scholarly journals Alice in Wonderland Syndrome-Like Seizure and Refractory Supraventricular Tachycardia

2021 ◽  
pp. 716-723
Author(s):  
Pitirat Panpruang ◽  
Monton Wongwandee ◽  
Nattapun Rattanajaruskul ◽  
Worawut Roongsangmanoon ◽  
Arthit Wongsoasu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supraventricular Tachycardia ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Alice In Wonderland ◽  
Right Cerebral Hemisphere ◽  
Transient Loss ◽  
Impaired Awareness ◽  
The Right

Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a rarely curious visual perceptual disorder which has been associated with diverse neurologic and psychiatric problems. It may be a manifestation in migraine, epileptic seizures, encephalitis, other brain lesions, medication-related side effects, schizophrenia, and depressive disorders. Principal character of AIWS is the disproportion between the external world and the self-image in which micropsia (objects appear smaller), macropsia (objects appear larger), and teleopsia (objects appear further away) are frequently reported. The cases of temporal lobe epilepsy may present with complex visual auras of visual distortions (e.g., micropsia and macropsia) like AIWS. We report an unusual case of an elderly man who presented with AIWS, focal impaired awareness seizures, ictal tachyarrhythmia, multiple episodes of transient visual disturbances of macropsia and transient loss of consciousness. During those symptoms, telemetry showed self-limited supraventricular tachycardia several times which could not be regulated with heart rate-controlled medication. The electroencephalography was later tested and showed rhythmic theta activity over the right cerebral hemisphere. He was treated with levetiracetam, and all his symptoms and tachyarrhythmias were gradually resolved thereafter. Refractory response to treatment would remind the physicians to reassess for the correct diagnosis.

Can conversation analytic findings help with differential diagnosis in routine seizure clinic interactions?

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Ekberg ◽  
Markus Reuber
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnostic Errors ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Routine Clinical Setting ◽  
Choice Of Treatment ◽  
Transient Loss ◽  
Factual Content ◽  
Patient’S History ◽  
Linguistic Methods

There are many areas in medicine in which the diagnosis poses significant difficulties and depends essentially on the clinician’s ability to take and interpret the patient’s history. The differential diagnosis of transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) is one such example, in particular the distinction between epilepsy and ‘psychogenic’ non-epileptic seizures (NES) is often difficult. A correct diagnosis is crucial because it determines the choice of treatment. Diagnosis is typically reliant on patients’ (and witnesses’) descriptions; however, conventional methods of history-taking focusing on the factual content of these descriptions are associated with relatively high rates of diagnostic errors. The use of linguistic methods (particularly conversation analysis) in research settings has demonstrated that these approaches can provide hints likely to be useful in the differentiation of epileptic and non-epileptic seizures. This paper explores to what extent (and under which conditions) the findings of these previous studies could be transposed from a research into a routine clinical setting.

Trial by Triad: substituted judgment, mental illness and the right to die

2021 ◽  
pp. medethics-2020-107154
Author(s):  
Jacob M Appel
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Substituted Judgment ◽  
Diminished Capacity ◽  
Accepted Standard ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Aid In Dying ◽  
Incapacitated Patients ◽  
The Right

Substituted judgment has increasingly become the accepted standard for rendering decisions for incapacitated adults in the USA. A broad exception exists with regard to patients with diminished capacity secondary to depressive disorders, as such patients’ previous wishes are generally not honoured when seeking to turn down life-preserving care or pursue aid-in-dying. The result is that physicians often force involuntary treatment on patients with poor medical prognoses and/or low quality of life (PMP/LQL) as a result of their depressive symptoms when similarly situated incapacitated patients without such depressive symptoms would have their previous wishes honoured via substituted judgment. This commentary argues for reconsidering this approach and for using a substituted judgment standard for a subset of EMP/LQL patients seeking death.

scholarly journals Role of Circulating Immune Complexes in the Pathogenesis of Canine Leishmaniasis: New Players in Vaccine Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 712
Author(s):  
Cristina Cacheiro-Llaguno ◽  
Nuria Parody ◽  
Marta R. Escutia ◽  
Jerónimo Carnés
Keyword(s):  
Immune Complexes ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Circulating Immune Complexes ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Canine Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Infection ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Humoral Immune

During canine visceral leishmaniasis (CanL), due to Leishmania infantum (L. infantum), uncontrolled infection leads to a strong humoral immune response. As a consequence of the production of high antibody levels and the prolonged presence of parasite antigens, circulating immune complexes (CIC) are formed, which can be deposited in certain organs and tissues, inducing vasculitis, uveitis, dermatitis and especially glomerulonephritis and renal failure. A method to detect CIC and quantify their levels in serum samples from dogs infected with L. infantum has been recently described. It allowed demonstration of a correlation between CIC levels and disease severity. Thus, CIC measurement may be useful for diagnosis, assessment of disease progression and monitoring response to treatment. This is an interesting finding, considering that there remains an urgent need for identification of novel biomarkers to achieve a correct diagnosis and for optimal disease staging of dogs suffering from Leishmania infection. The objective of the present review is to shed light on the role of CIC in CanL, as well as to highlight their potential use not only as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers but also as a valuable tool in vaccine development and new immunotherapy strategies to prevent or control disease outcome.

scholarly journals Percutaneous C-Arm Free O-Arm Navigated Biopsy for Spinal Pathologies: A Technical Note

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 636
Author(s):  
Masato Tanaka ◽  
Sumeet Sonawane ◽  
Koji Uotani ◽  
Yoshihiro Fujiwara ◽  
Kittipong Sessumpun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Standard Technique ◽  
Percutaneous Biopsy ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Spinal Tumors ◽  
Histopathological Diagnosis ◽  
Ct Guided ◽  
Ct Guided Biopsy ◽  
The Right

Background: Percutaneous biopsy under computed tomography (CT) guidance is a standard technique to obtain a definitive diagnosis when spinal tumors, metastases or infections are suspected. However, specimens obtained using a needle are sometimes inadequate for correct diagnosis. This report describes a unique biopsy technique which is C-arm free O-arm navigated using microforceps. This has not been previously described as a biopsy procedure. Case description: A 74-year-old man with T1 vertebra pathology was referred to our hospital with muscle weakness of the right hand, clumsiness and cervicothoracic pain. CT-guided biopsy was performed, but histopathological diagnosis could not be obtained due to insufficient tissue. The patient then underwent biopsy under O-arm navigation, so we could obtain sufficient tissue and small cell carcinoma was diagnosed on histopathological examination. A patient later received chemotherapy and radiation. Conclusions: C-arm free O-arm navigated biopsy is an effective technique for obtaining sufficient material from spine pathologies. Tissue from an exact pathological site can be obtained with 3-D images. This new O-arm navigation biopsy may provide an alternative to repeat CT-guided or open biopsy.

scholarly journals Right ventricular function and its coupling with the pulmonary circulation in acute heart failure

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Barki ◽  
M Losito ◽  
M.M Caracciolo ◽  
F Bandera ◽  
M Rovida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Acute Heart Failure ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Pulmonary Circulation ◽  
Heart Function ◽  
Systolic Pressure ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
The Right ◽  
B Lines

Abstract Background The right ventricle (RV) is extremely sensitive to hemodynamic changes and increased impedance. In acute heart failure (AHF), the development of pulmonary venous congestion and the increase of left ventricular (LV) filling pressures favors pulmonary vascular adverse remodeling and ultimately RV dysfunction, leading to the onset of symptoms and to a further decay of cardiac dynamics. Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate RV morphology and functional dynamics at admission and discharge in patients hospitalized for AHF, analyzing the role and the response to treatment of the RV and its coupling with pulmonary circulation (PC). Methods Eighty-one AHF patients (mean age 75.75±10.6 years, 59% males) were prospectively enrolled within 24–48 hours from admission to the emergency department (ED). In either the acute phase and at pre-discharge all patients underwent M-Mode, 2-Dimensional and Doppler transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), as well as lung ultrasonography (LUS), to detect an increase of extravascular lung water (EVLW) and development of pleural effusion. Laboratory tests were performed in the acute phase and at pre-discharge including the evaluation of NT-proBNP. Results At baseline we observed a high prevalence of RV dysfunction as documented by a reduced RV systolic longitudinal function [mean tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) at admission of 16.47±3.86 mm with 50% of the patients exhibiting a TAPSE<16mm], a decreased DTI-derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (50% of the subjects showed a tricuspid s' wave<10 cm/s) and a reduced RV fractional area change (mean FAC at admission of 36.4±14.6%). Furthermore, an increased pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) and a severe impairment in terms of RV coupling to PC was detected at initial evaluation (mean PASP at admission: 38.8±10.8 mmHg; average TAPSE/PASP at admission: 0.45±0.17 mm/mmHg). At pre-discharge a significant increment of TAPSE (16.47±3.86 mm vs. 17.45±3.88; p=0.05) and a reduction of PASP (38.8±10.8 mmHg vs. 30.5±9.6mmHg, p<0.001) was observed. Furthermore, in the whole population we assisted to a significant improvement in terms of RV function and its coupling with PC as demonstrated by the significant increase of TAPSE/PASP ratio (TAPSE/PASP: 0.45±0.17 mm/mmHg vs 0.62±0.20 mm/mmHg; p<0.001). Patients significantly reduced from admission to discharge the number of B-lines and NT-proBNP (B-lines: 22.2±17.1 vs. 6.5±5 p<0.001; NT-proBNP: 8738±948 ng/l vs 4227±659 ng/l p<0.001) (Figure 1). Nonetheless, no significant changes of left atrial and left ventricular dimensions and function were noted. Conclusions In AHF, development of congestion and EVLW significantly impact on the right heart function. Decongestion therapy is effective for restoring acute reversal of RV dysfunction, but the question remains on how to impact on the biological properties of the RV. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Comorbid Depressive Disorders in Epilepsy

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (S4) ◽  
pp. 3-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres M. Kanner ◽  
Andrew J. Cole
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Room ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Clonic Seizure ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Abnormal Signal ◽  
The Past ◽  
History Of ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
The Right ◽  
History Of Depression

A 27-year-old woman presented to the emergency room after having witnessed generalized tonic clonic seizure while asleep. Birth and development were normal. She had suffered a single febrile seizure at 13 months of age, but had no other seizure risk factors. She was otherwise well except for a history of depression for which she was taking sertraline. Depressive symptoms had been well controlled over the past 3 months, but she had been under increased stress working to finish a doctoral thesis. Neurological examination was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed modest asymmetry of the hippocampi, slightly smaller on the right, but no abnormal signal and well-preserved laminar anatomy. An electroencephalogram was negative. She was discharged from the emergency room with no treatment. Three weeks later, the patient's boyfriend witnessed an episode of behavioral arrest with lip smacking and swallowing automatisms lasting 45 seconds, after which the patient was confused for 20–30 minutes. The next morning she and her boyfriend kept a previously scheduled appointment with a neurologist.

scholarly journals Actinomyces meyeriEmpyema: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hae Won Jung ◽  
Chong Rae Cho ◽  
Ji Yoon Ryoo ◽  
Hyun Kyo Lee ◽  
So Young Ha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pleural Fluid ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Penicillin G ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Oral Amoxicillin ◽  
History Of ◽  
Multiple Lung Nodules ◽  
The Right ◽  
Radiological Studies

Actinomyces meyeriis an uncommon cause of human actinomycosis. Here, we report a rare case of empyema caused byA. meyeri. A 49-year-old male presented with a history of 10 days of dyspnea and chest pain. A large amount of loculated pleural effusion was present on the right side and multiple lung nodules were documented on radiological studies. A chest tube was inserted and purulent pleural fluid was drained.A. meyeriwas isolated in anaerobic cultures of the pleural fluid. The infection was alleviated in response to treatment with intravenous penicillin G (20 million IU daily) and oral amoxicillin (500 mg every 8 hours) for 4 months, demonstrating that short-term antibiotic treatment was effective.

Role of laparoscopic in diagnosis and treatment of undescended testis in children at Viet Duc Hospital

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Viet Hoa Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Laparoscopic Surgery ◽  
Undescended Testis ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Right ◽  
Time Of Operation

Abstract Introduction: Evaluating the role of laparoscopic for diagnosis and treatment of undescended testis in children. Material and Methods: Restrospective study, between 6/ 2014 and 6/2017. All the patients are aged from 1 to 16 years with undescended testis underwent laparoscopic surgery for diagnosis and treatment in Deparment of pediatric surgery – Viet Duc hospital enrolled. Results: Of 95 patiens in total had 106 undescended testis diagnosed and treated by laparoscopy. The mean age of patients was 7,5 ± 3,8 years. 44,2% undescended were on the left side, 44,2% were on the right and 11,6% were undescended bilateral. The correct diagnosis by ultrasound accounted in 79,4%. The locations of testis diagnosed by laparoscopic are : intra abdomen in 45,3%, deep inguinal orifice in 16,9%, extra inguinal orifice in 26,4%, no testicle found in 11,4%. The mean time of operation were 67,33± 28,01 pht. Scrotal positions were achieved 74,5%, remove atrophic testis accounted in 7,6%. Stephen- Flowler technique including step I were in 4,7%, step II in 1,9%. The outcome evaluated by testicular positions following 3 months after operation are : good in 79,2%, moderate 13,2%, poor in 7,6%; By classification of Aubert are : good in 81,1%, moderate in 11,3% and poor in 7,6 %. Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgery is not only a highly sensitive diagnostic method to find accurately the location and size of the testes, but also the most effective method to treat impalpable undescended testes.

The Art of the Clinician

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (09) ◽  
pp. 612-615
Author(s):  
Rodríguez-Guerra, Miguel, MD ◽  
Pandey, Neelanjana MD ◽  
Shrestha, Elina, MD ◽  
Vittorio, Timothy J. MD
Keyword(s):  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Critical Time ◽  
Mitral Valve Regurgitation ◽  
Intercostal Space ◽  
Av Fistula ◽  
Severe Aortic Regurgitation ◽  
Fibrin Sheath ◽  
Diastolic Murmur ◽  
Small Perforation ◽  
The Right

Background: The promotion of clinical abilities could represent a significant factor leading the clinicians to in making the correct diagnosis in a timely matter. Case: Our patient is a 42-year-old African male with a history of Hypertension, ESRD on hemodialysis via right-sided Permcath (PC), Mastoidectomy & Right ear surgery due to trauma in childhood, AV Fistula (Needed intervention 4 times) in left upper extremity, admitted due to witnessed seizures in the setting of hypertensive emergency. The patient denied family history and toxic habits. While the patient was at the emergency room, CT head revealed stable curvilinear hyper-attenuation thought to be a thrombosed developmental vein more likely than small subarachnoid hemorrhage. He was loaded with levetiracetam, received Ativan 1mg IV and HD done as per Nephrology. The patient was transferred to the floor he was not in acute distress and was asymptomatic, the cardiovascular (CV) examination showed regular pulse, normal S1, S2, S4+ appreciated with 2/4 diastolic murmur at second right intercostal space (ICS); 2/6 pansystolic murmur at third right intercostal space left parasternal border (LPSB) radiated to the right parasternal border (RPSB) and right mid-clavicular line (MCL); 3/6 systolic murmur at 5LICS MCL radiated to the posterior axillar line (PAL). Point of maximal impulse (PMI) displaced to mid axillar line (MAL). Parasternal heave present; the neurological exam was preserved. Endocarditis was suspected and echocardiogram was expedited, it showed severe aortic regurgitation, 1.60cm x 1.68cm mass in the tip of the catheter in the right atrium, possible vegetation in the tricuspid valve with mild regurgitation, moderate mitral valve regurgitation. Later, staphylococcus epidermidis was identified in blood cultures twice, as well as the culture from the PC. The transesophageal echocardiogram found 2.41 X 0.62 cm mass appears to be a fibrin sheath, possibly remnant of a prior catheter, small perforation in the non-coronary cusp likely in the setting of healed endocarditis. Infectious disease onboard for antibiotic management. Conclusion: The art of the clinician goes beyond the available technology; it could prevent the loss of critical time as well as unnecessary studies, guiding a better assessment and treatment of our patients and potentially improving their outcomes.

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