scholarly journals A Case of a 34-Year-Old Female with Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure and Proximal Muscle Weakness

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Alex Diaz ◽  
Surit Sharma

Wound associated botulism is an unusual presentation. Early detection of this potentially life-threatening illness can significantly shorten length of hospital stay and improve prognosis. We present a case of a 34-year-old female with a history of heroin abuse who presented to the ED with acute respiratory failure, diplopia, and proximal muscle weakness. There was early concern for wound botulism as the instigating process. After discussion with the CDC, she was given equine serum heptavalent botulism antitoxin. Laboratory analysis later confirmed our suspicion. Symptoms improved and the patient was liberated from mechanical ventilation on day 14 and discharged from the hospital on day 23.

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-61
Author(s):  
Pritesh Ruparelia ◽  
Oshin Verma ◽  
Vrutti Shah ◽  
Krishna Shah

Juvenile Dermatomyositis is the most common inflammatory myositis in children, distinguished by proximal muscle weakness, a characteristic rash and Gottron’s papules. The oral lesions most commonly manifest as diffuse stomatitis and pharyngitis with halitosis. We report a case of an 8 year old male with proximal muscle weakness of all four limbs, rash, Gottron’s papules and oral manifestations. Oral health professionals must be aware of the extraoral and intraoral findings of this rare, but potentially life threatening autoimmune disease of childhood, for early diagnosis, treatment, prevention of long-term complications and to improve the prognosis and hence, the quality of life for the patient.


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-41
Author(s):  
H Constable ◽  
◽  
F Wood ◽  
Kevin Jones ◽  
◽  
...  

Proximal muscle weakness can present acutely or subacutely to the Acute Medical Unit. Early diagnosis of the underlying pathology is essential due to life threatening complications such as respiratory failure and cardiac disturbances as well as causing significant levels of disability. The diagnosis requires thorough history-taking and examination to discern evidence of true weakness, assess its onset, distribution and severity followed by extensive investigations including a CK level, which if high should raise suspicion of rhabdomyolysis. Assessment of respiratory function should be done promptly to identify patients with associated respiratory muscle weakness and treatment should not be delayed waiting for definitive and confirmatory investigations. Poor response to treatment is unusual when diagnosis is correct; this raises the possibility of an alternative diagnosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-63
Author(s):  
Rachot Wongjirattikarn ◽  
Suteeraporn Chaowattanapanit ◽  
Charoen Choonhakarn ◽  
Apichart So-ngern ◽  
Ajanee Mahakkanukrauh ◽  
...  

Rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) and its distinctive cutaneous features are highly associated with the presence of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (anti-MDA5) antibody in patients with dermatomyositis (DM), leading to a poor prognosis. We describe the case of a 25-year-old man who developed progressive proximal muscle weakness with RP-ILD and had unusual cutaneous findings (cutaneous ulcerations and livedo reticularis) accompanied by classical cutaneous features (heliotrope rash, Gottron’s papules, Gottron’s sign, and flagellate erythema). Blood test was positive for anti-MDA5 antibody. He was treated with intravenous corticosteroids and immunoglobulin, but passed away due to respiratory failure within 1 month after admission. Our case highlights that the presence of cutaneous ulcerations and livedo reticularis, in addition to RP-ILD, are useful clinical clues that may aid in the detection of anti-MDA5 antibody, early initiation of combined immunosuppressants, and prognosis prediction in patients with classical DM.


PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Paolini ◽  
Paola Faverio ◽  
Stefano Aliberti ◽  
Grazia Messinesi ◽  
Giuseppe Foti ◽  
...  

Background Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is a life-threatening complication in patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP). The use of non-invasive ventilation is controversial. With this prospective, observational study we aimed to describe a protocol to assess whether a patient with moderate-to-severe hypoxemic ARF secondary to CAP benefits, in clinical and laboratoristic terms, from the application of a positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) + oxygen vs oxygen alone. Methods Patients who benefit from PEEP application (PEEP-responders) were defined as those with partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) increase >20% and/or reduction of respiratory distress during PEEP + oxygen therapy compared to oxygen therapy alone. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared between PEEP-responders and PEEP-non responders. Results Out of 41 patients, 27 (66%) benefit from PEEP application (PEEP-responders), the best response was obtained with a PEEP of 10 cmH2O in 13 patients, 7.5 cmH2O in eight and 5 cmH2O in six. PEEP-responders were less likely to present comorbidities compared to PEEP-non responders. No differences between groups were found in regards to endotracheal intubation criteria fullfillment, intensive care unit admission and in-hospital mortality, while PEEP-responders had a shorter length of hospital stay. Discussion The application of a protocol to evaluate PEEP responsiveness might be useful in patients with moderate-to-severe hypoxemic ARF due to CAP in order to personalize and maximize the effectiveness of therapy, and prevent the inappropriate PEEP use. PEEP responsiveness does not seem to be associated with better outcomes, with the exception of a shorter length of hospital stay.


2018 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. A13.1-A13
Author(s):  
Fariha Islam ◽  
Abhishek Malhotra ◽  
Anish Sachdev

IntroductionWe report a case of dermatomyositis in a 43 year old male who presented with transient mild proximal muscle weakness but died from rapidly progressive pulmonary disease within 3 months of diagnosis.CaseThe patient presented with proximal muscle weakness, arthralgia and classic dermatomyositis rashes. He had a history of Huntington’s disease mutation with a positive family history. He had raised creatine kinase (CK) and electromyography showed myopathic changes. The diagnosis was confirmed by skin and muscle biopsy and positive anti-myositis antibodies; PM-Scl(75), MDA5 and SRP. Screening for underlying malignancy was negative but a CT chest scan showed bilateral areas of reverse halo-opacity suggestive of interstitial lung disease (ILD) although he had no respiratory symptoms at the time. He had input from dermatology, rheumatology and respiratory teams and commenced on prednisone 1 mg/kg with pneumocystis prophylaxis. He underwent bronchoscopy and broncho-alveolar lavage that did not isolate any organisms and cell differential was normal. His muscle weakness had resolved even prior to starting steroids and his CK normalised on high dose prednisolone but he developed progressive shortness of breath that led to a second admission within two months. Repeat CT chest showed extensive bilateral infiltrative disease and pneumo-mediastinum. No infective cause was found. He deteriorated rapidly despite intubation, broad-spectrum antibiotics, steroids and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. He died whilst being considered for lung transplantation.ConclusionThis case provides valuable lessons. Even in cases of mild muscle disease, the extra-muscular involvement can be severe and life threatening in dermatomyositis. Anti-myositis antibodies can be helpful in predicting the course of disease including extra-muscular involvement. The anti-MDA5 antibodies are associated with amyopathic dermatomyositis associated with a rapidly progressive ILD and often with pneumo-mediastinum and has a poor prognosis as in our case. One should consider more aggressive therapy for these patients from the outset.


Author(s):  
Jordan S. Dutcher ◽  
Albert Bui ◽  
Tochukwu A. Ibe ◽  
Goyal Umadat ◽  
Eugene P. Harper ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-123
Author(s):  
Marcos J Las Heras ◽  
Jose Dianti ◽  
Manuel Tisminetzky ◽  
Graciela Svetliza ◽  
Sergio E Giannasi ◽  
...  

Rationale Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is a condition that comprises a wide array of entities. Obtaining a histological lung sample might help reach a diagnosis and direct an appropriate treatment in a select group of patients. Objective To describe our experience in the use of cryobiopsy for the diagnosis of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure of undetermined origin. Methods Retrospective analysis of case series of patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure who underwent lung cryobiopsy at the Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Results Cryobiopsy yielded a histological diagnosis in all patients ( n = 10, 100%). This led to either a change in therapy or continuation of a specific treatment in eight of these patients. Cryobiopsy was found to be contributive in all the patients who did not meet Berlin criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome. No major complications were associated with the procedure. Conclusions Cryobiopsy is a safe procedure with a high diagnostic yield in a selected group of patients.


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