Gossypiboma presenting as mesosigmoid abscess [corrected].

Introduction: The term "gossypiboma" is used to describe any mass of non-absorbable surgical material. It is estimated that this complication appears every 1.000-10.

Rectal endometriosis: a case report.

We present the case of a 45-year-old female patient who was admitted with a history of pelvic pain, constipation, and dysmenorrhea. CT scan and u/s images revealed cholelithiasis, benign nodular hyperplasia of segment IV of the liver and uterine fibromyoma. During laparotomy, firm adhesions between the posterior wall of the uterus and the rectum were found and the incisional biopsy reveals an undifferentiated adenocarcinoma.

A retrospective analysis of 2000 cases with colorectal carcinoma.

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of death in the western world and a leading cause of cancer-related death. It is one of the most common human malignancies with >300,000 cases both in the United States and in the European Union each year. The present study was conducted to assess differences in various variables of CRC, such as location of the tumor, differentiation, Dukes classification, 5-year survival and possible changes in these patterns during the examined period.

Surgical management of rectal prolapse.

Purpose: Rectal prolapse is uncommon; however, the true incidence is unknown because of underreporting, especially in the elderly population. Full-thickness rectal prolapse, mucosal prolapse and internal prolapse are three different clinical entities, which are often combined and constitute rectal prolapse. The aim of the study is to present our experience in the surgical management of rectal prolapse.

Osteoporosis onset differences between rural and metropolitan populations: correlation to fracture type, severity, and treatment efficacy.

Osteoporosis is the prevalent cause of fractures in an ever-aging population, with an established correlation between daily activities and way of life. We aimed to delineate differences in onset of osteoporosis, T-score progression, quality of life, and correlation to prevalence, types, and severity of fractures in age-comparable populations of rural and metropolitan habitats in this multicenter, retrospective double-blind study. We evaluated data derived from the medical files of two comparable groups of osteoporotic patients: group A (n = 530, rural area) and group B (n = 171, metropolitan area).

The effect of steroid-abuse on anatomic reinsertion of ruptured distal biceps brachii tendon.

Introduction: There is an increase in the number of anabolic-steroid (AS)-abusing trainees, who suffer from sports injuries, needing reconstruction surgery. Rupture of the distal biceps brachii tendon is a common injury in this group.

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the effect of AS abuse in the anatomic reconstruction of the ruptured distal biceps brachii tendon along with an immediate range-of-motion postoperative protocol.

Diagnostic value of serum tumor markers in asymptomatic individuals.

Purpose: Tumor markers, particularly carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), are widely used in oncology, either in monitoring patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CEA) or surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC/AFP). The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of CEA, CA19-9 or AFP in asymptomatic individuals.

Methods: 12 asymptomatic individuals (6 males), with age range 55-82 years, referred to outpatient Gastroenterology- Oncology department for second opinion, with slightly elevated serum CEA (8 persons), CA19-9 (2 persons), and AFP (2 persons).

A fear avoidance model in facial burn body image disturbance.

The quality of life of burn-injured patients can be impaired physically and psychologically. Burn patients who experience facial disfigurement have psychological, social, and economic difficulties living with their appearance in addition to difficulties associated with their medical treatment. The aim of this review was to investigate, within a cognitive behavioural framework, the effect of facial disfigurement on body image and social integration in burn patients.

Retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma in an adult patient: a case report and literature review of the last decade.

Ganglioneuromas arise from the neural crest and are highly differentiated and benign. The case of a 43-year-old female who presented with a 6.5 cm primary extra-adrenal retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma (RGN) is presented, and the relevant English literature from the last decade is reviewed.

Intra-abdominal pressure alterations after large pancreatic pseudocyst transcutaneous drainage.

Background: Acute pancreatitis leads to abdominal hypertension and compartment syndrome. Weeks after the episodes pancreatic fluids sometimes organize to pseudocysts, fluid collections by or in the gland. Aims of the present study were to evaluate the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) induced by large pancreatic pseudocysts and to examine the effect of their transcutaneous drainage on IAP.

Acute afferent loop syndrome: a true emergency. A case report.

Afferent loop syndrome is a relatively rare complication after subtotal gastrectomy. We present a late onset of afferent loop obstruction, in a patient who underwent Billroth II gastrectomy with Roux-Y reconstruction for a gastric ulcer 27 years ago. A 60-year-old male was admitted to the hospital with an 8-hour history of acute epigastric pain, associated with vomiting, fever and signs of sepsis.

Effect of time on risk of perforation in acute appendicitis.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to quantify the role of time between symptom onset and surgery on the changing risk of perforation, and to evaluate the possible factors leading to delay to the operation.

Patients And Methods: The files of 169 patients who underwent appendectomy in our clinic over a two-year period (May 2004-June 2006) were reviewed. The relative risk of perforation was calculated according to the "time-table" method.

Mega-obese patients weighing more than 250 kg: a problematic group.

Background And Aims: The population with a BMI of 70kg/m2 or greater has been described and categorized as mega-obese. Mega-obese patients weighing more than 250kg constitute a special group of mega-obese patients that present more intra- and post-operative problems than other suprasuperobese.

Material And Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 7 mega-obese patients weighing more than 250 kg, who underwent bariatric surgery.

Intra-operative MRI (iop-MR) for brain tumour surgery.

Image-guided neurosurgery is an important development in the management of brain tumours. Intra-operative imaging is an extension of this modality. It is important because it compensates for brain shift, allows accurate navigation, and gives verification of what has been done surgically before the patient leaves the operating room.

Inguinal endometriosis: three cases and literature review.

Three cases of endometriosis infiltrating the round ligament are presented. The initial diagnosis was irreducible hernia, since this rare nosologic entity often causes unusual preoperative symptoms and diagnostic problems. Diagnosis is frequently made by histologic examination.

Carcinoma developing in ectopic pancreatic tissue in the stomach: a case report.

The development of pancreatic tissue outside the confines of the main gland, without anatomic or vascular connections between them, is a congenital abnormality referred to as heterotopic pancreas. A heterotopic pancreas in the gastrointestinal tract is usually discovered incidentally and the risk of its malignant transformation is extremely low. In this study, we describe the first case of endoepithelial carcinoma arising in a gastric heterotopic pancreas of a 56-year old woman in Greece.

Gigantic hepatic amebic abscess presenting as acute abdomen: a case report.

Introduction: Amebiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica. It most commonly results in asymptomatic colonization of the gastrointestinal tract, but some patients develop intestinal invasive or extra-intestinal diseases. Liver abscess is the most common extra-intestinal manifestation.

An overview of the etiology of otosclerosis.

Otosclerosis is the primary disease affecting the homeostasis of otic capsule and is among the most common causes of acquired hearing loss. Otosclerosis is considered as a multifactor disease, caused by both genetic and environmental factors. The aim of the present review is to summarize and analyze the bibliographic data, associated with the etiology of the disease.

Hematemesis, a very rare presentation of solid pseudo-papillary tumors of the pancreas: a case report.

Introduction: Solid pseudo-papillary tumors of the pancreas are rare and typically present in young female patients. They are slowly growing masses that may attain large size, and are of low malignant potential. Surgical resection is usually curative.

Forty-four years' experience (1963-2006) in the management of primarily infected hydatid cyst of the liver.

Background And Aim: The aim of this study was to report our 44-year experience (1963-2006) in the management of primarily infected hydatid cyst of the liver. This is a retrospective review of demographic data, clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, surgical management, and long-term outcome of patients treated at our center.

Material And Methods: There were 77 patients with operated infected liver cysts.

Emphysematous cholecystitis: a case report.

A 65-year-old Greek man with a history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension was admitted because of right upper quadrant pain, nausea and palpable right quadrant mass. On admission the patient was febrile (38.8 degrees C) with a total bilirubin level of 1.