Retroperitoneal emphysema caused by a renal abscess: a case report.

We report a case of retroperitoneal emphysema caused by a renal abscess. A 45-year-old man with underlying type 2 diabetes mellitus visited the emergency department with right flank pain and a fever. On physical examination, right costovertebral tenderness in the ipsilateral flank was noted. Leukocytosis and high inflammatory marker levels were observed. Urinalysis showed pyuria and glucosuria. Urine culture was positive for Streptococcus agalactiae. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed a focal, low-attenuation lesion in the right kidney with a 3 cm, exophytic, high-attenuation lesion in the right kidney upper pole and gas-containing fluid collection within the retroperitoneal space. The diagnosis was retroperitoneal emphysema caused by a renal abscess. As the vital signs were stable and the patient refused puncture, we decided on a course of antibiotics alone with follow-up without percutaneous drainage or surgery. The patient improved without any complications. This is a rare case of a renal abscess penetrating the renal fascia and progressing to a posterior paranephric emphysema. The patient was treated with antibiotics alone and cured successfully. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are needed, and percutaneous drainage or urgent surgery would be beneficial for such cases depending on the patient's condition.

Development of an abdominal wall abscess caused by fish bone ingestion: a case report.

BACKGROUND: A small percentage of patients with foreign body ingestion develop complications, which have a variety of clinical presentations. Less than 1% of cases require surgical intervention. We present a patient with an abdominal wall abscess resulting from a fish bone that pierced the cecum. The patient was treated laparoscopically. CASE PRESENTATION: A 55-year-old Japanese man presented to our hospital with a complaint of right lower abdominal pain. A physical examination revealed tenderness, swelling, and redness at the right iliac fossa. Computed tomography showed a low-density area with rim enhancement in his right internal oblique muscle and a hyperdense 20 mm-long pointed object in the wall of the adjacent cecum. Based on the findings we suspected an abdominal wall abscess resulting from a migrating ingested fish bone. He was administered antibiotics as conservative treatment, and the abscess was not seen on subsequent computed tomography. Two months after the initial treatment, he presented with the same symptoms, and a computed tomography scan showed the foreign body in the same location as before with the same low-density area. We diagnosed the low-density area as recurrence of the abdominal wall abscess. He underwent laparoscopic surgery to remove the foreign body. His appendix, and part of his cecum and the parietal peritoneum that included the foreign body, were resected. He had an uneventful postoperative course, and at 1 year after the surgery, the abdominal wall abscess had not recurred. CONCLUSIONS: An abdominal wall abscess developed in association with the migration of an ingested fish bone. We suggest that a laparoscopic surgical resection of the portion of the bowel that includes the foreign body is a useful option for selected cases.

Intra-peritoneal abscess after an abdominal hysterectomy involving Cutibacterium avidum (former Propionibacterium avidum) highly resistant to clindamycin.

Cutibacterium avidum is a gram-positive anaerobic rod belonging to the cutaneous group of human bacteria with preferential colonization of sweat glands in moist areas. The microorganism rarely cause disease, generally delayed prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). We describe the second case of intraperitoneal abscess by C. avidum after an abdominal surgery in an obese female patient and the first case after a non-prosthetic abdominal surgery due to a highly clindamycin resistant strain in a patient with underling conditions. The patient was successfully treated with surgical drainage and beta-lactam antibiotics. Although rare and apparently non-pathogenic, C. avidum may be involved in infections, especially in some high-risk patients with obesity who have undergone surgical incision involving deep folder of the skin. The microorganism was identified by phenotypic methods, MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Susceptibility test should be performed in C. avidum because high level resistance to clindamycin could be present. We present a literature review of C. avidum infections.

Necrosis of the duodenal wall with retroperitoneal perforation as a complication of perirenal abcess. Case report and management.

Duodenal perforation is a rare and severe acute surgical condition which commonly follows the complications of endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures. Small degree of damage in this mechanism and an early diagnosis allow for an effective primary management. The most difficult surgical challenge is an effective management of retroperitoneal duodenal perforation together with coexisting pathological changes of its wall. In this work we present a case of duodenal necrosis with excessive necrosis of a fragment of its wall due to perinephric abscess, with an effective method of management of a defect in an isolated free small intestinal loop in association with gastroduodenal passage exclusion.

Multiple Loculated Peritoneal Abscesses in a Child with Nephrotic Syndrome: A Rare Presentation.

Infection in nephrotic syndrome (NS) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity, especially during corticosteroid therapy. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of these infections can result in some severe consequences. Common infections are peritonitis, meningitis, pneumonitis, and cellulitis. They may even cause abdominal abscess formation. Although literature review reveals abdominal abscesses in NS, multiple loculated peritoneal abscesses are rare in childhood NS. Here, we report a case of multiple loculated peritoneal abscesses in an 8-year-old male child with NS.

Phlegmonous appendicitis in children is characterized by eosinophilia in white blood cell counts.

BACKGROUND: Phlegmonous and complicated appendicitis represent independent entities depending on hereditary immunological mechanisms. However, clinically there are no means to distinguish uncomplicated phlegmonous from complicated appendicitis. The ability to distinguish these two forms of appendicitis is relevant as current attempts are to treat both forms of the disease differently. The aim of the present study was to investigate differences in white blood cell counts (WBCs) in these conditions to identify areas of interest for future molecular studies. METHODS: White blood cell counts of patients aged between 7 and 14 years who underwent appendectomy from January 2008 to June 2016 were investigated with special reference to particular cellular subpopulations. RESULTS: A total of 647 children were included in the study. Within distinct inflammatory patterns, significant eosinophilia and basophilia were found in phlegmonous inflammation compared with complicated inflammation (0.11 ± 0.19 × 109/L vs. 0.046 ± 0.104 × 109/L, P < 0.0001, and 0.033 ± 0.031 × 109/L vs. 0.028 ± 0.024 × 109/L, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with complicated disease, phlegmonous appendicitis seems to depend primarily on eosinophil inflammation. This observation is stable over time and indicates a direction for investigation of underlying genetic prerequisites.

Association of Perianal Fistulas with Clinical Features and Prognosis of Crohn's Disease in Korea: Results from the CONNECT Study.

Background/Aims: The disease course and factors associated with poor prognosis in Korean patients with Crohn's disease (CD) have not been fully determined. The aim of this study was to explore potential associations between the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of CD and perianal fistulas in a Korean population. Methods: The retrospective Crohn's Disease Clinical Network and Cohort (CONNECT) study enrolled patients diagnosed with CD between July 1982 and December 2008 from 32 hospitals. Those followed for ＜12 months were excluded. Clinical outcomes were CD-related surgery and complications, including nonperianal fistulas, strictures, and intra-abdominal abscesses. Results: The mean follow-up period was 8.77 years (range, 1.0 to 25.8 years). A total of 1,193 CD patients were enrolled, of whom 465 (39.0%) experienced perianal fistulas. Perianal fistulizing CD was significantly associated with younger age, male gender, CD diagnosed at primary care clinics, and ileocolonic involvement. Both nonperianal fistulas (p=0.034) and intra-abdominal abscesses (p=0.020) were significantly more common in CD patients with perianal fistulas than in those without perianal fistulas. The rates of complicated strictures and CD-related surgery were similar between the groups. Independently associated factors of nonperianal fistulas were perianal fistulas (p=0.015), female gender (p=0.048), CD diagnosed at referral hospital (p=0.003), and upper gastrointestinal (UGI) involvement (p=0.001). Furthermore, perianal fistulas (p=0.048) and UGI involvement (p=0.012) were independently associated with the risk of intra-abdominal abscesses. Conclusions: Perianal fistulas predicted the development of nonperianal fistulas and intra-abdominal abscesses in Korean CD patients. Therefore, patients with perianal fistulizing CD should be carefully monitored for complicated fistulas or abscesses.

Bilateral renal abscessation and chronic active pyelonephritis in a male camel (Camelus dromedarius) caused by Escherichia coli.

This report summarizes the clinical, hematobiochemical, ultrasonographic, histopathological and bacteriological findings in a male Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius) with bilateral renal abscessation and chronic active pyelonephritis. Owner complaint included a decreased appetite and loss of body condition with occasionally voiding red urine. In the right kidney, ultrasonographic changes included a hypoechoic fluid surrounding the renal parenchyma. Within the left kidney, a large volume of hypoechoic contents were imaged. Bacteriological examination yielded only Escherichia coli. To the authors' knowledge this is the first reported case of bilateral renal abscessation and chronic active pyelonephritis in dromedary camels. In conclusion, renal ultrasonography provides a precise and non-invasive technique for diagnosis and subsequent clinical decision making of renal abscessation and chronic pyelonephritis camels.

Predictors of a histopathologic diagnosis of complicated appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Despite its utilization, the intraoperative (IO) assessment of complicated appendicitis (CA) is subjective. The histopathologic (HP) diagnosis should be the gold standard in identifying patients with CA; however, it is not immediately available to guide postoperative management. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of an HP diagnosis of CA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent appendectomy at our institution from 2011-2013 was conducted. CA was defined by perforation or abscess on pathology report. Predictors of an HP diagnosis of CA were evaluated using a multivariable regression model. RESULTS: A total of 239 of 1066 patients had CA based on IO assessment, whereas 143 of 239 patients (60%) had CA on HP and IO assessment. On multivariable analysis, an IO diagnosis of CA was associated with an HP diagnosis of CA (odds ratio [OR]: 10.92; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.19-16.58). Other risk factors were age (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.09-1.49), number of days of pain (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.07-1.37), increased heart rate (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02-1.26), appendix size (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.03-1.16), and an appendicolith (OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.12-2.71) on preoperative CT imaging. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to age, increased heart rate, pain duration, appendix size and appendicolith, the IO assessment is also associated with an HP diagnosis of CA; however, 40% of patients were incorrectly classified. Using these predictors with improved IO grading may achieve more accurate diagnosis of CA.

A case of amebiasis with negative serologic markers that caused intra-abdominal abscess.

A 23-year-old Japanese woman presented with abdominal distention following fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain during a stay in Taiwan. Serology for the detection of amebic-antibodies and stool microscopic examination were both negative. A computed tomography scan showed a 13 cm diameter abscess spreading from the lower abdominal wall to the pelvic retroperitoneal space. Needle aspiration of the abscess was done under computed tomography guidance, and microscopy of the aspirated fluid revealed trophozoites of Entamoeba. The patient was diagnosed as amebiasis with negative serologic markers that caused intra-abdominal abscess. Intravenous metronidazole treatment for two weeks did not result in any improvement of the abscess. After irrigation and drainage of the abscess, her symptoms resolved. This case report highlights that amebiasis should be considered when indicated by patient history, including travelers returning from endemic areas, and that further evaluation is necessary for diagnosis, even if the serology and stool test are negative.

Fatal Systemic Salmonellosis in a Florida Manatee ( Trichechus manatus latirostris).

A subadult male Florida manatee ( Trichechus manatus latirostris) stranded dead on Florida's Atlantic coast in January 2015. Necropsy and histopathologic findings confirmed chronic systemic bacterial infection caused by Salmonella enterica serotype IV 50:z4,z23,:- involving renal, respiratory, lymphatic, and skeletal systems. This was a unique case of systemic salmonellosis in a Florida manatee.

The impact of complications on prolonged length of hospital stay after resection in colorectal cancer: A retrospective study of Taiwanese patients.

Objectives To assess the impact of minor, major and individual complications on prolonged length of hospital stay in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) after surgery using multivariate models. Methods This was a retrospective review of data from patients who underwent surgery for stage I-III CRC at two medical centres in southern Taiwan between 2005-2010. Information was derived from four databases. Multivariate logistic regression methods were used to assess the impact of complications on prolonged length of stay (PLOS) and prolonged postoperative length of stay (PPOLOS). Results Of 1658 study patients, 251 (15.1%) experienced minor or major postsurgical complications during hospitalizations. Minor and major complications were significantly associated with PLOS (minor, odds ratio [OR] 3.59; major, OR 8.82) and with PPOLOS (minor, OR 5.55; major, OR 10.00). Intestinal obstruction, anastomosis leakage, abdominal abscess and bleeding produced the greatest impact. Conclusions Minor and major complications were stronger predictors of prolonged hospital stay than preoperative demographic and disease parameters. Compared with the PLOS model, the PPOLOS model better predicted risk of prolonged hospital stay. Optimal surgical and medical care have major roles in surgical CRC patients.

Hinchey I and II diverticular abscesses: long-term outcome of conservative treatment.

BACKGROUND: The management of diverticular disease and its complications are an increasing burden to the health system. The natural history of conservatively managed diverticular abscesses (Hinchey I and II) is poorly described and it remains open to debate whether subsequent sigmoid resection is indicated after conservative management. This observational study compares outcomes of patients treated with conservative management (antibiotics +/- percutaneous drainage) and surgery. METHODS: All patients admitted at Christchurch Hospital with diverticulitis between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2009 were recorded in a database. A retrospective analysis of patients with an abscess due to complicated diverticulitis was undertaken. Initial management, recurrence and subsequent surgery were recorded. The patients were followed until 1 January 2014. RESULTS: Of 1044 patients with diverticulitis, 107 with diverticular abscess were included in this analysis. The median age was 66 ± 16 and 60 were male. All patients had sigmoid diverticulitis and were diagnosed with a computed tomography. The median abscess size was 4.2 ± 2.1 cm. During median follow-up of 110 months, the overall recurrence rate was 20% (21/107). Recurrence varied according to initial treatment; namely antibiotics (30%), percutaneous drainage plus antibiotics (27%) and surgery (5%) (P = 0.004). The median time to recurrence was 4 ± 11.7 months, and most recurrences were treated conservatively; four patients underwent delayed surgery. CONCLUSION: Recurrence after diverticular abscess is higher after initial conservative treatment (antibiotics +/- percutaneous drainage) compared with surgery, however, patients with recurrent disease can be treated conservatively with similar good outcomes and few patients required further surgery.

Monitoring of abdominal Staphylococcus aureus infection using magnetic resonance imaging: a murine animal model for hepatic and renal abscesses.

To establish a routine workflow for in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of mice infected with bacterial biosafety level 2 pathogens and to generate a mouse model for systemic infection with Staphylococcus aureus suitable for monitoring by MRI. A self-contained acrylic glass animal bed complying with biosafety level 2 requirements was constructed. After intravenous infection with 105 colony-forming units (CFU) (n = 3), 106 CFU (n = 11) or 107 CFU (n = 6) of S. aureus strain Newman, female Balb/c mice were whole-body scanned by 7T MRI. Abdominal infections such as abscesses were visualized using a standard T2-weighted scan. Infection monitoring was performed for each animal by measurements at 1, 3, and 7 days after infection. Intravenous pathogen application led to a dose-dependent decrease in survival probability (p = 0.03). In the group with the highest infectious dose the 7-day survival rate was 33 %. An intermediate S. aureus dose showed a survival rate of 80 %, whereas at the lowest infection dose, none of the animals died. All animals with the highest infection dose exhibited hepatic abscesses 4 days after inoculation, 80 % developed renal abscesses on the 3rd day. Mice obtaining the intermediate S. aureus load reached a plateau at day 4 with 72 % liver and 60 % renal abscess probability. No abscesses were observed in other abdominal organs at any time point. The implemented experimental setup provides a suitable and reliable in vivo MRI method to study murine abdominal infection models using BSL-2 pathogen. Systemic Staphylococcus aureus infection leads to a dose-dependent development of hepatic and renal abscesses.