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Cureus Dec 2023Patients who present with nausea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain typically undergo workups for small bowel obstruction (SBO). SBO is commonly caused by...
Patients who present with nausea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain typically undergo workups for small bowel obstruction (SBO). SBO is commonly caused by mechanical obstruction due to adhesions, inflammatory conditions, or malignancies. Hypothyroidism is primarily associated with decreased basal metabolic rate and rarely, in severe cases, gastrointestinal motility dysfunction. We report a case of a 44-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The workup, including computed tomography, showed a small bowel feces sign, highly suspicious for a mechanical SBO. His past medical history was significant for a poorly controlled hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis with a markedly elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level. He had no prior surgical history, and his family history was significant for a suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in his son. The patient failed initial resuscitative nonoperative management and underwent exploratory laparoscopy that revealed diffusely dilated small bowel loops with no obvious cause of mechanical obstruction. Inflammatory markers for IBD were found to be negative, and the patient's gastrointestinal motility gradually improved with daily intravenous levothyroxine.
PubMed: 38239558
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50799 -
Cureus Dec 2023Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic, autoimmune, multisystem disease. Lupus enteritis accompanied by intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) is a serious and...
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic, autoimmune, multisystem disease. Lupus enteritis accompanied by intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) is a serious and rare initial manifestation that can lead to high mortality and morbidity in case of delay in diagnosis and treatment. Here, we present a very complicated case of a 36-year-old female Pakistani patient with lupus enteritis accompanied by IPO and bilateral hydronephroureter. The patient had a three-month history of fever, weight loss, recurrent diarrhea, vomiting, alopecia, and photosensitivity. She had a malar and discoid rash, with signs and symptoms of IPO and neuropsychiatric lupus. Her labs revealed positive anti-nucleosome antibodies (8 U/mL), anti-Ro antibodies (100 U/mL), and anti-La antibodies (53 U/mL); equivocal anti-dsDNA antibodies (7 U/mL) and anti-Sm antibodies (7 U/mL); direct Coomb's positive hemolytic anemia; raised C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels; low complement (C3 and C4) levels; and pyuria. IPO was evident on abdominal X-ray and CT scan. Her Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index was 24, indicating severe disease flare. She was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone, hydroxychloroquine, and intravenous 500 mg cyclophosphamide. Her lab parameters and clinical mini-mental score improved, from 0/30 to 18/30. She was discharged on oral prednisolone 0.5 mg/kg/day, hydroxychloroquine, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (prophylaxis for pneumonia), and mineral and vitamin supplements. She was followed up on the 15th day of discharge for the next dose of cyclophosphamide, and her clinical and lab parameters were normal at that time with gradual improvement in cognition. Lupus enteritis with coexisting IPO and bilateral hydronephroureter poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge because of atypical and uncommon manifestations of lupus and overlapping features with intestinal tuberculosis and other inflammatory bowel conditions.
PubMed: 38226118
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50628 -
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics &... Jan 2024Fetal megacystis has been reported to be associated with chromosomal abnormalities, megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS), obstructive... (Review)
Review
Fetal megacystis has been reported to be associated with chromosomal abnormalities, megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS), obstructive uropathy, prune belly syndrome, cloacal anomalies, limb-body wall complex, amniotic band syndrome, anorectal malformations, VACTERL association (vertebral anomalies, anal atresia, cardiac malformations, tracheo-esophageal fistula, renal anomalies and limb abnormalities) and fetal overgrowth syndrome such as Bechwith-Wiedemann syndrome and Sotos syndrome. This review provides an overview of syndromic and single gene disorders associated with fetal megacystis which is useful for genetic counseling at prenatal diagnosis of fetal megacystis.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Diabetes, Gestational; Fetal Macrosomia; Abnormalities, Multiple; Colon; Fetal Diseases; Urinary Bladder; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction; Duodenum
PubMed: 38216263
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2023.11.007 -
Clinical Journal of Gastroenterology Apr 2024Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a rare intestinal disorder characterized by impaired propulsion of the digestive tract and associated with symptoms of... (Review)
Review
Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction due to adult-onset acquired isolated hypoganglionosis with muscular atrophy in the small intestine: a case report and review of literature.
BACKGROUND
Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a rare intestinal disorder characterized by impaired propulsion of the digestive tract and associated with symptoms of intestinal obstruction, despite the absence of obstructive lesions. CIPO includes several diseases. However, definitive diagnosis of its etiology is difficult only with symptoms or imaging findings.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 56-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to a 3-year history of continuous abdominal distention. Imaging, including computed tomography of the abdomen, and endoscopy revealed marked dilatation of the entire small intestine without any obstruction point. Therefore, he was diagnosed with CIPO. Since medical therapy didn't improve his symptoms, enterostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastro-jejunostomy were performed. These procedures improved abdominal symptoms. However, he required home central venous nutrition due to dehydration. The pathological findings of full-thickness biopsies of the small intestine taken during surgery revealed decreased number and degeneration of ganglion cells in the normal plexus. These findings led to a final diagnosis of CIPO due to acquired isolated hypoganglionosis (AIHG).
CONCLUSIONS
Here, we report the case of a patient with CIPO secondary to adult-onset AIHG of the small intestine. Since AIHG cannot be solely diagnosed using clinical findings, biopsy is important for its diagnosis.
Topics: Male; Adult; Humans; Middle Aged; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction; Intestinal Obstruction; Dilatation, Pathologic; Muscular Atrophy; Intestine, Small; Chronic Disease
PubMed: 38193986
DOI: 10.1007/s12328-023-01902-x -
Cureus Dec 2023A 43-year-old woman experienced acute nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, leading her to our hospital. No relevant medical history or physical abnormalities were...
A 43-year-old woman experienced acute nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, leading her to our hospital. No relevant medical history or physical abnormalities were noted. Symptoms persisted for a month, causing weight loss and abdominal bloating. CT scans revealed distension throughout the gastrointestinal tract without stenosis. Intestinal pseudo-obstruction and aerophagia were suspected. MR enterography confirmed normal gastric and intestinal motility, diagnosing the condition as aerophagia-induced gastrointestinal distention. This case underscores the value of MR enterography in assessing intestinal motility and differentiating between intestinal pseudo-obstruction and aerophagia.
PubMed: 38192934
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50070 -
Cureus Dec 2023Patients with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), a mitochondrial disease, develop various types of organ failure,...
Improvement of Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction by Total Parenteral Nutrition in a Young Woman With Mitochondrial Myopathy, Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-Like Episodes: A Case Report.
Patients with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), a mitochondrial disease, develop various types of organ failure, including intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO). We treated a patient with IPO that improved with total parenteral nutrition. A 20-year-old woman with a two-year history of diabetes mellitus was taking sitagliptin but her hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels began increasing. After receiving metformin, she suffered a stroke-like attack and was diagnosed with MELAS. After persistent anorexia, she presented with symptoms of IPO, such as vomiting and gastrointestinal dilatation. After about 10 days of total parenteral nutrition, intestinal peristalsis improved and bowel movements resumed. She was able to resume her normal diet, and glycemic control with insulin glargine has allowed her to return to her daily life without gastrointestinal symptoms for over six months. Total parenteral nutrition may be effective for MELAS with IPO, and good glycemic control can prevent the need for incretin-related drugs, thus reducing the likelihood of recurrent IPO.
PubMed: 38186459
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50075 -
European Journal of Surgical Oncology :... Feb 2024Neuroendocrine neoplasms (SI-NEN) are the commonest malignancies of the small intestine. Traditionally, surgical treatment for SI-NEN has been open surgery.
INTRODUCTION
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (SI-NEN) are the commonest malignancies of the small intestine. Traditionally, surgical treatment for SI-NEN has been open surgery.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to compare minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with the traditional open surgery approach for treating SI-NEN in a Swedish population.
METHODS
Patients with histopathological confirmed SI-NEN who underwent open surgery or MIS resection within 2009-2021 were extracted from the hospital's medical records.
RESULTS
65 patients were included in this study, with 35 (54 %) undergoing MIS and 30 (46 %) undergoing open surgery. We found no statistically significant difference (p = 0.173) in the frequency of R0 resections (MIS group n = 34 (97 %), open surgery group n = 26 (87 %)). Nor was there a significant difference (p = 0.101) when comparing the median number of resected lymph nodes (MIS group n = 13.5, open surgery group n = 10). A post-operative paralytic ileus was more often reported (p = 0.052) in the MIS group (n = 9, 26 %) compared to the open surgery group (n = 2, 7 %). In light of this, the days of hospital stay did not differ significantly (MIS group median = 6, IQR (5-8), open surgery group median = 6, IQR (5-9)). The Kaplan-Meier analysis did not reveal differences concerning cancer-related deaths (p = 0.109).
CONCLUSION
The results from this study support that a MIS approach for the treatment of SI-NEN may not be inferior to open surgery. The higher number of resected lymph nodes and R0 resections may even speak in favor for a MIS approach. More studies with a longer time of observation are needed to further support this conclusion.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Tertiary Care Centers; Length of Stay; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; Lymph Node Excision; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38176259
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2023.107936 -
Neurogastroenterology and Motility Apr 2024
Topics: Humans; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction; Chronic Disease
PubMed: 38168474
DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14734 -
Internal and Emergency Medicine Apr 2024
Topics: Adult; Humans; Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction; Peptides
PubMed: 38159221
DOI: 10.1007/s11739-023-03522-2 -
International Journal of Emergency... Dec 2023Antiphospholipid syndrome causes systemic arterial and venous thromboses due to the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. Adrenal insufficiency is a rare complication...
BACKGROUND
Antiphospholipid syndrome causes systemic arterial and venous thromboses due to the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. Adrenal insufficiency is a rare complication of antiphospholipid syndrome that may result in fatal outcomes if left untreated. Therefore, we report adrenal insufficiency as a rare complication of bilateral adrenal infarction associated with antiphospholipid syndrome and trauma surgery.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 64-year-old male patient underwent surgery for a left traumatic hemothorax. He concurrently had antiphospholipid syndrome and was receiving warfarin. Postoperatively, the patient complained of severe lumbar back pain despite resuming anticoagulation therapy, and he experienced paralytic ileus and shock. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed adrenal swelling and increased surrounding retroperitoneal adipose tissue density. Diffusion-weighted abdominal magnetic resonance imaging showed high-intensity areas in the bilateral adrenal glands. Cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels were 3.30 μg/dL and 185.1 pg/dL, respectively. Subsequently, the patient was diagnosed with bilateral adrenal infarction and acute adrenal insufficiency, and hydrocortisone was immediately administered. Adrenal insufficiency improved gradually, and the patient was discharged after initiating steroid replacement therapy.
CONCLUSIONS
The timing of postoperative anticoagulant therapy initiation remains controversial. Therefore, adrenal insufficiency due to adrenal infarction should be monitored while anticoagulant therapy is discontinued in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.
PubMed: 38129772
DOI: 10.1186/s12245-023-00575-0