Management of Bleed from Percutaneous Portal Puncture Site (post-BRTO) by Trans-jugular-Trans-Hepatic Embolization

We report the case of an elderly male, who was a known case of chronic liver parenchymal disease. He presented with a history of melena for 2 weeks and upper-GI endoscopy revealed fundal varices. He was planned for BRTO. Along with BRTO, a percutaneous trans-hepatic puncture of a branch of the right portal vein was also performed for proper embolization of the varices. The trans-hepatic puncture-tract was embolized after the procedure. However, after 24 hours of the procedure, the patient developed hypotension and abdominal distension due to hemorrhage from the portal puncture site. Portal-venography was performed via the trans-jugular-trans-hepatic route to confirm the source of hemorrhage and embolization of the culprit portal venous branch was performed via the same route. The patient was stable after the procedure.Various interventional procedures via the trans-jugular route have been routinely described in the literature, including trans-jugular liver biopsies, placement of TIPSS shunts and endovascular interventions for haemodialysis. However, the literature on trans-jugular embolization of portal vein is scarce. This case describes the unexpected clinical situation, in the form of bleeding from the portal puncture site, despite embolization of the trans-hepatic tract after BRTO. Finally, a creative solution was thought of and trans-jugular embolization of the portal vein was performed, which succeeded in terminating the ongoing bleeding from the portal vein.

Comparison of Renal Segmental Artery Blood Flow on Doppler in Young Obese & Non Obese Individuals

Aim: To compare renal segmental artery blood flow on Doppler in young obese & non-obese individuals. Methodology: In University Ultrasound Clinic Green Town, Lahore, Pakistan, a comparative study was conducted. 180 patients of age group 16 to 25 were enrolled in this study with convenient sampling technique. All the obese & non-obese patients having no history of renal disease were included in this study. Hypertensive and diabetic patients were also included. Pregnant females having any renal parenchymal disease were excluded. Results: In 90 non-obese individuals the average mean of PI was .989±.249 while in 90 obese individuals the average mean of PI was .985±.338. No statistical difference between the two averages as p-value 0.928> α=0.05. Conclusion: Study concluded that no statistically significant difference between the average PI in non-obese individuals compared to the average of PI in obese individuals. Keywords: Obese, Renal segmental artery, Pulsatility Index (PI), Ultrasonography

Recent management of surgically correctable hypertension

Background Surgical hypertension is elevated blood pressure that results from an underlying, identifiable, often correctable cause. Obstructive sleep Apnea, Aldosteronism, presence of renal artery Bruits (suggesting renal artery stenosis), renal parenchymal disease (Bad kidneys), excess Catecholamines, Coarctation of the aorta, Cushing's syndrome, Drugs, Diet, polycythemia, and some neuroendocrine tumors. Objective To assess, through the available literature. The role of surgery in the management of endocrine, renal and vascular causes of hypertension and outcome benefits of surgery. Data Sources Medline databases (PubMed, Medscape, Science Direct. EMF-Portal) and all materials available in the Internet till 2018. Data Extraction If the studies did not fulfill the inclusion criteria, they were excluded. Study quality assessment included whether ethical approval was gained, eligibility criteria specified, appropriate controls, and adequate information and defined assessment measures. Conclusion Secondary hypertension may be due to underlying correctable cause. Diagnosis and surgical correction of the underlying cause may improve hypertension and improve life quality of the patient especially in young patients resistant to medical therapy for hypertension.

Pneumomediastinum complicating COVID-19: a case series

Background Pneumomediastinum is a rare complication of COVID-19 pneumonia, which may or may not be associated with invasive ventilatory support. Therefore, the report and findings associated with its evolution can be of great contribution in the management of this unknown disease. Case presentation Here, we present a series of four patients with severe pneumomediastinum requiring intensive care unit. These patients developed pneumomediastinum before or during orotracheal intubation (OTI) or without OTI. The four patients were three men and one woman with a mean age of 60.5 years (48–74 years). No patients had a known history of lung disease or traumatic events, except for one patient who had a history of smoking, but who was without parenchymal disease. All intubations were performed without complications. No cases of pneumomediastinum occurred after tracheostomy, and none of the patients had tomographic or bronchoscopic evidence of tracheal injury. Although the pneumomediastinum observed in our cases was apparently not related to a violation of the aerodigestive track, this complication was associated with a worse prognosis. Conclusion Pneumomediastinum is a rare complication of COVID-19 pneumonia, and the most likely etiopathogenesis is severe pulmonary involvement, which may or may not be associated with invasive ventilatory support. Future studies with a greater number of cases should elucidate the relationship of pneumomediastinum to a probable prognostic factor.

Diagnostic Yield of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Liver Biopsy in Comparison to Percutaneous Liver Biopsy: A Two-Center Experience

There is scarce and conflicting evidence on the comparison between endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and percutaneous (PC)-guided liver biopsy (LB). The aim of this study was to compare the two approaches in a series of patients with parenchymal and focal liver lesions. Fifty-four patients undergoing EUS-LB in two high-volume centers between 2017 and 2021 were compared to 62 patients who underwent PC-LB. The primary outcome was diagnostic adequacy rate. The secondary outcomes were diagnostic accuracy, total sample length (TSL), number of complete portal tracts (CPTs), procedural duration, and adverse events. Variables were compared using the Chi-square and Mann–Whitney test. Median age was 56 years (interquartile range 48–69) in the EUS-LB group and 54 years (45–67) in the PC-LB group with most patients being male. Indication for LB was due to parenchymal disease in 50% of patients, whereas the other patients underwent LB due to focal liver lesions. Diagnostic adequacy was 100% in PC-LB and 94.4% in the EUS-LB group (p = 0.74), whereas diagnostic accuracy was 88.8% in the EUS-LB group and 100% in the PC-LB group (p = 0.82). Median TSL was significantly greater in the PC-LB group (27.4 mm, IQR 21–29) when compared to the EUS-LB group (18.5 mm, 10.1–22.4; p = 0.02). The number of complete portal tracts was 21 (11–24) in the PC-LB group and 18.5 (10–23.2) in EUS-LB group (p = 0.09). EUS-LB was a significantly longer procedure (7 min, 5–11 versus 1 min, 1–3 of PC-LB; p < 0.001) and no evidence of adverse events was observed in any of the study groups. These results were confirmed in the subgroup analysis performed according to an indication for LB (parenchymal disease versus focal lesion). Although PC-LB yielded specimens with greater TSL, diagnostic adequacy and accuracy were similar between the two procedures.

Hyperthyroidism and Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) Overlap Presenting as Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy in a 38-Year-Old Filipino Female: A Case Report

Background: The coexistence of these two conditions can mimic severe sepsis in critically ill patients which may leave severe thyrotoxicosis unrecognized. Its higher incidence in Asian population suggests a possible genetic propensity. Clinical Case: A 38-year-old Filipino female sought consult due to changes in behavior. Two months prior, patient had persistent heavy menstrual bleeding but refused work-up. There was progressive weakness and pallor in the interim but no consult was done until she had an aggressive behavior hitting everyone she sees. Patient has Graves disease, maintained on methimazole 15 mg/day and propranolol 30 mg/day. Patient was advised to undergo radioactive iodine therapy but was lost to follow-up for 2 years. Likewise, no medication adjustment nor monitoring of biochemical parameters was done during the same period. On admission, patient was disoriented, tachycardic and febrile. She was generally pale with petechiae on the extremities and blood clots on her lips. Internal examination of the introitus revealed fresh blood with clots. Pregnancy test was negative. Initial laboratory evaluation revealed severe anemia (3.3 g/dl) and thrombocytopenia (3000/uL). Peripheral smear showed mild anisocytosis of red blood cells with no blasts nor atypical lymphocytes and platelet clumps seen. Patient received 1 unit platelet apherese and 2 units packed red blood cells (PRBC) and was started on broad spectrum antibiotic. Neurologic evaluation was negative for craniopathies. Baseline cranial CT scan was not done due to absence of lateralizing signs and was managed as a case of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy from severe blood loss. Patient was biochemically hyperthyroid with TSH 0.065 uIU/ml, FT4 2.67 ng/dl and 10-fold elevated anti-TPO. Methimazole was then resumed at 20 mg/day and propranolol at 30 mg/day. Neck ultrasound showed an enlarged thyroid with diffuse parenchymal disease. Furthermore, patient had negative Coombs test, normal fibrinogen and procalcitonin. Patient was weakly positive for ANA at 1:160 dilution but negative for other markers in the lupus panel. Consistent with ITP, patient was started on IV hydrocortisone. In the interim, patient had less vaginal bleeding but with persistent bicytopenia which required multiple platelet and PRBC transfusions. A bone marrow biopsy was contemplated. However, on the 7th hospital day, patient had sudden onset of right sided paresthesia with dysarthria and hematomas on extremities. MRI of the brain revealed a large intraparenchymal hemorrhage and patient eventually succumbed to it. Conclusion: Bone marrow dysfunction secondary to the hyperthyroid state may explain the lack of response to standard therapy of ITP. There is short platelet lifespan, which is rather metabolic in nature, from increased reticuloendothelial phagocytic activity by upregulation of Fc receptor activity in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Management of Pulmonary Hypertension in Term Infants—A Review

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in the term newborn is associated with roughly one-fifth higher mortality and morbidity. The diagnosis of PH is confirmed by echocardiogram based on established criteria, including assessment of cardiac function, size of the shunts, and presence of hypovolemia. The elementary steps in the management of PH are supportive measures followed by oxygenation, ventilation including possibly high frequency ventilation; lung recruitment and surfactant therapy. Ventilation strategies are based on the etiology of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN)-like lung parenchymal disease, or hypoplasia. Oxygenation index (OI) or oxygen saturation index (OSI) are the parameters used for monitoring the disease progression and treatment. Surfactant is given if OI >5 in PPHN due to underlying lung disease, and pulmonary vasodilators such as sildenafil are contemplated if OI <15 and inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) if OI >15. If iNO and sildenafil fail, the options available are milrinone, bosentan, adenosine, and prostaglandins. Extra corporeal membrane oxygenation is the final option available with OI >40. A structured algorithmic approach for the management of PH in term infants is discussed in this review. Novel therapies targeting specific pathways in the pulmonary vasculature are under investigation.

Intrathecal Rituximab for Treatment of Leptomeningeal NonHodgkin’s Lymphoma: A Case Report

Introduction: Standard therapy for central nervous system (CNS) Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is still to be determined and varies in clinical practice. Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is more common as compared to parenchymal disease in CNS NHL. We present a case of Leptomeningeal NHL which was found to be resistant to treatment with intrathecal (IT) Methotrexate, Cytarabine and whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT). Our patient achieved a complete remission only after treatment with IT Rituximab. Case Presentation: 74-year-old male presented to us with cough with purulent sputum. Upon thorough investigation including biopsy of axillary lymphadenopathy and a staging MRI, the patient was found to have low grade I/III B cell follicular lymphoma with LM. The patient was refractory to treatment with intrathecally administered Methotrexate, intrathecal (IT) Cytarabine and WBRT. After administration of IT Rituximab, patient showed clinical improvement and subsequent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology revealed complete elimination of clonal B-cell population. Conclusions: In LM where cure is generally not expected, administration of IT Rituximab showed a favorable efficacy and safety profile. Prospective trials are needed to establish the role of IT Rituximab as a standard of care for treatment of LM involvement in B-cell lymphomas.

Crohn’s Disease with Atypical Extra-Intestinal Manifestations Developing Under Treatment with Vedolizumab

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the GI tract, which is frequently associated with extra-intestinal manifestations. Pulmonary parenchymal disease is very uncommon and usually considered to be debilitating and harder to diagnose. Pulmonary granulomas are rarely described in the literature as a complication of Crohn’s disease. Here, we present a patient with Crohn’s disease exacerbation who developed granulomatous lung disease under treatment with vedolizumab. Our case may add evidence to the emerging theory that gut-selective biologic agents could lead to upregulation of some pro-inflammatory factors leading to the evolution of pulmonary disease.

Pulmonary function and radiological features four months after COVID-19: first results from the national prospective observational Swiss COVID-19 lung study

BackgroundThe coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19) pandemic is an ongoing global health care challenge. Up to one third of hospitalised patients develop severe pulmonary complications and ARDS. Pulmonary outcomes following COVID-19 are unknown.MethodsThe Swiss COVID-19 lung study is a multicentre prospective cohort investigating pulmonary sequela of COVID-19. We report on initial follow-up 4 months after mild/moderate or severe/critical COVID-19 according to the WHO severity classification.Results113 COVID-19 survivors were included (mild/moderate 47, severe/critical 66). We confirmed several comorbidities as risk factors for severe/critical disease. Severe/critical disease was associated with impaired pulmonary function, i.e. diffusing capacity (DLCO) %-predicted, reduced 6-MWD, and exercise-induced oxygen desaturation. After adjustment for potential confounding by age, sex, and BMI, patients after severe/critical COVID-19 had a 20.9 (95% CI 12.4–29.4, p=0.01) lower DLCO %-predicted at follow up. DLCO %-predicted was the strongest independent factor associated with previous severe/critical disease when age, sex, BMI, 6MWD, and minimal SpO2 at exercise, were included in the multivariable model (adjusted odds ratio [OR] per 10%-predicted 0.59 [95% CI 0. 37–0.87], p=0.01). Mosaic hypoattenuation on chest computed tomography at follow-up was significantly associated with previous severe/critical COVID-19 including adjustment for age and sex (adjusted OR 11.7 [95%CI 1.7–239), p=0.03).ConclusionsFour months after SARS CoV-2 infection, severe/critical COVID-19 was associated with significant functional and radiological abnormalities, potentially due to small airway and lung parenchymal disease. A systematic follow-up for survivors needs to be evaluated to optimise care for patients recovering from COVID-19.