A pancreatic hemorrhagic pseudocyst with pseudoaneurysm and the role of doppler ultrasonography: a case report

SUMMARY Hemorrhagic pseudocysts with pseudoaneurysms are a rare and fatal complication of chronic pancreatitis due to the erosion of pancreatic to peripancreatic arteries. The timing of the rupture cannot be accurately predicted, but prompt diagnosis and management are essential to prevent further bleeding. We describe the case of a 68-year-old man who presented acute epigastric pain and anemia and had a history of chronic pancreatitis with a pseudocyst. A biliary and pancreas MRI showed an enlarged size of a known pancreatic pseudocyst with internal high signal intensity material. Color-Doppler ultrasonography showed pulsating signals in the pseudocyst, and our final diagnosis was a pseudoaneurysm in the pancreatic hemorrhagic pseudocyst. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated with coil embolization of the feeding artery. We report this case of a rare complication of chronic pancreatitis to show that color-Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive and effective diagnostic tool for pseudoaneurysm, which enables early detection and prompt treatment without the need for invasive diagnostic modalities.

Differentiation between stercoral perforation and colorectal cancer perforation

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To determine the computed tomography (CT) signs associated with stercoral perforation and colorectal cancer perforation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2003 to Feb. 2015, all surgically and pathologically confirmed patients with stercoral perforation (n=8, mean age 68.3 years) or colon cancer perforation (n=11, mean age 66.3 years) were retrospectively reviewed by two board-certified radiologists blinded to the proven diagnosis. The following CT findings were evaluated and recorded for each patient: wall thickness of the distal colon adjacent to perforation site, pattern of the colon wall thickening and enhancement, length of the thickened bowel wall, presence of fecaloma, degree of proximal colon dilatation, and pericolonic inflammation or presence of pericolonic abscess, and number of enlarged pericolonic lymph nodes. These findings were correlated with the pathologic diagnosis. RESULTS: The mean thickness of the distal colonic wall adjacent to the perforation site was 13.6 mm in patients with colorectal cancer perforation and 5.1 mm with stercoral perforation, which was statistically different. There was a significant correlation between colorectal cancer perforation and eccentric wall thickening (p<0.01). CT findings of layered enhancing wall thickening (p<0.01) and the presence of fecaloma in the proximal colon (p<0.01) were significant findings for stercoral perforation. Patients with colorectal cancer displayed more pericolonic lymph nodes (mean 2.27, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fecaloma in the proximal colon and layered enhancing wall thickening adjacent to perforation site are likely due to stercoral perforation. Eccentric bowel wall thickening at the distal portion of the perforation site with many enlarged pericolonic lymph nodes is most likely due to colorectal cancer perforation.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Determinar os sinais de CT associados à perfuração estercoral e perfuração do câncer colorretal. MÉTODOS: De maio de 2003 a fevereiro de 2015, todos os pacientes cirurgicamente e patologicamente confirmados com perfuração estercoral (n = 8, idade média de 68,3 anos) ou perfuração de câncer de cólon (n = 11, idade média de 66,3 anos) foram revisados retrospectivamente por dois radiologistas certificados por placa cegados ao diagnóstico comprovado. Os seguintes achados CT foram avaliados e gravados para cada paciente: espessura da parede do cólon distal adjacente ao local da perfuração, padrão de espessamento e realce da parede do cólon, comprimento da parede intestinal espessada, presença de fecaloma, grau de dilatação do cólon proximal e inflamação pericolônica ou presença de abscesso pericolônico e número de linfonodos pericolônicos aumentados. Esses achados foram correlacionados com o diagnóstico patológico. RESULTADOS: A espessura média da parede colônica distal adjacente ao local de perfuração foi de 13,6 mm em pacientes com perfuração de câncer colorretal e 5,1 mm com perfuração estercoral, que foi estatisticamente diferente. Houve uma correlação significativa entre a perfuração do câncer colorretal e o espessamento da parede excêntrica (p < 0,01). Os achados de CT de espessamento de parede aprimorada em camadas (p < 0,01) e presença de fecaloma no cólon proximal (p < 0,01) foram achados significativos para perfuração estercoral. Os pacientes com câncer colorretal apresentaram mais linfonodos pericolônicos (média 2,27, p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O fecaloma no cólon proximal e o espessamento da parede que aumenta a camada adjacente ao local da perfuração são provavelmente devidos à perfuração estereocálica. O espessamento da parede intestinal excêntrica na porção distal do local da perfuração com muitos gânglios linfáticos pericolônicos aumentados é provavelmente a perfuração do câncer colorretal.

Benign versus life-threatening causes of pneumatosis intestinalis: differentiating CT features

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic performance of CT findings in differentiating causes of pneumatosis intestinalis (PI), including benign and life-threatening causes. METHODS: All CT reports containing the word "pneumatosis" were queried from June 1st, 2006 to May 31st, 2015. A total of 42 patients with PI were enrolled (mean age, 63.4 years; 23 males and 19 females) and divided into two groups on based on electronic medical records: a benign group (n=24) and a life-threatening group (n=18). Two radiologists reviewed CT images and evaluated CT findings including bowel distension, the pattern of bowel wall enhancement, bowel wall defect, portal venous gas (PVG), mesenteric venous gas (MVG), extraluminal free air, and ascites. RESULTS: CT findings including bowel distension, decreased bowel wall enhancement, PVG, and ascites were more commonly identified in the life-threatening group (all p<0.05). All cases with PVG were included in the life-threatening group (8/18 patients, 44.4%). Bowel wall defect, extraluminal free air, and mesenteric venous gas showed no statistical significance between both groups. CONCLUSION: PI and concurrent PVG, bowel distension, decreased bowel wall enhancement, or ascites were significantly associated with life-threatening causes and unfavorable prognosis. Thus, evaluating ancillary CT features when we encountered PI would help us characterize the causes of PI and determine the appropriate treatment option.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Avaliar o desempenho diagnóstico dos achados CT em causas diferenciadoras da pneumatose intestinal (PI), incluindo causas benignas e que ameaçam a vida. MÉTODOS: Todos os relatórios CT contendo a palavra "pneumatose" foram questionados de 10 de junho de 2006 a 31 de maio de 2015. Um total de 42 pacientes com PI foi matriculado (idade média 63,4 anos, 23 do sexo masculino e 19 do sexo feminino) e divididos em dois grupos na base de registros médicos elétricos: grupo benigno, n = 24 e grupo com risco de vida, n = 18. Dois radiologistas analisaram as imagens da CT e avaliaram seus achados, incluindo distensão intestinal, padrão de realce da parede intestinal, defeito da parede intestinal, gás venoso portal (PVG), gás venoso mesentérico (MVG), ar extraluminal e ascite. RESULTADOS: Achados CT, incluindo distensão intestinal, diminuição do realce da parede intestinal. PVG e ascite foram mais comumente identificados em grupo com risco de vida (todos p < 0,05, respectivamente). Todos os casos com PVG foram incluídos em grupo com risco de vida (8/18 pacientes, 44,4%). Defeito da parede do intestino, ar livre extraluminal e gás venoso mesentérico não mostraram significância estatística entre dois grupos. CONCLUSÃO: PI e PVG concorrente, distensão intestinal, diminuição do aumento da parede do intestino ou ascites foram significativamente associados com causas que ameaçaram a vida e prognóstico desfavorável. Portanto, avaliar os recursos de CT auxiliares quando encontramos PI nos ajudaria a caracterizar as causas de PI e determinar a opção de tratamento apropriada.

Tuberculous peritonitis following intestinal perforation in malignancy

SUMMARY Tuberculous peritonitis is one of the most common causes of exudative ascites, especially in the young, and is an important cause of extra-pulmonary disease. However, tuberculous peritonitis is challenging to diagnose because there are no pathognomonic clinical features or imaging findings. Therefore, it is commonly misdiagnosed as another type of peritoneal disease, especially so in elderly patients with malignant disease. In this report, we described two cases of tuberculous peritonitis that were observed after intestinal perforation in elderly patients with malignancies. These diagnoses were established by laparoscopic peritoneal biopsy or AFB cultures of the ascitic fluid. Both patients were treated with anti-TB medications.