Managing metastatic Crohn's disease: a single center experience, review of the current evidence, and treatment algorithm

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that, besides gastrointestinal symptoms, may encompass extra-intestinal symptoms, such as dermatological manifestations. Of those, metastatic CD (MCD) is a rare extra-intestinal manifestation for which the management is uncertain.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective case series of patients with MCD seen at the University hospital Leuven, Belgium, combined with an overview of the recent literature. Electronic medical records were searched from January 2003 till April 2022. For the literature search, Medline, Embase, Trip Database, and The Cochrane Library were searched from inception to April 1, 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 11 patients with MCD were retrieved. In all cases noncaseating granulomatous inflammation was found on skin biopsies. Two adults and one child were diagnosed with MCD prior to their diagnosis of CD. Seven patients were treated with steroids (intralesional, topical or systemic). Six patients needed a biological therapy to treat MCD. Surgical excision was performed in three patients. All patients reported a successful outcome and most cases achieved remission. The literature search yielded 53 articles, including three reviews, three systematic reviews, 30 case reports and six case series. A treatment algorithm was generated based on literature and multidisciplinary discussion.

CONCLUSION

MCD remains a rare entity and diagnosis is often difficult. A multidisciplinary approach including skin biopsy is necessary to diagnose and treat MCD efficiently. Outcome is generally favorable, and lesions respond well to steroids and biologicals. We propose a treatment algorithm based on the available evidence and multidisciplinary discussion.

Recommendations for skin cancer consultation and surgery during COVID-19 pandemic

Linked articles: COVID‐19 SPECIAL FORUM. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34: e433–e466.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is associated with childhood and lifetime traumatic events: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Negative life events in childhood can increase the susceptibility to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a systemic inflammatory disease affecting the apocrine sweat glands, characterized by abscesses, fistulas and inflammatory nodules. It is unknown whether adult HS is associated with traumatic events.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between childhood and total lifetime traumatic events and the presence of HS.

METHODS

We conducted a matched (1 : 3) case-control study with 71 HS patients and 213 controls. Patients were matched on age, gender and level of education. Questionnaires on general and demographic information, as well as the Traumatic Experience Checklist and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, were completed.

RESULTS

The number of traumatic events (OR: 1.20 per trauma, P value < 0.05), and childhood traumatic events (yes vs. no, OR 3.59, P value < 0.05) and the number of childhood traumatic events (OR 1.35 per trauma, P value < 0.05) were correlated with an increased risk of developing HS. Detailed analysis showed that childhood emotional traumatic events (OR 5.03, P value < 0.05) were significantly associated with the development of HS.

CONCLUSION

Number of lifetime traumatic events and childhood traumatic events are associated with HS. This association is strongest for emotional childhood traumas. The increased prevalence of childhood traumas in HS patients can be one of the underlying mechanisms leading to systemic inflammation in these patients.

Klebsiella and E. coli liver abscess associated with aerobilia: a case report

Pyogenic liver abscesses are commonly caused by biliary tract infections. We report here a case of liver abscess developed secondary to a biliary-enteric fistula. A 83 year old diabetic woman was admitted because of sepsis due to Klebsiella pneumoniae and E. Coli and with upper right quadrant pain. Six months before admission, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed. The abdominal sonography showed a liver abscess associated with an important aerobilia. The Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography showed a choledocho-colic fistula with an important inflammatory background. There was no evidence of neoplasia or inflammatory bowel disease. The evolution was marked by the development of urinary and bronchial tract infection due to Klebsiella. Septic metastasis are characteristics of Klebsiella liver abscesses. Percutaneous drainage associated with a intravenous antibiotherapy was performed.

[Isolated compression of the celiac trunk. Apropos of 8 cases]

Celiac axis compression syndrome. Celiac axis compression syndrome is still controversed. The authors discuss the results of the surgical treatment among eight patients and review the literature. They conclude this entity exist and that suppression of stenosis by surgery yielded interesting therapeutic results.

[Our experience in the treatment of reflux esophagitis with histamine H2 receptor antagonists]

The object of this study was to value the efficacy of reflux oesophagitis treatment by H2-blockers. Fifty-one patients were treated by Cimetidine or Ranitidine. After three months, we note a clinical improvement in 84% of cases and a regression of the endoscopic lesions in 61% of cases. A long term overlooking shows a high number of recurrences when the treatment is stopped, whereas the chronic treatment has essentially a stabilizing effect on the lesions.