A Case of an Undifferentiated Embryonal Sarcoma of the Liver Mimicking a Liver Abscess

An undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver is a rare malignant tumour. We highlight the diagnostic dilemma and differential diagnosis of a case involving a large cystic liver lesion in a young adult. A 20-year-old man presented with a large liver lesion to the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in February 2012. The initial clinico-radiological presentations were suggestive of a liver abscess. A total tumour resection was performed and the final histopathological results of the resected specimen indicated an undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver. The ultrasound and computed tomographic images of the tumour were reviewed and found to be contradictory in appearance, as the tumour seemed predominantly solid in the ultrasound image and predominantly cystic in the computed tomographic image. Familiarisation with the imaging appearance of this tumour and a high index of suspicion is therefore crucial in making a successful diagnosis

Primary neuroendocrine tumor of the liver: A diagnostic dilemma in the management of liver mass in pregnancy

Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) commonly occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, however primary NET of the liver is rare, especially during pregnancy. We present a 34-year-old pregnant woman gravida 3 para 2 at 16 weeks period of gestation with primary liver NET discovered incidentally during the antenatal check-up. She has no risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma. Her serum alpha-fetoprotein was elevated. A plain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver delineating a large well-defined exophytic liver mass at segment V/VI measuring 7.1 × 7.4 × 7.8 cm. Given inconclusive MRI findings coupled with low-risk factors of HCC, we had decided to follow up her liver mass with imaging 6 weekly. She then underwent a right hepatectomy with a caesarean delivery at 32 weeks of gestation in the same setting. The histopathological formal report revealed a neuroendocrine tumor, grade 2 with a Ki-67 index of 3% with negative lymphovascular and perineural invasion, but positive for porta hepatis lymph nodes metastasis. A follow up after 1 year shows both patient and her infant are healthy. Antenatal discovery of liver masses poses a diagnostic and management dilemma to clinicians. A multidisciplinary approach and collective decision making are crucial to determine the best approach tailored to the maternal and fetal benefit. In cases of inconclusive non-contrast MRI in pregnancy with low-risk factors and lack of clinical evidence of HCC, follow-up with imaging modalities aiming to intervene at the third trimester can offer safer, and promising outcomes

Undifferentiated Embryonal Sarcoma of the Liver: An Enigma of Diagnosis

A 20-year-old man presented with peritonitis requiring emergency laparotomy. He was found to have a huge liver abscess on the right lobe. Open drainage was performed but the abscess was persistently unresolved upon follow up. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a solid liver lesion with raised Ca 19-9. Right hepatectomy was subjected and histology was consistent with a rare and aggressive case of embryonal sarcoma of the liver. Despite oncologic resection, he developed local recurrence and succumbed to death in 6 month postoperatively. We describe a unique aetiology of liver abscess with literature reviews of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver

Malrotation of the Gut: An Uncommon but Surgically Important Condition in Adults

Congenital intestinal obstruction is rare in adulthood. It usually occurs in infants. An unusual presentation of this condition in an adult has led to difficult preoperative diagnosis. We present a case of a 48-year-old gentleman who presented with proximal jejunal obstruction by a congenital band causing gut malrotation. He successfully underwent Ladd's procedure to release the obstruction. We will discuss the non-specific presentation of this rare congenital condition, its diagnosis and management together with the literature review. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2014; 3(3.000): 183-186

A middle-aged man with a troubled liver: Combination therapy in advanced (BCLC Stage C) hepatocellular carcinoma

Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma carries a bad prognosis with a survival of only few months. Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Guidelines recommended sorafenib monotherapy as the treatment modality for advanced BCLC Stage C disease, citing a two-month increase in survival rates. Here, we highlight a case with advanced HCC (BCLC Stage C) treated with combination therapy of liver resection and Sorafenib therapy. The patients current survival rate was beyond 10 months. We also discuss the current evidence on liver resection with Sorafenib therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. The description of the case may benefit in future diagnosis and treatment. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2018; 7(1.000): 29-32

A rare presentation of low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm within an amyand’s hernia: a case report

An Amyand’s hernia is characterised as the presence of the appendix in an inguinal hernial sac. During laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder polyps, an incidental Amyand’s hernia was discovered in a 75-year-old female patient. On examination, the hernia contained an appendiceal mucocele but no evidence of perforation. An open appendicectomy with tension-free mesh repair was performed for the hernia. The histopathological report of the appendix was a low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN), an entity that is just as rare as an Amyand’s hernia. The patient had the right inguinal swelling for over 10 years but it was thought to be an inguinal intramuscular cyst as reported on a previous abdominal ultrasound. Mucocele of the appendix may have a benign or malignant appendiceal progress, leading to individualised diagnosis and treatment. We review an Amyand’s hernia with LAMN and discuss the asymptomatic tendency yet malignant potential of appendiceal mucoceles along with treatment strategies

A LESS INVASIVE METHOD OF REDUCING THE INCIDENCE OF POST-ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY PANCREATITIS: INTRAVENOUS DICLOFENAC SODIUM VERSUS PLACEBO

Objective: The purpose of this study is to reduce the incidence of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) by the administration of intravenous (IV) diclofenac sodium.Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, double-blinded control study. This study was performed in the hepatobiliary unit of general surgery department in University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) from May 2015 to May 2016. A total of 128 patients were enrolled in this study. 59 patients were randomized into the treatment arm, while 63 were randomized into the control group. Patients were randomized by envelope system, and patients in the treatment arm received 75 mg of diclofenac sodium intravenously, within 30 min of ERCP commencement. Both groups were observed for PEP post-ERCP and their pain score recorded. Patients' demographic data were also observed.Results: A total of 122 patients were included in the study, with 59 patients randomized into the treatment arm and 63 into the placebo arm. There was an increase of 7.6% PEP rates in the placebo group (12.7% vs. 5.1% in the treatment arm). However, this was not statistically significant (p=0.142)Conclusion: This study shows that IV diclofenac sodium can decrease PEP but is not statistically significant

The ChoCO-W prospective observational global study: Does COVID-19 increase gangrenous cholecystitis?

BACKGROUND: The incidence of the highly morbid and potentially lethal gangrenous cholecystitis was reportedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the ChoCO-W study was to compare the clinical findings and outcomes of acute cholecystitis in patients who had COVID-19 disease with those who did not. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected over 6 months (October 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021) with 1-month follow-up. In October 2020, Delta variant of SARS CoV-2 was isolated for the first time. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed and reported according to the STROBE guidelines. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients who had COVID-19 were compared with those who did not. RESULTS: A total of 2893 patients, from 42 countries, 218 centers, involved, with a median age of 61.3 (SD: 17.39) years were prospectively enrolled in this study; 1481 (51%) patients were males. One hundred and eighty (6.9%) patients were COVID-19 positive, while 2412 (93.1%) were negative. Concomitant preexisting diseases including cardiovascular diseases (p < 0.0001), diabetes (p < 0.0001), and severe chronic obstructive airway disease (p = 0.005) were significantly more frequent in the COVID-19 group. Markers of sepsis severity including ARDS (p < 0.0001), PIPAS score (p < 0.0001), WSES sepsis score (p < 0.0001), qSOFA (p < 0.0001), and Tokyo classification of severity of acute cholecystitis (p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group. The COVID-19 group had significantly higher postoperative complications (32.2% compared with 11.7%, p < 0.0001), longer mean hospital stay (13.21 compared with 6.51 days, p < 0.0001), and mortality rate (13.4% compared with 1.7%, p < 0.0001). The incidence of gangrenous cholecystitis was doubled in the COVID-19 group (40.7% compared with 22.3%). The mean wall thickness of the gallbladder was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group [6.32 (SD: 2.44) mm compared with 5.4 (SD: 3.45) mm; p < 0.0001]. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of gangrenous cholecystitis is higher in COVID patients compared with non-COVID patients admitted to the emergency department with acute cholecystitis. Gangrenous cholecystitis in COVID patients is associated with high-grade Clavien-Dindo postoperative complications, longer hospital stay and higher mortality rate. The open cholecystectomy rate is higher in COVID compared with non -COVID patients. It is recommended to delay the surgical treatment in COVID patients, when it is possible, to decrease morbidity and mortality rates. COVID-19 infection and gangrenous cholecystistis are not absolute contraindications to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy, in a case by case evaluation, in expert hands