An Unusual Case of Acute Dyspnoea: Acute Intrathoracic Gastric Volvulus with Probable Tension Gastrothorax

Acute gastric volvulus is a rare complication affecting 4% of hiatal hernias. It is described as an abnormal rotation of the stomach around a transverse or longitudinal axis and can be intra-abdominal or intrathoracic. Intrathoracic gastric volvulus can lead to tension gastrothorax, which is defined as the presence of a massive gastric distension in the chest cavity causing a mediastinal shift with haemodynamic instability and a risk of cardiorespiratory arrest. We report a case of intrathoracic gastric volvulus with probable tension gastrothorax. Early diagnosis of gastrothorax with computed tomography and immediate insertion of a nasogastric tube resulted in rapid clinical improvement. Surgical intervention is the treatment of choice.

Localized gastric distension disrupts slow wave entrainment leading to temporary ectopic propagation: A high-resolution electrical mapping study

Gastric distension is known to affect normal slow wave activity and gastric function, but links between slow wave dysrhythmias and stomach function are poorly understood. Low­-resolution mapping is unable to capture complex spatial properties of gastric dysrhythmias, necessitating the use of high-resolution mapping techniques. Characterizing the nature of these dysrhythmias has implications in the understanding of post-prandial function and the development of new mapping devices. In this two‑phase study, we developed and implemented a protocol for measuring electrophysiological responses to gastric distension in porcine experiments. In vivo, serosal high-resolution electrical mapping (256 electrodes; 36 cm2) was performed in anaesthetized pigs (n = 11), and slow wave pattern, velocity, frequency, and amplitude were quantified before, during, and after intragastric distension. Phase I experiments (n = 6) focused on developing and refining the distension mapping methods using a surgically inserted intragastric balloon, with a variety of balloon types and distension protocols. Phase II experiments (n = 5) used barostat‑controlled 500 mL isovolumetric distension of an endoscopically introduced intragastric balloon. Dysrhythmias were consistently induced in 5 of 5 gastric distensions, using refined distension protocols. Dysrhythmias appeared 23 s (SD = 5 s) after the distension and lasted 129 s (SD = 72 s), which consisted of ectopic propagation originating from the greater curvature in the region of distension. In summary, our results suggest that distension disrupts gastric entrainment, inducing temporary ectopic slow wave propagation. These results may influence the understanding of the post‑prandial stomach and electrophysiological effects of gastric interventions.

Gastric Serotonin Biosynthesis and Its Functional Role in L-Arginine-Induced Gastric Proton Secretion

Among mammals, serotonin is predominantly found in the gastrointestinal tract, where it has been shown to participate in pathway-regulating satiation. For the stomach, vascular serotonin release induced by gastric distension is thought to chiefly contribute to satiation after food intake. However, little information is available on the capability of gastric cells to synthesize, release and respond to serotonin by functional changes of mechanisms regulating gastric acid secretion. We investigated whether human gastric cells are capable of serotonin synthesis and release. First, HGT-1 cells, derived from a human adenocarcinoma of the stomach, and human stomach specimens were immunostained positive for serotonin. In HGT-1 cells, incubation with the tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor p-chlorophenylalanine reduced the mean serotonin-induced fluorescence signal intensity by 27%. Serotonin release of 147 ± 18%, compared to control HGT-1 cells (set to 100%) was demonstrated after treatment with 30 mM of the satiating amino acid L-Arg. Granisetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, reduced this L-Arg-induced serotonin release, as well as L-Arg-induced proton secretion. Similarly to the in vitro experiment, human antrum samples released serotonin upon incubation with 10 mM L-Arg. Overall, our data suggest that human parietal cells in culture, as well as from the gastric antrum, synthesize serotonin and release it after treatment with L-Arg via an HTR3-related mechanism. Moreover, we suggest not only gastric distension but also gastric acid secretion to result in peripheral serotonin release.

Inhibitory Effect of Nasal Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation on Gastroesophageal Reflux

Non-invasive intermittent positive pressure ventilation can lead to esophageal insufflations and in turn to gastric distension. The fact that the latter induces transient relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter implies that it may increase gastroesophageal refluxes. We previously reported that nasal Pressure Support Ventilation (nPSV), contrary to nasal Neurally-Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (nNAVA), triggers active inspiratory laryngeal closure. This suggests that esophageal insufflations are more frequent in nPSV than in nNAVA. The objectives of the present study were to test the hypotheses that: i) gastroesophageal refluxes are increased during nPSV compared to both control condition and nNAVA; ii) esophageal insufflations occur more frequently during nPSV than nNAVA. Polysomnographic recordings and esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance pHmetry were performed in nine chronically instrumented newborn lambs to study gastroesophageal refluxes, esophageal insufflations, states of alertness, laryngeal closure and respiration. Recordings were repeated without sedation in control condition, nPSV (15/4 cmH2O) and nNAVA (~ 15/4 cmH2O). The number of gastroesophageal refluxes recorded over six hours, expressed as median (interquartile range), decreased during both nPSV (1 (0, 3)) and nNAVA [1 (0, 3)] compared to control condition (5 (3, 10)), (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the esophageal insufflation index did not differ between nPSV (40 (11, 61) h-1) and nNAVA (10 (9, 56) h-1) (p = 0.8). In conclusion, nPSV and nNAVA similarly inhibit gastroesophageal refluxes in healthy newborn lambs at pressures that do not lead to gastric distension. In addition, the occurrence of esophageal insufflations is not significantly different between nPSV and nNAVA. The strong inhibitory effect of nIPPV on gastroesophageal refluxes appears identical to that reported with nasal continuous positive airway pressure.

Inhibitory Effect of Nasal Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation on Gastroesophageal Reflux

Non-invasive intermittent positive pressure ventilation can lead to esophageal insufflations and in turn to gastric distension. The fact that the latter induces transient relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter implies that it may increase gastroesophageal refluxes. We previously reported that nasal Pressure Support Ventilation (nPSV), contrary to nasal Neurally-Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (nNAVA), triggers active inspiratory laryngeal closure. This suggests that esophageal insufflations are more frequent in nPSV than in nNAVA. The objectives of the present study were to test the hypotheses that: i) gastroesophageal refluxes are increased during nPSV compared to both control condition and nNAVA; ii) esophageal insufflations occur more frequently during nPSV than nNAVA. Polysomnographic recordings and esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance pHmetry were performed in nine chronically instrumented newborn lambs to study gastroesophageal refluxes, esophageal insufflations, states of alertness, laryngeal closure and respiration. Recordings were repeated without sedation in control condition, nPSV (15/4 cmH2O) and nNAVA (~ 15/4 cmH2O). The number of gastroesophageal refluxes recorded over six hours, expressed as median (interquartile range), decreased during both nPSV (1 (0, 3)) and nNAVA [1 (0, 3)] compared to control condition (5 (3, 10)), (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the esophageal insufflation index did not differ between nPSV (40 (11, 61) h-1) and nNAVA (10 (9, 56) h-1) (p = 0.8). In conclusion, nPSV and nNAVA similarly inhibit gastroesophageal refluxes in healthy newborn lambs at pressures that do not lead to gastric distension. In addition, the occurrence of esophageal insufflations is not significantly different between nPSV and nNAVA. The strong inhibitory effect of nIPPV on gastroesophageal refluxes appears identical to that reported with nasal continuous positive airway pressure.

Paralytic ileus in the neonate as a rare complication of maternal methadone treatment—a case report

Narcotic bowel syndrome is defined as worsening abdominal bloating and cramping with chronic opiate use, leading to paralytic ileus. This syndrome is common yet underreported in adults. However, there is no current evidence of such conditions in the newborn after exposure in utero to high doses of opiates. Our patient was a female indigenous preterm infant born to a mother on a high dose of methadone. On admission at the age of 12 h, she was found to have significant gastric distension. Initial abdominal X-ray showed a large gastric bubble with little evidence of rectal gas. Malrotation was suspected and surgical intervention was discussed. However, repeat abdominal X-ray, ultrasound and upper Gastrointestinal series were found to be normal and without acute findings. Thus, surgery was avoided. The gastric distension resolved spontaneously. She never required opiate therapy for neonatal abstinence syndrome. Given the pattern of gas seen on the initial abdominal X-ray and its spontaneous resolution after removal of maternal methadone, we suspect this baby had neonatal narcotic bowel syndrome. This has never been reported in the literature and is a unique finding. Given the lack of current reports, further observations for this syndrome should be conducted.

Double PTEG (percutaneous trans-esophageal gastro-tubing) was useful in nutrition and decompression for a gastric cancer patient with pyloric stenosis: a case report

Background For gastric cancer patients with strong pyloric stenosis, decompression by nasogastric tube insertion for gastric distension and central venous nutrition management have been performed. However long-term indwelling of the nasogastric tube is accompanied by pain, and Central venous catheter placement is inferior to enteral nutrition from infection risk and nutritional viewpoint. Furthermore, these generally require management in hospitalization. Case presentation An 81-year-old male was referred to our hospital for gastric cancer accompanied by pyloric stenosis. Blood test resulted in low nutrition and anemia. CT showed thickening of the wall from the anterior gastric part to the pylorus and enlargement of 50mm in the regional lymph node, and gastric distention. We planned resection after preoperative chemotherapy. We performed double PTEG (Percutaneous Tran Esophageal Gastro-tubing) from cervical co-wound for decompression and nutrition management of the stomach. Total laparoscopic gastrectomy was performed on day 114 after insertion of the double PTEG. During which time he had been good nutrition and no gastric distention with stayed at home for 42 days. On the 10th postoperative day, he was clinically released from hospital without any complications. Conclusions We conducted a new management to reduce and nourish patients with gastric cancer who had a pyloric stenosis by double PTEG (percutaneous trans-esophageal gastro-tubing), and can perform curative surgery after preoperative chemotherapy including home management period.