Surgical repair of rectus abdominis rupture with rectus sheath hematoma due to chronic cough and prolonged anticoagulant therapy in a COVID-19 patient: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Herein, we present an unexpected rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) complication due to chronic COVID-19 related cough and prolonged anticoagulation therapy. COVID-19 usually presents with respiratory symptoms, such as cough. Anticoagulants are used in severe cases of COVID-19 as well as in mechanical heart valve replacement to prevent thrombosis. However, there is a high risk of bleeding. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a rare case of a 74-year-old woman who presented with a COVID-19 related cough persistent over two months, and was also undertaking warfarin daily for 10 years due to mechanical mitral valve replacement. Computed Tomography (CT) scan revealed retroperitoneal and rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) as well as rectus abdominis muscle rupture. She had hemorrhagic shock due to rapid hematoma expansion to the right and left flank as well as to the back. Thus, she required an emergency surgery in which the hematoma was excised and the rectus abdominis muscle was sutured. The patient was discharged and has completely recovered. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Many factors and mechanisms contribute to the formation of the RSH and the rupture of rectus abdominis muscle, including severe cough and anticoagulants. CONCLUSION: Although the use of anticoagulants is necessary for patients who underwent mechanical valve replacement or for COVID-19 patients as a prophylaxis of thrombotic complication, RSH should be kept in mind and carefully monitored as it may require surgical intervention in severe cases.

A 16-year-old boy presented with triple-A syndrome associated with neuromuscular disorders: a case report.

Introduction and importance: Allgrove syndrome (AS) (AAA syndrome) is a rare autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the AAAS gene located on chromosome 12q13. The AAAS gene encodes for the ALADIN protein (alacrima, achalasia, adrenal insufficiency, neurologic disorder). AS can manifest with a plethora of symptoms. Early recognition of the syndrome remains challenging due to its rarity and progressive nature. This report presents an unusual case of triple-A syndrome (TAS) with concurrent neuromuscular manifestations. Understanding the atypical presentation of this syndrome is vital for early diagnosis and appropriate management. Case presentation: We report a 16-year-old boy with severe malnutrition presented with painful swallowing, fatigue, and bilateral congenital ptosis. Barium swallow, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and Shimmer test were performed, which led to the diagnosis of TAS. Treatment included laparoscopic Heller's procedure, artificial tears, hydrocortisone. Clinical discussion: TAS, also known as AS, is a rare multisystem disorder characterized by achalasia, Addison's disease, and alacrima. This syndrome is occasionally referred to as 4A syndrome due to the inclusion of autonomic dysfunction. There is no treatment for AS. Management includes artificial tears for alacrima, glucocorticoid replacement therapy to treat adrenal insufficiency, and treatment of achalasia. Conclusion: This case emphasizes the importance of considering atypical presentations of TAS. Early diagnosis and treatment are paramount in addressing the varied components of this rare disorder. Understanding the clinical complexities of this syndrome aids in improved patient care and underscores the necessity for comprehensive evaluation and management in similar cases.

A pregnant women with history of hashimoto's thyroiditis diagnosed with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: the first case report.

BACKGROUND: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a benign, self-limiting disorder characterized by regional lymphadenopathy. Clinical symptoms range from mild fever and tenderness to upper respiratory syndrome. A few cases have been observed during pregnancy or Hashimoto's disease. What we describe here is the first observed case of KFD in a pregnant woman with a history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old woman presented to Aleppo University Hospital during the 13th week of gestation with a painful cervical node on the right side of her neck. The patient's previous medical history confirmed Hashimoto's thyroiditis for several years. After histopathological examinations and radiological investigations, she was diagnosed with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease and treated with corticosteroids. Although the patient did not adhere to the treatment very well due to her concerns for the fetus, the clinical picture improved after delivery. The patient now is on follow-up and continuing the current treatment with corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS: Further investigations need to be conducted to understand the possible autoimmune etiology of KFD when it is associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis disease. It is also necessary to understand the relationship between this disease and pregnancy.

Gastrogastric herniation: An unusual complication following greater curve plication for the treatment of morbid obesity: Case report.

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for obese patients. Laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) is a good, effective and feasible surgical option for the treatment of obese patients. But it has some complications that should be considered such as gastric remnant distention, stomal stenosis and marginal ulcers. Here, we reported an extremely rare complication "gastro-gastric herniation". This condition was diagnosed through upper gastrointestinal contrast imaging and treated through laparoscopy. The hernia was invaginated and firm continuous sutures were placed. We followed the patient for one year and the results were great. Thus, we can add gastro-gastric hernia to the medical literature as a rare complication of laparoscopic greater curvature gastric plication, and It is considered a serious condition that requires immediate treatment and follow-up.

Managing misdiagnosed gingival squamous cell carcinoma (GSCC) with occult symptoms: A report of two cases.

INTRODUCTION: importance: Gingival squamous cell carcinoma (GSCC) is a rare neoplasm. GSCC has nonspecific features which commonly misdiagnosed with a simple toothache. CASE PRESENTATION: These are two cases; the first one describes a 62-year-old female who presented with pain in her right posterior mandibular teeth, and she was misdiagnosed with periodontal disease, but later histopathological tests confirmed gingival squamous cell carcinoma (GSCC). Consequently, the patient underwent surgery, and the gingival tumor was totally resected. Afterward, the patient was receiving chemotherapy, and the radiotherapy was postponed until the chemotherapy completion.The second case is of a 58-year-old female who presented with pain in her mandibular incisors, and she developed a dermal fistula on her chin and therefore underwent several gingival curettages. The following histopathologic tests confirmed GSCC so she underwent surgery, after the surgery it was planned to give her chemotherapy. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: GSCC is a rare neoplasm with a 6% incidence of all oral malignancies. GSCC is a very challenging cancer for a physician or a pathologist to diagnose because GSCC usually mimics the characteristics of a large variety of diseases and abnormalities. Unlike oral neoplasms, GSCC has the least association with smoking. This may lead to make mistakes in the treatment or misdiagnose it until the late-stage of GSCC. CONCLUSION: Despite the rare incidence of Gingival squamous cell carcinoma (GSCC), clinicians should consider GSCC while investigating any localized lesion with nonspecific oral symptoms.

Gluteal muscles primary hydatid cyst after cortical bone destruction in the sacrum.

INTRODUCTION: Hydatid disease is caused by infection of Echinococcus Granulosus. Usually Hydatid Cysts occur in the liver and lungs. Presenting hydatid cysts in bone without hepatic affectation is rare and occurs in 0.5-2% of cases. Hence, this rare case makes the diagnosis difficult for the clinicians and, as a result, misdiagnosis of sacral Echinococcosis is common. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The authors report on a 47-year male with primary sacral hydatidosis and 34 years of recurrence. He was admitted with compressive neurological symptoms like tingling pain, numbness, sciatica and foot drop. He has undergone 8 operations and has been treated with Albendazole. He has developed a Sacro-cutaneous fistula. DISCUSSION: When assessing sciatica, low back pain or lower limb weakness the pelvic cavity should be examined for hidden disease that might explain the neurological symptoms. CONCLUSION: A missed diagnosis of osseous Hydatidosis could be devastating. Accordingly, the sacral Hydatid cyst must be included as a differential diagnosis for compressive neurological symptoms. In clinical practice, surgery remains the gold standard for treating osseous Hydatidosis.

A rare case of pelvic primitive neuroectodermal tumor with misleading symptoms: A case report.

Peripheral Primitive NeuroEctodermal Tumors (pPNETs) are rare highly malignant tumors; originating from the neuroectoderm. Although PNETs may arise in various locations (most commonly in the extremities), very few cases have been reported in the pelvis. There is still poor evidence about the management of these tumors in the literature. We present a rare case of pelvic PNET in a 20-year-old male. The patient presented with symptoms mimicking a lumbar disk hernia, which delayed the diagnosis. He was managed with a combination of a debulking procedure, adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy; and has been in remission for 2 years upon follow-up. This case highlights the importance of diagnosing such aggressive tumors as early as possible (as prognosis may vary significantly), and the challenge in the management of PNETs due to poor evidence.

Uncommon musculoskeletal femoral hydatid cyst disturbs a female for a year: Case report.

"Hydatid cyst" which also known as cystic Echinococcosis is a parasitic infestation caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. The liver and lungs are the most sites to occur. Incidence in muscles is exceptionally rare. We report a case of a 36-year-old female presented with an uncomfortable mass in the upper medial of her right thigh without any presence of other symptoms. She lived in a rural area in Manbij, which is an endemic area of hydatid cysts in Syria. She was a shepherdess; therefore she had direct contact with sheep and dogs. Ultrasound examination showed a cyst located between adductor longus muscle and gracilis muscle closed to the deep femoral artery. The patient was treated with pharmaceutical therapy for a week before cystectomy, which was done under general anesthesia. The cyst was dissected between the fibers of adductor longus muscle from the lateral side and fibers of the gracilis muscle from the medial side. The cyst with all its layers was resected. Musculoskeletal Echinococcosis is a rare disease, because of intramuscular growth of cysts is restricted by muscle's contractility, the muscles are undesirable habitat for Echinococcus granulosus and because of the hepatic barrier role. Many cysts are revealed by complications such as nerve compressions, infections simulating an acute abscess or a malignant tumor. Hydatid cyst present as mass of soft tissue, particularly in endemic areas, as a result of contaminated water. MRI considered the best technique in the diagnosis.

Trichobezoar in a young girl caused by ingestion of bristles brush for more than a decade: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Trichobezoar is a rare cause of bowel obstruction. In general, Trichobezoars are composed of hair and usually found incidentally in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or imaging. Patients diagnosed with Trichobezoar may have psychiatric disorders. DISCUSSION: Trichobezoars cause nonspecific symptoms like asymptomatic abdominal mass, vomiting, nausea, and anorexia. Diagnosis of Trichobezoar is made by endoscopic examination and radiological methods. Therapeutic options for trichobeazoar are chemical dissolution, endoscopic removal or surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we present a case of an 18-year-old girl who has a unique type of Trichobezoars caused by ingestion of hair and bristle clothes brush for 14 years. She presented to the surgical clinic complaining of vomiting, anorexia and epigastric mass. Abdominal computed tomography scanner showed nonattached intragastric mass which was consistent with trichobezoar. The patient was managed by surgical removal of the intragastric mass. CONCLUSION: Trichobezoar is caused by chronic ingestion of hair; it is commonly seen in young females who may have psychological disorders, such as trichophagia and trichotillomania. Common symptoms are abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. Surgical intervention is performed for the majority of the patients.