Unusual presentation for a tailgut cyst.

A 67-year-old man with a slow-growing, asymptomatic perianal lesion was presented to the colorectal clinic. Physical examination and radiological investigation were suggestive of an externally prolapsing colonic polyp. However, intraoperative findings of a cystic lesion containing a thick brown substance questioned the initial diagnosis.

A novel use for the rigid cystoscope: the removal of sacral tacks after a coloanal anastamosis dehiscence.

A 69-year-old female presented as an emergency with atrial fibrillation, which was treated with warfarin. She subsequently developed fresh rectal bleeding and after further investigations a Dukes B adenocarcinoma of the rectum was found. She subsequently underwent a low anterior resection, coloanal anastamosis and a defunctioning ileostomy.

Intravenous fluid administration in elderly patients at a London hospital: a two-part audit encompassing ward-based fluid monitoring and prescribing practice by doctors.

Background And Aim: Elderly patients are vulnerable to complications of intravenous fluid overload, however daily monitoring of fluid balance in this population has been highlighted as sub optimal by the NCEPOD. We compare current practice in fluid balance monitoring and intravenous fluid prescribing for elderly patients in a London District General Hospital to guidelines for fluid management in children issued by the National Patient Safety Agency.

Methods: This study consists of two parts: (1) a ward-based survey of fluid balance monitoring in all patients above the age of 65 receiving intravenous fluids; (2) an anonymous questionnaire completed by 20 doctors of a variety of grades and specialities on the parameters of fluid balance routinely checked by doctors prior to prescribing intravenous fluids.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as a cytoreductive strategy for hepatic metastasis from breast cancer.

Introduction: Patients with liver metastasis from breast cancer have a poor prognosis, although this may be improved by hepatectomy in a selected group with disease confined to the liver. We evaluate the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as a cytoreductive strategy in the management of liver metastasis from primary breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: Nineteen patients with hepatic metastasis from primary breast cancer underwent RFA of their liver lesions between April 1998 and August 2004.