[Drug related colonic perforation: Case report]. / Perforación colónica secundaria a polifarmacia: reporte de caso.

BACKGROUND: Acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon is a disorder characterised by an increase in intra-luminal pressure that leads to ischaemia and necrosis of the intestinal wall. The mechanism that produces the lesion is unknown, although it has been associated with: trauma, anaesthesia, or drugs that alter the autonomic nervous system. The pathophysiology of medication induced colon toxicity can progress to a perforated colon and potentially death. OBJECTIVE: Present a case of a colonic pseudo-obstruction in a patient with polypharmacy as the only risk factor and to review the medical literature related to the treatment of this pathology. CLINICAL CASE: The case is presented of a 67 year old woman with colonic pseudo-obstruction who presented with diffuse abdominal pain and distension. The pain progressed and reached an intensity of 8/10, and was accompanied by fever and tachycardia. There was evidence of free intraperitoneal air in the radiological studies. The only risk factor was the use of multiple drugs. The colonic pseudo-obstruction progressed to intestinal perforation, requiring surgical treatment, which resolved the problem successfully. CONCLUSION: It is important to consider drug interaction in patients with multiple diseases, as it may develop complications that can be avoided if detected on time.

[Intestinal carcinoid tumour: Case report]. / Tumor carcinoide intestinal: reporte de un caso.

BACKGROUND: Carcinoid of the small intestine, is a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor that rarely presents with clinical signs. This tumour can be associated with other conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, presenting a wide range of symptoms. In some cases they have an aggressive and highly symptomatic behaviour; thus, clinical suspicion must be high to make an early diagnosis. CLINICAL CASE: A 60 year-old male patient with Crohn's disease and gastrointestinal symptoms attributed to this disease within the last year. He presented with intestinal obstruction initially treated with conservative management with no improvement. Exploratory laparotomy was performed finding a mesenteric tumour that caused the bowel obstruction. Bowel resection with primary anastomosis was performed. The pathology report showed an intestinal carcinoid tumour with lymph node metastases. The patient recovered well, and was discharged without complications to continue medical treatment and follow-up by the Oncology department. CONCLUSION: In almost 42% of the cases, the most common site of carcinoid tumours is the small intestine, and of these, 41% are presented as locoregional disease. Patients with Crohn's disease present a higher incidence. In these cases, the most common presentation is an acute intestinal obstruction (90%). Surgery is usually curative, and follow up is important as the symptoms of Crohn's disease can hide any recurrence.

[Bilateral and synchronous testicular teratoma: a case report and literature review]. / Teratoma testicular bilateral sincrónico: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

BACKGROUND: Testicular germ-cell carcinoma is the most frequent neoplasm in males aged 15 to 35 years old. It is bilateral in 2% to 3%, and synchronous in 20% to 25% of the cases. CLINICAL CASE: The case is presented of a 19 year-old male, with abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed abdominal mass in the umbilical region, and the computed tomography scan showed a retroperitoneal tumour, with α-fetoprotein, lactate dehydrogenase, and human chorionic gonadotropin above limits. Testicular ultrasound showed bilateral lesions. Exploratory laparotomy was performed, identifying an unresectable retroperitoneal tumour. Biopsies were taken, reporting mixed germ cell tumour composed of choriocarcinoma and embryonal carcinoma. Six cycles of chemotherapy were given, based on bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin, with partial tumour response. Later on, the patient underwent bilateral radical orchiectomy, with pathology reporting a synchronous bilateral testicular teratoma. A second line of chemotherapy was given, based on vincristine, etoposide, ifosfamide and cisplatinum. Nevertheless, the disease progressed, with metastatic dissemination and the patient died. DISCUSSION: Germ cells tumours can present in primary extra-gonadal locations. It is difficult to distinguish a retroperitoneum primary germ cell tumour from metastatic disease of a clinically undetected gonadal tumour or one that has regressed, like the situation described in the case presented. CONCLUSIONS: Ninety percent of patients diagnosed with germ cell tumours can be cured. However, delay in diagnosis correlates with an advanced clinical stage and poor prognosis.