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Case Reports in Surgery 2024Multiple types of fistulas associated with the appendix have been reported; however, duodenal fistula resulting from perforated acute appendicitis has only been...
Multiple types of fistulas associated with the appendix have been reported; however, duodenal fistula resulting from perforated acute appendicitis has only been documented in one previous case. In this report, we present the case of an 18-year-old male patient who was diagnosed to have a complicated appendicitis in its normal position with abscess formation. He was started on IV antibiotics and underwent a CT-guided drainage of the abscess with drain placement. Two days later due to biliary output from the drain, CT fistulography and diagnostic laparoscopy were performed that revealed the presence of a duodenal fistula. The potential for duodenal fistula formation in patients with complicated appendicitis must always be taken into consideration. Consequently, it is crucial to establish an appropriate management plan aimed at preventing additional serious complications arising from duodenal perforation.
PubMed: 38883267
DOI: 10.1155/2024/8269752 -
Physics and Imaging in Radiation... Apr 2024Application of different deformable dose accumulation (DDA) solutions makes institutional comparisons after online-adaptive magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Application of different deformable dose accumulation (DDA) solutions makes institutional comparisons after online-adaptive magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy (OA-MRgRT) challenging. The aim of this multi-institutional study was to analyze accuracy and agreement of DDA-implementations in OA-MRgRT.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
One gold standard (GS) case deformed with a biomechanical-model and five clinical cases consisting of prostate (2x), cervix, liver, and lymph node cancer, treated with OA-MRgRT, were analyzed. Six centers conducted DDA using institutional implementations. Deformable image registration (DIR) and DDA results were compared using the contour metrics Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC), surface-DSC, Hausdorff-distance (HD95%), and accumulated dose-volume histograms (DVHs) analyzed via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and clinical dosimetric criteria (CDC).
RESULTS
For the GS, median DDA errors ranged from 0.0 to 2.8 Gy across contours and implementations. DIR of clinical cases resulted in DSC > 0.8 for up to 81.3% of contours and a variability of surface-DSC values depending on the implementation. Maximum HD95%=73.3 mm was found for duodenum in the liver case. Although DVH ICC > 0.90 was found after DDA for all but two contours, relevant absolute CDC differences were observed in clinical cases: Prostate I/II showed maximum differences in bladder V28Gy (10.2/7.6%), while for cervix, liver, and lymph node the highest differences were found for rectum D2cm (2.8 Gy), duodenum Dmax (7.1 Gy), and rectum D0.5cm (4.6 Gy).
CONCLUSION
Overall, high agreement was found between the different DIR and DDA implementations. Case- and algorithm-dependent differences were observed, leading to potentially clinically relevant results. Larger studies are needed to define future DDA-guidelines.
PubMed: 38883145
DOI: 10.1016/j.phro.2024.100588 -
Cureus May 2024Introduction Congenital malformation studies serve several purposes, including establishing baseline rates, monitoring changes over time, exploring the origins of these...
Introduction Congenital malformation studies serve several purposes, including establishing baseline rates, monitoring changes over time, exploring the origins of these defects, and helping in planning health services. Increasing public awareness about pediatric surgical interventions is another goal of these studies. However, the impact of congenital malformations is often underestimated in developing countries due to insufficient healthcare data and diagnostic facilities, particularly in rural areas. Families affected by the birth of a child with congenital malformations face significant stress and hardship. Methods The main aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical pattern of congenital structural malformations in our region (Uttarakhand, India), identify possibly associated factors of congenital malformations, and find out the immediate outcome of congenital malformations in enrolled participants. Results Among a total of 150 cases, 73 (48.7%) cases were inborn, whereas 77 (51.3%) cases were outborn. Investigation of congenital malformation revealed cleft lip or palate in 37 (24.7%) cases, congenital heart disease (CHD) in 33 (22%) cases, meningomyelocele (MMC) in 18 (12.0%) cases, anorectal malformation (ARM) in 11 (7.3%) cases, hypospadias in 10 (6.7%) cases, congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) in nine (6.0%) cases, tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) in nine (6.0%) cases, polydactyly in seven (4.7%) cases, pelviureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) in four (2.7%) cases, duodenal atresia in three (2.0%) cases, midgut volvulus in three (2.0%) cases, umbilical sinus in two (1.3%) cases, sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) in one (0.7%) case, phimosis in one (0.7%) case, microtia in one (0.7%) case, and micrognathia in one (0.7%) case. Mortality was observed in 11 (7.3%) cases, whereas 105 (70%) cases were successfully discharged. Among 11 mortality cases, the cause of death was CHD in seven (63.2%) cases, TEF+CHD in two (18.1%) cases, MMC in one (9%) case, and duodenal atresia in one (9%) case. Conclusion Contrary to the common belief that advanced maternal age of greater than 35 years is a major cause, 86.6% of the congenital structural anomalies in our hospital-based study in Uttarakhand occurred in babies of mothers belonging to the age group of 18-30 years. Also, consanguineous marriage was observed in only 3.3% of cases, indicating that it may not be a major contributing factor causing congenital structural malformations in our region. External congenital anomalies are most commonly observed (60.7%), with cleft lip and cleft palate being the most common. The most frequently observed internal congenital anomaly is CHD (22%) followed by gastrointestinal (GI) (18.6%) and urinary anomalies (10.1%). Death and referral are commonly seen in CHD.
PubMed: 38883135
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60375 -
Cureus May 2024Groove pancreatitis (GP) is an uncommon form of chronic pancreatitis (CP) that affects the area between the duodenum, the head of the pancreas, and the common bile duct...
Groove pancreatitis (GP) is an uncommon form of chronic pancreatitis (CP) that affects the area between the duodenum, the head of the pancreas, and the common bile duct (CBD), which is known as the pancreaticoduodenal groove. Our case is based on a 68-year-old male with a past medical history of alcohol use disorder and a 50-pack-year smoking history who presented with nausea, vomiting, and poor oral intake. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis showed gastric outlet obstruction due to a 6.0 cm mass in the pancreatic groove and the second portion of the duodenum, with dilation of the pancreatic, intrahepatic, and extrahepatic biliary ducts. In order to rule out malignancy and evaluate the acute symptoms, the patient underwent an open pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Pathologic findings and negative tumor markers confirmed GP. This case highlights a rare form of CP that symptomatically and radiographically mimics malignancy, but is benign.
PubMed: 38883107
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60471 -
Cureus May 2024Corrosive poisoning is common in developing countries like India. It is mainly due to accidental consumption in children, whereas suicide is the usual intent in adults....
Corrosive poisoning is common in developing countries like India. It is mainly due to accidental consumption in children, whereas suicide is the usual intent in adults. It leads to devastating injuries, to the upper gastrointestinal tract such as necrosis and perforation. The long-term complications include stricture formation and gastric outlet obstruction. Here, we present the case of a 50-year-old male with an alleged history of corrosive acid ingestion. On contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the abdomen, there was an absence of wall enhancement of the stomach and the first part of the duodenum, which was suggestive of necrosis or gangrenous changes with signs of impending perforation of the stomach and the first part of the duodenum. The patient was immediately taken up for surgery, and the intraoperative findings were consistent with the imaging findings.
PubMed: 38882952
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60313 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2024Renal arteriovenous malformations (rAVMs) are congenital abnormal pathways between renal arteries and veins that are rare in the general population. It is often...
BACKGROUND
Renal arteriovenous malformations (rAVMs) are congenital abnormal pathways between renal arteries and veins that are rare in the general population. It is often misdiagnosed as malignant renal tumors with abundant blood supply, and the definitive diagnosis primarily relies on angiography. Multimodality imaging, including contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT plays an important role in the differential diagnosis of renal space-occupying lesions.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 56-year-old man presented with abdominal distension, loss of appetite, and back pain without obvious cause 2 years ago, without nausea vomiting, or frequent urination. Gastroscopy and colonoscopy showed multiple polyps in the duodenum and colon. Abdomen contrast-enhanced CT revealed a mass of 1.6 × 1.4 cm in the left kidney, which was considered to be a malignant tumor. PET/CT was performed for further diagnosis; the F-fluorodesoxyglucose (F-FDG) PET/CT scan showed mild uptake in the left renal mass, while no uptake of F- prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) was observed. Following a multidisciplinary discussion, the possibility of renal AVMs was considered and subsequently confirmed by renal angiography as the diagnosis. Then, selective segmental renal artery embolization was performed for treatment.
CONCLUSION
Renal AVMs are extremely rare in clinical practice. Due to limited research on the application of F-FDG and F-PSMA PET/CT to renal AVMs, its role remains largely unexplored. With the increasing popularity of PET/CT imaging, comprehensive imaging of the disease has become indispensable. We report the first case of PSMA PET/CT imaging in renal AVMs, and when PSMA expression is absent in a renal mass, the possibility of renal AVMs should be considered.
PubMed: 38882665
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1420473 -
Aging Brain 2024Alzheimer's disease (AD) not only affects cognition and neuropathology, but several other facets capable of negatively impacting quality of life and potentially driving...
Alzheimer's disease (AD) not only affects cognition and neuropathology, but several other facets capable of negatively impacting quality of life and potentially driving impairments, including altered gut microbiome (GMB) composition and metabolism. Aged (20 + mo) female TgF344-AD and wildtype rats were cognitively characterized on several tasks incorporating several cognitive domains, including task acquisition, object recognition memory, anxiety-like behaviors, and spatial navigation. Additionally, metabolic phenotyping, GMB sequencing throughout the intestinal tract (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, and feces), neuropathological burden assessment and marker gene functional abundance predictions (PICRUSt2) were conducted. TgF344-AD rats demonstrated significant cognitive impairment in multiple domains, as well as regionally specific GMB dysbiosis. Relationships between peripheral factors were investigated using Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), revealing correlations between GMB changes and both cognitive and metabolic factors. Moreover, communities of gut microbes contributing to essential metabolic pathways were significantly altered in TgF344-AD rats. These data indicate dysbiosis may affect cognitive outcomes in AD through alterations in metabolism-related enzymatic pathways that are necessary for proper brain function. Moreover, these changes were mostly observed in intestinal segments required for carbohydrate digestion, not fecal samples. These data support the targeting of intestinal and microbiome health for the treatment of AD.
PubMed: 38881651
DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2024.100119 -
Journal of the Formosan Medical... Jun 2024Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a noninvasive examination for excellent visualization of small bowel mucosal lesions. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of...
BACKGROUND PURPOSE
Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a noninvasive examination for excellent visualization of small bowel mucosal lesions. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of CE in pediatric patients.
METHODS
From April 2014 to December 2022, CE procedures performed in children younger than 18 years of age at Taichung Veteran General Hospital were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS
Among 136 procedures, the completion rate was 95.6% (n = 130), with a median age of 14 years old. Suspicion or evaluation of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) (41%) was the most common indication for CE. Other common indications of CE were chronic unexplained abdominal pain (35%) and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding or iron deficiency anemia (21%). No procedure-related complications occurred. The diagnosis of those patients with incomplete study were CD with small bowel stricture, graft-versus-host disease and duodenal ulcers. A total of 86 CE procedures showed positive findings, and the overall diagnostic yield rate was 63.2%. Small bowel ulcers (65.12%) were the most common findings. Overall, 26.5% of CE examinations resulted in a new diagnosis and 44.9% of CE exams led to a change in therapy. For patients with IBD, CE findings resulted in an even higher therapeutic change rate of 48.1%.
CONCLUSIONS
CE is a safe and feasible diagnostic method to study the small intestine in children, especially for IBD. Incomplete study could be an indicator of positive finding and can potentially be a guide to identify the site of possible strictures.
PubMed: 38880710
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2024.06.012 -
Poultry Science May 2024The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary available phosphorus (P) levels and dietary phytase added into the very low-P diet on the...
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary available phosphorus (P) levels and dietary phytase added into the very low-P diet on the performance, mineral balance, odor emission, and stress responses in growing pullets and laying hens during 13 to 32 wk of age. One hundred sixty-eight pullets (Hy-Line Brown) were randomly assigned into 1 of 4 dietary treatments with 7 replicates of 6 birds each. Experimental diets were formulated to contain 3 graded P levels at 0.25, 0.35, and 0.45% during 13 to 15 wk (phase 1), 0.25, 0.35, and 0.45% during 16 to 18 wk (phase 2), and 0.20, 0.30, and 0.40% during 19 to 32 wk (phase 3). In addition, dietary phytase (500 FTU/kg matrix values) was added into the very low-P diets (0.20% during 13-15 wk, 0.25% during 16-18 wk, and 0.20% during 19-32 wk) to meet the nutritional adequacy with standard P diets. In all phases, decreasing dietary P levels did not affect (P > 0.05) growth, laying performance, and egg qualities. Decreasing dietary P levels linearly increased the relative duodenal and oviduct weights (P < 0.05), and quadratically increased the relative ovary weight in pullets (P = 0.016). Dietary phytase lowered (P = 0.021) the relative duodenal weight compared with the very low-P diet. Tibia breaking strength and tibia Mg contents in pullets were linearly lowered (P < 0.05) as dietary P levels decreased. Dietary phytase tended to increase (P = 0.091) tibia breaking strength and significantly increased (P = 0.025) tibia Mg content compared with the very low-P diet. Dietary P levels and dietary phytase affected (P < 0.05) ileal crypt depth and ileal villus height: crypt depth ratio in pullets. Decreasing dietary P levels linearly decreased (P < 0.01) crude fat digestibility and P excretion in both pullets and laying hens. Dietary phytase reversed (P < 0.05) the very low-P diet-mediated decrease of crude fat digestibility in pullets and laying hens. Dietary P levels and dietary phytase affected (P < 0.05) odor emission including ammonia in pullets and total volatile fatty acids in laying hens. Finally, lowering dietary P levels increased (P < 0.01) yolk corticosterone concentrations and the increased corticosterone concentration by the very low-P diet was reversed by dietary phytase. Collectively, our study shows that decreasing dietary P levels induced nutritional and physiological responses in pullets and laying hens and these P-mediated negative effects were mitigated by dietary phytase.
PubMed: 38878747
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103886 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Jun 2024Helicobacter pylori is a microorganism that infects 60% of the population and is considered the main cause of atrophic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and...
Helicobacter pylori is a microorganism that infects 60% of the population and is considered the main cause of atrophic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and gastric cancer. Different emerging pathogens have been found in drinking water and their presence is considered to be an important public health problem. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out the validation of reliable technologies for this type of pathogens and evaluate their performance. This paper reports, for the first time, H. pylori reduction in a drinking water pilot plant of two slow sand filters (SSF). Inlet water was taken from a gravel filtration system of a rural water supply in Colombia and then inoculated with viable cells of H. pylori. By determining the Genomic Units (GU) through quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), the concentration of GU/sample was measured. In the inlet water amplification for SSF1 and SSF2 were 5.13 × 10 ± 4.48 × 10 and 6.59 × 10 ± 7.32 × 10, respectively, while for the treated water they were 7.0 ± 5.6 and 2.05 × 10 ± 2.9 × 10 GU/sample for SSF1 and SSF2, respectively. The SSF pilot plant reached up to 3 log reduction units of H. pylori; therefore, since there is not an H. pylori contamination indicator and its periodic monitoring is financially complicated, the SSF could guarantee the drinking water quality necessity that exists in rural areas and small municipalities in developing countries, where infection rates and prevalence of this pathogen are high.
Topics: Helicobacter pylori; Filtration; Drinking Water; Water Supply; Water Purification; Water Microbiology; Sand; Colombia
PubMed: 38878080
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12764-2