Cecal Bascule after Colonoscopy - Case Report and Review of Literature

Cecal bascule is a rare disease variant of a cecal volvulus. It consists of upward and anterior folding of the ascending colon, forming a flap valve, and occluding the bowel lumen resulting in proximal cecal dilatation. Herein, we present a case of a patient who developed persistent abdominal pain few hours after a colonoscopy. CT scan of the abdomen revealed an upward and anterior folding of the cecum. Subsequently the patient was taken to the operating room for a right hemi-colectomy. This case emphasizes the importance to consider cecal bascule as a differential diagnosis in patients with persistent abdominal pain after colonoscopy, considering the ease of diagnosis with imaging studies and emergent surgical correction

Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patient with Crohn\u27s Disease: Incidental or Expected Outcome of Azathioprine?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) usually occurs in patients with underlying risk factors such as liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B. Although patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) are at an increased risk to develop malignancies such as colon cancer, the incidence of HCC in this population is extremely rare. We report a case of 62-year-old male with long history of CD treated with azathioprine (AZA) and aminosalicylic acid (ASA) who was incidentally diagnosed with HCC, for which left hepatectomy was done. Four years later during routine follow-up, patient had another hepatic lesion and underwent resection of the mass. The mechanism of occurrence of HCC in patient with CD is still controversial and may include immune mediated changes and medication related complications. AZA was reported in all case reports of CD that developed HCC.Through this report we hope to explore the complex pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to the development of HCC in the Crohn’s disease patient population

Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patient with Crohn’s Disease: Incidental or Expected Outcome of Azathioprine?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) usually occurs in patients with underlying risk factors such as liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B. Although patients with Crohn\u27s disease (CD) are at an increased risk to develop malignancies such as colon cancer, the incidence of HCC in this population is extremely rare. We report a case of 62-year-old male with long history of CD treated with azathioprine (AZA) and aminosalicylic acid (ASA) who was incidentally diagnosed with HCC, for which left hepatectomy was done. Four years later during routine follow-up, patient had another hepatic lesion and underwent resection of the mass. The mechanism of occurrence of HCC in patient with CD is still controversial and may include immune mediated changes and medication related complications. AZA was reported in all case reports of CD that developed HCC. Through this report we hope to explore the complex pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to the development of HCC in the Crohn\u27s disease patient population

Role of Non-Selective Beta Blockers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Analysis in Patients with Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension

There are many different biochemical processes responsible for the hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) development that can be targeted for the prevention or halt progression of the HCC. Non-selective betablockers (NSBB) affects a multitude of intracellular biochemical and signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis. Aim: To determine if NSBB may be protective for HCC in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 200 patients from medical records diagnosed with cirrhosis and portal hypertension between January 2001 and December 2013. Eighteen patients were excluded (taking selective beta-blocker and/or unavailable medical records). The etiology of cirrhosis, use of NSBB, demographics and the presence of HCC was collected. Result: There were 140 males and 42 females. The mean age for portal hypertension with cirrhosis without HCC was 53.5 ± 11.4 & with HCC was 62.2 ± 9.5 years. Univariate analysis of the association of NSBB with HCC yielded OR = 0. 11 (95% CI: 0.04 to 0.25); p \u3c 0.0001, suggesting a protective effect of NSBB. Multivariable analysis suggests virtually no change when the Odds ratio (OR) was adjusted for diabetes mellitus (DM), alcohol use, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) status, Black race and age ≥ 53. There was a slight increase in the OR adjusted for statin use. Conclusion: This study highlights association of NSBB use in the patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension for prevention of HCC

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Series of Five Clinical Cases in Adult Patients at a Single Institution with a Review of the Literature

Context: Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis or the “Hemophagocytic Syndrome” is a spectrum of disorders of regulatory immunomodulatory pathways inciting phagocytosis of hematopoietic cells resulting in end-organ damage. The condition appears in both heritable and non-heritable forms from a multitude of possible environmental triggers, most notably infection. The condition often results in a fatal outcome without prompt diagnosis and treatment. Cases in children have been reported much more frequently and classically than in adult patients. Case Report: In this case series we examined fi ve such cases in adult patients that were found at our institution in a window as small at 2 years with more cases having presented since the time of this writing. In these cases, likely triggers were found ranging from infectious, drug-inducing and even underlying malignancy. The condition can be diagnosed by a set of laboratory and physical criteria (Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis -2004). Treatment ranges from immunosuppressive agents to chemotherapeutic approaches with variable success. Conclusion: Clinicians must maintain a higher index of suspicion in cases presenting with ominous symptomatology to ensure a prompt diagnosis and effective treatment of this potentially deadly condition

Role of Non-Selective Beta Blockers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Analysis in Patients with Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension

There are many different biochemical processes responsible for the hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) development that can be targeted for the prevention or halt progression of the HCC. Non-selective beta-blockers (NSBB) affects a multitude of intracellular biochemical and signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis. Aim: To determine if NSBB may be protective for HCC in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 200 patients from medical records diagnosed with cirrhosis and portal hypertension between January 2001 and December 2013. Eighteen patients were excluded (taking selective beta-blocker and/or unavailable medical records). The etiology of cirrhosis, use of NSBB, demographics and the presence of HCC was collected. Result: There were 140 males and 42 females. The mean age for portal hypertension with cirrhosis without HCC was 53.5 ± 11.4 & with HCC was 62.2 ± 9.5 years. Univariate analysis of the association of NSBB with HCC yielded OR = 0. 11 (95% CI: 0.04 to 0.25); p \u3c 0.0001, suggesting a protective effect of NSBB. Multivariable analysis suggests virtually no change when the Odds ratio (OR) was adjusted for diabetes mellitus (DM), alcohol use, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) status, Black race and age ≥ 53. There was a slight increase in the OR adjusted for statin use. Conclusion: This study highlights association of NSBB use in the patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension for prevention of HCC