scholarly journals P209 Where is the air coming from? Pneumomediastinum in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexa Escudero Siosi ◽  
Priti Sharma ◽  
Antoni Chan

Abstract Background/Aims  We present the case of a 20-year-old female, who complained of a two-day history of sudden onset of global facial swelling worse in the morning, deterioration of nasal obstruction, frontal headache, found to have emphysema in the mediastinum and the neck. She was recently diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis on the basis of mild sensorineural hearing loss, extensive nasal crusting with sanguinolent discharge, myalgia, arthralgia and weight loss (10kg). Confirmed large nasal septum perforation and associated granulation via nasoendoscopy. Histology showed granulation tissue with polymorphs in the eosinophils in addition to positive immunology: C-ANCA 1:40, PR3 28. Her current treatment includes prednisolone, bone and gastric protection. She reduced her prednisolone from 50 mg to 25 mg and her facial swelling started, which led to the initial thought to be related to her prednisolone, therefore increased to 40 mg. Methods  On admission, she was afebrile, tachycardic 108 per minute, saturation 99%, mild facial swelling, airways was patent, tenderness in maxillary sinuses, cardiopulmonary and abdominal examination were unremarkable. No neurology deficit. Laboratory revealed raised white cells 25 (109/L) C-reactive protein (CRP) 45 mg/L, rest unremarkable. A CT sinuses showed extensive sinonasal mucosal thickening and sinusitis, erosion of the nasal septum and free gas in the parapharyngeal, masticator and carotid spaces bilaterally, which may be due to cellulitis or fasciitis. She was started on Co-amoxiclav. Her scans were reviewed at the radiology meeting and subsequently assess for surgical emphysema and urgent investigations for collection or perforation. Results  CT head, neck and thorax with contrast were performed and demonstrated air in the mediastinum and the neck extending from the level of the carina to the base of skull. There was no obvious lung abnormality or adenopathy. She remained haemodynamically stable, without respiratory distress. Coryzal symptoms persisted but other symptoms improved since her steroids were increased. Further assessments were performed, repeat nasal endoscopy showed septal perforation, significant inflammation, unable to visualise post-nasal space. Followed by maxillofacial review, ruling out dental abscess as origin of her emphysema. Respiratory review, no pneumothorax or intrinsic lung pathology. Additionally, a gastromiro was performed which ruled out perforation. Conclusion  She completed a week of intravenous antibiotics then discharged on prednisolone whilst being screened for rituximab. Unfortunately, she was readmitted with shortness of breath secondary to her severe bilateral nostril obstruction, upper airway granulation. A repeat chest XR did not show evidence of pneumomediastinum or pneumothorax. She was then started on rituximab as inpatient and currently continues reducing her prednisolone with good response. Interestingly despite thorough investigations, there was no source of air leaking found, a final diagnosis of possible pneumomediastinum as rare manifestation of granulomatosis with polyangiitis was made after excluding the other causes, few cases described. Disclosure  A. Escudero Siosi: None. P. Sharma: None. A. Chan: None.

Author(s):  
Choong Ryeol Lee ◽  
Cheol In Ryu ◽  
Ji Ho Lee ◽  
Jeong Hak Kang ◽  
Seong Kyu Kang ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1280
Author(s):  
Alexandra O. Stathis ◽  
Samuel C. Kuo

Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) are predominantly benign entities which represent almost 50 percent of all cystic lesions of the pancreas. PCNs are often an incidental finding on abdominal imaging and are not indicated for surgical resection unless they show evidence of malignant transformation or become symptomatic due to mass effect. This report examines an unusual presentation of a PCN, in a 70 years old female with sudden onset abdominal pain, who was found to have spontaneous intraabdominal haemorrhage secondary to a benign PCN. Emergency laparotomy was performed and a distal pancreatectomy or splenectomy were required to achieve haemostasis. Incidence of spontaneous haemorrhage in a benign PCN is a rare but serious complication.


2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Mascarenhas ◽  
O Tellechea ◽  
H Oliveira ◽  
JP Reis ◽  
M Cordeiro ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. e243558
Author(s):  
Lucas Donato Foster ◽  
Michael Nyugen ◽  
Edward Margolin

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare disorder characterised by inflammation of small-sized and medium-sized blood vessels that result in damage to various organ systems, but it most commonly affects the respiratory tract and kidneys. It is one of the few entities that can present with ocular inflammation as well as renal impairment at the same time. We describe a case of a 38-year-old man with conjunctivitis, episcleritis, anterior uveitis as a first manifestation of GPA. His presentation with red eye and anterior uveitis prompted further workup, which revealed acute renal failure (creatinine 442 mmol/L), elevated inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 85 mmol/hour and C reactive protein of 72 mg/L), and a c-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titre >8. An urgent renal biopsy was performed demonstrating necrotising crescentic glomerulonephritis, which led to the final diagnosis of GPA. Treatment induction with intravenous methylprednisolone and plasmapheresis followed by an oral prednisone taper and intravenous rituximab infusions leading to resolution of all symptoms and normalisation of kidney function. This report highlights conditions that can present with both ocular inflammation and renal dysfunction with a focus on GPA and its ocular manifestations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (21) ◽  
pp. 3167-3171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryuki Sakaguchi ◽  
Keita Fujikawa ◽  
Momoko Okamoto ◽  
Emi Matsuo ◽  
Kohei Matsumoto ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Edmond Cohen

Upper airway obstruction (UAO) from any cause should be considered a life-threatening emergency. In a conscious patient, UAO may present as respiratory distress, stridor, dyspnoea, altered voice, cyanosis, cough, decreased or absent breath sounds, wheezing, the hand-to-the-throat choking sign in the case of a foreign body, facial swelling, and distended neck veins. The cause of UAO should be identified and airway management devices must be immediately available prior to any airway manipulation CT scan, flexible bronchoscopy, and pulmonary function tests should be performed to evaluate the cause and the extent of the obstruction. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients are at increased risk of developing UAO. Endotracheal intubation, insertion of a supraglottic device, laser therapy, and endotracheal stents maybe life-saving


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