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.

Low-dose pulsed vs standard pulsed fluoroscopy during ERCP to reduce radiation without change in image quality: Prospective randomized study.

Background and study aims Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) poses the risk of radiation exposure (RE) to patients and staff and increases the risk of adverse biological effects such as cataracts, sterility, and cancer. Newer fluoroscopy equipment (C-Arm) provides options to limit radiation in the form of lower radiation dose and frame rate or time-limited "pulsed" settings. However, the impact of lower settings on image quality has not been assessed, and no standard protocol exists for fluoroscopy settings used during ERCP. Patients and methods This was a single-center, double-blind, prospective randomized study of consecutive adult patients undergoing standard-of-care ERCP at a tertiary academic medical center. Patients were randomized into two groups: 1) standard-dose pulsed and 2) low-dose pulsed. Pulsed mode (8 fps) was defined as x-ray exposure either in the manufacturer standard-dose or low-dose settings limited to 3 seconds each time the foot-operated switch was depressed. Results Seventy-eight patients undergoing ERCP were enrolled and randomized. No difference in age, gender, or body mass index was found between the two groups. No significant difference in image quality was found between standard-dose and low-dose fluoroscopy P = 0.925). The low-dose group was exposed to significantly less radiation when compared with standard-dose P < 0.05). Fluoroscopy time (minutes) was similar in both groups (2.0 vs 1.9), further suggesting that group assignment had no impact on image quality or procedure time. Conclusions Low-dose pulsed fluoroscopy is a reliable method that substantially reduces radiation without compromising image quality or affecting procedure or fluoroscopy times. This underscores the need for standardization in ERCP fluoroscopy settings to limit radiation exposure.

Analysis of adverse events with lumen apposing metal stents for drainage of pancreatic fluid collections.

Background and study aims Innovations in endoscopic management of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) using lumen apposing metal stents (LAMS) have rendered it a preferred approach for drainage of PFCs. These advances have not come without concern for adverse events (AEs). We present our experience with LAMS for drainage of PFCs and analyze factors that contribute to LAMS-related AEs. Patients and methods From November 2015 to October 2021, a retrospective analysis was performed of patients undergoing endoscopic management of PFCs using LAMS. All AEs were classified as either early (<48 hours) or late (>48 hours). Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using logistic regression to assess the relationship between independent variables and AEs. Results A total of 119 patients with symptomatic PFCs underwent endoscopic drainage with LAMS. There were 16 AEs (12.4%). These included systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (n=2), stent occlusion (n=5), bleeding (n=7), and stent migration (n=2). Univariate analysis of risk of AEs showed that no variables approached statistical significance. Of the seven patients who developed bleeding, five had pseudoaneurysms following LAMS placement and underwent angioembolization by an interventional radiologist. The average time to bleeding was 9.3 days (standard deviation 7.3) with all bleeding events occurring within 3 weeks. In a multivariate model, pseudocysts and presence of paracolic gutter extension were associated with an increased risk of bleeding. Conclusions Endoscopists should be aware of the risk factors for LAMS-related bleeding and tailor their drainage strategy, including utilization of plastic stents for drainage of pseudocysts and adherence to a strict imaging interval and follow-up protocol.

Small Bowel Obstruction Secondary to Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band Connecting Tube Intertwinement Within the Mesentery: A Case Report.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a technique used for the surgical management of morbid obesity. This report illustrates the case of a 46-year-old African American woman who presented with a rare case of small bowel obstruction (SBO) two years post-LAGB placement. SBO, in this case, was a result of LAGB connecting tube intertwinement within the mesentery, accompanied by adhesions. The patient was diagnosed clinically and radiologically by computed tomography (CT) scan, which showed high-grade SBO. Initially, an exploratory laparoscopy was conducted, which soon transformed into an exploratory laparotomy when the cause of obstruction was seen to be the intertwinement of the connecting tube of the gastric band with the mesentery. With the rise of bariatric procedures to combat the epidemic of obesity in American society, this rare complication secondary to one of the most widely performed procedures beckons the attention of bariatric surgeons, emergency personnel, and device manufacturers.

A Case Report on Hepatic Portal Venous Gas (HPVG).

Hepatic Portal Venous Gas (HPVG) is the abnormal presence of gas in the portal venous system. It is associated with life-threatening conditions and is a sinister radiological sign. This case report aims to evaluate the significance of HPVG as a radiological sign. Our case involves a 49-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital following a one-day history of severe epigastric pain and haematemesis. Investigations showed extensive HPVG, gastric pneumatosis, a large retroperitoneal haematoma, and an obstructive lesion between the first and second part of the duodenum. Our patient was managed conservatively in the High Dependency Unit (HDU). A repeat Computerised Tomography (CT) scan showed successful resolution of the HPVG and gastric pneumatosis without any invasive intervention.

When You Hear Hoofbeats, Think of Zebras: An Autobiographical Case Report of Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is a rare, potentially fatal condition that presents with nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients often improve clinically following treatment, but complete symptom resolution is challenging to attain. This case report describes the author's 10-year experience with SMAS following the onset of symptoms at the age of 16 years, as well as sequential diagnoses related to her course of SMAS. Treatment outcomes in the literature, as well as the author's experience with diagnosis and treatment, will be discussed.

An Unfortunate Union: A Case of Multiple Magnet Ingestion in a Pediatric Patient.

Magnets are among the most dangerous foreign objects that a child can ingest. If more than one magnet is ingested, the attraction between loops of the bowel can bring adjacent loops closer together, leading to perforation, obstruction, or fistulization. Pediatric magnet ingestion patients often require endoscopic or surgical intervention to retrieve the objects and repair the damage created by the magnets. Due to the risks of surgical intervention, management is done with strict adherence to the rare earth magnet ingestion algorithm. We highlighted a pediatric case of multiple magnet ingestion, and the steps that were taken to manage the patient. Our case highlights the potential for complications and the importance of adherence to the management algorithm in these patients. Epidemiology, mechanisms, algorithms, and outcomes for pediatric magnet ingestion patients were discussed.

Idiopathic Portal Vein Thrombosis in a Non-cirrhotic Patient: A Discussion of Management and a Review of Literature.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is most commonly seen in people with predisposing conditions such as cirrhosis, hepatobiliary malignancies, infectious or inflammatory abdominal disease, or haematologic disorders. However, the incidence of idiopathic portal vein thrombosis in non-cirrhotic people is low and approximately 25% of existing cases have no identifiable cause. If untreated, complications can include portal hypertension, a cavernous transformation of the portal vein, varices, septic thrombosis, or intestinal ischemia. We report the case of a 27-year-old female who presented to her general practitioner with two weeks of epigastric pain. She was referred for an upper abdominal USG and CT imaging, which identified portal vein thrombosis with a normal appearance of the gallbladder, liver, and spleen. Thrombophilia screen was negative for Factor V Leiden and prothrombin mutations and lupus anticoagulant. The tumour markers alpha-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen were also within normal limits. The patient was started on rivaroxaban indefinitely following advice from a vascular surgeon and haematologist. Subsequent follow-up imaging also revealed cavernous transformation of the portal vein. We present this case to discuss the diagnosis, management and treatment of this patient and to review the current evidence available in managing idiopathic portal vein thrombosis in non-cirrhotic patients, especially the role of anticoagulation in chronic cases.

"To stent or not to stent?": immediate emergency surgery with laparoscopic radical colectomy with CME and primary anastomosis is feasible for obstructing left colon carcinoma.

Great debate exists in the initial acute management of large bowel obstruction from obstructing left colon carcinoma. While endoscopic stenting is well established as the first approach in the setting of palliative care of patients with advanced metastatic disease as well as a bridge to elective surgery in elderly patients who have an increased risk of postoperative mortality (age >70 years and/or ASA status ≥3), controversies exist regarding oncological safety and long-term outcomes of endoscopic colonic stenting in younger patients and ESGE Guidelines do not recommend SEMS placement in patients <70 and fit for curative surgery. Particularly, the Consensus Panelists currently state that SEMS placement as a bridge to surgery is not recommended as the standard treatment because (1) it does not reduce the postoperative mortality in the general population, (2) SEMS may be associated with an increased risk of tumor recurrence, and (3) acute resection is feasible in young and fit patients, with an acceptable postoperative mortality rate. A 32-year-old lady was admitted with complete LBO from obstructing sigmoid carcinoma. Initial i.v. CE-CT scan detected a large bowel partial obstruction with fecal impaction in the entire colon until sigmoid with some mildly dilated SB loops. The presence of a thickened area in the colonic wall could not be assessed because the patient was young and thin and in such patients the CT appearance of bowel wall cannot be clearly appreciated. She was initially managed with laxatives and gastrografin. The patient's obstruction did not improve and abdominal distension worsened with nausea and colicky pain. Urgent endoscopy detected a friable mass, consistent with completely obstructing carcinoma of the mid sigmoid. Biopsies were taken and distal ink marking was made. Whole-body urgent CT scan with i.v. contrast was performed in order to obtain full preoperative staging and to rule out distant metastases. CT scan and the previously given oral gastrografin confirmed complete large bowel obstruction with a tight stricture in the sigmoid. Cecum was markedly distended.