A Case of Left-Sided Acute Appendicitis in a 45-Year-Old Man with Situs Inversus Totalis Managed by Emergent Laparoscopic Appendectomy

BACKGROUND Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare congenital abnormality that includes mirror-image transposition of both the abdominal and the thoracic organs. It may remain undetected into adulthood until an acute medical emergency results in diagnostic imaging. This report presents a challenging case of left-sided acute appendicitis in a 45-year-old man with SIT. CASE REPORT A 45-year-old man with a medical history of gastroesophageal reflux disease, class 2 obesity, prediabetes, and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol presented with severe acute abdominal pain localized in the left lower quadrant with localized tenderness, nausea, and 2 episodes of non-bloody and non-bilious emesis that started a day before the clinical encounter. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed previously undiagnosed congenital SIT. In addition, physical, laboratory, and radiological findings suggested early acute appendicitis with no evidence of complications. Hence, the patient was managed with an emergent laparoscopic appendectomy. Acute appendicitis was confirmed in the post-surgery histopathological examination. The post-surgery recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged home on the second postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS This report highlights that SIT may remain undiagnosed into adulthood and poses a challenge in the diagnosis of left-side appendicitis due to atypical symptom presentation, supporting the findings of previous case reports. Therefore, the inclusion of left-sided acute appendicitis in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in the left lower quadrant is warranted.

HAART toxicity masquerading as a surgical abdomen

INTRODUCTION

Intussusception is a rare disease in adults and poses a challenge to identify and manage. In adults, surgical resection is the preferred treatment since half are due to malignancy. This case reveals an association between highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and intussusception.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 44 year-old female with history of HIV on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) presented with 3 month history of epigastric pain, nausea, emesis, weight loss, and lactic acidosis. CT of abdomen showed two small bowel intussusceptions and pericolic fat infiltration. A diagnosis of mitochondrial toxicity secondary to HAART medication was made. HAART medication was discontinued with resolution of symptoms. Further work-up to exclude a mechanical cause for her symptoms including colonoscopy, small bowel follow through, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and repeat CT were performed. All established an absence of malignancy and intussusception.

DISCUSSION

Mitochondrial toxicity (MT) is a well-known complication of HAART. A hallmark of MT is lactic acidosis which when untreated can be fatal. Although MT is known to cause gastrointestinal symptoms, intussusception has not been previously reported. In our patient with MT, prolonged usage of HAART medication resulted in severe gastrointestinal symptoms and intussusception mimicking a surgical abdomen. Laparotomy has been recommended on adult patients with intussusceptions because of the high likelihood of identifying a pathologic lesion. The doctrine of adult intussusception is to operate for concern of malignancy.

CONCLUSION

Surgeons, gastroenterologist and internist caring for patients on HAART therapy must be aware of the possibility of MT when evaluating HIV patients for possible surgical abdomen.

Variants of bcl-2 specific siRNA for silencing antiapoptotic bcl-2 in pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Pancreatic cancer remains a devastating diagnosis with only limited therapeutic options. Specific inhibition of expression of target genes has become possible using small interfering (si) RNAs. We therefore investigated how far siRNA specific for bcl-2 may serve as a therapeutic option for pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

siRNAs targeting two different regions in the bcl-2 gene were transfected to YAP C and DAN G pancreatic carcinoma cells and human foreskin fibroblasts. Permutations were generated by changing 3' and 5' overhangs and varying the length of the paired RNA duplex. Transfection efficacy was determined using FITC labelled siRNAs and fluorescence microscopy. Cell survival and apoptosis were quantified at 24-120 hours. Pancreatic cancer xenografts in male nude mice were treated intraperitoneally with siRNAs daily for 24 days. siRNA pharmacokinetics in vivo were assessed using radioactively labelled siRNAs. Total protein and RNA were extracted for western Blot analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Bcl-2 specific siRNAs specifically inhibited expression of the target gene in vitro and in vivo. Antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects were observed in tumour cells but not in fibroblasts or non-malignant tissues. siRNA permutations and diverse overhangs influenced gene silencing efficacy. siRNA was quickly distributed to all organs and excreted via the kidney and liver. Bcl-2 specific siRNA is a promising adjunctive treatment for pancreatic carcinoma.

Pressure- versus volume-cycled ventilation in liquid-ventilated neonatal piglet lungs

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

If the goal of partial liquid ventilation (PLV) with perfluorocarbons in the management of respiratory failure is to improve dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) while sustaining O2 delivery, the optimal ventilatory management is unclear. The authors asked if volume-cycled or pressure-limited ventilation had different effects on PVR, cardiac index (CI), and Cdyn in uninjured and injured neonatal piglet lungs.

METHODS

Anesthetized piglets (6 to 8 kg) were ventilated after tracheostomy. Cdyn was measured by in-line Fleisch pneumotach/PC data acquisition terminal. Thermodilution instrumentation allowed determination of both CI and PVR. Volume-control or pressure-limited ventilation was established in uninjured or injured (surfactant deficiency induced by saline lavage at 18 mL/kg) animals. After a stable 30-minute baseline, animals were assigned randomly to one of four groups: group I (n = 9), uninjured animals plus volume-cycled ventilation (intermittent mandatory ventilation [IMV], 10 bpm; tidal volume [TV], 15 mL/kg, positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP], 5 cm H2O; FIO2, 1.0; and PLV for 150 minutes); group II (n = 9), uninjured animals plus pressure-limited ventilation (IMV, 10 bpm; peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), 25 cm H2O, PEEP, 5 cm H2O, FIO2, 1.0; and PLV for 150 minutes); group III (n = 7), injured animals plus volume-cycled ventilation (IMV, 10 bpm; TV, 15 mL/kg; PEEP, 5 cm H2O; FIO2, 1.0 for 30 minutes, followed by saline injury for group IV (n = 7), injured animals plus pressure-limited ventilation (IMV, 10 bpm; PIP, 25 cm H2O; PEEP, 5 cm H2O; FIO2, 1.0 for 30 minutes, followed by saline injury, and PLV rescue). Comparison within and between groups was accomplished by repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey correction.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between volume-cycled or pressure-limited ventilation in healthy lungs; however, in the setting of lung injury, dynamic compliance was 1.44 +/- 0.15 after 180 minutes in the volume-cycled group and 0.91 +/- 0.10 in the pressure-limited group after the same interval (mL/cm H2O x kg +/- SEM). Similarly, PVR was 100 +/- 6 in the volume-cycled group and 145 +/- 12 in the pressure-limited group after 180 minutes of lung injury (mm Hg/L/kg x min +/- SEM). Cardiac index declined significantly in all groups independent of ventilatory mode.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that in the setting of lung injury, Cdyn and PVR improved significantly when volume-cycled, compared with pressure-limited ventilation was used. Although no difference existed between ventilatory modes in healthy lungs, pressure-limited ventilation, when combined with PLV in injured lungs, had adverse effects on lung compliance and pulmonary vascular resistance. Volume-cycled ventilation may optimize the ability of perfluorocarbon to recruit collapsed or atelectatic lung regions.

Changes in pulmonary vascular resistance in response to partial liquid ventilation

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Partial liquid ventilation (PLV) with perfluorocarbons decreases pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in injured piglet lungs without supplemental oxygen. These PVR changes may result either from direct mechanical effects or improved arterial oxygenation. In an uninjured hypoxic model of elevated PVR the authors asked the following questions: (1) Does prophylactic or therapeutic PLV ameliorate the PVR response to hypoxia? (2) Do prophylactic and therapeutic PLV have different PVR effects? (3) Does supplemental oxygen modify PVR response to PLV?

METHODS

Piglet (3 to 4 kg) lungs were isolated in situ without ischemia, hypoxia, or reperfusion injury. Pulmonary artery (PA) and left atrial (LA) cannulae were attached to a blood-primed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) perfusion circuit with a flow (QPA) of 80 mL/kg/min. Pressure-limited, volume-cycled ventilation (PIP < 25 mm Hg, Tv = 15 mL/kg) was initiated. PLV with perfluorodecalin (15 mL/kg) was administered endotracheally. Continuously monitored blood gas parameters allowed airway and extracorporeal adjustment of FiO2 to produce a PO2 appropriate to the experimental phase. PVR was calculated as (PPA - PLA/QPA). After a stable 30-minute normoxic baseline, animals were assigned randomly to three groups. In group I, control (n = 7), PVR was measured for 150 minutes in hypoxic lungs (FiO2 = 0.07, PPAO2 = 40 mm Hg, SPAO2 = 70%). In group II, prophylactic (n = 8), PLV was administered, followed by 90 minutes of hypoxia, and 60 minutes of oxygen recovery (FiO2 = 0.21-0.30, PPAO2 > 100 mm Hg, SPAO2 = 100%). In group III, therapeutic (n = 8), after 30 hypoxic minutes, PLV was administered and maintained for 90 minutes, followed by a 60-minute oxygen recovery phase. Results were expressed as mean +/- SEM. Statistical analysis of groups was performed by repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey correction.

RESULTS

In group I normoxic gas-ventilated PVR was 174+/-12 mm Hg/L/kg/min. After 90 hypoxic minutes PVR was 318+/-37 (P < .01 vbaseline). In group II baseline PVR was 183+/-14. PVR after 30 normoxic minutes of PLV was 199+/-14 (P = ns v baseline). After 90 hypoxic minutes, PVR was 350+/-31 (P < .01 v baseline, and PLV alone) followed by a decrease to 192+/-19 after 60 minutes of oxygen recovery (P = ns v baseline or PLV alone). In group III baseline PVR was 160+/-17 and 325+/-29 after 30 hypoxic minutes. After 90 hypoxic minutes of PLV, PVR was 366+/-22 (P = ns v hypoxia control, P < .01 v normoxic baseline). PVR recovered to 189+/-19 after 60 minutes of oxygen recovery (P = ns v baseline).

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic/therapeutic PLV had no effect on hypoxia-induced increases in PVR and did not differ from each other. Although PLV alone decreases PVR in the injured lung without supplemental oxygen, elevated PVR associated with hypoxia was ameliorated only by supplemental oxygen in the liquid ventilated lung.

Partial liquid ventilation (PLV) and lung injury: is PLV able to modify pulmonary vascular resistance?

INTRODUCTION

Partial liquid ventilation (PLV) with perfluorocarbons can be advantageous in treating lung injury. We studied this phenomenon in isolated piglet lungs devoid of systemic detractors by studying the changes in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) after lung injury with and without PLV. The following questions were asked. (1) Does PLV alone affect PVR in the uninjured lung? (2) Does PLV prevent the increase in PVR associated with oleic acid-induced lung injury? (3) Does PLV modify the increase in PVR associated with oleic acid lung injury? (4) Are the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of PLV on the increased PVR associated with oleic acid-induced lung injury different?

METHODS

Neonatal piglet (3 to 4 kg) lungs were prepared without pulmonary ischemia, hypoxia, or reperfusion injury for in situ study. Before pulmonary vascular isolation (eg, aortic and ductus arteriosus ligation) the pulmonary artery (PA) and left atrium (LA) were cannulated and attached to a blood-primed perfusion circuit (flow; 80 mL/kg/min). Pressure-limited volume-cycled ventilation (FiO2, 0.21; TV, 15 mL/kg; PIP, 25 cm H2O) was accomplished via occlusive tracheostomy. Blood gas parameters were monitored continuously and maintained within normal range (SpaO2, 75%; pH, 7.35 to 7.45; pCO2, 35 to 45 torr). Pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa), left atrial pressure (PLa) and pulmonary blood flow (Qpa) were recorded and PVR calculated (PVR = Ppa - Pla/Qpa). After achieving a stable baseline with gas ventilation only, the animal preparations were assigned to one of the following four groups. In group 1 (n = 7) PLV was given alone, using endotracheally administered perfluorodecalin (15 mL/kg). In group 2 (Prophylactic, n = 7) PLV was given prophylactically 60 minutes before lung injury induced by injecting oleic acid (OA) at 0.08 mL/kg into the pulmonary artery. In group 3 (Therapeutic, n = 8) PLV was given 60 minutes after OA-induced lung injury. PPA, PLA, and QPA were measured and PVR was calculated. In group 4 (n = 7) OA was given alone. Significance of differences between groups was obtained by repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results were expressed as mean +/- SEM (mm Hg/L/Kg).

RESULTS

Group I showed baseline PVR of the normoxic gas ventilated animals was 127 +/- 19 mm Hg/L/kg. PVR 180 minutes after PLV administration was 160 +/- 15 mm Hg/L/kg (P = ns v baseline). In group 2 after OA infusion, PVR increased from 109 +/- 13 to 281 +/- 26 mm Hg/L/kg (P < .01 v baseline), and 60 minutes later, PVR decreased to 193 +/- 22 mm Hg/L/kg (P < .05 v OA). In group 3 PVR on gas ventilation, before lung injury, was 137 +/- 28 mm Hg/L/kg. Sixty minutes after OA infusion, PVR increased to 314 +/- 23 mm Hg/L/kg (P < .01 v baseline). After 60 additional minutes of PLV, PVR decreased to 201 +/- 31 mm Hg/L/kg, (P < .05 v maximum). In group 4 baseline PVR was 96 +/- 16 mm Hg/L/kg. After 120 minutes of OA injection, PVR increased to 414 +/- 20 mm Hg/L/kg (P < .01 v baseline). Endpoint analysis of PVR at the conclusion of the recording interval showed no difference between group 2 and group 3 (P = not significant [ns]).

CONCLUSIONS

(1) PLV does not significantly after PVR in the uninjured lung when given for 2 hours; (2) prophylactic administration of PLV prevents the sustained increase in PVR known to be induced by OA injury; (3) PLV abates OA-induced elevation in PVR when given therapeutically after injury; and (4) Prophylactic and therapeutic PLV have similar effects on PVR in the OA-injured lung.