CT evaluation of bowel wall enhancement in pneumatosis intestinalis: preventing non-therapeutic laparotomies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of bowel wall enhancement for diagnosing concomitant bowel ischemia in patients with parietal pneumatosis (PI) diagnosed at abdominal CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2021, 226 consecutive patients who presented with PI on abdominal CT from any bowel segment were included. Variables at the time of the CT were retrospectively extracted from medical charts. CT examinations were blindly analyzed by two independent radiologists. The third reader classified all disagreement of bowel enhancement in three categories: (1) normal bowel enhancement; (2) doubtful bowel wall enhancement; (3) absent bowel wall enhancement. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. Concomitant bowel ischemia was defined as requirement of bowel resection specifically due to ischemic lesion in operated patients and death from bowel ischemia in non-operated patients. RESULTS: Overall, 78/226 (35%) patients had PI associated with concomitant bowel ischemia. At multivariate analysis, Only absence or doubtful bowel wall enhancement was associated with concomitant bowel ischemia (OR = 167.73 95%CI [23.39-4349.81], P < 0,001) and acute mesenteric ischemia associated with PP (OR = 67.94; 95%CI [5.18-3262.36], P < 0.009). Among the 82 patients who underwent a laparotomy for suspected bowel ischemia, rate of non-therapeutic laparotomy increased from 15/59 (25%), 2/6 (50%) and 16/17 (94%) when bowel wall enhancement was absent, doubtful and normal respectively. CONCLUSION: Absence of enhancement of the bowel wall is the primary feature associated with concomitant bowel ischemia. It should be carefully assessed when PI is detected to avoid non-therapeutic laparotomy.

Should we perform decompressive laparotomy during severe acute pancreatitis with intra-abdominal hypertension below 25 mmHg: Only the gut knows.

We suggest that during severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) with intra-abdominal hypertension, practitioners should consider decompressive laparotomy, even with intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) below 25 mmHg. Indeed, in this setting, non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) may occur even with IAP below this cutoff and lead to transmural necrosis if abdominal perfusion pressure is not promptly restored. We report our experience of 18 critically ill patients with SAP having undergone decompressive laparotomy of which one third had NOMI while IAP was mostly below 25 mmHg.

Nicotine patches in patients on mechanical ventilation for severe COVID-19: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial.

PURPOSE: Epidemiologic studies have documented lower rates of active smokers compared to former or non-smokers in symptomatic patients affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We assessed the efficacy and safety of nicotine administered by a transdermal patch in critically ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: In this multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 18 intensive care units in France, we randomly assigned adult patients (non-smokers, non-vapers or who had quit smoking/vaping for at least 12 months) with proven COVID-19 pneumonia receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for up to 72 h to receive transdermal patches containing either nicotine at a daily dose of 14 mg or placebo until 48 h following successful weaning from mechanical ventilation or for a maximum of 30 days, followed by 3-week dose tapering by 3.5 mg per week. Randomization was stratified by centre, non- or former smoker status and Sequential Organ Function Assessment score (< or ≥ 7). The primary outcome was day-28 mortality. Main prespecified secondary outcomes included 60-day mortality, time to successful extubation, days alive and free from mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, vasopressor support or organ failure at day 28. RESULTS: Between November 6th 2020, and April 2nd 2021, 220 patients were randomized from 18 active recruiting centers. After excluding 2 patients who withdrew consent, 218 patients (152 [70%] men) were included in the analysis: 106 patients to the nicotine group and 112 to the placebo group. Day-28 mortality did not differ between the two groups (30 [28%] of 106 patients in the nicotine group vs 31 [28%] of 112 patients in the placebo group; odds ratio 1.03 [95% confidence interval, CI 0.57-1.87]; p = 0.46). The median number of day-28 ventilator-free days was 0 (IQR 0-14) in the nicotine group and 0 (0-13) in the placebo group (with a difference estimate between the medians of 0 [95% CI -3-7]). Adverse events likely related to nicotine were rare (3%) and similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In patients having developed severe COVID-19 pneumonia requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, transdermal nicotine did not significantly reduce day-28 mortality. There is no indication to use nicotine in this situation.

Prognostic Factors in Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia: A pragmatic pre-operative score for the prediction of 28-day mortality.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of critical ill patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) is poor and not fully understood. We aimed to determine preoperative factors associated with 28-day mortality in NOMI. METHODS: Variables associated with 28-day mortality were entered into a multivariate cox regression model and were used to compute a NOMI mortality score. RESULTS: 154 patients were included. The 28-day mortality rate was 56%. Multivariable analyses including variables at the time of the CT identified three variables (i.e. lactates > 7 mmoL/l, prothrombin rate <60% and kidney infarction), included in a simple score. Among the study population, the probability of 28-day mortality was 26% (11/42), 54% (26/48), 77% (23/30) and 100% (21/21) for a survival score of 0, 1, 2 and 3, respectively. CONCLUSION: A simple score combining these three variables, calculated preoperatively, was able to accurately predict 28-day mortality and might help to avoid futile laparotomies.

Stratification of sigmoid volvulus early recurrence risk using a combination of CT features.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify computed tomography (CT) features associated with early recurrence of sigmoid volvulus (SV) after a first uncomplicated episode and to develop a score for early SV recurrence risk stratification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 95 patients (59 men, 36 women; mean age, 72 ± 15 [SD] years; age range: 57-87 years) who underwent abdominal CT examination for a first uncomplicated SV episode from January 1st 2006 to July 31st 2020 in two French University Hospitals were retrospectively included. A SV recurrence occurring within six months was defined as early SV recurrence. CT findings associated with SV were searched for using univariable analysis. CT features associated with early recurrence were computed into a multivariable logistic regression model that was further used to build a score to stratify SV recurrence risk. Kaplan-Meier curves were built to evaluate recurrence-free survival. RESULTS: Early SV recurrence occurred in 53 patients (56%). At multivariable analysis, left lateral section volume < 150 cm3 and maximal colon distension > 10 cm were associated with early SV recurrence (Odds ratio [OR] = 4.62; 95% CI: 1.77-13.33; P = 0.002 and OR = 4.43 95% CI: 1.63-13.63; P = 0.005) respectively), and an early SV recurrence score with 1 point attributed to each of these two variables was built. Early SV recurrence was observed in 26%, 54% and 89% of patients with score of 0, 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A simple CT score allows stratification of early SV recurrence after a first episode and helps to select patient who would not benefit from prophylactic colonic surgery because of a low SV recurrence risk.

Evaluating the Risk of Irreversible Intestinal Necrosis Among Critically Ill Patients With Nonocclusive Mesenteric Ischemia.

INTRODUCTION: To identify factors associated with irreversible transmural necrosis (ITN) among critically ill patients experiencing nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) and to compare the predictive value regarding ITN risk stratification with that of the previously described Clichy score. METHODS: All consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit between 2009 and 2019 who underwent exploratory laparotomy for NOMI and who had an available contrast-enhanced computed tomography with at least 1 portal venous phase were evaluated for inclusion. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological variables were collected. ITN was assessed on pathological reports of surgical specimens and/or on laparotomy findings in cases of open-close surgery. Factors associated with ITN were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis to derive a NOMI-ITN score. This score was further compared with the Clichy score. RESULTS: We identified 4 factors associated with ITN in the context of NOMI: absence of bowel enhancement, bowel thinning, plasma bicarbonate concentration ≤15 mmol/L, and prothrombin rate <40%. These factors were included in a new NOMI-ITN score, with 1 point attributed for each variable. ITN was observed in 6%, 38%, 65%, 88%, and 100% of patients with NOMI-ITN score ranging from 0 to 4, respectively. The NOMI-ITN score outperformed the Clichy score for the prediction of ITN (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve 0.882 [95% confidence interval 0.826-0.938] vs 0.674 [95% confidence interval 0.582-0.766], respectively, P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: We propose a new 4-point score aimed at stratifying risk of ITN in patients with NOMI. The Clichy score should be applied to patients with occlusive acute mesenteric ischemia only.

New clinical algorithm including fungal biomarkers to better diagnose probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in ICU.

BACKGROUND: The classification of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) issued by the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group Education and Research Consortium (EORTC/MSGERC) is used for immunocompromised patients. An alternative algorithm adapted to the intensive care unit (ICU) population has been proposed (AspICU), but this algorithm did not include microbial biomarkers such as the galactomannan antigen and the Aspergillus quantitative PCR. The objective of the present pilot study was to evaluate a new algorithm that includes fungal biomarkers (BM-AspICU) for the diagnosis of probable IPA in an ICU population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from 35 patients with pathology-proven IPA according to European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycosis Study Group (EORTC/MSGERC)-2008 criteria were extracted from the French multicenter database of the Invasive Fungal Infections Surveillance Network (RESSIF). The patients were investigated according to the AspICU algorithm, and the BM-AspICU algorithm in analyzing the clinical, imaging, and biomarker data available in the records, without taking into account the pathology findings. RESULTS: Eight patients had to be excluded because no imaging data were recorded in the database. Among the 27 proven IPAs with complete data, 16 would have been considered as putative IPA with the AspICU algorithm and 24 would have been considered as probable IPA using the new algorithm BM-AspICU. Seven out of the 8 patients with probable BM-AspICU IPA (and not classified with the AspICU algorithm) had no host factors and no Aspergillus-positive broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) culture. Three patients were non-classifiable with any of the two algorithms, because they did not have any microbial criteria during the course of the infection, and diagnosis of proven aspergillosis was done using autopsy samples. CONCLUSION: Inclusion of biomarkers could be effective to identify probable IPA in the ICU population. A prospective study is needed to validate the routine application of the BM-AspICU algorithm in the ICU population.

Acute cholangitis in intensive care units: clinical, biological, microbiological spectrum and risk factors for mortality: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known on the outcome and risk factors for mortality of patients admitted in Intensive Care units (ICUs) for Acute cholangitis (AC). METHODS: Retrospective multicenter study included adults admitted in eleven intensive care units for a proven AC from 2005 to 2018. Risk factors for in-hospital mortality were identified using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 382 patients were included, in-hospital mortality was 29%. SOFA score at admission was 8 [5-11]. Biliary obstruction was mainly related to gallstone (53%) and cancer (22%). Median total bilirubin and PCT were respectively 83 µmol/L [50-147] and 19.1 µg/L [5.3-54.8]. Sixty-three percent of patients (n = 252) had positive blood culture, mainly Gram-negative bacilli (86%) and 14% produced extended spectrum beta lactamase bacteria. At ICU admission, persisting obstruction was frequent (79%) and biliary decompression was performed using therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (76%) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (21%). Adjusted mortality significantly decreased overtime, adjusted OR for mortality per year was 0.72 [0.54-0.96] (p = 0.02). In a multivariate analysis, factors at admission associated with in-hospital mortality were: SOFA score (OR 1.14 [95% CI 1.05-1.24] by point, p = 0.001), lactate (OR 1.21 [95% CI 1.08-1.36], by 1 mmol/L, p < 0.001), total serum bilirubin (OR 1.26 [95% CI 1.12-1.41], by 50 µmol/L, p < 0.001), obstruction non-related to gallstones (p < 0.05) and AC complications (OR 2.74 [95% CI 1.45-5.17], p = 0.002). Time between ICU admission and biliary decompression > 48 h was associated with in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR 2.73 [95% CI 1.30-6.22], p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In this large retrospective multicenter study, we found that AC-associated mortality significantly decreased overtime. Severity of organ failure, cause of obstruction and local complications of AC are risk factors for mortality, as well as delayed biliary drainage > 48 h.

Factors Associated With Pulmonary Embolism Among Coronavirus Disease 2019 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Multicenter Study Among 375 Patients.

Risk factors associated with pulmonary embolism in coronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients deserve to be better known. We therefore performed a post hoc analysis from the COronaVirus-Associated DIsease Study (COVADIS) project, a multicenter observational study gathering 21 ICUs from France (n = 12) and Belgium (n = 9). Three-hundred seventy-five consecutive patients with moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and positive coronavirus disease 2019 were included in the study. At day 28, 15% were diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. Known risk factors for pulmonary embolism including cancer, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were not associated with pulmonary embolism. In the multivariate analysis, younger age (< 65 yr) (odds ratio, 2.14; 1.17-4.03), time between onset of symptoms and antiviral administration greater than or equal to 7 days (odds ratio, 2.39; 1.27-4.73), and use of neuromuscular blockers greater than or equal to 7 days (odds ratio, 1.89; 1.05-3.43) were independently associated with pulmonary embolism. These new findings reinforce the need for prospective studies that will determine the predictors of pulmonary embolism among patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019.

Sarcopenia and visceral obesity assessed by computed tomography are associated with adverse outcomes in patients with Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Altered body composition may impact on the clinical course of Crohn's disease (CD) but is not detected by the simple body mass index (BMI) assessment. AIM: To assess the prevalence of sarcopenia and visceral obesity by a single computed tomography (CT) slice, and its association with adverse events in an adult hospitalized CD cohort. METHODS: 88 CD patients who had abdominal CT scans during hospitalization were retrospectively enrolled. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) at the third lumbar vertebra level was used to assess sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was defined as a SMI <38.5 cm2/m2 in women, <52.4 cm2/m2 in men and visceral obesity as a visceral fat area ≥130 cm2. Clinical malnutrition was defined by a BMI <18.5 kg/m2. Univariate analysis was performed, and predictors for surgery in the follow-up were entered in a stepwise logistic regression model for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 58%, malnutrition 21.6%, and visceral obesity 19.3%. Among sarcopenic patients, 49% had a normal BMI, 13.7% were overweight, and 1(2%) was obese. Sarcopenic CD patients had significantly more abscesses (51% vs 16.7%, p = 0.001), hospitalizations (61.2% vs 36.1%, p = 0.022) and digestive surgery (63.3% vs 27.8%, p = 0.001) than non-sarcopenic patients during the follow-up, whereas usual malnutrition assessment was not correlated with disease outcomes. In multivariate analysis, both sarcopenia and visceral obesity were associated with further occurrence of digestive surgery. CONCLUSION: Both sarcopenia and visceral obesity were associated with adverse outcomes in severe CD patients whereas usual nutritional assessment was not.

Transmural Bowel Necrosis From Acute Mesenteric Ischemia and Strangulated Small-Bowel Obstruction: Distinctive CT Features.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess whether transmural bowel necrosis has distinct CT features based on the three main causes: occlusive acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI), nonocclusive AMI, and strangulated small-bowel obstruction (SBO). MATERIALS AND METHODS. From January 2010 to December 2017, the records of all patients with a pathologic diagnosis of transmural bowel necrosis were extracted from the pathology department database of a university hospital. The inclusion criteria for the study were presence of transmural bowel necrosis at pathologic examination and available contrast-enhanced CT images obtained within the 24 hours before surgery. Seventy-seven patients were finally included. The CT scans were retrospectively independently reviewed by two abdominal radiologists to identify the classic CT findings of transmural bowel necrosis. Statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS. Pneumatosis intestinalis was statistically more frequent in nonocclusive AMI (59%) than in occlusive AMI (29%) and strangulated SBO (7%) (p < 0.01), as were superior mesenteric venous gas (55%, 29%, and 0%; p < 0.01) and portal venous gas (48%, 10%, and 0%; p < 0.01). Decreased or absent bowel wall enhancement was more frequent in AMI than in SBO (nonocclusive AMI, 83%; occlusive AMI, 81%; SBO, 56%; p = 0.02), as was thinned bowel wall (nonocclusive AMI, 52%; occlusive AMI, 48%; SBO, 18%; p = 0.02). Spontaneous hyperattenuation of the bowel wall was more frequent in strangulated SBO (41%) than in nonocclusive AMI (10%) and occlusive AMI (14%) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION. Transmural bowel necrosis has distinct CT findings according to its three main causes. Occlusive AMI is characterized by an absence of bowel wall enhancement and less mesenteric fat stranding, nonocclusive AMI by a high prevalence of pneumatosis intestinalis and portal venous gas, and strangulated SBO by spontaneous hyperattenuation of the bowel wall and an absence of pneumatosis intestinalis and portal venous gas.

Transient portal venous gas associated with reversible non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia: A case report.

OBJECTIVES: To report the utility of abdominal ultrasonography (US) to identify the presence of portal venous gas (PVG) during non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI), and to follow the disappearance of portal venous gas after resolution of the NOMI. DATA SOURCES: This was a clinical observation of a patient, with images of abdominal computed tomography (CT), and a video of portal venous gas identified by ultrasonography. DATA SYNTHESIS: We describe the case of an adult patient admitted to our ICU for NOMI developing 48h after cardiac surgery. Medical intensive care associated with jejunal resection and vacuum-assisted closure led to rapid recovery. Three weeks later, the patient presented acute pulmonary edema, and developed a new episode of NOMI that was suspected by identification of PVG on US, and then confirmed on abdominal CT. The patient rapidly improved after orotracheal intubation and treatment of pulmonary edema. A second US performed 9h later showed disappearance of PVG. The laparotomy performed 10h after the first US did not find evidence of small bowel or colon ischemia. The postoperative period was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: US is a useful tool for the detection of PVG in critically ill patients, prompting suspicion of AMI. PVG can be observed at the early phase of AMI, even before irreversible transmural gut ischemia; transient PVG that disappears rapidly (within several hours) may suggest resolution of the NOMI.

Acute Mesenteric Ischemia Among Postcardiac Surgery Patients Presenting with Multiple Organ Failure.

BACKGROUND: Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a rare but severe complication after cardiac surgery. However, AMI is likely to be more frequent in the subgroup of patients presenting with multiple organ failure after a cardiac surgery. The primary objective of this study was to identify AMI risk factors among patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission after cardiac surgery. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of all the patients requiring admission to two ICUs in a large university hospital after a cardiac surgery procedure. AMI confirmation was based on abdominal computed tomography scan, digestive endoscopy, laparotomy, or postmortem examination. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to compare pre- and in-ICU characteristics between patients with or without AMI. RESULTS: Between 2007 and 2013, a cardiac surgery was performed in 4,948 patients, of whom 320 patients (6%) required ICU admission for multiple organ failure. AMI was confirmed in 10% of the patients admitted to the ICU for multiple organ failure (33/320). The prognosis of these patients was extremely poor with 28- and 90-day mortality rates of 64% and 83%, respectively. Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) was the main mechanism involved in 83% of the patients. Coronary artery bypass graft, need for blood transfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass, aspartate aminotransferase at least 100 UI/L, and Simplified Acute Physiology Score II at least 50 at ICU admission were independently associated with AMI. An AMI risk score based upon these four risk factors was able to identify three classes of risk: low risk (<1%), intermediate risk (9%), and high risk (29%). CONCLUSION: AMI is a frequent condition among patients presenting with multiple organ failure after cardiac surgery, occurring in 10% of them. The prognosis of AMI is extremely poor. The main mechanism of AMI is NOMI, occurring in approximately 80% of patients. Further progress should be performed on prevention and earlier diagnosis.

Echography of the Portal Vein in a Patient With Shock.

OBJECTIVES: To report the utility of abdominal ultrasonography to identify portal venous gas in patients with shock, as an indicator of acute mesenteric ischemia, and to illustrate the aspect of portal venous gas on ultrasonography. DATA SOURCES: Clinical observation of a patient, images of abdominal ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography, and video of portal venous gas. STUDY SELECTION: Not applicable. DATA EXTRACTION: Relevant information contained in the medical observation of the patient and selection of image and video of ultrasonography performed in the patient. DATA SYNTHESIS: We report a case of nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia in a 76-year-old patient following cardiac surgery. The diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia was proposed based on evidence of portal venous gas on abdominal ultrasonography and then confirmed by abdominal computed tomography showing transverse colonic ischemia, the presence of gas in the mesenteric veins but not in the portal vein. Urgent laparotomy confirmed extensive nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia, and the patient rapidly died of multiple organ failure. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive care physicians should be aware of the ultrasound characteristics of portal venous gas. In patients with shock, in addition to cardiac and thoracic echography, investigation of portal venous gas using bedside ultrasonography may help the clinician to identify patients in whom acute mesenteric ischemia develops.

Small bowel adenocarcinomas complicating Crohn's disease are associated with dysplasia: a pathological and molecular study.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) is associated with an increased risk of small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA). However, there are no guidelines for the screening and early diagnosis of SBA. Colorectal cancer associated with chronic colitis arises from dysplasia. High-risk patients benefit from surveillance colonoscopies aimed to detect dysplasia. The dysplasia-carcinoma sequence remains poorly documented in CD-associated SBA. Moreover, molecular data about SBA complicating CD and associated dysplasia are very limited. We therefore assessed dysplasia and several key molecular markers of carcinogenesis in SBA and dysplasia developed in patients with CD. METHODS: Forty-five SBA complicating CD and 4 specimens with dysplasia without SBA were screened. In SBA, we looked for dysplasia and determined their pathological characteristics (type, grade, distribution). We also stained for mismatch repair proteins (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2), p53, ß-catenin, and p16 and looked for KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA mutations. RESULTS: All neoplastic lesions, except 1 lesion, were found in inflamed mucosal areas. Dysplasia was found in 20 of 41 patients with SBA (49%). Dysplasia was flat or raised, low grade or high grade, and adjacent or distant to concomitant SBA. Molecular markers of SBA carcinogenesis complicating CD were similar to those observed in chronic colitis-related colorectal cancer (KRAS, BRAF, p53, MSI), although differences were observed for ß-catenin and p16. No PIK3CA mutations were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that there is an inflammation-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence in at least half of CD-related SBA, similar to what is observed in chronic colitis-related colorectal cancer and may have implications for the prevention and treatment of this cancer.

[A letal case of gastro-intestinal basidiobolomycosis]. / Une forme gastro-intestinale de basidiobolomycose d'évolution fatale.

We report here the case of a 55-year-old man from Mali, who presented with abdominal pain. Radiological exploration revealed an ileo-colonic mass surrounding the appendix. A biopsy was taken and on histology, transmural granulomatous inflammation of numerous eosinophils, lymphocytes, plasmocytes and giant cells was seen. Tuberculosis was suspected clinically and an antibiotic treatment was initiated. Two months later, the patient died of septic complications. Basidiobolus ranarum was identified by PCR. Pathogens were retrospectively highlighted on biopsies. These elements were between 10 and 15 µm in diameter, occasionally pseudo-septated, and were surrounded by a thick eosinophilic cuff. The thick eosinophilic cuff was identified as the Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon. Basidiobolomycosis is a well-known infection in the tropical areas. Basidiobolus sp., fungus of the order Entomophtorales are a known cause of chronic subcutaneous mycosis. Gastro-intestinal basidiobolomycosis is rare and presents considerable diagnostic difficulty. This infection needs to be diagnosed because surgical resection and prolonged antifungal treatment are curable in most cases.