Effect of Synbiotics in Reducing the Systemic Inflammatory Response and Septic Complications in Moderately Severe and Severe Acute Pancreatitis: A Prospective Parallel-Arm Double-Blind Randomized Trial.

AIM: This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of synbiotics in reducing septic complications in moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis. METHODS: This was a prospective, parallel-arm, double-blinded superiority randomized control study. All patients with moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis were included in the study. Acute on chronic pancreatitis, pancreatitis due to trauma, ERCP and malignancy were excluded. 1 g of synbiotic containing both pre- and probiotics was administered to the cases twice a day for 14 days and a similar-looking placebo to controls. Patients were followed for 90 days. Primary outcomes were reduction of septic complications and inflammatory marker levels. Secondary outcomes were mortality, non-septic morbidity, length of hospitalization (LOH) and need for intervention. RESULTS: A total of 86 patients were randomized to 43 in each arm. Demographic profile and severity of pancreatitis were comparable. There was no significant difference in septic complications between the groups (59% vs. 64%; p 0.59). Total leucocyte and neutrophil counts showed a significant reduction in the first 7 days (p = 0.01 and 0.05). No significant difference was seen in other inflammatory markers. There was a significant reduction in the LOH (10 vs. 7; p = 0.02). Non-septic morbidity (41% vs. 62.2%; p 0.06) and length of ICU stay (3 vs. 2; p 0.06) had a trend towards significance. The need for intervention and mortality was comparable. CONCLUSION: Synbiotics did not significantly reduce the septic complications in patients with moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis; however, they significantly reduced the LOH. There was no reduction in mortality and need for intervention. Clinical Trials Registry of India Number: CTRI/2018/03/012597.

Hydrogen Peroxide Poisoning-A Rare Cause of Portal Venous Gas.

Hydrogen peroxide is a clear and odorless liquid at room temperature that can easily be mistaken for water. Its ingestion results in varied clinical and radiological squeals depending on the volume and concentration of the liquid. We present a case of a 22-year-old lady who accidentally ingested 30 to 40 mL of 3% hydrogen peroxide and presented with hematemesis and abdominal pain. On further radiological evaluation, she was found to have portal venous gas and pneumatosis of the bowel wall. She was conservatively managed with 100% oxygen and nil per os for 2 days following which the portal venous gas resolved. Hydrogen peroxide ingestion causes a massive release of oxygen and when its volume exceeds its solubility in blood, gas embolism occurs that is responsible for portal venous gas and pneumatosis. Close monitoring with conservative management will suffice in mild cases without the need for any therapeutic intervention.

Efficacy of Pregabalin and Antioxidants Combination in Reducing Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis: A Double Blind Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: In patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), pain relief is a dilemma. Antioxidants with pregabalin therapy have been reported to be useful. Hence, this study was carried out to determine the efficacy of the combination of antioxidant and pregabalin therapy in reducing pain in patients with CP. METHODS: This was a prospective, double blind, superiority, and randomized trial in patients with CP. The treatment group received pregabalin with antioxidants therapy for 8 weeks, and a similar placebo was administered to the controls. Primary outcome was to determine the change in maximum pain intensity assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) and Izbicki pain score. Secondary outcomes were the number of painful days, opioid and non-opioid requirements, improvement in quality of life, number of hospital admission, and overall patient satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients were randomized to 45 in each arm. Demographic profile and baseline pain score were comparable. Patients in treatment group when compared to placebo group had a significant reduction in pain intensity (VAS score 2 ± 0.8 vs. 1.3 ± 0.9; p = 0.007), non-opioid analgesic requirement in days (54.4±2.9 vs. 55.7±1.5; p = 0.014), and number of hospital admissions (0.2 ± 0.5 vs. 0.6 ± 0.7; p = 0.002), respectively. Significant proportion of patients was satisfied in the treatment group compared to placebo group (18% vs. 11%; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The combination of pregabalin and antioxidant significantly reduces the pain, requirement of non-opioid analgesics, and the number of hospital admissions in patients with CP. It also significantly improves the overall patient satisfaction. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTER NUMBER: CTRI/2017/05/008492.

Xanthogranulomatous adrenalitis masquerading as a functioning adrenocortical malignancy: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Xanthogranulomatous adrenalitis (XA) is a rare chronic inflammatory disease of the adrenal glands and resembles adrenal neoplasm in clinical and radiologic characteristics. There is no report on XA presenting as a functioning adrenal mass in the literature. We present a case of XA mimicking a functioning adrenocortical carcinoma. CASE REPORT: A 52-year-old man presented with right flank pain, fever, vomiting, and loss of appetite for 2 weeks. He had signs of dehydration and elevated blood glucose level. Ultrasonography revealed a right adrenal mass. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed lobulated and necrotic mass replacing the right suprarenal gland and encasing the right renal vein, adjacent inferior vena cava, psoas, and diaphragm. There was loss of fat planes with liver and upper pole of the right kidney. Biochemical evaluation indicated increased serum and urine cortisol levels. As a sequel to hypercortisolism-induced hyperglycemia, he developed spontaneous chest wall abscess and bilateral sudden vision loss due to vitreous hemorrhages. Pus and blood culture grew methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Adrenal suppressant ketoconazole was administered for better glycemic control. With a diagnosis of locally advanced adrenocortical malignancy, right radical adreno-nephrectomy was performed, and cut section revealed a pus collection of around 100 mL. Histopathology examination showed xanthogranulomatous inflammation involving adrenal gland, Gerota's fascia, psoas, and lymph nodes. Postoperatively, the patient recovered satisfactorily with favorable glycemic control. CONCLUSION: XA can mimic adrenal neoplasms both clinically and radiologically and is associated with staphylococcal infection. It warrants surgical excision and culture-based antibiotics and is mostly diagnosed on postoperative histopathology.