The American journal of case reports
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Case Reports
Spontaneous Acute Mesenteroaxial Gastric Volvulus Diagnosed by Computed Tomography Scan in a Young Man.
Acute gastric volvulus is a surgical emergency that requires early recognition and treatment. Acute idiopathic mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus is a rare sub-type and there are few cases reported in children and there are even fewer reports in adults. ⋯ A patient presenting with severe epigastric pain and clinical evidence of gastric outlet obstruction should be considered as a surgical emergency to rule out gastric volvulus. High index of suspicion, early diagnosis and prompt surgical management are important for favorable outcome in patients with acute spontaneous gastric volvulus.
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Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) can cause various infections, including gas gangrene, crepitant cellulitis, and fasciitis. While C. perfringens sepsis is uncommon, it is often rapidly fatal because the alpha toxin of this bacterium induces massive intravascular hemolysis by disrupting red blood cell membranes. ⋯ C. perfringens infection should be considered in a febrile patient who has severe hemolytic anemia with a very low MCV, hemolyzed blood sample, and negative Coombs test. The characteristic peripheral blood smear findings may facilitate rapid diagnosis.
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Case Reports
A 45-Year-Old Undiagnosed Cirrhotic Patient with Hepatopulmonary Syndrome as First Presentation: A Case Report.
Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a pulmonary complication characterized by a triad of chronic liver disease, arterial hypoxemia, and pulmonary vascular dilations. Agitated saline contrast echocardiography is a simple inexpensive criterion standard procedure for confirming the diagnosis of HPS. ⋯ HPS, although a complication of cirrhosis, can be the initial presentation in undiagnosed cirrhotic patients. Thus, it is important to include HPS in differentials when dealing with cases of progressive dyspnea. Also, the possibility of a liver disease etiology should be explored in patients with unexplained hypoxemia.
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Chromobacterium violaceum (C. violaceum) is a facultative anaerobic gram-negative bacterium found in soil and water, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Although infection in humans is rare, it is associated with significant morbidity. The bacterium is known for its resistance to multiple antimicrobials, and the possibility of relapse and reinfection. Presence of bacteremia, disseminated infection, and ineffective antimicrobial agents are predictors of mortality. ⋯ This case highlights the importance of considering C. violaceum as a relevant human pathogen, and considering it early in temperate regions, particularly in cases of fulminant sepsis associated with multi-organ abscesses. Once C. violaceum is identified, appropriate antimicrobial therapy should be started promptly, and sufficient duration of treatment is necessary for successful therapy.
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Case Reports
Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum in Non-Asthmatic Children with Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction.
Subcutaneous emphysema can result from rupture of the respiratory or gastrointestinal systems, commonly occurring after trauma or surgery, as well as from rupture of alveoli as pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum with subcutaneous emphysema is rare in children without chest or neck trauma. Here, we report 2 cases of spontaneous pneumomediastinum with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. ⋯ Early recognition and investigation of serious conditions should be promptly done in spontaneous pneumomediastinum patients. Conservative treatment, extensive investigations of predisposing factors, and treatment are important.