The Value of Injection Therapy with Botulinum Toxin in Pain Treatment of Primary Chronic Anal Fissures Compared to Anal Dilation, and Local Nifedipine in Combination with Lidocaine.

Introduction: Anal fissure is a longitudinal tear of the mucosa of the anal canal extending from the outer anal orifice in the direction of the dentate line of the inner anal opening. Fissures are divided into primary and secondary, and acute or chronic. Besides minimal rectal bleeding, itching and soiling, primary chronic anal fissures (PCAF) manifest with anal pain as theirs main determinant. It is described as the most troubling symptom. Aim: To compare the effect of injection therapy with botulinum toxin A (ITBT) vs. anal dilation (AD), and local nifedipine with lidocaine (LNL) in pain treatment of PCAF. Materials and Methods: This controlled retrospective prospective longitudinal study covered 94 patients, divided in 3 groups. The first was treated with ITBT, the second with AD and third using LNL (31, 33 and 30 patients respectively). Clostridium botulinum toxin A was used, dissolved with saline to concentration of 200 U/ml. The solution was applied to both sides of PCAF at dose of 40U. Modified technique of AD was done using 3 fingers of a single hand, progressively introduced into the anal canal, followed by gradual lateral distraction during 1 min. LNL therapy was conducted using nifedipine (0.3%) with lidocaine (1.5%) ointment, applied twice daily for 3 weeks. To measure pain, a visual analog scale (VAS) was used. The follow-up period was 12 weeks with checkup at week 4. Results: The median age of participants was 46.6±13.9 years (50 males vs. 44 females). The type of therapy had a significantly different effect on pain at week 4 (p=0.0003). Severe pain was present in only 2 ITBT patients, 16 AD, and 6 LNL patients. Post hoc analyses showed different pain disappearance time by week 12 (p <0.0001). The mean time was shortest in ITBT group (6.1±1.5 weeks). Anal pain intensity significantly differed among the 3 groups (Fisher exact, p=0.002). Namely, 71% in ITBT group rated the pain as weakest (VAS score 1) compared to 18.2% in AD and 30% of patients in LNL group. The overall pain reduction significance was in favor of ITBT, due to the differences between the ITBT and AD groups (p=0.00024) and ITBT compared to LNL group (p=0.018). Conclusion: ITBT is superior to AD and LNL in reducing pain in PCAF.

Testicular Mixed Germ Cell Tumor Presenting with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Case Report.

Testicular mixed germ cell tumors (TMGCTs) are aggressive neoplasms that often have metastases at the time of diagnosis, primarily in the lungs, bones, and brain. Gastrointestinal metastases are rare, occurring in less than 5% of cases, while duodenal involvement is extremely rare, with only few reported cases. Furthermore, gastrointestinal bleeding is an atypical initial presentation of metastatic TMGCTs. Herein, we present a very rare case of upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by a duodenal metastasis of a TMGCT in a 24-year-old man. The patient was admitted to our hospital due to abdominal pain and melena with a hemoglobin level of 52 g/L. He had no history of testicular swelling, or any other symptoms or signs of a testicular tumor. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a duodenal tumor mass with irregular bleeding, and abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography showed a duodenal mass that infiltrate retroperitoneum. Emergency surgery was performed, and the histopathological findings of the resected specimen were consistent with TMGCT metastasis. Subsequently, a testicular tumor was confirmed and surgically removed; however, multiple metastatic deposits were observed in the lungs. Due to the patient's poor general condition, chemotherapy was not performed. The patient died 3 months after the initial diagnosis. This case suggests that, although duodenal metastatic TMGCTs are rare, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding in young male patients.

Chronic Abdominal Pain, an Overlooked Diagnosis of Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS).

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a rare condition that is often overlooked as a result of its nonspecific symptoms. It is usually presented with nausea, bloating, abdominal postprandial pain, and weight loss. The diagnosis of MALS is usually delayed and made by excluding other causes for the symptoms. The diagnosis of this syndrome is based on clinical presentation and radiological findings on computer tomography angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Surgery is treatment of choice, with promising results from laparoscopic surgery.