5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid as a biomarker for revealing perforation in acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: The present study investigated the level of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in perforated and nonperforated appendicitis patients. This issue is important for timely diagnosis of acute appendicitis complications and making decision about the surgical plan and type of incision. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on patients with acute appendicitis. 5-HIAA levels were measured in urine spot sample of every patient before the surgery. The patients were finally included based on result of pathology for presence of appendicitis or not and sorted by direct surgical detection for exist of perforation or not. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of 5-HIAA were investigated. The data were statistically analyzed by SPSS v.27. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were included in two groups as 40 patients in the perforated appendicitis group and 110 patients in the noncomplicated acute appendicitis group. The average age of patients in the perforated appendicitis group was 28.8 ± 6.07 years, and that of patients in the acute appendicitis group was 29.6 ± 6.96 years. 94 patients (63%) were male, and 56 (37%) were female. No significant difference was observed in terms of age or sex between the two groups. The difference in the 5-HIAA concentration between the acute appendicitis group (0.3 ± 0.04 mg/dl) and the perforated appendicitis group (0.5 ± 0.03 mg/dl) was significant (P < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy were 82%, 62%, 75%, 77%, and 88% respectively. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the 5-HIAA concentration in patients with perforated appendicitis can potentially increased significantly more than that in patients in the early stages of acute appendicitis. further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to prove the present results.

Plasma cytokines profile in patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease: a comparative study in terms of inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease inflict economic and health burdens on societies. Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, is accompanied by progressive degradation of memory, decision-making, and judgment. Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and loss of balance. Extensive research has pinpointed inflammation as a cause of the onset and progression of both diseases. However, it has not been confirmed which one is more formidable in terms of inflammation. METHODS: To assess the extent of inflammation that is implicated in AD and PD and answer the question of which one is more inflammatory, serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers, including cytokines, chemokines, and prostaglandin E2 (PEG2), were measured in AD and PD patients as well as a healthy group. RESULTS: Our results showed a significant increase in IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, IP-10, MCP-1, PEG2, and TNF-α in AD and PD patients compared with the control. Interestingly, IFN-γ did not manifest any significant difference in AD or PD patients compared with the control. CONCLUSION: As a hallmark of our results, it could be inferred that inflammation, as the underlying etiological cause, plays a more crucial role in PD compared with AD. Based on our results, it is proposed that anti-inflammatory remedies would be putatively more effective in PD rather than AD.

Inflawell® improves neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and shortens hospitalization in patients with moderate COVID-19, in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

AIMS: COVID-19 is a significant global threat to public health. Despite the availability of vaccines and anti-viral drugs, there is an urgent need for alternative treatments to help prevent and/or manage COVID-19 symptoms and the underlying dysregulated immune response. We hypothesized that administration of Inflawell® syrup, a Boswellia extract formulation enriched for boswellic acids (BAs), can reduce the excessive or persistent inflammation and thereby prevent disease progression. BAs are medicinally activated triterpenoids found in the resins of Boswellia spp., and possess an immense therapeutic potential due to their anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activities. We investigated the effect of Inflawell® syrup, on moderate COVID-19 patients along with the current standard of care treatment. METHODS: A randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial was conducted, following definitive confirmation of COVID-19. Forty-seven hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19 were enrolled and received either the Inflawell® syrup or placebo. Clinical symptoms and markers of inflammation were evaluated at baseline and completion of the trial. RESULTS: Our clinical trial revealed an increase in the percentage of oxygen saturation level in patients that received the BAs compared to placebo (P < 0.0001). In addition, the average duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter in the BAs group compared with the placebo group (P < 0.04). Concomitantly, some improvement in the clinical symptoms including cough, dyspnea, myalgia, headache, and olfactory and gustatory dysfunction were detected in the BAs group. Hematologic findings showed a significant decrease in the percentage of neutrophils (P < 0.006) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels (P < 0.003), associated with a significant increase in the percentage of lymphocytes in the BAs group compared with the placebo (P < 0.002). Additionally, a significant decrease in CRP, LDH, IL - 6 and TNF - α levels was detected in the BAs group. Following the intervention, fewer patients in the BAs group were PCR-positive for COVID-19 compared to placebo, though not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Overall, the treatment with Inflawell® resulted in shorter hospital stay, alleviation of COVID-19 clinical symptoms and decline in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial has been registered in  https://www.irct.ir  with unique identifier: IRCT20170315033086N10 ( https://en.irct.ir/trial/51631 ). IRCT is a primary registry in the WHO registry network ( https://www.who.int/clinical-trials-registry-platform/network/primary-registries ).

Emergency laparotomy and perioperative COVID-19: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

Concerning the perioperative outcomes of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who underwent emergency laparotomy, more data must be collected. Because COVID-19 can affect multiple organs, cause various complications, and act as a risk factor for surgery, in this study, we aimed to compare the outcomes of emergency laparotomy between SARS-CoV-2 infected and uninfected patients. This retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients who underwent emergency laparotomy from December 2021 to December 2022. Postoperative outcomes were compared between patients with and without confirmed perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were postoperative intensive care unit admission, hospital length of stay, re-operation, and postoperative complications. Data were analyzed by SPSS statistic version 27. In this study, 50 patients in the COVID-19 group and 91 patients in the non-COVID-19 group were assessed. The 30-day mortality in the COVID-19 group was significantly higher than in the non-COVID-19 group (34% vs. 12.1%, respectively, P = 0.004). Postoperative complications were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group (64% vs. 26.4%, P < 0.001). The frequency of ICU admission and need for re-operation were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group (P = 0.003 and P = 0.039, respectively). Length of hospital stay was significantly lower in the non-COVID-19 group (P = 0.021). In patients with confirmed COVID-19, emergency laparotomy is associated with increased postoperative morbidity and mortality. Additionally, emergency laparotomy is associated with increasing postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, intensive care admission, and additional surgery requirement.

The omphalomesenteric duct fibrous band as a rare cause of bowel obstruction: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The omphalomesenteric duct (OMD) is an embryonic structure that normally undergoes obliteration during embryonic development, typically not persisting after birth. Failure of complete or partial obliteration can result in a type of malformation known as OMD remnant. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 24-year-old male patient diagnosed with bowel obstruction. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed the presence of an adhesion band. During surgery, a fibrous band connecting from the umbilicus to the mesentery of terminal ileum was found and resected. Pathological investigation confirmed the presence of an OMD remnant fibrous band. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: OMD remnant can manifest in different forms such as Meckel's diverticulum, umbilical polyp, OMD cyst, OMD fistula, and fibrous band, occurring in approximately 2 % of infants and often presenting symptoms in early childhood. These conditions rarely cause complications in adults. Complications may include obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding, bowel perforation, and omphalitis which can present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, melena, lack of defecation, umbilical discharge, and dermal manifestations. Diagnostic approaches vary depending on the type of OMD remnant and associated complications, but ultrasonography and CT scan can be useful. While asymptomatic OMD remnants generally do not require further intervention, surgical treatment is the main option for complicated and symptomatic cases. CONCLUSION: OMD remnant is a rare condition in adults that can lead to complications. Given that obstruction is a common complication of OMD remnant, OMD remnant should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with bowel obstruction.

The impact of cotrimoxazole in idiopathic granulomatous mastitis treatment.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a benign inflammatory breast disease, commonly presented with a sensitive breast lump and developing scars. Currently, there is no definitive treatment for IGM but Antibiotics, steroids, immunosuppressive drugs or a surgical treatments are the usual options. This case series aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cotrimoxazole in treatment of IGM as there is no clinical consensus on the best and most widely acknowledged therapeutic management for IGM. CASE PRESENTATION: All IGM patients were treated by Cotrimoxazole (800 mg BD for one week), and they were assessed at a month, 3 months, and 6 months after that. The primary outcome was an improvement in presenting complaints and symptoms such as palpable mass, bulging, pain, erythema and hypersensitivity of breast skin, breast discharge and fluctuation. The secondary outcome was the refractory rate within 6 months. Number of 20 patients were included. At the baseline, participants exhibited various symptoms such as bulging, pain and erythema (100 %), breast discharge (80 %), and fluctuation (30 %). After the intervention, there was a significant decrease in the prevalence of symptoms over the study period. The prevalence of bulging and pain, erythema, discharge, and fluctuation symptoms were decreasedto 5 %, 0 %, and 0 %, respectively. The refractory rate of IGM within six months of cotrimoxazole treatment was estimated 30 %. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: In this study, the treatment approach did not involve corticosteroids and invasive procedures and the recurrence rate of IGM within the six months was lower than in similar studies that employed steroids alone or any more invasive treatments. Additionally, our study showed a high healing rate with resolution of inflammation, pain, discharge, and fluctuation. These results suggest that cotrimoxazole may be a more favorable option than high-dose corticosteroids and a comparable alternative to low-dose corticosteroids regarding recurrence rates. CONCLUSION: Cotrimoxazole may be an effective treatment option for idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. However, further research is needed on different treatment options.

Jejunal adenocarcinoma; a case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Small bowel carcinoma (SBC) is a rare malignancy comprising mainly of adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumors. Among SBCs, small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) accounts for 30-40 % and is predominantly found in the duodenum, while jejunal and ileal presence considered rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We have presented a case of jejunal adenocarcinoma in a patient with obstruction symptoms. Prior to the obstruction, the patient mainly suffered from weakness and weight loss, in addition to iron deficiency anemia. During the investigation of underlying causes, we observed evidence of mass. However, before any additional evaluation could take place, the obstruction necessitated surgical intervention. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Small bowel adenocarcinomas, particularly in the jejunum and ileum, are exceedingly rare and often present with complications such as obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding, or perforation. Due to the non-specific symptoms, SBAs are challenging to diagnose before complications occur. SBAs are frequently diagnosed at advanced stages, so early diagnosis is crucial, as it can significantly impact patient survival. Thus, efforts should be made to expedite the diagnosis process to avoid complications and improve survival rates. CONCLUSION: SBAs are a rare condition, often diagnosed by related complications. Recognizing the importance of early diagnosis and its positive influence on patient survival, physicians and surgeons should consider SBA in patients presenting with relevant symptoms or cases of obstruction.

Colocolic intussusception due to lipoma in an adolescent with refractory anal fissure; case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Intussusception is uncommon in older patients, making its diagnosis challenging and necessitating a high level of clinical suspicion. While pediatric intussusception typically presents with a triad of symptoms including abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and an abdominal mass, the majority of adult patients experience chronic abdominal pain and partial obstruction. Consequently, the diagnosis of adult intussusception may be delayed due to the similarity in presentation with other conditions. CASE PRESENTATION: In this article, we have presented a 13-year-old boy with chronic and refractory anal fissure. The patients also complained of constipation for a year, intermittent abdominal pain, and bloating. Although he was treated with conservative laxative medications, the constipation was not relieved. Incidentally, a colocolic intussusception was found through an MRI. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: We have provided a comprehensive description of an unexpected intussusception at an uncommon age which was found incidental. Medical literature was reviewed for better optimal planning in surgery. CONCLUSION: Intussusception in a teenager is unexpected, and this case shows the importance of considering it even in the presence of nonspecific symptoms. This case serves as a reminder to healthcare professionals to consider intussusception as a potential diagnosis in similar cases.

Taenia saginata, the incidental find in case of intestinal perforation after blunt trauma and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Taenia saginata (T. saginata) is one of the most common cestodes in humans. Isolated perforation of the small bowel after blunt abdominal trauma is infrequent and the diagnosis should be based on exclusion. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 34-year-old man who presented following a car-pedestrian accident. Clinical examinations and symptoms suggested an acute abdomen. Investigations led to the diagnosis of hollow viscus perforation, so emergency laparotomy was performed. At the exploration of peritoneal cavity, unexpectedly, a live tapeworm was found in the peritoneal cavity. The perforation was repaired and medication were continued by anthelmintic. He was discharged with good condition. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: We discuss this rare incidental finding in a patient with bowel perforation and suggest the taeniasis as a possible cause of intestinal perforation. The medical literature and reviews have been searched to find more information about taeniasis and its cause-effect in GI tract complications. CONCLUSION: Increasing the public knowledge about food hygiene and encouraging eat well-cooked meat can control the cycle of transmission of cestodes. Taeniasis should be considered a possible cause of intestinal obstruction or perforation, especially in endemic areas.

A ventral hernia containing appendix; a case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Abdominal wall hernia is a protrusion of abdominal contents through an acquired or congenital weakness or wall defect. A ventral hernia, including an appendix, is a rare condition. The appendix in the hernial sac is already known as inguinal and femoral hernia and has been named Amyand hernia and De Garengeot hernia, respectively. CASE PRESENTATION: We have presented a 74-year-old woman with complaints of point tenderness in the right lower abdomen and para-umbilical and a palpable non-reducible mass over the para-umbilicus with some erythema on the skin, which started two days ago. With the help of imaging, diagnosis of abdominal wall hernia was made, with the appendix as the possible content, as there was evidence of an inflamed appendix lumen incarcerated through the abdominal wall. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: We have provided a detailed review of recent articles. Our comprehensive discussion includes an exploration of the typical manifestations, the significance of imaging in accurate diagnosis, and the appropriate measures to facilitate optimal surgical preparation. The treatment for ventral hernia typically involves appendectomy and abdominal wall hernia repair, with the specific approach depending on the severity of inflammation. CONCLUSION: Although abdominal wall hernia containing appendicitis is extremely rare, its clinical manifestations are hernia and acute appendicitis, the most common diseases in general surgery. Imaging may be helpful in diagnosis. According to our study, diagnostic laparoscopy could be used in case of clinical suspicion of abdominal wall hernia containing an appendix, although more studies are needed.

Small bowel volvulus and mesenteric ischemia induced by mesenteric cystic lymphangioma in an adult and literature review; a case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Mesenteric cystic lymphangioma (MCL) is a rare benign intraperitoneal mass with congenital origin, and it is extremely rare in adults. Mesentery is an unusual location for cystic lymphangioma too. Clinical presentations are nonspecific, and diagnosis is challenging. It can mimic other surgical complications like appendicitis or any acute abdomen causes, so the review of cases is necessary for the best management and surgical planning. CASE PRESENTATION: We have presented a 22-year-old man presented with complaints of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. In laparotomy, a cyst was found with large size around the small intestine which caused mesenteric ischemia and changed the color of the small bowel to an ischemic view. The resected cyst was sent and confirmed by the pathology as lymphangiomatosis. MCL is a rare cause of obstruction, which was found accidentally in this case. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: MCLs are clinically challenging lesions with unspecific broad spectrum of clinical presentation ranges. We discuss a rare finding in an adult with intestinal volvulus and mesenteric ischemia. Medical literature and reviews have been searched to find more relevant information about MCLs for the better optimal planning in surgery. CONCLUSION: MCL is a challenging and infrequent case of surgery. Most of the time, it does not cause any complications, but it can also cause some life-threatening conditions like mesenteric ischemia or volvulus and lead to emergent surgery. Complete tumor removal is optimal for managing intra-abdominal cystic lymphangioma with the slightest chance of recurrence.

Cecal Perforation Induced by Migrated Biliary Stent as a Rare Complication of ERCP: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Introduction and Importance. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a non-surgical method utilized to manage biliary tract obstruction, but the complication of biliary stent migration occurs in 5-10% of patients. Though migrated stents are commonly passed through the gastrointestinal tract without harm, intestinal perforation is a rare but severe complication, affecting less than 1% of cases. Case Presentation. We report a case of a 65-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, and loss of appetite. According to clinical examination and evidence, the patient underwent surgery with high suspicion of appendicitis, which unexpectedly uncovered a perforated cecum with a protruding biliary stent. Clinical Discussion. Our report describes a unique and unexpected finding of cecal perforation caused by a migrated biliary stent in a patient. We also conducted a review of current literature on ERCP complications, including risk factors for stent migration, relevant statistics, and appropriate interventions. Conclusion. Surgeons should be aware of the risk of stent migration and complications in patients with a history of ERCP. Removal of migrated biliary stents is recommended, regardless of the presence of complications. Additional assessments for alternative diagnoses are recommended for older patients with abdominal pain complaints. Flexible plastic stents should be used for patients at risk of stent passage.

Spontaneous ventral gallbladder hernia complicated with perforation; a case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Ventral gallbladder hernia is a rare condition mostly related to past acquired abdominal wall defects, but spontaneous ones are scarce. It happens more in elderly patients. Etiology and causes are still unspecified, but the most related known causes of spontaneous gallbladder herniation are carcinoma, biliary tracked occlusion or abdominal wall weakness in elderly patients, respectively. CASE PRESENTATION: We have presented a complicated 90-year-old woman with a bulged and warm area at the right upper abdomen with tenderness and positive rebound tenderness. In help with imaging, we found a ventral gallbladder hernia perforated in the subcutaneous layer. Then cholecystectomy and herniation site repair was performed. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: We have explained this infrequent scenario and reviewed recent similar papers to find further relevant information. The common presentations, probable causes, the role of imaging in diagnosis and the management are discussed for the best surgical planning. CONCLUSION: The spontaneous ventral herniation of the gallbladder is an exceedingly uncommon occurrence. The diagnosis of this condition heavily relies on imaging, with computed tomography (CT) scan utilizing both intravenous and oral contrast being the optimal modality. Management of this condition can be accomplished via both laparoscopic and laparotomy approaches. It is our recommendation to perform cholecystectomy and hernia repair simultaneously and expeditiously in all cases. We advise against conservative management strategies.

Peritoneal tuberculosis pretending an acute abdomen; a case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Peritoneal tuberculosis (PTB) is an infrequent clinical condition that frequently eludes diagnosis. The scarcity of PTB cases underscores the necessity for heightened vigilance within clinical settings to detect its presence. Notably, there has been a noticeable increase in PTB incidence in recent years. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent responsible for PTB, affecting multiple gastrointestinal components such as the peritoneum and hepatobiliary system. Peritoneum is a rare site for TB with broad unspecific symptoms. It can be asymptomatic to periodic signs or mimic the positive peritonitis examinations like our case. CASE PRESENTATION: We have reported a case of 19-year-old male experiencing progressive abdominal pain. The presence of generalized tenderness and guarding on physical examination prompted us to perform an urgent laparotomy due to suspicion of peritonitis. During the surgery, we observed the peritoneum exhibiting widespread nodularity, resembling a disseminated seeding pattern, along with mild ascites, which raised our suspicion of peritoneal tuberculosis. Subsequently, cytological analysis of the ascitic fluid and histopathological examination of the lesions confirmed our diagnosis of peritoneal TB. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: We have shared our experience in facing PTB and reviewed recent papers to find further relevant information. The common presentations, probable causes, the role of imaging in diagnosis and the management are discussed for better management strategy and the best surgical decision. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal tuberculosis is a rare condition with challenging diagnosis. Key symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, ascites, weight loss, and fever. Prompt recognition and treatment are vital for better outcomes.

Bariatric Surgery and Femoral Vein Diameter in Morbidly Obese Patients: a Cohort Study in Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Considering the importance of health, the effect of obesity on the quality of life, the person's self-image, and the effect of obesity on various organs, especially the vessels, and the absence or presence of a study in Iran that investigated the effect of gastric bariatric surgery on the diameter of the femoral vein, in the present study, we investigated the effect of bariatric surgery on femoral vein diameter in morbidly obese patients referred to Imam Hossein hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a prospective cohort study on morbidly obese patients referred to the center in 2022-2023. In this study, 31 morbidly obese patients with BMI above 30 kg/m2 who were candidates for bariatric surgery were examined. Demographic data were collected using a demographic profile checklist. BMI, the diameter of common femoral veins, and the great saphenous vein were measured and recorded before and 6 months after surgery. Ultimately, the data was collected and analyzed using SPSS V.24 software. RESULTS: In the current study, 31 patients (62 extremities) were examined. The mean age of the patients was 34.45, with a standard deviation of 8.86. Fourteen patients (45.2%) were male, and 17 (54.8%) were female. The mean diameter of the common femoral vein in the 6 months after surgery was significantly less than before surgery (11.58 (1.64) compared to 12.95 (1.84), P = 0.0001). The mean diameter of the great saphenous vein in the 6 months after surgery was significantly less than before surgery (7.30 (1.45) compared to 7.75 (1.45), P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: It seems that bariatric surgery causes a significant decrease in the diameter of lower limb veins (common femoral vein and great saphenous vein) compared to before surgery. However, further studies in this field are recommended.