Body composition parameters and functional status test in predicting future acute exacerbation risk among hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Nutritional and functional status derangement is a commonly seen in COPD patients, and this is associated with a higher disease severity and mortality. To assess body composition analysis - measured by segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)- and functional status and investigate their relationship with the COPD acute exacerbation risk. METHODS: Eighty COPD patients admitted to hospital for COPD acute exacerbation were prospectively followed-up for one year after discharge, focusing on a new incidence of COPD acute exacerbation. Following discharge, participants' body composition was assessed with the use of segmental multi-frequency BIA, whereas physical function by performing 5-repetitions and 30 s sit-to-stand (STS) tests. Unadjusted and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the ability of the various measures to predict incidence of future COPD acute exacerbation in one-year period. RESULTS: Seventy-six out of 80 participants completed the study and were analyzed. Fifty-one [24 male (47.1%)] out of 76 participants (67.1%), mean aged of 69.3 ± 8.9 years, developed at least one new COPD acute exacerbation during the one year follow-up. The probability of COPD acute exacerbation in one year was significantly related to BMI (OR = 0.75, 95% CI; 0.61-0.91, p = 0.004) and Fat Free Mass (OR = 0.88, 95% CI; 0.79-0.97, p = 0.012) after adjustment for sex, age and smoking index (pack × years). Both 5-repetitions and 30 s STS tests had a good predictive ability for the incidence of COPD acute exacerbation in one year (AUC = 0.80, 95% CI; 0.65-0.95, p = 0.009 and AUC = 0.83, 95% CI; 0.70-0.96, p = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: In an observational study among patients admitted with COPD acute exacerbation, body composition analysis parameters and functional status are related to acute exacerbation risk incidence.

Meckel's Diverticulitis. A rare cause of small bowel obstruction.

Meckel's Diverticulum is a sac-like protrusion of the intestinal wall. It is located at 40-60 cm from the caecum. In the majority of cases, Meckel's Diverticulum is clinically silent, while complications are found in 4% of the population. Complicated diverticulitis is associated with the formation of abscess, fistula, bowel obstruction or frank perforation. We present a case of a 63-year-old woman with a distended abdomen, pain in the lower right abdominal quadrant, fever 37°C and where emergency exploratory laparotomy revealed that obstruction was caused by a bowel loop trapped by a mesenterium-diverticular band.

Leiomyoma of the Round Ligament of the Uterus Mimicking Inguinal Hernia.

Masses of the round ligament of the uterus are uncommon. Leiomyomas are the most common of them, followed by mesothelial cysts and in some cases endometriosis. The exact incidence is not known, but most cases are frequently encountered during the fertility age. Leiomyomas are benign tumors, which can present as hernias, lymph nodes, or other inguinal masses. Surgical excision is the appropriate treatment. We are presenting a case of a 47-year-old female patient who was admitted to the hospital with a left inguinal mass. Our patient underwent surgery, and a leiomyoma of the round ligament was found.

Intra-Abdominal Hemorrhage following Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Report of Two Cases.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) represents an emergency procedure, consisting of chest compressions and artificial ventilation. Two rare cases of intra-abdominal bleeding following cardiac compressions are reported. The first case was a 29-year-old female with massive pulmonary embolism (PE). Following CPR due to cardiac arrest, she showed signs of intra-abdominal bleeding. A liver laceration was found and sutured. The patient passed away, due to massive PE. The second patient was a 62-year-old female, suffering from cardiac arrest due to drowning at sea. CPR was performed in situ. At presentation to the emergency department she showed signs of intra-abdominal bleeding. The origin of the hemorrhage was found to be vessels of the lesser curvature of the stomach, which were ligated. Regarding the first patient PE has already been described as a cause for liver lacerations in CPR due to stasis and liver enlargement. The second case is the first report of gastric vessel injury without gastric rupture/laceration and pneumoperitoneum. Complications of CPR should not represent a drawback to performing cardiac compressions. Parenchymatic injuries have been related to inappropriate technique of chest compressions during basic life support. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for the providers to refresh their knowledge of performing CPR.

A rare cause for Hartmann's procedure due to biliary stent migration: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Biliary stent migration (proximal or distal) occurs in 6% of all cases. The majority of these migrating stents are passing through the intestine, without causing any complications. Usually when a stent migration occurs, endoscopic retrieval is the proper treatment option, except in case of complications when surgical removal is the only treatment option. This report presents a case of a biliary stent which migrated and caused a sigmoid colon perforation. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 75 years old female patient presented to the emergency department with diffuse abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Clinical examination showed distended abdomen and signs of peritoneal irritation. CT scan of the abdomen revealed free gas and fluid in the left iliac fossa, as well as a foreign body penetrating the sigmoid colon. Emergency laparotomy was performed. A plastic stent was found perforating the sigmoid colon through a diverticulum. The rest of the sigmoid colon was intact presenting only uncomplicated diverticula. Hartmann's operation was performed, involving the diseased segment, together with part of the descending colon due to profound diverticulosis. Patient's post-surgical course was uneventful and was discharged on postoperative day 10. DISCUSSION: Migration of a biliary stent can cause life-threatening complications such as perforation of the intestine and peritonitis. The migration of the stent from the biliary tree may be mostly asymptomatic except in cases of intestinal perforation that immediate surgery is the proper treatment option. On the other hand, even in cases of benign lesions of the bile duct, the stent should be removed immediately after dislocation in order to reduce the risk of secondary complications such as obstruction, infection or perforation. CONCLUSION: In cases of non-complicated stent migration endoscopic retrieval is the indicated treatment. In patients who suffer serious complications due to stent dislocation, emergency surgery may be the proper treatment option.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx metastasising to rectum: first case report and literature review.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasopharynx is amongst the most common head and neck cancers. However, distant metastases are clinically underdiagnosed, as demonstrated by significantly higher metastatic rates in autopsy studies, compared to clinical studies. The incidence of metastases continues to rise with improvements in diagnostic imaging, locoregional control and survival. Metastases to the colorectum are extremely rare. This is the first case of nasopharyngeal SCC, metastasising to the rectum. A brief review of the literature is performed, with discussion on the screening, diagnosis and treatment of non-primary / metastatic tumours of the colorectum, from SCC and other primary tumours.

Incarcerated Amyand hernia with simultaneous rupture of an adenocarcinoma in an inguinal hernia sac: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: An Amyand's hernia is a rare occurrence of an inguinal hernia, with an estimated prevalence of 1%. The major complications of an Amyand's hernia include necrotizing fasciitis of the anterior abdominal wall and secondary intestinal perforation. Though the incidence of this type of hernia is low, the appendix may easily become initially incarcerated, possibly leading to strangulation and perforation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 92-year-old female patient presented to our emergency department with clinical signs of an incarcerated right inguinal hernia, accompanied by fever. A clinical examination revealed localized abdominal pain, reflecting to the right side of her groin. Laboratory tests showed leukocytosis (13,200/µL), while an abdominal X-ray showed colon distension with evidence of intestinal obstruction. Ultrasonography was performed and confirmed the presence of an inflamed tubular structure inside her right inguinal canal. Our patient underwent emergency surgery. We started with a right inguinal incision, which revealed an incarcerated right inguinal hernia, containing her ruptured appendix and showing macroscopic evidence of malignancy. A specimen biopsy was immediately performed and the results showed a ruptured cecal adenocarcinoma. The incision was slightly extended upwards, and a right hemicolectomy performed. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of an Amyand's hernia occurs primarily as an incidental finding during surgery and the optimal therapeutic approach must be considered individually for each case. Owing to the rarity of Amyand's hernia and the wide variance of its clinical characteristics, every case provides useful information toward the treatment of this type of hernia.

Adenoma of the ampulla of Vater: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Lesions of the ampulla of Vater are rare histological entities with an incidence of between 0.1 and 0.2% of gastrointestinal tumors. Until recently the main response to this kind of lesion was duodenopancreatectomy, regardless of the cellular atypia and local edema. In this study, we propose the application of transduodenal local excision of the ampulla of Vater especially in recognized cases of nonmalignant adenomas. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case report we analyze the case of a 78-year-old Greek man who revealed symptoms such as icterus, abdominal pain without constipation and bloody stools. A physical examination showed painless swelling of the gallbladder (Courvoisier sign). No previous abdominal operations or hernias were identified. Blood tests, computed tomography scan analysis, gastroscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography along with biopsies and cytological tests diagnosed nonmalignant adenoma of the ampulla of Vater with high-grade dysplasia. The treatment we followed was transduodenal local excision of his ampulla of Vater. CONCLUSIONS: Transduodenal local excision of the ampulla of Vater has limited side effects and postoperative complications, suggesting this particular technique to be the proper treatment for nonmalignant cases of adenomas.

Left thoracotomy utilizing splenectomy in blunt thoracic injury: An alternative surgical approach.

INTRODUCTION: Posterolateral thoracotomy could be an alternative surgical approach in selected cases coexistence of abdominal injuries with ipsilateral thoracic injury. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 65-year-old male with left sided chest injury was initially admitted to a regional health center after a crawler overthrow accident. He underwent chest tube drainage of left hemithorax and he was transferred immediately to our hospital. A CT scan showed a large spleen which was injured by a wedged splint of the 10th rib into its parenchyma. Lung parenchyma was also lacerated by chest tube misplacement with associated hemothorax. He underwent a lower left lateral thoracotomy. Splenectomy was performed via a phrenotomy and subsequently the injured lung was repaired. His postoperative course was uneventful. DISCUSSION: Incisions in the diaphragm are commonly made to provide adequate exposure during a variety of thoracic and abdominal operations. Thoracic approach could potentially be advantageous for thoracic and abdominal injuries. CONCLUSION: Thoracic approach is a safe alternative, providing excellent exposure of upper abdominal organs, and should be considered in selected cases of abdominal trauma, especially when an ipsilateral thoracic injury coexists.

Bouveret syndrome-the rarest variant of gallstone ileus: a case report and literature review.

We present a case report of a patient with Bouveret syndrome with interesting radiological findings and successful surgical treatment after failure of the endoscopic techniques. The report is followed by a review of the literature regarding the diagnostic means and proper treatment of this rare entity. Bouveret syndrome refers to the condition of gastric outlet obstruction caused by the impaction of a large gallstone into the duodenum after passage through a cholecystoduodenal fistula. Many endoscopic and surgical techniques have been described in the management of this syndrome. This is a case of a 78-year-old patient with severe medical history who presented in bad general condition with an 8-day history of nausea, multiple bilious vomiting episodes, anorexia, discomfort in the right hypochondrium and epigastrium, and fever up to 38,5°C. The diagnosis of Bouveret syndrome was set after performing the proper imaging studies. An initial endoscopic effort to resolve the obstruction was performed without success. Surgical treatment managed to extract the impacted gallstone through an enterotomy after removal into the first part of the jejunum.

Complications of Hydatid Cysts of the Liver: Spiral Computed Tomography Findings.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the role of Spiral Computed Tomography (CT) in the detection of the complications of hepatic hydatid cysts. METHODS: During a period of 8 years and after establishing the diagnosis of numerous hydatid cysts, 7 patients with complications of hydatid cysts were found. These 7 patients (5 females, 2 males, mean age 74.2 years, range 63 - 92 years) were studied. Four of them had a known medical history of hydatid disease, while all of them presented to our department as emergency cases. RESULTS: They underwent Spiral CT which revealed the following complications of hydatid cysts: intrabiliary rupture in 2 patients, rupture into the peritoneal cavity resulting to peritonitis in 1 patient, contained rupture and secondary transdiaphragmatic thoracic rupture in 1 patient, rupture into both biliary tract and hepatic subcapsular space in 1 patient, rupture into the subcapsular hepatic space in 1 patient and secondary bacterial infection of the cyst resulting to abscess formation in 1 patient. All of these CT findings were surgically confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: CT provided a rapid and accurate diagnosis in all of these cases and proved to be a very useful preoperative imaging method.

Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum after unsuccessful ERCP: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The presence of subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum simultaneously is a rare complication of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy that usually indicates free perforation to the peritoneal cavity or the retroperitoneal space. CASE PRESENTATION: We report an unusual case of a self-limited subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum following an unsuccessful ERCP for removal of a common bile duct stone. CONCLUSION: There was no radiological evidence of peritoneal or retroperitoneal perforation. This complication is distinct from pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum due to perforation, and must be recognized, because it is benign and needs no surgical or radiological intervention.