Unexplained anemia: A case report of metachronous adenocarcinoma arising in the transverse colon following right hemicolectomy for a primary cecal carcinoma.

Metachronous colonic carcinomas arise from months to years after the resection of the first or index primary colorectal cancer. They are not a result of tumor recurrence or metastasis and likely arise as a result of the field cancerization effect. This report presents the case of a 63-year-old male patient without family history of a colorectal cancer but had an index primary adenocarcinoma of the cecum (stage IIIC) five years ago that was treated with surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. He presented with fatigue and anemia of 6-month duration secondary to recurrent melena, and the specific cause of which remained obscure despite intensive diagnostic workup. Recurrence of a malignancy at the previous anastomosis site was ruled out. The patient continued to have recurrent and intermittent gastrointestinal bleeding until a nuclear red blood cell scan detected a bleeding spot in the epigastric region, which actually turned out to be a second primary carcinoma (stage I) arising from an adenoma in the transverse colon. The patient underwent a left colectomy with ileosigmoid anastomosis formation. During a two-month postoperative follow-up, the patient did not experience any episode of melena or anemia. Even though metachronous colon cancers rarely present with a recurrent and intermittent gastrointestinal bleeding with melena, an aggressive workup must be aimed at ruling out a second independent malignancy in patients who are in remission after an index primary colorectal cancer resection through hemicolectomy. Any neoteric lesion found on colonoscopy in such cases should be dealt with a higher degree of suspicion. Therefore, the need for surveillance colonoscopy as recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines is imperative and should be practiced in resource-limited countries.

Liddle Syndrome in Association with Aortic Dissection.

Liddle syndrome is a rare form of autosomal dominant monogenic hypertension manifested as an early onset of resistant hypertension with either no response or suboptimal response to conventional antihypertensive therapy. If there is a delay in diagnosis, uncontrolled hypertension can lead to end organ damage. To our knowledge, aortic dissection has not been reported in association with this disease. We report a case of a dissecting aortic aneurysm occurring in association with Liddle syndrome.​.

Postgastric bypass hypoglycaemia in a patient with end-stage renal disease: a diagnostic and management pitfall.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is currently one of the most popular procedures to aid weight loss. Hypoglycaemia associated with gastric bypass surgery is an underdiagnosed but life-threatening potential consequence of the surgical procedure. We present a case of a 44-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease presenting with refractory hypoglycaemia after 10 years of RYGB. Extensive history and work-up excluded medications, renal disease, insulinoma and dumping syndrome as the cause of hypoglycaemia. Dietary modifications or pharmacological trial of drugs did not ameliorate her symptoms with progressive worsening of hypoglycaemia leading to continuous dextrose infusion. Distal pancreatectomy was performed with subsequent resolution of hypoglycaemia. Surgical pathology results showed diffuse hyperplastic islet cells, confirming the diagnosis of postgastric bypass hypoglycaemia.

Signet Cell in the Brain: A Case Report of Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis as the Presenting Feature of Gastric Signet Cell Cancer.

Malignant infiltration of pia and arachnoid mater, referred to as leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC), is a rare complication of gastric carcinoma. The most common underlying malignancy in patients with LMC are leukemia, breast cancer, lymphoma, and lung cancer. We report a case of gastric adenocarcinoma that presented with LMC in the absence of overt gastrointestinal signs or symptoms. A 56-year-old Hispanic woman presented to the hospital with a three-week history of intermittent headaches and visual blurring. An initial brain imaging showed infarction in the distribution of right posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) along with communicating hydrocephalus. She underwent ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement with improvement in her symptoms. Two months later she presented again with deterioration in her mental status. Imaging studies and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis confirmed the diagnosis of LMC. Further studies determined the primary tumor to be signet ring cell gastric adenocarcinoma. However, she did not have any preceding gastrointestinal symptoms. In light of the poor prognosis, the patient's family proceeded with comfort care measures. Our case portrays a rare presentation of gastric adenocarcinoma with LMC without other distant organ metastatic involvement. It also illustrates the occult nature of gastric carcinoma and signifies the importance of neurologic assessment of patients, with or at risk of gastric carcinoma. â€‹It also raises a theoretical concern for VP shunt as a potential conduit of malignant cells from the abdomen to the central nervous system, which may serve as an important susbtrate for future research.

Predictors of the Need for Therapeutic Intervention in Older Adult Patients With a Nonvariceal Gastrointestinal Bleed.

OBJECTIVE: Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a common cause of hospitalization in the older adult population. The aim of the study was to identify factors that are associated with the need for a therapeutic intervention in patients older than 65 years with nonvariceal GIB. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of older adult patients admitted to a tertiary care center between 2009 and 2011 with nonvariceal GIB. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of inpatient mortality or need for an endoscopic, surgical, or radiologic procedure to control the bleed or to treat the underlying source of the bleed. RESULTS: A total of 314 patients were included. In-hospital mortality was 1.3% (4 patients). An intervention to control the bleeding was performed in 15 patients (4.8%). Four patients (1.3%) needed a nonurgent intervention. Twenty-three patients (7.23%) had the primary combined outcome of in-hospital mortality or need for any therapeutic endoscopic, surgical, or radiologic intervention. Factors that were independently associated with the primary outcome were systolic blood pressure within the first 24 hours of <90 mm Hg (odds ratio 3.05, 95% confidence interval 1.08-8.59, P = 0.001), and initial hemoglobin of <7 g/dL (odds ratio 4.81, 95% confidence interval 1.56-14.74, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Nonvariceal GIB in older adult patients ceases spontaneously in most patients without an invasive intervention. Systolic blood pressure within the first 24 hours of <90 mm Hg and an initial hemoglobin level of <7 g/dL could be used to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from an urgent therapeutic intervention.

A Mexican Honeymoon Marred by Gastrointestinal Upset: A Case of Dientamoeba fragilis Causing Post-infectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Dientamoeba fragilis (D. fragilis) is an anaerobic intestinal protozoan parasite that has been associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms. We report a case of post-infectious IBS caused by D. fragilis treated successfully with metronidazole. A 33-year-old African American male with an unremarkable past medical history was seen in the office with a three-month history of intermittent, generalized, crampy abdominal pain with bloating and flatulence without associated weight loss. He visited Mexico for his honeymoon four months ago. Initial lab work was normal. Dietary changes including fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet and loperamide were prescribed with the presumptive diagnosis of IBS; however, his symptoms persisted. Three samples of stool for ova and parasites (O&P) were positive for D. fragilis. The patient was treated with metronidazole for 14 days. Repeat fecal O&P were negative. Upon follow-up, the patient' symptoms substantially improved with a resolution of abdominal pain and flatulence. Infection caused by D. fragilis may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. It is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and alteration of bowel movements, resembling IBS. The diagnosis is made via the detection of D. fragilis trophozoites in appropriately fixed and stained stool samples or by a polymerase chain reaction. Treatment options include tetracyclines, paromomycin, metronidazole, and Iodoquinol. Further epidemiologic studies may help in elucidating the association between D. fragilis and IBS.

A Rare Case of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Associated with Parvovirus B19 Infection.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but life-threatening syndrome resulting from excessive immune activation. Secondarily, HLH is often associated with autoimmune disease, infection, and malignancy. The most common infectious trigger is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. HLH is rarely triggered by parvovirus B19. We discuss a case of a 62-year-old male who presented with multi-organ failure with presumed septic shock who eventually was diagnosed with HLH, with positive parvovirus B19 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Prompt treatment with dexamethasone resulted in significant clinical resolution.

Long QT Syndrome and Duodenal Ampullary Adenoma: A New Association.

KCNQ1 gene mutation has a well-known association with long QT syndrome (LQTS). However, recent studies suggest that it may be implicated in intestinal neoplasia. We present a 27-year-old Hispanic man with a known history of LQTS secondary to KCNQ1 mutation, who presented with painless jaundice. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatic cholangiography revealed a prominent ampulla, with histology consistent with ampullary adenoma with high-grade dysplasia. Further endoscopic studies did not suggest familial adenomatous polyposis. To date, this is the index case of duodenal ampullary adenoma in the setting of KCNQ1 mutation.

Blatchford Score Is Superior to AIMS65 Score in Predicting the Need for Clinical Interventions in Elderly Patients with Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleed.

Background. Blatchford and AIMS65 scores were developed to risk stratify patients with upper gastrointestinal bleed (UGIB). We sought to assess the performance of Blatchford and AIMS65 scores in predicting outcomes in elderly patients with nonvariceal UGIB. Methods. A retrospective cohort study of elderly patients (over 65 years of age) with nonvariceal UGIB admitted to a tertiary care center. Primary outcome was a combined outcome of in-hospital mortality, need for any therapeutic endoscopic, radiologic, or surgical intervention, rebleeding within 30 days, or blood transfusion. Secondary outcome was a combined outcome of in-hospital mortality or need for an intervention to control the bleed. Results. 164 patients were included. The primary outcome occurred in 119 (72.5%) patients. The secondary outcome occurred in 12 patients (7.2%). Blatchford score was superior to AIMS65 score in predicting the primary outcome (area under the receiver-operator curve (AUROC) 0.84 versus 0.68, resp., p < 0.001). Both scores performed poorly in predicting the secondary outcome (AUROC 0.56 versus 0.52, resp., p = 0.18). Conclusions. Blatchford score could be useful in predicting the need for hospital based interventions in elderly patients with nonvariceal UGIB. Blatchford and AIMS65 scores are poor predictors of the need for a therapeutic intervention to control bleeding.

Elevated Level of Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) and Search for a Malignancy: A Case Report.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been shown to be associated with tumor burden in patients with colorectal cancer. However, it is also elevated to a significant degree in a number of other malignant and non-malignant conditions. We report a case of reversible CEA elevation in a patient using lithium for bipolar disorder. A 58-year-old female with a longstanding smoking history and a past medical history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bipolar illness, hypothyroidism, and obesity was found to have an elevated CEA level of 11.2 ng/ml (normal level <5 ng/ml) in the workup for postmenopausal bleeding. Her history was not positive for malignancy of colorectum, ovaries, thyroid, or breast.  She underwent a large number of imaging and endoscopic studies to evaluate for colorectal, breast, ovarian, and lung cancer; however, it did not reveal any evidence of malignancy. Upon review of her medications, she reported that she had recently started lithium for her bipolar illness. We followed up her CEA level while her dose of lithium was reduced from 450 to 300 mg per day. Her CEA level decreased from 25 mg/dl to 6.1 mg/dl and remained stable over the course of the next eight months. Our case is the first case report that identifies lithium as a potential cause of reversible CEA elevation. The underlying mechanism is yet to be elucidated, but it underscores the importance of investigating the medications as part of the workup.

Melanoma Metastasizing to the Small Intestine: A Case Report Illustrating Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Involvement.

Symptomatic gastrointestinal (GI) involvement of melanoma is rare, however, it is a frequent autopsy finding in patients with primary cutaneous melanoma. We present a case of metastatic cutaneous melanoma with initial asymptomatic jejunal involvement as found on a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, with subsequent duodenal perforation. A 69-year-old man presented to the hospital with a three-week history of worsening headache, dizziness, and vomiting with a history of Clark level III malignant melanoma that was completely excised from the right flank three years ago at the hospital. A magnetic resonance image of his brain revealed a subacute right-sided cerebellar hemorrhage adjacent to a 1-cm nodule. He underwent a right suboccipital craniomy with resection; the biopsy of which revealed metastatic malignant melanoma. A staging positron emission tomography (PET) scan revealed areas of increased uptake of fludeoxyglucose (FDG) in the left lower lung and left upper quadrant of the abdomen abutting the small bowel. Subsequent enteroscopy revealed a 40-mm cratered jejunal ulcer with heaped edges; the biopsy of which also revealed malignant melanoma. Since he had widespread disease, abdominal surgery was deferred, and treatment with ipilimumab and radiotherapy to the brain was initiated. He presented three months later with acute abdominal pain and diarrhea. A computed tomography scan of his abdomen revealed free peritoneal air, and an exploratory laparotomy revealed a mass at the antimesenteric border of the duodenum with a biopsy consistent with melanoma. The perforated area was resected and an end-to-end anastomosis was performed. Unfortunately, our patient had a postoperative intracranial hemorrhage and was referred to palliative care. Our case portrays how malignant melanoma may metastasize insidiously and widely and present as a catastrophe. Melanoma involvement in the GI tract is a poor prognostic marker. Our case offers a unique illustration of both the occult and manifest gastrointestinal involvement of melanoma and underscores the importance of clinical suspicion in patients with a history of melanoma who present with unexplained GI symptoms.

Myxedema Ascites: A Rare Presentation of Uncontrolled Hypothyroidism.

Less than four percent of patients with hypothyroidism develop ascites. Ascites as the presenting feature of hypothyroidism is uncommon, hence diagnosis is often delayed. Once it is diagnosed, treatment of hypothyroidism leads to quick clinical improvement in ascites. We report a case of a female patient who presented with ascites secondary to severe hypothyroidism and discuss the diagnostic characteristics of the ascitic fluid in myxedema ascites on the basis of literature review.