Severe Abdominal Pain as a Presentation of Lead Poisoning: a Case Report

Author(s):  
Wei Ge ◽  
Li-hua Shao ◽  
Hai-yan Gong ◽  
Gang Chen

Abstract Background: Lead poisoning is a rare but serious disease. The clinical manifestations of lead poisoning are various and nonspecific such as abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, nightmare, fatigue and so on. Rapid diagnosis of lead poisoning is challenging because it does not have special symptoms and the morbidity is very low.Case presentation: A 31-year-old woman presented with epigastric discomfort without any obvious cause. The patient was diagnosed with lead poisoning, as the blood levels of heavy metals were detected and the lead was 463.17ug/L, which was very high (normal value was less than 100 ug/L). The patient was treated with intravenous drip of calcium sodium edentate and got better. The patient achieved good recovery and there was no recurrence.Conclusion: Lead poisoning is a rare disease and easy to be misdiagnosed as acute abdomen disease when present with abdominal pain. Lead poisoning should be considered when common causes of abdominal pain are excluded, especially patients with anemia and abnormal liver function. The diagnosis of lead poisoning is mainly replied on the blood or urine lead concentrations. Then we should firstly cut off the contact with lead and use metal complexing agent to facilitate lead excretion.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf Mohammed ◽  
Kirubel Tesfaye

Abstract Background Ileoileal knotting is one of the rarest causes of intestinal obstruction. The pathology involves knotting of the ileum around itself, leading to mechanical intestinal obstruction that can rapidly evolve to gangrene. Case presentation Here we will discuss the case of an 18-year-old Oromo girl who presented with sudden onset of severe abdominal pain and signs of generalized peritonitis.Ultrasound examination showed massive peritoneal and cul-de-sac fluid. Explorative laparotomy was done, with a tentative diagnosis of ruptured ovarian cyst. Intraoperative finding was a gangrenous ileoileal knot. The gangrenous segment was resected and ileotransverse anastomosis done. Postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged improved on the sixth postoperative day. Conclusion We present this case to highlight the diagnostic difficulty that one can face in females of child-bearing age and to create awareness of this rare cause of intestinal obstruction, as morbidity and mortality are very high because of rapid progression to gangrene.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huilan Liu ◽  
Yutong Zhang ◽  
Xiaomei Leng ◽  
Yunjiao Yang ◽  
Xiaofeng Zeng

Abstract Background Brucellosis is still highly prevalent and causes high morbidity. It can involve any organ system and has been implicated in protean complications. Cardiovascular involvement is the main cause of mortality. This case described a female patient infected by Brucella with large periaortic mass and secondary vasculitis whose manifestation was abdominal pain. The aim was to raise the awareness of earlier recognition of Brucella infections without fever and remitting risk by taking appropriate treatments for those with cardiovascular involvement.Case presentation A case was reported regarding a female present intermittent abdominal pain. Two months later, she was admitted to the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology in our hospital due to high inflammatory markers, the large periaortic mass and vasculitis manifestations in aortic computed tomography angiography. By detailed examination, Brucellosis was highly suggestive based on positive blood cultures. Finally, no discomfort has ever occurred, and the mass was prominently reduced after antibiotic therapy of half a year.Conclusions The clinical manifestations of brucellosis are protean. For those without fever and cardiovascular involvement as the main manifestation, especially vasculitis, we must not just set the standard rigidly, instead, it is recommended to carry out the relevant differential diagnosis to avoid misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingting Zhang ◽  
Guoxing Wang ◽  
Zheng Cao ◽  
Wenyang Huang ◽  
Hongli Xiao ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy (APIP) is a rare and serious complication during pregnancy. It has acute onset and is difficult to diagnose and treat. The aim of the present study was to describe the etiology, clinical manifestations, and maternofetal outcomes of APIP. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 32 pregnant women who were treated at three tertiary care hospitals in Beijing, China. The correlation between the causes of APIP, severity, laboratory indices, and outcomes was analyzed. Results The most common causes of APIP were hypertriglyceridemia (56.2%,18/32) and gallstones (28.1%, 9/32). Hypertriglyceridemia-induced APIP was associated with a higher rate of severe acute pancreatitis (P = 0.025). Serum level of triglycerides showed a positive correlation with the severity of APIP (P = 0.039). The most frequent presentation of APIP was abdominal pain (93.7%, 30/32). There were no maternal or fetal deaths in our study. Neonatal asphyxia was correlated with the severity of APIP (P = 0.039). Conclusion High level of triglycerides may serve as a useful marker of the severity of APIP. The severity of APIP was associated with higher risk of neonate asphyxia. Appropriate timing of termination of pregnancy is a key imperative for APIP patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Yang ◽  
Shujun Li ◽  
Hong Wang ◽  
Morong Liu ◽  
Biguang Tuo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Chronic lead poisoning (CLP) is a rare cause of abdominal pain and is common in young children, in whom the incidence is higher than it is in adults. As the symptoms of CLP are nonspecific, misdiagnoses or missed diagnoses often occur, especially in sporadic cases. Case presentation We report a 28-year-old young man who was misdiagnosed with renal colic due to sudden acute abdominal pain. After a detailed medical history and physical examination, other possible causes were excluded, CLP was finally diagnosed, and he recovered after chelation treatment. Conclusion Abdominal pain is a very common clinical symptom in adults, which has many causes. We should be vigilant against chronic poisoning, especially CLP. Detailed diagnosis and physical examination are crucial in early diagnosis and treatment.


1982 ◽  
Vol 47 (03) ◽  
pp. 244-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
D P Thomas ◽  
Rosemary E Merton ◽  
T W Barrowcliffe ◽  
L Thunberg ◽  
U Lindahl

SummaryThe in vitro and in vivo characteristics of two oligosaccharide heparin fragments have been compared to those of unfractionated mucosal heparin. A decasaccharide fragment had essentially no activity by APTT or calcium thrombin time assays in vitro, but possessed very high specific activity by anti-Factor Xa assays. When injected into rabbits at doses of up to 80 ¼g/kg, this fragment was relatively ineffective in impairing stasis thrombosis despite producing high blood levels by anti-Xa assays. A 16-18 monosaccharide fragment had even higher specific activity (almost 2000 iu/mg) by chromogenic substrate anti-Xa assay, with minimal activity by APTT. When injected in vivo, this fragment gave low blood levels by APTT, very high anti-Xa levels, and was more effective in preventing thrombosis than the decasaccharide fragment. However, in comparison with unfractionated heparin, the 16-18 monosaccharide fragment was only partially effective in preventing thrombosis, despite producing much higher blood levels by anti-Xa assays.It is concluded that the high-affinity binding of a heparin fragment to antithrombin III does not by itself impair venous thrombogenesis, and that the anti-Factor Xa activity of heparin is only a partial expression of its therapeutic potential.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Ouyang ◽  
Bo Chen ◽  
Na Wu ◽  
Ling Li ◽  
Runyu Du ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Most patients with congenital adrenal hypoplasia (AHC) develop symptoms during infantile and juvenile periods, with varying clinical manifestations. AHC is a disease that is easily misdiagnosed as Addison’s disease or congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). There was also a significant time difference between the age at which patients developed symptoms and the age at which they were diagnosed with AHC. Most patients showed early symptoms during infantile and juvenile periods, but were diagnosed with AHC many years later. Case presentation We are currently reporting a male patient who developed systemic pigmentation at age 2 and was initially diagnosed with Addison’s disease. At 22 years of age, he experienced a slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), a disease mostly seen in adolescents aged 8–15 years, an important cause of which is endocrine disorder. Testes evaluated using color Doppler Ultrasonography suggested microcalcifications. Further genetic testing and auxiliary examinations revealed that the patient had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) and DAX-1 gene disorders, at which time he was diagnosed with AHC complicated by HH. He was given hormone replacement therapy, followed by regular outpatient review to adjust the medication. Conclusions The typical early symptoms of AHC are hyperpigmentation and ion disturbance during infantile and juvenile periods, while few patients with AHC develop puberty disorders as early symptoms. AHC is prone to being misdiagnosed as Addison’s disease, and then gradually develops the symptoms of HH in adolescence. The definitive diagnosis of AHC ultimately is based on the patient’s clinical presentation, laboratory results and genetic testing results.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Saba ◽  
Joshua Rosenberg ◽  
Gregory Wu ◽  
Gudata Hinika

Abstract Background A sigmoid volvulus occurs when a segment of the colon twists upon its mesentery. This infliction is associated with old age, multiple co-morbidities, and the male sex. We present a rare case of sigmoid volvulus that occurred in a healthy young female. Case presentation A 28-year-old female presented with a one week history of constipation and abdominal pain. Her symptoms suddenly worsened and became associated with vomiting and severe pain. A focused history taking and physical examination showed peritoneal signs that led to timely diagnostic imaging to be implemented. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen was consistent with sigmoid volvulus. Our patient underwent emergent laparotomy with a sigmoidectomy and recovered with no post-operative complications. Conclusion This case report emphasizes the importance of clinicians maintaining a sigmoid volvulus as a rare, yet important differential when approaching abdominal pain in young healthy patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiao-Yan Shao ◽  
Pei-Lin Wu ◽  
Bi-Yun Lin ◽  
Sen-Jing Chen ◽  
Jian Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Terminal deletion of chromosome 10p is a rare chromosomal abnormality. We report a neonatal case with a large deletion of 10p15.3p13 diagnosed early because of severe clinical manifestations. Case presentation Our patient presented with specific facial features, hypoparathyroidism, sen sorineural deafness, renal abnormalities, and developmental retardation, and carried a 12.6 Mb deletion in the 10p15.3 p13 region. The terminal 10p deletion involved in our patient is the second largest reported terminal deletion reported to date, and includes the ZMYND11 and GATA3 genes and a partial critical region of the DiGeorge syndrome 2 gene (DGS2). Conclusion On the basis of a literature review, this terminal 10p deletion in the present case is responsible for a specific contiguous gene syndrome. This rare case may help the understanding of the genotype–phenotype spectrum of terminal deletion of chromosome 10p.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Le Ho ◽  
Pui Fong Ng ◽  
Sotheenathan Krishinan ◽  
Basheer Ahamed Abdul Kareem

Abstract Background Papillary fibroelastomas are rare but benign cardiac tumour that are often found on cardiac valvular surfaces. Their clinical manifestations ranging from clinically asymptomatic to substantial complications that are usually secondary to systemic embolism. Multiple theories have been proposed to explain the pathophysiology of its formation. Case presentation We reported a rare case of large papillary fibroelastoma in the right atrium of a young gentleman which was complicated with pulmonary embolism. Transthoracic echocardiography identified a large pedunculated mass measuring 3.4cmX3.4cmX2cm in right atrium with stalk attached to interatrial septum. The intracardiac mass was resected surgically, which revealed papillary fibroelastoma in histology examination. Conclusion Differential diagnosis of intracardiac masses requires clinical information, laboratory tests and imaging modalities including echocardiography. Incidentally discovered papillary fibroelastomas are treated on the basis of their sizes, site, mobility and potential embolic complications. Due to the embolic risk inherent to intraacardiac masses, surgical resection represents an effective curative protocol in treating both symptomatic and asymptomatic right sided and left sided papillary fibroelastomas, with excellent long term postoperative prognosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 671-674
Author(s):  
Tashunka Taylor-Miller ◽  
Jayne Houghton ◽  
Paul Munyard ◽  
Yadlapalli Kumar ◽  
Clinda Puvirajasinghe ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundCongenital hyperinsulinism (CHI), a condition characterized by dysregulation of insulin secretion from the pancreatic β cells, remains one of the most common causes of hyperinsulinemic, hypoketotic hypoglycemia in the newborn period. Mutations in ABCC8 and KCNJ11 constitute the majority of genetic forms of CHI.Case presentationA term macrosomic male baby, birth weight 4.81 kg, born to non-consanguineous parents, presented on day 1 of life with severe and persistent hypoglycemia. The biochemical investigations confirmed a diagnosis of CHI. Diazoxide was started and progressively increased to 15 mg/kg/day to maintain normoglycemia. Sequence analysis identified compound heterozygous mutations in ABCC8 c.4076C>T and c.4119+1G>A inherited from the unaffected father and mother, respectively. The mutations are reported pathogenic. The patient is currently 7 months old with a sustained response to diazoxide.ConclusionsBiallelic ABCC8 mutations are known to result in severe, diffuse, diazoxide-unresponsive hypoglycemia. We report a rare patient with CHI due to compound heterozygous mutations in ABCC8 responsive to diazoxide.


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