Hepatic Infarction in a Patient With Sickle Cell Trait Presenting With HELLP Syndrome.

Hepatic infarction is uncommon due to the dual blood supply from the hepatic artery and portal vein. The majority of the cases are caused following liver transplant or hepatobiliary surgery, hepatic artery occlusion, or shock. Hepatic infarction is a rare complication of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome. HELLP is an obstetrical emergency requiring prompt delivery. The presence of elevated liver enzymes, mainly alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in pre-eclampsia, should warrant diagnosis and treatment in the line of HELLP syndrome. Our patient with underlying sickle cell trait presented with features of HELLP syndrome in her third trimester of pregnancy. She underwent cesarean delivery on the same day of the presentation. The liver enzymes continued to rise following delivery and peaked on postoperative day two. Contrast computed tomography scan showed multifocal hepatic infarctions. Pre-eclampsia by itself is a state of impaired oxygenation and can lead to hepatic hypoperfusion, and appeared to be a clear contributor to the hepatic infarction in this case. However, this case also raises the question of whether the underlying sickle cell trait might have potentiated the hepatic infarction. Although sickle cell disease is well known to cause hepatic infarctions, it is unknown whether the sickle cell trait affects the liver to a similar extent as sickle cell disease. In addition, there have been case reports of sickle cell trait causing splenic infarcts and renal papillary necrosis, but it remains unclear if it can be directly associated with hepatic infarction.

A Systematic Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Fecal Microbiota Transplant for Clostridium difficile Infection in Immunocompromised Patients.

Background: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been shown to be effective in recurrent Clostridium difficile (CD) infection, with resolution in 80% to 90% of patients. However, immunosuppressed patients were often excluded from FMT trials, so safety and efficacy in this population are unknown. Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for English language articles published on FMT for treatment of CD infection in immunocompromised patients (including patients on immunosuppressant medications, patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), inherited or primary immunodeficiency syndromes, cancer undergoing chemotherapy, or organ transplant, including-bone marrow transplant) of all ages. We excluded inflammatory bowel disease patients that were not on immunosuppressant medications. Resolution and adverse event rates (including secondary infection, rehospitalization, and death) were calculated. Results: Forty-four studies were included, none of which were randomized designs. A total of 303 immunocompromised patients were studied. Mean patient age was 57.3 years. Immunosuppressant medication use was the reason for the immunocompromised state in the majority (77.2%), and 19.2% had greater than one immunocompromising condition. Seventy-six percent were given FMT via colonoscopy. Of the 234 patients with reported follow-up outcomes, 207/234 (87%) reported resolution after first treatment, with 93% noting success after multiple treatments. There were 2 reported deaths, 2 colectomies, 5 treatment-related infections, and 10 subsequent hospitalizations. Conclusion: We found evidence that supports the use of FMT for treatment of CD infection in immunocompromised patients, with similar rates of serious adverse events to immunocompetent patients.

Primary Mesenteric Carcinoid Tumor Presenting with Carcinoid Syndrome.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a diverse group of tumors arising throughout the body with a common origin from neuroendocrine cells. Well-differentiated NENs, also known as neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), are generally indolent and are often found incidentally, while poorly differentiated tumors are more aggressive. Carcinoid tumors are NETs arising from the gastrointestinal tract and less commonly from the lungs, thymus, and kidneys. NETs in the mesentery arise from metastasis from primary tumor, and carcinoid syndrome in this setting results from concomitant metastasis to the liver. Primary mesenteric carcinoid tumors are very rare. We present a 64-year-old man with carcinoid syndrome from a mesenteric carcinoid tumor without evidence of liver metastasis or other primary tumor sites.

Computed tomography diagnosis of omental infarction presenting as an acute abdomen.

Omental infarction is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain. Without the support of radiological evidence, diagnosis is difficult to attain owing to its infrequent incidence, low awareness among clinicians, and its nonspecific presentation that mimics other causes of acute abdomen, namely, acute appendicitis and cholecystitis. Incorrect diagnosis may lead to unnecessary invasive surgery in patients with omental infarction, a disorder that is typically managed conservatively without exposing the patient to intraoperative risks and postoperative morbidity. We report a case of a 61-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with signs of peritonitis. He was eventually diagnosed with omental infarction through computed tomography of the abdomen. He was successfully managed medically with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and antiemetic medications, with complete resolution of his symptoms within 2 weeks.

Refractory Abdominal Pain in a Patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Be Wary of Acquired Angioedema due to C1 Esterase Inhibitor Deficiency.

Acquired angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency (C1INH-AAE) is a rare and potentially fatal syndrome of bradykinin-mediated angioedema characterized by episodes of angioedema without urticaria. It typically manifests with nonpitting edema of the skin and edema in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract mucosa or upper airway. Edema of the upper airway and tongue may lead to life-threatening asphyxiation. C1INH-AAE is typically under-diagnosed because of its rarity and its propensity to mimic more common abdominal conditions and allergic reactions. In this article, we present the case of a 62-year-old male with a history of recently diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who presented to our hospital with recurrent abdominal pain, initially suspected to have Clostridium difficile colitis and diverticulitis. He received a final diagnosis of acquired angioedema due to C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency due to concomitant symptoms of lip swelling, cutaneous nonpitting edema of his lower extremities, and complement level deficiencies. He received acute treatment with C1 esterase replacement and icatibant and was maintained on C1 esterase infusions. He also underwent chemotherapy for his underlying CLL and did not experience further recurrence of his angioedema.

Gastrointestinal Involvement of Testicular Germ Cell Tumor: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Testicular germ cell tumors (GCT) are the commonest solid tumors in young men. Typical presentation is with painless scrotal swelling; however, symptoms related to complications or metastasis may be the initial presentation. Gastrointestinal (GI) metastasis is seen in about 5% of patients with germ cell tumors and presentation is commonly with GI bleed. It is important to have GCT as a differential diagnosis of GI bleed in young men presenting with unexplained anemia as direct questioning about scrotal swelling and genital examination when appropriate will guide further investigation and facilitate prompt diagnosis. We present a case of a 26-year-old man with testicular germ cell tumor and severe anemia secondary to extension and perforation of duodenum by retroperitoneal metastasis and a review of the literature on the gastrointestinal manifestations of testicular germ cell tumors.

A Case of Rituximab-Induced Necrotizing Fasciitis and a Review of the Literature.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a fulminant soft tissue infection characterized by rapid progression and high mortality. Rituximab is a generally well-tolerated immunosuppresive medication used for B-cell malignancies and some rheumatological disorders. We report a case of a 69-year-old male with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who suffered necrotizing fasciitis of his left lower extremity secondary to Clostridium septicum 7 weeks after treatment with rituximab. Despite immediate intravenous antimicrobial therapy and emergent fasciotomy with extensive debridement, his hospital course was complicated by septic shock and he required an above-the-knee amputation. Physicians need to be aware of the possibility of necrotizing fasciitis in patients presenting with skin infections after rituximab therapy.

Angiosarcoma of the Colon Presenting with Chronic Diarrhea, Rectal Bleeding, and Pelvic Discomfort.

Colonic angiosarcoma is a rare malignancy representing only 0.0012% of all colorectal malignancies. Due to its non-specific symptoms, diagnosis is often delayed. However, because of the aggressive nature of this malignancy, it is important to keep it in the differential diagnosis of rectal bleeding, pelvic discomfort, chronic diarrhea, and weight loss in patients with risk factors. We present a case of angiosarcoma of the colon in a 74-year-old female with a remote history of chemo-radiation for anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC).

A rare initial presentation of gastric cancer with multiple osteolytic lesions.

Gastric cancer is the 12th leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and commonly metastasizes to the bones. However, the presentation of gastric cancer as bony metastases without preceding gastrointestinal symptoms is rare which has been infrequently reported in the literature. Moreover, leptomeningeal carcinomatosis is an unusual complication of gastric cancer accounting for less than 1 percent of these patients. We present a unique case of a middle aged male who presented to the emergency department with worsening backache which started one month priorly. The only abnormal laboratory test was an elevated alkaline phosphatase of 154 IU/L. The imaging of his spine showed osteolytic lesions which on biopsy revealed signet ring cells. A small 2 cm ulcerated mass was found on esophagogastroduodenoscopy at the gastric cardia which on biopsy revealed signet ring gastric carcinoma. The patient received chemotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin as well as radiation and showed a good response initially. A few months later, he presented with persistent worsening headaches and on brain imaging was found to have leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Ten months after the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma, he passed away.