Hypovolemic Shock Revealing a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare neoplasms that originate in the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the nonspecific symptoms, they are often underdiagnosed. Patients typically present with abdominal pain, weight loss, asthenia, or a sensation of a "ball in the stomach." Hypovolemic shock is a rare mode of presentation. The biopsy is often inconclusive, and immunohistochemistry plays a crucial role in diagnosis. Surgery is the treatment of choice for stromal tumors with hemorrhage. Here, we present two cases of patients admitted in critical condition with hypovolemic shock. Laboratory results revealed profound anemia. Upper gastrointestinal exploration demonstrated a tumor in both cases, with normal biopsy findings in one case. However, after partial gastrectomy, pathology results revealed GIST with an immunohistochemistry profile in favor. The mode of presentation in our cases is notable, as hypovolemic shock without apparent external bleeding is an unusual presentation. Therefore, physicians should consider GIST a possible diagnosis when presented with a patient in hypovolemic shock, even without externalized bleeding.

Lactococcus lactis endocarditis and liver abscess in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Over the last two decades, several cases of infections caused by Lactococcus lactis have been reported. This Gram-positive coccus is considered non-pathogenic for humans. However, in some rare cases, it can cause serious infections such as endocarditis, peritonitis, and intra-abdominal infections. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old Moroccan patient was admitted to the hospital because of diffuse abdominal pain and fever. The patient had no past medical history. Five days before his admission, he developed abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant along with chills and feverish sensations. Investigations showed a liver abscess, which was drained, and the microbiological study of the pus revealed Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris. Three days after admission, control computed tomography objectified splenic infarctions. Cardiac explorations were performed and showed a floating vegetation on the ventricle side of the aortic valve. We retained the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis according to the modified Duke criteria. The patient was declared afebrile on day 5 and the evolution was clinically and biologically favorable. Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, formerly known as Streptococcus cremoris, is a rare cause of human infections. The first case of Lactococcus lactis cremoris endocarditis was reported in 1955. This organism includes three subspecies: lactis, cremoris, and hordniae. A MEDLINE and Scopus search showed only 13 cases of infectious endocarditis due to Lactococcus lactis, with subsp. cremoris identified in four of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first case report of the co-occurrence of Lactococcus lactis endocarditis and liver abscess. Despite its reported low virulence and good response to antibiotic treatment, Lactococcus lactis endocarditis must be considered a serious disease. It is imperative for a clinician to suspect this microorganism of causing endocarditis when they notice signs of infectious endocarditis in a patient with a history of consumption of unpasteurized dairy products or contact with farm animals. The finding of a liver abscess should lead to an investigation of endocarditis, even in previously healthy patients without obvious clinical signs of endocarditis.

Circular Mini-Incision in the Left Iliac Fossa Followed by Purse-String Closure as a Minimally Invasive Approach for the Sigmoid Volvulus: A Technical Note.

INTRODUCTION: Volvulus of the sigmoid is a common cause of intestinal obstruction in Morocco. It is a serious condition with substantial mortality. Initial endoscopic decompression followed by resection of the redundant colon via laparotomy or laparoscopy is the procedure of choice. Exteriorization of the sigmoid colon through a linear skin incision in the left iliac fossa has been described as an alternative approach for the classic midline incision, with or without laparoscopic assistance, with acceptable results. METHODS: We describe herein a novel, minimally invasive approach for fit patients with non-complicated volvulus sigmoid. This approach consists of a skin-disk incision in the left iliac fossa, exteriorization of the redundant colon, and resection with or without primary anastomosis, followed by a purse-string closure. RESULTS: A 65-year-old patient with no prior notable medical history, presented to the emergency department with his first episode of sigmoid volvulus. A skin-disk incision was made in the left iliac fossa, exteriorization of the sigmoid was done easily through the incision, and resection and manual anastomosis were done. The closure was made in a purse-string fashion. Recovery was uneventful and the patient was discharged home on the fourth postoperative day. No wound infection was noted and the cosmetic result was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Left iliac skin-disk incision followed by a purse-string closure is an option for approaching the abdomen in the case of sigmoid volvulus. It has been demonstrated that this technique helps reduce wound-related complications in patients undergoing stoma reversal. Authors suggest that cosmetic results are better and the incidence of surgical site infection can be lower with this technique as compared to the classic linear skin incision. Results, however, should be confirmed by larger studies.

A Fatal Case of Strangulated Pericecal Hernia.

Pericecal hernia, a subtype of internal hernia, is a rare and unusual cause of small-bowel obstruction (SBO). We report the case of a pericecal hernia in an 80-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with symptoms of SBO. She experienced colicky diffuse abdominal pain associated with vomiting and obstipation for over five days. Abdominal examination showed rebound tenderness in the right iliac fossa without any mass palpation. Computed tomography noted a "sac-like" structure in the right iliac fossa with dilated and ischemic small-bowel loops within. Exploratory laparotomy showed strangulated pericecal hernia and non-viable small bowel loops in the inferior ileocecal recess. Extensive resection and defect repair followed by small-bowel end-to-end primary anastomosis was made. After two days of ICU admission, patient died from septic shock. This case report highlights the need for prompt diagnosis, followed by surgical intervention to lower mortality of SBO of internal hernia origin, especially in cases where no previous surgery is noted.

Hemorrhagic Shock Revealing Rupture of Splenic Artery Pseudoaneurysm Three Years After Post-Traumatic Pancreatitis.

Splenic artery pseudoaneurysm (SAP) is an uncommon entity but extremely serious, given the high mortality rate if untreated. Only a limited literature reports association with post-traumatic pancreatitis. We report the case of a 30-year-old man, who was brought to the emergency department (ED) for acute confusion. His past medical history includes trauma of right hypochondriac and epigastric regions, three years ago. Three days before his admission to the hospital, he experienced abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting, without transit disorders or fever. When examined, the patient was disoriented, pale with profuse sweating, cold extremities, and a temperature of 36.3°C. Blood pressure was 75/51 mmHg, heart rate was 126 beats per minute, and oxygen saturation was 96% on room air. The abdominal exam detected generalized abdominal sensitivity. A CT angiography of the abdomen revealed hemoperitoneum of medium abundance, with extravasation of the contrast product from the splenic artery. The size of the spleen was normal with a lower polar hypodense area. In addition, a pancreas of normal size, steady outlinings, seat of bilobed cystic formation suggested a pancreatic pseudocyst. This led us to suspect a rupture of a pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery. A laparotomy was performed and showed an estimated 2 L hemoperitoneum. Active bleeding was noted from an SAP in the mid-portion of the splenic artery, next to the pancreatic pseudocyst. Ligation of the splenic artery and splenectomy was carried out. The patient was discharged home on the 10th post-operative day. Our case highlights an uncommon cause of hemorrhagic shock, but critical to recognize. Indeed, ruptured SAP needs to be promptly detected and managed, to avoid fatal complications if left untreated.

Hepatic fascioliasis presenting with bile duct obstruction: a case report.

Fascioliasis is a zoonotic infection caused by a liver trematode: fasciola hepatica; which commonly affects cattle and sheep, humans are accidental hosts. Several cases have been reported in the literature worldwide with a large geographical distribution. We present a case of bile duct obstruction due to a hepatic fascioliasis, successfully treated with both a combined surgical and medical approaches. A high index of suspicion should be kept in mind for all cases of obstructive jaundice, especially in areas in which human fascioliasis infection is repeatedly reported.