AN UNUSUAL FOREIGN BODY IN THE UPPER AERODIGESTIVE TRACT: ESOPHAGEAL OBSTRUCTION DUE TO BRAN IMPACTION

Foreign bodies of the upper aerodigestive tract are common problems encountered by the otolaryngologist and general surgeons. While the diagnosis seems straightforward, it is sometimes delayed until after serious complications have occurred. The treatment of choice is endoscopic retrieval under general anesthesia. The procedure should be preceded by the completion of appropriate studies (radiographic and other specifically indicated for the patient) planned and performed by the endoscopy team. Time invested in preparation and planning will usually yield a speedy recovery of the patient. Bran is a natural fiber that undergoes considerable expansion and thickening when hydrated. Due to this property, it has been used in "weight loss" tablets that in the stomach undergo expansion and are expected to cause early satiety. These tablets are usually marketed as over-the-counter (OTC) diet products by a number of pharmaceutical manufacturers. These supplements consisting primarily of dietary fibers, so common and inoffensive-seeming, rarely may have severe side effects, such a sudden esophageal obstruction. We report a case of a bran dietary product impacted in the cervical esophagus in a 45 year old woman, presenting as an emergency complaining of retrosternal discomfort and difficult to swallow or drink. The technique for removal of such object that is also reported

Hemangioma of the oral and perioral region: Nd:YAG vs surgery

Hemangiomas are very commonly diagnosticated in childhood. The area most affected by this disease is the head and neck. In recent decades, the laser therapy has changed the treatment of hemangiomas through special techniques with advantages in bleeding risk management

Skin-reducing mastectomy and direct-to-implant reconstruction in giant phyllodes tumour of breast: case report

Background The phyllodes tumour of the breast comprises about 0.5% of all neoplasms of the breast. Case report we present the case of a female patient (55 years old) suffering from giant phyllodes tumour (>10 cm) of the left breast, who underwent Skin Reducing Mastectomy (SRM) and reconstruction with silicone breast implant (Bostwick Technique). Discussion and conclusion In selected patients with large sized breasts (C-D cup) and poor surface area of skin involved, a valid technique in the treatment of this pathology is the Skin-Reducing Mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with implants (DTI = direct to implant)

Psoriasis disappearance after the first phase of an oncologic treatment: a serendipity case report

Psoriasis is a multifaceted disorder with psychosocial and physical aspects that negatively impact the quality of life. Strategies of treatment must address both rapid control of the disease and maintenance of benefits. For short and long-term control of localized psoriasis, recent data Support the combined use of topical corticosteroids and either calcipotriene or tazarotene which seem to be the most effective approach. For generalized disease, UVB treatment provides the safest means of achieving long-term control of the disease. Acitretin is a very helpful adjunct for improving the efficacy of phototherapy. For patients with severe, refractory disease, methotrexate may be most effective while cyclosporine may be most valuable for patients needing rapid, short-term improvement. Other molecules, with different pharmacological properties, are actually tinder consideration. Herein it is reported a case of a 55 year old male, who refers, 2 weeks after the first cycle of oncologic therapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin for a lung neoplasm, about the complete remission of the psoriasis on both fingernails and scalp, suffered since almost ten years. Three months after the fortuitous detection of the psoriasis disappearance, there is no further evidence of psoriatic lesions. Clin Ter 2008; 159(6):421-42