Sigmoid gallstone ileus: a challenging diagnosis

Gallstone ileus is a rare (1%­4%) complication of gallstone disease. Gallstones entering the gastrointestinal tract by penetration may cause obstruction at any point along their course through the tract; however, they have a predilection to obstruct the smaller-caliber lumen of the small intestine (80.1%) or stomach (14.2%). The condition is seen more commonly in the elderly who often have significant co-morbidities. Gallstone ileus causing large bowel obstruction is rare. We report the case of a 95-year-old woman who presented with a history of abdominal pain without fever, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis with oral contrast revealed a high-density structure within the lumen of the distal sigmoid colon, initially suspected to be a foreign body. Medical management failed and surgical intervention was not possible. Autopsy revealed peritonitis and a rupture of the sigmoid colon at the site of a cylindrical stone found impacted in an area of fibrotic narrowing with multiple diverticula. A necrotic, thick-walled gallbladder had an irregular stone in its lumen that was a fracture match with the stone in the sigmoid. Adhesions, but no discrete fistula, were identified between the gallbladder and the adjacent transverse colon. The immediate cause of death was peritonitis caused by colonic perforation by the gallstone impacted at an area of diverticular narrowing. To our knowledge, such autopsy findings have not been previously reported.

Spontaneous perforation of small intestine followed by rupture of the cystic artery: the natural history of Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (VEDS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the COL3A1 or COL1A1 genes. Its mortality is secondary to sudden and spontaneous rupture of arteries or hollow organs. The genotype influences the distribution of arterial pathology with aneurysms of intra-abdominal visceral arteries being relatively uncommon. We describe the case of a young man with probable VEDS who died of a spontaneous rupture and dissection of the cystic artery. The patient initially presented with abdominal pain due to an unrecognized spontaneous perforation of the small intestine complicated by sepsis. We postulate that inflammatory mediators may have triggered the arterial rupture due to remodeling and weakening of vessel walls. The phenotype of the patient's vascular damage included bilateral spontaneous carotid-cavernous sinus fistulae and dissection with pseudoaneurysm formation of large- and medium-sized arteries, predominantly the abdominal aorta and its branches. The autopsy uncovered a long history of vascular events that may have been asymptomatic. These findings along with a positive family history supported the VEDS diagnosis. Loeys-Dietz, Marfan, and familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection syndromes were ruled out based on the absence of arterial tortuosity, eye abnormalities, bone overgrowth, and the distribution of vascular damage among other features. Interestingly, microscopic examination of the hippocampus revealed a focus of neuronal heterotopia, commonly associated with epilepsy; however, the patient had no history of seizures. The natural course of VEDS involves the rupture and dissection of arteries that, if unrecognized, can lead to a rapid death after bleeding into free spaces.

Tratamiento conservador de perforación duodenal intraperitoneal secundaria a colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica en un paciente pediátrico / Conservative treatment of intra-peritoneal duodenal perforation after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in a pediatric patient

Introducción: las perforaciones duodenales son consideradas lesiones de extrema gravedad a cualquier edad. Su etiología puede ser por traumatismos, o después de la realización de un procedimiento endoscópico digestivo. Debido a la elevada morbilidad y mortalidad de estas lesiones, su tratamiento quirúrgico ha sido el método de elección durante años en la mayoría de los casos. Más recientemente se ha reportado con éxito el tratamiento no quirúrgico en pacientes seleccionados. Presentación del caso: se presenta el caso de tratamiento exitoso no quirúrgico en un adolescente de 13 años con una perforación duodenal intraperitoneal después de una colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica. Las medidas terapéuticas en este caso fueron: la suspensión de la vía oral, el uso de nutrición parenteral total, la administración de análogo de la somatostatina y los antibióticos sistémicos. Conclusiones: la perforación duodenal intraperitoneal después de una colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica en niños puede ser diagnosticada precozmente. El tratamiento médico basado en la observación estricta del enfermo, la nutrición parenteral total, la suspensión de la alimentación oral, la aspiración nasogástrica octeotride y la administración de antibióticos sistémicos, es eficaz en enfermos selectos(AU)

Introduction: duodenal perforations are considered extremely serious lesions at any age. Its etiology may be due to trauma, or after performing a digestive endoscopic procedure. Due to the high morbidity and mortality of these injuries, surgical treatment has been the method of choice for years in most cases. More recently, non-surgical treatment has been reported successfully in selected patients. Case presentation: it is presented a case of successful non-surgical treatment in a 13-year-old adolescent with intra-peritoneal duodenal perforation after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Therapeutic measures in this case were: the suspension of the oral route, the use of total parenteral nutrition, the administration of the somatostatin analog and systemic antibiotics. Conclusions: intra-peritoneal duodenal perforation after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in children can be diagnosed early. Medical treatment based on strict observation of the patient, total parenteral nutrition, suspension of oral feeding, nasogastric octeotride aspiration; and administration of systemic antibiotics is effective in selected patients(AU)

Case for diagnosis

Degos disease, also known as malignant atrophic papulosis, is a rare occlusive vasculopathy of unknown etiology characterized by infarcts in the dermis, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, and other organs. It is characterized by papules, which become umbilicated and evolve with a depressed porcelain-white central area, with an erythematous halo with telangiectasias. Histological findings include wedge-shaped dermoepidermal necrosis and blood vessel thrombosis. Approximately 50-60% of patients with systemic symptoms die within 2-3 years, most due to gastrointestinal perforation. We report a typical case, with lethal outcome, in a 45-year-old woman.

Perforación intestinal secundaria a amebiasis / Amebiasis intestinal perforation secondary

La amebiasis intestinal es una enfermedad frecuente en países en desarrollo, que es común en regiones tropicales y subtropicales, así como en regiones con servicios sanitarios deficientes. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 74 años de edad, sexo masculino, originario y residente de la ciudad de Guatemala, quién cursó una diarrea y dolor abdominal. Fue intervenido quirúrgicamente por abdomen agudo, con resección intestinal extensa por perforaciones. En el estudio de anatomía patológica se realizó el diagnóstico de colitis amebiana con perforaciones y peritonitis.

Intestinal amoebiasis is a disease common indeveloping countries, which is common in tropicaland subtropical regions, as well as in regions withpoor sanitation. We report the case of a 74-year-oldmale, resident of Guatemala City, who presented withdiarrhea and abdominal pain. He had a laparatomy foracute abdomen, undergoing wide intestinal resectiondue to perforations. The pathology diag-nosis wasamoebic colitis with perforations and peritonitis.

Evisceración omental transanal posterior a lesión de recto / Omental evisceration through a rectal perforation: case report

Rectal perforation rarely occurs spontaneously. We report a 44 years old male consulting for abdominal pain lasting 12 hours. Abdominal muscular resistance was observed on physical examination. A plain abdominal X ray film showed a pneumoperitoneum. The patient was operated finding a perforation in the lower rectum, with omentum sliding through it and exiting through the anus. The omentum was sectioned and ligated and a derivative colostomy was performed. The cause of the rectal perforation was not ascertained.

La perforación de recto se produce como resultado de una complicación bajo condiciones patológicas que comprometen la pared rectal. Rara vez ocurre espontáneamente. En casi todos los casos reportados de lesión rectal asociada a evisceración intestinal, el intestino delgado es el órgano involucrado. Las técnicas de reparación son variables, desde una rafia primaria en lesiones poco extensas, hasta resección de segmento lesionado y colostomía para los casos más graves. La decisión de la técnica a utilizar dependerá de la extensión y otras características de la lesión, del compromiso de estructuras vecinas, del tiempo de evolución y del grado de contaminación. El cirujano general debe estar preparado para el manejo de estas lesiones ya que son de resolución en los servicios de urgencias. Presentamos un caso, poco frecuente, de evisceración del epiplón mayor, transanal, posterior a lesión rectal de dudosa etiología.

Caracterización de una población pediátrica con invaginación intestinal diagnósticada en un hospital de referencia durante un periodo de 8 años / Description of a group of children with intestinal intussusception diagnosed in a reference hospital during a period of 8 years

Objetivo: El objetivo general del estudio fue describir todos los casos documentados de invaginación intestinal en niños menores de 24 meses en el HNN durante el periodo 2001-2008. Métodos: estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo, basado en la información de expedientes clínicos y del Servicio de Estadística, de todos los egresos hospitalarios con el diagnóstico de invaginación intestinal en niños menores de 24 meses durante el periodo: enero 2001 a diciembre 2008. Resultados: durante este periodo de estudio la media de la tasa de incidencia de invaginación intestinal en el HNNH fue de 31 por cada 100000 nacidos vivos. La distribución de pacientes por sexo y grupo de edad fue: 57.7 por ciento hombres y 42.3 por ciento mujeres, p:0.003. El 85.2 por ciento de los episodios de invaginación intestinal ocurrió en niños menores de 12 meses, 14.8 por ciento de 12 a 24 meses, 27/182 pacientes. La edad media de presentación fue de 7.7 meses. 103 pacientes requirieron ser llevados a sala de operaciones para desinvaginación por taxis, de los cuales el 79.61 por ciento, 82, tuvieron un colon por enema fallido. La perforación intestinal fue la complicación más frecuente en un 12.6 por ciento de los casos, 13. Se realizó resección intestinal en 16 casos, 15.50 por ciento. Conclusiones: este estudio brinda información sobre la epidemiología de la invaginación intestinal en Costa Rica siendo éste un estudio base para futuras investigaciones asociadas a la introducción de las vacunas del rotavirus en el esquema de vacunación del país.

Trichosporon peritonitis following duodenal perforation

Fungal peritonitis, which was once a rare entity, is becoming increasingly common due to various immunocompromised conditions. Candida species are considered the common cause of fungal peritonitis in most cases. However, at present, other yeasts and filamentous fungi are replacing the dominance of Candida albicans as well as other Candida species. Trichosporon species are widely distributed in nature and are normal flora in the gastrointestinal tract of humans. Ever since the report of disseminated trichosporonosis in 1970, several cases of infections by various Trichosporon species in different clinical patients have been published. Here, we present a patient with Trichosporon peritonitis after duodenal perforation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of its kind from India

Perforated Sigmoid Colon Cancer within an Irreducible Inguinal Hernia: a Case Report

A perforated sigmoid colon cancer within an inguinal hernia is extremely rare. This unexpected finding is usually discovered during surgery and causes an unavoidable septic evolution. Here, we describe the case of an 84-year-old man who presented with fever, abdominal distension, and a painful, enlarged, left scrotum. A CT showed a left, incarcerated, inguinal hernia containing a perforated sigmoid adenocarcinoma (which was confirmed by histopathology). The possibility of an irreducible inguinal hernia in association with perforated sigmoid colon cancer should be considered in the array of diagnoses. A pre-operative CT scan would be helpful in facilitating an accurate diagnosis.

Indomethacin-induced colon perforation in Bartter's syndrome.

Bartter's syndrome (BS) is an inherited renal tubular disorder characterized by hypokalemia, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, and hyperaldosteronism with normal blood pressure. A 22-year-old woman was referred at 23 week of gestation. Polyhydramnios was detected and the chloride level of the amniotic fluid was high. The mother was treated with indomethacin from 26 to 31 week of gestation. The newborn was delivered at 34 week of gestation. At 8th day of life, indomethacin was also started for the baby. After three days, a colonic perforation developed. Indomethacin-induced colon perforation is uncommon in antenatal Bartter's syndrome. This patient indicates that administration of indomethacin in both antenatal and/or early postnatal period may be associated with colonic perforation.

Spontaneous fecal fistula in a neonate.

A 19-day-old male neonate was brought to us with a left upper quadrant abdominal wall defect through which bowel was prolapsing, with a double intussusception appearance typical of a patent omphalomesenteric duct. However, the history showed that the defect was not congenital, the child had a normal umbilicus, and at surgery the lesion was shown to be a mid jejunal perforation with prolapse of bowel along both the ascending and descending limbs. Histology revealed presence of inflammation and no heterotopic tissue. We believe this is the first ever report of such a fecal fistula and we speculate on the cause of this entity.

Parto pretérmino y sufrimiento fetal secundarios a peritonitis por apendicitis aguda perforada / Premature labor and fetal distress in a women with perforating acute appendicitis

La apendicitis aguda es la urgencia quirúrgica no obstétrica más frecuente durante el embarazo. Se ha asociado a parto pretérmino y a morbimortalidad fetal y materna, especialmente cuando se complica con peritonitis. Los cambios anatómicos, fisiológicos y bioquímicos que se producen durante la gestación pueden alterar los síntomas y signos típicos asociados a la apendicitis. Esto puede retrasar el diagnóstico y dar lugar a un aumento de la morbimortalidad materna y fetal. Presentamos el caso de una paciente gestante de 35 semanas en que la dificultad en el diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda conllevó a un cuadro de peritonitis, secundario a perforación apendicular, que causó dinámica uterina prematura y sufrimiento fetal.

Acute appendicitis is the most common non-obstetric surgical emergency in pregnancy. It has been associated with premature labour and fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality, especially when complicated with peritonitis. Anatomical, physiological and biochemical changes during pregnancy may alter typical symptoms and signs associated with appendicitis. This can result in delayed diagnosis and lead to an increase in mother's and fetus morbimortality. We present a case of a pregnant woman at 35 weeks of gestation in whom the difficulty in diagnosis of acute appendicitis resulted in the appearance of peritonitis because of appendix perforation, which was the cause of preterm labour and fetal distress.

Perfuração gástrica pela ingestão de corpos estranhos: relato de caso / Gastric perforation due to foreign body ingestion: a case report

Racional: A ingestão de corpos estranhos é uma condição clínica frequente, sendo a maioria dos objetos eliminados de forma espontânea pelo trato alimentar. A perfuração do estômago pela ingestão de corpos estranhos é rara, ocorrendo em menos de 1 % dos casos. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo é relatar um caso de perfuração gástrica pela ingestão de corpos estranhos. Relato do caso: Paciente masculino, 31 anos, com distúrbios psiquiátricos, apresentou quadro de dor abdominal associada à distensão abdominal e irritação peritoneal. O estudo radiológico mostrou presença de pneumoperitônio. Submeteu-se o paciente à laparotomia, com retirada de quatro escovas de dente através da perfuração gástrica, seguida de gastrorrafia. Evoluiu com fístula gastrocutânea e abscessos abdominais com necessidade de novos procedimentos cirúrgicos. Após um ano do primeiro evento, retornou com outro episódio de ingestão de escovas de dente, porém sem sinais de abdome agudo. A remoção dos objetos foi realizada via gastrotomia, evoluindo favoravelmente. Conclusão: A retirada precoce de corpos estranhos localizados no estômago ou no duodeno por via endoscópica ou cirúrgica diminui os riscos de perfuração gastrointestinal.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la peritonitis purulenta generalizada de origen diverticular / Surgical treatment of diffuse purulent peritonitis caused by acute diverticulitis

Introducción: La conducta quirúrgica óptima para el tratamiento de la colopatía diverticular perforada es aún motivo de controversia. La resección y anastomosis primaria como forma de tratamiento de la colopatía diverticular perforada ha ganado espacio en el ámbito de la cirugía de urgencia. En el presente trabajo se analiza en forma retrospectiva nuestra experiencia en el tratamiento quirúrgico de la patología colónica diverticular perforada en presencia de peritonitis purulenta generalizada (Hinchey III). Material y Método: Se analizan 24 pacientes operados en el Servicio de Proctología del Hospital y por médicos pertenecientes al Servicio, que se desempeñan en la práctica privada, en el periodo comprendido entre Enero de 1997 y Diciembre de 2006 portadores de diverticulitis aguda perforada con peritonitis purulenta generalizada (Hinchey III). Resultados: De los 24 pacientes incluidos en la serie, la resección con anastomosis primaria (RAP) fue utilizada en 18 casos (75 por ciento). En seis casos la anastomosis fue protegida mediante una colostomía transversa sobre varilla. Se presentaron complicaciones en tres casos (12,5 por ciento) en dos relacionados con la cirugía (absceso de pared y absceso retroperitoneal) y 1 caso de embolia de arteria radial. No se registraron dehiscencias anastomóticas. El cierre de la colostomía transversa se efectuó en los seis casos dentro de los 90 días de la primera cirugía. Los seis casos restantes fueron tratados mediante resección y operación tipo Hartmann. En este grupo 2 pacientes (33 por ciento) tuvieron complicaciones relacionadas con la cirugía (absceso de pared y necrosis de la colostomía). Un paciente falleció luego de tres lavados de la cavidad peritoneal. Conclusión: A la luz de estos resultados consideramos que la RAP es una variante válida para el tratamiento de la colopatía diverticular perforada en presencia de peritonitis purulenta generalizada (Hinchey III)...

Background: The optimal surgical conduct for the treatment of perforated diverticular disease is still a controversial issue. The resection and primary anastomosis as a way of treating this disease has gained space in the area of emergency surgery. The aim of this study was to analyze our experience in the surgical treatment of perforated diverticular disease with diffuse peritonitis (Hinchey III). Materials and Methods: We analyzed 24 Hinchey III patients operated by the same surgeons at the Proctology Service of our Hospital and in private practice, between January 1997 and December 2006. Results: Of the 24 patients included in the serie, resection with primary anastomosis (RPA) was performed in 18 cases (75 per cent). In six cases the anastomosis was protected by transverse colostomy. There were three postoperative complications (12.5 per cent), in two cases related to surgery (one surgical site infection and one retroperitoneal abscess) and l case of embolism of radial artery. There were no anastomotic dehiscence. The closure of the transverse colostomy was performed in all six cases within 90 days after the first surgery. The six remaining cases were treated through resection and Hartmann's procedure. In this group 2 patients (33 per cent) had complications related to surgery (abscess at surgical site and necrosis of the colostomy). One patient died after three relaparotomies. Conclusion: The RPA is a valid option for the treatment of diverticular perforated disease with diffuse purulent peritonitis (Hinchey III). We believe that peritonitis will not determine the possibility of a successful RPA. Probably are the general and local patients conditions, an adequate infrastructure care center and surgical team training in colon surgery are nessesary to performed this treatment in perforated diverticular diseases with purulent diffuse peritonitis. More series will endorse this treatment.

Effect of Candida infection on outcome in patients with perforation peritonitis.

Perforation peritonitis is treated with surgery and antibiotics. This study was conducted to identify bacterial and fungal microorganisms responsible for peritonitis in patients with hollow viscus perforation and to examine the influence of these microorganisms on the outcome. A prospective study was conducted from May 2005 to September 2006 involving 84 consecutive patients with spontaneous gastrointestinal perforation peritonitis, who were referred for surgery. Peritoneal fluid was analyzed by microbial culture and biochemical tests for bacteria and fungi. The Jabalpur Prognostic Score was calculated. Forty-two of the 84 patients had positive peritoneal fluid cultures. Escherichia coli was the most common bacterium (n=26) and Candida (n=13) the most common fungus isolated. Bacterial isolates were largely sensitive to amikacin while all the Candida isolates were sensitive to fluconazole. Mortality was significantly higher in patients with positive peritoneal cultures (15/42) compared with those with negative peritoneal cultures (0/42, p<0.001), and in patients with mixed bacterial and fungal-positive cultures (10/13) compared with those with isolated bacterial cultures (5/29, p<0.001). Using the Jabalpur Prognostic Score, positive fungal cultures were found to be associated with a significantly higher than expected mortality. Patients with gastrointestinal perforations and positive peritoneal cultures have a poor prognosis, which is significantly worsened by the association of positive fungal cultures. Early recognition and treatment of fungal infection is advisable.

Peritonitis: 10 years' experience in a single surgical unit.

BACKGROUND: Peritonitis secondary to gut perforation is still one of the commonest surgical emergencies in India and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The present study examines the aetiology and outcome of peritonitis cases operated on in our surgical unit, and compares our findings with those of previous studies performed between 1981 and 1991. METHOD: A retrospective study of 260 peritonitis patients operated on in a single surgical unit from 1995 to 2006 was done and data involving clinical presentation, operative findings and post-operative course were studied and analysed. RESULTS: Causes of peritonitis were small bowel perforation (96 ileal, 17 jejunal), peptic perforation (45 duodenal, 16 gastric), appendicular perforation (36), primary peritonitis (8), and others (42). The incidence of major complications was 25% (burst-11%, leak-5%, intraabdominal abscess-5%, multi-organ failure-6.5%). The overall mortality was 10%. High mortality was observed in jejunal, gall bladder and liver abscess perforation cases (> 20%). Histopathological evaluation (143 specimens) revealed tuberculosis in 42 (mostly small bowel), malignancy in 8, and inflammation in the rest. Comparisons with a similar study carried out in the same unit and published in 1995 revealed similar demographic features and mortality, but a change in the most common cause (peptic ulcer perforation to small bowel perforation), and an increased performance of enterostomy compared with primary repair in small bowel perforation and a decrease in the leak rate (13% to 4%). CONCLUSION: Small bowel perforation is the commonest form of perforation and the mortality rate associated with peritonitis remains unchanged.

Perforated Meckels diverticulum causing giant pseudocyst and secondary appendicitis.

Meckels diverticula are known to present with a myriad of complications. However its perforation followed by development of a giant pseudocyst and secondary appendicitis is not reported in literature thus far. We report this complication in a five and half month old infant.

Abdomen agudo: consideraciones generales / Acute abdomen: general considerations

Abdomen agudo es una terminología ampliamente utilizada y que se aplica a una serie de cuadros clínicos de diversas naturalezas y etiología. Clínicamente se consideran como abdómenes agudos cuadros caracterizados por intenso dolor abdominal de comienzo súbito o gradual pero rápidamente progresivo. Entre los abdómenes agudos los hay quirúrgicos y médicos, los que se diferencian por la existencia o no de signos peritoneales.