Although internal hernias are uncommon, they must be beared in mind in the differential diagnosis in cases of intestinal obstruction, especially in patients with no history of previous surgery or trauma. Because of the high possibility of strangulation and ischemia of the affected loops, internal hernias represent a potentially life-threatening condition and surgical emergency that needs to be quickly recognized and managed promptly. Imaging plays a leading role in the diagnosis and in particular multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), with its thin-section and high-resolution multiplanar reformatted (MPR) images, represents the first line image technique in these patients. The purpose of the present paper is to illustrate the characteristic anatomic location, the clinical findings and the CT appearance associated with main types of internal hernia, including paraduodenal, foramen of Winslow, pericecal, sigmoid-mesocolon- and trans-mesenteric-related, transomental, supravesical and pelvic hernias. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Internal hernias: a difficult diagnostic challenge. Review of CT signs and clinical findings.

Retrocecal hernia preoperatively diagnosed by computed tomography: A case report

Pattern of Plasmodium-intestinal helminth co-infection among pregnant women in a high transmission zone of malaria in Nigeria

Simultaneous small and large bowel obstruction as a consequence of internal hernia: A case report.

Sigmoid mesocolon hernia is an uncommon type of internal hernia with only a few cases reported to date. This disease entity can progress rapidly to cause vascular disturbance, necrosis, and perforation of the bowel wall; therefore, early diagnosis and surgical treatment are essential. We describe the case of an intra-mesosigmoid hernia in a 60-year-old man without history of previous abdominal surgery who presented with sudden acute abdominal pain and vomiting. Based on computed tomography, which showed ascites and small bowel obstruction, we diagnosed him as having strangulation of the small intestine caused by a sigmoid mesocolic hernia and performed emergency surgery. Laparotomy revealed small intestinal strangulation, extensive engorgement, and discoloration of bowel loops. Approximately 100 cm of the small intestine extending from the ligament of Treitz had undergone strangulation and herniated into the defect of sigmoid mesocolon, leading to a diagnosis of an intra-mesosigmoid hernia. Because the incarcerated portion of the small intestine was viable, we did not perform intestinal resection and reconstruction but closed the defect in the sigmoid mesocolon. His postoperative course was uneventful.

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Strangulation of the small intestine caused by an intra-mesosigmoid hernia: a case report.

Primary internal hernias are extremely rare in adults. They are an important cause of small intestinal obstruction and lead to high morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Clinical presentation of internal hernia is nonspecific. Imaging has been of limited utility in cases of acute intestinal obstruction; moreover, interpretation of imaging features is operator dependant. Thus, internal hernias are usually detected at laparotomy and preoperative diagnosis in an emergency setting is either difficult or most of the time not suspected. We report herein a case of a 45-year-old male who presented with acute intestinal obstruction which was attributed later to a very rare type of internal hernia on exploratory laparotomy. A loop of ileum was found to enter the retroperitoneum through a hernia gate which was located lateral to the sigmoid colon in the left paracolic gutter. The segment of intestine was reduced and the hernial defect was closed. Our finding represents an extremely rare variant of retroperitoneal hernias.

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A Rare Type of Primary Internal Hernia Causing Small Intestinal Obstruction.

Management of women with Complete Heart Block (CHB) presenting without pacing, during pregnancy and labour is debatable. Temporary pacemakers have been routinely inserted for labour and birth probably to withstand any haemodynamic variations. However, due to lack of large scale prospective studies, the necessity of this procedure has not been objectively assessed. Also, the most appropriate anaesthetic technique for caesarean section in women with CHB is yet to be clarified. We report herein the case of a pregnant woman with CHB who had uneventful emergency caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia without temporary pacing. She was an unbooked case detected with congenital CHB first time during active labour; echocardiography showed no structural cardiac disease and her heart rate increased with atropine. We suggest further research so that guidelines could be established to prevent unnecessary morbidity and expense of temporary pacemaker insertion. Newly diagnosed cases of asymptomatic CHB in late pregnancy should be worked up for chronotropic responsiveness using atropine and responsive cases may be managed without pacemaker.

Complete Heart Block in Pregnancy: A Report of Emergency Caesarean Section in a Parturient without Pacemaker.

Isolated mesenteric vascular injury following blunt abdominal trauma as a result of road traffic accidents is rare. Delay in reaching hospital, delay in diagnosis, or late operative intervention could lead to increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stay and even mortality. We herein report a case of such injury with subsequent massive segmental small bowel infarction. The patient was referred to our institute ten hours after the alleged accident. Resection of the infarcted bowel segment with end-to-end anastomosis was done. We highlight the various techniques for timely diagnosis and management of isolated mesenteric injuries. A high index of suspicion, early detection and prompt surgical intervention is required when there are minimal symptoms and signs, which might avert adverse outcome.

Isolated Mesenteric Vascular Injury Following Blunt Abdominal Trauma Leading to Massive Segmental Gangrene of Small Gut: A Case Report.

Serous psammocarcinoma is a rare variant of serous carcinoma arising from either ovary or peritoneum, characterized by massive psammoma body formation, low grade cytologic features, and invasiveness. Its clinical behavior is similar to serous borderline tumors with relatively favorable prognosis. We report herein a case of a 60-year-old postmenopausal woman who presented with abdominal distension. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) revealed calcified pelvic masses with ascites. Elevated serum CA-125 (970 U/mL) suggested malignant ovarian neoplasm. Patient underwent exploratory laparotomy with primary debulking surgery. Histopathology showed bilateral serous psammocarcinoma of ovary with invasive implants on omentum. Adjuvant chemotherapy was advised in view of advanced stage disease, although its benefits are poorly defined due to rarity of the tumor. However, patient opted out of it and is now on follow-up.

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Bilateral Serous Psammocarcinoma of Ovary: Rare Variant Low Grade Serous Carcinoma.

Ovarian fibromas are benign sex cord stromal tumours occurring in peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women. These tumours are composed of spindle fibroblastic cells producing collagen. They are almost always endocrine-inert and are rarely associated with hormone production. We report herein a case of a 60-year-old Indian woman presenting as post-menopausal bleeding. Imaging studies and endometrial biopsy revealed a right ovarian solid tumour coexisting with thickened proliferative endometrium, other causes of hyperoestrogenism being excluded in the woman. She underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Histopathology showed cellular fibroma of right ovary and proliferative endometrium with foci of hyperplasia without atypia.

Vandana Mohapatra

Papers

A Rare Type of Primary Internal Hernia Causing Small Intestinal Obstruction.

Complete Heart Block in Pregnancy: A Report of Emergency Caesarean Section in a Parturient without Pacemaker.

Isolated Mesenteric Vascular Injury Following Blunt Abdominal Trauma Leading to Massive Segmental Gangrene of Small Gut: A Case Report.

Bilateral Serous Psammocarcinoma of Ovary: Rare Variant Low Grade Serous Carcinoma.

Cellular Fibroma of Ovary Coexisting with Proliferative Endometrium Post Menopause: A Rare Presentation