1/860. Old and new infarction of an epiploic appendage: ultrasound mimicry of appendicitis. Epiploic appendagitis is a self-limiting disease. Depending on its location, it may simulate nearly any acute abdominal condition. The ultrasound and computed tomographic (CT) features are characteristic, enabling ready diagnosis and thus preventing an unnecessary laparotomy. We describe a patient with acute abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant, in whom the combination of an old and fresh infarction of an epiploic appendage simulated appendicitis on ultrasound. Subsequent CT examination made the correct diagnosis. ( info) |
A case of acute non-perforated appendicitis presenting as acute scrotal swelling and erythema is reported. A communicating hydrocele containing serous cloudy fluid was encountered on examination, suggesting the intra-abdominal pathology. ( info) |
A case of terminal ileitis, mesenteric lymphadenitis and appendicitis is reported. Serological studies indicated infection with yersinia pseudotuberculosis type VA. The patient's illness ran a chronic course necessitating resection of the terminal ileum. Histological examination of the appendix and a mesenteric lymph node in the acute stage revealed granulomas with central necrosis. This is the first human case in which the subtype VA has been identified. ( info) |
4/860. Pylephlebitis associated with appendicitis. Pylephlebitis usually occurs secondary to infection in the region drained by the portal venous system. A most common antesecent focus of infection is diverticulitis and the most common blood isolate is E. coli (54%), followed by proteus mirabilis (23%). overall mortality is 32% and most of the patients who had died had severe sepsis prior to the initiation of antibiotic therapy. We describe a case of pylephlebitis which had appendicitis and consequent septic thrombosis of the portal vein and its branches, with dissemination of infection to the liver. The patient had recovered due to timely antibiotic treatment alone and resulted in complete resolution. early diagnosis and treatment are basic to a favorable clinical course. ( info) |
5/860. Retained fecalith after laparoscopic appendectomy. An intraabdominal abscess developed from a retained fecalith following laparoscopic appendectomy. We discuss the prevention and management of retained fecaliths in light of the numerous reports of retained gallstones. ( info) |
6/860. Elemental mercury in the appendix: an unusual complication of a Mexican-American folk remedy. BACKGROUND: Ingestion of small amounts of elemental mercury is generally thought to be harmless. However, in 4 previously reported cases, ingested mercury became sequestered in the appendix, causing appendicitis in one. We present a case in which elemental mercury was administered as a Mexican-American folk remedy for abdominal pain and became sequestered in the appendix. CASE REPORT: A 10-year-old Hispanic male presented with 3 days of right-sided abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and malaise. On admission, his temperature was 41.5 degrees C and he had right abdominal tenderness. urinalysis showed 3 WBCs, 9 RBCs, occasional bacteria, and 1 protein. An abdominal CT scan suggested right focal pyelonephritis, but also showed multiple intraabdominal metallic densities. On further questioning, the family admitted giving him elemental mercury as a remedy for "empacho." He was treated with intravenous ampicillin/sulbactam and gentamicin for a focal pyelonephritis. Because of mercury remaining in the gastrointestinal tract, activated charcoal and sorbitol were given. By hospital day 3, mercury filled the appendix as shown by abdominal radiograph. He was placed in the left lateral decubitus position overnight, and by the next morning, the mercury partially emptied from the appendix. By hospital day 8, his symptoms had resolved and mercury was no longer seen in the appendix. There were only minimal increases in urine mercury levels (18 mg/L). At 5-month follow-up, he has remained asymptomatic. ( info) |
7/860. Residual appendicitis following incomplete laparoscopic appendectomy. Growing popularity of laparoscopic interventions must bring along a thorough knowledge of possible complications inherent to the laparoscopic technique. With these two cases of residual appendicitis following incomplete appendectomy, the authors want to warn for this complication. Surgeons should be aware of residual appendicitis as a possible cause of acute abdomen at any time following a laparoscopic appendectomy. ( info) |
8/860. Perforated appendix presenting with disproportionate jejunal distention. Six cases of perforated appendix are presented in whom there was disproportionate gas distention of the jejunum without other radiographic signs of appendicitis. This appearance tended to divert one's attention from the offending cause in the right lower abdomen. ( info) |
9/860. Serologic examinations in acute appendicitis. Authors studied the formation of endotoxic antibody level in healthy adults and in patients with appendicitis with a technique (indirect haemagglutination) not used till now. They found the antibody level against endotoxin to be increased in 91% of their patients in the postoperative period. Decrease in the antibody level against endotoxin was observed in two patients with gangrenous appendicitis and two patients with perforated appendicitis. Summarizing their results, authors consider mixed (aerobic, anaerobic) infection to be of decisive importance in the development of acute appendicitis, contributing to the weakened immune response of the host. ( info) |
10/860. Psoas abscesses complicating colonic disease: imaging and therapy. Most surgeons think of psoas abscesses as a very rare condition related to tuberculosis of the spine, but in contemporary surgical practice they are more usually a complication of gastrointestinal disease. A case note study was undertaken on all patients treated for psoas abscess at two large hospitals in the mid-Trent region over a 2-year period. All seven patients presented with pyrexia, psoas spasm, a tender mass and leucocytosis. The diagnosis was made on abdominal radiographs in one patient, CT scan in three, MRI in two, and ultrasound in one. Aetiological factors included Crohn's disease in three, appendicitis in two, and sigmoid diverticulitis and metastatic colorectal carcinoma in one each. Six patients underwent transabdominal resection of the diseased bowel, retroperitoneal debridement and external drainage of the abscess cavity. Percutaneous drainage was performed in one. Two patients had more than one surgical exploration for complications. There were no deaths and the hospital stay ranged from 8-152 days. psoas abscess can be a difficult and protracted problem. Bowel resection, thorough debridement, external drainage and concomitant antibiotics are essential for psoas abscesses complicating gastrointestinal disease. Defunctioning stomas may be necessary. However, in some cases a multidisciplinary approach may be required, as psoas abscesses can involve bone and joints. ( info) |