Brain Abscess and Esophageal Dilatation: Where is the Link? ­ Case Report

Introduction Caustic substance ingestion is a common cause of esophageal stricture in children. The primary treatment is esophageal dilatation. Although it is known that endoscopic esophageal dilatation is a procedure associated with a high rate of bacteremia, current guidelines do not recommend routine throat swab cultures or antibiotic prophylaxis for the general children population. Case Report We describe a case of a 7-year-old boy presenting with refractory headaches who was diagnosed with cranial abscess after multiple esophageal dilatations due to stenosis caused by caustic soda ingestion. The patient was subjected to neurosurgical intervention and intravenous antibiotic treatment for 6 weeks. Streptococcus viridans culture was positive in purulent abscess content. Conclusion We highlight this condition that, although rare, needs immediate diagnosis and proper treatment. We also recommend routine testing of throat swabs and antibiotics prophylaxis to children undergoing esophageal dilatation.

Predictors of difficulty in bedside percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy: pilot study / Preditores de dificuldade em traqueostomia percutânea à beira do leito: estudo piloto

ABSTRACT Introduction: percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is currently one of the main procedures performed in an intensive care unit (ICU). However, there are no well-defined indicators of technical difficulty in performing the procedure. Objectives: to define predictors of difficulty in performing bedside percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. Methodology: prospective cohort study encompassing 21 patients who underwent bedside percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in the ICU at a single center. Results: Sternohyoid (SH) distance shorter than 7 cm is associated with a 50% increase in the risk of technical difficulty (OR 0.44 and p <0.03). Conclusion: the reduction in (SH) distance is related to an increased risk of difficulty in performing percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in the ICU bed.

RESUMO Introdução: a traqueostomia percutânea é hoje um dos principais procedimentos realizados em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). Não há, contudo, indicadores bem definidos de dificuldade técnica na realização do procedimento. Objetivos: definir preditores de dificuldade para realização de traqueostomia percutânea. Metodologia: estudo de coorte prospectivo no qual foram incluídos 21 pacientes submetidos a traqueostomia percutânea à beira leito, na UTI, em um único centro. Resultados: distância EH menor que 7 cm está associada a aumento de 50% na chance de dificuldade técnica (OR 0,44 e p<0,03). Conclusão: a redução da distância EH está relacionada com aumento do risco de dificuldade em realizar a traqueostomia percutânea à beira do leito, em UTI.

Complications After endoscopic balloon dilatation of esophageal strictures in children. Experience from a tertiary center in Shiraz - Iran (Nemazee Teaching Hospital) / Complicaciones posteriores a dilatación endoscópica con balón en niños con estenosis esofágica. Experiencia de un centro de referencia en Shiraz - Iran (Nemazee Teaching Hospital)

Background: Esophageal stricture is one of the most important complication of the caustic ingestion. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate complications of balloon dilatation among children with esophageal stenosis. Material and methods: In this retrospective study 82 children were included. Children who underwent balloon dilatation for esophageal stenosis were included in our study. Duration of study was 14 year starting from 2001. Mean age of the cases was 3.95±0.4 year (Min: 15 days, Max: 14 year). Chart review and telephone calling were the methods of data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Results: In this study, 47% of the patients were male and 53% of the cases were female. Caustic ingestion (33.7%) was the most common etiology for the esophageal stricture. Vomiting (87.8%) was the most common presenting symptom. Among our cases, 76.8% had no compliant after esophageal dilatation. Chest pain was the most common compliant after esophageal dilatation. Response rate was similar among boys and girls. Toddler age had the best treatment response after esophageal dilatation. Conclusion: Among our cases, 76.8% had no post procedural compliant after esophageal dilatation. Esophageal perforation was seen in 4.9% of the cases. Chest pain was the most common post dilatation complication.

Antecedentes: La estenosis esofágica es una de las más importantes complicaciones de la ingesta de caústicos. Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar las complicaciones de la dilatación endoscópica con balón en niños con estenosis esofágica. Material y métodos: En este estudio retrospectivo se incluyeron 82 niños. Se incluyeron todos los niños que se sometieron a una dilatación endoscópica con balón por estenosis esofágica. La duración del estudio fue 14 años iniciando en el año 2001. La edad media de los pacientes fue 3,95 +/- 0,4 años (Min. 15 días, Máx. 14 años). La recolección de datos se realizó revisando las historias clínicas y con llamadas telefónicas. Los datos se analizaron con el Sistema SPSS. Resultados: En este estudio, 47% de los casos fueron varones y 53% fueron mujeres. La ingesta de caústicos fue la causa más frecuente de estenosis esofágica (33,7%). El síntoma más común fueron los vómitos (87,8%). Entre nuestros casos, 76,8% no presentaron molestias luego de la dilatación esofágica. El dolor torácico fue la molestia más común luego de la dilatación esofágica. La tasa de respuesta al tratamiento fue similar entre hombres y mujeres. Los niños pequeños tuvieron la mejor respuesta al tratamiento luego de la dilatación esofágica. Conclusiones: Entre nuestros casos, 76,8% no presentaron molestias luego de la dilatación esofágica. La perforación esofágica se presentó en 4,9% de los casos. El dolor torácico fue la complicación más común posterior a la dilatación.

Complicaciones durante la esofagoscopía con o sin dilatación con globo y con anestesia general en pacientes pediátricos: estudio prospectivo y observacional / Complications during esophageal endoscopy with or without baloon dilation under general anesthesia in pediatric patients: a prospective and observational study

Antecedentes. Durante una esofagoscopía en niños, pueden ocurrir complicaciones durante la dilatación. Identificamos alteraciones cardiorrespiratorias durante la esofagoscopía con o sin dilatación con globo y las complicaciones posoperatorias, en niños con anestesia. Métodos. Estudio prospectivo, observacional de procedimientos endoscópicos en niños de 0-16 años. Se dividieron en dos grupos: con endoscopía-dilatación (Grupo ED) y dilatación con globo por estenosis esofágica, y con endoscopía sin dilatación (Grupo E): endoscopía diagnóstica, esofagoscopía de control o escleroterapia. Registramos parámetros hemodinámicos y ventilatorios y las complicaciones durante la endoscopía, la dilatación y el seguimiento de dos horas en la sala de recuperación. Resultados. Incluimos 102 procedimientos en 60 pacientes. La presión inspiratoria máxima (PIM) aumentó significativamente en ambos grupos (p < 0,001) y aumentó significativamente durante el procedimiento en el grupo ED (p < 0,001). La diferencia en la PIM antes y después de la endoscopía se correlacionó negativamente en ambos grupos. Al subdividir los grupos según el punto de corte de 2 años para comparar la diferencia en la PIM antes y después de la endoscopía, la PIM aumentó de manera estadísticamente significativa en ambos grupos en los menores de 2 años. En el grupo ED, la frecuencia cardíaca aumentó estadísticamente significativa (p < 0,001). Conclusión. Durante la endoscopía, la PIM aumentó en niños con o sin dilatación con globo, especialmente en el grupo ED, y fue mayor en los niños más pequeños. Es necesario observar y tratar atentamente las complicaciones cardiorrespiratorias graves durante la dilatación con globo y con anestesia general.

Background. Complications can occur during esophagoscopy as a result of applied procedure in children, especially during dilation techic. Our aim was to identify cardio-respiratory alterations during esophagoscopy with or without baloon dilation under anesthesia in children, and to investigate the postoperative complications. Methods. Prospective, observational study of endoscopic procedures in patients 0-16 years. The patients were divided into two groups: the endoscopy-dilation group (Group ED: endoscopy and balloon dilation due to esophageal stricture) and endoscopy without dilation (Group E: endoscopy for diagnostic reasons, control esophagoscopy or sclerotherapy). Hemodynamic and ventilatory parameters alterations and complications during endoscopy, dilation and two-hours follow-up time in the postoperative recovery room were recorded. Results. 102 procedures in 60 patients were included. Peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) values significantly increased after endoscopy in both groups (p<0.001). There was a significant increase in mean PIP values in the dilation group during the procedure (p<0,001). The difference in PIP values before and after the endoscopy was negatively correlated with age in both groups. When the groups were subdivided taking two years of age as a cut-off point in comparing PIP difference before-after endoscopy, PIP increase was statistically significant in both groups under two-years old. In the dilation group, statistically significant increase of HR was detected during the procedure (p<0,001). Conclusion. During endoscopy PIP increased in patients with or without baloon dilation especially in the dilation group. PIP increase was higher in younger children. Severe respiratory and cardiovascular complications during balloon dilation under general anesthesia should be carefully observed and managed.

Long-term outcomes of balloon dilation versus botulinum toxin injection in patients with primary achalasia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We compared the long-term outcomes of balloon dilation versus botulinum toxin injection in Korean patients with primary achalasia and identified factors predicting remission. METHODS: We included 73 patients with achalasia newly diagnosed between January 1988 and January 2011. We ultimately enrolled 37 of 55 patients with primary achalasia through telephone interviews, who were observed for over 1 year. Short-term outcomes were evaluated from the medical records based on symptom relief after 1 month of treatment. Long-term outcomes were evaluated in a telephone interview using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were administered a botulinum toxin injection and 12 underwent balloon dilation. One month after the botulinum toxin injection, improvements were seen in chest pain (14 [56.0%] to 4 patients [16.0%]), regurgitation (16 [64.0%] to 4 [16.0%]), and dysphagia (25 [100.0%] to 5 [20.0%]). In the balloon dilation group, chest pain (8 [66.7%] to 1 [8.3%]), regurgitation (11 [91.7%] to 1 [8.3%]), and dysphagia (12 [100.0%] to 1 [8.3%]) had improved. A significant difference was observed in the mean remission duration between the botulinum toxin injection and balloon dilation groups (13 months [range, 1 to 70] vs. 29 months [range, 6 to 72], respectively; p = 0.036). Independent factors predicting long-term remission included treatment type (odds ratio [OR], 6.982; p = 0.036) and the difference in the lower esophageal sphincter pressure (OR, 7.198; p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Balloon dilation may be more efficacious than botulinum toxin for providing long-term remission in Korean patients with achalasia. Follow-up manometry may predict the long-term outcome.

Successful management of colonic perforation with a covered metal stent

Self-expandable stents are widely available for the treatment of perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. Because of the risk of migration, there has been no report of the use of self-expandable stents for the treatment of perforation of the colon or rectum. This is a report of successful treatment of iatrogenic colonic perforation during balloon dilatation of anastomotic stricture with a fully covered stent. Fully covered, self-expandable metallic stents can be considered useful tools for management of this condition.

Traqueostomía percutánea con asistencia fibrobroncoscópica: evaluación prospectiva de 100 casos consecutivos y revisión de la literatura / Fiberoptic bronchoscopy assisted percutaneous tracheostomy: report of 100 patients

Background: Development of percutaneous techniques for tracheostomy have facilitated its implementation in the intensive care unit (ICU). Aim: To evaluate the safety of performing percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) using the Ciaglia Blue Rhino thechnique with fiberoptic bronchoscopy assistance in patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation. Patients and methods: Prospective evaluation of 100 consecutive patients aged 62±16 years (38 women) subjected to percutaneous tracheostomy. AU the procedures were performed in the ICU. Demographic variables, APACHE II, days of mechanical ventilation before PT, operative and post operative complications were recorded. Results: Mean APACHE II score was 20±3. Patients required on average 16±7 days of mechanical ventilation before PT. Eight patients (8 percent) had operative complications. One had an episode of transitory desaturation, one had a transitory hypotension related to sedation and six had mild bleeding not requiríng transfusión. No patient required conversión to surgical tracheostomy. Four patients (4 percent) presentedpost operative complications. Two had a mild and transitory bleeding ofthe ostomy and two had a displacement ofthe cannula. No other complications were observed. Conclusions: PT using the Ciaglia Blue Rhino technique with fiberoptic bronchoscopy assistance is a safe procedure that can be performed in the ICU by trained intensivists.

Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy: an initial experience in community based teaching hospital.

Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) is frequently performed in the intensive care unit to prevent the long term complications associated with prolonged endotracheal intubation. OBJECTIVE: To report the analysis of our experience with percutaneous dilation tracheostomy. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective documentation of 40 patients who received percutaneous dilational tracheostomy in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit during a 12-month period. METHOD: The patients demographic, indications of intubation and PDT, time required to perform the procedure, complications and the outcome of these patients in the intensive care unit were noted. RESULT: Among 425 patients, 40 underwent percutaneous dilational tracheostomy that included 22 females and 18 males with the median age of 35 years. Prolonged ventilatory support was the most common indication for tracheostomy. The average duration of intubation before PDT was 5 days. Median procedure time was 20 minutes. Complications included minor bleeding in two (5%), subcutaneous emphysema with pneumothorax in two patients (5%), tracheal stenosis in three (7.5%), tracheo-esophageal fistula and glottic granuloma in one patient each (2.5%). Among forty patients, 28 (70%) were discharged to the ward, 8 died in intensive care unit and 4 left hospital against medical advice. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy is a safe, quick and effective way for long term airway management in critically ill patients.

Entrapment of guide-wire during oesophageal dilation.

We report a patient who developed oesophageal stricture after accidental ingestion of acid. During one of the oesophageal dilation sessions, a Savary-Gillard guide-wire got entrapped in the stomach and had to be removed surgically. A Foley catheter, placed for feeding purposes, migrated into the proximal small intestine causing acute intestinal obstruction. The balloon of the Foley catheter had to be punctured using a sclerotherapy needle and the catheter withdrawn.

Manejo de la perforación esofágica instrumental / Management of the instrumental esophageal perforation

La perforación instrumental del esófago es una grave complicación. Presentamos nuestra esperiencia en su tratamiento que se basa en la desfuncionalización del esófago y aseo de los espacios contaminados. Se trata de 5 pacientes, 3 portadores de cánceres esofágicos y 2 de estenosis benignas. La perforación ocurrió en 4 por dilatación endoscópica y en 1 fue secundaria a una endoscopía diagnóstica. A todos se les practicó esofagostomía proximal, aseo y drenaje mediastínico, descompresión gástrica mediante sonda gástrica y vía de alimentación enteral. Sólo un paciente evoluciona con sepsis que se logra controlar. Los pacientes con enfermedad benigna fueron reconstotuídos mediante cierre del esofagostoma. De los neoplásicos, uno se reconstituyó con puente esofágico con tubo gástrico al cuello, y dos no fueron reconstituídos. Pensamos que la desfuncionalización esofágica con esofagostoma cervical y aseo mediastínico es un procedimiento sencillo, seguro y que permite recuperar los pacientes con perforación esofágica instrumental para posterior resección o reconstitución

Estudio funcional en niños con atresia esofágica corregida / Functional study in children with repaired esophageal atresia

Se estudiaron 8 pacientes con atresia esofágica corregida, entre los 5 y 11 años de edad, coincidiendo estos lapsos con el tiempo postoperatorio, (debido a lo precoz de las intervenciones), para evaluar el funcionamiento del esófago, tomando en cuenta la clínica, radiología y manometría. Todos los pacientes tenían inicialmente estenosis evidenciada radiológica y endoscópicamente, dilatándose hasta lograr calibre normal. La mayoría de los pacientes se encontraban asintomáticos para el momento de realizar la radiología y manometría excepto dos que presentaban disfágia, lo cual se correlacionó con la severidad de las alteraciones motoras en el cuerpo esofágico; el resto tuvieron alteraciones en el tercio medio y/o tercio superior. En éste estudio se demostró que en la atresia esofágica corregida existen trastornos funcionales y consideramos que la manometría resulta el método ideal para ésta evaluación

Acalasia del esofago: revisión de resultados a los quince años de experiencia / Achalasia of the esophagus: review of results after 15 years of experience

En el presente trabajo reevaluamos nuestra experiencia en acalasia del esófago al cabo de 15 años. La misma estuvo basada en la revisión de 156 pacientes, el promedio de edad fue de 50,8 años y la relación H&M fue 0,91. La disfagia se encontró en el 100% de los casos, observando regurgitación en 78,2%, pérdida de peso en 61,5% de los casos. Desde el punto de vista de la clasificación radiológica la distribución fue: grado I 18,5%, grado II 53,8%, grado II 53,8%, grado III 14,7% y grado IV 12,8%. El valor de la ZAP fue de 23 mmHg pre dilatación (N 14,8 mmHg). Observamos acalasis vigorosa en 5,7% de los pacientes, la prueba del urecoline fue positivo en 61,1%. La serología para enfermedad de Chagas fue positiva en 21,2% de los casos. Noventa y cinco pacientes fueron sometidos a dilatación neumática. Se realizaron 110 dilataciones ya que 80 pacientes fueron dilatados una sola vez y 15 dos veces. La ZAP post dilatación fue de 12,5 mmHg. Obtuvimos buenos resultados en 82,1%, regulares en 3,1% y malos en 14,7% de los casos. La morbidad fue del 4,5% y estuvo determinada por 3 perforaciones y 2 pacientes con reflujo gastroesofágico. La morbidad fue 0,9%. Se observó recidiva en 26,3% de los pacientes. El 53,3% de los pacientes sometidos a una segunda dilatación tuvo buenos resultados. El promedio de internación fue de 2,5 días, y el seguimiento fue en promedio 32,4 meses. Treinta y nueve pacientes fueron derivados a cirugía obteniéndose buenos resultados en 82%, regulares en 2,5% y malos en 15,6% de los casos. La morbilidad quirúrgica fue 15,3%, y la mortalidad 5,1%. Consideramos que el tratamiento quirúrgico está reservado para: 1) niños, 2) recidiva luego de dos dilataciones neumáticas 3) asociación con hernia hiatal, tumores esofágicos o divertículos epifrénicos, 4) recidiva post operación de Heller y 5) asociación con patología quirúrgica abdominal...

Abscesso pulmonar como consequência da dilataçäo terapêutica do megaesôfago chagásico: apresentaçäo de dois casos / Pulmonary abscess as a consequence of therapeutic dilatation of chagasic megaesophagus: report of 2 cases

A dilataçäo do esôfago, com baläo pneumático foi realizada em duas pacientes com megaesôfago chagásico grau II. Ambas apresentaram, poucos dias após o procedimento, pneumonite aguda com formaçäo de abcessos. Atribui-se à aspiraçäo pulmonar do conteúdo gástrico, a causa dos abscessos pulmonares. Esta aspiraçäo se dá em conseqüência do refluxo gastroesofágico desencadeado pela ruptura terapêutica da cárdia