Sepsis Secondary to Bacteroides Fragilis Tubo-Ovarian Abscess Requiring Hysterectomy and Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy.

A 45-year-old, G0P0 premenopausal woman was admitted for investigation of right lower quadrant pain, fever, leucocytosis and right adnexal abscess on CT. She was started on intravenous antibiotics and underwent CT-guided percutaneous drainage from which Bacteroides fragilis was cultured. A few days later, she had an exploratory laparotomy with incision and drainage. Once stabilised, she was discharged on intravenous antibiotics. She was followed outpatient and subsequent imaging demonstrated significant improvement of the abscess. After being asymptomatic for 3 months, she again presented to the emergency department with right lower quadrant abdominal pain, fever and leucocytosis. Two days later, she underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. She made a full recovery and began treatment with a herbal oestrogen derivative to prevent early menopause.

[The Vulnerable Heel of Achilles: Intratendinous Abscess Following a Cat Bite]. / Die vulnerable Ferse des Achilles ­ intratendinöser Abszess nach Katzenbiss.

An 83-year-old patient suffered a cat bite dorsally to the Achilles tendon. In the further course, he developed an isolated intratendinous abscess of the Achilles tendon, which was surgically revised twice and subsequently healed with antibiotic treatment. In Germany, about 40,000 bite injuries of different origins occur annually. Most of these injuries are cat or dog bites, while human bites are rare. Although the course is often complicated, there are no standard recommendations for treatment. An intratendinous abscess after animal bite injury has not been described in the literature as yet.

Bacteroides pyogenes causing serious human wound infection from animal bites.

Bacteroides pyogenes is part of the normal oral flora of domestic animals. There is one previous report of human infection, with B. pyogenes bacteremia following a cat bite (Madsen 2011). We report seven severe human infections where B. pyogenes was identified by Bruker matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDTI-TOF MS), but not by VITEK MS and was misidentified by VITEK ANC card.

[DYNAMICS OF INDICES OF A LOCAL IMMUNITY IN AN ACUTE APPENDICITIS].

Abstract The results of investigation on dynamics of a local immunity indices in an acute appendicitis, depending on the pathological process stage as well as on bacteriological investigation of parietal microflora of processus vermicularis, were adduced. The sIgA and lisocymal dynamics have witnessed that while a destructive process progressing their concentration was enhanced, and in a gangrenous acute appendicitis they practically disappeared. Due to affection of a barrier function of the processus vermicularis wall a favorable conditions were created for the microorganisms intramural translocation as well as to abdominal cavity.

Post-Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Complicated with Mycotic Aneurysm Rupture, Repaired by Redo Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair.

Mycotic aneurysms although rare can be devastating. We encountered a dialysis patient with rapidly expanding distal aortic arch aneurysm who underwent axilloaxillary bypass and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Three months later, he suffered mycotic aneurysm rupture for which redo TEVAR was performed. Antibiotic therapy was discontinued 16 weeks after the second operation, and renal transplantation was performed 6 months later. Dialysis was discontinued in the patient without infection recurrence.

[Pylephlebitis: a rare but possible complication of intra-abdominal infections]. / Pileflebitis: una extraña pero posible complicación de las infecciones intraabdominales.

BACKGROUND: Pylephlebitis or septic thrombophlebitis of the portal venous system is a rare but serious complication of intra-abdominal infections which drain into the portal venous system. Its diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion and imaging tests, mainly a computed tomography scan, given the lack of specificity of the signs and symptoms. Spread of septic emboli is the major cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to analyse patients diagnosed in our hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study of patients diagnosed with pylephlebitis in our hospital. CLINICAL CASES: Four patients were included, 3 men and one woman. In 3 cases it was acute cholecystitis that led to the diagnosis of pylephlebitis at the same time as the intra-abdominal infection. Emergency surgery was performed in one case, whilst the other 2 were treated conservatively. Blood cultures were performed in all cases, and empirical antibiotic treatment was used. In the only case of acute appendicitis, diagnosis of pylephlebitis was achieved during the study of postoperative fever, with empirical antibiotic treatment also being started. The haematologist was requested to start the required anticoagulation therapy in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Pylephlebitis is a rare complication of intra-abdominal infections that may make lead to a worse outcome. A high level of suspicion is required as well as imaging tests to make an early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Successful treatment of mediastinitis in a young child by omental translocation following extracardiac Fontan graft placement.

Mediastinitis after a midline sternotomy can become a serious complication, especially after implantation of prosthetic vascular grafts. We present a case of a three-year-old boy with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who developed mediastinitis following his third-stage palliation (Fontan operation). Rather than following the "traditional" surgical therapy of graft explantation, debridement, and replacement, we chose to preserve the graft and protect it by omental translocation. The relative merits of this therapeutic approach, which is rarely utilized and underappreciated in children, are outlined and discussed.

[Spontaneous renal forniceal rupture with suspicious ovarian mass]. / Urétéro-hydronéphrose avec rupture du fornix sur masse ovarienne suspecte.

Extravasation of urine following rupture of the renal fornix is a rare complication mostly caused by obstruction secondary to distal ureteric stones. This 35-year-old woman was referred with back pain. Her CT scan revealed rupture of the renal fornix secondary to a pelvic mass. Laparoscopy subsequently confirmed this to be an ovarian abscess. We report the first case of spontaneous renal forniceal rupture secondary to pelvic inflammatory disease.

Bacteroides fragilis vertebral osteomyelitis complicated by percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report of anaerobic vertebral osteomyelitis after percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis. OBJECTIVE: To present a case of Bacteroides fragilis spondylodiscitis (BFS) secondary to percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis in a 38-year-old woman without predisposing factors. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Most cases of BFS result from hematogenous spread from a perianal abscess or sigmoidoscopy or local spread from an adjacent infection. However, BFS due to direct inoculation after percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis has not been previously reported. METHODS: A 38-year-old woman presented with spondylodiscitis at the L4-L5 level 2 weeks after percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis. Despite empirical antibiotherapy, the spondylodiscitis and an epidural abscess became much aggravated. Open biopsy and curettage was performed, and metronidazole sensitive Bacteroides fragilis was identified by tissue culture. RESULTS: Metronidazole was administrated for 5 weeks and symptoms were completely resolved. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed that the spondylodiscitis was completely cured. CONCLUSION: This is the first report to be issued regarding BFS secondary to percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis. In our case, the pathogenesis may have been direct inoculation of Bacteroides fragilis into the epidural space and disc during percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis because the procedural approach used was adjacent to the anus.

Mastoid subperiosteal abscess in children: drainage or mastoidectomy?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the management of mastoid subperiosteal abscess using two different surgical approaches: simple mastoidectomy and abscess drainage. METHOD: The medical records of 34 children suffering from acute mastoiditis with subperiosteal abscess were retrospectively reviewed. In these cases, the initial surgical approach consisted of either myringotomy plus simple mastoidectomy or myringotomy plus abscess drainage. RESULTS: Thirteen children were managed with simple mastoidectomy and 21 children were initially managed with abscess drainage. Of the second group, 12 children were cured without further treatment while 9 eventually required mastoidectomy. None of the children developed complications during hospitalisation, or long-term sequelae. CONCLUSION: Simple mastoidectomy remains the most effective procedure for the management of mastoid subperiosteal abscess. Drainage of the abscess represents a simple and risk-free, but not always curative, option. It can be safely used as an initial, conservative approach in association with myringotomy and sufficient antibiotic coverage, with simple mastoidectomy reserved for non-responding cases.

A clinical case of Fournier gangrene.

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of Fournier gangrene and the specific surgical therapy CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year old patient with a two days history of pain in the perineal region, swelling, developing necrosis and foul-smelling lesions was examined in emergency settings. The swelling of subcutaneous plane involved the flank regions, mainly on the left side. The investigations were performed (full blood count, blood urea, electrolytes, coagulation profile). A Fournier gangrene was diagnosed and surgery performed under general anesthesia. Broad spectrum antibiotics were given concomitantly. The first surgical procedure consisted in surgical debridement and excision of all the necrotic tissue. Cultures were taken. We performed counter incisions bilaterally on both flanks. The communication through the fascial planes was clearly demonstrated, especially on the left side. A loop colostomy was also performed. Multiple re-excisions were further employed. Due to a precarious evolution, the patient were on mechanical ventilation for 13 days. Inotrope medication was given for a total of 19 days and, the antibiotherapy adapted to the antibiogram (Bacterioides eggerthii was identified). The reconstruction of the perineum was later performed and, after 3 months, the colostomy was closed in good conditions without further complications. CONCLUSION: Early recognition and aggressive surgical excision are mandatory for success in patients with Fournier gangrene. Colonic diversion can be very useful if employed from the beginning.

Gynecologic rarities: a case of periclitoral abscess and review of the literature.

Periclitoral abscess is a rare entity, with publications limited to case reports. We present here a case of periclitoral abscess in a 17 year old patient, which was treated with incision and drainage. We also review all the similar cases that have been reported in the English literature until now.

Conservative management of ventriculoperitoneal shunts in the setting of abdominal and pelvic infections.

OBJECT: The optimal management of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in the setting of acute, non-shunt related abdominal and pelvic infections is unknown. In the literature, distal shunt catheter reimplantation with or without a variable period of externalization has been recommended to prevent ascending ventriculitis. While this strategy is effective, there is little to almost no published data suggesting that it is necessary in all cases. Furthermore, it is not clear that shunt externalization to an external drainage bag during the treatment of non-shunt related peritonitis is any less likely to lead to ventriculitis than leaving the catheter in place. In the authors' experience, shunt externalization or revision during an episode of acute, non-shunt related peritonitis is unnecessary to prevent ventriculitis or chronic peritonitis. METHODS: In the present case series, the authors report on 7 patients whose shunts were left in the abdomen while they were treated for acute peritonitis. The patients were followed clinically for up to 21 months after the diagnosis to assess for evidence of recurrent abdominal infections, shunt infections, or shunt failure. RESULTS: In a follow-up period ranging from 13 to 22 months, no patient developed ventriculitis, required a shunt revision, or was unable to clear the peritoneal infection. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this small series suggest that leaving the distal end of a shunt catheter in place in a patient with acute peritonitis is a reasonably safe choice in specific patients, provided the source of infection is aggressively treated with systemic antibiotics and local debridement when necessary.

Gatifloxacine-loaded PLGA and ß-tricalcium phosphate composite for treating osteomyelitis.

Gatifloxacine (GFLX)-containing poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) was introduced to the pores and surfaces of porous ß-tricalcium phosphate (ßTCP) granules by melt compounding whereby no toxic solvent was used. The granular composite of GFLX-loaded PLGA and ßTCP released GFLX for 42 days in Hanks' balanced solution and exhibited sufficient in vitro bactericidal activity against Streptococcus milleri and Bacteroides fragilis for at least 21 days. For in vivo evaluation, the granular composite was implanted in the dead space created by the debridement of osteomyelitis lesion induced by S. milleri and B. fragilis in rabbit mandible. After a 4-week implantation, the inflammation area within the debrided area was markedly reduced accompanied with osteoconduction and vascularization in half of the rabbits, and even disappeared in one of the six rabbits without any systemic administration of antibiotics. Outside the debrided area, inflammation and sequestrum were observed but the largest of such affected areas amounted to only 0.125 times of the originally infected and debrided area. These findings showed that the granular composite was effective for the local treatment of osteomyelitis as well as an osteoconductive scaffold which supported and encouraged vascularization.

Stereotatic implantation of Ommaya reservoir in the management of brain abscesses.

We evaluated the effectiveness of computed tomography (CT)-guided stereotatic implantation of Ommaya reservoir in the management of brain abscess. Forty-five patients with brain abscesses were treated with CT-guided stereotatic implantation of Ommaya reservoir and followed up between September 1998 and February 2008. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was use to evaluate the effectiveness of the Ommaya Reservoir treatment. The GOS score at 3-months post-operation was 5 for 41 patients (91.1%), 4 for 2 patients (4.4%) and 3 for 2 patients (4.4%), respectively. The results suggest that the CT-guided stereotatic implantation of Ommaya reservoir is a potential technique that can be safely used to treat the brain abscess.

An uncommon late complication of appendicitis.

A 10-year-old boy presented with a 2.5-week history of right leg pain and limp. A right flank mass was noted by a parent on the day of presentation. The child's past medical history was remarkable for perforated appendicitis treated with an interval laparoscopic appendectomy 2 years before this presentation. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography revealed a retroperitoneal mass with calcifications, suggestive of a retained appendicolith with abscess formation. This case illustrates the importance of considering very late complications of appendicitis in patients presenting with fever and abdominal or flank pain or masses.

Clinical characteristics of perforated pyometra and impending perforation: specific issues in gynecological emergency.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of pyometra and the differences between perforated pyometra and early-drained pyometra in order to prevent morbidity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 14 patients diagnosed between 1998 and 2008 with early-drainage pyometra and six patients with perforated pyometra were included. In addition, a review of the literature yielded another 30 perforated pyometra cases for comparison. RESULTS: Of 20 women with pyometra, the main presented symptoms at admission were abdominal pain (80%), fever (45%) and vaginal discharge (25%). The majority of organisms isolated were Bacteroides fragilis (seven cases), Streptococcus species (six cases) and Escherichia coli (five cases). Of the 36 cases with spontaneous uterine perforation to date, 35 cases (97%) had abdominal pain, 11 cases (31%) had fever, and 10 cases (27%) had vomiting. Hypoalbuminemia was found in seven patients (five cases in the perforation group and two cases in the drainage group). CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of pyometra before perforation can avoid surgical exploration and decrease morbidity and mortality. Perforated pyometra should be considered as a differential diagnosis in women with pneumoperitoneum and fever. Hypoalbuminemia should be considered as a predisposing factor for pyometra perforation.