Recurrent small bowel obstruction secondary to jejunal diverticular enterolith: A case report

BACKGROUNDSmall bowel diverticulosis is an uncommon condition which is usually asymptomatic and is discovered incidentally. One rare complication is enteroliths forming in the diverticula causing bowel obstruction. Only a few cases of such have been described in literature, and recurrence from this aetiology has not been reported previously. This case report outlines the management of a 68-year-old male who presented with recurrent small bowel obstruction secondary to jejunal diverticular enterolith impaction, seven months following a previous episode. CASE SUMMARYA 68-year-old male presented with symptoms of small bowel obstruction. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen demonstrated small bowel obstruction from an enterolith formed in one of his extensive jejunal diverticula. He required a laparotomy, an enterotomy proximal to the enterolith, removal of the enterolith, closure of the enterotomy, and resection of a segment of perforated ileum with stapled side-to-side anastomosis. Seven months later, he represented to emergency department with similar symptoms. Another CT scan of his abdomen revealed a recurrent small bowel obstruction secondary to enterolith impaction. He underwent another laparotomy in which it was evident that a large enterolith was impacted at the afferent limb of the previous small bowel anastomosis. A part of the anastomosis was excised to allow removal of the enterolith and the defect was closed with cutting linear stapler. In the following two years, the patient did not have a recurrent episode of enterolith-related bowel obstruction.CONCLUSIONThe pathophysiology underlying enterolith formation is unclear, so it is difficult to predict if or when enteroliths may form and cause bowel obstruction. More research could provide advice to prevent recurrent enterolith formation and its sequelae.     

Maxillary first permanent molar impaction. A conservative treatment approach

The objective of this clinical case is to suggest a treatment approach for impaction of the maxillary first permanent molars. This approach allows access to the partially erupted tooth for orthodontic bonding and utilization of loops for distalization. An important detail is the non inclusion of the primary second molar in the orthodontic mechanics, in order to reduce the risk of early loss and preserve this tooth until exfoliation.     

Atualização na etiopatogênese da esclerose sistêmica

Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease of multifactorial etiology, triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Its varied clinical expression results from the complex physiopathogenic interaction of three main elements: proliferative vas- culopathy, immune dysregulation and abnormal deposition and remodeling of the extra- cellular matrix (ECM), of which the characteristic disease fibrosis is the result. Early phys- iopathogenic events appear to be endothelial injury and imbalance in vascular repair with the activation of endothelial cells, the immune system and platelets, with the release of multiple mediators such as TH2 proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors, triggering a sequence of simultaneous or cascading events that involve several intracellular signaling pathways.The most important result of these events is the hyperactivation of fibroblasts, the main effector cells of fibrosis, which will then produce large amounts of ECM constituents and secrete multiple growth factors and cytokines that perpetuate the process. In this article we review the main factors potentially involved in the etiology of SSc and reexamine the current knowledge about the most important mechanisms involved in the development of lesions that are characteristic of the disease. A better understanding of these physiopatho- genic mechanisms will help identify potential therapeutic targets, which may result in advances in the management of this complex and debilitating disease.     

Comparative study of tramadol combined with dexamethasone and diclofenac sodium in third-molar surgery

The aim of this randomized, double-blind clinical trial was to investigate the effect of preemptive analgesia with a combination of tramadol + dexamethasone or tramadol + diclofenac sodium. The study included 30 patients (age range: 16–30 years), who were randomly assigned to 2 groups by the split-mouth method. Postoperative pain was assessed with a visual analogue scale at 4, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively (p.o.h.). Swelling was measured at 48 p.o.h. Maximal interincisor distance was measured at 48 p.o.h. and 7 postoperative days (p.o.d.). Significant differences in postoperative pain intensity were detected between the drug combinations at 4, 6, and 12 p.o.h., suggesting the importance of preemptive analgesia. Patients treated with tramadol + dexamethasone showed lower pain scores compared to the tramadol + diclofenac sodium combination, larger postoperative mouth opening, and less swelling. The tramadol + dexamethasone combination also was more effective than tramadol + diclofenac sodium at reducing inflammation.