Cholesterol crystal embolism to the gastrointestinal tract: a catastrophic case

Cholesterol crystal embolism is a rare and easily overlooked cause of colonic ischemia. The gastrointestinal tract is the third most common organ system affected by cholesterol emboli, second only to kidney and skin. Here we present a catastrophic case of gastrointestinal cholesterol crystal embolism leading to extensive post-operative bowel infarction and ultimately death. For a practicing pathologist, careful attention to the vessels of any ischemic bowel and recognition of the subtle but distinct angular imprint of cholesterol crystals facilitates prompt identification of the atheroemboli. In some cases, early identification may help mitigate further tissue damage. In more acute and severe cases, identification of the cholesterol crystal emboli may be important primarily for documentation of procedural complications.

[Endo arterial investigation: warning for the cholesterol crystal embolism disease]

Cholesterol crystal embolism [CCE] is a rare disorder which can complicate cardiac catheterization, angiographic studies and cardiovascular surgery. The CCE exposes to a great risk of renal failure and it can even threaten life by means of a multi visceral failing syndrome. Report a new case of CCE following cardiac catheterization. We report the observation of a 63-year-old patient who had a coronary angiography via the right femoral artery after a myocardial infarction. This examination has showed a multi-vessel coronary disease. 15 days later, the patient presented purplish and painful discoloration of his toes. The laboratory findings showed a mild inflammatory syndrome and eosinophilia at 700/micro L. There wasn't a renal dysfunction nor proteinury nor hematury. We performed a skin biopsy and made the diagnosis of CCE. Trans oesophageal echography objectified an irregular atherosclerotic plaque in the isthmic aorta, The CT scan revealed a spindle-shaped aneurysm in the end of the abdominal aorta. This aneurysm contains a marginal surrounding thrombosis with high embolic risk. The patient was put under clopidogrel, enoxaparine, simvastatine, colchicine and atenolol and operated successfully. The two particularities of this observation are, on one hand, the absence of a renal involvment, which represents the main prognostic factor of the CCE. On the other hand, the CCE has revealed a very unstable aneurysm of the aorta which could be complicated during the cardiac catheterisation. The CCE is a difficult diagnosis that must be remembered before any cardiac catheterisation, because it often reflects unstable aortic atherosclerotic lesions

Aneurisma aórtico abdominal: tratamiento quirúrgico y tratamiento endovascular: estado actual / Abdominal aortic aneurysms: surgical and endovascular treatment: current state

El tratamiento convencional del aneurisma aórtico abdominal (AAA) es el reemplazo quirúrgico de la aorta dilatada por una prótesis de dacrón. En los últimos años, el control de los factores de riesgo y el progreso en el manejo perioperatorio ha disminuido la mortalidad quirúrgica al 0,7-5 por ciento. La sobrevida alejada alcanza a 70 por ciento a 5 años, con una muy baja incidencia de complicaciones relacionadas con el reemplazo protésico. La introducción en 1990 de una técnica alternativa que evita la laparotomía, reemplazando el AAA por una prótesis instalada por vía endovascular, ha alcanzado un grado de desarrollo que la convierte en una alternativa particularmente atractiva en pacientes que presentan condiciones anatómicas favorables. Los riesgos y complicaciones inicialmente elevados, se han reducido al seleccionar apropiadamente los candidatos y con el uso de las nuevas endoprótesis. Se desconocen los resultados alejados en el tiempo y ciertamente los costos resultan aún elevados. Sin embargo, esta nueva técnica constituye un aporte importante para el tratamiento del AAA