A 49-year-old man complaining of epigastric pain underwent endoscopy, during which thickened stomach folds below the fundus were observed. Microscopic examination of gastric tissue biopsy specimens revealed chronic active gastritis. Dieterle stain revealed overwhelming numbers of "corkscrew-like" spirochetes. These were proved to be consistent with Treponema pallidum. A comprehensive study of the tissue revealed the added presence of Helicobacter pylori. This appears to be the first case report describing the involvement of H. pylori and T. pallidum together in a case of chronic active gastritis.
Acquired, nonmalignant tracheoesophageal fistulas (TEFs) often occur in the setting of prolonged use of endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes due to trauma and erosion of the tracheal wall inflicted by tube cuffs or direct tracheal contact. In this report, we present a patient with a tracheostomy who presented with recurrent aspiration pneumonia and was found to have a large TEF that was difficult to treat. We also discuss the diagnostic and management challenges concerning TEFs. TEFs, especially if large, lead to recurrent aspiration pneumonia and can be challenging to manage. Definitive management of TEFs involves surgical repair; meanwhile, endoscopic or bronchoscopic stenting to bypass the fistula can be performed. The fistula location, size, and concurrent positive pressure ventilation make its treatment challenging in those with chronic ventilatory dependence. Early recognition and multidisciplinary management involving gastroenterologists, interventional pulmonologists, and thoracic surgeons are necessary to decide on the best treatment strategy.
Figure 1. Parenchymal liver biopsy: (A) and (B) Lobular cholestasis. The hepatic lobules show cholestasis within the hepatocytes and bile canaliculi. (C) Paucity of intrahepatic bile duct. No bile duct is seen in the portal tract. (D) CK-7 positive hepatocytes in chronic cholestasis. The hepatocytes in this case stain positive for CK-7.
The prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) has significantly increased, while, in comparison, eosinophilic gastroenteritis and colitis remain rare entities. The diagnosis and management of eosinophilic gastrointestinal (GI) disorders can be challenging given the non-specific manifestations and variable treatment response. Symptoms refractory to initial therapies (e.g., proton pump inhibitors, dietary modifications, topical steroids) should raise suspicion for distal involvement of the GI tract. In this case report, we describe a patient with EoE with a subsequent diagnosis of eosinophilic colitis and symptom response to systemic corticosteroids. In addition, we review recent updates regarding the management of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders.
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