Endoscopic treatment of a Cameron lesion presenting as life-threatening gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Rare causes of acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A comprehensive review

Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) is a common gastroenterological emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Gastroenterologists and other involved clinicians are generally assisted by international guidelines in its management. However, NVUGIB due to peptic ulcer disease only is mainly addressed by current guidelines, with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy being recommended as the gold standard modality for both diagnosis and treatment. Conversely, the management of rare and extraordinary rare causes of NVUGIB is not covered by current guidelines. Given they are frequently life-threatening conditions, all the involved clinicians, that is emergency physicians, diagnostic and interventional radiologists, surgeons, in addition obviously to gastroenterologists, should be aware of and familiar with their management. Indeed, they typically require a prompt diagnosis and treatment, engaging a dedicated, patient-tailored, multidisciplinary team approach. The aim of our review was to extensively summarize the current evidence with regard to the management of rare and extraordinary rare causes of NVUGIB.

Overt GI bleeding from a Cameron lesion in an Ethiopian with NSAID use: Case report of an unusual condition

Introduction

Cameron Lesions are linear breaks in the proximal gastric mucosa, mostly in association with hiatal hernia. The condition presents with chronic iron deficiency anemia and occasionally with obscure bleeding. Overt bleeding is very rare and has not been reported in sub- Saharan Africa context.

Case

A 78 year old male patient, with an already diagnosed hiatal hernia and gouty arthritis, presented with massive upper GI bleeding requiring resuscitation and blood transfusion. The patient was taking indomethacin for a gout flare prior to the episode and clinical suspicion was a peptic ulcer disease as the culprit for the bleeding. Endoscopy was done and it showed two linear erosions with recent bleeding in the hernia sac. No other bleeding source was identified. The patient was treated with a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI).

Discussion

Cameron lesions could present with massive bleeding and should be actively looked for in patients with hiatal hernia as they could be easily missed. Even with concurrent NSAID use, the condition could be a cause of major bleeding and careful evaluation is important. Management entails PPI therapy with occasional endoscopic intervention.

Conclusion

In the setting of hiatal hernia, Cameron lesions should be actively looked for in patients presenting with overt GI bleeding.

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Cameron lesions are linear breaks in the proximal gastric mucosa in the setting of hiatal hernia.

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Usually these lesions present with chronic iron deficiency anemia.

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Overt bleeding from Cameron lesions is rare and has not been well described in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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Despite the use of NSAIDs, these lesions could be an alternative cause of major GI bleeding and should be actively sought.

East Asian Herbal Medicine to Reduce Primary Pain and Adverse Events in Cancer Patients : A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis With Association Rule Mining to Identify Core Herb Combination

Objective: Cancer pain is an important factor in cancer management that affects a patient’s quality of life and survival-related outcomes. The aim of this review was to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral administration of East Asian herbal medicine (EAHM) for primary cancer pain and to explore core herb patterns based on the collected data.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in 11 electronic databases, namely, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature, EMBASE, Korean Studies Information Service System, Research Information Service System, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, Korea Citation Index, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and CiNii for randomized controlled trials from their inception until August 19, 2021. Statistical analysis was performed in R version 4.1.1 and R studio program using the default settings of the meta-package. When heterogeneity in studies was detected, the cause was identified through meta-regression and subgroup analysis. Methodological quality was independently assessed using the revised tool for risk of bias in randomized trials (Rob 2.0).

Results: A total of 38 trials with 3,434 cancer pain patients met the selection criteria. Meta-analysis favored EAHM-combined conventional medicine on response rate (risk ratio: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.09, p < 0.0001), continuous pain intensity (standardized mean difference: −1.74; 95% CI: −2.17 to −1.30, p < 0.0001), duration of pain relief (standardized mean difference: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.69 to 1.22, p < 0.0001), performance status (weighted mean difference: 10.71; 95% CI: 4.89 to 16.53, p = 0.0003), and opioid usage (weighted mean difference: −20.66 mg/day; 95% CI: −30.22 to −11.10, p < 0.0001). No significant difference was observed between EAHM and conventional medicine on response rate and other outcomes. Patients treated with EAHM had significantly reduced adverse event (AE) incidence rates. In addition, based on the ingredients of herb data in this meta-analysis, four combinations of herb pairs, which were frequently used together for cancer pain, were derived.

Conclusion: EAHM monotherapy can decrease adverse events associated with pain management in cancer patients. Additionally, EAHM-combined conventional medicine therapy may be beneficial for patients with cancer pain in increasing the response rate, relieving pain intensity, improving pain-related performance status, and regulating opioid usage. However, the efficacy and safety of EAHM monotherapy are difficult to conclude due to the lack of methodological quality and quantity of studies. More well-designed, multicenter, double-blind, and placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials are needed in the future. In terms of the core herb combination patterns derived from the present review, four combinations of herb pairs might be promising for cancer pain because they have been often distinctly used for cancer patients in East Asia. Thus, they are considered to be worth a follow-up study to elucidate their actions and effects.

Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42021265804

Large Hiatal Hernia Associated with Cameron Ulcers and Consecutive Sideropenic Anemia: Case Presentation

BACKGROUND: Cameron lesions are seen in 5.2% of patients with hiatal hernia who undergo esophagogastroduodenoscopic examinations. The prevalence of Cameron lesions seems to be dependent on the size of the hernial sac, with an increased prevalence in the larger-sized sac. In about two-thirds of the cases, multiple Cameron lesions are noted rather than a solitary erosion or ulcer. AIM: The aim of this case report is to present the patient with Cameron ulcers associated with hiatal hernia. CASE PRESENTATION: Our patient presented with postprandial retrosternal pain, especially immediately after eating, vomiting, dyspnea, weight loss, fatigue, signs, and symptoms of severe hypochromic microcytic anemia without signs of acute gastrointestinal bleeding. No history of gastroesophageal disease. Colonoscopy was done and eliminate colic cause of anemia. The endoscopy showed a large hiatal hernia and linear erosions and ulcerations at the level of gastrodiaphragmatic contact (Cameron ulcers) and one non-sanguinant subcardial elipsoid ulceration. After conservative and operative treatment, there was significant clinically and laboratory improvement definitively, after 6 months. Cameron lesion is a rare cause of refractory sideropenic anemia. Diagnosis is very difficult in developing countries, where iron deficiency anemia is more common. A history of disease, clinical course, and laboratory findings are the important facts for diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Endoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis, although it is not uncommon to overlook these lesions due to their unique location. There are two modalities for the treatment of Cameron lesions: Medical or surgical, which should be individualized for each patient. By severe refractory anemia and large hiatal hernia, associated with clinical signs, surgical approach is very important.

Cameron Ulcers: Rare Case of Overt Upper Gastrointestinal Bleed in a Patient with Alcohol Use Disorder

Cameron lesion is an uncommon cause of overt upper gastrointestinal bleed (GI bleed). Though hiatal hernia is a well-known entity, Cameron lesions that may occur in them are usually missed during upper endoscopy. Patient with Cameron lesions usually presents as chronic iron deficiency anemia, rarely as acute GI bleed. Multiple other risk factors such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, alcohol consumption, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be present concomitantly which makes initial differential diagnosis of Cameron lesions more difficult as seen in our case.

Large Cameron Ulcer Bleed

Cameron ulcers usually present with chronic obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Few cases of life-threatening bleeding have been reported. We hereby present an elderly man who presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding associated with hemodynamic instability because of a large cratered Cameron ulcer. This ulcer contained a large pseudoaneurysm, and endoscopic therapy was deemed unsafe. The patient had a recurrence of his bleeding, necessitating intervention by our interventional radiology colleagues and then surgical intervention for definitive therapy. This case is important because it familiarizes gastroenterologists with the endoscopic appearance of huge Cameron ulcers and therapeutic options to control hemostasis. It also stresses the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach to ensure the best outcomes for patients.

Cameron lesions: A still overlooked diagnosis. Case report and systematic review of literature

Cameron lesions are erosive-ulcerative alterations of gastric mucosa occurring in patients with large hiatal hernia, potentially causing gastrointestinal bleeding and iron deficiency anaemia. Diagnosis may be challenging, and not infrequently erosions are overlooked at endoscopy, so that repeated and unnecessary diagnostic procedures are performed, particularly in those patients with chronic anaemia. We described two peculiar cases of patients with iron deficiency anaemia in whom Cameron lesions were either overlooked or misinterpreted. By reviewing data of 22publications reporting endoscopic and clinical data of 140patients, we noted a large prevalence of females (75%). The most frequent presenting symptoms were anaemia (62%) and overt gastrointestinal bleeding (36%). Noteworthy, as many as 69% of patients underwent one or more previous upper endoscopy before diagnosis of Cameron lesion was achieved. Patients were mainly treated with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy and iron supplementation. Moreover, endoscopic haemostasis was performed in 10% of case, blood transfusion was required in one third of cases, and a similar quote of patients underwent a surgical approach for hiatal hernia repair. The observation that as many as 60% patients were already receiving standard PPI therapy when diagnosis was performed would suggest that either long-term treatment with adequate dose PPI or surgical approach for hiatal hernia repair is required. In conclusion, Cameron lesion is still an overlooked diagnosis in patients with iron deficiency anaemia in whom a 5-9.2% prevalence has been reported.

Unusual Causes of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is an important clinical condition managed routinely by endoscopists. Diagnostic and therapeutic options vary immensely based on the source of bleeding and it is important for the gastroenterologist to be cognizant of both common and uncommon etiologies. The focus of this article is to highlight and discuss unusual sources of upper GI bleeding, with a particular emphasis on both the clinical and endoscopic features to help diagnose and treat these atypical causes of bleeding.

Cameron ulcers: An atypical source for a massive upper gastrointestinal bleed

Cameron lesions represent linear gastric erosions and ulcers on the crests of mucosal folds in the distal neck of a hiatal hernia (HH). Such lesions may be found in upto 50% of endoscopies performed for another indication. Though typically asymptomatic, these may rarely present as acute, severe upper gastrointestinal bleed (GIB). The aim is to report a case of a non-anemic 87-year-old female with history of HH and atrial fibrillation who presented with hematemesis and melena resulting in hypovolemic shock. Repeat esophagogastroduodenoscopy was required to identify multiple Cameron ulcers as the source. Endoscopy in a patient with HH should involve meticulous visualization of hernia neck and surrounding mucosa. Cameron ulcers should be considered in all patients with severe, acute GIB and especially in those with known HH with or without chronic anemia.

Clinical characteristics and evaluation of patients with large hiatal hernia and Cameron lesions

OBJECTIVES

Cameron lesions are located at the neck of large hiatal hernias, and are associated with anemia or overt gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and endoscopic properties of patients with Cameron lesions.

METHODS

Eighteen patients were diagnosed as having large hiatal hernia and Cameron lesions. Patients with Cameron lesions (n = 18) were compared to patients with large hiatal hernias without Cameron lesions (n = 26), by means of presenting symptoms and endoscopic findings.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients with Cameron lesions was significantly higher than patients without Cameron lesions (71.1 ± 11.63 vs 56.7 ± 17.4 years, P = 0.005). The ratio of female patients with Cameron lesions was higher compared to patients with large hiatal hernia without Cameron lesions (14/18 [77.7%] vs 12/26 [46.1%], P = 0.00). While 12 of 18 patients with Cameron lesions had overt GI bleeding, none of the patients with large hiatal hernia without Cameron lesions had signs of GI bleeding. Fifteen of 18 patients had ulcers in the hernia sac and the others had linear erosions. There was no significant difference between patients with and without Cameron lesions by means of hemoglobin levels (11.1 ± 2.20 vs 12.2 ± 2.5 g/dL, P = 0.157).

CONCLUSION

Most patients with large hiatal hernia and Cameron lesions presented with overt GI bleeding. Patients with Cameron lesions tend to be older females. In patients with anemia and GI bleeding, large hiatal hernia and Cameron erosions should also be considered.

Acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: endoscopic diagnosis and therapy

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a relatively common,potentially life-threatening condition that causes more than 300,000 hospital admissions and about 30,000 deaths per annum in America. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is the procedure of choice for the diagnosis and therapy of upper gastrointestinal bleeding lesions. Endoscopic therapy is indicated for lesions with high risk stigmata of recent hemorrhage, including active bleeding, oozing, a visible vessel, and possibly an adherent clot. Endoscopic therapies include injection therapy, such as epinephrine or sclerosant injection; ablative therapy, such as heater probe or argon plasma coagulation; and mechanical therapy, such as endoclips or endoscopic banding. Endoscopic therapy reduces the risk of rebleeding,the need for blood transfusions, the requirement for surgery, and patient morbidity.