Elastofibroma dorsi: clinical and pathologic aspects of two cases.

Elastofibroma dorsi is a benign entity that occurs most often in the subscapular area in elderly women. It has been a subject of controversy whether elastofibroma is a true neoplasm or a reactive fibrous lesion that produces abnormal elastic fibers. A biopsy should be performed to rule out sarcoma in all cases, but definitive treatment only requires simple surgical excision. We report two cases of elastofibroma and discuss the most relevant clinical and pathologic aspects.

[Changes in the cellular proliferation of the healthy mucosa in patients with colorectal cancer]. / Alteraciones de la proliferación celular de la mucosa sana en pacientes con cáncer colorrectal.

AIM: To analyze differences in the proliferative pattern of normal mucosa between patients with colorectal cancer and healthy subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: By using flow cytometry we examined the proliferative pattern (Proliferative Index and S-Phase) in samples of normal mucosa from 34 patients operated on for colorectal cancer at our hospital and from 14 healthy subjects as a control group. RESULTS: All examined samples were diploid. The Proliferative Index and S-Phase in the Cancer Group were significantly higher than in the Control Group (16.7 +/- 5.9 vs 11.4 +/- 4, p < 0.003, and 11.9 +/- 3.9 us 6.6 +/- 3 p < 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide evidence for an altered proliferative pattern in the healthy colonic mucosa of patients with colorectal cancer.

[Cholelithiasis after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer]. / Colelitiasis tras gastrectomía total por cáncer gástrico.

AIM: To examine the incidence of cholelithiasis in patients after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients operated for gastric cancer at our hospital were retrospectively studied. Criteria to be included in the study were: 1) Follow-up of more than 3 years, 2) Cholelithiasis excluded preoperatively by ultrasonography, 3) Ultrasonographic postoperative control once a year. RESULTS: Ten patients met the established criteria. Six of them developed biliary lithiasis, and four of them needed surgical treatment for biliary symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of cholelithiasis after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer is high, and surgical treatment is often necessary. However our data does not support prophylactic cholecystectomy in the course of total gastrectomy.

[DNA as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. A retrospective analysis of 34 patients]. / Estudio del DNA como factor pronóstico en cáncer colo-rectal. Análisis retrospectivo de 34 pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: We study the tumoral DNA as a prognostic factor in patients operated for colo-rectal cancer. DESIGN: Retrospective. We analyze by flow cytometry the DNA content of tumoral tissue: Ploidy, DNA Index, Proliferative Index, S Phase. PATIENTS: 34 operated patients, for colo-rectal cancer, with a minimum 3 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Ploidy doesn't show any relation with other prognostic factors. Only Dukes C aneuploid patients had more positive nodes than diploid. Ploidy was not related to better evolution or survival. Neither DNA Index, Proliferative Index and S Phase were related to the evolution of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The DNA study by flow cytometry has no better prognostic value then other classical factors.

[A cellular proliferation study in patients with colorectal cancer, solitary, synchronous and with polyps]. / Estudio de la proliferación celular en pacientes con cáncer colorrectal solitario, sincrónico y con pólipos.

Colonic carcinogenesis is probably related to a disturbance in cell proliferation of the colonic mucosa. The present study was designed to determine whether patients with adenomatous polyps of the colon, which have a tendency to develop synchronous malignancies of the colon, have any disturbance in mucosal cell proliferation. Using flow cytometry the proliferative index, and the S and G2M phases of normal mucosa and tumoral tissue of patients with colorectal cancer (synchronous, alone, or associated with adenomatous polyps) were studied. No differences were found between the there groups of study at the level of proliferation pattern of normal mucosa. Our findings do not support the development of synchronous or metachronous colon cancer in patients with polyps on the basis of different patterns of cell proliferation.

Giant gastric ulcer penetrating into the heart as a late complication of Nissen fundoplication. Case report.

A case of fatal hemorrhage from a fistula penetrating into the right ventricle is reported. The source of the bleeding was a giant ulcer on a Nissen fundoplication performed 5 years previously to relieve gastroesophageal reflux. The pathologic sequence does not seem to have been previously described.

[Pancreatic pseudocysts. Treatment with percutaneous drainage]. / Pseudoquistes pancreáticos. Tratamiento mediante drenaje percutáneo.

Recent advances in the field of imaging diagnosis, particularly sonography and CAT, have permitted the development of the so-called interventional radiology techniques, which have made it possible to resolve a series of complex problems like intraperitoneal abscess and pancreatic pseudocyst. We present the results of treatment of a series of 9 patients diagnosed as pancreatic pseudocyst using percutaneous drainage directed by sonography or CAT. Seven of the pseudocysts were secondary to episodes of acute pancreatitis and two derived from chronic pancreatitis. In 8 of the patients a complete resolution of the process was achieved, in one case after a second drainage attempt when the pseudocyst recurred one year later. The success rate was 88.8% and morbidity and mortality were null.