Publications by authors named "LOUIS M"

Omental infarction is a rare cause of acute abdomen, often mimicking more common abdominal emergencies such as appendicitis and cholecystitis, presenting significant diagnostic challenges. A 47-year-old male with a history of ulcerative colitis underwent laparoscopic total colectomy with end ileostomy. Postoperatively, he developed severe abdominal pain, chills, nausea, and increased abdominal distension.

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Gastric varices (GVs) are dilated veins in the stomach submucosa, typically caused by portal hypertension. A prompt diagnosis is needed, given the significant risk of bleeding and mortality. Endoscopic cyanoacrylate injections are widely adopted for treating GV due to their efficacy in preventing rebleeding with lower complication rates.

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Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the breast is an exceptionally rare malignancy, accounting for less than 0.1% of all breast cancers. Despite its favorable prognosis, optimal management remains undefined due to its rarity and lack of consensus guidelines.

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Background: Empyema, characterized by the accumulation of pus in the pleural cavity, poses significant treatment challenges. While intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and deoxyribonuclease (DNase) therapy is effective for many patients, a substantial proportion require surgical intervention, such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), following treatment failure. Identifying tPA/DNase treatment failure-associated predictors is crucial for optimizing patient management and improving outcomes.

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Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating condition characterised by significant heterogeneity. Early diagnosis is critical, but limited data exists on the condition's early stages. This study aimed to characterise (very) early CRPS patients and explore potential subgroups to enhance understanding of its mechanisms.

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Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a common surgical treatment for morbid obesity, but rare complications involving the excluded gastric remnant can pose significant challenges. A 65-year-old female with a history of RYGB presented with sudden onset of left upper quadrant abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and loss of appetite. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis.

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Fungal growth is common in intraoperative cultures of patients with perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) leading to the common use of empiric antifungal therapy, with current evidence not clearly supporting this practice. The goal of this updated systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize the effect of empiric antifungals in patients with PPU. Eligible studies were identified through a comprehensive literature search in the MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE databases, following the PRISMA 2020 statement.

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Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading global cause of morbidity and mortality, underscoring the need for effective cardiovascular risk stratification and preventive strategies. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring, traditionally performed using electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated cardiac computed tomography (CT) scans, has been widely validated as a robust tool for assessing cardiovascular risk. However, its application has been largely limited to high-risk populations due to the costs, technical requirements, and limited accessibility of cardiac CT scans.

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Mesh plugs are commonly used in inguinal hernia repair due to their perceived efficacy in reducing recurrence rates. However, their use has been associated with significant complications, including mesh migration, chronic pain, infection, hernia recurrence, adhesions, and erosion into adjacent organs. This case series presents three patients who experienced complications from mesh plug migration post-hernia repair.

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Hemothorax is a serious complication following thoracic surgery, often resulting from vessel injury or rib fractures, and is typically managed with chest tube drainage. Persistent or loculated hemothorax, referred to as retained hemothorax, may require more invasive interventions, such as thoracotomy. Although the intrapleural administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and deoxyribonuclease (DNase) has shown promise in managing pleural infections, its use for hemothorax remains controversial due to bleeding risks.

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Gallbladder rupture, though rare, is a serious complication often arising from choledocholithiasis and subsequent interventions such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In this case, the patient presented with acute choledocholithiasis and underwent ERCP with sphincterotomy and stone extraction, followed by placement of a fully covered metal stent in the common bile duct (CBD). While the use of covered stents is appropriate, it is important to note that these stents can obstruct the cystic duct orifice in patients with a gallbladder.

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Blunt esophageal injury is an exceptionally rare condition, with complete esophageal avulsion being almost unprecedented in adults. This case study details the clinical presentation, surgical management, and postoperative course of a 50-year-old male who sustained a complete esophageal avulsion following blunt abdominal trauma. The patient presented with increasing abdominal pain two hours after falling while stepping up onto a high truck step, striking his upper abdomen on the step.

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Intraosseous hemangiomas are rare benign vascular tumors predominantly occurring in the axial skeleton. This case report describes a 44-year-old female with a history of multiple renal stones and benign breast calcifications, who was incidentally found to have a 1.2 cm lucent lesion in the left iliac bone during imaging for nephrolithiasis.

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Coronary-pulmonary artery fistulas are rare congenital anomalies that can lead to significant clinical complications, especially when associated with coronary artery disease. We present a case of a 61-year-old male who presented with progressive dyspnea and chest discomfort. Imaging revealed a coronary-pulmonary artery fistula with 60% stenosis in the proximal left anterior descending artery.

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Article Synopsis
  • Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) is a serious complication of advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma, with a poor prognosis despite aggressive treatment.
  • A 64-year-old male with esophageal adenocarcinoma developed neurological symptoms indicative of LC after undergoing multiple treatments; MRI and cerebrospinal fluid analysis confirmed the diagnosis.
  • The focus of management shifted to palliative care due to rapid deterioration, highlighting the need for early detection and intervention in such cases, as effective therapies for LC are still limited.
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Introduction And Importance: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome, predominantly affecting women without traditional cardiovascular risk factors. It is often underdiagnosed, especially in postoperative patients, due to its atypical presentation and the challenges in distinguishing it from other causes of chest pain.

Case Presentation: We report the case of a 62-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and recent bilateral mastectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma, who presented three days post-surgery with sudden onset of chest pain radiating to her left arm.

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This case of a paratracheal mass emphasizes the importance of early detection and flexibility in the treatment planning for advanced squamous cell carcinoma, especially when logistical challenges impact access to care. A 69-year-old woman presented with a four-month history of progressive dysphagia, significant weight loss, and the recent onset of stridor, suggesting potential airway obstruction. Imaging studies revealed a large heterogeneous mass in the superior mediastinum, extending from the base of the neck into the thoracic inlet.

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Introduction: Parathyroid carcinoma is an exceptionally rare endocrine malignancy, constituting <1 % of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) cases. It presents with more severe hypercalcemia and higher PTH levels than benign parathyroid diseases, requiring increased clinical awareness for accurate identification and specialized management. The results of this case series may provide insight into the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, surgical management, and prognosis of parathyroid carcinoma, supplemented by a comprehensive review of current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Surgical resection is the primary treatment for localized GISTs, and it's crucial to avoid rupturing the tumor during the procedure to prevent complications like peritoneal spread.
  • * In addition to surgery, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib, play a key role in the management of GISTs, especially in advanced cases, and patients require long-term monitoring for potential recurrences.
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Breast cancer recurrence can occur many years after the initial treatment, particularly in hormone receptor-positive (HR+) cases, where the risk of late recurrence remains significant. Late recurrences are well documented, with research showing that they can happen even decades after the primary diagnosis, necessitating extended monitoring and personalized therapeutic approaches. A 65-year-old woman with a history of stage IIIC invasive ductal carcinoma, initially treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, bilateral mastectomies, adjuvant chemoradiation, and prolonged hormonal therapy, presented 10 years later with metastasis to the left supraclavicular lymph nodes.

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Breast trauma in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities can result in severe complications such as hemorrhagic shock due to the highly vascular nature of breast tissue. This case involves a 65-year-old female with a history of rheumatoid arthritis and prior breast cancer who developed a significant breast hematoma following a motor vehicle accident. Initially stable, she rapidly deteriorated with hypotension and altered mental status after imaging revealed a large hematoma with active hemorrhage.

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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a critical intervention for cardiac arrest but can result in significant internal injuries due to the force of chest compressions. Among these, subcapsular hepatic hematoma is a rare and serious complication. Here we present a 55-year-old male with a history of alcohol abuse presented with a severe ischemic stroke and subsequently required CPR due to pulseless ventricular tachycardia.

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Article Synopsis
  • Diverticulitis is an inflammation of the colon that can cause serious issues like perforation and abscess; a case of a 42-year-old female with chronic kidney disease illustrates this danger.
  • Initial assessments showed high white blood cell counts and elevated creatinine levels, while a CT scan suggested perforated diverticulitis, leading to an urgent surgical procedure.
  • Post-surgery, the patient faced complications that required further interventions, highlighting the importance of CT imaging for diagnosis and monitoring, along with ongoing care such as colonoscopies and dietary changes to manage her condition effectively.
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Introduction And Importance: Pneumoperitoneum, the presence of free air in the peritoneal cavity, is typically a concerning finding, often associated with gastrointestinal perforation. However, in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, pneumoperitoneum can occur without such severe underlying pathology, frequently due to air entering during dialysis exchanges.

Case Report: This case report discusses a 64-year-old male with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on PD who presented with abdominal pain and distention.

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Introduction And Importance: In the complex field of cardiac care, managing patients with severe aortic stenosis, coronary artery disease, aortic aneurysm, and left ventricular dysfunction poses significant challenges. Traditionally, such conditions demand highly invasive surgeries, like open-heart surgery with prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass, increasing the risk of complications and the need for mechanical circulatory support.

Case Presentation: This case report details a management of a 53-year-old with no significant past medical history who presented with a three-month history of progressive exertional dyspnea, mixed aortic valve disease, comprising severe aortic regurgitation and moderate aortic stenosis, in addition to coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction.

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