Torsion of greater omentum is a rare cause of acute abdomen. However, it should be included in the differential diagnoses in addition to acute cholecystitis, acute appendicitis, cecal diverticulitis, and other variable causes of acute abdomen. Diagnosis is usually made at laparotomy for suspected appendicitis. In some cases, computed tomography demonstrates a successful preoperative detection of omental torsion. We report a case of surgically and pathologically proven torsion with subsequent infarction of greater omentum presented as an acute abdominal pain.
Abdomen, Acute/*diagnosis ; Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Infarction/diagnosis ; Male ; *Omentum/blood supply/surgery ; Peritoneal Diseases/*diagnosis/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Torsion Abnormality/*diagnosis/surgery

Adolescent ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endometriosis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Melanoma ; pathology ; Melanosis ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; complications ; Peritoneal Diseases ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Teratoma ; complications

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnosis and surgical treatment of abdominal cocoon.

METHODSThe clinical data of 16 patients with abdominal cocoon admitted to our hospital between Jun. 1993 and Oct. 2006 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSPreoperatively, Barium meal X-rays revealed coils of intestine in 8 cases, incomplete intestinal obstruction in 6 cases, and prolonged intestinal transit time in 2 cases. CT scan showed dilated intestine and intestinal loops seemed to be encapsulated in a thickened capsule. After opening the peritoneum, entire or partial intestine encapsulated in thickened membrane encasing were found, including partial intestine encapsulated in 1 cases(Type I), entire intestine encapsulated in 2 cases (Type II), and entire intestine and other organs encapsulated in 12 cases(Type III). All the cases underwent adhesiolysis. Intestinal splint was done in 2 patients, gastrostomy in one patient with chronic pyloric obstruction, radical resection of rectal cancer in one patients and ileocolic resection in one patients with Crohn's disease. All patients were healed by surgical operation and confirmed the diagnosis histopathologically.

CONCLUSIONSAbdominal cocoon is rare. It is difficult to make a right diagnosis preoperatively. Barium meal X-rays and CT scan are useful methods for its diagnosis. For the treatment, attention should be paid on complete resection of fibrous membrane, adhesiolysis and prevent intestinal obstruction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; prevention & control ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritoneal Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; X-Rays ; Young Adult

We report a rare case of giant mesenteric lipoma presenting with colicky abdominal pain. A 29-yr-old woman underwent laparoscopic resection for a giant mesenteric lipoma causing compression of the ileal loop. The resected ileal segment was encased by a giant fatty tissue, and normal mucosal fold patterns of the resected ileum were effaced by the mass. Microscopically, the mass was characterized by homogenous mature adipose tissue without cellular atypia, which was compatible with the diagnosis of a mesenteric lipoma. Despite the benign nature of this tumor, total excision with or without the affected intestinal loop should be considered if intestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain are present.
Abdominal Pain/*etiology ; Adipose Tissue/pathology ; Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Ileal Diseases/etiology ; Laparoscopy ; Lipoma/complications/*diagnosis/surgery ; *Mesentery/pathology ; Peritoneal Neoplasms/complications/*diagnosis/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to review the etiology and pathogenesis of patients who underwent surgery for mechanical bowel obstruction. The treatment and prognosis of bowel obstructions caused by intra-abdominal tumors were compared with those due to other causes.

METHODSThe clinical data of 203 patients with mechanical bowel obstruction undergoing operation were analyzed retrospectively. The tumor cases were classified as group I, and all other cases as group II. A range of factors were investigated to estimate the postoperative outcome: gender, age, comorbidities, symptoms and findings of physical and radiological examinations, sites of the obstruction, etiology, therapeutic approach, postoperative complications and mortality.

RESULTSGroup I included 73 patients and Group II 130. Large bowel carcinoma and peritoneal adhesions were the most common causes of Group I and II, contributing 58 and 86 of all cases, respectively. There was no significant difference in terms of gender between the two groups, but the rate of elderly (≥ 70 years) patients was significantly higher (53.4%) than that of the < 70 years old patients (35.4%) (P = 0.012). There was a significant difference between the patients with previous surgical operation history in the tumor group (23.3%) and non-tumor group (58.5%) (P < 0.001). In the 73 cases of the tumor group, the obstruction was located in the large bowel in 58 cases (79.5%), small bowel in 12 cases (16.4%), both small and large bowels in 2 cases (2.7%) and gastric cancer invading the splenic flexure of colon in 1 case, while in the non-tumor group, 111 cases (85.4%) of the obstruction was located in the small bowel and 19 cases (14.6%) and in the large bowel (P < 0.001). Sixty-six cases (90.4%) of the tumor-group underwent intestinal segment excision and 21 cases (28.8%) underwent intestinal fistulation in the tumor group, but in the non-tumor group 61 cases (46.9%) underwent intestinal segment excision and 5 cases (3.8%) underwent intestinal fistulation (all P < 0.001). The hospital stay was (18 ± 6) days in the tumor group and (11 ± 3) days in the non-tumor group (P < 0.01). The complication rate (P = 0.104) and mortality rate (P = 0.187) were not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSTumor mechanical bowel obstruction is more frequently seen in patients in elder age, with colorectal location and without previous operation history. CT scan may provide effective diagnosis and ascertain the presence of the malignant obstruction. Intestinal fistulation is more often needed in patients with tumor intestinal obstruction and endoscopic stenting is a safe option in selected patients with tumor intestinal obstruction.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Intestinal Obstruction ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; surgery ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritoneal Diseases ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Tissue Adhesions ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult