BMJ case reports
-
Case Reports
Bilateral pneumothorax, surgical emphysema and pneumomediastinum in a young male patient following MDMA intake.
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or 'Ecstasy' is an illicit drug frequently used by young people at parties and 'raves'. It is readily available in spite of the fact that it is illegal.1 It is perceived by a lot of young people as being 'harmless', but there have been a few high-profile deaths associated with its use.2 Known side effects of MDMA include hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, coagulopathy and cardiac arrhythmias.3 Rarer side effects include surgical emphysema and pneumomediastinum, which have been better described with cocaine abuse.4-6 We present a case of bilateral pneumothorax, surgical emphysema and pneumomediastinum in a young man after taking ecstasy.
-
Non-ketotic hyperglycaemic hemichorea-hemiballismus (NHHH) is commonly seen among elderly Asian women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Here, we present a case of a 16-year-old Filipina with type 1 diabetes mellitus who is poorly compliant to her medications and subsequently developed right hemichorea-hemiballismus (HH). She was initially admitted with hyperglycaemia but was negative for ketonuria or metabolic acidosis. ⋯ This is the fifth reported case of NHHH seen among the paediatric age group. NHHH in the paediatric population is clinically and radiographically similar to NHHH seen among adults. Correction of hyperglycaemia results in clinical improvement and radiographic resolution of lesions but persistent cases may necessitate specific treatment targeted towards the abnormal movements.