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Federal Practitioner : For the Health... May 2024Characterizing multiple hepatic lesions on cross-sectional imaging, particularly differentiating abscesses from metastatic lesions, can be challenging.
BACKGROUND
Characterizing multiple hepatic lesions on cross-sectional imaging, particularly differentiating abscesses from metastatic lesions, can be challenging.
CASE PRESENTATION
A male aged 53 years with a history of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma presented with fevers and abdominal pain and was found to have multiple hepatic lesions concerning for hepatic abscesses. The lesions initially evaded diagnosis on imaging, laboratory tests, and biopsy, but ultimately were determined to be a rare case of metastatic chromophobe renal cell carcinoma of the liver.
CONCLUSIONS
The finding of multiple new liver lesions on imaging during a febrile illness is concerning for hepatic abscess or malignancy, which can be difficult to diagnose with imaging alone. Differentiation between infectious and neoplastic etiologies may require additional imaging and/or tissue sampling.
PubMed: 38813250
DOI: 10.12788/fp.0462 -
Cureus Apr 2024Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) hepatic phlegmon is a rare cause of fever of unknown origin (FUO) in an immunocompetent patient from a high-income country (HIC). MRSA...
Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) hepatic phlegmon is a rare cause of fever of unknown origin (FUO) in an immunocompetent patient from a high-income country (HIC). MRSA hepatic phlegmon is typically linked to protein malnutrition and chronic gastrointestinal infections in low- to middle-income countries while immunodeficiencies such as chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) are a more common cause in a HIC. Clinical manifestations of hepatic phlegmon can be vague and nonspecific making a complete FUO workup critical during evaluation. We report a case of MRSA hepatic phlegmon in an immunocompetent patient with a nonspecific history and physical exam findings. A 14-year-old male presented with an 11-day history of fever with mild bilateral upper quadrant abdominal pain. The patient also has mild upper quadrant pain with palpation. The patient was diagnosed with a hepatic phlegmon on abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen. He was started on antibiotics and Interventional Radiology placed drains into the phlegmon and performed vancomycin drain washes. Inflammatory markers were initially elevated and trended down with interventions. The patient did well with treatment and was back to baseline during outpatient follow-up with the Infectious Disease team. This case illustrates the importance of a complete workup in patients with FUO.
PubMed: 38807821
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59229 -
Peritoneal Dialysis International :... May 2024A 65-year-old woman on peritoneal dialysis (PD) was admitted due to abdominal pain with cloudy PD effluent. The white blood cell count in PD effluent was 5860/µL with...
A 65-year-old woman on peritoneal dialysis (PD) was admitted due to abdominal pain with cloudy PD effluent. The white blood cell count in PD effluent was 5860/µL with 85% polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Therefore, she was clinically diagnosed with peritonitis. The cultures of PD effluent were negative. Initial abdominal computed tomography did not find suggest any intraabdominal pathology. The patient was treated with empirical intraperitoneal antibiotics. Because abdominal pain with cloudy PD effluent persisted, the PD catheter was removed eventually. The culture of the removed PD catheter grew . However, intermittent fever was noted over the following days and empyema developed approximately 2 weeks after PD catheter removal. The culture of pleural fluid also grew . Another computed tomography revealed multiple intraabdominal abscesses that was assumed to come from a complication of PD-associated peritonitis. We postulate that the empyema might be caused by transdiaphragmatic extension of the intraabdominal abscesses into the pleural space.
PubMed: 38807441
DOI: 10.1177/08968608241241180 -
Heliyon May 2024Common complications following laparoscopic appendectomy include wound infection, bleeding, intra-abdominal abscess, small bowel obstruction, stump leakage, and stump...
Common complications following laparoscopic appendectomy include wound infection, bleeding, intra-abdominal abscess, small bowel obstruction, stump leakage, and stump appendicitis. Here, we presented a case reporting detailing a rare complication following laparoscopic appendectomy: the development of a metastatic neck abscess induced by . A 49-year-old male underwent emergency laparoscopic surgery with prophylactic antibiotic administration for acute appendicitis. Subsequently, he experienced persistent neck pain and fever postoperatively, prompting further investigation. Pus and blood cultures revealed , with magnetic resonance imaging confirming the presence of a neck abscess. Antibiotic therapy was adjusted, and surgical drainage of the abscess was performed after multidisciplinary consultation. The patient was discharged without complications. While rare, metastatic abscesses following appendectomy warrant consideration, particularly in infections. Comprehensive clinical assessment, imaging, and laboratory evaluation are crucial for timely diagnosis and management of such complications.
PubMed: 38803894
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31062 -
Cureus Apr 2024Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC), which is most commonly seen in Asian populations, is characterized by strictures and dilatation of both intrahepatic and...
Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC), which is most commonly seen in Asian populations, is characterized by strictures and dilatation of both intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, along with the formation of pigmented stones inside the ducts. The most common symptoms are recurrent right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, and fever. Additionally, leukocytosis and elevated alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels may also be present. We report the case of a 43-year-old Bangladeshi male patient with a medical background of chronic hepatitis B infection and recurrent liver abscesses who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and fever lasting for two days. Given the clinical context of our patient, a diagnosis of RPC was made, and the patient was referred to a higher-level center for further management. Our case highlights the importance of considering RPC as part of the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with recurrent liver abscesses and features of ascending cholangitis.
PubMed: 38803722
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59142 -
Journal of Surgical Case Reports May 2024This report describes a rare instance of bacteremia secondary to acute appendicitis in a young man. Initially presenting with symptoms typical of appendicitis, he was...
This report describes a rare instance of bacteremia secondary to acute appendicitis in a young man. Initially presenting with symptoms typical of appendicitis, he was diagnosed through clinical examination, laboratory tests, and computed tomography imaging, which confirmed an inflamed appendix with sealed perforation and abscess. , a Gram-negative anaerobe commonly found in the human gut, was identified as the causative agent through blood culture. The patient underwent successful laparoscopic appendectomy and was treated with intravenous amoxicillin-clavulanate, leading to a full recovery. This case highlights the potential of to act as an opportunistic pathogen in the context of intra-abdominal inflammation. It underscores the diagnostic challenges posed by , and the efficacy of advanced diagnostic tools like matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry in identifying such rare infections.
PubMed: 38800504
DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjae328 -
Gynecologic Oncology Reports Aug 2024Vaginal cuff dehiscence (VCD) in the setting of acute infection is an uncommon but serious complication of total hysterectomy without clear guidelines for management....
BACKGROUND
Vaginal cuff dehiscence (VCD) in the setting of acute infection is an uncommon but serious complication of total hysterectomy without clear guidelines for management. There is a need for further documentation of best practices around treatment, particularly when it comes to surgical drain utilization and placement.
CASE DESCRIPTION
We present a case of a 68-year-old with primary peritoneal carcinoma who underwent a robot-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy as part of an interval debulking surgery and had a VCD. The cuff was repaired vaginally in the operating room with placement of a Malecot catheter for pelvic abscess drainage.
DISCUSSION
The literature is sparse in regard to clear guidelines for management of VCD. Surgical and expectant management approaches are dependent on patient stability, surgical experience, local practice norms, and evidence of intra-abdominal injury. Interventional radiology has become a primary source of drain placement in management of VCD and vaginal cuff abscess. Malecot drains are a low cost, and effective intervention for such management and an important resource for the gynecologic surgeon.
PubMed: 38799231
DOI: 10.1016/j.gore.2024.101416 -
International Journal of Surgery Case... Jul 2024Ingested foreign bodies fail to pass spontaneously through the gastrointestinal tract in about 20 % of the cases and result in complications in about 1 % of the cases....
INTRODUCTION
Ingested foreign bodies fail to pass spontaneously through the gastrointestinal tract in about 20 % of the cases and result in complications in about 1 % of the cases. One of the complications is the migration of the foreign body to the adjacent structure.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 25-year-old female lady presented to our hospital with a 15-cm-long coilable and insulated electrical wire foreign body in her abdomen, which extended from the descending colon to the right upper quadrant abdominal wall. Intra-abdominally, the object was located in the general peritoneum without penetrating the bowel or vascular structure. It was complicated by an abdominal wall abscess without any collection in the general peritoneum. The foreign body was then successfully retracted from the abdomen through a right upper quadrant incision without any complications thereafter.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION
The uncomplicated passage of foreign bodies through the gastrointestinal tract largely depends on the types of objects. Sharp, elongated objects are more likely to be arrested in the bowel commonly at the point of acute angulation and narrowing. The stacked foreign body may then result in different complications, including penetration and migration of the object. Migration of an insulated electrical wire to the anterior abdominal wall, which we encountered, is extremely rare and can pose a difficulty and dilemma in deciding on management options.
CONCLUSION
For an externally accessible, migrated intra-abdominal foreign body that does not result in peritonitis and is confirmed to be located out of the bowel, an exploratory laparotomy could be avoided.
PubMed: 38796941
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109794 -
The American Journal of Case Reports May 2024BACKGROUND Uterine dehiscence, an infrequent event often mistaken for uterine rupture, is rarely linked to post-cesarean section procedures and can result in severe...
BACKGROUND Uterine dehiscence, an infrequent event often mistaken for uterine rupture, is rarely linked to post-cesarean section procedures and can result in severe complications, notably puerperal sepsis. In this report, we present a case that exemplifies the onset of puerperal sepsis and the emergence of intra-abdominal abscesses attributed to uterine dehiscence following a lower segment cesarean section (LSCS). CASE REPORT Our patient, a 28-year-old woman in her third pregnancy, underwent LSCS 1 week earlier. Subsequently, she returned to the hospital with lower abdominal pains, fever, and malodorous vaginal discharge. Computed tomography (CT) scan of whole abdomen verified uterine dehiscence and pus collection at the subhepatic region and right paracolic gutter. After referral to a specialized hospital, laboratory findings indicated an elevated white blood cell count and alkaline phosphatase levels, and coagulation abnormalities. She underwent an exploratory laparotomy, which unveiled uterine dehiscence, abscesses, and adhesions, necessitating a total abdominal hysterectomy and abdominal toileting. Pus culture analysis identified the presence of E. coli, which was susceptible to ampicillin/sulbactam. Complications were encountered after surgery, including wound dehiscence and pus re-accumulation. Successful management involved vacuum dressings and percutaneous drainage. Eventually, her condition improved and she was discharged, without additional complications. CONCLUSIONS This report underscores the importance of considering cesarean scar dehiscence as a diagnosis in women with previous cesarean deliveries who present during subsequent pregnancies with symptoms such as abdominal pain or abdominal sepsis. Diagnostic tools, such as CT, play pivotal roles, and the timely performance of an exploratory laparotomy is paramount when suspicion arises.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Cesarean Section; Surgical Wound Dehiscence; Pregnancy; Abdominal Abscess
PubMed: 38796696
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943027 -
The American Surgeon May 2024Adhesions are a feared complication of abdominal surgery. There have been many new adhesion barriers developed and tested; however, there is no recent systematic review... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Adhesions are a feared complication of abdominal surgery. There have been many new adhesion barriers developed and tested; however, there is no recent systematic review analyzing all the published literature. To address this, we aimed to analyze the different types of adhesion barriers, and determine their effects on postoperative outcomes in patients.
METHODS
A total of 14,038 articles utilizing adhesion barriers in abdominal surgery were retrieved from the PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases. Inclusion criteria were: patients undergoing abdominal surgery, patients receiving an adhesion barrier, and reported postoperative outcomes. Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts and full-text articles using Covidence. The ROBINS-I tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Study protocol: Prospero CRD42023458230.
RESULTS
A total of 20 studies, with no overall high risk of bias, with 171,792 patients were included. Most studies showed an equivocal benefit for adhesion barriers, with no singular adhesion barrier type that had definitive superior outcomes compared to the others. Bioresorbable barriers emerged as the most extensively researched adhesion barrier type, exhibiting promising results in colorectal surgery. Starch-based adhesion barriers also exhibited a reduction in overall postoperative bowel obstructions and may be beneficial for stoma sites and port closures. On the other hand, many studies raised concerns regarding complications, including risk of abscess formation, fistula development, peritonitis, and anastomotic leakage.
CONCLUSIONS
Adhesion barriers should be considered on a case-by-case basis, however, they should not be utilized prophylactically in all abdominal surgeries due to their risk of complications.
PubMed: 38795014
DOI: 10.1177/00031348241258718