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Cancer Medicine by Alexandros G.Sfakianakis,Anapafseos 5 Agios Nikolaos,Crete 72100,Greece,tel :00302841026182 & 00306932607174
Παρασκευή 14 Ιουλίου 2017
Esmolol Administration to Control Tachycardia in an Ovine Model of Peritonitis.
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Hyperbaric Versus Isobaric Bupivacaine for Spinal Anesthesia: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis for Adult Patients Undergoing Noncesarean Delivery Surgery.
BACKGROUND: It is widely believed that the choice between isobaric bupivacaine and hyperbaric bupivacaine formulations alters the block characteristics for the conduct of surgery under spinal anesthesia. The aim of this study was to systematically review the comparative evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of the 2 formulations when used for spinal anesthesia for adult noncesarean delivery surgery. METHODS: Key electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials, excluding cesarean delivery surgeries under spinal anesthesia, without any language or date restrictions. The primary outcome measure for this review was the failure of spinal anesthesia. Two independent reviewers selected the studies and extracted the data. Results were expressed as relative risk (RR) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Seven hundred fifty-one studies were identified between 1946 and 2016. After screening, there were 16 randomized controlled clinical trials, including 724 participants, that provided data for the meta-analysis. The methodological reporting of most studies was poor, and appropriate judgment of their individual risk of bias elements was not possible. There was no difference between the 2 drugs regarding the need for conversion to general anesthesia (RR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.08-4.41; P = .62; I2 = 0%), incidence of hypotension (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.69-1.92; P = .58; I2 = 0%), nausea/vomiting (RR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.06-1.32; P = .11; I2 = 7%), or onset of sensory block (MD = 1.7 minutes; 95% CI, -3.5 to 0.1; P = .07; I2 = 0%). The onset of motor block (MD = 4.6 minutes; 95% CI, 7.5-1.7; P = .002; I2 = 78%) was significantly faster with hyperbaric bupivacaine. Conversely, the duration of motor (MD = 45.2 minutes; 95% CI, 66.3-24.2; P
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http://ift.tt/2ut64sL
Socioeconomic Deprivation and Utilization of Anesthetic Care During Pregnancy and Delivery: A French Retrospective, Multicenter, Cohort Study.
BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic deprivation is associated with reduced use of antenatal resources and poor maternal outcomes with pregnancy. Research examining the association between socioeconomic deprivation and use of obstetric anesthesia care in a country providing universal health coverage is scarce. We hypothesized that in a country providing universal health coverage, France, socioeconomic deprivation is not associated with reduced use of anesthetic care during pregnancy and delivery. This study aimed to examine the association between socioeconomic deprivation and (1) completion of a mandatory preanesthetic evaluation during pregnancy and (2) use of neuraxial analgesia during labor. METHODS: Data were from a cohort of 10,419 women who delivered between 2010 and 2011 in 4 public teaching hospitals in Paris. We used a deprivation index that included 4 criteria: social isolation, poor housing condition, no work-related household income, and state-funded health care insurance. Socioeconomic deprivation was defined as a deprivation index greater than 1. Preanesthetic evaluation was considered completed if performed more than 48 hours before delivery. The association between socioeconomic deprivation and completion of the preanesthetic evaluation and use of neuraxial labor analgesia was assessed by multivariable logistic regression adjusting for education level, country of birth, and maternal and pregnancy characteristics. RESULTS: Preanesthetic evaluation was completed for 8142 of the 8624 women (94.4%) analyzed and neuraxial labor analgesia was used by 6258 of the 6834 women analyzed (91.6%). After adjustment, socioeconomic deprivation was associated with reduced probability of completed preanesthetic evaluation (adjusted odds ratio 0.88 [95% confidence interval, 0.79-0.98]; P = .027) but not use of neuraxial labor analgesia (adjusted odds ratio 0.97 [95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.07]; P = .540). CONCLUSIONS: In a country providing universal health care coverage, women who were socioeconomically deprived showed reduced completion of preanesthetic evaluation during pregnancy but not reduced use of neuraxial labor analgesia. Interventions should be targeted to socioeconomically deprived women to increase the completion of the preanesthetic evaluation. (C) 2017 International Anesthesia Research Society
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Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a review of recent findings.
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A rare case of gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) with gastric Helicobacter pylori-negative mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma
Description
A 47-year-old African-American man presented to the emergency department with upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. His symptoms were aggravated by eating. He reported 32 kg unintentional weight loss over 2 months' period. Abdominal examination revealed tenderness in the epigastric region. Abdominal CT scan showed mural wall thickening involving the gastric antrum and pylorus (figure 1). Subsequent oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed a large mass occupying the gastric antrum (figure 2). Initial biopsy from the gastric mass showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma.
Figure 1
(A) Coronal section of the CT abdomen with intravenous and oral contrast showing wall thickening at the level of the gastric antrum. (B) Axial section of the CT abdomen with intravenous and oral contrast showing wall thickening at the level of the gastric antrum and pylorus.
Figure 2
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showing a mass in...
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Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and transient global amnesia: a shared aetiology
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is associated with acute, reversible left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, while transient global amnesia (TGA) is a reversible disorder of the brain characterised by anterograde amnesia. We report an unusual case of TTC occurring concurrently in a patient with TGA, and propose that catecholamine surge induced cerebral venous congestion and cardiotoxicity is the shared aetiology that leads to the concurrent manifestation of these conditions. TTC and TGA are reversible disorders that can occur concurrently in a subset of patients due to a unifying aetiology, catecholamine excess, leading to pathophysiological changes within the brain and the myocardium.
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Lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei: a distinctive facial granulomatous eruption
Facial granulomatous papules are important to recognise, as some of them are associated with significant systemic association, particularly sarcoidosis and certain infectious conditions. Lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei (LMDF) is a benign granulomatous disorder of unknown aetiology characterised by symmetrical, monomorphic, reddish-brown papules on the face. It is not associated with any underlying systemic involvement. We report a case of LMDF in a middle-aged man who presented to us with multiple asymptomatic and monomorphic reddish papules on the face for 3 months. Skin biopsy showed well-formed perifollicular epithelioid cell granulomas with focus of necrosis suggestive of LMDF. The lesions significantly responded to oral steroids.
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Renal fistulae: different aetiologies, similar management
Iatrogenic renocolic fistulae, although have been described in literature, is a rare clinical complication. Recently its incidence is on rise due to advent of minimally invasive surgery and percutaneous surgery of kidney. It has been reported after percutaneous nephrolithotomy but its incidence after percutaneous nephrostomy is quite uncommon and rarely reported. Though spontaneous renocutaneous fistula has been reported, acquired renocutaneous fistula is very uncommon and fistula after gun shot injury has not been reported to the best of our knowledge. Herein, we present two different varieties of renal fistula with completely different history and presentation. But the interesting point is that both were managed conservatively in a similar fashion and both of them responded well
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa as an unusual cause of cavitating lung lesion
A 31-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus presented to the emergency department with cough for 1âweek. Chest radiograph demonstrated cavitating lesion in the right upper zone with surrounding ground-glass change. Blood culture results from the day of hospital presentation grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Sputum sample and pleural fluid grew P. aeruginosa and were negative for acid-fast bacilli. P. aeruginosa is a rare cause of cavitating lung lesion and has been associated with immunocompromised hosts. Most reports of cavitating P. aeruginosa lesions have been identified in patients who are immunocompromised secondary to HIV.The current case highlights the potential for infection in patients who are immunosuppressed therapeutically and appropriate investigations are necessary to rule out common causes of cavitating lung lesions.
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Complement factor B mutation-associated aHUS and myocardial infarction
A 6-month-old female infant was referred with a 3-day history of low-grade fever, slight nasal congestion and rhinorrhoea. On admission, the clinical findings were unremarkable and she was discharged home. However, she became progressively more listless with a decreased urine output and was once again seen in the emergency department. Analytically she was found to have metabolic acidosis, hyperkalaemia, thrombocytopaenia, anaemia and schistocytes in the peripheral blood smear. Based on these findings, the diagnosis of haemolyticâ-uremic syndrome was made. A few hours postadmission, there was an abrupt clinical deterioration. She went into cardiorespiratory arrest and she was successfully resuscitated. An ST-segment elevation was noted on the ECG monitor and the troponin I levels were raised, suggesting myocardial infarction. Despite intensive supportive therapy, she went into refractory shock and died within 30 hours.
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Anaphylaxis secondary to Parietaria judaica (wall pellitory)
Aeroallergens are an unusual cause of anaphylaxis with sparse reports in the literature. We describe a case of suspected anaphylaxis to Parietaria judaica pollen and the difficulties encountered in confirming this diagnosis.
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Focal neurological presentation in Hashimoto's encephalopathy mimicking a vascular occlusion of the middle cerebral artery
Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a rare form of autoimmune encephalopathy. It is likely an underdiagnosed entity especially in the setting of focal neurological defects. We report a case of a 49-year-old man who presented with "strange behavior"of a day's duration. Examination was significant only for lethargy, poor attention span and agitation. Routine labs revealed leucocytosis. Head CT scan was unremarkable. Lumbar puncture showed high white blood cells with lymphocytosis and elevated protein level. The patient was empirically treated for meningitis without improvement. His symptoms progressed to sudden right-sided weakness, ataxia and right facial droop. The MRI and magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA)were normal. The patientâ™s focal neurological signs improved spontaneously. Encephalopathy work-up was negative except for positive anti-Thyroid Peroxidaseand antithyroglobulin. The patient was treated as Hashimoto encephalopathy with steroids and azathioprine with marked improvement. Our case highlights how focal neurological findings can potentially mislead the provider to consider vascular aetiologies in Hashimoto's encephalopathy.
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Peritoneal tuberculosis as a cause of ascites in a patient with cirrhosis
A 59-year-old Portuguese Caucasian man with a history of heavy alcohol intake and no significant medical history presented with ascites, weight loss and general malaise. The ascitic fluid analysis showed 921 cells/mm3 with mononuclear predominance (93.6%), elevated total proteins and a slightly elevated serum-ascites albumin gradient. The abdominal ultrasound confirmed the presence of chronic liver disease with ascites, and additionally on CT there was evidence of peritoneal thickening. On repeat paracentesis, the ascitic fluid analysis showed elevated adenosine deaminase but it was negative for the presence of mycobacteria by Ziehl-Neelsen stain, Löwenstein-Jensen culture and PCR amplification. Due to the persistent suspicion of tuberculosis, a laparoscopy was performed showing multiple small white tubercles scattered over the peritoneum. Peritoneal biopsies showed the presence of necrotising granulomas and cultures were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. After a 6-month course of tuberculostatics, the ascites resolved completely. The patient remained asymptomatic.
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Is FCH PET able to identify foci of infection superiorly to FDG PET?
We report a case of a brain abscess identified on fluorine-18 choline (FCH) positron emission tomography (PET) scan, which was not identified on fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET scan. To our knowledge, there are no previous case reports of incidental brain abscess identified by FCH PET imaging. A 51-year-old man, with liver cirrhosis complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was enrolled in a research trial comparing HCC detection in FCH PET versus FDG PET. During the course of the trial, he underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for HCC. A repeat FCH PET scan post-RFA incidentally revealed a 2.5âcm lesion with avid uptake in the left occipital area of the brain. The patient was asymptomatic. MRI suggested this was an abscess. A craniotomy and drainage was performed, with culture of Streptococcus intermedius (S. milleri group) from the thick-walled collection, a causative organism for previous episode of pneumonia. He successfully completed a 6 week course of antibiotics.
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External revascularisation for pseudochronic total occlusion of the dorsal pedis artery due to foot drop with severe diabetes mellitus
Description
A 45-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease and severe diabetes mellitus (haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 9.5%) suffered from critical limb ischaemia (CLI). Her right ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) was 0.77; however, her left ABPI was immeasurable with flat waveform. Additionally, skin perfusion pressure was 34 mm Hg on the left dorsal and 22 mm Hg on the left planter. The angiography showed chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the dorsal pedis artery (DPA) (figure 1, left panel). We electively performed endovascular therapy. The soft wire smoothly passed the CTO of the DPA. We dilated the CTO with a 2.0 mm balloon several times; however, blood flow could not be restored. This discrepancy suggested an unusual CTO. Intravascular ultrasound showed an intact DPA. She also had foot drop due to diabetic neuropathy. Since the entry of CTO was at the dorsal ankle joint, this joint abnormality was considered the cause of the CTO....
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Abciximab-induced acute profound thrombocytopenia postpercutaneous coronary intervention
Abciximab (c7E3 Fab) is one of the three potent intravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors (along with eptifibatide and tirofiban) that have shown significant positive outcomes when used in patients with intracoronary thrombus. However, major side effects have been reported with its use including hypotension, major bleeding and thrombocytopenia. This case is a 53-year-old man presenting with acute chest pain diagnosed with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with abciximab and heparin infusion and developed acute profound thrombocytopenia (platelet count <20,000/L) within 9 hours of infusion. This case demonstrates the importance of routinely monitoring the platelet count prior to and 2–4 hours following abciximab infusion and differentiating other causes of acute profound thrombocytopenia, particularly pseudothrombocytopenia and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
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Venobiliary fistula with haemobilia: a rare complication of percutaneous liver biopsy
We describe a case of a 36-year-old man with a history of chronic hepatitis C who presented with abdominal pain 3 days after undergoing a percutaneous ultrasound-guided liver biopsy. Initial investigations revealed a venobiliary fistula with haemobilia and obstructive jaundice with direct bilirubin peaking at 9.2 mg/dL. He underwent an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with sphincterotomy and stent placement, bilirubin decreased to 3.7 mg/dL, and the patient was discharged. The patient returned with recurrent abdominal pain and upper gastrointestinal bleeding with haemoglobin of 8.6 g/dL, requiring multiple transfusions. He underwent transcatheter arterial embolisation but continued bleeding. Radiofrequency ablation was pursued and was able to achieve haemostasis. The patient was discharged. The patient returned again with a fever of 39.2 °C and was found to have a large right hepatic lobe abscess. The patient underwent abscess drainage with drain placement and was treated with antibiotics for 6 weeks. He followed up in the clinic with resolution of symptoms and infection.
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Prognostic significance of central venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide difference during the first 24 hours of septic shock in patients with and without impaired cardiac function
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the prognostic significance of central venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide difference (cv-art CO2 gap) during septic shock in patients with and without impaired cardiac function.Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study in 10 French intensive care units. Patients suffering from septic shock were assigned to the impaired cardiac function group ('cardiac group', n=123) if they had atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% at study entry and to the non-cardiac group (n=240) otherwise.Results: Central venous and arterial blood gases were sampled every 6 h during the first 24 h to calculate cv-art CO2 gap. Patients in the cardiac group had a higher cv-art CO2 gap [at study entry and 6 and 12 h (all P<0.02)] than the non-cardiac group. Patients in the cardiac group with a cv-art CO2 gap >0.9 kPa at 12 h had a higher risk of day 28 mortality (hazard ratio=3.18; P=0.0049). Among the 59 patients in the cardiac group with mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≥65 mm Hg, central venous pressure (CVP) ≥8 mm Hg and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) ≥70% at 12 h, those with a high cv-art CO2 gap (>0.9 kPa; n=19) had a higher day 28 mortality (37% vs. 13%; P=0.042). In the non-cardiac group, a high cv-art CO2 gap was not linked to a higher risk of day 28 death, whatever the threshold value of the cv-art CO2 gap.Conclusion: Patients with septic shock and with AF and/or low LVEF were more prone to a persistent high cv-art CO2 gap, even when initial resuscitation succeeded in normalizing MAP, CVP, and ScvO2. In these patients, a persistent high cv-art CO2 gap at 12 h was significantly associated with higher day 28 mortality.http://ift.tt/2uZAYWl
The ACTA PORT-score for predicting perioperative risk of blood transfusion for adult cardiac surgery
Abstract
Background. A simple and accurate scoring system to predict risk of transfusion for patients undergoing cardiac surgery is lacking.We conducted a retrospective analysis of data collected from the ACTA National Audit. For the derivation dataset, we included data from 20 036 patients, which we then externally validated using a further group of 1047 patients.Methods. We identified independent risk factors associated with transfusion by performing univariate analysis, followed by logistic regression. We then simplified the score to an integer-based system and tested it using the area under the receiver operator characteristic (AUC) statistic with a Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. Finally, the scoring system was applied to the external validation dataset and the same statistical methods applied to test the accuracy of the ACTA-PORT score.Results. Several factors were independently associated with risk of transfusion, including age, sex, body surface area, logistic EuroSCORE, preoperative haemoglobin and creatinine, and type of surgery. In our primary dataset, the score accurately predicted risk of perioperative transfusion in cardiac surgery patients with an AUC of 0.76. The external validation confirmed accuracy of the scoring method with an AUC of 0.84 and good agreement across all scores, with a minor tendency to under-estimate transfusion risk in very high-risk patients.Conclusions. The ACTA-PORT score is a reliable, validated tool for predicting risk of transfusion for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This and other scores can be used in research studies for risk adjustment when assessing outcomes, and might also be incorporated into a Patient Blood Management programme.http://ift.tt/2v0nKIX
Reproducibility of science and developmental anaesthesia neurotoxicity: a tale of two cities
Editor—Reproducing scientific observations is the foundation of trusted discoveries. In clinical sciences, specific questions are repeatedly asked by a multitude of observational studies or trials, and the rigorous meta-analysis of these multicentre datasets leads us closer toward the application of evidence-based medicine in our patients. A similar approach is less frequently applied to basic and even translational research, where differences in experimental protocols used, species studied, and outcome measures reported make direct comparison of laboratory studies at best very difficult.1 The seeming lack of interest in thoroughly replicating experiments produced by other laboratories can be explained by a multitude of factors, amongst which the difficulties to obtain funding and dedicated researchers to conduct highly time- and money-consuming "non-innovative" projects are probably the most important. It is increasingly acknowledged that many preclinical studies are statistically underpowered and cannot be reproduced.23 The absence of confirmation of an experimental finding by other independent laboratories can greatly weaken the confidence in any particular observation. Importantly, many clinical trials are fuelled by translational experimental datasets, and these preclinical works should be reliable and of the highest quality to provide a solid base for human studies.
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http://ift.tt/2urjMMG
Fading whispers down the lane: signal propagation in anaesthetized cortical networks
An active area of enquiry in the neuroscientific investigation of general anaesthesia is the question of whether anaesthetic-induced unconsciousness is mediated by bottom-up or top-down mechanisms in the brain. Candidates for the bottom-up approach include suppression of arousal centres in the brainstem and diencephalon,12 activation of sleep-promoting neurones or nuclei in similar locations,13 blockade of sensory information en route from the thalamus to the cortex,4 and a disabled thalamic conductor for the neuronal orchestra of the cortex.5 Candidates for the top-down approach include direct effects on long-latency activity in cortical networks,6 with a consequent disruption of higher-order information synthesis that occurs beyond the level of the primary sensory cortex.7–9 This bottom-up vs top-down distinction is almost surely artificial given the integrated circuits required for the normal function of neural systems and the widespread effects of general anaesthetics on the brain. We recently proposed that anaesthetics alter the level of consciousness (e.g. awake vs somnolent) through bottom-up mechanisms while degrading the contents of consciousness (e.g. the particular qualities of experience) through top-down mechanisms.10 Developing a clearer understanding of these processes is important because it can inform (i) the neurobiology of consciousness, a fundamental question in science, and (ii) our approach to brain monitoring, a fundamental and unmet challenge in clinical anaesthesia. However, it is difficult to address this question by investigating individual brain areas or molecular targets in the laboratory and also difficult to distinguish cortical and subcortical mechanisms through human neuroimaging and neurophysiology. In this issue of the British Journal of Anaesthesia, Hentschke and colleagues11 examine an intermediate level of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology in a cortical slice model, finding more profound effects of isoflurane on signal propagation through the cortex than to the cortex.
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http://ift.tt/2uqY0IK
21st Annual Scientific Meeting of the Difficult Airway Society: lessons learned and glimpses of the future
The 21st Annual Scientific Meeting of the Difficult Airway Society (DAS) took place in Torquay (Devon, UK) on November 16–18, 2016. The workshop day included traditional workshops, a tracheostomy workshop, and a 'can't intubate, can't oxygenate' (CICO) workshop. The next 2 days encompassed a variety of stimulating sessions, presentations, lunchtime symposia, a pro–con debate, free paper presentations, and poster presentations.
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Brugada syndrome in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a case report
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal neuromuscular disorder characterized by progressive death of the upper and lower motor neurons in the central nervous system. Patients with this disease die mostly as a...
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Streptococcal toxic-shock syndrome due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis in breast cancer-related lymphedema: a case report
Breast cancer-related lymphedema often causes cellulitis and is one of the most common complications after breast cancer surgery. Streptococci are the major pathogens underlying such cellulitis. Among the stre...
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Extensive colorectal lymphomatous polyposis complicated by acute intestinal obstruction: a case report
Multiple lymphomatous polyposis is a rare type of gastrointestinal lymphoma that extensively infiltrates the intestine. Multiple lymphomatous polyposis originates from the mantle zone of the lymphoma follicle ...
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Pica, constipation and cardiorespiratory arrest
Description
Pica is an eating disorder typically defined as the persistent ingestion of non-nutritive substances, for at least 1 month, at an age of which this behaviour is inappropriate. It may be benign or may have life-threatening consequences.1 2 The clinical presentation is highly variable and is associated with the specific nature of the resulting medical conditions and the ingested substances. The signs and symptoms can be from toxic, infectious, dental or gastrointestinal conditions.3
The authors present a clinical case of a 61-year-old man with clinical history of cognitive impairment and pica, admitted in an intensive care unit after cardiorespiratory arrest. The initial hospital admission was for constipation and abdominal pain. Abdominal and pelvic CT scan revealed 'significant colonic dilatation with a sigmoid size of 14.5 cm, with evidence of abundant intraluminal faecal content at this level—aspects suggestive of translating obstructive process by faecaloma,...
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Marantic endocarditis and paraneoplastic pulmonary embolism
Cancer is frequently associated with a hypercoagulable state. Almost 15% of patients with cancer will suffer a thromboembolic event during their clinical course. The aetiology of this hypercoagulable state is multifactorial and includes procoagulant factors associated with malignancy as well as the host's inflammatory response. Cancer-associated thrombophilia can present as venous thromboembolism, migratory superficial thrombophlebitis, arterial thrombosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, thrombotic microangiopathy and rarely non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE). In this paper, we will describe an uncommon presentation of lung cancer on a non-smoker middle-aged woman, with recent diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, who develops malignant recurrent pleural effusion, NBTE with cutaneous and neurological manifestations, with a rapid evolution into shock, culminating in death. Diagnosis of NBTE requires a high degree of clinical suspicion. The mainstay of treatment is systemic anticoagulation to prevent further embolisation and underlying cancer control whenever is possible.
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Leucocytoclastic vasculitis following influenza vaccination
Background
Influenza vaccinations are commonly administered and effectively prevent influenza. Most vaccine reactions are mild and self-limiting with few reported cases of vasculitis. We present a case of vasculitis post-vaccination unique for its dramatic visual presentation and rapid response to treatment with the aim to emphasise possible causation and timely treatment.
Case presentationThis is a case of a 60-year-old man with chronic idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, with fever, arthralgias and rash characterised by extensive erythematous plaques on his limbs and trunk 5âdays after influenza vaccination. Skin biopsy revealed leucocytoclastic vasculitis. Rash and symptoms resolved 10 days after initiating treatment with oral prednisone.
ConclusionsInfluenza vaccines can potentially precipitate cutaneous vasculitis, and timely treatment reduces morbidity in the elderly.
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Ciliated foregut cyst of the gall bladder: the largest ever described
A 78-year-old man presented to the accident and emergency department with acute abdominal pain. A CT scan done to investigate the pain showed an intra-abdominal abscess medial to the caecum and an incidental exophytic lesion in the gall bladder. This was excised during surgery and sent for histological examination. Histology showed a ciliated foregut cyst of the gall bladder. A literature review revealed that this was the 13th case worldwide, as ciliated foregut cysts are usually found either above the diaphragm or in the liver. It was also the largest cyst described, with 45âmm diameter. So far none of these cysts found in the gall bladder have shown malignant transformation, though those found in the liver have been known to become malignant. Due to histological similarity, excision of ciliated foregut cysts of the gall bladder should be considered as there is still a risk of malignant transformation.
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Cervical shock: a complication of incomplete abortion
A case of a 37-year-old female primagravida who attended the emergency department (ED) via ambulance in hypotensive shock. She was 10 weeks pregnant, but had an inevitable miscarriage confirmed in the local Early Pregnancy Unit 3 weeks previously. She was hypotension (90/60âmm Hg), bradycardic (45 bpm) and was peripherally shut down. A provisional diagnosis of haemorrhagic shock was made, but despite intravenous fluid challenges, she appeared to be deteriorating, so a major haemorrhage protocol was activated. On examination, there was some vaginal bleeding and a protruding sac noted. The gynaecology registrar was informed and performed an Evacuation of the Retained Products of Conception in the ED. This gave instant relief to the patient and her blood pressure and heart rate became normal over a few minutes. She went on to make a full recovery. This case provides useful learning points for doctors working in the ED and other urgent care settings.
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Use of cabergoline for the management of persistent Cushings disease in pregnancy
Cushing's disease (CD) is rare during pregnancy and is associated with significant maternal and fetal complications. It is important to control hypercortisolism during pregnancy, either surgically or medically, for a successful maternal and fetal outcome. We report a patient with recurrent CD who was treated with low-dose cabergoline (CAB) for persistent hypercortisolism throughout pregnancy. A 36-year-old woman was diagnosed with CD at the age of 23. She underwent trans-sphenoidal surgery with initial complete remission. However, 4 years after surgery, CD recurred and she underwent Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS). Following GKRS, her cortisol levels remained elevated despite no evidence of visible tumour on pituitary MRI. Medical treatment was commenced with ketoconazole and cyproheptadine. This was changed to CAB as she was keen for pregnancy. She conceived spontaneously and was on CAB throughout pregnancy. She delivered a healthy male neonate, weighing 3195 g at 40 weeks of gestation.
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Stigma kills! The psychological effects of emotional abuse and discrimination towards a patient with HIV in Uganda
Our patient is a 58-year-old Ugandan woman. After her husband's death in 1994, the patient was forced to leave her home by her late husband's family and arrangements were made for her mother to provide care until her inevitable death. The patient suffered from multiple mental health disturbances as a result of discrimination. Socially isolated after years of self-neglect, she prepared to overdose. In 2007, she became open regarding her status after receiving psychosocial support from various sources. She opened her home as an HIV clinic with the help of a local doctor, and subsequently the majority of her psychological symptoms were resolved. This case illustrates the negative impact that stigma and discrimination can have on mental and consequently physical health, both acutely and chronically. It also highlights the importance of social and psychological support in maintaining the well-being of patients with HIV globally.
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Laparoscopic excision of an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of the bladder disguised as deep infiltrating endometriosis
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) of the bladder is a rare tumour of indeterminate malignant potential with myofibroblastic differentiation, with a generally benign but rarely aggressive behaviour. Vesical IMT is usually treated by transurethral resection or partial cystectomy. Herein we describe a case of a woman who underwent laparoscopic excision of an IMT of the bladder, initially diagnosed as deep infiltrating endometriosis.
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Unusual sensory variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome
We describe a 52-year-old woman presenting with acute onset of severe burning paraesthesia in the hands and feet associated with allodynia and antalgic gait. At the time of admission to hospital no motor weakness was present. A diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) was considered when neurophysiological studies were completed showing convincing evidence of demyelination on motor conduction studies and sural sparing on sensory nerve studies.1 We describe this case as a sensory variant of GBS. Clinical improvement followed treatment with a single course of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). The patient made a complete clinical recovery within 6 months of onset and repeat neurophysiological studies showed marked improvement. We encourage clinicians to consider an atypical variant of GBS in patients presenting with acute sensory complaints.
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Disseminated histoplasmosis presenting as multiple oral ulcers
A 61-year-old female with a history of advanced HIV disease and chronic hepatitis B was presented with an 8-week history of painful oral ulcers. She appeared systemically well but examination revealed multiple well-demarcated clean-based ulcers on the tongue and hard palate. Biopsy of one of the lesions showed numerous histiocytes containing intracellular yeast forms consistent with Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum. Fungal blood cultures subsequently grew H. capsulatum var. capsulatum, confirming a diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis. She was treated with intravenous amphotericin B for 2 weeks followed by a prolonged course of oral itraconazole, with which her ulcers resolved completely and have not recurred. This case exemplifies how oral ulcers may be a manifestation of an underlying systemic disease and demonstrates the utility of biopsy in establishing a diagnosis.
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Organ-sparing surgery for large cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumour in a patient with Carney complex
Carney complex is a rare genetic disease characterised by a complex of myxomas, spotty pigmentation and endocrine overactivity. At diagnosis, about one-third of male patients presents with testicular tumours, namely large cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumours, which are often multicentric and/or bilateral and have a low malignant potential. Although radical orchiectomy is the gold standard for the treatment of testicular neoplasms, a conservative approach with partial orchiectomy or tumourectomy may be the best treatment option for these patients, allowing the preservation of endocrine function, fertility and body image. We present a case of a 19-year-old man with a known history of Carney complex with early identification of a small testicular tumour treated with organ-sparing surgery.
http://ift.tt/2tT3dpv
IVC tumoural thrombosis: an unusual complication of testicular tumour
Description
A 30-year-old man presented with right scrotal mass and bilateral leg oedema for the last 3 months. CT scan showed a heterogeneously enhancing lesion in the right testis with retroperitoneal and mediastinal lymph node (LN) mass with enhancing tumorous thrombus filling the common iliac veins and inferior vena cava (IVC) up to the infrahepatic region with pulmonary metastases (figure 1). The preoperative tumour markers including lactate dehydrogenase, alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin were 2270 U/L, 28 214 ng/mL and 6253 mIU/mL, respectively. High inguinal orchidectomy was carried out which revealed mixed germ cell tumour (GCT) (pT3N3M1aS3, poor risk as per International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group). Chemotherapy including four cycles of VIP (etoposide, ifosfamide and cisplatin) with anticoagulation was started in the immediate postoperative period. Standard BEP (bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin) xfour regimen could not be given because of poor pulmonary function. Postchemotherapy CT scan after 4 weeks revealed complete resolution of IVC thrombus with small residual...
http://ift.tt/2ta9wrM
Chilaiditi syndrome mimicking congestive heart failure
Description
An 85-year-old man presented with orthopnoea and dyspnoea, symptoms of which were suspicious for heart failure. He was in respiratory distress and oxygen saturation was 85% on 4 L oxygen. On initial assessment, lungs were clear and heart sounds were normal. What was immediately evident was a distended abdomen. Digital rectal examination revealed hard faeces in rectum. He had a history of chronic constipation and last bowel movement was over 5 days ago.
Chest X-ray (figure 1) showed raised diaphragms with loops of large bowel interposed between the right hemidiaphragm and liver. An abdominal X-ray (figure 2) confirmed faecal impaction. Brain natriuretic peptide, d-dimer and echocardiogram were normal. He eventually underwent manual evacuation following failure of oral laxatives and enemas (figure 3 for follow-up chest X-ray).
Figure 1
Chest X-ray on presentation showing Chilaiditi sign and lungs compressed.
...http://ift.tt/2tTsxvI
Thyrotoxicosis in patients with hypothyroidism is not just overtreatment
A 62-year-old Caucasian woman presented with hypothyroid symptoms and biochemical thyrotoxic picture. Previously, she underwent right-sided subtotal thyroidectomy and left partial thyroid lobectomy for thyroid lumps, and treated with thyroxine replacement for hypothyroidism. Although there were no significant findings on clinical examination, investigations confirmed thyrotoxicosis with positive autoimmunity against thyroid glandâ"all in line with a diagnosis of Gravesâ™ hyperthyroidism. We would like to highlight atypical presentations of thyroid dysfunction and conversion of underactive to overactive thyroid status with this case. Early recognition, diagnosis and intervention are essential to prevent and/or reduce associated morbidity and mortality. When encountered with such clinical conundrums, we recommend seeking opinion from an experienced endocrinologist while interpreting such situation.
http://ift.tt/2tayV4s
Utility of microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography (MIOCT) in the treatment of myopic macular hole retinal detachment
Macular hole-associated retinal detachment in high myopia is described as a final stage in progression of myopic traction maculopathy (MTM).1â"3 Shimada et al4 described the progressive stages of MTM from macular retinoschisis to serous retinal detachment in high myopia. Stage 4 MTM is characterised as disappearance of retinoschisis with progression to retinal detachment due to macular hole formation. It is hypothesised that vitreoschisis and abnormal vitreo-retinal interface create the premacular tangential traction.5 6 Intraoperative triamcinolone acetonide is used to visualise the residual posterior vitreous cortex (PVC). We hereby describe the utility of microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography (MIOCT) in assisting complete removal of PVC and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling with multilayered inverted ILM flap in the treatment of myopic macular hole retinal detachment. MIOCT helped identify vitreoschisis and confirm the position of ILM flaps over the macular hole intraoperatively.
http://ift.tt/2tT255j
Minimally invasive management of traumatic lung herniation
Abstract
Post-traumatic pulmonary hernia can occur immediately after thoracic trauma or it may also appear months or even years after the onset. We report a case of a seventeen year-old male patient with thoracic blunt trauma secondary to high energy bicycle accident. Chest CT shows moderate hemothorax and pneumothorax, displaced fracture of the fifth left rib, and protusion of pulmonary tissue through a chest wall defect. In the Emergency Room the patient presents with chest pain (7/10 in Visual Analog Scale) and respiratory distress. Video-assisted thoracic surgery approach was chosen. Hernia reduction, non-anatomic lingular resection and rib fracture external fixation using a titanium plate was performed. Traumatic pulmonary hernia is an uncommon complication of thoracic trauma which may constitute an emergency for the trauma or thoracic surgeon. The early management of this injury can be developed by minimally invasive approach with excellent results.http://ift.tt/2tTowaR
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone associated with rectal small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: a case report
Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumors can arise from any portion of the gastrointestinal tract including the colon and rectum. In the scope of all colon and rectal malignancies, they are a rare cause of colorectal carcinoma. Relating to their pluripotent neuroendocrine cellular origins these carcinomas can produce a variety of biologically active peptides with several resultant paraneoplastic syndromes. One of these paraneoplastic syndromes is the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). In the SIADH, supraphysiologic levels of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone, AVP) precipitates exorbitant free water retention and resultant electrolyte abnormalities, most notably hyponatremia. Herein we report a rare case of paraneoplastic SIADH from rectal small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. To our knowledge, SIADH from rectal small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma has been reported only three times.http://ift.tt/2tSV3xn
A rare diaphragmatic hernia with a delayed presentation of intestinal symptoms following spleno-distal pancreatectomy: a case report
ABSTRACT
Acquired diaphragmatic hernia, non-related to trauma, is a very rare condition. It can constitute a therapeutic problem and the surgical solution is not always immediately clear. We report the case of a 73-year-old woman with a history of spleno-distal pancreatectomy for a neuroendocrine tumour performed in 2009, who came back to Emergency Room 2 years later, complaining of abdominal pain. Chest radiography and computed tomography were performed; they showed a diaphragmatic hernia with visceral migration into the thorax. The diaphragmatic defect was surgically repaired and the patient had an uneventful post-operative recovery.http://ift.tt/2tT5bpU
A rare case of atypical chronic lymphocytic leukaemia presenting as nephrotic syndrome
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is characterised by a lymphocytosis of mature-appearing clonal CD5+, CD23+ B lymphocytes. CLL cells arise from the bone marrow and infiltrate lymphoid tissues such as lymph nodes and spleen. Presentation is usually through discovery of lymphocytosis or lymphadenopathy. Unusual presentations, especially paraneoplastic syndromes are rare. Here, we describe a rare case presenting with severe nephrotic syndrome associated with the presence of a monoclonal protein in serum. Workup for suspected plasma cell dyscrasia led instead to the diagnosis of bone marrow infiltration by atypical CLL without lymphocytosis. Renal biopsy showed a glomerulonephritis that turned out to be paraneoplastic as it went into remission after treatment for CLL. Our case shows an unusual presentation of CLL and prompts for increased awareness of lymphoproliferative disorders in the context of seemingly unrelated conditions that may be paraneoplastic in origin.
http://ift.tt/2sX5Sxo
Constrictive pericarditis from an endocardial pacemaker lead
Constrictive pericarditis secondary to endocardial pacemaker inflammation, without associated pericardial effusion or infection, has yet to be described in the literature. We present a case of a 42-year-old man who developed recurrent ascites from regional constrictive pericarditis following pacemaker implant. Symptoms resolved after pericardiectomy.
http://ift.tt/2sX5RcO
Hyponatraemia-associated catatonia
This is a case report highlighting the impact of low sodium levels on one's mental status. For the first time in the literature, we see two discrete episodes of catatonia associated with hyponatraemia occurring in the same patient. On both occasions, his serum sodium levels were depleted; he became profoundly psychotic with catatonic symptoms. Recovery, with complete resolution of all symptoms, was associated with normalisation of these levels. This case exemplifies the profound effect that electrolyte imbalances, in particular sodium depletion can have on a patient's mental status and is for the first time, we see this effect on two temporally unrelated occasions in the same patient.
http://ift.tt/2ugmSm2
Pituitary apoplexy: a rare complication of leuprolide therapy in prostate cancer treatment
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, used widely in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, are associated with a rare but potentially fatal outcome of pituitary apoplexy (PA). An 85-year-old man presented with sudden onset of headache, left eye pain, sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting. The symptoms started 4 hours after initiation of leuprolide therapy for treatment of recently diagnosed metastatic prostate carcinoma. Radiological imaging of the brain demonstrated a heterogeneously enlarged pituitary gland measuring 19x16x13 mm and T1-hyperintense signal compatible with pituitary haemorrhage. Hormone function tests were indicative of panhypopituitarism, confirming the diagnosis of PA. Due to age, the patient was started on hormonal replacement therapy and eventually symptoms improved.
http://ift.tt/2sXiZyl
Intrapartum spontaneous pneumomediastinum and surgical emphysema (Hammans syndrome) in a 30-year-old woman with asthma
The authors report a case of a 30-year-old nulliparous woman with a prior medical history of asthma who developed intrapartum pneumomediastinum with surgical emphysema during the second stage of labour. She was managed conservatively with supportive care and there was complete resolution of symptoms within 4 days. Clinical and radiological findings were consistent with Hamman's syndrome (spontaneous pneumomediastinum). This case reiterates the possibility of childhood asthma or a family history of asthma as being an associated risk factor for Hamman's syndrome and reminds us of the need to distinguish such clinical findings from more important and potentially life-threatening conditions such as oesophageal rupture, pulmonary embolism and aortic dissection that can present with similar findings.
http://ift.tt/2ugShoy
Autism spectrum disorder in Say-Barber-Biesecker-Young-Simpson syndrome
Say-Barber-Biesecker-Young-Simpson syndrome (SBBYSS), also known as Ohdo syndrome SBBYS type, is a rare genetic disorder characterised by dysmorphic facial features and severe intellectual disability, as well as cardiac, dental and hearing abnormalities. There has been little psychiatric or psychological description of children with SBBYSS, although previous reports noted repetitive self-injurious behaviours, sensitivity to light and noise and severe deficits in communication. In this report, a 4-year-old male with SBBYSS is described with a focus on psychiatric and psychological assessment, including formal testing for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Results of multiple behavioural assessment scales are reported. Testing revealed characteristic ASD features, and the patient met criteria for ASD diagnosis in the context of SBBYSS. His behaviours improved with Applied Behavioural Analysis therapy and communication skills training. This is the first documented case of ASD reported alongside SBBYSS. These results suggest ASD may be a clinical feature of SBBYSS.
http://ift.tt/2sXgegE
Is it safe to acutely discontinue insulin therapy in patients with chronic hyperglycaemia starting GLP-1R agonists?
We report two patients with chronic hyperglycaemia secondary to type 2 diabetes who developed severe vomiting on d. The first patient was diagnosed with a mixed picture of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS) and the second, with DKA. They were on insulin therapy which was discontinued on commencing d because of inefficacy and weight gain. The HHS patient developed dehydration secondary to vomiting and had lactic acidosis but no other precipitant could be found in either case. It appears that the abrupt insulin discontinuation coupled with vomiting and dehydration led to the metabolic derangements. Subsequent C-peptide levels were found to be low in both patients. In view of the predisposition of patients with chronic hyperglycaemia to glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) downregulation and the lag time to optimal efficacy of GLP-1R agonists, we propose that patients should have C-peptide levels measured to determine the risk of ketosis and whether insulin should be continued with dose adjustments when starting a GLP-1R agonist.
http://ift.tt/2ugvr04
Ruxolitinib treatment in an infant with JAK2+ polycythaemia vera-associated Budd-Chiari syndrome
Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is caused by hepatic venous outflow obstruction commonly seen with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Polycythaemia vera (PV) is a very rare MPN in childhood. This is the youngest reported patient diagnosed with PV and BCS secondary to JAK V617F mutation.
A 26-month-old girl was admitted with a 5-month history of abdominal distension, hepatosplenomegaly and ascites. Imaging studies revealed occlusion of the right hepatic vein and marked attenuation of the middle and left hepatic veins. BCS was diagnosed after excluding other causes of chronic liver disease. Mandatory prothrombotic workup revealed underlying PV.
Partial recanalisation of hepatic veins occurred following anticoagulation therapy and PV was well controlled by pegylated interferon and hydroxycarbamide until she developed nephrotic syndrome, likely secondary to pegylated interferon. Therefore, treatment was modified to ruxolitinib, a novel-JAK-2 inhibitor; the therapy has been effective for almost 20 months with a good response and has no side effects.
http://ift.tt/2sX2UsO
A rare cause of dysphagia
Description
A middle-aged woman presented with dysphagia and globus sensation. Upper endoscopy was unremarkable and barium swallow revealed persistent, smooth indentation of the posterior aspect of the upper thoracic oesophagus at T4 level, suggesting external compression (figure 1). Subsequent CT thorax demonstrated an aberrant right subclavian artery compressing the posterior oesophagus (figure 2). A diagnosis of dysphagia lusoria was made.
Figure 1
Coned lateral view of the barium swallow showed an indentation over the posterior wall of the upper thoracic oesophagus at T4 vertebral level.
Figure 2
Contrast-enhanced CT of the thorax showed an aberrant origin of the right subclavian artery from the aortic arch distal to the left subclavian origin (red arrow), with compression to the posterior aspect of the oesophagus (green arrow).
The aberrant right subclavian artery is present in...
http://ift.tt/2ugIBdM
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy-related complete heart block and torsades de pointes
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a relatively recently recognised clinical entity. It frequently mimics acute coronary syndrome and is accompanied by reversible left ventricular apical ballooning in the absence of angiographically significant coronary artery stenosis. TCM is a reversible condition, and the prognosis is usually well. However, in rare instances, it can be associated with life-threatening arrhythmic complications. Herein, we report the case of a patient with TCM who developed complete atrioventricular block followed by QT prolongation and torsades de pointes. Furthermore, we undertook a literature review of this rare complication of TCM and discussed the formidable therapeutic challenge encountered in such patients.
http://ift.tt/2sWYnqh
Transorbital globe sparing penetrating cranial injury with a metallic screw: large cranio-orbital foreign body
Description
A 14-year-old man presented to the emergency services following trauma to his left eye (LE) sustained during a battery explosion. The patient was conscious, and oriented in time, space and person, and higher mental functions were preserved. The patient had visual acuity of light perception in his left eye. Head of a metallic screw could be seen on ocular examination and the screw appeared to penetrate the left superior orbit through the upper eyelid (figure 1A). Details of the eyeball could not be visualised, though the cornea appeared opacified. Intraocular pressure could not be assessed on digital palpation due to severe lid oedema. The fellow eye was within normal limits. Ultrasound was avoided in view of suspected open globe injury. An urgent CT scan was advised which revealed the extension of the foreign body (FB) into the basi-frontal lobe of the left cerebral hemisphere (
http://ift.tt/2sXcDix
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