Epiploic Appendagitis: An uncommon surgical diagnosis

Epiploic appendagitis or appendices epiploicae, is a rare cause of abdominal pain in patients with mild signs of abdominal pathology. It mimics diverticulitis or appendicitis clinically as there are no pathognomonic features. It is a surgical diagnosis presenting with localised, sharp, acute abdominal pain, not associated with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, fever or suggestive laboratory values. With the availability of abdominal CT scans and ultrasound, it will frequently be a differential diagnosis preventing unnecessary surgery for patients. However, it may be erroneous and therefore clinical judgement is of paramount importance. This report highlights this rare presentation and identifies management guidelines. KEY WORDS: Epiploic appendagitis; Appendices epiploicae; Appendicitis; Diverticulitis

Total percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (pEVAR): the initial experience in Hospital Kuala Lumpur

Introduction: There has been a paradigm shift in the treatment of AAA with the advent of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Rapid progress and evolution of endovascular technology has brought forth smaller profile devices and closure devices. Total percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (pEVAR) involves the usage of suture-mediated closure devices (SMCDs) at vascular access sites to avoid a traditional surgical cutdown. Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our experience of pEVAR between April 2013 and July 2014. Primary success of the procedure was defined as closure of a common femoral artery (CFA) arteriotomy without the need for any secondary surgical or endovascular procedure within 30 days. Results: In total there were 10 pEVAR cases performed in the study period, one case in Queen Elizabeth Hospital during visiting vascular service. Patients have a mean age of 73.4 year old (66-77 year old) The mean abdominal aortic size was 7.2 cm (5.6-10.0cm). Mean femoral artery diameter was 9.0 mm on the right and 8.9 mm on the left. Mean duration of surgery was 119 minutes (98- 153 minutes). 50% of patients were discharged at post-operative day one, 30%- day two and 20%- day three. Primary success was achieved in 9 patients (90%) or in 19 CFA closures (95%). No major complication was reported. Discussion: We believe that with proper selection of patients undergoing EVAR, pEVAR offers a better option of vascular access with shorter operative time, less post- operative pain, shorter hospital stay and minimises the potential complications of a conventional femoral cutdown.

Computed tomography of the thorax with 3D reconstruction in penetrating chest injury

Penetrating chest wounds is less common but more deadly then blunt trauma. Majority of penetrating chest trauma can be managed conservatively with observation and simple thoracotomy. This case report highlights a bizarre occupational hazard causing a penetrating chest injury and the option of non-invasive management with the aid of computed tomography with 3D reconstruction.

Bleeding Jejunal GIST: An uncommon cause of Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are rare gastrointestinal tumours and are one of the causes of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. We report a case of massive gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to bleeding jejunal GIST in a 43 years old gentleman. Endoscopic intervention failed to identify the source of bleeding and CT Angiography (CTA) showed a jejunal mass and patient underwent laparotomy and resection of the bleeding jejunal GIST. This article highlights the rare cause of the massive GI bleeding and also emphasise the role of CTA in obscure GI bleeding

Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) for infra-renal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm(AAA) under Local Anaesthesia - Initial Experience in Hospital Kuala Lumpur

This is our initial report on the first 4 cases of infra-renal abdominal aortic aneurysms undergoing Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) with local anaesthesia, controlled sedation and monitoring by an anaesthetist. All 4 patients were males with a mean age of 66.7 years. Only one (1) required ICU stay of 2 days for cardiac monitoring due to bradycardia and transient hypotension post procedure. No mortality or major post operative morbidity was recorded and the mean hospital stay post procedure was 3.5 days (range 2-5 days).