Delayed systemic urticarial reactions following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination

Background: As the vaccination campaign in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues, concerns with regard to adverse reactions to the vaccine remain. Although immediate hypersensitivity reactions have received much attention, delayed systemic urticarial reactions after vaccination can occur. Objective: To describe the clinical presentation, vaccine excipient skin testing results, and outcomes of subsequent COVID-19 vaccination in patients who experienced delayed systemic urticarial reactions after messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: This was a retrospective case series of 12 patients referred to the Mayo Clinics in Rochester, Minnesota, and Jacksonville, Florida, between January 19, 2021, and April 30, 2021, for evaluation of delayed systemic urticarial reactions after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. Demographics, medical and allergic history, reaction details, vaccine excipient skin testing results (when performed), and the outcome after subsequent vaccination were collected for each patient. Results: The mean age of the patients was 52 years, all were white, and 9 (75%) were women. Half of the patients had a history of drug allergy, and one had a history of chronic spontaneous urticaria. Seven patients reacted to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and five reacted to the Moderna vaccine. Seven patients developed symptoms between 8 and 24 hours after vaccination. Nine patients required antihistamines for treatment. The median time to symptom resolution was 4 days. Nine patients underwent allergist-directed COVID-19 vaccine excipient skin testing, all of which were negative. Ten patients chose to receive their next mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose, and four patients experienced recurrent delayed urticaria. Conclusion: Delayed systemic urticarial reactions after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination were not life-threatening, could be treated with antihistamines, and were not predicted with vaccine excipient skin testing. They were not a contraindication to subsequent vaccination, although patients should be counseled with regard to the possibility of recurrence.

Download Full-text

Can pleural packing be an effective solution for uncontrollable intra or post-operative hemorrhage

International Surgery Journal ◽

10.18203/2349-2902.isj20202808 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (7) ◽

pp. 2087

Author(s):

Hazem Zribi ◽

Abderrahmen Ammar ◽

Amina Abdelkbir ◽

Imen Bouacida ◽

Sarra Maazaoui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thoracic Surgery ◽

Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis ◽

Case Series ◽

Good Alternative ◽

Common Point ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Case Series Study ◽

History Of ◽

The Common ◽

The Mean

Background: Uncontrollable bleeding during thoracic surgery has been a challenging problem faced by surgeons. The aim of this study was to clarify the usefulness of pleural packing as a good alternative to control hemorrhage and to deduce the common point between those patients.Methods: This was a retrospective case series study of eight patients who underwent thoracic surgery with uncontrollable intrathoracic haemorrhage and shock which required intrathoracic packing from January 2014 to December 2019.Results: During the study period, eight patients underwent thoracic surgery with uncontrollable intrathoracic haemorrhage and needed packing. Successful hemostasis was achieved in all cases after pleural packing. The mean age was 58.5 years and six patients were males. The common point was the history of pulmonary tuberculosis which was with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis for two patients. Incision was a posterolateral thoracotomy in all cases and six patients required pulmonary resection (five lobectomy and one bilobectomy), one patient required decortication, and one had tumorectomy of a paragonglioma located in the Barety’s space. The unpacking took place right after 48 hours. An arrest of the bleeding was noticed in all the remaining patients. The mean time of the mechanical ventilation was 11 days. Complications included atelectasis and infectious pneumonitis. We noted one case of death.Conclusions: Intrathoracic packing may be an effective and feasible technique in managing uncontrollable post-operative hemorrhage when the life of patients is in danger. This technique should always be considered for patients with tuberculosis history.

Download Full-text

Macrophage Activation Syndrome in Adults: A Retrospective Case Series

Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports ◽

10.1177/23247096211026406 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 232470962110264

Author(s):

Taylor Warmoth ◽

Malvika Ramesh ◽

Kenneth Iwuji ◽

John S. Pixley

Keyword(s):

Macrophage Activation Syndrome ◽

Macrophage Activation ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis ◽

Case Series ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Activation Syndrome

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a form of hemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis that occurs in patients with a variety of inflammatory rheumatologic conditions. Traditionally, it is noted in pediatric patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematous. It is a rapidly progressive and life-threatening syndrome of excess immune activation with an estimated mortality rate of 40% in children. It has become clear recently that MAS occurs in adult patients with underlying rheumatic inflammatory diseases. In this article, we describe 6 adult patients with likely underlying MAS. This case series will outline factors related to diagnosis, pathophysiology, and review present therapeutic strategies.

Download Full-text

Resources, Production Scales and Time Required for Producing RNA Vaccines for the Global Pandemic Demand

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9010003 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 3

Author(s):

Zoltán Kis ◽

Cleo Kontoravdi ◽

Robin Shattock ◽

Nilay Shah

Keyword(s):

Production Process ◽

Messenger Rna ◽

Vaccination Campaign ◽

Vaccine Dose ◽

Economic Feasibility ◽

Small Scale ◽

Production Scale ◽

Working Volume ◽

Global Demand ◽

The Impact

To overcome pandemics, such as COVID-19, vaccines are urgently needed at very high volumes. Here we assess the techno-economic feasibility of producing RNA vaccines for the demand associated with a global vaccination campaign. Production process performance is assessed for three messenger RNA (mRNA) and one self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccines, all currently under clinical development, as well as for a hypothetical next-generation saRNA vaccine. The impact of key process design and operation uncertainties on the performance of the production process was assessed. The RNA vaccine drug substance (DS) production rates, volumes and costs are mostly impacted by the RNA amount per vaccine dose and to a lesser extent by the scale and titre in the production process. The resources, production scale and speed required to meet global demand vary substantially in function of the RNA amount per dose. For lower dose saRNA vaccines, global demand can be met using a production process at a scale of below 10 L bioreactor working volume. Consequently, these small-scale processes require a low amount of resources to set up and operate. RNA DS production can be faster than fill-to-finish into multidose vials; hence the latter may constitute a bottleneck.

Download Full-text

Incidence and Risk Factors of Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism Following Foot and Ankle Surgery

Foot & Ankle International ◽

10.1177/1071100718794851 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 98-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Johanna Marie Richey ◽

Miranda Lucia Ritterman Weintraub ◽

John M. Schuberth

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hormone Replacement ◽

Case Series ◽

Foot And Ankle ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Ankle Surgery ◽

History Of ◽

Low Incidence ◽

Predictive Risk

Background: The incidence rate of venous thrombotic events (VTEs) following foot and ankle surgery is low. Currently, there is no consensus regarding postoperative prophylaxis or evidence to support risk stratification. Methods: A 2-part study assessing the incidence and factors for the development of VTE was conducted: (1) a retrospective observational cohort study of 22 486 adults to calculate the overall incidence following foot and/or ankle surgery from January 2008 to May 2011 and (2) a retrospective matched case-control study to identify risk factors for development of VTE postsurgery. One control per VTE case matched on age and sex was randomly selected from the remaining patients. Results: The overall incidence of VTE was 0.9%. Predictive risk factors in bivariate analyses included obesity, history of VTE, history of trauma, use of hormonal replacement or oral contraception therapy, anatomic location of surgery, procedure duration 60 minutes or more, general anesthesia, postoperative nonweightbearing immobilization greater than 2 weeks, and use of anticoagulation. When significant variables from bivariate analyses were placed into the multivariable regression model, 4 remained statistically significant: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for obesity, 6.1; history of VTE, 15.7; use of hormone replacement therapy, 8.9; and postoperative nonweightbearing immobilization greater than 2 weeks, 9.0. The risk of VTE increased significantly with 3 or more risk factors ( P = .001). Conclusion: The overall low incidence of VTE following foot and ankle surgery does not support routine prophylaxis for all patients. Among patients with 3 or more risk factors, the use of chemoprophylaxis may be warranted. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective case series.

Download Full-text

Sialendoscopy With Intraductal Steroid Irrigation in Patients With Sialadenitis Without Sialoliths

Ear Nose & Throat Journal ◽

10.1177/0145561319841207 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 98 (5) ◽

pp. 291-294 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Saudamini J. Lele ◽

Mickie Hamiter ◽

Torrey Louise Fourrier ◽

Cherie-Ann Nathan

Keyword(s):

Treatment Option ◽

Case Series ◽

Complete Response ◽

Definitive Treatment ◽

Invasive Technique ◽

Effective Treatment Option ◽

Patient Reported ◽

History Of ◽

The Mean

Sialendoscopy has emerged as a safe, effective and minimally invasive technique for management of obstructive and inflammatory salivary gland disease. The aim of our study was to analyze outcomes of sialendoscopy and steroid irrigation in patients with sialadenitis without sialoliths. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent interventional sialendoscopy with steroid irrigation from 2013 to 2016, for the treatment of sialadenitis without sialolithiasis. Twenty-two patients underwent interventional sialendoscopy with ductal dilation and steroid irrigation for the treatment of sialadenitis without any evidence of sialolithiasis. Conservative measures had failed in all. Eleven patients had symptoms arising from the parotid gland, 4 patients had symptoms arising from the submandibular gland, while 6 patients had symptoms in both parotid and submandibular glands. One patient complained of only xerostomia without glandular symptoms. The mean age of the study group which included 1 male and 21 females was 44.6 years (range: 3-86 years). Four patients had autoimmune disease, while 7 patients had a history of radioactive iodine therapy. No identifiable cause for sialadenitis was found in the remaining 11 patients. The mean follow-up period was 378.9 days (range: 16-1143 days). All patients underwent sialendoscopy with ductal dilation and steroid irrigation. Twelve patients showed a complete response and 9 patients had a partial response, while 1 patient reported no response. Only 3 patients required repeat sialendoscopy. The combination of sialendoscopy with ductal dilation and steroid irrigation is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with sialadenitis without sialoliths refractory to conservative measures. Prospective studies with a larger case series are needed to establish its role as a definitive treatment option.

Download Full-text

Postarthroscopy Imaging in Femoroacetabular Impingement: Persistent Pain May Be Due to an Insufficient Correction of Preoperative Abnormalities

Joints ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1601411 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 05 (01) ◽

pp. 021-026 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Cosimo Tudisco ◽

Salvatore Bisicchia ◽

Sandro Tormenta ◽

Amedeo Taglieri ◽

Ezio Fanucci

Keyword(s):

Case Series ◽

Persistent Pain ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Mean Values ◽

Center Edge ◽

Patient Groups ◽

The Mean ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of correction of abnormal radiographic parameters on postoperative pain in a group of patients treated arthroscopically for femoracetabular impingement (FAI). Methods A retrospective study was performed on 23 patients affected by mixed-type FAI and treated arthroscopically. There were 11 males and 12 females with a mean age of 46.5 (range: 28–67) years. Center-edge (CE) and α angles were measured on preoperative and postoperative radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies and were correlated with persistent pain at follow-up. Results The mean preoperative CE and α angles were 38.6 ± 5.2 and 67.3 ± 7.2 degrees, respectively. At follow-up, in the 17 pain-free patients, the mean pre- and postoperative CE angle were 38.1 ± 5.6 and 32.6 ± 4.8 degrees, respectively, whereas the mean pre- and postoperative α angles at MRI were 66.3 ± 7.9 and 47.9 ± 8.9 degrees, respectively. In six patients with persistent hip pain, the mean pre- and postoperative CE angles were 39.8 ± 3.6 and 35.8 ± 3.1 degrees, respectively, whereas the mean pre- and postoperative α angles were 70.0 ± 3.9 and 58.8 ± 2.6 degrees, respectively. Mean values of all the analyzed radiological parameters, except CE angle in patients with pain, improved significantly after surgery. On comparing patient groups, significantly lower postoperative α angles and lower CE angle were observed in patients without pain. Conclusion In case of persistent pain after arthroscopic treatment of FAI, a new set of imaging studies must be performed because pain may be related to an insufficient correction of preoperative radiographic abnormalities. Level of Evidence Level IV, retrospective case series.

Download Full-text

Smoking and Stroke in Appalachian Kentucky

Neurology and Neurobiology ◽

10.31487/j.nnb.2018.10.006 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Dignan Mark ◽

Kitzman Patrick ◽

S Gutti Subhash ◽

N Gutti Swathi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Records ◽

Case Series ◽

Eastern Region ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Series Design ◽

Stroke Prevalence ◽

Appalachian Kentucky ◽

The Mean ◽

Stroke Type ◽

Stroke Belt

This project used a retrospective case series design to investigate factors associated with stroke in a rural area in Appalachian Kentucky. The south-eastern region of the U.S. is often referred to as the ‘stroke belt,’ and includes the Appalachian region of the state of Kentucky. Data were collected from medical records of patients from a neurology practice and regional hospital with a diagnosis of stroke from March 2012 through November 2015. Data were collected without personal identifiers and included demographic characteristics, stroke type, treatments received, and referrals for additional care including rehabilitation. Data from a total of 84 stroke cases diagnosed between March 2012 and November 2015 were included. Of the 84 cases, 46 (54.8%) were female and all but one was Caucasian. The distribution by race is consistent with the population of the region. The stroke cases ranged in age from 41 to 92 (M=66.3) and the age at stroke diagnosis ranged from 40 to 90 (M=65.7). Fourteen (16.7%) had evidence of a previous stroke at diagnosis. For smokers, the mean age at diagnosis was 62.7 for smokers while for non-smokers it was 67.5. The study reported smoking rates that were nearly three-times the national average, and the smokers in this study were found to have stroke onset approximately five-years earlier than non-smokers. The results from this case series support the need for further investigation on stroke prevalence and factors contributing to continued risk for stroke in Appalachia.

Download Full-text

Clinical and functional outcomes of tarsal coalition resection to correct rigid flat foot

Journal of the Foot & Ankle ◽

10.30795/jfootankle.2021.v15.1537 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 115-119

Author(s):

Rodrigo Guimarães Huyer ◽

Mário Sérgio Paulillo Cillo ◽

Carlos Daniel Cândido Castro Filho ◽

Hallan Douglas Bertelli ◽

Marcelo Morelli Girondo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Case Series ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Continuous Variables ◽

Tarsal Coalition ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Aofas Score ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Flat Foot ◽

Flat Feet ◽

The Mean

Objective: This study used the AOFAS score to assess the clinical functional results of patients who underwent tarsal coalition resection. Methods: This was a retrospective case series of patients who underwent tarsal coalition resection to correct rigid flat foot. Clinical and functional assessment was performed with the AOFAS score before and 6 months after surgical treatment. Descriptive analysis was performed for 7 patients (11 operated feet) using measurements of position and dispersion (mean, standard deviation, minimum, median and maximum value) for continuous variables and frequency tables (absolute and relative) for categorical variables. Results: The mean patient age was 10 years, 7 months, and the majority (71.43%) were male. The most affected joint was the calcaneonavicular. The right side was affected in 54.55% of the cases. The most frequent type of coalition was osseous (81.82% of the cases). The mean pre- and postoperative AOFAS scores were 32.7 and 70.2 points, respectively, which was a significant increase. Conclusion: The increased scores after coalition resection was considered the main change between the two assessments. Thus, it can be concluded that in rigid flat feet without severe hind- or forefoot deformities for which conservative treatment failed, bar resection should be the surgical procedure of choice. Level of Evidence IV; Therapeutic Studies; Case Series.

Download Full-text

Efficacy of threading lasso fixation in repairing partial articular supraspinatus tendon avulsion lesions: a retrospective study

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-021-04739-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sun-Yu Chen ◽

Zhan-Hao Xiao ◽

Jian-Kun Wang

Keyword(s):

Los Angeles ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Case Series ◽

Visual Analog Scale Score ◽

Supraspinatus Tendon ◽

Fixation Technique ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

The Mean ◽

Tendon Avulsion

Abstract Background The partial articular supraspinatus tendon avulsion (PASTA) lesion repair remains a topic of debate. We have performed in situ repair of PASTA lesions using a potentially viable threading lasso fixation technique. This retrospective case series aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of PASTA lesion repair using threading lasso fixation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to review this technique and its outcomes in terms of pain and upper extremity function. Methods Twenty-five patients with PASTA lesions who were treated with threading lasso fixation were reviewed. All patients were followed up for at least 1 year. Preoperative and follow-up data were retrospectively collected and reviewed. Clinical outcomes were assessed to evaluate the efficacy of the surgery. Results There were no postoperative complications. The average follow-up period was 25.7 (22–27) months. At the last follow-up, all patients underwent follow-up magnetic resonance imaging; only two cases showed a partially healed tendon and no case converted to full-thickness tear. Furthermore, shoulder pain decreased and mobility was recovered, with statistically significant differences in all scoring measures. Specifically, the mean visual analog scale score decreased from 5.4 ± 1.2 before surgery to 1.1 ± 0.8 at the last follow-up (t = 14.908, P < 0.01), and the mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Assessment Form score improved significantly from 51.6 ± 6.4 to 89.3 ± 5.2 (t = 22.859, P < 0.01). Additionally, the mean University of California Los Angeles score improved from 17.8 ± 3.5 preoperatively to 32.3 ± 1.4 (t = 19.233, P < 0.01). Conclusions Arthroscopic repair using threading lasso fixation is a novel transtendinous technique for patients with partial articular supraspinatus tendon avulsion. Tendon integrity is preserved with this method, which may result in improved function. Overall, threading lasso fixation technique is an effective treatment.

Download Full-text

A case series of cerebral venous thrombosis as the first manifestation of homocystinuria

European Stroke Journal ◽

10.1177/23969873211059479 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 239698732110594

Author(s):

Antonio Ochoa-Ferraro ◽

Subadra Wanninayake ◽

Charlotte Dawson ◽

Adam Gerrard ◽

Mary Anne Preece ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Venous Thrombosis ◽

Effective Treatment ◽

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis ◽

Thrombotic Event ◽

Case Series ◽

Autosomal Recessive Disorder ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Tertiary Referral Centre ◽

Physician Awareness ◽

The Mean

Background Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is an important cause of stroke particularly in younger patients and potentially fatal if diagnosis is delayed. The presentation of symptoms is highly variable and consequently the diagnosis and underlying cause is often delayed or overlooked. Homocystinuria, a rare autosomal recessive disorder is an identified risk factor for CVT. Purpose A timely diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause of CVT could result in improved outcome and prevent further events. This case series describes the clinical course of six adults presented with unprovoked CVT, in whom the diagnosis of underlying homocystinuria was delayed with adverse consequences. We aim to highlight the importance of recognising homocystinuria as an underlying cause of CVT and offer a practical approach to the diagnosis and management. Methods This is a retrospective case series of a cohort of 30 consecutive patients seen in a UK tertiary referral centre. Result Six out of 30 patients presented with CVT prior to homocystinuria diagnosis. The mean and range of age at the time of the first CVT episode was 22.6 (range 11–31) years. The mean ±SD age at diagnosis of homocystinuria as the underlying cause was 26 ± 4.2 years. The time between first CVT and diagnosis of homocystinuria ranged from 1.6 to 11 years resulting in a delay to introduction of effective treatment and, in some cases, a further large vessels thrombotic event. Conclusion Physician awareness of homocystinuria as an underlying cause for an unprovoked CVT will facilitate timely introduction of effective treatment to prevent a further event.

Download Full-text