Heterotopic pregnancy presenting as an acute abdomen: a diagnostic masquerader

Simultaneous intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancy is called heterotopic pregnancy. It is a rare complication of pregnancy, especially in the absence of predisposing factors. It is known to present with a variety of symptoms and signs often leading to a delay in establishing the correct diagnosis. We report the case of a 29-year-old woman, known to be 14 weeks pregnant, presenting with acute abdominal pain. The confirmation of a viable intrauterine pregnancy led to a general surgery consultation. A heterotopic ruptured right ectopic tubal pregnancy was found. Right salpingectomy was performed. The patient recovered uneventfully. The intrauterine pregnancy was not affected. This case illustrates the variable presentation of heterotopic pregnancy and the need for general surgeons to be suspicious of pregnancy related complications, even in the presence of a viable intrauterine pregnancy.

Posterior tracheal wall perforation during percutaneous dilational tracheostomy: an investigation into its mechanism and prevention

OBJECTIVES

Part 1: To describe the complication of posterior tracheal wall injury and perforation associated with the percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT). Part 2: To determine the mechanism of posterior tracheal wall injury during PDT.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SUBJECTS

Part 1: Medical-surgical ICU patients requiring tracheostomy. Part 2: Swine and cadaver models.

INTERVENTIONS

Part 1: Consecutive medical-surgical ICU patients undergoing tracheostomy tube insertion via the percutaneous dilation technique with bronchoscopic guidance were enrolled in the study. Demographic data and complications were recorded. Part 2: Tracheostomy tubes were inserted via the percutaneous dilational technique in the swine model with concomitant bronchoscopic video recording from the proximal and distal airways. Tracheostomy tubes were inserted via the percutaneous dilational technique in the cadaver model followed by anatomic inspection of the airway.

RESULTS

Part 1: Seven (29%) of 24 medical-surgical ICU patients sustained complications associated with PDT. Three patients (12.5%) sustained posterior tracheal wall perforations followed by the development of tension pneumothoraces. Part 2: The swine model demonstrated that posterior tracheal wall perforation may occur during PDT when the guiding catheter is withdrawn into the dilating catheters. Five-centimeter posterior tracheal wall mucosal lacerations occurred when the guidewire and the guiding catheter were not properly stabilized during PDT.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy was associated with a 29% complication rate in this observational study. Of concern was the high rate (12.5%) of posterior tracheal wall perforation. The swine and cadaver models suggest that posterior tracheal wall injury or perforation may occur if the guidewire and guiding catheter are not properly stabilized. To avoid posterior tracheal wall injury, the guidewire and guiding catheter should be firmly stabilized during PDT.

Pathology and treatment of impalpable breast lesions

With the increasing use of mammography, more needle-localized breast biopsies (NLBB) are being done. The purpose of this study was to analyze the pathology of impalpable breast lesions and the impact of NLBB on treatment strategies. From 1985 to 1990, 1,605 NLBB were performed, of which 321 (20%) were malignant. Twenty-five percent of malignant biopsies demonstrated in situ disease only. The average size of all lesions detected was 16 mm, and, for invasive cancer, 12 mm. Eighteen percent of invasive cancers had metastasized to the axillary lymph nodes. Surgical management consisted of mastectomy in 74% of patients and breast conservation treatment (BCT) in 26%. No significant difference in surgical management for women 50 years of age or younger compared with those older than 50 years of age was noted. Although the use of BCT for eligible women is recommended by the National Institutes of Health, it is not widely practiced, possibly reflecting less physician acceptance of BCT. These observations suggest that the detection of smaller, impalpable breast cancers has had no impact on treatment strategies.