Adult cancer-related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis – a challenging diagnosis: a case report

Adult hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a secondary immunopathologic phenomenon, mainly secondary to malignancy, infection, or autoimmune disorders.

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Anesthetic management of spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma during pregnancy: a case report

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma during pregnancy is a quite rare event requiring emergent decompressive surgery in the majority of cases to prevent permanent neurological damage. Therefore, there is littl...

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Catheter-related right internal jugular vein thrombosis after chest surgery

Abstract

Background: Central venous catheters (CVCs) are frequently used for monitoring haemodynamic status and rapidly delivering fluid therapy during the peri- and postoperative periods. Indwelling CVCs are typically used 7–14 days postoperatively for additional monitoring and treatment, but patients may develop asymptomatic catheter-related thrombosis, leading to life-threatening pulmonary embolism and death. Early detection helps to avoid such complications.Methods: This prospective observational study investigated the risk factors associated with catheter-related right internal jugular vein thrombosis in patients undergoing chest surgery. The study enrolled 24 patients who were scheduled to receive chest surgeries during which catheters were needed. To detect thrombus formation, Doppler ultrasound examinations from the thyroid cartilage level to the supraclavicular region were used after CVC placement and on each of the following days until the catheter was removed.Results: No thrombosis was found in patients before surgery, but it appeared in 75% (18/24) after surgery. The risks of thrombosis increased with a longer duration of anaesthesia, greater amounts of bleeding, and use of postoperative ventilator support.Conclusions: Earlier catheter removal may reduce the risk of catheter-related thrombosis and avoid possibly fatal complications after catheter-related thrombosis.

http://ift.tt/2s9qk1H

Checklists, cognitive aids, and the future of patient safety

On Wednesday, October 30, 1935, an evaluation flight of the Boeing Model 299 was undertaken at Wright Field, northeast of Dayton, OH, USA. The Model 299 was the most technologically sophisticated aircraft of its time and was nicknamed the Flying Fortress because of the extent of its armaments. Major Ployer P. Hill was the pilot, and it was his first flight in the new aircraft. The aircraft appeared to ascend normally, but suddenly stalled, turned on one wing, and crashed, killing two of the aircraft's five crew, including Major Hill. The investigation into the crash discovered that Major Hill had omitted a crucial step during the preflight preparation; he forgot to release a catch, which on the ground locked the aircraft's control flaps.¹ Once in the air, this mistake rendered the aircraft uncontrollable. The crash investigators knew that there was probably no one better qualified to fly the new aircraft than Major Hill—his co-pilot was also highly qualified—yet despite this, the fatal error was still made. The investigators concluded that given the experience of the pilots, further training would not be an effective response to prevent such an event from happening again; a response that is very different from that which often occurs in health care when a mistake is made.² Some commentators initially believed that this meant the new aircraft was simply too complicated to fly reliably. A new approach was needed, and it took the form of a simple list of crucial tasks that must be completed before the aircraft could leave the ground. The first aviation checklist had been devised.¹ With the checklist in use, despite the aircraft's sophistication, the Model 299 (and later versions of it) performed safely for many years.

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Nintedanib as a novel treatment option in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia

A 70-year-old patient with known hereditary haemorrhagictelangiectasia (HHT) was seen regularly in our outpatient clinic. He underwent multiple therapeutical interventions, including both surgical and medical, for the treatment of recurrent epistaxis without sustained success. Due to a concurrent diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, treatment with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor nintedanib was initiated, after which point the patient reported a dramatic and unanticipated improvement in his epistaxis and skin telangiectasia. On the basis of this case report, we propose that nintedanib may be a potential treatment option for refractory epistaxis in HHT.

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Neurogenic pulmonary oedema: a rare cause of maternal collapse

Acute pulmonary oedema is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnant and postpartum women. We present an unusual case of near-fatal acute pulmonary oedema in a pregnant woman, which was attributed to the acute onset of neurogenic pulmonary oedema secondary to epileptic seizure activity. The patient required supportive management in the intensive care setting for a short period and subsequently made complete recovery with regular neurological follow-up arranged for the management of her epilepsy.

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