Common Cause Of Obstruction Research Articles

Small bowel obstruction caused by rare intraluminal hematoma secondary to gastric bypass: a case report

Abstract Introduction: With the increase in obesity and therefore obesity surgery in the world, there is also an increase in surgery-related complications. Mechanical small bowel obstruction after gastric bypass is a common complication and the most common causes of obstruction are kinking or stenosis of the entero-enterostomy, internal herniation, adhesions, external compression on the transverse mesocolon, incarceration of an abdominal wall hernia, or intussusception. One of these complications is intraluminal hematoma, which, although rare, has dangerous consequences that can even lead to mortality. Since it is a life-threatening complication, early diagnosis and emergency intervention are important. Case report: In this case report, we wanted to emphasize the early effectiveness of radiology and surgery in the diagnosis and treatment processes of a patient with intraluminal hematoma after laparoscopic roux-NY gastric bypass. Conclusion: . The most common location of intraluminal hematoma is the jejunojejunal anastomosis area. Symptoms may occur earlier (at the 12th postoperative hour). Whole-abdominal MDCT remains the main method of diagnosing intestinal obstruction, including small bowel obstruction resulting from intraluminal hematoma.

Outcomes of patients admitted with malignant small bowel obstruction: a subgroup multicentre observational cohort analysis

Introduction and purpose of the studySmall bowel obstruction (SBO) accounts for a substantial proportion of emergency surgical admissions. Malignancy is a common cause of obstruction, either due to a primary tumour or intra-abdominal metastases. However, little is known regarding the current treatment or outcomes of patients with malignant SBO. This study aimed to characterise the treatment of malignant SBO and identify areas for potential improvement and compare overall survival of patients with malignant SBO to patients with non-malignant SBO.Materials and methodsThis was a subgroup analysis of a multicentre observational study of patients admitted with SBO. Details regarding these patients’ diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes up to 1-year after admission were recorded. The primary outcome was overall survival in patients with malignant SBO.ResultsA total of 316 patients with small bowel obstruction were included, of whom 33 (10.4%) had malignant SBO. Out of the 33 patients with malignant SBO, 20 patients (60.6%) were treated with palliative intent although only 7 patients were seen by a palliative team during admission. Nutritional assessments were performed on 12 patients, and 11 of these patients received parenteral nutrition. 23 patients underwent surgery, with the most common surgical interventions being loop ileostomies (9 patients) and gastrointestinal bypasses (9 patients). 4 patients underwent right hemicolectomies, with a primary anastomosis formed and 1 patient had a right hemicolectomy with a terminal ileostomy. Median survival was 114 days, and no difference was seen in survival between patients treated with or without palliative intent.ConclusionMalignant SBO is associated with significant risks of short-term complications and a poor prognosis. Consideration should be given to the early involvement of senior decision-makers upon patient admission is essential for optimal management and setting expectation for a realistic outcome.

Determining the need for surgery in small bowel obstructions based on clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters.

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common and important surgical emergency. Our aim in this study is to describe the clinical, laboratory, and computed tomography (CT) findings to facilitate the objective identification of SBO patients in need of operative treatment in this patient population. This retrospective study included 340 patients hospitalized due to a preliminary diagnosis of ileus. Retrieved data of patients included age, gender, comorbidities, previous hospitalization due to ileus, surgical history, physical examination findings, complete blood count and biochemistry test results, and CT findings at admission. The study included 180 (52.9%) male and 160 (47.1%) female patients. Treatment was conservative in 216 patients and surgery in 124 patients. Of the patients included in the study, 36.4% needed surgery. Of the female patients, 38.90% received conservative treatment and 61.30% underwent surgery. Adhesions were the most common cause of obstruction in operated patients (43.50%). We have found that female gender, vomiting, guarding, rebound, C-reactive protein levels above 75 mg/L, increased bowel diameter, and a transition zone on CT images indicate a strong need for surgery, but a history of previous hospitalization for ileus may show that surgery may not be the best option.

Value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the evaluation of biliary obstruction

Background: Obstructive jaundice is a common clinical condition that causes many complications, especially septic shock. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) plays an important role in determining the cause, extent, and complications of biliary obstruction. Purposes: To investigate the value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis of biliary obstruction. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from January 2019 to November 2022. Forty-four patients with biliary obstruction who underwent MRCP, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC, a step in the procedure of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage) were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The mean age was 62.75 ± 13.29 years. Male/female ratio was 1.3/1. The most common cause of obstruction was biliary malignancy (56,9%). Bilateral intrahepatic duct dilation (54.5%) and hilar obstruction (65.9%) were predominant. On MRCP, abrupt cut-off of the duct, irregular margin, and asymmetric biliary stricture. There was a good to very good concordance between MRCP and PTC in determining the site of dilatation, site of obstruction, and characteristics of biliary obstruction. Compared with PTC, MRCP had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 89.5% in the evaluation of abrupt cut-off; a sensitivity of 90.5% and a specificity of 100% in detecting biliary stricture. Conclusion: MRCP is useful in a comprehensive evaluation of the biliary tract including anatomy and variations as well as site, degree, extent, etiologies, and complications of obstruction. MRCP should be included in the routine workup of patients with biliary obstruction who might be candidates for percutaneous biliary intervention. Key words: Biliary obstruction, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage.

A rare case of afferent limb syndrome due to a biliary stone 8 years after a whipple, a case report

Background: Afferent limb syndrome (ALS) is the mechanical obstruction of the afferent limb proximal to the gastrojejunostomy anastomosis that leads to accumulation of bile, pancreatic fluids, and proximal small bowel secretions. It is most commonly associated with Billroth-II and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy. Common causes of obstruction include kinking of the loops, anastomotic narrowing, and adhesions.

Management and Outcome of Acute Mechanical Bowel Obstruction in a Teaching Hospital

Objective: To identify and analyze the clinical presentation, management and outcome of patients with acute mechanical bowel obstruction along with the etiology of obstruction and causes of bowel ischemia, necrosis, and perforation. Methods: This is a prospective observational study of adult patients admitted with acute mechanical bowel obstruction between September 2010 and August 2011. Results: Of the 100 patients included in the study, 73 (73%) presented with small bowel and 27 (27%) with large bowel obstruction. Absence of passage of flatus and/or feces (96%) and abdominal distension (92%) were the most common symptoms and physical finding, respectively. Adhesions (51%), incarcerated hernias (14%), Volvulus (14%) and large bowel cancer (12%) were the most frequent causes of obstruction. Sixty-seven patients (67%) were treated operatively and 33 (33%) were treated conservatively. Bowel ischemia was found in 20 cases (20%), necrosis in 13 (13%), and perforation in 3 (3%). Bands and adhesions, hernias, and volvulus, were the most frequent causes of bowel ischemia (65%, 20%, 10%), necrosis (38.46%, 23.08%, 38.46%), and perforation (33.33%, 33.33%, 33.33%). A comparatively higher risk of strangulation was noticed in incarcerated hernias and volvulus than bands and adhesions. Conclusion: Absence of passage of flatus and/or feces and abdominal distension are the most common symptoms and physical finding of patient'> with acute mechanical bowel obstruction, respectively. Adhesions, hernias, volvulus and large bowel cancer are the most common causes of obstruction, as well as of bowel ischemia, necrosis, and perforation. Although an important proportion of these patients can be non-operatively treated, a major portion requires immediate operation. Great caution should be taken for the treatment of these patients since the incidence of bowel ischemia, necrosis, and perforation is significantly high.

Pelviureteric junction obstruction in adults: A systematic review of the literature.

Pelviureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) is a common urological disorder that can present at any stage of life. The underlying etiology in children has been well studied; however, a gap exists in the literature for the adult population. Herein, we performed a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the current evidence on the underlying etiologies of adult patients presenting with PUJO. Four electronic databases were searched for relevant studies assessing the underlying etiologies of pelviureteric junction obstruction in adults. Studies were assessed for eligibility based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and a critical appraisal of methodological quality and risk of bias was performed. Finally, qualitative and quantitative data analyses were performed. Twelve studies comprising a total of 513 patients with radiologically confirmed PUJO met the inclusion criteria and were included in our analysis. The most common finding was crossing vessels, which were observed in 50.5% of patients, followed by intrinsic ureteral stenosis (27.1%), adhesions (15.3%), and high insertion of the ureter (10.1%). The underlying etiologies of PUJO in adults remain unclear. This study indicated that obstruction secondary to crossing vessels is the most common cause of obstruction in adults and occurs more frequently than in the pediatric population.

Occlusive Syndrome Revealing Hirschsprung's Disease in Two Pediatric Cases Seen in Emergency in a Peripheral Hospital Department of Pediatric Surgery Fousseyni Daou Hospital in Kayes

Hirschsprung's disease is a congenital anomaly of the innervation of the distal intestine, usually limited to the rectum and colon, resulting in partial or total functional occlusion. It is one of the most common causes of obstruction in children. It is a rare pathology, but the diagnosis of which is becoming increasingly easy because of dill Omo pathology. We report two cases treated urgently in the pediatric surgery department of the Fousseyni Daou hospital in Kayes. Our objectives were to describe the clinical aspects and the management of an occlusive syndrome secondary to Hirschsprung's disease.

Prospective study of acute intestinal obstruction in adults based on etiology and severity indicators

Background: Intestinal obstruction is a common clinical entity in surgeons practice. In a large number of patient, therapeutic options are surgery versus conservative treatment; the choice of the treatment, that is, surgical versus conservative depends mainly on the surgeon’s assessment, and, therefore, is a clinical challenge to decide. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of our study is early detection of strangulated bowel obstruction based on a clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters, a severity indicator score developed by combining these parameters. Materials and Methods: It was a hospital-based prospective observational study of 100 patients between April 2019 and October 2020 who presented with intestinal obstruction. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters were noted and scoring was done as per severity scores. Results: Common cause of obstruction in this study was adhesions 41%, tuberculosis 13%, malignance 8%, and mesenteric ischemia 6% followed by intussusception and volvulus. Patients who had score <3 were managed conservatively, while 90.9% of patients having a score of three or more where operated on, which was statistically significant. Conclusion: Evaluation of the patient is not only to confirm the diagnosis but also timely management of strangulation and prevention of ischemia of gut to improve morbidity and mortality. This study used a severity scoring system of clinical parameters and laboratory and radiological investigation to help in the decision-making of treatment in a case of intestinal obstruction.

Intestinal obstruction in a tertiary care centre in India: Are the differences with the western experience becoming less?

BackgroundPatients with intestinal obstruction consist of a major proportion of emergency room visits and the complication is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality. It has a diverse aetiology which varies from country to country. In developed countries it is mainly due to adhesions and in developing countries due to obstructed hernias. Although there are numerous studies from the western world on this subject there have been few recent publications from the developing world. Patients and methodsWe retrospectively analyzed all the patients admitted with intestinal obstruction to our department from January 1996 to December 2019. Their demographic data, duration of symptoms before presenting to the hospital and interval between admission and surgery were noted along with the cause and level of obstruction. The type of procedure, post-operative complications, mortality or whether re-exploration was done were also noted. Post-operative complications were graded according to the Clavien Dindo classification. ResultsA total of 986 patients presented with intestinal obstruction during this period out of which 743 patients underwent surgery. The commonest cause of obstruction was adhesions in 273 (36.7%) – the proportion increased significantly from 23% in 1996–2004 to 51.6% in 2013–2019. This was followed by carcinoma [130(17.5%)], tuberculosis [111(14.9%)], strictures [94(12.7%)] and hernia (5.4%). Colorectal surgery was the most common previous procedure in the adhesions group [85(31.1%)].The overall operative mortality was 41 (5.5%). ConclusionThe aetiology of intestinal obstruction in our hospital is now mainly due to adhesions and is thus shifting towards the western pattern. But tuberculosis and obstructed inguinal hernias still constitute of a sizable proportion of our patients.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) In-Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for Pancreaticobiliary Disorders

This is a prospective study done to compare the diagnostic accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in patients undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for pancreaticobiliary disorders.Majority of the study participants were males (63.3%), while the rest 36.78% of them were females and periampullary carcinoma (11.7%) and common bile duct calculus (11.7%) are the common cause of obstruction found on MRCP followed by malignant stricture (10%). The extent of obstruction was determined in most of the study participants (91.7%) by MRCP while the rest 8.3% were not determined by MRCP. The Common bile duct calculus (11.7%) is the common cause of obstruction on ERCP followed by malignant stricture (10%) and Periampullary carcinoma (10%) and 20% of the patients were found to be normal in ERCP. Among them, 71.4 % did not show MRCP and the association was found to be significant. (p- Value < 0.00).

Hydroureter

Hydroureter

English

BACKGROUND Intestinal obstruction can be defined as the partial or complete blockage of either the small intestine or large intestine or both, causing failure of intestinal contents to pass beyond the point of obstruction. Subacute intestinal obstruction implies incomplete obstruction. It is characterized by continuous passage of flatus and /or feces beyond 6 -12 hours of the onset of symptoms. We wanted to study the conservative management of subacute intestinal obstruction and its outcome. METHODS Data was collected from patients presenting to outpatient Department of General Surgery, SVRRGGH, Tirupati and emergency with the features of subacute intestinal obstruction during the period of March 2019 to April 2020 were included in the study. RESULTS The incidence is high in patients of age group 41-50 years with Male: Female ratio is 2.1:1. The most common presenting symptom is pain abdomen (92 %), followed by vomiting (84 %). In our study, exaggerated bowel sounds (60 %) are the most common physical finding. The most common cause of obstruction is Postoperative adhesions (36 %), followed by obstructed hernias (22 %). Out of 50 cases, 72 % of cases were managed successfully by conservative management. In the patients who were managed conservatively, most of them are due to postoperative adhesions. In the patients who underwent emergency surgical intervention, 50 % of cases operated on the 2nd day of admission. Most commonly done Surgery include Adhesiolysis (28.6 %), Herniorrhaphy (28.6 %) and Resection and anastomosis (21.5 %). CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that conservative management is successful in about 72 % of patients with subacute intestinal obstruction. Not all the patients attending the emergency ward with features of intestinal obstruction need emergency surgical intervention. Conservative management can be tried in selective cases in patients with SAIO, thereby reducing the rate of negative laparotomies and morbidity and mortality. KEYWORDS Sub-Acute, Intestinal, Obstruction Conservative, Outcome

Causes of upper gastrointestinal tract obstruction

Obstruction of the upper gastrointestinal tract, caused by blocked passage in the oesophagus, stomach or duodenum, is an important clinical and diagnostic problem in gastroenterological practice. The typical symptoms are dysphagia, postprandial vomiting, epigastric pain and weight loss. Post-inflammatory oesophageal lesions associated with reflux oesophagitis are the most common cause of obstruction. Other common causes include foreign bodies, neoplasms, chemical burns of the oesophagus and radiation-induced stenosis. In more than 2/3 cases, foreign bodies are localised in the proximal part of the oesophagus, but anatomical abnormalities, such as a Schatzki ring or post-inflammatory stenosis, increase the risk of food bolus impaction in the distal part of the oesophagus. Radiotherapy of head and neck tumours may cause stenosis, which affects more than 7% of patients treated this way. For the stomach and duodenum, 50–80% of obstruction cases are associated with neoplastic processes, with gastric cancer and pancreatic adenocarcinoma accounting for 35% and 15–25% of these cases, respectively. Mild causes of peripyloric obstruction include gastric and duodenal peptic ulcer, peritoneal adhesions, gastric polyps and Crohn’s disease. Symptoms of temporary pylorus obstruction can be caused by large, gastric hyperplastic pedunculated polyps. Therapeutic endoscopy is the most commonly used method for upper gastrointestinal tract obstruction. Depending on the cause, it involves foreign body removal, balloon enteroscopy, stenting with self-expanding metallic stents, and, in the case of treatment failure, surgical resection or palliative gastrojejunostomy.

MO408OBSTRUCTIVE NEPHROPATHY - STILL PREVALENT DISEASE

Abstract Background and Aims Acute kidney injury (AKI) secondary to urinary obstruction is a common urological-nephrological problem. In this retrospective study, our goals were to describe the etiology, management and outcomes of patients with obstructive nephropathy who were hospitalized at Nephrology Department during 2019. Method AKI was defined by the RIFLE classification. Diagnosis of obstruction was defined by ultrasound imaging, intravenous pyelography and CT scan. Results During 2019 AKI secondary to urinary obstruction was diagnosed to 64 patients. 73% of them were male, average age 65 ± 16 years. About 60% of the patients had bilateral hydronephrosis, chronic kidney disease and anuria duration longer than 24h. The following desobstructive procedures were applied: urinary catheterization to 33 patients, percutaneous nephrostomy tube to 14 patients, double-J stent to 7 and other procedures to 10 patients. The most common causes of obstruction were malignancy and benign prostatic hyperplasia 60%, calculosis 17%, and other causes 20% such as neurogenic bladder and retroperitoneal fibrosis. As many as 30% of patients required acute hemodialysis treatment, of which 6% remained on a chronic program in period of three months. Out of all, 30% of patients had a partial recovery of kidney function, while 20% had complete recovery. The most common complication was infection and bleeding. The univariate logistic regression, adjusted for age and hemodialysis treatment, has shown that significant independent predictors for chronic kidney disease progression were anuria duration >24h (RR 2.21; 95% CI 0.014-1.03; p=0.05), polyuria duration (RR 2.11; 95% CI 1.112-3.98; p=0.02) and duration of hospital treatment (RR 9.16; 95% CI 2.102-39.94; p=0.03). The most significant predictor of death was duration of hospital treatment (RR 9.16; 95% CI 2.102-3.399; p=0.003). Multivariate logistic regression did not shown significance any of the above risk factors. Conclusion Given that third of patients with obstructive nephropathy require acute HD, 6% remain in chronic HD, and almost one third require rehospitalization, close cooperation between a nephrologist and urologist is required. Rapid desobstructive procedures and careful monitoring after desobstruction is warranted. Requirement of regular screening remains opened for obstruction in vulnerable populations.

MO408OBSTRUCTIVE NEPHROPATHY - STILL PREVALENT DISEASE

Abstract Background and Aims Acute kidney injury (AKI) secondary to urinary obstruction is a common urological-nephrological problem. In this retrospective study, our goals were to describe the etiology, management and outcomes of patients with obstructive nephropathy who were hospitalized at Nephrology Department during 2019. Method AKI was defined by the RIFLE classification. Diagnosis of obstruction was defined by ultrasound imaging, intravenous pyelography and CT scan. Results During 2019 AKI secondary to urinary obstruction was diagnosed to 64 patients. 73% of them were male, average age 65 ± 16 years. About 60% of the patients had bilateral hydronephrosis, chronic kidney disease and anuria duration longer than 24h. The following desobstructive procedures were applied: urinary catheterization to 33 patients, percutaneous nephrostomy tube to 14 patients, double-J stent to 7 and other procedures to 10 patients. The most common causes of obstruction were malignancy and benign prostatic hyperplasia 60%, calculosis 17%, and other causes 20% such as neurogenic bladder and retroperitoneal fibrosis. As many as 30% of patients required acute hemodialysis treatment, of which 6% remained on a chronic program in period of three months. Out of all, 30% of patients had a partial recovery of kidney function, while 20% had complete recovery. The most common complication was infection and bleeding. The univariate logistic regression, adjusted for age and hemodialysis treatment, has shown that significant independent predictors for chronic kidney disease progression were anuria duration >24h (RR 2.21; 95% CI 0.014-1.03; p=0.05), polyuria duration (RR 2.11; 95% CI 1.112-3.98; p=0.02) and duration of hospital treatment (RR 9.16; 95% CI 2.102-39.94; p=0.03). The most significant predictor of death was duration of hospital treatment (RR 9.16; 95% CI 2.102-3.399; p=0.003). Multivariate logistic regression did not shown significance any of the above risk factors. Conclusion Given that third of patients with obstructive nephropathy require acute HD, 6% remain in chronic HD, and almost one third require rehospitalization, close cooperation between a nephrologist and urologist is required. Rapid desobstructive procedures and careful monitoring after desobstruction is warranted. Requirement of regular screening remains opened for obstruction in vulnerable populations.

Clinicopathological spectrum of small bowel obstruction and management outcomes in adults - experience at a regional academic hospital complex

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Delay in operative management of small bowel obstruction (SBO) results in increased morbidity and mortality. The objective was to evaluate clinical presentation and treatment outcome of SBO METHOD: Prospective cohort study between 2013-2014. Adult patients presenting with SBO were included. Demographics, clinical details, investigations, operative findings, in-hospital progress and outcomes were documented RESULTS: There were 156 patients (median age 37 [IQR 27-54 years]) with early (44) and delayed (112) presentation. :F ratio was 1.4:1. Common causes of obstruction were adhesions (94; 60.3%) and hernias (31; 19.9%). Non-operative management was feasible in 59 patients (37.3%) with a success rate of 71.2%. Nonviable bowel was present in 45.1% (early 31%, delayed 50%; p = 0.078). Sixty-one patients (54%) underwent bowel resection; nine patients (20.5%) in the early presentation group and 52 (46.4%) in the delayed group (p = 0.003). Thirty-one patients needed ICU admission (early 5, delayed 26; p = 0.091). The delayed group had longer ICU stay (p = 0.018) and longer hospital stay (p < 0.001). There were more complications (p = 0.084) and re-laparotomies (p = 0.156) in the delayed group. Eight patients died (5.1% CONCLUSION: The main causes of SBO were adhesions and hernias. Late presentation was associated with higher resection rate, higher critical care admission and longer hospital stay Keywords: small bowel obstruction, adhesive bowel obstruction, acute abdomen

An unusual band causing intestinal obstruction: case report

We report an unusual case of intestinal obstruction. The child presented with intermittent abdominal pain. Initial USG abdomen and CT abdomen were inconclusive. Diagnostic laparoscopy followed by Laparotomy was done to remove bezoar made up of a rubber band and thread balls. Iron and zinc deficiencies are the preventable causes of pica. Plasticobezoars are rare and should be suspected when symptoms are not consistent with other common causes of obstruction.

Paediatric Intussusception: A Clinical Scoring System to Predict the Risk of Operative Intervention.

BackgroundIntussusception is a common cause of obstruction in paediatric patients. Rapid clinical recognition and treatment is important to prevent potentially fatal complications. The present study aims to derive a clinical scoring system for prediction of risk of operative intervention in patients with intussusception.Materials and methodsData of 100 patients with intussusception were analyzed retrospectively, and a score was calculated based on clinical parameters – age, presence/absence of symptoms and signs such as abdominal distention, vomiting, lump abdomen, red currant jelly stools and duration of abdominal pain. The maximum score was 12, and the minimum score was 6. This score was then applied to other 50 consecutive patients with intussusception.ResultsOf 100, 13 patients required operative intervention; 87 patients were managed by hydrostatic reduction. In all, four patients with a score of 12 and five patients with a score of 11 required operative intervention. Seven patients had a score of 10, out of which four (57.14%) required operative intervention. A total of 87 patients who had a score of 10 or less were successfully managed non-operatively by ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction. In the next 50 patients, two patients with a score of 9 and all patients with scores of 10 and 11 required operative intervention. Thus, age less than 3 months and more than 2 years, presence of symptoms such as abdominal lump, red currant jelly stools and duration of abdominal pain of 2 or more days were strong predictors of operative intervention.ConclusionThis clinical score helps to predict the risk of operative intervention required in a child with a diagnosis of intussusceptions – duration of abdominal pain of 48 h or more, presence of abdominal distention and lump and red currant jelly stools are strong predictors of need of operative intervention in patients with intussusception. Higher the score (8 or more, as concluded by this study), more the probability of requiring operative intervention in these patients. Though limited, this study could serve as a pilot work to develop a user-friendly score for early surgical decision making in the management of paediatric intussusception.

1643 A challenging diagnosis in prosthetic mitral valve obstruction

Abstract A 53-year-old man was referred to our center for a prosthesic mitral valve obstruction. In December 2017 the patient had a myocardial infarction complicated by papillary muscle rupture and anterior leaflet flail; therefore he underwent a mechanical mitral valve replacement (size 29). A first echocardiographic control in August 2018 was reported as normal. In February 2019 a further echocardiography showed an increase of the trans-prosthetic pressure gradients and a suspected restricted motion of the anterior tilting disk; a cinefluoroscopy view confirmed the tilting disk blockade in the closing position. The patient was referred to our center for further investigations. We performed a 3D TOE that confirmed the prosthesis dysfunction: the anterior tilting disk was blocked (mean gradient 14 mmHg, 3D residual anatomical area 1.4 cm2); the mechanical cause of the obstruction was not identified. A cardiac CT was performed: a clear thrombus or pannus was not visualized, even if a linear hypodensity could be seen along the inner circumferential edge of the blocked disk. Finally the patient underwent the surgical intervention for prosthesis replacement. The visual analysis of the valve revealed a stratified thrombosis in both the atrial and ventricular side of the blocked disk, extending to the prosthetic ring and to the hinges. The patient developed a prosthetic valve dysfunction 9 to 13 months after valve replacement. Thrombus is the most common cause of obstruction of mechanical prostheses (0.3 to 8% per patient-year) while pannus formation usually occur over 5 years after surgery (minimum 12 months later). On the one hand, the patient assured a good anticoagulation regimen in the previous months, thrombosis in mitral valve position usually present with a large formation involving the disk projecting into left atrium, and large prosthesis size is associated with a lower risk of thrombosis. Our TOE confirmed the hemodynamic dysfunction but was not able to detect any cause of the leafleat bloackade. Cardiac CT has a better spatial resolution but only a focused MPR view allowed to identify a linear hypodense formation along the ring surrounding the blocked disk. This thin structure only involved the prostethic ring, apparently not projecting over the disk. These morphologic features are considered more in keeping with pannus, and only the low attenuation values (below the suggested threshold of 200 HU) helped to suspect a thrombotic stratification over the prosthetic ring. The surgical intervention revealed the real nature of the obstruction. In conclusion, thrombus may present with an unconventional appearance as a cause of prosthetic obstruction and, especially when stratified can mimick a pannus. Multimodality imaging is not always able to identify the cause of mechanical valve dysfunction; consequently, when the prosthesis obstruction is evident but imaging is inconclusive cardiac surgery is the only diagnostic and therapeutic resource. Abstract 1643 Figure. Prosthesis valve disfunction