A Case With Twists and Turns: A Report of Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia.

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is a rare anatomical abnormality of the vertebral artery system, defined as irregular expansion, elongation, and tortuosity of vertebral arteries. Anomalies of the vertebrobasilar artery can have a wide variety of clinical presentations, ranging from simple headaches to debilitating strokes. We present the case of an atypical presentation of VBD which mimicked trigeminal neuralgia by compressing the trigeminal nerve. There are currently no guidelines concerning the management of VBD, nor is there evidence of a definitive cure. This case invoked discussions among the medical team as to whether management should be medically or surgically focused, as well as long-term outcomes for patients with VBD. The superiority of medical versus surgical treatment of this issue is still a debated topic. This patient trialed medical management with dexamethasone and carbamazepine with no improvement in symptoms. He then underwent surgical gamma knife treatment but even this invasive measure was unsuccessful at relieving his symptoms. We hope that by presenting this case, we can display how the therapies available for VBD are limited and often unsuccessful in relieving the disease burden in patients with VBD.

Recurrent gastric antral vascular ectasia: a single center experience.

Introduction: Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a rare cause of chronic or acute gastrointestinal bleeding. This condition accounts for ∼4% of upper gastrointestinal bleeding cases. This disease is often associated with systemic diseases, such as liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney failure, autoimmune conditions, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and cardiovascular diseases. However, its etiopathogenesis remains controversial. Materials and method: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of GAVE treated at our digestive surgery unit. A total of nine patients were identified with a male/female ratio of 1.25:1 and an average age of 75.51 years (SD ± 9.85). All patients underwent endoscopic argon plasma coagulation (APC) treatment. At the time of the review, data on eight patients were available after 36 months of follow-up. Results: APC appears to be safe and effective for hemostasis of bleeding vascular ectasia. Only one (11.1%) patient required surgical intervention due to hemodynamic instability after multiple unsuccessful endoscopic treatments. No intraoperative and postoperative complication or bleeding relapse was experienced. Discussion: Based on our findings, we concluded that endoscopic APC is technically simple, but requires multiple re-interventions due to the incidence of relapses. Furthermore, larger randomized studies should be conducted to assess the role of elective surgery as the first intervention in stable patients with severe pathology and the timing of surgery after failed endoscopic treatment.

Native Aortic Valve Endocarditis Secondary to Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia Manipulation During Endoscopic Argon Plasma Coagulation.

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is an uncommon cause of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeds. Due to the high vascularity of the region, transient bacteremia due to manipulation of the GI tract can very rarely cause the translocation of bacteria. We present a rare case in which endoscopic manipulation to treat GAVE led to native valve infective endocarditis (IE). Our patient had a prior history of GAVE and presented with worsening dizziness and shortness of breath (SOB). After an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and subsequent argon plasma coagulation (APC) for active preantral bleeding, the patient was noted to have repeated fevers, a new cardiac murmur, and positive blood cultures for Staphylococcus epidermidis, leading to a diagnosis of native infective endocarditis. With high clinical suspicion and early recognition of a new cardiac murmur, a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) was key in identifying vegetation. This case highlights the importance of combining history, a physical exam, and diagnostic lab tests and imaging to identify endocarditis. Management included two months of intravenous (IV) vancomycin and repeat TEE for close monitoring of vegetation improvement.

Colonic pedunculated polypoid vascular ectasia mimicking ileocolic intussusception: a rare case report.

Vascular ectasias are characterized by abnormal blood vessel enlargement and presumed to be caused by degenerative processes. About 3% of lower gastrointestinal bleeding is caused by it. On endoscopy, colonic arteriovenous malformations are frequently solitary, sizable, flat, or raised red lesions. Conversely, colonic vascular ectasia that manifests as pedunculated polypoid lesions are rare. Case presentation: A 45-year-old woman presented with hematochezia and abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasound and Contrast enhanced computed tomography abdomen, both showed features of ileocolic intussusception. Intraoperatively, an intraluminal pedunculated polypoid growth extending up to the hepatic flexure of the colon was discovered. A right hemicolectomy was performed, removing the polypoid growth as well. After histopathological evaluation, a final diagnosis of colonic polypoid vascular ectasia was made. Clinical discussion: Gastrointestinal bleeding is the common initial manifestation of vascular ectasia, while some individuals may continue to be asymptomatic. According to a study from July 2022, vascular ectasia that manifests as polypoid growth is an uncommon phenomenon that has only been documented in 17 other cases. An intussusception may have a polypoid vascular ectasia as its lead point. Conversely, a large polypoid vascular ectasia may have radiographic characteristics that resemble an intussusception. Conclusion: Large colonic vascular ectasia, which tends to enlarge over time, can occasionally be misinterpreted as an intussusception due to comparable radiological appearances. In the event that a polypoid colonic vascular ectasia is misidentified for intussusception, the surgical team must be ready to adjust the treatment protocol as needed.

Comparisons Between Endoscopic Band Ligation, Radiofrequency Ablation and Endoscopic Thermal Therapy for Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have emerged as alternative therapies of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) in addition to endoscopic thermal therapy (ETT), but the optimum choice remains inconclusive. AIM: We conducted a meta-analysis in order to compare these three treatments for GAVE. METHODS: We searched the electronic databases of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials without any language restrictions and also performed a manual literature search of bibliographies located in both retrieved articles and published reviews for eligible publications prior to December 8, 2021. We included comparative trials which had evaluated the efficacy and safety of interventions in adults (aged ≥ 18 years) diagnosed with symptomatic GAVE and was confirmed according to clinical backgrounds and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. We included reports that compared three interventions, ETT, EBL, and RFA. The study was comprised of adults diagnosed with GAVE and focused on overall mortality, bleeding cessation, endoscopic improvement, complications, hospitalization, hemoglobin improvement, number of sessions and transfusion requirements. RESULTS: Twelve studies were performed involving a total of 571 participants for analysis. When compared with ETT, EBL achieved better bleeding cessation (OR 4.48, 95% CI 1.36-14.77, p = 0.01), higher hemoglobin improvement (MD 0.57, 95% CI 0.31-0.83, p < 0.01) and lower number of sessions (MD - 1.44, 95% CI - 2.54 to - 0.34, p = 0.01). Additionally, EBL was superior to ETT in endoscopic improvement (OR 6.00, 95% CI 2.26-15.97, p < 0.01), hospitalization (MD - 1.32, 95% CI - 1.91 to - 0.74, p < 0.01) and transfusion requirement (MD - 2.66, 95% CI - 4.67 to - 0.65, p = 0.01) with statistical significance, with the exception of mortality (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.19-1.77, p = 0.34) and complication rate (OR 5.33, 95% CI 0.58-48.84, p = 0.14). CONCLUSION: For GAVE, we suggest that EBL be initially recommended, and APC and RFA be used as alternative treatment choices based upon a very low quality of evidence.

[Gastrointestinal tract involvement in systemic sclerosis]. / Atteinte digestive de la sclérodermie systémique.

Gastrointestinal tract involvement in systemic sclerosis concerns more than 90% of patients but is of heterogeneous clinical expression. It can involve the entire intestinal tract and be responsible for multifactorial malnutrition, which is frequent in this disease. It is a major source of deterioration in the quality of life and can even be life-threatening. Management is complex and multidisciplinary, ranging from simple hygienic and dietary measures, to specialized endoscopic or surgical interventional procedures, also including medical treatments, particularly proton pump inhibitors and prokinetics, with potential side effects. Ongoing research for new diagnostic and therapeutic tools promises to improve the management and prognosis of these patients.

Diode Laser Therapy for Radiation-Induced Vascular Ectasia: Long-Term Results and Cost Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissues has been reported in patients who undergo radiation therapy for pelvic malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate the safety, efficacy and cost efficiency of endoscopic diode laser therapy in patients diagnosed with chronic radiation proctitis (CRP). METHODS: The data of 24 patients (median age 78, range 67-90 years) who presented rectal bleeding and were diagnosed with CRP after undergoing high-dose radiotherapy for prostatic cancer and underwent diode laser therapy were evaluated retrospectively. Non-contact fibers were used in the patients who underwent the procedure without sedation in an outpatient setting. RESULTS: The patients underwent a median of two sessions; overall, a mean of 1591 J of laser energy per session was used. No complications were noted during or after the procedures. Bleeding was completely resolved in 21/24 (88%) patients, and two patients showed improvement (96%). It was not necessary to suspend antiplatelet (six patients) or anticoagulant (four patients) therapy during the treatment course. The mean cost per session was EUR 473.4. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings demonstrated that endoscopic non-contact diode laser treatment in CRP patients is safe, effective and cost efficient. For this procedure, antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy suspension, intraprocedural sedation and hospital admission are not required.

A Case of Refractory Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia Treated Successfully With Distal Gastrectomy and Billroth II Reconstruction.

Gastric antral vascular ectasia is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and an important cause of transfusion dependence. Although surgery should be considered when patients with gastric antral vascular ectasia become transfusion-dependent even after endoscopic treatment, surgery for such patients with cirrhosis on dialysis has not been reported. Our patient, a 62-year-old man with a history of cirrhosis and chronic kidney failure, experienced recurrent bloody stool. Upper endoscopic findings indicated a diagnosis of gastric antral vascular ectasia; therefore, we initiated therapy with argon plasma coagulation. Anemia developed, and despite a second argon plasma coagulation treatment, it remained difficult to control. During the six weeks of hospitalization, the patient received more than 40 units of red blood cells. The gastroenterologist determined that further treatment with argon plasma coagulation would increase the risk of gastric perforation; therefore, we performed distal gastrectomy with Billroth II reconstruction. The patient was discharged from the hospital 15 days after surgery and had no signs of anemia for more than one year after discharge. The case of our patient shows that although endoscopic therapy is the usual treatment for gastric antral vascular ectasia, surgery should be considered when anemia is difficult to control.

A case of gastric antral vascular ectasia in which PuraStat, a novel self-assembling peptide hemostatic hydrogel, was effective.

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a gastric hemorrhagic disease associated with chronic liver disease. Argon plasma coagulation is widely used to control gastrointestinal bleeding due to GAVE. Although argon plasma coagulation is a relatively safe endoscopic procedure, it is not suitable in some cases, such as in patients with pacemakers. We report a case of GAVE in which PuraStat, a novel self-assembling peptide hemostatic hydrogel, was effective. The patient was a 55-year-old man who had undergone Fontan surgery for tricuspid regurgitation more than 20 years prior. He developed hepatic cirrhosis as a complication following Fontan surgery. During upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to examine the cause of the progression of anemia and black stool, bleeding from GAVE was observed; PuraStat was applied to stop the bleeding. Postoperatively, the black stool disappeared, and his hemoglobin levels improved. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed 13 days after the surgery; the density of the capillaries in the antrum was significantly decreased, and a clear trend toward disappearance was observed. Therefore, the application of PuraStat may be useful in the treatment of GAVE.

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (Watermelon stomach); an unusual cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in elderly: A case report.

Introduction: Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is an unusual cause of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in an elderly patient. Case presentation: A 73-year-old female with erosive gastritis, hypertension, and unstable angina arrived at the emergency department with shortness of breath, easy fatigability, and melaena. Physical examination indicated pallor but no signs of distress, with an unremarkable systemic examination. Routine blood testing indicated anemia. The patient underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which revealed linear red ectatic vessels radiating from the antrum towards the body. A diagnosis of GAVE was made. Blood transfusions and argon plasma coagulation were undertaken. Clinical discussion: This condition is an uncommon cause of upper GI bleeding with the antrum being the most prevalent site. The pathophysiology of GAVE is yet unknown, however, many hypotheses have been postulated. GAVE is frequently misdiagnosed as gastritis. GAVE treatment comprises initial resuscitation and symptomatic treatment with intravenous fluids and blood products. Endoscopy has increasingly been the first-line therapeutic option for GAVE in recent years, including argon plasma coagulation. Conclusion: The diagnosis of gastric antral vascular ectasia is frequently overlooked during upper GI endoscopy, despite the fact that it should always be explored, especially in cases of unexplained GI bleeding in the elderly.

Comparison of portal hypertensive gastropathy and gastric antral vascular ectasia: an update.

Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) and gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) are two distinct entities that are frequently mistaken with each other, because they present with similar manifestations. This issue may cause catastrophic outcomes, as each one of them has a unique pathophysiology, thereby making their management approaches completely different. There are clinical clues that help physicians distinguish these two. Direct vision via upper endoscopy is often mandatory to establish the diagnosis, and sometimes biopsy is required. In this review, we sought to discuss different aspects of both conditions and highlight clinical evidence that may help in identifying and managing the disease appropriately.

Extrahepatic Manifestations in Alcoholic Liver Disease.

Though liver is the most commonly affected organ in patients with chronic and excessive intake of alcohol, no organ is immune to toxic effects of alcohol and patients with alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) can suffer from a wide list of extrahepatic manifestations involving gastrointestinal tract, central and peripheral nervous systems, cardio vascular system, musculo-skeletal system, disruption of nutritional status, endocrinological abnormalities, hematological abnormalities and immune dysfunction. These extrahepatic organ involvements are usually overlooked by hepatologists and physicians who are mostly focused on managing life threatening complications of ALD. As a result, there is delayed diagnosis, delay in the initiation of appropriate treatment and late referral to other specialists. Some of these manifestations are of utmost clinical importance (e.g. delirium tremans and Wernicke's encephalopathy) because an early diagnosis and treatment can lead to full recovery while delayed or no treatment can result in death. On the other hand, several extrahepatic manifestations are of prognostic significance (such as alcoholic cardiomyopathy and malignancies) in which there is an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Hence, a clear understanding and awareness of the extrahepatic manifestations of ALD is quintessential for proper management of these patients.

Colonic Polypoid Vascular Ectasia in a Patient With Rectal Prolapse.

Vascular ectasia is a common cause of lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in older patients. They typically present as flat or slightly raised fern-like bright red lesions. We report a rare case of a vascular ectasia presenting as a pedunculated polypoid lesion in a young patient with rectal prolapse. The pedunculated polyp was removed using hot snare polypectomy. This case highlights a unique presentation of a rare lesion and endoscopic management of these lesions.

Influences of etiology and endoscopic appearance on the long-term outcomes of gastric antral vascular ectasia.

BACKGROUND: Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) has diverse associations and presumed causes, which include liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, and autoimmune disease. This heterogeneity of underlying disorders suggests that the pathogenesis of GAVE may be variable. AIM: To compare the clinical features and long-term outcomes of GAVE according to endoscopic patterns and etiologies. METHODS: The medical records and endoscopic images of 23 consecutive patients diagnosed with GAVE by endoscopy at Yeungnam University Hospital from January 2006 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were allocated to cirrhosis (16 patients) and non-cirrhosis groups (7 patients). GAVE subtypes, as determined by endoscopy, were categorized as punctate (a diffuse, honeycomb-like appearance, 17 patients) or striped (a linear, watermelon-like appearance, 6 patients). RESULTS: All GAVE patients with cirrhosis (16/16, 100%) had a punctate pattern by endoscopy, whereas the majority of patients (6/7, 85.7%) without cirrhosis had a striped pattern (P < 0.001). Overt GAVE bleeding (10/23, 43%) was significantly more common in the non-cirrhosis group than in the cirrhosis group (6/7, 85.7% vs 4/16, 25.0%; P = 0.019), and more common in the striped group than in the punctate group (5/6, 83.3% vs 5/17, 29.4%; P = 0.052). However, mean numbers of admissions due to GAVE bleeding and argon plasma coagulation (APC) sessions to address overt bleeding were similar in the cirrhosis and non-cirrhosis groups and in the punctate and striped groups. All patients with GAVE bleeding were successfully treated by APC, and no patient died from GAVE-related blood loss during a median follow-up of 24 mo. CONCLUSION: Punctate-type GAVE is strongly associated with liver cirrhosis, and GAVE patients without cirrhosis tend to be more prone to overt bleeding. However, the presence of cirrhosis and endoscopic patterns did not influence long-term clinical courses or outcomes in cases of overt bleeding.

The misclassification of gastric antral vascular ectasia.

Background: Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is characterized by angiodysplastic lesions and is a rare form of gastrointestinal bleeding. Given the multiple patterns, GAVE can be misclassified. Aim: We analyzed the misclassification of GAVE among patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 941 EGDs between 2017 and 2019. Inclusion criteria included findings of GAVE on EGD±biopsy. Correct classification was based on visual EGD findings. Outcome variables included misclassification rate, endoscopist's background, and concordance between EGD and pathology. Cohen's Kappa test was used for concordance analysis. Results: A total of 110 patients had EGD findings of GAVE with a corresponding 184 EGDs. The misclassification rate among EGDs was 74/184 (40%). Furthermore, 81/110 patients were correctly classified with their first workup, whereas 29/110 patients needed repeat testing. In cases of misclassification, GAVE was mostly referred to as erythema (43%), with ulceration, gastritis, or polyps. Sixty-six (60%) patients had biopsies with a concordance of 76% between EGD and biopsy (κ=0.35). Conclusions: Our findings indicate GAVE was misclassified up to 40% on EGDs with hepatologists and gastroenterologists having similar misclassification rates. Proper identification is crucial given susceptibility to upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Relevance for Patients: This study emphasizes the importance of accurate classification of GAVE to ensure proper treatment of these lesions which can improve clinical outcomes.

Arteriomegaly with synchronous true aneurysms; Management of Common Femoral Artery and Profunda Femoris Artery aneurysms in a 70-year-old male - A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Arteriomegaly is characterized by an abnormal elastic defect of arterial vessels, which causes them to become elongated and tortuous. This raises the risk of limb loss due to thromboembolism, bleeding, infection, aneurysmal degeneration, dissection, or rupture. Despite asymptomatic presentations, surgical intervention could be warranted to plummet the morbidity and mortality associated with this pathology. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 70-year-old male who presented with intermittent claudication in the left lower limb at a 100 m. Clinical examination revealed a pulsatile mass in the left groin with absent pulses in the left Popliteal and Pedal arteries. Radiology demonstrated a diffuse enlargement of the Abdominal Aorta with an infrarenal AAA, a L-CFA aneurysm, and a L-PFA aneurysm accompanied by occlusion of the L-SFA. Open surgical repair was achieved. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Our patient was managed by arterial ligation and surgical excision of both concomitant aneurysms where we placed a Dacron graft from the L-CIA to the branch of the L-PFA whilst placing a supported ePTFE graft from the previously mentioned Dacron graft of the deep femoral branch to the left below-knee Popliteal Artery. CONCLUSION: Arteriomegaly is considered an exceptionally rare and progressive disease. Patients affected by this pathology have higher incidence rates of aneurysmal degeneration and even loss of the affected limb, especially if it's a peripheral aneurysm. Bypass surgical repair is feasible with positive outcomes, and it is prophylactic against the wide spectrum of dire consequences for patients.

Presence of Ascites at Presentation is Associated With Absence of Long-Term Response Amongst Patients With Budd-Chiari Syndrome When Treated With Medical Therapy Alone: A Single Centre Real-Life Experience.

Background: There is lack of data on long-term outcomes of patients with Budd-Chairi Syndrome (BCS) treated with medical therapy including anticoagulation alone. Methods: Consecutive patients (N = 138, mean [standard deviation, SD] age 29.3 [12.9] years; 66 men) with BCS, treated with medical therapy alone including anticoagulation, with minimum follow-up of 12 months were included. Initial response was classified as complete (CR), partial (PR) or nonresponse (NR) and on follow-up as loss of response (LoR) or maintenance of response (MoR). The association of baseline, clinical and biochemical parameters with different responses was evaluated. Results: Seventy-six patients (55.1%) had CR, 26 (18.8%) had PR and 36 (26.1%) had NR. None with PR or NR had CR later. At a median follow-up of 40 (range 12-174) months, LoR was more common in PR group than in CR group (12 [46.2%] vs 18 [23.7%], P = 0.03). LoR was associated with presence of ascites (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06-0.71), gastrointestinal bleed (OR 1.33; 95% CI 0.09-0.82) or jaundice (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.11-0.97) at baseline and duration of follow-up (OR 0.018; 95% CI 1.006-1.030). Mortality was higher in NR (28 [77.8%]) compared with CR (15 [19.7%], P = 0.001) and PR (8 [30.8%], P = 0.001). On binary logistic regression analysis, presence of ascites at baseline was associated with LoR (OR 0.303 [0.098-0.931]). Conclusion: Patients with initial CR have better survival than nonresponders. One-third had LoR on follow-up. The presence of ascites at baseline is associated with LoR.