A novel semi-solidifying liquid formula via the nasogastric route to maintain enteral nutrition in the event of recurrent aspiration pneumonia: A case report.

Recurrent aspiration pneumonia can impede the continuation of enteral nutrition. Semi-solid feeds have been demonstrated to reduce the incidence of aspiration pneumonia but are difficult to administer via the nasogastric tube. A novel semi-solidifying enteral formula may be used instead to avoid the occurrence of severe gastroesophageal reflux.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by salicylate intoxication.

Salicylate-induced acute respiratory syndrome (ARDS) is a well-known entity occurring in 35% of salicylate-intoxicated patient. Careful history taking, physical examination, arterial blood gas analysis, and measurement of serum salicylate concentration will lead to early recognition to initiate appropriate treatment.

Erratum to "Severe Drug-Induced Agranulocytosis Successfully Treated with Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2018/8439791.].

Severe Drug-Induced Agranulocytosis Successfully Treated with Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor.

When elderly patients are prescribed many different medications, the risk for developing serious adverse events should be kept in mind. One of these adverse events is agranulocytosis, which, although rare, can be life-threatening if left untreated. The majority of agranulocytosis cases are caused by drugs, including antibiotics. Here, we report a case of severe agranulocytosis in a 96-year-old woman following antibiotic therapy which was successfully managed using recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) and the appropriate choice of antibiotics to treat her concomitant infection.

Percutaneous transesophageal gastro-tubing (PTEG) as an alternative long-term tube feeding procedure when gastrostomy is not feasible.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transesophageal gastro-tubing (PTEG) is a minimally invasive technique to access the gut via an esophagostomy. However, this procedure is not well known and the literature available is still fairly limited. This observational study was conducted to evaluate our experience using this method as an alternative long-term tube feeding procedure when gastrostomy is not suitable. METHODS: A total of 15 patients (10 males and 5 females) who underwent PTEG at our institution from 2012 to 2016 were observed and analyzed in this study. RESULTS: The average age was 80.1 (71-93) years. Underlying conditions that required PTEG were previous gastric resection in 11 patients, left diaphragm disorder in 2 patients, interposing transverse colon between the abdominal wall and anterior gastric wall in 1 patient, and severe gastrostomy site leakage in 1 patient. Tube placement was successful in all patients by approaching the left side of the neck, using a 15 Fr size tube. The mean postoperative length of stay was 22 (8-48) days. Postoperative adverse events included accidental tube dislodgement in three patients, tracheoesophageal fistula in one patient, inferior thyroid artery injury in one patient and thyroid gland mispuncture in one patient. There was no procedure-related mortality nor mortality at 30 days. Eight patients were discharged with some oral intake. CONCLUSIONS: PTEG is feasible in patients requiring long-term tube feeding for whom gastrostomy is unsuitable. It is an effective long-term tube feeding procedure and should be offered as a more comfortable alternative to nasogastric tubing.

Severe Japanese Mamushi (Gloydius blomhoffii) bite.

Venomous snake bites can be life threatening, occasionally requiring intensive care. For Mamushi bites, conservative treatment may be possible in mild cases but for severe cases or in cases where symptoms do not improve, a horse-derived antivenom is indicated.

Structural cause of dysphagia detected during videofluoroscopic swallow study.

Dysphagia can be caused by many different underlying conditions. The assessment and management of dysphagia depend on each individual patient, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Structural cause of dysphagia can be dealt with using endoscopic interventions before the patient's general status deteriorates.

Virchow's node together with an Irish node.

Classical lymphadenopathies, such as Virchow's node (left supraclavicular lymph node metastasis) and Irish node (left axillary lymph node metastasis), are important findings that may indicate the presence of gastric cancer and other gastrointestinal malignancies.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in a Patient With Continuous Intrathecal Baclofen Infusion Therapy.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the method of choice in patients requiring long-term enteral tube feeding. In patients with intrathecal baclofen infusion therapy (IBT) pump implantation, infection via the skin and soft tissue may be an issue of concern. The introducer technique for gastrostomy tube insertion may be useful in reducing the risk of peristomal infection. Although the presence of a PEG tube has been reported as a risk factor for implantation site infection (for newly inserted IBT pumps), whether existing IBT pumps are at risk for infection during or after the placement of a PEG tube is not clear. We report a case where PEG was successfully performed using the introducer technique on a patient with an IBT pump implant.

Semi-solid feeds may reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia and shorten postoperative length of stay after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).

Background and study aims: Feeding-related adverse events after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) such as aspiration pneumonia may result in prolonged hospitalization and postoperative mortality. This study evaluated the efficacy of using semi-solid feeds to reduce feeding-related adverse events and improve clinical outcomes. Patients and methods: Patients who received PEG for enteral nutrition at our hospital between January 2014 and December 2015 were allocated to a postoperative feeding protocol that used either liquid feed or semi-solid feed. Baseline characteristics, postoperative feeding-related adverse events and clinical outcomes in the 2 groups were prospectively analysed and compared. Results: One hundred and seventeen PEG patients (age range: 59 - 97 years, male: 53) were enrolled with 72 patients given liquid feed and 45 patients receiving semi-solid feed. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. The semi-solid feed group experienced fewer incidence of feeding-related aspiration pneumonia (2.2 % vs. 22.2 %, P < 0.005) and shorter postoperative hospital length of stay (12.7 days vs. 18.8 days, P < 0.01). Significant differences were not observed in the frequency of peristomal infection (11.1 % vs. 12.5 %, P = 0.82), feeding-related diarrhea (2.2 % vs. 12.5 %, P = 0.09) and 30-day mortality rates (2.2 % vs. 8.3 %, P = 0.25). Conclusions: Semi-solid feeding may reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia and shorten postoperative hospital length of stay after PEG. Semi-solid feeds are safe to use and can be employed either as a first line feeding protocol or an alternative when liquid feeding is unsuccessful.

The Role of Percutaneous Endoscopic Transgastric Jejunostomy in the Management of Enteral Tube Feeding.

Feeding-related adverse events after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) such as aspiration pneumonia can impede the use of PEG. Percutaneous endoscopic transgastric jejunostomy (PEG-J) using large-bore jejunal tubes with gastric decompression function may improve outcomes by circumventing gastric passage during enteral nutrition and improving drainage of excessive gastric secretions. This report describes a case where PEG-J was successful in maintaining enteral tube feeding in a 72-year-old man when PEG feeding was not tolerated. Patients with unsuccessful PEG feeding can be offered the option of jejunal feeding before terminating enteral nutrition.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) using a novel large-caliber introducer technique kit: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) using the introducer technique is not only useful in patients with upper digestive tract stenosis but has been shown to reduce peristomal infection. In this study, we evaluated the safety and utility of a novel large-caliber introducer PEG kit (using 20 Fr size tube) compared with a push kit of similar size. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six patients who received PEG at our hospital between January 2014 and December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline characteristics, laboratory biomarkers, hemodynamic changes, postoperative adverse events and clinical outcomes with both kits were compared. RESULTS: The new introducer PEG kit was used in 61 patients while the remaining 75 patients received tube placement using a push technique PEG kit. Except for the prevalence of dementia, which was lower in the introducer PEG kit group, baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Tube placements were 100 % successful with both PEG kits and there were no significant differences in the change of postoperative hemodynamic or laboratory biomarkers. The Introducer PEG kit group experienced fewer incidence of feeding-related aspiration pneumonia (8.2 % vs. 24 %, P = 0.02), lower peristomal infection scores (1.2 vs. 1.6, P < 0.01), shorter postoperative length of stay (16 days vs. 23.7 days, P = 0.01) and fewer deaths at day 60 (3.3 % vs. 16 %, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Gastrostomy using the new large-caliber introducer PEG kit is safe and produced non-inferior (with some favourable) results when compared to the push technique using similar size tubes.

Percutaneous endoscopic transgastric jejunostomy (PEG-J): a retrospective analysis on its utility in maintaining enteral nutrition after unsuccessful gastric feeding.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the method of choice for long-term enteral nutrition, feeding-related adverse events such as aspiration pneumonia and peristomal leakage can impede the use of PEG. Percutaneous endoscopic transgastric jejunostomy (PEG-J) using large-bore jejunal tubes may help by circumventing gastric passage during enteral nutrition and improving drainage of gastric secretions. METHODS: 20 patients (12 males and 8 females) who received PEG-J after unsuccessful PEG feeding during a 6-year period in our institution were analysed retrospectively to evaluate the efficacy of large-bore jejunal feeding tubes in maintaining enteral nutrition. RESULTS: The median age was 83.5 (71-96) years. The median period between PEG and PEG-J was 33 (14-280) days. Indications were aspiration due to gastro-oesophageal reflux in 18 patients and severe peristomal leakage in 2 patients. Tube placements were successful in all patients. There were 6 (30%) in-hospital mortalities, with 3 (15%) occurring within 30 days after procedure. CONCLUSIONS: PEG-J can be performed safely in patients with PEG and may facilitate the maintenance of enteral nutrition in most of the patients. Patients with unsuccessful PEG feeding can be offered the option of jejunal feeding before considering termination of enteral nutrition.

Outcome of Rehabilitation and Swallowing Therapy after Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Dysphagia Patients.

The objective of this study was to investigate the outcomes of rehabilitation (with swallowing therapy) after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in patients with neurogenic dysphagia. Forty-seven patients (29 males and 18 females) who were transferred to the rehabilitation ward of our hospital after receiving PEG tube placements during a 5-year period were enrolled in this study. Patients' demographic data, comorbidities, nutritional statuses, and laboratory biomarkers before the PEG procedure were collected. Rehabilitation (with swallowing therapy) outcomes such as changes in Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and dysphagia grade (using Fujishima's classification) were evaluated. Significant improvements in FIM scores and dysphagia grades after rehabilitation therapy were observed. Twenty-seven patients (57.4 %) were discharged with some oral intake and 10 patients (21.3%) were discharged PEG-free (defined as the PEG tube not being used or removed). Factors associated with being discharged with some oral intake were increase in FIM score (adjusted OR 1.10, 95 % CI 1.02-1.19) and higher baseline dysphagia grade (adjusted OR 1.88, 95 % CI 1.04-3.39). Factors associated with being discharged PEG-free were longer rehabilitation period (OR 1.03, 95 % CI 1.01-1.04), absence of respiratory disorders (OR 0.12, 95 % CI 0.03-0.35), and increase in FIM score (OR 1.17, 95 % CI 1.08-1.28). Changes in dysphagia grade were significantly correlated with changes in FIM score (r 2 = 0.46, p < 0.0001), indicating that improvement of FIM scores through general rehabilitation therapy may play an important role in the treatment of dysphagia.

Esophagostomy for percutaneous tube feeding in diaphragm paralysis.

PTEG is a minimally invasive method to access the stomach or small intestine via an esophagostomy. It is used as an alternative to nasogastric tubing for gastric decompression or long-term enteral nutrition when gastrostomy is not suitable, such as in patients with total gastrectomy or advanced gastric cancer.