Surgical emergencies and pseudo-surgical syndromes in the course of acquired immunodeficiency syndromes in adults
Arsac, M.; Cugnenc, P.H.; Lowenstein, W.; Tourani, J.M.; Wind, P.; Faye, A.; Siksik, J.M.
Chirurgie; Memoires de l'Academie de Chirurgie 115(4-5) 328-334; Discussion: 334-335
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-4001 PMID: 2692992 Document Number: 344781
Numerous abdominal manifestations were noted among 600 patients undergoing treatment at Hospital Laennec for various stages of infection by the acquired immunodeficiency virus. These included violent abdominal pain in 30% of cases, the development of abdominal lymphoma, and occasionally alarming pseudo-surgical syndromes. Diagnosis is difficult, all the more so since authentic emergencies may be aggravated by the immunodeficiency state. 18 cases were collected in 3 years and included 6 cases of acute cholecystitis and 2 of appendicitis. The gangrenous and extensive nature of infection was generally noted and required appropriate antibiotic therapy.