Primary aortoduodenal fistula: first you should suspect it

ABSTRACT A 59 year-old patient was admitted with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The clinical exam showed mild hypotension and blood samples revealed acute anemia (hemoglobin = 7.5 g/dl). Emergency computed tomography showed an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm and extravasation of the arterial contrast material toward the digestive tract. The patient was transported to the operating room for emergency laparotomy, which showed an aortoduodenal fistula. After proximal and distal aortic vascular control, the two anatomical structures were dissected with duodenorrhaphy, patch repair of the aortic tear and omentum interposition. The postoperative recovery was uneventful, with discharge after 12 days.

Most small bowel cancers are revealed by a complication / A maioria dos cânceres de intestino delgado são revelados por uma complicação

ABSTRACT Objective To characterize the pattern of primary small bowel cancers in a tertiary East-European hospital. Methods A retrospective study of patients with small bowel cancers admitted to a tertiary emergency center, over the past 15 years. Results There were 57 patients with small bowel cancer, representing 0.039% of admissions and 0.059% of laparotomies. There were 37 (64.9%) men, mean age of 58 years; and 72 years for females. Out of 57 patients, 48 (84.2%) were admitted due to an emergency situation: obstruction in 21 (38.9%), perforation in 17 (31.5%), upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 8 (14.8%), and lower gastrointestinal bleeding in 2 (3.7%). There were 10 (17.5%) duodenal tumors, 21 (36.8%) jejunal tumors and 26 (45.6%) ileal tumors. The most frequent neoplasms were gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 24 patients (42.1%), adenocarcinoma in 19 (33.3%), lymphoma in 8 (14%), and carcinoids in 2 (3.5%). The prevalence of duodenal adenocarcinoma was 14.55 times greater than that of the small bowel, and the prevalence of duodenal stromal tumors was 1.818 time greater than that of the small bowel. Obstruction was the complication in adenocarcinoma in 57.9% of cases, and perforation was the major local complication (47.8%) in stromal tumors. Conclusion Primary small bowel cancers are usually diagnosed at advanced stages, and revealed by a local complication of the tumor. Their surgical management in emergency setting is associated to significant morbidity and mortality rates.

RESUMO Objetivo Caracterizar o padrão de neoplasias malignas primárias do intestino delgado em um hospital terciário de Leste Europeu. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo de pacientes com câncer de intestino delgado, internados em um hospital terciário e de emergência, ao longo dos últimos 15 anos. Resultados Foram avaliados 57 pacientes com neoplasias malignas gastrintestinais, o que representou 0,039% das admissões e 0,059% das laparotomias realizadas. Total de 37 (64,9%) pacientes masculinos, média de idade de 58 anos, e de 72 anos para mulheres. Dentre os 57 pacientes, 48 (84,2%) foram internados em situação de emergência: obstrução intestinal em 21 (38,9%), perfuração em 17 (31,5%), hemorragia digestiva alta em 8 (14,8%), e hemorragia digestiva baixa em 2 (3,7%). Houve 10 (17,5%) tumores duodenais, 21 (36,8%) jejunais e 26 (45,6%) ileais. As neoplasias mais frequentes foram tumor estromal gastrintestinal, em 24 (42,1%) pacientes, adenocarcinoma em 19 (33,3%), linfoma em 8 (14%) e carcinoides em 2 (3,5%). A prevalência de adenocarcinoma duodenal foi 14,55 vezes maior do que a do intestino delgado, e a prevalência de tumores estromais duodenais foi 1,818 vez maior do que a do intestino delgado. A obstrução intestinal foi complicação do adenocarcinoma em 57,9% dos casos, e a perfuração foi a principal complicação local (47,8%) dos tumores estromais. Conclusão As neoplasias malignas primárias do intestino delgado foram geralmente diagnosticadas em estado avançado e reveladas por uma complicação local do tumor. O tratamento cirúrgico em situação de emergência está associado à significativa morbimortalidade.