Malignant duodenocolic fistula. The role of extended surgery.

Malignant duodenocolic fistula is a seldom-seen complication of advanced right colon carcinoma. We describe four patients who illustrate the sometimes rewarding results of aggressive treatment. Because duodenocolic fistula is always associated with severe nutritional impairment, operation should be deferred until total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and blood transfusions have improved the clinical state.

[Actinomycosis mimicking abdominal neoplasm].

A case of actinomycosis mimicking abdominal neoplasm in a 56-year old woman is presented. Actinomyces israelii is a common saprophyte found in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. It is an anaerobic, Gram-positive, branching filamentous fungus related in many respects to the bacteria.

Epithelioid angiosarcoma of the adrenal gland with cytokeratin expression. Report of a case with accompanying mesenteric fibromatosis.

A case report of epithelioid adrenal angiosarcoma is presented. Tumor cells showed expression of cytokeratin, Factor VIII-related antigen, Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I, and vimentin. The patient also was found to have mesenteric fibromatosis (abdominal desmoid tumor) and an elevated serum level of estradiol.

[Primary cholesteatoma of the external auditory meatus].

Primary cholesteatoma of the external auditory meatus is a rare condition manifested by erosion of the external auditory meatus due to the development of a noncleansing pocket lined by squamous epithelium. The salient features of the disease are: unilateral protracted otalgia and purulent otorrhea in an elderly patient. 2 cases are presented, aged 64 and 80 years, both men, diagnosed by otomicroscopy and CT scan.