Esophageal pseudodiverticulosis, a rare condition, involves small sac-like structures in the esophageal wall, stemming from dilated excretory ducts of submucosal glands. While uncommon, it can complicate Candida albicans esophagitis, a yeast infection linked to various clinical issues, including pseudodiverticula formation. This unique association underscores the importance of understanding its clinical implications and optimal management. In this case, a 68-year-old female sought medical attention for dysphagia and recurrent food impaction. The diagnostic journey revealed esophageal pseudodiverticulosis and Candida albicans esophagitis, emphasizing the complexity of esophageal disorders.
Gastrointestinal (GI) tract lipomas are a benign entity of GI tumors. In this case report, we present a 53-year-old patient who was found to have a rectal lipoma incidentally in an asymptomatic middle-aged female during a routine colonoscopy screening. The tumor was excised during colonoscopy and sent for histopathology, which confirmed the diagnosis. We also provide a literature review of GI lipomas, focusing on their occurrence in the rectum.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that impacts multiple organ systems and can mimic various diseases and is an extremely rare cause of proctitis in men who have sex with men and transgender females. We present a case of a 49-year-old transgender female with a medical history significant for diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia who presented to the emergency department with dull abdominal pain in the left upper and lower quadrants for two days. She had non-bloody, nonbilious emesis, 10-pound weight loss over 1 month, and constipation for 2 weeks. Laboratory results showed a cholestatic pattern. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed rectal wall thickening, multiple enlarged perirectal adenopathy, and mild inflammatory infiltration around the rectum suggesting superimposed proctitis. On colonoscopy, a possible rectal mass or severe proctitis with near complete obstruction was seen with initial pathology concerning for lymphoma or a rare type of colitis. The patient was empirically started on ceftriaxone and doxycycline leading to improvement in inflammation. Special stains requested were positive for Treponema pallidum confirming the diagnosis of syphilitic proctitis and highly suggestive syphilitic hepatitis. Few cases of syphilitic proctitis imitating rectal malignancy and syphilitic hepatitis have been reported. Syphilis requires exclusion as well as confirmation of spirochetes for high-risk populations with special staining. It is important to diagnose syphilis in special populations that are at high risk of contraction.