This short report illustrates a case of a 70-year-old ex-smoker who worked with asbestos presenting with an abnormal chest x-ray suspicious for lung cancer on initial appearance. However, subsequent investigations confirmed RA, a well recognised pleural condition associated with asbestos. The historical background of RA, its pathogenesis and imaging characteristics are reviewed. Rounded atelectasis remains an important differential diagnosis to consider in asbestos-exposed individuals with an abnormal chest x-ray. Correct diagnosis has important implications for management and avoidance of unnecessary surgical staging and treatment for presumed lung cancer.
Five cases of oro-facial infection leading to life-threatening complications are reported. Although all had been treated with antibiotics prior to maxillofacial referral, lack of surgical intervention had allowed progressive infection. The importance of resuscitation, supportive therapy, extraction of involved teeth to remove the source of infection and drainage of pus is emphasised.
This article reviews the recent advances in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Partial hepatectomy still remains the mainstay of therapy for early HCC. The limits of liver resection have been extended with the use of a multi-modality approach, and neoadjuvant/adjuvant treatment has improved the results of liver resection. Orthotopic liver transplantation works better than partial hepatectomy in a subgroup of patients with poor liver function and with early HCC. For locally advanced HCC, which is still confined to the liver, debulking surgery gives excellent palliation and prolongs patient survival. Non-operative local ablative therapy shows encouraging results. Hepatic artery chemoembolisation has been shown, by systemic review or meta-analysis, to have no significant impact on patient survival. Initial results with transarterial radioembolisation are promising. For patients with advanced HCC, systemic chemotherapy has little clinical benefit. The results of systemic immunotherapy or systemic tamoxifen on HCC are controversial and need further evaluation. Early results of chemoimmunotherapy are encouraging.
BACKGROUND:Iatrogenic injury to the spleen is a recognised complication of abdominal surgery but the extent of the problem is often under-estimated. This may be due to failure to report splenic injury on the operation note or inaccurate recording of the indication for splenectomy. In this review article we have tried to estimate the incidence of iatrogenic splenic injury during abdominal surgery, the morbidity and mortality associated with splenic injury and the risk factors for injury to the spleen. We have also identified the common types and mechanisms of injury to the spleen and have made suggestions as to how splenic injury can be avoided and, when it occurs, how it should be managed.METHODS:A Medline literature search was performed to identify articles relating to "incidental splenectomy", "iatrogenic splenic injury", "iatrogenic splenectomy" and "splenectomy as a complication of common abdominal procedures". The relevant articles from the reference lists were also obtained.RESULTS:Up to 40% of all splenectomies are performed for iatrogenic injury. The risk of splenic injury is highest during left hemicolectomy (1-8%), open anti-reflux procedures (3-20%), left nephrectomy (4-13%) and during exposure and reconstruction of the proximal abdominal aorta and its branches (21-60%). Splenic injury results in prolonged operating time, increased blood loss and longer hospital stay. It is also associated with a two to ten-fold increase in infection rate and up to a doubling of morbidity rates. Mortality is also reported to be higher in patients undergoing splenectomy for iatrogenic injury. The risk of injury to the spleen is higher in patients who have previously undergone abdominal surgery, in the elderly and in obese patients. A transperitoneal approach significantly increases the risk of splenic injury during left nephrectomy compared with an extraperitoneal approach and the risk is even higher if the indication for surgery is malignancy. Excessive traction, injudicious use of retractors and direct trauma are the commonest mechanisms of injury.CONCLUSIONS:The incidence of iatrogenic splenic injury is underestimated because of poor documentation. Splenic injury during abdominal surgery can be reduced by achieving good exposure and adequate visualisation, avoiding undue traction and by early careful division of splenic ligaments and adhesions. When the spleen is injured splenic preservation is desirable and often feasible, but this should not be at the expense of excessive blood loss
End-stage heart failure results from the irreversible destruction of cardiomyocytes, which do not have the capacity to regenerate. Transplantation of myogenic cells into the damaged myocardium is an emerging therapeutic alternative in the management of this major public health problem. Experimental and clinical data suggest that cellular transplantation could improve ventricular function in ischaemic or dilated cardiomyopathies. Implantation of allogeneic and autologous cell types has been applied to induce cardiac myogenesis and, recently, other cell types have been tested for the induction of myocardial angiogenesis. The results of cellular transplantation are encouraging although the role of therapeutic angiogenesis remains to be clarified and the full potential of cellular transplantation to be determined
Colonoscopy is now the gold standard method for investigating most colonic symptoms. However, it is a demanding procedure that can be associated with low completion rates and significant complications, and it requires considerable skill to perform colonoscopy consistently well and safely. In this article, the key steps in performing colonoscopy are described with a view to providing the trainee with a logical sequence of manoeuvres on which to base a sound technique.
A three-day course was designed to improve the skills of those who provide clinical training to medical students. This long-term follow up of past participants shows a sustained improvement to their skills, especially in terms of involving students in their own learning, and giving them positive feedback.
Restorative proctocolectomy is now the operation of choice for the definitive management of ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis coli. The aim of this review is to evaluate clinical and functional results of the first fifty patients treated with restorative proctocolectomy over a period of seven years. A total of 50 patients (28 males, 22 females) underwent restorative proctocolectomy over a period of seven years in our district general hospital. A retrospective analysis of hospital notes was undertaken and supplemented with a patient questionnaire. Forty-three patients had ulcerative colitis and seven had familial adenomatous polyposis coli. Two pouch designs were used, a four limbed "pear pouch" (94%) and a two limb "J" pouch (6%). The majority (98%) of patients had a stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and a similar number had a defunctioning ileostomy. There was no mortality. Early complications (within 30 days of operation) occurred in 18(36%) patients. Late complications were seen in 22 (44%) patients. The median number of daily bowel movements was four (range 1-10). Pouchitis was seen in ten patients (20%). Restorative proctocolectomy is a safe procedure for patients with ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis coli. Although total morbidity is appreciable, functional results are generally good and patient satisfaction is high.
We report a case of a 17-year-old patient who presented with a 'wandering spleen.' Management options were influenced by her being a Jehovah's Witness.
Pancreatic surgery is a formidable undertaking with historically high mortality and poor prognosis for periampullary lesions. This has led to recommendations that all pancreatic surgery should be performed in specialist centres. There is no doubt from large series that a low mortality can be achieved in these centres, but there has been no direct comparison between results from these specialist centres and district general hospitals with an interest in pancreatic disease. We present a retrospective, seven-year experience with a 3% 30 day mortality, 39% morbidity and 14 month median survival for malignant disease. Comparison with the UK survey of specialist pancreatic units shows that pancreatic surgery can be safely performed in the setting of a district general hospital with low morbidity and mortality, and good long-term outcome.
Published evidence comparing laparoscopic and open herniorraphy is controversial. NICE recommends that open techniques are used for first time repairs and that TEP be considered for bilateral/recurrent repairs undertaken in specialist units. We report a consecutive series of 224 patients undergoing 268 TEP repairs between 1996 and 2001. Operating time, complications, return to normal activity/full time employment and recurrence were examined. The median operating time was 30 minutes. There was one conversion. Ninety four percent of patients drove on the third post-operative day. The median time to normal activity was 4 days (1-10 days). The median time to return to professional employment in 82 patients was 3 days (range 2-9 days). Four patients (1.7%) had self-limiting minor groin pain. There were 3 recurrences (1.4%) and none since altering the surgical technique to use a larger anchored mesh. We have demonstrated TEP to be an easily learnt, safe, effective technique with low morbidity, and with sufficient experience, takes no longer than an open repair. It can be performed at little increased cost and restores selected patients to an early return to full-time employment. We believe that the choice between open and laparoscopic repair is a subjective decision for patient and surgeon
Cocoon abdomen is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction and its pathogenesis remains unclear. This is probably the first report of the development of such a condition in a liver transplant recipient. The management of this patient is discussed and the current literature is reviewed
Fluid administration for trauma in the pre-hospital environment is a challenging and controversial area. The available evidence does not clearly support any single approach. Nevertheless, some provisional conclusions may be drawn. It was with this intention that the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care (RCSEd) arranged to meet in August 2000 in an attempt to reach a working consensus. The following guidelines are the result of those discussions. It is intended that they will be modified as future research brings clarity to the area. When treating trauma victims in the pre-hospital arena cannulation should take place en route, where possible. Only two attempts at cannulation should be made. Transfer should not be delayed by attempts to obtain intravenous access. Entrapped patients require cannulation at the scene. Normal saline may be titrated in boluses of 250 ml against the presence or absence of a radial pulse (caveats; penetrating torso injury, head injury, infants).
This presentation reviews the epidemiology of epilepsy, the evolution of epilepsy surgery, the selection of cases for surgery, the range and results of epilepsy surgery, and the future development of this burgeoning field. Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is a rare developmental lesion which causes intractable gelastic epilepsy which is refractory to medical therapy. Hypothalamic hamartoma presents a formidable surgical challenge. The application of a midline transcallosal interforniceal approach to resect the HH from within the third ventricle, in a series of 28 patients, is presented. This has produced excellent results with minimal morbidity. This surgery is placed within the context of epilepsy surgery in general.
Colonoscopy is now the gold standard method for investigating most colonic symptoms. However, it is a demanding procedure that can be associated with low completion rates and significant complications, and it requires considerable skill to perform colonoscopy consistently well and safely. In this article, the key steps in performing colonoscopy are described with a view to providing the trainee with a logical sequence of manoeuvres on which to base a sound technique.
Immunotherapy could have a role in the therapy of colorectal cancer as there is now convincing evidence that the immune system can specifically recognize and destroy malignant cells. The MAb 17-1A has been used in advanced and primary disease, along with newer agents such as anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody. Immunotherapy with autologous tumour cell vaccine, genetic modification of immunostimulatory cytokines, suicide genes and TAAs as discussed. The multiplicity of peptide and carbohydrate antigens which can be potential targets for immunotherapy are also discussed. These include MUC1, Thomsen-Friedenreich and Sialosyl-Tn antigens and HER2 / neu. Active specific immunotherapy with the anti-idiotypic antibodies CEAVac and 105AD7, along with DC vaccines, is being currently used in adjuvant clinical trials. 105AD7 has been shown to cause significantly greater apoptosis of tumour cells in colorectal cancer patients, while CEAVac generated T cell proliferative anti-CEA responses. Dendritic cells pulsed with tumour mRNA or TAAs currently are being assessed in clinical trials. The role of HSPs in the anti-tumour immune response is discussed. Non-specific immunotherapeutic agents used in clinical trials with chemotherapeutic regimens have not shown any definitive benefit. Tumour progression may occur as result of escape from the host anti-cancer immune response. Better understanding of mechanisms of tumour evasion could explain why immunotherapy trials in patients have not shown better results. These include down-regulation of immune responses by the tumour, altered expression of MHC and/or TAAs by tumour cells, altered expression of adhesion molecules by tumour and/or DCs and usurpation of the immune response to the advantage of the cancer.
