Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast: a case report

Neuroendocrine breast carcinomas represent a rare subtype of breast cancer. Their definition, prevalence and prognosis remain controversial in the literature. Regarding the presentation, there are no differences from other breast carcinomas and clinical syndromes related to hormone production are extremely rare. Refinement of the classification of neuroendocrine neoplasms of the breast is needed in order to improve the reproducibility of their diagnostic criteria and to define their clinical significance. This article presents the case of a 44-year-old female patient diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma with neuroendocrine features, according to the 2012 World Health Organization (WHO) definition, with focus on presentation, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach and differential diagnosis.

Congenital Epulis: A Two-Case Report

Congenital epulis is a rare benign tumor of the newborn that could be detected in the prenatal period. Females are more often affected than males and the premaxillary region is usually the predilection site for this oral mass. Excision is the treatment of choice and no recurrences have been reported so far. We present our experience with two cases of congenital epulis, detected in the second trimester of gestation and treated shortly after birth with no further complications. Histopathology should differentiate between congenital epulis and other congenital oral tumors even if its clinical appearance is usually enough to make a tentative diagnosis. A multidisciplinary assessment in the management of this tumor can avoid unwanted complications such as airway obstruction or bleeding.

Collagen-based biomaterials with possible therapeutic effects

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare, serious genetic disease, incurable through the current means. Apart from this initial definition, there was later some ease in the definition of the disease, including the manifestations of toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens Johnson syndrome in this entity. In medical practice, there are cases that do not overlap with the description in the literature, thus the treatment must be adapted and personalized to the particularities. We present the case of a female new-born, with "de novo" mutation for the early-onset antenatal epidermolysis and our personalized therapeutic management, based on collagen from bovine corneas by enzymatic process. The histological examination showed that the collagen membranes serve as a support for the epithelial cells that formed a surface monolayer after 48 hours. Therefore. this case report shows that collagen-based biomaterials could be used to accelerate the dermal-epidermal healing in various conditions of the child, such as Stevens Johnson syndrome, bullous epidermolysis and widespread burns.

Klebsiella pneumoniae cryptogenic liver abscess and endophthalmitis – a case report and review of literature

Klebsiella pneumoniae has emerged as the predominant pathogenic agent of liver abscess in Asia, and the incidence is increasing worldwide. Hypervirulent strains are associated with septic metastatic dissemination in the eyes, lungs, and central nervous system, causing severe morbidity. We present the case of a 54year old man, with no previous comorbidities, admitted in emergency for the blind red painful eye. Further investigation documented septic endophthalmitis with transscleral extension and orbital cellulitis. Thoraco-abdominal computed tomography evidenced a hepatic abscess as the locus of the primary infection. Intravenous antibiotherapy with cefuroxime, followed by meropenem and vancomycin were efficient for managing the hepatic abscess. However, as the eyeball was perforated at the admission, evisceration was performed. The vitreous sample revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae, with a positive string test as the etiologic agent. The diagnostic and therapeutic management required a permanent collaboration between an ophthalmologist, infectious diseases specialist, surgeon, and radiologist.

A rare complication in a Covid-19 positive patient with sigmoid colon cancer-hemoperitoneum due to gallbladder necrosis following micro-thrombosis

Covid-19, also known as acute respiratory syndrome 2019-nCoV, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) 2, and Wuhan pneumonia, is a viral respiratory disease caused by a SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV2). The most serious complications of Covid-19 are due to the development of micro-thrombosis in various organs and systems as a result of the high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 and 6) which initiate the activation of coagulation and the generation of thrombin. Several studies demonstrated the poor outcome of Covid-19-infected patients who underwent surgery, suggesting that surgery may accelerate and exacerbate Covid-19 progression. We report the case of an 81-year-old patient admitted as an emergency with Covid-19 pneumonia, hemoperitoneum, ischemic acute cholecystitis and obstructive sigmoid cancer. Cholecystectomy, pneumoperitoneal lavage, and Hartmann operation were performed under combined epidural-spinal anesthesia. This technique has some advantages compared to spinal and epidural techniques, such as: rapid onset of analgesia and the possibility of obtaining the desired sensory level, control of the anesthetic block, and ensuring postoperative analgesia. The unfavorable outcome of this case is due to the occurrence of the cytokine storm and coagulation disorders, with the change in the related biological constants, both from a biochemical and systemic point of view.

Periaortic venous necklace and renal right double arteries; Case report

The case was found on an organic sample consisting of the two kidneys with the renal pedicles and the corresponding segments of the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava. From the inferior face of the left renal vein, on the lower side of the aorta, a venous branch with an upward path of 8.02 mm was detached, passing on the anterior face of the aorta, passing before its right side, in order to end on the left side of the inferior vena cava, 13.9 mm above the end of the left renal vein in the inferior vena cava, this branch thus describing a periaortic ring (necklace), in which on the left side of the aorta the inferior adrenal vein ends. The periaortic ring (necklace) had a cross-sectional dimension of 3.2 mm and a vertical one of 1.7 cm. On the right side of the aorta, a 2.9 mm venous branch came out of the renal vein, ending on the left side of the inferior vena cava, 1.2 mm above the end of the left renal vein. At the level of the right kidney there were two renal arteries, superior and inferior. Between the two arteries there was an interval of 5.1 cm.

Support for family members who are caregivers to relatives with acquired brain injury

Objectives. Family members caring for a patient with acquired brain injury (ABI) are coping with inordinate levels of stress partially due to their lack of understanding of the neuropsychological effects of acquired brain injury in the patient. The objective of this research is to show that as the caregivers’ stress levels increase, there is an increase in suicidal ideation. This highlights the causal relationship between unhealthy stress and reduced psychological well-being in these caregivers. In addition, qualitative research evidence regarding the caregivers’ views of their main sources of stress are presented. Methods. The participants were a random sample of 80 family caregivers of patients with acquired brain injury, out of whom 72.5% (58) are primary caregivers and 27.5% (22) are secondary caregivers. A mixed methodology was utilized. It comprised cross-sectional descriptive and phenomenological approaches. Quantitative data were obtained from two standardized measures: The Stress Symptom Checklist (SSCL) and item 9 of the Beck Depression Inventory. The qualitative data were derived from self-report procedures that were part of a structured questionnaire administered individually during the interviews. Results. The Kruskal-Wallis test with a significance level of p = .05 was used to compare the stress and suicidal ideation scores, which revealed that increasing levels of stress led to increased suicidality. The analysis of the qualitative data revealed five themes which were identified as the triggers of the caregivers’ profound stress. Most caregivers felt that it was predominantly the patient’s neuropsychological deficits, such as emotions and/or moods, cognitive ability, behavior and personality, executive function, and social factors that caused them profound stress. Conclusions. Support and education are needed to help family caregivers understand the neuropsychological impact of acquired brain injury on the patient. Once caregivers have an improved understanding and receive better support from healthcare providers, they should experience less stress and be better prepared to provide the appropriate support to patients with acquired brain injury.

A pedunculated esophageal chondromatous hamartoma in a child

Esophageal tumors are uncommon in pediatric population and most of them are benign. Esophageal hamartomas have been reported extremely rare in children. These can present as intramural tumors of the esophageal wall or as polyps. Dysphagia is the main symptom described in their case, but other specific symptoms are also reported. Such symptoms encountered in clinical practice are represented by obstructive apnea episodes and bradycardia, poor weight gain, epigastric or retrosternal pain, hematemesis or melena, dysphonia or tracheal sounds. Diagnosis can be delayed due to the insidious onset and non-specific symptoms, therefore patient’s compliance to follow-up and broad, careful evaluation are mandatory. Preoperative imagistic assessment is extremely important for a precise definition of the tumor’s anatomical relations, especially when facing large tumors located in the posterior mediastinum. Herein we report a case of a large chondromatous polypoid hamartoma of the esophagus in a 9 years old boy, emphasizing over the diagnosis and surgical challenges we have met, along with comments on illustrative similar cases reported in the literature.

The relationship between spiritual health and social trust among students

Social trust and spiritual health play an important role in social communication. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between spiritual health and social trust among Iranian students. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Sanandaj, in the West of Iran, in 2018. 686 students from 5 universities were included in the study through simple random sampling. The data were collected using established, reliable instruments for the assessment of social trust and spiritual health. Logistic regression models were applied to assess the association between social trust and spiritual health. We reported estimated logits and Odds Ratios (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The students with a literate father had substantially higher odds of social trust (OR=1.98, 95% CI=1.19-3.28, p<0.01). Also, similar findings were obtained for students with a literate mother compared to those with an illiterate mother (OR=2.09, 95% CI=1.33-3.28, p<0.01). The odds of social trust also increased with the father’s employment status (OR=13.06, 95% CI=4.16-41, p<0.01). The odds of social trust increased with religious health (OR=1.05, 95% CI=1.03-1.08, p<0.01). It is essential to increase spiritual health and the parents’ literacy to promote social trust among the students.

Postoperative complicated appendectomy revealing Crohn’s disease in a pediatric patient

Granulomatous appendicitis is a very rare entity in children. It is related to Crohn’s disease in only 5-10% of the cases. The diagnosis of Crohn’s disease is a real challenge in the pediatric population, especially when its initial manifestation is acute appendicitis. Herein, we present a 13-year-old boy admitted for acute appendicitis. The histopathological examination was conclusive for acute granulomatous appendicitis. The development of an entero-cutaneous fistula has complicated the postoperative evolution. The failure of the conservative management required ileocecal resection. The pathological examination revealed Crohn’s disease. The one-year follow-up on the patient din not reveal any complications. We strongly support the importance of the histopathological examination of the entirely removed appendix. Careful assessment of granulomatous appendicitis is needed in order to establish its possible etiology and to initiate the adequate treatment.