Concurrent rectal perforation and obstruction following neoadjuvant chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is commonly managed with neoadjuvant chemoradiation (neoCRT) followed by surgery, though not without complications. The anatomical exposure of the colon and rectum and pelvic radiotherapy poses risk, with rectal perforation and bowel obstruction, though rare, carrying life-threatening potential. PRESENTATION OF CASE: This case highlights an exceptionally rare occurrence of concurrent rectal perforation and rectal obstruction in a 77-year-old male with LARC, just two months post neoCRT. Initial symptoms included rectal bleeding, and diagnostic procedures confirmed rectal T1N3adenocarcinoma with no metastasis. Emergency admission, prompted by complete bowel obstruction symptoms, led to discovery of rectal perforation during laparotomy, sealed by the bladder. Pathological analysis attributed the cause to radiation proctitis, reporting complete response to neoCRT with no residual tumor. DISCUSSION: The rarity of both bowel obstruction and perforation as neoCRT complications, particularly in the acute phase of radiation proctitis, is noteworthy in this case. The absence of tumoral cells at the affected sites emphasizes the exceptional nature of this case. CONCLUSION: This case underscores the importance of recognizing acute post neoCRT injuries as potentially life-threatening complications, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and consideration in clinical management.

Aortic Pseudoaneurysm following Ventricular Septal Defect Closure in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Aortic pseudoaneurysm, a rare condition characterized by localized transmural disruption and dilatation of the aorta, is very rare in the pediatric population. It is primarily caused by previous cardiovascular procedures such as aortic coarctation repair, aortic valve replacement, and subaortic membrane resection. We present a unique case of aortic pseudoaneurysm following surgery to repair a perimembranous ventricular septal defect in a 19-month-old boy who presented with fever as the sole symptom. The fever started on the 30th day after the surgery, and the patient exhibited abnormal laboratory results, including a white blood cell (WBC) count of 28.3 × 109/L, neutrophil percentage of 68%, platelet count of 880 × 109/L, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 200 mm/hour, and 3+ positive C-reactive protein. Echocardiogram revealed a large cystic mass (5 × 4.8 cm) in the ascending aorta, compressing the superior vena cava. Based on this finding, a diagnosis of aortic pseudoaneurysm was suspected. The diagnosis was confirmed through cardiac computed tomographic angiography, and the patient underwent emergent surgery for the repair of the aortic pseudoaneurysm under deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest. Unfortunately, our patient died shortly after the surgery.

The Nakata index and McGoon ratio: correlation with the severity of pulmonary regurgitation after the repair of paediatric tetralogy of Fallot.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary regurgitation is the most common complication after the complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot, and severe pulmonary regurgitation after surgery requires pulmonary valve replacement. In this retrospective observational, cross-sectional study, we included a total of 56 children aged 6 years or younger who underwent complete repair of TOF at Shahid Rajaei Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center in Tehran, Iran. Preoperative dual-source computed tomography was used to measure the McGoon ratio and Nakata index. The patients were divided into two groups based on the severity of postoperative pulmonary regurgitation, as estimated by trans-thoracic echocardiography: the severe pulmonary regurgitation group and the non-severe pulmonary regurgitation group. The McGoon ratio and Nakata index were then compared between the two groups. RESULTS: When comparing the two groups, we found that the corrected right pulmonary artery diameter, main pulmonary artery diameter, and McGoon ratio in the non-severe pulmonary regurgitation group were higher than in the severe pulmonary regurgitation group. However, none of these differences were statistically significant. Additionally, other variables, including the corrected left pulmonary artery diameter and Nakata index, showed higher measurements in children with severe pulmonary regurgitation, but again, the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that pulmonary arteries diameter, Nakata index, and McGoon ratio were not significantly correlated with the severity of pulmonary regurgitation after the complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

Meat bezoar due to inadequate mastication leading partial bowel obstruction: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal bezoars may occur in individuals with a normal gastrointestinal tract structure or as a result of gastrointestinal defects and disease. This rare condition initially presents with general abdominal pain, mimicking appendicitis in later stages. Recognizing this condition as a differential diagnosis in patients with abdominal pain can prevent delays in diagnosis and serious complications. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a rare case of a meat bezoar in a 52-year-old man presenting with acute and generalized abdominal pain at an emergency department. DISCUSSION: We discuss gastrointestinal bezoars as a rare differential diagnosis of abdominal pain and acute abdomen in people with no pre-existing medical history, and the challenges that might be faced during diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal bezoars are rare which makes the diagnosis challenging. Obtaining a complete history and a full examination with appropriate imaging could help the diagnosis.

Large right ventricular hydatid cyst in a child: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cystic Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection with a worldwide distribution. It is caused by the larval stages of a species of tapeworms known as Echinococcus granulosus. Even in endemic areas; Cardiac involvement by hydatidiosis is very rare and has atypical presentations as well as localization which make it undiagnosed in about 10% of cases. The left ventricle is the most Common chamber involved by the hydatid cyst and isolated involvement of the right ventricle is very rare, especially in children. The aim of the present study was to describe hydatid cardiac cyst of the right ventricle of a child. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a rare case of an 8 year-old boy, living in a rural area, who was diagnosed with a cardiac hydatid cyst in the right ventricle. He also had multiple pulmonary hydatid cysts and presented with dyspnea, cough and atypical chest pain. The patient underwent surgery for the resection of pulmonary cysts and, subsequently, cardiac hydatid cyst. The outcome was favorable seven weeks after surgery and there was no clinical and echocardiographic recurrence. CONCLUSION: Cardiac Echinococcosis must be suspected in endemic areas, diagnosed with appropriate imaging techniques, and treated appropriately.

Evaluation of the heart sounds in children using a Doppler Phonolyser.

BACKGROUND: Heart auscultation is an easy and inexpensive tool for early diagnosis of congenital heart defects. In this regard, a simple device which can be used easily by physicians for heart murmur detection will be very useful. The current study was conducted to evaluate the validity of a Doppler-based device named "Doppler Phonolyser" for the diagnosis of structural heart diseases in pediatric patients. In this cross-sectional study, 1272 patients under 16 years who were referred between April 2021 and February 2022, to a pediatric cardiology clinic in Mofid Children Hospital, Tehran, Iran, were enrolled. All the patients were examined by a single experienced pediatric cardiologist using a conventional stethoscope at the first step and a Doppler Phonolyser device at the second step. Afterward, the patient underwent trans-thoracic echocardiography, and the echocardiogram results were compared with the conventional stethoscope as well as the Doppler Phonolyser findings. RESULTS: Sensitivity of the Doppler Phonolyser for detecting congenital heart defects was 90.5%. The specificity of the Doppler Phonolyser in detecting heart disease was 68.9% in compared with the specificity of the conventional stethoscope, which was 94.8%. Among the most common congenital heart defects in our study population, the sensitivity of the Doppler Phonolyser was 100% for detection of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF); In contrast, sensitivity of both the conventional stethoscope and the Doppler Phonolyser was relatively low for detecting atrial septal defect. CONCLUSIONS: Doppler Phonolyser could be useful as a diagnostic tool for the detection of congenital heart defects. The main advantages of the Doppler Phonolyser over the conventional stethoscope are no need for operator experience, the ability to distinguish innocent murmurs from the pathologic ones and no effect of environmental sounds on the performance of the device.

Ileo-sigmoid knotting- an unusual cause of intestinal obstruction: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Ileosigmoid knotting is an unusual cause of intestinal obstruction in which the ileum wraps around the base of the sigmoid colon and its mesentery, which leads to a closed loop intestinal obstruction. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 59-year-old male patient was referred to our center with acute abdominal pain, obstipation and a few episodes of vomiting. On physical examination, he had hypotension and tachycardia as well as distension, diffused tenderness, guarding and rebound tenderness of the abdomen. Bowel sounds were absent. Abdominal Plain X-ray showed dilatation of the large bowel associated with the distended small bowel. After resuscitation with aggressive intravenous fluid therapy, the patient underwent an emergency laparotomy. Exploration revealed gangrene of the intestinal loops, including the jejunum and ileum, which was secondary to a 360° clockwise twisting of the ileal loops around the sigmoid colon. Gangrene of the sigmoid colon along with torsion of the superior mesenteric arteries was also obvious. Resection of the gangrenous loops of the small bowel as well as a sigmoidopexy was carried out and a primary anastomosis of the small intestine and colon was performed. He did well post-operatively. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: It is crucial to distinguish Ileosigmoid knotting from sigmoid volvulus because it can rapidly, even within hours, progress to bowel gangrene and peritonitis; moreover, in this situation the endoscopic reduction is contraindicated. CONCLUSION: Ileosegmoid knotting is an unusual cause of bowel obstruction which has relatively high mortality rates and should be considered in patients with acute abdominal pain and presentations of bowel obstruction.

Interruption of the Right Pulmonary Artery in a Neonate.

Interruption of the right pulmonary artery is a very rare anomaly which can be associated with other congenital heart lesions or can occur in isolation. Clinical presentations of the unilateral interruption of a pulmonary artery are varied including pulmonary hypertension, recurrent infection, dyspnea, exercise intolerance, hemoptysis, and chest pain. Less commonly, patients may be asymptomatic. Diagnosis of this anomaly is made by echocardiography and CT angiography as well as cardiac MRI. Treatment options are medical versus surgical management and often recommended in symptomatic patients with pulmonary hypertension, recurrent infection, and hemoptysis. Herein, we describe a very rare case of right pulmonary artery originating from the right subclavian artery in a 12-day-old neonate.

Impact of donor-to-recipient weight ratio on the hospital outcomes of pediatric heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Identifying the factors that can influence the prognosis and final outcomes of pediatric heart transplantation is important and makes it possible to prevent complications and improve outcomes. Coordination of donor characteristics with the recipient in terms of sex, weight, body mass index (BMI), and body surface area (BSA) is an important factor that can influence the outcome of the transplantation. There is still no consensus regarding the role of discrepancy in anthropometrics between donors and recipients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between donor and recipient weight mismatch on the early outcomes of pediatric heart transplantation. In this historical cohort study, 80 children who had underwent heart transplantation for the first time between 2014 and 2019 in Shahid Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center in Tehran, Iran, were enrolled and divided into three groups according to donor-to-recipient weight ratio (0.8 < D/RW ≤ 1.5, 1.5 < D/RW ≤ 2.5, and 2.5 < D/RW). The early outcomes of transplantation, during the first post-transplant month, including right heart failure, renal failure, graft rejection, inotrope dependency, duration of intubation, length of ICU stay, death and requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, were recorded through reviewing patient records. RESULTS: Median donor-to-recipient BSA ratio was directly associated with higher vasoactive-inotropic score (P = 0.038), while no significant association was found between donor-to-recipient weight ratio and vasoactive-inotropic score (P = 0.07). No significant relationship was found between other outcomes and donor-to-recipient weight ratio or donor-to-recipient BSA ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who require heart transplantation may also benefit from mismatch donors, especially in those with significant cardiomegaly.

Anatomical Findings of Renal and Urological Abnormalities in Cardiac Catheterization of Children with congenital heart diseases - A Single Center Experience.

ackground and aims: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is described as an abnormality in the heart structure or intra-thoracic great vessels that leads to functional problems. Since most of these disorders require medical and surgical interventions identifying concomitant disorders such as renal and urinary tract abnormalities is of great importance in the management of these patients. The present study aimed to investigate the relative frequency of abnormal kidney and urinary tract findings in abdominal cineangiography during cardiac catheterization of patients with CHD in Shahid Modarres Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center. METHODS: The present study was performed prospectively on 545 patients aged < 18 years with CHD who underwent cardiac catheterization and concurrent abdominal cineangiography in Shahid Modarres Cardiovascular, Medical and Research Center, Tehran, Iran during a three-year period. The required data were extracted using a researcher-made questionnaire from patients' electronic medical files. RESULTS: Of a total of 545 patients in this study, 26 had both CHD and renal or urinary tract malformation. Patent ductus arteriosus was the most common CHD in patients with renal or urinary tract malformations (odds ratio: 1.2, 95%, CI: 2.25-11.63). In this study, the most common renal and urinary malformations among CHD patients was partial duplication of the kidney followed by Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction. CONCLUSION: Since the prevalence of renal and urinary tract malformations is higher in CHD patients, performance of concurrent abdominal cineangiography during cardiac catheterization may lead to early diagnosis and treatment as well as better pre- and post-operative management of patients.

Irreversible coronary aneurysm presenting as acute coronary syndrome in a child with hypereosinophilic syndrome: a case report.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome is defined as persistent eosinophilia in the blood for more than 6 months, without any identifiable cause and with end-organ involvement evidence. Cardiac manifestations of HES include heart failure due to restrictive cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, intraventricular thrombosis, and coronary artery involvement occurs frequently. In rare instances, coronary ectasia, aneurysms, or dissection can occur and cause morbidity and mortality in these patients.A coronary aneurysm occurs rarely in adult patients with HES but to our knowledge, this is the first report of this association in a 14-year-old boy who was presented to us as coronary aneurysm due to hypereosinophilic syndrome.