Background
Gastric trichobezoar happens when there is an indigestible substance or food found in the gastrointestinal tract. It is a rare presentation which is usually associated with trichotillomania and trichopagia. The presentation may not be specific and is usually related to dyspepsia-like symptoms. In the worst-case scenario, this may cause gastric outlet or intestinal obstruction which eventually requires surgery.
Case presentation
We present a 36-year-old lady with underlying end-stage renal failure (ESRF) and undiagnosed mental health issues who was treated for recurrent episodes of gastritis. Imaging modalities revealed intragastric foreign body ingestion which is consistent with gastric trichobezoar. She eventually underwent laparotomy and gastrotomy to remove the foreign body. Postoperatively, she was referred and followed-up by the psychiatric team.
Conclusion
Gastric trichobezoar has strong associations with psychiatric disorders. With the co-existence of an ESRF, uraemia might contribute to the aetiology of the trichotillomania and trichophagia. Open surgery is the choice of definitive management especially if bezoars are larger. Should the recurrence be remitted, a biopsychosocial modality and regular haemodialysis is the most sustainable approach to ensure the behaviour does not persist.
Scrub typhus is a neglected tropical disease predominantly occurring in Asia. The causative agent is a bacterium transmitted by the larval stage of mites found in rural vegetation in endemic regions. Cases of scrub typhus frequently present as acute undifferentiated febrile illness, and without early diagnosis and treatment, the disease can develop fatal complications. We retrospectively reviewed de-identified data from a 23-year-old woman who presented to an emergency department with complaints of worsening abdominal pain. On presentation, she appeared jaundiced and toxic-looking. Other positive findings on abdominal examination were a positive Murphey’s sign, abdominal guarding and hepatosplenomegaly. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography demonstrated acalculous cholecystitis. Additional findings included eschar on the medial aspect of the left thigh with inguinal regional lymphadenopathy. Further, positive results were obtained for immunoglobulins M and G, confirming scrub typhus. The workup for other infectious causes of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) detected antibodies against human herpesvirus 4 (Epstein–Barr virus), suggesting an alternative cause of AAC. Whether that represented re-activation of the Epstein–Barr virus could not be determined. As other reports have described acute acalculous cholecystitis in adult scrub typhus patients, we recommend doxycycline to treat acute acalculous cholecystitis in endemic regions while awaiting serological confirmation.
Spigelian hernia (SH) occurs due to the protrusion through a congenital or acquired defect or weakness in the Spigelian aponeurosis. SH accounts for only 0.1–0.4% of occurrence and a 17–24% risk of strangulation. We hereby report a case of a 34-year-old gentleman presented with concomitant incarceration of the omentum with small intestine and testis in Spigelian hernia sac. We have successfully operated on this patient via a transperitoneal approach with a small incision over the hernia site. This incision could be an alternative to midline laparotomy as a safe and effective method in managing incarcerated SH in an emergency setting.
Encounters between marine animals and humans can result in critical injury and fatal complications. We highlight a 20-y-old male who sustained a penetrating injury to the neck as a result of impalement by needlefish (Tylosurus sp) while snorkeling. He sustained a penetrating injury in the posterior triangle of the neck. On presentation, he was stabilized and received empirical antibiotics, analgesia, and antitetanus toxoid injection before being transferred to a tertiary center. On presentation to the tertiary hospital, the patient was hemodynamically stable with no clinical evidence of injury to surrounding neck structures, and this was confirmed using computed tomography. The patient underwent local wound exploration and retrieval of the needlefish beak under general anesthesia. The wound was left open to heal by secondary intention. The patient was discharged with oral antibiotics and went on to make a complete recovery.
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