COVID-19 has brought up the interest about hyperferritinemic syndromes. Though often seen in COVID-19, especially within the frame of COVID-CSS, hyperferritinemia needs a systematic diagnostic approach, as co-infections or other causes may also increase ferritin. In this article, we present a case report of extreme hyperferrinemia in an male criticall ill patient with COVID-19 and we perform a short synthesis of the available literature. Continue reading
Friedreich’s ataxia is an autosomal recessive inherited neurodegenerative ataxic condition that is often accompanied with multiple comorbidities like scoliosis, cardiac myopathies, diabetes mellitus, abnormal reflexes, dysarthria and it is a challenging task for the anesthesia providers in regards to the pharmacologic, physiologic, and pathologic effects that would occur with this disorder. We present a case report of a 10-year-old male child who was scheduled for a Galeazzi fracture surgery. Continue reading
Therapy armamentarium for multpile sclerosis include a variety of drugs. Natalizumab, a humanized antibody, is widely used in relapsing-remissing multiple sclerosis. Anticonvulsants, like topiramate, are also widely used for symptomatic relief. We hereby describe a case of Status epilepticus and topiramate induced metabolic acidosis in a female patient with multiple sclerosis under natalizumab therapy. Continue reading
The number of pregnant women with morbid obesity (BMI 40–49.9 kg/m2) has significantly increased worldwide. Management of these patients presents a challenge for obstetric anesthesiologist. We report our management of cesarean delivery in a parturient with a BMI 47.3 kg/m2. We present this case to emphasize usefulness of Tuohy needle as an introducer for performing spinal anesthesia with a long 27G pencil point needle. Literature review is discussed. Continue reading
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening syndrome of excessive immune activation that mostly occurs as primary (hereditary) disease in children. Acquired HLH is associated with infections, cancer of rheumatological conditions. Both are rare in adults. Turicella otitidis is a bacterium, that is associated with ear infections and there is only one case report of bacteraemia. The present report describes a case of acquired HLH with invasive pulmonary Aspergillosis and Turicella otitidis bacteraemia in an adult patient; and also reviews the relative literature. In conclusion though rare, acquired HLH is a devastating condition that clinicians should have in mind when managing patients with multiple infection or underlying immunosuppression. Continue reading
Acute uvular edema is a rare complication that can be presented in the postoperative period, usually after general anesthesia. If severe enough, it can even result in a compromised airway. In this case report, we present a case of postoperative acute uvular edema occurred in an orthopedic patient, after spinal anesthesia and infraclavicular brachial plexus nerve block combined with intravenous sedation. Continue reading
Pneumothorax is a collection of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall and depending on its cause it could be either spontaneous or traumatic. Tension Pneumothorax (TPT) can be a cause of cardiac arrest (CA) or might be a complication after chest compressions. According to the 2015 European Resuscitation Council guidelines on resuscitation, TP is considered one of the reversible causes of CA, which should be recognized and treated during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Continue reading
West Nile virus is an RNA virus, member of the Japanese encephalitis serogroup of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. First isolated in 1937, the virus has re-emerged after giving several outbreaks after the 1990 both in Europe and North America. Though severe neurological infection is only 1% of the total cases, mortality can reach 14% after CNS involvement. The present case report describes a case of WNV encephalitis with concomitant acute flaccid paralysis. Continue reading
Nasogastric tube is commonly used for administration of nutrition or medication in hospital wards and Intensive Care Units. However, its use is not without complications.In the present paper, a case report of nasogastric tube breakage is presented. Continue reading
Mitochondrial diseases represent a wide range of disorders caused by impairment of mitochondrial metabolism and energy production. We report a case of an uneventful perioperative management of a pregnant patient with early childhood-onset mitochondrial encephalopathy, attributed to a novel AIFM1 (Apoptosis-Inducing Factor, Mitochondrion-associated 1) mutation. After a multidisciplinary team consultation, it was decided to be posted for elective caesarean delivery at 36+2 weeks of gestation, under titrated combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia and multimodal analgesia. Unique anaesthetic challenges were to ensure normoglycaemia, normothermia and adequate hydration while avoiding perioperative stress and acidosis. Continue reading
