Efficacy of intravascular embolization in profuse hemorrhage from complicated duodenal ulcers

Objective. To estimate the efficacy of intravascular embolization in profuse hemorrhage from complicated duodenal ulcers. Materials and methods. Into the investigation 80 patients were included, operated for the profuse hemorrhage complication of duodenal ulcers, penetrating into pancreatic head. The patients were distributed into two groups: the control - 40 patients, in whom the standard methods of the hemorrhage arrest were applied, and the main - 40 patients, in whom the method elaborated was used. Results. In the main group in postoperative period the complications have had occur in 1 (2.5±0.2%) patients (p<0.001) only - the duodenal fistula development. There was verified, that the best results of hemostasis in hemorrhage from penetrating duodenal ulcers were obtained in the patients of the main group, in whom іntraoperative endovascular arrest of the hemorrhage together with the ulcer suturing was applied, because in 100% of patients of this group the definite hemostasis was achieved. Conclusion. The proposed method of intraoperative endovascular arrest of hemorrhage from penetrating duodenal ulcer guarantees a qualitative hemostasis, lowers the rate of the hemorrhage early recurrence and the need for relaparotomy performance, and raises the surgical treatment quality.

A singular case of primary aorto-duodenal fistula without pre-existing abdominal aortic aneurism: why and when you should suspect it

Although gastrointestinal hemorrhage from aorto-enteric fistulae (AEF) secondary to previous aortic grafts are well known, a primary aorto-enteric fistula (PAEF) without aortic aneurysm is an extremely rare event resulting in poor prognosis and outcome. PAEF is a rare cause of gastro-intestinal (GI) bleeding that radiologists should consider because often its presence is not easily guessed by clinical features. It is difficult to detect at Computed Tomography (CT) examination therefore PAEF might be not diagnosed until a laparotomy. We report a case of a 74-year-old Italian male who presented to our Emergency Department (ED) with brightly red rectal bleeding that occurred from some hours and a pre-syncopal episode. There was no history of analgesic abuse, peptic ulceration, alcohol excess, weight loss. Standard resuscitation was commenced with the hope that common sources of bleeding such as peptic ulcers or varices would eventually be discovered by endoscopy and treated definitely. An upper GI endoscopy showed brightly red blood in the stomach and in the first portions of duodenum, but no source of active bleeding was found. Diagnosis of PAEF was made by Computed tomography (CT) and after confirmed during surgical intervention. Both the duodenum and the aorta were successfully repaired by direct suture and synthetic graft replacement respectively. Diagnosis of primary aortic duodenal fistula (ADF) has been very difficult in this case especially because our patient didn’t have abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) history confirmed by CT examination. Radiologist should remember that upper GI bleeding could however be determined by primary ADF also if atherosclerotic damage is severe as in this case. A technically good and complete exam is mandatory to achieve this rare and complex diagnosis. Particularly, an ultra-tardive acquisition phase (5 min after contrast administration) could be helpful to suspect the presence of PADF: the appearance of contrast into the duodenal lumen is an evocative sign useful to increase clinical and radiological suspicious of ADF. Gl bleeding should be assumed to be caused from a PAEF unless another source can be identified without delay. A timely and accurate diagnosis of primary AEF may be challenging due to insidious episodes of GI bleeding, which are frequently under diagnosed until the occurrence of massive hemorrhage.

831 Bouveret’s Syndrome (A Gallstone Disease Causing Gastric Outlet Obstruction): A Case Series and Review of Literature

Bouveret’s syndrome refers to a gastric outlet obstruction due to the impaction of a large gallstone following retrograde migration via a bilio-duodenal fistula. Although no clear management guideline has been formulated, different treatment modalities have been described, including endoscopic stone removal using classical endoscopic devices, like snares and forceps; or fragmentation of stones with new devices, such as laser and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (EWSL). We report a case series of Bouveret’s syndrome with interesting radiological and endoscopic findings which have been successfully managed either via endoscopic measures such as stone extraction and/or duodenal stenting, or surgical intervention. The report is followed by a literature review including diagnostic and management options of this rare condition. All our patients were elderly with multiple comorbidities. Two patients presented with upper gastro-intestinal bleeding, while the other two presented with abdominal pain and bilious vomiting. The diagnosis was confirmed by computerised tomography (CT) scan and upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy. Endoscopic stone removal was successful in one case. In one patient, stone was fragmented but could not be removed completely, so he was managed via duodenal stent insertion. The other two patients required surgical intervention. One case was complicated by gallstone ileus which required laparotomy and extraction of stones from two sites, while the other required subtotal cholecystectomy, stone extraction and repair of duodenal fistula. The patients recovered well. The diagnosis of Bouveret’s Syndrome is made after performing appropriate imaging studies. The first line management option is endoscopic treatment. If this fails, surgical intervention is recommended.

1566 A Rare Case of Aorto-Duodenal Fistula Associated with Bacterial Meningitis

Aorto-enteric fistula (AEF) is an extremely rare complication of aortic disease with potentially fatal outcome. AEF is defined as a fistulous connection between aorta and bowel and can be classified into primary (involving native aorta) or secondary (occurring after aortic surgery). Primary AEF is by far the less common of the two and may be associated with malignancy, radiotherapy or infection. We present a case of a 75-year-old male presenting with collapse and haemetemesis. CT imaging revealed a fistula between native aorta and duodenum. Emergency surgery was carried out but ultimately the patient did not survive. The underlying cause remains uncertain. Notably, the patient had a recent history of bacterial meningitis 6 months prior to presentation and, despite negative cultures, infection of the aortic wall was strongly suspected.

Complete closure of a colo-duodenal fistula in a patient with advanced ascending colon cancer after pembrolizumab combined with radiation therapy: a case report

Background A colo-duodenal fistula is a very rare complication of colon cancer that presents with not only severe clinical symptoms, but a poor prognosis due to locally advanced cancer. A novel immune checkpoint inhibitor for colon cancer patients provides a high objective response rate. Recently, radiation therapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has been reported to have a synergistic antitumor effect. A case of complete closure of a colo-duodenal fistula in a patient with locally advanced colon cancer after combined pembrolizumab and radiation therapy is reported. Case presentation A 66-year-old man presented with abdominal distention. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a 80-mm bulky mass in the right upper quadrant. The tumor created a fistula to the second portion of the duodenum. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a colo-duodenal fistula. Gastro-jejunal bypass and ileostomy were performed to prevent bowel obstruction, followed by systemic chemotherapy. MSI-high was diagnosed on examination of the biopsy specimen. Treatment was then changed to immunotherapy using pembrolizumab; after six courses, the tumor markers were decreased to within normal ranges, but the main tumor increased. Radiation therapy was then given for local control of the main tumor, after which CT showed that all of the tumor, including the main tumor, lymph node metastases, and the colo-duodenal fistula, had gradually shrunk. Follow-up upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed that the colo-duodenal fistula had closed completely. PET–CT showed no abnormal uptake in all tumors, and clinical complete response was diagnosed. Now, 21 months after diagnosis, the tumor is well controlled without evidence of regrowth. Conclusions Pembrolizumab combined with radiation therapy has a potentially dramatic therapeutic effect for advanced colon cancer.