Dysphagia as the presenting symptom of thyroid cancer.

A 72 year old man presented with progressive dysphagia. A poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma occluding the esophagus was diagnosed. The trachea was initially unaffected.

Combination of diaphragmatic plication with major abdominal surgery in patients with phrenic nerve palsy.

The role of simultaneous prophylactic diaphragmatic plication during major abdominal operations is evaluated. In five patients with a history of phrenic nerve injury, postoperative ventilation requirements and hospital stay were significantly reduced when synchronous diaphragmatic plication was performed, compared with corresponding values obtained during previous abdominal operation without diaphragmatic plication. In addition, diaphragmatic plication was associated with postoperative improvement of respiratory mechanics and blood gas exchange.

Anaesthetic and perioperative management of paediatric organ recipients in nontransplant surgery.

The number and success rate of paediatric organ transplantation continue to improve yearly, and the number of transplanted children presenting for either elective or emergency nontransplant surgery is expected to increase accordingly. The general considerations related to any transplant recipient are the physiological and pharmacological problems of allograft denervation, the side effects of immunosuppression, the risk of infection, and the potential for rejection. Preoperative assessment of transplant recipients undergoing non-transplant surgery should focus on graft function, the risk of infection, and function of other organs.

Transthoracic versus transabdominal surgical approach for echinococcal cysts located over the superoposterior aspect of the right lobe of the liver.

A retrospective study of 80 patients operated on for hydatid cysts located on the superoposterior aspect of the right lobe of the liver (segments VI, VII, VIII) is presented. Right thoracotomy was performed in 30 patients, and 50 patients were operated on through bilateral subcostal incisions. The two approaches were compared in terms of radicality and morbidity.

Cystic tumors of the pancreas: preoperative imaging, diagnosis, and treatment.

The objective of this retrospective study was to explore the accuracy of preoperative diagnostic methods and the efficacy of treatment for cystic pancreatic tumors. From 1989 to 1999, 18 patients underwent surgery for cystic tumor of the pancreas, classified as follows: one serous cystadenoma, eight mucinous cystadenomas, six mucinous cystadenocarcinomas, and three nonfunctioning islet cell tumors. Computed tomography (CT), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and fine needle aspiration were performed and subsequently reviewed retrospectively by two radiologists.

Endometriosis causing extensive intestinal obstruction simulating carcinoma of the sigmoid colon: a case report and review of the literature.

Endometriosis with intestinal serosal involvement is not uncommon in women of childbearing age, however, presentation as colon obstruction is rare. Lack of pathognomonic symptoms makes diagnosis difficult, the main problem being differential diagnosis with neoplasm, even intraoperatively. Reported here is a case of extensive bowel obstruction due to sigmoid colon endometriosis in a 43-year-old woman who presented with signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction.

Splenic abscess. An old disease with new interest.

Background/aims: To study the demographics, signs and symptoms, causes, risk factors, imaging findings, bacteriologic profile, treatment and outcome of patients with splenic abscess.

Method: The medical records of 17 patients with splenic abscess at two tertiary-care hospitals between 1989 and 1997 were retrospectively reviewed. The demographic data, physical and radiological findings, treatment, bacteriology reports and outcome of treatment were reviewed.