Late presentation of gastric duplication cyst in pediatric patient: Lessons learned.

Gastrointestinal duplication is an infrequent congenital disorder characterized by the presence of a muscular layer covered by mucosa. Gastric duplication cysts account for approximately 2%-9% of all gastrointestinal duplication cysts. The typical clinical presentation often includes symptoms such as epigastric pain, vomiting, and the presence of a palpable abdominal mass. However, these symptoms can overlap with more common conditions. Diagnostic confirmation usually necessitates additional imaging studies, and surgical intervention is the recommended treatment approach. In this case report, we present the case of a 9-year-old girl who presented with chronic abdominal pain and vomiting. Following a comprehensive evaluation, including a CT scan and various diagnostic tests, a diagnosis of gastric duplication cyst was established. The patient subsequently underwent a laparotomy procedure, during which the cyst was completely excised. Follow-up visits indicated an uneventful recovery, with complete resolution of all symptoms. The aim of this work is to report on the clinico-radiological aspects of gastric duplication cysts and their surgical treatment.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis complicated by infectious mononucleosis caused by cytomegalovirus.

Key Clinical Message: When seeing patients who present with atypical lymphocytes and abdominal pain without accompanying symptoms of pharyngitis or lymphadenopathy, acalculous cholecystitis caused by CMV infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Abstract: A teenage man presented with a fever and epigastric pain. The patient tested positive for cytomegalovirus IgG and IgM. Abdominal ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced CT revealed hepatosplenomegaly and gallbladder wall thickening. MRI did not identify gallstones or tumorous lesions. He was diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis and acalculous cholecystitis caused by cytomegalovirus.

Unsuspected finding of right coronary artery occlusion on nongated CT chest.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the main cause of morbidity and mortality globally. This occurs due to occlusion of the coronary artery resulting in ischemia of the cardiac muscles. Typical symptoms include chest pain and discomfort. However, there are atypical symptoms including, but not limited to epigastric pain, nausea, and syncope. Such atypical symptoms upon presentation to the emergency department make it rather easy to overlook a potential MI. We present a case of a 70-year-old woman who had a delayed presentation to the emergency department with epigastric pain, nausea, and syncope. A nongated CT scan of the chest was utilized to rule out an aortic dissection. Interestingly, an unsuspected finding of a right coronary artery occlusion was detected instead. The patient underwent coronary artery stenting and was discharged a week later with a beta-blocker, dual antiplatelet therapy, a diuretic, and an anti-reflux medication. Overall, this case report emphasizes the importance of recognizing other atypical presentations in relation to MI. Additionally, this highlights the importance of the clinician's role in assessing the heart and coronary arteries when evaluating CT scans.

A pancreatic pseudocyst sitting in the mediastinum-A case report of an unusual occurrence.

Pancreatitis can produce several complications such as pseudocyst, which can happen in acute and chronic pancreatitides. Pseudocysts are typically found in the abdomen but can rarely extend into the mediastinum. Atypical symptoms such as dyspnea, dysphagia, coughing, vomiting, abdominal or chest pain, and hemoptysis are usually the notable complaints. CT scan, MRI, and endoscopic ultrasound are valuable diagnostic modalities. Drainage and surgical removal of the pseudocyst are the treatment options. Herein, we outline the case of a young female with episodic chest and epigastric discomfort, dysphagia, and weight loss. Previously, she was incorrectly diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer. A mediastinal pseudocyst secondary to chronic pancreatitis was found to be the cause. The patient underwent surgical removal of the pseudocyst and a pancreaticojejunostomy. Significant improvement was noticed at follow-up. This article highlights the possibility of such unusual conditions and the importance of a proper assessment while treating patients with epigastric pain.

Hiatal Hernia With Ulcer at the Gastroesophageal Junction Presenting With Progressive Dysphagia and Epigastric Pain: A Case Report.

A hiatal hernia occurs when the contents of the abdominal cavity, most often the stomach, protrude into the chest cavity through the esophageal hiatus. The hiatus is an elliptical-shaped outlet, typically formed by parts of the right diaphragmatic crus surrounding the distal esophagus. This ailment can transpire due to either the broadening of the specific diaphragmatic opening or a shortening in the overall length of the esophagus, leading to herniation of the stomach into the thoracic region. Raised pressure in the abdominal region may also be one of the culprits. Patients with a hiatal hernia usually remain asymptomatic, but patients might have difficulty swallowing both liquids and solids in the advanced stages of the disease. The disease is rarely accompanied by reflux of gastric acid into the esophagus due to decreased activity of the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to increased complaints of epigastric pain and ulceration near the gastroesophageal junction. Long-standing cases can increase the risk of developing Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia, which may advance to esophageal carcinoma in later stages. Advanced age and obesity are significant risk factors for hiatal hernia. Obese individuals, in particular, experience higher intra-abdominal pressure, which significantly raises the likelihood of developing a hiatal hernia. The hernia may be diagnosed through an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or radiologically through a chest X-ray in the posterior-anterior view, defining the border of the esophagus. Hence, this facilitates a more seamless and precise diagnosis. Surgical fundoplication treatment improves the patient's condition better than solitary medical management. Overall, addressing the condition surgically often yields more favorable outcomes and enhances the patient's quality of life. Hiatal hernia usually presents with no or minimal clinical manifestations. Thus, this case report highlights the importance of comprehensive clinical management of such cases.

Idiopathic giant adrenal calcification: a rare case report.

Background: We describe a rare case of giant adrenal calcification as the main cause of sudden onset epigastric pain in a 57-year-old female patient. Case description: Computed tomography (CT) of the whole abdomen in this patient showed calcified foci measuring approximately 7.8 × 5.4 × 7.1 cm in the hepatorenal recess, and no enhancement effect was seen. Secondary causes of adrenal calcification in this patient were ruled out, and a rare diagnosis of a primary giant adrenal calcification was made. Subsequently, the right adrenal gland and calcified mass were completely resected. The calcification did not recur during 6 months of follow up. Conclusions: Although other cases of adrenal calcification of unknown origin have been reported, cases of giant idiopathic adrenal calcification are rare. In this case, huge calcification of the right adrenal gland caused abdominal pain, which disappeared after the mass was excised. The etiology, pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, and prognosis of idiopathic adrenal calcification are still unclear. Additional case reports are needed to gain a better understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

A Rare Case of a Non-seminomatous Testicular Cancer Metastasis to the Duodenum: A Case Report.

Testicular cancer is among the most common solid tumors in young men. Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) metastasis of testicular cancer has been rarely reported. In addition, metastasis occurs most commonly through retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Manifestations like abdominal pain and obstruction can be present if metastasis to GIT was considered. We report here a case of a 34-year-old male who was admitted to our GIT unit complaining of episodic epigastric pain. Computed Tomogram (CT) scan demonstrated a soft tissue like lesion involving the lumen of duodenum. Moreover, the patient had a right radical orchiectomy 18 months prior to the presentation due to a stage IA non-seminomatous germ cell tumor with no lymphovascular invasion and free surgical margins. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed a malignant appearing duodenal lesion and biopsy showed that it was compatible with germ cell tumor. Metastatic embryonal carcinoma to duodenum was diagnosed and confirmed by immunohistochemical stains. Then, the patient's situation was discussed and decided to be on a plan of four cycles of chemotherapy regimens. Testicular malignancy metastasis to GIT is uncommon, but it's important to know that there is a contact between GIT and testicular lymphatic drainage through para-aortic lymph nodes. So, even if it's rare to occur, it's still possible, and we should always be concerned about it. Mostly, diagnosis of testicular tumors begins with evaluating tumor markers such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (B-hCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). But in contrast, all of these markers were within the normal range of their values in our case. Suspicion for metastasis and GIT involvement must be raised when dealing with a young male who had a history of testicular tumor such as embryonal carcinoma which was reported here in our case. That is very essential for avoiding potential complications and saving time in order to start management.

Gastroduodenal Involvement in AL Amyloidosis: Case Report and Literature Review.

Gastrointestinal amyloidosis is a rare condition commonly found in the setting of systemic AL amyloidosis. Amyloid can deposit throughout the gastrointestinal tract and the resulting symptoms vary depending on the site of deposition. Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations can range from weight loss or abdominal pain, to more serious complications like gastrointestinal bleeding, malabsorption, dysmotility, and obstruction. This case describes a patient with known history of IgG lambda AL amyloidosis, presenting with epigastric pain and unintentional weight loss found to have gastroduodenal amyloidosis. The definitive diagnosis of GI amyloidosis requires endoscopic biopsy with Congo red staining and visualization under polarized light microscopy. There are currently no specific guidelines for the management of GI amyloidosis. Generally, the goal is to treat the underlying cause of the amyloidosis along with symptom management. Our patient is being treated with cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (CyBorD) and started on hemodialysis due to progression of renal disease.

Navigating the Diagnostic Journey in Pediatric Gastroenterology: Decoding Recurrent Vomiting and Epigastric Pain in a Child with Glutaric Aciduria Type II.

BACKGROUND: Glutaric aciduria type II (GA II), also known as multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD), is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder with varied manifestations and onset ages. CASE REPORT: This study presents a distinctive case of a 10-year-old girl who experienced episodic, intermittent vomiting and epigastric pain, particularly aggravated by high-fat and sweet foods. Despite inconclusive physical examinations and routine laboratory tests, and an initial suspicion of cyclic vomiting syndrome, the persistence of recurrent symptoms and metabolic abnormalities (metabolic acidosis and hypoglycemia) during her third hospital admission necessitated further investigation. Advanced diagnostic tests, including urinary organic acid analysis and genetic testing, identified heterozygous pathogenic variants in the ETFDH gene, confirming a diagnosis of GA IIc. The patient showed a positive response to a custom low-protein, low-fat diet supplemented with carnitine and riboflavin. SIGNIFICANCE: This case emphasizes the diagnostic challenges associated with recurrent, nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms in pediatric patients, particularly in differentiating between common gastrointestinal disorders and rare metabolic disorders like GA II. It highlights the importance of considering a broad differential diagnosis to enhance understanding and guide future medical approaches in similar cases.

Pseudo-Hypobicarbonatemia in Patients With Hypertriglyceridemia.

Hypobicarbonatemia with an elevated anion gap on a metabolic panel is frequently the initial marker of a life-threatening condition such as diabetic ketoacidosis in a patient with epigastric pain. The two commonly used means of measuring bicarbonate levels are direct measurement from a metabolic panel and calculated measurement from arterial blood gas. In this case report, we would like to highlight a potentially serious deficiency in one of these two means and how it may lead to a dangerous misdiagnosis and subsequent mismanagement. We also shine a light on potential measures to counteract or prevent this undesirable outcome.

Psychological Characteristics and Quality of Life of Patients With Functional Dyspepsia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare the psychosocial characteristics of functional dyspepsia (FD) with its subgroups, epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) and postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), against a healthy control group, and to investigate the quality of life (QoL). METHODS: All of the subjects were 210 adults, 131 patients with FD were diagnosed by gastroenterologist and 79 adults with no observable symptoms of FD were selected as the normal control group. Demographic factors were investigated. The Korean-Beck Depression Inventory-II, Korean-Beck Anxiety Inventory, Korean-Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and WHO Quality of Life Assessment Instrument Brief Form were used to assess psychological factors. A one-way analysis of variance was used to compare differences among the groups. Further, a stepwise regression analysis was conducted to determine factors affecting the QoL of the FD group. RESULTS: Between-group differences in demographic characteristics were not significant. Depression (F=37.166, p<0.001), anxiety (F=30.261, p<0.001), and childhood trauma (F=6.591, p<0.01) were all significantly higher in FD group compared to the normal control. Among FD subgroups, EPS exhibited higher levels of both depression and anxiety than PDS. Social support (F=17.673, p<0.001) and resilience (F=8.425, p<0.001) were significantly lower in FD group than in other groups, and the values were higher in PDS than in EPS. Resilience (ß=0.328, p<0.001) was the most important explanatory variable. The explained variance was 46.6%. CONCLUSION: Significantly more symptoms of depression, anxiety, childhood trauma was observed for both FD sub-group. These groups also had less social support, resilience, and QoL than the control groups.

Decoding the diagnostic dilemma: Peripheral T­cell lymphoma presenting as acute pancreatitis: A case report.

Peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by the origin of mature T-cells. PTCL demonstrates atypical clinical features and involves both nodal and extra-nodal sites. The diagnosis and treatment of PTCL can prove to be challenging, as it is often detected at advanced stages and is resistant to conventional chemotherapy treatments. The present report describes a 55-year-old male patient who presented with acute pancreatitis, and imaging suggested a soft tissue mass in the pancreatic head indicating pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Further investigation through ultrasound-guided biopsy led to the diagnosis of pancreatic PTCL not otherwise specified.

Lesser Omental Infarction: Clinical Insights and Diagnostic Challenges in a Rare Case of Acute Abdominal Pain.

Intraperitoneal focal fat infarction (IFFI) is a rare condition characterized by infarction of fatty tissue within the abdominal cavity. Lesser omental infarction, a relatively rare type of IFFI, occurs when there is an infarction of fat within the lesser omentum. Patients typically present with acute abdominal pain that can mimic more serious conditions. This case report highlights the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies for patients presenting to the emergency department with lesser omental infarction. A 63-year-old female presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of epigastric abdominal pain that had been persisting for approximately a week and a half. The pain, which initially seemed like a sore muscle, became increasingly sharp and intermittent, with tenderness upon palpation of the epigastric area. Computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed an omental infarct in the lesser sac with focal inflammation in the fat of the lesser omentum. Through conservative management with analgesics and anti-inflammatory medication, the patient experienced resolution of her symptoms within a few days and had a follow-up with the gastrointestinal team several weeks later. Lesser omental infarction typically results from compromised blood flow due to torsion or thrombosis, leading to ischemia and necrosis of the fatty tissue. CT imaging is crucial for its diagnosis and reveals fat-density lesions with surrounding inflammatory changes. Conservative management is typically effective, though in rare cases, surgical intervention may be necessary when significant vital signs and electrolyte derangements occur.

The therapy of functional dyspepsia: an update.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common disorder of the gut-brain interaction (previously named functional gastrointestinal disorders). Recent data evaluate its prevalence to 7% worldwide. FD is classified into epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) and PDS (PDS). While the diagnosis of FD is standardized thanks to the work of the Rome Foundation committees, the therapy is far from being satisfactory. A recent European guide found few strong recommendations, reflecting the lack of sufficient data for high levels of evidence. This review is presenting possibilities of management of FD. Therapeutic indications should target the main symptoms and be proportionate to the severity.

Prevalencia de dispepsia funcional en adolescentes cubanos / Prevalence of Functional Dyspepsia in Cuban Adolescents

Resumen Introducción: los trastornos digestivos funcionales son frecuentes en niños; sin embargo, hay escasos datos sobre la dispepsia funcional (DF) en adolescentes cubanos. Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de DF en adolescentes cubanos y sus posibles asociaciones. Metodología: se usó el cuestionario para síntomas digestivos pediátricos de Roma IV en español para identificar la presencia de DF en adolescentes de 3 centros escolares de La Habana, Cuba. Se tuvieron en cuenta variables sociodemográficas, personales, familiares, clínicas y epidemiológicas. Resultados: de los 318 adolescentes que participaron en el estudio, 11 adolescentes (3,5 %) de 11,4 ± 1,2 años de edad, 81,8 % de sexo femenino, presentaron DF. La DF fue más frecuente en el sexo femenino (odds ratio [OR]: 5,33; intervalo de confianza [IC] 95 %: 1,06-51,45; p = 0,019). El síndrome de dificultad posprandial (SDP) fue mayor que el síndrome de dolor epigástrico (SDE) en una proporción 1,8:1. En el 63,6 % se presentó superposición entre DF y estreñimiento funcional. Hubo predominio de DF en los niños con padres separados/divorciados (OR: 4,74; IC 95 %: 1,09-28,31; p = 0,014). Conclusión: la DF es más común en adolescentes femeninas, el SDP es el subtipo más frecuente y su presencia está asociada con padres separados/divorciados.

Abstract Introduction: functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are common in children. However, data on functional dyspepsia (FD) in Cuban adolescents is scarce. Objective: to determine the prevalence of FD in Cuban adolescents and their possible associations. Methodology: the questionnaire for pediatric digestive symptoms of Rome IV was used in Spanish to identify the presence of DF in adolescents from 3 schools in La Havana, Cuba. Sociodemographic, personal, family, clinical, and epidemiological variables were considered. Results: of the 318 adolescents who participated in the study, 11 (3.5%) aged 11.4 ± 1.2 years, 81.8% female, presented FD. Functional dyspepsia was more frequent in females (odds ratio [OR]: 5.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-51.45; p = 0.019). The postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) was higher than the epigastric pain syndrome (SDE) by a 1.8:1 ratio. There was an overlap between DF and functional constipation in 63.6% of the patients. There was an FD predominance in children with separated or divorced parents (OR: 4.74; 95% CI: 1.09-28.31; p = 0.014). Conclusion: functional dyspepsia is most common in female adolescents, PSD is the most frequent subtype, and its presence is associated with separated or divorced parents.

Dolor epigástrico postural como posible síntoma exclusivo de gastritis por citomegalovirus en pacientes trasplantados renales: presentación de un caso / Epigastric Pain related to Posture as a Possible Symptom of Gastritis due to Cytomegalovirus in a Renal Transplant Patient: A Case Report

La enfermedad por citomegalovirus es una entidad con importante morbilidad y mortalidad en pacientes trasplantados de órgano sólido, que se puede presentar como primoinfección o reactivación y con manifestaciones clínicas muy variables. A continuación se reporta el caso de un paciente con dolor epigástrico intenso postural como síntoma inicial de primoinfección por citomegalovirus.

Cytomegalovirus is an entity which causes significant morbidity and mortality among solid organ transplant patients. It may occur as a primary infection or be reactivated. In either case clinical manifestations vary. We report the case of a patient with severe epigastric pain related to posture which was the primary symptom of a cytomegalovirus infection.