Thrombophilia is commonly associated with venous thromboembolism, but its relationship with arterial thrombosis, specifically stroke, is not as clearly established. Several large studies have failed ...to establish a significant connection between inherited thrombophilia and stroke. While tests for Factor V Leiden mutation, prothrombin mutation, protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, antithrombin deficiency, and antiphospholipid antibodies are typically done for thrombophilia diagnosis, there appears to be little or no correlation between these markers and stroke. In this article, we discuss a case of a 26-year-old male admitted with right neck pain that developed after playing basketball; he was found to have a right cerebellar infarction. He underwent extensive tests for hypercoagulable disorders, which were negative. We also review current evidence and reassess the value of thrombophilia testing in stroke patients.
Sympathetic crashing acute pulmonary edema (SCAPE) is an acute decompensated heart failure due to sympathetic overflow. SCAPE is usually triggered by acute insults with an underlying substrate such ...as long-standing hypertension, chronic heart failure, and valvular heart disease. We present a case of SCAPE in a 91-year-old female due to underlying multivalvular heart disease. Because of severe acute presentation, SCAPE should be identified early, and management should be urgently done to decrease the need for invasive ventilation and prolonged hospitalization.
POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein, and skin changes) syndrome is a multisystem disorder. Peripheral neuropathy and monoclonal plasma cell disorder are the most ...common manifestations of POEMS. Although osteosclerotic or mixed sclerotic-lytic lesions are typical, osteolytic lesions are rarely encountered. We present a case of a 39-year-old male with a history of multiple endocrine disorders who presented with paresthesia, edema, and hyperpigmentation and was eventually diagnosed with POEMS syndrome. Patients with unexplained neuropathy should be evaluated for POEMS syndrome, especially when it is associated with other findings like endocrinopathy, organomegaly, skin changes, or edema.
Wild honey poisoning: A case report from western Nepal Paudel, Anuj Krishna; Pokhrel, Amrit; Gaire, Suman ...
Clinical case reports,
March 2022, 2022-Mar, 2022-03-00, 20220301, 2022-03-01, Volume:
10, Issue:
3
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Wild honey has been used for several purposes in South‐Asia and Eastern Europe since long ago. One of the commonest is medicinal purposes, especially for gastrointestinal disorders (peptic ulcer ...disease, dyspepsia, and gastritis), hypertension, and an aphrodisiac (sexual stimulant). However, honey produced from the nectar of few rhododendron species contains a toxin known as grayanotoxin, which acts on the sodium channel and prevents its inactivation leading to vagal activation, causing hypotension and bradycardia. Here, we report a case of 55 years woman who reported to our Emergency Department with complaints of dizziness and vomiting as well as bradycardia and hypotension. Most of the cases of wild honey poisoning resolve within the first 24 h, but in our case, the symptoms persisted for 72 h. So, we must observe patients for 72 h as some cases may last longer. Timely management of the patient can prevent fatal complications.
Most cases of wild honey poisoning resolve within the first 24 h, but in some cases, the symptoms may persist for up to 72 h. So, we must observe patients for at least 72 h.
Methemoglobinemia is caused due to an increase in methemoglobin in the blood, impairing oxygen transfer to tissues. Acquired methemoglobinemia is caused by various drugs like local anesthetics, ...antibiotics, nitrates, nitrites, and food additives. We present a case of a 73-year-old male who presented with cyanosis, altered mental status, and hypoxia following transesophageal echocardiography. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed methemoglobinemia. He had been given topical lidocaine and benzocaine spray before the procedure. He improved after the administration of methylene blue. The case highlights the importance of considering methemoglobinemia in patients presenting with cyanosis, altered mental status, and hypoxia after endoscopic procedures.
Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has emerged as a newer method for managing severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and ARDS refractory to conventional management. ...However, its current role in the management of ARDS is not clear. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to compare the mortality rates of ECMO over conventional management in ARDS.Methods: PubMed, PubMed Central, Embase, and Scopus were searched using appropriate keywords. We selected studies in adults with ARDS that compared the outcomes of patients treated with ECMO vs. conventional management. Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) 2.0 and the JBI (Joanna Briggs Institute) quality assessment tools were used for assessing the risk of bias in RCTs and observational studies, respectively. The I2 statistic was used to evaluate heterogeneity, and quantitative synthesis was performed using fixed or random effects to pool studies based on heterogeneities. Meta-analysis was conducted using Revman 5.4.Result: Twelve studies were included in this meta-analysis. As compared to the conventional management (mechanical ventilation: MV), patients treated with ECMO had lower odds of 30-days mortality (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.84) and 90 days mortality (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.85). However, there was no significant difference between in-hospital mortality (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.40 to 1.41) and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.36 to 2.79). Similarly, length of hospital stays (LOS) (MD, 3.92; 95% CI, -6.26 to 14.11) did not show statistically significant differences across the two groups. However, the average ICU stay (ICU LOS) was 7.28 days longer in the ECMO group compared with the MV group (MD, 7.28; 95% CI, 2.55 to 12.02).Conclusion: Twenty-eight days and 90-days mortality were decreased in patients managed with ECMO compared with the MV group. Also, ICU LOS was found to be longer in the ECMO group. Furthermore, no statistical difference was found between the two groups for in-hospital mortality and hospital LOS.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constitutes around 85% of lung cancer cases. Advanced non-small cell lung cancer has a poor prognosis. Immunotherapy plays a pivotal role in managing advanced ...non-small cell lung cancer not positive for driver mutations. Nivolumab is a monoclonal antibody against programmed death-ligand 1 (PDL1). It is approved as a second-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who progress on or after chemotherapy. We present a case of a 71-year-old female with advanced non-small cell lung cancer without any driver mutations diagnosed four years ago. Her disease progressed while on conventional chemotherapy, and she was started on nivolumab three and a half years ago. Her lung nodules resolved, she did not show signs of progression, and her performance status improved while on nivolumab. This case report highlights the current role of nivolumab in the management of NSCLC. Patients whose condition worsens while on conventional chemotherapy can respond very well to modern targeted immunotherapy.
There is no clear consensus on the preference for pharmacological cardioversion (PC) in comparison to electric cardioversion (EC) for hemodynamically stable new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) ...patients presenting to the emergency department (ED).
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess PC (whether being followed by EC or not) vs. EC in achieving cardioversion for hemodynamically stable NOAF patients. PubMed, PubMed Central, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched to include relevant studies until 7 March 2022. The primary outcome was the successful restoration of sinus rhythm, and secondary outcomes included emergency department (ED) revisits with atrial fibrillation (AF), hospital readmission rate, length of hospital stay, and cardioversion-associated adverse events.
A total of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one observational study were included. There was no difference in the rates of successful restoration to sinus rhythm (88.66% vs. 85.25%; OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.35-3.71;
= 868). There was no statistical difference across the two groups for ED revisits with AF, readmission rates, length of hospital stay, and cardioversion-associated adverse effects, with the exception of hypotension, whose incidence was lower in the EC group (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.04-0.27:
= 727).
This meta-analysis suggests that there is no difference in successful restoration of sinus rhythm with either modality among patients with hemodynamically stable NOAF.
The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic in early 2020. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has affected morbidity and mortality tremendously. Even though multiple drugs ...are being used throughout the world since the advent of COVID-19, only limited treatment options are available for COVID-19. Therefore, drugs targeting various pathologic aspects of the disease are being explored. Multiple studies have been published to demonstrate their clinical efficacy until now. Based on the current evidence to date, we summarized the mechanism, roles, and side effects of all existing treatment options to target this potentially fatal virus.
This case report highlights considering Behcet's disease as a diagnosis in orogenital ulcers and uveitis, although its prevalence is unknown in Nepal due to underreporting. Also, collaboration for ...patient care among relevant specialties is required.
This case report highlights considering Behcet's disease as a diagnosis in orogenital ulcers and uveitis, although its prevalence is unknown in Nepal due to underreporting. Also, collaboration for patient care among relevant specialties is required.