These data suggest that recent training and interest or membership in MIS associations influence surgeons' choice for LLA. This survey demonstrated that an opportunity exists to improve patient outcomes with education about the merits of LLA in the state of Connecticut.

Small bowel obstruction: outcome and cost implications of admitting service.

We compared patients with small bowel obstruction (SBO) admitted through the emergency department to the surgical service (SS) with those admitted to the medical service (MS) with respect to outcomes and healthcare cost. We conducted a retrospective analysis of our SBO database comparing 482 patients admitted to SS and 153 patients admitted to MS at a single institution over a 5-year period (January 2003 to December 2007). Study outcomes included length of hospital stay (LOS), time to surgery (TTS), hospital charges, incidence of bowel resection, and mortality. Both groups were comparable for age, gender, and race. The SS group had a shorter LOS (6.1 vs. 7.5 days; P = 0.01), less hospital charges ($29,549 vs. $35,789; P = 0.06), shorter TTS (log rank comparison; P = 0.006), and less mortality (eight [1.66%] vs. six [3.92]; P = 0.11). The SS group had more bowel resections (13.1 vs. 5.2%; P = 0.007). Coronary artery disease (CAD), acute renal failure (ARF), admission to SS, and female gender were significant predictors of bowel resection. CAD and ARF were significant predictors of mortality. Two hundred forty-four patients required operative intervention (surgery operative subgroup [SOS] 210 [43.6%], medicine operative subgroup [MOS] 34 [22.2%]). SOS and MOS were comparable for gender and race. SOS had shorter LOS (9.1 vs. 12.3 days; P = 0.02), less hospital charges ($46,258 vs. $62,778, P = 0.05), and less mortality (eight [3.81%] vs. four [11.76%]; P = 0.07). Bowel resection was comparable (SOS 30% vs. MOS 23%; P = 0.44). CAD and congestive heart failure (CHF) were significant predictors of bowel resection, whereas CAD was the only significant predictor of mortality in this subgroup. We recommend that patients with SBO be admitted to SS because this might translate to shorter LOS, earlier operative intervention, and reduced healthcare use direct cost. Bowel resection and death are more likely to occur in patients with comorbidities like CHF, CAD, diabetes mellitus, and ARF.

Small bowel obstruction from metastatic breast cancer masquerading as an obstructed incisional hernia.

Small bowel metastatic disease from primary breast cancer is rare. With this case report we illustrate a distinctly rare presentation of small bowel metastatic disease from breast cancer masquerading as an obstructed incisional hernia. This case is also an example of small bowel metastasis from an invasive ductal primary breast carcinoma as opposed to the more common pattern of small bowel metastasis from lobular carcinoma.

Jejunal Amyloidoma - a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding.

We report a case of localized amyloid tumor of the jejunum which presented with abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding. We reviewed the pathophysiologic process that precipitates bleeding in this rare tumor. We also examined the documented radiologic and endoscopic features of amyloidosis of the small bowel in the light of our reported case. All with a view to add to the growing evidence on this rare tumor which will facilitate accurate diagnosis and management.