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Background: Hemorrhoidectomy is a common procedure used to treat symptomatic hemorrhoids. However, the necessity and cost-effectiveness of routinely conducting histopathological analysis on excised tissue samples are uncertain., Methods: A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE and EMBASE up to December 2023 for studies assessing the histopathological outcomes of hemorrhoidectomy specimens. Meta-analysis was performed on articles with combinable results to determine the pooled proportions of cancer and anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) using the random effects model., Results: From 2974 initial search results, 12 studies were included in the review, with 48,365 resected specimens from hemorrhoidectomy. Among these, there were 11 retrospective studies and one prospective study. A meta-analysis of 11 studies revealed that the prevalence of anal cancer was low, at 0.13% (95% CI: 0.05%-0.31%). The prevalence of anal cancer and AIN combined was 1.16% (95% CI: 0.53%-2.52%)., Conclusion: This literature review estimated the probability of malignancy detection in hemorrhoid specimens sent for histopathological evaluation. The low incidence of malignant findings implies that routine analysis of hemorrhoidectomy samples may not be cost-effective. However, existing studies have yet to establish definitive risk factors for abnormal histological diagnoses to aid in the selection of specimens for selective histopathology., (© 2024 The Author(s). World Journal of Surgery published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Surgery/Société Internationale de Chirurgie (ISS/SIC).)

The aim of the current study was to synthesize silver nanoparticles (PLSNPs) using green technology by means of phytosterol-enriched fractions from Blumea lacera extracts (EAF) and evaluate their toxicological and anti-haemorrhoidal potential. The average size of the synthesized particles was found to be 85.64 nm by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Energy dispersive spectroscopy showed the elemental composition of PLSNPs to be 12.59% carbon and 87.41% silver, indicating the capping of phytochemicals on the PLSNPs. The PLSNPs were also standardized for total phytosterol content using chemical methods and high-perfromance liquid chromatography. The PLSNPs were found to be safe up to 1000 mg kg -1 as no toxicity was observed in the acute and sub-acute toxicity studies performed as per OECD guidelines. After the induction of haemorrhoids, experimental animals were treated with different doses of EAF, PLSNPs and a standard drug (Pilex) for 7 d, and on the eighth day the ameliorative potential was assessed by evaluating the haemorrhoidal (inflammatory severity index, recto-anal coefficient) and biochemical (tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6) parameters and histology of the recto-anal tissue. The results showed that treatment with PLSNPs and Pilex significantly ( p < 0.05) reduced haemorrhoidal and biochemical parameters. This was further supported by restoration of altered antioxidant status. Further, a marked reduction in the inflammatory zones along with minimal dilated blood vessels was observed in the histopathological study. The results of molecular docking studies also confirmed the amelioration of haemorrhoids via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mediated reduction of inflammation and endothelin B receptor modification by PLSNPs. In conclusion, PLSNPs could be a good alternative for the management of haemorrhoids., (© 2024 IOP Publishing Ltd.)

Dear editor, 50 years-old female with personal history of mutation of the gene BRCA1 and previous prophylactic double anexectomy consulted for rectal bleeding without pain since two weeks. A blood test was performed, with hemoglobin levels of 13.1g/dl and without iron deficiency. In the anal inspection there were neither external hemorrhoids nor anal fistulas, so a colonoscopy was requested. In the colonoscopy, all the colon mucosa was normal but, in the rectal retroflexion, apart from internal engorged hemorrhoids, surrounding the 50% of the anal opening an erythematous and indurated mucosa was found (figure 1). Biopsies were taken. The pathology report informed of proliferation of spindle-shaped cells exclusively in the lamina propria with eosinophilic cytoplasm and unclear cell borders (figure 2). Not nuclear atypia or mitotic activity were observed. On immunohistochemistry, S-100 protein was strongly positive (figure 3) and CD34, SMA, EMA and c-kit were negative. These results are concordant with the diagnosis of Schwann cells in the context of a mucosal Schwann cell hamartoma (MSCH). Given that these lesions seem to not have malignant potential, the patient was discharged without control colonoscopies. The episodes of rectorrhagia were attributed to the presence of internal hemorrhoids. Discussion: MSCH are benign and intramucosal tumors with a mesenchymal origin. They are most commonly located in the distal colon, but they were also found in the gallbladder, the esophagogastric union and in the antrum. They are observed most frequently in middle aged women (around 60 years-old) and they are generally asymptomatic. They are presented as polyps between 1 and 6mm, but in other cases they appeared as small whitish nodules, protruding lesions with normal superficial mucosa or even they were found in random biopsies of the colon. The MSCH are a rare entity with an unknown prevalence. Less than 100 cases are described in the literature. It is essential the differentiation between this entity and the Schwanomas or the gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Schwanomas are rare in the colon, they are well circumscribed (in contrast with the MSCH) and they are not limited to the lamina propria. GIST are more frequently located in the stomach and they are positive for c-kit. MSCH are not associated with hereditary syndromes such as neurofibromatosis and, in contrast with Schwanomas or GIST, they do not require surveillance because they are benign.