A & A case reports
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In this report, we describe a case of a neonatal oral herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection possibly acquired from a mother who had oral HSV reactivation in association with neuraxial morphine. Neuraxial morphine is commonly administered for postpartum analgesia after cesarean delivery. While there is evidence that neuraxial morphine increases the risks of oral HSV reactivation in parturients, there has been no report of neonatal HSV infection directly acquired from a mother who had HSV recurrence from neuraxial morphine.
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Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), or Devic's disease, is an idiopathic severe demyelinating disease that preferentially affects the optic nerve and spinal cord. Neuraxial anesthesia in women with multiple sclerosis is widely accepted, but reports of the use of neuraxial anesthesia in patients with NMO are scarce. We report the case of a morbidly obese primigravida undergoing a planned cesarean delivery at 32 weeks' gestation due to an acute exacerbation of NMO, managed with spinal anesthesia. Other than increased intraoperative hyperalgesia requiring inhaled nitrous oxide/oxygen, the mother experienced no apparent anesthetic-related complications.
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A 31-year-old man who had surgery after a gunshot injury was recovering in the intensive care unit when a sudden deterioration in his condition occurred after enteral administration of methylene blue to detect a fistula. Serotonin syndrome was diagnosed based on hyperthermia, ocular clonus, and excessive diaphoresis.
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Methylene blue, a drug used to treat vasoplegia and methemoglobinemia, also inhibits monoamine oxidase-A. When given in combination with serotonergic medications, methylene blue can lead to serotonin excess syndrome. ⋯ Patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass for cardiac surgery are a specific population at risk for postbypass vasoplegic shock. The use of methylene blue to treat vasoplegia in this group of patients should be weighed in light of their current medications and potential drug interactions.