Mohamed Jouini

A report of 15 cases of small-bowel obstruction secondary to phytobezoars: Predisposing factors and diagnostic difficulties

UNLABELLED Phytobezoars are a rare cause of acute bowel obstruction. The purpose of this work was to identify the predisposing factors and diagnostic difficulties of this rare entity. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a retrospective study including all cases of small-bowel obstruction secondary to phytobezoars observed between April 2001 and August 2007. The diagnosis of bezoars was established by surgical exploration or by computed tomography (CT). RESULTS During the study period, 375 patients were hospitalized at our institution with a diagnosis of bowel obstruction that, in 15 (4%) cases, was secondary to phytobezoars. The average patient age was 55 years, with a gender ratio of 1.7, favoring men. The predisposing factors were gastroduodenal surgery for peptic ulcer in nine patients, and excessive consumption of prickly pears (cactus figs) in 12. The diagnosis was established by CT scans in three patients, who were successfully treated with gastric aspiration, thereby avoiding surgery. Laparotomy was performed in 12 patients to allow digital fragmentation of the bezoar, which was then washed into the colon. There were no postoperative deaths and morbidity was about 13%. CONCLUSION An abdominal CT scan should be obtained for patients with small-bowel obstruction. This examination offers a precise diagnosis of bezoars, reducing the number of unnecessary surgical procedures, and helping to guide the approach if surgery is needed.

Percutaneous Drainage of Suppurative Pylephlebitis Complicating Acute Pancreatitis

Suppurative pylephlebitis is a rare condition with a significant mortality rate, ranging from 50% to 80%. We report a case of suppurative pylephlebitis complicating acute pancreatitis treated by percutaneous drainage in a 40-year-old woman. The patient had an uneventful recovery.

Acute pancreatitis due to pancreatic hydatid cyst: a case report and review of the literature

Hydatid disease is a major health problem worldwide. Primary hydatid disease of the pancreas is very rare and acute pancreatitis secondary to hydatid cyst has rarely been reported. We report the case of a 38-year-old man who presented acute pancreatitis. A diagnosis of hydatid cyst of the pancreas, measuring 10 cm, was established by abdominal computed tomography before surgery. The treatment consisted of a distal pancreatectomy. The postoperative period was uneventful. Additionally, a review of the literature regarding case reports of acute pancreatitis due to pancreatic hydatid cyst is presented.

Laparoscopic-assisted versus conventional ileocolectomy for primary Crohn's disease: results of a comparative study.

INTRODUCTION The laparoscopic approach is becoming the gold standard in the surgical treatment of primary Crohns disease. The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic-assisted and open ileocolic resection for primary Crohns disease. METHODS We conducted a non-randomized, comparative, retrospective analysis of a prospective database from 1998 to 2010. The remaining 129 patients were divided into two groups: laparoscopic-assisted group (Group L; n=64) and conventional group (Group C; n=65). There were no differences between the two groups as regards preoperative patient characteristics. Complications were graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS One hundred and seventeen (90.7%) patients had no complications. Out of 12 patients (9.3%) with complications, four (3.1%) had Grade I, six (4.7%) had Grade II and two (1.6%) had Grade III. There were no postoperative deaths (Grade V). Operating time was longer in Group L compared with Group C (P<0.001). Bowel function returned more quickly in the laparoscopic group in terms of return of bowel movements (P=0.018) and resumption of a regular diet (P=0.06). The mean length of stay was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic group (P=0.001). The mean follow-up was 26 months in Group L versus 34 months in Group C (P=0.06). During follow-up, six patients presented with small bowel obstruction in Group C, which was not statistically different from Group L (3 patients) (P=0.25). During the follow-up period, there have been no recurrences of Crohns disease in the laparoscopic group while 11 patients (16.9%) have developed a recurrence in the conventional group (P=0.001). CONCLUSION Laparoscopic-assisted ileocolectomy for primary Crohns disease of the terminal ileum and/or cecum is safe and successful in most cases. Laparoscopic surgery for Crohns disease should be considered as the preferred operative approach for primary resections.

Kyste hydatique primitif de la surrénale. À propos de deux cas

Primary hydatid cyst of adrenal gland is still an exceptional localization. The adrenal gland is an uncommon site even in our country in which echinococcal disease is endemic. We report two cases of primary hydatid cyst of adrenal gland presented with isolated abdominal pain. The diagnosis was based on CT-scan, which showed a cystic mass of respectively the right and left adrenal gland with a calcified wall. The echinococcal immunologic test (Elisa) was positive in one case. The surgical treatment consisted on a total resection of the cyst, without rupture of the cystic wall and preserving the gland. The diagnosis was confirmed on the macroscopic examination of the resected pieces. In the first case the cyst was multilocular filled with daughter cysts and in the second case the cyst was unilocular filled with hydatid membrane and clear fluid. In the two cases, the postoperative course was uneventful. No recurrence had occurred respectively after 24 months and 36 months of follow up.

Pseudoaneurysm of the Splenic Artery Presenting with Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Gastrointestinal bleeding from a pancreatic pseudocyst is a rare condition that is diagnostically and therapeutically challenging. A 78-year-old woman with a history of acute pancreatitis due to gallstones was hospitalized for abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding. Gastroscopy revealed blood extruding from the papilla of Vater. A computed tomography scan revealed hemorrhage into a pancreatic pseudocyst. The patient was successfully treated by coil embolization.

Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas: A rare tumor with a particular clinical and paraclinical presentation

Acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) of the pancreas is a rare tumor with an extremely low incidence rate. While the number of reported patients with ACC is relatively small, a long-term survival rate has been noted in patients with neuroendocrine differentiation. A 39-year-old woman visited our emergency department for upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy indicated extrinsic compression of the posterior body of the stomach, together with a large, 10-cm, central ulcer covered with necrotic tissue. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) indicated a lesion that involved the whole of the pancreas, with a fistula in the stomach, which was suspected of being a degenerative intraductal papillary mucinous tumor of the pancreas. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pancreas was performed, and the results further strengthened our suspicions by demonstrating the presence of cystic lesions and tumor buds. A total duodenopancreatectomy, including total splenectomy and gastrectomy, was performed, along with two independent Roux-en-Y anastomoses (one esojejunal and one hepaticojejunal). The tumor also had a wide opening in the stomach. The patients postoperative course was marked by partial thrombosis of the portal vein, which was treated medically. Histopathological examination provided evidence of pancreatic ACC. The diagnosis of ACC should be considered in the presence of cutaneous lesions, which were absent in the case of our patient, and colonoscopy is also highly desirable because of the various forms associated with familial adenomatous polyposis. The prognosis, which includes a 5-year survival rate of 45%, in the population with an R0 resection is better than that for ductular adenocarcinoma, thus prompting the more aggressive management of this type of tumor.

Fait cliniqueKyste hydatique primitif de la surrénale. À propos de deux casPrimary hydatid cyst of adrenal gland. Report of two cases

Primary hydatid cyst of adrenal gland is still an exceptional localization. The adrenal gland is an uncommon site even in our country in which echinococcal disease is endemic. We report two cases of primary hydatid cyst of adrenal gland presented with isolated abdominal pain. The diagnosis was based on CT-scan, which showed a cystic mass of respectively the right and left adrenal gland with a calcified wall. The echinococcal immunologic test (Elisa) was positive in one case. The surgical treatment consisted on a total resection of the cyst, without rupture of the cystic wall and preserving the gland. The diagnosis was confirmed on the macroscopic examination of the resected pieces. In the first case the cyst was multilocular filled with daughter cysts and in the second case the cyst was unilocular filled with hydatid membrane and clear fluid. In the two cases, the postoperative course was uneventful. No recurrence had occurred respectively after 24 months and 36 months of follow up.

Mature teratoma of the pancreas diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration

A 41-year-old female patient, presented with recurrent epigastric pain of 2 years duration. Physical examination revealed a 15-cm epigastric mass that was mobile and tender on palpation. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a 20-cm hypoechoic mass, containing multiple hyperechoic structures. The exact origin of the mass could not be clearly defined. CT scan of the abdomen revealed a well-circumscribed voluminous cystic mass measuring approximately 25 cm in size, with heterogeneous content. After the administration of contrast material, no enhancement of the mass

Abdominal Metastasis of a Parosteal Osteosarcoma of the Femur: an Unusual Cause of Large-Bowel Obstruction

Abstract Background: Parosteal osteosarcoma is a rare, well-differentiated, predominantly fibro-osseous variant of osteosarcoma. It is regarded as a distinct form of osteosarcoma with better prognosis than conventional osteosarcoma. Aim: We report an unusual case of abdominal mass recurrence of parosteal osteosarcoma of the left distal femur treated eight years previously with wide resection, hip disarticulation and chemotherapy, which presented as an acute abdomen: we discuss the clinical outcomes of this rare entity. Case presentation: We present a 54-year-old patient with low-grade parosteal osteosarcoma of the left distal femur. Left total hip disarticulation was indicated after several local relapses of the tumour following extensive resection and chemotherapy. Eight years later, he presented with an acute large bowel obstruction secondary to a compression of the large bowel by an abdominal mass. Abdominal computed tomography showed a large abdominal calcified mass with dilated large bowel loops. During laparotomy, the mass was unresectable. So, the patient underwent emergent colostomy of diversion. Biopsy of the lesion yielded grade III parosteal osteosarcoma material. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy, but the response was poor: six months later, the patient presented with a peristomal mass and two pulmonary metastases. Conclusion: Abdominal recurrence of parosteal osteosarcoma of the distal femur eight years after definitive surgery is rare. This case emphasises the importance of the long-term follow-up of patients with parosteal osteosarcoma.