Meckel’s Diverticulum in Children: A Monocentric Experience and Mini-Review of Literature

Vitelline duct anomalies (VDA, including Meckel’s diverticulum (MD)) result from failed embryologic obliteration. This study aimed for characteristics in symptomatic versus asymptomatic VDA, analyzing clinico-laboratory data from 73 children, aged 1 day to 17 years, treated at a tertiary Pediatric Surgery Institution from 2002–2017. A male preponderance was obtained (ratio 3.6:1). MD accounted for 85% of VDA. Incidence of symptomatic VDA decreased with older age. Leading symptoms were intestinal obstruction and hemorrhage. Mucosal heterotopia (present in 39% of symptomatic MD) was associated with anemia and lowered CRP-levels. On ROC-analysis, hemoglobin < 8.6 g/dL, CRP < 0.6 mg/dL and MD distance to ileocecal valve >40 cm were predictors of ectopic tissue in symptomatic MD. Our data confirmed known characteristics as male preponderance, declined incidence of symptomatic cases with age and predominance of gastric ectopia in symptomatic MD. Moreover, anemia and prolonged distance of MD to ileocecal valve were predictors of ectopic mucosa in symptomatic MD.

Risk factors for post-polypectomy bleeding; a retrospective case-control study of a high-volume colonoscopy center

Background and aim Post-polypectomy bleeding (PPB) remains an uncommon although serious complication of colonoscopy. The aim of this study is to determine the PPB-prevalence in a secondary care hospital and its associated risk factors. Patients and methods We collected data from 581 patients, with the removal of 1593 polyps between August 2017 and August 2019. A univariate binary logistic regression analysis was conducted retrospectively. Results PPB occurred in only 10 cases, representing 1.7% of patients: immediate in 1.2% and delayed in 0.5%. The number of removed polyps per patient [4.5 (SD 2.59) for hemorrhagic vs. 2.74 (SD 1.98) for non-hemorrhagic group] and the propofol dose [232 mg (SD 93.07) for hemorrhagic vs. 133 mg (SD 57.28) for non-hemorrhagic group] were relevant patient-related risk factors. The polyp-based analysis showed the polyp size [18.4 mm (SD 10.44) for hemorrhagic vs. 4.42 mm (SD 4.29) for non-hemorrhagic group], the morphology [wide-based: OR 24.83 (95 % CI 2.76 – 223.44), pedunculated: OR 56.67 (95 % CI 5.03 – 638.29)], the location at ileocecal valve [OR 20.48, 95 % CI 1.81 – 231.97)], and the polypectomy method [hot snare piecemeal with epinephrine injection: OR 75.38 (95 % CI 7.67 – 741.21)] as significant risk factors for PPB, too. Conclusions The low rate of PPB confirms the safety of the procedure in non-tertiary, high-volume colonoscopy centers. The number of polyps removed per patient, the polyp size, morphology and location, as well as the sedation dose and the method of polypectomy were shown as relevant risk factors.

Serial transverse enteroplasty and nipple valve construction, two life saving techniques for patients with short bowel syndrome, a report of 5 cases

Background Various abdominal pathologies end up with surgical resection of small intestine. When the small intestine remnant is too short for adequate fluid and micronutrients absorption, short bowel syndrome is diagnosed. The disabling condition needs a multidisciplinary approach to design parenteral nutrition, care for thrombotic, hepatic and infectious complications and gradually wean the patient from parenteral nutrition. Various surgical techniques have been introduced to increase absorptive mucosa and enhance the intestinal adaptation process. Serial transverse enteroplasty and nipple valve reconstruction are among the procedures, which will be discussed in the current article. Case presentation Herein, we presented 5 cases of short bowel syndrome as a consequence of abdominal laparotomies, patients were referred to our center to receive parenteral nutrition and to be prepared for the final autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction or intestinal transplantation, if indicated. Conclusion Patient’s age, performance status and bowel remnant length determines the appropriate technique for autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction. Serial transverse enteroplasty is designed to increase bowel’s length by creating zigzag patterns through dilated bowel loops. Presence of ileocecal valve is crucial to delay intestinal transit time and to prevent colonic bacterial transfer to ileum. Patient’s with ileocecal valve loss benefit from creating an artificial valve, namely, nipple valve.

A case of primary intestinal lymphangiectasia with non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Background Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (PIL) is a rare protein-losing enteropathy characterized by the loss of proteins, lymphocytes, and immunoglobulins into the intestinal lumen. Increasing evidence has demonstrated an association between PIL and lymphoma. Case presentation A 54-year-old man with a 20-year history of abdominal distension and bilateral lower limb edema was admitted. Laboratory investigations revealed lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia, decreased triglyceride and cholesterol level. Colonoscopy showed multiple smooth pseudo polyps in the ileocecal valve and terminal ileum and histological examination showed conspicuous dilation of the lymphatic channels in the mucosa and submucosa. A diagnosis of PIL was made. Three years later colonoscopy of the patient showed an intraluminal proliferative mass in the ascending colon and biopsy examination confirmed a malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Then the patient was been underwent chemotherapy, and his clinical condition is satisfactory. Conclusion Our report supports the hypothesis that PIL is associated with lymphoma development.

Combination of end-to-end jejuno-ileal anastomosis and side-to-side incomplete ileocecal bypass (hybrid jejuno-ileo-cecal anastomosis) following subtotal ileal resection in seven horses

CASE DESCRIPTION 7 horses (3 geldings, 2 mares, and 2 stallions) were examined because of acute colic caused by small intestinal obstruction involving the aborad portion of the jejunum and orad portion of the ileum. CLINICAL FINDINGS All horses underwent a routine colic examination on arrival and had a diagnosis of strangulating obstruction of the small intestine. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME All horses underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy, in which the affected aborad portion of the jejunum and orad portion of the ileum were resected; in 5 horses, a hand-sewn end-to-end jejuno-ileal anastomosis was combined with a hand-sewn incomplete ileocecal bypass to produce a hybrid jejuno-ileo-cecal anastomosis. In 2 horses, the hand-sewn end-to-end jejuno-ileal anastomosis was combined with a half-stapled, half–hand-sewn incomplete ileocecal bypass. The procedures restored continuity of the small intestine with partial bypass of the ileocecal valve. All horses survived to hospital discharge, and none developed colic or ileus during the postoperative period. Follow-up revealed that 6 horses were living and had no subsequent signs of colic (4 to 17 months after surgery), and 1 was euthanized because of colic 17 months after surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results for these horses suggested the hybrid jejuno-ileo-cecal anastomosis could be considered as an option for the resolution of small intestinal strangulating lesions involving the orad portion of the ileum. Studies are needed to assess short-term and long-term effects of the procedure in horses.

Chronic Enteropathy Associated with SLCO2A1-Associated Primary Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy in Female Patients: A Case Report and Literature Review

This paper reports a case of chronic enteropathy associated with the SLCO2A1 gene (CEAS) combined with primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO). The patient was a 25-year-old woman with a normal onset of puberty who was admitted to our hospital four times due to intractable oedema and anaemia. She had a history of hyperhidrosis since childhood, and her parents were close relatives (cousins). Enteroscopy revealed stenotic ulcers on the ileocecal valve and the terminal ileum. Computed tomography enterography (CTE) and magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) showed segmental thickening of the ileum and terminal intestinal wall and centripetal narrowing of some intestinal cavities. MRE also showed a marked "comb sign" in the adjacent mesentery, and X-rays of both lower limbs showed thickening of the tibiofibular cortex. The CEAS pathogenic genes were screened by whole exome sequencing, and a homozygous missense mutation of p. Gly222Asp (c.664G>A) was found in the fifth exon of the SLCO2A1 gene, which was verified by Sanger sequencing. In conclusion, the patient was identified as CEAS with PHO associated with a SLCO2A1 gene mutation, but the patient is a young woman, which has rarely been reported in previous studies. In addition to reporting her case, the relevant literature was reviewed to improve clinicians' understanding of diseases associated with the SLCO2A1 gene.

Meckel’s Diverticulum Diagnosed by Balloon-Assisted Enteroscopy: A Multicenter Report from the Taiwan Association for the Study of Small Intestinal Diseases (TASSID)

Background and Aims. Patients with Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) are difficult to preoperatively diagnose because of its endoscopic inaccessibility. Balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) allows endoscopic access to the entire small intestine. The aim of the current study was to investigate patients with MD diagnosed by BAE in Taiwan. Methods. We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study of patients with MD who were diagnosed by BAE in Taiwan. The clinical characteristics, endoscopic features, histopathological findings, treatment methods, and outcomes were analyzed. Results. A total of 55 patients with MD were enrolled (46 males and 9 females). The mean age at diagnosis was 34.1 years. Overt gastrointestinal bleeding (87.3%) was the primary indication for BAE, followed by abdominal pain (9.1%), suspected small bowel tumor (1.8%), and Crohn’s disease follow-up (1.8%). The mean distance between the ileocecal valve and MD was 71.6 cm (regarding diagnostic yields: BAE—100%, capsule endoscopy—40%, Meckel’s scan—35.7%, computed tomography—14.6%, small bowel series—12.5%, and angiography—11.1%; regarding endoscopic features of MD: a large ostium—89.1%, a small ostium—7.3%, and a polypoid mass—3.6%). Surgical treatment was performed in 76.4% patients, and conservative treatment was performed in 23.6% patients. The mean length of MD in 42 patients who underwent surgical resection was 5.2 cm (in 43 patients of MD with available histopathology: heterotopic gastric tissue, 42.4%, heterotopic gastric and pancreatic tissues, 7%; heterotopic pancreatic tissue, 4.7%; heterotopic colonic tissue, 2.3%; and a neuroendocrine tumor, 2.3%). Conclusions. The current study showed BAE is a very useful modality for detecting MD compared with other conventional modalities.