Introduction: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a chronic progressive disease, associated with substantial clinical and economic burden. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are considered first-line treatment; however, there are concerns around the long-term impact of their usage. Surgical treatment with Nissen fundoplication can be considered but, because of the potential side effects, few patients undergo surgery and there remains a substantial therapeutic gap within the current treatment pathway.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAorto-oesophageal fistula (AOF) is a life-threatening condition that usually presents with upper gastro-intestinal haemorrhage. This case report details the emergency presentation and management of a 51-year-old male who presented with hematemesis secondary to an impacted denture (ingested two years previously) in the oesophagus that had led to an AOF. This necessitated urgent thoracic endovascular aortic repair followed by thoracotomy, oesophagotomy, T-tube insertion and oesophagostomy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe report the case of a 65-year-old male, who presented with septicaemia and a chest wall mass on a background of oesophageal carcinoma. This chest wall mass measured 10 cm by 10 cm, was fluctuant, and was situated on the anterior chest wall. Owing to local erythema and surgical emphysema, necrotising fasciitis was suspected and thus intravenous antibiotic and fluid therapy were instituted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: There is controversy whether constipation as a primary presenting complaint is an indication for diagnostic colonoscopy. CT colonography (CTC) is a less invasive and more acceptable alternative. We compared the completion and sensitivity of colonoscopy with CTC in patients who presented with the primary symptom of constipation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF