Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia: Resolution of Bleeding and Stabilization of Hematocrit Following Orthotopic Liver Transplantation.

Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia (GAVE) is an uncommon cause of chronic gastrointestinal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia in the geriatric population. It is often associated with cirrhosis of the liver and is hypothesized to result from synthetic liver dysfunction. Treatment options include argon plasma coagulation, endoscopic band ligation, and radiofrequency ablation. An orthotopic liver transplant may be effective for patients with advanced liver disease. In this case report, we describe a 60-year-old woman with a history of cirrhosis secondary to nonalcohol-related steatohepatitis (NASH) and GAVE syndrome who presented with abdominal pain and melena. She had multiple prior episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding, leading to long-term transfusion dependency. An urgent esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed the presence of GAVE with active bleeding. The patient was supported with blood transfusions and transferred to a transplant center, where she underwent orthotopic liver transplantation. Following the transplantation, her hemoglobin levels improved and remained stable. She was no longer noted to require any further blood transfusions during outpatient follow-up visits. This case report substantiates the role of synthetic liver dysfunction in the development of GAVE. Also, it suggests that patients with advanced cirrhosis and refractory GAVE may benefit from liver transplantation as a potential treatment option.

Autoimmune Lupus Enteritis with Pan Gastrointestinal Involvement in an Adult Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Complete Response to Belimumab.

Autoimmune lupus enteritis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a rare manifestation that comprises of gastrointestinal tract inflammation with supportive images and/or biopsy findings. We report a unique case of widespread lupus enteritis occurring late in the disease process and in isolation without additional features of active SLE but in the presence of SLE serological activity. There was no clear evidence of active mesenteric vasculitis, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, protein-losing enteropathy, or coagulopathy by imaging or histopathology. This is the first reported case of an SLE patient with pan-gastrointestinal involvement of lupus enteritis responding to Belimumab, with complete resolution of the gastrointestinal syndrome and no further recurrence of gastrointestinal events. Rapid diagnosis and prompt immunomodulatory treatment of lupus-related enteritis are critical to avoid potentially life-threatening complications.

A Call To Action: Cholangiocarcinoma in the Setting of Sustained Hepatitis C Virologic Response - Case Report and Review of Literature.

The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma, an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis, is increasing. Hepatitis B and C have been well established as predisposing factors for this malignancy. The availability and efficacy of treatment for hepatitis C infection has led to a substantial reduction in viral hepatitis-related cholangiocarcinoma mortality. Despite treatment, the potential for developing cholangiocarcinoma continues to exist for patients with underlying cirrhosis. We present a patient who was effectively treated for hepatitis C with direct-acting antiviral therapy eight years prior. He presented with malaise, fatigue, and an unintentional weight loss of 40 pounds. Imaging revealed a metastatic malignancy, and a liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma and the absence of underlying cirrhosis in the background liver. This case highlights the persistent risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma despite achieving sustained virological response to treatment for hepatitis C. We review the associated literature and briefly discuss the predisposing conditions that might result in such an outcome. We also encourage the need for long-term surveillance for such patients and the importance of conducting more multi-center studies to identify at-risk patients and develop cost-effective screening protocols.

Esophageal Perforation Unveiling the Diagnosis of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome.

Gastrinomas are the most common neuroendocrine tumors worldwide and cause a clinical syndrome known as Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (ZES). Increased acid production resulting from elevated gastrin levels contributes to symptoms such as abdominal pain, heartburn, and diarrhea. However, the non-specificity and overlap in the symptoms with idiopathic peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can lead to delayed diagnosis. In this case, we describe a patient with a past medical history of GERD and a perforated gastric ulcer who continued to experience symptoms of dyspepsia and had a subsequent esophageal perforation, despite H. pylori eradication and high-dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. Multiple ulcers were visualized in the first portion of the duodenum, and metastatic lesions were demonstrable in the liver. Serum gastrin level was elevated to 433 pg/mL. Histology of liver biopsy showed a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor, supporting the diagnosis of ZES. This article underscores the significance of considering ZES in the differential in cases of refractory gastric hyperacidity and the importance of early diagnosis with serum gastrin testing to prevent complications such as gastric obstruction, perforation, hemorrhage, esophageal strictures, or rupture and to minimize the risk of metastasis. It is noteworthy that while perforations in cases of ZES typically occur in the duodenum, this particular case is atypical as it had involved the stomach. Furthermore, it was associated with esophageal perforation, likely resulting from forceful and prolonged vomiting caused by persistent dyspepsia.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding as Initial Manifestation of Injection Drug Use-Associated Amyloidosis.

Systemic amyloidosis has been reported in the context of injection drug use, usually related to ongoing chronic inflammation and persistent cutaneous infections. The kidneys are almost always the first organs affected in that setting. Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is less common and rarely the initial site of presentation. We present a case of systemic amyloidosis that primarily manifested in the gastrointestinal tract, occurring in the setting of chronic injection drug use. The patient's hemoglobin level dropped progressively over time due to ongoing, slow gastrointestinal bleeding, prompting an endoscopic examination that ultimately confirmed the presence of gastrointestinal amyloidosis. As the overall prognosis for gastrointestinal amyloidosis is poor, early diagnosis and treatment are essential to decelerate the progression of the disease.

Purplish Discoloration of Urine in a Patient Receiving Cefiderocol: A Rare Adverse Effect.

Drug-induced urine discoloration, although usually benign, can still raise concern in healthcare facilities. This case report presents the second case of purple urine discoloration associated with cefiderocol in a 64-year-old male admitted to the intensive care unit for ventilator-associated pneumonia. The patient required broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment with vancomycin, cefiderocol, amikacin, and micafungin. On the fourth day after initiating antibiotics, the presence of purplish urine in the foley bag was noted. Urinalysis showed 11-25 red blood cells/hpf, but cultures ruled out urinary tract infection. Further laboratory workup did not reveal any evidence of hemolysis or rhabdomyolysis. Cultures from the endotracheal aspirate grew multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas. Cefiderocol and amikacin were continued to complete a seven-day course. Two days after completion of the cefiderocol course, the urine discoloration cleared up, providing strong evidence that cefiderocol was the cause of the discoloration.