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Radiography (London, England : 1995) May 2021Toxic megacolon is a rare but life-threatening condition. Diagnosis is made when both systemic toxicity and an enlarged colon are present. We undertook a systematic... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Toxic megacolon is a rare but life-threatening condition. Diagnosis is made when both systemic toxicity and an enlarged colon are present. We undertook a systematic review of the literature to provide a list of toxic megacolon findings on computed tomography (CT) imaging along with the prevalence rate for each finding.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library were searched. After eligibility screening and quality assessment, the reported CT findings of toxic megacolon with their respective prevalence rates were extracted from the included studies. Pooled prevalence rates were calculated for each finding using random-effects model and inverse variance method. I statistics were used to estimate the heterogeneity. All statistical analyses were performed using R software. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.
RESULTS
Database search yielded a total of 122 records. Only 2 of these studies were finally selected following two-step eligibility screening. Most common CT features of toxic megacolon and their pooled prevalence rates [95% CI] were: colonic distension (reported in 100% of patients), abnormal haustration 96% [0.75-0.99], peri-colonic fat stranding 87% [0.29-0.99], nodular pseudo polyps 76% [0.52-0.91], multilayered appearance of colonic wall 58% [0.38-0.76], and ascites 57% [0.21-0.87]. Other reported CT features: colonic wall thickening, pleural effusion, accordion sign, small bowel/gastric distension, and segmental colonic wall thinning.
CONCLUSION
and implication for practice: Colonic distension can be accompanied by 10 other findings in CT images of patients with toxic megacolon. Although these findings are not specific, toxic megacolon should be included in the list of differential diagnoses when these findings are present.
Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Megacolon, Toxic; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 33189537
DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2020.10.019 -
BMC Gastroenterology Jan 2018Acquired Megacolon (AMC) is a condition involving persistent dilatation and lengthening of the colon in the absence of organic disease. Diagnosis depends on subjective... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Acquired Megacolon (AMC) is a condition involving persistent dilatation and lengthening of the colon in the absence of organic disease. Diagnosis depends on subjective radiological, endoscopic or surgical findings in the context of a suggestive clinical presentation. This review sets out to investigate diagnostic criteria of AMC.
METHODS
The literature was searched using the databases - PubMed, Medline via OvidSP, ClinicalKey, Informit and the Cochrane Library. Primary studies, published in English, with more than three patients were critically appraised based on study design, methodology and sample size. Exclusion criteria were studies with the following features: post-operative; megarectum-predominant; paediatric; organic megacolon; non-human; and failure to exclude organic causes.
RESULTS
A review of 23 articles found constipation, abdominal pain, distension and gas distress were predominant symptoms. All ages and both sexes were affected, however, symptoms varied with age. Changes in anorectal manometry, histology and colonic transit are consistently reported. Studies involved varying patient numbers, demographics and data acquisition methods.
CONCLUSIONS
Outcome data investigating the diagnosis of AMC must be interpreted in light of the limitations of the low-level evidence studies published to date. Proposed diagnostic criteria include: (1) the exclusion of organic disease; (2) a radiological sigmoid diameter of ~ 10 cm; (3) and constipation, distension, abdominal pain and/or gas distress. A proportion of patients with AMC may be currently misdiagnosed as having functional gastrointestinal disorders. Our conclusions are inevitably tentative, but will hopefully stimulate further research on this enigmatic condition.
Topics: Abdominal Pain; Colonography, Computed Tomographic; Colonoscopy; Constipation; Gases; Gastrointestinal Transit; Humans; Intestines; Manometry; Megacolon
PubMed: 29385992
DOI: 10.1186/s12876-018-0753-7 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) May 2022Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected protozoan infection caused by , which affects about 7 million people worldwide. There are two available drugs in therapeutics,... (Review)
Review
Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected protozoan infection caused by , which affects about 7 million people worldwide. There are two available drugs in therapeutics, however, they lack effectiveness for the chronic stage-characterized mainly by cardiac (i.e., cardiomyopathy) and digestive manifestations (i.e., megaesophagus, megacolon). Due to the involvement of the immuno-inflammatory pathways in the disease's progress, compounds exhibiting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity seem to be effective for controlling some clinical manifestations, mainly in the chronic phase. Resveratrol (RVT) and curcumin (CUR) are natural compounds with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and their cardioprotective effect have been proposed to have benefits to treat CD. Such effects could decrease or block the progression of the disease's severity. The purpose of this systematic review is to analyze the effectiveness of RVT and CUR in animal and clinical research for the treatment of CD. The study was performed according to PRISMA guidelines and it was registered on PROSPERO (CDR42021293495). The results did not find any clinical study, and the animal research was analyzed according to the SYRCLES risk of bias tools and ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines. We found 9 eligible reports in this study. We also discuss the potential RVT and CUR derivatives for the treatment of CD as well.
PubMed: 35631435
DOI: 10.3390/ph15050609 -
International Journal of Surgery... Aug 2023The incidence of Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is nearly 1/5000 and patients with HSCR are usually treated through surgical intervention. Hirschsprung disease-associated... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The incidence of Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is nearly 1/5000 and patients with HSCR are usually treated through surgical intervention. Hirschsprung disease-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) is a complication of HSCR with the highest morbidity and mortality in patients. The evidence on the risk factors for HAEC remains inconclusive to date.
METHODS
Four English databases and four Chinese databases were searched for relevant studies published until May 2022. The search retrieved 53 relevant studies. The retrieved studies were scored on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale by three researchers. Revman 5.4 software was employed for data synthesis and analysis. Stata 16 software was employed for sensitivity analysis and bias analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 53 articles were retrieved from the database search, which included 10 012 cases of HSCR and 2310 cases of HAEC. The systematic analysis revealed anastomotic stenosis or fistula [ I2 =66%, risk ratio (RR)=1.90, 95% CI 1.34-2.68, P <0.001], preoperative enterocolitis ( I2 =55%, RR=2.07, 95% CI 1.71-2.51, P <0.001), preoperative malnutrition ( I2 =0%, RR=1.96, 95% CI 1.52-2.53, P <0.001), preoperative respiratory infection or pneumonia ( I2 =0%, RR=2.37, 95% CI 1.91-2.93, P <0.001), postoperative ileus ( I2 =17%, RR=2.41, 95% CI 2.02-2.87, P <0.001), length of ganglionless segment greater than 30 cm ( I2 =0%, RR=3.64, 95% CI 2.43-5.48, P <0.001), preoperative hypoproteinemia ( I2 =0%, RR=1.91, 95% CI 1.44-2.54, P <0.001), and Down syndrome ( I2 =29%, RR=1.65, 95% CI 1.32-2.07, P <0.001) as the risk factors for postoperative HAEC. Short-segment HSCR ( I2 =46%, RR=0.62, 95% CI 0.54-0.71, P <0.001) and transanal operation ( I2 =78%, RR=0.56, 95% CI 0.33-0.96, P =0.03) were revealed as the protective factors against postoperative HAEC. Preoperative malnutrition ( I2 =35 % , RR=5.33, 95% CI 2.68-10.60, P <0.001), preoperative hypoproteinemia ( I2 =20%, RR=4.17, 95% CI 1.91-9.12, P <0.001), preoperative enterocolitis ( I2 =45%, RR=3.51, 95% CI 2.54-4.84, P <0.001), and preoperative respiratory infection or pneumonia ( I2 =0%, RR=7.20, 95% CI 4.00-12.94, P <0.001) were revealed as the risk factors for recurrent HAEC, while short-segment HSCR ( I2 =0%, RR=0.40, 95% CI 0.21-0.76, P =0.005) was revealed as a protective factor against recurrent HAEC.
CONCLUSION
The present review delineated the multiple risk factors for HAEC, which could assist in preventing the development of HAEC.
Topics: Humans; Hirschsprung Disease; Enterocolitis; Risk Factors; Incidence; Morbidity
PubMed: 37288551
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000473 -
Pediatric Surgery International Sep 2022Some guidelines for management of Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR, HD) have been developed, but their quality is vague. This study will systematically assess the quality of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Some guidelines for management of Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR, HD) have been developed, but their quality is vague. This study will systematically assess the quality of guidelines and analyze the key recommendations and the best evidence for guidelines.
METHODS
Applicable guidelines were retrieved using a systematic search of databases. The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) tool was used to assess the quality of the guidelines. Then, the recommendations and evidence for the included guidelines were extracted and compared.
RESULTS
A total of nine guidelines were included in this study, and only one had an overall standardized score of more than 60%, indicating that it is worthy of recommendation. The problems identified included ambiguous and low-quality evidence; obvious distributional heterogeneity among the recommendations; a lack of in-depth discussion on the interpretation of staging, diagnostic methods, conservative treatment, and surgical staging of disease.
CONCLUSION
The quality of guidelines varies widely, and there is a lack of high-quality professional opinions and supporting evidence for the main recommendations. At present, only comprehensive guidelines can be considered high-quality and there is still room for improvement.
Topics: Databases, Factual; Hirschsprung Disease; Humans
PubMed: 35867125
DOI: 10.1007/s00383-022-05151-w -
Pediatric Surgery International Aug 2015Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a multi-genetic disorder with complex inheritance patterns. Population risk is 1 in 5000 but is reported to be increased in families of... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a multi-genetic disorder with complex inheritance patterns. Population risk is 1 in 5000 but is reported to be increased in families of patients with HSCR. Appropriate counseling of affected families could be assisted by data from a large volume of patients. It was the aim of this study to systematically analyse the patterns of familial HSCR in the published literature.
METHODS
Pubmed (®) database was searched using the terms "Hirschsprung's disease" and "familial" for studies published between 1980 and 2015 on cohorts of index patients with HSCR reporting on familial recurrence. Studies giving rates of familial HSCR together with the total number of HSCR cases at that centre were included.
RESULTS
In 4331 index cases of HSCR, an overall rate of 7.6% familial recurrence was found. In total colonic aganglionosis, 20% of cases were familial. Recurrence of HSCR within families predominantly occurred in siblings (62%) and was reported between parent and offspring in 22% and in other relatives in 16%. Multiple generations were affected in 15% of families.
CONCLUSION
Familial recurrence of HSCR occurs frequently and should be discussed with families of diagnosed patients. Genetic counseling should be offered in these families and in particular for those patients with long segment and total colonic aganglionosis.
Topics: Child; Hirschsprung Disease; Humans
PubMed: 26179259
DOI: 10.1007/s00383-015-3730-z -
Redox Biology Dec 2015Oxidative stress (OS) is considered as one of the etiologic factors involved in several signals and symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that include diarrhea,... (Review)
Review
Oxidative stress (OS) is considered as one of the etiologic factors involved in several signals and symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that include diarrhea, toxic megacolon and abdominal pain. This systematic review discusses approaches, challenges and perspectives into the use of nontraditional antioxidant therapy on IBD, including natural and synthetic compounds in both human and animal models. One hundred and thirty four papers were identified, of which only four were evaluated in humans. Some of the challenges identified in this review can shed light on this fact: lack of standardization of OS biomarkers, absence of safety data and clinical trials for the chemicals and biological molecules, as well as the fact that most of the compounds were not repeatedly tested in several situations, including acute and chronic colitis. This review hopes to stimulate researchers to become more involved in this fruitful area, to warrant investigation of novel, alternative and efficacious antioxidant-based therapies.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Oxidative Stress; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26520808
DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2015.10.006 -
European Journal of Pediatric Surgery :... Feb 2018The Duhamel pull-through and transanal endorectal pull-through (TEPT) are commonly used for the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease (HD). To date, there has been no... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
AIM
The Duhamel pull-through and transanal endorectal pull-through (TEPT) are commonly used for the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease (HD). To date, there has been no meta-analysis evaluating postoperative outcomes following Duhamel pull-through and TEPT. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare patient outcome after Duhamel pull-through and TEPT for HD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Original articles published between 1998 and 2016 were identified using the MEDLINE database. Studies comparing Duhamel pull-through and TEPT were included. Outcomes evaluated included incidence of postoperative constipation, incontinence/soiling, enterocolitis, anastomotic stricture, and leak. We analyzed dichotomous variables by estimating odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and continuous variables using the weighted mean difference with 95% CI. The meta-analysis was done using RevMan 5.3.
RESULT
There were no randomized controlled trials. Seven observational clinical studies were included, comprising 260 cases of Duhamel pull-through and 170 cases of TEPT. Anastomotic stricture (OR = 0.10; 95%CI 0.02-0.48; = 0.004) was lower following Duhamel pull-through than TEPT. There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative incontinence/soiling and anastomotic leak. After TEPT, postoperative constipation seems to be lower and enterocolitis higher compared with those after Duhamel pull-through; however, these differences are not significant when the follow-up period is equal between groups.
CONCLUSION
The Duhamel pull-through seems to be associated with lower incidence of anastomotic stricture compared with TEPT. The effects of the two analyzed operative techniques on constipation and enterocolitis remain unclear. The quality of evidence supporting the above findings is suboptimal, indicating the need for prospective studies.
Topics: Digestive System Surgical Procedures; Hirschsprung Disease; Humans; Odds Ratio; Postoperative Complications; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28958095
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1607061 -
Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced... Jan 2016Since its introduction in 1956, the Duhamel procedure has been and remains one of the most widely performed for Hirschsprung's disease (HD). The most significant... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Since its introduction in 1956, the Duhamel procedure has been and remains one of the most widely performed for Hirschsprung's disease (HD). The most significant modification to this procedure has been the incorporation of laparoscopy, while the original principles of the method have been retained. This study compared long-term outcomes for open Duhamel (OD) and laparoscopic Duhamel (LD) procedures for HD, to identify any added advantage of the laparoscopic technique.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We undertook a systematic review of all studies published over a period of 20 years (1994-2014) that assessed functional outcomes for OD and/or LD procedures. Odds ratios were calculated for dichotomous variables, and mean difference values were calculated for continuous variables.
RESULTS
From 11 articles 456 patients were included (253 OD, 203 LD), with no significant difference in age at surgery and length of follow-up (P > .05). The open group had a significantly greater incidence of soiling/incontinence (11% versus 4%; P = .02) and further surgery (25% versus 14%; P = .005), longer hospital stay (9.79 versus 7.3 days; P < .00001), and time to oral feed (4.05 versus 3.27 days; P < .00001). Operative time was significantly longer in the laparoscopic group (3.83 versus 4.09 hours; P = .004). There was no significant difference in incidence of enterocolitis (15% versus 10%; P = .14) and constipation (23% versus 30%; P = .12).
CONCLUSIONS
Our meta-analysis convincingly demonstrates the superiority of LD over OD pull-through for HD. Prospective, randomized control trials are required to overcome limitations in the current literature.
Topics: Digestive System Surgical Procedures; Hirschsprung Disease; Humans; Incidence; Laparoscopy; Odds Ratio; Operative Time; Postoperative Complications; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26312541
DOI: 10.1089/lap.2015.0121 -
Neurogastroenterology and Motility Aug 2022Hirschsprung disease is commonly encountered by pediatric surgeons. Despite advances in the surgical management, these children may experience symptoms of bowel... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Hirschsprung disease is commonly encountered by pediatric surgeons. Despite advances in the surgical management, these children may experience symptoms of bowel dysfunction throughout adulthood. Anorectal manometry may be used to assess post-operative anorectal structure and function. This review aimed to consolidate and evaluate the literature pertaining to post-operative findings of anorectal manometry in children with Hirschsprung disease.
PURPOSE
(1) Synthesize the available data regarding anorectal motility patterns in children following repair of Hirschsprung disease. (2) Evaluate the reported anorectal manometry protocols.
DATA SOURCES
We performed a systematic review of four databases: Embase, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and PubMed.
STUDY SELECTION
This systematic review was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Studies reporting results of post-operative anorectal manometry in children with Hirschsprung disease were evaluated for inclusion.
RESULTS
Twenty-three studies satisfied inclusion criteria, with a combined cohort of 939 patients. Post-operative anorectal manometry results were reported for 682 children. The majority of included studies were assessed as "poor quality." Disparate manometry protocols, heterogeneous cohorts, and lack of standardized outcome assessments introduced a risk of outcome reporting bias, limited the comparability of results, and impeded clinical translation of findings.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review demonstrated the lack of high-quality evidence underlying the current understanding of post-operative anorectal motility in children with HD. There was little consistency in reported manometry outcomes between studies. In future work, emphasis must be placed on the application of standardized manometry protocols, cohort reporting, and patient outcome assessments.
Topics: Adult; Anal Canal; Child; Hirschsprung Disease; Humans; Manometry; Postoperative Period; Rectum
PubMed: 34964199
DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14311