1/7. Radiographic, computed tomographic and histopathologic appearance of a presumed spinal chordoma in a dog.A 4-year-old Labrador Retriever presented for urinary incontinence and constipation of 2 weeks duration. There was a tender abdomen, lumbar pain and conscious proprioceptive deficits in both pelvic limbs. Depressed pelvic limb reflexes were present consistent with a lower motor neuron lesion. In radiographs of the lumbar spine there was narrowing of the intervertebral disc space at L5-L6 with irregular, multifocal areas of mineralized opacities dorsal to the intervertebral disc space, presumably within the vertebral canal. On computed tomography, an intramedullary, partially mineralized mass was identified in the spinal cord at the level of caudal L5 through cranial L6. At necropsy there was a four-centimeter enlarged, irregular segment of spinal cord at the level of L5-L6. When sectioned, the spinal cord bad a mineralized texture. Histologically there were variable sized cells that were stellate in appearance with vacuolated cytoplasm (physaliferous cells) and mucinous background consistent with a chordoma. chordoma is a rare, skeletal neoplasm that originates from mesoderm-derived notochord and has been reported in humans and animals. Extraskeletal development of a chordoma within the spinal cord is a rare manifestation of this neoplasm. However, based on other reports in dogs, solitary extraskeletal locations of chordomas may be the typical expression of this neoplasm in the dog. Differentiation of similar histologically appearing tumors, such as a parachordoma or myxoid chondrosarcoma, will require immunohistochemical characterization of these tumors in veterinary patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/7. Seminal vesicle cyst presenting as rectal obstruction.We report an unusual case of a pelvic mass arising from the seminal vesicle. A 45-year-old man presented with difficulty voiding and difficult bowel movements. Computed tomography demonstrated a large 14 x 10 x 15-cm cystic pelvic mass displacing the bladder anteriorly and the rectum posteriorly. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that this lesion appeared to be originating from the right seminal vesicle. On surgical exploration of the abdomen, a large cystic lesion in the posterior retroperitoneum was identified and removed. The patient improved, with restoration of normal bowel function.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/7. cauda equina syndrome secondary to constipation: an uncommon occurrence.Suspected spinal cord or cauda equina pathology is an emergency that must be dealt with swiftly, with appropriate referral and investigations. constipation is a clinical diagnosis of exclusion, but should not be forgotten as a cause of major morbidity when severe in nature. It can mimic an acute abdomen, sepsis and even spinal cord pathology. We describe a case of cauda equina syndrome in a young man. The pathology responsible was found to be constipation with faecal impaction, once nerve and bony pathology were excluded. When treated, there was almost immediate resolution of the neurologic signs and urinary retention.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/7. Resolution of symptoms of chronic constipation in an 8-year-old male after chiropractic treatment.OBJECTIVE: This case report describes the history, treatment, and proposed explanation of a positive outcome in a patient with chronic constipation. CLINICAL FEATURES: An 8-year-old boy presented with chronic constipation. His mother reported that this had been a problem since the child's birth. Allopathic treatment consisting of laxatives, high fluid intake, and high fiber intake had not been effective to date. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The patient was examined and it was determined that he had a sacral chiropractic subluxation complex. Manipulation of the sacral area using diversified adjusting procedures was performed. External massage of the abdomen starting in the right lower quadrant and following the course of the large intestine in a clockwise direction was also applied. The patient reported an immediate dramatic improvement in bowel function after the first treatment. Treatment was continued for a 4-week period (2 visits per week) and then discontinued when the patient (confirmed by his mother) reported consistent normal bowel function. A follow-up call made 13 years after treatment revealed continuing normal bowel function. CONCLUSION: This case suggests that chiropractic care may be helpful in some cases of chronic constipation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/7. Pitfalls in the diagnosis of drug smuggler's abdomen.narcotics "body packing" can be detected in abdominal x-rays by the ring shadow caused by air trapped in the packs. In a series of 82 cases admitted for abdominal X-ray in Helsinki, finland, in 1982 through 1988, we encountered 9 (11.0%) true positives, 3 (3.6%) false positives, and 1 (1.2%) false negative. The false positives were due to the constipation often associated with the narcotics abuse. The false negative X-ray diagnosis was attributable to an inexperienced radiologist. False negatives may also be associated with packets containing marijuana, packs with few wrappings, aluminum-foil coated packs, and machine-packed narcotics. Searching for trapped air in radiographs, repeated X-raying by an experienced radiologist, use of computed tomography, or combined urinary drug screening may be applied to diminish false findings and to avoid unnecessary arrest for the purpose of fecal screening over several days.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 4keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/7. A syndrome of hypotonia, psychomotor retardation, seizures, delayed and dysharmonic skeletal maturation, and congenital fibre type disproportion.Three unrelated Puerto Rican boys, ranging in age from 3 to 4 years, had marked, central, non-progressive hypotonia, chronic constipation, severe psychomotor retardation, seizures or abnormal electroencephalograph or both, abnormal dermatoglyphics, delayed bone age, dysharmonic skeletal maturation, and preponderance and larger size of type 2 muscle fibres. Additional findings included narrow, high arched palate, prominent nasal root, long philtrum, distended abdomen, and drooling from open mouth. Two of the three patients also had undescended testes, hypertelorism, and tapered fingers. birth weight, postnatal physical growth, and head size were average. family and gestational histories and laboratory evaluations were normal. The combination of features observed in the three boys appears to be distinct and to represent a new syndrome.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/7. Hypoxia and chest pain due to acute constipation: an underdiagnosed condition?An obese, previously healthy, 10-year-old boy presented with acute respiratory distress, chest, and abdominal pain. He was hypoxic and dyspneic in the emergency room. The abdomen was distended and tender, and the rectum was full of hard stool. Following catharsis, he made a complete recovery with resolution of all clinical signs. A review of the literature reveals that acute constipation as a cause of hypoxia and respiratory distress has been recognized, but has rarely been reported. We believe that this is a common phenomenon but probably infrequently recognized.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |