Multi-Focal Splenic Tumour in a Belgian Patient and a Brief Review of the Literature on Littoral Cell Angioma.

We describe the case of a 66-year-old woman with littoral cell angioma (LCA) confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry, to our knowledge the first case in Belgium. LCA is an extremely rare primary vascular tumour of the splenic red pulp, probably originating from littoral cells. If a splenic mass and nodules are incidentally identified on imaging and the patient has no associated signs or symptoms, LCA should be suspected. Histopathology and adjacent techniques are mandatory for definitive diagnosis. Splenectomy followed by adequate follow-up is necessary to exclude underlying pathology. LEARNING POINTS: Littoral cell tumour, although a very rare neoplasm, must be included in the differential diagnosis of splenic lesions observed by imaging.As imaging cannot differentiate between benign and malignant lesions, a definitive diagnosis is made only by histopathology and immunohistochemistry.Individuals diagnosed with littoral cell angioma must be carefully evaluated to exclude associated primary, secondary and synchronous malignancies as well as accompanying inflammatory/autoimmune disease.

Vedolizumab in Refractory Microscopic Colitis: An International Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Evidence for second-line therapy in patients with microscopic colitis [MC] failing budesonide is scarce, although anti-tumour necrosis factors [anti-TNFs], methotrexate and azathioprine have been reported to be effective in small cohort studies. Vedolizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting α4ß7-integrin, prevents homing of T-cells to the gut. We evaluated clinical remission with vedolizumab in budesonide-refractory MC patients. METHODS: We solicited gastroenterologists in Europe and Canada for cases of MC treated with vedolizumab. Vedolizumab 300 mg IV was administered at weeks 0, 2 and 6, and then every 8 weeks. Clinical remission and histological remission were defined as less than three stools per day and normalization of histology, respectively, after induction treatment. RESULTS: Eleven cases were retrieved (nine females, lymphocytic colitis [LC] n = 5, collagenous colitis [CC] n = 6). Median [interquartile range] disease duration at vedolizumab initiation was 51 [29-70] months. Nine of 11 patients had failed one immunosuppressant and ten of 11 at least one anti-TNF agent. After three infusions of vedolizumab, clinical remission was observed in 5/11 patients [two LC and three CC] of whom three remained well with maintenance therapy [median duration of 13 months]. Biopsies were obtained from 9/11 patients. Histological remission was observed in 3/4 patients with clinical remission [2/3 CC, 1/1 LC] and 0/5 patients without clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: In a series of highly refractory MC patients, vedolizumab induced clinical remission in 5/11 subjects, of whom 75% showed normalized histology. Larger randomized trials are needed to assess the efficacy of vedolizumab in patients with MC.

Lanreotide Autogel in the Treatment of Persistent Diarrhea following a Total Colectomy.

Diarrhea is one of the most common complications following colectomy in patients with slow transit constipation (STC). Early postoperative diarrhea is usually treated with opioid agonists; however, to date, published data on the management of persistent diarrhea after colectomy for STC are scarce. Here, we report a case of severe diarrhea after a total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis. One year after the surgery, the patient presented with persistent diarrhea. Treatment with a long-acting somatostatin analogue, lanreotide Autogel, was initiated. One month after the first injection of lanreotide Autogel the diarrhea was resolved. The patient's stool transit was markedly improved (type 4 or type 5 according to the Bristol Stool Chart compared to type 7 before the treatment), positively affecting the patient's quality of life (mean score of 2.1 on the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life questionnaire compared to 3.9 before the treatment). This case report describes a successful use of lanreotide Autogel in a patient with persistent diarrhea after a total colectomy.