Clinical Characteristics and Management of Benign Transient Non-Organic Ileus of Neonates: A Single-Center Experience

PURPOSE: The term benign transient non-organic ileus of neonates (BTNIN) is applied to neonates who present symptoms and plain radiographic findings of Hirschsprung's disease, but do not have aganglionic bowel and are managed well by conservative treatment. It can often be difficult to diagnose BTNIN because its initial symptoms are similar to those of Hirschsprung's disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics and proper treatment of BTNIN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was made on the clinical data of 19 neonates who were treated for BTNIN between January 2008 and December 2011 at a single facility. RESULTS: Abdominal distension occurred in every patient (19/19). Other common symptoms included emesis (5/19), explosive defecation (5/19), and constipation (4/19). The vast majority of patients (15/19) experienced the onset of symptoms between 2 and 4 weeks of age. Radiograph findings from all of the patients were similar to Hirschsprung's disease. A barium study showed a transition zone in 33.4% (6/18) of the patients. However, rectal biopsy revealed ganglion cells in the distal rectum in 88.2% (15/17) of the patients, and anorectal manometry showed a normal rectoanal inhibitory reflex in 90% (9/10). All patients responded well to conservative treatment. Symptoms disappeared at the mean age of 4.9+/-1.0 months, and the abdominal radiographs normalized. CONCLUSION: BTNIN had an excellent outcome with conservative treatment, and must be differentiated from Hirschsprung's disease. A rectal biopsy and anorectal manometry were useful diagnostic tools in the differential diagnosis.

Abdome agudo por obstrução por ileobiliar / Acute intestinal obstruction due to gallstone ileus

OBJETIVO: descrever a experiência na abordagem dos doentes com abdome agudo por obstrução por IB, desde o diagnóstico até o tratamento definitivo. MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo incluindo todos os casos de IB tratados em um período de 23 anos. De acordo com a abordagem cirúrgica realizada, os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos (1) enterolitotomia com colecistectomia no segundo momento; e (2) enterolitotomia, colecistectomia e abordagem da fístula. RESULTADOS: Doze pacientes foram incluídos, sendo 11 mulheres (91,6%), com média de idade de 72,2 anos. Todos os pacientes apresentavam doenças associadas, principalmente hipertensão arterial sistêmica (75%). Dois pacientes não apresentavam sintomas significativos de obstrução intestinal. O diagnóstico de IB foi realizado em seis pacientes (50%) antes da laparotomia. O grupo 1 foi constituído de oito pacientes e o grupo 2 de quatro, e a morbidade foi, respectivamente, 33,3% e 8,3%. A mortalidade foi 16,6% (um paciente de cada grupo). CONCLUSÃO: O manejo do IB deve ser individualizado. O tratamento da obstrução mediante remoção do cálculo biliar por enterotomia proximal é a escolha inicial para o tratamento do IB. A colecistectomia e a correção da fístula bilioentérica podem ser realizadas juntamente com a remoção do cálculo, no entanto, em pacientes com comorbidades significativas, esses procedimentos devem ser realizados posteriormente.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review of the history, available image exams and clinical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of gallstone ileus. METHOD: Retrospective study in a university hospital including all cases of SBO treated over a period of 23 years. According to the surgical treatment the patients were divided into two groups: (1) enterolithotomy with cholecystectomy performed later (two-stage surgery); and (2) enterolithotomy, cholecystectomy and fistula closure (one-stage surgery). RESULTS: Twelve patients were included in the study, including 11 females (91,6%), with a mean age of 72.2 years. All patients presented associated diseases, mainly arterial hypertension (75%). All except one patient had multiple SBO symptoms. Gallstone ileus diagnosis was achieved in six patients (50%) before laparotomy. There were 8 patients in group 1 and 4 in group 2, and the morbidity was, respectively, 33.3% and 8.3%. Overall mortality was 16.6% (one patient in each group). CONCLUSIONS: Gallstone ileus should be suspected in the elderly with SBO symptoms. Early diagnosis can reduce post-operative complications. Treatment is urgent laparotomy, and surgical treatment must be individualized for each case. The majority of patients in this study were treated with enterolithotomy, with cholecystectomy being performed later in two symptomatic patients.

Avoidable Causes of Delayed Enteral Nutrition in Critically Ill Children

To evaluate the incidence of delayed enteral nutrition (EN) and identify avoidable causes of delay, we retrospectively reviewed medical records of 200 children (median age [range]; 37.5 [1-216] months) who stayed in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a minimum of 3 days. Among 200 children, 115 received EN following ICU admission with a median time of EN initiation of 5 days after admission. Of these, only 22 patients achieved the estimated energy requirement. A significant decrease in the final z score of weight for age from the initial assessment was observed in the non-EN group only (-1.3+/-2.17 to -1.57+/-2.35, P<0.001). More survivors than non-survivors received EN during their ICU stay (61.2% vs 30.0%, P=0.001) and received EN within 72 hr of ICU admission (19.8% vs 3.3%, P=0.033). The most common reason for delayed EN was gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, followed by altered GI motility and hemodynamic instability. Only eight cases of GI bleeding and one case of altered GI motility were diagnosed as active GI bleeding and ileus, respectively. This study showed that the strategies to reduce avoidable withholding EN are necessary to improve the nutrition status of critically ill children.

Íleo biliar: reporte de dos casos / Gallstone Ileus: report of two cases

El íleo biliar es una patología poco común y de difícil diagnóstico prequirúgico, pues en la mayoría de los casos se presenta como obstrucción intestinal sin síntomas biliares asociados. En el artículo se presentan dos casos del 2010, cada uno con características diferentes respecto a la localización de la fístula y la evolución postoperatoria: una fístula colecistogástrica con obstrucción del íleon terminal y una fístula colecistoduodenal con obstrucción del yeyuno medio. En el primero se hizo una resolución del íleo biliar y en el mismo tiempo quirúrgico la colecistectomía y cierre de la fístula; mientras que en el otro se trató únicamente el cuadro obstructivo. Dado que en la literatura no existe una amplia revisión de esta situación clínica, no hay consenso en cuanto a la resolución de la patología biliar en el mismo tiempo quirúrgico. Por la evolución clínica de los pacientes tan diversa, se evaluó el problema...

Gallstone ileus is an uncommon pathology, difficultto diagnose on a pre-surgical way, mostly sometimespresents as intestinal obstruction withoutbiliary symptoms associated. In 2010, it presentedtwo cases, each one with different characteristicsregarding the fistula location and post-operativeevolution: cholecystogastric fistula and obstructionof the terminal ileus and cholecystoduodenalfistula and obstruction of the medial yeyunum.First was resolved with colecystectomy and fistulaclosure. The second was trated only by obstructionresolution. Since in literature there isn’t acomprehensive review of this type of pathology,there is not agreement in the management of thebiliary pathology at the same surgical time, andtaking in account the different evolution of ourtwo patients, is the reason that we were interestedin the evaluation of this problem...

A Case of Gallstone Ileus Treated with Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy Guided by Colonoscopy / 대한소화기학회지

A 63-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain and nausea. Her abdomen was distended with obstructive bowel sounds on exam. There was diffuse abdominal tenderness but no palpable masses. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a large gallstone in the ileum. Surgical intervention was deferred given patient's known significant liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class B). Instead colonoscopy was performed and a large gallstone was found to be impacted at the ileocecal valve. The gallstone was fragmented using electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) and then retrieved with snare and forceps. The patient made a full recovery and was eventually discharged home. This is the first reported case of an impacted gallstone at the ileocecal valve with successful colonoscopic treatment using electrohydraulic lithotripsy in Korea. This case highlights the potential therapeutic benefits for colonscopic retrieval of a gallstone impacted at the ileocecal valve in well selected individuals.

Gall stone ileus; a serious complication of cholelithiasis in an elderly

Gallstone ileus [GSI] is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. The formation of a fistula between the gall bladder and the bowel wall may allow a gallstone to enter the intestinal tract. Plain abdominal films, abdominal ultrasound and abdominal computed tomography aid in the diagnosis. Surgery is the treatment of choice in cases of gallstone ileus rate. We describe the case of a 68-year-old man who presented with symptoms and signs of intestinal obstruction. Diagnostic evaluation revealed a large gallstone impacted in the ileum. The patient was scheduled for exploratory laparotomy. At the time of surgery stone was found in the sigmoid colon. It was milked down and brought out through the rectum

Ileo biliar colónico: una causa poco frecuente de obstrucción intestinal, presentación de caso / Colonic gallstone ileus: a rare cause of intestinal obstruction, case report

Introducción: El íleo biliar es una complicación poco frecuente en la historia natural de la coledocolitiasis y representa una causa inusual de obstrucción intestinal.Objetivo: Presentación de caso y revisión bibliográfica.Lugar: Hospital Polivalente de Alta ComplejidadMaterial y Métodos: Presentación de caso. Revisión de literatura.Caso Clínico: Muejer 73 años, con diagnóstico de abdomen agudo oclusivo.Conclusión: El íleo biliar es una causa poco frecuente de oclusión intestinal. Es fundamental para el diagnóstico su sospecha.