Traumatic Injury of the Superior Mesenteric Vein: Ligate,Repair or Shunt?

Abstract We report a case of SMV injury in a critically ill patient. The patient was a 19-year-old woman involved in a motor vehicle collision. Her injuries included grade II splenic and renal lacerations, devascularized and lacerated right and transverse colon, a transected transverse mesocolon, a massive shear injury of her abdominal wall, and two partial SMV transections. At initial damage control laparotomy, the SMV was ligated, the devascularized bowel resected and a temporary abdominal closure applied. At re-operation, a mesocaval shunt using saphenous vein was employed. The shunt failed and the patient required a saphenous vein jump graft. Although visceral vascular injuries are rare, ligation of the SMV in a damage control situation is acceptable. This case study is the first to discuss appropriate treatment when interruption to a patient's collateral visceral venous drainage limits the surgeon’s ability to ligate. In these situations, bypass shunts may be successful.     

Mesenteric venous thrombophlebitis--septic thrombophlebitis of the inferior mesenteric vein: an unusual manifestation of diverticulitis

We report a case of a 57-year-old female patient who presented with fever, abdominal pain, and bacteremia. A CT scan demonstrated sigmoid diverticulitis and air within the inferior mesenteric vein. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy and sigmoid colectomy. She was discharged without complications. Septic thrombophlebitis of the inferior mesenteric vein is a rare complication of diverticulitis. It may manifest as bacteremia not responding to intravenous antibiotics. CT scan findings are diagnostic, and include evidence of intraluminal gas within the inferior mesenteric vein. As with any case of complicated diverticulitis, the treatment is surgical resection of the involved colon.     

Splenic hematoma may present as large bowel obstruction: A case report

IntroductionLarge bowel obstruction (LBO) warrants prompt evaluation and management. Although causes of LBO are most commonly intrinsic to the colon (e.g. malignancy, diverticular stricture, intussusception or volvulus), rare extrinsic etiologies exist. An extremely rare extrinsic etiology of LBO described only once, is compressive splenic hematoma.Presentation of caseA 64-year-old female presented to the emergency department complaining of two days of diffuse abdominal pain and distension, watery diarrhea and nausea subsequent to a mechanical fall to her left side.Computed tomography demonstrated a grade 3 splenic hematoma with active extravasation, causing extrinsic compression and obstruction of the colon. Embolization of the splenic artery was performed, and non-operative LBO management resulted in resumption of normal bowel function after six days.DiscussionTo our knowledge, the only other case of colonic compression by splenic hematoma (a case report in the radiology literature from 1994) describes a 62-year-old male whose symptoms similarly spontaneously resolved. Increasing frequency of non-operative management of splenic trauma may result in increased frequency of splenic hematoma complications. Physicians and surgeons who treat LBO should be aware of this rare etiology and its potential for non-operative management.ConclusionOur case demonstrates the importance of considering splenic hematoma as an etiology of LBO, particularly in the setting of trauma and that management of this entity can be successfully non-operatively.     

Psoas hematoma formation after violation of the intertransverse plane during posterior spinal surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Psoas hematoma is a rare yet potentially serious complication following posterior spinal surgery as it is a possible nidus for infection. We present a case of psoas hematoma formation following scoliosis surgery due to intraoperative violation of the intertransverse plane. A 13-year-old female patient with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis underwent a posterior deformity correction and instrumented fusion which was complicated with intraoperative inadvertent violation of the intertransverse plane during dissection of the posterolateral gutter leading to a unilateral psoas hematoma. She experienced abdominal pain and a CT scan confirmed the presence of a psoas hematoma. Antibiotic coverage was provided in view of positive blood culture of Bacillus species to avoid infective seeding of the hematoma. Resolution of the hematoma was observed on the reassessment CT one month postoperatively. It is not uncommon for patients to develop atrophic transverse processes due to spinal deformity. This may cause difficulties in identification of the anatomy intraoperatively and thus, extra caution should be exercised during dissection to prevent violation of the intertransverse plane and subsequent psoas hematoma complication.     

Subcapsular hematoma as a predictor of delayed splenic rupture.

Over the past 46 months at a level I trauma center, 966 computed tomography (CT) scans were performed for blunt abdominal trauma. Eighty-three (8.6%) demonstrated splenic injury, and 31 (3.2%) of these showed a subcapsular hematoma with or without associated parenchymal damage. Of the 31 patients, 23 were managed conservatively, based initially upon surgeons' preference (14 patients) and after March 1990 to conform to the authors' splenic trauma protocol (nine patients). The eight patients operated upon were hemodynamically stable and all underwent splenectomy. Subcapsular hematoma, as diagnosed by preoperative CT scan, was confirmed in each of the eight celiotomies. Parenchymal involvement, which had also been identified in these eight patients by CT, was evident at operation in all, and hilar involvement occurred in three. None of the 23 observed patients developed delayed splenic rupture. All were discharged home with outpatient follow-up in surgical clinic to at least 1 month without further complication. The authors came to the following conclusions: 1) Subcapsular hematoma is neither a predictor for delayed splenic rupture, nor by itself an indication for operative management of the injured spleen in the hemodynamically stable patient; 2) Degree of parenchymal injury based on CT morphology, specifically hilar involvement, signifies the need for laparotomy with splenectomy; 3) Splenorrhaphy has a reduced role in splenic trauma because most injuries now operated upon are severe.     

Progressive splenomegaly following splenic artery embolization

Nonoperative management of splenic injury is standard in hemodynamically stable patients. Splenic artery embolization is a useful adjunct to nonoperative management for patients with ongoing hemorrhage. However, the complications of embolization are not well defined. We report a case of progressive splenomegaly requiring delayed splenectomy after embolization. A 57-year-old hemodynamically stable, blunt trauma patient had a Grade III splenic injury with associated subcapsular hematoma. Nonoperative management was initiated, but his hemoglobin levels progressively declined prompting proximal splenic artery embolization. His hemoglobin levels remained stable postembolization and he was discharged on postinjury day 5. The patient was readmitted 10 days later with increasing abdominal pain and shortness of breath. Repeat CT revealed an enlarged subcapsular fluid collection, but his hemoglobin level remained stable and he was discharged 5 days later. He returned again 2 days later with similar complaints, and CT demonstrated that his subcapsular fluid collection was further enlarged. Repeat hemoglobin level was again stable. The patient requested operative intervention due to intractable pain, and splenectomy was performed without complications. Operative findings included a sterile, contained subcapsular hematoma. Splenic embolization has emerged as an adjunct to nonoperative management of splenic injury; however, the indications for splenic embolization are yet to be defined, and the spectrum and frequency of potential complications are poorly documented. This case report highlights a potentially serious complication that can occur after splenic embolization.     

An unusual variant of a left paraduodenal hernia diagnosed and treated by laparoscopic surgery: Report of a case

An 80-year-old woman who had undergone both a cholecystectomy and an appendectomy presented with intermittent abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) revealed an encapsulated circumscribed cluster of jejunal loops in the left upper quadrant. The hernia orifice was adjacent to the left side of the superior mesenteric artery and vein. An upper gastrointestinal series also revealed a cluster of jejunal loops, suggesting the possibility of an internal hernia. Laparoscopic surgery was performed. The hernia orifice was found to be caused by abnormal adhesion between the transverse mesocolon and the jejunum mesentery. An adhesiotomy reduced the jejunum entrapped in the hernia. The hernia space was a large mesocolic fossa composed of transverse mesocolon and mesentery, continuing to the splenic flexure. The hernia was classified as a variant of paraduodenal hernia.     

Postoperative management of noniatrogenic traumatic bile duct injuries: role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic therapy for iatrogenic bile duct injuries is well established. Abdominal trauma-related biliary injuries, however, are complex in nature. The role of endoscopic therapy for these patients needs further evaluation. METHODS: A retrospective study investigated nine patients who had surgery for abdominal trauma (4 gunshot, 4 crush, and 1 stab injury), presented postoperatively with noniatrogenic biliary injuries, and underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP). RESULTS: The ERCP was successful for all the patients. Eight patients had significant bile leak at intra- or extra-hepatic sites, and one patient was discovered to have complete cutoff of the common hepatic duct. All bile leaks were treated successfully using biliary sphincterotomy with or without transpapillary stenting. No complications of ERCP were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this case series, ERCP was found to be useful as a diagnostic and therapeutic method for managing noniatrogenic traumatic biliary injuries in patients who had undergone previous surgery for abdominal trauma. The ERCP results were similar to those for iatrogenic bile duct injuries.     

Computed tomography in the assessment of pediatric abdominal trauma

A retrospective review was conducted to determine the clinical reliability of computed tomography(ic) (CT) in the initial evaluation of pediatric blunt abdominal trauma. Sixty patients underwent CT with infusion over the two-year study period. Seventeen injuries were identified by CT scans in 12 patients. Injuries included splenic hematoma, hepatic injury, duodenal hematoma, traumatic pancreatitis, retroperitoneal hematoma, renal pelvis laceration, and perinephric hematoma. Three patients required abdominal exploration and CT findings were confirmed in these cases. Other diagnostic studies (nuclear imaging, ultrasonography, upper gastrointestinal tract studies) that were obtained in some patients also confirmed the CT findings. Patients who had normal CT scans had unremarkable hospital courses, and none required reevaluation for missed injury. Only two CT scans were inadequate due to motion artifact.     

Abdominal compartment syndrome secondary to retroperitoneal hematoma as a complication of ERCP after liver transplantation

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is frequently employed in the management of postoperative biliary complications in the liver transplant patient. Bleeding after ERCP most commonly presents as gastrointestinal bleeding and often can be managed with repeat endoscopy. ERCP can also be complicated by retroperitoneal hematoma, which in rare cases can lead to hemodynamic compromise due to relentless hemorrhage or from secondary abdominal compartment syndrome. We describe the first reported case of post-ERCP retroperitoneal hematoma in a liver transplant recipient that led to abdominal compartment syndrome and shock liver. We will present the case, discuss management, and review the complications of ERCP in the liver transplant recipient. Close post-procedure monitoring, rapid detection, and low threshold for decompressive laparotomy are keys to the successful management of the liver transplant recipient experiencing expanding retroperitoneal hematoma after ERCP.     

Oral contrast with computed tomography in the evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma in children.

BACKGROUND: The use of oral contrast in evaluating children by computed tomography (CT) following blunt trauma is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the use of oral contrast with abdominal CT in children with suspected abdominal injury. METHODS: The medical records of 101 children who underwent CT for abdominal trauma between 1993 and 1997 were reviewed for data pertaining to the mechanism of injury, clinical findings and management. Scans were reviewed by a paediatric radiologist and criteria of intestinal injury on CT described by Cox and Kuhn were used: (1) extraluminal air or contrast material, (2) focal area of thickening of bowel wall and mesentery, and (3) free intraperitoneal fluid in the absence of solid organ injury. RESULTS: CT was performed within a median time of 2.4 (range 1-48) h after the injury. On 37 (62 per cent) of 60 scans in children who had oral contrast, the duodenum was not opacified after a mean delay of 30 min. Intestinal injury was suspected on CT in four children. In two children with CT evidence of intestinal injury (with/without oral contrast) rupture of the duodenojejunal flexure (n = 1) or ileal perforation (n = 1) was found at laparotomy. Two children had a false-positive scan, leading to negative laparotomy; one scan with oral contrast incorrectly suggested a duodenal leak and in another child CT without oral contrast showed thickening of bowel wall with free intraperitoneal fluid but no specific intestinal injury was identified at laparotomy. One patient had two negative CT scans (with and without oral contrast) and underwent laparotomy for clinical suspicion of bowel injury; rupture of the splenic flexure of the colon was found at laparotomy. CONCLUSION: CT is not reliable for diagnosing intestinal injuries and this is not improved by use of oral contrast. Omission of oral contrast was not associated with delay in the diagnosis of intestinal injury. Since intestinal injuries are uncommon in children, a prospective multicentre study would determine more precisely the role of the routine use of oral contrast.     

Screening for abdominal injury prior to emergent extra-abdominal trauma surgery: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the necessity of abdominal screening with computed tomography (CT) in awake and alert blunt trauma patients that require emergent extra-abdominal trauma surgery. METHODS: All blunt trauma patients admitted to a Level I trauma center that required emergent extra-abdominal trauma surgery were entered in a prospective study during the period from April 2001 to June 2003. Awake and alert blunt trauma patients (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score > or =14) with a normal abdominal physical examination requiring extra-abdominal emergent surgery were entered in the study. All patients entered were greater than 14 years of age, hemodynamically stable, and underwent further abdominal evaluation with CT scan following the decision for extra-abdominal surgical intervention. Emergent extra-abdominal trauma surgery occurred within 8 hours of emergency room admission. The results of all diagnostic studies, hemodynamic values, mechanism of injury indications for extra-abdominal surgical intervention and outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-two patients were entered in the study with average age of 32 years (range: 14-81). The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle crash (76%). One hundred forty-three (88%) patients presented with GCS scores of 15, and 19 (12%) patients presented with GCS scores of 14. The majority of extra-abdominal emergent surgical procedures were orthopedic (88%). Two (1.2%) intra-peritoneal injuries were diagnosed in the study population. One of the injuries was a stable Grade 1 splenic injury and the other was a small bowel mesenteric hematoma. Neither of the 2 abdominal missed injury required blood transfusion or surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Before emergent extra-abdominal trauma surgery, abdominal evaluation with physical examination is sufficient to identify surgically significant abdominal injury in the awake and alert blunt trauma patient. Abdominal screening with computed tomography does not impact patient outcome.     

Treatment of nonadhesive bowel obstruction following gastric bypass

BACKGROUND: Bowel obstruction secondary to internal hernias following laparoscopic and open gastric bypass is well reported. The number of gastric bypasses being performed in the United States continues to increase. As many patients undergo surgery at centers geographically distant from their home, increasing numbers of patients will present to their local emergency rooms with abdominal complaints that will need to be addressed by general surgeons who are not performing bariatric surgery. METHODS: Review of a prospective database of patients operated on in a general surgery practice performing bariatric surgery. RESULTS: Over a 14-month period, 9 patients requiring operative intervention presented to our practice with nonadhesive bowel obstruction following both open and laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Causes of obstructions included cicatrical narrowing in the Roux limb at the transverse mesocolon defect (1 patient) and internal hernias through the transverse mesocolon (5 patients), Petersen's hernia (2 patients), and at the jejunojejunostomy (1 patient). Seven patients were treated laparoscopically and 2 underwent laparotomy. Our diagnostic and operative approach is described. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons, including those not performing bariatric surgery, will be treating more patients with bowel obstruction following gastric bypass in the future. The etiology and management of bowel obstruction after gastric bypass differs from the conventional management of bowel obstruction. When surgery is required, most of these patients can be treated laparoscopically.     

Early intervention in intersigmoid hernia may prevent bowel resection-A case report

INTRODUCTION

Intersigmoid hernia is a rare internal hernia presenting with symptoms of bowel obstruction. Preoperative diagnosis is uncommon but computerised tomography (CT) may show signs to suggest internal hernia.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 63-year-old female presented with abdominal pain, vomiting and absolute constipation. Examination revealed a tense distended abdomen. A plain abdominal radiograph showed features of small bowel obstruction. Conservative management was initiated without success and a CT scan was performed which showed a dilated distal oesophagus, stomach and small bowel with a non-dilated length of distal ileum and large bowel. Internal hernia was suggested as a possible cause and the patient underwent a laparotomy where a loop of small bowel was found to be strangulated and gangrenous within the intersigmoid fossa. The gangrenous bowel was resected, an end-to-end anastamosis was performed and the fossa was closed. The patient made an uneventful recovery.

DISCUSSION

Hernias of the sigmoid mesocolon account for 6% of internal hernias with internal hernias themselves causing between 0.2 and 4.1% of intestinal obstruction. This report presents a case of intersigmoid hernia, a rare internal hernia which should be suspected in patients presenting with acute obstruction, no past surgical history and no external hernia. Patients with these symptoms should receive an urgent CT scan to facilitate early surgery and minimise strangulation and prevent bowel resection.

conclusion

Intersigmoid hernia presents with acute obstruction, no past surgical history and no external hernia. Urgent CT scanning and early surgery may minimise strangulation, conserve bowel and reduce patient morbidity and mortality.     

Intersigmoid hernia: Report of a case

A 28-year-old man with no previous history of abdominal surgery presented at a local hospital with abdominal pain. He was diagnosed to have an intestinal obstruction and was treated conservatively. However, the symptoms persisted, and he was thereafter referred to this hospital. Plain abdominal radiographs demonstrated small-bowel gas. A computed tomographic scan of the abdomen disclosed wall thickening of an edematous, fluid-filled ileum. An exploratory laparotomy was performed to determine the cause of the intestinal obstruction. The ileum had herniated into the intersigmoid fossa, 100 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve, and the patient was diagnosed to have an intersigmoid hernia. Since the incarcerated portion of the small bowel was viable, reduction of the hernia and closure of the defect in the sigmoid mesocolon were performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. A sigmoid mesocolon hernia is an uncommon condition. This report presents a case of intersigmoid hernia and a review of 60 cases of sigmoid mesocolon hernia reported in Japan.     

Spontaneous hematoma of the mesocolon

Spontaneous hematoma of the mesocolon is a rare condition, mainly due to the rupture of a colic artery aneurysm. The authors report on two cases of spontaneous hematoma of the mesocolon and examine the relevant literature. The clinical presentation in our patients was, as indicated in the literature, non-specific, with the occurrence of acute abdomen (case 1) or mild abdominal pain (case 2). Only diagnostic imaging (contrast-enhanced CT scan) is capable of yielding an accurate diagnosis, specifying the size and location of the hematoma. A palpable mass or hemoperitoneum due to rupture should be regarded as late signs of presentation. Early diagnosis is of the utmost importance in order to avoid the by no means negligible mortality reported in such instances or ischaemic bowel wall complications.     

Colorectal cancer presenting with dysarthria and ataxia: a case of isolated leptomeningeal metastasis

We report the case of a 72-year-old man who presented with weight loss, anorexia and a change in bowel habit. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest, abdomen and pelvis demonstrated widespread thoracic and abdominal lymphadenopathy and a lesion within the splenic flexure. This was confirmed as an adenocarcinoma after a colonoscopic biopsy. A CT guided biopsy of the abdominal lymph node confirmed the adenocarcinoma. Within three days of admission, the patient developed worsening, progressive cerebellar symptoms that left the patient aphasic and bed bound. CT of the head was reported as normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head demonstrated widespread leptomeningeal metastases. We describe a case of isolated leptomeningeal metastasis from a colorectal primary tumour.     

The diagnostic dilemma of diaphragm injury

Prompt diagnosis of acute traumatic injury to the diaphragm remains a challenge when the admission chest X-ray is unrevealing and immediate laparotomy or thoracotomy is not indicated. Diagnostic delay may contribute to significant morbidity and mortality. A retrospective review of our 15-year experience with diaphragm injury (DI) revealed 13 patients (nine male/four female; mean age, 40 +/- 34 years) who sustained injuries to the left (77%) and right (23%) diaphragm respectively as a result of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) (69%), penetrating trauma (30%), and pedestrian-versus-car accidents (1%). Nine (69%) patients with timely diagnosis of DI underwent laparotomy for suggestive chest X-rays or other indications for immediate exploration. Four (31%) patients sustaining blunt trauma had DI missed on initial evaluation; all patients had initial radiographic evaluations of the chest and abdomen which ascribed abnormalities to intrathoracic pathology. In the one-day delay the diagnosis (right sided) was made at exploratory laparotomy for persistent abdominal pain. This 74-year-old patient, who also had sustained a duodenal injury, succumbed to sepsis. In the 17-day delay the patient had two chest CT scans and multiple bronchoscopies yet failed to wean from the ventilator before exploratory laparotomy which revealed the diagnosis. The third patient sustained multiple injuries after a MVC and underwent multiple imaging studies and back stabilization before discharge. Ten years later, after multiple negative gastrointestinal workups for abdominal pain a contrast study finally diagnosed herniated transverse colon in the left chest. This patient underwent successful repair via laparotomy. The fourth delayed diagnosis was made in a 72-year-old women who had been involved in an MVC 8 years earlier and had sustained multiple back fractures. She is scheduled for exploration in the near future. DI particulary after blunt trauma and on the right side may be missed in the absence of other indications for immediate surgery because radiographic abnormalities of the diaphragm particularly on the right are often attributed to thoracic pathology or may be absent initially. A high index of suspicion for DI may help lead to an earlier diagnosis especially when the patient's clinical condition fails to improve.     

Acute pancreatitis complicated with splenic rupture: A case report

Atraumatic splenic rupture is an uncommon complication of acute pancreatitis. This report describes the case of a 30-year-old man with acute pancreatitis and splenic vein thrombosis complicated by splenic rupture. The patient was admitted to the emergency department with pain in the upper abdomen that had been present for six hours and was associated with vomiting and sweating. He was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis of alcoholic etiology. Upon computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen, the pancreatitis was scored as Balthazar C grade, and a suspicious area of necrosis affecting 30% of the pancreas with splenic vein thrombosis was revealed. Seventy-two hours after admission, the patient had significant improvement in symptoms. However, he showed clinical worsening on the sixth day of hospitalization, with increasing abdominal distension and reduced hemoglobin levels. A CT angiography showed a large amount of free fluid in the abdominal cavity, along with a large splenic hematoma and contrast extravasation along the spleen artery. The patient subsequently underwent laparotomy, which showed hemoperitoneum due to rupture of the splenic parenchyma. A splenectomy was then performed, followed by ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage.