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Background The presence of osteoclast-like giant cells (OGC) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rare and literature on this topic is scarce. In this article, we report on a case of a 77-year-old male patient with HCC with OGC and provide an overview of the current literature. Methods We conducted a systematic search to find all available literature on OGC in HCC. The electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and CENTRAL were searched from inception until October 2020. Results Thirteen articles on this topic were identified and were included in this review. Data on 14 patients were available, described in twelve case reports, one patient in a patient series and the present case. Median age of included patients was 68 years. Two patients underwent neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery. Of the 14 cases, eight tumours with OGC arose in a cirrhotic liver. Oncological outcome in this series was unfavourable, even after surgical resection, with a median disease-free survival of 75 d. Conclusions The presence of OGC in HCC is rare. Current literature is scarce, and suggests an unfavourable outcome in regard to overall survival of HCC.

Introduction We report on a case of congenital unilateral atresia of the vas deferens encountered during a robotic-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair. Case report Our 65-years-old male patient was scheduled for a bilateral robotic-assisted TAPP inguinal hernia repair because of bilateral symptomatic groin hernia. Standard intraoperative dissection obtaining a critical view of the myopectineal orifice did not allow for an identification of the vas deferens (VD) on the left side. On the right side, a normal VD was identified. There was no suspicion of an intraoperative lesion or ligation of the VD. Both gonadal and inferior epigastric vessels were present on both sides. Upon clinical evaluation, no VD was palpable in the scrotum on the left side. The diagnosis of a congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens was made. Additional abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a congenital agenesis of the left kidney, ureter, vesicula seminalis and vas deferens. Discussion The accidental finding of a congenital absence of the vas deferens during inguinal hernia repair is rare. However, surgeons performing inguinal hernia repair should be aware of this condition and the clinical implications it poses, as this could prevent unnecessary exploration and missed diagnosis of associated underlying conditions.

Introduction: We present a case of positional compression of the left renal vein (LRV) after right nephrectomy and caval reconstruction, treated by external stenting using a reinforced vascular pro...

Introduction: We present a first description of faecal impaction (FI) causing occlusion of the pelvic venous system, resulting in a bilateral thrombosis of the external iliac vein.Patients and methods: Our 76-year-old female patient was admitted with gradual swelling of both legs. Clinical evaluation revealed a painless abdominal distension and marked bilateral edema of the legs. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed gross dilatation of the colon and rectum, with FI. A short bilateral occlusion of the external iliac vein was seen, with thrombus in both pelvic veins. Doppler ultrasonography confirmed a thrombosis of the external iliac vein and common femoral vein on both sides.Results: A conservative treatment consisting of manual evacuation, enema, laxatives and systemic anticoagulation was successfully applied.Conclusions: FI represents a common – yet preventable – health problem, mainly in the elderly. This case illustrates a rare complication of FI if left untreated.