scholarly journals A case series of brain abscesses: an eleven-year retrospective single center study

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (06) ◽  
pp. 791-797
Author(s):  
Rami Waked ◽  
Hassan Tarhini ◽  
Hussein Mansour ◽  
Gebrael Saliba ◽  
Nabil Chehata ◽  
...  

Introduction: We lack data on the epidemiology and management of brain abscesses in the Middle East. The aim of this study is to report a case series of brain abscesses admitted at a tertiary care center in Lebanon, between January 2008 and December 2018. Methodology: This retrospective study aimed at determining the demographic data, treatment, and correlations between different studied variables with prognosis of patients that received treatment. Results: Forty-one patients (30 males) were included with a median age of 37 years (2-85). The analysis showed that the classic triad of fever, headache and neurologic deficit was only present in 12% of patients on admission. The source of infection was contiguous in 36.5%, post surgical in 32%, and distant in 17% of cases. Stereotactic biopsy was performed in 41.5% of patients, and craniotomy in 19.5%. A microorganism was isolated in 63% of patients (26 cases). The most used antibiotics were carbapenems (46%) and glycopeptides (66%). Eighty percent of patient (33) had a good outcome. A worse prognosis was significantly correlated with immunosuppression and multiple cerebral abscesses. Conclusions: Brain abscess remains a relatively rare condition.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
Divya Aggarwal ◽  
Kim Vaiphei

Background: Duplication cysts (DC) are uncommon congenital malformations which predominantly present in infants and young children. Owing to their variable clinical presentation, radiology and/or histopathology are often required to clinch the diagnosis. We present a case series of 66 patients, which is the largest series reported so far.Methods: A search of prospectively maintained institutional database was carried out to identify patients who were diagnosed and operated for gastrointestinal DC between January 2013 and August 2018. For all cases, the demographic data, site of DC, details of clinical presentation, associated conditions and histopathology findings were recorded. The slides of all cases were retrieved and re-examined.Results: The age range was 1 day to 47 years, with a slight male predominance (1.3:1). Ileum was the most common site followed by jejunum. Ectopic mucosae noted were gastric, pancreatic, biliary and respiratory. One case showed glial heterotopia. Perforation, gangrene and intussusception were among the co-existing pathologies noted.Conclusions: Duplication cysts are rare congenital malformations. The variability in clinical presentation makes the diagnosis elusive. Timely diagnosis and appropriate management require a high index of suspicion and a holistic diagnostic approach with clinical, radiological and histopathological inputs. 


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie A Dunleavy ◽  
Ryan C Ungaro ◽  
Laura Manning ◽  
Stephanie Gold ◽  
Joshua Novak ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Micronutrient deficiencies are common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To date, the literature has focused on vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iron deficiencies. Methods We report a case series of 20 patients with IBD and vitamin C deficiency treated at a single tertiary care center. Results Sixteen (80%) patients had symptoms of clinical scurvy, including arthralgia, dry brittle hair, pigmented rash, gingivitis, easy bruising and/or brittle nails. Eighteen patients underwent a nutritional assessment, 10 (56%) patients reported complete avoidance of fruits and vegetables, and 3 (17%) reported reduced intake of fruits and vegetables. Conclusions Vitamin C deficiency should be considered in IBD patients, particularly those with reduced fruit/vegetable intake, as it can lead to significant signs and symptoms.


Author(s):  
Vadlakonda Sruthi ◽  
Annaladasu Narendra

Background: Tramadol use has been increasing in the adult and pediatric population. Practitioners must be alert because Tramadol misuse can lead to severe intoxication in which respiratory failure and seizures are frequent. Overdoses can lead to death. We report 47 pediatric cases with history of accidental tramadol exposure in children.Methods: An observational, retrospective, single center case -series of children with a history of accidental tramadol exposure in children admitted in pediatric intensive care unit of tertiary care center, Niloufer Hospital (Osmania Medical College) Hyderabad, Telangana India.Results: Of 47 children, 22 (47%) are male and 25 (53%) were female. At presentation 11 (23%) had loss of consciousness, 14 (29%) seizures, 17 (36%) hypotonia was noted. Pupils were miotic in 22 (47%) mydriatic in 2 (4.2%) normal in rest of children. Hemodynamic instability noted in 13 (27.6%). Serotonin syndrome (tachycardia, hyperthermia, hypertension, hyper reflex, clonus) was noted on 5 (10.6%) children. Respiratory depression was seen in 4 (8%) children who needed ventilatory support. Antidote Naloxone was given in 7 children. No adverse reaction was noted with Naloxone. All 47 children were successfully discharged.Conclusions: Overdoses can lead to death and practitioners must be alert because of the increasing use of tramadol in the adult and pediatric population. The handling of the tramadol should be explained to parents and general population and naloxone could be efficient when opioid toxicity signs are present.


Author(s):  
Hind M. Alkatan ◽  
Khalid M. Alshomar ◽  
Hala A. Helmi ◽  
Wajda M. Alhothali ◽  
Abdulaziz M. Alshalan

Abstract Background Conjunctival lesions are common with a wide spectrum of benign, premalignant, and malignant lesions. Few histopathological studies have been conducted on conjunctival lesions with variable designs and results. Our aim in this study is to provide information on common conjunctival lesions seen in an ophthalmology tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia. Methods A retrospective, observational study of all consecutive conjunctival tissue specimens sent for histopathological assessment to the pathology department from 2015 to 2019 were analyzed. Clinical data were collected from medical records, and the histopathological slides were reviewed by a single pathologist. Results A total of 110 conjunctival specimens from 108 patients were included (mean age: 53 years, 67 males and 43 females). Bilateral involvement was mostly found in inflammatory lesions (40%). Most lesions were benign (91%), with a significantly longer duration of symptoms in malignant lesions (p = 0.036*). The clinical diagnosis matched the final histopathological diagnosis in 75.5% of the total specimens. The most frequent category of benign lesions was fibrodegenerative and proliferative lesions (53.6%), with a significantly higher prevalence among adult males (p < 0.001). Melanocytic lesions were more common in children (33.3%) than adults (9.8%), and the mean age of children was significantly lower (p = 0.013). The most frequent malignant lesion was ocular surface squamous neoplasia (50%), with equal prevalence among males and females. The overall outcome was favorable in 89.4% and unfavorable in 10.6%, mostly due to surgical complications, further progression of the lesion, or recurrence. Conclusion This study shows variability in the frequency of conjunctival lesions based on gender, age, geographical, racial, and environmental factors. There has been a shift in the gender-based prevalence of ocular squamous neoplasia over the last three decades, probably due to a change in lifestyle.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 358-363
Author(s):  
Canan Gunduz Gurkan ◽  
◽  
Hamide Sekerbay ◽  
Aylin Babalik ◽  
◽  
...  

CJEM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
pp. S31-S32
Author(s):  
J. McCallum ◽  
R. Yip ◽  
S. Dhanani ◽  
I. Stiell

Introduction: A significant gap exists between the number of people waiting for an organ and donors. There are currently 1,628 people awaiting organ donation in Ontario alone. In 2018 to date, 310 donors have donated 858 organs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were missed donors in the Emergency Department (ED) and by what percent those missed donors would increase organ donation overall. Methods: This was a health records and organ donation database review of all patients who died in the ED at a large academic tertiary care center with 2 campuses and 160,000 visits per year. Patients were included from November 1, 2014 – October 31, 2017. We collected data on demographics, cause of death, and suitability for organ donation. Data was cross-referenced between hospital records and the provincial organ procurement organization called Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) to determine whether patients were appropriately referred for consideration of donation in a timely manner. Potential missed donors were manually screened for suitability according to TGLN criteria. We calculated simple descriptive statistics for demographic data and the primary outcome. The primary outcome was percentage of potential organ donors missed in the Emergency Department (ED). Results: There were 606 deaths in the ED from November 1, 2014 – October 31, 2017. Patients were an average of 71 years old, 353 (58%) were male, and 75 (12%) died of a traumatic cause. TGLN was not contacted in 12 (2%) of cases. During this period there were two donors from the ED and 92 from the ICU. There were ten missed potential donors. They were an average of 67 years, 7 (70%) were male, and 2 (20%) died of a traumatic cause. In all ten cases, patients had withdrawal of life sustaining measures for medical futility prior to TGLN being contacted for consideration of donation. There could have been an addition seven liver, six pancreatic islet, four small bowel, and seven kidney donors. The ten missed ED donors could have increased total donors by 11%. Conclusion: The ED is a significant source of missed organ donors. In all cases of missed organ donation, patients had withdrawal of life sustaining measures prior to TGLN being called. In the future, it is essential that all patients have an organ procurement organization such as TGLN called prior to withdrawal of life sustaining measures to ensure that no opportunity for consideration of organ donation is missed.


2020 ◽  
pp. 247412642095396
Author(s):  
Cason B. Robbins ◽  
Henry L. Feng ◽  
Divakar Gupta ◽  
Sharon Fekrat

Purpose: Clinical presentation, treatment choices, and outcomes in cases of bleb-related endophthalmitis (BRE) at a tertiary care center over a 9-year period are described. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients diagnosed with BRE at Duke Eye Center (Durham, North Carolina) from January 1, 2009 to January 1, 2018, with at least 6 months of follow-up, assessing demographic data, initial management, and visual acuity (VA). Results: Twenty eyes of 20 patients with BRE were identified. Median time from surgery to presentation was 6.53 years. Presenting VA of light perception only was significantly associated with the decision to pursue pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) as initial treatment (odds ratio 59.4, 95% CI, 2.1-1670.8, P = .016). Twelve eyes (60%) had culture-proven infectious endophthalmitis. Eleven eyes (55%) underwent PPV during treatment; 5 eyes underwent PPV on presentation, and 6 eyes underwent PPV after initial presentation. Compared with pre-endophthalmitis VA, 6 eyes that underwent subsequent PPV had greater VA loss at 6 months than cases not undergoing subsequent PPV (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study line loss of 14 vs 4 lines, respectively; P = .044). Conclusions: BRE eyes presenting with light-perception VA were more likely to undergo initial PPV; yet many eyes in this study required PPV during treatment. Visual outcomes are often poor in BRE despite intensive management. There was greater VA loss from pre-endophthalmitis VA levels at 6 months in eyes undergoing PPV after initial treatment. Prospective studies are needed to assess the optimal role of PPV in patients with BRE.


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