An appendicovesical fistula is defined as an abnormal communication between the appendix and the urinary bladder, with only a few cases reported in the literature. It is very challenging to make an early diagnosis, due to the inability of conventional imaging modalities to detect this unique pathology. The symptoms are often mild, and there are not any specific signs or symptoms that might suggest this type of anomalous communication. We report a case of a 27-year-old male patient who presented difficulty for initiating urination, dysuria, and persistent urinary tract infections. An abdominal x-ray showed a large calculus inside the bladder. A cystoscopy was performed, where the tip of the appendix was seen protruding inside the bladder with a large fecalith adhered to the bladder wall. An appendectomy and partial cystectomy with primary repair were auspiciously achieved. A review of the literature is also presented.
Purpose Colonic volvulus constitutes a significant cause of large bowel obstruction in adults. Most studies of colonic volvulus come from high endemic zones and are limited by the small number of patients. In our region, there is a shortage of studies concerning this disorder, and treatment of colonic volvulus remains controversial.
Methods This is a retrospective study of 34 patients who presented with colonic volvulus at a single academic institution in a 4-year period and their respective treatment and outcomes.
Results A total of 34 patients, 17 males (50%) and 17 females (50%), with a mean age of 55 ± 23.9 years underwent treatment for colonic volvulus. Twelve patients (35.3%) underwent initial decompression, followed by a Hartman procedure in 4 patients (11.7%) and sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis in 3 patients (8.8%), with 3 fatalities (8.8%) following initial decompression. Two patients (5.8%) were lost to follow-up. Twenty-two patients (64.7%) underwent emergency surgery, of whom 16 (47%) underwent a Hartman procedure, with colorectal anastomosis in 9 patients (26.4%), with 3 fatalities (8.8%) immediately after the first procedure. Four patients (11.7%) were lost to follow up after the Hartman procedure. Of the 6 remaining patients (17.6%), of the emergency surgical group, 3 patients (8.8%) had an initial sigmoidectomy and primary anastomosis, and the remaining 3 patients (8.8%) had a cecal volvulus with a right hemicolectomy performed with primary anastomosis in 2 patients (5.8%) and with a fatality in the remaining patient, on whom a terminal ileostomy was performed for damage control. The mean hospital stay was 5.7 days, with an overall mortality rate of 23.5%.
Conclusion Acute colonic volvulus in our region is not as uncommon as in other parts of the world. This disorder must be suspected when a patient presents with abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and bean sign on plain X-rays and/or a whirl sign on computed tomography scan.
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