Esophago-Pleural Fistula Complicating a Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding was previously a commonly performed bariatric procedure. However, in recent years, the procedure has become less commonly performed. Long-term complications nonetheless persist and continue to be seen in clinical practice. We present a case of an esophago-pleural fistula complicating a longstanding laparoscopic adjustable gastric band in a woman presenting with persistent empyema. Palliative esophageal stenting was successfully performed, and the patient was discharged home on hospice care per her family's wishes.

Duodenal angiosarcoma can be misdiagnosed as a Dieulafoy's lesion.

Angiosarcomas are soft-tissue neoplasms that originate from the vascular epithelium. The most commonly involved sites include the skin and subcutaneous tissues. In the GI tract, generally, angiosarcomas involve the spleen and liver, although locations in the small intestine and colon have been very occasionally reported. In the present study we report the unusual case of a man with duodenal epithelioid angiosarcoma, presenting with anemia and recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding, which was initially misdiagnosed as a Dieulafoy's lesion. It is important to consider the diagnosis of gastrointestinal malignancy, including unusual neoplasms such as angiosarcomas, in the setting of anendoscopic appearance such as hemorrhagic nodule, purpuric mass and/or recurrent bleeding lesions that are persistent despite repeat interventions. In such cases, a biopsy should be considered to confirm the diagnosis.

Two unusual sites of metastases of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

The most common sites of metastasis for esophageal cancers include the liver, lungs, and bones. We report a rare case of esophageal adenocarcinoma with metastasis to the subcutaneous perianal region as well as to the small bowel. Physicians should consider the possibility of metastasis in a patient with esophageal adenocarcinoma even after the onset of remission. It is essential to examine these patients and maintain a high index of suspicion for possible metastases. Early recognition helps in the accurate staging of the disease and enables the initiation of life-prolonging therapy and achieving meaningful palliation.

"Obscure" Appendiceal Orifice Polyps Can Be Challenging to Identify by Colonoscopy.

The primary purpose of screening colonoscopy is the detection and subsequent removal of precancerous polyps. However, effective recognition of appendiceal lesions with a standard endoscope is often challenging and is limited to the base of the cecum and appendiceal orifice. The majority of appendiceal polyps are found incidentally following an appendectomy, though rarely they may be discovered during a colonoscopy. Despite being visualized by colonoscopy, most of these polyps are generally referred for surgical resection. The risk of developing carcinoma in patients with appendiceal polyps is likely similar to that of other colonic polyps, so it is essential for the endoscopist to examine and visualize the appendiceal orifice thoroughly. Various techniques are available to the endoscopist that can increase the accuracy of colonoscopic evaluation. These include luminal inflation and deflation, looking behind and pressing haustral folds, and repetitive passage of the scope over poorly visualized areas. To our knowledge, only 3 cases have been reported in the literature describing the discovery of obscure appendiceal polyps using colonoscopic techniques. Here we describe three cases of appendiceal orifice polyps missed on initial visualization but subsequently protruded into the cecum following prolonged examination and gentle deflation in the cecum. The endoscopist should consider the possibility of an appendiceal neoplasm, especially if other colonic polyps have been found. Endoscopists should spend adequate time examining the cecum during a screening colonoscopy to expose and thoroughly examine the appendiceal region.