Unusual cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Report of the case of hemorrhagic duodenal lipoma with review of the literature.

Duodenal lipomas are uncommon and rare causes of gastrointestinal bleeding. Here, we present the case of a 45-yearold male patient who was admitted to University Clinical Centre because of melaena. After initial diagnostics, including echosonography, esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed bleeding from protruding blood vessel at the polypoid submucosal change in the posterior duodenal bulb. Upon two urgent unsuccessful endoscopic hemostasis, a duodenotomy was performed. Definitive diagnosis was based on histological findings, describing duodenal lipoma with Bruner's gland hyperplasia. Upper GI bleeding is a serious challenge that requires adequate diagnostics necessary for the right choice of therapeutic approach. Unsuccessful endoscopic hemostasis could be followed by serious complications in bleeding duodenal lipoma when surgery should be always considered as the treatment of choice in patients with this kind of bleeding tumor. KEY WORDS: Bruner Glands Hyperplasia, Duodenal Lipoma, Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Quality of sleep and fatigue in patients with the relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic.

ОBJECTIVE: Sleep disturbances and fatigue are frequent symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients. The aim was to assess the quality of sleep (QoS) and fatigue in patients with the relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: The study included 67 patients with RRMS and 85 healthy control subjects. RRMS patients, who were tested in first half of 2019, were retested in April and May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected sociodemographic and clinical data, and also used the following questionnaires: Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 Instrument (MSQOL-54). RESULTS: The FSS score and PSQI global score were significantly higher in patients with RRMS than in the control group (p < 0.01). We noticed a statistically significant difference between the results obtained a year ago and the results during the COVID-19 pandemic in PSQI global score (p < 0.01) and all subscores. Higher disability status was an independent predictor of the worse PSQI scores. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 outbreak worse QoS were noticed in RRMS patients than in healthy individuals. Also, QoS of RRMS patients is more affected during the COVID-19 pandemic than in regular circumstances. High levels of sleep disturbance and fatigue in RRMS patients correlates with worse life quality, female gender, lower educational level and partner status. The results of the present study provide evidence in support of regular screening and monitoring of fatigue and QoS in this patient population, especially during the pandemic states.

Quality of sleep and health-related quality of life among health care professionals treating patients with coronavirus disease-19.

BACKGROUND: Health care professionals exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are facing high levels of stress. AIM: The aim was to evaluate the quality of sleep (QoS) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), among health care professionals treating patients with COVID-19, as well as quantifying the magnitude of symptoms of depression and levels of anxiety. METHODS: We included 201 health care professionals in a cross-sectional, web-based study by applying 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Scale, Zung Self-rating Depression Scale, 36-item Health Survey of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF36), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and additional survey constructed for the purpose of the study. RESULTS: Health care workers who treated COVID-19 patients were more afraid of becoming infected or of transmitting the infection to a family member with a significantly low self-assessment of their mental status. Poor QoS and HRQoL correlated with high health anxiety and severe depressive symptoms and several demographic characteristics. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that higher scores on GAD-7 (beta = .71, p < .01) and lower scores on mental health (MH) subscale on SF36 questionnaire (beta = -.69; p < .01) were independent predictors of the higher PSQI score (adjusted R2 = .61, p < .01 for overall model). Higher scores on GAD-7 (beta = .68, p < .01) and worse self-perceived mental status (beta = .25; p < .05) were independent predictors of the lower SF36 scores (adjusted R2 = .73, p < .01 for overall model). CONCLUSION: The major MH burden of health care professionals treating infected patients during the COVID-19 pandemic indicates that they need psychological support.

The Impact of the Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pandemic on the Psychological Status and Quality of Life of Myasthenia Gravis Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the largest pandemic of our times. We wanted to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological status, quality of life (QoL) and quality of sleep (QoS) of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients. METHODS: Data on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of MG were collected. We used a self-designed questionnaire (consisting of 12 questions), a revised 15-item Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life Questionnaire (MGQOL15r), a 36-item health survey of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF36), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Hamilton scales for the assessment of anxiety (HAM-A), and depression (HAMD) were used. We reassessed patients who were tested three years ago using the same questionnaires. RESULTS: The study included 64 MG patients. We noticed a statistically significant difference between the results obtained three years ago and the results from April 2020 in PSQI scores (P < 0.01). MGQOL15r, SF36, and PSQI scores correlate with severe clinical manifestation, high scores on HAM-A and HAM-D (P < 0.01). Higher scores on HAM-D and fear that MG symptoms will be worse if the patient gets an upper respiratory infection were independent predictors of the lower SF36 scores. Regarding MGQOL15r-independent predictors of the higher score were higher scores on HAM-D. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the psychological status and especially on the quality of sleep of MG patients. Healthcare organizations need to provide professional therapeutic advice and psychosocial support for this population of patients during the pandemic.

Psychological status of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis during coronavirus disease-2019 outbreak.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global health emergency. The aim was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological status of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). METHODS: Data on the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of 95 RRMS patients were collected. We used a self-designed questionnaire, the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 Instrument (MSQOL-54), Hamilton scales for the assessment of anxiety (HAM-A), and depression (HAM-D). Patients who were tested one year ago were reassessed using the same questionnaires during the COVID-19 outbreak. Group of 99 healthy individuals (HC) were tested, using the same questionnaires. RESULTS: The main concerns in RRMS patients were that someone that they know could be infected with COVID-19 (78.5%), or could die due to the infection (33.8%), and the lack of specific treatment options (25.8%). The main concerns about the RRMS status were that their disease would be worse if they get infected with COVID-19 (36.4%), that they would experience some difficulties in drug availability (43.6%), that they could not go to the hospital as usual (72.4%). Results on all questionnaires were worse in RRMS patients than in HC (p<0.01). We noticed a statistically significant difference between the results obtained a year ago and the results from April 2020 in HAM-A (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological status of RRMS patients. Healthcare organizations need to provide professional therapeutic advice and psychosocial support for this population of patients during the pandemic.

A case of jejunal neurofibroma in von Recklinghausen's disease with active hemorrhage, detected and located with gastrointestinal bleeding scintigraphy: A case report with literature review.

A 69 year old patient was admitted to hospital with massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The clinical presentation of the patient, except for bleeding, was dominated by the presence of neurofibromatosis type 1 - Von Recklinghausen disease. The patient was referred to multislice computed tomography (CT) angiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy, which were performed without successful detection of the bleeding site. The MRI examination showed the existence of a tumor located in the small pelvis. After that, gastrointestinal bleeding scintigraphy (GIBS) with technetium-99m (99mTc) pyrophosphate in vivo labeled erythrocytes was done. Gastrointestinal bleeding scintigraphy showed active intraluminal bleeding from the projection of jejunum, which flowed through the small intestine to the descending colon and the sigmoidal and rectal segment of the colon. Surgical resection of the abdomen revealed the existence of tumors in the jejunum with active bleeding and resection and anastomosis was done. Histopathological verification showed intestinal neurofibroma. In this case GIBS showed usefulness in proving the existence of active bleeding in the small intestine and its localization, and it was of a great help in planning the surgical treatment of a patient.

Laparotomy site implantation metastasis of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater.

Introduction Carcinomas of the papilla of Vater make up a heterogeneous group of tumours arising from different types of epithelium. Regional lymph nodes, liver and lungs are the primary sites of metastatic progression of these tumours. Case presentation We present a patient with an abdominal incision site metastasis of low-grade (mixed type) adenocarcinoma of the papilla of Vater one year after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Implantation metastasis of low-grade ampullary carcinoma in the laparotomy wound after open Whipple's procedure is unusual. Conclusion Adjuvant chemoradiation might be considered for patients with low-grade localised disease as a potentially preventative measure vs. metastatic progression.

Nitric oxide synthesis modulation - a possible diagnostic and therapeutic target in colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Considering the contradictory literature data about the role of nitric oxide (NO) in colon carcinogenesis, the purpose of this study was to examine the changes of L-arginine metabolites in colon cancer and surrounding tissue as possible molecular markers of tumor behavior after surgery and the possibility of NO synthesis modulation in new individualized therapeutic strategies. METHODS: The study encompassed 50 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). The three tissue specimens were taken by surgery (tumor, adjacent and healthy tissue) and the concentrations of NO2+NO3, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) were determined in the tissue specimens. RESULTS: The results proved higher NO2+NO3 concentrations in adjacent tissue compared to the tumor, implicating high angiogenic potential of the tumor-surrounding tissue, which could have clinical importance in the assessment of the probability of tumor local recurrence and metastasis. Increased ADMA concentrations in tumor tissue associated with low NO levels, could lead to new therapeutic strategies directed to the use of inhibitors of NO synthesis as ideal candidates for molecular therapy of CRC. ADMA concentration in adjacent tissue was an independent predictor of distant metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results suggest that determination of the examined biomarkers in CRC and adjacent tissue samples could give useful information about tumor proliferative and angiogenic potential, which in turn could enable individualization of therapy and the choice of proper adjuvant therapy in patients with CRC.

Triple gastric peptic ulcer perforation.

Patients with advanced or metastatic cancer have compromised nutritional, metabolic, and immune conditions. Nevertheless, little is known about gastroduodenal perforation in cancer patients. Described in the present report is the case of a 41-year old woman with stage IV recurrent laryngeal cancer, who used homeopathic anticancer therapy and who had triple peptic ulcer perforation (PUP) that required surgical repair. Triple gastric PUP is a rare complication. Self-administration of homeopathic anticancer medication should be strongly discouraged when evidence-based data regarding efficacy and toxicity is lacking.

Catastrophic necrotizing fasciitis after blunt abdominal trauma with delayed recognition of the coecal rupture--case report.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare bacterial infection with dramatic course, characterized by widespread necrosis of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and superficial fascia which can often lead to death. We present a case of a 27-year-old male with NF. One day after experiencing blunt abdominal trauma caused by falling over bike handlebars, the patient was admitted to a regional hospital and treated for diffuse abdominal pain and large hematoma of the anterior abdominal wall. Due to worsening of general condition, he was referred to our hospital the following day and operated on urgently. Surgery revealed rupture of the coecum with peritonitis and abdominal wall infection. After surgery, fulminant necrotizing fasciitis developed. Antibiotics were prescribed according to wound cultures and subsequent necrectomies were performed. After 25 days, reconstruction of the abdominal wall with skin grafts was obtained. Despite all resuscitation measures including fluids, blood transfusions, and parenteral nutrition, lung infection and MODS caused death 42 days after initial operation. Blunt abdominal trauma can cause the rupture of intestine, and if early signs of peritoneal irritation should present, emergency laparotomy should be performed. Disastrous complication are rare but lethal.

Giant primary retroperitoneal myxoid leiomyoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Leiomyomas are benign smooth muscle tumors that usually arise from the uterus. CASE REPORT: We present a patient with a 6-month history of vague abdominal discomfort, occasional nausea, vomiting and urinary incontinence. On examination, there was an extremely large firm unpainfull palpable abdominal mass. Laboratory investigation revealed mild leukocytosis and blood creatinine elevation. Abdominopelvic ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a massive well bordered, encapsulated intraabdominal tumor, extending from the pelvis to epigastrium and almost completely fulfilling the pelvic and abdominal cavity. At laparotomy, tumor arising from the retroperitoneum was excised in toto. Histopathological examination disclosed that the tumor was composed mainly of smooth muscle cells and very rare fibrous connective tissue elements with myxomatous alteration and with no mitotic activity. The negative results of numerous additional parameters analyzed (pancytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, S100 protein, CD68, CD34, desmin, aktin) ruled out different origin of a tumor. One year after resection the patient had no complaints and no radiological evidence of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: Considering current limitations in radiological diagnosis, in toto resection of these tumors is necessary to rule out malignancy.

Case of rectal angioleiomyoma in a female patient.

Angioleiomyoma represents a benign stromal tumor, which usually occurs in the subcutaneous tissue of the extremities, although its occurrence in the gastrointestinal tract is very rare. A case of rectal angioleiomyoma in a 40 year-old female patient is described here. Six months earlier, the patient suffered from periodical prolapse of an oval tumor from the anus, along with difficulties in bowel movement. A transanal extirpation of the tumor was performed. This is the first reported case in the English literature of a patient presenting with prolapsed angioleiomyoma of the rectum. During the immediate postoperative period, as well as 6 mo later, the patient had an unremarkable postoperative recovery.

Incarcerated inguinal hernias surgical treatment specifics in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Incarcerated inguinal hernias surgical treatment represents one of the most frequent surgical treatments in elderly patients. The percentage of incarcerated inguinal hernias urgent surgical treatments is growing exponentially with the age in patients over 50. The aim of the study was to investigate some of the factors that may have impact on the incarcerated inguinal hernias surgical treatment outcome in elderly patients. METHODS: The study included 180 patients classified in two groups: the study group (> 65 years of age) and the control group (< or = 65), managed in the period from January 2005 till March 2009 at the General Surgery Clinic, Clinical Center Nis. RESULTS: Most of the patients had right inguinal hernia (52.6%, the study group; 59.1%, the control group). All the study group patients suffered from some of accompanying chronic diseases (100%), opposite to 39 (59%) patients of the control group. Synthetic material was implanted in 124 (68.90%) patients, while the tension technique was performed in 65 (31.1%) patients. The duration of incarceration more than 24 h (p = 0.015), previous abdominal surgery (p = 0.001), the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification system (ASA classification) (p = 0.033) and the presence of chronic diseases (p = 0.01) appeared to be statistically significant risk factors for performing intestinal resection in the study group, while in the control group they represented risk factors, but not at the level of statistical significance (p < 0.05), except for the duration of incarceration (p = 0.007). A higher ASA stage (p = 0.001) and the presence of bowel resection (p <0.001) are the most important risk factors for lethal outcome in both groups of patients. CONCLUSION: Incarcerated inguinal hernia in elderly patients is a serious problem. A higher ASA score and the presence of bowel resection are the most important factors related to unfavorable outcome.

Ossifying chondrolipoma of the tongue.

INTRODUCTION: Chondrolipomas and osteolipomas are uncommon variants of lipomatous tumors. CASE REPORT: We presented a 60-year-old woman with ossifying chondrolipoma of the tongue. Clinical examination revealed a firm nodular mass, located in the midline of the posterior region on the dorsal surface of the tongue. Histologically, the lesion was well-delimited showing areas of mature adipocytes arranged in lobules and separated by fibrous connective tissue septa, islands of mature cartilaginous tissue and osseous metaplasia. Trabeculae of lamellar bone within a fibro-fatty background were visible throughout the tumor. The cartilaginous areas merging centrally with bone formation and fatty marrow tissue were present, as well as the hematopoietic elements in the fatty marrow. The bone forming was found to be through both membranous and enchondral mechanisms. CONCLUSION: Ossifying chrondrolipoma with hematopoietic elements is extremely unusual lesion. This interesting entity should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of lingual lesions.

Ileocolic intussusception as a presenting sign of primary lymphoma of the colon.

INTRODUCTION: Intussusception is a rare phenomenon in adults. It is caused mainly by malignant neoplasm. Primary lymphoma of the colon is a rare malignancy of the large intestine. The association of intussusception in adult and primary colorectal lymphoma is a diagnostic challenge, since they occur with a variety of atypical symptoms. CASE OUTLINE: We report a case of ileocolic intussusception in a 26-year-old man induced by primary lymphoma of the cecum. He was admitted to our hospital for incomplete intestinal obstruction. After thorough diagnostic work-up (plain abdominal radiography, abdominal ultrasonography, multi-slice computerized tomography, colonoscopy with biopsy), the patient underwent surgery. Intraoperative findings confirmed lymphoma as the cause of intussusception. The right hemicolectomy was carried out with end-to-side ileo-transverse anastomosis. CONCLUSION: Primary colorectal lymphomas should be considered in differential diagnosis of intussusceptions in adults. The treatment of choice is a radical resection where all oncological standards must be fulfilled.

Primary colorectal lymphoma: An overview.

Lymphomas represent common hematological malignancies with increasing incidence in recent years. The major site of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the gastrointestinal tract. Involvement of the large intestine is rare in comparison to the stomach or small bowel. The disease appears later in life, predominantly in the male population. Complaints are nonspecific, requiring a high index of suspicion in order to establish the diagnosis. The treatment varies from chemotherapy alone to multimodal therapies combining surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The small number of patients with various histological subtypes and different stage at presentation results in unclear protocol for the treatment of primary colorectal lymphoma. The purpose of this paper is to review current data on primary lymphoma of the colon and rectum while analyzing reported case series and published material on the subject.

[Importance of D-dimer testing in ambulatory detection of atypical and "silent" phlebothrombosis].

BACKGROUND/AIM: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a life-threatening condition, which could be manifested with discrete symptoms (silent DVT). High mortality and disability of patients with DVT indicate the importance of early diagnosis, especially of "silent" DVT. The aim of this paper was to evaluate of reliability of early detection model for diagnosing DVT in ambulatory patients by using clinical probability of DVT presence, D-dimmer test (DD) and ultrasound evaluation (US). METHODS: Ambulatory patients with suspected DVT were classified as "unlikely" and "likely" DVT by the Wells clinical model. The patients were randomly divided into the control and DD group. In the control group (629 patients) only US examination of lower limbs deep vein was done. All patients in the DD group (643 patients), with "unlikely" TDV, had DD, and in the positive patients US examination was done. In the "likely" patients US examination was done and negative US finding indicated DD test. Positive DD test was an indication for US examination after 7 days. The patients with initially excluded DVT were evaluated during 3 months. RESULTS: A total number of 1 272 patients were examined; 117 (9.19%) patients were with DVT--62 (9.640%) in the DD and 55 (8.74%) in the control group. During the follow-up periods in the DD group (with 582 initially excluded DVT) we registered DVT in only one patient (0.17%). It was significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to the control group where we registered 7 (1.10%) DVT (a group with 581 initially excluded DVT). The applied DD diagnostic strategy for 70.7% (p < 0.001) reduced the need for US examination. CONCLUSION: The applied DD strategy in the diagnostic of DVT reduces the need for US examinations and reduces frequency of false negative results, with direct impact on cost and efficacy of procedures. DD diagnostic model should replace serial US examination in patients with suspect DVT.

Nonfunctional retroperitoneal paraganglioma presenting as acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Paragangliomas are very rare tumors arising from extraadrenal chromaffin cells. Clinical presentation of benign retroperitoneal nonfunctional paraganglioma is unspecific. Symptoms may occur when tumor attains a remarkable size or when complications arise. This article reports a case of nonfunctional retroperitoneal paraganglioma as a cause of acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage which represents the unusual urgent clinical manifestation of these tumors. The presented case emphasizes the necessity to include extraadrenal paraganglioma in the differential diagnosis in all patients with retroperitoneal mass found even in the presence of at first appearance non-related emergency condition like acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

[Use of linear radiofrequency device in liver resection].

BACKGROUND/AIM: Linear radiofrequency device (LRFD) is disposable tool designed for liver parenchyma transection using controlled radiofrequency to "seal" blood vessels and bile ducts, making liver resection easier and safer compared to classical resectional techniques. The aim of this study was to determine real value of the LRFD compared to the standard "keliclasia" technique. METHODS: This prospective study analyzed the significant intraoperative parameters and postoperative results of the 200 patients who underwent surgery at the Surgery Clinic of Clinical Centre in Nis, between January 1, 2001, and January 1, 2009. The patients were divided into two groups: the control Keli group (144 patients) with the "keliclasia" resection technique and the control RF group (with resection performed using LRFD--Tissue Link / Dissection Sealer (DS-3.0) (56 patients). The following parameters were analyzed: duration of liver ischemia, liver parenchyma transection time, intraoperative blood loss, significant intraoperative and postoperative complication rate-duration of hospitalization and mortality. RESULTS: . LRFD was used in 56 liver resections. The average duration of liver ischemia in the RF group was shorter than in the Keli group (7 versus 22 minutes). Parenchymal liver transection was significantly slower in the RF group than in the Keli group (2.05 versus 4.34 cm2/minutes, respectively). There was less intraoperative bleeding using LRFD "Keliclasia" technique than in the control group (390 mL compared to 420 mL, respectively). After the use of LRFD two cases of biliary leak and 4 pleural effusions were registered. CONCLUSION: LRFD is simple device for safe liver transection with decreased need for liver ischemia and significant reducing of the intraoperative blood loss. High price for disposable device and slow parenchyma transection are disadvantages of this device.