Surgical Case Reports

Surgery Experience with Calcified Amorphous Tumor of the Mitral Valve Complicated by Infective Endocarditis

Kazuki Iwamoto, et al.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac calcified amorphous tumors (CAT) are non-neoplastic cardiac lesions composed of calcified nodules. These lesions are associated with underlying factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and end-stage renal dysfunction. However, its association with infective endocarditis remains unclear.

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Amebic Liver Abscess in a Patient with Polycystic Liver Disease: A Case Report

Mamoru Matano, et al.

INTRODUCTION: Amebic liver abscess is a parasitic infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica, which reaches the liver via the portal circulation after invading the colon. While it typically presents with fever, right upper quadrant pain, and elevated inflammatory markers, its clinical and radiologic features can resemble those of bacterial liver abscesses. In patients with structural liver abnormalities, such as polycystic liver disease, symptoms may be atypical and delay diagnosis.

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Thoracic Reconstruction Using a Poly-L-Lactic Acid Mesh Plate for an Infant with Pectus Excavatum and Complex Congenital Heart Disease Preventing Chest Closure

Masaya Yamoto, et al.

INTRODUCTION: Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common anterior chest wall deformity, but surgical intervention during infancy is rarely indicated. In patients with complex congenital heart disease (CHD), however, PE may severely compromise mediastinal capacity, particularly after repeated sternotomies. Although delayed sternal closure is a standard approach to address postoperative hemodynamic instability, in cases where chest wall deformity directly compresses the heart, definitive thoracic reconstruction may be required.

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Long-Term Survival after Surgical Resection and Radiotherapy for Anterior Mediastinal Neuroblastoma in an Older Patient: A Case Report

Ayako Hirai, et al.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroblastoma is commonly seen in children younger than 5 years but is extremely rare in adults. There are only 23 reported cases of mediastinal neuroblastoma in adults, and no standard treatment strategy has been established.

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Multiple Pulmonary Cavernous Hemangioma: A Case Report

Shinogu Takashima, et al.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary cavernous hemangioma (PCH) is extremely rare and, due to the lack of specific radiological characteristics, is often misdiagnosed as other pulmonary diseases, including metastatic tumors. Here, we report a case of multiple PCH lesions with concomitant hepatic cavernous hemangioma (HCH), emphasizing the diagnostic implications of imaging findings.

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Pulmonary Artery Intimal Sarcoma Mimicking Intraluminal Seeding: A Case Report

Akira Akazawa, et al.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma (PAIS) is a rare vascular malignancy. Complete surgical resection is crucial for favorable outcomes; however, intraoperative delineation of the tumor extent poses a significant challenge.

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Splenic Torsion in a Patient with Polysplenia Syndrome and Dorsal Pancreatic Agenesis: A Case Report

Kensuke Kishida, et al.

INTRODUCTION: Partial splenic torsion in polysplenia syndrome is an extremely rare condition. We encountered and performed surgery for a case of partial splenic torsion in a patient with polysplenia syndrome coexisting with agenesis of the dorsal pancreas.

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A Case of Postoperative Wernicke Encephalopathy Mimicking Cerebellar Infarction Complicated by Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Critical Diagnostic Pitfall for Thoracic Surgeons

Tomonari Oki, et al.

INTRODUCTION: Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a potentially life-threatening neurological disorder caused by a thiamine deficiency, most commonly associated with alcoholism or malnutrition. Although its occurrence after gastrointestinal surgery has been increasingly recognized, WE following thoracic surgery remains extremely rare and is often underrecognized by thoracic surgeons. Given that neurological symptoms of WE can mimic those of cerebral infarction, a timely diagnosis is challenging, especially when complicated by postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).

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Robot-Assisted Abdominoperineal Resection for Anal Fistula Cancer in a Patient with Situs Inversus Totalis: A Case Report

Yoshiaki Kita, et al.

INTRODUCTION: Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare congenital condition characterized by a complete mirror-image reversal of thoracic and abdominal organs. This anatomic anomaly poses technical challenges in abdominal surgery, particularly in oncologic procedures requiring precise orientation and dissection. Robot-assisted surgery (RS) offers advantages such as stable visualization and enhanced dexterity, which may facilitate safe and effective surgery even in patients with reversed anatomy. However, reports of using RS for colorectal cancer in the setting of SIT remain scarce.

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Hybrid Operation Comprising Hepatic Artery Reconstruction and Endovascular Treatment for a Common-Proper Hepatic Artery Aneurysm Derived from Segmental Arterial Mediolysis

Shinya Hayami, et al.

INTRODUCTION: The location and size of our patient’s hepatic artery aneurysm might suggest the possible inadequacy of endovascular treatment (EVT) only. We therefore devised a hybrid operation that included microscopic arterial reconstruction after dividing the hepatic artery with simultaneous EVT.

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A Case Report of Surgical and Postoperative Treatment for Thyroid Angiosarcoma with Pulmonary Metastasis

Gai Inaguma, et al.

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid angiosarcoma (TAS) is an extremely rare and highly aggressive cancer, representing less than 1% of all sarcomas. Typically diagnosed in individuals aged 50–80, with a higher incidence in women, TAS has a poor prognosis due to its tendency to metastasize, leading to a low 5-year survival rate. Due to its rarity, standardized treatment approaches are lacking, often involving a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. This report presents TAS in a Japanese male.

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Intrathoracic Vagal Schwannoma Mimicking Metastatic Lymphadenopathy with a Positional Shift

Rina Takahashi, et al.

INTRODUCTION: Schwannomas are benign tumors originating from peripheral nerve sheaths and are most commonly found in the head, neck, and extremities. Intrathoracic schwannomas, particularly those arising from the vagus nerve, are relatively rare. Despite their benign nature, schwannomas often exhibit fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on PET scans, potentially leading to diagnostic confusion. This report presents a case initially suspected to be a metastatic lymph node but later diagnosed as a schwannoma from the intrathoracic vagus nerve, highlighting the diagnostic challenges associated with thoracic nodal lesions.

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