RESUMEN
The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to a significant and dramatic worldwide increase in morbidity and mortality rates throughout the year 2020. Although most patients present with respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever and shortness of breath, gastrointestinal symptoms have increasingly been reported and recognized as a major element of patients' presentation. It was found that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors (the entry receptors for SARS-CoV-2) are expressed in the pancreas in addition to the lungs, kidneys and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract, which raises the hypothesis that COVID-19 can stand as an etiology for acute pancreatitis in certain circumstances. Herein, we present a case of a COVID-19 patient who presented to the emergency room with clinical, laboratory and radiological findings of acute pancreatitis several days after being diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. He was admitted and treated conservatively. Several weeks following the initial episode, the patient developed a huge pancreatic pseudocyst, which was treated successfully with endoscopic cyst-gastrostomy. To the best of our knowledge, following a meticulous review of the current English literature, this is the second case of pancreatic pseudocyst development following acute pancreatitis due to COVID-19 infection.
RESUMEN
Background: Ischemic colitis remains a challenge for the surgeon, both in its diagnosis and treatment. Data from a single tertiary center, of patients diagnosed with ischemic colitis, was collected. An attempt was made to delineate the patients requiring surgical intervention. Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken in patients diagnosed with ischemic colitis admitted to Rambam Health Care Campus between 2011 and 2016. The primary outcome was defined as mortality. Secondary outcomes were defined as complications during conservative treatment and postoperative course. Results: Sixty-three patients were diagnosed with ischemic colitis during the study period. The mean age at presentation was 72.5 years, with a female predominance (62%). The overall mortality rate was 29% (18/63). Six patients (50%) of those operated died. An older age, comorbidities and higher lactate levels present risk factors for a worse outcome. Conclusions: Ischemic colitis continues to present a challenge in its management. A better understanding of the disease process is required. And one needs to adhere to sound surgical principles for a timely diagnosis and treatment, especially in older patients with worrisome clinical, laboratory, and imaging features.