Multidisciplinary surgical management of severe posterior compartment endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory, and hormone-dependent disease that affects approximately 10% of women in reproductive age. Endometriosis is categorized into different types, as superficial, deep, and ovarian endometriosis. When deep endometriosis occurs, the sigmoid and rectum are often affected (Becker et al. in Hum Reprod Open, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1093/hropen/hoac009 ). In the following article, we aim to demonstrate stepwise surgery for stage IV endometriosis involving the anterior rectosigmoid. METHODS: We present the case of a 26-year-old obese (BMI 35.87) woman with severe posterior pelvic compartment endometriosis, persistent abdominal pain, and constipation. On preoperative MRI of the pelvis, a 13 cm conglomerate incorporating both ovaries (kissing ovaries), uterine serosa, and the anterior rectosigmoid was observed (Fig. 1). Accordingly, interdisciplinary laparoscopic surgery with a gynecologist and colorectal surgeon was planned. RESULTS: The total laparoscopic approach is demonstrated step by step in the video. CONCLUSIONS: Deep endometriosis is a rare condition. When involvement of other organs (e.g., the bowel) is suspected, preoperative endometriosis-specific imaging should be performed for optimal surgical planning. Experienced endometriosis multidisciplinary surgical teams can provide specialized and high-quality care for patients suffering from this debilitating disease (Luna Russo et al. in Minerva Ginecol, 2020, https://doi.org/10.23736/S0026-4784.20.04544-X ).

Feasibility of Intraoperative Proctosigmoidoscopy After Discoid Bowel Resection for Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis: A Pilot Multicenter Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Although surgery is the gold standard treatment for pain refractory to medical management or partial occlusion owing to rectosigmoid endometriosis, surgical resection can be associated with major perioperative complications. From general surgery experience, intraoperative proctosigmoidoscopy has shown encouraging results as a feasible, safe, and effective technique in reducing the risk of complications related to intestinal anastomosis after segmental resection. Unfortunately, there are no studies evaluating its role after discoid resection for rectosigmoid endometriosis. DESIGN: A pilot, multicentric, observational, prospective, cohort study. SETTING: Two academic hospitals, from March 1 to December 31, 2022. PATIENTS: We enrolled all consecutive fertile-age patients affected by symptomatic endometriosis scheduled for laparoscopic discoid bowel resection. Inclusion criteria were (1) age between 18 and 50 years, (2) diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis performed by transvaginal ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging, and (3) women scheduled for laparoscopic discoid bowel resection of endometriosis at low risk of segmental resection. INTERVENTIONS: During data analysis, enrolled patients were divided into 2 study groups for comparisons based on whether or not the intraoperative proctosigmoidoscopy was performed upon surgeons' discretion after discoid resection for treating endometriosis, in addition to standard integrity tests. Primary outcome was the rate of intraoperative proctosigmoidoscopy success. Secondary study outcomes were the differences between the intraoperative proctosigmoidoscopy group and the nonintraoperative proctosigmoidoscopy group in (1) mean of total operative time and (2) rate of perioperative complications. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 28 patients were enrolled and equally distributed in the 2 groups. The rate of intraoperative proctosigmoidoscopy success was 86%. No significant difference was reported between the 2 groups in terms of total operative time (p = .1) and intraoperative and postoperative complications (p = .5 and p = 1, respectively), with no surgical complication related to intraoperative proctosigmoidoscopy. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative proctosigmoidoscopy seems as a feasible and non-time-consuming intraoperative procedure in women undergone discoid resection for rectosigmoid endometriosis. Larger studies with longer follow-up period are necessary to confirm our findings and assess clinical benefits over standard procedure.

Sigmoid volvulus management, only endoscopic devolvulation?

Intestinal obstruction due to sigmoid volvulus (SV) represents a relevant percentage of abdominal diseases presenting at the emergency department. Treatment is based on early endoscopic devolvulation (ED), followed by elective surgery as definitive treatment. A 78-year-old man institutionalized with Lewy body dementia presents with abdominal pain, distention, and absence of stool in 72 hours. Coffee bean sign was seen in abdominal x-ray. Previously, he had been admitted three times last year with recurrent SV, managed with ED succesfully. Despite the recurrence, no surgical treatment was indicated after resolution of the acute situation and recovery of intestinal transit. This time, urgent colonoscopy was performed and a 20 cm length of purplish-black (isquemic) sigmoid mucosa was observed. With these findings of stablished intestinal ischemia urgent surgical intervention was performed (sigmoidectomy and terminal "Hartmann" colostomy). Histologically, necrosis, severe ulceration and mixed inflammation was noticed in the surgical piece. The patient develops favorably during a postoperative period without incidents. Therefore, he is discharged to his center. At the moment he is asymptomatic one year after the intervention with no new episodes. Recurrency of SV after ED is up to 86% of cases. In every episode, the incidence of complications such as intestinal ischemia or perforation increases significantly, as well as urgent surgery and mortality. Definitive treatment must be surgical, sigmoidectomy and terminal anastomosis is the choice technique.

Intestinal pneumatosis as a manifestation of systemic sclerosis.

A 60-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency room for a 7-day history of abdominal bloating, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and lack of flatus. She had been diagnosed with systemic sclerosis (SSc) 10 years ago and had been using methotrexate, sildenafil, and prednisone. She did not present any signs of instability, but physical examination showed malnourishment status and abdominal tenderness and distention. Plain abdominal radiography was suggestive of sigmoid volvulus, confirmed and successfully resolved after endoscopic decompression therapy. Eight months later, the patient developed a new episode of abdominal obstruction. Computed Tomography (CT) scan identified a distended sigmoid colon due to its torsion with gas areas within the bowel wall. This time, endoscopic decompression had failed to treat, so exploratory laparotomy was performed. Colonic distention and sigmoid volvulus were identified during the procedure, after which sigmoidectomy followed by primary anastomosis was performed. Neither perforation nor masses were found. Furthermore, the anatomopathological study was inconsistent with vascular, inflammatory, or neoplastic diseases.

Benign Colonic Strictures.

CASE SUMMARY: A 46-year-old man with no significant medical or surgical history presented to the emergency department with a 1-week history of worsening constipation, abdominal distension, nausea, and nonbloody, nonbilious emesis. Workup included a CT scan that was notable for a 5.3 × 3.9 cm "apple core-type" mass located within the sigmoid colon with proximal large-bowel dilation. Carcinoembryonic antigen was 1.4. No metastatic disease was seen on chest, abdominal, or pelvic CT scans. Flexible sigmoidoscopy identified a sigmoid colon mass 30 cm from the anal verge with near complete obstruction. Biopsies of the mass did not show evidence of dysplasia or malignancy. The Gastroenterology service declined to place a stent without a malignancy diagnosis. The patient subsequently underwent exploratory laparotomy, sigmoid colectomy, and end colostomy. Recovery was uneventful. Final pathology showed diverticulitis with abscess formation and no evidence of malignancy. A completion colonoscopy was unremarkable, and the patient underwent colostomy reversal 3 months later.

Long-term Implications of Persistent Diverticulitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 915 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Persistent (or ongoing) diverticulitis is a well-recognized outcome after treatment for acute sigmoid diverticulitis; however, its definition, incidence, and risk factors, as well as its long-term implications, remain poorly described. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence, risk factors, and long-term outcomes of persistent diverticulitis. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. SETTINGS: Two university-affiliated hospitals in Montreal, Quebec, Canada were included. PATIENTS: The study was composed of consecutive patients managed nonoperatively for acute sigmoid diverticulitis. INTERVENTION: Nonoperative management of acute sigmoid diverticulitis was involved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Persistent diverticulitis, defined as inpatient or outpatient treatment for signs and symptoms of ongoing diverticulitis within the first 60 days after treatment of the index episode, was measured. RESULTS: In total, 915 patients were discharged after an index episode of diverticulitis managed nonoperatively. Seventy-five patients (8.2%; 95% CI, 6.5%-10.2%) presented within 60 days with persistent diverticulitis. Factors associated with persistent diverticulitis were younger age (adjusted OR = 0.98 (95% CI, 0.96-0.99)), immunosuppression (adjusted OR = 2.02 (95% CI, 1.04-3.88)), and abscess (adjusted OR = 2.05 (95% CI, 1.03-3.92)). Among the 75 patients with persistent disease, 42 (56.0%) required hospital admission, 6 (8.0%) required percutaneous drainage, and 5 (6.7%) required resection. After a median follow-up of 39.0 months (range, 17.0-67.3 mo), the overall recurrence rate in the entire cohort was 31.3% (286/910). After excluding patients who were managed operatively for their persistent episode of diverticulitis, the cumulative incidence of recurrent diverticulitis (log-rank: p < 0.001) and sigmoid colectomy (log-rank: p < 0.001) were higher among patients who experienced persistent diverticulitis after the index episode. After adjustment for relevant patient and disease factors, persistent diverticulitis was associated with higher hazards of recurrence (adjusted HR = 1.94 (95% CI, 1.37-2.76) and colectomy (adjusted HR = 5.11 (95% CI, 2.96-8.83)). LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its observational study design and modest sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 10% of patients experience persistent diverticulitis after treatment for an index episode of diverticulitis. Persistent diverticulitis is a poor prognostic factor for long-term outcomes, including recurrent diverticulitis and colectomy. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B593. REPERCUSIONES A LARGO PLAZO DE LA DIVERTICULITIS PERSISTENTE ESTUDIO DE UNA COHORTE RETROSPECTIVA DE PACIENTES: ANTECEDENTES:La diverticulitis persistente (o continua) es un resultado bien conocido posterior al tratamiento de la diverticulitis aguda del sigmoides; sin embargo, la definición, incidencia y factores de riesgo, así como sus repercusiones a largo plazo siguen estando descritas de manera deficiente.OBJETIVO:Evaluar la incidencia, los factores de riesgo y los resultados a largo plazo de la diverticulitis persistente.DISEÑO:Estudio de una cohorte retrospectiva.AMBITO:Dos hospitales universitarios afiliados en Montreal, Quebec, Canadá.PACIENTES:pacientes consecutivos tratados sin cirugia por diverticulitis aguda del sigmoides.INTERVENCIÓN:Tratamiento no quirúrgico de la diverticulitis aguda del sigmoides.PRINCIPALES RESULTADOS EVALUADOS:Diverticulitis persistente, definida como tratamiento hospitalario o ambulatorio por signos y síntomas de diverticulitis continua dentro de los primeros 60 días posteriores al tratamiento del episodio índice.RESULTADOS:Un total de 915 pacientes fueron dados de alta posterior al episodio índice de diverticulitis tratados sin cirugia. Setenta y cinco pacientes (8,2%; IC del 95%: 6,5-10,2%) presentaron diverticulitis persistente dentro de los 60 días. Los factores asociados con la diverticulitis persistente fueron una edad menor (aOR: 0,98, IC del 95%: 0,96-0,99), inmunosupresión (aOR: 2,02, IC del 95%: 1,04-3,88) y abscesos (aOR: 2,05, IC del 95%: 1,03-3,92). Entre los 75 pacientes con enfermedad persistente, 42 (56,0%) requirieron ingreso hospitalario, 6 (8,0%) drenaje percutáneo y 5 (6,7%) resección. Posterior a seguimiento medio de 39,0 (17,0-67,3) meses, la tasa global de recurrencia de toda la cohorte fue del 31,3% (286/910). Después de excluir a los pacientes que fueron tratados quirúrgicamente por su episodio persistente de diverticulitis, la incidencia acumulada de diverticulitis recurrente (rango logarítmico: p <0,001) y colectomía sigmoidea (rango logarítmico: p <0,001) fue mayor entre los pacientes que experimentaron diverticulitis persistente después el episodio índice. Posterior al ajuste de factores importantes de la enfermedad y del paciente, la diverticulitis persistente se asoció con mayores riesgos de recurrencia (aHR: 1,94, IC 95% 1,37-2,76) y colectomía (aHR: 5,11, IC 95% 2,96-8,83).LIMITACIONES:Diseño de estudio observacional, un modesto tamaño de muestra.CONCLUSIONES:Aproximadamente el 10% de los pacientes presentan diverticulitis persistente después del tratamiento del episodio índice de diverticulitis. La diverticulitis persistente, en sus resultados a largo plazo, es un factor de mal pronóstico, donse se inlcuye la diverticulitis recurente y colectomía. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B593.

Optimal imaging modality for detection of rectosigmoid deep endometriosis: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To review the accuracy of different imaging modalities for the detection of rectosigmoid deep endometriosis (DE) in women with clinical suspicion of endometriosis, and to determine the optimal modality. METHODS: A search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE and Google Scholar to identify studies using imaging to evaluate women with suspected DE, published from inception to May 2020. Studies were considered eligible if they were prospective and used any imaging modality to assess preoperatively for the presence of DE in the rectum/rectosigmoid, which was then correlated with the surgical diagnosis as the reference standard. Eligibility was restricted to studies including at least 10 affected and 10 unaffected women. The QUADAS-2 tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Mixed-effects diagnostic meta-analysis was used to determine the overall pooled sensitivity and specificity of each imaging modality for rectal/rectosigmoid DE, which were used to calculate the likelihood ratio of a positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) test and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). RESULTS: Of the 1979 records identified, 30 studies (3374 women) were included in the analysis. The overall pooled sensitivity and specificity, LR+, LR- and DOR for the detection of rectal/rectosigmoid DE using transvaginal sonography (TVS) were, respectively, 89% (95% CI, 83-92%), 97% (95% CI, 95-98%), 30.8 (95% CI, 17.6-54.1), 0.12 (95% CI, 0.08-0.17) and 264 (95% CI, 113-614). For magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the respective values were 86% (95% CI, 79-91%), 96% (95% CI, 94-97%), 21.0 (95% CI, 13.4-33.1), 0.15 (95% CI, 0.09-0.23) and 144 (95% CI, 70-297). For computed tomography, the respective values were 93% (95% CI, 84-97%), 95% (95% CI, 81-99%), 20.3 (95% CI, 4.3-94.9), 0.07 (95% CI, 0.03-0.19) and 280 (95% CI, 28-2826). For rectal endoscopic sonography (RES), the respective values were 92% (95% CI, 87-95%), 98% (95% CI, 96-99%), 37.1 (95% CI, 21.1-65.4), 0.08 (95% CI, 0.05-0.14) and 455 (95% CI, 196-1054). There was significant heterogeneity and the studies were considered methodologically poor according to the QUADAS-2 tool. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of TVS for the detection of rectal/rectosigmoid DE seems to be slightly better than that of MRI, although RES was superior to both. The specificity of both TVS and MRI was excellent. As TVS is simpler, faster and more readily available than the other methods, we believe that it should be the first-line diagnostic tool for women with suspected DE. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Transvaginal sonography determines accurately extent of infiltration of rectosigmoid deep endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the agreement of measurements of the three diameters of rectosigmoid deep endometriosis (DE) lesions between presurgical evaluation using transvaginal sonography (TVS) and postsurgical specimen measurement (PSM). METHODS: This was a prospective observational multicenter study including symptomatic women undergoing surgical treatment for DE involving the rectosigmoid, by either discoid or segmental resection, from April 2017 to December 2019. TVS was performed presurgically to evaluate lesion size (craniocaudal-midsagittal length, anteroposterior thickness and transverse diameter), in accordance with the International Deep Endometriosis Analysis (IDEA) group consensus statement, and was compared with PSM. The agreement of lesion dimensions between the two methods was assessed by Bland-Altman plots and limits of agreement and additionally by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Systematic and proportional bias was assessed using the paired t-test. RESULTS: A total of 207 consecutive women were eligible for inclusion. Forty-one women were excluded, leaving 166 women for final analysis. A total of 123 segmental resections and 46 discoid resections were performed (both procedures were performed in three women). The mean difference between TVS and PSM was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.85-0.95) mm for lesion length measurements, 1.03 (95% CI, 0.98-1.09) mm for lesion thickness measurements and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79-0.89) mm for transverse diameter measurements. Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated good agreement between the two methods for measurements of lesion length. Furthermore, there was good reliability and correlation between TVS and PSM for lesion length measurements, as demonstrated by an ICC of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.75-0.87) and Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.62-0.80), moderate-to-good reliability and correlation for lesion thickness measurements, with an ICC of 0.76 (95% CI, 0.67-0.82) and Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.61 (95% CI, 0.51-0.70), and poor-to-moderate reliability and correlation for transverse diameter measurements, with an ICC of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.39-0.71) and Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.46 (95% CI, 0.33-0.58). CONCLUSION: Preoperative TVS determines accurately rectosigmoid DE lesion length. TVS can thereby contribute to optimal planning of surgical treatment options in women with rectosigmoid DE. © 2021 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Initial Computed Tomography Findings of Long and Distended Colon Are Risk Factors for the Recurrence of Sigmoid Volvulus.

BACKGROUND: Sigmoid volvulus is a common condition in elderly patients with elongated colons. Although endoscopic de-torsion is effective as the primary treatment of sigmoid volvulus, elective surgery is recommended because of the high risk of recurrence and high mortality rate. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for the recurrence of sigmoid volvulus. METHODS: Clinical records of patients treated at Shimane Prefectural Central Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Among 41 sigmoid volvulus patients who were successfully treated by endoscopic de-torsion and followed up, 30 were observed over 1 year. Among the 30 patients, eight (26.7%) did not experience recurrence, while 22 (73.3%) did. Initial computed tomography (CT) findings indicating the sigmoid colon extending to the diaphragm or ventral to the liver were defined as "extension findings." Extension findings and sigmoid diameter were evaluated in relation to sigmoid volvulus recurrence. RESULTS: Extension findings were significantly more frequent in the recurrent group (77.3%) than in the nonrecurrent group (25.0%) (P = 0.009). Distended sigmoid colon diameter was significantly larger in the recurrent group (11.7 ± 3.8 cm) than in the nonrecurrent group (7.1 ± 1.1 cm) (P = 0.044). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the performance threshold was greater than 8.9 cm. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed the significantly high sigmoid volvulus recurrence rate in the patients with extension findings and a distended sigmoid colon greater than 8.9 cm. CONCLUSIONS: CT findings of a long and distended sigmoid colon in initial sigmoid volvulus are risk factors for the recurrence of sigmoid volvulus.

Hypogastric Artery-Colonic Fistula after Coil Embolization of Left Hypogastric Artery Aneurysm.

Coil migration into the colon is an extremely rare complication of aneurysm embolization and only three cases have been reported. Two of these cases were managed with resection of the involved colon and the remaining case was managed with serial imaging. We present a 70-year-old man who developed hematochezia 2 years after coil embolization of a ruptured left hypogastric artery aneurysm. The patient was successfully treated with diverting colostomy and endoscopic closure of the sigmoid colon defect. We present the only case report of the use of advanced endoscopy to treat endovascular coil migration.

Percutaneous endoscopic colostomy to treat recurrent sigmoid volvulus in an almost centenary patient.

We report the case of a 96-year-old institutionalized male, with severe dementia, who was admitted to our hospital with sigmoid volvulus. After successful decompression, the patient developed recurrent sigmoid volvulus twice within 76 hours, which required endoscopic repositioning. However, after a new recurrence and rejecting surgery, we chose percutaneous endoscopic colostomy, using the standard gastrostomy technique, in order to fix the mobile intestine to the abdominal wall to prevent torsion. Although observational studies with more cases and longer follow-up are needed, percutaneous endoscopic colostomy could be a safe and effective alternative in patients in whom conventional surgery is considered unsafe or inappropriate.

Ultrasonographic soft markers for detection of rectosigmoid deep endometriosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of ultrasound (US) soft markers as a first-line imaging tool to raise suspicion of rectosigmoid (RS) involvement in women suspected of having deep endometriosis. METHODS: We included in this prospective observational study all patients with clinical suspicion of deep endometriosis who underwent diagnostic transvaginal US evaluation at our unit from January 2016 to February 2017. Several US soft markers were evaluated for prediction of RS involvement (presence of US signs of uterine adenomyosis, presence of an endometrioma, adhesion of the ovary to the uterus (reduced ovarian mobility), presence of 'kissing ovaries' (KO) and absence of the 'sliding sign'), using as the gold standard expert US examination for the presence of RS endometriosis. RESULTS: Included were 333 patients with clinical suspicion of deep endometriosis. Of these, 106 had an US diagnosis of RS endometriosis by an expert. The only significant variables found in the prediction model were absence of the sliding sign (odds ratio (OR), 13.95; 95% CI, 7.7-25.3), presence of KO (OR, 22.5; 95% CI, 4.1-124.0) and the interaction between these two variables (OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.004-0.28). Regarding their interaction, RS endometriosis was present when KO was absent and the sliding sign was present in 10% (19/190) of cases, when both KO and the sliding sign were present in 71.4% (5/7) of cases, when both KO and the sliding sign were absent in 60.8% (76/125) of cases and when KO was present and the sliding sign was absent in 54.5% (6/11) of cases. Thus, when the sliding sign was absent and/or KO was present, transvaginal US showed a specificity of 75% (95% CI, 69-80%) and a sensitivity of 82% (95% CI, 73-88%). CONCLUSIONS: US findings of absence of the sliding sign and/or presence of KO in patients with clinical suspicion of endometriosis should raise suspicion of RS involvement and indicate referral for expert US examination, with a low rate of false-negative diagnosis. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Transvaginal sonography accurately measures lesion-to-anal-verge distance in women with deep endometriosis of the rectosigmoid.

OBJECTIVES: First, to investigate the accuracy of transvaginal sonography (TVS) for presurgical evaluation of the distance between the most caudal part of the endometriotic lesion and the anal verge (lesion-to-anal-verge distance (LAVD)) in women with rectosigmoid deep endometriosis (DE), compared with intraoperative measurement (IOM). Second, to assess the agreement between anastomosis height and LAVD measured using TVS. METHODS: This was a prospective observational multicenter study of symptomatic women who were scheduled for surgical treatment of rectosigmoid DE, by either discoid or segmental resection, between April 2017 and September 2019. Presurgical TVS was performed to evaluate the LAVD in two ways, depending on the level of the lesion. Method 1: for lesions at the level of the rectovaginal septum (RVS), the caudal part of the lesion was identified on TVS and an index finger was placed on the TVS probe at the level of the anal verge. The probe was withdrawn and the distance from the tip of the TVS probe down to the index finger was measured using a ruler, representing the LAVD. Method 2: for lesions above the RVS, the distance between the caudal part of the lesion and the lower lip of the posterior cervix was measured in a frozen image (LAVD-1), and the distance between the lower lip of the posterior cervix and the anal verge (LAVD-2) was measured using Method 1. These two measurements (LAVD-1 and LAVD-2) were added together and the result represented the total LAVD. During surgery, a rectal probe was used to perform IOM of LAVD, which was considered as the gold standard test. Agreement between LAVD measured using TVS and the IOM was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for absolute agreement and Spearman's correlation coefficient were also calculated. Systematic and proportional bias were tested for significance using the paired t-test. Similar analysis was performed to assess agreement between LAVD measured using TVS and anastomosis height. RESULTS: A total of 147 consecutive women were considered eligible for inclusion. Fourteen women were excluded initially. Thirty-four discoid resections and 102 segmental resections were performed; both procedures were performed in three women. Two more women were excluded from the final analysis because the measurements represented extreme outliers. The mean LAVD measured using TVS was 114.8 ± 36.5 mm and the mean IOM was 116.9 ± 42.3 mm. There was no statistically significant difference between LAVD measured using TVS and IOM (mean difference, -2.12 mm (95% CI, -6.33 to 2.05 mm); P = 0.32). Bland-Altman analysis showed that there was good agreement between the two methods. The ICC was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.74-0.86) and Spearman's correlation coefficient was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.56-0.77). The mean difference between LAVD measured using TVS and anastomosis height was statistically, but not clinically, significant (mean difference, 10.25 mm (95% CI, 5.94-14.32 mm); P = 0.0005), and the ICC was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.66-0.85). CONCLUSIONS: There is good agreement between the LAVD measured using TVS and the IOM in women with rectosigmoid DE. As a consequence, TVS could be useful for estimation of the height of the final surgical anastomosis in women undergoing full-thickness resection for rectosigmoid DE. This is of pivotal importance in reducing the risk of complications and need for a temporary stoma, and could improve patient counseling. © 2020 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Emergent Endovascular Treatment in Primary Ilio-enteric Fistula.

Aortoenteric fistula (AEF) is a rare cause of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. If not promptly diagnosed and treated, the associated mortality is very high. The role of endovascular treatment is not yet defined. In this article, we report a clinical case of a 94-year-old male patient admitted in the emergency department with rectal bleeding. Owing to the detection of a pulsatile abdominal mass, a computed tomography angiography (CTA) scan was performed, which established the diagnosis of aorto-enteric fistula due to a left common iliac artery aneurysm (CIAA) ruptured to the sigmoid colon and also revealed an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and an internal iliac artery aneurysm (IIAA). Given the age of the patient, general condition and technical difficulty inherent to the treatment of the IIAA by conventional surgery, we chose endovascular treatment. However, we wanted to avoid contact between the endograft and the colon orifice because of the risk of infection. The patient was treated emergently with an aorto-right uni-iliac graft and a femoro-femoral bypass, IIAA embolization and 2 left iliac excluders (at the origin of the common iliac and distally in the external iliac artery). It was decided to treat colon lesion conservatively. In this case, the aorto-uni-iliac graft excluded the aortic inline flow, the distal occluder prevented retrograde flow from the external iliac, and the embolization prevented retrograde flow and treated the IIAA. This way, no arterial pressure and no prosthetic material existed inside the ruptured artery, hopefully allowing the spontaneous closing of the orifice leading the sigmoid colon to heal. The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged at the 8th postoperative day. The patient outcome is a strong argument on the merit of the treatment strategy.

A man with intolerant vomiting.

Case presentationA 57-year-old man was in a healthy state until 6 hours before presenting to the emergency department, when he suffered from more than 10 episodes of vomiting after a large meal at lunchtime. On physical examination, vital signs were unremarkable. Tenderness was noted over the epigastrium on palpation. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) of the abdomen is shown in figure 1 and online supplementary video 1.DC1SP110.1136/emermed-2019-208863.supp1Supplementary video emermed;37/1/41/F1F1F1Figure 1Transverse (A) and longitudinal (B) ultrasonography of the epigastrium. QUESTION: What is the most likely diagnosis?Hypertrophic pylorus stenosisAortic dissectionSuperior mesentery artery (SMA) syndromeVolvulus For answer see page 2.

Acute abdominal pain from epiploic appendagitis.

Evaluating patients for abdominal pain is common in the ED and can involve many differential diagnoses and treatment options. This case report describes a 35-year-old active duty military man whose abdominal pain evaluation at a military treatment facility led to the diagnosis of epiploic appendagitis.

Cases report: severe colonic bleeding in ulcerative colitis is refractory to selective transcatheter arterial embolization.

BACKGROUND: Severe haemorrhage is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of ulcerative colitis (UC). Superselective transcatheter embolization has shown to be an effective and safe therapeutic modality in patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding of various aetiologies; nevertheless, its role in UC-related acute bleeding is unknown. CASES PRESENTATION: Efficacy and safety of selective transcatheter arterial embolization in three consecutive UC patients diagnosed with massive haemorrhage admitted in a tertiary institution are reported. In all patients computed tomography scan showed active arterial haemorrhage from ascendant or sigmoid colon; subsequent arteriography demonstrated active arterial bleeding from colic branches of the superior or inferior mesenteric arteries, and selective transcatheter embolization was performed with immediate technical success in all three cases. Nevertheless, rebleeding requiring subtotal colectomy occurred between 5 h and 6 days after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter arterial embolization is not an effective therapeutic approach in UC patients with severe, acute colonic haemorrhage. Colectomy should not be delayed in this setting.

The clinical significance of extraluminal air in Hinchey 1a diverticulitis: results from a retrospective cohort study with 10-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Some patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis have extraluminal air. Our objective was to determine if patients with Hinchey 1a diverticulitis and isolated extraluminal air present more severe episode than patients without extraluminal air. METHODS: The present study is a monocentric observational retrospective cohort study. Computed tomographies of patients with diagnosed uncomplicated diverticulitis were retrospectively reviewed from the 01 January 2005 to the 31 December 2009. The presence of extraluminal air was determined. Leukocyte count, CRP value, and length of hospitalization were extracted from the patients' files. The follow-up period was from the time of diagnosis to the 15th of March 2019, the latest. Follow-up was censored for death and sigmoidectomy. Recurrence and emergency sigmoidectomy were documented during the follow-up period. The study was performed according to the STROBE guideline. RESULTS: Three hundred and one patients with an episode of Hinchey 1a diverticulitis were included. Extraluminal air was present in 56 patients (18.60%). Leukocyte count (12.4 ± 4.1(G/l) versus 10.7 ± 3.5(G/l), p = 0.05), CRP value (156.9 ± 95.1(mg/l) versus 89.9 ± 74.8(mg/l), p < 0.001), and length of hospital stay (10.9 ± 5.5(days) versus 8.4 ± 3.6(days), p < 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with extraluminal air than in patients without extraluminal air. Seventy-two patients (23.92%) presented a recurrence during the follow-up period. Survival estimates did not differ between patients with or without extraluminal air (p = 0.717). Eleven patients (3.65%) required emergency surgery during the follow-up period. Patients with extraluminal air had shorter emergency surgery-free survival than patients without extraluminal air (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The presence of extraluminal air in Hinchey 1a diverticulitis indicates a more severe episode, with higher inflammation parameters at admission, longer length of stay, and an increased risk for emergency sigmoidectomy.