Successful gastric volvulus reduction and gastropexy using a dual endoscope technique.

Gastric volvulus is a life threatening condition characterized by an abnormal rotation of the stomach around an axis. Although the first line treatment of this disorder is surgical, we report here a case of gastric volvulus that was endoscopically managed using a novel strategy. An 83-year-old female with a history of pancreatic cancer status postpylorus-preserving Whipple procedure presented with a cecal volvulus requiring right hemicolectomy. Postoperative imaging included a CT scan and upper GI series that showed a gastric volvulus with the antrum located above the diaphragm. An upper endoscopy was advanced through the pylorus into the duodenum and left in this position to keep the stomach under the diaphragm. A second pediatric endoscope was advanced alongside and used to complete percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement for anterior gastropexy. The patient's volvulus resolved and there were no complications. From our review of the literature, the dual endoscopic technique employed here has not been previously described. Patients who are poor surgical candidates or those who do not require emergent surgery can possibly benefit the most from similar minimally invasive endoscopic procedures as described here.

Skin manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a disease that affects the intestinal tract via an inflammatory process. Patients who suffer from IBD often have diseases that affect multiple other organ systems as well. These are called extraintestinal manifestations and can be just as, if not more debilitating than the intestinal inflammation itself. The skin is one of the most commonly affected organ systems in patients who suffer from IBD. The scientific literature suggests that a disturbance of the equilibrium between host defense and tolerance, and the subsequent over-activity of certain immune pathways are responsible for the cutaneous disorders seen so frequently in IBD patients. The purpose of this review article is to give an overview of the types of skin diseases that are typically seen with IBD and their respective pathogenesis, proposed mechanisms, and treatments. These cutaneous disorders can manifest as metastatic lesions, reactive processes to the intestinal inflammation, complications of IBD itself, or side effects from IBD treatments; these can be associated with IBD via genetic linkage, common autoimmune processes, or other mechanisms that will be discussed in this article. Ultimately, it is important for healthcare providers to understand that skin manifestations should always be checked and evaluated for in patients with IBD. Furthermore, skin disorders can predate gastrointestinal symptoms and thus may serve as important clinical indicators leading physicians to earlier diagnosis of IBD.

Intentional swallowing of foreign bodies is a recurrent and costly problem that rarely causes endoscopy complications.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Guidelines support endoscopic removal of certain gastric foreign bodies (FBs) and all FBs lodged in the esophagus. We studied the poorly understood group of patients who intentionally ingest FBs. METHODS: Cases of intentional ingestion of FBs (n = 305) were identified, retrospectively, from an electronic endoscopy database and followed. Cases occurred among 33 different patients, who underwent endoscopy from October 1, 2001, to July 31, 2009 (39.0 cases/year); 79% were diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. Financial cost analysis was performed using hospital billing and cost systems. RESULTS: Commonly ingested FBs included pens (23.6%), batteries (9.2%), knives (7.2%), and razor blades (6.9%). Most endoscopic procedures were performed under general anesthesia. FBs were commonly retrieved by snares (58.0%), rat-toothed forceps (14.4%), and nets (11.5%), assisted sometimes by use of overtubes (10.8%), and hoods (4.6%). FB extraction was unsuccessful at the initial endoscopy in only 20 cases; 2 cases eventually required surgical extraction. Minor complications occurred in 11 endoscopies. There were no deaths or perforations. The total estimated costs were $2,018,073 ($1,500,627 in hospital costs, $240,640 in physician fees, and $276,806 for security services). Costs were significantly higher for inpatients. Major payers were Medicare (48%) and Medicaid (31%). CONCLUSIONS: Intentional FB ingestion occurs among a relatively small number of patients with psychiatric disorders and is costly. Endoscopic retrieval is relatively effective and safe, but often requires general anesthesia. These cases utilize significant hospital and fiscal resources. Attention should be focused on preventing these recurrent and costly episodes.