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Hepatic adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia are unfrequent benign lesions of the liver with individual histologic characteristics, but not always clinically distinguishable. The main difference is the intratumoral or intraperitoneal bleeding risk (high in adenoma and virtually zero in focal nodular hyperplasia). Surgery is the elective treatment for the first, while a more conservative attitude is allowed for the second. We present the case of a woman with an hepatic mass that clinically and radiologically seemed to be an adenoma. An atypical hepatectomy was done uneventfully. The examination of the specimen showed shaw focal nodular hyperplasia. We review the diagnostic and therapeutic controversy between these entities, because only the histologic examination of the entire surgical specimen could demonstrate the real nature of the lesion.

Small-cell anaplastic carcinoma of the colon is a very infrequent tumour (less than 1% of all colorectal neoplasms). Thirty-two cases have been described in the international literature up to 1992. A case, in a 54 year-old patient who underwent successful resection is presented. The importance of this tumour is due to its great aggressivity, and its great tendency to produce early hematogenous and lymph node metastases. It implies a bad prognosis and a survival of around 0% at one year. Because of these facts, treatment must include, beside surgical resection, an aggressive systemic protocol.

In the last years the relationship between congenital hypertrophy of retinal pigment epithelium (CHPRE) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) has been described. It has been said that ophthalmoscopy would be a good screening method for following up the relatives of patients with FAP. We present an ophthalmoscopic study of 14 member of a family with FAP. Four members with FAP were operated on in our department. Only a six years-old child, to this date without FAP, presented CHPRE. We review the relationship between FAP and CHPRE, and emphasize the importance of follow-up in FAP specially when CHPRE is present.

A new case of cecal herniation through the foramen of Winslow is reported in a 67 year-old woman, preoperatively diagnosed by water-soluble contrast enema. Herniation through Winslow's foramen is an uncommon variety of internal hernias. Of 144 cases reported up to 1991 in the world literature, the cecum was involved in only 25-30%; and less than 10% of these were radiologically diagnosed before surgery.