The aim of this study was to explore the preventive effect and possible mechanisms of transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) on stroke-induced constipation. A total of 86 ischemic stroke patients were randomly allocated to 2-wk TEA or sham-TEA group. Bowel dairy and Bristol Stool Form Scale were recorded daily. Constipation and dyspeptic symptom assessment was performed at the end of the 14-day treatment. Electrocardiogram was recorded for the assessment of autonomic function. The correlation between autonomic function at admission and stroke severity was assessed. The univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to investigate the risk factors for stroke-induced constipation. The cumulative incidence of stroke-induced constipation was 68.2% at the acute stage. Sympathetic nerve activity at admission was positively correlated with stroke severity ( R = 0.47, P < 0.001). Sympathetic nerve activity and stroke severity were independent risk factors for stroke-induced constipation. TEA decreased cumulative incidence of stroke-induced constipation (42.9 vs. 68.2%, P = 0.029). TEA significantly increased frequency of bowel movements (4.5 vs. 5.5, P = 0.001) and spontaneous bowel movements (3.0 vs. 4.5, P = 0.003) per week. TEA decreased straining defecations (0.2 vs. 0, P < 0.001) and laxative use (1 vs. 0, P < 0.001). TEA improved stool consistency and patients' quality of life ( P < 0.05, resp.). TEA increased vagal activity ( P < 0.001 vs. baseline) and decreased sympathetic activity ( P < 0.001 vs. baseline). Ischemic stroke patients are predisposed to autonomic function imbalance. TEA was effective in the prevention of stroke-induced constipation, and the effect was possibly mediated via the autonomic function. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study illustrated that the brain-gut dysfunction, primarily autonomic function imbalance, was correlated with the stroke-induced constipation. This was the first study to report that transcutaneous electrical acustimulation had a preventive effect on stroke-induced constipation, suggesting a potential novel therapy for bowel problem management. The effect was possibly mediated via the autonomic function.
Background: Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare congenital disease characterized by multifocal venous malformations. It remains a considerable challenge in treating the gastrointestinal (GI) venous malformations due to multiple lesions throughout the GI tract, and the likelihood of recurrence. We report a case study of BRBNS in the GI tract, in which GI venous malformations and related GI bleeding were successfully treated with a combination of multiple endoscopic procedures. Case presentation: A 17-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for dizziness and hypodynamia. The symptoms persisted for nearly 1 year. The laboratory tests revealed iron-deficiency anemia with abnormally low hemoglobin (Hb), and a strong positive fecal occult blood test. A total of four hemangiomas were detected: one in the stomach, one in the descending colon, and two in the small intestines with a high risk of hemorrhage. Under gastroendoscopy, enteroscopy, and video capsule endoscopy (VCE) throughout the GI tract, the patient underwent surgical treatment. Endoscopic mucosal resection was initially performed in the stomach and colon, and the lesions in the small intestine were resected with laparoscopy auxiliaried by single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE), during which SBE assisted in identifying the lesions. The patient well-tolerated the procedures, and had a favorable prognosis. Conclusion: The combination of single-balloon enteroscopy-assisted laparoscopy and endoscopic mucosal resection was effective for the present case, which could be considered for patients with similar clinical conditions.
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