Meckel's Diverticulitis in a Teenager With Unknown Intestinal Malrotation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

The clinical presentation of congenital abnormalities in adult life is a rare condition since they usually make their appearance in early childhood. A combination of two different congenital deformities is even more infrequent, a fact that might complicate the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen. This is a case report of an inflamed Meckel's diverticulum in a 16-year-old male with intestinal malrotation presented in an acute setting, and a review of the literature. The patient presented at the emergency department with an atypical abdominal pain located in the right abdomen and quite elevated inflammatory markers. Computed tomography revealed Meckel's diverticulitis in combination with intestinal malrotation, findings that were confirmed intraoperatively. A partial enterectomy with a side-to-side anastomosis was performed, and the patient was discharged uneventfully. Only a few cases of this combination have been reported in the literature till nowadays. This article indicates the importance of the computed tomography scan in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain since it might reveal rare clinical entities and determine the further therapeutic plan. Furthermore, it is a reminder that congenital abnormalities might make their clinical appearance not only in early childhood but also in adult life, pointing out the ability of the general surgeon to deal with such cases.

Gut-Barrier Disruption After Laparoscopic Versus Open Major Liver Resection in the Rat.

BACKGROUND: Major liver resection may compromise gut-barrier function, increasing the risk of postoperative infectious complications. The aim of the present experimental study was to compare the effect of the laparoscopic versus the open technique for major liver resection on integrity as well as inflammatory and immune responses of the gut barrier. METHODS: Wistar rats were subjected to open 70% hepatectomy (group H), laparoscopic 70% hepatectomy (group LH), sham operation (group S) or no intervention (group C). At various timepoints (1 hour-1 week) after operation, ileal tissue was excised for oxidative state assessment (TBARS levels), histopathologic examination, histomorphometric analysis, immunohistochemical assessment of the mitotic and apoptotic activity, and tissue expression of inflammatory (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor-κB and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) and immune response biomarkers (CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes) of the intestinal mucosa. RESULTS: No changes were noted in oxidative state. The histopathologic profile was less deteriorated in group LH compared to group H. Intestinal mucosa atrophy was less intense in group LH compared to group H and was related to an equally compromised crypt cell mitotic activity. Tissue overexpression of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor-κΒ, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, CD4+, and CD8+ T-lymphocytes was less pronounced in group LH compared to group H. CONCLUSION: The employment of the laparoscopic technique for major liver resection in the rat attenuated disruption of the gut barrier compared to the open procedure. This was related to less pronounced inflammatory and immune responses of the intestinal mucosa.

Vascular calcification biomarkers and peripheral arterial disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the calcification regulators, osteopontin (OPN) and osteoprotegerin (OPG), which are involved in vascular calcification and atherosclerosis in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). METHODS: A PubMed search of the English language literature was undertaken to identify articles that examine the role of the vascular calcification markers (OPN and OPG) in patients with PAD. The search retrieved 94 articles. After excluding non-relevant articles, only 11 studies qualified for review. RESULTS: In 8 studies, OPG levels were correlated with the presence, severity, and progression of PAD, whereas in one article, OPG levels were not significantly elevated. In 2 studies, OPN levels were associated with PAD and vascular stiffness. CONCLUSIONS: The results from clinical and experimental research regarding the role of vascular calcification markers in PAD are controversial, although most of the studies suggest a positive correlation. Larger studies are needed to determine the exact pathway of vascular calcification, mediated by calcification markers, in patients with PAD.

Dealing with Pheochromocytoma during the First Trimester of Pregnancy.

Purpose. Pheochromocytoma in association with pregnancy is a very rare, without specific symptoms, life-threatening condition, increasing both maternal and fetal mortality up to 50%. The present paper illustrates the case of a pregnant woman, diagnosed with pheochromocytoma, aiming to demonstrate and discuss the difficulties that arouse during the diagnosis and the problems concerning the treatment. Patient. A 34-year-old woman, in the 9th week of pregnancy, complained for headache, sweating, and a feeling of heavy weight on the right renal area. A tumor of 10 cm diameter at the site of the right adrenal was found. Twenty-four-hour urine catecholamine and VMA excretion levels were well raised. Results. Multidisciplinary approach treated the patient conservatively. Surgical resection of the tumor was performed after the 14th week of pregnancy at the completion of organogenesis. Neither postoperative complications occurred nor hypertension relapse was recorded. The fetus was delivered without complications at the 36th week. Conclusions. There are no consensus and guidelines for treating pheochromocytoma during pregnancy, especially when it is diagnosed in the first trimester. The week of pregnancy and a multidisciplinary approach will determine whether the pregnancy should be continued or not, as well as the time and the approach of surgical treatment.