scholarly journals Rapidly progressive gas-forming infection involving the spine as a life-threatening fatal condition : a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Jin Kim ◽  
Ji-Hyun Ryu ◽  
Hyung-Youl Park ◽  
Sang-Il Kim ◽  
Dong-Gune Chang
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Necrotizing Fasciitis ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Vertebral Osteomyelitis ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Rapid Progression ◽  
Air Bubbles ◽  
Lumbar Area ◽  
Local Injections ◽  
Life Threatening

Abstract Background Gas forming infection of the spine is a consequence of vertebral osteomyelitis, necrotizing fasciitis, or a gas-forming epidural abscess, which is very rare and fatal conditions. This is the rare case of necrotizing fasciitis that rapidly progressed from the lumbar area to upper thoracic area. Case presentation A 58-year-old male complained of lower back pain with fever and chills. The patient had a history of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus without diabetic medication over the previous 3 months, and he had received several local injections around the lumbar area. Laboratory data revealed white blood cell count of 19,710 /mm3, erythrocyte sedimentation of 40 mm/h, and C-reactive protein of 30.7 mg/L. Radiological findings revealed a small amount of air bubbles in the paraspinal area and lumbar epidural spaces. The patient refused emergency surgery and was discharged from the hospital. The patient re-visited the emergency department two days after discharge complaining of more severe back pain with persistent fever, and his vital signs had deteriorated, with low blood pressure and tachycardia. K. pneumoniae was isolated in cultures from ultrasound-guided aspirates and peripheral blood. The follow-up radiographs revealed aggressive dissemination of innumerable air bubbles from the lumbar area to the T5 level. The patient underwent emergent decompressive laminectomy and debridement of infected paravertebral fascia and musculature. Despite intensive care for deteriorated vital signs and his back wound, the patient died on postoperative day 3 due to multi-organ failure. Conclusions Necrotizing fasciitis involving the spine is a very rare disease with life-threatening conditions, rapid progression, and a high mortality rate. Therefore, prompt surgical treatment with a high index of suspicion is imperative to prevent potentially fatal conditions in similar extremely rare cases.

Necrotizing Fasciitis Occurred in the Lymphedematous leg

2021 ◽  
pp. 153473462110230
Author(s):  
Hisako Hara ◽  
Makoto Mihara ◽  
Takeshi Todokoro
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Necrotizing Fasciitis ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Ethics Committee ◽  
Secondary Lymphedema ◽  
Delayed Treatment ◽  
Institutional Ethics ◽  
Life Threatening

Lymphedema is a chronic edema that sometimes occurs after treatment of gynecologic cancer, and cellulitis often occurs concomitantly with lymphedema. On the other hand, necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a relatively rare, but life-threatening disease. The symptoms in cellulitis and NF are very similar. In this case report, we describe a case in which the diagnosis of NF in a lymphedematous limb was difficult. A 70-year-old woman had secondary lymphedema in bilateral legs and consulted our department. On the first day of lymphedema therapy, the patient complained of vomiting, diarrhea, and fever (37.7 °C) without local fever in the legs. She was diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis. On the next day, swelling and pain in her left leg occurred and her blood pressure was 59/44 mmHg. She was diagnosed with cellulitis accompanied by lower limb lymphedema and septic shock. On the second day, blisters appeared on the left leg, and computed tomography showed NF. We performed debridement under general anesthesia and her vital signs improved postoperatively. Streptococcus agalactiae (B) was detected in blood culture, and we administered bixillin and clindamycin. Postoperatively, necrosis in the skin and fat around the left ankle gradually spread, and it took 5 months to complete epithelialization. The diagnosis was more difficult than usual NF because patients with lymphedema often experience cellulitis. Clinicians should always think of NF to avoid mortality due to delayed treatment. This case report was approved by the institutional ethics committee.

scholarly journals Excruciating Low back Pain in an Acute Stroke Patient: A Case Report

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 01-04
Author(s):  
Meheroz H. Rabadi
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Lumbar Spine ◽  
Vertebral Osteomyelitis ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Mri Imaging ◽  
Acute Low Back Pain ◽  
Spine Mri

Background: Acute low back pain is one of the most common reasons for adults to see a physician. However, vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) is a rare condition, which mostly affects the lumbar spine. Lumbar spine MRI imaging is the diagnostic method of choice. If left untreated can lead to vertebral destruction or spinal abscess formation. Case: An 86-year-old man presented with a stroke to our facility, while undergoing therapy complained of excruciating low back pain that prevented him from undergoing therapy specially standing and walking. His vital signs were normal, and he was afebrile. Plain X-ray of the lower spine showed osteoarthritic changes. Patient was initially started on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) with no change in the severity of his low back pain. Lumbar vertebral spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed lumbar vertebral osteomyelitis. Initiation of IV antibiotics dramatically decreased the pain severity. Conclusion: Low back pain is common in the elderly population and responds effectively to NSAID. Persistence of low back pain in the presence of pathognomonic changes in the lumbar spine MRI indicate the presence of VO. Prompt treatment with empirical antibiotics is warranted.

scholarly journals Myocardial amyloidosis following multiple myeloma in a 38-year-old female patient: A case report

Open Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 396-402
Author(s):  
Qisi Zhang ◽  
Yingli Qiao ◽  
Dongmei Yan ◽  
Yuhui Deng ◽  
Mengyang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Plasma Cells ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Rapid Progression ◽  
Congo Red Staining ◽  
Impaired Cardiac Function

AbstractMultiple myeloma (MM) is an immunoglobulin-producing tumor of plasma cells, which occurs commonly in the elderly. The incidence of myocardial amyloidosis with MM is extremely low and early clinical manifestations are nonspecific. The diversity of clinical manifestations and first episode symptoms often cause misdiagnosis in young patients with myocardial amyloidosis following MM. In this study, we analyzed the clinical data of a young woman with MM and impaired cardiac function combined with echocardiography, electrocardiography (ECG), laboratory data, cell Congo Red staining, and other manifestations to diagnose amyloidosis. Considering the rapid progression, short survival, and poor prognosis in most patients, a clear, definitive, and timely diagnosis is essential for the treatment of patients with MM complicated with myocardial amyloidosis.

scholarly journals Back Pain in a 23-Year-Old Male With X-Linked Chronic Granulomatous Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle C Sabo ◽  
Michela Blain ◽  
Denise McCulloch ◽  
Heather L Glasgow ◽  
Dhruba J Sengupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Invasive Aspergillosis ◽  
Chronic Granulomatous Disease ◽  
Vertebral Osteomyelitis ◽  
Aspergillus Species ◽  
Granulomatous Disease ◽  
First Case ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Patients with chronic granulomatous disease are at increased risk for invasive aspergillosis. Cryptic Aspergillus species are being increasingly recognized as distinct causes of infection in this population. In this study, we describe the first case of Aspergillus udagawae vertebral osteomyelitis in a patient with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease.

Determinants of pyelonephritis onset in patients with obstructive urolithiasis

2021 ◽  
pp. 039156032110352
Author(s):  
Georges Abi Tayeh ◽  
Ali Safa ◽  
Julien Sarkis ◽  
Marwan Alkassis ◽  
Nour Khalil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Renal Colic ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Stone Size ◽  
Positive Urine ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Fat Stranding ◽  
Obstructive Pyelonephritis

Background: Acute obstructive pyelonephritis due to urolithiasis represents a medico-surgical emergency that can lead to life-threatening complications. There are still no established factors that reliably predict progression toward acute pyelonephritis in patients presenting with a simple renal colic. Objective: To investigate clinical and paraclinical factors that are associated with the onset of acute obstructive pyelonephritis. Methods: Patients presenting to the emergency department for renal colic with obstructive urolithiasis on imaging were enrolled in the study. Demographic data, vital signs, medical comorbidities, blood test results, urinalysis, and radiological findings were recorded. Obstructive pyelonephritis was defined by the presence of two or more of the following criteria: fever, flank pain or costovertebral angle tenderness, and a positive urine culture. Results: Seventeen patients out of 120 presenting with renal colic, were diagnosed with acute obstructive pyelonephritis (14%). Parameters that were associated with the onset of obstructive pyelonephritis were: diabetes ( p = 0.03), elevated CRP ( p = 0.01), stone size (>5 mm) ( p = 0.03), dilatation of renal pelvis ( p = 0.01), peri-renal fat stranding ( p = 0.02), and positive nitrites on urinalysis ( p < 0.01). Hyperleukocytosis, acute kidney injury, multiple stones, pyuria (>10/mm3), hypertension, and were not associated with the onset of obstructive pyelonephritis. Conclusion: This study showed that known diabetic status, elevated CRP, positive urine nitrites, stone size (>5 mm), pyelic dilatation, and peri-renal fat stranding were associated with the onset of pyelonephritis in patients presenting to the emergency department with obstructive urolithiasis.

MULTISYSTEM INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME IN CHILDREN ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19 IN THE 6-YEAR-OLD PATIENT WITH MANIFESTATION OF TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS WITH DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS

2021 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-300
Author(s):  
Yu.V. Tikhonovich ◽  
◽  
A.Yu. Rtishchev ◽  
A.A. Glazyrina ◽  
D.Yu. Ovsyannikov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Diabetic Ketoacidosis ◽  
Clinical Observation ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Domestic Literature ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Inflammatory Syndrome

For the first time in the domestic literature, the article presents a clinical observation of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 in the 6-year-old patient with manifestation of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in the form of diabetic ketoacidosis. Anamnestic, clinical and laboratory data are presented on the basis of which two life-threatening diseases was diagnosed, as well as tactics of therapy, which made it possible to achieve a positive result. This clinical observation is compared with observations of foreign colleagues. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms of MIS-C and T1DM comorbidity are discussed.

Iatrogenic hydrohemothorax during percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 079-082
Author(s):  
Tae Yeon Kim ◽  
Kyu Nam Kim ◽  
Lee Kwang Hyun ◽  
Bo Seok Kwon ◽  
Jo Hyung Jun
Keyword(s):  
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy ◽  
Renal Stone ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Pulmonary Complications ◽  
Fluid Retention ◽  
Air Bubbles ◽  
Close Cooperation ◽  
The Right ◽  
Pleural Injury ◽  
Routine Chest

Background: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) is a widely used surgical method for renal stone management. However, it can be associated with several complications. Case: We report an acute hemothorax during PNL in 57-year-old male patient with a stone. After observing air bubbles at the diaphragm on the laparoscopic screen, we considered pulmonary complications. A chest radiograph demonstrated a shade that measured 130 mm wide and 70 mm long and fluid retention on the right side of the chest. During drainage of 200 ml of blood through a chest tube, the patient’s vital signs became unstable. After the patient received hydration and intravenous injection of vasopressor, his vital signs stabilized. Conclusions: Pulmonary complications due to pleural injury during PNL can result in death, but the complications can be managed by early diagnosis and treatment. Close cooperation between surgeon and anesthesiologist and routine chest radiographs after PNL can reduce the pulmonary complications.

Reporting altered test results in hemolyzed samples: is the cure worse than the disease?

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 1112-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Lippi ◽  
Gianfranco Cervellin ◽  
Mario Plebani
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Reliable Data ◽  
Test Results ◽  
The Past ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Performance Specifications ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
The Many ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractThe management of laboratory data in unsuitable (hemolyzed) samples remains an almost unresolved dilemma. Whether or not laboratory test results obtained by measuring unsuitable specimens should be made available to the clinicians has been the matter of fierce debates over the past decades. Recently, an intriguing alternative to suppressing test results and recollecting the specimen has been put forward, entailing the definition and implementation of specific algorithms that would finally allow reporting a preanalytically altered laboratory value within a specific comment about its uncertainty of measurement. This approach carries some advantages, namely the timely communication of potentially life-threatening laboratory values, but also some drawbacks. These especially include the challenging definition of validated performance specifications for hemolyzed samples, the need to producing reliable data with the lowest possible uncertainty, the short turnaround time for repeating most laboratory tests, the risk that the comments may be overlooked in short-stay and frequently overcrowded units (e.g. the emergency department), as well as the many clinical advantages of a direct communication with the physician in charge of the patient. Despite the debate remains open, we continue supporting the suggestion that suppressing data in unsuitable (hemolyzed) samples and promptly notifying the clinicians about the need to recollect the samples remains the most (clinically and analytically) safe practice.

scholarly journals Pyelonephritis can be a source of a life threatening necrotizing myofasciitis

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 462
Author(s):  
Haytham Kamel ◽  
Mohamed Soliman Edris Awed ◽  
Ahmed Fouad Kotb
Keyword(s):  
Necrotizing Fasciitis ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Subcutaneous Tissue ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Deep Fascia ◽  
Necrotizing Myositis ◽  
Life Threatening

Necrotizing fasciitis is a progressive, rapidly spreading, inflammatory infection located in deep fascia. It may cause necrosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue and can even result in involvement of adjacent soft tissues such as muscles resulting in necrotizing myositis. We report the case of an adult male presenting with necrotizing myofasciitis secondary to left pyelonephritis. We also review the relevant literature.

scholarly journals Just the Facts: Risk stratifying non-traumatic back pain for spinal epidural abscess in the emergency department

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 753-755
Author(s):  
Zoe Polsky ◽  
Shawn K. Dowling ◽  
W. Bradley Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Epidural Abscess ◽  
Spinal Epidural Abscess ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
History Of ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Whole Spine ◽  
Spinal Epidural

A 65-year-old male with a history of hypertension presents to the emergency department (ED) with new onset of non-traumatic back pain. The patient is investigated for life-threatening diagnoses and screened for “red flag symptoms,” including fever, neurologic abnormalities, bowel/bladder symptoms, and a history of injectiondrug use (IVDU). The patient is treated symptomatically and discharged home but represents to the ED three additional times, each time with new and progressive symptoms. At the time of admission, he is unable to ambulate, has perineal anesthesia, and 500 cc of urinary retention. Whole spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirms a thoracic spinal epidural abscess. This case, and many like it, prompts the questions: when should emergency physicians consider the diagnosis of a spinal epidural abscess, and what is the appropriate evaluation of these patients in the ED? (Figure 1).

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