"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.

Does the Presence of Giant Pseudopolyps in a Patient with Newly Diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease Increase the Risk of Major Thrombotic Events?

Giant inflammatory polyp and thromboembolism are uncommon complications in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Colon mucosal inflammation is possibly the main mechanism of pathogenesis for these two complications. IBD has long been associated with hypercoagulability and thromboembolism. In fact, thromboembolism has been noted in 0.7% to 7.7% of IBD patients, with the deep veins of the legs and the pulmonary veins accounting for 90% of the cases. The proposed mechanism of this hypercoagulability involves the promotion of hemostasis that results from the inflammatory process underlying the IBD, as well as the loss of proteins, including antithrombotic factors, resulting from the inflamed bowel and increased permeability of the colonic mucosa. This process may be exacerbated by the presence of giant inflammatory polyps, which are defined as polyps in the setting of IBD with dimensions greater than 1.5 cm. The presence of these polyps leads to an increase in inflamed colonic surface area, which can accelerate the rate of protein loss, leading to an increased incidence of thrombosis. Here, we report the case of a 21-year-old female with inferior vena cava and left renal vein thromboses secondary to a newly diagnosed IBD and the presence of severe giant inflammatory polyposis. These thromboses were detected incidentally in this patient after 1 week of hospitalization. She had presented with hypoalbuminemia and elevated inflammatory markers, which raised the suspicion for possible giant inflammatory polyposis as a potential risk for her major thromboembolic events. More studies are required to explore this plausible correlation further.

Successful External Cardioversion via Fluoroscopic Electrode Positioning in Patients with Enlarged Trans-Thoracic Diameter.

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. It increases the risk of stroke by at least five-fold and is associated with higher risk for mortality and morbidity. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and treatment is crucial. In addition to anti-coagulation therapy, electrical and pharmacological cardioversion to restore sinus rhythm remains the standard of care. The most common and effective method for electrical cardioversion is achieved with placement of electrodes in the anteroposterior position. CASE REPORT We present three cases of patients with initial unsuccessful cardioversion attempts for persistent atrial fibrillation. These patients had elevated body mass indices and large trans-thoracic diameters. Their initial external cardioversion via the conventional method was not successful for restoration of sinus rhythm. This failure may have been attributed to their body habitus. To ensure that the current would traverse through the atrial tissue, the electrode pads were applied using fluoroscopic guidance for adequate myocardial depolarization. CONCLUSIONS Optimal fluoroscopic placement of the electrode pads during external cardioversion procedure increases the odds of successful restoration of sinus rhythm when compared to the conventional method.

Lyme disease presenting with facial palsy and myocarditis mimicking myocardial infarction.

A 45-year-old woman presented with a sudden episode of typical chest pain, radiating to her neck. The patient denied premature coronary artery disease in the family. Initial EKG showed normal sinus rhythm with a 1 mm ST-elevation involving lead II and lead aVF and a 1 mm ST-depression in lead V1 with associated T-wave inversion. Initial Troponin I (normal <0.4 ng/mL) and CK-MB (normal <7.7 ng/mL) were elevated at 7.82 ng/mL and 55.2 ng/mL, respectively. Six hours later, Troponin I increased to 13.44 ng/mL and CK-MB to 75.7 ng/mL. The patient underwent cardiac catheterization which did not show any significant obstructive coronary artery disease. Two days later the patient developed right-sided facial palsy. Diagnosis of Lyme disease was confirmed by ELISA with positive IgM and IgG antibodies. Treatment with intravenous ceftriaxone and oral steroids was started. Eventually resolution of symptoms and, normalization of cardiac markers and EKG changes, were achieved. This is a rare case of Lyme myocarditis associated with markedly elevated Troponin I, normal left ventricle function, and an absence of conduction abnormalities. To the best of our knowledge, Lyme myocarditis mimicking acute coronary syndrome with such high levels of Troponin I and neurologic compromise has not been previously described. Lyme myocarditis may be a challenging diagnosis in endemic areas especially in patients with coronary artery disease risk factors, presenting with typical chest pain, EKG changes and positive cardiac biomarkers. Therefore, it should be considered a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with clinical symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome. Abbreviations AV: Atrioventricular; CK-MB: Creatinine Kinase-MB; EKG: Electrocardiogram; ELISA: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; IgG: Immunoglobulin G; IgM: Immunoglobulin M.