Side-to-side isoperistaltic strictureplasty for chronic ischemic enteritis: report of a case

Chronic ischemic enteritis can cause intestinal strictures, but extensive resection of the small intestine may leave patients with short bowel syndrome. Thus, the importance of preserving diseased small bowel is now recognized. We report a case of successful side-to-side isoperistaltic strictureplasty (SSIS), performed to prevent short bowel syndrome, in a patient with ischemic enteritis caused by strangulated intestinal obstruction. SSIS is useful for preserving the intestinal absorptive function in patients with a long narrowed bowel loop caused by ischemic change. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the successful treatment of a long stricture resulting from ischemic enteritis, achieved by performing SSIS.     

Intermittent small bowel obstruction caused by Meckel’s enterolith

A 56-year-old man presented with small bowel obstruction after a 6-week history of intermittent resolving subacute small bowel obstruction. After investigations, he underwent laparotomy. A mobile, narrow-necked Meckel’s diverticulum packed with enteroliths pressing against proximal small bowel was discovered. A small bowel resection was performed.     

Enterolith ileus as a complication of jejunal diverticulosis: two case reports and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND: In a period of 5 years, 2 patients with enterolith ileus, caused by jejunal diverticulosis, were treated in our hospital. In order to learn more about treatment options, the literature was reviewed. METHODS: The case history of the 2 patients is described. Relevant articles were identified using Medline and PubMed. Data regarding patient gender, age, operative findings, therapeutic measures and outcome were collected. RESULTS: Including patients reported in the literature, 34 cases of intestinal obstruction due to enteroliths expelled from jejunal diverticula were identified. A distinction is made between complicated and uncomplicated enterolith ileus. If there are signs of bowel ischemia, other (unborn) enteroliths, inflammation of the bowel or if there are signs of a (sealed) perforation, the case is considered a complicated enterolith ileus. If none of these signs are present, uncomplicated enterolith ileus is present. In uncomplicated enterolith ileus (21 patients), more often milking and crushing or enterotomy was performed. In complicated enterolith ileus (13 patients), more often a segmental resection of the involved jejunum was performed (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Small bowel obstruction due to enteroliths expelled from jejunal diverticula is a rare condition. Relevant literature is only available in the form of case reports. On the basis of the presented patients and patients reported in the literature, a justifiable therapeutic strategy is presented. The least invasive step in the therapeutic approach is to crush and milk the obstructing enterolith down to the colon. Laparoscopic crushing and milking of the enterolith is described. If this fails an enterotomy could be tried, if possible proximal or distal from the obstruction site, in order to make an incision in a less edematous area. If the first two strategies fail, or if complicated enterolith ileus is present, resection of the involved jejunal segment could be considered.     

Giant enterolith in ileal diverticulum following ileoplastic bladder augmentation

INTRODUCTIONWhen adhesions, internal hernias, malignant intra- and retro-peritoneal neoplasms are excluded in patients presenting with new onset constipation and abdominal mass appearance after previous abdominal surgery, other causes must be considered.PRESENTATION OF CASEGiant enteroliths formed within ileal diverticula in the site of small bowel anastomosis may extrude and produce a palpable abdominal lump. Recent experience with such a patient is the basis of this report.DISCUSSIONIleal diverticula with interior enteroliths may be suspected in patients presenting with an abdominal lump following previous small bowel resection.CONCLUSIONOpen or laparoscopic assisted surgical resection of the involved segment is the treatment of choice.     

Bowel obstruction caused by a Meckel's diverticulum enterolith: a case report and review of the literature

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital gastrointestinal anomaly. It may infrequently cause bleeding, perforation, or rarely obstruction. Formation of enteroliths in the diverticulum is uncommon. We present a case of small bowel obstruction from an expelled enterolith.     

Ileal perforation as an initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report

Introduction and importanceLupus enteritis is uncommon in patients with SLE and usually presents with anorexia, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Intestinal perforation as an initial manifestation of SLE is rare and can have a grave prognosis if not timely diagnosed.Case historyWe report an unusual case of a 22-year-old regularly menstruating female who presented with features of perforation peritonitis as an initial manifestation of lupus enteritis. Intraoperatively, a gangrenous ileal segment with multiple perforations was present. Thus, with an intraoperative diagnosis of perforation peritonitis, a gangrenous segment of the small bowel was resected and a double-barrel jejuno-ileostomy was created.DiscussionLupus enteritis manifesting initially as bowel perforation can be an uncommon cause of acute abdomen. A plain chest X-ray can show gas under the diaphragm suggesting bowel perforation. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen is the gold standard in diagnosing lupus enteritis with a good prognosis on steroids.ConclusionPrimary closure, resection, and anastomosis of small gut or diverting stoma are required for management of perforation. A high degree of clinical suspicion is required for early diagnosis thus preventing the grave prognosis of such an entity.     

Crohn's disease with enterolith treated laparoscopically.

Symptomatic enteroliths are relatively rare. Most occur from ingestion of undigestible materials such as pits or bones. Primary enteroliths are usually from the condition of partial bowel obstruction, diverticular type diseases such as Meckel's or congenital bands. Gallstone ileus is also a more common cause of gastrointestinal stones. Enteroliths associated with Crohn's disease is an extremely rare condition with fewer than 25 cases reported in the literature. Presented herein is such a case successfully treated laparoscopically.     

Two cases of eosinophilic enteritis presenting as large bowel perforation and small bowel haemorrhage

Two cases of eosinophilic enteritis are reported, presenting as large bowel perforation and upper gastrointestinal bleeding respectively. These modes of presentation appear to be unique in the literature.     

Intermittent small bowel obstruction by jejunal enteroliths in a patient with a Crohn's disease stricture

Small bowel obstruction is most frequently due to postoperative or inflammatory adhesions, intestinal neoplasms, hernias, or bezoars. Intermittent small bowel obstruction may be secondary to a Crohn's disease stricture or to chronic adhesive peritonitis. Enterolithiasis, usually associated with jejunal diverticulosis or with a Meckel diverticulum, should be considered in patients who have not previously undergone abdominal surgical procedures. X-ray evidence of stones in the abdominal field, outside the common sites, i.e. gallbladder, kidney, bladder, should suggest a diagnosis of enterolithiasis. The authors report a case of multiple enteroliths in a patient with a segmental ileal stricture and ulcerations (diagnosed as Crohn's disease) causing frequent, intermittent occlusive symptoms, treated by segmental ileal resection.     

Enteroliths in Crohn's disease: a case report

Bowel wall inflammation in Crohn's disease can be the cause of strictures along the small and large bowel. Frequently there is an accompanying prestenotic bowel dilation. This creates stasis of bowel fluids, which can eventually lead to the formation of enteroliths. These are hard dense masses inside the bowel that may be responsible for (sub)obstruction, ulceration and even perforation. The latter is caused by mechanical stress on an already weak and inflamed bowel wall. We present a rare case of a Crohn's disease patient in her early thirties who was seen at the emergency department with acute abdominal pain. Radiographs and CT examination showed the appearance of enterolithiasis. Furthermore, we provide diagnostic and therapeutic options.     

放射性肠炎并发急性肠梗阻的临床特点及治疗

目的:探讨放射性肠炎并发急性肠梗阻的临床特点和治疗方法.方法:对2006年10月-2011年3月收治的25例放射性肠炎并发急性肠梗阻病例的临床资料进行回顾性分析.结果:患者入院后均实施肠梗阻导管肠道减压及积极营养支持等非手术治疗,急症病情得到缓解后,经导管行选择性泛影葡胺小肠造影,显示梗阻部位的病理变化.全组24例接受了手术治疗,术中显示放射性损伤以盆腔和回肠为著,器官之间和肠袢之间界限不清,甚至相互融合形似冰冻状;13例行病变肠袢切除肠吻合术,10例行回肠-结肠短路吻合术,1例行右半结肠切除术,21例同时行小肠内置管排列术;1例行非手术治疗后梗阻解除.除1例肠切除患者术后因腹腔和肺部感染死亡外,全组96.0％ (24/25)获得治愈.23例随访6～24个月,远期有效率为95.7％( 22/23).结论:放射性肠炎并发急性肠梗阻采用恰当的非手术治疗可将急症手术转变为限期或择期手术,病变肠袢切除或肠短路吻合术联合小肠内置管排列术是较好的手术方式.     

Eosinophilic enteritis with enteroliths: A diagnostic dilemma

Introduction and importanceEosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) is a rare disease, characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of different layers of intestinal wall. Thus having a wide spectrum of presentation leading to diagnostic dilemma.Case presentationWe report a case of 55 years old female who presented with pain in abdomen, constipation, vomiting off and on with passage of stools on alternate days since 6 months. Plain radiographs showed radio-opaque densities in abdomen. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of abdomen showed Ileal stricture with dilated proximal bowel loops with enteroliths. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed ileal stricture with thickening of the mesentery and an ileal diverticulum. Resection of ileal stricture was performed. The resected segment contained seven hard, black enteroliths. Histopathology of the resected specimen confirmed EG. Stone analysis showed dense faecal matter with bile salts.Clinical discussionEG leads to symptoms ranging from vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, blood loss in stools, anaemia to malabsorption resulting in diagnostic dilemma. It may cause gastrointestinal obstructive symptoms secondary to stricture, depending upon the predominant layer involved.ConclusionThe differential diagnosis of EG should always be considered when dealing with gastroenteritis presenting with radio-opaque densities in abdomen.     

CMV enteritis causing hemorrhage and obstruction in an infant with AIDS

Serious gastrointestinal infections from cytomegalovirus (CMV) are often observed in immunosuppressed patients especially those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Hemorrhage and perforation have been frequent consequences. We present a case of CMV enteritis in an infant with AIDS who suffered massive hemorrhage and subsequent fatal small bowel obstruction from this condition. Gross findings at laparotomy were striking, diffuse, large yellowish plaques along the entire length of the small bowel. Each of these had a central ulceration. Each eventually caused a partial narrowing resulting in refractory small bowel obstruction. Biopsy of one of these lesions demonstrated many cells with typical cytomegalic inclusion bodies. This report illustrates a newly recognized type of CMV enteritis that can affect an infant and be readily recognized at laparotomy.     

Operative Endoscopy for Treatment of Native Rectal Post-Transplantation Lymphoproliferative Disease After Adult Small Bowel Transplantation: A Case Report

Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is often recognized in transplant recipients. Small bowel recipients are prone to develop GI disease due to the higher incidence of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection and enteritis as a consequence of heavy immunosuppressive regimens. So far treatment has been based on anti-CD20 therapy (Rituximab), modulation of immunosuppression, antiviral therapy (Gancyclovir), and surgery (up to allograft enterectomy if necessary), whereas endoscopy is usually used to perform the diagnosis via biopsy. We report a case of an adult small bowel recipient, who underwent transplantation due to Gardner's Syndrome 6 years earlier and was EBV positive. A native rectal PTLD was treated using opertive endoscopy combined with antiviral therapy using 4 courses of Rituximab for positive pelvic lymph nodes in addition to reduced immunosuppression. Two years after treatment the recipient is alive and disease-free with a functional graft.     

Chemoimmunotherapy-related enteritis resulting in a mechanical small bowel obstruction – A case report

Introduction and importanceMechanical small bowel obstruction (SBO) is amongst the commonest diagnoses encountered in surgical departments. Although the aetiology is frequently post-surgical adhesions, the condition can arise in a virgin abdomen and we now know several of these cases do not require acute operative management. Here we report one such case where a small bowel obstruction transpired due to enteritis in the setting of chemoimmunotherapy with no prior abdominal surgery.Case presentationA 62 year old male presented to our department with 2 days of vomiting and obstipation. This is on a background of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer for which he was due for his 4^th cycle of carboplatin, pemetrexed and pembrolizumab. Computed Tomography (CT) of the abdomen demonstrated a segment of thickened distal small bowel without any mass lesion, along with upstream dilatation. The findings were consistent with a mechanical SBO due to enteritis. Infective causes were excluded. The patient successfully recovered with non-operative intervention in the coming days.Clinical discussionEnteritis is an established adverse effect of various chemoimmunotherapy agents, though a case severe enough to produce a mechanical bowel obstruction is exceptionally rare. We demonstrate through this case that the condition may resolve through conservative measures.ConclusionThe diagnosis of chemoimmunotherapy-related enteritis producing an SBO although uncommon, should be considered in the relevant population. A non-operative approach may be appropriate under some circumstances.     

Plasma membrane lesion type total intestinal eosinophilic enteritis: a case report

BackgroundEosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare gastrointestinal disease that is characterized by diffuse or localized eosinophil infiltration in the gastrointestinal tract, and is accompanied by increased peripheral blood eosinophils. Herein, a case of plasma membrane lesion-type total intestinal eosinophil enteritis is reported.Case presentationWe report on a 20-year-old male patient who was admitted to the hospital with “abdominal distension for 15 days”. The infiltration of a large number of eosinophils was found by conducting an intestinal biopsy, routine ascites examination, blood routine, smear test, and a bone marrow puncture. A special feature of this patient was that a large number of eosinophils were found in the duodenum, small intestine, and colon. The final diagnosis was plasma membrane lesion type total intestinal eosinophilic enteritis. After four weeks of prednisone treatment, the symptoms disappeared completely and the entire intestinal mucosa was endoscopically observed as smooth.ConclusionClinical practitioners must pay attention to gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy pathology results for patients presenting with abdominal distention and ascites. Combined with an abnormal increase of eosinophils in ascites, bone marrow, and peripheral blood, clinical practitioners must be highly vigilant against plasma membrane lesion type total intestinal eosinophilic enteritis.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Clostridium difficile</Emphasis> Enteritis: An Early Postoperative Complication in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients After Colectomy

Clostridium difficile, the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea, is known to cause severe colitis. C. difficile small bowel enteritis is rare (14 case reports) with mortality rates ranging from 60 to 83%. C. difficile has increased in incidence particularly among patients with inflammatory bowel disease. This case series of six patients from 2004 to 2006 is the largest in the literature. All patients received antibiotics before colectomies for ulcerative colitis and developed severe enteritis that was C. difficile toxin positive. Three patients underwent ileal pouch anal anastomosis and loop ileostomy. Four of the six patients had C. difficile colitis before colectomy. Presenting symptoms were high volume watery ileostomy output followed by ileus in five of six patients. Four of the six patients presented with fever and elevated WBC. Five of the six developed complications requiring further surgery or prolonged hospitalization. Patients were treated with intravenous hydration and metronidazole then converted to oral metronidazole and/or vancomycin. None of the patients died. A high suspicion of C. difficile enteritis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and history of C. difficile colitis may lead to more rapid diagnosis, aggressive treatment, and improved outcomes for patients with C. difficile enteritis.     

Intestinal obstruction by an enterolith from a perforated giant Meckel's diverticulum: diagnosis with CT reconstructed images

Complications caused by Meckel's enteroliths are very rare. Diagnosis is not usually made before surgery because symptoms are often of little value and imaging may be difficult to interpret. Computed tomography (CT) scanning, which is increasingly performed in emergency situations, could help make the diagnosis. We describe a 37-year-old man with intestinal obstruction caused by an enterolith resulting from a giant Meckel's diverticulum. The diagnosis was suggested preoperatively through the use of abdominal CT scanning with reconstructed pictures. A resection of the small bowel and diverticulum was performed with immediate anastomosis. The postoperative course was uneventful. Diagnosis of enterolith from Meckel's diverticulum can be suggested by CT frontal reconstructed sections in patients with small bowel obstruction and abdominal calcified opacities. This procedure could reduce the delay between onset of symptoms and adequate treatment before perforation and peritonitis occur.     

Intestinal obstruction by capsule endoscopy in a patient with radiation enteritis.

BACKGROUND: Video capsule endoscopy is in widespread use as a diagnostic modality. Although capsule endoscopy is generally considered safe, several prior reports have documented capsules' failure to progress through narrowed areas of intestine. Symptomatic retention and obstruction by capsule endoscopy have not yet been reported in the setting of radiation enteritis. METHODS: We report a case of a patient with a history of pelvic radiation who underwent capsule endoscopy to identify an occult intestinal bleeding source after conventional modalities were not diagnostic. RESULTS: The patient was noted to have capsule retention several days longer than was expected, and video images of the distal bowel showed edema, narrowing, and ulceration consistent with radiation enteritis. The patient developed a symptomatic bowel obstruction requiring resection of this segment of bowel, including the impacted capsule. CONCLUSION: A history of abdominal or pelvic irradiation in patients with occult gastrointestinal bleeding should serve as a relative contraindication to video capsule endoscopy. The risk of obstruction and possible need for surgical intervention should be clearly outlined for such patients if they are to undergo this diagnostic maneuver.