Breast Cancer and Sarcoidosis: Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, which can involve different organs and systems. Accordingly, sarcoidosis can mimic breast cancer, making the differential diagnosis very difficult.

Case Report: 5 patients with a diagnosis of both sarcoidosis and breast cancer followed by the Rabin Medical Center between January 1993 and June 2012 were enrolled in this study.

Operative treatment of hepatic hydatid cysts: a single center experience in Israel, a nonendemic country.

Background. Hydatid cyst disease is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcus genera. The disease is endemic to certain rural areas in the world.

Abdominal actinomycosis masquerading as colon cancer in a liver transplant recipient.

Infections in transplant recipients are associated with high morbidity and mortality, making their early recognition and treatment particularly important. Abdominal actinomycosis is a rare clinical entity and difficult to diagnose because of its various and nonspecific features. We describe a 57-year-old patient who presented with abdominal actinomycosis simulating colon cancer 6 years after liver transplantation.

Erythropoietin increases survival and attenuates fulminant hepatic failure injury induced by D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide in mice.

Background: Liver transplantation is the only therapy of proven benefit in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), d-galactosamine (GalN)-induced FHF is a well-established model of liver injury in mice. Erythropoietin has a powerful tissue-protective effect in animal models.

Intraoperative hydrocolonic ultrasonography for localization of small colorectal tumors in laparoscopic surgery.

Background: Accurate localization of small colorectal cancers and polyps during laparoscopic resection may be difficult and requires precise and reliable localization techniques. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) combined with retrograde saline instillation in locating small colorectal cancers and polyps during laparoscopically assisted colectomy.

Methods: The study investigated 14 patients with left-sided lesions of the colon and rectum necessitating preoperative marking.

Dual effect of erythropoietin on liver protection and regeneration after subtotal hepatectomy in rats.

The only currently offered curative option for many patients with primary or secondary liver tumors is the resection of hepatic tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) in liver protection and regeneration after subtotal hepatectomy in rats. Rats undergoing 70% hepatectomy received an intraperitoneal injection of saline (control) or rhEPO (4 U/g) 30 minutes prior to resection.

Carcinoma within solitary ductal papilloma of the breast.

Background: Solitary ductal papilloma of the breast, traditionally considered a benign disorder, was recently found to have malignant potential, especially when associated with atypical ductal hyperplasia.

Methods: All patients diagnosed with solitary ductal papilloma at a tertiary medical center from 1994 to 2004 were identified by a database search. Background, clinical and pathological data were collected for those with a carcinoma within the papilloma, and their pathological specimens were revised.

Intraoperative ultrasound in colorectal surgery.

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) as a localizing technique for colorectal resections, and its impact on surgical management.

Methods: Twenty-five patients (15 men and 10 women; mean age, 74.4 years) with early cancers (p T1), or polyps, not amenable to endoscopic removal were selected.

Phase II study of UFT with leucovorin plus hepatic arterial infusion with irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin for non-resectable liver metastases of colorectal cancer.

Background: Compared with systemic therapy, hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) increases the response to fluoropyrimidines.

Methods: Thirty-one patients with non-resectable, colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases received irinotecan 120 mg/m(2), followed by leucovorin (LV) 20 mg/m(2) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 500 mg/m(2) administered by HAI every 2 weeks, plus UFT (tegafur-uracil) 200 mg/m(2)/day with LV 30 mg/day on days 1-22, followed by a 6-day rest.

Results: The objective response rate was 65% (all 20 patients achieving a partial response).

Should Echogenic Material in the Urinary Bladder Noticed on FAST Preclude Urinary Catheter Insertion in a Trauma Patient Until Further Evaluation?

Background: Serious urethral and bladder injuries are most often associated with severe blunt trauma. The most common diagnostic tool used to assess lower urinary tract injuries is a retrograde urethrogram. However, the decision to place a Foley catheter is often made on clinical grounds during initial stabilization phase of a trauma victim.

Use of a collagen-based device for closure of low brachial artery punctures.

Purpose: To report our experience with the Angioseal vascular closure device for hemostasis of distal brachial artery puncture.

Methods: Between September 2003 and August 2005, 64 Angioseal vascular closure devices were inserted in 64 patients (40 men, 24 women; mean age 65 years) immediately after diagnostic or therapeutic arterial angiographies performed through a 5 Fr to 7 Fr sheath via the distal brachial artery. Ultrasound examination of the brachial artery preceded the angiography in all cases and only arteries wider than 4 mm were closed by the Angioseal.

Does a second-look operation improve survival in patients with peritonitis due to acute mesenteric ischemia? A five-year retrospective experience.

Second-look laparotomy is one of the mainstays of surgical treatment of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI). The aim of this study was to analyze its role in the survival of patients with infarcted gangrenous bowel resulting from AMI. A retrospective chart review of all patients admitted over the study period was undertaken.

Intraoperative ultrasonography: a tool for localizing small colonic polyps.

Background And Aims: Small colonic polyps are difficult to palpate and thus difficult to localize during surgery. Preoperative injection of dyes and "on-the-table colonoscopy" are some of the methods used to allow the surgeon to find the polyps. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the value of intraoperative ultrasound as a tool that may allow detection of small colonic polyps during surgery.

Initial experience with ovarian vein embolization for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Background: Ovarian vein embolization was recently suggested as the preferred treatment for chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Objective: To evaluate the technical feasibility, complications and early clinical and radiographic results of ovarian vein embolization in women with pelvic pain syndrome.

Methods: Percutaneous transcatheter ovarian vein embolization with coils was performed in six patients aged 27-53 years who presented with pelvic pain syndrome.

Radiofrequency ablation for the management of liver tumors.

Background: Radiofrequency ablation has recently become a viable treatment option for unresectable primary or secondary lesions confined to the liver.

Objective: To study the local therapeutic efficacy, side effects and complications of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases. This is the first reported experience of radiofrequency ablation for treating malignant hepatic tumors in Israel.

Colonic anastomosis with the nickel-titanium temperature-dependent memory-shape device.

Background: This study was prompted by our successful experience with a compression anastomosis clip (CAC) in an animal model.

Methods: The study sample included 20 patients scheduled for colonic resections, of whom 10 underwent anastomosis with the CAC and 10 with staplers.

Results: Neither group had anastomotic or other complications, except for 1 patient in the CAC group in whom a subphrenic infected hematoma developed after left hemicolectomy with splenectomy.

Liver metastases from colorectal cancer: regional intra-arterial treatment following failure of systemic chemotherapy.

This study was designed to determine response rate, survival and toxicity associated with combination chemotherapy delivered intra-arterially to liver in patients with hepatic metastases of colorectal origin refractory to standard systemic treatment. A total of 28 patients who failed prior systemic treatment with fluoropyrimidines received a median of 5 cycles of intra-arterial treatment consisting of 5-fluorouracil 700 mg/m(2)/d, leucovorin 120 mg/m(2)/d, and cisplatin 20 mg/m(2)/d for 5 consecutive days. Cycles were repeated at intervals of 5-6 weeks.

Mutations at vicinity of catalytic sites of hepatitis C virus NS3 serine protease gene isolated from hepatocellular carcinoma tissue.

The mechanism of hepatitis C virus (HCV) -induced hepatotocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unknown, but in vitro studies clearly suggest that HCV proteins exert a direct effect on liver carcinogenesis. HCV NS3 serine protease is known to play a key role in the life cycle of the virus and may interact with the host cellular regulatory proteins. The aim of the present study was to conduct a genetic analysis of the HCV NS3 gene coding for the serine protease isolated from serum, tumor, and nontumor tissue of HCC patients.

[129 liver surgeries--five years of experience in a surgery department].

Major hepatic resections have been associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In the past decade or so this has changed and such procedures are now done in increasing numbers. In the past 5 years we operated on 129 patients with benign or malignant hepatic lesions (75 females, 54 males; age-range 14-84).

The effects of short term lipid infusion on plasma and hepatic bile lipids in humans.

Background: Patients on parenteral nutrition have an increased incidence of gall bladder sludge and gallstone disease, thought to be related to bile stasis. Intravenous lipid emulsions, especially those containing medium chain triglycerides, have also been shown to have a lithogenic effect on the composition of bile in the gall bladder.

Aims: To determine whether lipid infusion influences hepatic bile composition in patients with an indwelling T tube following cholecystectomy and choledochotomy.

Major rectal perforations caused by enema: is surgery mandatory?

Background: Current methods of large bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy, barium enema and surgery are extremely effective in cleaning the bowel of feces. We rationalize, therefore, that under these conditions rectal perforations secondary to barium and cleansing enema could be treated expectantly, namely either defer or completely avoid immediate surgery.

Patients: Two female patients with major rectal perforations secondary to barium and cleansing enema who had thoroughly prepared large bowel were treated conservatively.