Haemosuccus pancreaticus, an uncommon cause of upper gastro intestinal bleeding: Case report and review of the literature.

Haemosuccus Pancreaticus is defined as upper gastro intestinal (GI) bleeding from the ampula of vater via the pancreatic duct. It is most commonly associated with pancreatic inflammation, erosion of the pancrease by aneurysm or pseudo-aneurysm of the splenic artery. We report a 69 year old man with previous history of acute pancreatitis who was admitted with recurrent haematemesis. Initial upper GI endocopy was normal, while admitted, he collapse with abdominal pain and hypotension. He was resuscitated with blood and intravenous fluid. Repeat upper GI endocopy showed fresh blood in the duodenum, but no active bleeding site was demonstrated. An urgent coeliac axis CT angiogram was done which showed an splenic artery pseudo-aneurysm, which was successfully embolized. Patient is well 9 months after the procedure. This case highlights the importance of considering coeliac axis CT angiogram as part of investigation for obscure GI bleeding.

Parathryoid hormone related peptide causing hypercalcaemia in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma.

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing. In addition, its presentation without bony metastasis as a part of paraneoplastic syndrome is recognised but uncommon. This unusual presentation of HCC is highlighted in the case of a 63 years old lady, who presented with lethargy and tiredness and hypercalcaemia due to secretion of parathryoid hormone related peptide (PTHrP). Further imaging showed 11 cm hepatic mass, with normal alpha fetoprotein. She underwent partial hepatectomy and is doing well since then. Malignant hypercalcaemia is thought to arise from the secretion of PTHrP which is synthesised by tumour cells and has a similar action to parathyroid hormone. Early recognition of this uncommon condition can lead to complete cure as seen in our patient.

Distal Duodenal Varices: First Presentation of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Varices are abnormal dilated veins which result from increased pressure in the portal circulation. Although the oesophagus and stomach are the most common sites for varices to develop, they may also occur as ectopic varices in the duodenum, rectum, and retroperitoneal areas. Isolated duodenal varices involving distal duodenum, particularly the fourth part of the duodenum, are extremely rare. However, such ectopic varices are associated with an increased risk of bleeding and mortality. Not only are they a diagnostic challenge, particularly if they present as a first manifestation of portal hypertension, they are also very difficult to treat due to their location. We present an interesting case of upper gastrointestinal bleeding where ectopic varices in the fourth part of the duodenum presented as a first manifestation of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Gastroscopy did not reveal the source of bleeding and thus CT angiogram was performed in order to confirm the diagnosis. Radiological intervention by embolisation resulted in successful treatment.

Successful treatment of refractory midgut bleeding with ocreotide and corticosteroids in a dialysis patient with suspected sarcoidosis.

We present a case of severe and recurrent small-bowel bleeding, due to multiple intestinal angiodysplasias, in a female patient with chronic renal failure due to suspected sarcoidosis. Over the years, she required numerous admissions and >200 units of blood for symptomatic anaemia. However, following a small-bowel capsule endoscopy that revealed several small-bowel angiectasis, she was treated successfully with octreotide and corticosteroids. Her transfusion requirements and hospital admissions were reduced drastically. Moreover, hypercalcaemia and liver function tests also normalised after treatment and double-balloon enteroscopy confirmed the complete resolution of these angiodysplasias. This case presentation confirms the usefulness of octreotide in the management of small-bowel angiodysplasias in dialysis patients and highlights the additional benefit of corticosteroids in portal hypertension due to suspected sarcoidosis.