Rectus Sheath Hematoma.

The authors report on the case of a 69-year-old female who presented to the emergency department due to exquisite abdominal pain she described as occurring after she coughed. Imaging revealed a rectus sheath hematoma (RSH). A RSH is an uncommon but significant cause of acute abdominal pain that occurs when blood accumulates in the sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle. It can be caused by a muscular tear or a ruptured epigastric artery and can happen spontaneously or after trauma. The etiology, presentation, diagnosis, and management are discussed.

Non-traumatic lower abdominal pain: ultrasonographic and clinical differential diagnosis.

Lower abdominal pain is frequently reported and has a diverse differential diagnosis. In cases with atypical presentation and nonspecific findings, further imaging evaluation is required to confirm the clinical suspicion and to distinguish between self-limiting disorders and those requiring immediate intervention. In line with European guidelines, transabdominal ultrasonography is recommended as a first-line imaging modality for clinically suspected acute appendicitis and acute diverticulitis, which respectively represent the predominant causes of right and left lower quadrant abdominal pain. It is similarly the preferred method for evaluating suspected obstetric/gynecologic and genitourinary diseases. Computed tomography is utilized as a secondary option when ultrasonography results are inconclusive. This pictorial essay illustrates the sonographic features of the most common conditions associated with lower abdominal pain and outlines the clinical characteristics of each entity.

Primary Epiploic Appendagitis: A Mimicker of Abdominal Pain.

Epiploic appendagitis is a rare cause of acute lower abdominal pain. Epiploic appendices are fat-filled serosal outpouchings of the cecum and sigmoid colon. Primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) is characterized by epiploic inflammation caused by torsion of the appendage leading to ischemia or thrombosis of the appendage draining vein. Secondary epiploic appendagitis occurs in association with other inflammatory conditions of the abdomen or pelvis, most commonly diverticulitis. PEA is an important clinical mimicker of more severe causes of acute abdominal pain, such as diverticulitis, appendicitis, or gynaecological causes. The ease of access to computed tomography (CT), the diagnostic test of choice, has resulted in increased recognition of PEA. The classic CT findings of PEA are an ovoid mass measuring between 1.5 and 3.5 cm surrounded by a hyperattenuating/hyperdense ring with a centrally located hyperdense area. It is important to diagnose PEA as it is self-limiting and the correct diagnosis can prevent unnecessary hospital admission, antibiotic use, or even surgical intervention. We present a case of a 65-year-old male with a history of diverticulitis, presenting with left lower quadrant abdominal pain who was diagnosed with PEA based on CT and successfully managed with conservative treatment.

Obturator Hernia in a 71-Year-Old Patient: A Diagnostic Challenge.

An obturator hernia is a relatively rare form of pelvic hernia, wherein abdominal organs protrude through an opening in the pelvis known as the obturator foramen. The majority of patients with this condition present to the emergency room with symptoms of bowel obstruction. Due to the non-specific nature of these symptoms, making a preoperative diagnosis of obturator hernia can be challenging. Any delay in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition can lead to a significant risk of mortality. In this report, we present the case of a 71-year-old patient who presented to the emergency department complaining of lower abdominal pain and nausea. An abdominal X-ray revealed bowel dilation, and based on the patient's symptoms, a diagnosis of bowel obstruction was suspected. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis was performed to investigate the reason for bowel dilation, and the existence of an obturator hernia was confirmed.

Not every twist is ovarian torsion: a case report of isolated torsion of the fallopian tube in a child.

Isolated fallopian tube torsion is a rare condition presenting with abdomen pain. The diagnosis is challenging because the clinical findings mimic several other conditions. In this article, we present a case of an adolescent girl who was diagnosed with the condition during laparoscopy. Presentation of the case: A 15-year-old girl presented with complaints of sudden onset left lower quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting. There was tenderness in the left iliac fossa. Ultrasonography revealed inconclusive findings and contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis suggested possible left adnexal torsion. Hence, she underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy which revealed a twisted, edematous, and congested left fallopian tube. The diagnosis of isolated left fallopian tube torsion was made and she was managed with unilateral salpingectomy. Discussion: Women of the reproductive age group are usually affected by this condition. The common presentations are abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The physical examination may reveal abdominal and cervical motion tenderness. Per abdominal ultrasound is the first go-to modality in children. Magnetic resonance imaging, if available, is advised in children if the ultrasound is inconclusive because of the absence of radiation. However, it may require sedation. Therefore, contrast-enhanced computed tomography abdomen gives an added advantage in such scenarios as in our case. This condition is managed by surgery with salpingectomy or tube detorsion with preservation of the tube, depending on the intraoperative findings. Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of the condition given the rarity and challenges in the diagnosis of isolated fallopian tube torsion.

Incidence of self-reported pelvic pain and risk factors for pain 1 year after benign hysterectomy: A register study from the Swedish National Quality Registry for Gynecological Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The primary aim of this study was to determine the incidence of patient-reported pain 1 year after hysterectomy for benign gynecological conditions in relation to occurrence of preoperative pain. The secondary aim was to analyze clinical risk factors for pain 1 year after the hysterectomy in women with and without preoperatively reported pelvic/lower abdominal pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a historical cohort study using data from the Swedish National Quality Registry for Gynecological Surgery on 16 694 benign hysterectomies. Data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: One year after surgery, 22.4% of women with preoperative pain reported pelvic pain and 7.8% reported de novo pelvic pain. For those with preoperative pain younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38-2.23 and aOR 1.21, 95% CI 1.10-1.34 for women aged <35 and 35-44 years, respectively), not being gainfully employed (aOR 1.43, 95% CI 1.26-1.63), pelvic pain as the main symptom leading to hysterectomy (aOR 1.51, 95% CI 1.19-1.90), endometriosis (aOR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06-1.31), and laparoscopic hysterectomy (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.07-1.58), were clinically relevant independent risk factors for pelvic/lower abdominal pain 1 year after surgery, as were postoperative complications within 8 weeks after discharge. Meanwhile, clinically relevant independent risk factors for reporting de novo pain 1 year after surgery were younger age (aOR 2.05, 95% CI 1.08-3.86 and aOR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04-1.60 for women aged <35 and 35-44 years, respectively), and postoperative complications within 8 weeks after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of pelvic pain and de novo pain 1 year after hysterectomy was relatively high. Women with and without reported preoperative pelvic/lower abdominal pain represented clinically different populations. The risk factors for pelvic pain seemed to differ in these two populations. The differences in risk factors could be taken into consideration in the preoperative counseling and in the decision-making concerning method of hysterectomy, provided that large well-designed studies confirm these risk factors.

An Unusual Cause of Abdominal Pain in a Middle-Aged Female: The Nutcracker Syndrome.

A middle-aged female presented with lower abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting and was admitted to the acute hospital. She was thoroughly investigated and treated presumably as having a urinary tract infection. However, she was admitted again shortly after discharge with persistent symptoms. A careful evaluation and review were done, and she was diagnosed with nutcracker syndrome based on the clinical assessment, computed tomography (CT), and ultrasound (US) findings.

A Common Diagnosis Delayed by Three "Wrong Footing" Anchoring Errors - it is Difficult to Remember What You Have Forgotten.

Very often in clinical practice, an inflamed pelvic appendix shows left lower quadrant abdominal pain as the primary painful area. The clinicians are anchored to the most prominent symptom, thereby taking an unnecessary detour in reaching an accurate diagnosis. A 40-year-old man presented to our emergency department with persistent lower left abdominal pain with a fever of 38 oC from a day earlier. He had a good appetite and repeatedly complained of severe constipation at the time of his visit. Physical examination revealed tenderness in the lower left abdomen without a peritoneal sign. Abdominal ultrasound and non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a left hydroureter. The next day, a radiologist pointed out the possibility of appendicitis. An urgent laparoscopic appendectomy was performed. The intriguing point of this case is the diagnostic delay because of three anchoring biases. First, the typical right lower abdominal pain of appendicitis was shielded by the intense left lower abdominal pain. Moreover, the presence of a left hydroureter distracted the physicians from the actual location of the pain. Furthermore, the presence of constipation anchored the physicians to constipation as the cause of abdominal pain. In overcoming these biases, specific diagnostic strategies to avoid biases should be implemented. LEARNING POINTS: If a patient has unexplained lower left abdominal pain, it is advisable to deploy a "searchlight" strategy.When a hydroureter was found to have no apparent source obstruction, a vertical tracing strategy should have been undertaken to detect its root cause.To avoid the wrong diagnosis through anchoring bias, pivot and cluster strategy - deploying differential diagnosis specific to the initial diagnosis (constipation in this case) - should be adopted at the start, considering the important differential diagnosis and thus preventing a missed diagnosis.

A case of excision of ovarian torsion necrosis due to luteoma in a female who conceived a twin pregnancy through in vitro fertilization misdiagnosed with acute appendicitis.

The aim of this study was to describe a case of ovarian torsion necrosis due to delayed treatment of luteoma in a woman with IVF twin pregnancy who was misdiagnosed with acute appendicitis. We summarized the clinical manifestations and diagnosis of luteoma in a woman with IVF twin pregnancy and reviewed the relevant literature. We report the case of a 34-year-old Asian female who became pregnant through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and had acute right underbelly pain at 26 weeks and 6 days of gestation, which was misdiagnosed as acute appendicitis. Written consent was obtained from the patient. After fasting for a short duration and receiving anti-inflammatory and intravenous fluid replacement treatment after admission, the woman experienced increased right lower abdominal pain without relief and decreased fetal movement. B-ultrasound and CT examination showed that luteoma torsion was possible, and we performed emergency surgical laparotomy. During the operation, it was found that the right ovary was enlarged, the fallopian tube was twisted 720 degrees, and there was no lesion in the appendix. The right necrotic ovary was removed, and pathological results showed a hemorrhagic corpus luteum in the right ovary. The patient's abdominal pain was relieved after the operation and the pregnancy was continued. This is a typical case of ovariectomy associated with a luteoma of pregnancy. Whether in vitro fertilization and related procedures increase the risk of luteoma and whether they increase the risk of ovarian torsion necrosis in the case of luteoma formation are questions that need further study.

A Rare Case of Colo-Colonic Intussusception Caused by Colonic Submucosal Lipoma.

Unlike in infancy, where intussusception is an abdominal emergency, diagnosis of intussusception could be tricky in adults as most of these patients present sub-acutely with vague abdominal symptoms. Early diagnosis could impact these patients significantly in decreasing morbidity and mortality along with reduction in healthcare expenses. Colo-colonic intussusception is rare and accounts for less than 20% of adult intussusception. More than 50% of adult intussusception is caused by mass-like lesions. In such cases, this could be an early presentation of malignant intestinal lesions. Abdominal CT is mandatory in all adult patients; when combined with ultrasound, it has 95.5% accuracy of pre-operative diagnosis. Here we report a case of a 42-year-old female who presented with a two-month history of intermittent abdominal pain; a CT abdomen revealed colo-colonic intussusception which was initially missed on prior imaging. We discuss the importance of considering intussusception as a rare differential of abdominal pain, the need for early diagnosis, and the role of colonoscopy and non-surgical management in adults.

Endometriosis, an Ongoing Pain-Step-by-Step Treatment.

Endometriosis is a disease that is becoming more and more challenging for the medical community. The current therapeutic concepts (surgical therapy and/or hormonal therapies) often do not lead to sufficient pain control, and late diagnosis and high recurrence rates mean that women affected by the disease can suffer for decades before receiving proper treatment. Although the introduction of certified endometriosis centers has created contact points for surgical therapies performed by endometriosis experts, these centers are not sufficient to offer the affected patients the all-encompassing long-term support they need. In recent years, new findings regarding the pathogenesis and correlations of the pain phenomena caused by endometriosis have shown that conventional therapy strategies are not adequate and individual long-term concepts must be developed. Not only can endometriosis cause nociceptive pain, but it can also lead to a nociplastic reaction with central sensitization. Hence, aside from the classic cyclic complaints, patients increasingly suffer from atypical pain. Due to the high number of affected patients who are treated inadequately, it is necessary for gynecologists in private practices to become familiar with multimodal treatment concepts since they are the central point of contact of their patients. The following article will provide an overview of treatment strategies for chronic symptomatic endometriosis.

Acute epiploic appendagitis mimicking symptoms of urinary tract infection: A diagnostic enigma in the emergency department.

The epiploic appendages (also known as appendices epiploicae) are usually located on the anti-mesenteric surface of the colon, extending from the caecum to the rectosigmoid, and epiploic appendagitis (EA) is the inflammation of these appendages. We report a clinical image of epiploic appendagitis creating a diagnostic challenge.

Diagnosis of appendicitis by transvaginal ultrasound examination.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is a frequent cause of abdominal pain. Symptoms may be atypical, and the appendix may not be visualised through abdominal ultrasonography. This case report illustrates the important role transvaginal ultrasound examination may have in the diagnostic workup of abdominal pain. METHODS: A case report focussing on imaging through transvaginal ultrasonography and comparing the ultrasonographic findings with CT-scan, as well as macroscopic examination and microscopy. RESULTS: A 33-year-old woman presenting at the emergency department with lower abdominal pain since 1 week. Transvaginal ultrasound shows a typical 'target sign' together with a blind-ending fluid-filled structure posterolateral right of the uterus, suggestive of appendicitis. These findings are confirmed on CT-scan, and a laparoscopic appendectomy is performed. We present the typical ultrasound imaging alongside the correlates on CT-scan as well as on macroscopy and on microscopic examination. CONCLUSION: As gynaecologists, we must maintain a high degree of suspicion for non-gynaecological findings. This case report illustrates the value of transvaginal ultrasound in diagnosing appendicitis.

An Unusual Case of Pyrexia of Unknown Origin.

A previously fit and well 29-year-old man with no significant recent travel or contact history presented to the hospital with 11 days of feeling unwell, intermittent diarrhea, abdominal pain and a skin rash that was consistent with folliculitis. Despite resolution of these index symptoms he continued with recurring fever of 38.5 degrees centigrade and weight loss of six Kilograms over the next three weeks. Extensive investigations to find a cause for the unexplained persistent fever failed to reveal an etiology, hence fulfilling pyrexia of unknown origin definition (PUO). None of the three main causes of PUO, namely infections, autoimmune diseases or underlying malignancy, were confidently found. Colonoscopy was suggested following a review of the abdominal CT scan to investigate possible thickening of the bowel wall. A diagnosis of atypically presenting Crohn's disease was eventually made and confirmed by colonoscopy and histology. The fever responded promptly to treatment of the Crohn's disease and he remained well at follow-up at six and 12 months after the initial presentation. In conclusion, it is important to keep in mind that PUO can be a rare initial presentation of inflammatory bowel disease in young adults with little or no gastrointestinal symptoms.

Meckel's Diverticulum Strangulation.

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the small intestine. It is a true diverticulum containing all layers of the intestinal wall and results from the incomplete resolution of the omphalomesenteric duct. The majority of the cases are asymptomatic; however, diagnostic challenges arise when it becomes inflamed, causes gastrointestinal hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction, or when it protrudes through a potential abdominal opening (Littre's hernia). We present a rare case of strangulated Meckel's diverticulum as a result of axial torsion presenting with right lower quadrant abdominal pain.

A Large Retroperitoneal Ganglioneuroma Presenting With an Abdominal Pain: A Case Report.

Ganglioneuromas are rare benign neoplasms arising from neural crest tissue. They are a subtype of neurogenic tumors with ganglion cell origin. They are most commonly found in the retroperitoneum and posterior mediastinum. Most ganglioneuromas are found incidentally; most patients are asymptomatic, and it rarely causes symptoms, which are often induced by compression. Here we present a case of a 24-year-old lady, who was investigated for right lower abdominal pain and found to have a right retroperitoneal solid mass at the level of L5-S1, which was displacing the major vessels. The patient underwent open excision of the mass.

[Pharmacological mechanism of Shenghua Decoction in treatment of abdominal pain based on network pharmacology].

The Shenghua Decoction recorded in Fu Qing Zhu's Gynaecology,is a commonly used postpartum prescription,widely used in treating postpartum and gynecological diseases. However,its mechanism of action in treating lower abdominal pain remains unclear. In this paper,network pharmacology was used to explore the mechanism of Shenghua Decoction in the treatment of lower abdomen pain,so as to provide data support for better clinical application of Shenghua Decoction. The drug targets of lower abdominal pain and Shenghua Decoction were retrieved in SymMap. String and Cytoscape were adopted for enrichment analysis to construct the disease-drug-target biological network. Relevant gene search results showed that there were 400 targets in Shenghua Decoction,11 of which coincided with the disease genes of lower abdomen pain. In String analysis,18 gene interactions were obtained. Gene modularizationbased analysis results indicated that one module containing six genes was obtained after modularization processing. Furthermore,there were 170 enrichment results of biological process,2 enrichment results of molecular function and 30 enrichment results of KEGG pathways in String enrichment analysis. Shenghua Decoction may play a role in treating lower abdomen pain through neuro-endocrine-immune,metabolism and other means. Its mechanism may be achieved by accelerating the repair and growth of endometrial tissue cells,improving microcirculation,promoting endometrial cell renewal and inflammation subsidence,and accelerating uterine involution; at the same time,it can regulate the autoimmunity,regulate and control the function of some natural immune cells in the process of antiinfection by using signaling pathway,supplement the vital energy,and induce elimination of pathogens from the body,thereby achieving the effect of treating lower abdomen pain.

Standards Used by a Clinical and Scientific Endometriosis Center for the Diagnosis and Therapy of Patients with Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is one of the most common benign gynecological diseases. The extremely heterogeneous complex of symptoms complicates the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. In most patients, there is a latency period of several years between the first occurrence of symptoms and the definitive diagnosis. This paper aims (1) to evaluate standards for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with (symptoms suspicious for) endometriosis in terms of feasibility, and (2) to assess the potential use of data collected by a certified clinical and scientific endometriosis center to answer scientific questions. Standards for outpatient consultations were developed for a special endometriosis outpatient clinic. Between January 2014 and December 2017, a total of 1715 outpatients with a suspicion of endometriosis presented to this special endometriosis outpatient clinic; the diagnosis and treatment of patients was carried out in accordance with the developed standards. Data of this patient cohort obtained from patient records created during outpatient consultations and from a questionnaire recorded in an Oracle-based database was analyzed. The patient cohort was also compared with another patient cohort who had attended different outpatient clinics and had been diagnosed intraoperatively with endometriosis. 41.8% of patients examined during special outpatient consultations had surgery for suspicion or recurrence of endometriosis. Endometriosis was confirmed in 81.5% of cases. Pain symptoms were the main indication for surgery in 70.1% of cases compared to 45.1% of cases in the comparison group. The structured approach used in the special endometriosis outpatient clinic is a key aspect of the care provided by the certified clinical and scientific endometriosis center. It ensures that patients are diagnosed and treated in accordance with guideline recommendations, that diagnosis and treatment comply with certification requirements, and that the collected data can be used to answer scientific questions.

Pharmacological mechanism of Shenghua Decoction in treatment of abdominal pain based on network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

The Shenghua Decoction recorded in Fu Qing Zhu's Gynaecology,is a commonly used postpartum prescription,widely used in treating postpartum and gynecological diseases. However,its mechanism of action in treating lower abdominal pain remains unclear. In this paper,network pharmacology was used to explore the mechanism of Shenghua Decoction in the treatment of lower abdomen pain,so as to provide data support for better clinical application of Shenghua Decoction. The drug targets of lower abdominal pain and Shenghua Decoction were retrieved in SymMap. String and Cytoscape were adopted for enrichment analysis to construct the disease-drug-target biological network. Relevant gene search results showed that there were 400 targets in Shenghua Decoction,11 of which coincided with the disease genes of lower abdomen pain. In String analysis,18 gene interactions were obtained. Gene modularizationbased analysis results indicated that one module containing six genes was obtained after modularization processing. Furthermore,there were 170 enrichment results of biological process,2 enrichment results of molecular function and 30 enrichment results of KEGG pathways in String enrichment analysis. Shenghua Decoction may play a role in treating lower abdomen pain through neuro-endocrine-immune,metabolism and other means. Its mechanism may be achieved by accelerating the repair and growth of endometrial tissue cells,improving microcirculation,promoting endometrial cell renewal and inflammation subsidence,and accelerating uterine involution; at the same time,it can regulate the autoimmunity,regulate and control the function of some natural immune cells in the process of antiinfection by using signaling pathway,supplement the vital energy,and induce elimination of pathogens from the body,thereby achieving the effect of treating lower abdomen pain.

Schwannoma pélvico retroperitoneal que simula un leiomioma: reporte de un caso y revisión bibliográfica / Pelvic retroperitoneal schwannoma presenting as a leiomyoma: Case report and review of literature

Resumen OBJETIVO Exponer el caso de una paciente con una masa pélvica que se reportó como mioma y resultó ser un schwannoma. CASO CLÍNICO Paciente de 53 años que consultó por dolor abdominal, lumbalgia, distensión, estreñimiento y dispareunia durante tres meses. La ecografía transvaginal sugirió un leiomioma. En la histerectomía laparoscópica se observó una masa retroperitoneal de 9 cm sobre el sacro. La resonancia magnética reportó un tumor sólido, presacro, de 8 cm. El diagnóstico histológico final fue: schwannoma celular S-100 positivo y actina de la musculatura lisa negativa. El seguimiento a los seis meses posteriores demostró disminución significativa del dolor abdominal inferior. CONCLUSIONES Los schwannomas se manifiestan, excepcionalmente, como masas pélvicas, como fue el caso aquí comunicado que se diagnosticó como fibroma uterino, pero que posteriormente se demostró era un schwannoma retroperitoneal. Este tumor pocas veces genera síntomas y cuando los hay suelen ser inespecíficos, por eso frecuentemente el diagnóstico es erróneo. Por la falta de características distintivas en los estudios de imagen el diagnóstico preoperatorio de un schwannoma no es fácil; su pronóstico es excelente y la escisión suele ser curativa.

Abstract OBJECTIVE Present the case of a patient with a pelvic mass which was reported as myoma and turned out to be a schwannoma. CLINICAL CASE We report a case of a 53 year old female that presented with abdominal and low back pain, also distention, constipation and dyspareunia for 3 months. Transvaginal ultrasound suggested leiomyoma. Laparoscopic hysterectomy was planned. On laparoscopy, a retroperitoneal 9 cm mass was seen over de sacrum. The procedure was stopped for further studies. Magnetic resonance images detected a large presacral solid, tumor of 8 cm. The patient was scheduled for laparoscopy with oncology group and the mass was resected. No complications were experienced intra or postoperatively. The final histological diagnosis was a cellular schwannoma, that was S-100- positive, and smooth muscle actin-negative. A follow up consultation 6 months later showed a significant improvement of the lower abdominal pain. CONCLUSIONS Schwannomas rarely present as pelvic masses. We report a woman with a pelvic mass initially diagnosed as a uterine fibroid but subsequently proven to be a retroperitoneal schwannoma. This rare entity is usually asymptomatic or has nonspecific symptoms leading to misdiagnosis. Preoperative diagnosis of a schwannoma is not easy for a lack of distinguishing features on imaging studies. The prognosis of schwannoma is excellent, and the excision is usually curative.