Unusual segmental ischemia of the small bowel from cocaine abuse

Cocaine abuse is rising in the young population, triggering uncommon and potentially life-threatening causes of acute abdomen in this age group. The authors present the case of a 30-year-old man with emergency admission due to abdominal pain, with no history of drug abuse. Several signs and symptoms elicited toxicologic blood screening, which disclosed high serum levels of cocaine and its metabolites. Twelve hours after admission, the onset of acute abdomen with signs of diffuse peritonitis prompted surgical exploration through a minimally invasive approach. Two segmental small bowel ischemic loops and diffuse peritonitis, but no bowel perforation, were identified and treated by laparoscopic peritoneal lavage with 5 l of heated saline and intravenous administration of sodium heparin, 10 000 IU. Postoperative course was uneventful with home discharge on postoperative day 5. High index of suspicion is required to establish a prompt diagnosis and treatment of this uncommon cocaine abuse-related disease.

[Lipomatosis of interatrial septum and supraventricular arrhythmias]

Lipomatosis of interatrial septum is a rare benign disorder characterized by fat accumulation into interatrial septum. It may cause atrial arrhythmias and hemodynamic complications. For this reason, it should be considered in differential diagnosis of other cardiac masses. We report the typical case of lipomatosis of interatrial septum and atrial flutter.