1/3. A case of a gastrointestinal stromal tumour presenting as acute abdomen.BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) has many modes of presentation. This is the first reported GIST presenting as an acute abdomen. methods: A man presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of acute appendicitis. Examination under anaesthesia revealed a mass. At laparotomy a strangulated mass was found originating from the greater curve of the stomach. Subsequent histopathology confirmed this to be a gastrointestinal stromal tumour, probably of a benign nature. Post-operative investigations did not show any metastatic spread. CONCLUSIONS: GISTs arise from the gastrointestinal tract, omentum, and mesentery. Presentation is generally non-specific and it is rare for them to present acutely. Management should include staging to exclude any metastatic spread.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. Haemorrhage into a urachal cyst presenting as an 'acute abdomen'.A previously well 3 year old Asian girl presented as an emergency with the acute onset of generalized abdominal pain. On examination her abdomen was distended with generalized tenderness and guarding most marked centrally. Under anaesthesia a central abdominal mass arising from the pelvis was palpated which on proceeding to laparotomy was found to be a blood-filled urachal cyst. This was excised and her recovery was uneventful. Subsequent investigations have revealed no associated renal tract abnormalities.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. Suxamethonium-induced hyperkalaemia in patients with severe intra-abdominal infections.In nine patients, undergoing repeat operations because of severe intra-abdominal infection developing after major abdominal surgery, serum potassium concentrations were monitored during induction of anaesthesia. Four patients showed an increase of serum potassium ranging from 2.5 to 3.1 mmol/litre above baseline values within 3-6 min after suxamethonium 100 mg i.v. In five patients there was no change. The four patients demonstrating an increase had suffered from pyrexia and leucocytosis for at least 2 weeks. The other five had signs of infection for no more than 9 days. It is concluded that patients with signs of severe intra-abdominal infection lasting longer than 1 week represent an additional category susceptible to suxamethonium-induced hyperkalaemia. They should receive only non-depolarizing muscle relaxants. When the use of suxamethonium is unavoidable, the injection of a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant before the administration of suxamethonium is recommended.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |