Medicine
-
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are currently considered first-line antihypertensive drugs, effectively inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. However, ARBs have been associated with intraoperative hypotension during general anesthesia. Although it is recommended to discontinue ARBs for 24 hours before surgery, the optimal duration of discontinuation remains unclear. We present a severe refractory hypotension encountered during general anesthesia despite discontinuing ARBs for 48 hours before anesthesia. ⋯ Refractory hypotension induced by Angiotensin receptor blockers can still occur even after discontinuing the medication for 48 hours before induction of general anesthesia. Despite withholding the medication, caution should be practiced regarding hypotension during general anesthesia in patient taking ARBs.
-
Case Reports
Pulmonary cryptococcosis masquerading as lung metastasis in gynecologic cancers: Two case reports.
Pulmonary cryptococcal infections occur mainly in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with malignancies. Preoperative diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) can be challenging for both clinicians and radiologists because of nonspecific clinical manifestations and variable radiologic features, as it is easily misdiagnosed as metastatic lung cancer. ⋯ Recognition that PC can mimic lung metastasis is important for managing gynecological cancers. PC should be considered in the differential diagnosis when single or multiple nodules are detected on chest radiography without elevation of tumor markers in patients with gynecological cancer.
-
Horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HSC-BPPV) is a second common canal of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV); its actual incidence may have been underestimated because of its complex pathogenesis. Although the canalith repositioning maneuver is the treatment of choice, it has a high recurrence rate, affecting some patients' lives and psychology. We submit a case report describing acupuncture and wheat grain moxibustion treatment for HSC-BPPV. ⋯ This brief clinical report suggests that acupuncture therapy may be a complementary option for treating HSC-BPPV.
-
Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy (GFAP-A) is a group of neurological syndromes involving the meninges, brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves and is characterized by sensitivity to steroid therapy. Due to the diverse clinical presentation and lack of uniform diagnostic criteria, GFAP-A can easily be overlooked or diagnosed as another disease. It is even rarer when presenting as an isolated spinal cord lesion. ⋯ Long segment cases with punctate and patchy enhancement of the spinal cord are difficult to distinguish from CLAPPERS, so GFAP-A antibody detection is very important. This atypical case also increases neurologists' understanding of GFAP-A.
-
Liddle syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by hypertension, hypokalemia, low aldosterone levels, and reduced renin activity. Atypical Liddle syndrome can be easily misdiagnosed due to its clinical phenotypes resembling hyperaldosteronism. ⋯ Some Liddle syndrome may present with normal aldosterone levels, genetic testing is necessary for the diagnosis. If the diagnostic test of primary aldosteronism is positive, but the treatment with spironolactone is ineffective, we should actively search for other causes.