A Case of Spontaneous Splenic Rupture After a Hemicolectomy on Anticoagulation.

Spontaneous or atraumatic splenic rupture (ASR) is a rare but life-threatening condition that requires swift recognition and intervention. We report the case of a 66-year-old female with a history of hypothyroidism, appendiceal goblet cell adenocarcinoma, and new-onset atrial fibrillation (Afib) requiring anticoagulation. She initially presented with right upper quadrant abdominal pain. She had previously undergone an appendectomy followed by a right hemicolectomy to achieve clear surgical margins after the appendiceal carcinoma diagnosis. In the post-anesthesia care unit, she developed Afib and was started on therapeutic anticoagulation. Cardiac catheterization later revealed three-vessel coronary artery disease, prompting a transition from heparin to apixaban. Three days later, the patient suddenly experienced left shoulder pain and was found to be diaphoretic and hypotensive. Three days post-catheterization, the patient developed sudden left shoulder pain, along with diaphoresis and hypotension. An initial concern for post-catheterization myocardial infarction was ruled out. A subsequent CT of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a large splenic hematoma with rupture and hemoperitoneum, necessitating emergent open splenectomy. Post-operatively, the patient required intensive care monitoring and transfusion support before being discharged to a long-term acute care facility. ASR is typically associated with identifiable pathological conditions; however, this case highlights the complexity of multifactorial etiologies. It emphasizes the need to consider ASR in patients presenting with sudden left shoulder pain and hemodynamic instability, particularly when anticoagulation therapy or recent abdominal surgery are factors. This case underscores the importance of a high index of suspicion and timely intervention to prevent fatal outcomes. Further research is warranted to explore the relationship between anticoagulation therapy and ASR.

Rosai-Dorfman Disease of the Rectum: Newly Identified Genetic Point Mutations and Robotic Resection.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare disease characterized by histiocytic proliferation which typically presents as massive, painless, cervical lymphadenopathy in children or young adults. GI involvement is exceedingly rare with only 20 documented cases to date. Of those 20 cases, only 3 cases have involved the rectum. Here, we present 2 cases of rectal RDD with attention paid to the diagnostic and technical challenges presented by this disease. When presenting as a perirectal mass, RDD can be mistaken for other lesions to include malignancy, leading to surgical removal. We present a video of a robotic low-anterior resection with intracorporeal anastomosis in order to remove a pelvic mass involving the rectum, initially considered to be a stromal tumor. In addition, we describe a copy number variation in AKT and 3 point mutations detected by next generation sequencing, which had not been previously reported in association with this disease.

Acute Large Bowel Obstruction Caused by Endometriosis Requiring Sigmoidectomy.

Large bowel obstruction (LBO) accounts for nearly 25% of all bowel occlusions. LBO is managed as a surgical emergency due to its increased risk of bowel perforation. Nearly, 2% to 4% of all surgical admissions are a result of LBO. The most common pathological development of LBO remains colonic malignancy, representing approximately 60% of cases. Other etiology includes abdominal adhesions, diverticulosis, hernia, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and in rare cases endometriosis. In this report, the patient is a 36-year-old female with an LBO, originally thought to be a complication of diverticulitis. However, it was confirmed that the obstruction was a result of endometriosis tissue adherence to the colonic wall narrowing the intestinal lumen. The patient presented to the emergency department (ED) with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain that started six weeks prior. In this case report, we will discuss the rare complication of endometriosis causing LBO, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management.