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Acta Clinica Croatica Dec 2021Dyspepsia is a disorder characterized by dyspeptic symptoms which are located in the epigastrium and related to digestion of food in the initial part of the digestive... (Review)
Review
Dyspepsia is a disorder characterized by dyspeptic symptoms which are located in the epigastrium and related to digestion of food in the initial part of the digestive system. In functional dyspepsia, unlike organic dyspepsia, there is no underlying organic disease that would cause dyspeptic symptoms. Immune and mucosal function changes, gastric dysmotility, different composition of the gastrointestinal microbiota, and altered central nervous system processing are considered responsible for the onset of the disorder. The diagnosis is based on history, clinical presentation, and exclusion of other organic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract manifested by dyspeptic symptoms. Therapy includes eradication of infection, proton pump inhibitors, prokinetics, neuromodulators, and herbal preparations. Unfortunately, in some patients, this therapy leads to little or no improvement. The prevalence of functional dyspepsia is increasing. It has become one of the more common gastroenterological diagnoses. In order to reduce the costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder itself, its mechanisms need to be fully elucidated and thus enable finding appropriate therapy for all patient subgroups.
Topics: Dyspepsia; Gastritis; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Proton Pump Inhibitors
PubMed: 35734496
DOI: 10.20471/acc.2021.60.04.21 -
Digestive Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) 2022Abdominal pain is a common symptom of gastroenterology examination. Chronic abdominal pain is present for >3 months. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Abdominal pain is a common symptom of gastroenterology examination. Chronic abdominal pain is present for >3 months.
SUMMARY
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases encountered by both gastroenterologists and general practitioners. GERD is usually a chronic disease presented with a set of symptoms including heartburn and/or regurgitation, and less commonly epigastric pain. Epigastric pain syndrome is characterized by the following symptoms: epigastric pain and/or burning. It does not necessarily occur after meal ingestion, may occur during fasting, and can be even improved by meal ingestion. Duodenal ulcers tend to cause abdominal pain that is localized in the epigastric region and commence several hours after eating, often at night. Hunger provokes pain in most of the cases and decreases after meal. Gastric ulcer pain occurs immediately after eating, and consuming food increases pain. Pain is localized in the epigastrium and can radiate to the back. Abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome is related to defecation. A typical symptom of chronic pancreatitis is pain that radiates to the back. In Crohn's disease, inflammation causes pain. Key Messages: Pain can occur at different locations with diverse intensity and propagation and is often associated with other symptoms. For any gastroenterologist, abdominal pain is a big challenge.
Topics: Abdominal Pain; Dyspepsia; Gastroenterologists; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Heartburn; Humans
PubMed: 33946069
DOI: 10.1159/000516977 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Dec 2022Hemorrhagic shock (HS) management is based on a timely, rapid, definitive source control of bleeding/s and on blood loss replacement. Stopping the hemorrhage from... (Review)
Review
Hemorrhagic shock (HS) management is based on a timely, rapid, definitive source control of bleeding/s and on blood loss replacement. Stopping the hemorrhage from progressing from any named and visible vessel is the main stem fundamental praxis of efficacy and effectiveness and an essential, obligatory, life-saving step. Blood loss replacement serves the purpose of preventing ischemia/reperfusion toxemia and optimizing tissue oxygenation and microcirculation dynamics. The "physiological classification of HS" dictates the timely management and suits the 'titrated hypotensive resuscitation' tactics and the 'damage control surgery' strategy. In any hypotensive but not yet critical shock, the body's response to a fluid load test determines the cut-off point between compensation and progression between the time for adopting conservative treatment and preparing for surgery or rushing to the theater for rapid bleeding source control. Up to 20% of the total blood volume is given to refill the unstressed venous return volume. In any critical level of shock where, ab initio, the patient manifests signs indicating critical physiology and impending cardiac arrest or cardiovascular accident, the balance between the life-saving reflexes stretched to the maximum and the insufficient distal perfusion (blood, oxygen, and substrates) remains in a liable and delicate equilibrium, susceptible to any minimal change or interfering variable. In a cardiac arrest by exsanguination, the core of the physiological issue remains the rapid restoration of a sufficient venous return, allowing the heart to pump it back into systemic circulation either by open massage via sternotomy or anterolateral thoracotomy or spontaneously after aorta clamping in the chest or in the abdomen at the epigastrium under extracorporeal resuscitation and induced hypothermia. This is the only way to prevent ischemic damage to the brain and the heart. This is accomplishable rapidly and efficiently only by a direct approach, which is a crush laparotomy if the bleeding is coming from an abdominal +/- lower limb site or rapid sternotomy/anterolateral thoracotomy if the bleeding is coming from a chest +/- upper limbs site. Without first stopping the bleeding and refilling the heart, any further exercise is doomed to failure. Direct source control via laparotomy/thoracotomy, with the concomitant or soon following venous refilling, are the two essential, initial life-saving steps.
PubMed: 36615060
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12010260 -
American Family Physician May 2014Cholelithiasis, or gallstones, is one of the most common and costly of all the gastrointestinal diseases. The incidence of gallstones increases with age. At-risk...
Cholelithiasis, or gallstones, is one of the most common and costly of all the gastrointestinal diseases. The incidence of gallstones increases with age. At-risk populations include persons with diabetes mellitus, persons who are obese, women, rapid weight cyclers, and patients on hormone therapy or taking oral contraceptives. Most patients are asymptomatic; gallstones are discovered incidentally during ultrasonography or other imaging of the abdomen. Asymptomatic patients have a low annual rate of developing symptoms (about 2% per year). Once symptoms appear, the usual presentation of uncomplicated gallstones is biliary colic, caused by the intermittent obstruction of the cystic duct by a stone. The pain is characteristically steady, is usually moderate to severe in intensity, is located in the epigastrium or right upper quadrant of the abdomen, lasts one to five hours, and gradually subsides. If pain persists with the onset of fever or high white blood cell count, it should raise suspicion for complications such as acute cholecystitis, gallstone pancreatitis, and ascending cholangitis. Ultrasonography is the best initial imaging study for most patients, although additional imaging studies may be indicated. The management of acute biliary colic mainly involves pain control with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or narcotic pain relievers. Oral dissolution therapy is usually minimally successful and used only if the patient cannot undergo surgery. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains the surgical choice for symptomatic and complicated gallstones, with a shorter hospital stay and shorter convalescence period than open cholecystectomy. Percutaneous cholecystostomy is an alternative for patients who are critically ill with gallbladder empyema and sepsis.
Topics: Cholecystectomy; Gallbladder; Gallstones; Humans; Pain Management; Risk Factors
PubMed: 24866215
DOI: No ID Found -
Revista Espanola de Enfermedades... Aug 2021A 41-year-old female patient was under study for abdominal pain located in the epigastrium and mesogastrium with no other associated symptoms. There was no record of...
A 41-year-old female patient was under study for abdominal pain located in the epigastrium and mesogastrium with no other associated symptoms. There was no record of previous episodes of pancreatitis and she denied abdominal trauma and laboratory tests were normal. A computed tomography (CT) scan was performed.
Topics: Abdominal Pain; Adult; Aneurysm; Female; Humans; Mesenteric Veins; Portal Vein; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 33761751
DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.7932/2021 -
Revista Espanola de Enfermedades... Apr 202459-year-old man, smoker, diabetic and hypertensive. He went to the ER due to fixed abdominal pain in the epigastrium, diaphoresis, dizziness, nausea, and "coffee...
59-year-old man, smoker, diabetic and hypertensive. He went to the ER due to fixed abdominal pain in the epigastrium, diaphoresis, dizziness, nausea, and "coffee grounds" vomiting. On examination he presented abdominal distension and pain on palpation in the epigastrium, without peritonism. He had a BP of 235/100 mmHg and in the blood-tests, leukocytosis with neutrophilia and normal hemoglobin. An urgent abdominal CT scan was performed, identifying a 5x6 cm nodular lesion of homogeneous density attached to the wall of the second and third duodenal portions that compressed the lumen, with two vessels with active bleeding within it. Therefore, percutaneous embolization of the gastroduodenal artery was performed. Subsequently, the patient suffered an episode of severe acute pancreatitis that required ICU admission. Finally, he presented a good clinical evolution with ceasing of pain, complete reabsorption of the hematoma and resolution of the obstructive symptoms.
Topics: Male; Humans; Acute Disease; Pancreatitis; Hematoma; Duodenal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Abdominal Pain; Hematemesis
PubMed: 37706445
DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9793/2023 -
Viszeralmedizin Dec 2014Portal venous occlusion represents a disorder with considerable clinical relevance. The underlying causes of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) are frequently multifactorial... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Portal venous occlusion represents a disorder with considerable clinical relevance. The underlying causes of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) are frequently multifactorial and include malignancies, progressive chronic liver diseases, processes localized to the epigastrium and hepatobiliary system, and acquired as well as inherited thrombophilia. The three main categorical groups are malignant thrombosis, cirrhotic PVT, and non-malignant, non-cirrhotic PVT.
METHODS
Review of the literature.
RESULTS
The site, the extent, its chronicity, and the course of thromboses characterize a relatively heterogeneous clinical presentation and the ensuing complications in affected patients. While the occlusion of the extrahepatic portal and splenic vein likely provokes mainly complications related to portal hypertension, mesenteric venous obstruction shows a high rate of complications and mortality due to intestinal infarction. Especially in patients with liver cirrhosis, special care is warranted with regard to PVTs due to their pathogenetic role and influence on patient survival.
CONCLUSION
This article aims to summarize the current opinion on etiologies, risk factors, and complications of this heterogeneous condition in adults.
PubMed: 26288604
DOI: 10.1159/000369987 -
Rare Tumors Apr 2012Lymphangioma of the pancreas is a rare benign tumor of lymphatic origin. Retroperitoneal lymphangiomas account for 1% of all lymphangiomas. Herein, we report a case of...
Lymphangioma of the pancreas is a rare benign tumor of lymphatic origin. Retroperitoneal lymphangiomas account for 1% of all lymphangiomas. Herein, we report a case of cystic pancreatic lymphangioma diagnosed in 34 year-old female patient who was hospitalized for a slight pain in the epigastrium and vomiting. Radiological imaging revealed a large multiloculated cystic abdominal mass with enhancing septations involving the upper retroperitoneum. During the laparoscopic surgery, a well circumscribed polycystic tumor was completely excised preserving the pancreatic duct. The patient made a complete recovery and is disease-free 12 months postoperatively.
PubMed: 22826784
DOI: 10.4081/rt.2012.e27 -
Revista Espanola de Enfermedades... Mar 2023A 41-year-old female with 21 weeks of gestation is admitted to the hospital complaining of abdominal pain in epigastrium accompanied with pyrosis, nausea and vomit....
A 41-year-old female with 21 weeks of gestation is admitted to the hospital complaining of abdominal pain in epigastrium accompanied with pyrosis, nausea and vomit. Physical examination revealed a gravidic uterus at the level of the umbilicus and a painless epigastric mass. Laboratory test were normal. MRI showed a solid mass near the pancreatic body with dimensions of 6.4 x 6.2 x 4.8 cm compressing the stomach, duodenum and yeyunum, involving the superior third of the mesenteric vessels.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Adult; Duodenum; Pancreas; Abdominal Pain; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Abdominal Wall; Lymphoma
PubMed: 35410479
DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8811/2022 -
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan) 2014Gastrointestinal toxicity is uncommon among patients treated with angiotensin II receptor antagonists. A 58-year-old man presented with nausea, vomiting and constant...
Gastrointestinal toxicity is uncommon among patients treated with angiotensin II receptor antagonists. A 58-year-old man presented with nausea, vomiting and constant pain in the epigastrium that radiated to the flanks. He received treatment with valsartan (160 mg daily) for hypertension. The clinical, biochemical and radiological findings were compatible with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. After the patient achieved a clinical and biochemical recovery, the valsartan therapy was started again. Six weeks later, he returned to the hospital with an attack of pancreatitis. Subsequently, he returned with repeated attacks of pancreatitis twice, and the valsartan was discontinued. Ten months after the treatment, the patient had no complaints. When severe abdominal symptoms occur for no apparent reason during treatment with valsartan, a diagnosis of pancreatitis should be considered.
Topics: Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic; Tetrazoles; Valine; Valsartan
PubMed: 24694480
DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.53.0667