Symmetrical peripheral gangrene complicating ventricular pseudoaneurysm: a report of an unusual case and a brief review of the literature

Abstract Symmetrical peripheral gangrene is an ischemic necrosis simultaneously involving the distal portions of two or more extremities without any proximal arterial obstruction or vasculitis. It may occur as a result of a large number of infectious and non-infectious causes. A few cases of symmetrical peripheral gangrene associated with cardiac disease have been described in the literature. We describe a case of symmetrical peripheral gangrene complicating ventricular pseudoaneurysm, probably a hitherto unreported occurrence. In this report, we sought to emphasize the importance of cardiac evaluation while dealing with a case of symmetrical peripheral gangrene.

Skin gangrene as an extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases can commonly present many cutaneous lesions which can contribute to the diagnosis of the disease or its activity. The most frequent cutaneous or mucocutaneous manifestations suggesting ulcerative rectocolitis activity are erythema nodosum (3-10%), pyoderma gangrenosum (5-12%) and aphthous stomatitis (4%). Other reactive skin manifestations related to immunological mechanisms associated with the inflammatory bowel disease are: Sweet's syndrome, arthritis-dermatitis syndrome associated with inflammatory bowel disease and leukocytoclastic vasculitis. We describe the case of a young man with diagnosis of ulcerative rectocolitis, which presented an extensive cutaneous gangrene secondary to microvascular thrombosis. The case represents a dermatologic rarity and should be recognized as a cutaneous manifestation related to the hypercoagulability state observed in the disease's activity.

Lesiones acrales en arteriolopatía cálcica urémica: reporte de 3 casos / Ischemic ulcers in calcific uremic arteriolopathy: report of 3 casos

La arteriolopatía cálcica urémica se define como un síndrome constituido por úlceras cutáneas isquémicas debido a calcificación de la pared de las arteriolas del tejido celular subcutáneo como consecuencia principalmente de hiperparatiroidismo en pacientes urémicos. Se analizaron las correlaciones clínico patológicas de 3 pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica terminal, hiperparatiroidismo secundario y arteriolopatía cálcico urémica, todos particularmente con lesiones en pene. En la bioquímica sanguínea la paratohormona fue superior a 2,122 pg/dL, así como también se demostró hipercalcemia e hiperfosfatemia, con producto Ca²+xPO³-4 mayor de 70,2. Se realizó paratiroidectomía total con autoimplante en el primer caso y sin autoimplante en el tercer paciente. Las ulceras del pene fueron tratadas con curas locales diarias. La evolución clínica fue tórpida, con desenlace fatal. La ateriolopatía cálcica urémica o calcifilaxis, es una enfermedad compleja, variable, difícil de diagnósticar y de manejo muy complicado. La gangrena del pene es una consecuencia de las calcificaciones vasculares metastásicas asociadas a enfermedad renal crónica terminal y es un marcador de pronóstico sombrío.

The calcific uremic arteriolopathy is defined as a syndrome consisting of cutaneous ischemic ulcers due to calcification of the wall of the arterioles of the subcutaneous tissue as a result mainly of hyperparathyroidism in uremic patients. The clinical pathological correlations of 3 patients were analyzed with chronic renal terminal disease, secondary hyperparathyroidism and calcific uremic arteriolopathy all particularly with injuries in penis. In the blood biochemistry parathyroid hormone was greater 2.122 pg/dL, as well as it was demostrated hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia, with greater Ca2+xPO³-4 product of 70.2. Total parathyroidectomy with auto implant was realised in first patient, and without auto implant in third patient. Penis ulcers were dealt with local daily cure. The clinical evolution was poor, with fatal autcome. The calcific uremi arteriolopathy or calciphylaxis, is a complex disease, variable, difficult to diagnose and complicated management. Penile gangrene is a manifestation of widespread vascular calcifications associated with end-stage renal disease and is a marker of poor prognosis.

Cistadenoma mucinoso del apéndice cecal como causa de gangrena intestinal / Appendiceal mucocele causing large bowel gangrene

Introduction: Appendiceal mucocele are lesions located in the cecum, which are found in 0.2 to 0.3 percent of appendectomies and correspond to 8-10 percent of all appendiceal tumors. Clinical case: We report a 83 years old female consulting for abdominal pain lasting 24 hours. On physical examination, signs of peritoneal irritation were found. The patient was operated, finding an appendiceal tumor that was coiled up in the mesentery with large bowel gangrene. An intestinal resection, terminal ileostomy, appendectomy and surgical lavage were performed. The pathological study of the surgical piece reported a mucinous cystadenoma.

Introducción: Los tumores del Apéndice Cecal corresponden al 0,5 por ciento de las neoplasias gastrointestinales y se encuentran entre el 0,8 por ciento y el 1 por ciento de las apendicectomías. El término Mucocele Apendicular (AM), se refiere a un grupo de lesiones localizados a nivel del ciego cuyo rango de incidencia está entre el 0,2 por ciento y el 0,3 por ciento de todas las apendicectomías, y entre el 8-10 por ciento de todos los tumores apendiculares. Las presentaciones clínicas más frecuentes son: cuadro clínico de apendicitis aguda, como hallazgo incidental como en el caso de esta paciente, o como masa abdominal en fosa ilíaca derecha. Caso clínico: Se presenta un caso de Cistade-noma Mucinoso Apendicular (CAM) encontrado como hallazgo incidental en un abdomen agudo quirúrgico con la particularidad de presentarse con una necrosis intestinal.

Symmetric peripheral gangrene associated with H1N1 infection

More and more cases of H1N1 influenza are being detected in India and so also the variety of complications this virus can cause. Here, we report a case of symmetric peripheral gangrene following H1N1 infection

A case of peripheral gangrene and osteomyelitis secondary to terlipressin therapy in advanced liver disease

Variceal bleeding and hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) are serious and life-threatening complications of advanced liver disease. Terlipressin is widely used to manage both acute variceal bleeding and HRS due to its potency and long duration of action. The most severe (though rare) adverse event is ischemia. The present report describes the case of a patient with gangrene and osteomyelitis secondary to terlipressin therapy. A 71-year-old male with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B) and chronic hepatitis C was admitted due to a drowsy mental status. The patient had several experiences of orthopedic surgery. His creatinine level had gradually elevated to 4.02 mg/dL, and his urine output decreased to 500 mL/24 hr. The patient was diagnosed as having grade III hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and type II HRS. Terlipressin and albumin were administered intravenously to treat the HRS over 11 days. Although he recovered from the HE and HRS, the patient developed peripheral gangrene and osteomyelitis in both feet. His right toes were cured with the aid of rescue therapy, but his left three toes had to be amputated. Peripheral gangrene and osteomyelitis secondary to terlipressin therapy occur only rarely, and there is no specific rescue therapy for these conditions. Thus, attention should be paid to the possibility of ischemia of the skin and bone during or after terlipressin therapy.

Spectrum of purpura fulminans.

Purpura Fulminans is a severe disorder of acute onset with high morbidity and mortality. It is characterized by DIC with thrombocytopenia, hyofibrinogenemia, hypothrombinemia and anemia. It most often occurs in young with sudden appearance of symmetrical, tender, ecchymotic skin lesions usually involving the lower extremities. An infectious and noninfectious etiology has been proposed. Early recognition and early therapy with appropriate antibiotics and heparin is known to limit both morbidity and mortality. This article reports 5 cases of Purpura Fulminans treated at our centre with review of etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features and treatment.

Ileosigmoid knot: a case report and literature review of 280 cases

Ileosigmoid knotting, also known as compound volvulus or double volvulus, is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. In this condition the ileum wraps around the base of the sigmoid colon and forms a knot. Ileosigmoid knotting is an unusual entity in the West, but is comparatively common in certain Africa, Asian and Middle Eastern nations. The condition is serious, generally progressing rapidly to gangrene. Awareness of the condition is essential for prompt diagnosis and optimal management. This report describes a case in a 60-year-old male and describes the management of this rare condition. An additional 280 recent cases in the English literature are reviewed as to etiopathogenesis, presentation, diagnostic modalities, surgical interventions and outcome

Digital arterial injury leading to gangrene of the thumb

An unusual case of a blunt and penetrating injury to the thumb is described. A laterally displaced epiphyses of the first metacarpal divided the digital artery and a penetrating injury in the first web space inflicted on the medial digital artery resulting in a total vascular interruption leading to gangrene and ultimate amputation. Such injuries are rare in children but proper assessment and examination could have prevented the end result

Torsion of appendices epiploicae of the colon: a case report.

Torsion of the appendices epiploicae is a rare surgical entity. It has been described very rarely in the literature. A case of a 33-year-old female presented with acute pain abdomen in the right iliac fossa accompanied with vomiting. On per abdomen examination MacBurney's tenderness was elicited. On exploring the abdomen, the appendix was found to be normal. But one of the nearby appendices epiploicae was found to have undergone torsion. It was resected out and so also the appendix.

Symmetric peripheral gangrene with mixed malaria.

Symmetric peripheral gangrene (SPG) in a case of mixed malaria (P. falciparum and P. vivax) is a rare and relatively unknown complication of malaria. We report a case of 10-yr-old female with mixed malaria infection and SPG (Symmetric Peripheral Gangrene) of foot, which is most likely due to interaction between parasite factors (P. Falciparum and P. viavx) and host factors.

Fluoroscopy guided chemical lumbar sympathectomy for lower limb ischaemic ulcers.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of chemical lumbar sympathectomy in relieving pain and healing ischaemic ulcers in patients with peripheral vascular diseases. Thirty-one consecutive patients with ischaemic/ gangrenous lower limb ulcers, referred to the BPKIHS, Pain Clinic were observed prospectively after chemical lumbar sympathectomy using modified Reid Technique with 3 ml of 70% alcohol each at L2 and L3 level under fluoroscopic guidance. Pain relief and ulcer healing were noted in the follow up. Moreover, patients' abilities to resume at least part of their day to day work were also noted at three months follow up. Of the total 31 patients, 16 had Buerger's disease and the remaining 15 had non-Buerger's ischaemic ulcers of which 7 were diabetic. There was significant decrease in the pain score from mean+/-SD of 8.3+/-0.9 (pre-block) to 4.2+/-2.5 (post-block after 3 days) in zero to 10 Numerical Analogue Scale (NAS). By 3 months, 6 patients declined for follow up; 19(76%) of the remaining 25 patients reported pain relief, 18(72%) reported healing or decrease in the size of ulcers and 11(44%) were able to resume at least part of their usual work. Minor complications occurred in 5 patients and amputation was needed in 6 patients. Fluoroscopy- guided chemical lumbar sympathectomy is feasible, safe and effective in relieving pain and promoting ulcer healing in patients with ischaemic lower limb ulcers due both to Buerger's disease and non-Buerger's peripheral vascular diseases.

Colitis isquémica no oclusiva gangrenosa: criterios diagnósticos con tomografia computada multidetector / Gangrenous non occlusive ischemic colitis: diagnostic criteria with multidetector computed axial tomography (mdct)

Introduction: Ischemia constitutes the major cause of colitis in patients over the age of 50. The vast majority of cases are a self-limited with good prognosis. There is a sub-group of patients which develop transmural ischemia leading to parietal necrosis, perforation and peritonitis, with secundan/ sepsis-related mortality. Objective to record luminal, parietal and peritoneal findings in patients with colonic necrosis of ischemic ethiology so as to provide a timely diagnosis. Material and Methods: In a retrospective study, both medical records and imaging studies of 12 patiens (7 male, 5 female), ranging from 46 to 91 years of age (mean age: 70.3 years) with necrosis secondary to nonocclusive ischemic colitis (IC) were revised. Patient's status (out-patient, in-patient) as well as risk factors and symptoms were documented. All patients underwent Multidetector Row Computed Axial Tomography (MDCT). Results: Six patients presented to the emergency unit because of abdominal pain and six patients developed symptoms during hospitalization for other causes. Parietal assessment showed absence of contrast enhancement in 11 cases out of 12 (91.6 percent), and mural or vascular pneumatosis in 5 cases (41.6 percent). Wall thickening was seen in 4 patients (33 percent), and pericolonic gas was found in 3 cases (25 percent). If we consider both ileus and pericolonic inflamatory changes as nonspecific findings, the absence of colon mural enhancement was the only marker of severe parietal injury in 3 patients (25 percent). Conclusion: Classical signs of IC -such as wall thickening- are unlikely to be found in advanced cases presenting mural gangrene. Lack of post-contrast parietal enhancement is a finding that correlates with presence of necrosis, and maybe the only tomographic marker of irreversible transmural ischemic lesion of the colon.

Introducción: La isquemia constituye la principal causa de colitis en pacientes mayores de 50 años. La mayor parte de los casos cursa un cuadro autolimitado, de buen pronóstico. Existe un subgrupo de pacientes que presentan isquemia transmural con necrosis parietal y mortalidad determinada por peritonitis y sepsis secundaria. Objetivo: Documentar los hallazgos lu mínales, parietales y peritoneales en pacientes con necrosis colónica de etiología isquémica, que permitan un diagnóstico oportuno. Material y Métodos: Revisión retrospectiva de fichas clínicas y estudios tomográficos de doce pacientes (7 hombres, 5 mujeres) cuyas edades varían entre los 46-91 años (promedio: 70.3 años) con necrosis secundaria a colitis isquémica (Cl) no oclusiva, documentando el status del paciente (ambulatorio, hospitalizado), factores de riesgo y síntomas al ingreso. Los doce pacientes fueron sometidos a tomografía computada multidetector (TCMD). Resultados: Seis pacientes consultaron al servicio de urgencia por dolor abdominal y 6 debutaron durante hospitalización por otra causa. La evaluación parietal demostró ausencia de impregnación en 11/12 casos (91.6 por ciento) y neumatosis mural o vascular en 5/12 casos (41.6 por ciento). Engrosamiento parietal fue visible en 4/12 casos (33 por ciento) y gas pericolónico en 3/12 casos (25 por ciento). Considerando el íleo y la alteración de la densidad del tejido adiposo pericolónico como hallazgos inespecíficos, en 3/12 pacientes (25 por ciento) la ausencia de impregnación mural del colon era el único marcador de lesión parietal severa. Conclusión: Signos clásicos de Cl como engrosamiento parietal son infrecuentes de encontrar en casos avanzados con gangrena mural. La falta de impregnación parietal post contraste se correlaciona con la presencia de necrosis y puede ser el único marcador tomográfico de lesión isquémica transmural irreversible del colon, en ausencia de neumatosis o evidencias de perforación intestinal.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis with peripheral gangrene.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disorder of the childhood and is manifested by synovitis with or without systemic features. Secondary vasculitis occurring in response to JIA is reflected clinically on different structures or systems of the body. Here is reported a rare case of systemic onset JIA (SOJIA) with vasculitis leading to peripheral gangrene.