Journal of medical case reports
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We report the case of a patient who was diagnosed as having pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis while being treated with prednisolone for bronchial asthma. Even before we had experienced a case of this, the relationship between pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and prednisolone was unclear. In this case, pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis was improved with the reduction of prednisolone, and therefore we thought a direct relationship between pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and prednisolone might become clear, such as whether it is dose dependent. ⋯ Amelioration of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis was observed with tapering of the prednisolone, suggesting that prednisolone may have been involved in the pathogenesis of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in this patient.
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Acute cerebral edema is a significant cause of death in patients treated for diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome. ⋯ Although the clinical presentation and head computed tomography were concerning for cerebral edema, the distinctive features on brain magnetic resonance imaging helped to clarify the diagnosis and differentiate it from other processes.
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Branches from the cervical portion of the internal carotid artery are rare. In most cases, atherosclerotic stenosis is found at the bifurcation of the internal and external carotid arteries. However, when associated with atherosclerotic carotid artery disease, the origin of the rare branches arising from the internal carotid artery can be another site of stenosis. This report describes a rare case of such tandem carotid stenosis treated by carotid endarterectomy and the importance of the possibility of stenosis at the origin of the anomalous branch from the internal carotid artery. ⋯ It is important to recognize rare cases of the anomalous origin of the occipital artery from the internal carotid artery and the possibility that the origin of such an anomalous occipital artery may be the cause of stenosis.
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Routine coagulation tests have a low predictability for perioperative bleeding complications, and spinal hematoma after removal of epidural catheters is very infrequent. Thromboelastometry and point-of-care platelet aggregometry may improve hemostatic monitoring but have not been studied in the context of safety around epidural removal. ⋯ This case series is new in that it examines rotational thromboelastometry and multiple electrode platelet aggregometry postoperatively in the context of epidural analgesia and shows that they may be clinically useful. These methods should be validated before they can be used for standard patient care.
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⋯ Given the significant mortality attributed to drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome, medical personnel should be aware of the potential for this severe hypersensitivity reaction and should ensure close follow-up and offer anticipatory guidance when beginning any new medication, particularly anti-epileptic therapy. Early recognition of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome and initiation of appropriate therapy are imperative in limiting morbidity.