scholarly journals Pheochromocytoma in a patient presenting with ventricular fibrillation and carotid dissection: a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Lanot ◽  
Jérôme Adda ◽  
François Roubille ◽  
Mariama Akodad

Abstract Background Pheochromocytoma is an endocrine tumour secreting catecholamines, most often revealed by clinical symptoms (headache, palpitations, diaphoresis, or resistant hypertension). Some cases of ventricular arrhythmias were described in the literature, without any formal link between arrhythmia and pheochromocytoma. Case summary We report a case of pheochromocytoma discovered after cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation in a 46-year-old patient. The diagnosis was suggested by clinical symptoms (headache, palpitation, and diaphoresis) and suspected on the abdominal computed tomography scan. The diagnosis was corroborated by metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy and finally confirmed by anatomopathological analysis of the operative specimen. The cerebral imaging showed a dissection of the left internal carotid artery and an intraparenchymal haematoma that might be secondary to a catecholaminergic discharge of phaeochromocytoma and severe hypertension. Discussion Since pheochromocytoma is accessible to curative treatment, its detection in case of cardiac arrest is essential to decrease the risk of arrhythmic recurrence.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 373
Author(s):  
Ryan Boggs ◽  
Michael Ross ◽  
Michael Tall

ABSTRACT PURPOSEThe purpose of this report is to describe the diagnostic focus of the clinical decision-making process for a patient referred to a physiotherapist for treatment of persistent dizziness, who was subsequently diagnosed with severe stenosis of the internal carotid arteries. CASE DESCRIPTIONThe patient was a 79-year-old man who was referred to a physiotherapist by his primary care physician for the treatment of persistent intermittent dizziness. The patient’s dizziness began 6 months prior insidiously; it was worsening over time and now interfered with activities of daily living. The patient denied cervical pain or headaches, numbness or tingling in his extremities, difficulty maintaining balance with walking, unsteadiness, muscle weakness, dysphagia, drop attacks, diplopia or dysarthria. At the physiotherapist’s initial evaluation, cervical range of motion was moderately restricted in all motions and his dizziness was elicited with changes in head position. The patient’s neurological examination was unremarkable. Due to positional complaints of dizziness, a Dix–Hallpike test was used to screen for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, which was positive for symptoms reproduction; however, no nystagmus was noted. The patient also became diaphoretic and exhibited significant discoloration of his face during the test. OUTCOMESDue to concern over vascular compromise, carotid duplex ultrasonography and magnetic resonance angiography were completed and revealed near complete occlusion of the left internal carotid artery at its origin. The patient subsequently underwent a left internal carotid endarterectomy with resolution of symptoms and a return to all activities of daily living. DISCUSSIONCarotid artery stenosis, although frequently asymptomatic until severe, may manifest as complaints of dizziness that mimic peripheral vestibular dysfunction. Appropriate and prudent screening and referral is necessary if clinical symptoms suggestive of vascular compromise are present.


2015 ◽  
Vol 04 (2) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj N Obeyesekere ◽  
Andrew D Krahn ◽  
◽  

The early repolarisation (ER) pattern is a common ECG finding. Most individuals with the ER pattern are at minimal risk for arrhythmic events. In others, ER increases the arrhythmic risk of underlying cardiac pathology. Rarely ER syndrome will manifest as a primary arrhythmogenic disorder causing ventricular fibrillation (VF). ER syndrome is defined as syncope attributed to ventricular arrhythmias or cardiac arrest attributed to ER following systematic exclusion of other etiologies. Some ECG features associated with ER portend a higher risk. However, clinically useful risk-stratifying tools to identify the asymptomatic patient at high risk are lacking. Patients with asymptomatic ER and no family history of malignant ER should be reassured. All patients with ER should continue to have modifiable cardiac risk factors addressed. Symptomatic patients should be systematically investigated, directed by symptoms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bashar Khiatah ◽  
David Philips ◽  
Jonathan Dukes ◽  
Amanda Frugoli

Prinzmetal’s angina is a vascular spasm of the coronary artery that can mimic acute coronary syndrome. It is rarely responsible for ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest; however, survivors with these complications are at increased risk for recurrent ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. This is true despite the presence of normal cardiac function and optimal medical therapy. Thus, this select population should be considered for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). In this case vignette, we describe a healthy 48-year-old female with ventricular fibrillation arrest, followed by recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias caused by Prinzmetal’s angina.


VASA ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 491-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vávrová ◽  
Slezácek ◽  
Vávra ◽  
Karlová ◽  
Procházka

Internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of deep neck infections. The authors report the case of a 17-year-old male who presented to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology with an acute tonsillitis requiring tonsillectomy. Four weeks after the surgery the patient was readmitted because of progressive swallowing, trismus, and worsening headache. Computed tomography revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the left internal carotid artery in the extracranial segment. A bare Wallstent was implanted primarily and a complete occlusion of the pseudoaneurysm was achieved. The endovascular approach is a quick and safe method for the treatment of a pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery.


Resuscitation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 155 ◽  
pp. 24-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles D. Deakin ◽  
Peter Morley ◽  
Jasmeet Soar ◽  
Ian R. Drennan

Author(s):  
Walid Elshamy ◽  
Burcak Soylemez ◽  
Sima Sayyahmelli ◽  
Nese Keser ◽  
Mustafa K. Baskaya

AbstractChondrosarcomas are one of the major malignant neoplasms which occur at the skull base. These tumors are locally invasive. Gross total resection of chondrosarcomas is associated with longer progression-free survival rates. The patient is a 55-year-old man with a history of dysphagia, left eye dryness, hearing loss, and left-sided facial pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a giant heterogeneously enhancing left-sided skull base mass within the cavernous sinus and the petrous apex with extension into the sphenoid bone, clivus, and the cerebellopontine angle, with associated displacement of the brainstem (Fig. 1). An endoscopic endonasal biopsy revealed a grade-II chondrosarcoma. The patient was then referred for surgical resection. Computed tomography (CT) scan and CT angiogram of the head and neck showed a left-sided skull base mass, partial destruction of the petrous apex, and complete or near-complete occlusion of the left internal carotid artery. Digital subtraction angiography confirmed complete occlusion of the left internal carotid artery with cortical, vertebrobasilar, and leptomeningeal collateral development. The decision was made to proceed with a left-sided transcavernous approach with possible petrous apex drilling. During surgery, minimal petrous apex drilling was necessary due to autopetrosectomy by the tumor. Endoscopy was used to assist achieving gross total resection (Fig. 2). Surgery and postoperative course were uneventful. MRI confirmed gross total resection of the tumor. The histopathology was a grade-II chondrosarcoma. The patient received proton therapy and continues to do well without recurrence at 4-year follow-up. This video demonstrates steps of the combined microsurgical skull base approaches for resection of these challenging tumors.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/WlmCP_-i57s.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (Suppl. 1) ◽  
pp. 9-14
Author(s):  
Trung Quoc Nguyen ◽  
Hoang Thi Phan ◽  
Tinh Quang Dang ◽  
Vu Thanh Tran ◽  
Thang Huy Nguyen

The efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapy and their favorable treatment outcomes have been established in clinical trials irrespective of age. Current guidelines do not recommend an age limit in selecting eligible patients for reperfusion treatment as long as other criteria are satisfied. A 103-year-old woman was admitted at our hospital within 1 h of stroke onset secondary to a left internal carotid artery terminus occlusion. On admission, her National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 30, with a small left thalamic diffusion restriction lesion on MRI. Her medical history included paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, prior myocardial infarction, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus. Her pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale score was 0, and she was fully independent before stroke. Once intravenous thrombolysis was started, the patient successfully underwent mechanical thrombectomy, and thrombolysis in cerebral infarction-3 recanalization was achieved 225 min after symptom onset. She showed dramatic recovery (NIHSS score of 5 after 48 h) and was discharged on day 7 with a modified Rankin Score of 1. To our knowledge, our patient is the second oldest documented patient who successfully underwent bridging therapy for stroke.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (Suppl. 1) ◽  
pp. 22-26
Author(s):  
Tsong-Hai Lee

We report on a case of a 59-year-old female patient with atrial fibrillation who received edoxaban. She withdrew edoxaban before tooth extraction. She was brought to our emergency department due to acute onset of left-side weakness. Under the impression of acute ischemic stroke, edoxaban was replaced with aspirin. However, the patient suffered from recurrent cerebral embolism with conscious disturbance. Urgent mechanical thrombectomy was performed due to left internal carotid artery occlusion. Remarkable recovery was noted on the second day after thrombectomy. She was discharged with mild neurological deficit. We suggest that early recognition, assessment, and interventional treatment for patients with in-hospital strokes are favorable for stroke outcome.


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