Removal of Multiple Ingested Magnets Through Laparoscopic Appendectomy in an Adolescent: A Report of Two Cases.

Magnet ingestion can lead to serious health issues, including inflammation, gastrointestinal tract perforation, and even life-threatening complications. Despite legislative actions and numerous reports on the dangers of magnet ingestion in children, it remains a significant public health concern. Physicians must remain vigilant in cases of acute abdomen with ambiguous symptoms or unclear history in young patients. Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention in case of multiple magnet swallowing are crucial to prevent complications. We present two cases of successful removal of ingested magnetic spheres through laparoscopic appendectomy in adolescents. This study aimed to highlight the technical aspects of the procedure to share the benefits of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in the management of magnetic foreign bodies (FBs) located in the appendix or cecum.

When a gastrostomy tube goes missing, acute bowel obstruction due to a migrated Foley catheter.

A gastrostomy is a common procedure for patients with swallowing problems or inability to maintain regular oral nutrition. These gastrostomy tubes need special attention, as complications can occur if the tubes are left unattended. In rare scenarios, these tubes can migrate and cause severe life-threatening difficulties such as bowel obstruction and pancreatitis. We present the case of a 76-year-old quadriplegic woman who had a gastrostomy tube. Suddenly, the tube was missing, and after urgent medical care, the gastrostomy tube was found within her bowel. After successful surgery, she recovered from this incident.

Mesenteric Cystic Lymphangioma, an acute presentation in a 9-year-old child.

Mesenteric lymphangioma is a rare malformation of the lymphatic system. Misdiagnosis of mesenteric cystic lymphangioma can occur due to its rarity and resemblance to other cystic lesions and ascites. The authors report an acute presentation of a mesenteric lymphangioma in a 9-year-old child. Clinical, radiological, and surgical findings are illustrated accordingly. As authors, we aim to add to the limited data of acute presentations of mesenteric lymphangiomas.

Management of obstructed colorectal carcinoma in an emergency setting: An update.

Colorectal carcinoma is common, particularly on the left side. In 20% of patients, obstruction and ileus may be the first clinical manifestations of a carcinoma that has advanced (stage II, III or even IV). Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation, plain abdominal radiogram, computed tomography (CT), CT colonography and positron emission tomography/CT. The best management strategy in terms of short-term operative or interventional and long-term oncological outcomes remains unknown. For the most common left-sided obstruction, the first choice should be either emergency surgery or endoscopic decompression by self-expendable metal stents or tubes. The operative plan should be either one-stage or two-stage resection. One-stage resection with on-table bowel decompression and irrigation can be accompanied or not accompanied by proximal defunctioning stoma (colostomy or ileostomy). Primary anastomosis is more convenient but has increased risks of anastomotic leakage and morbidity. Two-stage resection (Hartmann's procedure) is safer and the most widely used despite temporally affecting quality of life. Damage control surgery in high-risk frail patients is less frequently performed since it can be successfully substituted with endoscopic stenting or tubing. For the less common right-sided obstruction, one-stage surgical resection is more beneficial than endoscopic decompression. The role of minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic or robotic) is a subject of debate. Emergency laparoscopic-assisted management is advantageous to some extent but requires much expertise due to inherent difficulties in dissecting the distended colon and the risk of rupture and subsequent septic complications. The decompressing stent as a bridge to elective surgery more substantially decreases the risks of morbidity and mortality than emergency surgery for decompression and has equivalent medium-term overall survival and disease-free survival rates. Its combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiation may have a positive effect on long-term oncological outcomes. Management plans are crucial and must be individualized to better fit each case.

Diagnosis and treatment of epiploic appendagitis in a Middle Eastern country: An observational retrospective analysis of 156 cases.

BACKGROUND: Epiploic appendagitis (EPA) is an uncommon emergency surgical condition that causes acute abdominal pain, rendering a list of differential diagnoses. Therefore, careful examination and imaging tools are required. EPA is a self-limiting condition that can be resolved in 1-2 weeks and rarely needs surgical intervention. Its low incidence makes EPA less well-known among the public and some medical professionals, and it is frequently under-diagnosed. We aimed to explore the incidence, clinical presentation, modalities of imaging to diagnose and options for treating EPA. METHODS: An observational retrospective analysis was conducted between 2016 and 2022 at a tertiary hospital in an Arab Middle Eastern country. RESULTS: There were 156 EPA cases diagnosed over six years, with a mean age of 33 years. Males represented 82% of the cohort. The entire cohort was treated non-operatively except for eight patients who had surgical intervention using open or laparoscopic surgery. The diagnosis was made by a computerized tomographic scan (CT). However, plain X-ray, abdominal ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed initially in a few selected cases to rule out other conditions. No specific blood test indicated EPA; however, a histopathology examination was diagnostic. No mortality was reported in the study cohort. CONCLUSION: This is the most extensive study analyzing EPA patients from the Middle East. EPA is a rare and mostly self-limiting acute abdominal disorder; however, early ultrasound and CT scan can pick it up quickly after a high index of suspicion.

Massive subcutaneous abscess: A case report of management and source control.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Postoperative peritoneal infection, a common complication, remains prevalent despite surgical advancements. Acute abdomen necessitates rapid treatment, often presenting with abdominal pain and systemic inflammation. Bladder injuries, potentially leading to sepsis, require immediate surgical intervention. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 60-year-old man who came with the main complaint of feeling full in his stomach for 7 days, accompanied by non-radiating right lower abdominal pain since one day before hospital admission and a lethargy condition. There are complaints of seepage from the stitch marks on the right stomach, such as yellow urine. Laboratory and physical examination showed the patient in sepsis condition. CT Cystography showed a defect of 0.4 cm on the bladder dome, the contrast leakage into extraperitoneal and intraperitoneal, and tunneling to the right abdominal subcutaneous. The patient underwent subcutaneous abscess, bladder repair, and cystostomy. One month after surgery, the patient had normal micturition. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Acute abdominal pain is one sign of emergency surgery. It can be caused by infection, inflammation, vascular occlusion, or obstruction. Physical and laboratory examination of the patient showed a sepsis condition. CT Cystography showed the presence of bladder rupture and subcutaneous abscess. The only management is surgical exploration for infection source control. CONCLUSIONS: This case underscores the importance of prompt diagnosis and comprehensive management, involving surgical intervention and targeted antibiotics, for sepsis-related complications post-TURP and bladder repair, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach for optimal outcomes and complication prevention.

Evaluating the Emergency Surgery Score (ESS) in Predicting Postoperative Outcomes Following Emergency Laparotomy: Insights From an Indian Tertiary Center.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:  To determine the predictive value of Emergency Surgery Score (ESS) with regard to mortality and morbidity rates of patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. METHOD: The ESS ranging from 0 to 29 is an extensive risk calculator based on 22 variables including important parameters like demographics, preoperative treatment, comorbidities, and laboratory values. Twenty patients who underwent emergency laparotomy were preoperatively assessed and ESS was calculated for each. After establishment of diagnosis and resuscitation, the patient was taken up for emergency laparotomy. Postoperatively, patients were monitored clinically as well as with laboratory and radiological investigations as per case needed till discharge and further followed up physically in OPD/ward or interviewed telephonically for 30 days on a weekly basis. Incidence of mortality and morbidity in terms of postoperative complications, ICU admission, reoperation and readmission among the cases occurring within 30 days of procedure were recorded. RESULTS: ESS correlated well with the outcome in the current study, 10 out of 14 patients with score less than 8 were discharged without any complications. Mean ESS was higher among non-survivors. Ability of ESS to predict postoperative mortality, morbidity and ICU stay was proven statistically with c-statistics of 0.853, 0.84, 0.879 respectively. ESS was found to be a good predictor for the development of postoperative lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) (c-statistic=0.828), sepsis (c-statistic=0.867), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (c-statistic=0.805), acute kidney injury (AKI) (c-statistic=0.804). ESS showed poor correlation with reoperation and readmission rates. CONCLUSION: The current study underscores the critical importance of employing risk stratification through ESS for patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. By employing ESS, healthcare professionals can accurately anticipate resuscitation requirements and stabilize patients preoperatively. This proactive approach enables the identification and optimization of patients unsuitable for immediate surgery, facilitating informed decisions on targeted treatment, surgical intervention, and postoperative care pathways.

A Troublesome Complication of Hydatid Cysts; Intra-Abdominal Rupture: A 10-Year Study from a High-Volume Center.

Background: Hydatid cyst is a parasitic infection, often caused by Echinococcus granulosus. Although it is classified as a benign disease, cyst ruptures in the abdomen can be fatal. Ruptures occur spontaneously or after trauma. We aimed to report data from patients who underwent emergency surgery due to spontaneous intra-abdominal hydatid cyst rupture. Methods: Upon a retrospective review of the records at Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey, we found that 34 cases were operated on due to hydatid cyst rupture between January 2012 and October 2022. All patients were operated on in an emergency, and partial cystectomy, intra-abdominal irrigation, and drainage were performed using laparotomy. The patients were evaluated in terms of age, sex, symptoms, radiological findings, laboratory results, intraoperative findings, and postoperative follow-ups. Results: Twenty-two (64.7%) female and 12 (35.3%) male patients were enrolled. The mean age was 39.1 (±17.58) years. All patients experienced spontaneous rupture. The ruptured cyst was found in the liver in 32 patients (94%), the spleen in 1 patient (3%), and the pelvis in 1 patient (3%). The diagnosis was determined using ultrasonography in 12 (35.3%) patients, computed tomography in 21 (61.8%) patients, and magnetic resonance imaging in 1 (2.9%) patient. All patients exhibited acute abdomen and leukocytosis. The average length of hospital stay was 5.14 (±1.37) days. Conclusion: Hydatid cyst rupture should be considered in cases of acute abdomen, particularly in regions where the disease is endemic, as in our region. The ruptured hydatid cyst was primarily observed in the liver (94.11% of cases).

Bladder Perforation and Vesico-Haematoma Fistula: An Uncommon Complication of Rectus Sheath Haematoma.

Introduction: Rectus sheath haematoma (RSH) has become increasingly common but is often underdiagnosed. Prompt diagnosis will avoid unnecessary investigations and procedures, resulting in early treatment and a better outcome. Case description: We described a case of a spontaneous RSH with intraperitoneal extension and formation of a vesico-haematoma fistula, which was initially misdiagnosed as a urinary tract infection. The diagnosis was made ten days after admission, when a CT scan showed an over-16 cm RSH with intraperitoneal extension, bladder perforation and a vesico-haematoma fistula. The patient was managed conservatively. Discussion: RSH accounts for less than 2% of acute abdomen cases and is often unrecognised. Its presentation can mimic other intra-abdominal pathologies, and the diagnosis is often delayed or missed. Complications can arise from an RSH although it is generally viewed as a self-limiting condition. Conclusion: RSH has become increasingly common, and we would like to highlight the need to include abdominal wall pathologies in the initial differential diagnoses of acute abdomen to avoid delay in diagnosis. LEARNING POINTS: Rectus sheath haematoma has become increasingly common due to the use of anticoagulants.The presentation can be non-specific and mimic other intra-abdominal pathologies. Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can result in complications and unnecessary invasive procedures.Abdominal wall pathologies including rectus sheath haematomas should be included in initial differentials of acute abdomen.

Small bowel intramural hematoma caused by warfarin: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Intramural hematoma of the small bowel is a rare yet acute gastrointestinal condition typically linked with impaired coagulation function, often posing diagnostic challenges. It is principally encountered in patients undergoing prolonged anticoagulant therapy, specifically warfarin. CASE PRESENTATION: We reported a case of intramural hematoma associated with warfarin use. The patient was admitted to hospital with abdominal pain and had received anticoagulant therapy with warfarin 2.5 mg/day for 4 years. Laboratory examination showed decreased coagulation function, abdominal CT showed obvious thickening and swelling of part of the jejunal wall, and abdominal puncture found no gastroenteric fluid or purulent fluid. We treated the patient with vitamin K and fresh frozen plasma. The patient was discharged after the recovery of coagulation function. Then we undertaook a comprehensive review of relevant case reports to extract shared clinical features and effective therapeutic strategies. CONCLUSION: Our analysis highlights that hematoma in the small intestinal wall caused by warfarin overdose often presents as sudden and intense abdominal pain, laboratory tests suggest reduced coagulation capacity, and imaging often shows thickening of the intestinal wall. Intravenous vitamin K and plasma supplementation are effective non-surgical strategies. Nevertheless, in instances of severe obstruction and unresponsive hemostasis, surgical resection of necrotic intestinal segments may be necessary. In the cases we reported, we avoided surgery by closely monitoring the coagulation function. Therefore, we suggest that identifying and correcting the impaired coagulation status of patient is essential for timely and appropriate treatment.

Small Bowel Perforation Due to Renal Carcinoma Metastasis: A Comprehensive Case Study and Literature Review.

This case report presents a unique instance of small bowel perforation caused by solitary metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a rare and complex clinical scenario. The patient, a 59-year-old male with a history of RCC treated with nephrectomy four years prior, presented with acute abdomen symptoms. Emergency diagnostic procedures identified a significant lesion in the small intestine. Surgical intervention revealed a perforated jejunal segment due to metastatic RCC. Postoperatively, the patient developed complications, including pneumonia and multi-organ failure, leading to death 10 days after surgery. Histopathological analysis confirmed the metastatic nature of the lesion. This case underscores the unpredictable nature of RCC metastasis and highlights the need for vigilance in post-nephrectomy patients. The rarity of small bowel involvement by RCC metastasis, particularly presenting as perforation, makes this case a significant contribution to medical literature, emphasizing the challenges in the diagnosis and management of such atypical presentations.

Wandering Spleen Torsion: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Wandering spleen, or hypermobile spleen, arises from the elongation or maldevelopment of the spleen's suspensory ligaments. This condition is a rare clinical entity, primarily affecting children, with a higher prevalence among adult females in the active reproductive age group. Manifestations may include an asymptomatic abdominal mass or intermittent abdominal discomfort due to the torsion and subsequent spontaneous detorsion of the spleen. This case report details the presentation of a 14-year-old female initially misdiagnosed as having gastroenteritis who later experienced acute abdomen. Subsequent ultrasonography and computed tomography scan revealed splenic torsion, confirmed during exploratory laparotomy, which demonstrated an infarcted spleen. The definitive therapeutic intervention was a total splenectomy. This clinical entity should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in order to aid in early diagnosis and management. This could allow us to avoid splenectomy whenever possible and instead do splenopexy, especially in pediatric cases, as the spleen plays a crucial role in the reticuloendothelial system.

Primary splenic abscess in an adult female patient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Primary splenic abscess is rare and typically presents in patients who are immunocompromised. We present a case of a 47-year-old apparently immunocompetent female patient who was diagnosed with primary splenic abscess from a Salmonella Typhimurium infection following emergency laparotomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old female patient presented with subjective fever and severe epigastric and left flank pain. She was treated empirically with intravenous piperacillin/tazobactam and gentamicin and was resuscitated with intravenous crystalloid infusion. A radiological diagnosis of splenic infarct secondary to splenic artery aneurysm superimposed with splenic abscess was presumed, however at emergency laparotomy, primary splenic abscess was identified. This abscess had eroded the left hemidiaphragm and had ruptured the splenic capsule leading to intra-abdominal pus in the pelvis which on culture grew Salmonella Typhimurium. A splenectomy and primary repair of the left hemidiaphragm were performed, with postoperative pancreatitis diagnosed following the procedure. After intensive care treatment, this patient made a full recovery. CONCLUSION: This case of primary splenic abscess was treated successfully with a combination of surgery (i.e.: splenectomy and surgical drainage), prolonged antimicrobial therapy, and intensive care in the perioperative period.

Ileosigmoidal knotting: a case report and literature review of a rare cause of acute abdomen in children.

Ileosigmoidal knotting (ISK) is a rare, possibly fatal cause of intestinal obstruction. ISK is a compound volvulus that is more common in Africa and Asia. ISK is mostly seen in adults, pediatric cases reported in the literature are much rarer. In this report, we present the first reported case of ISK in a pediatric patient from Nepal. An 8-year-old male child presented with symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, and obstipation. The abdomen was distended with generalized tenderness. Erect abdominal X-ray showed multiple air-fluid levels. Intraoperatively, gangrenous ileum loops were entangled around the sigmoid, and resection of the gangrenous ileum and sigmoid was performed. An end-to-end colo-colic anastomosis from the descending colon to the remaining sigmoid with a double-loop ileostomy was performed. Pediatric ISK is a rare fatal form of intestinal obstruction that progresses quickly to gangrene. Clinical signs and symptoms are nonspecific, making preoperative diagnosis challenging.

Spontaneous Perforation of Meckel's Diverticulum in a Young Adult Male: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Meckel's diverticulum, a congenital defect that affects about 2% of the population, is a remnant of the embryologic vitelline duct. Perforated Meckel's diverticulum, a rare consequence of an already rare disease process, frequently presents and is diagnosed as a perforated appendix. We report a case of a 28-year-old male who presented with a two-day history of right-sided lower abdominal pain associated with nausea. The abdominal examination revealed a soft, nondistended abdomen with tenderness in the right iliac fossa. A CT scan of the abdomen showed a normal appendix and inflammation of Meckel's diverticulum without any signs of perforation. Bowel exploration through a small midline incision indicated the presence of a highly inflamed Meckel's diverticulum with localized perforation 75 cm from the ileocecal valve. A resection of 15 cm of the small bowel and an end-to-end primary anastomosis were performed. The patient had an uncomplicated recovery and was discharged after a five-day admission to a surgical ward. This case report illustrates the significance of keeping Meckel's diverticulum as a differential diagnosis in all the patients who present with an acute abdomen.

A plastic bezoar causing bowel obstruction: A case of table cover ingestion.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: A bezoar is an indigestible food or other material within the gastrointestinal tract. It can be ingested intentionally or accidentally. The small bowel bezoar prevalence ranges between 0.4 % and 4 %, and the prevalence is less than 0.5 % for gastric bezoars. There are different types of bezoars, but the mention of a plastic bezoar rarely appears in the literature. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a plastic bezoar in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old woman was admitted for acute kidney injury, and while working her up, it was discovered that she had a possible foreign body on computerized tomography scan. As a result, she underwent exploratory laparotomy with the findings of plastic foreign objects identified 90 cm from the ileocecal valve and other objects identified in the stomach. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The impaction of these materials often occurs in narrow areas such as the lower esophagus, duodenum, ileocecal valve or even the anus. In this unique case, two points of impaction were noted: the first was in the small bowel and the second point in the stomach. The approach to such cases could be Endoscopic versus surgical or even chemical dissolution as a choice of treatment is dependent on multiple factors. CONCLUSION: The approach to these cases is multidisciplinary and depends on the availability of services and resources at the treating hospital. Reporting such cases helps in managing challenging situations. Additionally, a psychiatric assessment is a crucial step.

An uncommon cause of sub-acute intestinal obstruction in young adult: Wilkie's syndrome.

Abstract: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome, also known as Wilkie's syndrome, is a rare disease presenting as an acute abdomen. It has a clinical presentation similar to intestinal obstruction and is often missed during diagnosis. Reduced weight leading to loss of fat pad between SMA and aorta is the main pathophysiology. Diagnosis is made through barium meal and CT scan. Conservative management remains the treatment of choice; however, surgery is opted for in refractory cases. Key Clinical Message: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome, also known as Wilkie's syndrome, is a rare disease presenting as an acute abdomen with clinical features similar to intestinal obstruction. This is a case of SMA syndrome in an adult male with a decrease in aortomesenteric angle, with no predisposing condition.

Atypical Duplex appendix arising from the ascending colon: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Duplex or vermiform appendix refers to the presence of an appendix beside the naturally occurring one. Although, duplex appendix emerges from the caecum most of the time, yet it is encountered in other parts of the colon. Inflammation of duplex appendix may represent not only a clinical, but also a surgical dilemma, and this would be confusing further among patients who already had prior appendectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of 29-years old Egyptian male patient with history of appendectomy one and half year before presenting to the emergency department with recurrent acute abdominal pain that was linked to duplex appendicitis abnormally emerged from the mid-ascending colon. The first episode was treated conservatively considering atypical right colon diverticulitis as a potential differential diagnosis. Seven months later the patient was treated by laparoscopic appendectomy and experienced an uneventful pot-operative course. CONCLUSION: Duplex appendicitis, though rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recurrent acute abdomen even after appendectomy.

Lateral Abdominal Wall Hematoma Mimicking Aortic Dissection Presentation: A Case Report.

Lateral abdominal wall hematoma is a rare clinical entity but a great mimicker of other diseases' clinical presentations. In this case report, we present a 42-year-old male patient with a constellation of signs and symptoms that were mistaken for aortic dissection before the lateral abdominal wall hematoma diagnosis was confirmed with computed tomography (CT) imaging. Uncontrolled hypertension and persistent cough were most likely predisposing factors; the patient was managed conservatively and discharged in a stable condition.

Aberrant Diagnostic Imaging Resulting in Misdiagnosed Acute Perforated Appendicitis: A Case Report.

A 31-year-old male with a history of diverticulitis presented for acute abdominal pain and was found to have several small areas of free air on computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen/pelvis. Due to inflammatory changes seen around the sigmoid colon and small bowel, he was diagnosed with perforated diverticulitis. The patient complained of significant right-sided abdominal pain with significant tenderness on abdominal examination. The patient was initially treated with diagnostic laparoscopy and was actually found to have acute perforated appendicitis with mild appendiceal adherence to the sigmoid colon. This case highlights the importance of careful history and physical examination in an era where imaging often precedes the surgeon's evaluation. The case also provides support for laparoscopy in select cases of pneumoperitoneum, sparing patients the morbidity of undergoing an open laparotomy.