Intraoperative appearance of radiation enteritis: What should be resected?

Radiation enteritis can appear up to 30 years after radiotherapy. Outside acute complications, it usually manifests itself as chronic intestinal obstruction. If medical treatment (corticosteroid therapy) fails, surgical treatment is indicated, namely resection of the affected bowel, with removal of the ileo-caecal valve.

Small Intestinal Perforation Secondary to Necrotizing Enteritis-An Under-Recognized Complication of Crohn's Disease.

Small bowel perforation is an uncommon but severe event in the natural history of Crohn's disease with fewer than 100 cases reported. We review Crohn's disease cases with necrotizing enteritis and share a case of a 26-year-old female who presented with a recurrent episode of small intestinal perforation. A PubMed literature review of case reports and series was conducted using keywords and combinations of "Crohn's disease," "small intestine perforation," "small bowel perforation," "free perforation," "regional enteritis," and "necrotizing enteritis." Data extracted included demographic data, pre- or postoperative steroid administration, medical or surgical management, and case fatality. Nineteen reports from 1935 to 2021 qualified for inclusion. There were 43 patients: 20 males and 23 females with a mean age of 36 ± 15 years old. 75 total perforations were described: 56 ileal (74.6%), 15 jejunal (20.0%), 2 cecal (2.7%), and 1 small intestine non-specified (2.7%). 38 of 43 patients were managed surgically by primary repair (11), ostomy creation (21), or an anastomosis (11). Of 11 case fatalities, medical management alone was associated with higher mortality (5/5; 100% mortality) compared to those treated surgically (6/38; 15.8% mortality; P < .001). Patient sex, disease history, acute abdomen, and pre- or postoperative steroid use did not significantly correlate with mortality. Jejunal perforation was significantly (P = .028) associated with event mortality while ileal was not (P = .45). Although uncommon, necrotizing enteritis should be considered in Crohn's patients who present with small intestinal perforation. These cases often require urgent surgical intervention and may progress to fulminant sepsis and fatality if not adequately treated.

[A Case of Clostridium difficile Enteritis with Ileostomy for Rectal Cancer Surgery].

A 74-year-old male presenting with bloody stools was diagnosed with advanced rectal cancer. He underwent robot- assisted low anterior resection and temporary ileostomy. Cefmetazole(CMZ)was administered during surgery and on postoperative day(POD)1. His postoperative course was generally good. On POD8, he developed abdominal fullness, vomiting, renal dysfunction, and hyperkalemia. Plain CT revealed small bowel ileus and outlet obstruction with ileostomy was suspected. A nasogastric tube was placed in the stomach, and a balloon catheter was inserted from the ileostomy to the oral side of the ileum. The patient went into shock on the same day and was transferred to a high-care unit. Contrast-enhanced CT indicated pneumatosis intestinalis of the small bowel and portal venous gas. However, the wall of the small bowel was enhanced, so the patient was observed carefully without attempting an operation. The patient's condition improved with systemic management. On POD10, a stool culture from the ileostomy tested positive for CD toxin. Clostridium difficile enteritis(CDE)was diagnosed. The condition improved with systemic control. On POD52, paralytic ileus recurred, and his stool tested positive for the CD toxin again. The ileus improved with conservative treatment. On POD70, the patient was transferred to the hospital for rehabilitation. We report a case of CDE with ileostomy for rectal cancer surgery.

[A Case of Ileal Perforated Peritonitis 50 Years after Radiotherapy for Uterine Cancer].

Here we report a rare case of peritonitis caused by radiation enteritis. The 82-year-old woman who underwent surgery and radiotherapy for uterine cancer in her 30s. Emergency operation was performed for the perforation of the ileum. The small intestine showed changes of radiation enteritis extensively on macroscopy. The first surgery was performed to resect the perforated ileum and make intestinal anastomosis at the change of radiation enteritis. However, suture failure was occurred, reoperation was performed after conservative therapy. Reoperation was performed extensively resection of the intestinal tract and made anastomosis where was mild change of radiation enteritis. Pathological findings of the intestinal stump revealed that the arterial vessels of the submucosal layer were highly thicken and the lumen of artery was stenosis and occlusion with severe changes of radiation enteritis at the first operation. Blood flow disorders by irradiation were presumed to be the cause of suture failure. On the other hand, the intestinal stump did not indicate thickened of vascular wall and lumen stenosis of the vessels, only edematous changes in the submucosal layer were observed at the reoperation. It was important to determine the surgical procedure with the change of radiation enteritis for gastrointestinal operation with abdominal irradiation.

Enteritis eosinofílica, una causa extraña de abdomen agudo. reporte de caso clínico / Eosinophilic enteritis, a strange cause of acute abdomen Clinical case report

La enteritis eosinofílica, es una patología rara, caracterizada por infiltración de eosinófilos en una o más capas histológicas en diferentes niveles del tracto gastrointestinal, siendo el estómago e intestino delgado los más afectados; su cuadro clínico, inespecífico, caracterizado por dolor abdominal, náusea, vómito, diarrea o estreñimiento, pérdida de peso y ascitis, con presencia o ausencia de eosinofilia en la biometría. Reporte de caso Paciente masculino de 51 años de edad, acudió a emergencia por distensión abdominal y náusea, al examen físico en la palpación intenso dolor y distención abdominal, percusión timpánico y abolición de ruidos hidroaéreos. La analítica reportó leucocitosis con neutrofilia, radiografía de abdomen íleo adinámico, en la ecografía abdominal presencia de imágenes tubulares con aspecto de diana, asociado a líquido libre purulento en fosa ilíaca derecha y fondo de saco vésico rectal. Un cuadro clínico compatible con abdomen agudo de resolución quirúrgica, se realizó laparotomía exploratoria (AU);

The eosinophilic enteritis is a rare pathology, characterized by infiltration of eosinophils in one or more histological layers at different levels of the gastrointestinal tract, the stomach and small intestine being the most affected; its nonspecific clinical picture, characterized by abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, weight loss and ascites, with the presence or absence of eosinophilia in the biometry. Enteritis eosinofílica, una causa extraña de abdomen agudo. reporte de caso clínico Eosinophilic enteritis, a strange cause of acute abdomen year-old male patient came to the emergency room due to abdominal distention and nausea, to physical examination on palpation, intense abdominal pain and distention, tympanic percussion and abolition of air-fluid sounds. Laboratory analysis reported leukocytosis with neutrophilia, abdominal ileus adynamic radiography, abdominal ultrasound presence of tubular images with a target appearance, associated with free purulent fluid in the right iliac fossa and rectal vesicum fundus. A clinical picture compatible with an acute abdomen with surgical resolution, an exploratory laparotomy was performed (AU);

Chronic radiation enteritis.

Radiation enteritis is an iatrogenic disease of the intestines caused by radiation therapy. Two entities, chronic and acute radiation enteritis, are described. The acute symptoms (abdominal pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea) develop within the first hours or days after radiation therapy and can be treated medically. Chronic radiation enteritis leads to a chronic sub-obstructive and/or malabsorption syndrome developing at least two months after the end of radiation therapy. Cases occurring 30 post-radiation are reported. Treatment is surgical with extended resection of all involved elements of the digestive tract and ileocolonic anastomosis in healthy zones. The diagnosis is confirmed by the anatomopathology report of fibrous intestinal lesions associated with obliterating arterial lesions.

Radiofrequency ablation in a patient with radiation enteritis: A case report.

RATIONALE: Radiation enteritis (RE) is one of the serious complications caused by the radiotherapy and it can occur in any segment of the intestine, including small intestine, colon, and rectum. It can cause a number of serious problems of the intestine, such as chronic ulcers, bleeding, intestinal stenosis, intestinal fistula, and perforation. At present, there is no standard treatment guideline for the RE. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 54-year-old male patient received surgery and chemotherapy for rectal cancer and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for a single metastatic carcinoma of the liver. Three years later, he was diagnosed with recurrent lesion in the rectal anastomotic stoma and was treated with radiotherapy with a total dose of 70 Gy. Following this, he had persistent abdominal pain and diarrhea for 1 year. DIAGNOSES: Colonoscopy confirmed a diagnosis of RE. INTERVENTIONS: Since intestinal probiotics, intestinal mucosal protectants, antidiarrheal drugs, and other treatments were not effective; the patient was treated by RFA. OUTCOMES: Clinical symptoms of the patient were gradually decreased after the RFA. Colonoscopy examination was performed 3 months later and intestinal mucosa was found to have healed well. LESSONS: RFA is an effective treatment for patients with RE, and it is expected to be one of the standard treatments for the RE.

Stenotic Ischemic Enteritis with Concomitant Hepatic Portal Venous Gas and Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis.

A 69-year-old man was admitted to a hospital with complaints of abdominal pain. Computed tomography showed hepatic portal venous gas and pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. Conservative treatment was effective; however, after discharge, he developed complaints of vomiting. Fluoroscopic enteroclysis revealed a stricture in the jejunum necessitating admission to our hospital. Transoral balloon-assisted enteroscopy showed a circumferential ulcer with a stricture. The stricture was surgically resected, and a histopathological examination was consistent with ischemic enteritis. Stenotic ischemic enteritis should be considered among the differential diagnoses in a patient presenting with hepatic portal venous gas and pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis showing small intestinal obstruction.

The Successful Treatment of Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate-induced Enteritis Diagnosed by Small Bowel Endoscopy.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS: Kayexalate®) is an ion-exchange resin used to treat hyperkalemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. It is known that this resin sometimes causes colonic necrosis and perforation, but there are few reports about small bowel necrosis associated with SPS. We herein report the case of a patient who developed SPS-induced small bowel necrosis, which was diagnosed based on the examination of a small bowel endoscopic biopsy specimen. The SPS-induced small bowel necrosis was resistant to conservative treatment including the cessation of SPS, and finally required surgical bowel resection.

Ileocolic junction resection in dogs and cats: 18 cases.

There is limited veterinary literature about dogs or cats with ileocolic junction resection and its long-term follow-up. To evaluate the long-term outcome in a cohort of dogs and cats that underwent resection of the ileocolic junction without extensive (≥50%) small or large bowel resection. Medical records of dogs and cats that had the ileocolic junction resected were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained either by telephone interview or e-mail correspondence with the referring veterinary surgeons. Nine dogs and nine cats were included. The most common cause of ileocolic junction resection was intussusception in dogs (5/9) and neoplasia in cats (6/9). Two dogs with ileocolic junction lymphoma died postoperatively. Only 2 of 15 animals, for which long-term follow-up information was available, had soft stools. However, three dogs with suspected chronic enteropathy required long-term treatment with hypoallergenic diets alone or in combination with medical treatment to avoid the development of diarrhoea. Four of 6 cats with ileocolic junction neoplasia were euthanised as a consequence of progressive disease. Dogs and cats undergoing ileocolic junction resection and surviving the perioperative period may have a good long-term outcome with mild or absent clinical signs but long-term medical management may be required.

A case of ileus due to radiation enteritis 19 years after radiotherapy.

A 73-year-old female visited our hospital complaining of nausea and epigastric pain because of ileus. She had a history of two laparotomy procedures in her youth, interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis C, and radiation therapy for uterine cervical cancer 19 years ago. Transanal double-balloon enteroscopy demonstrated annular stenosis with ulceration of the anal side of the dilated small intestine. Therefore, surgical resection was performed, and late radiation enteritis was diagnosed on histopathological examination. We report a case of ileus due to radiation enteritis 19 years after radiotherapy.

Surgery for chronic radiation enteritis: outcome and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is required in approximately one-third of patients with chronic radiation enteritis (CRE). The aim of this study was to explore the short- and long-term outcomes after surgery for CRE and risk factors of postoperative morbidity. METHODS: Clinical features and surgical outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for CRE were retrospectively reviewed. Risk factors of postoperative morbidity were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Survival and reoperation rates for CRE were evaluated. RESULTS: Among the 404 patients included, 351 patients (86.88%) received resectional surgery, whereas the remaining patients received conservative procedures. No differences were detected between patients with resection and those without resection with regard to major morbidity (P = 0.486) and surgical complications (P = 0.715). Laparoscopy resulted in a shorter postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.035). After multivariate analysis, history of hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 2.490; P = 0.046), previous acute radiation enteritis (OR = 1.832; P = 0.033), intraoperative blood loss of more than 200 mL (OR = 2.235; P = 0.006), and thrombocytopenia (OR = 2.544; P = 0.016) were determined as independent predictors of postoperative major morbidity. During follow-up, 22 patients required reoperation for CRE recurrence, and the reoperation rate was significantly lower in patients receiving resectional surgery (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Resection is feasible for CRE with acceptable postoperative morbidity and lower reoperation rate. Correction of preoperative thrombocytopenia, minimizing intraoperative blood loss, and close monitoring of hypertensive patients and those with history of acute radiation enteritis are critical to reduce postoperative complications.

Ischemic necrosis of the tongue in surgical patients with septic shock: a case report.

BACKGROUND: As the tongue is a well-vascularized organ, ischemic necrosis of the tongue is a rare disease entity. Critically ill patients with profound shock may experience end-organ hypoperfusion, which might result in tongue necrosis. However, to our best knowledge, there are no reports regarding ischemic necrosis of the tongue in surgical patients with septic shock. CASE PRESENTATION: Two patients recently developed ischemic necrosis of the tongue in our surgical intensive care unit. Both patients had undergone emergent surgery for ischemic enteritis and developed postoperative septic shock. The first patient responded to critical treatment with a short period of circulatory shock, and the delivered dose of the vasopressor seemed to be acceptable. In contrast, the second patient developed postoperative refractory shock, and high-dose vasopressor treatment was required to maintain adequate tissue perfusion. Both patients developed ischemic necrosis of the tongue and died shortly after its emergence, despite vigorous resuscitation. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that ischemic necrosis of the tongue is an under-reported manifestation of any type of circulatory shock, which may have a complex pathogenic mechanism. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of ischemic necrosis of the tongue in patients with circulatory shock, even if the patient exhibits clinical improvement, as this awareness may facilitate estimation of their prognosis and preparation for clinical deterioration.

[A Case of Eosinophilic Enteritis Needed to Distinguish from a Tumor of the Small Intestine].

A 75-year-old woman was diagnosed with aplastic anemia 6 months ago and was under follow-up at our hospital. She had originallypresented to our hospital because of ongoing diarrhea and abdominal pain. Her blood tests showed a rise in inflammatorymarkers (WBC count was 6,900/mL[eosinophil was 1.3%]and CRP was 8.60mg/dL). Her abdominal computed tomography(CT)scan showed gastric wall and small intestine edema as well as ascites. There was no evidence of free air. We diagnosed her with generalized peritonitis and performed an emergencyoperation . Intra-operatively, moderate amounts of yellowish ascitic fluid were noted, as was a diffuse reddening of the small intestine. We performed a partial resection of the small intestine. Histopathological examination showed transmural infiltration of inflammatorycells mainly comprising eosinophilic leukocytes. Eosinophils were also present in the ascitic fluid. Post-operative blood tests confirmed eosinophilic, and we diagnosed her with eosinophilic enteritis. She was started on corticosteroids and her symptoms improved immediately. We report a rare case of eosinophilic enteritis with a review of the pertinent literature.

Perioperative Alanyl-Glutamine-Supplemented Parenteral Nutrition in Chronic Radiation Enteritis Patients With Surgical Intestinal Obstruction: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: A prospective, randomized, controlled study was performed to evaluate the effects of perioperative alanyl-glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition (PN) support on the immunologic function, intestinal permeability, and nutrition status of surgical patients with chronic radiation enteritis (CRE)-induced intestinal obstruction. METHODS: Patients who received 0.4 g/kg/d alanyl-glutamine and isonitrogenous PN were assigned to an alanyl-glutamine-supplemented PN (Gln-PN) group and a control group, respectively. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and glutamine, body fat mass (FM), immunologic function, and intestinal permeability were measured before and after surgery. RESULTS: Serum glutamine levels of the Gln-PN group significantly exceeded that of the control group (P < .001; Gln-PN, baseline 460.7 ± 42.5 vs 523.3 ± 48.6 µmol/L on postoperative day 14 [POD14], P < .001; control, baseline 451.9 ± 44.0 vs 453.8 ± 42.3 µmol/L on POD14, P = .708). Lactulose/mannitol ratios of both groups decreased over time (Gln-PN, baseline 0.129 ± 0.0403 vs 0.024 ± 0.0107 on POD1 4; control, baseline 0.125 ± 0.0378 vs 0.044 ± 0.0126 on POD14, P < .001 in both groups). CD4/CD8-positive T-lymphocyte ratios significantly rose in both groups, with significant intergroup difference (P < .001; Gln-PN, baseline 1.36 ± 0.32 vs 1.82 ± 0.30 on POD14, P < .001; control, baseline 1.37 ± 0.25 vs 1.63 ± 0.31 on POD14, P < .001). In the Gln-PN group, FM increased from 3.68 ± 1.68 kg at baseline to 5.22 ± 1.42 kg on POD14 (P < .001). FM of control group increased from 3.84 ± 1.57 kg at baseline to 5.40 ± 1.54 kg on POD14 (P < .001). However, there were no significant intergroup differences (P = .614). CONCLUSION: Gln-PN significantly boosted the immune state and decreased the intestinal permeability of CRE patients. However, Gln-PN was not superior to standard PN in improving the nutrition state and intestinal motility of surgical patients with CRE-induced intestinal obstruction.

Fulminant amoebic enteritis that developed in the perinatal period.

We present a case of a 30-year-old postpartum woman who delivered by caesarean section at 34 weeks. On postoperative day 9, she was admitted to our hospital in shock. Emergency abdominal surgery was performed. Massive purulent ascites collected in the abdominal cavity and was associated with intestinal necrosis, which extended from the ascending colon to one-third of the descending colon. The necrotic lesion was excised, and an artificial anus was constructed at the ileum end. A histological finding on the 15th day indicated the possibility of amoebic enteritis, and the patient was started on metronidazole therapy. The diarrhoea improved dramatically after metronidazole treatment was started. The patient was able to walk unassisted on the 45th day and was subsequently discharged. Amoebic enteritis has been thought to be epidemic in developing countries, but today, the incidence of amoebic enteritis as a sexually transmitted disease is increasing in developed countries.

Effectiveness of a clinical pathway for inpatients undergoing ileal/ileocecal resection for chronic radiation enteritis with intestinal obstruction.

Surgery is associated with elevated morbidity and mortality in chronic radiation enteritis (CRE). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a fast-track clinical pathway (CP) on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing ileal/ileocecal resection for CRE with intestinal obstruction. There were 85 patients with CRE (January 2011 to March 2013) with intestinal obstruction admitted to our department for ileal/ileocecal resection. The patients were divided into a prepathway group and a pathway group. The clinical outcomes were then assessed and compared. The postoperative lengths of hospital stay were 8.52 days for the pathway group and 11.32 days for the prepathway group (P = 0.02). The pathway group had a lower stoma rate (21.6 vs 56%, P = 0.033) and fewer postoperative moderate to severe complications (8.1 vs 25%, P = 0.043) compared with the prepathway group. Implementation of the CP may reduce stoma rate, postoperative moderate to severe complications, and postoperative length of hospital stay for patients undergoing ileal/ileocecal resection for the treatment of CRE with intestinal obstruction.