Teratoma to Angiosarcoma: A Metamorphosis in the Mediastinum.

We describe a rare and remarkable transformation of an immature mediastinal teratoma into high-grade angiosarcoma in a 21-year-old male. Mediastinal teratomas, particularly immature ones, are exceedingly rare, representing a small fraction of germ cell tumors (GCTs). Our case describes the clinical journey of the patient, who initially presented with acute chest pain and was subsequently diagnosed with an immature teratoma following imaging studies and elevated tumor markers. Despite an initial positive response to cisplatin-based chemotherapy, surveillance imaging revealed liver masses, which a biopsy confirmed as angiosarcoma. This transformation underscores the aggressive nature of immature teratomas and the propensity for sarcomatous differentiation, particularly in the mediastinum. The case contributes valuable insight into the management and surveillance of mediastinal non-seminoma germ cell tumors (MNGCT), a subset of GCTs with limited literature. We believe this case is the first in the literature to describe a transformation from an immature teratoma in the mediastinum to a high-grade angiosarcoma.

Spontaneous Pneumothorax: A Tale of Two Unique Cases.

We herein present two cases of spontaneous pneumothorax. The first one is occurring in an elderly female who has an extensive history of smoking and an underlying chronic obstructive lung disease, whereas the second case represents a congenital bleb in a male patient who has no other underlying pulmonary disorder. Both cases presented to our facility with a spontaneous pneumothorax following pulmonary bleb rupture. Both patients underwent thoracoscopic surgery with subsequent partial pleurectomy and pleurodesis.

Recommendations for Surveillance and Management of Recurrent Esophageal Cancer Following Endoscopic Therapies.

With advancing endoscopic technology and screening protocols for Barrett disease, more patients are being diagnosed with early-stage esophageal cancer. These early-stage patients may be amendable to endoscopic therapies, such as endomucosal resection and ablation. These therapies may minimize morbidity, but the elevated risk of recurrence cannot be overlooked. This article reports outcomes and recommendations for surveillance and management of recurrent esophageal cancer following endoscopic therapies.

Innovative and Contemporary Interventional Therapies for Esophageal Diseases.

Esophageal surgery has become quite specialized, and both dedicated diagnostic and refined surgical techniques are required to deliver state-of-the-art care. The field has evolved to include endoscopic mucosal resection and radiofrequency ablation for early-stage esophageal cancer and minimally invasive esophagectomy with the reconstruction of a gastric conduit for carefully selected patients with esophageal cancer or those with "end-stage" esophagus from benign diseases. Reoperative esophageal surgery after esophagectomy deserves special mention given that these patients, with improved survival, are presenting years after esophagectomy with functional and anatomic disorders that sometimes require surgical intervention. Different diagnostic modalities are essential for assessing patients and planning surgical treatment. Recognizing early and late postoperative complications on imaging may expedite and improve patient outcomes. Finally, endoscopic management of achalasia with peroral endoscopic myotomy and the use of the LINX device for gastroesophageal reflux disease are highly effective and minimally invasive treatments that may reduce complications, costs, and length of hospital stay.

Interventional Therapies for Thoracic Duct Injury and Intractable Chylothorax.

Injury to the thoracic duct with resultant chylothorax can cause significant patient morbidity and mortality. Conservative treatment strategies often fail to address the problem. Open surgical and percutaneous approaches are often required to manage patients with refractory chylothorax. This review describes in detail the major role of minimally invasive interventional therapies for thoracic duct (TD) injury. The review emphasizes strategies for identifying the TD on preprocedural imaging and describes various techniques for percutaneous access to the TD. The advantages and disadvantages of several approaches for accessing the duct are discussed. The technique of duct embolization is highlighted. The role of the minimally invasive percutaneous approach over open surgical approaches is discussed with a review of clinical outcomes, as reported in the literature. This review will also briefly discuss the surgical approach to TD ligation.

Reparación de hernia ventral connsecuente a la laparostomía / Repair of ventral hernia secondary to laparostomy

Se presenta una serie de casos de corrección de laparostomía en el Hospital Universitario de La Samaritana, Bogotá, Colombia, mediante la técnica de separación de componentes de la pared abdominal en el periodo comprendido entre junio de 2001 y diciembre de 2002.Es una técnica que utiliza incisiones de relajación y construcción de colgajos fasciomusculares para la corrección de grandes defectos en la pared abdominal, mediante la cual se evita el uso de prótesis.Se corrigieron defectos que oscilaban entre 14 - 18 cm de diámetro y 20 - 26 cm de longitud; sólo en un caso fue necesario utilizar malla por no poder cubrir completamente el defecto. Se presentó una reproducción en un paciente en quien se encontró además un tumor renal, lo cual puede explicar un aumento adicional de la presión intraabdominal. No hubo cambios importantes ni en las resistencias de la vía aérea ni en la presión intraabdominal. Como complicación mayor, un paciente falleció luego de presentar sepsis de origen abdominal por dehiscencia de anastomosis colocolónica realizada en el mismo tiempo quirúrgico y como complicaciones menores, algunos seromas e infección superficial de sitio operatorio.En conclusión se considera, una técnica útil en casos seleccionados que presenta ventajas frente al uso de prótesis y las posibles complicaciones asociadas a estas