BACKGROUND

Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) results from intrinsic and extrinsic obstruction of the pyloric channel or the duodenum. Here we present a rare case of GOO attributed to dense adhesions between the gallbladder and duodenum secondary to chronic cholecystitis with choledococystoduodenal fistula formation. Previous reports identified elderly females with comorbidities as a predisposing factor; however, our patient was an immunocompetent adult male.

A 43-year-old male with no comorbidities consulted for recurrent epigastric pain, vomiting and weight loss. On contrast enhanced abdominal CT scan, a lamellated cholelithiasis with pneumobilia and an irregular thickening at the proximal duodenum with subsequent GOO was identified. A choledococystoduodenal fistula was considered. Exploratory laparotomy revealed extensive fibrosis and cholecystitis with dense adhesions to surrounding structures. Dissection revealed a gallstone impacted in and adherent to the wall of the gallbladder and a fistula opening into the duodenum. However, there was no definite evidence of impacted gallstone in the duodenum. The dense adhesions secondary to chronic cholecystitis caused duodenal narrowing and subsequent GOO. He eventually underwent antrectomy, pancreatic sparing, total duodenectomy, cholecystectomy, with loop gastrojejunostomy, cholecystojejunostomy and pancreaticojejunostomy. Biopsy specimens taken were negative for malignancy. He was discharged subsequently. However, he was readmitted after five months due to acute abdomen secondary to small bowel rupture, likely from a marginal ulcer.

This case highlights that preoperative and intraoperative differential diagnosis of GOO is a challenge. Chronic calculous cholecystitis through severe inflammation can present as a rare cause of GOO. Optimal treasaFtment plan should take into consideration the underlying etiology of the GOO.

A 35-year-old female presented with abdominal pain, fever, projectile vomiting, and a diffuse tender epigastric mass. She was diagnosed to have acute persistent pancreatitis with a pancreatic pseudocyst. Elevated serum calcium levels provided an etiologic link between hypercalcemia and pancreatitis. On examination, a nodule was found in the left side of her neck which was later diagnosed as a giant left inferior parathyroid adenoma. This report highlights the critical analysis of history, examination, and investigations to reach an ultimate diagnosis. Pseudocyst drainage and parathyroidectomy resolved her symptoms.
Pancreatitis ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary

A 12-year-old female had a three-year history of fever, non-bilious vomiting and abdominal pain. Upper gastrointestinal series showed a filling defect at the duodenum. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy exhibited circumferential mass extending from the duodenal bulb to the 2nd part of the duodenum which on histology disclosed chronic granulomatous inflammation. Chest X-ray suggested miliary tuberculosis; endotracheal tube aspirate was PCR positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Patient was diagnosed as disseminated tuberculosis of the duodenum and lungs. Quadruple anti-tuberculosis medication was started but patient succumbed to nosocomial sepsis.
Tuberculosis, Miliary ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; Granuloma ; Inflammation

OBJECTIVE: To establish a modified endoscopic Freka Trelumina placement (mEFTP) for modifying or substituting the traditional endoscopic Freka Trelumina placement (EFTP) and to explore the safety and feasibility of mEFTP in patients requiring enteral nutrition and gastrointestinal decompression in general surgery. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of patients undergoing EFTP or mEFTP at General Surgery Department of 920 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from January 2016 to January 2018. INCLUSION CRITERIA: the function of lower digestive tract was normal; patients who could not eat through mouth or nasogastric tube needed to have enteral nutrition and gastrointestinal decompression; the retention time of Freka Trelumina (FT) was not expected to exceed 2 months. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: contraindication for gastroscopy; suspected shock or digestive tract perforation; suspected mental diseases; infectious diseases of digestive tract; thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. mEFIP procedure was as follow. FT was inserted into stomach through one side nasal cavity, gastroscope was inserted into stomach cavity, and the front part of FT was clamped with biopsy forceps through biopsy hole. Biopsy forceps and FT were inserted into the pylorus or anastomosis under gastroscope, and they were pushed into the duodenum or output loop. During pushing, the gastroscope did not pass through the duodenum or output loop. The biopsy forceps was released and pushed out, and FT was pushed with biopsy forceps synchronously into the duodenum or output loop more than 5 cm. The foreign body forceps was inserted through the biopsy hole, and the FT tube was held in the stomach and pushed to the duodenum or output loop. The previous steps repeated until the suction cavity reached the pylorus or anastomosis. The gastroscope was exited gently; the guide wire was pulled out slowly. EFTP procedure: foreign body forceps was used to clamp the front part of FT, and gastroscope, foreign body forceps and FT pass the pylorus or anastomosis simultaneously to reach the descendent duodenum or output loop as a whole. The time of catheterization was recorded and position of FT was examined by X-ray within 1 h after catheterization. The success rate of catheterization and morbidity of complications after catheterization were evaluated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 141 patients were enrolled, 72 in the mEFTP group and 69 in the EFTP group. In mEFTP group, 45 cases were males and 27 were females with an average age of 55.8(37-76) years; 27 cases had normal upper gastrointestinal anatomy (postoperative gastroplegia syndrome due to colon cancer in 17 cases, due to rectal cancer in 10 cases) and 45 had upper gastrointestinal anatomic changes (gastric cancer with pylorus obstruction in 18 cases and anastomotic block after gastroenterostomy in 27 cases). In the EFTP group, 41 were males and 28 were females with an average age of 55.3(36-79) years; 33 cases had normal upper gastrointestinal anatomy (postoperative gastroplegia syndrome due to colon cancer in 20 cases, due to rectal cancer in 13 cases) and 36 had upper gastrointestinal anatomic changes (gastric cancer with pylorus obstruction in 15 cases and anastomotic block after gastroenterostomy in 21 cases). In patients with normal upper digestive tract anatomy, the average catheterization time of mEFTP was (4.9±1.7) minutes which was shorter than (7.6±1.7) minutes of EFTP(t=6.683, P<0.001). In patients of gastric cancer with pyloric obstruction, the average catheterization time of mEFTP was (6.6±1.6) minutes which was shorter than (10.5±2.6) minutes of EFTP (t=4.724, P<0.001). In patients with anastomotic block after gastroenterostomy, the average catheterization time of mEFTP was (11.3±2.5) minutes which was shorter than (15.1±3.5) minutes of EFTP (t=4.513, P<0.001). In patients with normal upper gastrointestinal anatomy, there were no significant differences in the success rate of catheterization and the morbidity of catheterization complication between mEFTP and EFTP (all P>0.05). In patients with upper gastrointestinal anatomic changes, the success rate of catheterization in mEFTP was even higher than that in EFTP, but the difference was not significant [97.8%(41/45) vs. 86.1%(31/36), χ²=2.880, P=0.089]; while the morbidity of catheterization complication in mEFTP was lower than that in EFTP [0 vs. 8.3%(3/36), χ²=3.894, P=0.048]. CONCLUSIONS Whether the upper gastrointestinal anatomy is normal or not, mEFTP presents shorter catheterization time, higher success catheterization rate than EFTP, and is safety. mEFTP can be widely applied to clinical practice for patients requiring enteral nutrition and gastrointestinal decompression.
Adult ; Aged ; Decompression, Surgical ; instrumentation ; methods ; Enteral Nutrition ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; etiology ; surgery ; Gastroparesis ; etiology ; surgery ; Gastroscopy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Diseases ; etiology ; surgery

Peptic ulcer disease involves breakdown of the epithelial lining of the stomach or duodenum. Stenosis and associated gastric outlet obstruction is the least frequent complication of peptic ulcer disease. Most cases of stenosis occur because of duodenal or pyloric cannel ulceration. Although etiologies of peptic ulcer disease and the affected patient populations have changed, the most common etiologic factors remain Helicobacter pylori infection and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In recent years, eradication of H. pylori and the use of proton pump inhibitors have reduced the incidence of complications. Because the predominant cause of gastric outlet obstruction has increasingly been attributed to malignant cancer in recent years, endoscopic examination is important to differentiate benign peptic stenosis from malignant stenosis. Medical treatment such as acid-reducing drugs or H. pylori eradication is the mainstay of treatment. Endoscopic dilation or surgical management may be considered in cases of refractory or recurrent stenosis despite medical treatment. Among the major complications of peptic ulcer disease, this report will provide an overview of peptic ulcer-related stenosis.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Incidence ; Peptic Ulcer ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Stomach ; Ulcer

Congenital pancreatic cysts are rare in newborn babies, and this makes prenatal diagnosis difficult. Diagnosis can be delayed for a few months after birth until the infant presents with an abdominal mass, abdominal distension, or vomiting due to gastric outlet obstruction. Excision of the cyst is the treatment of choice. A congenital pancreatic cyst should be considered if the fetus has an abdominal cyst without a definite origin. A prompt diagnosis is crucial to prevent fatal complications such as cholangitis, pancreatitis, cyst rupture, and peritonitis. We report a case of neonate with multiple congenital pancreatic cysts suspected prenatally to be stomach diverticulum or duplication cysts of the intestine.
Cholangitis ; Diagnosis ; Diverticulum, Stomach ; Fetus ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestines ; Pancreatic Cyst ; Pancreatic Pseudocyst ; Pancreatitis ; Parturition ; Peritonitis ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Rupture ; Vomiting

Malignancies of the pancreatobiliary system are usually unresectable at the time of diagnosis. As a consequence, a majority of these cases are candidates for palliative care. With advances in chemotherapeutic agents and multidisciplinary care, the survival rate in pancreatobiliary malignancies has improved. Therefore, there is a need to provide an effective and long-lasting palliative care for these patients. Endoscopic palliation is preferred to surgery as the former is associated with equal efficacy and reduced morbidity. The main role of endoscopic palliation in the vast majority of pancreatobiliary malignancies includes biliary and enteral stenting for malignant obstructive jaundice and gastric outlet obstruction, respectively. Recent advances in endoscopic palliation appear promising in imparting long-lasting relief of symptoms. Use of radiofrequency ablation and photodynamic therapy in malignant biliary obstruction has been shown to improve the survival rates as well as the patency of biliary stents. The emergence of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) as a therapeutic tool has enhanced the capability of minimally invasive palliation in pancreatobiliary cancers. EUS is a valuable alternative to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the palliation of obstructive jaundice. More recently, EUS is emerging as an effective primary modality for biliary and gastric bypass.
Catheter Ablation ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Diagnosis ; Gastric Bypass ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; Palliative Care ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Photochemotherapy ; Stents ; Survival Rate ; Ultrasonography

Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the first-line treatment for benign biliary diseases, this procedure is technically difficult in some conditions such as a surgically altered anatomy and gastric outlet obstruction. After a failed ERCP, a surgical or a percutaneous approach is selected as a rescue procedure; however, various endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided interventions are increasingly utilized in pancreatobiliary diseases, including EUS-guided rendezvous for failed biliary cannulation, EUS-guided antegrade treatment for stone management, and EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy for anastomotic strictures in patients with a surgically altered anatomy. There are some technical hurdles in EUS-guided interventions for benign biliary diseases owing to the difficulty in puncturing a relatively small bile duct and in subsequent guidewire manipulation, as well as the lack of dedicated devices. A recent major advancement in this field is the introduction of a 2-step approach, in which EUS-guided drainage is placed in the first session and antegrade treatment is performed in subsequent sessions. This approach allows the use of various techniques such as mechanical lithotripsy and cholangioscopy without a risk of bile leak. In summary, EUS-guided interventions are among the treatment options for benign biliary diseases; however, standardization of the procedure and development of a treatment algorithm are needed.
Bile ; Bile Ducts ; Catheterization ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Drainage ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; Humans ; Lithotripsy ; Ultrasonography

Dysphagia caused by a functional gastric outlet obstruction is rare and the natural course of a functional gastric outlet obstruction is unclear. This paper reports a patient with dysphagia and a functional gastric outlet obstruction after a cervical esophagogastrostomy. A 62-year-old man with a history of esophageal cancer and cervical esophagogastrostomy presented with dysphagia and discomfort during meals. A videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) with barium revealed a mild increase in the post-swallow remnants and delayed emptying of the gastric outlet, reflecting a functional gastric outlet obstruction at the diaphragm. One month later, VFSS revealed a worsened functional gastric outlet obstruction at the diaphragm. A delayed chest X-ray showed worsened delayed emptying of the gastric outlet. A cervical esophagogastrostomy for early esophageal cancer can cause functional gastric outlet obstruction, presenting as dysphagia and discomfort during meals. Physicians should be concerned about dysphagia and the functional changes in the esophagus in patients with a cervical esophagogastrostomy.
Barium ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diaphragm ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Esophagus ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; Humans ; Meals ; Middle Aged ; Thorax

Combined obstruction of the bile duct and duodenum is a common occurrence in periampullary malignancies. The obstruction of gastric outlet or duodenum can follow, occur simultaneously, or precede biliary obstruction. The prognosis in patients with combined obstruction is particularly poor. Therefore, minimally invasive palliation is preferred in these patients to avoid morbidity associated with surgery. Endoscopic palliation is preferred to surgical bypass due to similar efficacy, less morbidity, and shorter hospital stay. The success of endoscopic palliation depends on the type of bilioduodenal stenosis and the presence of previously placed duodenal metal stents. Biliary cannulation is difficult in type II bilioduodenal strictures where the duodenal stenosis is located at the level of the papilla. Consequentially, technical and clinical success is lower in these patients than in those with type I and III bilioduodenal strictures. However, in cases with failure of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, with the introduction of endoscopic ultrasound for biliary drainage, the success of endoscopic bilioduodenal bypass is likely to increase further. The safety and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage has been documented in multiple studies. With the development of dedicated accessories and standardization of drainage techniques, the role of endoscopic ultrasound is likely to expand further in cases with double obstruction.
Bile Ducts ; Catheterization ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Drainage ; Duodenal Obstruction ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; Length of Stay ; Prognosis ; Stents ; Ultrasonography