Non-celiac Enteropathy and Olmesartan: An Essential Consideration.

Emerging evidence has shed light on non-celiac causes of enteropathy in recent years, presenting a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. This study discusses the diagnostic challenges related to non-celiac enteropathy, specifically focusing on olmesartan-induced enteropathy (OIE). A 73-year-old lady presented to the emergency department with a six-month history of watery diarrhea exacerbated by food intake and significant weight loss. The patient at admission was found to be dehydrated with severe hypokalemia and hypocalcemia. The extensive testing that was performed was unremarkable, including celiac disease panel, enteric panel, ova and parasites, Clostridium difficile, fecal calprotectin, and computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis. A significant electrolyte imbalance was corrected at admission, and subsequent upper endoscopy investigation with duodenal biopsies revealed moderate to severe villi blunting with a significant intraepithelial infiltrate of CD3+ lymphocytes. A colonoscopy that was performed at the same time was unremarkable, with negative biopsies for microscopic colitis. Given the suspicion of OIE, olmesartan was discontinued. One-month follow-up revealed resolution of malabsorption, with electrolyte normalization and duodenal biopsies showing improved duodenitis. This study emphasizes the importance of considering medication history and ruling out other potential causes of enteropathy. Olmesartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist that is commonly prescribed for hypertension. However, in rare cases, it may induce enteropathy, which often remains underdiagnosed. This rare side effect may present as chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and signs of malabsorption. Interestingly, OIE presents with overlapping clinical and histopathological features to celiac disease and, therefore, may mislead physicians to an extensive diagnostic investigation. Greater awareness of medication-related diarrheal syndromes such as OIE should be promoted, given that simple discontinuation of the medication can lead to dramatic clinical improvement.

Brunner Gland Hamartomas-Uncommon Presentations and Endoscopic Management.

Brunner gland hamartoma (BGH) is a rare condition that requires a high clinical suspicion to diagnose. Large hamartomas may initially present with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) or symptoms suggesting intestinal obstruction. Barium swallow may demonstrate the lesion, but endoscopic evaluation is the acceptable first line management unless a concern for underlying malignancy. The present case report and literature review highlight the uncommon presentations and endoscopic role in large BGHs management. Internists should consider BGH in their differential, especially in patient with occult bleeding, IDA, or obstruction, which can be treated with endoscopic resection of large sized tumors by trained experts.

Adenovirus Hepatitis in Immunocompetent Adults.

A 35-year-old female with no medical history presented with fever. Laboratory work was normal except for elevated liver function test (LFT): alkaline phosphatase (AP) (296), aspartate transaminase (AST) (343), alanine transaminase (ALT) (378), and international normalized ratio (INR) (1.23). Ultrasound liver was normal. Infectious workup was negative for hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Herpes simplex virus (HSV), and COVID-19. Similarly, autoimmune hepatitis, Wilson, and alpha-1 antitrypsin workup were negative. She reported taking Yogi-Kanthika (ayurvedic-proprietary medicine) on/off for seasonal sore throat, yet RUCAM-score was 2 (unlikely a drug induced injury). Respiratory-viral-panel came positive for adenovirus. With supportive treatment, symptoms and LFT trended down, thus, liver biopsy decision was deferred. We believe this is the first reported case of adenovirus hepatitis in an immunocompetent adult. Hence, we suggest that clinicians should consider a refined differential diagnosis for elevated LFT (that includes adenovirus).

Splenic Subcapsular Hematoma Complicating a Case of Pancreatitis.

Splenic subcapsular hematoma is a rare complication of pancreatitis. The splenic vessels and the pancreatic tail lie close together in the lienorenal ligament. The pathologies in the pancreatic tail may occasionally affect the spleen resulting in splenic vein thrombosis, arterial pseudoaneurysm, subcapsular splenic hematoma, and splenic rupture. A 40-year-old male with a history of alcohol abuse and alcohol-induced pancreatitis presented with severe epigastric abdominal pain and was diagnosed with pancreatitis. Later during hospitalization he became dyspneic and hemodynamically unstable, with acute anemia requiring blood transfusion. An abdominal CT with angiography (CTA) revealed a splenic subcapsular hematoma with active bleeding which was managed by urgent exploratory laparotomy and splenectomy. Due to its rarity, diagnosis of splenic hematoma in pancreatitis is challenging with rapid identification and intervention being key to management.