Journal of medical case reports
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Case Reports
Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome associated with a nasopharyngeal tumor in an adult: a case report.
Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome is a rare autoimmune syndrome usually seen in children and very rarely in adults. It typically presents with a triad of opsoclonus, myoclonus and ataxia, and is most often associated with a tumor or after an infection or vaccination. Around half of all adult cases are paraneoplastic in origin, and isolated case reports include associations with lung, breast and ovarian cancers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first-ever reported case of paraneoplastic opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome occurring in association with a nasopharyngeal carcinoma. ⋯ We show that a nasopharyngeal carcinoma can be associated with adult onset opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome. Both neurologists and otorhinolaryngologists must be aware of such a presentation. Prognosis of the syndrome depends on early and adequate management of the tumor, therefore prompt identification of the syndrome and the underlying tumor is essential.
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Case Reports
Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum following cocaine inhalation: a case report.
Subcutaneous emphysema or pneumomediastinum can occur as a complication of illicit drug use although this is rare. When occurring without a pneumothorax and spontaneously, it is usually treated conservatively, but can have serious consequences. ⋯ We report a rare case of subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum likely due to the nasal insufflation of cocaine. We discuss the necessary investigations to rule out any serious underlying pathology. These should be considered in patients who present with chest pain after cocaine use.
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Torsion of the omentum is a benign self-limiting disorder, which is difficult to diagnose because the main symptoms are similar to those of other abdominal diseases. Most of the published cases had been diagnosed during operation via direct eye view. According to several studies, it is important that the correct preoperative diagnosis is made as omental torsion can be treated conservatively in most cases without any complications avoiding surgical intervention. However, patients should be under clinical and laboratory observation in order to detect symptoms that would lead to surgical intervention in which case a laparoscopy is the appropriate surgical treatment. ⋯ Greater omental torsion is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. It presents as acute abdominal pain located more often in the right iliac fossa. It is very important to make a correct preoperative diagnosis because omental torsion is a benign self-limiting disorder that can be treated conservatively, avoiding laparotomy. When a patient's clinical, laboratory and radiological findings worsen or diagnosis is doubtful then laparoscopy is the appropriate method for diagnosis and treatment.
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Hyperhomocysteinemia is a known risk factor for myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and thrombosis. Elevated plasma homocysteine levels have been demonstrated in patients with recurrent episodes or a single episode of thrombosis. Here we describe the development of cardiovascular disease as a complication of a surgical intervention in a patient with colorectal cancer and hyperhomocysteinemia. ⋯ Neoplastic disease and related surgery followed by the administration of chemotherapeutic drugs alter the hemostatic balance in cancer patients. Those suspected of also having a thrombophilic disease require a thorough laboratory diagnostic workup, including a molecular analysis aimed at identifying the genetic mutation responsible for the hyperhomocysteinemia, as indicated. The case described in this report highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach that includes expertise in peri-operative anesthesia, surgery, oncology, and hematology.
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Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare but life-threatening disease. AFLP is characterized by liver failure with different degrees of coagulopathy. Outcome and survival can be dramatically improved with prompt recognition and treatment. Thromboelastometry has been considered a point of care for the management of bleeding patients. It could, therefore, be an alternative tool to treat the complex cases of AFLP involving liver failure and coagulopathy. Through this study, we present our successful experience of an AFLP case that was submitted to an emergency cesarean section in which blood transfusion was guided by thromboelastometry. ⋯ Thromboelastometry may be considered a useful, feasible and safe tool to monitor and manage coagulopathy in obstetric patients with acute fatty liver of pregnancy, with the potential advantage of helping avoid unnecessary transfusion in such patients.