Analysis of Treatment of 3 Patients with Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is an acute liver decompensation that occurs within 4 weeks on the basis of chronic liver disease. At present, the treatments of ACLF include general supportive treatment, etiological treatment, prevention and treatment of complications, artificial liver treatment, and liver transplantation. Many studies suggest that stem cell therapy may become a new treatment for patients with ACLF. Our department has also tried the application of this treatment. Now, there are three cases of stem cell therapy for patients with ACLF by our department which will be briefly reported.

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Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Associated with Salmonella typhi Infection in a Child: A Case Report with Review of Literature

We present the case of an 8-year-old girl with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis secondary to a Salmonella typhi infection. She received antibiotic treatment and intravenous immunoglobulin with complete resolution of the symptoms. We present a review of previously reported pediatric cases and propose a gradual approach to treatment.

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Prognostic Value of Tissue Oxygen Monitoring and Regional Cerebral Oxygen Saturation Monitoring and Their Correlation in Neurological Patients With Sepsis: A Preliminary, Prospective, Observational Study

Background: There is paucity of literature on the prognostic value of tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) in neurological patients with sepsis. In this preliminary study, we investigated the prognostic value of StO2 and rSO2 in a group of neurological patients and correlated StO2 and rSO2 with hemodynamic and metabolic parameters. Materials and Methods: This preliminary, prospective observational study was conducted in 45 adult neurological patients admitted to intensive care unit. Once a diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock was established, parameters of oxygenation (StO2, rSO2, central venous oxygen saturation [ScvO2]), serum lactate, illness severity scores (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, Glasgow Coma Scale) were recorded at 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours, and once daily thereafter. Outcomes were in-hospital mortality attributable to sepsis and the Glasgow outcome score at hospital discharge. Results: There was a moderately positive correlation between StO2 and rSO2 at baseline (r=0.599; P=0.001). StO2, illness severity scores and serum lactate, but not rSO2, were significantly different between survivors (n=29) and nonsurvivors (n=16) at baseline and during the first 48 hours. An rSO2 of 62.5% had a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 67% to differentiate survivors and nonsurvivors of septic shock at 48 hours. StO2 had a higher correlation with ScvO2 and serum lactate than rSO2. Conclusions: StO2 prognosticates survival and favorable/unfavorable outcomes in neurological patients with sepsis. The role of rSO2 in predicting survival in milder form of sepsis is doubtful. The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose. Address correspondence to: Sonia Bansal, MD, DNB, PDF, Department of Neuroanaesthesia and Neurocritical Care, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore 560029, India (e-mail: itz.sonia77@gmail.com). Received February 13, 2018 Accepted October 4, 2018 Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

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Predictive Factors for Hypotension Associated With Supine-to-Prone Positional Change in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery

Background: Positional change during general anesthesia can cause hypotension. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine predictive factors for hypotension associated with supine-to-prone positional change in spinal surgery patients. Materials and Methods: Data on demographics, current medications, comorbidity, intraoperative mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, pulse pressure variation, tidal volume, peak inspiratory pressure, and propofol and remifentanil effect-site concentrations were collected from 179 patients undergoing elective spine surgery. Hypotension associated with supine-to-prone positional change was defined as >20% reduction in MAP during positional change. Results: Hypotension associated with supine-to-prone positional change was observed in 16 (8.9%) patients. The median (interquartile range) effect-site concentration of remifentanil (5.3 [4.0 to 8.5] vs. 4.0 [3.1 to 4.0] ng/mL, P

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Streptococcus pyogenes bacteremia and toxic shock syndrome related to Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection: a case report

We describe a patient with Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection associated with Streptococcus pyogenes and with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. To the best of our knowledge this association has not been p...

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Dysmorphic Short Stature: Radiological Diagnosis of Trichorhinophalangeal Syndrome

Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome (TRPS), a type of skeletal dysplasia, is characterized by a triad of dysmorphic (bulbous nose and large ears); ectodermal (thin and sparse hair); and skeletal (short stature and cone-shaped epiphyses) findings, and this combination is helpful for early diagnosis and appropriate follow-up. A 14-year-old boy presented with short stature and distinctive facial features, and following the first clinical and biological evaluation, no precise diagnosis was reached. Progressive bilateral development of noninflammatory and painless deformity of his second finger required a radiological exam that highlighted the key elements (cone-shaped epiphyses) for final diagnosis. This case illustrates the difficulties to early recognition of TRPS when the clinical presentation is not complete and radiological findings are missing.

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A Rare Cause of Acute Hepatopancreatitis in a Nepalese Teen

Background. Acute pancreatitis (AP) coexisting with acute hepatitis (AH) in children is uncommon. Moreover, a single bacterial cause explaining both the complications is even rarer. Despite familiarity with the usual presentation of enteric fever, atypical presentations can go unnoticed. Case Presentation. A 16-year-old previously healthy male presented to the emergency unit with recurrent swinging pyrexia, abdominal symptoms, and jaundice for a week. Blood work-up revealed deranged liver function tests (LFTs) and elevated pancreatic enzymes. Further assessment with imaging made a diagnosis of AH and AP without necrosis. Blood culture positivity for Salmonella typhi eventually confirmed the diagnosis. Conclusion. This is an uncommon presentation of an infection that is fairly common in our part of globe. Nevertheless, early suspicion and recognition is the key to timely management. Regular follow-ups are required to pick complications up early.

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