Cameron lesion with severe iron deficiency anemia and review of literature

Background

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in many developing countries including India. Inadequate iron in diet, poor iron absorption, excessive bleeding, or chronic blood loss in the stool/ urine may be the cause. Cameron lesions are mucosa injuries of gastric body or fundus in the background of hiatal hernia.

Case Presentation

Here we describe a case report of a 50-year-old female who presented to hospital with pain in abdomen. During laboratory workup she had severe anemia due to iron deficiency. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a large hiatal hernia with a superficial ulcer present in the hiatal pouch, the GE junction being 35 cm from the incisors. So, a hiatus hernia with a Cameron ulcer was identified as the culprit of iron deficiency anemia.

Conclusion

The diagnosis of a Cameron lesion is difficult and sometimes ignored. In patients with anemia/bleeding, thorough surveillance of all stomach folds is essential, especially if a significant hiatal hernia is present.

Isolated Rectal Tuberculosis in Immunocompetent Host

Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) is the sixth most common site for extrapulmonary TB. Ileocecal region is the most common site for it, and its incidence reduces as we move proximally and distally from it. Isolated rectal TB in an immunocompetent person is very rare, and it usually mimics as rectal carcinoma. The yield of endoscopic biopsies for granuloma is low due to submucosal location of these lesions, and mostly, they are diagnosed after surgical intervention. We report a case of isolated rectal TB in a middle-aged female who present with chronic diarrhea and was diagnosed by the presence of epithelioid cells forming granulomas and acid-fast bacilli in rectal biopsy.

Hemosuccus Pancreaticus: Culprit of Life-Threatening Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Acute Pancreatitis

Hemosuccus pancreaticus (HP), a term used for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) from the ampulla of Vater through the pancreatic duct, is most commonly caused by the rupture of aneurysm of the splenic artery associated with acute or chronic pancreatitis. It is a rare cause of UGIB, and estimates of its rate (1/1500) are based on small case series. Because of its rarity, the diagnosis is easily overlooked. Here, we have described a case of alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis that developed hemorrhagic shock due to HP.

Triple A syndrome: a case report

Triple A syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterised by alacrimia, achalasia and adrenal failure. It was first reported by Allgrove in 1978 and 100 cases have been reported worldwide. This case report concerns a 24-year-old woman who was referred for evaluation of dysphagia and was finally diagnosed as such a case. A high degree of suspicion enables all the components of this syndrome to be searched for, as early diagnosis can reduce the morbidity and mortality.

Immune Dysfunction in Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis due to any etiology disrupts the homeostatic role of liver in the body. Cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction leads to alterations in both innate and acquired immunity, due to defects in the local immunity of liver as well as in systemic immunity. Cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction is a dynamic phenomenon, comprised of both increased systemic inflammation and immunodeficiency, and is responsible for 30% mortality. It also plays an important role in acute as well as chronic decompensation. Immune paralysis can accompany it, which is characterized by increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines and suppression of proinflammatory cytokines. There is also presence of increased gut permeability, reduced gut motility and altered gut flora, all of which leads to increased bacterial translocation. This increased bacterial translocation and consequent endotoxemia leads to increased blood stream bacterial infections that cause systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, multiorgan failure and death. The gut microbiota of cirrhotic patients has more pathogenic microbes than that of non-cirrhotic individuals, and this disturbs the homeostasis and favors gut translocation. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of such infections are necessary for better survival. We have reviewed the various mechanisms of immune dysfunction and its consequences in cirrhosis. Recognizing the exact pathophysiology of immune dysfunction will help treating clinicians in avoiding its complications in their patients and can lead to newer therapeutic interventions and reducing the morbidity and mortality rates.

Hepatobiliary dysfunction in Type-2 diabetes mellitus

Objective:

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and gallstones are frequently present in diabetics, but its exact prevalence is not well studied in India. We have done a prevalence study of hepatobiliary involvement in Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and also studied the other risk factors of NAFLD.

Materials and Methods:

Two hundred diabetics and 200 controls underwent anthropometric measurements, abdominal ultrasonography, (USG) and biochemical tests at a tertiary care hospital. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done.

Results:

One hundred and thirty (65%) diabetics and 47 (23.50%) controls were having USG evidence of fatty liver (odds ratio [OR] = 6.046, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.904–9.363 [P < 0.0001]). Raised liver enzymes were present in 42 (21%) diabetics and 16 (8%) controls [OR = 3.057, 95% CI: 1.654–5.648 [P < 0.004]). Gallstones were present in 32 (16%) diabetics and 10 (5%) controls (OR = 2.825; 95% CI: 1.850–4.315 P < 0.0001). In addition, waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) were significantly more in diabetics, but lipid profile was not significantly deranged as compared to controls. Then, all patients with fatty liver were compared with patients with normal liver, and we found that fatty liver group was having raised BMI, WC, liver enzymes, and more dyslipidemia. Multivariate analysis was done which shows the presence of T2DM, elevated liver enzymes, obesity, and elevated WC as independent risk factors of fatty liver.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of NAFLD and gallstones was higher in diabetics as compared to healthy population. In addition, the presence of T2DM, elevated liver enzymes, obesity, and elevated WC are independent predictors of NAFLD.

Systemic Sclerosis Sine Scleroderma

Systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma is a rare form of limited systemic sclerosis. These patients are without skin involvement, but do not differ in its clinical or laboratory features and prognosis from classical systemic sclerosis. In the absence of cutaneous signs/symptoms, its diagnosis is delayed leading to significant morbidity and mortality. We report a case of sixty year old female who presented to us with dyspnoea on exertion and Raynaud's phenomenon. She was investigated and was found to have this disorder with pulmonary artery hypertension.

Bronchoscopic management of benign bronchial stenosis by electrocautery and balloon dilatation

Benign bronchial stenosis is managed by surgical or bronchoscopic methods. Although surgical approach is definitive, it is technically demanding and is costlier than bronchoscopic treatment. Here, we report the case of a 27-year-old female patient with symptomatic benign bronchial stenosis of the left main bronchus. The stenosis was dilated successfully through a fibreoptic bronchoscope by electrocautery followed by balloon bronchoplasty and application of mitomycin-C. On follow up, there was no evidence of re-stenosis.

Olmesartan medoxomil: a clinical review

Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers has been shown to be effective in treating hypertension and heart failure. There are currently seven angiotensin II receptor blockers in clinical practice, olmesartan medoxomil being the newest agent in the class. This article reviews the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, efficacy, clinical use, dosing and cost of olmesartan medoxomil. The information given here is based on published data from human studies regarding the efficacy and safety of this drug, as well as studies comparing it with other drugs. The use of olmesartan medoxomil (10-40 mg) has consistently helped achieve a double-digit reduction both in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, a reduction which is maintained for one year. The data on its use for heart failure and atherosclerosis are limited and mostly experimental. It is an effective and well-tolerated agent, with a long duration of action, and single daily dose may be used to treat hypertension.

Hypertensive heart disease

Hypertensive heart disease (HHD) is a common problem in clinical practice. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is pathognomonic of HHD. Echo-Doppler study is the modality of choice to document cardiac involvement in hypertension. 'Radiology of chest and electrocardiography (ECG) are highly insensitive. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) produces similar results like echo but is not cost-effective. LVH is not merely related to haemodynamic load but several other factors are also involved in its genesis. LVH is a powerful and independent prognostic determinant for future cardiovascular and coronary events. LVH can be regressed by drugs but the aim in future should be prevention of LVH rather than its regression.