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Cureus May 2024Ileocolic intussusception is a consideration in young pediatric patients with acute abdominal pain. Meckel's diverticulum is the most common pathologic lead point for...
Ileocolic intussusception is a consideration in young pediatric patients with acute abdominal pain. Meckel's diverticulum is the most common pathologic lead point for intussusception in children and the appendix acting as the lead point is rare. In addition, management guidelines for recurrent ileocolic intussusception (RICI) are lacking. We present two cases of RICI in which the pathological lead point was the appendix. The first patient, a two-year-old with no medical history, had intermittent abdominal pain and non-bloody vomiting for a month. Ultrasound revealed ileocolic intussusception, successfully managed with pneumatic reduction. However, symptoms recurred and a repeat ultrasound showed partial intussusception of the appendix into the cecum. Laparoscopic reduction and appendectomy were then performed. Symptomatic intussusception recurred, and a second laparoscopic reduction with stump appendectomy resolved all symptoms. The second patient, a three-year-old with no medical history, had colicky abdominal pain for 24 hours. Ultrasound revealed ileocolic intussusception that was pneumatically reduced. As pain recurred, laparoscopic reduction and appendectomy were performed, revealing ileocolic intussusception with a dilated appendix as the pathologic lead point. Recurrent ileocolic intussusception (RICI) with the appendix as the lead point is common, but RICI with the appendix as the lead point is rare. These cases demonstrate the role of the appendix as a pathologic lead point, and a review of the literature supports the need for surgical reduction. While enema reduction is the first line for recurrent intussusception, surgical reduction is preferred when a pathological lead point is suspected.
PubMed: 38919204
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61120 -
Journal of Medical Case Reports Jun 2024Acute hepatitis A infection is common among children in developing nations. The clinical presentation in children is usually asymptomatic and anicteric, and it is a...
BACKGROUND
Acute hepatitis A infection is common among children in developing nations. The clinical presentation in children is usually asymptomatic and anicteric, and it is a self-limiting infection. Rarely, it can be associated with extrahepatic complications such as pleural effusion, acalculous cholecystitis, and ascites.
CASE PRESENTATION
An 8-year-old middle eastern child presented with abdominal pain, jaundice in the sclera, yellowish color of urine, and poor appetite. In the last two days, abdominal distension developed. After conducting diagnostic investigations, the child was diagnosed with HAV hepatitis associated with bilateral pleural effusion, acalculous cholecystitis, and ascites. He was managed conservatively with vitamin K supplementation and supportive parenteral fluids. After 4 days, clinical improvement was observed.
CONCLUSION
Hepatitis A infections presented with extrahepatic manifestations like pleural effusion, acalculous cholecystitis, and ascites are very rare, especially in children. There have been some reports of these manifestations occurring in isolation, but for them to co-exist to our knowledge, this has only been reported in two cases in the literature, and this is the third case with all these three rare complications being presented simultaneously in a single child. Although HAV infection is an asymptomatic and self-limiting viral disease in childhood, it can manifest with rare extrahepatic complications, so pediatricians should be aware of this rare association to avoid unnecessary investigations.
Topics: Humans; Acalculous Cholecystitis; Hepatitis A; Ascites; Child; Pleural Effusion; Male; Vitamin K; Abdominal Pain
PubMed: 38918800
DOI: 10.1186/s13256-024-04627-8 -
BMC Women's Health Jun 2024Underdiagnosis of female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) often leads to infertility. In this study, we aimed to determine the site and histopathologic patterns of FGTB and...
OBJECTIVE
Underdiagnosis of female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) often leads to infertility. In this study, we aimed to determine the site and histopathologic patterns of FGTB and its correlation with clinical presentation and acid-fast bacilli (AFB) status.
METHODS
A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 122 patients with a histopathological diagnosis of FGTB at the Department of Pathology, College of Health Sciences (CHS), Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH), Addis Ababa University (AAU), from January 1, 2013, to August 30, 2022.
RESULTS
Female genital tuberculosis was found in 0.94% of the gynecology specimens examined. The most common presentations were menstrual disturbance, abdominopelvic pain, and infertility. Among patients with FGTB, 4.6% exhibited misleading clinical and radiologic findings, leading to suspicion of malignancy and subsequent aggressive surgical management. The endometrium was the most frequently affected organ, followed by the fallopian tube, ovary, cervix, and vulva. In the majority of tuberculous endometritis cases (53.3%), histopathology revealed early-stage granulomas. Acid-fast bacilli were found in a significant proportion (42.6%) of FGTB tissues with TB histopathology. The ovary had the highest rate of AFB detection, followed by the fallopian tube, endometrium, and cervix.
CONCLUSION
Female genital tuberculosis should be considered in reproductive-age women presenting with menstrual irregularities, abdominopelvic pain, infertility, or an abdominopelvic mass. The endometrium is commonly affected, displaying early granulomas with low AFB positivity.
Topics: Humans; Female; Tuberculosis, Female Genital; Cross-Sectional Studies; Retrospective Studies; Adult; Ethiopia; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Menstruation Disturbances; Infertility, Female; Endometrium; Adolescent; Cervix Uteri; Pelvic Pain; Fallopian Tubes; Ovary; Abdominal Pain; Vulva; Endometritis
PubMed: 38918726
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03207-8 -
International Journal of Surgery Case... Jun 2024Large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas of the colon (LCNECC) are exceptionally rare, comprising only 0.2 % of all colonic carcinomas. Their diagnosis poses a significant...
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE
Large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas of the colon (LCNECC) are exceptionally rare, comprising only 0.2 % of all colonic carcinomas. Their diagnosis poses a significant challenge due to their propensity to mimic colonic adenocarcinomas. Typically diagnosed at advanced stages, LCNECCs carry a grim prognosis. Herein, we present a rare case of LCNECC and aim to elucidate its clinico-pathological characteristics.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 56-year-old female patient presented with complaints of constipation, abdominal pain, and weight loss. On physical examination, a sizable mass was palpable in the right flank. Colonoscopy revealed a polyp in the descending colon and a friable multinodular stenosing mass in the ascending colon. Microscopic examination of the biopsy from the ascending colon mass exhibited a poorly differentiated large cell carcinomatous proliferation with positivity for synaptophysin and CD56, along with a Ki-67 proliferation index of 50 %. The polyp in the descending colon was consistent with a low-grade dysplastic tubular adenoma. A diagnosis of LCNECC with synchronous low-grade dysplastic tubular adenoma was established. A right hemicoloctomy was performed. Final pathological examination confirmed LCNECC invading the muscularis propria, with lymph node metastases. The tumor was classified as pT2N1M0 (Stage III).
CLINICAL DISCUSSION
LCNECCs often mimic adenocarcinomas clinically, endoscopically, and radiologically. Pathological examination is the key for diagnosis. An immunohistochemical study using neuroendocrine markers is imperative to prevent overlooking the diagnosis of LCNECC.
CONCLUSION
LCNECCs represent rare aggressive carcinomas. Their diagnosis might be challenging. A better knowledge of this rare entities would enable early diagnosis.
PubMed: 38917703
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109929 -
Surgical Case Reports Jun 2024Gastrointestinal mucormycosis is a rapidly progressing and often fatal disease, predominantly affecting immunocompromised patients. Surgical intervention, in addition to...
BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal mucormycosis is a rapidly progressing and often fatal disease, predominantly affecting immunocompromised patients. Surgical intervention, in addition to antifungal therapy, is essential. Herein, we describe the successful management of appendiceal mucormycosis in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia through rapid surgical intervention and antifungal therapy.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 29-year-old woman underwent autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Subsequently, her condition relapsed, and remission induction therapy was initiated. During the immunosuppressive period, she developed a fever and severe abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed severe edema of the ileum, cecum, and ascending colon. Despite receiving multiple antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals, her condition showed no improvement. Consequently, she underwent exploratory laparotomy, with no bowel perforation noted, revealing severe inflammation in the ileum, cecum, and ascending colon, as well as appendiceal necrosis. Appendectomy was performed, and histopathological analysis revealed hyphae in the vessels and layers of the appendiceal wall, suggestive of mucormycosis. The patient was diagnosed with appendiceal mucormycosis, and liposomal amphotericin B was administered. Subsequent monitoring showed no recurrence of mucormycosis. Genetic analysis of the resected tissue revealed Rhizopus microspores as the causative agent.
CONCLUSIONS
Rapid surgical intervention and antifungal drug administration proved successful in managing appendiceal mucormycosis in a patient with APL. Early recognition and aggressive surgical intervention are imperative to improve outcomes in such patients.
PubMed: 38916715
DOI: 10.1186/s40792-024-01958-y -
Cureus May 2024Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is a syndrome of multiple etiologies, with acute or subacute onset in which inflammation of the spinal cord results in neurological...
Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is a syndrome of multiple etiologies, with acute or subacute onset in which inflammation of the spinal cord results in neurological deficits, including weakness, sensory loss, and autonomic dysfunction. It is often associated with infectious or autoimmune etiologies but can be considered idiopathic when extensive workup is negative. We present a case of a young African American female who presented with acute onset of bilateral lower extremity weakness, loss of sensation, and autonomic dysfunction. On physical exam, she had absent lower extremity reflexes, 0-1/5 power, and markedly diminished sensation with no pain/temperature discrimination with an abdominal sensory level at T4. There was no upper extremity involvement. She was incidentally found to be COVID-19-positive and denied ever being vaccinated in the past. MRI of the spine revealed diffuse signal abnormality within the cervical and thoracic spine extending to the conus, and an MRI of the brain showed two white matter lesions in the frontal lobes. Lumbar puncture showed lymphocytic pleocytosis and elevated protein; Gram stain did not reveal any pathogen. The patient was treated initially with high doses of steroids with minimal response. She underwent multiple sessions of plasmapheresis with good tolerance and response. Differential diagnoses considered for this case were Guillain Barre syndrome, neuromyelitis optica (NMO), multiple sclerosis, SLE-induced transverse myelitis, or infectious cases. All lab work and workup came back negative for these diseases, leaving us with an interesting culprit: COVID-19 associated. There have been few cases mentioned in the literature of transverse myelitis caused by COVID-19, and this remains a possibility, as all other causes were ruled out.
PubMed: 38916003
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61066 -
Cureus May 2024Endometrial adenocarcinoma is a prevalent malignancy among postmenopausal women, often presenting with symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. We...
Endometrial adenocarcinoma is a prevalent malignancy among postmenopausal women, often presenting with symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. We present a case of a 60-year-old postmenopausal female who exhibited abnormal vaginal bleeding for three months, accompanied by pelvic pain and unintentional weight loss. Clinical evaluation, including physical examination, imaging studies, and histopathological examination, led to the diagnosis of well-differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent an abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and histopathological analysis confirmed invasive tumor involvement in the lower uterine segment and cervix. The final pathological tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) staging was reported as pT1b No Mx, FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage II. This case underscores the importance of considering endometrial adenocarcinoma in the differential diagnosis of postmenopausal bleeding and highlights the significance of timely diagnosis and multidisciplinary management for optimizing patient outcomes.
PubMed: 38915993
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61070 -
Clinical Case Reports Jul 2024Neuroendocrine tumors, rare and slow-growing, primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract, causing symptoms due to hormone secretion or mass effect. This case image...
KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE
Neuroendocrine tumors, rare and slow-growing, primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract, causing symptoms due to hormone secretion or mass effect. This case image described postprandial abdominal pain as an atypical initial presentation of abdominal neuroendocrine tumor recurrence in a middle-aged male.
ABSTRACT
Neuroendocrine tumors are a group of rare, slow-growing neoplasms, most commonly affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical presentations include symptoms related to the mass or hypersecretion of hormones, such as flushing, diarrhea, or bronchoconstriction. Postprandial abdominal pain is most commonly related to chronic mesenteric ischemia from atherosclerotic changes but is rarely linked to external mass compression, including gastrointestinal tumors. Hereby, the authors highlight an uncommon presentation of NET, which is very challenging to diagnose and demands a high index of suspicion.
PubMed: 38915930
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.9113 -
Journal of Pain Research 2024Rectus sheath block is an emerging technique that provide effective perioperative analgesia and is related to lower perioperative opioid consumption and decrease...
INTRODUCTION
Rectus sheath block is an emerging technique that provide effective perioperative analgesia and is related to lower perioperative opioid consumption and decrease opioid-related adverse effects. The present research is designed to explore the effect of rectus sheath block on recovery quality in patients following transabdominal midline gynecological surgery.
METHODS
Ninety female patients following elective transabdominal midline gynecological surgery were enrolled. Patients were randomized to group R (n = 45) which receive preoperative ultrasound-guided RSB with 0.4% ropivacaine or group C which is control group (n = 45). The primary outcome was the quality of recovery on the first postoperative day. The quality of recovery was assessed by the 40-item Quality of Recovery questionnaire (QoR-40). Secondary outcomes included the intraoperative opioid consumption, time to first flatus and time to first discharging from bed, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and patient satisfaction.
RESULTS
The patients in two groups had comparable baseline characteristics. Postoperative global QoR-40 scores were significantly better in group R than in group C (165.0[159.5-170.0] vs 155.0[150.0-157.0], respectively; median difference 12[95% confidence interval: 8-15, P<0.001]). Preoperative RSB reduced intraoperative opioid consumption, reduced the time to first flatus, time to first discharging from bed and the post anaesthesia care unit discharge time. Furthermore, group R showed greater patient satisfaction.
CONCLUSION
A single preoperative administration of RSB with ropivacaine improved the quality of recovery in patients following transabdominal midline gynecological surgery.
PubMed: 38915478
DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S460367 -
Journal of Surgical Case Reports Jun 2024Leiomyosarcoma is a subtype of soft-tissue sarcoma, which is a rare soft-tissue malignancy comprising < 1% of adult cancers. There are a variety of etiologies of small...
Leiomyosarcoma is a subtype of soft-tissue sarcoma, which is a rare soft-tissue malignancy comprising < 1% of adult cancers. There are a variety of etiologies of small bowel obstruction. Infrequently, small bowel malignancies can first present as small bowel obstruction. In exceedingly rare cases, leiomyosarcomas can be the offending malignancy. A 53-year-old male presented to the emergency department with several weeks of persistent right abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Computed tomography scan revealed a central necrotic mass within the right lower quadrant originating from the small bowel. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy to relieve the obstruction and a mass was identified originating from the terminal ileum that adhered to surrounding structures. Pathological analysis determined the mass to be small bowel leiomyosarcoma. Leiomyosarcoma is definitively diagnosed after primary resection with histopathology and immunohistochemistry. As opposed to other small bowel neoplasms, surgical resection with negative margins is the only potentially curative option.
PubMed: 38915340
DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjae419