Postgraduate medical journal
-
Eleven cases of spontaneous perforation of a pyometra have previously been reported. All were associated with, and probably secondary to, cervical occlusion. A further case is described, but differs in that the cervical canal was patent. In the absence of other possible causes of uterine perforation, the aetiology of the perforation in this case remains uncertain.
-
Endometriosis associated with massive ascites is an unusual combination. Only 12 cases have been reported since its first description by Brews in 1954. The authors report the first case where radical surgery was avoided because of successful hormonal therapy.
-
A patient who presented with acute renal failure due to renal cortical necrosis is described. Renal biopsy showed cortical infarction and angiography demonstrated aneurysms in the renal, splenic and hepatic circulations. Concurrently he was found to have an IgA kappa paraprotein with bone marrow changes diagnostic of multiple myeloma. He was treated with haemodialysis, immunosuppressive drugs and plasma exchange but died 3 months after presentation.
-
Small bowel perforation occurs in up to 2 percent of patients with abdominal tuberculous. Patients present with an acute abdomen. Resection of the diseased segment and 18 months treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs is recommended.