CASE REPORT: We present herein the rare case of a 30-year-old man who developed thigh compartment syndrome 8 days after soccer injury due to severe edema of vastus intermedius and large thigh hematoma secondary to rupture of the profunda femoris vein. MRI revealed "blow-out" rupture of the vastus lateralis. Decompressive fasciotomy and vein repair performed with subsequent split-skin grafting of the wound defect resulted in a good functional outcome at 2-years follow-up.
CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion for compartment syndrome is needed in all severe quadriceps contusion. Vascular injury can cause thigh compartment syndrome in sports trauma. MRI findings of deep thigh muscle swelling and "blow-out" tear of the vastus lateralis are strongly suggestive of severe quadriceps injury, and may be a harbinger of delayed thigh compartment syndrome.
PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 72-year-old female presented to us with right-sided abdominal pain for 3 weeks, associated with vomiting and diarrhoea. She had an appendectomy done 30 years ago and a recent myocardial infarction. Abdominal examination revealed a previous appendectomy scar and tenderness over the right lumbar region. Computed tomography showed ileocaecal intussusception. Right hemicolectomy with a double barrel stoma was performed as she was unstable intraoperatively. Histopathological examination of the tumour showed a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumour. Subsequent PET scan showed no systemic disease and a reversal of the stoma was done. She remained disease free for a year.
DISCUSSION: Our patient had undergone a right hemicolectomy despite the high risk of mortality, as there is a high chance of malignancy. Double barrel stoma was done, as she was unstable intraoperatively. Fortunately, she recovered well and had her stoma reversed without any further recurrence of her disease.
CONCLUSION: Adult patients who present with intussusception should be managed with resection, as there is a high possibility of a malignancy. Early resection should be planned to prevent further spread of the tumour.
PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a 63-year-old lady with incidental findings of adrenal tumour on computed tomography (CT) scan during a routine medical check-up. She underwent tumour resection in view of a large tumour of 7 cm in size.
DISCUSSION: CT scan is sensitive to diagnose adrenal myelolipoma in view of its fat-laden property and useful to monitor the tumour progress. Even previously she opted for conservative management; the decision for surgery was made in view of enlarging tumour and risk of surrounding tissue compression.
CONCLUSION: With increased awareness, the detection rate of this tumour is improving, hence able to prevent the complications of a large tumour such as compression, bleeding and tumour necrosis.
PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report the first case of Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome in Malaysia, a 23 years old Malay girl who suffers from multiple cutaneous venous malformation and gastrointestinal bleeding episodes.
DISCUSSION: The typical morbidity for this syndrome is symptomatic anemia due to secondary iron deficiency due to the gastrointestinal venous malformation bleeding. In managing the gastrointestinal bleeding, it mainly depends on the severity of gastrointestinal bleeding, some may resolve spontaneously, while the others may be needing blood transfusion, and some may require GIT resections. As for cutaneous lesions, normally it is innocuous depending on the region and size. Large or problematic cutaneous venous malformation might benefit from sclerotherapy or excision.
CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary approach is crucial in managing BRBNS case due to its complexity and the spectrum of multiple organ involvement to ensure the best outcome to the patient.
PRESENTATION OF CASE: 49 year old gentleman presented with fever, persistent, unresolving pain and scrotal swelling of two weeks duration. Despite close clinical monitoring, timely ultrasounds of the testis and antibiotics there was an inexorable progression to bilateral testicular ischemia.
DISCUSSION: This is only the second reported case of this nature in published literature. Epididymo-orchitis usually responds well to appropriate antibiotic therapy, although progression to testicular infarction is possible.
CONCLUSION: Clinical presentation of persistent scrotal pain and oedema in cases of epididymo-orchitis should raise strong suspicion of testicular ischemia or infarction. Despite all efforts, progression to bilateral testicular infarction resulting in castration is a possible catastrophic outcome.
CASE PRESENTATION: We described a 43 years old male who presented with a right mastoid swelling, nine years after a right retro-sigmoid craniotomy and excision for a cerebellopontine angle meningioma. He also had multiple cranial neuropathies involving trigeminal, facial and vestibulocochlear nerves. Temporal bone CT and MRI showed features suggestive of cholesterol granuloma with extensive bony erosions. He was treated with surgical excision and drainage where bone wax residues were found intraoperatively. Histopathological analysis of the lesion confirmed the diagnosis of cholesterol granuloma. Post-operatively, the mastoid swelling resolved and his recovery was uneventful.
CONCLUSION: Our case showed that CG could manifest as a complication of bone wax usage in a neurosurgical procedure. Even though further study is needed to draw a definitive conclusion on this theory, we believe this paper will contribute to the current literature as it is the only reported case of cholesterol granuloma with bone wax as the possible causative agent. This is important so that surgeons are aware of this potential complication and use this haemostatic agent more judiciously.
PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 30-year-old woman, who had a previous cesarean delivery, opted for another cesarean section (CS) during this pregnancy. She claimed that her tummy was lax after her first experience of CS even with regular exercise. A standard CS procedure was carried out along with the new modified undermined suture technique for rectus muscle re-approximation. Post-operatively, the pain score was 2/10 without any evidence of hematoma, seromas or infection and the patient ambulates well. The patient did not complain of any pain or complications upon follow up after 2 weeks and 2 months post-operation. She claims that her abdomen is firmer, flatter and more stable compared to her previous operation experience.
DISCUSSION: This newly modified method prevents any defect or weakness on the anterior abdominal wall even if the rectus muscles fail to oppose itself during the healing process. It also mimics the function of the linea alba and avoid interrupting the contraction or injuring the muscle in order to avoid pain. Adhesion of the anterior uterine wall and the rectus sheath can be prevented by closure of the rectus muscle and burying the suture material within the muscle.
CONCLUSION: The newly modified undermined suture rectus muscle technique at cesarean delivery has the potential to improved patient's post-operative satisfaction.
PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a rare case of WS torsion in a 69-year-old elderly patient who presented with an acute abdomen. Physical examination revealed a tender right lower quadrant abdominal mass. Imaging studies confirmed the diagnosis of WS torsion with features of infarction. Subsequently, an emergency laparoscopic splenectomy was performed.
DISCUSSION: A WS occurs due to the hypermobility of the spleen secondary to the absence or laxity of splenic suspensory ligaments. It is more commonly seen in children and adults in the third decade of life. Symptoms are usually attributed to the consequences of splenic vascular pedicle torsion. Exhibited symptoms might be unspecific; thus, radiological modalities are essential to determine the diagnosis and aid in planning its management. The treatment of choice is either open or laparoscopic splenopexy or splenectomy.
CONCLUSION: Due to potentially life-threatening consequences and the rarity of such cases, a thorough history, detailed physical examination, and objective investigation are the pillars to attain a prompt diagnosis for appropriate management to be conducted as soon as possible to minimise complications.
CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 61-year-old lady with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) who underwent TOE with subsequent presentation of odynophagia with left neck swelling. An upper endoscopy examination was inconclusive; however, a contrasted computed tomography of the neck showed evidence of cervical oesophageal perforation. She was managed conservatively and discharged well.
DISCUSSION: The trauma caused by TOE probe insertion and manipulation accounts for most of the upper gastrointestinal complications. Mortality of patients associated with oesophageal perforation can be up to 20% and doubled if the treatment is delayed for more than 24 h. Mechanism of injury from TOE probe is likely multifactorial. Predisposing factors that increase the risk of tissue disruption include the presence of unknown structural pathology. Imaging studies and an upper endoscopy examination may aid in the diagnosis of oesophageal perforation.
CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion, coupled with a tailored, multidisciplinary approach, is essential to achieve the best possible outcome. Conservative management may be worthwhile in a stable patient despite delayed presentation. Although TOE is considered a safe procedure, physicians should be made aware of such a dreaded complication.
PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 19-year-old lady presented with a bleeding, fungating breast mass worsened with topical herbal concoction. Examination revealed a 10 × 15 cm fungating breast mass that obliterated her nipple- areolar complex (NAC). Computed Tomography (CT) scan reported a huge heterogeneously enhancing mass 10.6 × 14.5 × 15.1 cm with loss of normal fat plane with the overlying skin but a clear fat plane with the pectoralis muscle posteriorly.
DISCUSSION: Giant breast masses that fungate and ulcerate usually indicate a sinister pathology. Traditional remedies have been reported to exacerbate growth. In cases where most of the breast parenchyma and NAC has been destroyed, it is no longer possible to proceed with breast conserving techniques. Breast reconstruction is crucial in adolescents and should be tailored to the patient's existing breast size as well as body habitus.
CONCLUSION: In juvenile giant fibroadenomas where breast parenchyma and NAC has been destroyed, breast reconstruction is the goal. The lack of consensus in both diagnosis and management further compounds the difficulty in dealing with this sensitive population. Awareness needs to be raised regarding negative effects related to traditional medicine.
CASE PRESENTATION: We described a 45-year-old female who presented with dysphagia, hoarseness and anterior neck swelling. The initial CT scan revealed a right thyroid abscess which was incised and drained with no malignancy found in the biopsy of the thyroid tissue. Patient presented one month later with worsening dysphagia, weight loss and a fungating anterior neck mass. Further investigation revealed a locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma extending to the right thyroid, upper oesophagus, prevertebral muscles and bilateral cervical lymph nodes (T4bN2cM0). Unfortunately, the patient passed away prior to initiation of treatment.
CONCLUSION: Clinicians should have raised index of suspicion of a possible underlying hypopharyngeal carcinoma in patients presenting with thyroid abscess and proceed to further investigations in order to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of the malignancy.
CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 40-year-old lady with primary infertility for six years with underlying polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and BMI 45.7 whom was successfully conceived twice following bariatric surgery procedure in which reduction of 70% of her BMI prior to bariatric surgery lead to her spontaneous conception without fertility intervention and successful live birth.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Obese PCOS needs multidisciplinary approaches which include weight loss program such as dietary advice, exercise intervention as part of preliminary treatment prior to ovulation induction and counselling.
CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery has been a mainstay treatment in patients with morbid obesity and those with BMI more than 35 associated with obesity related problems such as joint pain, hypertension or diabetes mellitus. Bariatric surgery such as laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy should be considered more often in contrast to lifestyle modification for morbidly obese lady with PCOS and infertility prior to the use of standard ovulation induction regime for treating infertility.
PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 21 year old lady presented with worsening of chronic abdominal pain for 3 years, associated with nausea and vomiting. Physical examination showed a vague mass located at epigastric region. Consecutively, computed tomography images showed a well-defined, oval, hypoechoic spleen extending from center of abdomen up to epigastric region measuring 15.5 × 13 cm with twisted pedicle. Finally the patient underwent surgical treatment. The intraoperative findings were consistent with computed tomography images. The patient made a full recovery and was discharged well.
DISCUSSION: Wandering Spleen was first described by Van Horne during autopsy back in 1667. Its location is maintained by peritoneal attachments such as lienorenal, splenocolic, splenophrenic, gastrosplenic and phrenicocolic ligaments. Among which, the gastrosplenic ligament and lienorenal ligaments are of greatest significance. Patient with a wandering spleen may present asymptomatic, with a movable mass in the abdomen, or with chronic or intermittent abdominal pain because of partial torsion and spontaneous de-torsion of the spleen as in our case. When feasible especially in young patients, splenopexy should always be the first consideration but however if gross infarct has occurred then splenectomy is inevitable to save the patient.
CONCLUSION: Wandering spleen is a unique surgical entity moreover when appeared in congruence with horseshoe kidney. Its diagnosis should be made in prompt to prevent splenic infarction and to try to salvage with splenopexy especially in younger population. However in patient where splenic torsion with infarction has occurred, splenectomy would be the treatment of choice.
PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 39-day-old infant presented with progressive right maxillary swelling complicated by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus orbital abscess. Tooth bud abscess was the most likely primary cause and a combination of intravenous antibiotics was initially prescribed. The collection of intra-orbital pus was removed using image-guided system-aided endoscopic surgical drainage.
DISCUSSION: Prompt diagnosis and management are very crucial. Endoscopic drainage of these abscesses in children has been described. Image-guided drainage of the orbital abscess is a newer technique that has been reported in a teenager and in adult patients. This is the first reported case of endoscopic orbital drainage surgery in an infant. The procedure was performed successfully. This approach provides for better identification of the anatomical structures in a very young patient. Injuries to the medial rectus, globe and optic nerve can be avoided with this technique.
CONCLUSION: Aggressive management of orbital abscesses in infants is mandatory. Image-guided endoscopic orbital drainage offers precise visualization and a safer technique in a relatively smaller orbit.
PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present the case of a female patient with a history of invasive lobular breast carcinoma who had undergone mastectomy and axillary dissection, followed by chemoradiotherapy. Over the next nine years, she developed ovarian and bone metastases for which appropriate treatment was provided. A right iliac fossa mass was discovered during routine clinic review, though she remained asymptomatic. Computed tomography scan showed ileocecal intussusception. Histopathological examination of the right hemicolectomy specimen following emergency surgery confirmed metastatic invasive lobular carcinoma to the GI tract.
DISCUSSION: GI tract metastasis may present 30 years after the primary breast cancer. Up to 20% of patients may be asymptomatic as shown by Montagna et al. When present, symptoms are commonly non-specific and vague. Histological diagnosis is challenging. GI metastasis typically appears as intramural infiltration of the bowel wall by small cells arranged in cords.
CONCLUSION: It is important to maintain a suspicion for GI tract metastasis in breast cancer patients who present with abdominal mass or GI symptoms, as this aids in prompt institution of accurate and appropriate management.