Appendiceal Intussusception: A Diagnostic Challenge

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (01) ◽  
pp. 030-033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Nica ◽  
Yaniv Lakovski ◽  
Enrique Freud ◽  
Inbal Samuk

Introduction Appendiceal intussusception is a rare condition in children characterized by an invagination of the appendix into the cecum to various degrees. The treatment is appendectomy; however since symptoms are not specific, clinical diagnosis is challenging and frequently only intraoperative. We present a series of five patients with appendiceal intussusception and discuss features that may direct the pediatric surgeon to achieve early recognition and provide optimal treatment. Materials and Methods The database of a tertiary medical center was retrospectively reviewed for all patients treated for appendiceal intussusception during the period from January 1995 to January 2016. Data collected by chart review included demographics, clinical characteristics, imaging studies, surgical technique, and outcome. The findings were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results This series included five patients (two females and three males) with ages ranging between 27 and 42 months (mean: 35.2). Patients presented with intermittent abdominal pain (IAP, all five patients), alternate vomiting (three of five patients), alternate diarrhea (two of five patients), fever (two of five patients), and rectal bleeding (one of five patients). The average length of symptoms was 22.6 days. Eighteen diagnostic studies were performed, including abdominal ultrasound for all patients, barium enema for three patients with secondary ileocolic intussusception, and abdominal computed tomography (CT) for one patient. The average number of studies per patient was 3.6. In surgery, the appendiceal intussusception was found to be complete in four patients, whereas it was partial in the remaining patient. In all patients, appendectomy was performed with resection of a small rim of cecal wall due to marked congestion and edema in an attempt to decrease recurrence. Conclusion The mainstay of clinical presentation is intermittent abdominal pain while patients may be completely asymptomatic between attacks. Appendiceal intussusception may act as a leading point to ileocolic intussusception and is frequently concealed by it. The treatment is appendectomy. Both pediatric surgeons and radiologists should be aware of this occurrence to provide adequate management and avoid complications.

2021 ◽  
pp. 000313482110474
Author(s):  
Gwyneth A. Sullivan ◽  
Nicholas J. Skertich ◽  
Kody B. Jones ◽  
Michael Williams ◽  
Brian C. Gulack ◽  
...  

Intussusception is the most common cause of bowel obstruction in infants four to ten months old and is commonly idiopathic or attributed to lymphoid hyperplasia. Our patient was a 7-month-old male who presented with two weeks of intermittent abdominal pain associated with crying, fist clenching and grimacing. Ultrasound demonstrated an ileocolic intussusception in the right abdomen. Symptoms resolved after contrast enemas, and he was discharged home. He re-presented similarly the next day and was found to be COVID-19 positive. Computed tomography scan demonstrated a left upper quadrant ileal-ileal intussusception. His symptoms spontaneously resolved, and he was discharged home. This suggests that COVID-19 may be a cause of intussusception in infants, and infants presenting with intussusception should be screened for this virus. Additionally, recurrence may happen days later at different intestinal locations. Caregiver education upon discharge is key to monitor for recurrence and need to return.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyanka Majety ◽  
Richard D Siegel

Abstract Background: Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a well-established cause of acute pancreatitis (AP) in up to 14% of all cases & up to 56% cases during pregnancy. The triad of HTG, Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and AP is rarely seen posing diagnostic challenges. Early recognition of HTG-induced pancreatitis (HTGP) is important to provide appropriate therapy & prevent recurrence. In this case series, we discuss the diagnostic challenges and clinical features of HTGP. Clinical cases: Our first patient was a 65-year-old male with a history of hypertension who presented to the ER with abdominal pain and new-onset pruritic skin rash after a heavy meal. His exam and labs were notable for a diffuse papular rash on his back, triglycerides (TG) of 7073mg/dL (normal: <150mg/dL). The rash improved with the resolution of HTG. Our second patient was a 29-year-old male with a history of alcohol dependence who was found to have AP complicated by ARDS requiring intubation. Further testing revealed that his TG was 12,862mg/dL & his sodium (Na) was 102mEq/L. Although HTG was known to cause pseudohyponatremia, it was a diagnostic challenge to estimate the true Na level. In a third scenario, a 28-year-old female with a history of T2DM on Insulin presented with nausea & abdominal pain. Labs were suggestive of DKA and lipase was normal. CT abdomen showed changes consistent with AP. The TG level that was later added on was elevated to 4413mg/dL. She was treated with insulin that improved her TG level. Discussion: We present three cases of hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis. While the presentation can be similar to other causes of acute pancreatitis (AP), there are factors in the diagnosis and management of HTGP that are important to understand. Occasionally, physical exam findings can be suggestive of underlying HTG. In the first scenario, our patient presented with eruptive xanthomas - a sudden eruption of crops of papules that can be pruritic. They are highly suggestive of HTG, often associated with serum TG levels > 1500mg/dL. Our second patient presented with pseudohyponatremia. HTG falsely lowers Na level, by affecting the percentage of water in plasma. Identifying this condition is important to prevent possible complications from aggressive treatment. This can be corrected either by using direct ion-specific electrodes or with the formula: Na change = TG * 0.002. DKA is associated with mild-moderate HTG in 30–50% cases. This is due to insulin deficiency causing activation of lipolysis in adipocytes & decreased activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL). However, severe HTG is a rare complication of DKA, increasing the risk of AP. Diagnosis of AP in DKA poses many challenges: the common presenting complaint of abdominal pain, non-specific hyperlipasemia in DKA. AP with DKA has also been associated with normal lipase levels. A high clinical index of suspicion is required to diagnose HTGP in patients with DKA.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Maccallum ◽  
Sarah Eaton ◽  
Daniel Chubb ◽  
Stephen Franzi

Torsion of the fatty appendage of the falciform ligament is an extremely rare condition that leads to severe abdominal pain and raised inflammatory markers. It can be recognised on ultrasound or CT scan. The pathophysiology is the same as that involved in the more common torsion and/or infarction of the greater omentum or epiploic appendages. The condition is best managed conservatively with anti-inflammatory analgesia, and the early recognition of this type of torsion may prevent unnecessary operative intervention to look for a source of abdominal pain. There have been five reported adult cases of a torted fatty appendage of the falciform ligament identified on ultrasound and CT scan, but no paediatric cases. We report a case of torsion of the fatty appendage of the falciform ligament in a ten-year-old boy and describe its imaging characteristics on CT scan.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-68
Author(s):  
Snehal Dhobale ◽  
Revathi S Rajan

ABSTRACT Spontaneous uterine varices rupture is a very rare condition (1/10,000 pregnancies), leading to significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Though the exact etiology is still unknown, it seems to be associated with an increased in venous pressure. The rupture especially occurs in third trimester. We encounter a case of 31 years old primigravida with pain in abdomen since 1 day not relieved by medication. Abdominal ultrasound revealed hemoperitoneum. Emergency exploratory laparotomy revealed 1.5 litres of hemoperitoneum and confirmed the diagnosis of ‘spontaneous rupture of uterine varices’. The clinical presentation of spontaneous rupture of uterine varices is not specific and clinical examination and ultrasonographic scanning may be insufficient for diagnosis. This rare condition has to be taken into account to the differential diagnosis in a pregnant woman with severe abdominal pain. How to cite this article Dhobale S, Rajan RS, Rao KA. Hemoperitoneum in Third Trimester of Pregnancy: Unusual Cause-Spontaneous Rupture of Uterine Varices. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2014;5(2):66-68.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Derrick D. Eichele

Hemoperitoneum due to a ruptured retroperitoneal varix is an exceedingly rare condition and a poor prognostic sign with catastrophic and life-threatening complication of portal hypertension. We present a unique case of a 56-year-old female with cirrhosis secondary to primary sclerosing cholangitis who presented with acute abdominal pain and hypovolemic shock prior to a cardiac arrest following a ruptured retroperitoneal varix without prior esophageal varices and a newly identified intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The clinical presentation with abdominal pain and hemorrhagic shock is consistently reported in the relevant literature. Early recognition affords appropriate management and urgent surgical intervention leading to survival.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Seifen ◽  
Werner Herzig ◽  
Roger Schlüchter ◽  
Christian Schraner

Abstract Adult intussusception is a rare condition that is frequently associated with malignancy and requires surgical approach. Symptoms are often non-specific and of subacute or chronic character. Therefore, computerized tomography (CT) scan is the most commonly used modality for identifying adult intussusception. A 51-year-old female presented with a 1-day history of increasing abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasound and CT scan revealed intussusception. Intra-operatively, colocolic intussusception was present and laparoscopically reduced. A lead point was found neither intra-operatively nor in post-operative ileocolonoscopy and resection of involved bowel segments was not necessary.


2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suvadip Chatterjee ◽  
Kofi W. Oppong ◽  
John S. Scott ◽  
Dave E. Jones ◽  
Richard M. Charnley ◽  
...  

Background & Aims: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a fibroinflammatory condition affecting the pancreas and could present as a multisystem disorder. Diagnosis and management can pose a diagnostic challenge in certain groups of patients. We report our experience of managing this condition in a tertiary pancreaticobiliary centre in the North East of England.Methods: Patients were identified from a prospectively maintained database of patients diagnosed with AIP between 2005 and 2013. Diagnosis of definite/probable AIP was based on the revised HISORt criteria. When indicated, patients were treated with steroids and relapses were treated with azathioprine. All patients have been followed up to date.Results: Twenty-two patients were diagnosed with AIP during this period. All patients had pancreatic protocol CT performed while some patients had either MR or EUS as part of the work up. Fourteen out of 22 (64%) had an elevated IgG4 level (mean: 10.9 g/L; range 3.4 - 31 g/L). Four (18%) patients underwent surgery. Extrapancreatic involvement was seen in 15 (68%) patients, with biliary involvement being the commonest. Nineteen (86%) were treated with steroids and five (23%) required further immunosuppression for treatment of relapses. The mean follow up period was 36.94 months (range 7 - 94).Conclusion: Autoimmune pancreatitis is being increasingly recognized in the British population. Extrapancreatic involvement, particularly extrahepatic biliary involvement seems to be a frequent feature.Diagnosis should be based on accepted criteria as this significantly reduces the chances of overlooking malignancy. Awareness of this relatively rare condition and a multi-disciplinary team approach will help us to diagnose and treat this condition more efiectively thereby reducing unnecessary interventions.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Jinping Xu ◽  
Jinping Xu ◽  
Ruth Wei ◽  
Salieha Zaheer

Obturator hernias are rare but pose a diagnostic challenge with relatively high morbidity and mortality. Our patient is an elderly, thin female with an initial evaluation concerning for gastroenteritis, and further evaluation revealed bilateral incarcerated obturator hernias, which confirmed postoperatively as well as a right femoral hernia. An 83-year-old female presented to the outpatient office initially with one-day history of diarrhea and one-week history of episodic colicky abdominal pain. She returned 4 weeks later with diarrhea resolved but worsening abdominal pain and left inner thigh pain while ambulating, without changes in appetite or nausea and vomiting. Abdominal CT scan then revealed bilateral obturator hernias. Patient then presented to the emergency department (ED) due to worsening pain, and subsequently underwent hernia repair. Intraoperatively, it was revealed that the patient had bilateral incarcerated obturator hernias and a right femoral hernia. All three hernias were repaired, and patient was discharged two days later. Patient remained well postoperatively, and 15-month CT of abdomen showed no hernia recurrence.


Author(s):  
Salwa A. Musa ◽  
Areej A. Ibrahim ◽  
Samar S. Hassan ◽  
Matthew B Johnson ◽  
Asmahan T. Basheer ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Fanconi-Bickel syndrome (FBS) is a rare condition of carbohydrate metabolism, caused by a recessive defect in the facilitative glucose transporter GLUT2 encoded by the SLC2A2 gene and characterized by a wide spectrum of phenotypical features. There is a paucity of reported data on FBS from Sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we describe the clinical, biochemical and genetic characteristics of our patients with FBS from Sudan, a country with a high consanguinity rate. Patients & methods Eleven patients from ten unrelated Sudanese families were included. Clinical & biochemical data were documented and imaging studies done including bone survey and abdominal ultrasound. Liver biopsy was done to confirm the pathological diagnosis in 45% of cases and molecular genetics was performed through contribution with the Exeter genomics laboratory for ten patients. Results Reported consanguinity was 70% among our patients. Growth was significantly impaired at presentation with mean weights of (-5.3 ± 1.8) SD and heights (-5.4 ± 2.5) SD. Severe chest deformity was present in (27%) and all patients showed features of rickets at presentation. Three patients had neonatal diabetes requiring insulin therapy of which one has been reported before. Six families lost undiagnosed siblings with similar clinical presentations. We identified a total of four homozygous pathogenic SLC2A2 variants in our patients, one of whom had a novel mutation. Conclusions FBS is not uncommon in Sudan where there is a high rate of consanguinity. Many cases are likely missed because of variable presentation and lack of public and professionals’ awareness. This is the first series to describe this condition from Sub-Saharan Africa.


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