Proximal small bowel obstruction in a patient with cystic fibrosis: a case report

Background As advancements are made in the management of cystic fibrosis (CF), survival of the CF patient into adulthood has increased, leading to the discovery of previously unknown CF complications. Though gastrointestinal complications of CF, such as distal intestinal obstruction syndrome, are common, this case demonstrates a variant presentation of small bowel obstruction in this population. Case presentation We describe a 42-year-old male with CF who presented with 2 days of worsening upper abdominal pain, emesis, and loss of bowel function. The patient had no history of any prior abdominal surgeries; however, imaging was concerning for high-grade mechanical small bowel obstruction possibly related to internal hernia. Given leukocytosis and diffusely tender abdomen found on further workup, the decision was made to proceed with diagnostic laparoscopy after a brief period of intravenous fluid resuscitation. Intraoperatively, the transition point was found in the mid-jejunum and was noted to be due to kinking of the bowel causing vascular congestion in the proximal portion. Surgical manipulation of the bowel was required for return of normal perfusion and patency. Conclusion Though the exact mechanism cannot be definitively delineated, we speculate that the increased viscosity and prolonged intestinal transit time, characteristic of CF, resulted in inspissated fecal content in the proximal small bowel, which then acted as a lead point for obstruction. Thus, though small bowel obstruction in patients with CF is often attributed to distal intestinal obstruction syndrome, a broader differential must be considered. Early surgical intervention may be necessary to prevent bowel ischemia and subsequent small bowel resection in a patient presenting with concerning clinical and image findings, as was seen in this patient.Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Intraoperative Fluorescent Imaging of Intracranial Tumors: A Review

A review of fluorescent imaging for intracranial neoplasms is presented. Complete resection of brain cancer is seldom possible because of the goal to preserve brain tissue and the inability to visualize individual infiltrative tumor cells. Verification of histology and identification of tumor invasion in macroscopically normal-appearing brain tissue determine prognosis after resection of malignant gliomas. Therefore, imaging modalities aim to facilitate intraoperative decision-making. Intraoperative fluorescent imaging techniques have the potential to enable precise histopathologic diagnosis and to detect tumor remnants in the operative field. Macroscopic fluorescence imaging is effective for gross tumor detection. Microscopic imaging techniques enhance the sensitivity of the macroscopic observations and provide real-time histological information. Further development of clinical grade fluorescent agents specifically targeting tumor cells could improve the diagnostic and prognostic yield of intraoperative imaging. © 2013 Elsevier B.V

Futility in acute care surgery: first do no harm

The consequences of the delivery of futile or potentially ineffective medical care and interventions are devastating on the healthcare system, our patients and their families, and healthcare providers. In emergency situations in particular, determining if escalating invasive interventions will benefit a frail and/or severely critically ill patient can be exceedingly difficult. In this review, our objective is to define the problem of potentially ineffective care within the specialty of acute care surgery and describe strategies for improving the care of our patients in these difficult situations

Infection after penetrating brain injury—An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter study oral presentation at the 32nd annual meeting of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, January 15–19, 2019, in Austin, Texas

2019 EAST PODIUM PAPER Infection after penetrating brain injury—An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter study oral presentation at the 32nd annual meeting of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, January 15–19, 2019, in Austin, Texas Harmon, Laura A. MD; Haase, Daniel J. MD; Kufera, Joseph A. MA; Adnan, Sakib BS; Cabral, Donna BNS; Lottenberg, Lawrence MD; Cunningham, Kyle W. MD, MPH; Bonne, Stephanie MD; Burgess, Jessica MD; Etheridge, James MD; Rehbein, Jennifer L. MD; Semon, Gregory DO; Noorbakhsh, Matthew R. MD; Cragun, Benjamin N. MD; Agrawal, Vaidehi PhD; Truitt, Michael MD; Marcotte, Joseph MD; Goldenberg, Anna DO; Behbahaninia, Milad MD; Keric, Natasha MD; Hammer, Peter M. MD; Nahmias, Jeffry MD; Grigorian, Areg MD; Turay, Dave MD; Chakravarthy, Vikram MD; Lalchandani, Priti MD; Kim, Dennis MD; Chapin, Trinette; Dunn, Julie MD; Portillo, Victor MD; Schroeppel, Thomas MD, MS; Stein, Deborah M. MD, MPH Author Information Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery 87(1):p 61-67, July 2019. | DOI: 10.1097/TA.0000000000002327 Buy CME Test Erratum Abstract BACKGROUND Fatality rates following penetrating traumatic brain injury (pTBI) are extremely high and survivors are often left with significant disability. Infection following pTBI is associated with worse morbidity. The modern rates of central nervous system infections (INF) in civilian survivors are unknown. This study sought to determine the rate of and risk factors for INF following pTBI and to determine the impact of antibiotic prophylaxis. METHODS Seventeen institutions submitted adult patients with pTBI and survival of more than 72 hours from 2006 to 2016. Patients were stratified by the presence or absence of infection and the use or omission of prophylactic antibiotics. Study was powered at 85% to detect a difference in infection rate of 5%. Primary endpoint was the impact of prophylactic antibiotics on INF. Mantel-Haenszel χ2 and Wilcoxon\u27s rank-sum tests were used to compare categorical and nonparametric variables. Significance greater than p = 0.2 was included in a logistic regression adjusted for center. RESULTS Seven hundred sixty-three patients with pTBI were identified over 11 years. 7% (n = 51) of patients developed an INF. Sixty-six percent of INF patients received prophylactic antibiotics. Sixty-two percent of all patients received one dose or greater of prophylactic antibiotics and 50% of patients received extended antibiotics. Degree of dural penetration did not appear to impact the incidence of INF (p = 0.8) nor did trajectory through the oropharynx (p = 0.18). Controlling for other variables, there was no statistically significant difference in INF with the use of prophylactic antibiotics (p = 0.5). Infection was higher in patients with intracerebral pressure monitors (4% vs. 12%; p = \u3c0.001) and in patients with surgical intervention (10% vs. 3%; p \u3c 0.001). CONCLUSION There is no reduction in INF with prophylactic antibiotics in pTBI. Surgical intervention and invasive intracerebral pressure monitoring appear to be risk factors for INF regardless of prophylactic use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, level IV

Infection after penetrating brain injury—An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter study oral presentation at the 32nd annual meeting of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, January 15–19, 2019, in Austin, Texas

2019 EAST PODIUM PAPER Infection after penetrating brain injury—An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter study oral presentation at the 32nd annual meeting of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, January 15–19, 2019, in Austin, Texas Harmon, Laura A. MD; Haase, Daniel J. MD; Kufera, Joseph A. MA; Adnan, Sakib BS; Cabral, Donna BNS; Lottenberg, Lawrence MD; Cunningham, Kyle W. MD, MPH; Bonne, Stephanie MD; Burgess, Jessica MD; Etheridge, James MD; Rehbein, Jennifer L. MD; Semon, Gregory DO; Noorbakhsh, Matthew R. MD; Cragun, Benjamin N. MD; Agrawal, Vaidehi PhD; Truitt, Michael MD; Marcotte, Joseph MD; Goldenberg, Anna DO; Behbahaninia, Milad MD; Keric, Natasha MD; Hammer, Peter M. MD; Nahmias, Jeffry MD; Grigorian, Areg MD; Turay, Dave MD; Chakravarthy, Vikram MD; Lalchandani, Priti MD; Kim, Dennis MD; Chapin, Trinette; Dunn, Julie MD; Portillo, Victor MD; Schroeppel, Thomas MD, MS; Stein, Deborah M. MD, MPH Author Information Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery 87(1):p 61-67, July 2019. | DOI: 10.1097/TA.0000000000002327 Buy CME Test Erratum Abstract BACKGROUND Fatality rates following penetrating traumatic brain injury (pTBI) are extremely high and survivors are often left with significant disability. Infection following pTBI is associated with worse morbidity. The modern rates of central nervous system infections (INF) in civilian survivors are unknown. This study sought to determine the rate of and risk factors for INF following pTBI and to determine the impact of antibiotic prophylaxis. METHODS Seventeen institutions submitted adult patients with pTBI and survival of more than 72 hours from 2006 to 2016. Patients were stratified by the presence or absence of infection and the use or omission of prophylactic antibiotics. Study was powered at 85% to detect a difference in infection rate of 5%. Primary endpoint was the impact of prophylactic antibiotics on INF. Mantel-Haenszel χ2 and Wilcoxon\u27s rank-sum tests were used to compare categorical and nonparametric variables. Significance greater than p = 0.2 was included in a logistic regression adjusted for center. RESULTS Seven hundred sixty-three patients with pTBI were identified over 11 years. 7% (n = 51) of patients developed an INF. Sixty-six percent of INF patients received prophylactic antibiotics. Sixty-two percent of all patients received one dose or greater of prophylactic antibiotics and 50% of patients received extended antibiotics. Degree of dural penetration did not appear to impact the incidence of INF (p = 0.8) nor did trajectory through the oropharynx (p = 0.18). Controlling for other variables, there was no statistically significant difference in INF with the use of prophylactic antibiotics (p = 0.5). Infection was higher in patients with intracerebral pressure monitors (4% vs. 12%; p = \u3c0.001) and in patients with surgical intervention (10% vs. 3%; p \u3c 0.001). CONCLUSION There is no reduction in INF with prophylactic antibiotics in pTBI. Surgical intervention and invasive intracerebral pressure monitoring appear to be risk factors for INF regardless of prophylactic use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, level IV