BMJ case reports
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Aneurysms of the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are believed to have a low risk of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), given the confines of the dural rings and the anterior clinoid process. The risk may be greater when the bony and dural protection has been eroded. ⋯ This case suggests that an eroding skull base lesion may distort normal anterior cranial base anatomy and allow communication between the cavernous ICA and subarachnoid space. The potential for SAH due to cavernous ICA aneurysm rupture should be recognised in patients with previous pituitary or other skull base lesions adjacent to the cavernous sinus.
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Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an inherited deficiency in the haem biosynthesis pathway. AIP is rare, affecting around 1 in 75 000 people. Acute attacks are characterised by abdominal pain associated with autonomic, neurological and psychiatric symptoms. ⋯ PRES is a clinicoradiological condition caused by the failure of the posterior circulation to autoregulate, resulting in cerebral oedema, headaches, nausea and seizures. This association is important because drugs used in the management of seizures may worsen an attack of AIP. This article describes a case of AIP and PRES in a young woman.
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A 44-year-old man, with a history of arterial hypertension, was referred with increasing shortness of breath due to a large pericardial effusion and imminent tamponade. Emergency ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis resulted in the rapid withdrawal of 2760 cc of serous fluid. 3 hours later, the patient developed acute pulmonary oedema, which was successfully treated. ⋯ Although the underlying mechanisms causing PDS are not fully understood, patients with high left ventricular (LV) filling pressures are at particular risk. In other words: diastolic dysfunction of the LV is a risk factor for the occurrence of PDS.