scholarly journals Thunderstorm-Associated Asthma or Shortness of Breath Epidemic: A Canadian Case Report

2002 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
AE Dennis Wardman ◽  
Dennis Stefani ◽  
Judy C MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Urgent Care ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Patient Interviews ◽  
Canadian Experience ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sudden Release ◽  
High Winds

Thunderstorm-associated asthma epidemics have been documented in the literature, but no Canadian experience has been reported. On July 31, 2000, a thunderstorm-associated epidemic of asthma or shortness of breath occurred in Calgary, Alberta. The Calgary Health Region investigated the event using diagnostic data from emergency departments, an urgent care medical clinic and patient interviews, in addition to bioaerosol counts, pollutant data and weather data reflecting atmospheric conditions at that time. On July 31, 2000 and August 1, 2000, 157 people sought care for asthma symptoms. The expected number of people to seek care for such symptoms in a 48 h period in Calgary is 17. Individuals with a personal or family history of asthma, allergies or hay fever who were not taking regular medication for these conditions and who were outdoors before the storm appeared to have been preferentially affected. A stagnant air mass the day before the thunderstorm may have resulted in declining bioaerosol concentrations, and the possible accumulation of spore and pollen reservoirs within mould and plant structures. The elevated bioaerosol concentrations observed on the day of the thunderstorm may be attributed to the sudden onset of high winds during the thunderstorm, which triggered a sudden release of spores and pollens into the atmosphere, which was probably responsible for the epidemic. Several pollutant levels slightly increased on the day of the storm and possibly also played a role in symptom development. It is unclear whether an atmospheric pressure drop contributed to the release of spores and pollens.

scholarly journals The Forgotten Valve, Isolated Pulmonic Valve Endocarditis, a Rare Case Report

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Chest Pain ◽  
Rare Case ◽  
Pulmonary Valve ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Past Medical History ◽  
Pulmonic Valve ◽  
Rare Case Report ◽  
History Of

Of the four cardiac valves, the pulmonic valve is the least suspected in most pathologies when one thinks of endocarditis, pulmonary valve is hardly considered. We can call it a “forgotten valve”. Isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis has less than 100 reported cases [1]. We present a case of isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis in a 27-year-old male with past medical history of IVDA, who presented to the hospital with sudden onset of chest pain and shortness of breath.

Minocycline-Induced Agranulocytosis Presenting as Ecthyma Gangrenosum

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Nolan ◽  
Reema Ishteiwy ◽  
John Alexis ◽  
Martin Zaiac ◽  
Anna Nichols
Keyword(s):  
Care Facility ◽  
Urgent Care ◽  
Severe Neutropenia ◽  
Dramatic Improvement ◽  
Therapy Discontinuation ◽  
Incision And Drainage ◽  
Ecthyma Gangrenosum ◽  
Minimal Improvement ◽  
History Of ◽  
Acute And Chronic Inflammation

A 51-year-old female with a history of rheumatoid arthritis was admitted for progressive fevers, chills and malaise. Five weeks prior, she started minocycline for an RA exacerbation. Two weeks after starting minocycline she developed an abscess on her right ankle that was treated at an urgent care facility with ceftriaxone and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. She had minimal improvement so was switched to clindamycin. She developed additional abscesses on her right ankle and right axilla and spiking fevers so she was treated with incision and drainage under general anesthesia. Routine blood work obtained prior to surgery revealed severe neutropenia (0.74 103/ul) and the patient was urgently referred to the emergency department.  Skin biopsy was obtained on admission and revealed ulceration, necrosis, acute and chronic inflammation, vasculitis with vascular thrombosis and rod-shaped bacteria in blood vessel walls and lumina consistent with ecthyma gangrenosum. The following day tissue and blood cultures confirmed the growth of Pseudomonas aureginosa. Bone-marrow biopsy showed decreased granulopoiesis and hematopoiesis, and a diagnosis of minocycline-induced agranulocytosis presenting as ecthyma gangrenosum was made.  The patient had dramatic improvement with appropriate antibiotic therapy, discontinuation of minocycline and initiation of filgrastrim. She has remained healthy without recurrence for 17 months.    

Sigmoid Volvulus in 16-year-old Boy with an Associated Anomalous Congenital Band

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (11) ◽  
pp. 1140-1141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann A. Albert ◽  
Tracy L. Nolan ◽  
Bryan C. Weidner
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
African American Male ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Primary Anastomosis ◽  
Exploratory Laparotomy ◽  
Sigmoid Volvulus ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Contrast Enema ◽  
Pediatric Age Group ◽  
History Of

Sigmoid volvulus, a condition generally seen in debilitated elderly patients, is extremely rare in the pediatric age group. Frequent predisposing conditions that accompany pediatric sigmoid volvulus include intestinal malrotation, omphalomesenteric abnormalities, Hirschsprung's disease, imperforate anus and chronic constipation. A 16-year-old previously healthy African American male presented with a 12 hour history of sudden onset abdominal pain and intractable vomiting. CTwas consistent with sigmoid volvulus. A contrast enema did not reduce the volvulus, but it was colonoscopically reduced. Patient condition initially improved after colonoscopy, but he again became distended with abdominal pain, so he was taken to the operating room. On exploratory laparotomy, a band was discovered where the mesenteries of the sigmoid and small bowel adhered and created a narrow fixation point around which the sigmoid twisted. A sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis was performed. The diagnosis of sigmoid volvulus may be more difficult in children, with barium enema being the most consistently helpful. Seventy percent of cases do not involve an associated congenital problem, suggesting that some pediatric patients may have congenital redundancy of the sigmoid colon and elongation of its mesentery. The congenital band found in our patient was another potential anatomic factor that led to sigmoid volvulus. Pediatric surgeons, accustomed to unusual problems in children, may thus encounter a condition generally found in the debilitated elderly patient.

Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcer of the Aorta

2001 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 534-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aditya K. Samal ◽  
Christopher J. White ◽  
James B. Kot
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Ventricular Hypertrophy ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Descending Thoracic Aorta ◽  
Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcer ◽  
Severe Chest Pain ◽  
Mediastinal Hematoma ◽  
History Of ◽  
Mediastinal Widening

Purpose: To describe a case of penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer of the aorta with a review of its natural history, diagnosis and management. Case Report: An elderly patient with a history of hypertension presented to the emergency room with the sudden onset of severe chest pain radiating to the back. The electrocardiogram showed left ventricular hypertrophy; the chest radiograph revealed mediastinal widening. Computed tomography was suspicious for a mediastinal hematoma without aortic dissection. Transesophageal echocardiography was also negative for dissection. An aortogram revealed a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer of the descending thoracic aorta. The patient underwent successful resection and repair of the lesion. Conclusions: Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer of the aorta is a potentially lethal lesion that must be promptly diagnosed and treated.

Perilymph Fistulas

1978 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
pp. 797-803 ◽  
Author(s):  
George T. Singleton ◽  
Kathryn Nolan Post ◽  
Marc Simeon Karlan ◽  
Douglas G. Bock
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Bed Rest ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Speech Discrimination ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
History Of ◽  
Physical Findings

Fifty-one patients suspected of having a perilymph fistula were evaluated. We postulated that many patients with predominantly vestibular complaints had unrecognized perilymph fistulas. An analysis was made of symptoms, physical findings, vestibular and audiometric test results in order to determine appropriate diagnostic criteria for the presence of perilymph fistulas. The patient population was divided into two groups, those with and without fistulas. Data from both groups were compared by mean values of variables, step-wise discriminant analysis, and factor analysis. A history of trauma with sudden onset of dizziness and/or hearing loss should alert the physician to a fistula. Findings of significance were positional nystagmus of short latency and long duration without import of nystagmus direction, canal paresis and reduced speech reception threshold with poor speech discrimination scores. Discriminant analysis correctly classified 19 fistula and 10 nonfistula cases explored operatively and identified two error judgments in 22 nonoperated cases. Bed rest for the first five days proved to be the most effective means of therapy. Surgical intervention with repair of the fistula by perichondrial graft provided effective control of vertigo more frequently than restoration of hearing.

scholarly journals Identification of Risk Factors to Predict the Occurrences of Relapses in Individuals with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder in Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 546
Author(s):  
Omran Davarinejad ◽  
Tahereh Mohammadi Majd ◽  
Farzaneh Golmohammadi ◽  
Payam Mohammadi ◽  
Farnaz Radmehr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
History Of ◽  
Log Normal

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder (SSD) is a chronic psychiatric disorder with a modest treatment outcome. In addition, relapses are commonplace. Here, we sought to identify factors that predict relapse latency and frequency. To this end, we retrospectively analyzed data for individuals with SSD. Medical records of 401 individuals with SSD were analyzed (mean age: 25.51 years; 63.6% males) covering a five-year period. Univariate and multivariate Penalized Likelihood Models with Shared Log-Normal Frailty were used to determine the correlation between discharge time and relapse and to identify risk factors. A total of 683 relapses were observed in males, and 422 relapses in females. The Relapse Hazard Ratio (RHR) decreased with age (RHR = 0.99, CI: (0.98–0.998)) and with participants’ adherence to pharmacological treatment (HR = 0.71, CI: 0.58–0.86). In contrast, RHR increased with a history of suicide attempts (HR = 1.32, CI: 1.09–1.60), and a gradual compared to a sudden onset of disease (HR = 1.45, CI: 1.02–2.05). Gender was not predictive. Data indicate that preventive and therapeutic interventions may be particularly important for individuals who are younger at disease onset, have a history of suicide attempts, have experienced a gradual onset of disease, and have difficulties adhering to medication.

Idiopathic subglottic stenosis in a young female patient

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. e241525
Author(s):  
Benjamin Pomerantz ◽  
Michael Pomerantz ◽  
Arkadiy Finn
Keyword(s):  
Balloon Dilatation ◽  
Young Female ◽  
Rigid Bronchoscopy ◽  
Pulmonary Function Testing ◽  
Subglottic Stenosis ◽  
Productive Cough ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
History Of ◽  
One Year ◽  
Function Testing

A previously healthy 30-year-old woman presented with 3 years of progressive shortness of breath and audible wheezing. One year prior to presentation, she developed a chronic non-productive cough. Pulmonary function testing revealed flattened inspiratory and expiratory peaks, characteristic of an extrathoracic fixed tracheal obstruction. Bronchoscopy confirmed subglottic stenosis (SGS). She had no history of intubation, tracheostomy or evidence of a systemic inflammatory illness. She was diagnosed with idiopathic SGS and referred for rigid bronchoscopy with balloon dilatation resulting in improvement in her symptoms.

Rhabdomyolysis: An evidence-based approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 175114372110507
Author(s):  
Sarah Burgess
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Overload ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Past Medical History ◽  
Urine Dipstick ◽  
The Past ◽  
Acting Insulin ◽  
History Of

A 76-year-old lady was found on the floor following a fall at home. She was uninjured, but unable to get up, and had been lying on the floor for roughly 18 hours before her son arrived. She had been unwell for the past 3 days with a cough and shortness of breath. She had a past medical history of diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and atrial fibrillation (AF). On examination, she was alert but distressed, clinically dehydrated, febrile and tachycardic. She was treated for community acquired pneumonia with co-amoxiclav and was fluid resuscitated with Hartmann’s solution. Her hyperkalaemia was treated with 50 mL of 50% glucose containing 10 units of rapid-acting insulin. Her creatinine kinase (CK) on admission was 200,000, and she had an acute kidney injury (AKI). Urine dipstick was positive for blood. However, her renal function continued to deteriorate over the succeeding 48 h, when she required renal replacement therapy (RRT) due to fluid overload and anuria.

FRI0488 CLINICAL AND LABORATORY FEATURES OF PATIENTS WITH REMITTING SERONEGATIVE SYMMETRICAL SYNOVITIS WITH PITTING EDEMA COMPARED TO PATIENTS WITH SERONEGATIVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 842-843
Author(s):  
M. Higashida-Konishi ◽  
K. Izumi ◽  
S. Hama ◽  
Y. Hayashi ◽  
Y. Okano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Finger Joints ◽  
Before And After ◽  
History Of ◽  
Rs3pe Syndrome ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Old Females ◽  
Pitting Edema

Background:In the case of seronegative arthritis, it was difficult to make a differential diagnosis between remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema syndrome (RS3PE) and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (seronegative RA) because the distribution of affected joints was similar and the patients with RS3PE or seronegative RA may have edema.Objectives:To compare the clinical characteristics of RS3PE and seronegative RAMethods:We retrospectively examine consecutive patients diagnosed with RS3PE or seronegative RA in our hospital from 2007 to 2019. Patients in whom both ACPA and RF were negative were included. The patients with RS3PE met the criteria of McCarty et al.: (1) pitting edema of the dorsum of both hands and both feet, (2) sudden onset of polyarthritis, (3) seronegative for ACPA and RF. (4)no radiologically evident erosions developed. The patients with seronegative RA met the EULAR/ACR 2010 criteria. The patients who were diagnosed with RS3PE at first and then diagnosed with seronegative RA afterward were included in seronegative RA group. The first analysis was performed on the affected joints, CRP, ESR, Hb, LDH, edema, the history of malignancy 2 years before and after the diagnosis, treatment, and the history of infection requiring hospitalization after the start of treatment. The affected joints were shoulders, elbows, wrists, finger joints (the MCP, and PIP joints), hips, knees, ankles, and toe joints (the MTP and PIP joints). The secondary analysis was performed on the above evaluations with a propensity score (PS) matching for age.Results:In the first analysis, 20 patients with RS3PE and 122 patients with seronegative RA were enrolled. The mean ages (RS3PE, seronegative RA) were 81.1, 67.4 years old. Females were 60.0%, 63.1%. The mean observation period was 25.4, 63.6 months. The proportion of affected joints were shoulders (25.0%, 42.6%), elbows (10.0%, 29.5%: p=0.06), wrists (85.0%, 73.8%), finger joints (80.0%, 95.1%: p=0.01), hips (0%, 9.8%), knees (40.0%, 37.7%), ankles (65.0%, 39.3%: p=0.03) and toe joints (40.0%, 32.8%). Edema at diganosis was observed in 100%, 17.21% (p <0.0001). The mean levels of the following blood tests at diagnosis were noted: CRP, 9.0 and 4.8 mg/dL (p=0.02); ESR, 87.6 and 60.7 mm/1h (p=0.003); Hb, 10.4 and 11.8 mg/dl (p=0.001); LDH, 198.3 and 177.9 U/L (p = 0.12); MMP-3, 742.5 and 633.8 ng/mL (p = 0.14). The proportion of patients with high LDH levels (>222 U/L) was 13.6% and 9.0% (p=0.0269). The proportion of patients having the history of malignancy was 20.0%, 8.2% (p=0.10). The patient treated with prednisolone as the initial treatment was 100% and 41.0%; the mean dose was 14.3 and 9.9 mg/d. After the start of treatment, the proportion of infection requiring hospitalization was 20.0 and 3.28% (p=0.002).In the secondary analysis with PS, 17 patients with RS3PE and 17 patients with seronegative RA were enrolled. The mean ages were 80.4, 78.9 years old. Females were 52.9, 76.4%. The affected joints with difference were elbows (11.8, 35.3%: p=0.10), wrists (82.4, 100%: p=0.06), and finger joints (82.4, 100%: p=0.06). The mean levels of Hb at diagnosis was 10.4, 11.4 mg/dL (p=0.01). The proportion of patients having the history of malignancy was 23.5% and 0% (p=0.03). After the start of treatment, the proportion of infection requiring hospitalization was 23.5% and 0% (p=0.03).Conclusion:When the ankles are affected and edema is observed, RS3PE is more likely than seronegative RA. RS3PE had higher levels of CRP, ESR, and LDH. The proportion of anemia was higher in RS3PE. The proportions of infection requiring hospitalization and the history of malignancy were higher in RS3PE.References:[1]McCarty DJ, O’Duffy JD et al. Remitting Seronegative Symmetrical Synovitis with Pitting Edema (RS3PE Syndrome). JAMA 1985; 254: 2763–2767. DOI:10.1001/jama.1985.03360190069027Disclosure of Interests:Misako Higashida-Konishi: None declared, Keisuke Izumi Grant/research support from: Asahi Kasei Pharma, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Speakers bureau: Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp, Astellas Pharma Inc., Bristol Myers Squibb, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Satoshi Hama: None declared, Yutaro Hayashi: None declared, Yutaka Okano: None declared, Hisaji Oshima: None declared

scholarly journals Extreme Lateral Supracerebellar Infratentorial Approach to the Lateral Midbrain

2018 ◽  
Vol 79 (S 05) ◽  
pp. S415-S417
Author(s):  
M. Kalani ◽  
William Couldwell
Keyword(s):  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Superior Cerebellar Artery ◽  
Entry Zone ◽  
Cerebellar Artery ◽  
Sensory Disturbances ◽  
History Of ◽  
Supracerebellar Infratentorial Approach ◽  
The Right ◽  
Piecemeal Resection

This video illustrates the case of a 52-year-old man with a history of multiple bleeds from a lateral midbrain cerebral cavernous malformation, who presented with sudden-onset headache, gait instability, and left-sided motor and sensory disturbances. This lesion was eccentric to the right side and was located in the dorsolateral brainstem. Therefore, the lesion was approached via a right-sided extreme lateral supracerebellar infratentorial (exSCIT) craniotomy with monitoring of the cranial nerves. This video demonstrates the utility of the exSCIT for resection of dorsolateral brainstem lesions and how this approach gives the surgeon ready access to the supracerebellar space, and cerebellopontine angle cistern. The lateral mesencephalic safe entry zone can be accessed from this approach; it is identified by the intersection of branches of the superior cerebellar artery and the fourth cranial nerve with the vein of the lateral mesencephalic sulcus. The technique of piecemeal resection of the lesion from the brainstem is presented. Careful patient selection and respect for normal anatomy are of paramount importance in obtaining excellent outcomes in operations within or adjacent to the brainstem.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/aIw-O2Ryleg.

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