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Soft tissue tumors are part of a wide and sometimes rare differential diagnostic landscape. Case description of these rare soft tissue masses helps the future differentiation and aids in preoperative multidisciplinary approach. Interpretation and staging, with the help of imaging, is key.

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A Bochdalek hernia is a rare type of diaphragmatic defect, generally presenting in early childhood with acute signs of cardiorespiratory distress. We herein report a case of acute abdomen in a pregnant patient with pain increasing when lying on her right side. Laparoscopic evaluation revealed a right-sided Bochdalek hernia with incarcerated bowel. A successful reduction was possible, and laparoscopic repair appears to be a safe and feasible technique for the repair of these hernias.

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BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported faster recoveries, lower pain scores, and superior cosmetic results after mini-laparoscopic cholecystectomy (MLC). The purpose of this study was to perform a randomized controlled trial, comparing MLC with conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis were randomized between the two groups: 23 having undergone LC and 18 MLC. The primary end point was postoperative pain, which was evaluated during the first 24 hours postoperatively, using the numerical rating scale. Patient satisfaction with the cosmetic result was evaluated after 1 month. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable concerning age, sex, and body mass index. The median operating time (42 minutes versus 45 minutes; P=.386), complication rate, and duration of hospital stay (2 days; P=.611) were similar in both groups. The level of postoperative pain was analogous at every time. There was no difference in the analgesic requirements or cosmesis. CONCLUSIONS: MLC showed similar results concerning postoperative pain and did not lead to a greater patient satisfaction with the cosmetic result, compared with LC. MLC did not take longer to perform, nor was it associated with major complications or a high conversion rate. MLC is a safe and feasible technique for the treatment of gallbladder disease in elective patients.

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A 12-year-old girl with abdominal pain and fever underwent urgent surgery. As was suspected on computed tomographic scan, a large diverticular mass adherent to the cecum was identified. A diverticulectomy was performed. We report this rare case of a giant cecal diverticulum and provide an overview of known literature.

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Combining chemotherapy with preoperative radiotherapy (RT) has a sound radiobiological rationale. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials comparing preoperative RT with preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) in rectal cancer patients. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Embase and Medline (Pubmed) were searched from 1975 until June 2007. Dichotomous parameters were summarized using the odds ratio while time to event data were analyzed using the pooled hazard ratio for death. From the primary search result of 324 trials, 4 relevant randomized trials were identified. The addition of chemotherapy significantly increased grade III and IV acute toxicity (p = 0.002) while no differences were observed in postoperative morbidity or mortality. Preoperative CRT significantly increased the rate of pathological complete response (p < 0.001) although this did not translate into a higher sphincter preservation rate (p = 0.29). The local recurrence rate was significantly lower in the CRT group (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed in disease free survival (p = 0.89) or overall survival (p = 0.79). Compared to preoperative RT alone, preoperative CRT improves local control in rectal cancer but is associated with a more pronounced treatment related toxicity. The addition of chemotherapy does not benefit sphincter preservation rate or long-term survival. Future trials should address improvements in the rate of distant metastasis and overall survival by incorporating more active chemotherapy.

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BACKGROUND: Preoperative radiotherapy (RT) decreases local recurrence rate and improves survival in stage II and III rectal cancer patients. The combination of chemotherapy with RT has a sound radiobiological rationale, and phase II trials of combined chemoradiation (CRT) have shown promising activity in rectal cancer. OBJECTIVES: To compare preoperative RT with preoperative CRT in patients with resectable stage II and III rectal cancer. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Embase.com, and Pubmed from 1975 until june 2007. A manual search was performed of Ann Surg, Arch Surg, Cancer, J Clin Oncol, Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys and the proceedings of ASTRO, ECCO and ASCO from 1990 until june 2007. SELECTION CRITERIA: Relevant studies randomized resectable stage II or III rectal cancer patients to at least one arm of preoperative RT alone or at least one arm of preoperative CRT. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Primary outcome parameters included overall survival (OS) at 5 years and local recurrence (LR) rate at 5 years. Secondary outcome parameters included disease free survival (DFS) at 5 years, metastasis rate, pathological complete response rate, clinical response rate, sphincter preservation rate, acute toxicity, postoperative mortality and morbidity, and anastomotic leak rate. Outcome parameters were summarized using the Odds Ratio (OR) and associated 95% confidence interval (CI) using the fixed effects model. MAIN RESULTS: Four trials were identified and included in the meta-analysis. The addition of chemotherapy to preoperative RT significantly increased grade III and IV acute toxicity (OR 1.68-10, P = 0.002) while no differences were observed in postoperative morbidity or mortality. Compared to preoperative RT alone, preoperative CRT significantly increased the rate of complete pathological response (OR 2.52-5.27, P < 0.001) although this did not translate into a higher sphincter preservation rate (OR 0.92-1.31, P = 0.29). The incidence of local recurrence at five years was significantly lower in the CRT group compared to RT alone (OR 0.39-0.72, P < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed in DFS (OR 0.92-1.34, P = 0.27) or OS (OR 0.79-1.14, P = 0.58) at five years. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Compared to preoperative RT alone, preoperative CRT enhances pathological response and improves local control in resectable stage II and III rectal cancer, but does not benefit disease free or overall survival. The effects of preoperative CRT on functional outcome and quality of life are incompletely understood and should be addressed in future trials.

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