Corticosteroid associated lupus pancreatitis

SUMMARY The relationship between acute pancreatitis and the administration of glucocorticoids is unclear because most reported cases have been diagnosed with systemic vascular diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, which may be responsible for pancreatitis. A 22-year-old woman with eye involvement of a newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus was admitted to our hospital. Pulse intravenous methylprednisolone therapy was given at 1mg/kg day for 3 days, and oral prednisolone at 40 mg/day thereafter. During pulse steroid therapy, she had abdominal pain, back pain, distention, nausea, and vomiting. Her physical examination was compatible with acute abdomen and peritonitis. Abdomen Computerized Tomography scan revealed diffuse liquid perihepatic and perisplenic area with heterogeneity around the mesentery. Due to the symptoms of acute abdomen, explorative laparotomy was performed. There was diffuse free fluid in the abdomen and edematous changes were observed around the pancreas. Amylase and lipase from intraabdominal fluid were studied and found to be high. The postoperative prednol dose was reduced carefully. On the sixth postoperative day, the drain was removed, and the patient was discharged without any problem. Physicians should keep in mind that acute pancreatitis may also be a cause of differential diagnosis of newly developed abdominal pain in patients receiving pulse steroid therapy with a normal level of serum amylase and lipase.

RESUMO A relação entre pancreatite aguda e a administração de glicocorticoides é incerta pois a maioria dos casos relatados foram diagnosticados com doenças vasculares sistêmicas, como lúpus eritematoso sistêmico, que pode causar pancreatite. Uma paciente de 22 anos com envolvimento ocular e lúpus eritematoso sistêmico recém-diagnosticado foi admitida em nosso hospital. Pulsoterapia intravenosa com metilprednisolona 1mg/kg foi administrada por 3 dias. Depois disso, a paciente foi tratada com prednisolona oral 40 mg/dia. Durante a pulsoterapia com corticoides, a paciente apresentava dor abdominal, dor nas costas, distensão, náusea e vômitos. O exame físico era compatível com quadro de abdome agudo e peritonite. Tomografia computadorizada do abdome revelou líquido difuso na região perihepática e periesplênica, com heterogeneidade ao redor do mesentério. Devido aos sintomas de abdome agudo, foi realizada laparotomia exploradora. Havia líquido livre difuso no abdome e alterações edematosas foram observadas em torno do pâncreas. A amilase e lipase do líquido intra-abdominal foram analisadas e consideradas elevadas. A dose pós-operatória de prednol foi reduzida com cuidado. No sexto dia de pós-operatório, o dreno foi retirado, e a paciente recebeu alta sem qualquer problema. Médicos devem lembrar que a pancreatite aguda também pode ser uma causa de diagnóstico diferencial para dor abdominal recém-desenvolvida em pacientes recebendo pulsoterapia com corticoides e com níveis normais de amilase e lipase séricas.

Can fruit seeds and undigested plant residuals cause acute appendicitis

Objective:To investigate the relation between fruit seeds, plants residuals and appendicitis. Methods: Among cases that underwent appendectomy, the appendicitis cases having fruit seeds and undigested plant residuals in their etiology were examined retrospectively. Also, histopathological features, age, sex, and parameters of morbidity and mortality were used. Results: Fruit seed was found in one case(0.05%) with presence of pus in appendix lumen, undigested plant residuals in 7 cases(0.35%). It was determined that there were appendix inflammation in 2 of the plant residuals cases, while there were obstruction and lymphoid hyperplasia in the appendix lumen of5 cases. No mortality was observed.Conclusions: The ratio of acute appendicitis caused by plants is minimal among all appendectomised patients, but avoidence of eating undigested fruit seeds and chewing plants well may help to prevent appendicitis.

Cirugía conservadora en hidatidosis: problemas / Surgical treatment of hydatid cyst

Background: Hydatid Cyst is an infectious disease observed in many parts of the world, more often in endemic parts. While it can show symptoms related to the organ where it is localized, it can be also diagnosed incidentally. Aim: To report the experience in surgical treatment of hydatid cysts. Material and Methods: Retrospective review of 62 patients aged 17 to 75 years old (45 females), operated for hydatid cysts between 2002 and 2006. Results: The most common presenting complaint was right upper quadrant abdominal pain. The cyst was primary in 56 patients (90 percent) and a relapse in six (10 percent). Liver cysts were located in the right lobe in 41cases (66 percent) and left lobe in 11 (18 percent). Nine patients (15 percent) had bilateral lobe involvement. One patient (2 percent) had primary spleen hydatid cyst. Conservative surgery was used in all cases. A biliary fistula was found in 6 cases (10 percent) during the operation. In two patients, cysts were found in the choledochus and a choledochotomy was performed. Five patients had extrahepatic organ involvement of lung, omentum, colon meso and right ovary. Conclusions: To reduce the rate of relapse, operation technique must be carried out properly and carefully. Primary prophylaxis should be the first line of treatment of hydatid diseases.

Introducción: La Hidatidosis quística es una enfermedad infecciosa que se observa en muchas partes del mundo, más aún en zonas endémicas. En la mayoría, los síntomas son propios del órgano que afectan, pero a veces puede descubrirse de forma incidental. Objetivos: Describir e informar nuestra experiencia en el manejo quirúrgico de la hidatidosis quística. Material y Método: Quistes hidatídicos operados durante los últimos 7 años analizados de forma retrospectiva. Resultados y Discusión: Hubo 62 casos en nuestra serie, razón mujer hombre 45/17 y edad promedio de 41,6 años. Presentación más frecuente fue el dolor en cuadrante superior derecho. Cincuenta y seis (90,3 por ciento) casos fueron primarios y 6 (9,7 por ciento) recidivas. Compromiso de lóbulo hepático derecho en 41 casos (66 por ciento), izquierdo en 11 (17,7 por ciento) y bilateral en 9 (14,5 por ciento). Un caso fue (1,8 por ciento) primario esplénico. Se realizó cirugía conservadora en todos los pacientes. Se encontraron fístulas biliares en 6 casos (9,8 por ciento). En estos últimos el tamaño de los quistes fue de 14 cm. En 2 casos se observó compromiso del colédoco por lo que se realizó coledocostomía. En 5 casos (8 por ciento), se observó compromiso extrahepático los cuales fueron pulmón, omento, mesocolon y ovario derecho. Considerando que los quistes hidatídicos se pueden encontrar en todos los órganos, se debe realizar estudio imagenológico toracoabdominal. Para disminuir la tasa de recidiva, la técnica quirúrgica debe ser realizada de manera adecuada y cuidadosa. Debe realizarse profilaxis primaria como principal factor del tratamiento.