Immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing mastitis: an unexpected diagnosis for a breast mass.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease is an immune-mediated condition comprised of a number of various disorders sharing unique pathologic, serologic, and clinical features. Diagnosis of immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing mastitis is challenging as the clinical and imaging findings mimic breast malignancies or other types of inflammatory mastitis. Herein, we describe a case of a female patient with a painless palpable mass in her right breast. An excisional core biopsy led to the rare diagnosis of immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing mastitis, and the patient received steroid treatment for a month. To date, the patient has remained disease-free without any recurrence. As immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing mastitis is a very rare disease, further studies are needed to reach conclusions about the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of this entity.

Single-stage full-depth scalp reconstruction with Matriderm®: a clinical case report and a brief literature review.

Reconstructing scalp defects after basal cell carcinoma removal in elderly patients is challenging. This case report emphasizes Matriderm® as a successful alternative, addressing limitations of traditional methods. The application of Matriderm® in resource-limited scenarios adds insights to surgical literature, and its' usage addresses challenges in patients, contributing to surgical knowledge.

Ectopic kidney injury due to blunt abdominal trauma.

Ectopic kidney is a relatively uncommon anatomic variation that is usually detected incidentally in patients undergoing imaging for an unrelated reason. Most cases are asymptomatic and are often revealed by a complication; however, ectopic kidney is generally associated with higher risk of traumatic injury, urinary tract infection, renal calculi and other urologic conditions. We report the case of a 65-year-old male patient with a post-traumatic renal laceration on a previously undiagnosed ectopic pelvic kidney, with successful conservative treatment.

Anatomical Variations of the Axillary Arch and Implications in Breast Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Langer's axillary arch (AA), the most common anatomical variant in the axillary area of definite clinical significance. This is an updated review of the reported variations in the structure, highlighting its morphological diversity and its potential in complicating axillary lymph node biopsy, lymphadenectomy, or breast reconstruction. METHODS: A review of the literature concerning the AA published between 1812 and 2020 was performed using the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane medical databases. The frequency, laterality, morphology, origin, lateral attachment points, vascularization, and neurosis of the AA were the parameters retrieved from the collected data. RESULTS: The prevalence of AA ranged from 0.8% to 37.5%. It is more often unilateral, muscular in nature, and extending from the latissimus dorsi to the pectoralis major. It is vascularized by the lateral thoracic vessels or the subscapular artery and innervated by the thoracodorsal nerve. CONCLUSIONS: Langer's AA, when present, may complicate surgical procedures in the area; therefore, every surgeon performing breast or axillary surgery should be aware of this entity and its variations to ensure maximal effectiveness and safety in the management of patients.

Antitumor Potential of Lippia citriodora Essential Oil in Breast Tumor-Bearing Mice.

Lippia citriodora is a flowering plant cultivated for its lemon-scented leaves and used in folk medicine for the preparation of tea for the alleviation of symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, cold, and asthma. The oil extracted from the plant leaves was shown to possess antioxidant potential and to exert antiproliferative activity against breast cancer. The aim of this study was to further investigate potential antitumor effects of L. citriodora oil (LCO) on breast cancer. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of LCO was examined against murine DA3 breast cancer cells by the sulforhodamine B assay. We further explored the LCO's pro-apoptotic potential with the Annexin-PI method. The LCO's anti-migratory effect was assessed by the wound-healing assay. LCO was found to inhibit the growth of DA3 cells in vitro, attenuate their migration, and induce apoptosis. Finally, oral administration of LCO for 14 days in mice inhibited by 55% the size of developing tumors in the DA3 murine tumor model. Noteworthy, in the tumor tissue of LCO-treated mice the apoptotic marker cleaved caspase-3 was elevated, while a reduced protein expression of survivin was observed. These results indicate that LCO, as a source of bioactive compounds, has a very interesting nutraceutical potential.

Primary ectopic Merkel cell carcinoma without skin involvement-report of a case with prolonged survival.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare neuroendocrine malignancy that arises from the dermis, in cases of immunocompromised, middle-aged patients or on skin exposed to sunlight. It only rarely presents in extra-cutaneous locations. We present the case of a 63-year-old female with a mass in the adipose tissue of the upper arm, without skin involvement and concurrent axillary lymph node enlargement. She was treated with wide excision and lymph node dissection; pathology led to the diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma, and she was subsequently submitted to adjuvant radiotherapy. No signs of recurrence are present 8 years postoperatively. Primary Merkel cell carcinoma can rarely be located in the adipose tissue without skin involvement. In cases of high suspicion, preoperative MRI scan can show the extent of the lesion, as well as lymph metastases.