Intestinal infarction without mesenteric vascular occlusion. A report of 31 cses

Stromal cell-derived factor-1 as a serologic biomarker for the diagnosis of colon ischemia with chronic cardiovascular disease

Colon ischemia (CI) is the most common ischemic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Although some markers of CI, such as procalcitonin and alkaline phosphatase, have been reported, few specific serum markers have been identified. We investigated whether serum stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is a specific marker of CI and clarified the relationship between serum SDF-1 level and CI according to a history of combined chronic cardiovascular disease (CVD).We measured SDF-1 level and other serological markers in 84 patients (control, n = 20; CI without chronic CVD, n = 21; chronic CVD without CI, n = 20; CI with chronic CVD, n = 23).Patients with CI were older than those without CI. There were more women in the CI groups than those without CI. At admission, SDF-1 level was significantly higher in patients having CI with chronic CVD (P < .001) than in other groups. SDF-1 level was significantly higher at admission than at discharge in patients having CI with chronic CVD (P < .001) but not in patients having CI without chronic CVD. SDF-1 level did not differ according to symptoms, involved sites, or duration of hospitalization. At a cutoff value of 0.5 pg/mL for the SDF-1 level in patients having CI with chronic CVD, the sensitivity and specificity for SDF-1 were 91.3% and 95%, respectively. The area-under-the-curve (AUC) value was 0.95. In the logistic regression analysis, an elevation of the SDF-1 level to >0.5 pg/mL was a significant indicator of CI with chronic CVD [odds ratio (OR), 114.914; 95% confidence interval, 10.51 to >999.999; P < .001].SDF-1 could be a useful early biomarker for the diagnosis of CI in patients with chronic CVD.

Hepatic portal venous gas: Physiopathology, etiology, prognosis and treatment

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG), an ominous radiologic sign, is associated in some cases with a severe underlying abdominal disease requiring urgent operative intervention. HPVG has been reported with increasing frequency in medical literature and usually accompanies severe or lethal conditions. The diagnosis of HPVG is usually made by plain abdominal radiography, sonography, color Doppler flow imaging or computed tomography (CT) scan. Currently, the increased use of CT scan and ultrasound in the inpatient setting allows early and highly sensitive detection of such severe illnesses and also the recognition of an increasing number of benign and non-life threatening causes of HPVG. HPVG is not by itself a surgical indication and the treatment depends mainly on the underlying disease. The prognosis is related to the pathology itself and is not influenced by the presence of HPVG. Based on a review of the literature, we discuss in this paper the pathophysiology, risk factors, radiographic findings, management, and prognosis of pathologies associated with HPVG.

Current theories of pathogenesis and treatment of nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia

Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) is a poorly understood condition marked by progressive intestinal ischemia leading to infarction, sepsis, and death in a high proportion of patients. The mortality rate for this intestinal disorder remains high, even when the diagnosis is made early in the disease course. This paper presents a comprehensive review of NOMI with a detailed discussion of its history, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Acute mesenteric infarction in elderly patients

The clinical features, the treatment given, the factors governing treatment selection, and the result of such treatment were analyzed in all patients aged 65 years and over in whom a tissue diagnosis of acute mesenteric infarction was made at a major teaching hospital. Thirty-two such patients, of mean age 78.5 years, were identified during the 8-year study period. Expected clinical features of bowel infarction were commonly absent; for example, there was no abdominal pain and no abdominal tenderness in 29% and 26% of patients, respectively. A sizeable minority of patients (29%) were acutely confused at presentation. All patients not undergoing surgery died shortly after admission to hospital. For those 20 patients (63%) who underwent abdominal surgery, half were discharged alive from hospital. Whether or not the patient survived was associated with the ward to which they were originally admitted. Those admitted to a surgical ward tended to be younger and had a more typical clinical presentation than their counterparts admitted to a medical ward. In particular they were more likely to have abdominal pain and distention and less likely to be confused. Surgical intervention was undertaken more often and earlier in those admitted to surgical wards and this may have accounted for the better outcome. It should be emphasized that acute mesenteric ischemia is a potentially correctable surgical condition even in very elderly people. A realization that the presentation is often atypical should increase the likelihood of early recognition and lead to improved patient survival.

Chest injury complicated by shock induced necrosis of the colon

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Hypotension-induced post-traumatic necrosis of the right colon

Necrosis of the right colon developed after hemorrhagic shock in six young traumatized patients who did not have colon injury. The mean duration of hypotension was 112 minutes, and the mean resuscitation fluid volume required was 22 liters. Signs of right colon necrosis appeared 2 to 7 days after injury (median 2 days). All patients survived right colectomy and ileocolostomy or ileostomy and mucous fistula. The cause of necrosis of the right colon after hemorrhagic shock from major trauma is not clear. Anatomic abnormalities in blood supply to the right colon or a derangement in the physiologic processes of the microcirculation of the right colon must be considered.

Hepatic--portal venous gas in adults: etiology, pathophysiology and clinical significance

The roentgenographic finding hepatic--portal venous gas (HPVG) has been reported extensively in the pediatric and radiology literature. The surgical implications and clinical significance have yet to be fully defined. This study reviews the 60 reported cases in the literature and adds four new cases. HPVG appears as a branching radiolucency extending to within 2 cm of the liver capsule. HPVG is associated with necrotic bowel (72%), ulcerative colitis (8%), intra abdominal abscess (6%), small bowel obstruction (3%), and gastric ulcer (3%). Mucosal damage, bowel distention and sepsis predispose to HPVG. The current mortality rate of 75% represents an improvement from previous experience. Analysis of survivors indicates that the finding of HPVG requires urgent surgical exploration except when it is observed in patients with stable ulcerative colitis.

Hepatic--portal venous gas in adults: etiology, pathophysiology and clinical significance

The roentgenographic finding hepatic--portal venous gas (HPVG) has been reported extensively in the pediatric and radiology literature. The surgical implications and clinical significance have yet to be fully defined. This study reviews the 60 reported cases in the literature and adds four new cases. HPVG appears as a branching radiolucency extending to within 2 cm of the liver capsule. HPVG is associated with necrotic bowel (72%), ulcerative colitis (8%), intra abdominal abscess (6%), small bowel obstruction (3%), and gastric ulcer (3%). Mucosal damage, bowel distention and sepsis predispose to HPVG. The current mortality rate of 75% represents an improvement from previous experience. Analysis of survivors indicates that the finding of HPVG requires urgent surgical exploration except when it is observed in patients with stable ulcerative colitis.

Surgical treatment of nonocclusive mesenteric infarction

Two cases of nonocclusive mesenteric vascular disease associated with stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery are described. In one patient with congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation treated with digitalis, the first episode after a bout of sepsis was treated supportively, but a stricture of ileum secondary to full thickness intestinal infarction resulted. His second episode required emergency ileal resection for perforation. The superior mesenteric artery was subsequently reconstructed with an aortomesenteric bypass. The second patient had segmental intestinal necrosis occurring in association with superior mesenteric artery narrowing without total occlusion. These cases emphasize the importance of awareness of nonocclusive mesenteric vascular disease occurring in individuals with narrowing of the mesenteric arteries. A variety of modes of presentation are suggested. Arteriography is essential for diagnosis and, in selected cases, for therapy.

Ischaemic lesions of the alimentary tract

The clinical and pathological findings in 23 patients with ischaemic lesions of the alimentary tract (ischaemic enterocolitis) are described. These are compared with findings in 13 patients with occlusive thrombosis of the superior mesenteric artery. The pathological features distinguishing the two conditions are discussed. Ischaemic enterocolitis was found to be a relatively common condition (0.6% of necropsies). The occurrence of mucosal fibrosis (a hitherto undescribed feature) has been of help in the biopsy diagnosis of ischaemic lesions of the gut.