Giant liposarcoma of the back with 4 types of histopathology: a case report

The incidence of soft tissue tumours, both malignant and benign, is very common. However, the coexistence of 4 types of histopathology is rare and the aim of this article is to present one treated in our Department. An 87-year-old Greek man was treated in our Department for a huge tumour on his back, under local anaesthesia. The pathology report of the specimen referred 4 types of neoplasia. This case represents this incidence in a giant liposarcoma of the back

Oxidative and pre-inflammatory stress in wedge resection of pulmonary parenchyma using the radiofrequency ablation technique in a swine model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a thermal energy delivery system used for coagulative cellular destruction of small tumors through percutaneous or intraoperative application of its needle electrode to the target area, and for assisting partial resection of liver and kidney. We tried to evaluate the regional oxidative and pre-inflammatory stress of RFA-assisted wedge lung resection, by measuring the MDA and tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) concentration in the resected lung tissue of a swine model.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Fourteen white male swines, divided in two groups, the RFA-group and the control group (C-group) underwent a small left thoracotomy and wedge lung resection of the lingula. The wedge resection in the RFA-group was performed using the RFA technique whereas in C-group the simple "cut and sew" method was performed. We measured the malondialdehyde (MDA) and TNF-α concentration in the resected lung tissue of both groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In C-group the MDA mean deviation rate was 113 ± 42.6 whereas in RFA-group the MDA mean deviation rate was significantly higher 353 ± 184 (p = 0.006). A statistically significant increase in TNF-α levels was also observed in the RFA-group (5.25 ± 1.36) compared to C-group (mean ± SD = 8.48 ± 2.82) (p = 0.006).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data indicate that RFA-assisted wedge lung resection in a swine model increases regional MDA and TNF-a factors affecting by this oxidative and pre-inflammatory stress of the procedure. Although RFA-assisted liver resection can be well tolerated in humans, the possible use of this method to the lung has to be further investigated in terms of regional and systemic reactions and the feasibility of performing larger lung resections.</p

Unique presentation of a giant mediastinal tumor as kyphosis: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Although posture distortion is a common problem in elderly patients, spinal deformity caused by a thymoma has not been previously reported. Thymomas are slowly growing tumors that predominantly cause respiratory symptoms.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of an 83-year-old woman who was admitted with a giant mediastinal mass that had caused progressive spinal distortion and weight loss to our department. The clinical and laboratory investigations that followed revealed one of the largest thymomas ever reported in the medical literature, presenting as a mass lesion placed at the left hemithorax. She underwent complete surgical excision of the tumor via a median sternotomy. Two years after the operation, she showed significant improvement in her posture, no pulmonary discomfort, and a gain of 20 kg; she remains disease free based on radiographic investigations.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this case, a chronic asymmetric load on the spine resulted in an abnormal vertebral curvature deformity that presented as kyphosis.</p

Acinetobacter baumannii mediastinitis after cardiopulmonary bypass: case report and literature review

Background: Mediastinitis resulting from surgical site infection may occur in 1% of patients undergoing median sternotomy. Methods: Case report and review of the pertinent English-language literature. Results: We report a case of mediastinitis caused by Acinetobacter baumannii, in a patient with multiple comorbidities who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass. Successful treatment consisted of surgical debridement, reconstruction, and ampicillin-sulbactam. Conclusions: Acinetobacter baumannii should be recognized as a potential causative agent of severe postoperative mediastinitis

Lymphoma presenting as chronic aortic dissection in Marfan syndrome

Dear Editor, An 18-year-old man with Marfan syndrome (MFS) fainted after experiencing retrosternal pain and was brought to the emergency department. Conscious upon admission, he reported that he had been experiencing this pain intermittently (but not so intensely) for approximately 2 months while feeling debilitated. MFS had been diagnosed during infancy due to skeletal abnormalities, subluxation of the lenses and positive family history

Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia associated with primary Sjogren&apos;s syndrome

The association of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) with primary Sjogren’s syndrome (PSS) is extremely rare. We report a case of simultaneous diagnosis of PSS and COP. A 70-year-old female presented with fever, non-productive cough and dyspnea of 2 months’ duration. She had experienced sicca symptoms for the past 2 years. The chest radiograph revealed a right lower lobe infiltrate, which was unresponsive to antibiotics. Bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage and an open lung biopsy established the diagnosis of COP, while a lip biopsy was consistent with PSS. The patient improved on steroids. Organizing pneumonia may be one of the early manifestations of PSS. Exclusion of PSS should be part of a thorough evaluation of the patient with COP