Stercoral colitis is a rare inflammatory condition involving the large bowel wall secondary to fecal impaction. Stercoral colitis has a clinical course ranging from non-complicated fecaloid impaction to colonic perforation. This case report aims to give a brief review of this condition and discuss its imaging findings. Case Presentation We herein report a case 74-year-old female who presented with abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and the absence of gas-feces discharge for a few days. The patient had a one-year history of chronic constipation and recent femoral neck fracture surgery. Physical examination shows abdominal distension with slight tenderness. Abdominal radiographs demonstrated bowel distention and fecal material in the colorectal regions. Computed tomography (CT) images demonstrated abundant fecal material with massive dilatation in the rectosigmoid colon, focal mural thickening, subtle pericolic fat stranding, and minimal free fluid in the abdominal and pelvic cavities. Based on these findings, the diagnosis of stercoral colitis was made. The patient was treated conservatively and eventually discharged with a good health condition. Conclusion Stercoral colitis seems to be more common in elderly patients with comorbid diseases. Chronic constipation causing fecal impaction is a major risk factor. CT scan is the most helpful imaging modality for the diagnosis of stercoral colitis. CT findings that should prompt the radiologist to consider this diagnosis include colonic dilatation containing impacted feces, mural thickening, and pericolic fat stranding. If the fecal impaction is not promptly relieved, life-threatening complications such as colonic perforation can occur.
Introduction Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a rare entity, caused by compression of the duodenum between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. Case presentation A 16-year-old male in the inpatient service of our hospital complained of vomiting for two weeks. The patient had a long hospital stay in our center for the management of trauma-related complications, which resulted in significant weight loss despite the parenteral nutrition as he was unable for taking the enteral nutrition due to severe facial traumatic injury. In oral contrast study, the proximal duodenal segments were dilated. The contrast media could not reach the duodenojejunal junction in the supine position, though a small amount of the contras passed the distal duodenal part on repositioning the patient to prone. On abdominal CT images, the angle and distance between the superior mesenteric artery and the abdominal aorta were decreased to 20. 8 0 , and 7.3 mm respectively. The findings were consistent with the superior mesenteric artery compression syndrome. He underwent a mini-laparotomy for the placement of a jejunostomy feeding tube aiming to promote weight gain and mesenteric fat restoration for preventing the SMA compression effects on the duodenum. Discussion The decrease in retroperitoneal fat owing to weight loss may result in aortomesenteric angle reduction and duodenal compression. Prompt nutritional support and timely diagnosis may preclude the need for more invasive surgical intervention. Conclusion Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a rare condition, often resulting in small bowel obstruction. The clinical symptoms of this syndrome are nonspecific, which may underestimate the diagnosis. However, clinical suspicion supported by imaging study may help the accurate diagnosis. Superior mesenteric artery syndrome should be considered in all polytrauma and longstanding immobile patients present with rapid weight loss and vomiting.
Moyamoya is a rare occlusive cerebrovascular disease characterized by progressive stenosis of the terminal portion of the internal carotid artery and the circle of Willis. Over time, collateral arteries are usually formed at the basal ganglia, the so-called Moyamoya vessels. The exact cause of Moyamoya disease is unknown, while Moyamoya syndrome refers to Moyamoya-like vasculopathy due to autoimmune diseases, neurofibromatosis type I, sickle cell disease, radiation, or rarely Down syndrome. Down syndrome is one of the most common genetic conditions, characterized by typical physical traits, associated with intellectual disability and a heterogeneous group of structural defects that may vulnerable the patient for the development of Moyamoya syndrome. The reported case is an unusual case of a 2-year-old boy with Down syndrome who presented to the hospital with seizures and right-side weakness. Brain MRI shows acute as well as old lacunar infarctions in both cerebral hemispheres. Catheter angiography of the patient demonstrates severe stenosis and occlusion of the large vessels of the circle of Willis, predominantly on the right side. The collateral vessels with the typical pattern of “puff of smoke” were also depicted in the right basal ganglia, which is a characteristic imaging finding for Moyamoya. The patient was managed conservatively and eventually discharged with a minimal improvement of the right-sided weakness. This case report is noteworthy because of the rarity of Moyamoya syndrome as a cause of a stroke as well as its possible association with Down syndrome.
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