European journal of case reports in internal medicine
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Eur J Case Rep Intern Med · Jan 2018
Delayed Diagnosis of Atypical Presentation of Myasthenia Gravis.
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder affecting the neuromuscular junction, resulting in muscle fatiguability and weakness. The pathological characteristics of the disorder include ocular weakness resulting in diplopia and/or ptosis. More generally, the disease can result in fluctuant weakness of skeletal muscle, predominantly affecting ocular, bulbar and respiratory muscles. ⋯ We present a case of an 83-year-old male who presented with a 1 year history of dysphagia for solids and fatigable dysarthria. Following a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, he was initiated on corticosteroid treatment. He later descended into myasthenic crisis, requiring invasive ventilation measures due to a failure of both non-invasive ventilation and intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) to achieve therapeutic goals.
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Eur J Case Rep Intern Med · Jan 2018
A Low Rivaroxaban Plasma Level May Indicate Anticoagulation Undertreatment.
Few reports have been published on the correlation between plasma concentrations of rivaroxaban and clinical outcome in patients who have experienced venous thromboembolism. This article describes the case of a 44-year-old woman who experienced deep vein thrombosis during anticoagulation therapy with rivaroxaban, with evidence of repeated low plasma levels of the drug. We postulate that the determination of plasma rivaroxaban anti-Xa activity can be useful in the evaluation of anticoagulation therapy in selected cases.
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Eur J Case Rep Intern Med · Jan 2017
Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm Dissecting into the Anterior Chest Wall: A Rare Cause of Sudden Onset Excruciating Chest Pain.
Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (LVPA) is associated with a significant mortality rate of up to 45% in the first year after diagnosis. It is a very rare entity and hence the true incidence and natural history are not clearly known. Clinical presentation varies widely and requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. ⋯ She died 5 days later from complete rupture of the LVPA. With this report, we aim to raise the level of awareness of LVPA that could anatomically expand and rupture. Early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention is the treatment of choice.
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Eur J Case Rep Intern Med · Jan 2017
Reversal of the Anticoagulation Effects of Dabigatran Etexilate by Idarucizumab in Three Patients Needing Urgent Surgical Intervention and One Case of Intravenous Thrombolysis in Ischaemic Stroke.
To describe the benefits of reversal of the anticoagulation effects of dabigatran etexilate in patients requiring urgent surgery or thrombolysis for ischaemic stroke. ⋯ Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are a safe alternative to warfarin to prevent ischaemic stroke.Ability to reverse the anticoagulant effects of NOACs could increase adherence to anticoagulation therapy, thereby decreasing the risk of ischaemic stroke.Reversal of the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran etexilate can improve the outcome in patients needing urgent surgery, intervention and thrombolysis.
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Radial mononeuropathy most commonly manifesting as wrist drop is generally secondary to penetrating trauma to the radial nerve or compression injuries. It may also involve sensory changes depending on the location of the lesion. However, it has never been described as a sign of an inflammatory process, in particular an autoimmune disease. ⋯ Based on his medical history, we diagnosed Behçet's disease and subsequently neuro-Behçet's disease. He is receiving treatment with notable improvement. Neurological involvement in Behçet's disease is common but frequently undiagnosed.