Primary adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction, combined with an obscure hepatoid adenocarcinoma component, as discovered after the development of a metachronous liver metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal hepatoid adenocarcinomas (HACs) belong to alpha fetoprotein (AFP)-producing adenocarcinomas and are relatively sparse. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old man suffering from adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ), with negative preoperative studies for metastatic disease, underwent Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. The histologic examination demonstrated a poorly differentiated, IIA (T3N0M0) staged EGJ adenocarcinoma. The patient had been advised not to receive any adjuvant therapy, with the follow-up studies at six months being negative for recurrence. Eleven months postoperatively, he was diagnosed with a bulky mass in the liver's right lobe, accompanied by elevated AFP serum levels. The percutaneous biopsy revealed the presence of HAC, immunohistochemically positive for AFP. The surgical specimen was re-evaluated and was also found immunohistochemically positive for AFP, re-defining the tumor as combined adenocarcinoma and HAC of the EGJ. The patient received two sessions of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of the liver mass. However, following the 2nd TACE session, he developed signs of hepatic insufficiency and expired twenty days later. CONCLUSIONS: It is crucial to identify the presence of a HAC, as HAC seems to have an aggressive course, with limited therapeutic options as well as therapeutic response. HIPPOKRATIA 2020, 24(3): 138-142.

Paraduodenal hernias: a systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Paraduodenal hernias (PDH), also called mesocolic hernias, account for up to 53% of all internal hernias, but they cause only 0.2-0.9% of all cases of intestinal obstruction. This is the first systematic review of all reported cases so far, investigating their clinical presentation, radiological imaging, and treatment outcomes. METHODS: After a detailed search in PubMed and Medline, using the keywords "paraduodenal hernia", 115 studies matched our criteria. A review of these reports was conducted and the full texts were examined. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients were included in our analysis, with 69.8% and 30.2% of them suffering from either a left or a right PDH, respectively. Mean age at diagnosis was 44.1 years, with a 2/1 male/female ratio. PDH were associated with non-specific symptoms and signs; abdominal pain being the most common. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen was the most frequently used diagnostic modality. Regardless of PDH localization, all patients were operated on, with approximately one-third of them undergoing a laparoscopic operation, which was associated with a significantly decreased morbidity rate as well as length of hospital stay, compared with the open repair. CONCLUSIONS: PDH are not usually associated with specific symptoms and signs; thus, they constitute a diagnostic challenge, requiring a high level of knowledge and clinical suspicion. Undoubtedly, CT scan of the abdomen is the gold standard diagnostic tool. Their operative repair is mandatory, with the laparoscopic approach demonstrating significant advantages over the open repair, seeming to be the optimum treatment strategy.

Renal paratransplant hernia revealed: a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Renal paratransplant hernia (RPH) is an uncommon variant of internal hernias developed in renal transplant recipients. The aim of this review is to meticulously present and analyze all data coming mainly from case reports or short-case studies on this very uncommon surgical entity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MEDLINE/PubMed database was searched for publications with the medical subject heading ''renal paratransplant hernia''. All the references from the identified articles were searched for relevant information. The end date of the literature search was set to March 2016. RESULTS: Our search revealed five publications, three short clinical series (three cases each) and two case reports. The total number of cases retrieved was 11. RPH should be considered as an iatrogenic surgical complication. The incidence is around 0.45%. CONCLUSIONS: RPH is a relatively uncommon but potentially fatal complication after renal transplantation, and its non-specific symptoms may lead to misdiagnosis. Physician awareness, prompt diagnosis, and early surgical intervention are critical. In addition, meticulous surgical technique during transplantation may help avoid this complication.

A Heartbreaking Renal Transplantation: Is Norepinephrine the Culprit to Blame?

INTRODUCTION: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM), also known as "broken heart syndrome," "apical ballooning syndrome," and "stress-induced cardiomyopathy," was first described in Japanese patients in 1990 by Sato et al. TCM is an increasingly recognized syndrome characterized by transient and reversible systolic dysfunction of the apical and middle segments of the left ventricle. This syndrome resembles acute myocardial infarction in the absence of evident coronary artery occlusion. Herein, we present a case of a 51-year-old male who underwent his second deceased-donor renal transplantation for end-stage-renal-disease due to a work-related accident. Perioperatively, initiation of continuous infusion of noradrenaline was decided to achieve adequate graft perfusion due to persistently low blood pressure. On the second postoperative day, the patient experienced tachycardia and atypical angina-like chest pain. Electrocardiogram (ECG) showed signs of myocardial infarction and elevated troponin levels were observed. Urgent coronary angiography was normal and transthoracic echocardiography (TEE) was indicative for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. DISCUSSION: Although, the precise pathophysiology of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is still unknown, it seems that it is associated with excessive sympathetic stimulation, microvascular dysfunction, coronary artery vasospasm, and abnormal myocardial tissue metabolism. The development of patient's symptoms after the initiation of norepinephrine along with their immediate resolution after the discontinuation of the drug might suggest a causal relationship. This is the first time that TCM after renal transplantation is thought to be linked with the administration of exogenous catecholamines.

Surgical Dead End in a Renal Transplant Recipient Associated With a Rare Thrombohemorrhagic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Primary breast angiosarcoma is an extremely rare malignancy. Association of this type of tumor with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome has only been reported in 3 cases in the past. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a solid-organ recipient. METHODS: A 53-year-old woman who underwent a deceased-donor renal transplantation 5 years previously presented with a 12-month history of a giant ulcerated lesion on her left breast. Biopsy of the overlying skin suggested primary angiosarcoma. Concurrently, the patient's bleeding from the site of the biopsy and hematology investigations indicated the presence of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome. RESULTS: The case was discussed in a multidisciplinary setting. The decision was to use anthracycline-based chemotherapy as up-front treatment to assess tumor response and gain a local benefit for a subsequent resection. After the completion of 1 cycle of chemotherapy, the patient died of cardiovascular insufficiency. Primary angiosarcoma of the breast occurs in the third to fourth decade and has been reported only in women. CONCLUSIONS: A high clinical suspicion and referral to a specialized center are necessary. Total mastectomy appears to be the only treatment conferring benefit; chemotherapy and radiation therapy are of little value.