BMJ case reports
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Subtalar dislocation is the simultaneous dislocation of the talocalcaneal and talonavicular joints of the foot, typically caused by falls from heights, twisting leg injuries and motor vehicle accidents. The dislocation can occur medially, lateral, anterior or posterior, but most commonly occurs from inversion injury producing a medial dislocation. These dislocations may be accompanied by fractures. ⋯ However, if the dislocation is associated with an open fracture it may require reduction in the operating room. Treatment should include postreduction plain x-ray and CT scan to evaluate for proper alignment and for fractures. This article presents a case of medial subtalar dislocation in a 23-year-old football player.
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We report the first case of cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA), caused by oesophageal achalasia, which recovered completely with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) followed by therapeutic hypothermia. A 53-year-old woman arrived at our hospital with recovery of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest. Dysphagia, vomiting and general fatigue had progressed for a week before. ⋯ A large amount of food, air and saliva was suctioned with a nasogastric tube, and the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit for therapeutic hypothermia. Neurological recovery was evident. On the 11th day, pneumatic dilatation was performed and she was discharged on the 33rd day.
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Case Reports
A patient with Loeys-Dietz syndrome treated with chemoradiotherapy for an oropharyngeal carcinoma.
We present the first published case of a patient with Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) who was treated with radical chemoradiotherapy for an oropharyngeal carcinoma. In view of this newly recognised connective tissue disease, the uncertainty of severe toxicity from chemoradiotherapy to treat a potentially curative cancer posed a management challenge. ⋯ Furthermore, we have observed minimal late effects secondary to chemoradiotherapy at 3 years following the completion of treatment suggesting that the underlying pathogenesis of LDS may provide an interesting human model to further elucidate the complex interactions of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and tissue fibrosis secondary to chemoradiotherapy. A review of LDS as well as the association of TGF-β1 expression and tissue fibrosis is presented.
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The case report illustrates an acute myocardial infarction (MI) in a 41-year-old hypertensive woman possibly because of an intake of a combination of tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid for dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia. There are multiple case reports of MI occurring in the setting of the use of antifibrinolytic agents including tranexamic acid. The present case serves as a warning that, even in patients with an apparently low risk for arterial thrombosis, these drugs may be implicated as a precipitant of MI.
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Water-pipe (shisha) smoking is increasingly popular among young people in Europe and North America. The proponents claim that smoking water-pipe is much 'cleaner' than cigarettes. Although, a recent analysis of toxicant yields during 1-2 h water-pipe smoking resulted comparable to 100-200 cigarettes. ⋯ Secondary polycythaemia was diagnosed caused by chronic carbon monoxide poisoning. After cessation of shisha smoking all blood values returned to normal ranges within 6 weeks. Owing to the increasing popularity of water-pipe smoking and the anticipated health risks, our report should help to enhance awareness and advocate more information in tobacco prevention programmes on its potential toxicities.