A rare variation of common hepatic artery identified during pancreaticoduodenectomy: a case report and literature review from Syria.

Introduction: It is common for the liver to be supplied blood by a hepatic artery branching off the coeliac trunk. Occasionally, a replaced common hepatic artery (RCHA), emerges from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), can supply the liver in 1.5-4.0% of cases. Computed tomography (CT) angiography is a highly accurate method for identifying arterial anomalies, which may remain undetected until the time of surgery, leading to unexpected complications. Case presentation: A 53-year-old male exhibiting symptoms of decreased appetite, weight loss, vomiting, and altered sclera, urine, and stool colour, underwent a contrast-enhanced CT scan revealing biliary tract dilatation and pancreatic abnormalities, leading to a pancreaticoduodenectomy. During the surgery, an uncommon arterial finding-CHA from SMA-was noted. Pancreatic cancer was confirmed. The patient was discharged a week post-surgery without issues, emphasizing perioperative care progress. Discussion: The authors' study focused on the detection conditions of the same hepatic artery anomaly in eight cases reported between 2017 and 2023. In two of them the anomaly was discovered in cadaver by routine autopsy. In three cases, this variation was identified before the surgery, but in three other cases it wasn't detected until the surgical procedure. In the authors' case, due to multiple reasons, the anomaly remained undetectable until the surgery. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of thorough preoperative evaluation to grasp vascular variations for better patient care. Also, a noteworthy observation in our case is that the surgeon identified an expanded hepatic vessel, prompting further investigation into this anomaly.

Unraveling a rare splenic pathology: a case report of a benign hemorrhagic spleen with primary congenital splenic epidermoid cysts.

Introduction and importance: A primary congenital splenic epidermoid cyst is an immensely rare pathology with mostly unknown epidemiological parameters. Misdiagnosis can easily happen and this results in life-threatening ramifications for patients. Considering this pathology as a potential differential diagnosis allows for the required surgical intervention to be timely accomplished. In this case, the authors are documenting this pathology and presenting how it was successfully managed via proper and informed preoperative analysis and meticulous intraoperative technique. Case presentation: Hereby, we portray the exceptionally rare case of a 7-year-old male who presented to our surgical clinic complaining of a sudden left hypochondriac pain with early satiety for 1 month's duration. The preoperative radiological assessment displayed numerous splenic cystic lesions throughout the splenic parenchyma. Clinical discussion: Resection of the cysts was accomplished via total splenectomy. The ensuing histopathological analysis via Hematoxylin and Eosin of the resected specimens established the diagnosis of a congested hemorrhagic spleen with multiple primary congenital splenic epidermoid cysts. Conclusion: Primary congenital splenic epidermoid cysts are an extremely rare type of splenic pathology. There is profound scarcity amidst the published literature regarding it. This merits in-depth study and apt documentation to raise awareness regarding this pathology as a potential differential diagnosis in cases of abdominal pain. Documentation allows us to set up proper and innovative clinical and surgical protocols for these patients. Based on our conclusive review of the published literature, the authors conclude that ours is the first ever documented case from our country of a primary congenital splenic epidermoid cyst.

Challenges in diagnosing and managing cystic duct carcinoma: A case report from Syria.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Primary cystic duct carcinoma, an uncommon and aggressive biliary cancer variant, poses a significant challenge in clinical practice. This study examines recent clinical cases, focusing on diagnostics, interventions, and implications in managing this disease, with a prevalence ranging from 0.03 % to 0.05 %, contributing to 2.6-12.6 % of extrahepatic biliary neoplasms. CASE PRESENTATION: A 57-year-old male, a smoker with hypertension and hyperuricemia, presented symptoms of severe upper right abdominal pain, jaundice, and altered stool color. Diagnosis revealed ulcerated papillary adenocarcinoma invading all gallbladder layers (2.5 cm). Surgical resection and Roux-en-Y anastomosis were performed. Histopathological examination showed invasive tumor proliferation, preserved lymph node architecture, and severe hepatic microsteatosis. Lymph nodes were tumor-free, and a benign hepatic biopsy (0.5 cm) displayed chronic portitis. The final diagnosis confirmed cystic duct carcinoma, emphasizing the complex diagnostic and therapeutic aspects in biliary cases. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The clinical discussion unveils the complexities associated with primary cystic duct carcinomas. Emphasizing the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach, this case highlights the importance of efficient management strategies-from initial diagnosis to surgical intervention-in dealing with this challenging malignancy. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this case underscores the intricate nature of primary cystic duct carcinomas. It accentuates the essential role of a multidisciplinary approach, urging the need for continuous research endeavors to further comprehend and enhance the treatment methodologies for this rare and complex malignancy.

An enormous benign primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma: a case report and literature review of a seldom seen abdominal pathology.

Introduction and importance: Retroperitoneal neoplasia comprise less than 2% of all tumours. benign primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma (PRMC) is an extremely rare tumour. Their clinical course is overall silent unless the patient presents with a vague abdominal or pelvic pain, abdominal distention, or a palpable mass. Their aetiology remains theorized and since 1989, only 46 cases (excluding ours) worldwide were documented in the literature. The majority of cases were discovered in females but the overall tumour incidence rate is still undetermined due to its rarity. Well-timed recognition of this pathology permits the necessary curative surgical intervention to take place. Case presentation: We hereby illustrate the rare case of a 23-year-old female who presented to the surgical clinic complaining solely of an unexplained gradual increase of the abdominal contour. Their presurgical radiological analysis yielded an intraabdominal large-sized well-demarcated retroperitoneal mass. Clinical discussion: Thorough resection of the mass was accomplished via open surgery. The subsequent microscopic analysis of excised tumour yielded the diagnosis of primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma of benign nature. Conclusion: Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma is a seldom seen tumour. The scarcity of its occurrence is further highlighted by the published data. Based on their conclusive review of the available published English-based literature, ours is the 47th documented case of a benign PRMC and it is the first documented case from our country; Syria. The impact of these findings warrants raising awareness on the subject and considering PRMC as a differential diagnosis when presented with a similar case in the clinical practice.

A rare case of primary non-metastatic Non-Hodgkin's diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the ileum in a 19-year-old male manifested as intestinal obstruction- A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The gastrointestinal system is the most common site for extra-nodal NHL. Adolescent population are among the rarest of compromised groups, especially males. The gastrointestinal system is more involved by secondary metastasis rather than by primary lymphomas. Cardinal B-Symptoms and obstipation constituted the presentation of our patient who was diagnosed postoperatively as a case primary non-metastatic NHL. NHL can have misleading presentations which result in the implementation of different treatment modalities. We ought to have high clinical suspicion when presented with a patient suffering from B-Symptoms and obstipation to make timely judgements which help in performing effective therapeutic interventions to limit the morbidity and mortality which result from this pathology. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 19-year-old male, who presented with obstipation and B-Symptoms. CT scan indicated loop dilation, a lobulated mass, and what radiologically seemed to be intussusception. Surgery was done and the resected specimens were DLBCL. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: We treated him by surgical excision of the affected ileal segments. Histopathology indicated a primary Non-Hodgkin's DLBCL of the ileum. Afterwards, we referred him for adjuvant chemotherapy. Treatment modalities for this malignancy are mainly surgical in addition to Chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Intestinal extranodal NHL presents with an array of vague symptoms. As a result, this type of tumors can be clinically indistinguishable from other gastrointestinal malignancies. It is vital to keep this type of malignancy in mind as a differential diagnosis when presented with a surgical abdomen in a patient with B-Symptoms.

Idiopathic short-coupled ventricular tachyarrhythmias: Systematic review and validation of electrocardiographic indices.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic short-coupled ventricular tachyarrhythmias make up a considerable proportion of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in structurally normal hearts and are the cause of 5-10% of unexpected sudden cardiac deaths. There is disparity in the literature regarding their description and a lack of formal diagnostic criteria to define them. OBJECTIVE: To validate ECG indices for the diagnosis of these ventricular tachyarrythmias and to subsequently unify their differing descriptions in the literature under a new terminology: Idiopathic Short-Coupled Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of all published studies describing short-coupled torsades de pointes, idiopathic ventricular fibrillation and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Published tracings were analysed using a standard set of criteria to define the different ECG intervals. Previously proposed diagnostic indices were validated using a control group of previously published long-coupled torsades de pointes cases. RESULTS: Validation of the ECG indices revealed that a coupling interval < 400 ms was the most reliable measurement (sensitivity 100%, specificity 97%), followed by a coupling interval/QT < 1 (sensitivity 96%, specificity 100%). CONCLUSION: Idiopathic short-coupled ventricular tachyarrhythmias encompass all previous descriptions of this tachyarrhythmia including idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, short-coupled torsades de pointes, Purkinje-related torsades de pointes and idiopathic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. This arrhythmia can be diagnosed by newly proposed criteria with high sensitivity and specificity.

Characteristics, management and outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome and prior coronary artery bypass surgery: findings from the second Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the baseline demographic/clinical characteristics, in-hospital treatment and outcomes among patients with or without prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) presenting as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) from six Middle East countries. METHODS: Data was derived from a prospective, multinational, multicenter registry of 7881 consecutive patients hospitalized with ACS in six Middle East countries. Data were analyzed according to their history of prior CABG. RESULTS: Of 7881 ACS patients, 336 (4.2%) had a history of CABG. Patients with prior CABG were older (mean 63 ± 10.8 vs. 56 ± 12.6 years; P = 0.001) and more frequently to be men (76%) with significantly more prior angina, infarction and percutaneous revascularization. They were more likely to have hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, prior congestive heart failure, stroke, renal failure, peripheral arterial disease and had higher prevalence of previous treatment with evidence-based medications. They were more likely to present with unstable angina (45.5% vs. 23.4%), followed by non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (43.8% vs. 29.5%), STEMI (10.7% vs. 47.1%) (All P = 0.001) with less prominent peak values of cardiac biomarkers than patients without prior CABG. Patients with prior CABG were more likely to present with significantly worse Killip class (≥ 2), higher Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score, multivessel disease, severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (LV ejection fraction ≤ 30%) and developed significantly higher cardiogenic shock and major bleeding. In patients with prior CABG, no significant difference was observed in in-hospital mortality (4.2% vs. 4.6%, P=0.735) or mortality at one month (6.5% vs. 8.2%, P=0.277) or after one year (15% vs. 12.4%, P=0.204) when compared to patients without prior CABG. CONCLUSIONS: ACS patients from Middle East countries with prior CABG have adverse baseline characteristics, reported higher GRACE risk score, multivessel disease, more severe LV dysfunction, cardiogenic shock, in-hospital major bleeding, but with less incidence of STEMI with less prominent surge of cardiac biomarkers. However, there was no significant difference in mortality during hospitalization, at 30 days and at one year between ACS patients with and without prior CABG. The reasons for this 'risk-mortality' paradox need to be further evaluated.