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Surgical Laparoscopy, Endoscopy &... Jun 2019Congenital gastric antral web and congenital pyloric atresia are rare reasons of congenital gastric outlet obstruction (CGOO). Depending on the different forms, the... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Congenital gastric antral web and congenital pyloric atresia are rare reasons of congenital gastric outlet obstruction (CGOO). Depending on the different forms, the symptoms vary from unspecific epigastric pain to nonbilious "projectile" vomiting, ileus and failure to thrive. Throughout the years, many different treatment options are described, like simple surgical dilatation, incision or excision of the membrane, possibly combined with a pyloroplasty.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
In this retrospective single-center observation study, we present 9 cases with different kinds of webs leading to CGOO. In a time period of 45 years (1970 to 2015) different treatment strategies and limitations of minimal invasive endoscopic treatment on the basis of complications and outcome are discussed.
RESULTS
Six patients had an incomplete antrum web. One patient suffered from a complete antrum web. In addition, in 2 patients a complete pyloric web, as well as an incomplete pyloric web was found. During the past 45 years, the treatment options for CGOO due to webs changed, and with the development of smaller and more flexible video endoscopes an endoscopic treatment has become feasible. The treatment strategy and follow-up examination was specific to every patient.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of our review, minimal endoscopic procedures in small newborns and toddlers require a high level of experience. They are technically challenging and need suitable equipment. Overall, endoscopists and pediatric surgeons should equally be prepared for all possible complications in every treatment step. The endoscopic approach to managing this unusual disease may require multiple interventions and is associated with a risk of perforation. Therefore, we are convinced that centers undertaking this treatment modality should be equipped with the proper instrumentation, prepared to perform multiple endoscopic interventions, and supported with an ability to emergently convert to surgery if required.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Conversion to Open Surgery; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Female; Gastric Outlet Obstruction; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Pyloric Antrum; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 30870314
DOI: 10.1097/SLE.0000000000000658 -
Journal of Medical Case Reports Mar 2019The coexistence of neuromeningeal cryptococcosis and Kaposi's sarcoma is not surprising in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection and a low CD4 count,...
BACKGROUND
The coexistence of neuromeningeal cryptococcosis and Kaposi's sarcoma is not surprising in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection and a low CD4 count, although it is rarely described. However, we describe such an association in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection and a relatively high CD4 count.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 41-year old Cameroonian woman presented to our hospital with subacute occipital headaches associated with photophobia, blurred vision, phonophobia, projectile vomiting, and tonic seizures. In her past history, there was an human immunodeficiency virus infection known for 12 years, for which she had been taking (with good compliance) tenofovir-lamivudine-efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy for the same period of time. One month before the consultation, gastric Kaposi's sarcoma had been diagnosed, justifying the treatment with doxorubicin she had received. A clinical examination was unremarkable. A computed tomography scan of her brain was normal, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed Cryptococcus neoformans. Her CD4 count was 353/mm. Orally administered antifungal treatment with fluconazole (1200 mg/day) and flucytosine (1500 mg × 4/day) was started immediately, but she died on the sixth day of this treatment.
CONCLUSION
This clinical case shows that the coexistence of neuromeningeal cryptococcosis and gastric Kaposi's sarcoma is possible in all patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection, regardless of CD4 count.
Topics: Adult; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Meningitis, Cryptococcal; Sarcoma, Kaposi; Stomach Neoplasms
PubMed: 30867046
DOI: 10.1186/s13256-019-1982-2 -
The Journal of Hospital Infection Jul 2019Vomiting is one way in which the body rids itself of harmful gastric contents rapidly. Whilst this process is generally beneficial for the emetic individual, it can pose...
BACKGROUND
Vomiting is one way in which the body rids itself of harmful gastric contents rapidly. Whilst this process is generally beneficial for the emetic individual, it can pose significant infection control issues if they are infected with a highly communicable pathogen such as norovirus. It is not known how far norovirus could spread through vomiting while remaining viable, particularly in far-reaching droplets and splashes that might be missed during cleaning.
AIM
To identify the potential level of dissemination of viable norovirus after simulated vomiting.
METHODS
This study used a system called 'Vomiting Larry' to simulate vomiting with infection medium containing the norovirus surrogate feline calicivirus (FCV) as a worst-case scenario for distribution and survival of viruses after simulated vomiting. Air and floor samples were taken after simulated vomiting, and analysed for viable virus via plaque assay. Analysis of covariance investigated differences in FCV concentration by sample volume and location.
FINDINGS
Whilst viable virus was not isolated from any air samples taken after simulated vomiting, FCV concentrations of ≥10 plaque-forming units/mL were recovered from almost all samples taken from the floor (88/90). These included small droplets of fluid that travelled 3 m away from the vomiting system. There was evidence that FCV concentration depended on both sample volume and location.
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that norovirus can survive being ejected even within small far-reaching droplets at concentrations capable of eliciting infection. Such droplets could easily go unnoticed and be overlooked during cleaning, adding to the challenge of controlling norovirus outbreaks.
Topics: Caliciviridae Infections; Calicivirus, Feline; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Environmental Microbiology; Microbial Viability; Models, Theoretical; Vesivirus; Viral Plaque Assay; Vomiting
PubMed: 30797885
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2019.02.010 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2019Traumatic hyphema is the entry of blood into the anterior chamber (the space between the cornea and iris) subsequent to a blow or a projectile striking the eye. Hyphema... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Traumatic hyphema is the entry of blood into the anterior chamber (the space between the cornea and iris) subsequent to a blow or a projectile striking the eye. Hyphema uncommonly causes permanent loss of vision. Associated trauma (e.g. corneal staining, traumatic cataract, angle recession glaucoma, optic atrophy, etc.) may seriously affect vision. Such complications can lead to permanent impairment of vision. People with sickle cell trait/disease may be particularly susceptible to increases of elevated intraocular pressure. If rebleeding occurs, the rates and severity of complications increase.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness of various medical interventions in the management of traumatic hyphema.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register) (2018, Issue 6); MEDLINE Ovid; Embase.com; PubMed (1948 to June 2018); the ISRCTN registry; ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). The date of the search was 28 June 2018.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Two review authors independently assessed the titles and abstracts of all reports identified by the electronic and manual searches. In this review, we included randomized and quasi-randomized trials that compared various medical (non-surgical) interventions versus other medical intervention or control groups for the treatment of traumatic hyphema following closed-globe trauma. We applied no restrictions regarding age, gender, severity of the closed-globe trauma, or level of visual acuity at the time of enrollment.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently extracted the data for the primary outcomes, visual acuity and time to resolution of primary hemorrhage, and secondary outcomes including: secondary hemorrhage and time to rebleed; risk of corneal blood staining, glaucoma or elevated intraocular pressure, optic atrophy, or peripheral anterior synechiae; adverse events; and duration of hospitalization. We entered and analyzed data using Review Manager 5. We performed meta-analyses using a fixed-effect model and reported dichotomous outcomes as risk ratios (RR) and continuous outcomes as mean differences (MD).
MAIN RESULTS
We included 20 randomized and seven quasi-randomized studies with a total of 2643 participants. Interventions included antifibrinolytic agents (systemic and topical aminocaproic acid, tranexamic acid, and aminomethylbenzoic acid), corticosteroids (systemic and topical), cycloplegics, miotics, aspirin, conjugated estrogens, traditional Chinese medicine, monocular versus bilateral patching, elevation of the head, and bed rest.We found no evidence of an effect on visual acuity for any intervention, whether measured within two weeks (short term) or for longer periods. In a meta-analysis of two trials, we found no evidence of an effect of aminocaproic acid on long-term visual acuity (RR 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82 to 1.29) or final visual acuity measured up to three years after the hyphema (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.18). Eight trials evaluated the effects of various interventions on short-term visual acuity; none of these interventions was measured in more than one trial. No intervention showed a statistically significant effect (RRs ranged from 0.75 to 1.10). Similarly, visual acuity measured for longer periods in four trials evaluating different interventions was also not statistically significant (RRs ranged from 0.82 to 1.02). The evidence supporting these findings was of low or very low certainty.Systemic aminocaproic acid reduced the rate of recurrent hemorrhage (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.60) as assessed in six trials with 330 participants. A sensitivity analysis omitting two studies not using an intention-to-treat analysis reduced the strength of the evidence (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.17 to 1.08). We obtained similar results for topical aminocaproic acid (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.20 to 1.10) in two studies with 121 participants. We assessed the certainty of these findings as low and very low, respectively. Systemic tranexamic acid had a significant effect in reducing the rate of secondary hemorrhage (RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.55) in five trials with 578 participants, as did aminomethylbenzoic acid as reported in one study (RR 0.10, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.41). The evidence to support an associated reduction in the risk of complications from secondary hemorrhage (i.e. corneal blood staining, peripheral anterior synechiae, elevated intraocular pressure, and development of optic atrophy) by antifibrinolytics was limited by the small number of these events. Use of aminocaproic acid was associated with increased nausea, vomiting, and other adverse events compared with placebo. We found no evidence of an effect in the number of adverse events with the use of systemic versus topical aminocaproic acid or with standard versus lower drug dose. The number of days for the primary hyphema to resolve appeared to be longer with the use of systemic aminocaproic acid compared with no use, but this outcome was not altered by any other intervention.The available evidence on usage of systemic or topical corticosteroids, cycloplegics, or aspirin in traumatic hyphema was limited due to the small numbers of participants and events in the trials.We found no evidence of an effect between a single versus binocular patch or ambulation versus complete bed rest on the risk of secondary hemorrhage or time to rebleed.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We found no evidence of an effect on visual acuity by any of the interventions evaluated in this review. Although evidence was limited, it appears that people with traumatic hyphema who receive aminocaproic acid or tranexamic acid are less likely to experience secondary hemorrhaging. However, hyphema took longer clear in people treated with systemic aminocaproic acid.There is no good evidence to support the use of antifibrinolytic agents in the management of traumatic hyphema other than possibly to reduce the rate of secondary hemorrhage. Similarly, there is no evidence to support the use of corticosteroids, cycloplegics, or non-drug interventions (such as binocular patching, bed rest, or head elevation) in the management of traumatic hyphema. As these multiple interventions are rarely used in isolation, further research to assess the additive effect of these interventions might be of value.
Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Aminocaproic Acid; Antifibrinolytic Agents; Aspirin; Bandages; Bed Rest; Child; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); Eye Injuries; Humans; Hyphema; Mydriatics; Patient Positioning; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tranexamic Acid; Visual Acuity; Wounds, Nonpenetrating
PubMed: 30640411
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005431.pub4 -
Neonatal Network : NN Jul 2018Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is the most common gastrointestinal disease among infants. IHPS occurs as an isolated condition or together with other... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is the most common gastrointestinal disease among infants. IHPS occurs as an isolated condition or together with other congenital anomalies. Association with genetic and environmental factors, bottle feeding, younger maternal age, maternal smoking, and erythromycin administration in the first two weeks of life has been shown. Familial aggregation has been described and a family history is seen in 47.9 percent of siblings. Infants typically present with projectile vomiting associated with symptoms of failure to thrive. An olive-like mass palpable in the right upper abdominal quadrant is being reported less frequently because of earlier diagnosis by ultrasound. IHPS is generally corrected through laparoscopic pyloromyotomy. Endoscopic pyloric balloon dilation is a novel alternative. Further studies on different populations, the general population, and familial segregation to determine the prevalence, influence, and mode of familial aggregation and correlation with environmental factors are needed to determine the etiology of IHPS.
Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Curriculum; Education, Nursing, Continuing; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Middle Aged; Neonatal Nursing; Nurses, Neonatal; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Pyloric Stenosis, Hypertrophic; United States
PubMed: 30567916
DOI: 10.1891/0730-0832.37.4.197 -
The Journal of the Royal College of... Sep 2018Malaria remains an endemic disease in Pakistan with an estimated healthcare burden of 1.6 million cases annually, with Plasmodium vivax accounting for 67% of reported...
BACKGROUND
Malaria remains an endemic disease in Pakistan with an estimated healthcare burden of 1.6 million cases annually, with Plasmodium vivax accounting for 67% of reported cases. P. vivax is the most common species causing malaria outside of Africa, with approximately 13.8 million reported cases worldwide.
METHOD
We report a series of P. vivax cases with cerebral involvement that presented at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
RESULTS
The majority of the patients presented with high-grade fever accompanied by projectile vomiting and abnormal behaviour, seizures, shock and unconsciousness. Seven of 801 patients with P. vivax monoinfection presented or developed cerebral complications. P. vivax infections were diagnosed based on peripheral smears and rapid diagnostic testing.
CONCLUSION
P. vivax infection can lead to severe complications, although not with the frequency of Plasmodium falciparum infection. Current cases highlight an increasing trend of cerebral complications caused by P. vivax.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Fever; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Malaria, Vivax; Male; Mental Disorders; Middle Aged; Nervous System Diseases; Pakistan; Retrospective Studies; Seizures; Shock; Unconsciousness; Vomiting; Young Adult
PubMed: 30191906
DOI: 10.4997/JRCPE.2018.302 -
BMJ Case Reports Sep 2018A 17-year-old young woman presented to Patan Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal, with high-grade fever and headache for 4 days and non-projectile vomiting for 1 day. She...
A 17-year-old young woman presented to Patan Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal, with high-grade fever and headache for 4 days and non-projectile vomiting for 1 day. She also had blurred vision with dizziness on and off. There was no abnormal physical finding. Enteric fever was suspected, and she was empirically started on azithromycin (20 mg/kg) for 7 days. She became afebrile after 2 days and was followed up in 7 days with diplopia since 5 days. At this time, the blood culture was positive for serovar typhi. On examination, there was isolated left lateral rectus palsy which accounted for her diplopia. Methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg) was prescribed which was tapered over 1 month and gradually her diplopia subsided. We hypothesise that vasculitic change in the blood vessel supplying the left abducens nerve could be causing the diplopia.
Topics: Abducens Nerve Diseases; Adolescent; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Azithromycin; Diplopia; Female; Humans; Methylprednisolone; Neuroprotective Agents; Typhoid Fever
PubMed: 30181402
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2018-225746 -
Clinical Practice and Cases in... Nov 2017A 15-day-old male who was born at term presented with non-bilious projectile vomiting. He was nontoxic and his abdomen was benign without masses. Point-of-care...
A 15-day-old male who was born at term presented with non-bilious projectile vomiting. He was nontoxic and his abdomen was benign without masses. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) showed hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS). Typical findings include target sign; pyloric muscle thickness greater than three millimeters (mm); channel length greater than 15-18 mm; and lack of gastric emptying. The patient was admitted; consultative ultrasound (US) was negative, but repeated 48 hours later for persistent vomiting. This second US was interpreted as HPS, which was confirmed surgically. Pyloromyotomy was successful. Few reports describe POCUS by general emergency physicians to diagnose HPS. Here, we emphasize the value in repeat US for patients with persistent symptoms.
PubMed: 29849342
DOI: 10.5811/cpcem.2017.9.35016 -
BMJ Case Reports Apr 2018This is the first reported case of a Chiari 1 malformation in association with tuberculous (TB) meningitis. We present a case of a 23-year-old woman with a 2-week...
This is the first reported case of a Chiari 1 malformation in association with tuberculous (TB) meningitis. We present a case of a 23-year-old woman with a 2-week history nocturnal fever, vertigo, headache and projectile vomiting. She had nystagmus, scanning speech, bilateral papilloedema and ataxia. Cranial imaging showed a 10 mm tonsillar herniation. Posterior fossa decompression was done. Because the patient's gamut of symptoms was highly suspicious for a central nervous system infection, a lumbar tap was done which revealed TB meningitis. Four years later, after anti-TB medications and rehabilitation, all her symptoms except gait instability resolved.
Topics: Arnold-Chiari Malformation; Cranial Fossa, Posterior; Decompression, Surgical; Disease Progression; Female; Fever; Headache; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Spinal Puncture; Treatment Outcome; Tuberculosis, Meningeal; Vertigo; Vomiting; Young Adult
PubMed: 29622715
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2018-224245 -
Cancer Biology & Therapy 2018Advanced gastric cancer with a pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery followed by early brain metastasis is rare. A 52-y-old male patient... (Review)
Review
Early brain metastasis of advanced gastric cancer with a pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery: A case report and literature review.
Advanced gastric cancer with a pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery followed by early brain metastasis is rare. A 52-y-old male patient who was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer (cT4N2M0, stage ШB). Radiological examinations after three cycles of preoperative chemotherapy with a modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6) regimen showed a partial response (PR) had been achieved. The patient underwent curative surgery consisting of proximal gastrectomy, and D2 lymph node dissection. The lack of abnormal gastric cancer cells in the primary lesion or lymph nodes confirmed a pathological complete response (pCR). Postoperative chemotherapy with oral S-1 was administrated. However, during the second cycles of postoperative chemotherapy, the patient experienced headaches, projectile vomiting and convulsion. Upon further examination, a tumor representing metastasis to the brain was recognized by cranial enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination and cytopathology of cerebrospinal fluid. In addition to documenting the case report, we reviewed the literature associated to features of metastatic brain malignancies that form from gastric cancer. In short, advanced gastric cancer patents achieved pCR after preoperative chemotherapy typically have good prognosis; however, great attention should be paid on detecting metastatic events.
Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Biomarkers, Tumor; Biopsy; Brain Neoplasms; Combined Modality Therapy; Gastrectomy; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Neoplasm Staging; Stomach Neoplasms; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29580147
DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2018.1456600