Respiratory distress and tracheal deviation secondary to sigmoid volvulus / Dificultad respiratoria y desviación traqueal secundaria a vólvulo sigmoideo ­ Un reporte de caso

INTRODUCTION: The trachea is a semiflexible tube of 1.5 to 2 cm in width and 10 to 13 cm in length. Its deviation might be caused by not only diverse thoracic but also abdominal pathologies, which may compromise the airway. We present a case of a severe tracheal deviation due to an abdominal pathology causing displacement of mediastinal structures. CLINICAL CASE: A 78-year-old woman presents with difficulty breathing. History of chronic bedridden and frequently constipated, last stool 5 days prior. On physical examination, cachectic complexion, dry mucous membranes, breathing superficially with scarce wheezing, SatO2 82% on room air. Abdomen distended with an absence of bowel sounds. Chest x-rays show severe tracheal deviation and abdominal x-ray with coffee bean sign. A laparotomy evidences a large sigmoid volvulus. A sigmoidectomy and descending colon colostomy is performed. Room air oxygen saturation improved after extubation to 96%.CONCLUSION: Desaturation and tracheal deviation were caused by a large sigmoid volvulus. Although these pathologies were thoracic, clinicians should suspect different underlying pathologies, in this case, abdominal

INTRODUCCIÓN: La tráquea es un tubo semiflexible de 1-5 a 2 cm de ancho y 10 a 13 cm de longitud. Puede presentar desviaciones en su trayecto, no solo por patologías torácicas, sino también abdominales, las cuales pueden comprometer la vía aérea. Presentamos el caso de una desviación severa de la tráquea por una patología abdominal que ocasionó desplazamiento de las estructuras mediastinales. REPORTE DE CASO: Mujer de 78 años que se presenta por dificultad respiratoria. Antecedente de postramiento crónico en cama y estreñimiento frecuente, con última deposición 5 días previos. En la exploración física presenta complexión caquéctica, mucosas secas, respiración superficial con sibilancias, saturando 82% al aire ambiente. Abdomen distendido con ausencia de ruidos intestinales. Radiografía torácica muestra desviación traqueal severa y la radiografía abdominal muestra signo del grano de café. En el abordaje por laparotomía se evidencia un vólvulo sigmoideo grande. Se realizó sigmoidectomía y colostomía del colon descendiente. La saturación al aire ambiente mejoró después de la extubación a 96%. CONCLUSIÓN: La desaturación y desviación traqueal fueron causadas por un vólvulo sigmoideo grande. Aunque estas patologías eran torácicas, el clínico debe sospechar diferentes patologías de base, como en este caso, abdominales.

Malrotación intestinal: a propósito de un caso / Intestinal malrotation: a case report

Existen múltiples patologías del abdomen que pueden ser diagnosticadas por parte del especialista en Diagnóstico por Imágenes; entre ellas, la malrotación intestinal es un hallazgo generalmente incidental. El médico imagenólogo debe ser capaz de reconocer los signos de la malrotación intestinal, al tratarse de una entidad patológica con complicaciones graves, como el vólvulo de intestinal. Para el diagnóstico, es clave su sospecha, así como las variantes de la normalidad que pueden conducir a un diagnóstico erróneo.

There are many diseases of the abdomen that can be diagnosed by the specialist in diagnostic imaging, including the intestinal malrotation is a finding usually incidental. The doctor specialist imaging must be able to recognize the signs of intestinal malrotation is a pathological entity, with serious complications, such as intestinal volvulus. For the diagnosis, it is the key to your suspicion, as well as the variants that can lead to a false diagnosis.

Vólvulo primario de íleon: una rara forma de obstrucción intestinal en el adulto: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Primary volvulus of ileum: A rare form of intestinal obstruction in the adult: case report and literature review

Resumen Antecedentes El vólvulo de intestino delgado se produce por el giro anormal del intestino delgado alrededor del eje de su propio mesenterio, lo cual puede generar obstrucción intestinal, isquemia, infarto o perforación. Caso clínico Paciente masculino de 71 años que cursó con abdomen agudo. Sospechando cuadro de oclusión intestinal, se realizó exploración quirúrgica en la que se encontró como hallazgos vólvulo de intestino delgado en la válvula ileocecal, con isquemia y necrosis de 280 cm de intestino delgado, por lo cual se realizó resección intestinal e ileostomía terminal, preservando 320 cm de intestino delgado viable desde ángulo duodeno-yeyunal. Cursó con una evolución satisfactoria. Discusión El vólvulo de intestino delgado es una entidad infrecuente y una urgencia quirúrgica que amenaza la vida. Se debe sospechar en todos los pacientes que presenten dolor abdominal abrupto y signos de obstrucción intestinal, sin cirugía abdominal previa ni otras causas obvias. El diagnóstico precoz y la intervención quirúrgica inmediata son factores clave asociados con un mejor pronóstico para este grupo de pacientes.

Background The small bowel volvulus is caused by the abnormal rotation of the small intestine around the axis of its own mesentery. This can lead to intestinal obstruction, ischemia, infarction or perforation. Clinical case A 71-year-old male patient with an acute abdominal pain, suspicious for a bowel occlusion, performed a surgical exploration, finding small bowel volvulus at the ileocecal valve level, with necrosis and ischemia of 280 cm of the small intestine, resulting in intestinal resection and terminal ileostomy. Still preserving 320 cm of viable small intestine from the duodenojejunal angle, with a satisfactory evolution. Discussion Small bowel volvulus is an uncommon entity, and a life-threatening surgical emergency, that should be suspected in all patients with abrupt abdominal pain and signs of bowel obstruction, without previous abdominal surgery or other obvious causes. Early diagnosis and immediate surgical intervention are key factors associated with a better prognosis for this group of patients.

Neumatosis quística intestinal complicada con vólvulo intestinal / Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis complicated with intestinal volvulus

La neumatosis quística intestinal es una condición infrecuente caracterizada por la presencia de quistes con gas en la subserosa o submucosa del tracto gastrointestinal. Su patogénesis es incierta y se han propuesto varios mecanismos patogénicos para explicar su origen. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 46 años de edad con diagnóstico previo de neumatosis quística intestinal, que consultó por dolor abdominal, vómitos y fiebre (39 °C). Ingreso con signos de irritación peritoneal. La radiografía simple de abdomen reportó distensión intestinal y niveles hidroaéreos. Se realizó laparotomía exploratoria que reveló vólvulo de intestino delgado con estrangulamiento de algunas asas intestinales. El diagnóstico anatomopatológico fue neumatosis quística intestinal complicada con Infarto transmural por vólvulo intestinal. El paciente evoluciono satisfactoriamente

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is a rare condition in which multiple gas-filled cysts are found within the wall of the gastrointestinal tract either in the subserosa or submucosa. Its pathogenesis is uncertain and several pathogenic mechanisms have been proposed to explain its origin. The case of a male patient of 46 years with previous diagnosis of pneumatosis cystic intestinalis, who consulted for abdominal pain, vomiting and fever (39 °C) is presented. By the time of admission ther were signs of peritoneal irritation. The X-ray abdominal reported distension and intestinal hydro-air levels. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and revealed small bowel volvulus with strangulation of some intestinal segment. Histological diagnosis was pneumatosis cystic intestinalis complicated with Infarction trans-mural by intestinal volvulus. The patient evolved satisfactorily.

Oclusión duodenal por malrotación intestinal en el adulto / Duodenal occlusion by intestinal malrotation in the adult

Los pacientes con malrotación intestinal presentan manifestaciones clínicas en las primeras etapas de la vida, ya sea con un cuadro de obstrucción duodenal por bandas de Ladd o con un vólvulo del intestino medio. La aparición en la edad adulta es poco común, y con frecuencia las consecuencias del diagnóstico tardío son graves. Caso clínico: paciente masculino de 62 años, con epigastralgia de 40 años de evolución y vómitos de contenido gastrobiliar postprandial mediato y esporádicos. El seriado radiológico gastroduodenal mostró dilatación duodenal, vaciamiento retardado y localización del ángulo duodenoyeyunal y asas delgadas a la derecha de la columna vertebral. Se diagnosticó oclusión mecánica crónica de intestino delgado alto por malrotación intestinal y bandas de Ladd. La laparotomía evidenció dilatación duodenal, con bandas adherenciales desde el colon ascendente, lo cual provocó una oclusión extrínseca. Se realizó procedimiento quirúrgico de Ladd. Tuvo como complicación un absceso del Douglas postoperatorio que se trató y egresó asintomático

Although it may occur in asymptomatic way, almost all patients with intestinal malrotation present clinical manifestations in early stages of life, either with a picture of duodenal obstruction by Ladd´s bands or with a volvulus of the midgut. The appearance in adulthood is uncommon; frequently the consequences of late diagnosis are often serious.Case report: a 62-year-old male patient, with epigastralgia of 40 years of evolution, mediate and sporadic postprandial gastrobiliary vomiting. The gastroduodenal radiological series showed duodenal dilation, delayed évidement and location of the duodenojejunal flexure and thin ansae to the right of the spine. Chronic mechanical occlusion of upper small intestine by intestinal malrotation and Ladd´s bands was diagnosed. Laparotomy evidenced duodenal dilation, adhesive bands from the ascending colon, which caused an extrinsic occlusion. The patient had a postoperative abscess of Douglas that was treated and he was discharged from hospital asymptomatic

Malrotación intestinal con vólvulo, asociada a hiperglucemia grave por estrés / Intestinal malrotation with volvulus associated with severe stress hyperglycemia

Se presenta un niño de 2 años internado con diagnóstico de debut diabético, con glucemia de 500 mg% al ingreso, sin cetosis ni acidosis metabólica. Presenta también vómitos biliosos y amarronados, con deposiciones sanguinolentas. Se opera con diagnóstico presuntivo de obstrucción intestinal aguda, hallándose vólvulo intestinal secundario a malrotación intestinal congénita. Luego de la cirugía normaliza la glucemia. Se asume el cuadro como hiperglucemia sin cetosis, de característica graves, por estrés, secundaria a vólvulo por malrotación intestinal. Esta asociación, aún no ha sido descripta.

A 2-year-old boy was admitted with diagnosis of diabetes debut, with blood glucose of 500 mg% on admission, without ketosis or metabolic acidosis. He also presented bilious vomiting and brownish bloody stools. He was operated with a presumptive diagnosis of acute intestinal obstruction. The fnal diagnosis was volvulus, secondary to congenital malrotation. After surgery, he normalized blood sugar levels. The clinical setting was assumed as hyperglycemia without ketosis, with characteristic of severity caused by stress, secondary to volvulus in malrotation. This association has not yet been described.

Volvo de ceco complicado por icterícia séptica / Cecum volvulus complicated by septic jaundice

Cecal volvulus is an uncommon cause of acute bowel obstruction in adults. The mechanism is torsion of the enlarged, poorly-fixed or hypermobile cecum. Patients with this condition may display highly variable clinical presentations, ranging from intermittent, self-limiting abdominal discomfort to acute abdominal pain associated with intestinal strangulation and sepsis. The treatment needs to be individualized for each case, but surgical management is required in almost every case. In the presence of gangrene or perforation of the cecum, resection and primary ileocolic anastomosis is recommended. However, in non-complicated cases detorsion and cecopexy are adequate. The authors report one case of cecal volvulus in a 55-year-old women treated with cecopexy that complicated with septic jaundice.

Obstrução intestinal por volvo de ceco, relato de caso / Obstructions intestinal for cecal volvulus, report case

Cecal volvulus (CV) establishes the main appearance of the anomalies related to intestinal malrotation. Diagnosis is based on signs and symptoms compatible to intestinal obstructions and complementary examinations as: single radiography form abdomen, opaque enema, computerized tomography and colonoscopy. Therapeutics modalities include: colonoscopy reducing, cecopexy and right colectomy. This article reports a CV case giving emphasis in different diagnosis and therapeutics behaviors.

Primary small gut volvulus in adult presenting with hematemesis.

Small gut volvulus is rare in adults and usually presents with acute intestinal obstruction. We report a 25-year-old man with primary small gut volvulus who presented with hematemesis. The gangrenous gut was resected at laparotomy. He is well 3 months later.

Causes of intestinal obstruction: a study of 257 patients

To find out the common causes of intestinal obstruction in our practice. Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration: The study was conducted in Surgical Unit-I, Ward-3 of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan between February, 2000 to January, 2004. Patient And In this study we included only those patients of intestinal obstruction who underwent exploratory laparotomy. Total of 257 patients of intestinal obstruction were diagnosed on the basis of clinical history, examination, radiological findings and investigations. After resuscitation exploratory laparotomy was performed to confirm the diagnosis and relieve the obstruction. The most common cause of intestinal obstruction was tuberculosis, 38.13% followed by obstructed/strangulated hernia 26.84%, post-operative adhesions 17.12%, large gut malignancy 10.09%, volvulus 6.22% and small gut malignancy 0.77%. The causes of intestinal obstruction are variable in different parts of world. Tuberculosis is one of the leading cause of intestinal obstruction in Pakistan

Observations on the pattern of vomiting and morbidity in patients with acute sigmoid volvulus.

BACKGROUND: Vomiting is usually a late and an infrequent symptom of colonic obstructions. Contrary to this general rule, it occurs early and more frequently in some cases of sigmoid volvulus. AIM: To study the clinical significance of vomiting in patients with sigmoid volvulus. SETTING: Teaching hospital in Western Orissa, India STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospectively enrolled subjects with sigmoid volvulus diagnosed on the basis of clinical, radiological and laparotomy evidence were included in the study carried out in a tertiary care centre in India. Detailed history was obtained from them, especially to elicit information about the occurrence of various symptoms. Information regarding type of vomiting was also obtained. Efforts were made to exclude other causes of vomiting. Statistical tests such as Chi-Square test, Fisher's exact test or Student's t test were used. RESULTS: Ninety-three consecutive subjects with sigmoid volvulus were enrolled. Five patients with possible other aetiologies for vomiting and seven patients with compound sigmoid volvulus were eliminated from further analysis. Two patterns of vomiting were noted in 81 evaluable patients with sigmoid volvulus. In 33 patients (Group A), vomiting preceded or coincided with the onset of other abdominal symptoms (Type 1 vomiting). In 48 patients (Group B) vomiting occurred after the onset of other abdominal symptoms (Type 2 vomiting). The period between the onset of these symptoms and that of vomiting varied from a few hours to several days. Group A patients sought medical help much earlier than those of Group B. Incidences of circulatory shock (24% vs. 8%), haemorrhagic ascites (21% vs. 6%) and colonic gangrene (64% vs. 35%) were significantly higher in Group A than in Group B. The mortality rate (15% vs. 4%) was higher in Group A as well. About 25% (n = 7) of Group A patients in contrast to 4% (n=2) of Group B required hospitalization exceeding 3 weeks. Vomitus was predominantly non-bilious (21 out of 33 patients) in Group A (64%) and bilious (10 out of 11 patients) in Group B (91%). CONCLUSION: Type 1 vomiting appears to be an indicator of more severe presentation and is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality. This study suggests that the pattern of vomiting could be a simple and useful predictor of prognosis in sigmoid volvulus.