1/32. The abdominal compartment syndrome: a report of 3 cases including instance of endocrine induction.Three patients with the abdominal compartment syndrome are presented and discussed. In one of the patients the condition was induced in an endocrine fashion, since trauma was sustained exclusively by the middle third of the left leg. The development of the syndrome as a remote effect of local trauma has never been reported previously. In all three instances only insignificant amounts of intraperitoneal fluid was found and the increase in abdominal pressure was due to severe edema of the mesentery and retroperitoneum. Since the condition is highly lethal, early diagnosis is imperative, and this starts by carrying a high index of suspicion. Measurement of the intraperitoneal pressure easily confirms this diagnosis. It is emphasized that measurements at various sites, like bladder and stomach, in each patient is essential to confirm the diagnosis, since one of the sites may be rendered unreliable due to intraperitoneal processes impinging on the affected site and affecting its distensibility.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = index (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/32. Acute abdomen with colonic necrosis induced by Kayexalate-sorbitol.Colonic necrosis is an unusual complication after treatment of hyperkalemia with sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS, Kayexalate) in sorbitol. To increase awareness of this complication, we report a case of necrosis of the transverse colon in a patient given oral and rectal SPS-sorbitol for hyperkalemia. Colonic necrosis was manifested as an acute abdomen within 24 hours of initial administration. Prompt surgical resection of the necrotic transverse colon permitted rapid recovery of bowel function. Although SPS crystals are seen microscopically in the necrotic bowel, experimental evidence implicates the sorbitol component of the SPS-sorbitol in the pathogenesis of colonic necrosis. A high index of suspicion for the unusual complication of colonic necrosis after oral or rectal administration of SPS-sorbitol may allow prompt recognition and surgical cure.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = index (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/32. Spontaneous rupture of renal angiomyolipoma presenting as acute abdomen.Five cases of renal angiomyolipoma which underwent spontaneous rupture are described. These patients presented as an "acute abdomen" for which the diagnosis was not initially apparent. A high index of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis even with modern imaging techniques. The treatment of these tumours is discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = index (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/32. 'Acute abdomen' with a rash.A previously fit and healthy 17-year-old male presented with the clinical symptoms and signs of an acute abdomen and with the secondary complaint of a rash. In view of the primary presenting complaint he was admitted to the surgical ward. The patient was initially booked for an emergency exploratory laparotomy, but after reassessment on the ward a clinical diagnosis of meningococcal septicaemia was made. The patient was treated medically with intravenous antibiotics and supportive therapy, and made a complete recovery. Medical causes of abdominal pain, as exemplified here, can be more life threatening than surgical causes and should be considered in all patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.70401462543057keywords = assessment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/32. Acute abdomen--remember spontaneous perforation of the urinary bladder.Spontaneous perforation of the urinary bladder is a rare clinical condition presenting as an acute abdomen. It should be suspected in patients with a past history of radiotherapy to the pelvis, enterocystoplasty and those suspected of having a tumour in the bladder. Disproportionately elevated serum urea and creatinine should raise the index of suspicion. A case of spontaneous perforation of the bladder, five years following successful treatment of a bladder tumour by radiotherapy, is reported.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = index (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/32. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis: our recent experience: one-year experience of atypical onset of an uncommon disease.Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an unusual entity that is rarely found in daily clinical practise. Its aetiology is unknown and diagnosis can be made microscopically with evidence of massive eosinophilic infiltration in patients with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, excluding entities that may cause such findings (parasitic infestation, medical therapy, inflammatory bowel disease, and so on). Allergic processes are usually associated and these normally respond well to steroids. We present our last year's experience of four women with eosinophilic gastroenteritis with an extraordinary atypical clinical onset. Two of the women presented with an acute abdomen and two with isolated colonic involvement. The management of acute abdomen avoiding surgery and a complete response with azathioprine are the outstanding variables that make our recent cases of special interest. Demographic variables were similar to others reported from our medium, with the exception of a higher incidence of women. Our cases suggest the wide spectrum of clinical presentations and show the high suspicion index needed for a diagnosis that is made by pathologists.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = index (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/32. Torsion of the fallopian tube in an adolescent female: a case report.BACKGROUND: Torsion of the fallopian tube is an infrequent but significant cause of acute lower abdominal pain in adolescent females that is difficult to recognize preoperatively, although prompt diagnosis and timely surgical treatment are vital to salvage the oviduct. CASE REPORT: A 17-yr-old virgin presented with sudden and severe right-sided lower abdominal pain with guarding and tenderness, fever, nausea, and vomiting at mid-cycle. Ultrasound scan showed a right ovarian cyst measuring 3 cm in diameter and a normal appendix. There was no leucocytosis. Presumptive diagnosis was a cystic ovarian follicle with ovulatory pain. Her condition improved but did not resolve with supportive treatment. At laparotomy, the right fallopian tube was twisted completely, distended with blood, and necrotic, with a small fimbrial cyst. The left tube, ovaries, appendix, and uterus were normal. Right salpingectomy was performed. Histologic examination revealed diffuse hemorrhagic infarction of the tube and a cyst of the hydatid of Morgagni. She remains well at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Unless a high index of suspicion is maintained for torsion of the fallopian tube in adolescent females, this disorder may not be detected until after tubal destruction.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = index (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/32. Spigelian hernia in a child: case report and review of the literature.Spigelian hernias (SHs) are rarely observed among children. The diagnosis is not difficult to make once it has been considered. The condition requires a high index of suspicion because of its high potential for life-threatening complications. A 12-year-old boy underwent open appendectomy for presumed acute appendicitis. A normal appendix found at laparotomy suggested another etiology for the acute abdomen. Incarceration of the greater omentum in a spigelian hernia was found, and the hernia repaired. The repair of pediatric SH is straightforward and utilizes endogenous tissues. patients should be followed up for as long as possible to develop data on the durability of the repair technique selected.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = index (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/32. Ruptured phaeochromocytoma--a lesson in acute abdomen.Phaeochromocytoma may present as acute abdomen. This report is of a patient with spontaneous rupture of phaeochromocytoma who presented with abdominal pain and a tender abdominal mass. Ruptured phaeochromocytoma is a rare surgical emergency, with only 30 cases reported in the literature. The classical clinical triad of signs is intense vasoconstriction, tachycardia, and labile blood pressure. Computed tomography scanning of the abdomen is the investigation of choice, and a high index of suspicion is the key to diagnosis. Prompt recognition, appropriate supportive measures, and early surgical intervention can improve the likelihood of survival.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = index (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/32. Midgut volvulus in an adult patient.The authors report on a case of midgut volvulus in a 27-year-old man who presented with bilious vomiting and acute abdominal pain. US demonstrated a reversal of the normal relationship between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and superior mesenteric vein (SMV). A clockwise whirlpool sign, diagnostic for midgut volvulus, was not visualised. In a further assessment, upper gastrointestinal series demonstrated obstruction in the second part of the duodenum highly suspicious of Ladd's bands. Malpositioning of bowel structures, as already suggested by the reversal of the SMA and SMV on ultrasound, and a distinctive whirl pattern due to the bowel wrapping around the SMA was demonstrated on CT. Furthermore angiography revealed focal twisting of the SMA. US is the first imaging modality to perform in suspicion of midgut volvulus. When inconclusive, CT is in our opinion the next stage in the diagnostic work-up.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.70401462543057keywords = assessment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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