scholarly journals Intracerebral Bleeding and Massive Pericardial Effusion as Presenting Symptoms of Myxedema Crisis

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
M. Kirsch ◽  
C. Rimpau ◽  
C. H. Nickel ◽  
P. Baier

The endocrinological emergency of a fully blown myxedema crisis can present as a multicolored clinical picture. This can obscure the underlying pathology and easily lead to mistakes in clinical diagnosis, work-up, and treatment. We present a case of an unconscious 39-year-old patient with a medical history of weakness, lethargy, and findings of hyponatremia, intracerebral bleeding, and massive pericardial effusion. Finally, myxedema crisis was diagnosed as underlying cause. Replacement therapy of thyroid hormone and conservative management of the intracerebral bleeding resulted in patient’s survival without significant neurological impairment. However, diagnostic pericardiocentesis resulted in life-threatening pericardial tamponade. It is of tremendous importance to diagnose myxoedema crisis early to avoid adverse health outcomes.

Author(s):  
Rosa Alves ◽  
Sofia Alegria ◽  
Henrique Vara Luiz ◽  
Tiago Judas

Pericardial effusion has a broad spectrum of clinical presentation, ranging from an incidental finding on imaging to a potentially fatal emergency such as pericardial tamponade, the most severe presentation. The authors present a case of a middle-aged male hospitalized due to shortness of breath. Initial work-up was positive for massive pericardial effusion with haemodynamic compromise. Additional study revealed panhypopituitarism. The acromegalic phenotype was suggestive of acromegaly secondary to pituitary adenoma, which had probably evolved to apoplexy. Hormone replacement was started with clinical improvement. At the 3-year follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence of pericardial effusion. Panhypopituitarism is a relatively rare entity, but can lead to life-threatening complications such as adrenal crisis, coma and myxoedema-associated cardiac failure. Pericardial effusion is an extremely rare manifestation of secondary hypothyroidism.


Author(s):  
Irene Lozano-Díez ◽  
María López-Rodríguez ◽  
Laia Cagide-González ◽  
José Antonio Díaz-Peromingo

Pericardial effusion is the accumulation of fluid between the layers of the pericardium. I massive, pericardial tamponade and compression of the myocardium are life threatening conditions. The causes of pericardial effusion are varied, from idiopathic, neoplasms, iatrogenesis, and autoimmune. Pericardial tamponade can be a complication of neoplastic disease. Malignancy must be ruled out in every cardiac tamponade. Malignant etiology must be considered in patients with previous history of malignancy, pericarditis that does not respond to anti-inflammatory treatment, pericardial effusion that increases its amount rapidly, or recurrent pericardial effusion. Metastatic pericardial effusion due to lung cancer is not rare but not all lung cancers involve the same way the pericardium. In this paper, we present the case of a previously healthy patient with pericardial tamponade as presentation form of a lung adenocarcinoma and review the literature.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Yildirim ◽  
Recep Ustaalioglu ◽  
Murat Erkan ◽  
Bala Basak Oven Ustaalioglu ◽  
Hatice Demirbag ◽  
...  

<strong>Background:</strong> Patients with recurrent pericardial effusion and pericardial tamponade are usually treated in thoracic surgery clinics by VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or open pericardial window operation. The diagnostic importance of pathological evaluation of the pericardial fluid and tissue in the same patients has been reported in few studies. We reviewed pathological examination of the pericardial tissue and fluid specimens and the effect on the clinical treatment in our clinic, and compared the results with the literature. <br /><strong>Methods:</strong> We retrospectively analyzed 174 patients who underwent pericardial window operation due to pericardial tamponade or recurrent pericardial effusion. For all patients both the results of the pericardial fluid and pericardial biopsy specimen were evaluated. Clinicopathological factors were analyzed by using descriptive analysis. <br /><strong>Results:</strong> Median age was 61 (range, 20-94 years). The most common benign diagnosis was chronic inflammation (94 patients) by pericardial biopsy. History of malignancy was present in 28 patients (16.1%) and the most common disease was lung cancer (14 patients). A total of 24 patients (13.8%) could be diagnosed as having malignancy by pericardial fluid or pericardial biopsy examination. The malignancy was recognized for 12 patients who had a history of cancer; 9 of 12 with pericardial biopsy, 7 diagnosed by pericardial fluid. Twelve of 156 patients were recognized as having underlying malignancy by pericardial biopsy (n = 9) or fluid examination (n = 10), without known malignancy previously. <br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Recurrent pericardial effusion/pericardial tamponade are entities frequently diagnosed, and surgical interventions may be needed either for diagnosis and/or treatment, but specific etiology can rarely be obtained in spite of pathological examination of either pericardial tissue or fluid. For increasing the probability of a specific diagnosis both the pericardial fluid and the pericardial tissues have to be sent for pathologic examination.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-47
Author(s):  
Nazma Akter ◽  
Nazmul Kabir Qureshi

Adrenal insufficiency is caused by either primary adrenal failure or by hypothalamic-pituitary impairment of the corticotropic axis. Adrenal insufficiency, first codified in 1855 by Thomas Addison, remains relevant in 2014 because of its lethal nature. Though, it is a rare disease but is life threatening when overlooked. Main presenting symptoms such as fatigue, anorexia and weight loss are nonspecific, thus diagnosis is often delayed. The diagnostic work-up is well established but some pitfalls remain. The diagnosis is adequately established by the 250 ?g ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) stimulation test in most cases. Glucocorticoids provide life saving treatment but long-term quality of life is impaired, perhaps because therapy is not given in a physiologic way. Dehydroepiandrosterone-replacement therapy has been introduced that could help to restore quality of life. It may be useful in pubertal girls, but not in adults. Monitoring of glucocorticoid-replacement is difficult due to lack of objective methods of assessment and is therefore largely based on clinical grounds. Thus, long-term management of patients with adrenal insufficiency remains a challenge, requiring an experienced specialist. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dmcj.v3i1.22238 Delta Med Col J. Jan 2015; 3(1): 36-47


F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1219
Author(s):  
Prashant Pant ◽  
Oshan Shrestha ◽  
Pawan Budhathoki ◽  
Nebula Devkota ◽  
Prabin Kumar Giri ◽  
...  

Ludwig’s angina (LA) is a rapidly spreading and potentially life-threatening infection having an odontogenic infection as the most common source. It involves the floor of the mouth and neck. Modernization in medical care has made this entity rare and of low mortality at the present but it is still feared as a lethal entity due to rapidly progressive airway obstruction that follows. Here we report a case of a 15-year-old male who suffered from LA. Presenting symptoms and findings of the examination helped in the clinical diagnosis. Immediate intubation, use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and treatment of complications aided the patient’s recovery. LA should be considered for differential diagnosis in the case of neck swelling especially in those having a history of poor oral hygiene and recent dental procedures. Management of LA and its complications should always involve doctors from multiple disciplines.


Cardiology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igal Kushnir ◽  
Ido Wolf

Nivolumab, a programmed death 1 (PD1) inhibitor, belongs to a family of drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors that share a similar toxicity profile, which includes rash, pruritus, colitis, hepatitis, pneumonitis and thyroid dysfunction. Nivolumab has a proven efficacy in the treatment of malignant melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer and renal cell carcinoma. We present the case of a 67-year-old male patient with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the lung who suffered from a massive pericardial effusion secondary to treatment with nivolumab, which he began in June 2015. After five cycles the patient was hospitalized due to acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. An echocardiogram revealed a massive pericardial effusion with tamponade. After pericardiocentesis and corticosteroid treatment, the patient's condition improved rapidly. A CT scan revealed a response of the tumor. Although anti-PD1 treatment is usually regarded as less toxic than chemotherapy, a wide spectrum of life-threatening immune-related side effects may still occur and clinical vigilance is required.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. E1845-E1851 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S Xu ◽  
Asad A Usman ◽  
Michael C Hurley ◽  
Christopher S Eddleman ◽  
Bernard R Bendok

Abstract BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations (VGAMs) arise from persistent arteriovenous shunting from primitive choroidal vessels into the median prosencephalic vein of Markowski, the embryonic precursor of the vein of Galen. VGAMs rarely present past infancy, and their natural history in adults is unknown. We report the first case of a familial-associated VGAM in an asymptomatic adult female patient. The clinical features of this case are presented alongside a systematic review of the literature on adult VGAM cases to assess the natural history, clinical management, and genetic basis of this rare neurovascular lesion. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 44-year-old woman with a family history of a VGAM in a stillborn presented with an 8-week onset of dizziness and vertigo that spontaneously resolved. Time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography identified a choroidal VGAM. No intervention was undertaken at this time because of the patient's asymptomatic status after 9 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Based on our review of the literature, this is the first case report of a familial-associated VGAM in an adult patient and suggests that VGAM development can be genetically linked. Of 15 adult VGAM cases previously reported, all patients were either symptomatic or treated, thus precluding determination of VGAM natural history in adults. Patient outcomes correlated with the severity of presenting symptoms, which ranged from asymptomatic to immediately life-threatening. We hypothesize that self-selection may render VGAMs to be more benign for them to persist past childhood. Further investigation of the molecular biology underlying VGAM development is warranted.


2002 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-101
Author(s):  
CH Chung ◽  
KK Lai

Objective Aortic dissection is not a rare life-threatening emergency. Undiagnosed and untreated aortic dissection is associated with a high mortality. A review of cases in the hospital may provide a baseline picture to guide clinical decisions. Design Retrospective case review for a period of 3 years and 4 months. Setting District general hospital near the Hong Kong – Shenzhen ‘border’ with 24-hour Accident & Emergency service but without cardiothoracic surgical capability. Population All cases coded as ‘aortic dissection’ in the computerized ‘Clinical Management System’ of the hospital. Main outcome measures Date, sex, age, history of hypertension, presenting symptoms, pulse deficit, chest X-ray findings, pericardial effusion, A&E diagnosis, type of dissection and patient outcome. Results From August 1998 to November 2001, 26 cases of aortic dissection were identified. There were 19 males and 7 females. Age range was 26 to 90 years (mean 65.04 ± SD 15.04, median 66.50, mode 65). In the plain chest X-rays, widened superior mediastinum (>8 cm) was present in 19 patients (73.1%) and pleural effusion in three (11.5%). Pericardial effusion was found in six patients (23.1%). As regard to outcome, 11 were discharged home (42.3%), 14 were transferred to cardiothoracic surgical unit (where two subsequently died) and one died in the hospital. Conclusion The prevalence of aortic dissection may be more common than is generally appreciated by emergency physicians. Owing to its variable clinical presentations mimicking other diseases, the diagnosis of aortic dissection is easily missed. Higher clinical vigilance should be exercised for this potentially deadly condition.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman Beatty ◽  
Luis Medina-Garcia ◽  
Mayar Al Mohajer ◽  
Tirdad T. Zangeneh

Pituitary abscess is a rare intracranial infection that can be life-threatening if not appropriately diagnosed and treated upon presentation. The most common presenting symptoms include headache, anterior pituitary hypofunction, and visual field disturbances. Brain imaging with either computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging usually reveals intra- or suprasellar lesion(s). Diagnosis is typically confirmed intra- or postoperatively when pathological analysis is done. Clinicians should immediately start empiric antibiotics and request a neurosurgical consult when pituitary abscess is suspected.Escherichia coli(E. coli) causing intracranial infections are not well understood and are uncommon in adults. We present an interesting case of an immunocompetent male with a history of hypogonadism presenting with worsening headache and acute right eye vision loss. He was found to have a polymicrobial pituitary abscess predominantly involvingE.   coliin addition toActinomyces odontolyticusandPrevotella melaninogenicain the setting of an apoplectic pituitary prolactinoma. The definitive etiology of this infection was not determined but an odontogenic process was suspected. A chronic third molar eruption and impaction in close proximity to the pituitary gland likely led to contiguous spread of opportunistic oral microorganisms allowing for a polymicrobial pituitary abscess formation.


1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Hossain ◽  
Quazi Tarikul Islam ◽  
Md Mahmudur Rahman Siddiqui ◽  
Nadira Tamanna ◽  
Hashmi Sina ◽  
...  

Pulmonary aspergilloma is a rare disease, usually presenting as secondary invasion of preexisting lung cavity. When a pre-existing lung cavity is colonized by Aspergillus fumigatus it forms a fungal ball (Pulmonary aspergiloma). Presenting symptoms is usually cough, haemoptysis that may be life threatening. The radiological findings are that of a ball like structure within preexisting lung cavity on plain radiography and computerized tomography of the chest. We report a case of aspergilloma in a 70 year old man with past history of tuberculosis presented with the complaint of occasional cough, respiratory distress and occasional low grade fever for two years. It was diagnosed radiologically and confirmed by fine needle aspiration cytology and treated successfully with oral Itraconazole. Key words: Aspergilloma, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Itraconazole doi: 10.3329/jom.v10i2.2836  J MEDICINE 2009; 10 : 149-151


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