scholarly journals Cognitive and psychiatric changes as first clinical presentation in Sneddon syndrome

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-219
Author(s):  
Giorgio Fabiani ◽  
Raul Martins Filho ◽  
Gelson Luis Koppe ◽  
Zeferino Demartini Jr ◽  
Luana Antunes Maranha Gatto

ABSTRACT Sneddon syndrome (SS) is a rare progressive non-inflammatory thrombotic vasculopathy affecting small/medium-sized blood vessels of unknown origin. It is strongly associated with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (AA). The presence of livedo reticularis and cerebrovascular disease are hallmark features. The condition is far more common in young women. We report a case of SS in a 43 year-old male with a two-year history of progressive cognitive impairment consistent with dementia syndrome, and major personality changes, besides livedo reticularis and cerebral angiographic pattern of vasculitis. AA were borderline. The recognition of skin blemishes that precede strokes should raise the hypothesis of SS. AA are elevated in more than half of cases, but their role in the pathogenesis or association of positive antibodies and SS remains unclear. Dementia syndrome in young patients should be extensively investigated to rule out reversible situations. Typical skin findings, MRI and angiography may aid diagnosis.

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence B. Leonard

Purpose The current “specific language impairment” and “developmental language disorder” discussion might lead to important changes in how we refer to children with language disorders of unknown origin. The field has seen other changes in terminology. This article reviews many of these changes. Method A literature review of previous clinical labels was conducted, and possible reasons for the changes in labels were identified. Results References to children with significant yet unexplained deficits in language ability have been part of the scientific literature since, at least, the early 1800s. Terms have changed from those with a neurological emphasis to those that do not imply a cause for the language disorder. Diagnostic criteria have become more explicit but have become, at certain points, too narrow to represent the wider range of children with language disorders of unknown origin. Conclusions The field was not well served by the many changes in terminology that have transpired in the past. A new label at this point must be accompanied by strong efforts to recruit its adoption by clinical speech-language pathologists and the general public.


2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-8
Author(s):  
Frederick Fung

Abstract A diagnosis of toxic-related injury/illness requires a consideration of the illness related to the toxic exposure, including diagnosis, causation, and permanent impairment; these are best performed by a physician who is certified by a specialty board certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine. The patient must have a history of symptoms consistent with the exposure and disease at issue. In order to diagnose the presence of a specific disease, the examiner must find subjective complaints that are consistent with the objective findings, and both the subjective complaints and objective findings must be consistent with the disease that is postulated. Exposure to a specific potentially causative agent at a defined concentration level must be documented and must be sufficient to induce a particular pathology in order to establish a diagnosis. Differential diagnoses must be entertained in order to rule out other potential causes, including psychological etiology. Furthermore, the identified exposure at the defined concentration level must be capable of causing the diagnosis being postulated before the examiner can conclude that there has been a cause-and-effect relationship between the exposure and the disease (dose-response relationship). The evaluator's opinion should make biological and epidemiological sense. The treatment plan and prognosis should be consistent with evidence-based medicine, and the rating of impairment must be based on objective findings in involved systems.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-378
Author(s):  
Catalin Pricop ◽  
Ileana Adela Vacaroiu ◽  
Daniela Radulescu ◽  
Daniel Andone ◽  
Dragos Puia

In the literature, occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in young patients with unilateral ureteral lithiasic obstruction and without previous renal impairment is not very often reported, and the underlined pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly known; according to some studies, it is a false kidney failure, the increase in serum creatinine being due to absorbtion of obstructed urine in the affected kidney. We have conducted a retro and prospective study in order to identify the possible risk factors that can cause renal function impairment in young patients (18-40 years) with unilateral ureteral lithiasis obstruction and a normal contralateral kidney. Results. From 402 patients included in the study, 20.64% (83 cases) presented with serum creatinine ] 1.3 mg/dL. In patients with renal impairment, prevalence of male gender and history of NSAIDS use before admission were significantly higher than in non-AKI group. Serum urea/creatinine ratio, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (MDRD formula) were significantly higher, and respectively lower in AKI group. We found no significant differences between the two groups regarding age, prevalence of urinary tract infection after relief of obstruction, C-reactive protein value, and the duration of hospitalization. Conclusions. AKI in young patients with unilateral ureteral lithiasis obstruction and normal contralateral kidney is not quite a rare finding in our region. NSAIDs use can influence development of AKI, and should be used cautiously even in young patients with renal colic. In our opinion, the presence of AKI in patients with unilateral hydronephrosis demands urgent endourological intervention. Choosing conservative therapy in these patients, especially treatment with NSAIDS may aggravate the renal dysfunction.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S603-S603
Author(s):  
D. Torres ◽  
G. Martinez-Ales ◽  
M. Quintana ◽  
V. Pastor ◽  
M.F. Bravo

IntroductionSuicide causes 1.4% of deaths worldwide. Twenty times more frequent, suicide attempts entail an important source of disability and of psychosocial and medical resources use.ObjectiveTo describe main socio-demographical and psychiatric risk factors of suicide attempters treated in a general hospital's emergency room basis.AimsTo identify individual features potentially useful to improve both emergency treatments and resource investment.MethodsA descriptive study including data from 2894 patients treated in a general hospital's emergency room after a suicidal attempt between years 2006 and 2014.ResultsSixty-nine percent of the population treated after an attempted suicide were women. Mean age was 38 years old. Sixty-six percent had familiar support; 48.5% had previously attempted a suicide (13% did not answer this point); 72.6% showed a personal history of psychiatric illness. Drug use was present in 38.3% of the patients (20.3% did not answer this question); 23.5% were admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Medium cost of a psychiatric hospitalization was found to be 4900 euros.ConclusionThis study results agree with previously reported data. Further observational studies are needed in order to bear out these findings, rule out potential confounders and thus infer and quantify causality related to each risk factor.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A335-A335
Author(s):  
Cameron Barber ◽  
Dylan Carroll ◽  
Bhavani Suryadevara

Abstract Introduction Rapidly progressive dementia is a condition with a wide differential which remains difficult to accurately diagnose. The potential pathologies responsible include thyroid, vitamin, and electrolytes abnormalities, infectious, and malignant causes. Vascular dementia, however, typically has a slow and insidious presentation. Zolpidem (Ambien) is among the top 50 prescribed medications in the US. Report of case(s) An 84-year-old Caucasian male with a past medical history of insomnia, and sleep apnea who is noncompliant with CPAP presented after a fall associated with altered mental status. He has taken zolpidem 10 mg nightly for over six years. The patient and wife reported notable personality changes beginning six months prior, as well as four months of progressively worsening auditory and visual hallucinations. Additionally, the patient noted developing urinary incontinence, and worsening gait steadiness with recurrent falls. The patient then developed sleep-wake inversion during the three weeks prior to his fall, and an outpatient referral to neurology was subsequently sent for dementia evaluation. On the night prior to his presentation, the patient took his usual nighttime zolpidem at 22:00 and later fell and was unable to get up. Subsequent testing was negative for reversible causes of dementia and MRI Brain revealed only chronic microvascular disease. His zolpidem dose was decreased to 5 mg and scheduled earlier which resulted in the resolution of his hallucinations, gait abnormalities, and acute encephalopathy. Conclusion One month later, the patient presented to the hospital after a repeat fall secondary to taking his zolpidem at his previously scheduled time. Once more, his dosage was further decreased to 2.5 mg and scheduling earlier, resulting again, in the complete resolution of his symptoms. Zolpidem, has an increased potential for delirium in elderly patients and especially those with dementia. Chronic use of zolpidem with insidiously progressive vascular dementia led to a worsening delirium which resolved after adjustment of timing and reduction of zolpidem dosing. Support (if any):


2012 ◽  
Vol 130 ◽  
pp. S104
Author(s):  
Grazia Loredana Mendolicchio ◽  
Monica Bacci ◽  
Dennis Zavalloni ◽  
Lidia Rota ◽  
Zaverio Marcello Ruggeri

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Abdullah S. AlOmran

A case of steroid-induced osteoporosis-related multiple fractures and dislocations are described after a seizure is reported. Patient had two years history of steroid use with no supplement or antiresorptive therapy. There was a delay in the diagnosis which affected an otherwise good outcome in such situations. It is recommended that patients on steroid should be given calcium, vitamin D, and an antiresorptive. Furthermore, a meticulous clinical examination is required in patients who are on steroids and suffer epileptic seizures to rule out skeletal injury.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joao McONeil Plancher ◽  
Robert B. Hufnagel ◽  
Achala Vagal ◽  
Katrina Peariso ◽  
Howard M. Saal ◽  
...  

With this case report, we would like to heighten the awareness of clinicians about COL4A1 as a single-gene disorder causing cerebral small vessel disease and describe a previously unreported pathogenic missense substitution in COL4A1 (p.Gly990Val) and a new clinical presentation. We identified a heterozygous putatively pathogenic mutation of COL4A1 in a 50-year-old female with a history of congenital cataracts and glaucoma who presented with multiple diffusion-positive infarcts and areas of contrast enhancement following mild head trauma. We believe that this presentation of multiple areas of acute brain and vascular injury in the setting of mild head trauma is a new manifestation of this genetic disorder. Imaging findings of multiple acute infarcts and regions of contrast enhancement with associated asymptomatic old deep microhemorrhages and leukomalacia in adults after head trauma should raise a high suspicion for a COL4A1 genetic disorder. Radiographic patterns of significant leukoaraiosis and deep microhemorrhages can also be seen in patients with long-standing vasculopathy associated with hypertension, which our patient lacked. Our findings demonstrate the utility of genetic screening for COL4A1 mutations in young patients who have small vessel vasculopathy on brain imaging but who do not have significant cardiovascular risk factors.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Goetti ◽  
Nicolas Gallusser ◽  
Olivier Borens

Diabetic osteoarthropathy is a rare cause of neuropathic joint disease of the knee; bilateral involvement is even more exceptional. Diagnosis is often made late due to its unspecific symptoms and appropriate surgical management still needs to be defined, due to lack of evidence because of the disease’s low incidence. We report the case of a forty-year-old woman with history of diabetes type I who developed bilateral destructive Charcot knee arthropathy. Bilateral total knee arthroplasty was performed in order to achieve maximal functional outcome. Follow-up was marked by bilateral tibial periprosthetic fractures treated by osteosynthesis with a satisfactory outcome. The diagnosis of Charcot arthropathy should always be in mind when dealing with atraumatic joint destruction in diabetic patients. Arthroplasty should be considered as an alternative to arthrodesis in bilateral involvement in young patients.


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