Richter's hernia.

Richter's hernia is associated with rapid onset of gangrene and a high mortality. We report a case of a strangulated inguinal Richter's hernia of the cecum requiring a laparotomy and bowel resection. Due to the misleading clinical presentation, a high index of suspicion, particularly in patients with a history of laparoscopic surgery, will minimize delay in diagnosis.

Metabolic syndrome and hepatic resection: improving outcome.

Objective: A review of the peri-operative risk associated with hepatic resection in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and identification of measures for the improvement of cardiometabolic disturbances and liver-related mortality.

Background: MetS and its hepatic manifestation non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are associated with an increased operative mortality in spite of a significant improvement in peri-operative outcome after hepatic resection.

Methods: A review of the English literature on MetS, liver resection and steatosis was performed from 1980 to 2011 using the MEDLINE and PubMed databases.

Distinguishing autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreaticobiliary cancers: current strategy.

Objective: A review of the literature to identify current modalities for the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) with the objective of establishing a strategy to distinguish it from pancreaticobiliary cancers.

Background: Pancreatic and biliary manifestations of AIP mimic pancreaticobiliary cancers. Misdiagnosis of AIP can result in major surgery for a steroid-responsive disease.

Bacteremia due to clostridium difficile: case report and review of the literature.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report a case of C. difficile bacteremia in a Crohn's disease patient and to review the literature on previously reported cases.

Methods: Searches of MEDLINE and PubMed databases were made.