Spontaneous intramural duodenal hematoma in a young woman

Summary: Non-traumatic spontaneous intramural duodenal hematoma is a rare cause of proximal gastrointestinal obstruction which may present with hemorrhage, jaundice and pancreatitis. In this case report we present a case of spontaneous duodenal hematoma in a 28-year-old female with a history of acute pancreatitis, admitted to hospital for convulsive upper abdominal pain with vomiting as suspected pancreatitis. An MRI examination of the abdomen confi rmed intraluminal bleeding into the duodenum. Following supportive therapy the clinical symptoms spontaneously subsided and laboratory parameters improved. Due to early dia gnosis and therapy the patient had a good outcome, without requiring surgery. Repeated imaging showed hematoma resorption. Key words: abdominal pain – vomitus – duodenal hematoma – hemorrhage

Accidentally ingested textile foreign bodies, a cause of gastrointestinal obstruction in dogs and cats – a retrospective study

Gastrointestinal obstruction is a life-threatening condition that is usually caused by accidental ingestion of inedible objects, through play or food indiscretions. Ingested foreign objects generate the mechanical obstruction of the gastrointestinal segment, characterized by a relatively typical set of symptoms, depending on the location. The aim of this study was the clinical and imaging description of some cases of gastrointestinal obstruction in dogs and cats, caused by swallowing textile foreign bodies. The study included 12 dogs and 8 cats of different breeds and ages, belonging to both sexes, which showed clinical signs suggestive from a clinical-anamnestic point of view for gastrointestinal obstruction. These patients had symptoms with acute or chronic progressive evolution of the gastrointestinal tract, including restlessness, deviation, vomiting (single or repeated episodes), abdominal tenderness, constipation and tenesmus. The diagnosis was confirmed by radiographic examination, simple and with contrast medium, and ultrasound, completed in some situations with laparotomy. Ingested textile foreign bodies were represented by socks/stockings (5 dogs and 3 cats), underwear (3 dogs), rope (1 dog and 3 cats), carpet fragments (2 dog and 1 cat), toy fragments (1 dog and 1 cat), and they were located in the stomach (7/12; 58.33%, respectively 4/8; 50%), in the gastro-duodenal segment (2/12; 16.67%, respectively 3/8; 37.5%), in the jejunum (3/12; 25%, respectively 1/8; 12.5%) and in the colon (1/12; 8.33%, respectively 1/8; 12.5%). Gastrointestinal obstruction in pets, caused by accidental ingestion of textile foreign bodies, is a medical emergency and imaging examinations are the main diagnostic tool in the establishment of a subsequent therapy with maximum efficiency.

VP010 INTRA-ABDOMINAL HERNIA AS A CAUSE OF ACUTE SMALL INTESTINE OBSTRUCTION. LAPAROSCOPIC EMERGENCY TREATMENT - SMALL INTESTINE OBSTRUCTION DUE TO INTERNAL HERNIA WITH CONCOMITANT ACALCULOUS CHOLECYSTITIS

Aim Nowadays, in vast majority of emergency patients with gastrointestinal obstruction laparoscopy is not the treatment of choice. In our department laparoscopy is routinely used in emergency admitted patients, also those with abovementioned condition, sometimes yielding unexpected and thrilling results. The aim of this work is to present a laparoscopic internal hernia repair with simultaneous “Phrygian-cap-type” gallbladder excision, performed on a patient with small intestine obstruction and chronic acalculous cholecystitis. Material and Methods A 57-year-old patient was admitted to our department as an emergency, with a one week history of symptomatic cholecystitis accompanied by gastrointestinal obstruction. CT revealed atypical suprahepatic displacement of the small intestine. An attempt of conservative treatment failed after the re-initiation of oral nutrition. The patient was qualified for laparoscopy. Results An anatomical variant of the liver ligaments was visualized with two defects in the anteriorly displaced coronary ligament and shortening of the falciform ligament. Those defects formed the hernia ring entrapping a small intestine of a total length of about 1.5 m. The falciform ligament was dissected. To avoid re-entrapment of the intestine, most of the coronary ligament was severed. Consecutively the inflamed gallbladder was removed. The unusual anatomical variation of its structure, the so-called “Phrygian cap”, was an additional difficulty. The postoperative course was uneventful. Conclusions The presented material demonstrates the possibility of immediate treatment of intestinal obstruction, even in a complicated cases, with laparoscopic manner, without the need of conversion to the open method.

Endoscopically placed venting gastrostomy can be a safe and effective palliative intervention in benign and malignant gastrointestinal obstruction

IntroductionChronic gastrointestinal obstruction can precipitate a constellation of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension and pain that negatively impact on health-related quality of life. Decompression via venting gastrostomy can offer symptomatic relief but safety and efficacy data are sparse. This study characterises the diverse venting percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (vPEG) cohort at our tertiary referral centre and defines the safety and efficacy of this procedure.MethodsPatients undergoing vPEG between May 2012 and June 2020 were identified from a prospectively maintained database and demographic, procedure-related and mortality data were extracted. Retrospective analysis of case notes provided data on patient symptoms. Last follow-up was May 2021.Results27 patients (median age 63, range 18–90 years) underwent vPEG insertion. The majority of vPEGs were for patients with obstruction secondary to locally advanced or metastatic malignancy (n=21/27, 77.8%). Six procedures were performed for benign disease (n=6/27, 22.2%). No patients developed the recognised serious complications of bleeding, perforation or peritonitis from vPEG insertion. Symptoms of nausea (p=0.006), vomiting (p<0.001), abdominal distension (p<0.001) and abdominal pain (p=0.002) were improved following vPEG. Pain beyond the expected postprocedural discomfort was associated with a lower number of days survived postprocedure (p=0.026).ConclusionvPEG can be a safe and efficacious palliative intervention for benign and malignant chronic gastrointestinal obstruction. Severe postprocedural pain should be promptly investigated to exclude a potential complication. A defined clinical strategy for assessing and managing these patients would facilitate wider recognition of the benefits of vPEG and improve the safety profile in centres with more limited experience.

Palliative radiation treatment used for multiple purposes in a single irradiation field

In this case report, radiation therapy was performed for bilateral hydronephrosis developed during multiple bone metastases of breast cancer and ileus due to peritoneal dissemination. The patient’s preirradiation creatinine level was 8.2 mg/dL, which decreased by the fourth day after starting irradiation therapy. Creatinine level ultimately decreased to 0.6 mg/dL. Pain due to lumbar spine metastasis alleviated and ileus was resolved, allowing the patient to live at home for approximately 5 weeks. The effect of radiotherapy for bilateral hydronephrosis and gastrointestinal obstruction was rapid and good. Palliative radiation treatment can be used for multiple purposes, and in the present patient, we were able to prolong the vital prognosis.