scholarly journals Pregnancy: a stepping-stone to sepsis

Author(s):  
Simran Sharma ◽  
Patricia Rodrigues ◽  
Summia Zaher ◽  
Luke Davies ◽  
Peter Ghazal

The physiological shifts during pregnancy predispose women to a ten-fold higher risk of developing sepsis, a life-threatening condition characterised by a maladapted host-response to infection. We present a comprehensive synthesis of maternal immunity during pregnancy, addressing whether altered set-points in immune homeostasis lower the tipping point for sepsis. This close interconnection between maternal immunity and sepsis makes clinical diagnosis highly challenging and translates to delayed antibiotics or overuse. We propose further understanding of the maternal immune set-point changes are vital for tailoring the right diagnostic tools for maternal sepsis and may unravel pathophysiological pathways that predispose an individual to sepsis.

VASA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 381-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katalin Mako ◽  
Attila Puskas

Summary. Iliac vein compression syndrome (May-Thurner syndrome – MTS) is an anatomically variable clinical condition in which the left common iliac vein is compressed between the right common iliac artery and the underlying spine. This anatomic variant results in an increased incidence of left iliac or iliofemoral vein thrombosis. It predominantly affects young women in the second or third decades of life with preponderance during pregnancy or oral contraceptive use. Although MTS is rare, its true prevalence is underestimated but it can be a life-threatening condition due to development of pulmonary embolism (PE). In this case based review the authors present three cases of MTS. All patients had been previously confirmed with PE, but despite they were admitted to hospital, diagnosed and correctly treated for PE and investigated for thrombophilia, the iliac vein compression syndrome was not suspected or investigated. With this presentation the authors would like to emphasize that MTS is mostly underdiagnosed, and it needs to be ruled out in left iliofemoral vein thrombosis in young individuals.


2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-39
Author(s):  
Cambrea Simona Claudia ◽  
Ilie Maria Margareta ◽  
Carp Dalia Sorina ◽  
Ionescu C.

ABSTRACT Necrotizing fasciitis is a life threatening condition that can be quickly spread through the flesh surrounding the muscle. The disease can be polymicrobial, or caused by group A beta hemolytic Streptococci, or by Clostridium spp. We present a case of a 7 years old girl, which was hospitalized in Children Infectious Diseases Department in a 7th day of chickenpox (hematic crusts all over the body), high fever, asthenia, vomiting, oligoanuria, and tumefaction, pain and functio lessa in the right thigh. In a very short time in the right thigh swelling, edema and congestion have increased gradually, and in the third highest middle thigh the ecchymotic areas appeared evolving towards bubbles and blisters which included the right thigh and calf. After excluding the diagnosis of thrombophlebitis was raised suspicion of necrotizing fasciitis. CT pelvic scan evidenced pelvic asymmetry by maximus and medium right gluteal muscles swelling with important inflammatory infiltrate extended laterally in the subcutaneous adipose tissue. In blood culture was isolated Eggerthella lenta, and from throat swab was isolated group A Streptococci. Treatment consists of a combination of antibiotics associated with intravenous immunoglobulin administration. Despite medical treatment evolution worsened and required transfer in a pediatric surgery department where emergent surgical debridement associated with intensive antibiotic therapy was done. After this intervention evolution was slowly favorable without major limb dysfunction. Polymicrobial necrotizing fasciitis is a severe disease, which if recognized early can have a favorable outcome.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Lot ◽  
Caroline Rosa ◽  
Camila Freitas ◽  
Gracinda Adnet ◽  
Luisa Costa ◽  
...  

Subglottic hemagioma is a rare cause of stridor, but it is one of the most common vascular neoplasms of the airways in childhood. If the treatment is not promptly instituted, it becomes a life-threatening condition. The diagnosis should be suspected when infants outside the age range for acute laryngitis present with stridor associated with severe respiratory effort, without viral prodromes, with a condition that is not responsive to initial therapeutic measures considering the main diagnostic hypothesis. Infantile hemangiomas begin to proliferate during the first year of life (between the 1st and 2nd month of life). Involution usually occurs between 6 months and 12 months of life (most involution until 4 years). The case is a 5-month-old female infant, with sudden stridor associated with respiratory distress without viral prodromes or fever, with little response to inhaled short-acting beta-agonist, inhaled adrenaline, as well as corticosteroids inhalation/parenteral. Bronchoscopy showed a bulging of the submucosa to the right of the subglottis with slight vascularization, suggestive of subglottic hemangioma. Treatment with propranolol was initiated orally with the aim of regressing the hemangioma and after clinical stability, the infant was discharged with outpatient follow-up.


1997 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. K. Jensen ◽  
A. Wagner

Radiation-induced intracranial aneurysm formation is a rare but life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate secondary to rupture of the aneurysm. Further-more, this condition can mimic tumour recurrence. Only 10 months after craniospinal radiation therapy for medulloblastoma, a 9-year-old boy developed a subarachnoid haemorrhage secondary to a ruptured saccular aneurysm arising from the distal part of the right anterior cerebral artery. The development of intracranial aneurysms and rupture following radiation damage of the arteries has been reported previously, but in no case as soon as 10 months after radiation therapy. It is important to diagnose these aneurysms as they can be successfully treated.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-2 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Hoffmann ◽  
D. Oertli ◽  
O. Heizmann

Blunt traumatic diaphragmatic rupture (BTDR) is a life-threatening condition with an incidence from 0,8%–1,6% in blunt trauma, mostly located on the left side. The main prognostic factors are severe side injuries and the delay of diagnosis. We present a rare case of a 68-year-old female, with an isolated right diaphragm rupture. The diagnosis was done with a delay of 4 days by thoracic radiographs, which showed a herniation of small bowel into the right thoracic cavity. A reposition of the small bowel and a closure of the diaphragmatic defect by running suture were carried out laparoscopicly. Although large prospective studies concerning the outcome of laparoscopic approach to right BTDR are still missing, we could show, that laparoscopy can be performed safely in right traumatic diaphragm rupture.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Jarczak ◽  
Stefan Kluge ◽  
Axel Nierhaus

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition and a global disease burden. Today, the heterogeneous syndrome is defined as severe organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, with renewed emphasis on immune pathophysiology. Despite all efforts of experimental and clinical research during the last three decades, the ability to positively influence course and outcome of the syndrome remains limited. Evidence-based therapy still consists of basic causal and supportive measures, while adjuvant interventions such as blood purification or targeted immunotherapy largely remain without proof of effectiveness so far. With this review, we aim to provide an overview of sepsis immune pathophysiology, to update the choice of therapeutic approaches targeting different immunological mechanisms in the course of sepsis and septic shock, and to call for a paradigm shift from the pathogen to the host response as a potentially more promising angle.


Author(s):  
Sarah A. Alkuraydis ◽  
Abdulaziz S. Allihimy ◽  
Osama Smettei ◽  
Rami M Abazid

Aortic dissection (AD) is the most frequent life-threatening aortic disorder. It is commonly associated with hypertension; however, aortic dissection occasionally represents a complication of more complex syndromes. In this article we aim to report. A 40-year-old male patient, with a known case of ADPKD and a strong family history of ADPKD. He presented to the emergency department with prolonged sharp retrosternal chest pain radiating to the back and uncontrolled hypertension. Computed tomography angiography showed a localized dissection flap at the aortic root and multiple cysts in the right kidney. AD is a life-threatening condition and should be suspected in patients presenting with acute chest pain with history of ADPKD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher B. Toomey ◽  
Andrew Gross ◽  
Jeffrey Lee ◽  
Doran B. Spencer

Intraocular coccidioidomycosis is a rare condition, with the most commonly reported presentation being an idiopathic iritis in patients who live in or have traveled thorough endemic areas. A paucity of reports exists describing the chorioretinal manifestations of coccidioidomycosis. Here we report a case of unilateral coccidioidal chorioretinitis and meningoencephalitis in an AIDS patient that led to near complete unilateral loss of vision. A 48-year-old Hispanic female with poorly controlled HIV/AIDS in southern California presented with a three-week history of headache, nausea, vomiting, right eye blurry vision, and a one-day history of subjective fever. Examination of the right eye revealed vitritis and several large chorioretinal lesions scattered throughout the periphery and macula with optic disc pallor. Serum coccidioidomycoses complement fixation (CF) was positive (titers of 1 : 256). Neuroimaging revealed a new area of enhancement in the left anterior frontal lobe consistent with meningoencephalitis. The patient was treated with intravenous fluconazole and intravitreal voriconazole with resolution of systemic symptoms and vitritis but persistence of unilateral, severe chorioretinal scarring and vision loss. In conclusion, in spite of the rarity of intraocular coccidioidomycosis, one must carry a degree of suspicion for this vision- and life-threatening condition as a potential etiology of chorioretinitis in individuals with pertinent risk factors.


Vascular ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 557-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel Kibrik ◽  
Justin Eisenberg ◽  
Marc A Bjurlin ◽  
Natalie Marks ◽  
Anil Hingorani ◽  
...  

Background Ureteral arterial fistulas are rare but potentially life threatening. We present a female who developed a ureteral arterial fistula following a right robotic nephrectomy. After several endovascular interventions to control the bleeding had failed, we approached the fistula through the right ureteral stump with coil embolization. Methods Coil embolization of the right ureteral stump was performed. We utilized a 6Fr × 45 cm sheath inserted through one of the cystoscope channels to cannulate the right ureteral orifice. We then performed a retrograde ureterogram. After, we were able to visualize full length of the ureter, ahd we began placing several 10–12 mm Nester coils to pack the ureter and tamponade the fistula for hemostasis. After the ureter was packed, we injected 1 g of Vancomycin into the ureter. The sheath and cytoscope were removed and the patient did well and was sent to the recovery room. Results Postoperatively, the patient had no complaints of hematuria and her hemoglobin level remained unchanged. She was observed for a few days prior to being discharged to home. The patient’s follow-up at six months revealed resolution of her hematuria. Conclusion Ureteral arterial fistula is a potentially life-threatening condition. Endovascular stenting has provided a safe, reliable alternative to open surgery. However, when endovascular options are not satisfactory, coil embolization of the ureteral stump may serve as a safe and effective alternative treatment for these cases.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 314-317
Author(s):  
Billy Rios ◽  
David J. Driscoll ◽  
Dan G. McNamara

High-altitude pulmonary edema potentially is fatal. Adults with unilateral absence of a right pulmonary artery are particularly susceptible to high-altitude pulmonary edema. The occurrence of high-altitude pulmonary edema was documented in a child with congenital absence of the right pulmonary artery. Improvement occurred only upon descent to low altitude. Physicians should be aware of this life-threatening condition in children ascending to high altitude, particularly in individuals with unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery.


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