1/26. Progressive bouts of acute abdomen: pet the peritoneum.The recent discovery of the mutated gene responsible for familial mediterranean fever (FMF) is supposed to facilitate its diagnosis which up till now is a clinical one because there are no specific laboratory tests. The sensitivity of genetic testing is limited because these tests search only for known mutations. In this case report we describe a patient with periodic abdominal pain in whom the diagnosis of FMF was wrongly discarded because of lack of a durable effect of colchicine and negative genetic testing. Diffuse peritoneal inflammation was nicely demonstrated by a FDG-PET (fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron-emission tomography) performed during a typical crisis. We discuss the possible diagnostic pitfalls and conclude that a crisis-PET might upgrade the level of diagnostic certainty in equivocal cases.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sensitivity (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/26. A preventable cause of acute abdomen.Haemoperitoneum is an extremely rare presentation of hepatocellular carcinoma in the industrialised world. We present the first reported case in the UK. In contrast, up to 10% of hepatocellular carcinomas in africa present in this way, the median time between presentation and death being just six weeks. hepatitis b infection at birth and during childhood is the major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma in the developing world. The world health Organisation, UNICEF and the World Bank have all advocated routine hepatitis b vaccination of children. This can reduce the burden of disease in these communities, among people in their productive years of life.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.9824681533945keywords = contrast (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/26. Primary epiploic appendagitis: MRI findings.Primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) occurs secondary to inflammation of an epiploic appendage, and is considered to be a rare cause of acute abdomen. In this case report, we describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of PEA correlated with computed tomographic (CT) findings. MRI findings included an oval shaped fat intensity mass with a central dot on T1- and T2-weighted images, which possessed an enhancing rim on postgadolinium T1-weighted fat saturated images. The lesion was best visualized on postcontrast T1-weighted fat saturated images. MRI findings of PEA should be considered in the differential diagnosis with the other causes of acute abdominal pain.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 4.9521171745155keywords = visual, contrast (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/26. Acute abdomen due to late retroperitoneal extravasation from a femoral venous catheter in a newborn.CONTEXT: The use of parenteral nutrition via a central venous catheter is a common practice in the neonatal intensive care setting. Extravasation of the infusate leading to an acute abdomen is a complication that has only rarely been documented. This report describes the case of a premature infant with a femoral catheter placed in the inferior vena cava, who developed an acute abdomen as a result of late retroperitoneal extravasation of parenteral nutrition. CASE REPORT: A pre-term infant receiving total parenteral nutrition via a femoral venous catheter developed an acute abdomen five days after the catheter placement. Extravascular catheter migration to the retroperitoneal space and extravasation of the infusate was diagnosed by contrast injection. Withdrawal of the catheter was followed by prompt cessation of the signs and full recovery from the acute abdomen, without the need for surgery. A review of the literature is presented, emphasizing the clinical and therapeutic aspects of this unusual complication from femoral venous catheterization and parenteral nutrition.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.9824681533945keywords = contrast (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/26. Abdominal surgical emergencies in the puerperium.Since surgical emergencies in the puerperium are rare, surgeons and obstetricians amass little experience of them. There may be considerable delay in making a diagnosis, firstly, because the abdominal symptoms are thought to be related to the pregnancy, and, secondly, because the signs are rarely convincing in contrast to the symptoms. Any of the common surgical emergencies may occur in pregnancy and the puerperium and there are some others that appear to be a particullar problem of the puerperium.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.9824681533945keywords = contrast (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/26. Urgent contrast enhanced computed tomography in the diagnosis of acute bowel infarction.Bowel infarction commonly presents as an acute abdomen that rapidly progresses to severe shock. The diagnosis is often not clinically suspected. Three cases are described where the diagnosis was made during dynamic contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT), when gas was demonstrated in the portal venous system and liver. Two patients died during surgery, the third survived because of the prompt diagnosis made on CT, and subsequent surgical treatment. The radiological findings are reviewed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 9.9123407669725keywords = contrast (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/26. 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 = 2.969649021121keywords = visual (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/26. Peritoneoscopic placement of peritoneal dialysis catheter and bowel perforation: experience of an interventional nephrology program.BACKGROUND: Bowel perforation is an uncommon but serious complication of peritoneoscopic peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertion. The approach to diagnosis of bowel perforation utilizing this technique has not been previously published. The authors report their experience with the diagnosis and management of bowel perforation in the context of peritoneoscopic placement of PD catheters. methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 750 PD catheters inserted over a 12-year period (January 1991 to May 2003) utilizing peritoneoscopic technique. RESULTS: Six (0.8%) patients experienced bowel perforation during the procedure. The diagnosis was made immediately during the procedure in 5 (83%) of the 6 patients. Of these 5, peritoneoscopy confirmed intrabowel position of the cannula by visualizing bowel mucosa (n = 3) and hard stool (n = 1). The fifth patient showed extrusion of fecal matter upon trocar withdrawal before peritoneoscopy. All 5 had emanation of foul-smelling gas through the cannula. Bowel rest and broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics were initiated. Of the 5, 1 required surgery, whereas the others were discharged home after 3 days. The sixth patient had fever, severe peritoneal irritation, and polymicrobial peritonitis the morning after the procedure. In this patient, no evidence of bowel injury was noted during the procedure except for brief emanation of foul-smelling gas. He required surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Bowel perforation can be diagnosed immediately in most patients undergoing peritoneoscopic PD catheter insertion. A majority of these patients can be treated medically. The surgical team should be consulted if the patient shows clinical deterioration or has signs of peritoneal irritation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2.969649021121keywords = visual (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/26. Ruptured appendicitis after laparoscopic Roux-enY gastric bypass: pitfalls in diagnosing a surgical abdomen in the morbidly obese.A recent gastric bypass can mask the symptoms of an acute abdomen. physical examination is generally unreliable and subtle clinical symptoms or signs should alert clinicians to a significant postoperative problem. In morbidly obese patients, the presence of overt peritoneal findings is usually ominous, leading to sepsis, organ failure and death. We report a case of ruptured appendicitis following a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The patient developed tachycardia, fever, and leukocytosis in the absence of abdominal pain or positive upper GI contrast studies. Eventually, a CT scan revealed a large pelvic abscess and inflammation. A subsequent exploratory laparotomy confirmed a perforated appendicitis with pelvic peritonitis. Her recovery was rapid and uneventful. This case highlights the pitfalls in promptly diagnosing an unrelated acute surgical abdomen postoperatively in the morbidly obese patient. The need for extreme vigilance and a low threshold for aggressive intervention in the period after bariatric surgery is emphasized.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.9824681533945keywords = contrast (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/26. Spontaneous rupture of adrenal pheochromocytoma with capsular invasion.A 67-year-old Japanese man developed a sudden onset of severe right-side upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. On hospitalization, physical examination revealed sweating, tachycardia, hypertension and the appearance of peripheral vasoconstriction. An urgent computed tomography scan with contrast demonstrated a large hematoma in the right retroperitoneal space. A phentolamine test and an 131iodine metaiodobenzylguanidine scan suggested pheochromocytoma. An elective right adrenalectomy was successfully performed after pretreatment for sufficient volume replacement with continuous administration of alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocking agents. Pathological diagnosis was an adrenal pheochromocytoma 9.0 x 6.5 cm in diameter with evidence of capsular invasion, which could be associated with a tear in the capsule.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.9824681533945keywords = contrast (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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