An Obscure Colon Dilatation and its Underlying Cause: Case Report and Literature Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Anton Stift ◽  
Kerstin Wimmer ◽  
Felix Harpain ◽  
Katharina Wöran ◽  
Thomas Mang ◽  
...  

Introduction: Congenital as well as acquired diseases may be responsible for the development of a megacolon. In adult patients, Clostridium difficile associated infection as well as late-onset of Morbus Hirschsprung disease are known to cause a megacolon. In addition, malignant as well as benign colorectal strictures may lead to intestinal dilatation. In case of an idiopathic megacolon, the underlying cause remains unclear. Case Presentation: We describe the case of a 44-year-old male patient suffering from a long history of chronic constipation. He presented himself with an obscurely dilated large intestine with bowel loops up to 17 centimeters in diameter. Radiological as well as endoscopic examination gave evidence of a spastic process in the sigmoid colon. The patient was treated with a subtotal colectomy and the intraoperative findings revealed a stenotic stricture in the sigmoid colon. Since the histological examination did not find a conclusive reason for the functional stenosis, an immunohistochemical staining was advised. This showed a decrease in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the stenotic part of the sigmoid colon. Discussion: This case report describes a patient with an idiopathic megacolon, where the underlying cause remained unclear until an immunohistochemical staining of the stenotic colon showed a substantial decrease of ICCs. Various pathologies leading to a megacolon are reviewed and discussed.

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 82-84
Author(s):  
Ilja Skalskis

Hirschsprung disease (HD) is a developmental disorder characterized by the absence of ganglia in the distal colon, resulting in a functional obstruction. Incidence of total colonic aganglionosis (TCA) is 1 in 500 000 and it accounts for 5-10% of all cases of HD. HD should be suspected in patients with typical clinical symptoms and a high index of suspicion is appropriate for infants with a predisposing condition such as Down Syndrome (DS), or for those with a family history of HD. The treatment of choice for HD is surgical, such as Swenson, Soave, and Duhamel procedures. The goals are to resect the affected segment of the colon, bring the normal ganglionic bowel down close to the anus, and preserve internal anal sphincter function. We present a clinical case report of TCA in a child with Down syndrome (DS) and review of literature.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shreya Agarwal ◽  
Nimish Gupta

Abstract Background Leech infestation in the nose or nasopharyngeal region is a rare occurrence. The most common known cause is drinking water from natural water sources like ponds and rivers. Its hidden location of attachment in the nasopharynx and its uncommon occurrence make it easy to miss during diagnosis. Case presentation We present a case of a 61-year-old male patient with recurrent unilateral epistaxis without any apparent cause. He was diagnosed with leech infestation in the nasopharynx on endoscopic examination. This article reports the management of nasopharyngeal leech infestation and safety measures for this animate foreign body retrieval. Conclusion A vigilant approach, thorough history, and examination are a must. Though leeches are simple to remove most of the time, certain necessary precaution should be kept in mind for better management and prevention of further complications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara L Weidmayer ◽  
Hakan Demirci

Abstract Background The natural course of a vortex vein varix, though not well understood, has been known to remain stable. However, here we report a novel case of a vortex vein varix that resolved after an extended period of monitoring. Case presentation An asymptomatic 96-year-old Caucasian man was found to have a vortex vein varix. At his previous examination 13 months prior, his fundus was normal. At 13 months of observation, his vortex vein varix become clinically undetectable. Further follow-up confirmed continued absence of the varix. Conclusion This case demonstrates the development then clinical resolution of a vortex vein varix with no clear identifiable factors for its evolution. This case is novel and offers new insight into the natural history of some vortex vein varices, implicating venous congestion as an instigator and venous collateralization as its alleviator, suggesting that vortex vein varices are likely more common than previously reported since some may be temporary and under-identified.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-88
Author(s):  
Thomas-Michael Schneider ◽  
Friederike Klenner ◽  
Franz Brettner

Abstract Background: Newly approved immunotherapeutic agents, like CTLA-4 inhibitors and antibodies against PD-1, are a promising therapeutic option in cancer therapy. Case presentation: A 74-year-old man, with a history of advanced stage melanoma and treatment with ipilimumab, pembrolizumab and nivolumab, was admitted to the hospital due to respiratory failure with hypoxemia and dyspnoea. He rapidly developed severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which required treatment in the intensive care unit which included mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Computed tomographic imaging (CT) showed signs of a pneumonitis, with an ARDS pattern related to the use of PD-1 antibodies. Treating the patient with high-dose immunosuppressive steroids led to an overall improvement. He was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital and subsequently to his home. Discussion and conclusion: This is a unique case report of a patient suffering a grade 4 adverse event under nivolumab who survived having been treated with ECMO. It highlights the possibility of associated adverse reactions as well as the use of ECMO in palliative care patients. ECMO can be of great success even in patients with malignancies, but careful decision making should be done on a case by case basis.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroko Sugawara ◽  
Junpei Takamatsu ◽  
Mamoru Hashimoto ◽  
Manabu Ikeda

Abstract Background: Catatonia is a psychomotor syndrome that presents various symptoms ranging from stupor to agitation, with prominent disturbances of volition. Its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are safe and effective standard treatments for catatonia; however, alternative treatment strategies have not been established in cases where these treatments are either ineffective or unavailable. Here, we report a case of catatonia associated with late paraphrenia classified as very-late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis, which was successfully treated with lithium. Case presentation: A 66-year-old single man with hearing impairment developed hallucination and delusions and presented with catatonic stupor after a fall. He initially responded to benzodiazepine therapy; however, his psychotic symptoms became clinically evident and benzodiazepine provided limited efficacy. Blonanserin was ineffective, and ECT was unavailable. His catatonic and psychotic symptoms were finally relieved by lithium monotherapy.Conclusions: Catatonic symptoms are common in patients with mood disorders, suggesting that lithium may be effective in these cases. Moreover, lithium may be effective for both catatonic and psychotic symptoms, as it normalizes imbalances of excitatory and inhibitory systems in the brain, which underlies major psychosis. Cumulative evidence from further cases is needed to validate our findings.


BMC Surgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Zhao ◽  
Zhichao Lai ◽  
Xiaojun Song ◽  
Rong Zeng ◽  
Changwei Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Neck hematoma is a complication of carotid endarterectomy, usually occurring in the comparatively early stage postoperatively. Case presentation We described a patient developing life-threatening hemorrhage and non-clotting hematoma at a comparatively later stage after CEA. DIC was diagnosed according to the lab results, and the patient underwent re-operation and was supported with blood products until the coagulopathy was corrected. The patient had a history of prostatic hyperplasia and experienced malaise during the hospitalization. Prostate cancer with bone metastases was diagnosed. Conclusions This case report describes a rare underlying cause of hematoma after CEA, which reminds us to pay attention to prostate symptoms or related medical history, especially malignancy, in surgical patients, which may result in severe complications.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoko Yuzawa-Tsukada ◽  
Toshikazu D. Tanaka ◽  
Satoshi Morimoto ◽  
Michihiro Yoshimura

Abstract Background A unicuspid aortic valve is a rare congenital cardiac abnormality. Despite its uncommon finding on an initial presentation, aortic insufficiency is accompanied with unicuspid aortic valve and this might reflect the natural history of progression in the morphology of unicuspid aortic valve. Case presentation We describe a 65-year-old Japanese man who was evaluated for endocarditis and found to have a unicuspid aortic valve concomitant with moderate aortic insufficiency, which was, owing to the lack of evidence of valve membrane destruction, independent of underlying infectious endocarditis. In addition, aortic insufficiency was progressed because of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis on the ventricular side, in areas of high turbulence around the heart valve. Conclusions Our case is unusual given the unicuspid aortic valve concomitant with aortic insufficiency, which was presumably independent of underlying infectious endocarditis because of the location of the vegetation and the lack of evidence of valve destruction. Therefore, attention should be paid to a variety of complications in the setting of unicuspid aortic valve.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Al-Mousa ◽  
Mohammad Nour Shashaa ◽  
Mohamad Shadi Alkarrash ◽  
Mohamad Alkhamis ◽  
Lina Ghabreau ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Seminoma is the most common subtype of testicular cancer and occurs most commonly in patients aged 30–49 years, but decreases to a very low level in men in their 60s or older. Case presentation A 90-year-old Syrian man with a 6-year history of an increase in size of his right scrotum, presented to the urological clinic and, on clinical examination, the findings suggested testicular tumor. After orchiectomy and histology results based on microscopic and immunohistochemical examinations, a pure seminoma was diagnosed, so we describe in this case report the second-oldest patient with classical seminoma in the medical literature. Conclusion This case report has been written to focus on the probability of any type of testicular tumor occurring at any age or decade; urologists should consider seminoma as a differential diagnosis with any testicular swelling even in elderly patients.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-251
Author(s):  
Kamesh Gupta ◽  
Anurag  Rohatgi ◽  
Shivani Handa

Background: Stroke in a migraine with aura has been documented in several cases, even deserving the merit of a classification as complicated migraine. Herein, we present a rare case of migrainous infarct without aura. The diagnosis was challenging due to lack of risk factors. The patient was unique in not having any other comorbidities. Case Presentation: The case is of a 21-year-old female presenting with right-sided hemiplegia and facial drooping. She had had an index presentation of throbbing headaches for the past 2 years, typical of a migraine but not preceded by any aura symptoms. However, in the current episode, the pain became excessively severe and accompanied by right-sided hemiplegia and facial drooping. A full investigation workup using MRI revealed evidence of infarct in the left temporoparietal and basal ganglion region. Conclusion: Our case highlights the need to evaluate silent ischemic stroke in case of prolonged headache with a history of migraine as well as the need for precaution to avoid the use of triptans or opioids in such a case. It also highlights the conditions that need to be excluded before labeling it as a migrainous infarct.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syeda Sahra ◽  
Abdullah Jahangir ◽  
Allison Glaser ◽  
Neville Mobarakai ◽  
Ahmad Jahangir

Abstract Background Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a known cause of aseptic meningitis, with a predisposition for an immunocompromised population. A dermatomal rash usually accompanies aseptic meningitis secondary to VZV. Case presentation We report the case of a 31-year-old male with a history of chickenpox in childhood and recent shingles who presented with severe frontal headaches secondary to VZV meningitis. The patient had also recently received the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. He recovered without any neurological sequala. Conclusion This case report describes an immunocompetent patient with recent MMR vaccination who developed aseptic meningitis secondary to VZV without any dermatomal involvement (Zoster Sine Herpete).


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