Acute phlegmonous infection of the gastrointestinal tract is characterized by purulent inflammation of the submucosa and muscular layer with sparing of the mucosa. The authors report a rare case of acute diffuse phlegmonous esophagogastritis, which was well diagnosed based on the typical chest computed tomographic (CT) findings and was successfully treated. A 48-yr-old man presented with left chest pain and dyspnea for three days. Chest radiograph on admission showed mediastinal widening and bilateral pleural effusion. The patient became febrile and the amount of left pleural effusion is increased on follow-up chest radiograph. Left closed thoracostomy was performed with pus drainage. A CT diagnosis of acute phlegmonous esophagogastritis was suggested and a surgery was decided due to worsening of clinical condition of the patient and radiologic findings. Esophageal myotomies were performed and the submucosal layer was filled with thick, cheesy materials. The patient was successfully discharged with no postoperative complication.
Lymphorrhea is a common complication after inguinal dissection for exposure of the femoral artery. Injury of the lymphatics occurs frequently because they are anatomically close to blood vessels. Uncontrolled lymph drainage increases postoperative morbidity, and wound infection may follow. Despite current treatment options, lymphorrhea after inguinal dissection is still difficult to manage and results in a prolonged hospital stay. A vacuum-assisted closure device was used in a 72-year-old woman who had lymphorrhea after vascular surgery by groin incision. Vacuum-assisted control for lymphorrhea resulted in earlier closure of the wound and reduced the length of hospital stay.
Here, we report a case of successful treatment for a patient with abdominal compartment syndrome who was on venoarterial extracorporeal life support. A 33-year-old man visited the emergency room with cardiac arrest. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed, and massive volume infusion was needed to maintain adequate perfusion pressure. After 6 h, his abdomen was distended, and venous drain was decreased. His bladder pressure was more than 25 mm Hg. Abdominal compartment syndrome was suspected, and prompt decompressive laparotomy was performed to restore venous drain, resulting in stabilization hemodynamically. The patient made a full recovery. He was discharged after implantation of internal cardiac defibrillator.
Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has well demonstrated its efficacy in treating in-hospital cardiac arrest and is being used for broader indications. However, ECLS after prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been traditionally contraindicated and is now challenging. Here, we introduce two cases of successful ECLS after prolonged CPR, resulting in a immediate and full recovery. Both these acute ST elevation myocardial infarction patients waiting for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) suddenly collapsed due to ventricular fibrillation (VF), which was refractory to conventional treatment. After 2 hours of conventional CPR, the ECLS had been implemented and primary PCI could be performed. Subsequent to successful revascularization, the VF was stopped with a single electric shock. In our second case, normal sinus rhythm was spontaneously restored after ECLS implementation, which was completed after 45 minutes of conventional resuscitation. Both patients made a full neurological recovery on the day of the event and were discharged with only minor complications.
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