Intussuscepted Metachronous small bowel tumor after treatment for colorectal adenocarcinoma

Small bowel volvulus associated with percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy tube: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy (PEG-J) is a convenient and safe enteral feeding tool for patients with oropharyngeal dysfunction accompanied by gastroesophageal reflux. However, serious complications have not been fully characterized.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 22-year-old man with cerebral palsy was referred to our department with complaints of vomiting and massive bloody stools for 10 h. On imaging examination, strangulated bowel obstruction due to the PEG-J tube was suspected because the tube was located on the right side of the body, and the small intestine was diffusely dilated with a reduced wall contrast effect. Urgent laparoscopy revealed a small bowel volvulus (SBV) twisted 180° clockwise around the superior mesenteric artery, which was repaired manually without intestinal resection. The patient was treated in the intensive care unit postoperatively but required partial ileal resection and colostomy owing to the difficulty in managing watery diarrhea and intestinal infection. The patient was discharged after stoma closure 121 days after initial surgery.

DISCUSSION

Although SBV rotated at the site of PEG insertion has been reported as a rare complication, there are no reports of rotation of the PEG-J tube itself associated with SBV. In the present case, abnormal positioning of the PEG-J tube on imaging was helpful for diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

SBV should be recognized as a potential complication of PEG-J, since delayed diagnosis can lead to irreversible ischemia of the extensive small intestine.

Spontaneous small bowel volvulus in young adult male

Small bowel volvulus is a rare surgical pathology in western countries with a rather misunderstood pathophysiology. This condition refers to the abnormal torsion of the small bowel loops on its mesenteric axis and blockage of the mesenteric vessels, thus leading to bowel obstruction. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain and distention, vomiting and bloody stools. Volvulus can also cause ischemia due to a compromised blood supply. Small bowel volvulus can be life-threatening and require immediate surgery. In this case report, we present a 28-year-old male patient who was admitted to the emergency department with significant, unrelenting abdominal pain and vomiting with no blood. CT scan identified small bowel volvulus and torsion of the mesentery. The biopsy report confirmed no malignancy in this patient. The patient underwent surgery and was discharged 2 days later.

Metachronous small bowel adenocarcinoma after rectal adenocarcinoma: A case report

RATIONALE

Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA), an uncommon gastrointestinal malignant tumor, is difficult to diagnose at an early stage because of its non-specific disease presentation. Metachronous SBA is a special type of SBA that is rarely reported. We herein report a case of metachronous primary SBA following resection of rectal adenocarcinoma.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 65-year-old man presented to our hospital after having experienced recurrent bowel obstruction for 6 months. He had undergone a Dixon operation 30 months previously followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine plus oxaliplatin.

DIAGNOSIS

Abdominal computed tomography showed thickened bowel walls in the right lower abdomen, and the patient was initially misdiagnosed with intestinal adhesion. After the operation, he was diagnosed with primary SBA (T3N0M0, stage IIA).

INTERVENTIONS

Treatment with a transnasal ileus tube was ineffective. Therefore, we performed small intestinal segmental resection and side-to-side anastomosis through open surgery.

OUTCOMES

The patient completed all postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and posttreatment surveillance revealed no further abnormalities.

LESSONS

This case suggests that patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma may have an increased risk of metachronous SBA. Corresponding symptoms in high-risk patients should raise clinicians' suspicion for SBA, and further detailed examinations are imperative. Early screening for SBA may help to improve the patients' prognosis.