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Tofacitinib is contraindicated in pregnancy. We present a patient with ulcerative colitis on tofacitinib who had an unplanned pregnancy. Tofacitinib was ceased, switched to vedolizumab, and she gave birth to a healthy newborn at term. Case reports of reassuring outcomes provide real-world data that assists decision-making for future patients.
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Introduction: Crohn's disease (CD) of the small bowel is associated with a severe course and increased risk of complications. Strictures at this location are challenging to diagnose and out-of-reach of colonoscopy. We aimed to evaluate the detection rate of small bowel strictures with magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) and assess the efficacy of double balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic balloon dilatation (DBE-assisted EBD) in managing these strictures. Methods: A retrospective study included all patients with DBE-assisted EBD of small bowel strictures in CD in our facility. All patients had MRE to detect strictures prior to the dilatation. Sequential dilatation protocol was performed using through-the-scope (TTS) working channel balloons. The outcomes included technical success defined by the passage of the enteroscope post-dilatation, resolution of symptoms, and the requirement of repeated procedures or surgery during 12 months of follow-up. Results: Twenty DBE-assisted EBDs of small bowel strictures were attempted during 13 DBE procedures in 10 patients (6 males, median age 42). MRE identified 75% of the strictures with 100% accuracy in localisation. Retrograde DBE was the approach in 16/20 (80%) strictures. Anaesthetic intubation was used in 8/20 (40%). DBE reached 19/20 strictures. All the reached strictures were dilated successfully; the technical success following dilatation was 72.2%. The median DBE insertion time with TTS balloon dilatation was 66 min. Three patients required follow-up dilatations within 2-3 months. Surgery was not needed during the follow-up period. Conclusions: MRE is essential in diagnosing and localising small bowel strictures in CD. DBE reached 95% of strictures with successful dilatation. Immediate technical success was high, and safety was demonstrated. Planned repeat procedures for sequential dilatation were performed in a few patients. Surgical resection was avoided in all patients.
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Introduction: Prostate cancer most commonly metastasizes to the bone and lymph nodes. Gastrointestinal metastasis has been noted in the literature but appears to be an exceedingly uncommon phenomenon. Large intestinal involvement in particular has been reported on only a few occasions, and never concomitantly with small intestinal metastatic involvement. Case Report: We report the case of a 69-year-old gentleman with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer with development of gastrointestinal symptomatology with extensive investigation eventually revealing small and large intestinal polyps subsequently confirmed to be representative of metastatic prostate cancer. Conclusion: This case demonstrates the importance of maintaining a wide differential diagnosis in the context of gastrointestinal symptomatology in malignancy. Thorough endoscopic evaluation may be necessary in such cases in order to identify potential metastatic malignancy in otherwise relatively unremarkable appearing polyps.
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Metastatic Crohn's disease is the rarest cutaneous manifestation of Crohn's disease, it presents as cutaneous lesions in areas that are anatomically non-contiguous with the gastrointestinal tract. It requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis which is confirmed on histopathology. Infliximab can be an effective treatment.
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Introduction: Whipple's disease is a rare condition that can present with atypical and non-specific features requiring a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. Case Presentation: We present a case of a man in his 40s with peripheral arthritis and bilateral sacro-ileitis for 4-5 years that was treated with an anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy, which led to worsening of his symptoms, elevation of the inflammatory markers, and the development of fever, night sweats, anorexia, and a significant weight loss. The patient had no abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An FDG-PET scan showed increased uptake in the stomach and caecum. Endoscopic examination showed inflammatory changes in the stomach and normal mucosa of the duodenum, jejunum, terminal ileum, caecum, and colon. Histopathology was inconclusive, but the diagnosis was confirmed with Tropheryma whipplei PCR testing. He had no neurological symptoms, but cerebrospinal fluid Tropheryma whipplei PCR was positive. He was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone 2 g daily for 4 weeks, followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 160/800 mg twice daily for 1 year with close monitoring and follow-up. Conclusion: This case presents an atypical and challenging presentation of Whipple's disease and the importance of proactive testing for neurological involvement.
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Background and aims Large-volume paracentesis (LVP) is a common practice for diuretic-refractory ascites in patients with cirrhosis. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is reportedly low in asymptomatic patients presenting for elective outpatient LVP. The benefits and cost-effectiveness of routine testing for SBP in these patients are yet to be established. We aimed to investigate the incidence of SBP in outpatients who underwent elective LVP and the diagnostic yield of routine ascitic fluid testing, specifically fluid culture, and to assess the cost-effectiveness of these tests. Methods This is a retrospective study of adult patients undergoing outpatient LVP at Wollongong Hospital over three years. Symptomatic patients and patients with non-cirrhosis-related ascites were excluded. The ascitic fluid results were reviewed to determine if the polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell count was above 250 x 106/L and whether this was associated with positive fluid culture and clinical outcomes. The primary outcome was the incidence of SBP. The secondary outcome was the incidence of bacterascites. Results There were 26 patients with 122 elective ascitic taps. Two of 122 taps (1.6%) had ascitic PMN count above 250 x 106/L, indicating SBP. Four out of 122 taps (3.2%) had positive ascitic fluid cultures with a normal PMN count. All patients did not have significant clinical outcomes, did not receive antibiotic treatment, and remained asymptomatic over three years of follow-up. Conclusions Routine testing of ascitic fluid cell count and culture in asymptomatic patients with cirrhosis presenting for outpatient LVP yielded a low incidence of SBP and bacterascites, which were not clinically significant. Routine testing is costly and potentially exposes patients to antibiotics unnecessarily.
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Capsule endoscopy is the first-line investigation for small bowel disorders. Capsule retention in the small bowel is the most common adverse event. Retention has also been reported in the upper esophagus; however, guidance for diagnosis and management is lacking. This review aims to summarize the diagnostic workup and management of this complication. We conducted a systematic literature review by searching 5 databases; relevant keywords and MeSH terms were used. Exclusion criteria included publications of non-adult patients in non-English languages. Data from eligible studies were analyzed using IBM SPSS 29. Twelve case reports were found (9 males, median age of 76 years); 10 capsule retentions in Zenker's diverticulum and 2 in the cricopharyngeus. Most patients were asymptomatic before capsule endoscopy. Capsule retention was symptomatic in half of the patients (6/12). A neck X-ray confirmed the diagnosis in all patients. Endoscopic capsule retrieval was achieved by different tools (9/12) (Roth's net was the most used tool, 6 patients); retrieval required rigid endoscopy in a few cases (3/12). Endoscopic capsule re-insertion was successful; using an overtube to bypass the upper esophagus was the safest method. In conclusion, capsule retention in the upper esophagus is uncommon yet exposes patients to the risk of unnecessary procedures. Symptoms of swallowing and medium-to-large size Zenker's diverticulum should be considered contra-indications for capsule endoscopy. Neck and chest X-rays are required for elderly patients who do not pass the capsule 2 weeks after ingestion. Endoscopic retrieval using Roth's net and re-insertion through an overtube should be considered first-line management.