BMJ case reports
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Case Reports
A case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy induced by accidental hypothermia and diabetic ketoacidosis.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is known to be triggered by some stress. We report the first case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy induced by hypothermia and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). A 59-year-old woman was brought to our emergency department. ⋯ An ECG demonstrated a J wave (V(4-5)) and ST-segment elevation (V(3-5)), and an ultrasound cardiogram revealed contractile failure of the left ventricular wall at the apex with hypercontraction of the basal segment. Coronary artery disease was ruled out by coronary angiography, and the diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was confirmed. Physicians should keep in mind that Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can be induced by accidental hypothermia and DKA.
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Case Reports
Incidental pathologically proven pulmonary hamartoma in a patient with carcinoma tongue.
Pulmonary hamartomas are usually clinically silent and found incidentally on chest radiographs. They can lead to diagnostic confusion especially in patients who have been previously treated for primary cancers at other sites. ⋯ In this case, evaluation of a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) in a patient with carcinoma of tongue led to the diagnosis of pulmonary chondroid hamartoma. This highlights the fact that a pulmonary nodule in a patient with progressive cancer at another site does not always indicate pulmonary metastasis.
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A 44-year-old lady with a history of lumbar back pain presented to the emergency department complaining of severe back pain radiating to her buttocks. Positive examination findings were a loss of sensation in the perianal area and 348 ml of retained urine. An urgent MRI showed compression of the cauda equina by a herniated disc. ⋯ During follow-up, the patient was reviewed by a consultant spinal surgeon, a urologist and our cauda equina nurse at every appointment, as per the cauda equina pathway specifically designed and implemented by our spinal unit. This report shows the complex nature of cauda equina syndrome and broad functional deficit patients can suffer from. It shows the benefits of prompt diagnosis and surgery, together with intensive, multidisciplinary follow-up and treatment, all of which are possible by a specially created, cauda equina protocol.
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Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a kind of inflammatory hyperplastic soft tissue lesion of the oral cavity. The lesion, however, is not related to infection and arise as a reactive growth in response to various stimuli. ⋯ Bleeding may be at times very severe and difficult to control. We present the case of a profusely bleeding young PG in a young teenage child.
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Smoking-related interstitial fibrosis (SRIF) is a relatively new term used to describe chronic interstitial fibrosis that can develop in smokers. The association of SRIF with pulmonary hypertension has not been described. We present a 55-year-old man with an extensive smoking history who presented for evaluation of insidious onset of dyspnoea on exertion and hypoxaemic respiratory failure. ⋯ Open lung biopsy was consistent with SRIF. Vascular intimal proliferation consistent with pulmonary hypertension was also noted. Right heart catheterisation yielded mild pulmonary hypertension and treatment was initiated with tadalafil and bosentan.