Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis secondary to brucellosis in a young child

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. e240759
Author(s):  
Jashan Mittal ◽  
Prawin Kumar ◽  
Jagdish Prasad Goyal ◽  
Abhishek Purohit
Keyword(s):  
Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis ◽  
Appetite Loss ◽  
Specific Therapy ◽  
Adequate Treatment ◽  
Underlying Condition ◽  
Persistent Fever ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
History Of ◽  
Life Threatening Complication

Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease worldwide. It has protean clinical manifestation and sometimes may has a life-threatening complication. A 4-year-old boy presented with a history of fever, myalgia and appetite loss for 3 weeks. On examination, he had hepatosplenomegaly. The initial working diagnosis was an infection, autoimmune disease and malignancy. Investigations showed positive Brucella serology, and he was started on rifampicin and cotrimoxazole. He was further investigated because of persistent fever, which revealed evidence of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). He continued treatment for brucellosis, except rifampicin which was replaced with doxycyclin due to a worsening liver function. The child showed complete clinical and biochemical improvement after 6 weeks of therapy. HLH is a life-threatening condition and should be suspected in children with brucellosis, who did not respond to appropriate antibiotics treatment. Secondary HLH does not always require specific therapy; it may improve with adequate treatment of the underlying condition.

Identification of Persistent Aortocaval Fistula Using Ultrasonography in the Outpatient Setting: A Case Report

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 150-153
Author(s):  
Richard A. Meena ◽  
Melissa N. Warren ◽  
Thomas E. Reeve ◽  
Olamide Alabi
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Surgical Repair ◽  
Outpatient Setting ◽  
Aortocaval Fistula ◽  
Abdominal Aortic ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
History Of ◽  
Life Threatening Complication

Aortocaval fistula (ACF) is a rare and life-threatening complication associated with rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA). Early detection and management of ACF’s during surgical repair of rAAAs is recommended to reduce the risk of future aneurysm-related complications, including mortality. There is a paucity of current literature on the natural history of ACFs postendovascular exclusion. We present a case study describing the detection of a persistent ACF by duplex ultrasonography (DU) postendovascular aortic repair (EVAR).

scholarly journals Non-occlusive mesenteric ischaemia associated with anorexia nervosa

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. e229703
Author(s):  
Takashi Sakamoto ◽  
Alan Kawarai Lefor ◽  
Tadao Kubota
Keyword(s):  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Distal Ileum ◽  
Interdisciplinary Management ◽  
Emergency Laparotomy ◽  
Diffuse Peritonitis ◽  
Chronic Haemodialysis ◽  
Mesenteric Ischaemia ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
History Of

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischaemia (NOMI) is a life-threatening condition that requires emergent intervention and anorexia nervosa is a chronic eating disorder that requires careful medical and nutritional management. A 54-year-old woman with a history of anorexia nervosa and undergoing chronic haemodialysis developed abdominal pain and called an ambulance. On arrival, she was in shock and abdominal examination was consistent with diffuse peritonitis. Computed tomography scan suggested ischaemia from the distal ileum to the ascending colon. Emergency laparotomy revealed NOMI from the distal ileum to the transverse colon. The treatment strategy included staged operations and careful medical management to optimise nutritional support and electrolyte management with survival of the patient. NOMI and anorexia nervosa are both difficult to manage. Meticulous interdisciplinary management can result in a good outcome.

Salicylate Intoxication

1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Yip ◽  
Michael S. Jastremski ◽  
Richard C. Dart
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facility ◽  
Poison Control ◽  
Electrolyte Balance ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
History Of ◽  
Salicylate Intoxication ◽  
Base Management

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is one of the most widely used over-the-counter medications. Because of its availability and widespread use, aspirin has a long history of human toxicity from accidental or intentional overdosing. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers aspirin was implicated in 19083 exposures in 1995, with 11800 cases treated in a health care facility, and 52 associated deaths. Aspirin toxicity may be a life-threatening condition that produces multiple system organ failure requiring treatment in an intensive care unit. Managing a patient with salicylism will challenge the skills of the critical care team, especially in the areas of life support, fluid and electrolyte balance, and acid-base management. This article reviews the physiology, pathophysiology, acute and chronic salicylism in children and adults, and management of salicylate intoxication.

Risperidone-Induced Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: A Case Report and Review

1996 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gb Meterissian
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Extrapyramidal Side Effects ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
History Of ◽  
Life Threatening Complication ◽  
The One

Objectives: 1. To report the case of a 53-year-old patient who developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) — a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of neuroleptic therapy — 4 days after treatment with risperidone was initiated. 2. To review previously reported cases of NMS associated with risperidone. Methods: A computerized search of several databases, including MEDLINE, was conducted to find all previously reported cases of NMS with risperidone. Results: Five reported cases of risperidone-induced NMS were found in the literature. All cases including the one reported here displayed typical clinical features of NMS and all 6 patients had a prior history of extrapyramidal side effects and/or NMS. Age and duration of exposure to risperidone did not seem to be of significance. Conclusions: These cases illustrate that clinicians should be on the lookout for risperidone-induced NMS.

scholarly journals Localized Aortic Dissection in a Patient with Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Case Report

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (04) ◽  
pp. 285-287
Author(s):  
Sarah A. Alkuraydis ◽  
Abdulaziz S. Allihimy ◽  
Osama Smettei ◽  
Rami M Abazid
Keyword(s):  
Chest Pain ◽  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Acute Chest Pain ◽  
Uncontrolled Hypertension ◽  
Polycystic Kidney ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Right ◽  
Multiple Cysts

Aortic dissection (AD) is the most frequent life-threatening aortic disorder. It is commonly associated with hypertension; however, aortic dissection occasionally represents a complication of more complex syndromes. In this article we aim to report. A 40-year-old male patient, with a known case of ADPKD and a strong family history of ADPKD. He presented to the emergency department with prolonged sharp retrosternal chest pain radiating to the back and uncontrolled hypertension. Computed tomography angiography showed a localized dissection flap at the aortic root and multiple cysts in the right kidney. AD is a life-threatening condition and should be suspected in patients presenting with acute chest pain with history of ADPKD.

scholarly journals Maternal and foetal outcome of eclampsia in a referral hospital

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 1021
Author(s):  
Mousumi Das Ghosh ◽  
Vinita Singh ◽  
Alokananda Ray
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Ventilatory Support ◽  
Adequate Treatment ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Foetal Mortality ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Foetal Outcome

Background: Eclampsia is a life-threatening condition, common in developing countries with high fatality rate. It is a cause of maternal and foetal mortality and morbidity. The aim of the study is to determine the maternal and foetal outcome in Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India.Methods: All cases of eclampsia were analysed from January 2012 to December 2014 from admission to discharge or death of the patient.  Age, parity, antenatal care, interval between attack and admission, blood pressure on admission, gestational age and mode of delivery were  taken into account. There were 135 cases of eclampsia out of 14572 deliveries. Only singleton pregnancies were analysed.Results: The incidence of antepartum eclampsia was 84.4%, intrapartum 3% and postpartum 12.5 %. 83% patients were primigravida, 33% less than 20 yrs,42% had no antenatal checkup and 45% had < 4 visits. Only 15% patients received magnesium sulphate before referral to the hospital. There were four maternal deaths and twenty-one perinatal deaths. Eleven patients needed ventilatory support, four developed pulmonary oedema,  two patients had respiratory depression and three patients had renal failure.Conclusions: Hypertensive disease in pregnancy requires proper antenatal care, early recognition and referral, adequate treatment and timely delivery.

scholarly journals Cytomegalovirus-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: a rare cause of febrile neutropenia during cancer chemotherapy

2018 ◽  
pp. bcr-2018-225592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Bergmann ◽  
Hanne Elisabeth Højsgaard Møller ◽  
Olav Jonas Bergmann
Keyword(s):  
Febrile Neutropenia ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukaemia ◽  
Antineoplastic Drugs ◽  
Common Complication ◽  
Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis ◽  
Cmv Infection ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Empirical Antifungal Therapy

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a common complication in patients with cancer during treatment with antineoplastic drugs. The initial cause is usually bacterial, and treatment of FN follows well-defined algorithms. We report a case of a 62-year-old patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), who developed FN, which was unresponsive to both empirical antibacterial and empirical antifungal therapy. Surprisingly, a diagnosis of the life-threatening condition haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was made and treated successfully. CMV-associated HLH has not previously been described in patients with CLL treated with rituximab and bendamustine. It is concluded that HLH should be considered in patients with cancer with FN not responding to conventional antibiotic therapy.

Post-traumatic orbitorrhea: An underestimated life-threatening complication following anterior skull base fractures

2019 ◽  
pp. 112067211986782
Author(s):  
Arnaud Martel ◽  
Nassim Bougaci ◽  
Jacques Lagier ◽  
Fabien Almairac ◽  
Arnaud Dagain
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Favourable Outcome ◽  
Anterior Skull Base ◽  
Full Thickness Skin Graft ◽  
Thickness Skin ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Upper Lid ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Life Threatening Complication

Orbitorrhea is defined as a leak of cerebrospinal fluid from a cranio-orbital fistula. It is usually related to anterior skull base trauma. Orbitorrhea is an exceptional and life-threatening condition which should be promptly managed. We herein report the case of a right post-traumatic orbitorrhea following anterior skull base trauma. Conservative treatment was initially attempted. At 6 weeks, recurrence was noted, and the patient underwent neurosurgical management. A few months later, a secondary upper lid retraction was diagnosed and treated by full-thickness skin graft with favourable outcome. To our knowledge, fewer than 30 cases have been previously reported. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this life-threatening condition which could be underestimated.

scholarly journals A Case of Unilateral Coccidioidal Chorioretinitis in a Patient with HIV-Associated Meningoencephalitis

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher B. Toomey ◽  
Andrew Gross ◽  
Jeffrey Lee ◽  
Doran B. Spencer
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Complement Fixation ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
History Of ◽  
Blurry Vision ◽  
Systemic Symptoms ◽  
The Right

Intraocular coccidioidomycosis is a rare condition, with the most commonly reported presentation being an idiopathic iritis in patients who live in or have traveled thorough endemic areas. A paucity of reports exists describing the chorioretinal manifestations of coccidioidomycosis. Here we report a case of unilateral coccidioidal chorioretinitis and meningoencephalitis in an AIDS patient that led to near complete unilateral loss of vision. A 48-year-old Hispanic female with poorly controlled HIV/AIDS in southern California presented with a three-week history of headache, nausea, vomiting, right eye blurry vision, and a one-day history of subjective fever. Examination of the right eye revealed vitritis and several large chorioretinal lesions scattered throughout the periphery and macula with optic disc pallor. Serum coccidioidomycoses complement fixation (CF) was positive (titers of 1 : 256). Neuroimaging revealed a new area of enhancement in the left anterior frontal lobe consistent with meningoencephalitis. The patient was treated with intravenous fluconazole and intravitreal voriconazole with resolution of systemic symptoms and vitritis but persistence of unilateral, severe chorioretinal scarring and vision loss. In conclusion, in spite of the rarity of intraocular coccidioidomycosis, one must carry a degree of suspicion for this vision- and life-threatening condition as a potential etiology of chorioretinitis in individuals with pertinent risk factors.

Paralysis from an ear infection: a severe case of otitis externa leading to acute complete cervical cord syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. e245594
Author(s):  
Rachael Collins ◽  
George Lafford ◽  
Laura Parry
Keyword(s):  
Otitis Externa ◽  
Severe Case ◽  
Complete Recovery ◽  
Cervical Cord ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Neck Stiffness ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
History Of ◽  
Red Flag

We report a case of a generally fit and well 54-year-old man who presented with a 2-day history of worsening left-sided otorrhea, headache, neck stiffness, vomiting and fever on the background of a 7-week history of otitis externa (OE). His condition progressed dramatically as he developed symptoms consistent with acute complete cervical cord syndrome with radiological evidence of skull base osteomyelitis, parapharyngeal, retropharyngeal and paravertebral abscesses and sigmoid sinus thrombus. Ultimately, he made a significant, although not complete, recovery. This case is unique in demonstrating how OE can develop into a potentially life threatening condition. It emphasises the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of OE, the recognition of ‘red flag’ symptoms and highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach when managing complex complications of OE.

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