ABSTRACT
Jejunal diverticulosis is a rare phenomenon often identified either incidentally on imaging or intra-operatively. Complications of jejunal diverticulosis are associated with high rates of mortality. For this reason, it remains important that this pathology is considered amongst differentials for an acute abdomen. A 78-year old gentleman presented with a short history of generalized lower abdominal pain. Computer tomography scan revealed a large inflammatory abscess relating to a perforated jejunal diverticulum. The patient was taken to theatre where he underwent small bowel resection with primary anastomosis. Early cross sectional imaging is vital to allow early diagnosis and prompt management of this pathology. Small bowel resection with primary anastomosis was associated with an excellent clinical outcome.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Application of evidence-based guidelines in the management of cellulitis is poorly studied in Ireland and it is observed that current admission and prescription practices in this country vary widely from internationally accepted standards of care. We aimed to examine the management of cellulitis with regard to hospital admission and initial antibiotic therapy. METHODS: A retrospective audit of patients admitted with cellulitis from 2013 to 2017 in an Irish district general hospital. Exclusion criteria included specialist regions of the body and surgical site infections. Appropriateness of admission and management was compared against international guidelines (Clinical Research Efficiency Support Team (CREST) and Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA)). RESULTS: Five hundred twenty emergency admissions with cellulitis were analysed. Thirty-five percent (n = 182) were deemed inappropriate admissions compared with CREST and IDSA guidelines, with an estimated cost of 152,203 per annum. Ninety-six percent (n = 501) of patients with cellulitis were treated with a combination of flucloxacillin and benzylpenicillin, despite level 1 evidence showing combination therapy to provide no benefit over appropriate monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant discrepancy between current clinical practice and international guidelines for the management of cellulitis in Ireland; local guidelines are not in keeping with newer evidence and there is a lack of national guidelines for this common condition. Closer adherence to international guidelines would significantly reduce costs by reducing unnecessary admissions and initial monotherapy would improve antibiotic stewardship. This study shows a clear need for local institutions to re-examine antibiotic guidelines to ensure the HSE provides effective evidence-based treatment in the correct setting.