Clinical Spectrum and Management of Caustic Ingestion: A Case Series Presenting Three Opposing Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Ingestion of caustic substances is a medical emergency in both the adult and pediatric population and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The extent of injuries after ingestion of caustic substances depends on the nature, amount, and concentration of the agent and on the exposure time. Acutely, caustic substances may cause massive hemorrhage and gastrointestinal tract perforation; the most markedly affected cases require urgent surgical treatment. Patients surviving the initial event may present with aorto-enteric or gastrocolic fistulae, esophageal strictures, dysphagia, and increased risk of esophageal cancer as long term sequelae. CASE REPORT: The features of three cases of caustic ingestion are reported to demonstrate significantly different complaints presented at the emergency department. Two patients had free gastric perforation, one at presentation, and one delayed. The third patient presented with late severe strictures of the esophagus and pylorus. The outcomes of the three patients are discussed in detail along with the most current management strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Among adults, ingestion of caustic substances is usually associated with more severe lesions due to the increased amount of ingested substance, as compared with pediatric patients. The most serious presentation is that of visceral perforation, most commonly of the stomach and rarely of the esophagus. Management involves urgent resuscitation with correction of fluid and electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities and immediate surgical exploration in those patients with signs of perforation. Once the perioperative period is managed successfully, the long-term results can be satisfactory. Managing of strictures or else reconstructive procedures must be well timed to allow for psychological and nutritional rehabilitation.

Eosinophilic Cholangitis--A Challenging Diagnosis of Benign Biliary Stricture: A Case Report.

When confronting a biliary stricture, both benign and malignant etiologies must be carefully considered as a variety of benign biliary strictures can masquerade as hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Therefore, patients could undergo a major surgery despite the possibility of a benign biliary disease. Approximately 15% to 24% of patients undergoing surgical resection for suspected biliary malignancy will have benign pathology. Eosinophilic cholangitis (EC) is a rare benign disorder of the biliary tract, which can cause obstructive jaundice and can pose a difficult diagnostic task. We present a rare case of a young woman who was referred to our hospital with obstructive painless jaundice due to a biliary stricture at the confluence of the hepatic bile ducts, with a provisional diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. Though, during her work up she was found to have EC, an extremely rare benign cause of biliary stricture, which is characterized by a dense eosinophilic infiltration of the biliary tree causing stricturing, fibrosis, and obstruction and which is reversible with short-term high-dose steroids. Despite its rarity, EC should be taken into consideration when imaging modalities demonstrate a biliary stricture, especially if preoperative diagnosis of malignancy cannot be made, in the setting of peripheral eosinophilia and the absence of cardinal symptoms of malignancy.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges of Intrahepatic Biliary Cystadenoma and Cystadenocarcinoma: A Report of 10 Cases and Review of the Literature.

The objective of this study was to present our experience with intrahepatic biliary cystadenomas and cystadenocarcinomas in 10 patients surgically managed in our department. Intrahepatic biliary cystadenomas and cystadenocarcinomas are rare cystic tumors that are often misdiagnosed preoperatively as simple cysts or hydatid cysts. They recur after incomplete resection and entail a risk of malignant transformation to cystadenocarcinoma. A retrospective review was conducted of patients with histologically confirmed intrahepatic biliary cystadenomas and cystadenocarcinomas between August 2004 and February 2013 who were surgically managed in our department. A total of 10 patients, 9 female and 1 male (mean age, 50 years), with cystic liver were reviewed. The size of the cysts ranged between 3.5 and 16 cm (mean, 10.6). Five patients had undergone previous interventions elsewhere and presented with recurrences. Liver resections included 6 hepatectomies, 2 bisegmentectomies, 1 extended right hepatectomy, and 1 enucleation due to the central position and the large size of the lesion. Pathology reports confirmed R0 resections in all cases. All patients were alive after a median follow-up of 6 years (range, 1-10 years), and no recurrence was detected. Intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma should be considered in differential diagnosis in patients with liver cystic tumors. Because of the high recurrence rate and difficult accurate preoperative diagnosis, formal liver resection is mandatory. Enucleation with free margins is an option and is indicated where resection is impossible.