Gastrojejunocolic fistula: a rare complication of peptic ulcer surgery.

Gastrojejunocolic fistula (GJF) is a very rare complication of peptic ulcer surgery. Patients with this condition often present with diarrhea, fecal vomiting as well as weight loss. Here, we report a case of 62-year-old male with a GJF complicating upper gastrointestinal surgery.

Diagnostic performance of the EU TI-RADS and ACR TI-RADS scoring systems in predicting thyroid malignancy.

INTRODUCTION: Several ultrasound scoring systems have been developed to stratify the risk of malignancy of thyroid nodules, including ACR (American College of Radiology) and EU (European) TI-RADS. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of these two classifications using histology as a reference standard. METHODS: It was a single-centre, retrospective study including 156 patients who underwent thyroidectomy. Ultrasound data of 198 nodules (99 malignant nodules and 99 benign nodules) were analysed. Both classifications were applied for all nodules. RESULTS: Ultrasound criteria associated with malignancy were solid composition (OR=7.81; p < 10-3 ), hypoechoic character (OR=16.42; p < 10-3 ), irregular contours (OR=7.47; p < 10-3 ), taller-than-wide shape (OR=3.58; p = 0.02), microcalcifications (OR=3.02; p = .006) and the presence of cervical adenopathy (OR=3.89; p = .006). The prevalence of malignancy was 15.5%, 69% and 76.9% for EU TI-RADS categories 3, 4 and 5, respectively. It was 33.3%, 57% and 91.1% for ACR TI-RADS categories 3, 4 and 5, respectively. For category 5, EU TI-RADS and ACR TI-RADS had sensitivities of 60% and 41%, specificities of 82% and 96%, respectively. For categories 4 and 5 combined, the diagnostic performance of these two classification systems became comparable with a sensitivity of 89% and 86% for EU-TIRADS and ACR-TIRADS, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.81 for the EU TI-RADS classification and 0.82 for the ACR TI-RADS classification. CONCLUSIONS: EU TI-RADS and ACR TI-RADS scoring systems seem to be comparable in predicting malignancy in thyroid nodules.

Head and neck tuberculosis associated to sarcoidosis: A case report.

The distinction between tuberculosis and sarcoidosis presents sometimes a clinical challenge. Their sequential occurrence in the same patient is uncommon. We present the case of a 42-year-old female with a proven diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis who has developed successively nasal tuberculosis and pulmonary sarcoidosis respectively after 10 and 14 months of antituberculosis treatment. The patient presented with bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. Tuberculin skin test was negative. Chest radiography was normal. An excision biopsy was taken and histopathological examination established tuberculosis diagnosis. Therapy with antituberculosis drugs was started, and cervical lymphadenopathy showed progressive resolution. Subsequently, nearly 10 months after, the patient developed new cervical lymphadenopathies and nasal obstruction. Tuberculosis of the nasal mucosa was confirmed by biopsy. Antituberclosis bitherapy was enhanced by ofloxacin and ethambutol. Thoracic CT scan showed several nodular elements in both lungs, with bilateral enlarged mediastinal adenopathy. Bronchoalveolar lavage showed a lymphocytic alveolitis with a CD4/CD8 ratio of 5, consistent with the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Corticosteroid treatment, in form of oral prednisolone was introduced, 3 months after sarcoidosis diagnosis have been setteled; because of pulmonary fibrosis noticed on thoracic CT. Systemic corticotherapy was continued for a further period of 3 years, until all the lesions cleared out. The present case emphasizes the possible association between tuberculosis and sarcoidosis.

Overlap syndrome of primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis: two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Overlap syndrome between primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis is an extremely rare condition that has been reported in only few published cases so far in the literature. We highlight here the rarity of this condition and indicate the importance of its recognition. CASE PRESENTATION: We report two cases showing the manifestations of both primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis in two Tunisian female patients aged 74 and 42 years, respectively. The first case is a woman who was initially diagnosed with decompensated cirrhosis. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed multiple strictures of the common bile duct, and histological findings led to the diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis/primary sclerosing cholangitis. She was successfully treated with ursodeoxycholic acid. The second case is a middle-aged woman, suffering from primary biliary cholangitis and who was treated with ursodeoxycholic acid. At her 12 month follow-up appointment, she presented with a partial clinical and biochemical response. Tests showed normal thyroid function, liver autoimmune tests for autoimmune hepatitis were negative, and celiac disease markers were also negative. The diagnosis of overlap syndrome of primary biliary cholangitis/primary sclerosing cholangitis was finally made on the results of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography that showed multiple strictures of the common as well as intrahepatic bile ducts. The patient was put on ursodeoxycholic acid at a higher dose. CONCLUSIONS: Our cases raise awareness for this rare condition and indicate the importance of recognizing a possible overlap syndrome, especially in patients with primary biliary cholangitis, to optimize treatment. We suggest considering the overlap syndrome of primary biliary cholangitis/primary sclerosing cholangitis when a patient presents with the diagnostic criteria of both diseases.

Spontaneous rupture of a left omental artery aneurysm treated by transcatheter arterial embolization: A case report.

Background: Omental artery aneurysms are extremely rare. Their rupture is related to high mortality and often treated by open surgery. We describe a case of a spontaneous rupture of a left omental artery aneurysm (OAA) that was successfully treated by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). Case presentation: A 68-year-old man presented with acute abdominal pain. On examination, he was hypotensive and tachycardic with a blood pressure of 90/50 mm Hg. He had diffuse abdominal distension and tenderness.An abdominal enhanced computed tomography scan (CT) showed a rupture of the left OAA responsible for moderate hemoperitoneum. We performed a successful TAE. Conclusion: Ruptured OAA causes high mortality. OAA represents the rarest form of splanchnic artery aneurysms. Interventional radiology permits to avoid unnecessary surgery.TAE is a safe procedure to control ruptured OAA. We highlight the importance of a rapid embolization if the patient is hemodynamically stable.

Intra-abdominal cystic lymphangioma in adults: A case series of 32 patients and literature review.

Introduction: Cystic lymphangioma (CL) is a benign tumor originating from the lymph vessels. Lymphangiomas in the abdominal cavity are extremely rare, particularly in adults.This article was designed to study the epidemiological, diagnostic difficulties, and therapeutic principles of intra-abdominal cystic lymphangioma (ACL) in adults. Material and methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective study of 32 adult patients with ACL admitted to surgical department "A" in "La Rabta Hospital" in Tunis, from January 1998 through December 2020. The demographic, clinical, biological, radiological characteristics, histopathologic, and therapeutic data were collected, as well as the surgical intervention used and the postoperative immediate and late complications. Results: Thirty-two adult patients with ACL were recruited, including 20 females and 12 males. The median age at treatment was 47 (range 14-80) years. The most prevalent sites were the retroperitoneum (25%), the mesentery (21.9%), and the paracolic gutters (n = 18. 7%). Twenty patients underwent open surgery (62.5%), whereas 12 cases (37.5%) had laparoscopic surgery. Twenty-eight patients received total cystectomy (87%). Three recurrences were observed during follow-up (9.4%). Conclusion: The clinical features of CL in adults remain unclear. The diagnosis is only confirmed by histopathological examination after complete surgical resection. The laparoscopic approach is considered safe and feasible.

Endothelial dysfunction and increased carotid intima-media thickness in patients with spondyloarthritis without traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to assess subclinical atherosclerosis in spondyloarthritis (SpA) by combining three ultrasound methods (flow-mediated dilation (FMD), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)) and to determine the predictive factors of theses parameters. METHODS: This was a case control study conducted over 12 months including 47 patients with SpA-free-cardiovascular (CV) disease in comparison with age and sex matched 47 healthy controls. Sociodemographic, clinical and biological features as well as therapeutic modalities were recorded in our patients. All subjects had Doppler ultrasound with measurement of cIMT, FMD and ABI. Ultrasound measurements were compared between patients and controls. Linear regression was performed and assessed by machine learning to determine the predictive models of markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. RESULTS: We found higher cIMT (p<0.0001), lower FMD (p=0.008) and higher left ABI (0.048) in patients with SpA compared with controls. cIMT was positively correlated to patient-related parameters (age, systolic blood pressure) and disease parameters (age at onset of SpA, disease duration and renal involvement). Biologically, cIMT was positively correlated with creatinine, blood-glocose, total cholesterol (CT) and CT/cholesterol-high density lipoprotein ratio. FMD was negatively correlated with male gender, age, systolic blood pressure, creatinine, blood glucose and Left Lequesne Index. ABI was significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure. Multiple regression analysis identified age, CT and creatinine as independents predictive factors for increased cIMT. Regarding endothelial dysfunction, blood glucose and Left Lequesne Index were the independents predictive factors of decreased FMD. CONCLUSION: Our study supported the accelerated subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with SpA. This subclinical atherosclerosis was mainly mediated by traditional CV risk factors.

Increased epicardial adipose tissue thickness correlates with endothelial dysfunction in spondyloarthritis.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the relationship between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients compared to healthy controls. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study including SpA patients aged ≤ 50 years without traditional cardiovascular risk factors and healthy controls matched for age and gender. Baseline characteristics, laboratory data, and SpA-related parameters were recorded. All participants underwent ultrasound examination with measurement of EAT thickness, FMD, and cIMT by both an experienced cardiologist and radiologist blinded to clinical data. The relationships between the ultrasound measurements were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient and Person correlation. RESULTS: The study included 94 subjects (47 SpA and 47 healthy controls). The sex-ratio was 2.35; the median age of patients was 36 years (IQR: 28-46), and the median disease duration was 11 years (IQR: 5-16). Compared to the control group, SpA patients had significantly higher values of EAT thickness (p = 0.001) and cIMT (p < 0.0001). FMD values were significantly lower in SpA patients compared to controls (p = 0.008). The univariate analysis detected a significant negative association between EAT thickness and FMD (p = 0.026; r = - 0.325), and between left cIMT and FMD (p = 0.027; r = - 0.322). No association was found between EAT thickness and cIMT. CONCLUSION: EAT thickness, FMD, and cIMT were significantly impaired in SpA patients compared with healthy controls supporting evidence of accelerated atherosclerosis in SpA. EAT thickness was correlated to endothelial dysfunction suggesting the role of EAT in predicting the early reversible stages of atherosclerosis. Key Points • Spondyloarthritis is associated with impaired subclinical atherosclerosis markers accurately increased epicardial fat and carotid intima-media thickness and endothelial dysfunction. • Increased epicardial fat thickness is correlated with impaired endothelial function in spondyloarthritis patients.

Anti Mullerian hormone as a diagnostic tool for polycystic ovary syndrome in women of reproductive age with morbid obesity.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to analyze the performance of the anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) level for the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome in women with morbid obesity. STUDY DESIGN: A single-centre cross-sectional study was conducted in 50 women of reproductive age with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m2. Each patient underwent a clinical examination, biological and hormonal assays, and an ovarian ultrasound between the third and the fifth day of the menstrual cycle. Polycystic ovary syndrome was diagnosed according to the Rotterdam's criteria. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 34.2 ± 7.5 years. Polycystic ovary syndrome was diagnosed in 20 women (40%). Age and anthropometric parameters did not differ between women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome. The mean AMH level was significantly higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (3.4 ± 3.6 vs 1.3 ± 1.2 ng/ml, p=0.010). It was positively correlated with the Ferriman and Gallwey score (r=0.496, p=0.016), total testosterone level (r=0.524, p < 10-3) and the LH/FSH ratio (r=0.290, p=0.046). In women aged between 35 and 45 years, the optimum cut-off level for the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome was 0.81 ng/mL, providing a sensitivity and a specificity of 90 and 71%, respectively with an area under the ROC curve of 0.857. CONCLUSIONS: AMH level was significantly higher in morbid obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome compared with those without polycystic ovary syndrome. Specific thresholds for this population must be assessed to improve the sensitivity and specificity of AMH for the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Case Report: Spontaneous simultaneous coronary and carotid dissection in a young cannabis user.

Due to legalization of its consumption in some countries and its medical use as well as low toxic potential, cannabis remains the most widely used drug around the world and the rate of usage is only increasing.  Nevertheless, there are several case reports of vascular complications following cannabis use even in young people without cardiovascular risk factors. We report the case of a cannabis smoker presenting to the emergency room for an ischemic stroke associated with an acute coronary syndrome related to a spontaneous simultaneous double dissection of the carotid artery and the left anterior descending artery, with a favourable outcome under medical treatment. This case shows the seriousness of complications due to the cannabis consumption, hence the need to limit or even prohibit its consumption.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma mimicking a liver abscess.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma masquerading as liver abscess, and presenting with fever, is a very rare situation and should be considered in nonresolving liver abscess. Only few cases were reported in the literature. This entity is characterized by late diagnosis and poor prognosis.

Management of a primary retroperitoneal hydatid cyst ruptured in the abdominal wall: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Hydatid disease is a global zoonosis. Any organ of the human body can be involved. Single or multiple locations are reported. However, retroperitoneal hydatid cysts are uncommon. Furthermore, parietal complications are rarely reported in literature. Therefore, the management of hydatid cysts ruptured in the abdominal wall remains challenging. PRESENTATION OF CASE: In this case report, we aim to describe our experience in treating a primary retroperitoneal hydatid cyst with rupture into abdominal wall in an 87-year-old woman who presented with a 15-centimeter mass of the right flank. Hydatid serology test was positive. An abdominal CT scan showed a 20-centimeter cystic mass of retroperitoneum extended to the abdominal wall with several septa within and enhanced thick wall. The patient underwent a surgical elective drainage with perioperative antiparasitic chemotherapy. Follow-up showed no recurrence. DISCUSSION: Primary retroperitoneal hydatid cyst with parietal complications is scarce and barely described in literature. We performed a review of the recent relevant literature that deals with this subject. None of the hydatid cysts reported in 55 cases was located in retroperitoneum. The top seven countries of origin are located in Mediterranean region except for India. Imaging is compulsory for the diagnosis along with patient's history, physical examination and hydatid serology. The treatment is surgical and must be must be covered by antiparasitic chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Primary retroperitoneal hydatid cyst extended to the abdominal wall remains a rare and challenging diagnosis that must be considered in endemic countries.

Hybrid clustering system using Nystagmus parameters discrimination for vestibular disorder diagnosis.

BACKGROUD AND OBJECTIVE: The control of clinical manifestation of vestibular system relies on an optimal diagnosis. This study aims to develop and test a new automated diagnostic scheme for vestibular disorder recognition. METHODS: In this study we stratify the Ellipse-fitting technique using the Video Nysta Gmographic (VNG) sequence to obtain the segmented pupil region. Furthermore, the proposed methodology enabled us to select the most optimum VNG features to effectively conduct quantitative evaluation of nystagmus signal. The proposed scheme using a multilayer neural network classifier (MNN) was tested using a dataset involving 98 patients affected by VD and 41 normal subjects. RESULTS: The new MNN scheme uses only five temporal and frequency parameters selected out of initial thirteen parameters. The scheme generated results reached 94% of classification accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: The developed expert system is promising in solving the problem of VNG analysis and achieving accurate results of vestibular disorder recognition or diagnosis comparing to other methods or classifiers.

A "happy ending" of mediastinal and abdominal lymphadenopathy associated with hepatosplenomegaly and pulmonary lesions.

Major diagnosis for mediastinal and abdominal lymphadenopathy is lymphoma and tuberculosis. Spontaneous remarkable evolution should discuss viral infection on the condition that no corticosteroids have been taken before as they could magically improve an authentic lymphoma. Trial of antituberculosis treatment that is used in some cases could lead to a misdiagnosis as the viral-infected patient can spontaneously heal as it is described in this case.

The Role of Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography in Kawasaki Disease: Comparison with Transthoracic Echocardiography in a 25-Case Retrospective Study.

Although transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the first-line examination for the study of coronary lesions in Kawasaki disease, CT coronary angiography (CTCA) is increasingly used and showed good results. Our aim is to evaluate the contribution of CTCA in the detection of coronary lesions and to compare its results with those of TTE. Retrospective study that included 25 patients with Kawasaki disease enrolled in La Rabta University Hospital. The study was conducted over a 4-year period from January 2012 to May 2015. A TTE and a CTCA have been performed for all patients during KD first 3 months of evolution to investigate the coronary artery lesions. There were 23 lesions described on CTCA and not diagnosed with TTE: there were 16 aneurysms, 6 ectasia and 1 case of stenosis. The lesions concerned: LCX in eight cases, RCA in eight cases, LMCA in three cases, and LAD and PDA in two cases each. Differences of description between TTE and CTCA were identified in 14 cases. These discrepancies concerned the type of lesion in seven cases (50%), the size of the aneurysm in five cases (35%) and the shape of the aneurysm in two cases. The CTCA showed its superiority in detecting coronary lesions in our series especially fusiform ones and those interesting distal and posterior network. However, because of its radiating character and its availability, TTE should remain the fist-line examination.