ABSTRACT
Fetal lung interstitial tumor (FLIT) is a rare pediatric lung tumor with radiological features similar to developmental pulmonary malformations and other congenital lung neoplasms. There are about 17 cases of FLIT reported worldwide till date. We report the first case of FLIT in the Indian literature which was diagnosed in the early postnatal period (at the 21st day of life) by pathological examination. The tumor exhibited a novel focal micropapillary architecture, in addition to the previously described microscopic features. We discuss the pathogenesis and differential diagnoses of FLIT and review the literature.
ABSTRACT
Malignancies of the appendix are uncommon; a small subset of these lesions are actually metastatic cancers. In some rare cases, these lesions can cause obstruction, appendicitis, and perforation. M.K. is a 54-year-old man who presented to our institution with a 1-day history of right lower quadrant pain and a past medical history significant only for a 75-pack-year smoking history. CT scan revealed a perforated appendix, and the patient was taken to the operating room where a gangrenous appendix was removed uneventfully. Two days post-procedure, the patient was found to have acute mental status changes, requiring intubation and transfer to the surgical intensive care unit. As part of a workup, a CT scan of the head revealed multiple lesions compatible with metastatic disease. At that point, the pathology from the appendix came back as small cell lung cancer. Chest CT revealed hilar adenopathy and a hilar mass. The patient received emergent whole-brain irradiation therapy with improvement in his mental status, allowing him to be extubated and discharged from the hospital within 10 days of admission. Surgeons should remember that an underlying oncologic process may be the etiology of appendicitis in a small but important subgroup of patients.
