Clinical Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Endometriosis Unresponsive to Conventional Therapy

Background: Although several treatments are currently available for chronic pelvic pain, 30–60% of patients do not respond to them. Therefore, these therapeutic options require a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying endometriosis-induced pain. This study focuses on pain management after failure of conventional therapy. Methods: We reviewed clinical data from 46 patients with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain unresponsive to conventional therapies at Puerta de Hierro University Hospital Madrid, Spain from 2018 to 2021. Demographic data, clinical and exploratory findings, treatment received, and outcomes were collected. Results: Median age was 41.5 years, and median pain intensity was VAS: 7.8/10. Nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain were identified in 98% and 70% of patients, respectively. The most common symptom was abdominal pain (78.2%) followed by pain with sexual intercourse (65.2%), rectal pain (52.1%), and urologic pain (36.9%). A total of 43% of patients responded to treatment with neuromodulators. Combined therapies for myofascial pain syndrome, as well as treatment of visceral pain with inferior or superior hypogastric plexus blocks, proved to be very beneficial. S3 pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) plus inferior hypogastric plexus block or botulinum toxin enabled us to prolong response time by more than 3.5 months. Conclusion: Treatment of the unresponsive patient should be interdisciplinary. Depending on the history and exploratory findings, therapy should preferably be combined with neuromodulators, myofascial pain therapies, and S3 PRF plus inferior hypogastric plexus blockade.

Super-selective prostatic arteries embolization in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia: prevention and treatment of complications

Introduction. Super-selective prostatic arteries embolization (PAE) is a modern minimally invasive surgical method for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PAE is included in the Russian clinical guidelines for the BPH treatment and approved for use in the United States and European countries.Purpose of the study. To analyze the most common PAE-associated complications and to develop preventive arrangements.Materials and methods. During the period from 2013 to 2020, PAE as the main method of BPH treatment was used in 168 patients with an average age of 69.3 ± 8.1 (53-82) years. All patients underwent two-day antibiotic prophylaxis before the operation and lasted 7-10 days. For catheterization of the prostatic arteries, 2.0-2.8 Fr microcatheters and 4-5 Fr microconductors were used. For embolization, hydrogel microspheres with a diameter of 100-300 µm and 300-500 µm were used, as well as poly polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) microparticles with a diameter of 100-500 µm.Results. Bilateral PAE was successfully performed in 146 cases; unilateral PAE was performed in 22 patients due to anatomical features. Seventeen (10.1%) PAE from the orifice, super-selective PAE was performed in 67 (39.9%) cases, the PErFecTED embolization was performed in 84 (50.0%) patients. The most common complication was acute urinary retention (AUR) in 28 (16.6%) patients: trocar cystostomy was required in 11 (6.5%) patients, AUR was resolved using conservative therapy in 17 (10.2%) patients. In 23 (14.2%) cases, complications associated with unintentional embolization of the anastomoses of the prostate arteries were identified: rectal pain and/or the appearance of blood in the stool in 19 (11.3%) patients, the appearance of trophic ulcers on the glans penis in 5 (2.8%) patients. In addition, several adverse events that were not complications were noted: postembolization syndrome in 50 (29.7%) patients, and worsening of LUTS in 41 (24.4%) patients. Seven (4.1%) patients had acute epididymitis; 4 (2.4%) patients had a hematoma at the puncture site.Conclusion. PAE can cause a limited number of complications. It is necessary to unify the system for reporting PAE complications. Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended. The use of visualization and X-ray navigation methods make it possible to make the PAE safer. The PErFecTED technique in combination with small particle sizes increases the risk of complications. The surgeon's experience and proficiency in special surgical techniques are essential. The transradial approach is promising, but further observation and an increase in patient samples are required. The question of choosing the optimal embolization drug continues to be relevant.

Transvaginal Excision of Rectal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: A Safe Minimally Invasive Approach

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), the specific kit-positive mesenchymal tumors, are rarely found in the anorectum and account for 5% of all GIST cases. Surgical excision remains the main treatment for anorectal GIST. The available techniques include enucleation transanal excision or sometimes an abdominoperineal resection for large or low tumors. <b><i>Case Study:</i></b> We present a middle-aged female with a complaint of intermittent rectal pain for 1 year. Diagnostic workup detected a mass in the rectovaginal septum. A transvaginal excision was performed. Final histopathology showed rectal GIST. On regular follow-up visits, there was no detectable recurrence, and her anal pain disappeared completely. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> Colorectal GIST accounts for only 0.1% of all colorectal tumors; this infrequency has led to a controversy in its diagnosis and management. Nevertheless, surgery remains a cornerstone element in the management of rectal GISTs. Different resection methods have been described in the literature, ranging from less-invasive approach such as transanal excision to a more radical one like an abdominoperineal resection. As there is no standard approach, choosing which one to perform depends on the tumor size, its location, and the surgeon’s preference. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Transvaginal excision could be considered a safe minimally invasive approach for low-lying rectal GISTs.

Study on Assessment of Risk factors of Constipation among Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery

Objective: Aim of the study to assess the risk of constipation among patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Constipation is a gastrointestinal tract condition which can lead to abnormal stools, uncomfortable storage and passing with pain and stiffness. Constipation is one of the gastrointestinal system's functional impairments. Various symptoms also include bloating, pushing, abdominal and rectal pain, a feeling of fullness in the rectum or extreme defecation, a lack of full discharge, and stool infrequency (usually less than three times a week). Constipation problem is a condition that is prevalent in abdominal surgery patients in the preoperative and postoperative period due to physiological and psychological factors. While constipation does not endanger life. Bowel frequency is affected by many variables, including dietary factors, emotional state, immobility, prior history of bowel elimination problem, and psychological morbidity after abdominal surgery. Constipation is a common issue that many individuals face. Materials and Methods: The cross sectional research study conducted in AVBR hospital Sawangi Meghe, Wardha district with quantitative research approach. Sample size was 85. Sample was undergoing abdominal surgery patients. Tool was structured questionnaire including Patients characteristics & constipation risk assessment scale. Results: 48.24% of patients undergoing abdominal surgery had no risk of developing constipation, 29.41% had low risk of constipation, 14.12% had moderate and 8.23% of the patients undergoing abdominal surgery had severe risk of constipation. Minimum risk of constipation was 0 and maximum was 17. Mean risk of constipation was 5.14±5.71. Conclusion: This study can help to assess the risk of constipation among undergoing abdominal surgery patients and make them aware about risk of constipation.

Diagnosis of caesarean section scar niche causing chronic pelvic pain

The common causes of chronic pelvic pain include chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, inflammatory bowel disease etc. Caesarean scar defect is recently recognized as a cause for chronic pelvic pain. A 33 years old para 2 with previous 2 caesarean sections, whose last child birth was 18 months back consulted for rectal pain of 4 months duration. She was treated with progesterones with a provisional diagnosis of endometriosis without much relief. She developed congestive dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia after last child birth. Her clinical examination revealed retroverted uterus with left forniceal tenderness. USG evaluation confirmed the clinical findings and evaluation of uterine scar was not undertaken as the possibility of caesarean scar defect (CSD) was not thought of as a cause for chronic pelvic pain. MRI pelvis reported semicircular myometrial defect at LSCS scar site and this was confirmed by hystero-laparoscopy and she was counselled to undergo repair of CSD. The case illustrated the clinical picture and diagnosis of CSD as a cause for chronic pelvic pain.

Case Report: Long-Term Survival of a Pediatric Patient With an Intra-Abdominal Undifferentiated Carcinoma of Unknown Primary

An 8-year and 10-month-old boy presented following 2 weeks of abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, and rectal pain. A diffuse lower-abdominal mass was felt upon palpation, with radiological findings confirming the presence of a large, multilobulated intraperitoneal mass with mesenteric lymphadenopathy and hepatic metastatic disease. A biopsy of the mass revealed anatomical pathological findings consistent with a diagnosis of intra-abdominal undifferentiated carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP). The patient was treated with six cycles of carboplatin and gemcitabine prior to surgery. Following incomplete resection of the tumor, four further cycles were administered resulting in resolution of the pelvic mass, but progression in the right and left lobes of the liver. Therapy was accordingly adjusted, with administration of six cycles of ifosfamide and doxorubicin followed by 1 year of metronomic vinorelbine and cyclophosphamide maintenance therapy. The patient remains in remission 7 years from completion of therapy. Whole exome sequencing revealed missense mutations in the DNA-repair and chromatin-remodeling genes FANCM and SMARCD2, and a tumor-derived cell line revealed a complex karyotype suggesting chromosomal instability. CUP is an extremely rare diagnosis in the pediatric population, previously reported during adolescence. This report provides detailed characterization of CUP in a young child and in the absence of defined therapeutic guidelines for pediatric CUP, the successful treatment strategy described should be considered for similar cases.

Amelanotic anorectal malignant melanoma in an ulcerative colitis patient: a rare coincidence or a rare association

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal system, known to be associated with increased risk of carcinogenesis. We report the case of a 55-year-old woman, presenting with symptoms of increased bowel frequency, per rectal bleeding and rectal pain with a background of ulcerative colitis (UC). This was presumptively managed as UC flare, with titration of her medications to control the symptoms. However, a flexible sigmoidoscopy revealed an ulceroproliferative lesion in the rectum, which was identified as an amelanotic anorectal malignant melanoma on immunohistochemistry. No local or distant metastases were noted on radiological imaging. The tumour enlarged progressively and was managed with laparotomy and defunctioning stoma followed by palliative chemotherapy and immunotherapy. This is the first such case reported in literature, highlighting the importance of endoscopic assessment and the need to consider other differential diagnosis in patients with symptoms of IBD flare.

TWISTED POUCH SYNDROME - A DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE MECHANICAL COMPLICATION OF ILEAL POUCH-ANAL ANASTOMOSIS: OUTCOMES AFTER REDO POUCH PROCEDURES

Background Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is a technically demanding procedure. Intraoperatively, great care must be taken to assure a straight superior mesenteric axis. Rarely, twisted pouches are inadvertently constructed, resulting in deviations of expected pouch function, i.e. patients readily able to open their bowels on average 7x/24 hours without pain. Twisted pouches may result in symptoms classified as pouch dysfunction. Herein we describe our quaternary pouch referral center experience with twisted pouch syndrome (TPS). Methods We performed a retrospective review of our prospectively maintained pouch registry from 1995 – 2020. Patients were identified using free-text search of redo IPAA operative reports for variations of the term “twist”. We defined twisted pouch syndrome as intraoperative findings of twisting of the pouch as the primary pathology. Data are presented as frequency (proportion) or median (interquartile range). Results Over 25-years, we identified 29 patients with confirmed TPS who underwent a redo pouch procedure by 10 surgeons. Overall, 65% were female, median BMI 21.2 (19.5 – 26) kg/m2. The duration from the index IPAA to the redo procedure was 4 (2 – 8) years; all (100%) were referral cases constructed elsewhere. Original diagnoses included: ulcerative colitis (90%), FAP (10%), lack of interstitial cells of Cajal in 1 patient (10%). All patients presented with symptoms of pouch dysfunction including erratic bowel habits (96%) with urgency/frequency, abdominal/pelvic/rectal pain (92%), and obstructive symptoms (88%). Most had (75%) been treated for chronic pouchitis with antibiotics or biologics, and 46% had undergone 1 or more additional surgery. Prior to redo IPAA procedure patients underwent a thorough workup: 100% pouchoscopy, 96% GGE, 93% underwent EUA, 88% MRI, 73% manometry, and 42% defecography. TPS was diagnosed in 15% by pouchoscopy, in 10% by imaging, and in 75% was diagnosed intra-operatively at re-diversion (20%) or revision/redo IPAA (55%). In terms of surgical intervention, 85% were initially re-diverted. A total of 18 (62%) underwent pouch revision, and 10 (38%) required redo-IPAA. Short-term outcomes: LOS 7.5 (5 – 9) days, any complication 48%, readmission 11%, reoperation 3.4%, zero mortalities. After a median follow-up 50 (28 – 60) months, 2 never had loop ileostomy closure, 1 had pouch excision, and 1 a Kock pouch, yielding an overall pouch survival rate of 86%. Conclusions Twisted pouch syndrome presents with pouch dysfunction manifest by erratic bowel habits, unexplained pain, and obstructive (defecation) symptoms. This syndrome may also mimic chronic pouchitis. Despite a thorough workup which may suggest a mechanical problem, many patient may not be diagnosed until time of redo pouch surgery. Redo surgery for twisted pouch syndrome results in long-term pouch survival for the majority.