scholarly journals Tetanus: A Rare Complication of Black Tar Heroin Use

Author(s):  
Elisa Pichlinski ◽  
Emily Hoff ◽  
Lindsey Claire Epperson ◽  
Elizabeth Morley ◽  
James Dazhe Cao ◽  
...  

Abstract Tetanus is associated with high morbidity and mortality, though rarely encountered in high-income countries. We present a case of tetanus in an unvaccinated patient secondary to black tar heroin use that highlights the importance of consideration of tetanus in appropriate clinical contexts, harm reduction interventions and universal tetanus vaccination campaigns.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Che-Fang Ho ◽  
Yuan-Yun Tam ◽  
Chia-Chen Wu

Objective. Pneumocephalus is a rare complication that often occurs after traumatic skull base injury, leading to morbidity and mortality. Material and Method. We present the case of a 42-year-old healthy man who injured himself when he stuck a metal stick into his left nasal cavity to relieve prolonged nasal obstruction. Immediate cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea and subsequent meningitis and pneumocephalus occurred later. He was presented at our hospital with fever and meningeal signs. Result. Computed tomography scans revealed left rhinosinusitis and air collection in the subarachnoid space. The patient received the conservative treatment of bed rest, intravenous hydration, head elevation, and broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics. Pneumocephalus and meningitis resolved without any surgery, and he experienced no other sequela or complication. Conclusion. Pneumocephalus is a rare incidence and can lead to high morbidity and mortality. Prompt diagnosis and adequate treatment of pneumocephalus and meningitis proved beneficial for our patient who recovered without any complication or surgery.


2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-27
Author(s):  
Jon de la Maza Ortiz ◽  
Seila García Mulas ◽  
Juan Carlos Ávila Alegría ◽  
Javier García Lledó ◽  
Leticia Pérez Carazo ◽  
...  

1996 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 108P-109P ◽  
Author(s):  
E Ezra ◽  
J L Richenberg ◽  
W A B Smellie

Major vascular injury during lumbar laminectomy is an extremely rare complication of one of the commonest surgical procedures performed in orthopaedic and neurosurgical units. Its occurrence may be associated with high morbidity and mortality, particularly if it is not diagnosed in the early stages. Early diagnosis and repair is associated with an improved prognosis in the long term. We illustrate these points with a description of two cases, and discuss the anatomical factors predisposing to these injuries and the importance of angiography in the management and early diagnosis of suspected cases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 200-206

Oesophagectomy is being used in treatment of several oesophageal diseases, most commonly in treatment of oesophageal cancer. It is a major surgical procedure that may result in various complications. One of the most severe complications is anastomotic dehiscence between the gastric conduit and the oesophageal remnant. Anastomotic dehiscence after esophagectomy is directly linked to high morbidity and mortality. We propose a therapeutic algorithm of this complication based on published literature and our experience by retrospective evaluationof 164 patients who underwent oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer. Anastomotic dehiscence was present in 29 cases.


2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Smyrli ◽  
Athanasios Prapas ◽  
George Rigos ◽  
Constantina Kokkari ◽  
Michail Pavlidis ◽  
...  

HPB Surgery ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 285-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. J. Moser ◽  
N. M. Kneteman ◽  
G. Y. Minuk

Despite recent advances in hepatic surgery, resection of the cirrhotic liver continues to be fraught with high morbidity and mortality rates. As a result, for many patients requiring resection of HCC the postoperative course is complicated and the probability of cure is diminished by coexisting cirrhosis. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of the cirrhotic liver which make it poorly tolerant of resection and the most common complications that follow such surgery. The main purpose of this paper is to review recent attempts to identify interventions that might be beneficial to cirrhotic patients undergoing resection. These interventions include assessment of liver reserve, advances in surgical technique, and improvement in liver function and regeneration.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 1175-1180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mir Sadat-Ali ◽  
Moaad Alfaraidy ◽  
Abdulaziz AlHawas ◽  
Ahmed Abdallah Al-Othman ◽  
Dakheel A Al-Dakheel ◽  
...  

Objective To determine the functional morbidity and mortality after fragility hip fracture and compare the mortality with three other common diseases. Methods Data were collected from patients admitted to King Fahd Hospital of the University, AlKhobar from January 2010 to December 2014. Demographic data included the preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score as assessed by the anesthetist and the type of surgery. Personal and telephone interviews were performed, and data were entered into a database and analyzed. Results We identified 203 patients with fragility proximal femoral fractures, and the data of 189 patients (109 male, 80 female; average age, 66.90 ± 13.43 years) were available for analysis. The overall mortality rate was 26.98% (51 patients). The mortality rate was significantly higher among patients with an ASA score of 4 (36.36%) than 1 (20.45%). With respect to morbidity, only 48.23% of patients were able to return to their pre-fracture status; 32.35% of those who required assisted walking and 83.4% of those who required a wheelchair became bedridden. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that patients with fragility hip fractures have high morbidity and a mortality rate approaching 30%. Age and the ASA score significantly influence this high mortality rate.


2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-60
Author(s):  
Rabindra B Timala ◽  
Jyotindra Sharma ◽  
Siddhartha Pradhan ◽  
Navin Chandra Gautam

Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer is one of the acute aortic conditions, associated with high morbidity and mortality. Management option is often debated between conservative vs. surgical, with different data supporting each of the option. Here we present two case reports, managed conservatively. Nepalese Heart Journal | Volume 10 | No.1 | November 2013| Pages 57-60 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njh.v10i1.9748


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