1/4. duodenal ulcer perforation and pneumothorax: a case report.pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum are rarely observed as a complication of perforated peptic ulcer, which is a common cause of acute abdomen. We report a case of a 30-year-old male patient with abdominal pain and respiratory distress. Resulting from physical examination and laboratory data of the patient, acute abdomen and pneumothorax were diagnosed simultaneously. laparotomy revealed duodenal ulcer perforation and a simple patch closure was performed. No complications were observed during the postoperative course of the patient.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. Occult duodenal perforation complicating cerebral infarction: new problems in diagnosis of Cushing's ulcer.Cushing's ulcers of the duodenum are well known complications of neurosurgery, head trauma, and other causes of increased intracranial pressure. Perforation of Cushing's ulcer of the duodenum is infrequently described. That the use of high-dose corticosteroids for cerebrovascular infarct in an aphasic patient may obscure the symptomatology and physical findings of a perforated Cushing's ulcer has not been described to our knowledge. We report a patient with a large left hemispherical infarct and resultant aphasia who developed a perforated duodenal ulcer and extensive chemical peritonitis while receiving high dose corticosteroids for increased intracranial pressure. She was unable to register any complaints and the typical physical findings of perforated duodenal ulcer with chemical peritonitis were virtually absent. A high index of suspicion must be maintained for a perforated Cushing's duodenal ulcer in the patient receiving high dose dexamethasone despite the presence of nonspecific symptomatology and abdominal findings. Elevated serum gastrin levels, as in this patient, may also indicate the patients with increased intracranial pressure who are at greater risk for developing Cushing's ulcer.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. Perforated peptic ulcer in the elderly.From 1973 through 1979, 32 patients over 60 years of age were admitted to the Beth israel Medical Center, new york, because of a perforated gastric or duodenal ulcer. In many of them, the symptoms and physical findings were minimal. In abdominal roentgenograms (subject erect or supine), only 17 (60 percent) of these patients showed free intraperitoneal air. Among the 29 surgically treated patients, plication of the ulcer was performed in 28 and hemigastrectomy-vagotomy in one. The postoperative morbidity rate was 62 percent, and the mortality rate 17 percent. In 3 of the 32 patients, the diagnosis of perforated ulcer was established only at autopsy. Thus, failure to diagnose this condition accurately may be the principal cause of death in elderly patients with a perforated peptic ulcer. The increased use is recommended of contrast roentgenograms of the stomach and duodenum and of endoscopy, in an effort to improve diagnostic accuracy in dealing with perforated peptic ulcers.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. From emergency room to morgue: deaths due to undiagnosed perforated peptic ulcers. Report of four cases with review of the literature.peptic ulcer perforation is well recognized as a cause of peritonitis and can result in death. Although amenable to surgery, delay in making the correct diagnosis results in increased mortality. Accurate diagnosis has been hindered by demographic changes in the affected population. In recent years, the population at risk has increased. Specifically, a rising incidence has been observed in women, in the elderly, and in patients with previously undiagnosed peptic ulcer disease. Described are four patients with perforated peptic ulcers, three of which were not detected prior to autopsy. In three of the four instances the patient had been observed in and discharged from a hospital emergency room during the 30 h prior to death. In the fourth case, the decedent had been seen in and discharged from the emergency room four times during the month prior to death. In all patients, the presenting historical, physical, and/or radiographic findings were indicative of perforation. The death of a patient within days of a visit to an emergency room should prompt a forensic autopsy. The role of medical examiners in providing quality assurance feedback to emergency rooms located within their jurisdiction is emphasized.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |