Pseudo-obstruction, an infrequent Lupus manifestation: A case report

Gastrointestinal involvement in SLE has been reported in up to 50%, generally secondary to the adverse effects of treatment. Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is caused by hypomotility related to ineffective propulsion. The case of a 51-year-old patient with intestinal obstruction is presented. She was taken to surgical management due to suspicion of adhesions, with a stationary clinical course; the control tomography documented loop dilation and bilateral hydroureteronephrosis, associated with markers of lupus activity. It was managed as an intestinal pseudo-obstruction due to SLE with resolution of her symptoms. High diagnostic suspicion results in timely treatment and the reduction of complications.

El compromiso gastrointestinal en lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) ha sido reportado hasta en un 50%, generalmente secundario a los efectos adversos del tratamiento. La pseudoobstrucción intestinal es causada por hipomotilidad relacionada con una propulsión inefectiva. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 51 arios, con obstrucción intestinal por sospecha de bridas, que fue llevada a manejo quirúrgico y tuvo una evolución clínica estacionaria. La tomografía de control documentó dilatación de asas e hidroureteronefrosis bilateral, en tanto que los paraclínicos mostraron actividad lúpica. Se manejó como una pseudoobstrucción intestinal por LES con resolución del cuadro. La alta sospecha diagnóstica favorece el tratamiento oportuno y la disminución de las complicaciones.

Escala predictiva de dehiscencia de la línea de sutura intestinal / A Predictive Scale for Dehiscence of the Intestinal Suture Line

Introducción: La dehiscencia de la línea de sutura es una de las complicaciones más frecuentes en la cirugía intestinal. Objetivo: Diseñar una escala predictiva para estimar de forma individual la probabilidad de dehiscencia de la línea de sutura intestinal. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio, analítico, de cohorte con recogida retrospectiva de datos en el sexenio 2014-2019 en el hospital "Celia Sánchez Manduley". La muestra fue de 437 pacientes y se usó la variable dependiente: dehiscencia de la línea de sutura intestinal y variables independientes: edad, sexo, comorbilidad, hemoglobina, hipoalbuminemia, neoplasia de colon, riesgo anestésico, entre otras. Resultados: En el análisis multivariado se obtuvo un modelo ajustado con las variables: edad mayor de 70 años (p = 0,002), hipoalbuminemia (p = 0,014), anastomosis enterocólica (p = 0,018), cirugía urgente (p = 0,001) e íleo paralítico prolongado (p < 0,001). La escala predictiva fue derivada del modelo estadístico ajustado y clasificado en 3 grupos de riesgo la probabilidad de dehiscencia de la línea de sutura intestinal: bajo (menor de 2 puntos), moderado (entre 3 y 5 puntos) y elevado (mayor de 6 puntos). Presentó una sensibilidad de 89,6 por ciento, especificidad de 89,1 por ciento, porciento predictivo global de 89,2 por ciento, valor predictivo positivo de 66,1 por ciento y valor predictivo negativo de 97,2 por ciento. Tuvo una excelente calibración y un elevado poder discriminativo. Conclusión: Se obtuvo una escala predictiva para estimar de forma individual la probabilidad de dehiscencia de la línea de sutura intestinal(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: The suture line dehiscence is one of the most frequent complications in intestinal surgery. Objective: To design a predictive scale for estimating individual probability of suture line dehiscence. Methods: An analytical cohort study, which involved retrospective data collection, was carried out, in the six-year period of 2014-2019, at Celia Sánchez Manduley Hospital. The sample consisted of 437 patients. Dehiscence of the intestinal suture line was used as a dependent variable, while age, sex, comorbidity, hemoglobin, hypoalbuminemia, colon neoplasia, anesthetic risk, among others, were used as independent variables. Results: Through multivariate analysis, an adjusted model was obtained, with the following results for the variables: age over 70 years (P=0.002), hypoalbuminemia (P=0.014), enterocolic anastomosis (P=0.018), urgent surgery (P=0.001), and ileus prolonged paralytic (P < 0.001). The predictive scale was derived from the adjusted statistical model and, based on the probability of dehiscence of the intestinal suture line, classified into three risk groups: low (less than two points), moderate (between 3-5 points) and high (more than six points). It presented a sensitivity of 89.6 percent, a specificity of 89.1 percent, a global predictive percentage of 89.2 percent, a positive predictive value of 66.1 percent, and a negative predictive value of 97.2 percent. It had an excellent calibration and a high discriminative power. Conclusion: A predictive scale was obtained for estimating the individual probability of dehiscence of the intestinal suture line(AU)

Íleo paralítico em três bovinos: relato de caso / Paralytic ileus in three cattle: case report

O íleo paralítico é uma obstrução do tipo funcional, na qual o lúmen intestinal está patente, comprometendo a passagem da ingesta no intestino. Este relato objetiva descrever três casos em vacas com aptidão leiteira, atendidos na rotina hospitalar e diagnosticados com íleo paralítico. Em seus históricos, os proprietários queixavam-se que os animais apresentavam redução do apetite, timpania ruminal, diminuição da produção de leite e eliminação das fezes. Ao exame físico, alguns sinais clínicos apresentaram destaque, como apatia, desidratação, redução da motilidade ruminal e intestinal, fezes em pequena quantidade e com muco, distensão do abdômen e ao balotamento constatou-se a presença de líquido. Na análise do fluido ruminal todos os animais apresentaram o teor de cloreto elevado (>30 mEq/L), caracterizando, dessa forma, um processo obstrutivo. Diante dos achados, suspeitou-se inicialmente de um quadro de obstrução intestinal. Nos casos, a conduta adotada foi realizar uma laparotomia exploratória através do flanco direito, porém constatou-se, que não existia qualquer segmento com obstrução de natureza mecânica, que justificasse as alterações físicas e laboratoriais encontradas. Diante destes resultados, configurou-se um quadro clínico indicativo de íleo paralítico. As vacasforam submetidas a um protocolo terapêutico pós-cirúrgico composto por antibioticoterapia, anti-inflamatório, cálcio, procinético e tratamento de suporte. Os animais manifestaram uma resposta favorável a conduta terapêutica, com restabelecimento da função gastrointestinal e dos demais parâmetros fisiológicos, recebendo alta após uma evolução clínica variando entre dez a doze dias.

Paralytic ileus is an obstruction of the functional type, in which the intestinal lumen is patent, compromising the passage of the intake in the intestine. The objective of this study was to describe three cases in dairy cows treated in the hospital routine diagnosed with paralytic ileus. In their histories, the owners complained that the animals presented reduced appetite, ruminal tympany, decreased milk yield and elimination of faeces. At the physical examination, some clinical signs were prominent in both, such as apathy, dehydration, reduction of ruminal and intestinal motility, faeces were present in small quantity and with mucus present, abdominal enlargement and the succession produced sloshing sounds. In the analysis of the ruminal fluid, the chloride content in both was high (>30 mEq/L), characterizing an obstructive process. In the face of the findings, a diagnosis of intestinal obstruction was initially suspected. In animals, the adopted approach was to perform an exploratory laparotomy through the right flank, but it was verified that there was no segment with mechanical obstruction that justified the physical and laboratorial alterations found. In view of these results, a clinical diagnosis indicative of paralytic ileus was established. The three animals were submitted to a post-surgical therapeutic protocol consisting of antibiotic therapy, anti-inflammatory, calcium, pro-kinetic and supportive treatment. The animals showed a favourable response to therapeutic treatment, with restoration of gastrointestinal function and other physiological parameters, and was discharged after a clinical evolution ranging from ten to twelve days.

Íleo paralítico em três bovinos: Relato de caso / Paralytic ileus in three cattle: case report

O íleo paralítico é uma obstrução do tipo funcional, na qual o lúmen intestinal está patente, comprometendo a passagem da ingesta no intestino. Este relato objetiva descrever três casos em vacas com aptidão leiteira, atendidos na rotina hospitalar e diagnosticados com íleo paralítico. Em seus históricos, os proprietários queixavam-se que os animais apresentavam redução do apetite, timpania ruminal, diminuição da produção de leite e eliminação das fezes. Ao exame físico, alguns sinais clínicos apresentaram destaque, como apatia, desidratação, redução da motilidade ruminal e intestinal, fezes em pequena quantidade e com muco, distensão do abdômen e ao balotamento constatou-se a presença de líquido. Na análise do fluido ruminal todos os animais apresentaram o teor de cloreto elevado (>30 mEq/L), caracterizando, dessa forma, um processo obstrutivo. Diante dos achados, suspeitou-se inicialmente de um quadro de obstrução intestinal. Nos casos, a conduta adotada foi realizar uma laparotomia exploratória através do flanco direito, porém constatou-se, que não existia qualquer segmento com obstrução de natureza mecânica, que justificasse as alterações físicas e laboratoriais encontradas. Diante destes resultados, configurou-se um quadro clínico indicativo de íleo paralítico. As vacas foram submetidas a um protocolo terapêutico pós-cirúrgico composto por antibioticoterapia, anti-inflam

Paralytic ileus is an obstruction of the functional type, in which the intestinal lumen is patent, compromising the passage of the intake in the intestine. The objective of this study was to describe three cases in dairy cows treated in the hospital routine diagnosed with paralytic ileus. In their histories, the owners complained that the animals presented reduced appetite, ruminal tympany, decreased milk yield and elimination of faeces. At the physical examination, some clinical signs were prominent in both, such as apathy, dehydration, reduction of ruminal and intestinal motility, faeces were present in small quantity and with mucus present, abdominal enlargement and the succession produced sloshing sounds. In the analysis of the ruminal fluid, the chloride content in both was high (>30 mEq/L), characterizing an obstructive process. In the face of the findings, a diagnosis of intestinal obstruction was initially suspected. In animals, the adopted approach was to perform an exploratory laparotomy through the right flank, but it was verified that there was no segment with mechanical obstruction that justified the physical and laboratorial alterations found. In view of these results, a clinical diagnosis indicative of paralytic ileus was established. The three animals were submitted to a post-surgical therapeutic protocol consisting of antibiotic therapy, anti-inflammatory, calcium, pro-kinetic and supportive treatment. The animals showed a favourable response to therapeutic treatment, with restoration of gastrointestinal function and other physiological parameters, and was discharged after a clinical evolution ranging from ten to twelve days.

Ascariasis hepatobiliar en una lactante con desnutrición severa: reporte de caso / Hepatobiliary ascariasis in severely malnourished infant: case report

Resumen La Ascariasis es la geohelminitiasis más común del mundo, catalogándose como una enfermedad tropical desatendida, que puede causar compromiso pulmonar, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliar y nutricional. Se presenta el caso inusual de una lactante procedente de una zona de extrema pobreza quien consultó por fiebre, vómito, ausencia de deposiciones, distensión y dolor abdominal. Fue diagnosticada con pseudoobstrucción intestinal, desnutrición severa, choque séptico de origen intraabdominal, retraso del neurodesarrollo y deprivación psicoafectiva, cuyas imágenes reportaron ascariasis hepatobiliar y granulomas hepáticos calcificados y abscedados, con infestación severa por Ascaris lumbricoides. Recibió manejo antibiótico y antiparasitario con recuperación exitosa. En nuestro medio, las infecciones por helmintos son causa frecuente de anemia, retraso cognitivo y del crecimiento en niños en edad escolar. Sin embargo, la infestación y complicaciones hepatobiliares como colangitis, colecistitis, pancreatitis, litiasis biliar y hepatitis abscedada son inusuales en menores de dos años. A través de este caso se pretende resaltar la presentación atípica de la enfermedad en lactantes e incitar al fortalecimiento de las intervenciones en salud pública. MÉD.UIS.2020;33(1):67-72.

Abstract Ascariasis is the most common geohelminitiasis in the world. It is categorized as an unattended tropical disease, which can cause pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and nutritional compromise. We present the unusual case of an infant from an extreme poverty area presenting fever, vomiting, absence of bowel movements, bloating and abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with intestinal pseudoobstruction, severe malnutrition, abdominal septic shock, neurodevelopmental delay and emotional deprivation. The images reported hepatobiliary ascariasis and calcified and abscessed hepatic granulomas, with severe infestation by Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura. She was treated with antibiotics and antiparasitic agents with successful recovery. In our environment, helminth infections are a frequent cause of anemia, stunting and neurodevelopmental delay in school-age children. However, infestation and hepatobiliary complications such as cholangitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, biliary lithiasis and hepatic abscess are unusual in children under two years old. Through this case, it is intended to highlight the atypical presentation of this disease at the age of this patient and encourage the strengthening of public health interventions. MÉD.UIS.2020;33(1):67-72.

Enteroscopia asistida por balón simple en el manejo de la patología del intestino delgado: Experiencia de la Unidad de Intestino Delgado de la Clínica Anglo Americana durante el periodo de diciembre del 2012 a diciembre del 2018 / Single balloon enteroscopy in the management of small bowel pathology: Experience of the Small Bowel Unit - British American Hospital from December 2012 to December 2018

Objetivo: Describir la experiencia en el uso de la enteroscopia asistida por balón simple para el diagnóstico y manejo de la patología del intestino delgado en pacientes con anatomía normal y alterada por cirugía en la Clínica Anglo Americana. Material y método: El presente es un estudio descriptivo - retrospectivo que incluye a todos los pacientes que acudieron a la Unidad de Intestino Delgado de la Clínica Anglo Americana, para realizarse una enteroscopia asistida por balón durante el periodo comprendido entre diciembre del 2012 a diciembre del 2018. Resultados: Se realizaron 80 procedimientos de enteroscopia asistida por balón simple, 49 fueron realizados por via anterógrada y 31 por vía retrógrada. La edad promedio fue 60,78 años (20 a 88 años). 48 pacientes (60%) eran varones. El tiempo de inserción media fue 80 minutos para la vía anterógrada (55 - 141 minutos) y 110 minutos para la vía retrógrada (55 -180 minutos). La principal indicación para realizar la enteroscopia por balón simple fue hemorragia digestiva oscura, 45 casos (56,25%). Se realizaron 6 estudios de enteroscopias asistida por balón en pacientes con anatomía alterada (7,5%). Setenta de los ochenta procedimientos (87,5%) fueron realizados con sedación administrada por enfermería supervisada por gastroenterólogo en base a midazolam, petidina y propofol, no se presentó ninguna complicación respiratoria o hemodinámica. Los diagnósticos obtenidos más frecuentes por enteroscopia fueron: angiodisplasias de intestino delgado (20%), úlceras yeyuno ileales (17,5%) y neoplasias a nivel del intestino delgado (7,5%). La complicación que se presentó con más frecuencia posterior a la enteroscopia fue el íleo paralítico, 2 casos, y se asoció a no utilizar insuflación con dióxido de carbono durante el procedimiento. Conclusiones: La hemorragia digestiva oscura fue la principal indicación para realizar una enteroscopia asistida por balón simple. Los diagnósticos más frecuentes fueron angiodisplasias, úlceras yeyuno ileales y neoplasias a nivel del intestino delgado. La complicación más frecuente fue el íleo paralítico y se asoció a no utilizar insuflación con dióxido de carbono durante el procedimiento.

Objetive: To describe our experience with single balloon enteroscopy in the management of small bowel disease in British American Hospital, Lima - Perú. Material and methods: Descriptive and prospective study. We include all patients that come to perform a single balloon enteroscopy in small bowel unit of British American Hospital within December 2012 to December 2018. Results: We performed 80 procedures of single balloon enteroscopy, 49 were done by oral approach, 31 by rectal approach. Mean age were 60.78 years-old (20 - 88 years). 48 patients (60%) were male. The mean insertion time for oral approach was 80 minutes (55-141 minutes), and for rectal approach was 110 minutes (55-180 minutes). The main indication for single balloon enteroscopy was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. 6 enteroscopies were performed in patients with altered surgical anatomy (7.5%). 70 of 80 procedures (87.5%) were performed with gastroenterology-administered sedation, using midazolam, pethidine and propofol, without any respiratory or hemodinamic complication. Diagnostics achieved by single balloon enteroscopy were small bowel angiodysplasias (20%), yeyuno ileal ulcers (17.5%) and small bowel neoplasia (7.5%). Paralytic ileus was the most common complication of single balloon enteroscopy, 2 cases, and both cases were associated after no using carbon dioxide insufflation during procedure. Conclusion: Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding was the main indication for single balloon enteroscopy. Diagnostics achieved by single balloon enteroscopy were small bowel angiodysplasias (20%), yeyuno ileal ulcers (17.5%) and small bowel neoplasia (7.5%). Paralytic ileus was the most common complication of single balloon enteroscopy, 2 cases, and both cases were associated after no using carbon dioxide insufflation during procedure

Colonic Pseudo-obstruction With Transition Zone: A Peculiar Eastern Severe Dysmotility

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Previous studies from Korea have described chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) patients with transition zone (TZ) in the colon. In this study, we evaluated the pathological characteristics and their association with long-term outcomes in Korean colonic pseudo-obstruction (CPO) patients with TZ. METHODS: We enrolled 39 CPO patients who were refractory to medical treatment and underwent colectomy between November 1989 and April 2016 (median age at symptoms onset: 45 [interquartile range, 29–57] years, males 46.2%). The TZ was defined as a colonic segment connecting a proximally dilated and distally non-dilated segment. Detailed pathologic analysis was performed. RESULTS: Among the 39 patients, 37 (94.9%) presented with TZ and 2 (5.1%) showed no definitive TZ. Median ganglion cell density in the TZ adjusted for the colonic circumference was significantly decreased compared to that in proximal dilated and distal non-dilated segments in TZ (+) patients (9.2 vs 254.3 and 150.5, P < 0.001). Among the TZ (+) patients, 6 showed additional pathologic findings including eosinophilic ganglionitis (n = 2), ulcers with combined cytomegalovirus infection (n = 2), diffuse ischemic changes (n = 1), and heterotropic myenteric plexus (n = 1). During follow-up (median, 61 months), 32 (82.1%) TZ (+) patients recovered without symptom recurrence after surgery. The presence of pathological features other than hypoganglionosis was an independent predictor of symptom recurrence after surgery (P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Hypoganglionosis can be identified in the TZ of most Korean CPO patients. Detection of other pathological features in addition to TZ-associated hypoganglionosis was associated with poor post-operative outcomes.

Pyridostigmine in Pediatric Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction: Case Report of a 2-year Old Girl and Literature Review

Pediatric chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a rare disorder characterized by a severe impairment of gastrointestinal motility leading to intestinal obstruction symptoms in the absence of mechanical causes. The diagnosis is usually clinical and diagnostic work is usually aimed to rule out mechanical obstruction and to identify any underlying diseases. Treatment is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary effort. In this manuscript we describe the youngest child successfully treated with the orally administrable, long-acting, reversible anti-cholinesterase drug, pyridostigmine. Like other drugs belonging to cholinesterase inhibitors, pyridostigmine enhances gut motility by increasing acetylcholine availability in the enteric nervous system and neuro-muscular junctions. Based on the direct evidence from the reported case, we reviewed the current literature on the use of pyridostigmine in severe pediatric dysmotility focusing on intestinal pseudo-obstruction. The overall data emerged from the few published studies suggest that pyridostigmine is an effective and usually well tolerated therapeutic options for patients with intestinal pseudo-obstruction. More specifically, the main results obtained by pyridostigmine included marked reduction of abdominal distension, reduced need of parenteral nutrition, and improvement of oral feeding. The present case and review on pyridostigmine pave the way for eagerly awaited future randomized controlled studies testing the efficacy of cholinesterase inhibitors in pediatric severe gut dysmotility.

Role of DNA Methylation in the Development and Differentiation of Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Smooth Muscle Cells

The mammalian intestine contains many different cell types but is comprised of 2 main cell types: epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells. Recent in vivo and in vitro evidence has revealed that various alterations to the DNA methylation apparatus within both of these cell types can result in a variety of cellular phenotypes including modified differentiation status, apoptosis, and uncontrolled growth. Methyl groups added to cytosines in regulatory genomic regions typically act to repress associated gene transcription. Aberrant DNA methylation patterns are often found in cells with abnormal growth/differentiation patterns, including those cells involved in burdensome intestinal pathologies including inflammatory bowel diseases and intestinal pseudo-obstructions. The altered methylation patterns being observed in various cell cultures and DNA methyltransferase knockout models indicate an influential connection between DNA methylation and gastrointestinal cells' development and their response to environmental signaling. As these modified DNA methylation levels are found in a number of pathological gastrointestinal conditions, further investigations into uncovering the causative nature, and controlled regulation, of this epigenetic modification is of great interest.

Waardenburg Syndrome Type IV De Novo SOX10 Variant Causing Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Waardenburg syndrome (WS) type IV is characterized by pigmentary abnormalities, deafness and Hirschsprung's disease. This syndrome can be triggered by dysregulation of the SOX10 gene, which belongs to the SOX (SRY-related high-mobility group-box) family of genes. We discuss the first known case of a SOX10 frameshift mutation variant defined as c.895delC causing WS type IV without Hirschsprung's disease. This female patient of unrelated Kuwaiti parents, who tested negative for cystic fibrosis and Hirschsprung's disease, was born with meconium ileus and malrotation and had multiple surgical complications likely due to chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. These complications included small intestinal necrosis requiring resection, development of a spontaneous fistula between the duodenum and jejunum after being left in discontinuity, and short gut syndrome. This case and previously reported cases demonstrate that SOX10 gene sequencing is a consideration in WS patients without aganglionosis but with intestinal dysfunction.

Short Bowel Syndrome as the Leading Cause of Intestinal Failure in Early Life: Some Insights into the Management / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Intestinal failure (IF) is the critical reduction of the gut mass or its function below the minimum needed to absorb nutrients and fluids required for adequate growth in children. Severe IF requires parenteral nutrition (PN). Pediatric IF is most commonly due to congenital or neonatal intestinal diseases or malformations divided into 3 groups: 1) reduced intestinal length and consequently reduced absorptive surface, such as in short bowel syndrome (SBS) or extensive aganglionosis; 2) abnormal development of the intestinal mucosa such as congenital diseases of enterocyte development; 3) extensive motility dysfunction such as chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction syndromes. The leading cause of IF in childhood is the SBS. In clinical practice the degree of IF may be indirectly measured by the level of PN required for normal or catch up growth. Other indicators such as serum citrulline have not proven to be highly reliable prognostic factors in children. The last decades have allowed the development of highly sophisticated nutrient solutions consisting of optimal combinations of macronutrients and micronutrients as well as guidelines, promoting PN as a safe and efficient feeding technique. However, IF that requires long-term PN may be associated with various complications including infections, growth failure, metabolic disorders, and bone disease. IF Associated Liver Disease may be a limiting factor. However, changes in the global management of IF pediatric patients, especially since the setup of intestinal rehabilitation centres did change the prognosis thus limiting “nutritional failure” which is considered as a major indication for intestinal transplantation (ITx) or combined liver-ITx.

Seudoobstrucción colónica aguda o síndrome de Ogilvie en una anciana / Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction or Ogilvie syndrome in an old woman

La seudoobstrucción colónica aguda o síndrome de Ogilvie es una afección en la cual hay apariencia clínica e imagenológica de obstrucción intestinal sin bloqueo mecánico. Se describe el caso clínico de una anciana de 65 años de edad, quien sufría esta condición clínica, por lo cual fue atendida en el Servicio de Cirugía del Hospital N´Gola Kimbanda, provincia Namibe en Angola e intervenida quirúrgicamente. La paciente evolucionó favorablemente y egresó sin dificultad

The acute colonic pseudo-obstruction or Ogilvie syndrome is a disorder in which there is a clinical and imagenologic appearance of intestinal obstruction without mechanic blockade. The case report of a 65 years old woman who suffered from this clinical condition is described, reason why she was assisted and surgically intervened in the Surgery Service of N´Gola Kimbanda Hospital, Namibe province in Angola. The patient had a favorable clinical course and she was discharged without difficulty

Quetiapine Related Acute Paralytic Ileus in a Bipolar I Disorder Patient with Successful Low Dose Amisulpride Substitution: A Case Report

The mechanism of medication-induced gastrointestinal hypomotility is primarily caused by muscarinic cholinergic antagonism. This effect may cause constipation and paralytic ileus, which may lead to fatal complications. A 51-year-old woman was admitted due to manic episode recurrence. She developed paralytic ileus under quetiapine use and treated successfully under low dose amisulpride use. The related mechanism, associated risk factors, and the rationale for medication switch are discussed.

Tratamiento exitoso con inmunoglobulinas intravenosas en un paciente con pseudoobstrucción intestinal asociada a lupus eritematoso sistémico / Successful treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins in a patient with intestinal pseudo-obstruction associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

Resumen El compromiso gastrointestinal en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) es muy diverso. Su frecuencia y ubicación a lo largo del tracto digestivo varían ampliamente. Los procesos inflamatorios secundarios a los depósitos de complejos inmunes o eventos vasculares pueden ser los causantes de este compromiso. Una de las manifestaciones gastrointestinales características en los pacientes con LES es la pseudoobstrucción intestinal, que se define como la propulsión intestinal ineficaz que se produce en ausencia de factores mecánicos u obstructivos. Esta es, sin embargo, una complicación rara y poco entendida del LES. En este artículo, reportamos el caso de un paciente masculino con diagnóstico de LES y pseudoobstrucción intestinal, que fue tratado exitosamente con esteroides e inmunoglobulinas intravenosas. Se presenta una revisión completa de la literatura y una propuesta de la fisiopatología de la manifestación.

Abstract Gastrointestinal involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is very diverse, and the frequency of occurrence and location along the digestive tract varies widely. Inflammatory processes secondary to immune complex deposits or vascular events may cause this involvement. One of the most characteristic gastrointestinal manifestations in these patients is the intestinal pseudo-obstruction, which is defined as the ineffective intestinal propulsion that occurs in the absence of mechanical or obstructive factors. This is, however, a rare and poorly understood complication of SLE. The case is presented of a male SLE patient presenting with intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and was successfully treated with steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin. A complete review of the literature and a proposal for the pathophysiology of intestinal pseudo-obstruction are presented.

Neostigmine Treatment of Paralytic Ileus in Critically Ill Patients

Paralytic ileus is a common complication in critically ill patients, and can affect all parts of the gastrointestinal tract. We report a case of paralytic ileus that improved after neostigmine administration. An 80-year-old man was transferred to the intensive care unit after a diagnosis of severe colitis due to Clostridium difficile infection while under conservative treatment for paralytic ileus . The patient's colitis resolved but the ileus did not. This prompted neostigmine administration, resulting in remarkable improvements in the abdominal physical examination and radiographic images. Bowel movements recovered, oral feeding was restarted, and the patient was transferred back to the general ward.

Unusual Histology of Eosinophilic Myenteric Ganglionitis: A Case Report

Eosinophilic myenteric ganglionitis is a disorder characterized by infiltration of the Auerbach myenteric plexus by eosinophils. As a cause of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO), eosinophilic myenteric ganglionitis has been rarely reported and the majority of the reported cases in the literature were children. We experienced a case of eosinophilic myenteric ganglionitis associated with CIPO in a 53-year-old female patient. Histologic examination of the resected descending colon showed moderate eosinophilic infiltrates with hypogangliosis in the myenteric plexus. Immunohistochemical study revealed increased number of CD4-positive lymphocytes and stronger but scantier glial fibillary acid protein expression in the inflamed myenteric plexus.

Gastrointestinal Mucormycosis in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants Mimicking Atypical Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Intussusception

Neonatal gastrointestinal mucormycosis, a rare disease with a high mortality rate, shows a rapid progressive course in premature infants with an immature immune system. We report the case of a male neonate weighing 970 g, delivered via cesarean section at 27 weeks, as one of a pair of dizygotic twins. From the 7(th) day after birth, bile was seen to drain through the orogastric tube, and paralytic ileus was noted on performing an abdominal X-ray. Thus, oral feeding was discontinued because necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was highly suspected. On the 9(th) day after birth, a firm mass was palpable in left upper abdominal quadrant, but no pneumatosis intestinalis was observed on performing abdominal X-ray. Small bowel intussusception was suspected on performing abdominal ultrasonography. Based on these findings, an exploratory laparotomy was performed, and although no intussusception was found intraoperatively, we performed a partial gastrectomy and hemicolectomy due to the presence of necrotic changes and perforations of the stomach and colon. Postoperatively, he was observed to have hypotension with persistence of hemorrhage at the surgical site. He died on the 11(th) day after birth. Intraoperative histopathological examination of stomach and colon showed fungal aseptate hyphae with broad branching. Gastrointestinal mucormycosis was confirmed based on findings of vascular involvement in the form of fungal hyphae and thrombosis in the transmural blood vessels. We report a case of an extremely low birth weight infant with neonatal gastrointestinal mucormycosis with an initial clinical presentation suggestive of intussusception and atypical NEC.

Effect of Acupuncture on Postoperative Ileus after Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: Acupuncture has recently been accepted as a treatment option for managing postoperative ileus (POI) and various functional gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, we conducted a prospective randomized study to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on POI and other surgical outcomes in patients who underwent gastric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients who underwent distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer from March to December 2015 were randomly assigned to acupuncture or non-acupuncture (NA) groups at 1:1 ratio. The acupuncture treatment was administered treatment once daily for 5 consecutive days starting at postoperative day 1. The primary outcome measure was the number of remnant sitz markers in the small intestine on abdominal radiograph. The secondary outcome measure was the surgical outcome, including the times to first flatus, first defecation, start of water intake, and start of soft diet, as well as length of hospital stay and laboratory findings. RESULTS: The acupuncture group had significantly fewer remnant sitz markers in the small intestine on postoperative days 3 and 5 compared to those in the NA group. A significant difference was observed in the numbers of remnant sitz markers in the small intestine with respect to group differences by time (P<0.0001). The acupuncture group showed relatively better surgical outcomes than those in the NA group, but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In this clinical trial, acupuncture promoted the passage of sitz markers, which may reflect the possibility of reducing POI after distal gastrectomy.

A Child with Guillain-Barré Syndrome Presenting Paralytic Ileus

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is characterized by ascending symmetric paralysis, paresthesia, and autonomic dysfunction. Autonomic dysfunctions develop in two-thirds of the patients, and urinary retention and paralytic ileus usually develop in severe and advanced cases. There has been no pediatric case with paralytic ileus as a presenting symptom of GBS. Reported herein is a case of GBS presenting vomiting as an initial symptom. A 28-month-old girl was brought to the emergency room due to a 2-day history of vomiting. She vomited multiple times 1 day before the visit, and had only single voiding on admission day. Her abdomen was distended, with decreased bowel sound. Intravenous fluid was given under the diagnosis with acute gastroenteritis with dehydration. The abdominal computed tomography revealed severe paralytic ileus and urinary bladder distention. After having two seizures, she developed respiratory failure necessitating ventilator care. On day 8 after admission, motor weakness with areflexia was noticed. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed elevated proteins (80 mg/dL) with no white blood cells (0/mm³). The nerve conduction study showed axonal-type peripheral polyneuropathy. GBS was diagnosed. During the follow-up, the patient was found to have motor weakness in the lower extremities. Paralytic ileus with protracted vomiting can be an initial presentation of GBS in children. Autonomic dysfunction with GBS can be considered in a differential diagnosis in vomiting patients with unclear etiologies.