Granular hemostat deposits mimicking disseminated malignancy

Area of Science:

• Surgical hemostasis
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Profuse intraoperative bleeding is a significant surgical challenge.
• Hemostatic matrices are crucial tools for managing bleeding.
• Liquid hemostats are increasingly used for intraoperative hemostasis.

Observation:

• Granular deposits can form following the application of liquid hemostats.
• These deposits may be misidentified as tumor recurrence or metastatic disease in cancer patients.
• Two cases illustrate this diagnostic challenge.

Findings:

• Misinterpretation of hemostatic matrix residue as neoplastic disease can occur.
• Thorough knowledge of prior surgical interventions and product use is essential.
• Histological examination is critical for accurate diagnosis of suspicious lesions.

Implications:

• Accurate differentiation between hemostatic material and neoplastic tissue is vital for patient management.
• Awareness of potential imaging artifacts from hemostatic agents is necessary for oncologists and radiologists.
• Histopathological analysis remains the gold standard for diagnosing neoplastic recurrence.