Diverticulitis associated pancreatitis: a report of 2 cases and review of the literature

Duodenal diverticula are the second most common type of digestive diverticula after those in the colon. They are present in approximately 27% of patients who undergo upper digestive endoscopy. Most of these diverticula, especially those located near the papilla, are asymptomatic. However, in rare cases, they can be associated with obstructive jaundice (Lemmel Syndrome), bacterial infection, pancreatitis, or bleeding. In this report, we present two cases of acute obstructive pancreatitis caused by duodenal diverticulitis. Both patients were managed conservatively, resulting in a positive outcome.

Hepatic myelopathy after splenorenal shunting: report of one case and review of the literature

Hepatic myelopathy is a rare complication of cirrhosis, usually associated with surgical or spontaneous porto-systemic shunts. Its pathophysiology is unknown. It is characterized by a motor involvement of the lower limbs without clinical sensory abnormality, leading to spastic paraparesis. These neurological features are related to a symmetric loss of myelin in the lateral corticospinal tracts. Usefulness of liver transplantation in this setting is not yet determined. We describe here the case of a 29-year-old male who presented with progressive spastic paraparesis of the lower limbs 3 years after a spleno-renal shunt.

Development of a desmoid tumor at the site of a total hip replacement

Extra-abdominal desmoid tumors are locally aggressive benign soft tissue tumors arising from the connective tissue of muscle and overlying fascia or aponeuroses. Location around the hip occurs in about 10% of all desmoid tumors. The authors report the development of a desmoid tumor around the hip 45 months after implantation of a total hip prosthesis. Endocrine and physical factors seem to play an important role in the development of the disease. Moreover, an association has been reported between trauma and desmoid tumor. Desmoid tumors developing around silicon implants have also been described. However, no association between hip prostheses and desmoid tumors has been published in the world literature. Although soft tissue tumors induced by metallic implants have been observed clinically, we still seek a coherent explanation for the exact pathogenesis.