Small Intestinal Perforation Secondary to Necrotizing Enteritis—An Under-Recognized Complication of Crohn’s Disease

Small bowel perforation is an uncommon but severe event in the natural history of Crohn’s disease with fewer than 100 cases reported. We review Crohn’s disease cases with necrotizing enteritis and share a case of a 26-year-old female who presented with a recurrent episode of small intestinal perforation. A PubMed literature review of case reports and series was conducted using keywords and combinations of “Crohn’s disease,” “small intestine perforation,” “small bowel perforation,” “free perforation,” “regional enteritis,” and “necrotizing enteritis.” Data extracted included demographic data, pre- or postoperative steroid administration, medical or surgical management, and case fatality. Nineteen reports from 1935 to 2021 qualified for inclusion. There were 43 patients: 20 males and 23 females with a mean age of 36 ± 15 years old. 75 total perforations were described: 56 ileal (74.6%), 15 jejunal (20.0%), 2 cecal (2.7%), and 1 small intestine non-specified (2.7%). 38 of 43 patients were managed surgically by primary repair (11), ostomy creation (21), or an anastomosis (11). Of 11 case fatalities, medical management alone was associated with higher mortality (5/5; 100% mortality) compared to those treated surgically (6/38; 15.8% mortality; P < .001). Patient sex, disease history, acute abdomen, and pre- or postoperative steroid use did not significantly correlate with mortality. Jejunal perforation was significantly ( P = .028) associated with event mortality while ileal was not ( P = .45). Although uncommon, necrotizing enteritis should be considered in Crohn’s patients who present with small intestinal perforation. These cases often require urgent surgical intervention and may progress to fulminant sepsis and fatality if not adequately treated.

Colocolic intussusception in children: A case series and literature review

Background Colocolic intussusceptions is a rare subtype of intussusception mostly caused by juvenile polyps. The treatment of colocolic intussusception caused by other pathologic lead points remains poorly understood. Methods A systematic literature review between January 2000 and June 2021 was performed to characterize the comprehensive treatment of colocolic intussusception in children. This report also included 10 patients admitted to our center between 2010 and 2020 not previously reported in the literature. Results We identified 27 patients in 20 studies in addition to 10 patients from our center for a total of 37 patients (median age, 4.0 years; 54.1% male). The lead point was identified in 33 patients (33/37, 89.2%). The most common lead point was juvenile polyps (16/33, 48.5%). A therapeutic enema was performed in 12 patients with colocolic intussusception caused by juvenile polyps and was successful in 8 patients (8/12, 66.7%). Colonoscopic polypectomy was subsequently performed in 7 patients and was successful in 6 patients (6/7, 85.7%). The other patient had undergone laparoscopic exploration, and no abnormality was found. Subsequently, the patient underwent open surgery. The patients with colocolic intussusception caused by other pathologic lead points almost underwent surgical treatment (14/17, 82.4%), including 12 open surgeries and 2 laparoscopic surgeries. Conclusion A therapeutic enema followed by colonoscopic polypectomy is feasible to treat colocolic intussusception caused by juvenile polyps unless the patient has bowel perforation; however, open surgery is sometimes needed. For patients with colocolic intussusception caused by other pathologic lead points, open surgery may be preferable to laparoscopic surgery.

USAGE OF PARAMEDIAN APPROACH FOR CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY PERITONEAL DIALYSIS CATHETER INSERTION TECHNIQUE AND COMPLICATION

Objective: This study aims to review the usage and complication of paramedian approach for CAPD catheter insertion. Material & Methods: This is a retrospective study. All ESRD patients ongoing CAPD at the Dialysis Clinic of Zainoel Abidin General Hospital in Aceh, Indonesia between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018 were included in the present study. Complication outcomes included mechanical and infectious complications are documented and reviewed. Results: A total of 190 ESRD patients had been performed CAPD catheter insertion using paramedian approach in this period. Out of these patients, complication occurred in 31 cases (16.32%). All the complication that occurred in this study are 5 cases of leakage (2.63%), 9 cases of infection (4.74%), 8 cases of drainage problem (4.21%), 9 cases of malposition (4.74%), and no case of bowel perforation. From total of 9 cases of infections, 1 patient had peritonitis from the catheter insertion. The other infection was exit site infection. Conclusion: CAPD catheter insertion using paramedian approach is safe with low complication rates. It could decrease post-operative complications and can be recommended for CAPD catheter insertion technique due to its safety.

Santulli Procedure Revisited in Congenital Intestinal Malformations and Postnatal Intestinal Injuries: Preliminary Report of Experience

In our experience, the Santulli procedure (SP) can improve bowel recovery in congenital intestinal malformations, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and bowel perforation. All cases managed at our institution using SP between 2012 and 2017 were included in this study. Forty-one patients underwent SP (median age: 39 (0–335) days, median weight: 2987 (1400–8100) g) for intestinal atresia (51%, two gastroschisis), NEC (29%), midgut volvulus (10%), Hirschsprung’s disease (5%), or bowel perforation (5%), with at least one intestinal suture below the Santulli in 10% of cases. The SP was performed as a primary procedure (57%) or as a double-ileostomy reversal. Anal-stool passing occurred within a median of 9 (2–36) days for 95% of patients, regardless of the diversion level or the underlying disease. All three patients requiring repeated surgery for Santulli dysfunction had presented with stoma prolapse (p < 0.01). Stoma closure was performed after a median of 45 (14–270) days allowing efficient transit after a median of 2 (1–6) days. After a median follow-up of 2.9 (0.7–7.2) years, two patients died (cardiopathy and brain hemorrhage), full oral intake had been achieved in 90% of patients, and all survivors had normal bowel movement. Whether used as primary or secondary surgery, the SP allows rapid recovery of intestinal motility and function.

Biologics Drugs in Behçet’s Disease: A Single Centre Experience

Introduction: Behçet´s disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis of unknown cause. Several cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), appear to play a substantial role. Therefore, biologics such as anti-TNF-α agents are rising to control severe or refractory BD´s manifestations. We aimed to describe the biological therapy´s outcomes in BD patients. Methods: A longitudinal, prospective, unicentric cohort study with patients followed in a specialized outpatient clinic. We collected data regarding BD´s manifestations, treatments, and outcomes during follow-up. Results: Our cohort includes 243 patients, of whom 31% were male. During follow-up, 20 patients (8%) were treated with biological drugs. Patients who received biological therapies were younger (p = 0.030), had less frequently genital aphthosis (p = 0.009), and more frequently erythema nodosum (p = 0.009), polyarthritis (p = 0.002), spondyloarthritis (p = 0.024), retinal vasculitis (p = 0.011) and gastrointestinal manifestations (p = 0.024), namely gastroduodenal ulcer (p = 0.035), digestive bleeding from ulcers (p = 0.002), and bowel perforation (p = 0.004). Anti-TNF-α agents were used in all of these patients, most frequently infliximab. Patients started biologicals after classical immunosuppressors failure, and most went into remission (93%). Three patients developed tuberculosis during treatment, regardless of regular screening tests. It was possible to stop biological therapy in five patients, so far, without recurrence, with 33 months of mean follow-up time after suspension. Discussion: Anti-TNF-α agents are highly effective for refractory BD´s manifestations, although they are not innocuous. Little is known about the optimal duration of these therapies, regarding when and how to stop these drugs. This issue is essential not only to avoid relapses but also to reduce therapy side-effects.

Case Report: Pediatric Malignant Atrophic Papulosis With Small Bowel Perforation and Positivity of Anticardiolipin Antibody

Malignant atrophic papulosis (MAP) is a life-threatening vasculopathy affecting the skin, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, pleural membrane, and pericardium. MAP carries a poor prognosis primarily because of its systemic involvement. It is extremely rare in children. Herein, we report a pediatric case of MAP with small bowel perforation and anticardiolipin antibody positivity.