Splenic Artery Pseudoaneurysm Management With Cyanoacrylate Glue: A Case Report.

We present the case of a 40-year-old female who presented with abdominal pain, hematochezia, and melena for the past week and was diagnosed with a pseudoaneurysm emanating from the mid-splenic artery. The patient was managed with endovascular cyanoacrylate glue embolization, resulting in the complete resolution of an impending catastrophic hemorrhagic shock.

Trends in upper gastrointestinal bleeding management.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) can be attributed to either non-variceal or variceal causes. The latter is more aggressive with hemodynamic instability secondary to decompensated cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Non-variceal UGIB (NVUGIB) occurs due to impaired gastroprotective mechanisms attributed to several drugs such as anticoagulants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Helicobacter pylori infection contributes to the development of peptic ulcer bleeding as well. NVUGIB presentation can be either hemodynamically stable or unstable. During the initial assessment a scoring system including patient-related factors (current cardiac, renal, and liver diseases and hemodynamic and laboratory parameters) is used to determine the patient's prognosis. The Glasgow Blatchford score has been shown to be the most useful and precise. Those with high-risk NVUGIB require urgent assessment and upper endoscopy to achieve better short-term and long-term outcomes such as less hospitalization, blood transfusion, and surgery.

Trends in Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Children: The Impact of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a significant concern in children, contributing to 6-20% of cases in pediatric intensive care units. This study evaluates the roles of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) usage in the etiology of UGIB in children, with a particular focus on trends observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 103 pediatric patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for UGIB between January 2015 and December 2023. Of these, 88 patients were included in the final analysis, where the source of bleeding was successfully identified. Hematemesis was the most common presentation, and the source of bleeding was identified in 85.43% of cases. The prevalence of H. pylori infection remained stable across the pre-pandemic (39.7%) and post-pandemic (36.7%) periods. However, NSAID usage increased nearly threefold during the pandemic, with 36.7% of post-pandemic UGIB cases associated with NSAID use, compared to 12.1% pre-pandemic. These findings underscore the significant roles of H. pylori and NSAID use in pediatric UGIB, with a notable increase in NSAID-related cases during the pandemic.

Case report: Endoscopic full-thickness resection of gastric metastatic tumor from renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common malignant kidney tumor; however, gastric metastasis is rare. We report the case of an 82-year-old male patient who developed gastric metastasis 12 years after an initial diagnosis of RCC. The patient underwent endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR), and the gastric metastatic focus was successfully removed. Postoperative pathology and immunohistochemistry showed that the gastric metastasis originated from RCC. Although gastric metastasis of RCC is rare, it should be suspected in patients with a history of RCC or gastrointestinal symptoms. EFTR is associated with reduced trauma and greater retention of gastric tissue and function. It is a more appropriate choice than surgical resection; however, it requires more endoscopists.

Intermittent melena and refractory anemia due to jejunal cavernous lymphangioma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Lymphangiomas in the gastrointestinal tract are extremely rare in adults. As a benign lesion, small intestine lymphangiomas often remain asymptomatic and pose challenges for definitive diagnosis. However, lymphangiomas can give rise to complications such as abdominal pain, bleeding, volvulus, and intussusception. Here, we report a case of jejunal cavernous lymphangioma that presented with intermittent melena and refractory anemia in a male adult. CASE SUMMARY: A 66-year-old man presented with intermittent melena, fatigue and refractory anemia nine months prior. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy were performed many times and revealed no apparent bleeding. Conservative management, including transfusion, hemostasis, gastric acid secretion inhibition and symptomatic treatment, was performed, but the lesions tended to recur shortly after surgery. Ultimately, the patient underwent capsule endoscopy, which revealed a more than 10 cm lesion accompanied by active bleeding. After single-balloon enteroscopy and biopsy, a diagnosis of jejunal cavernous lymphangioma was confirmed, and the patient underwent surgical resection. No complications or recurrences were observed postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Jejunal cavernous lymphangioma should be considered a cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Capsule endoscopy and single-balloon enteroscopy can facilitate diagnosis. Surgical resection is an effective management method.

Clinical Presentations and Risk Factors of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in the Emergency Department: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gastrointestinal bleeding is a major healthcare burden and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, clinical presentation, and risk factors of patients presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding in the emergency department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in two tertiary care hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The medical records of patients who presented to the emergency department with gastrointestinal bleeding between January 2010 and January 2020 were reviewed. Patients aged 18 years or older, with gastrointestinal bleeding (upper or lower) regardless of underlying cause, lifestyle, location of bleeding, health status, or medication use, were included. Demographic characteristics, initial vital signs, medical history, physical examination findings, comorbidities, medications, laboratory and radiological investigations, cause and stage of liver disease, management, and complications were recorded. Endoscopic findings and management of the bleeding site were collected according to the presenting symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 760 patients were included. The mean age was 62.7 ± 17.8 years, and 61.4% were males. The most common comorbidities at presentation were hypertension (54.1%), diabetes mellitus (51.2%), and ischemic heart disease (18.2%). The origins of the bleeding were lower gastrointestinal in 52% and upper gastrointestinal in 48% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Lower gastrointestinal bleeding was found to be more common than upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Hemorrhoids, polyps, diverticular disease, and colonic ulcers were the major risk factors for lower gastrointestinal bleeding. In contrast, upper gastrointestinal bleeding was predominantly caused by esophageal varices, gastritis, and peptic ulcers.

Congenital Gastric Teratoma Presenting with Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Case Report and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Gastric teratoma is an extremely rare tumor, representing <1% of all pediatric teratomas, and commonly manifests as a palpable abdominal mass. Upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding in newborns and infants is rare and is mostly caused by a benign lesion. CASE REPORT: We present a 3-month-old boy who presented with recurrent attacks of hematemesis, vomiting, and melena which on work up revealed a gastric teratoma. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Owing to the unique characteristics and the extreme rarity of this entity, accurate preoperative diagnosis has remained elusive.

Risk factors and outcomes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in hospitalized patients in a tertiary care hospital.

Objective: To determine different aetiologies and outcomes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in hospitalised patients. METHODS: The retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data from December 2019 to April 2021 related to adult patients of either gender with nongastrointestinal illnesses who developed bleeding at least 24 hours after admission. Data was reviewed for clinical characteristics, cause of bleeding and clinical outcome. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Among 47,337 hospitalised patients, upper gastrointestinal bleeding was identified in 147(0.3%); 98 (66.7%) males and 49 (33.3%) females. The overall mean age was 62.73±14.81 years (range 20-95 years). Of the total, 125(85%) presented with overt bleeding and 22(15%) with a drop in haemoglobin level. There were 34(23%) patients on aspirin, 36(24%) on dual anti-platelets, 41(28%) on therapeutic anticoagulation, and 81(55%) on prophylactic anticoagulation. There were 7(5%) patients having a history of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and 12(8%) were on steroids. In terms of associated medical conditions, pneumonia, stroke, and acute coronary syndrome were commonly seen with frequency of 29.9%, 8.1% and 7.4% respectively. Overall, 36(24.4%) patients underwent endoscopy, 8(5.4%) had therapeutic measures to control bleeding, 14(9.5%) had bleeding for >48 hours, 89(60.5%) were stepped up to special care. Mortality was seen in 36(24.5%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital acquired gastrointestinal bleeding was found to be uncommon, and there were several risk factors for such bleeding events.

Surgery for long tubular intestinal duplication with massive hemorrhage: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Long tubular duplication is a rare congenital intestinal disease, that can lead to emergency situations marked by massive hemorrhage. However, preoperative diagnosis and surgical treatment are challenging. This report presents preoperative images and details a surgical procedure for long tubular intestinal duplications with massive hemorrhage. CASE PRESENTATION: A 3-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with melena. Despite undergoing a Tc-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy one year prior, which revealed nonspecific findings with enhancement of some parts of the intestine, enhanced abdominal CT revealed an edematous small intestine with luminal extravasation. The patient received a transfusion of red blood cells; however, his hemoglobin level did not improve. Arterial angiography and double-balloon endoscopy revealed no remarkable findings. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a long tubular duplication in half of the small intestine. Utilizing the Wrenn procedure, we successfully removed all duplicate mucosa. Pathological findings showed that almost all duplications contained gastric mucosa and revealed an ulcer with a ruptured arterial vessel. His symptoms were resolved, and the hemoglobin level stabilized. At 2 months postoperatively, no surgical complications were present. CONCLUSIONS: Effective management of long tubular duplications with massive hemorrhage involves timely application of the Wrenn procedure. Recognition of specific imaging findings is crucial to prompt exploratory laparotomy, ensuring optimal outcomes and preventing delays in treatment.

Hookworm infestation as a rare cause of melaena in tropics: A case report.

Melaena due to hookworm infestation is a rare clinical presentation. It usually presents with symptoms of iron-deficiency anaemia owing to slow blood loss. Here we present a case of 45-year male who presented with a one-year history of intermittent melena requiring multiple blood transfusions. Preliminary endoscopies at different centres were normal. The presence of hookworm in the duodenum was only detected on repeat upper endoscopy as the cause of blood loss, and treatment with albendazole was successful in curing the patient.

Gastrointestinal bleeding in children: diagnostic approach.

Different conditions may underlie gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in children. The estimated prevalence of GIB in children is 6.4%, with spontaneous resolution in approximately 80% of cases. Nonetheless, the initial approach plays a pivotal role in determining the prognosis. The priority is the stabilization of hemodynamic status, followed by a systematic diagnostic approach. GIB can originate from either upper or lower gastrointestinal tract, leading to a broad differential diagnosis in infants and children. This includes benign and self-limiting disorders, alongside serious conditions necessitating immediate treatment. We performed a nonsystematic review of the literature, in order to describe the variety of conditions responsible for GIB in pediatric patients and to outline diagnostic pathways according to patients' age, suspected site of bleeding and type of bleeding which can help pediatricians in clinical practice. Diagnostic modalities may include esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography or computed tomography and, when necessary, magnetic resonance imaging. In this review, we critically assess these procedures, emphasizing their respective advantages and limitations concerning specific clinical scenarios.

Splenic abscess with spontaneous gastrosplenic fistula: case report and review of the literature.

Gastrosplenic fistula (GSF) is an unusual event that might occur in patients with various gastric or splenic diseases. While GSF related to gastric and splenic malignancies is well-documented in the literature, cases of GSF due to a splenic abscess are extremely rare. We experienced the case of a 49-year-old man with a medical history of tricuspid cardiac valve replacement for infective endocarditis who presented with a sudden onset of anemia and melena. With the assistance of imaging and endoscopy, a primary splenic abscess complicated by spontaneous GSF was diagnosed. A prompt splenectomy with partial gastrectomy was performed. GSF is a serious occurrence associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. The early recognition of GSF related to a splenic abscess is crucial to prevent major complications. Surgical resection with splenectomy and partial gastrectomy is frequently preferred for the treatment of large abscesses with GSF.

A Rare Case of Acquired Factor VIII Deficiency in an Elderly Male With a History of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) or factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency is caused by autoantibodies targeting FVIII in the blood coagulation pathway; it is a rare condition making it challenging to diagnose. A timely diagnosis is crucial, without which there is a risk of catastrophic bleeding. We report a case of a patient with a history of duodenal arteriovenous malformations, previously on apixaban, who presented with four days of melena. On admission he was found to have a hemoglobin of 5.7 and elevated partial thromboplastin time (PTT), promoting further workup showing FVIII levels of <1%, with a mixing study that failed to correct suggesting the presence of inhibitors against FVIII. Other characteristics of this patient's cases included controlled rheumatoid arthritis without detectable rheumatoid factor or increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The patient was initially treated with prednisone and intravenous immunoglobulins, but an insufficient response prompted the initiation of recombinant factor VII, rituximab, and cyclophosphamide during hospitalization.

Prospective observational study on clinical and epidemiological profile of adult patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected upper gastrointestinal bleed.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract is one of the common medical emergencies. In this study, we assessed patients' socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and the association of clinical characteristics with treatment outcomes among patients with suspected upper gastrointestinal bleed (UGIB) presenting to the emergency department (ED). At present, there is a scarcity of data on UGIB in Northern part of India. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was a single-center, prospective observational study conducted at an urban tertiary care center. Consecutive patients with suspected UGIB were enrolled in the study from August 2020 to February 2022. A detailed history was obtained, including demographic data such as age and sex, presenting complaints, history of presenting illness, history related to co-morbidities, addiction, and drug history. Pre-endoscopic Rockall and Glasgow-Blatchford Score were calculated for each patient. The patients were subsequently followed up till discharge from the hospital. The final outcomes with regard to mortality, need for blood transfusion, length of emergency department stay, and discharge were noted. RESULT: 141 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients with suspected UGIB was 48 ± 14 years. 115 (81.6%) patients were male. The most common co-morbidity was chronic liver disease (40;28.4%). The most frequent presenting complaint in this study was hematemesis (96; 68.1%), followed by melena (76;53.9%). The mean (Standard Deviation, SD) of the Rockall Score was 2.46 ± 1.75. The mean (SD) of the Glasgow Blatchford Score was 12.46 ± 3.15 in patients with UGIB. CONCLUSION: In our study, hematemesis was the most prevalent symptom of suspected UGIB, followed by melena. Portal hypertension was the most common cause of UGIB. Most frequent comorbidities in patients suspected of UGIB were alcohol intake, Nonsteriodal Antiinflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) abuse, and co-morbidities such as underlying chronic liver disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Early endoscopy can be of great utility to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Pure testicular choriocarcinoma with gastrointestinal metastasis and paraneoplastic symptoms: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pure testicular choriocarcinoma is a rare type of non-seminomatous germ cell tumor extremely poor prognostic with the tendency to bleed at the metastatic site. At the time of the diagnosis, 70% of patients have metastatic lesions. Depending on the site of the metastasis, symptoms vary. Gastrointestinal involvement is seen in less than 5% of cases, mostly in the duodenum. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 47 years old male with testicular choriocarcinoma involving the jejunum, lung, liver, and kidney presenting with acute abdominal pain, melena, and dyspnea with some paraneoplastic symptoms. The patient had increased, severe and constant pain in the right lower quadrant for the previous four days. Additionally, he was complaining of nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and a history of melena for the last 10 days. Dyspnea on exertion, hemoptysis, and dry cough were the symptoms he was suffering from, for almost one year. The patient's general appearance was pale, ill, and thin with 10 kg of weight loss during the last some months. The computed tomography (CT) scan reported multiple metastatic lesions in both liver lobes and the left kidney. Pathologic study of the samples of small bowel lesions showed metastatic choriocarcinoma. Following the patient had been referred to an oncologist to start the chemotherapy regime. Finally, the patient has expired after 40 days of his first admission. CONCLUSIONS: Testicular choriocarcinoma is a rare but fatal malignancy among young men. Gastrointestinal metastases are infrequent involvement represented by melena and acute abdominal pain, obstruction, and mass. Physicians should consider it as a differential diagnosis for acute abdomen and gastrointestinal bleeding causation.

Long Tubular Duplication of the Small Intestine - Lessons Learnt from a Common Presentation of a Rare Disease.

Long tubular duplication of the small intestine is one of the most difficult surgical challenges. The presence of heterotopic gastric mucosa necessitates resection of the duplicated bowel, but shared vascularity with the normal adjoining bowel makes the task daunting. We present a case of long tubular small intestinal duplication with certain special surgical and perioperative challenges which were successfully managed.

Jejunal lipoma: A rare cause of small bowel bleeding.

Prompt endoscopic recognition as well as histopathological examination are crucial for establishing the diagnosis and management of small bowel lipomas complicated by bleeding.

Gastrointestinal angiodysplasias diagnosed using video capsule endoscopy in 15 dogs.

BACKGROUND: Angiodysplasia (AGD) is rarely diagnosed in dogs with gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and is reported in case reports in dogs. OBJECTIVE: Describe signalment, clinical and diagnostic features of dogs with gastrointestinal (GI) AGD diagnosed by video capsule endoscopy (VCE). ANIMALS: Dogs with overt or suspected GIB which underwent VCE. METHODS: Dogs for which a VCE was submitted for overt or suspected GIB from 2016 to 2021 were selected retrospectively. Medical records and full-length VCE recordings where AGDs were initially detected, were reviewed by 2 trained internists. AGD was considered definitive if 2 readers detected it. Signalment, clinical signs, blood work, medications, concurrent diseases, findings of previous conventional endoscopy, and surgical exploration (if applicable) of dogs with AGD were recorded. RESULTS: Definitive AGD was diagnosed in 15 of 291 (5%) dogs (12 males, 3 females). Twelve (80%) had overt GIB, 11 (73%) had hematochezia, and 6 (40%) had microcytic and hypochromic anemia. AGD was missed by conventional endoscopy in 9/9 dogs and exploratory surgery in 3/3 dogs. Thirteen capsules were administered by mouth (1 incomplete study), and 2 via endoscopy directly into the duodenum. AGD was visualized in the stomach of 3 dogs, in the small intestine of 4, and in the colon of 13 dogs. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Although rare, AGD should be considered in dogs with suspected GIB after a negative conventional endoscopy or surgical exporation. Video capsuel endoscopy appears to be a sensitive test to identify AGD within the GI tract.