Vulvar Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma with Squamous Cell Carcinoma Component.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a major histological type of salivary gland cancer but an uncommon form of vulvar cancer. Salivary gland ACC occasionally dedifferentiates into high-grade carcinoma, resulting in poor prognoses. The dedifferentiated component is usually a poorly differentiated cribriform or solid carcinoma, whereas squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is exceptional. Herein, we report the case of a 78-year-old woman with vulvar ACC, including an SCC component. She presented with a vulvar nodule that had been present for 30 years and increased in size over the past few years. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a ball-like mass with high intensity on T1-weighted images and high intensity with non-uniformity on T2-weighted images. Considering the systemic and social conditions, the tumor was maximally resected without lymphadenectomy. Histologically, the tumor was composed of a marginal ACC component with a central SCC component. Stage IB vulvar cancer, which was assumed to originate from the Bartholin's gland, was diagnosed. She has survived over 2 years without additional treatments after the surgery. In this case, we assumed that slowly progressive indolent ACC could be dedifferentiated to high- grade SCC. According to our review of available literature, dedifferentiation of vulvar ACC with a high-grade SCC component has not been specifically documented. Although the nature of dedifferentiated vulvar cancer is unclear, it should be noted that high-grade dedifferentiation can occur in long-lasting vulvar masses.

Diagnosing gangrenous cholecystitis on computed tomography using deep learning: A preliminary study.

Aim: To compare deep learning and experienced physicians in diagnosing gangrenous cholecystitis using computed tomography images and explore the feasibility of diagnostic assistance for acute cholecystitis requiring emergency surgery. Methods: This retrospective study included 25 patients with pathologically confirmed gangrenous cholecystitis and 129 patients with noncomplicated acute cholecystitis who underwent computed tomography between 2016 and 2021 at two institutions. All available computed tomography images at the time of the initial diagnosis were used for the analysis. A deep learning model based on a convolutional neural network was trained using 1,517 images of 112 patients (18 patients with gangrenous cholecystitis and 94 patients with acute cholecystitis) and tested with 68 images of 42 patients (seven patients with gangrenous cholecystitis and 35 patients with acute cholecystitis). Three blinded, experienced physicians independently interpreted the test images. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were compared between the convolutional neural network and the reviewers. Results: The convolutional neural network (sensitivity, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.44-0.87, specificity, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88-0.96, accuracy, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.81-0.95, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.68-1.00) had achieved a better diagnostic performance than the reviewers (ex. sensitivity, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.30-0.77, specificity, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.62-0.71, accuracy, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.57-0.72, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.44-0.82; P = 0.048 for area under the receiver operating characteristic curve versus convolutional neural network). Conclusions: Deep learning had a better diagnostic performance than experienced reviewers in diagnosing gangrenous cholecystitis and has potential applicability for assisting in identifying indications for emergency surgery in the future.

Successful Treatment of Full Thickness Frontal Skull Bone Defect With Dermal Fat Grafting and Artificial Bone Grafts.

Rigid reconstruction for frontal bone defects not only improves function, but also approximates more normal appearance. However, in cases involving dural scar contractures, a concave deformation remains when rigid reconstruction is performed without compensating for dead space created by swelling of the brain. This study involved 4 cases in which a 2-stage reconstruction procedure was used to first eliminate dead space by grafting dermal fat, and subsequently carry out rigid reconstruction to achieve a natural forehead configuration. This method is advantageous and considered to be effective in allowing dead space to be easily filled with minimal invasiveness for concave deformations of the dura mater with bone defects. Furthermore, the risk of artificial bone exposure is reduced by adding the dermal component of dermal fat, which is grafted to thinned frontal skin.

Closure of Intractable Enterocutaneous Fistula with a Rectus Abdominis Musculocutaneous Flap.

Large enterocutaneous fistulas of the small intestine are rare and difficult to close, particularly if the fistula is associated with massive leakage of digestive juice and the residual intestinal tract is too short for anastomosis. We present a patient who underwent small bowel resection and secondary anastomosis following massive necrosis of the small intestine due to superior mesenteric artery thrombosis. After resection of an enterocutaneous fistula and reanastomosis, the residual small bowel was only 70 cm long with a persistent fistula. We successfully closed the fistula by employing a hinged rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap. Here, we report our procedure for treating a large enterocutaneous fistula without performing laparotomy and bowel resection.

Treatment of Abdominal Surgical Wound Dehiscence With Bowel Exposure and Infection: Using Intrawound Continuous Negative Pressure, Irrigation, and Application of Artificial Dermis.

Abdominal surgical wound dehiscence with bowel exposure and infection carries a risk of intestinal fistula, making it extremely difficult to treat. The objective at this time is to heal such wounds safely and absolutely with using intrawound continuous negative pressure and irrigation treatment and artificial dermis. The subjects were 18 patients with abdominal wall dehiscence wounds with bowel exposure. Complications had already developed in 4 of the 18 cases of intestinal fistula. Subsequently, these 4 cases were treated with conservative treatment alone, whereas the other 14 were treated by split-thickness skin grafts. Intrawound continuous negative-pressure therapy has enabled the concomitant use of an artificial dermis inside the infected wound by maintaining irrigation of the wound. This method not only eliminated the danger of perforation from direct contact of the sponge with the bowel but also promoted the early proliferation of dermis-like tissue on the bowel surface, enabling safe and absolute healing.

Secondary reconstruction with a transverse colon covered with a pectoralis major muscle flap and split thickness skin grafts for an esophageal defect and wide skin defects of the anterior chest wall.

Necrosis of a reconstructed organ after esophagectomy is a rare postoperative complication. However, in case this complication develops, severe infectious complications can occur, and subsequent surgical reconstruction is quite complicated. To treat esophageal conduit necrosis after esophageal reconstruction with the terminal ileum and ascending colon, we reconstructed the esophagus using a transverse colon, which was covered with a pectoralis major muscle flap to reinforce the anastomotic site. In addition, split thickness skin grafts were applied to the wide skin defect to cover the reconstructed organs at the antesternal route. Widely extended split thickness skin grafts can adhere to the reconstructed organs without excessive tension. Therefore, this method enabled successful treatment of an esophageal defect and wide skin defects of the anterior chest wall.

Results of intra-wound continuous negative pressure irrigation treatment for mediastinitis.

Intra-wound continuous negative pressure irrigation treatment (IW-CONPIT) was administered to cases of mediastinitis as the therapy of choice, with satisfactory results being obtained in terms of improved survival rates and quick healing of wounds. Accordingly, these treatment results and efficacy were evaluated. After debridement, a sponge was trimmed to conform to the shape of the wound and then it was attached to the surface of the wound. Two tubes with several side holes were placed within the sponge. In cases in which the blood vessels and/or the heart are exposed, an artificial dermis was attached to cover the blood vessels and/or the heart in order to not come in direct contact with the sponge. Next, the top of the wound was covered with polyethylene film to create an air-tight wound seal. A bottle of saline solution was connected to one of the tubes and a continuous aspirator to the other, and continuous negative pressure irrigation of the wound was thus carried out. After performing this treatment for 2-3 weeks, and when wound granulation improved, either skin grafts or the transplantation of muscle flaps was performed as necessary to achieve wound healing. A combination of the continuous negative pressure method and the continuous irrigation method resulted in improved healing rates and lower mortality rates for mediastinitis. It also significantly reduced the number of dressings, as well as the degree of labour and medical materials required; therefore, a reduced hospital stay and shorter treatment period was thus achieved using this treatment method.

A new modified forked flap with subcutaneous pedicles for adult cases of bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity: from normalization to aesthetic improvement.

In adult cases of bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity, an esthetically satisfying result can not be obtained only by manipulation inside the nose with the nasal tip pointing upward. The nasal tip should be made in a more anterior direction for nasal esthetic improvement. Additional tissue beyond the nose is needed, and the forked flap is a useful method in such cases. However, the blood circulation of long and narrow flaps containing the scar, especially after open rhinoplasty, is unstable. We have developed a new long and narrow forked flap that has a more stable blood circulation. The forked flap was made using two subcutaneous pedicles attached to the periphery of the each flap. We applied this flap to five adult cases of bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity. Four of the cases had the scar associated with the flying bird incision, and one case required no treatment after the primary repair. All the flaps took without signs of partial necrosis. In all cases, the nasal tip was projected forward with adequate columella elongation, and the profile was esthetically improved. In the final stage of correction for adult cases of bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity, this method, making maximum use of the tissue containing the scar in not only the white lip but also the vermilion, is very effective. It is very important to obtain nasal esthetic improvement for the adult patient with bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity.