Himani Sharma

Recognition of Extraperitoneal Colonic Perforation following Colonoscopy: A Review of the Literature

Colon perforation is an uncommon but serious complication of colonoscopy. It may occur as either intraperitoneal or extraperitoneal perforation or in combination. The majority of colonic perforations are intraperitoneal, causing air and intracolonic contents to leak into the peritoneal space. Rarely, colonic perforation can be extraperitoneal, leading to the passage of air into the retroperitoneal space causing pneumoretroperitoneum, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema. A literature review revealed that 31 cases of extraperitoneal perforation exist, out of which 20 cases also reported concomitant intraperitoneal perforation. We report the case of a young female with a history of ulcerative colitis who developed combined intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal perforation after colonoscopy. We also report the duration of onset of symptoms, clinical features, imaging findings, site of leak, and treatment administered in previously reported cases of extraperitoneal colonic perforation.

Unusual Clinical Presentation of Hemobilia with Recurrent Vasovagal Episodes

Hemobilia is caused by the abnormal connection between a blood vessel and the bile duct, which is usually iatrogenic and caused by hepatobiliary procedures. The classic triad of hemobilia includes biliary colic, obstructive jaundice, and gastrointestinal bleeding. We present the case of an 80-year-old man who had laparoscopic cholecystectomy complicated by hemobilia. He had an unusual presentation of hemobilia in the form of transient vasovagal episodes in addition to abdominal pain and hematochezia.

ERCP-Related Duodenal Perforation Presenting as Pneumoscrotum

Duodenal perforation is a rare but life-threatening complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Duodenal perforation can cause air leak into the extraperitoneal space. In rare instances, the air in the extraperitoneal space could dissect along the fascial planes of the abdomen to reach scrotum, leading to pneumoscrotum. We present the case of a 35-year-old male patient who developed scrotal pain and swelling following ERCP. He was found to have extensive pneumoscrotum, pneumoretroperitoneum, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema. The patient was diagnosed with retroperitoneal duodenal perforation. He was managed conservatively with close monitoring and supportive care.

Recurrent Upper Extremity Thrombosis Associated with Overactivity: A Case of Delayed Diagnosis of Paget-Schroetter Syndrome

Paget-Schroetter syndrome is thrombosis of the axillary-subclavian vein that is associated with strenuous and repetitive activity of the upper extremities. Overuse of the arm coupled with external compression results in microtrauma in the intima of the subclavian vein, resulting in the activation of the coagulation cascade. Diagnosis is usually made by Doppler ultrasound and the treatment involves thrombolysis, while routine surgical decompression of the thoracic outlet is controversial. In this report, we present a case of a patient who presented with a second episode of spontaneous right upper extremity deep venous thrombosis. The first episode was inadequately treated with oral anticoagulation alone. During the second episode, Paget-Schroetter syndrome was diagnosed, after careful review of his occupational history. He subsequently underwent angioplasty and decompression of thoracic outlet with no recurrence of thrombosis in a 12-month follow-up period.

The Traumatic Tube: Bleeding Rectal Ulcer Caused by Flexi-Seal Device

Diarrhea and fecal incontinence are common in critically ill patients and present a challenging problem in patient management. The Flexi-Seal® Fecal Management System is a device to divert the stools away from the patient, thus improving the care to patients with fecal incontinence. There have been only few case reports describing the complications with the use of this device. Here, we present a case of a 77-year-old woman who was admitted due to massive hematochezia while on anticoagulation. She was found to have a large rectal ulcer caused by the Flexi-Seal device, used during the last hospital stay for fecal incontinence. Flexi-Seal device can be effective for the management of incontinence; however, caution should be exercised during handling and pressure from the retention balloon should be relieved periodically.

Pyridostigmine Induced Prolonged Asystole in a Patient with Myasthenia Gravis Successfully Treated with Hyoscyamine

Reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are used as first-line treatment for myasthenia gravis. They improve symptoms by increasing concentration of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction and stimulating nicotinic receptors. Serious bradyarrhythmias can occur from muscarinic stimulation in heart, which in rare cases may progress to asystole. These patients can initially be managed with hyoscyamine, a muscarinic antagonist. Persistence of bradyarrhythmias even after hyoscyamine treatment may warrant pacemaker placement. We present a case of 65-year-old female patient who presented with diplopia, dysphagia, and muscle weakness who was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. She developed significant sinoatrial node block with prolonged asystole after starting treatment with pyridostigmine which was successfully treated with hyoscyamine, thus avoiding pacemaker placement.

Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma with Unusual Cardiac Metastasis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Alveolar soft part sarcoma is a very uncommon soft tissue malignancy which accounts for <1% of soft tissue sarcoma. It is a malignant and highly vascular tumor arising most commonly in the musculature of the lower extremities, with metastasis primarily to the lungs, bones, and brain. Cardiac metastasis is very rare and only 5 cases have been reported in the literature so far. We report a case of a young woman with a history of surgically resected alveolar soft part sarcoma of left thigh who presented with persistent dry cough and was found to have a cardiac mass, which on biopsy proved to be alveolar soft part sarcoma.

Celiac Disease Associated with a Benign Granulomatous Mass Demonstrating Self-Regression after Initiation of a Gluten-Free Diet

Celiac disease is a chronic immune-mediated enteropathy in which dietary gluten induces an inflammatory reaction predominantly in the duodenum. Celiac disease is known to be associated with benign small bowel thickening and reactive lymphadenopathy that often regresses after the institution of a gluten-free diet. A 66-year-old male patient with celiac disease presented with abdominal pain and diarrheal illness. Computerized tomography of the abdomen revealed a duodenal mass. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of the mass revealed bizarre stromal cells which represent a nonspecific tissue reaction to inflammation. This inflammatory mass regressed after the institution of a gluten-free diet. This case report describes a unique presentation of celiac disease in the form of a granulomatous self-regressing mass. Also, this is the first reported case of bizarre stromal cells found in association with celiac disease. In addition to lymphoma and small bowel adenocarcinoma, celiac disease can present with a benign inflammatory mass, which should be serially monitored for resolution with a gluten-free diet.

Urinary Tract Infection Associated with a Celiac Crisis: A Preceding or Precipitating Event?

Celiac crisis is a rare life-threatening presentation of celiac disease that manifests as profuse diarrhea, hypoproteinemia, and severe metabolic disturbances. It may be precipitated by a general immune stimulus such as surgery, infection, or pregnancy. We report the case of a 26-year-old woman who presented with a celiac crisis, potentially triggered by a preceding urinary tract infection. Metabolic derangement is caused by malabsorption and profuse diarrhea, which can be unremitting unless the celiac crisis is recognized, and treatment with gluten restriction is initiated.

STEROID-INDUCED DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS IN A PATIENT WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

ABSTRACT Objective: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is usually associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus; however, it is increasingly being recognized in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Triggering factors usually involve infections and poor medication adherence. Other potential triggers are myocardial infarction, antipsychotic drug usage, malignancy, and cerebrovascular accidents. No case of steroid-induced DKA in a patient with T2DM has been reported in the literature. Methods: Clinical and laboratory data are presented. Results: We present a case of a middle-aged patient with a history of well-controlled T2DM via metformin. The patient was started on oral prednisone for lumbar disc herniation, and then presented with acute DKA. No other trigger for DKA but steroid initiation was found. Conclusion: We conclude that patients with diabetes who receive glucocorticoids should be monitored carefully, as steroids can precipitate DKA. This may occur in the absence of any other triggering factor, and e...