Abnormal uterine bleeding successfully treated via ultrasoundguided microwave ablation of uterine myoma lesions: Three case reports

BACKGROUND Microwave endometrial ablation(MEA)is a minimally invasive treatment method for heavy menstrual bleeding.However,additional treatment is often required after recurrence of uterine myomas treated with MEA.Additionally,because this treatment ablates the endometrium,it is not indicated for patients planning to become pregnant.To overcome these issues,we devised a method for ultrasound-guided microwave ablation of uterine myoma feeder vessels.We report three patients successfully treated for heavy menstrual bleeding,secondary to uterine myoma,using our novel method.CASE SUMMARY All patients had a favorable postoperative course,were discharged within 4 h,and experienced no complications.Further,no postoperative recurrence of heavy menstrual bleeding was noted.Our method also reduced the myoma’s maximum diameter.CONCLUSION This method does not ablate the endometrium,suggesting its potential appli-cation in patients planning to become pregnant.

Monodermal teratoma:Three case reports and review of literature

BACKGROUND The incidence of monodermal teratomas of the reproductive system is low,and most doctors lack adequate understanding,which can easily lead to missed diagnoses and/or misdiagnosis.Therefore,it is important to fully understand the clinical characteristics,diagnosis,differential diagnosis,and treatment of monodermal teratomas of the reproductive system.CASE SUMMARY Case 1:A 14-year-old boy was admitted to the hospital with a right testicular mass for 1 wk and underwent surgical resection.He was finally diagnosed with right testicular monodermal teratoma with no special postoperative discomfort.Case 2:A 40-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital for uterine abnormalities indicated by ultrasound 20 d prior and underwent laparoscopic surgery.She was finally diagnosed with a left ovarian monodermal teratoma with a satisfactory postoperative quality of life.Case 3:A 49-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with a pelvic mass that was discovered on B-ultrasound a week prior and underwent laparoscopic resection of the left adnexa.She was finally diagnosed with left ovarian monodermal teratoma,and her postoperative quality of life was satisfactory.CONCLUSION Monodermal teratoma is a rare tumor whose clinical manifestations are primarily benign.Simple surgical resection of the tumor is effective.

Low-molecular-weight heparin and preeclampsia—does the sword cut both ways?Three case reports and review of literature

BACKGROUND Low-molecular-weight heparins(LMWH)are the most commonly used anticoagulants during pregnancy.It is considered to be the drug of choice due to its safety in not crossing placenta.Considering the beneficial effect in the improvement of microcirculation,prophylactic application of LMWH in patients with preeclampsia became a trend.However,the bleeding risk related with LMWH in preeclampsia patients has seldomly been evaluated.This current study aimed to identify the potential risks regarding LMWH application in patients with preeclampsia.CASE SUMMARY Herein we present a case series of three pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia on LMWH therapy during pregnancy.All the cases experienced catastrophic hemorrhagic events.After reviewing the twenty-one meta-analyses,the bleeding risk related with LMWH seems ignorable.Only one study analyzed the bleeding risk of LMWH and found a significantly higher risk of developing PPH in women receiving LMWH.Other studies reported minor bleeding risks,none of these were serious enough to stop LMWH treatment.Possibilities of bleeding either from uterus or from intrabdominal organs in preeclampsia patients on LMWH therapy should not be ignored.Intensive management of blood pressure even after delivery and homeostasis suture in surgery are crucial.CONCLUSION Consideration should be given to the balance between benefits and risks of LMWH in patients with preeclampsia.

Colo-colonic intussusception as a rare complication of colonoscopy with polypectomy: Two case reports

BACKGROUND Colonoscopy is the most frequently used diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the treatment of colorectal diseases.Although the complication rate is low,it can be potentially serious.Intussusception is a rare and severe complication often associated with polypectomy.Only a handful of post-colonoscopy intussusception cases have been reported,making this study a valuable addition to the medical literature.CASE SUMMARY Case 1:A 61-year-old man underwent colonoscopy with polypectomy for chronic abdominal pain.The patient experienced abdominal pain 11 hours later but was still discharged after pain management.He was readmitted due to recurring pain.Computed tomography(CT)showed colo-colonic intussusception.Initial conservative management and attempts at endoscopic reduction failed;therefore,laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was performed.Histopathological examination revealed tubular adenomas in the polyps and inflammation in the resected specimens.Case 2:A 59-year-old woman underwent colonoscopy with polypectomy for a polyp in the transverse colon.She experienced upper abdominal pain,fever,nausea,and vomiting 9 hours after the procedure.Emergency CT and blood tests revealed a colo-colonic intussusception near the hepatic flexure and an elevated white blood cell count.Initial attempts at endoscopic reduction failed and conservative treatment showed no improvement.She underwent successful laparoscopic reduction and recovered uneventfully.Histopathological examination of the resected polyp revealed hyperplasia.CONCLUSION Post-colonoscopy intussusception in adults is rare,and polypectomy may contribute to its occurrence.Early diagnosis is crucial,with prompt CT examination serving as key.After excluding malignancies,conservative management and reduction of intussusception should be considered before surgical bowel resection.

Outcomes of endoscopic sclerotherapy for jejunal varices at the site of choledochojejunostomy (with video): Three case reports

BACKGROUND Hemorrhage associated with varices at the site of choledochojejunostomy is an unusual,difficult to treat,and often fatal manifestation of portal hypertension.So far,no treatment guidelines have been established.CASE SUMMARY We reported three patients with jejunal varices at the site of choledochojejun-ostomy managed by endoscopic sclerotherapy with lauromacrogol/α-butyl cyanoacrylate injection at our institution between June 2021 and August 2023.We reviewed all patient records,clinical presentation,endoscopic findings and treatment,outcomes and follow-up.Three patients who underwent pancre-aticoduodenectomy with a Whipple anastomosis were examined using conven-tional upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for suspected hemorrhage from the afferent jejunal loop.Varices with stigmata of recent hemorrhage or active he-morrhage were observed around the choledochojejunostomy site in all three patients.Endoscopic injection of lauromacrogol/α-butyl cyanoacrylate was carried out at jejunal varices for all three patients.The bleeding ceased and patency was observed for 26 and 2 months in two patients.In one patient with multiorgan failure and internal environment disturbance,rebleeding occurred 1 month after endoscopic sclerotherapy,and despite a second endoscopic sclero-therapy,repeated episodes of bleeding and multiorgan failure resulted in eventual death.CONCLUSION We conclude that endoscopic sclerotherapy with lauromacrogol/α-butyl cyanoac-rylate injection can be an easy,effective,safe and low-cost treatment option for jejunal varicose bleeding at the site of choledochojejunostomy.

Non-surgical treatment of diabetic foot ulcers on the dorsum of the foot with polydeoxyribonucleotide injection:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Diabetic foot ulcers are caused by a variety of factors,including peripheral neuropathy,peripheral arterial disease,impaired wound healing mechanisms,and repetitive trauma.Patients with diabetic foot ulcer on the dorsum of the foot are often treated surgically.However,the right non-surgical therapy must be chosen if surgical choices are contraindicated or if the patient prefers conservative treatment over surgery.CASE SUMMARY The purpose of this case report is to highlight the efficacy of polydeoxyribonucleotide(PDRN)injection as a non-surgical treatment option for diabetic foot ulcers on the dorsum of the foot,particularly in patients who choose against surgical intervention.This case report presents two cases of diabetic foot ulcers located on the dorsum of the foot that were successfully treated with PDRN injection as a non-surgical intervention.CONCLUSION If the patient declines surgery for diabetic ulcers with Wagner grade II or below,PDRN injection can be effective if necrotic tissue is removed and the wound bed kept clean.

Gradient inflammation in the pancreatic stump after pancreaticoduodenectomy:Two case reports and review of literature

BACKGROUND Postoperative pancreatic fistula(POPF)contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD).However,the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.This study explored this pathology in the pancreatic stumps and elucidated the mechanisms of POPF following PD.CASE SUMMARY Pathological analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were performed on specimens obtained from two patients who underwent complete pancreatectomy for grade C POPF after PD.Gradient inflammation is present in the pancreatic stump.The apoptosis was lower than that in the normal pancreas.Moreover,neu-trophildominated inflammatory cells are concentrated in the ductal system.No-tably,neutrophils migrated through the ductal wall in acinar duct metaplasia-formed ducts.Additionally,evidence indicates that gut microbes migrate from the digestive tract.Gradient inflammation occurs in pancreatic stumps after PD.CONCLUSION The mechanisms underlying POPF include high biochemical activity in the pancreas,mechanical injury,and digestive reflux.To prevent POPF and address pancreatic inflammation and reflux,breaking the link with anastomotic dehi-scence is practical.

Moyamoya syndrome may result from psoriasis: Four case reports

BACKGROUND Moyamoya syndrome(MMS)is a group of diseases that involves more than one underlying disease and is accompanied by moyamoya vascular phenomena.Psoriasis is a chronic immune skin disease closely linked to high blood pressure and heart disease.However,psoriasis-related MMS has not been reported.CASE SUMMARY We collected data on patients with stroke due to MMS between January 2017 and December 2019 and identified four cases of psoriasis.Case histories,imaging,and hematological data were collected.The average age of the initial stroke onset was 58.25±11.52 years;three cases of hemorrhagic and one case of ischemic stroke were included.The average duration from psoriasis confirmation to the initial MMS-mediated stroke onset was 17±3.56 years.All MMS-related stenoses involved the bilateral cerebral arteries:Suzuki grade III in one case,grade IV in two cases,and grade V in one case.Abnormally elevated plasma interleukin-6 levels were observed in four patients.Two patients had abnormally elevated immunoglobulin E levels,and two had thrombocytosis.All four patients received medication instead of surgery.With an average follow-up time of 2 years,two causing transient ischemic attacks occurred in two patients,and no hemorrhagic events occurred.CONCLUSION Psoriasis may be a potential risk factor for MMS.Patients with psoriasis should be screened for MMS when they present with neurological symptoms.

Gastric metastasis of small cell lung carcinoma:Three case reports and review of literature

BACKGROUND Small cell lung carcinoma(SCLC)is highly susceptible to metastasis in the early stages of the disease.However,the stomach is an uncommon site of metastasis in SCLC,and only a few cases of this type of metastasis have been reported.Therefore,SCLC gastric metastases have not been systematically characterized and are easily missed and misdiagnosed.CASE SUMMARY We report three cases of gastric metastasis from SCLC in this article.The first patient presented primarily with cough,hemoptysis,and epigastric fullness.The other two patients presented primarily with abdominal discomfort,epigastric distension,and pain.All patients underwent gastroscopy and imaging examinations.Meanwhile,the immunohistochemical results of the lesions in three patients were suggestive of small cell carcinoma.Finally,the three patients were diagnosed with gastric metastasis of SCLC through a comprehensive analysis.The three patients did not receive appropriate treatment and died within a short time.CONCLUSION Here,we focused on summarizing the characteristics of gastric metastasis of SCLC to enhance clinicians'understanding of this disease.

Colonic schistosomiasis mimicking cancer,polyp,and inflammatory bowel disease:Five case reports and review of literature

BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis,officially named as a neglected tropical disease by The World Health Organization,is a serious parasitic disease caused by trematode flukes of the genus Schistosoma.It is a common infectious disease,endemic in more than 78 countries.The disease can involve various organs and poses far-reaching public health challenges.CASE SUMMARY Here,we present a series of five patients with variable presentations:an asymptomatic patient who was diagnosed with colonic schistosomiasis upon screening colonoscopy;2 patients with clinical suspicion of colonic cancer;and 2 patients with a clinical diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease.All patients were subsequently confirmed to have colonic schistosomiasis after colonoscopy and histopathologic examination.The clinical manifestations,colonoscopy features and histologic findings of the patients are described.Most of the patients showed significant clinical improvement following administration of oral praziquantel.CONCLUSION Intestinal schistosomiasis can present with features mimicking other gastrointestinal conditions.This disease should be a diagnostic consideration in patients who live in or have traveled to endemic areas.

Reconstruction of cervical necrotizing fasciitis defect with the modified keystone flap technique:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Cervical necrotizing fasciitis(CNF)is a rare,aggressive form of deep neck space infection with significant morbidity and mortality rates.Serial surgical debridement acts as the cornerstone of CNF treatment;however,it often results in defects requiring complex reconstructions.CASE SUMMARY We report two cases in which the keystone flap(KF)was used for CNF defect coverage:Case 1,an 85-year-old patient with CNF in the anterior neck,and Case 2,a 54-year-old patient with CNF in the posterior neck.Both patients received empirical intravenous antibiotic therapy and underwent serial debridement,enabling adequate wound preparation and stabilization.The final defect size measured 5.5 cm×12 cm in Case 1 and 6 cm×11 cm in Case 2.For defect coverage,we employed an 8 cm×19 cm type II KF based on perforators from the superior thyroid artery in Case 1 and a 9 cm×18 cm type II KF based on perforators from the transverse cervical artery in Case 2.Both flaps showed complete survival.No postoperative complications occurred in both cases,and favorable outcomes were observed at 7-and 6-month follow-ups in case 1 and 2,respectively.CONCLUSION We effectively treated CNF-associated defects using the KF technique;KF is viable for covering CNF defects in carefully selected cases.

Omadacycline in the treatment of scrub typhus:Three case reports

BACKGROUND Scrub typhus is a naturally occurring acute infectious disease that is primarily transmitted through the bites of chiggers or larval mites infected by Orientia tsutsugamushi(O.tsutsugamushi).Omadacycline,a novel tetracycline,exhibits potent antibacterial efficacy against both typical bacteria and atypical pathogens.However,omadacycline application in the treatment of scrub typhus remains limited.CASE SUMMARY In the present work,we report several cases of scrub typhus,with the main clinical symptoms being fever,the formation of eschars or ulcers,local or systemic lymphadenopathy,headache,myalgia and rash.Blood samples were collected before omadacycline was administered,and O.tsutsugamushi infection was confirmed through targeted next-generation sequencing(tNGS).After two days of treatment,the patients’symptoms,including fever,were alleviated,with no adverse drug reactions.CONCLUSION tNGS is an effective method for diagnosing scrub typhus.Omadacycline can be considered an alternative option for antiinfective therapy in patients with O.tsutsugamushi infections.

Successful management of severe hypoglycemia induced by total parenteral nutrition in patients with hepatocellular injury: Three cases reports

BACKGROUND Glucose imbalance is common in total parenteral nutrition(TPN).Hypoglycemia seems to be less frequent than hyperglycemia,but it influences the clinical outcome to a greater extent.Therefore,it should be effectively prevented and treated.However,there is no relevant report on how to treat hypoglycemia caused by TPN in patients with liver cell injury.CASE SUMMARY We present three patients with liver cell injury who developed severe hypo-glycemia during or after TPN infusion.The causes of severe hypoglycemia and glucose-raising strategies were discussed.According to the physiological charac-teristics of the hepatocellular injury,the ratio of nutrition components prescribed in TPN was appropriately adjusted for the three cases.We simultaneously reduced the dose of insulin and fat emulsion,and increased the dose of glucose in TPN.The blood glucose level was restored to normal range and clinical symptoms were eliminated.CONCLUSION When hypoglycemia occurs during or after TPN in patients with hepatocellular injury,physicians need to simultaneously reduce insulin and fat emulsion,and increase glucose,and correct severe hypoglycemia in time to reduce its adverse consequences.

An unusual etiology of subarachnoid hemorrhage,basilar artery perforator aneurysms,in Macao:Three case reports and review of literature

BACKGROUND Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a severe neurological condition that requires prompt and appropriate treatment to prevent complications.Aneurysms are the most common cause of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage.Conversely,basilar artery perforator aneurysms(BAPAs)are a rare etiology.There is no consensus on the optimal management of ruptured BAPAs in the acute setting.CASE SUMMARY We present a case series of 3 patients with ruptured BAPAs who were treated at our institution.Two patients had a modified Fisher grade of I,and one had a grade of IV on initial presentation.The aneurysms were detected by computed tomography angiography in two cases and conventional angiography in one case.The 3 patients underwent endovascular treatment with Guglielmi detachable coils.Post-treatment,the patients had good clinical outcomes,and follow-up brain computed tomography scans showed reduced subarachnoid hemorrhage without any new hemorrhage.However,one patient experienced a cerebral infarction 2 months later and eventually succumbed to the condition.The other 2 patients showed progressive recovery,and no aneurysm recurrence was observed at the 2-year follow-up.CONCLUSION Endovascular treatment may be a preferable approach for managing ruptured BAPAs compared with surgical intervention or conservative management.Early detection and prompt treatment is important to achieve favorable patient outcomes.

Diagnosis and treatment of refractory infectious diseases using nanopore sequencing technology:Three case reports

BACKGROUND Infectious diseases are still one of the greatest threats to human health,and the etiology of 20%of cases of clinical fever is unknown;therefore,rapid identification of pathogens is highly important.Traditional culture methods are only able to detect a limited number of pathogens and are time-consuming;serologic detection has window periods,false-positive and false-negative problems;and nucleic acid molecular detection methods can detect several known pathogens only once.Three-generation nanopore sequencing technology provides new options for identifying pathogens.CASE SUMMARY Case 1:The patient was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain for three days and cessation of defecation for five days,accompanied by cough and sputum.Nanopore sequencing of the drainage fluid revealed the presence of orallike bacteria,leading to a clinical diagnosis of bronchopleural fistula.Cefoperazone sodium sulbactam treatment was effective.Case 2:The patient was admitted to the hospital with fever and headache,and CT revealed lung inflammation.Antibiotic treatment for Streptococcus pneumoniae,identified through nanopore sequencing of cerebrospinal fluid,was effective.Case 3:The patient was admitted to our hospital with intermittent fever and an enlarged neck mass that had persisted for more than six months.Despite antibacterial treatment,her symptoms worsened.The nanopore sequencing results indicate that voriconazole treatment is effective for Aspergillus brookii.The patient was diagnosed with mixed cell type classical Hodgkin's lymphoma with infection.CONCLUSION Three-generation nanopore sequencing technology allows for rapid and accurate detection of pathogens in human infectious diseases.

Use of MLC901 in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis:Three case reports

BACKGROUND Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis(CVT)is rare cause of cerebrovascular disease.The incidence is 0.5%of all stroke.The majority of affected patients are young adults(mean age:35-40 years)with mild to moderate disabilities.Poor outcome with severe disability is seen in 13%of cases.Early diagnosis and treatment are important for good outcomes and preventing complications.Treatment options are limited and mostly based on consensus.NeuroAiD II™(MLC901;Moleac Pte,Ltd,Singapore)has a potential beneficial role in post-stroke recovery,by aiding the natural brain recovery process.CASE SUMMARY MLC901 consists of nine natural herbal ingredients.Studies have shown its safety profile and aid in post stroke recovery.The aim of this case series was to demonstrate the potential role of MLC901 in stroke recovery of patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis(CVST)who received MLC901 in addition to standard of care.The prescribed dose of MLC901 is 400 mg/cap two capsules,three times a day.Data from these patients were prospectively collected at baseline and at monthly visits,for a duration of 3 mo.Outcome measures included adherence to therapy,side effects,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale,Glasgow Coma Scale,modified Rankin Scale,and the Short Orientation-Memory-Concentration Test.MLC901 was well tolerated and no side effects were reported.All patients were stable with improved condition.CONCLUSION This case series highlights the potential therapeutic effects of MLC901 on CVST and provides support for further studies.

Mazabraud’s syndrome in female patients:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Mazabraud’s syndrome(MS)is a rare and slowly progressive benign disease characterized by the concurrent presence of fibrous dysplasia of bone and intramuscular myxoma,and is thought to be associated with mutations of the GNAS gene.To date,only about 100 cases of MS have been reported in the literature,but its standard treatment strategy remains unclear.CASE SUMMARY We report two cases of MS in young women who underwent different treatments based on their symptoms and disease manifestations.The first patient,aged 37,received internal fixation and intravenous bisphosphonate for a pathological fracture of the right femoral neck,excision of a right vastus medialis myxoma was subsequently performed for pain control,and asymptomatic psoas myxomas were monitored without surgery.Genetic testing confirmed a GNAS gene mutation in this patient.The second patient,aged 24,underwent right vastus intermedius muscle myxoma resection,and conservative treatment for fibrous dysplasia of the ilium.These patients were followed-up for 17 months and 3 years,respectively,and are now in a stable condition.CONCLUSION Various treatments have been selected for MS patients who suffer different symptoms.The main treatment for myxomas is surgical resection,while fibrous dysplasia is selectively treated if the patient experiences pathological fracture or severe pain.However,given the documented instances of malignant transformation of fibrous dysplasia in individuals with MS,close follow-up is necessary.

Are case reports valuable?Exploring their role in evidence based medicine and patient care

Case reports,often overlooked in evidence-based medicine(EBM),play a pivotal role in healthcare research.They provide unique insights into rare conditions,novel treatments,and adverse effects,serving as valuable educational tools and generating new hypothesis.Despite their limitations in generalizability,case reports contribute significantly to evidence-based practice by offering detailed clinical information and fostering critical thinking among healthcare professionals.By acknowledging their limitations and adhering to reporting guidelines,case reports can contribute significantly to medical knowledge and patient care within the evolving landscape of EBM.This editorial explores the intrinsic value of case reports in EBM and patient care.

Extended survival with metastatic pancreatic cancer under fruquintinib treatment after failed chemotherapy:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant disease.After decades of treatment progress,the current five-year survival rate for patients is still less than 10%.For later-line treatment,the treatment options are even more limited.Anti-angiogenic drugs can improve progression-free survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.Preclinical data show that fruquintinib might improve the prognosis of advanced pancreatic cancer by targeting angiogenesis and lymphopoiesis,improving the abnormal vascular structure,and modulating the tumour immune microenvironment.CASE SUMMARY We present two cases of third-line fruquintinib monotherapy that brought an extraprolonged progress-free survival(PFS)of 10 months.Patient 1 took adjuvant gemcitabine-based and first-line nab-paclitaxel-based chemotherapy and then used local radiotherapy combined with programmed cell death 1 receptor(PD-1).Each line lasted approximately 7 months.Moreover,the patient took third-line fruquintinib,which was followed by stable disease for 10 months,during which no additional adverse effect was observed.The patient later refused to take fruquintinib due to difficulty urinating and lower abdominal pain after the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)infection.The patient died in February 2023.Patient 2 also took two prior lines of chemotherapy and then local radiotherapy combined with S-1.After confirmed disease progression,the patient experienced a continuous partial response after using fruquintinib monotherapy in the third line.After the patient had COVID-19 in December 2022,fruquintinib was discontinued.The patient died in January 2023 due to disease progression.CONCLUSION Both cases achieved a PFS benefit from later-line single-agent fruquintinib therapy.With its better safety profile,fruquintinib may be worth exploring and studying in more depth as a later-line treatment for pancreatic cancer patients.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided lauromacrogol injection for treatment of colorectal cavernous hemangioma:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Colorectal cavernous hemangioma is a rare vascular malformation resulting in recurrent lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage,and can be misinterpreted as colitis.Surgical resection is currently the mainstay of treatment,with an emphasis on sphincter preservation.CASE SUMMARY We present details of two young patients with a history of persistent hematochezia diagnosed with colorectal cavernous hemangioma by endoscopic ultrasound(EUS).Cavernous hemangioma was relieved by several EUS-guided lauromacrogol injections and the patients achieved favorable clinical prognosis.CONCLUSION Multiple sequential EUS-guided injections of lauromacrogol is a safe,effective,cost-efficient,and minimally invasive alternative for colorectal cavernous hemangioma.