Button battery removed from the stomach resulting in a missed aortoesophageal fistula – a multidisciplinary approach to rescuing a very young patient: a case report

While coins are still the most common foreign bodies swallowed by children, ingestion of batteries has become more frequent among children due to the increasing access to electronic toys and devices.

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A painless glomus tumor: a case report

Glomus tumor is a benign and vascular hamartoma that originates from the neuromyoarterial cells of the normal glomus apparatus in the reticular dermis. The etiology of glomus tumors is unknown. It usually pres...

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Ideal treatment strategy for chylous mesenteric cyst: a case report

A mesenteric chylous cyst is defined as a cyst occurring in the mesentery of the gastrointestinal tract anywhere from the duodenum to the rectum and is diagnosed most often during the fifth decade of life.

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Bilateral Spontaneous Hyphemas in a Patient with Aplastic Anemia

Bilateral spontaneous hyphemas are a rare ophthalmic event. Aplastic anemia is a hematologic condition with well-documented manifestations in the posterior segment but not the anterior segment. We present a patient with aplastic anemia without obvious risk factors for hyphema who developed bilateral spontaneous hyphemas. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of bilateral spontaneous hyphemas in a patient with aplastic anemia.
Case Rep Ophthalmol 2018;9:444–448

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Detection of Candida Endophthalmitis in a Newborn Using Handheld Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

In a newborn with candidemia, two retinal lesions were seen without external inflammatory signs or reaction in the anterior chamber or vitreous. However, handheld spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (HH SD-OCT) images show that one of the retinal lesions had a "firework display" projecting to the vitreous that was not identified in indirect ophthalmoscopy. This finding suggested a Candida endophthalmitis. HH SD-OCT findings allowed us to make an accurate diagnosis and, therefore, modified the decision-making process in the treatment of the pathology.
Case Rep Ophthalmol 2018;9:439–443

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Thrombus straddling a patent foramen ovale, pulmonary embolism and paradoxical embolism: a rare trifecta

Description 

A 55-year-old male presented to the emergency room after awakening with left facial droop, left-sided weakness and garbled speech. Vitals were significant for hypotension (73/43 mm Hg) and hypothermia (35.3°C). Physical examination was significant for left facial droop, dysarthria, bilateral upper extremity strength 4/5, bilateral lower extremity strength 3/5. Laboratory tests were significant for leucocytosis of 16.9x10⁹/L thou/mcL, lactic acid 2.5 mmol/L, creatinine 3.07 mg/dL and troponin 0.07 ng/mL.

Chest X-ray revealed no acute process. Head CT revealed no acute process with old right basal ganglia and right frontal lobe infarcts. Head and neck magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed no blockages or aneurysmal dilatations. Brain MRI revealed three areas of diffusion restriction in left temporal occipital lobe, compatible with acute infarcts. Tissue plasminogen activator was not given since he was outside the window. Stroke work-up was ordered, pancultures were sent, broad-spectrum antibiotics were started, and he was sent to the intensive care unit.

Transthoracic...

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Pelvic hydatid: the great masquerader

Description 

A 52-year-old man presented with urinary frequency and occasional lower abdominal pain for 4 months. His uroflow study and postvoid residual urine were normal and his digital rectal examination had grade 2 prostatic enlargement. His urinary symptoms were attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia, and he was prescribed tamsulosin (0.4 mg) and solifenacin (5 mg) for his symptoms. One week later he only had partial relief of symptoms, thus an ultrasound was done that showed a cystic lesion abutting the urinary bladder in the region of right iliac fossa (figure 1). A contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) scan was then done, which showed a cystic lesion (3.8x4 cm) with enhancing internal septa and peripheral wall enhancement abutting the urinary bladder (figure 2). There was no other cyst in the abdomen so a provisional diagnosis of primary pelvic peritoneal hydatid cyst was made. We then carried out a cystoscopy to...

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Development of acquired haemophilia A in a patient treated with alemtuzumab for multiple sclerosis

This case illustrates a 36-year-old man who presented with a factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitor (acquired haemophilia A) with cutaneous bleeding and a significant thigh haematoma. No traditional risk factors for the development of a FVIII inhibitor were identified. However, previous treatment with alemtuzumab for multiple sclerosis was noted in the patient's history. Alemtuzumab is an anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody and is known to be associated with the development of a number of autoimmune conditions, with a delay in onset of these conditions as long as 5 years after the cessation of treatment. To our knowledge, there have only been three previously documented cases of a FVIII inhibitor in the setting of alemtuzumab therapy. This case adds further evidence to the current body of literature suggesting alemtuzumab as a causative agent for the development of an FVIII inhibitor.

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Meningococcemia: rare but life-threatening

Description 

A previously healthy 5-month old girl, presented at the emergency department with high fever (40°C), vomiting and nasal congestion. She had no abnormalities on physical exam and was discharged home with diagnosis of a probable viral infection, after excluding urinary infection.

Ten hours later, the infant was readmitted with purpuric lesions and prostration (figure 1), rapidly presenting with labial cyanosis, capillary refill of 6 s, tachycardia, hypotension and anuria (cold shock). The patient was empirically treated with ceftriaxone and vancomycin, started inotropic and ventilator support, having been transferred to a hospital with a paediatric intensive care unit with a refractory shock, purpuric rash and disseminated intravascular coagulation (figure 2).

Figure 1

Petechiae and purpuric lesions only on the thoracoabdominal region.

Figure 2

Purpura fulminans with necrosis of extremities.

Blood workout revealed leucopenia (2.600/mm³) with neutropenia (2.00/mm³),...

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Endoscopic resection of a huge orbital ethmoidal mucocele masquerading as dacryocystocele

Paranasal mucoceles are cystic masses lined with epithelium thought to result from chronic obstruction of an impaired sinus ostia. If sufficiency large, they can cause ophthalmological sequelae including diplopia, visual acuity, globe displacement as well as the rhinological symptoms of facial pain and headache. We present the case of a 57-year-old man who presented with a 1-year history of epiphora and right globe prominence with associated diplopia. Imaging demonstrated a mass located within the medial aspect of the orbit, closely associated to the lamina papyracea and nasolacrimal duct consistent with a dacryocystocele. An alternate diagnosis of an ethmoidal mucocele was considered preoperatively following rhinologist opinion. Complete endoscopic resection of the cyst was undertaken. Histopathology confirmed diagnosis of an ethmoidal mucocele. Our report highlights mucocele should be considered in patients with chronic symptoms secondary to a mass situated in the nasolacrimal duct without radiological orbital bone destruction.

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Influenza A: another cause of SIADH?

The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion is a frequent cause of hyponatraemia. It is a dilutional hyponatraemia secondary to impaired urinary dilution in the absence of renal disease or any identifiable non-osmotic stimulus known to induce antidiuretic hormone secretion. SIADH can arise secondary to various respiratory tract infections; however, the association between SIADH and influenza A infection is described in only a few cases in the literature. The authors present a case report of influenza A that may have caused a profound SIADH-related hyponatraemia.

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Verruciform xanthoma overlying inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus and in broad segmental distribution

A 17-year-old woman presented with moderately itchy, non-progressive, linearly arranged verrucous plaques over dorsum of left foot since early childhood. Two years ago, she developed slowly increasing, verrucous exophytic growth in posterior most aspect of linear verrucous plaque. One year ago, she also developed multiple, linearly arranged, fleshy plaques with surface crusting over lateral aspect of right leg extending to thigh. Biopsy from both verrucous lesion on left foot and fleshy plaque on right leg showed an exophytic growth with significant papillomatosis, neutrophils in stratum corneum, acanthosis and infiltration of papillary dermis with foamy macrophages that were CD 68 positive, features compatible with verruciform xanthoma (VX). Biopsy from linear verrucous plaque over left foot was consistent with inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus (ILVEN). A diagnosis of segmental VX and VX overlying ILVEN was made.

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Churg-Strauss vasculitis presenting with steroid-responsive left ventricular cardiac mass

A 35-year-old black Saudi man, with a known case of bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis since childhood, presented with joint pain and swelling, orthopnoea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea and lower extremity oedema. On examination, we found jugular venous distension, bilateral basal crepitation, wheezing and diffuse synovitis. Investigations were notable for peripheral blood eosinophilia, pericardial effusion and elongated structure in the left ventricular outflow tract on echocardiography, mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy and right upper lobe infiltrate on high-resolution CT scan. Pulmonary infiltrate biopsy confirmed eosinophilic vasculitis. Intracardiac mass resolved shortly after pulse steroids indicating an inflammatory mass.

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Correction: Vacuum-assisted right atrial infected clot extraction due to persistent bacteraemia: a percutaneous approach for the management of right-sided endocarditis

Ahmed M, Montford JH, Lau E. Vacuum-assisted right atrial infected clot extraction due to persistent bacteraemia: a percutaneous approach for the management of rightsided endocarditis. BMJ. doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-226493.

The previous version of this manuscript contains an error in author's surname namely Jaime Hernandez Montford. It should read as:

Jaime Hernandez Montfort

instead of

Jaime Hernandez Montford

Also, the location of Baystate Medical Center should read as:

Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, USA

Instead of

Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Illinois, USA

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Resolved heart tamponade and controlled exophthalmos, facial pain and diabetes insipidus due to Erdheim-Chester disease

A 69-year-old woman suffering from exophthalmos and facial pain came to us referred for aetiological diagnosis of exophthalmos. Orbital MRI showed thinned extrinsic ocular musculature, intraconal fat infiltration, retro-ocular compression and thickening of maxillary and sphenoid sinus walls. She had been suffering from diabetes insipidus for the last 7 years. During our diagnosis process, she presented signs of cardiac tamponade. Transthoracic heart ultrasound revealed large pericardial effusion and a heterogeneous mass that compressed the right ventricle. No osteosclerotic lesions on appendicular bones were present. Pericardiocentesis temporarily controlled tamponade and corticoid therapy temporarily abated exophthalmos. Pericardiectomy definitively resolved tamponade. Histological examination of pericardial tissue was conclusive of Erdheim-Chester disease. Exophthalmos responded to pegylated interferon-alpha-2a. Facial bone pain disappeared after zoledronic acid and interferon treatment. During interferon therapy, the patient suffered from a severe generalised desquamative exanthema that slowly resolved after discontinuing interferon. Diabetes insipidus remains controlled with desmopressin.

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Intraoperative Hypothermia is Associated With Reduced Acute Kidney Injury After Spine Surgery Under General Anesthesia: A Retrospective Observational Study

Background: Although hypothermia is known to have protective effects against ischemic injuries, the effects of hypothermia on kidney injury have not yet been elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the association between intraoperative hypothermia and postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients who underwent spine surgery under general anesthesia. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed the medical records of adult patients who underwent elective spine surgery between January 2010 and March 2018. Patients were classified into the normothermia group (36.5 to 37.5°C), mild hypothermia group (35 to 36.5°C), and hypothermia group (

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Cognitive Aids for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Neuroanesthetic Emergencies: Consensus Guidelines on Behalf of the Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care (SNACC) Education Committee

Cognitive aids and evidence-based checklists are frequently utilized in complex situations across many disciplines and sectors. The purpose of such aids is not simply to provide instruction so as to fulfill a task, but rather to ensure that all contingencies related to the emergency are considered and accounted for and that the task at hand is completed fully, despite possible distractions. Furthermore, utilization of a checklist enhances communication to all team members by allowing all stakeholders to know and understand exactly what is occurring, what has been accomplished, and what remains to be done. Here we present a set of evidence-based critical event cognitive aids for neuroanesthesia emergencies developed by the Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care (SNACC) Education Committee. The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose. Address correspondence to: Amie L. Hoefnagel, MD, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida College of Medicine—Jacksonville, 2nd Floor, Clinical Center, 655 West 8th Street, C72, Jacksonville, FL 32209 (e-mail: amie.hoefnagel@jax.ufl.edu). Received August 7, 2018 Accepted August 27, 2018 Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

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Regional Versus General Anesthesia: Effect of Anesthetic Techniques on Clinical Outcome in Lumbar Spine Surgery A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: There are only a few prospective clinical trials investigating the effects of different anesthetic techniques on clinical outcomes after lumbar spine surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes in patients receiving general (GA) and regional anesthesia (RA) for lumbar spine surgery. Methods: This was a single-center, 2-arm, trial in which 100 patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery were randomized to receive either RA or GA (50 per group). The primary endpoint was morphine consumption during the first postoperative 48 hours. In addition, anesthesia time, transition time (defined as time from end of surgery to admission to the postoperative anesthesia care unit), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and patient satisfaction at hospital discharge were recorded. Results: There was no difference in the primary endpoint (cumulative morphine consumption at 48 h) between the 2 anesthesia types. Anesthesia and transition times were significantly shorter in the RA compared with the GA group—anesthesia time 125.4±23.6 minutes for GA versus 99.4±13.5 minutes for RA, transition time 22.5 minutes for GA versus 10.0 minutes for RA (both P

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In Utero Diagnoses of Strikingly Similar Presentations of Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defects in a Pair of Dizygotic Twins Concordant for Trisomy 21

Trisomy 21, or Down syndrome (DS), is a genetic disorder affecting approximately 1 in 500–750 live births. The prevalence of DS has increased over the past two decades, correlating with a rise in the proportion of pregnancies complicated by advanced maternal age. There is also a correlation between advanced maternal age and dizygotic twinning rates. There is an increased risk of at least one twin being affected in dizygotic pregnancies compared to singletons. However, despite this greater relative risk, reports of concordance of DS in both dizygotic twins are very rare. Congenital heart disease (CHD) occurs in roughly 40% of individuals with DS, but there can be considerable phenotypic variation. The most common, atrioventricular septal defect accounts for only 40% of CHD seen in DS. There is also a higher incidence of CHD in twins, but also with a low incidence of concordance. There have been only five reported cases of concordant DS in dizygotic twins with confirmed chromosomal analyses; none of which describe concordant congenital heart disease. Here, we describe an unusual case of dizygotic twins of differing genders concordant for both Down syndrome and congenital heart disease of a strikingly similar presentation.

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Bertolotti’s syndrome: an underdiagnosed cause for lower back pain

Abstract

Bertolotti's syndrome refers to the presence of pain associated to the anatomical variant of sacralization of the last lumbar vertebra. It is often a factor that is not addressed in the evaluation and treatment of lower back pain. The presence of a lumbosacral transitional vertebra is a common finding among general population with a prevalence that ranges between 4 and 30%, however, this finding is rarely associated to the cause of lower back pain and thus, the prevalence of Bertolotti's syndrome in general population is unknown doe to underdiagnosis. The sacralization of the fifth lumbar vertebra has been related to changes in the anatomy and biomechanics of the spine with no general agreement to its clinical significance, however Bertolotti's syndrome should be considered as a differential diagnosis for lower back pain, therefore, its pathophysiology, epidemiology and treatment must be a topic of general knowledge to physicians that often treat this condition.

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Effect of Intravenous Lidocaine, Dexamethasone, and Their Combination on Postoperative Sore Throat: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Postoperative sore throat (POST), hoarseness, and cough after tracheal intubation are not uncommon. Although both lidocaine and dexamethasone have been used independently to reduce these events, there is no study assessing the combined effects of lidocaine and dexamethasone. METHODS: This prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled study enrolled 180 patients requiring general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation for >90 minutes. They received 1 of the 4 intravenous agents just before induction of anesthesia: lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg-) in group L, dexamethasone (8 mg) in group D, lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg) with dexamethasone (8 mg) in group DL, and placebo as normal saline in group NS. Standard anesthesia protocol was followed. Incidence and severity of a sore throat, cough, and hoarseness of voice were assessed up to 24 hours postoperatively. The primary outcome was the incidence of POST, and the main effects of dexamethasone and lidocaine were the primary interest. RESULTS: Data of 45 patients in D, 44 in L, 44 in DL, and 43 in NS groups were analyzed. The incidence of a sore throat was 36%, 43%, 25%, and 56% in group D, L, DL, and NS, respectively (P = .02). Dexamethasone with or without lidocaine reduced the incidence of the POST (odds ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.24–0.82; P

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A 13-year journey of a gastric band – ultimate destination terminal jejunum: a case report

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding has been the gold standard for surgical management of obesity over the last decades in USA and Europe. However, significant complications have been documented due to for...

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Progression of Eales’ disease post-partum and long-term follow-up: a case report

Eales' disease is a difficult to treat idiopathic form of retinal vasculitis. We present such a case with peculiar epidemiology in which the only efficient therapeutic approach in order to maintain functional ...

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Hydatidosis of infratemporal fossa with proptosis – an unusual presentation: a case report and review of the literature

Hydatid disease is one of the common zoonotic diseases caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. It is endemic in sheep-raising and cattle-raising areas worldwide and humans are an accidental interme...

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Recurrent optic neuritis as the only manifestation of chronic hepatitis B virus flare: a case report

Autoimmune reactions have been associated with acute hepatitis B virus infection. Among these optic neuritis is a rare presentation with only a handful of cases reported in the literature thus far. The pathoph...

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