Nonspecific Abdominal Symptoms Research Articles

Biliary ileus: preoperative diagnosis by US. A report of two cases

The preoperative diagnosis of biliary ileus was correctly made by US in two cases (87 and 80-year-old females) referred to US studies because of nonspecific abdominal symptoms and to rule out possible acute appendicitis, respectively. Plain-film findings were unremarkable in one patient, small-bowel obstruction was detected in the latter. In both cases sonography revealed a small amount of air within the thick-walled gallbladder; the presence of mechanical ileus, and a gallstone impacted within the ileal loop. These features, together with collapsed bowel lumen distally to the stone, enabled a reliable diagnosis of biliary ileus to be made. This was confirmed by ensuing laparotomy, when a large cholesterol stone was removed in both cases.

Premarin-Induced Ischemic Colitis

There are numerous literature reports of oral contraceptive-induced (estrogen and progesterone) ischemic bowel disease. However, Premarin-induced (equine conjugated estrogen) intestinal ischemia has rarely been reported. We describe three cases of Premarin-induced ischemic colitis. In contrast to oral contraceptive-induced ischemic colitis, Premarin-induced ischemia is restricted to the colon, has not required surgical therapy, can have a chronic or chronic intermittent course, may be reversible despite continued usage of Premarin, and may present with nonspecific abdominal and colonic symptoms.

Does ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infection predispose to non-specific abdominal symptoms among adults in endemic areas?

Does ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infection predispose to non-specific abdominal symptoms among adults in endemic areas?

Do Ascariasis, Trichuriasis and Hookworm Infections Predispose to Non-Specific Abdominal Symptoms among Adults in Endemic Areas?

Despite the ubiquity of intestinal helminthiasis in the third world, morbidity data are scarce. While acute pancreatitis and cholangitis are recognized complications of ascariasis, less is known on the propensity of helminthiasis to cause non-specific abdominal symptoms of a less dramatic nature, which may nevertheless produce chronic distress. Practitioners in endemic areas not infrequently incriminate intestinal helminths as the cause of non-specific abdominal symptoms not only in children but also in adults. We had previously found an association between abdominal symptoms and intestinal helminthiasis among adult women but not among men. The aim of this study was to test the reproducibility of our previous observation on a larger sample and to determine the independent effects of the three major worm infections in our area (ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infection) on abdominal symptoms among adults.

Early and late outcome of surgical repair for small abdominal aortic aneurysms: A population-based analysis

Purpose: Whether small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) (≤ 5 cm in diameter) should be repaired early to enhance late survival remains controversial. Long-term population-based data on the surgical outcome for small AAAs may help to establish practice guidelines until randomized clinical trials are completed.Methods: To examine an entire community experience with small AAAs, we conducted a population-based analysis of the recognition, reasons for operation, perioperative mortality rates, and late survival in Olmsted County, Minnesota.Results: The incidence of recognized small AAAs increased thirtyfold during a 30-year period. The propensity to repair small AAAs also increased during the same period. Eventually one third of small AAAs were repaired. The primary reasons for surgical consultation and operation were presence of the aneurysm (49%), expansion on serial examination (28%), nonspecific abdominal or back symptoms (18%), and excessive patient anxiety about the aneurysm (5%). Community operative mortality rates for small AAAs were low (2.6%) compared with those for large aneurysms (5.5%) (p = 0.65). However, the observed 5-year survival rate for the group undergoing repair of small aneurysms was 62%, which was significantly less than the 83% expected survival for the general population (p < 0.05). Relative survival for the operated small and large aneurysms was similar. The primary cause of death for both groups was myocardial infarction.Conclusions: The results of our population-based analysis indicate that early operative results for elective repair of small AAAs are excellent, but late survival remains significantly impaired by coronary heart disease. Consequently, our data question whether early repair of small AAAs will enhance late survival. Until randomized clinical trials on management of small AAAs are completed, most small AAAs should be monitored for expansion and operated on electively when they approach or enter the range of 5 to 6 cm in good-risk patients.

Mesenteric lipodystrophy.

Three cases of mesenteric lipodystrophy with a wide range of clinicopathological features are reported. Mesenteric lipodystrophy may present as an acute abdomen or with non-specific upper abdominal symptoms. Routine biochemical and haematological investigations are within normal limits. Histological examination shows lipid-filled macrophages in sheets and bands with focal cyst formation. Mesenteric lipodystrophy is a rare condition. A firm diagnosis can be reached only by histological examination and a number of conditions need to be considered in the differential diagnosis.

The treatment of gynaecological malignancy in a general public hospital.

To assess the adequacy of treatment of gynaecological cancer in a public hospital and to determine the influence of referral patterns on patient outcome. A retrospective analysis of clinical histories. A tertiary-level general public hospital. 89 patients admitted between 1 January 1979 and 31 December 1987 for primary treatment of a gynaecological malignancy. The primary study parameter was patient survival. During data analysis, the study parameters were altered to include the adequacy of initial surgery and survival time in relation to the involvement of the Gynaecology Unit. Initial presenting symptoms had a major influence on the referral patterns of patients with a gynaecological malignancy. All patients who presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding were managed by the Gynaecology Unit. Patients with ovarian cancer who presented with non-specific abdominal symptoms and ascites were often managed by other units. There was a statistically significant difference in the adequacy of initial surgery depending on whether the patient was managed by the Gynaecology or the Surgical Unit (P < 0.05). The median survival time of patients managed by the Gynaecology Unit was 20 months; this was considerably longer than the figure of 14 months for other units (P < 0.05). Patients with ovarian cancer who are managed by a specialised gynaecology unit are more likely to have adequate initial surgery and a longer median survival time. Female patients presenting with non-specific abdominal symptoms, ascites and other signs of intra-abdominal malignancy should be reviewed by a gynaecology unit before initial surgery.

Antral gastrin cell hyperfunction in children

Abstract Antral gastrin cell hyperfunction is a rare condition, often associated with severe duodenal ulcer disease. In children, clinical and functional characteristics of this syndrome are poorly known. Two cases are described here: one child had melena and the other had moderate abdominal pain, both without peptic ulceration. Basal and postprandial increase of gastrin levels showed a response over the upper normal range, indicating gastrin cell hyperfunction. Acid hypersecretion, both basal and after pentagastrin stimulation, was also found in the two children, confirming the biological effect of their sustained hypergastrinemia. Gastrin cell counts were within the normal range, while the number of somatostatin D cells was significantly reduced. This report stresses the importance of diagnosing antral gastrin cell hyperfunction in children because this unrecognized condition may manifest with serious complications (bleeding) or nonspecific abdominal symptoms.

Antral gastrin cell hyperfunction in children: A functional and immunocytochemical report

Antral gastrin cell hyperfunction is a rare condition, often associated with severe duodenal ulcer disease. In children, clinical and functional characteristics of this syndrome are poorly known. Two cases are described here: one child had melena and the other had moderate abdominal pain, both without peptic ulceration. Basal and postprandial increase of gastrin levels showed a response over the upper normal range, indicating gastrin cell hyperfunction. Acid hypersecretion, both basal and after pentagastrin stimulation, was also found in the two children, confirming the biological effect of their sustained hypergastrinemia. Gastrin cell counts were within the normal range, while the number of somatostatin D cells was significantly reduced. This report stresses the importance of diagnosing antral gastrin cell hyperfunction in children because this unrecognized condition may manifest with serious complications (bleeding) or nonspecific abdominal symptoms.

Atherosclerotic Occlusive Disease of the Superior Mesenteric Artery: Late Results of Reconstructive Surgery

Between 1975 and 1988, 103 patients underwent reconstruction of the superior mesenteric artery for atherosclerotic occlusive disease. Patients undergoing revascularization with associated mesenteric infarction were excluded. There were 89 men and 14 women whose mean age was 57.2 years. Six patients were operated on emergently for impending mesenteric infarction; six patients underwent revascularization after intestinal resection for ischemic lesions; 20 patients had typical abdominal angina; 39 patients had nonspecific abdominal symptoms, and 32 patients underwent revascularization of their superior mesenteric artery for asymptomatic lesions. Revascularization of the celiac axis and inferior mesenteric artery was associated in 36 and four cases, respectively. Four patients (4%) died postoperatively. Four early occlusions (4%) were observed. During the follow-up period (mean = 69 months), 18 patients died; five patients had recurrent intestinal ischemic symptoms, four of whom died. All surviving patients underwent follow-up duplex scanning, examination, and arterial or venous digitalized angiograms in selected cases. Nine patients (9%) had anatomical abnormalities: two stenoses and seven occlusions. Failure of revascularization of the superior mesenteric artery was observed in patients with severe initial intestinal ischemia. Late complications were not statistically significantly related to the different techniques of revascularization used.

Carcinoma of the Colon in Children

SummaryWe report a case of sigmoid colon carcinoma in a 14‐year‐old girl. She had been suffering from several nonspecific abdominal symptoms for about 1 year before a definite diagnosis was made. While undergoing an operation, the main tumor was found to be unresectable. She died of Candida‐induced septicemia on the 26th day after the operation. There have been 40 cases of colon carcinoma reported in the Japanese literature in patients 15 years of age or younger. We reviewed the 40 Japanese cases along with our case, and compared these to other children and adult studies. The prognosis is quite unfavorable in children because of the poor histological character and the delayed diagnosis. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen measurement might be one means for early diagnosis.

Carcinoma of the Colon in Children

We report a case of sigmoid colon carcinoma in a 14-year-old girl. She had been suffering from several nonspecific abdominal symptoms for about 1 year before a definite diagnosis was made. While undergoing an operation, the main tumor was found to be unresectable. She died of Candida-induced septicemia on the 26th day after the operation. There have been 40 cases of colon carcinoma reported in the Japanese literature in patients 15 years of age or younger. We reviewed the 40 Japanese cases along with our case, and compared these to other children and adult studies. The prognosis is quite unfavorable in children because of the poor histological character and the delayed diagnosis. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen measurement might be one means for early diagnosis.

Intraabdominal hemorrhage as a result of segmental mediolytic arteritis of an omental artery: Case report

This article describes the fifth reported case of segmental mediolytic arteritis and the second in a survivor. The patient had intraabdominal bleeding as a result of a ruptured omental artery. The pathologic and arteriographic findings are described. The pathology is characterized by segmental disruption of the medial smooth muscle cells and the initiation of mediolysis. Mediolysis is associated with marked segmental thinning of the vessel wall, often with only the adventitia intact. Fibrin is deposited at the adventitial and medial surfaces, and hemorrhage into the media may occur. As in this reported case, lysis of the adventitia leads to sudden, often catastrophic intraabdominal hemorrhage. Little associated adventitial inflammation occurred. Segmental mediolytic arteritis seems to involve the intra-abdominal muscular arteries in elderly patients with nonspecific abdominal symptoms. An angiogram showed patchy areas of narrowing involving ileal, gastroduodenal, and renal arteries that correlated with the pathologic findings observed in the excised omental arteries.

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis.

In the developed countries gastrointestinal tuberculosis is no longer common in clinical practice. In this setting the importance of the condition lies in the vagaries of its presentation and the fact that it is eminently treatable, usually by a combination of chemotherapy and surgery. The clinical features and complications of gastrointestinal tuberculosis are highlighted by the seven cases which we report. Diagnosis and treatment of this condition is discussed and attention is drawn to the importance of case notification. Clinicians should bear in mind the diagnosis of gastrointestinal tuberculosis when dealing with any patient with non-specific abdominal symptoms.

Acute pancreatitis after cardiopulmonary bypass

We have described a spectrum of pancreatic surgery after cardiopulmonary bypass. At one end is a subclinical lesion which was manifested only by elevations in serum isoamylase levels (27 percent of patients) and increased ribonuclease levels (13 percent of patients) in asymptomatic patients followed after cardiac surgery. At the other end is a severe and often lethal necrotizing pancreatitis. Acute necrotizing pancreatitis was found at autopsy in 25 percent of 138 patients who died after cardiac surgery, and it correlated strongly with low output, acute tubular necrosis, and infarction of the liver, spleen, or bowel. It was the principal cause of death in 4 percent of these patients. In addition, 24 percent of 38 nonsurgical patients who died from cardiac failure and hypoperfusion had acute pancreatitis at autopsy, whereas acute pancreatitis was not observed in 55 nonsurgical patients who died without a significant period of low output. Acute pancreatitis was recognized postoperatively in 12 patients (0.2 percent). Three had mild pancreatitis, and all responded well to conservative therapy. In nine patients, fulminant necrotizing pancreatitis developed. Their courses were characterized by significant early postoperative hemodynamic compromise, abdominal distention, ileus, fever, and episodes of late vascular instability associated with hypocalcemia. The diagnosis of pancreatitis was usually missed because of the absence of pain, tenderness and hyperamylasemia. The diagnosis was confirmed at laparotomy in eight patients and at autopsy in one. The only two survivors among the nine with severe cases had aggressive mobilization, debridement, and wide drainage of the necrotic pancreas. We suggest that a mild subclinical injury to the pancreas may occur as a consequence of cardiopulmonary bypass and may progress to severe ischemic necrosis if hypoperfusion follows in the postoperative period, the presentation of necrotizing pancreatitis may be atypical in the cardiac surgical patient and should be considered if nonspecific abdominal symptoms are present, and aggressive debridement and drainage may be the optimal treatment for aggressive forms of this disease.

Idiopathic chronic ulcerative enteritis: a report of two cases.

Idiopathic chronic ulcerative enteritis (ICUE) is considered by some physicians to be a variant of sprue. Two patients being treated at our hospital for nonspecific abdominal symptoms had abnormal findings from a small-bowel series; at surgery, an ulcerating process involving the jejunum was found. Clinical, radiological, and pathological findings in these cases suggest that ICUE is a distinct entity.

Splenic abscess diagnosed by ultrasound in the pediatric patient

Ultrasound is the imaging method of choice for early diagnosis of patients with suspected splenic abscess and a good screening study in patients with fever and nonspecific abdominal symptoms.

Pancreaticoduodenal Arterial Aneurysms

Experience with four aneurysms of the pancreaticoduodenal artery is reviewed and compared to the reported experience of 19 other cases. In view of the common presentation of such lesions as intra-abdominal hemorrhage preceded by non-specific abdominal pain and other digestive symptoms, it is suggested that angiography perfomed preoperatively or intraoperatively allows definitive diagnosis and leads to specific therapy.

MESENTERIC PANNICULITIS

A 70-year-old patient with a 6 x 6 x 12 cm mass involving the mesentery root is discussed. The pseudotumorous infiltration was detected by ultrasound done because of nonspecific abdominal symptoms and weight loss. Laparoscopic biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of mesenteric panniculitis. The primary histologic criterion is infiltration of the mesenterium by foamy lipid-laden macrophages, clusters of lymphocytes and fibrosis. The majority of cases follow a benign course and need no therapy, but co-existence of lymphoma has been reported. There have been few cases where panniculitis with progressive fibrosis changed into retractile mesenteritis with shortening of the mesenterium and compression of mesenteric vessels with partial or complete intestinal obstruction or ischemia requiring surgery. Few reported cases of severe and progressive disease have been treated with prednisone and azathioprine or cyclophosphamide.